Binod Basnet

President

Dear Community Members,

Namaste and Happy New Year!

It is with great honor and humility that I write this message for the first time as the President of the Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF).

Back in 2013, when I had the opportunity to serve as the Information Secretary of this esteemed organization, we worked together to continue to unite the organization that would grow into a common platform for community members to make their voices heard and stay connected. Today, it is truly gratifying to see how Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) has evolved over the years—thanks to the dedication and creativity of our members, community leaders and well-wishers who have consistently made this organization a meaningful place for collaboration and growth.

I am excited to work with extremely talented and motivated executive committee comprised of Mrs. Priti Bhandary (Vice President), Mr. Deepak Neupane (General Secretary), Mr. Binod Khatri (Treasurer), and Dr. Sakun Shrestha (Information Secretary). The committee is supported by Dr. Suman Acharya ( Community Forum Coordinator). We are also thankful to continuous guidance by our advisor Dr. Niraj Shrestha (Immediate Past President).

The Nepalese Association of Florida has a proud history dating back to its inception in 1992—one rooted in collaboration, camaraderie, and communication both within and beyond our community. Over the past 34 years, under the leadership of 15 dedicated presidents, NAF has built a strong foundation that has helped new community members grow, flourish, and find support across the state of Florida. What began as a small group of highly motivated, forward-thinking youth has now grown into one of the largest Nepalese communities in the United States.

As our community continues to expand, so does the need to better reach members where they live. With this in mind, NAF has taken important steps to decentralize by forming local Chapters based on geographic locations. I am truly excited to work closely with our Chapter committees to ensure that the mission and values of NAF remain at the heart of everything we do.

Over the years, NAF has proudly conducted numerous community-based initiatives, including the Adopt-a-Highway program, synchronized blood donation drives, the Annual Nepali New Year Picnic, and Dashain–Tihar celebrations, to name just a few. With the introduction of local Chapters, we have also begun organizing programs that address local needs and interests. We will continue to evolve, learn, and improve—building upon the strong foundation laid by past committees.

Community organizations thrive because of volunteers who selflessly give their time and energy. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our volunteers—young and old—whose dedication has been instrumental in making NAF the successful organization it is today.

Last but not least, I would like to thank our business community for their generous support through donations and partnerships. Our community has grown not only in numbers but also in economic strength. Many Nepali entrepreneurs in Florida have made a significant impact by creating jobs, contributing to society, and strengthening Florida’s economy. We are deeply grateful for your continued support in helping NAF fulfill its mission.

Together, let us continue to build a strong, inclusive, and vibrant community.

Thank you!