Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Achieves Unity After Five Years of Division

Kathmandu. The two working committees of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), which had been divided for the past five years, achieved unity on Sunday.

The unity was announced at a ceremony held at the Prime Minister's Office in Singha Durbar, under the patronage of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, between the groups led by Presidents Mahesh Kumar Shrestha and Dr. Badri K.C. Communications Minister Jagadish Kharel was also present at the ceremony.

Following the unity, the 12th General Convention is scheduled to take place within the month of February. Additionally, an 11-member Steering Committee will be formed to prepare for the unity General Convention. 

Founder President Upendra Mahato, former Presidents Bhavan Bhatt, Kumar Panta, and founder Bhim Udas, among others, were present at the unity ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, President Mahesh Kumar Shrestha stated that the unity of NRNA will contribute to Nepal's prosperity. "The unity we have initiated today is the beginning of a campaign. 

For the past four years, the Non-Resident Nepali Association faced an extremely difficult situation, and that difficult situation has now ended. We currently need consensus, collaboration, and unity. 

This is for Nepal's prosperity, for Nepal's reconstruction. There are immense opportunities and resources abroad; this is the beginning of a campaign to bring the knowledge, skills, capital, and technology from abroad into Nepal. A new campaign has started with today's unity," he said.

The other President, Dr. Badri K.C., stated that the history of NRNA has repeated itself after 22 years, emphasizing that unity was indispensable. "The very purpose of unity is the unity of 8 million Nepalis abroad. 

This is long-term unity. The significance of the signature we have made is great; it is a commitment of the Government of Nepal, Nepali citizens, and 8 million Nepalis residing abroad," he continued, "Even though we came from different conventions, we were one on the issues. Now, trust has been established between us."

Dr. K.C. also mentioned that a roadmap was already being prepared for the upcoming unity General Convention and assured that there would be no division along political lines. 

He expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of implementation of the citizenship provisions granted by the Nepali constitution. 

NRNA Spokesperson Gangadhar Gautam stated at the ceremony that the attempts to drag the common organization of Nepalis abroad to the Supreme Court and create differences have ended. 

He also pointed out that pressure is mounting for the continuity of NRNA citizenship with the slogan 'Once a Nepali, always a Nepali.'

Similarly, Vice President Ramsharan Simkhada stated that they will correct past mistakes and move forward. He urged the Government of Nepal, Nepali citizens, non-resident Nepalis, and journalists to continuously monitor NRNA from now on.

The unity agreement between the two groups includes a consensus to end all past disputes and disagreements, respect the orders of the Supreme Court, and resolve the issues of institutional legitimacy and leadership through mutual agreement.

It has been agreed to accept the leadership of the 11th General Convention recognized by the court, and formally install the President elected by the unity General Convention, Mahesh Shrestha, into the leadership of the association. 

Both groups share a commitment to hold a transparent and trustworthy 12th General Convention within the next six months.

For this purpose, a Steering Committee will be formed under the convenorship of President Mahesh Shrestha, which will systematically manage all structures, including elections, monitoring, membership management, judicial mechanism, and the improvement of the MIS system. 

With the decision by both groups to officially accept the structures elected from the 10th and 11th General Conventions, it is believed that the long-standing division will end and institutional unity will be strengthened.