Current NRNA Vice President Ramsharan Simkhada Announces Candidacy for General Secretary Post

Kathmandu. Current Vice President Ramsharan Simkhada has announced his candidacy for the post of General Secretary for the upcoming term of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA). Simkhada announced his candidacy while unveiling his 7-point resolution paper during a special program held virtually on Tuesday night.

Simkhada is determined to elevate the organization above political factionalism and establish it as a purely social and common institution. He announced that within six months of being elected, he will bring necessary amendments through a Statute Assembly to objectively resolve the disputes seen in the 10th and 11th General Assemblies and to review the membership distribution and representative selection system. Furthermore, his plan includes incorporating an 'Electoral System' into the statute so that everyone can participate in leadership selection and initiating amendments to the NRN Act to end political interference.

For the dignity and transparency of the organization, he also pledged to publish the central quarterly audit report on the website and introduce a 'Referendum' (public opinion) system for important decisions involving registered members.

Towards administrative reform, Simkhada's resolution paper mentions preparing a long-term strategic action plan within three months of being elected, making the Kathmandu secretariat more empowered and responsible, and adopting a policy of keeping membership open for the remaining 22 months, except for the 60 days preceding the election. To further empower the National Coordination Councils (NCCs), he announced the establishment of an endowment fund to award the top three performing NCCs with $7,000, $5,000, and $3,000 respectively.

Prioritizing technology, his action plan includes making the 'Smart NRN App' more secure and member-friendly, and advancing philanthropic activities in collaboration with international donor agencies. He expressed confidence that his experience of nearly 12 years in administrative roles in international donor organizations would greatly assist in the administrative reform of the NRNA.

Simkhada has served in various roles within the NRNA, starting as a founding member of NRNA UK (2005-07), serving as General Secretary and advisor, then as an ICC member, Deputy General Secretary, and currently as Vice President and Head of the NRN Welfare Department. He has also successfully played the role of Co-coordinator of the Constitution Amendment Advisory Committee and Director in various international conferences. He stated that despite being a Vice President, he is contesting for the General Secretary position solely for the benefit of the organization.

At the candidacy announcement program, NRNA UK Chairman Rajendra Pudasaini welcomed the attendees and stated that capable leadership like Simkhada's is needed to establish the NRNA agenda. He expressed confidence that Simkhada's competence and experience would take the organization to new heights. Simkhada clarified questions posed by attendees, including NCC Malta Chairman Satya Jha, Laxman Devkota, Saraswati KC, Raju Bhattarai, Deepak Sapkotta, Tilak Bhattarai, and Hemant Kafle, and presented his future strategy.

In the program attended by over 200 people, NRNA ICC Chairman Mahesh Kumar Shrestha, along with Vice Presidents Robin Prasad Sherchan, Lok Dahal, former Vice President Yasmin Begum Sayed, Deputy Treasurer Abhimanyu Basnet, and Advisor Govinda Gautam, extended their best wishes. Furthermore, founding International Coordinator and former Ambassador to Myanmar, Bhim Udas, also wished him well through an audio message.

Other personalities extending good wishes included European Regional Women's Coordinator Prasuna Kadel, NRNA NCC UAE Chairman Tanka Gurung, NRN activist Laxman Devkota from Geneva, Saraswati Karki from Denmark, Raju Bhattarai from Canada, and Austria Chairman Binod Chaulagain.

Additionally, NRNA UK Secretary DN Kharel, activists Ganesh Prasad Shiwakoti, Lalit Neupane, Parshuram Bhandari from the USA, France Chairman Min Shrestha, Americas Regional Coordinator Bed Basnet, NCC USA Women's Secretary Sangita Lama Lamichhane, ICC Member Ali Mohammad Mia from Israel, ICC Member and Europe Committee Secretary Bhuvan Aryal from Malta, and Women's Deputy Treasurer Amrita Thapa Kanchan joined via Zoom to wish Simkhada well. The 12th General Assembly of the NRNA is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu starting on Falgun 30.