Breaking Tradition, Janak Bhandari's Team Discusses Electoral Agenda with Journalists First

The group led by Janak Bhandari, a candidate for the presidency of the Nepali Society of Texas (NST) for the upcoming term, concluded an interaction and suggestion collection program with journalists working in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

During the program held on Monday, December 1st, in the assembly hall of Indian Kitchen in Haltom City, Bhandari's group shared information about their electoral commitments and future plans while gathering suggestions from journalists. The program saw the attendance of presidential candidate Bhandari and other candidates from his panel.

Speaking at the event, presidential candidate Janak Bhandari expressed his commitment to further elevate the prestige of NST if elected. He mentioned that the Nepali Society is a glorious organization on the world map and recalled that it has given birth to important institutions in the past, such as NCSC, Himalayan Health Clinic, and the Nepali Chamber of Commerce.

Presenting his team's main agendas, he stated that their plans include increasing public participation in temple construction, arranging transportation for senior citizens, establishing NST as an umbrella organization, making the international student aid fund effective, and increasing coordination with American government agencies.

Senior Vice-President candidate Dr. Chandi Bhandari said that his team would adopt and implement the agendas provided by the community. He added that the team consists of diligent colleagues who have served the country and are now ready to serve the community.

Ramkrishna Yadav, the candidate for General Secretary, stated at the program that he believes in action rather than propaganda on social media. He revealed that after being accused of 'doing publicity' while doing social service in the past, he vowed not to do personal promotion on social media.

“If elected, every decision and work will be transparently publicized through press releases,” Yadav said. “I do not have a personal agenda; the team's agenda is my agenda. We will hold quarterly press meetings to gather suggestions.” He also shared plans to arrange a toll-free number for the decentralization of the society's work.

Similarly, Gunjan Bhandari, a candidate for Vice-President, said that she has been active in social work since her time in Nepal. “Social service is a feeling that comes from the heart; it is not something done just for publicity,” she said. “I felt I could not do enough when I was not on the executive committee, so I decided to return.” She emphasized that the society needs to collaborate more, especially on the problems of students and women.

Journalists participating in the interaction offered suggestions on various topics. Om Acharya, Editor-in-Chief of US Khabar, suggested taking the increasing incidents of suicide in Texas seriously, arranging counselors, improving the relationship between the media and NST, and resolving the issue of the cricket stadium.

Likewise, Manoj Joshi, a journalist from US Khabar, requested an end to the factions within the society and reconciliation with the dissatisfied parties. Kisan Regmi, former regional coordinator of NEJA, said that the candidates' agendas are important and that such suggestion collection programs should continue even after they are elected.

At the end of the program, Senior Vice-President candidate Chandi Bhandari responded to the questions raised and reiterated that his team would adopt and implement the agendas given by the community. He mentioned that the team includes diligent colleagues who have served the country and are now ready to serve the community.

“We operate on the principle that 'Life is not for principles; principles are for life',” he said. “The community gives us the agenda, and we are merely the implementers. Team Janak has only come to serve.”

The program was facilitated by Sandesh Upreti, former General Secretary of Nepali Society of Texas. 

The attendees included Senior Vice-President candidate Chandi Bhandari, Vice-President candidate Gunjan Bhandari, Women's Vice-President candidate Radhika Kharal, Secretary candidate Sushil Bartaula, Treasurer candidate Bhola Mainali, Co-Treasurer candidate Rinjing Lama, Youth and Student Coordinator Adarsha Bhandari, Sports Coordinator Ujit Adhikari, and Women's Coordinator candidate Yamuna Thapa, along with Executive Member candidates Prakash Nepal, Ramesh Thapa, Arjun Bam, Krishna Prasai, and Utpal Khadka.