NRNA DRC Bishwaraj Bastola Returns to the U.S.; Warm Wishes and Congratulations from Nepali Congress Leaders and Well-Wishers Bishwaraj Bastola, a longtime resident of Long Island, New York and originally from Hemja, Ward No. 25 of Pokhara Metropolitan City, was recently honored in Pokhara with a heartfelt farewell and congratulatory program prior to his return to the United States.
Bastola was unanimously elected as the Deputy Regional Coordinator (DRC) for North and South America during the recent NRNA International General Convention held in Kathmandu. In recognition of his continued contributions to the social sector in the U.S., Bastola was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by CIICA University of America.
During his nearly two-month stay in Nepal, he was warmly felicitated and congratulated by various educational institutions, community organizations, and social groups in appreciation of his longstanding contributions to society. Bastola has established himself as a respected educational, political, and social figure both in Nepal and the diaspora. He currently serves as the Patron of the Kaski Ideal International Society, and his work continues to earn admiration from Nepali communities worldwide. He is also an active leader of the Nepali Public Relations Committee, USA, and serves as a Mahadhiveshan Representative of the Nepali Congress.In Long Island, he has spearheaded numerous community initiatives, including blood donation drives and awareness campaigns.
In recognition of his exceptional community service, the Town of Oyster Bay, Long Island, officially declared September 6 as “Bishwaraj Bastola Day.” Under his leadership, the BT Foundation has collaborated closely with CCNC USA, launching educational and philanthropic programs in both the United States and Nepal. At the same event in Pokhara, social worker Bishwo Baral—also a longtime U.S. resident originally from Pokhara—and Laxmi Bastola, wife of Bishwaraj Bastola, were also honored with ceremonial scarves in recognition of their contributions to society. Gangadhar Parajuli, a central member of the Nepali Congress Publicity Department, highlighted the impactful political and social work of Bastola and Baral. The event was coordinated by Raj Bahadur Gurung, also a central publicity department member, and was attended by several distinguished figures.
Among those offering their best wishes were central committee member Guru Baral; acting president of Nepali Congress Gandaki Province and Provincial Assembly Member Kalpana Tiwari; provincial lawmakers Prakash Baral, Dilliraj Subedi, Saraswati Gurung, Dilmaya Pobi, and Sunita Thapa. Additional remarks and congratulations were shared by Yubaraj Kunwar, Vice President of NC Kaski; Manoj Gurung, President of NC Kaski-3; senior leader Posh Nath Sharma; General Assembly Member Rishi Kafle; leaders Purushottam Parajuli, Shiromani Baral, and Lalit Gurung; Raju Kshetri, President of Nepal Teachers’ Association, Kaski; Sunil Bhandari, Principal of Sirjana Bahira Secondary School; Regional Deputy Secretary Sheetal Adhikari; Mahesh Timilsina, Spokesperson of NC Constituency-3; Madhav Sigdel, Chairperson of Bhadrakali Multipurpose Campus Management Committee; and Padam Shrestha, Chief Secretary of the NC Gandaki Provincial Office.
Also in attendance were several female leaders and local representatives from the Nepali Congress, including Shanti Gurung, Ransu Gurung, Suchita Tamang, Sabi Pariyar, Bhimmaya Ale, and Kopila Bastola, who extended their heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes for Bastola’s journey and continued leadership in the United States.
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