Kathmandu, May 14
Prime Minister KP
Sharma Oli has said that the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) should stay
away from any form of politics and focus on the preservation of culture,
expansion of investment and formation of Nepali unity in the Nepali diasporas
abroad.
"This is not an
organisation of any political motive or influence. It must remain an apolitical
institution," he said at the inaugural session of the NRNA Global Conclave
2025 organised by the NRNA in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Recalling the disputes
over the election of the new president during the general assembly last year,
PM Oli said that what happened at the last general assembly of the NRNA was
unfortunate and it has certainly damaged its image.
He also said that the
government supports the non-political institutional activities of the NRNA. The
CPN-UML will never try to exert its influence on the association.
Referring to the court's decision which
recognised the elected leadership as official, the Prime Minister questioned,
“Can 17 individuals who lost the election come together and claim to have held
a unity convention and appointed a chairperson? That’s not acceptable. Such a
division is not acceptable. Is this division being carried out for
self-interest? This is not a political party’s organisation."
According to him, the real concerns
shouldn't be with where voting rights are exercised but what contribution this
community can make for its own rights and the country.
"I have seen a
few trends in NRNA that do not fit with the motive and objectives of the global
movement of the organisaion. It was a mistake to amend the statute for a statue
of a certain individual and steps like this were bound to have negative impacts
on the organisation in the long run," he said.
Prime Minister Oli urged everyone to focus
on unity, reconciliation, and strengthening cohesion rather than turning the
organisation into a matter of controversy.
“One should not try to dominate under the
pretext that others are being intolerant. You must engage with the other side
with an open mind, encourage them to move forward together, and make every
effort toward unity,” he advised.
PM Oli praised the NRNA
for its role in uniting the diaspora, fighting for their rights and promoting
Nepali culture in them.
According to him, the
NRNs have contributed to entrepreneurship development and promotion of economic
activities. Some of them have brought in new skills and business ideas and
created employment.
Speaking on the occasion, President of the
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra
Prasad Dhakal, highlighted that the global Nepali diaspora is a source of
expertise, innovation, and financial capital.
He urged everyone to unite and contribute
meaningfully to Nepal. “The NRNA must move forward united, not in fragments.
There is a message being spread that wherever Nepalis go, they get involved in
politics. This is not a positive trend,” said Dhakal.
NRNA has expanded its
network to more than 90 countries around the globe. The government of Nepal has
begun issuing the NRNA citizenship which gives economic and cultural rights to
the NRNs.
"However, the
cultural and economic rights are not yet defined which has created confusion. I
request the government to amend the NRN Act and incorporate the details of the
rights in it," said Dr. Badri KC, President of the Association.
The NRNA's next step
is to collect small amount of money from Nepalis across the globe to set up a
fund to invest in large projects in Nepal. It’s a joint effort of NRNs from
across the globe to contribute to the development and prosperity of the
country, said Dr. KC.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 May 2025.
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