Newah Organization of America (NOA) held its successful 18th Annual Convention and General Meeting in Washington DC Metropolitan area on Saturday, May 25, 2019 with more than 200 participants. The program was well received by a cross-section of the Newah and Nepalese community around from the Washington DC metropolitan area, as well as from Nepal. This year’s convention theme was “ Newah Expatriate: Challenges, Opportunities and Sustainability in Culture Diversity”.
The program started with traditional music of Dhimay & Bhusya Baja and a warm welcome by the beautiful Pancha Kanyas: Ms. Neisha Shrestha, Ms. Roseeta Shrestha, Ms. Saraisha Tuladhar, Ms. Veda Bishokarma and Ms. Wonjala Prajapati. NOA Secretary Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel and Mrs. Mila Shrestha served as emcees and called the meeting to order then invited in stage to chair Newah Organization of America Acting President Mr. Pushkar Prajapati, Keynote Speaker of 18th NOA Convention & General Meeting 2019 Prof. Dr. Chunda Bajracharya, Guest Speaker World Newah Organization President Mr. Season Shrestha. All Dignitaries and Guests were welcomed with Badges assisted by Mrs. Chhaya Pradhan & Mrs. Meeli Dhaubhadel and presented Khada assisted by Mrs. Sunita Shrestha & Mrs. Romee Shrestha. Keynote Speaker Prof. Dr. Bajracharya, Guest Speaker Mr. Shrestha and Program Chairperson Mr. Prajapati lightened a traditional oil lamp (Twadewa) to inaugurate the 18th NOA Convention & General Meeting assisted by Mrs. Beena Vaidya.
The 18th Annual Convention & General meeting began with the United State National Anthem followed by Nepali National Anthem and Newah Jagaran Song by NOA 2nd Vice President Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha and General Secretary Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan. NOA 2nd Vice President Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha welcomed all guests and organization representatives, attendees for their continued support, and expressing gratitude to the Special Guests and Chief Guests for travelling to join the Convention & General Meeting. NOA General Secretary Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan has highlighted the annual activities 2018-2019. NOA Treasurer Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha has presented the annual financial report, NOA Executive Member Mr. Yagya Man Shakya highlighted activities of Newah Organization of America Language Center (NOALC), WNO President Mr. Season Shrestha has emphasized the role of NOA towards preserving and promoting Newah Culture in the USA and also shares his experiences of recent visit of WNO convention in Nepal. Honorable Community Member Dr. Maheshor Vaidya has deliberated letter from Chief Guest H.E. Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Arjun Kumar Karki. NOA Founding Members Mr. Hari Man Shrestha has presented proposal of the reviewed and amended Constitution of NOA in presences of Constitution Review and Amendment Committee (CRAC) members.
Honorable Key Note Speaker Prof. Dr. Chunda Bajracharya has delivered an outstanding speech on convention theme “ Newah Expatriate: Challenges, Opportunities and Sustainability in Culture Diversity” and she has emphasize to be united to preserve of our language and culture for next generation. NOA Acting President Mr. Prajapati felicitated Key Note Speaker Prof. Dr. Bajracharya with special plaque for her lifetime contribution & research, also takes opportunity to offer Honorary Life Member of NOA. In the mean time NOA presented letter of appreciation to Mr. Kiran Ken Ranjit for his outstanding contribution to Laskus Magazine and his performance as Country Representative of NOA in Nepal. New edition of magazine “LASKUS 2019” officially launched jointly by all dignitaries and guests assisted by Mrs. Mahima Shakya and & Mrs. Romee Shrestha.
