NRNA world conference and convention begins with five candidates for president in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Commencing today, the 11th World Conference and International Convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is set to kick off in Kathmandu.

The inauguration of the conference will be carried out by President Ramchandra Paudel, and the event holds particular significance as five candidates vie for the position of NRNA president in the upcoming leadership selection convention.

Among these aspirants are the current working committee chairpersons, Badri KC and Ravina Thapa, as well as vice chairpersons RK Sharma and Mahesh Shrestha, along with deputy general secretary Binay Adhikari, all seeking the presidency.

KC, Shrestha, and Sharma have garnered support from the CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, and the Maoist Center, respectively, and have jointly announced their candidacy as part of a unified panel.

Additionally, a dedicated session focused on women and youth is scheduled to take place at the World Knowledge Forum, running from this afternoon through tomorrow. To oversee the convention, a five-member election committee, led by advocate Yadav Dhungana, has been established, and the convention will witness the election of 74 International Coordinating Council officers.

With a worldwide membership totaling 96,850 individuals, eligible voters are poised to cast their ballots online in the NRNA election, which will take place on November 18.

The NRNA expects a gathering of over 4,000 participants at the conference, including representatives from the Government of Nepal, non-resident Nepali delegates from various National Coordination Councils, NRNA activists, and a diverse array of local and international figures.