Interaction with Consul General Khanal Organized in Portland

Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) Marks Its 25th Anniversary,  Bikram Sambat New Year 2083

Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, April 19, (Nepal Oregon News): An interaction program with Lakshuman Khanal was organized by NRNA-USA- Oregon chapter at the US West Coast Hollywood Taekwondo School in Portland on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Lakshuman Khanal is the first and recently appointed Consul General of Nepal in San Francisco, California.

Owner of Hollywood Taekwondo School and senior  taekwondo guru Diwakar Maharjan expressed his happiness to welcome the Nepali diplomat for an interaction with the local community members.

Speaking on the occasion, Khanal said:"The Nepali Consular Office in San Francisco is new one which covers for 11 US states including states of Oregon and Washington. Nepalese living in Oregon now do not have to go to Washington DC or New York for passport problems. They can just come to San Francisco Consular Office."

Sharing that he has the experience of working at the NRN division at the Foreign Ministry of Nepal,  he said:"The newly elected majority government is working hard to ease the problems facing the NRNs."

Underscoring NRNA's motto of "Once a Nepali, always a Nepali," Khanal said many countries around the world have benefitted a lot by mobilizing their own people now residing abroad." 

The Consul General also informed the participants of the interaction program that the consular team is planning to visit Portland in coming summer for carrying out passport renewals and other issues.

Addressing the gathering, Prajwal Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland and Spiritual/Cultural Director of NRNA Oregon chapter threw light on the activities of the Vihara, whereas founder president of Nepali Association of Oregon Raju Mali spoke about the origin of NAO in Portland. Former NRNA Oregon president Daya Shakya expressed the view that NRNs and Nepali immigrants  abroad should not be termed as diaspora.

The interaction program was attended by Bharat Banskota (former NAO president), Diwakar Maharjan (founder president of NRNA Oregon chapter), Jangbu Sherpa (former president of NRNA Oregon chapter), Neelima Ozha (female vice president of NRNA Oregon chapter), Alex Minu (Hollywood Taekwondo School) and Rabin Man Shakya (Media Director - NRNA Oregon chapter).

Likewise, Nepali Consular Genaral Khanal paid a courtesy call on Mayor of Eugene Ms Kaarin Knudson at her office in Eugene on Friday, April 17, 2026.

According to NAO's former president Bharat Banskota, the meeting was primarily zeroed in on strengthening and promoting cooperation between city of Kathmandu and city of Eugene under sister city framework.

Meanwhile, a program was organized on Saturday, April, 2026 at the Multnomah Arts Center in Beaverton to celebrate Bikram Sambat New Year 2083 and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of NAO with a cultural program of songs and dances.

Certificates of Appreciation were given away by Consular General Khanal to Prajwal Vajracharya of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and other former office bearers  of Nepali Association of Oregon.

On behalf of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, two ancient and esoteric Charya dances: Rakta Ganesh and Annapurna Charya dance were skillfully performed  by Joshua Proto and Anna Shustrova.