Non-residents Nepalis (NRNs) have discussed the possibilities of contribution in the Nepal’s development at a session on the role of the NRN-North American Coordination Committee (NRN-NACC) in Empowering Nepal during the Convention of the Association of Nepalis in the Americas in Newark, NJ (USA) on July 1.

Addressing the session, president of NRN-International Coordinating Council (NRN-ICC) Dr. Upendra Mahato appealed to the North American diaspora to participate in the NRN Movement more vigorously, a statement issued by NAN-A said. He said time has come for the North American Nepali community to assist in empowering Nepal through participation in various projects initiated by the NRN-A.

“NRN-A, an organization committed to the vision of making Nepal a peaceful and prosperous nation, is an organization of every Nepali who is out of Nepal for over 182 days and therefore it is our collective responsibility to make NRN movement more sustainable and stronger,” Mahato, who has stake in various joint-venture projects in Nepal, said.

He spoke on the concept of nation building in terms of knowledge, technology and development and the role of overseas Nepali communities.

Suman R Timsina, the Vice President of NACC, spoke on the structure of the NRN-North American Coordination Committee and some of the important undertakings by the North American diaspora such as the public library in Kathmandu, the NRN Skill Directory as ‘NRN Knowledge Bank’, old age home in Devghat. He also challenged North American diaspora to join the movement wholeheartedly while Nepal needs help from everyone. The NRN-ICC member from Russia Jiba Lamichane spoke on current trend of remittance to Nepal and its contribution in Nepal’s economy. He further informed that NRN is working with FNCCI to open vocational training centers in each of the 14 zones, which will have a direct impact on skill enhancement and remittance.

Dibya Hada, an NRN from USA, spoke on the history of the North American Nepali diaspora and thanked the leaders of current NRN movement for taking it globally and transforming the diaspora as a collective force.

Mukesh Singh, the NRN-ICC member from USA, spoke on the declaration of the Second Global NRN Conference held in Kathmandu in October 2005 and provided an overview on the 100-million USD Nepal Investment Fund and the programs in 75 districts.

Other participants suggested that it was a right time for Nepal to demonstrate generosity by granting dual citizenship to attract more NRNs to make substantive contribution to Nepal’s overall development.

Speaking on the occasion, Aditya Jha, an entrepreneur from Canada, proposed to build at least one internet café in each of the 75 districts of Nepal and make the project sustainable with an initial investment of US $ 300,000. He pledged for $100,000 and asked others to match the contribution to make the project a success.

NRN North America Coordinating Committee also received pledge for initiating projects in coordination with local communities in Morang, Dhangadi and Myagdi districts as a part of implementing programs under the Kathmandu Declaration, according the statement.

The session was attended by over 75 NRN representatives.