The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) International Convention is planning to revise NRNA Charter to recognise only those Nepali citizens living abroad for more than two years as NRNs. 

Though NRN Act 2008 recognises foreign citizens of Nepali origin and Nepalis residing in countries other than SAARC member nations for more than two years as NRNs, NRNA Charter classifies Nepali citizens living abroad for over 182 days as NRNs. 

“Since the pre-condition for someone to become NRN has prevented NRNA to be registered in Nepal, we are planning to revise the Charter in coordination with the Act as in the current scenario revision of the Act does not look possible,” pointed out the president of NRN International Coordination Committee (NRN-ICC) Jiba Lamichhane. 

NRN International Convention and Sixth Global Conference will take place in Kathmandu from October 19 to 22. The International Convention will take place in the first two days that will see the possible revision of NRNA Charter and election of a new executive committee for NRN-ICC. Likewise, Global NRN Conference will take place in the last two days. 

“The event will see the discussion on the topics such as collective investment, foreign employment issues, charity, dual citizenship for NRNs and partnership with the private sector, among others,” informed president Lamichhane during a press conference organised today. 

“The welfare of Nepalis working in foreign jobs is an important issue for NRNA as the majority of NRNs are migrant workers,” he said, adding that there are approximately three million NRNs living in different countries of which two-thirds are migrant workers.

To help migrant workers, NRNA will be releasing a handbook about foreign employment which will be distributed across villages in Nepal to disseminate information on prospects of jobs abroad. 

“Nepalis choose to go abroad looking for jobs due to absence of opportunities at home, so if we make Nepal prosperous these people will not have to leave their home country,” pointed out founding president of NRN-ICC Upendra Mahato.

“But in the past 10 years NRNA has come a long way as Nepalis living in any country knows that NRN network will be there to help them in any situation,” he added. 

NRNA established in 2003 has networked in 65 countries. For the election and the conference, more than 1,300 NRNs have already registered their names for voting. According to NRN-ICC president Lamichhane, NRNs donated about Rs 300 million for charity works in Nepal last year. 

Five file candidacy for president

KATHMANDU: Five Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) have filed the nomination for the presidency of NRN- International Coordination Committee (ICC) for the next term. So far, Australian millionaire Shesh Gahle, German’s Ram Pratap Thapa, Qatar’s Rameshwar Shah, South Korea’s Tenzi Sherpa and United Kingdom’s Hitman Gurung have announced their candidacy for the position of NRN-ICC president. Shesh Ghale was involved as an advisor during the establishment of NRNA 10 years ago while Ram Pratap Thapa is a patron of the association. Tenzi Sherpa is currently serving as the general secretary of NRNA while Hitman Gurung and Rameshwar Shah are vice presidents in the existing board.

Published on: 19 October 2013 | The Himalayan Times