New Controversy in NRNA - America; Two Separate NCC Committees Formed

Rabin Man Shakya

Former board member,

NRNA - NCC - USA Oregon chapter.

The recent news stories about the formation of two different national coordination  committees of NRNA - USA having two different and separate presidents Buddhi Subedi and Krishna Lamichhane  have raised questions about the validity and relevance of the NRNA movement.

If one were to examine the current controversy regarding the formation of two different and separate NRNA USA national coordination committees, one can easily conclude that the NRNA movement is gradually inching towards becoming a global forum of Nepalese diaspora with lust for power, becoming an organization of opportunists and careerists, becoming an organization of people raising the flags of different mainstream political parties of Nepal. 

People even do not understand why there are  multiple presidents in the International Coordination Committee of the NRNA? Why do NRNs keep washing dirty linen in public? They do not have any shame? They do not have any feeling or responsibility towards the community and the nation? Can't they rise above the dirty politics?

The current NRNA - America controversy looks like a circus scenario where verbal abuse, accusations and counter-accusations are rife. The recent NRNA - America controversy is the clearest evidence yet that it has only widened the rift that has plagued NRNA for last couple of years.

The impartial and nonaligned NRNs still do not understand why NRNA movement has been bitterly polarized and overtly politicized? Is it because of arrogant attitude of Nepal's political parties or because some NRNs are just "followers and tails" of the notorious political parties of Nepal? Probably, little bit of both. Many NRNA leaders get blessings from the mainstream political parties of Nepal. Why so many  internal disputes are surfacing in the NRNA? Why fighting, sloganeering, controversial statements and disrespectful acts are on the rise in NRNA? 

Today more than ever, NRNA is dominated by the politically motivated people. Nepotism, lust for power, impunity and corruption are at their heights in Nepal. The ordinary people are suffocated and voiceless. Who listens to the voices of the people these days when everyone is carried away by illusions created by the corrupt Nepalese politicians. Have NRNs been able to voice the issues and problems of the voiceless people of Nepal?

The favorite game of NRNA leaders is the blame game. The rival NRNA leaders are engaged more in the blame game than doing some soul searching to see where they have failed.

NRNA is plagued with factionalism. Factional politics and infighting have become particularly intense in the recent years. Since each faction within the NRNA is vying to meet the interest of its own camp than the overall interest of the broader NRNA, it would be naive to expect them to serve the genuine and broader NRNA interest.

Bottomline: NRNA should not be a political platform and NRNs should not be contracted by viruses of political maneuvers and bickering. The political parties of Nepal should not be engaged in treating NRNA organization as their sister organization. 

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in the USA)

Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) to Host an Outdoor Event at Cook Park to Mark Bikram Sambat New Year 2079

Nepal Oregon News reporter

Portland, April 12, (Nepal Oregon News): Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the last couple of years have been so hard for the Nepalese community organizations in Oregon, USA.

But this year, Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) is going to celebrate the Bikram Sambat New Year 2079 by hosting an outdoor event at the Cook Park, Tigard, Oregon on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

According to NAO sources, NRNA - USA - Oregon chapter is supporting the NAO event by providing dinner to the picnic guests,  and that "the NAO new year picnic is basically a potluck event." Sports events and games including 'Tug of War' will be organized during the picnic, the source added. 

Situated on the banks of Tualatin river, the 79-acre Cook Park is one of the biggest parks in greater Portland area offering various sports and picnic spots, as well as a playground and a boat ramp.

Meanwhile, Khai Sanhu celebrated by Newah people of the Nepal Mandala  once every year also coincides on the day of   Bikram Sambat New Year event. Although majority of festivals celebrated  by Newah people are based on Nepal Sambat Lunar Calendar, some festivals are observed according to the Bikram Sambat too.

One of them is Khai Sanhu otherwise also known as Mekh Sankranti or Baisakh Sankranti which falls on the first day of the Bikram Sambat calendar.

On the day of Khai Sanhu, Newah people of Nepal cook and prepare a kind of soup which is called Khai Kwati. This soup is bitter in taste.

The Khai Kwati is prepared with various healthy beans and green vegetables including Kunabu, new leaves of Khai Basi, small and big peas, Lainsu, onions, shallots, fried rice flour etc.

This time of the season is very hot in the Kathmandu valley. People feel general malaise and also usually have stomach-related problems.

According to Newah Vajrayana Buddhism, Khai Kwati helps people to get rid of many stomach-related diseases by killing harmful bacteria.

Similarly, in a statement issued today, president of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) Daya Shakya has extended best wishes to all Nepalese community members in Oregon, USA on the occasion of the Bikram Sambat new year 2079.

Stating that NAO was established 21 years ago on this day with the objective of unifying all the community members taking into consideration the idea of unity in diversity,  Shakya said:"NAO once again reiterates its commitment to the community service."

Saying that "We have been able to assemble a talented team in our committee, one that is deeply committed to our community," Daya  emphasized the need for searching our identity and keeping in deep touch with the motherland.

Even if we are far apart from the homeland, our love for the motherland is just unequivocal and natural, he further said.

Also, in the statement, Daya has urged the community members to take active part at the events and programs of the NAO.

(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in the USA)