KATHMANDU: Dev Man Hirachan (Japan) will lead the Nepali Diaspora for the next two-year term.

He was unanimously elected after the two other possible presidential candidates -- Ram Pratap Thapa (Germany) and Bhim Udas (Lesotho) -- didnot file their candidacy for the top post of Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA).

Hirachan has been living in Japan since the last three decades and is involved in business in both Nepal and Japan.

Similarly, Ratan Jha was unanimously elected general secretary. Jha is a businessman in the US. But there are three candidates for the two vice-presidents post. Jiba Lamichhane, Indra Ban and Sagar Nepal are contesting for vice-presidents of the NRNA.

The founder president and Immediate Past President Dr Upendra Mahato led the 2.5 million Nepalis around the world for six years since its inception in 2003. As according to the Statute of the Association, one can become the president for three consecutive terms only. "I am relieved and can take rest for the time being," Mahato said congratulating the new president.

Hirachan has many challenges ahead of him as he is succeeding a dynamic personality, who has worked tirelessly for the institutionalisation of the NRNA. The global conference -- where around 600 participants from 52 countries took part -- provided guidance and the directives for the operations of the organisation.

"The fourth global conference has been successful in sending a positive message throughout the world," NRNA spokesperson Jugal Bhurtal said adding that there are around 2.5 million NRNs scattered all over the world. Currently 55 countries are in the NRN network and it is expanding fast.

"The Nepali diaspora has been successful in establishing its own identity in and out of the country," the outgoing spokesperson added. The fourth global conference was jointly organised by the government, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), and NRNA.

The three-day conference that concluded today after its general assembly witnessed 10 different sessions where the NRNs, political leaders, intellectuals, experts and bureaucrats took active part and discussed on global economic crisis, economic diplomacy, foreign employment, migrant workers, remittance and its opportunities and threats, role of NRNs in the constitution making process, possibilities of investment and business in Nepal, and their contribution.

During the conference there will be special addresses by representatives of different political parties also, read an NRNA statement. The conference will have the participation of over 500 representatives from 55 different countries.