President Poudel urges NRNs to preserve Nepali culture
Kathmandu, Oct. 17
The 11th Global Conference of the Non-Resident
Nepali Association (NRNA) has kicked off in Kathmandu on Tuesday with plans for
multiple conferences, forums and deliberations for four days and election for
the new International Coordination Council.
More than 4,200 delegates are participating in the
conference physically or virtually.
Addressing the inaugural programme of the conference, President
of Nepal, Ramchandra Poudel, praised Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) for their
active role in uniting Nepalis across the globe and urged them to preserve the
culture and traditions.
He said that while the country's political restructuring has
been come in to the desired shape, restructuring of the character and way of
life of the state is yet to be done. "The federal democratic republic has
certain values, principles and philosophy. Until we can assimilate those
values, principles and philosophy, we will not be able to face the challenges
that emerged due to the long transition period."
He drew the attention of the NRNs to two major issues:
preserving Nepali culture and impact of climate change on our resources.
President Poudel said, "I request you to be more cautious about teaching
Nepali culture and traditions to your children and bring them to Nepal time and
again, and contribute to the preservation of bio-diversity and sources of fresh
water."
Stating that Nepal has focused on the development of
infrastructure, industrialisation and domestic production in order to achieve
the targets of economic development, President Poudel stressed on multilateral
partnership for the same.
"The capital, knowledge, skills, experience, investment
and entrepreneurship that you have acquired can be relevant and useful in that
initiative. In the past, the investments that you have been making individually
and collectively in various areas of Nepal have helped in the development and
prosperity of Nepal," he stated.
President Poudel also urged the Nepalis from across the
globe to take advantage of the immense potential of investment in Nepal and to
encourage the investors in the countries where they are living to invest in
Nepal.
According to him, only if the internal capacity of Nepal is
strengthened and rapid economic development is achieved, the heads of Nepalis
living abroad will also be high. "The prestige of Nepalese cannot increase
until Nepal becomes prosperous," he said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, who is also the Chair
of the High Level Organising Committee of the Global Conference, said that
since the NRNA has supported in strengthening the relations between the Nepali
living abroad and their home country, the knowledge, skill and technology of
NRNs would be instrumental in the development of the country.
"To fulfill the national and international commitment
for development and prosperity, we need to mobilise all possible channels of
investment and cooperation. Your support in this drive is very important and
highly expected," he said.
He stated that the government has given importance to the
NRNA movement and has been providing support whenever needed.
"Non-resident citizenship is being given with the right
of economic and cultural rights. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda
has handed over the citizenship to non-resident Nepalis. I am hopeful that the
providence of citizenship would inspire and motivate you to bring in more
investment and support in the national development drive," said FM Saud.
According to him, NRNs can play an important role in sending
tourists and investment to Nepal and finding the markets for the products made
in Nepal.
Likewise, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation
of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), called the NRNs for
jointly creating businesses, attracting investment and promoting Nepali trade.
He said that the NRNA has an immense potential at the
domestic as well as international fronts so they need to realise this potential
and lead the country to economic growth and prosperity.
Hanna Singer, United Nations
Resident Coordinator in Nepal, said that the NRNA promoted concepts of
knowledge and transformation are the foundation of prosperity.
According to her, recent diaspora map survey conducted by
the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the NRNA found that
majority of the Nepalis living abroad are first generation migrants and wanted
to have strong connections with their home country.
"Recognizing the unique needs of the diaspora is
pivotal, including aspects such as language and cultural integration, access to
legal resources, and social integration," said Singer, "By addressing
these specific needs, we can unlock the potential for long-term engagement, not
only among the first generation but also among their descendants, thereby fully
harnessing the potential of the diaspora networks."
Similarly, Dr. Upendra Mahato, Founding President of the
NRNA, called for the NRNs support in the national development of Nepal stating
that individual achievement wouldn't count if the country remains backward and
poor.
"Nepalis have the capacity needed for the nation
building. Why don't we succeed in making the country prosperity? Because we
lack the national willpower needed for it," he said, "The country has
put high hopes from you. Every individual, government and other stakeholders
have extended a great respect to all of you."
He urged all NRNs to come forward in supporting the
country's national motion of development of prosperity.
Dr. Mahato also maintained that they don't want to detach
NRNA from the political philosophies but save it from the political
interference or colour of particular political party or philosophy.
Rabina Thapa, a President of the NRNA, said that they wanted
a dedicated ministry to look after the NRNs issues.
Despite having three presidents for the current tenure, we
have been successful in running the office without any dispute and collecting
all of you here for the Global Conference, she said.
Kul Acharya, another President of the NRNA, thanked the
Government of Nepal for the launch of citizenship distribution for the NRNs.
"I would like to urge all NRNs not to sell the property
in Nepal and take the money to foreign countries. This is the time we should be
bringing investment and technology to Nepal, instead," he said.
Dr. Badri KC, Executive President of the NRNA, said that the
citizenship is not just a facility but a huge responsibility that the country
has entrusted to the NRNs.
"We want to collaborate with the government and Nepali
missions abroad in every possible way to support in the drive of national
development and prosperity," he said. He also praised the government for
removing various hurdles in bringing the FDI in various sectors in Nepal.
"While banking on our hopes on about Rs. 1300 billion
remittance, we must not forget the consequences of foreign employment on social
and economic aspects of the society and family. Many Nepalis are facing
troubles in many countries just because they couldn't get their passport
immediately after its expiration," said Dr. KC.
Published in The Rising Nepal on 18 October 2023.
