Nepali journalists, students and teachers of journalism in the US and Canada are gathering in Washington DC through April 21-23 in what will mark the maiden general convention of the Nepal-America Journalists Association (NAJA). The event is part of the effort of the Nepali journalists in the US at seeking professional identity and figure out their future strategy.

The theme is “Bridging the Divided Together.” The convention will also set up an emergency fund for the Nepali journalists.

The larger aim is to evolve a broader professional path and coalition in USA and Canada. Representatives of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and over 60 visiting Nepali journalists based in the US and Canada will attend the event. There are over 150,000 Nepalis either working or studying in the US, with more than a hundred with journalistic background. Many of them are working with various media organisations.

Now many journalists, scholars, teachers, and students of journalism are tracing their future in the US. The convention is believed to open the doors of opportunities for Nepali journalists in Canada and the US. Coincidentally, the event will compare a vast and technologically advanced nation and a small country like Nepal. This could lead to enhancement of bond and cooperation between the two nations.

There are three Nepali local television stations, three FM radios, a dozen online magazines, couple of weeklies and fortnightly publications in USA and Canada. They have Nepali citizens at the helm of affairs.

Members of the Nepali diaspora are generous enough to extend support to these organisations since these organisations are the source of information in Nepali language.

Much could be achieved if the Nepali journalists and the diaspora worked closely. Imagine many are already contributing to the nation they have come to as university teachers, scholars, think-tanks, scientists, technicians, researchers, artists apart from heading businesses. Many colleges and universities have hundreds of Nepali students and teachers. So much so that Nepali language is taught at North Carolina State University. Add to it, there are several Nepali language primary schools run by Nepali nationals. The US is a dreamland for people around the world for its respect for human rights and unbridled freedom. Many Nepalis are mostly eager to enter the US for study and eventual settlement.

The introduction of ‘Diversity Visa’ has increased the presence of Nepalis in the US. Over a certain period, over 300 Nepali community-based organisations have sprung up and have been working to create conducive atmosphere for new entrants. The NAJA will contribute to this task now. Not many Americans have heard of Nepal. Some do talk about Mount Everest and Lord Buddha, though. Some refer to Leftist insurgency and “killing fields”, blissfully unaware of its culture and diverse population. NAJA can make Nepal known to the foreigners and the convention may prove to be a milestone in that direction.