Press Release-
Due to COVID-19 pandemic Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) virtually organized 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 7th , Saturday 2020 via Zoom. In the beginning of the program Mr. Dev Bhandary, Ms. Priti Bhandary (Member At Large), Mr. Sahil Bhandary and Ms. Yuvani Bhandary from West Palm Beach sang Nepal’s national anthem followed by national anthem of USA by Master Resh Neupane and Ms. Resha Neupane from Gainesville.
Dr. Pragati Ghimire, NAF- Vice President gave a welcome speech on behalf of NAF-Executive Team and followed by honoring Ms. Rosy Sharma Sendhai for her volunteer contribution to the community for organizing “Mindfulness Meditation Class” since April 2020. NAF-President Ms. Anila Neupane awarded a plaque on behalf of the NAF Executive team to Ms. Rosy Sharma Sendhai. Dr. Niraj Shrestha, General Secretary, presented the Annual Report for 2019-20. Annual report presentation was participated by Mr. Sushila Bhattachan (Mentorship Coordinator), Mr. Krishna Shrestha (COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator), Mr. Bimal Nepal (Atop-A Highway Coordinator), Ms. Shailee Banskota (NAF Youth Forum Coordinator), Mr. Naryan Neupane (Information Secretary/Indreni Quarterly Publications Coordinator) and Dr. Amar Bahadur Karki (Community Engagement Coordinator). Treasurer, Mr. Bishal Gautam presented a financial report for 2019-20.
During the program invited speakers from different local and state organization ; Dr. Rajendra Shakya (president, Newah Organization of America-Florida Chapter), Mr. Prem Singh (President, Madheshi Association in America-Florida Chapter), Mr. Deep Karki (President, International Nepalese Literature Society-Florida Chapter), Mr. Nijananda Malla (President, Nepalese Community Center Orlando), Dr. Archana Kattel (President, Abi Kattel Memorial Foundation), Mr. Ajaya Satyal ( President, International Nepalese Blood Donor Associations), Mr. Binaya Aryal (President, Nepalese Association of South-East America), Mr. Suneel Sah (President, Non-Resident Nepali Association, USA), wished NAF team for the first year and discussed about future collaboration with NAF. Beside the different organization, President from US Nepal Research Policy, Dr. Rajan Pant highlighted how NAF currently organizes different social programs important for the community which is an example for other different organizations. He also proposed to run a collaboration program with NAF in near future. Invited guest speaker, Mr. Pukar Bam from Hamro Sano Prayas-Nepal, discussed first-hand experience on current COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal and roles of different social programs which Hamro Sano Prayas running in current situations in different parts of Nepal. Ms. Avima Upreti, Esq, President of Nepali Women’s Global Network, discussed the different programs currently running in the community by NWGN. She also appreciated different social programs run by NAF and how two organization can work together in future on women related issues. She also pointed out that different organizations should learn from NAF to involve women in leadership roles. Past President Mr. Tirtha Mali, Mr. Bimal Nepal and Mr. Bikash Devkota, Ad Hoc Committee Member Dr. Shailendra Shukla and Unification Team Member Dr. Rudra Aryal also spoke during the program on the important roles currently NAF is playing in current situations. At the end of the program NAF President Ms. Anila Neupane gave a vote of thanks. In her speech she appreciated all the coordinators who are currently running different NAF flagship programs. She also thanks all invited speakers and community leaders for their participation.
Program was attended by more than 60 community members from different parts of Florida via Zoom and Facebook Live and moderated by NAF General Secretary Dr. Niraj Shrestha.
Following NAF-AGM, INLS-Florida chapter organized the रचना वाचन Program moderated by Madhu Nepal. Later in the evening, with collaboration between NAF and Nepalese Student Association (NeSA)-University of South Florida, organized the Deusi-Bhailo and Cultural Program to raise funds to support different COVID-19 pandemic related programs in Nepal. The program was moderated by Mr. Sanjiv Gurung, Graduate Student and Ms. Sujita Bhandary, technical help by Mr. Shree Ram Bhandary and Mr. Anwesh Tuladhar. Community members and children from different cities participated in a culture program with their talent. Popular Nepai Singer Mr. Diwas Gurung was a highlight of the culture program who participated via Zoom from New York for interaction and performance. Program was streamed live on YouTube and Facebook Live.
If you need more information about this program and NAF activities, please email us at naflorida2016@gmail.com
Sincerely,
NAF Executive Team
Link for NAF-AGM
Link for Culture Program
