The Nepalese Association of Southeast America (NASeA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 1, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama, bringing together over 60 attendees from five states, including former presidents, life members, and representatives from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
Themed “Bridging the gap to the Future,” the event aimed to promote unity, financial planning, and community growth among the Nepalese diaspora in the Southeast United States.
Key highlights included:
– A presentation by Kumar Bhandari, NASeA Treasurer, on the importance of financial planning, emphasizing resource analysis, long-term goal setting, and various areas of focus, such as spending, estate, and retirement planning.
– A historical overview of the Nepalese Student Association (NSA) at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) by Bijay Guragain, NSA President, highlighting its formation in response to the 2015 earthquake and its current role in easing the transition of Nepalese students into UAB life.
– An update from Raj Manandhar, ALNA President, on the Alabama Nepalese Association (ALNA)’s initiatives, including cultural events and promotions of Nepalese cuisine.
– A discussion led by Manoj Rai on reviving NASeA and increasing involvement within the Bhutanese and Nepalese community, with a call to action for regional states to contribute programs to the 2025 convention.
– A presentation by Dr. Bishwa Acharya, NASeA’s Founding President, stressing the need for unity and cooperation within the Nepalese community.
– A gardening and agriculture discussion led by Dr. Khusi Ram Tiwari, sharing tips and insights on healthy growth and development.
– An inspiring talk by Dr. Suman Silwal, NASeA President, on his experience running marathons worldwide, emphasizing the power of starting now for long-term mental and physical well-being.
“The unity and enthusiasm displayed during this AGM event are a testament to the strength and resilience of our community,” said Dr. Bishwa Acharya, NASeA’s Founding President. “We look forward to building on this momentum in the years to come.”
The AGM meeting also covered:
– Introduction of the executive board members from different states
– Review of financial status of NASeA, past events, including regular monthly meetings, in-person meetings, and successful blood donation drives, collecting over 180 pints of blood over the past year
– Looking ahead, NASeA is excited to celebrate its 35th anniversary on August 30th – September 1st, 2025, with a special event.
NASeA’s AGM event marked a significant step towards bridging the gap to a brighter future, fostering unity, growth, and cooperation among the Nepalese community in the Southeast United States, and paving the way for a stronger, more connected community.
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