--By TC Correspondent
The sixth Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) Global Conference and Convention started Saturday at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu. The theme of this year’s conference is 'NRNs and Nepal: Partners in Prosperity'. Upendra Mahato, the Founding Chairman of the NRNA, former Chairman Dev Man Hirachan and Chairman Jiba Lamichhane jointly inaugurated the convention amidst a function.
The four-day global conference is also set to choose a new leadership of the organization for a two-year term. Australian businessman Shesh Ghale and General Secretary Tenzi Sherpa (South Korea) are contesting for the position of NRNA president. The election is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The Sixth NRNA Global Conference will be held on Monday and Tuesday after the conclusion of the convention. The global conference will be inaugurated by the President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. The conference will hold discussions on various subjects like collective investment, foreign employment, continuity of Nepali citizenship of the NRNs, and partnership with the private sector in the country, among other issues.
About 1300 NRNs from 50 countries across the world are taking part in the conference. The NRNA has its chapters in 65 different countries.
Two Years of Abroad Stay Must for NRNA Membership
Similarly, the general assembly of NRNA on Saturday introduced a provision, according to which every Nepali staying in foreign lands for two continuous years will be eligible for NRN status. The amendment will come into effect from October 22.
Likewise, the amendment has also paved the way for registration of the organization which was pending for a decade. NRNA was established in 2003. However, due to differences between the NRN Act 2008 and NRNA’s statute, the organisation was not formally registered in the country inspite of several attempts of NRNs. The organisation has now got legal status after registering in Nepal.
