NEPALESE IN CANADA TO HOLD ITS SECOND NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CALGARY
Monday, June 22 2009, Calgary, Canada: NRN (Non-resident Nepalese)-Canada, the national umbrella organization of the Nepali Diaspora in Canada is holding its annual conference in Calgary, a beautiful city located near picturesque Rocky Mountains, on Saturday, the 27th June 2009.
The conference has attracted many notable personalities from Canada and the world. Jointly hosted by two community organizations, Nepalese Community Society of Calgary (NCSC) and Calgary Nepalese Community Association (CNCA), the day-long event concentrates on themes that are of strong interest to Nepalese people living in Canada. NRN-Canada is organizing this conference with a great fanfare with a concert given by internationally renowned singer and humanitarian Ani Choying Dolma and the young and aspiring artists of the Nepalese community in Canada.
A number of international and local delegates of Nepali Diaspora as well as distinguished dignitaries are to address the event. The President of NRN Association (NRNA)’s International Coordination Council including Dr. Upendra Mahato and renowned philanthropist and Professor Dave Irvine Halliday Acting Ambassador of Nepal to Canada Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel will be there, Hon. Moe Amery, a member of Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada are attending the Conference. Renowned Canadian mountaineer duo Mr. Laurie Skreslet, who was the First Canadian to Summit Everest, and Mr. Andrew Brash, who abandoned his ascent to save Australian climber Lincoln Hall near the Summit of Everest in 2006 and clinched the Summit in 2008 are to address the program with their strong affinity to Nepal and the Himalayas and dignitaries like Deputy Mayor of Calgary, Hon. Ray Jones and former President of Golder and a Nepal enthusiast Mr. Hal Hamilton will also address the inaugural session of the conference. NRNA President Dr. Upendra Mahato will deliver a keynote speech on the achievements made in the NRN-movement globally. Other two keynote speakers, .A big international delegation of NRN including the current Vice-Presidents Mr. Dev Man Hirachan and Mr. Ram Pratap Thapa, former vice President Dr. Shyam D Karki, and the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the NRN International Coordination Council are also coming to participate in the conference. Included in the US delegates are former NRN-NACC President Dr. Ambika Adhikari and Vice-President Mr. Ratan Jha.
“A creative session for presentation of project concepts that are expected to benefit Nepali Diaspora in Canada and/or their roots in Nepal from short term to long term is planned as a special feature of this conference.” NRN-Canada President Mr. Nabaraj Gurung said. “This will be followed by a forum with a group of distinguished panellists to answers the queries of the general audience and to address issues concerning Nepali Diaspora.” The conference will also incorporate a session for holding annual general meeting of the NRN-Canada.
“Overall, it’s about mainstreaming the Nepalese into Canadian society by way of aligning all aspects of our life in the context of vibrant multi-cultural and economic dynamics of Canada”, NCSC President Dr. Betman Bhandari said. “We are bringing to this event of Nepali people with all kinds of talents across Canada and asking them to present their vision for future of Nepalese living in Canada.”
Calgary Nepalese Community Association (CNCA) President Binod KC added, “We, Nepalese have a rich cultural heritage from a Himalayan nation and we are also trying to showcase it through a cultural entertainment night with dance and music towards the end part of the Conference.”
Contact: Dr. Raju Tuladhar (Web: www.nrn-canada.org; (403) 208-1948; tuladhar@telus.net