KATHMANDU: Non-Resident Nepali Association Thailand’s 7th National General Assembly has elected a 15-member new committee as well as an executive member for the international board of NRNA.

According to a statement issued by NRNA Thailand, Assajita Awale has been elected as the president of the national coordination council for a two-year term in Thailand while Khagendra Raj Dhakal has been nominated as an executive member for the NRNA’s International Coordination Council.

Awale-led panel has Bhabindra Basnet, Mahendra Shrestha, Sakoed Rama, Sangkar Adhikari, Subindra K. Rai as vice presidents. Rabi Maharjan, Kanchha Gurung, Jaswani Rajyalaxmi Rana and Kesu Raj Acharya have been elected as general secretary, treasurer, secretary and joint secretary respectively.

The panel has Megha Chand as women coordinator and Shreehari Acharya as youth coordinator. Subash Thapa, Karma Gurung and Atish K Shrestha were chosen as executive members in the committee, the statement added.

Earlier, four executive members were elected for the National Coordination Council through NRNA Thailand’s three regional committees. “From Central Region (Bangkok and around) Coordinator Dilli Gyawali and Secretary Robin Subedi from South Region (Phuket and around) Coordinator Prem Danai and from North Region (Chiangmai) Coordinator Lhakpa Sherpa were elected.”

The general assembly held on August 6 has also unanimously approved the progress reports presented by President Khagendra Raj Dhakal, General Secretary Rabi Maharjan and Treasurer Kanchha Gurung (Gabo).

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand Khaga Nath Adhikari thanked NRNA Thailand and also shared the pleasant stories of working with a vibrant team under the leadership of Dhakal for past four years with remarkable achievement.

He also urged all people of Nepali origin to be a member of NRNA that is an umbrella organisation of Nepali diaspora.

Addressing the General Assembly, NRNA Thailand President Dhakal said the honored 3 personalities were great friends and fans of Nepal and the honor is to acknowledge their unconditional support to Nepal and Nepalese community in Thailand.

NRNA Thailand President Dhakal also said that in the past four years NRNA was able to bring Thailand-Nepal Friendship and cooperation to next level. He said from the Royalties to general Thai people have showed the kindness and love to Nepali community by granting their presence and support to NRNA Thailand’s different programs.

He highlighted six areas where NRNA Thailand made a visible contribution in past four years: Nepal’s economic diplomacy;bilateral friendship & cooperation between Thailand and Nepal; community interest preservation and protection; preservation of Nepali culture and language; skill, knowledge & innovation transfer; short & long-term charity projects; and sustainable institutional development.

NRNA Thailand Patron Ven Anil Sakya said NRNA NRNA should stand and dedicate for well-being of all Nepalis in Thailand and sacrifice for all Nepalis with the communal interest.

Cultural Officer, International Relation Bureau, Ministry of Culture of Thailand, Chatabut Neelarattanon also thanked NRNA Thailand for working towards deepening the relationship and cooperation between Nepal and Thailand.

Newly elected president Awale announced that his team will continue to complete the projects started by the previous leadership. He committed to raise funds to meet the target of 20 million rupees capital for the Civil Scholarship Fund in which 5 million has been already raised. He also announced Ganesh Prasad Khanal as spokesperson of NCC.

During the opening ceremony of the General Assembly, Asst Vice President of CPN group Krit Kunplin, Honorary Consul of Nepal to Phuket Prof Pranee Sakulpipat and President of Namo Budhaya Group Aphinita Chaichana were honored by offering Token of Love, Nepali Gift and Khada (Special Scarf) by Ambassador Khaga Nath Adhikari, Senior Officer from Thailand Ministry of Culture Chatabut Neelarattanon and NRNA Thailand President Prof Dhakal.

NRNA Thailand is one of the 76 National Chapters of NRNA. It has 3 regional committees named South Region Coordination Comittee, North Region Coordination Comittee and Central Region Coordination Comittee under the National Coordination Council that is the highest executive body of NRNA Thailand.

It has been active in Thailand since 2003 under the patronage of Embassy of Nepal.