Acting President Mr. Pushkar Prajapati expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and Guests for coming together to celebrate NOA ‘s 18th Annual Convention & General Meeting 2019. Acting President Mr. Prajapati briefly summarized the NOA achievements and recognition received during the tenure and urged all the attendees for their continuous support. NOA Executive Member Mr. Udaya Shrestha thanked the volunteers for their tireless efforts, the participants, speakers, performers, and Mr. Bishwa Raj Thapa of eNepalese.com, Mr. Sunil Humagian of DCNepal.com, Mr. Shreejan Tamrakar of Sanosansar Hamrosansar and all other media representative for their continued support. Clay Oven Restaurant for catering the event, DJ K&K for the sound system, Westland Middle School, MD for the venue, Q&Q Press for printing Laskus, Eknotech for cover and layout design, Air Zone Travel for sponsors name tags, Renown Photographer Mr. Bipin Rajbhandari of Namlo Event capturing the moment, Mr. Rabi Shakya for coordinating Kids Workshop, Mr. Ranjay Shrestha and Ms. Samikshya Sapkota for managing Montgomery County Resource stall of Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), Mr. Yagya Man Shakya for stage & videography and all others organization representatives presented at the convention.
To continue program NOA Presented Panel Discussion and interaction on this year theme “Newah Expatriate: Challenges, Opportunities and Sustainability in Culture Diversity” with following Newah personalities, Prof. Dr. Chunda Bajracharya, Dr. Elena Shrestha PhD, Mr. Prabhash Shrestha PMP, CAE, Mr. Rajiv Karmacharya MBA, Moderate by Dr. Sugandha Tuladhar PhD and Session Coordinator by Dr. Roshan L. Shrestha PhD, MS and audience enjoyed lots and learn more about their journey of achievement during the meet. As well as NOA has presented Letter of Felicitation and Recognition to honor NOA valued Life Members children recently graduates from January 2017 through May 24, 2019. Here are following names of Graduates : Dr. Elena Shrestha, Ms. Urusha Shrestha, Mr. Sweekar Shrestha, Ms. Prashansa Banepali, Mr. Pratik Banepali, Ms. Kritishma Shrestha, Mr. Kritesh Shrestha, Ms. Ruchee Shrestha, Ms. Grace Shrestha, Mr. Apurva Shrestha, Ms. Jasmine Shrestha, Ms. Bibhuti Shrestha, Mr. Vardan Tuladhar, and Ms. Apekshya Pradhan. NOA Past President Rajesh Shrestha updates NOA scholarship program of Jagat Sundar Bonakuthi (JSB) Newah School in Kathmandu, Nepal. To continue also unveiling preview of video recently made Kumari Rath Jatra documentary produce by NOA and Cinematography, Editing & Direction by Mr. Lochan Man Shrestha of Silvergate Entertainment and thanks all the sponsors Mr. Ganesh Lal Kayastha, Mr. Bimal Tamrakar, Mr. Ram Pradhan, Mr. Madan Shrestha, Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha and Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha.
Executive Member Mr. Yagya Man Shakya presented a NOA Culture Program 2019, Emcees Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya, Mr. Abhi Dhaubhadel and Ms. Grace Shrestha NOALC Students resumed the cultural program and commenced with Green Tara Charya Classical Dance by Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya choreographed by Mr. Yagya Man Shakya and followed by another outstanding dance performance by Ms. Luniva Desar, Ms. Shristi KC, Ms. Arya Baniya & Ms. Akshyarika Khanal on courtesy from KC Dance Center students, and traditional Indian Classical Khatak Dance performed by Ms. Shriya Shrestha-Menon. Also entertained Melodious Song by Mr. Manoj Singh. Culture show followed by another vibrant presentation of Newah theme Dance by Mrs. Mila Shrestha and Ms. Mala Pradhan, featured by Mr. Manindra Pradhan, Mr. Abhi Dhaubhadel, Ms. Lujala Ranjit, Ms. Prisha Shrestha, Ms. Roseeta Shrestha & Mr. Aditya Shakya and choreographed by Mrs. Mila Shrestha on Music Composed by Kutumba Band, Nepal. Renowned unique and melodious voice Nepali Pop Singer Mr. Sanjeep Pradhan thrilled the stage with his old and new hits songs. Lead singer of Okely band Mr. Shreejan Tamrakar entertained and blast the audience with their famous hits songs.
The convention with lively entertainment stretched well into the evening serving delicious Traditional Newah Bhoye (Dinner) followed by distribution of appreciation certificate to all culture & musical participants and program ended with a lot of wonderful new memories.
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