Dr. Hemraj Sharma Unanimously Elected President of NRNA, Vows to Transform Organization Beyond 'Club of the Rich'

Dr. Hemraj Sharma has been unanimously elected as the President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) during its 12th Global Conference for Unity. This conference has injected new vitality into the organization, ending the disputes and splits that began during the 10th General Assembly.

The leadership of academician and researcher Dr. Sharma is being watched with particular interest, as this organization has historically been led by individuals with business backgrounds. Expectations are high that the relationship between the NRNA and the state will take on a new dimension following the formation of a new government in Nepal under the leadership of Prime Minister Balen Shah. 

Dr. Sharma has expressed his determination to break the old narrative of the NRNA being a 'club of the rich' and transform it into a common organization for the 8 million Nepalis worldwide. Presented below is an edited excerpt from the interview conducted by journalist Bhagirath Yogi with President Dr. Hemraj Sharma in the UK for News Agency Nepal:

• Previously, only individuals with business backgrounds led the NRNA. With your arrival, the organization has received academic leadership for the first time. How does this feel?

Indeed, a narrative had been established that the NRNA is only a club for the wealthy. This perception arose because, since its inception, greater emphasis was placed on financial investment, and Nepal's expectations were also limited to investment. Leaders were also friends from professional backgrounds. However, my belief from the beginning was that if the NRNA is to become a common organization for 8 million Nepalis, it must include ownership from the academic sector, various professionals, and especially Nepalis working in West Asia. The illusion that one needs money to become president has now been shattered. This will bring about a kind of 'paradigm shift'.

• After being elected unopposed, the working committee has become quite large. How did this situation arise?

We held the 'Unity General Assembly' to save the organization from division by uniting various past groups and factions. If we had gone to an election, the positions would have been limited, making it difficult to accommodate everyone. For the broader unity of the organization, we kept the main positions like President, General Secretary, and Treasurer singular, but we tried to accommodate everyone by increasing the number of Vice Presidents and Secretaries. Although it appears jumbo from the outside, it comprises capable individuals. I am confident that by working together, this team will deliver more effective results than before. A new government has been formed in Nepal under the leadership of Prime Minister Balen Shah.

• How will the NRNA collaborate with the new government?

Looking at Prime Minister Balen Shah's vision and the manifesto of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, they appear very liberal towards Nepalis living abroad. Non-Resident Nepalis also played a significant role in bringing them to this position. They have clear and positive views on issues of citizenship and voting rights. Since I myself am not affiliated with any political party and our executive committee remains independent, collaborating with the new government will be much easier than in the past. I feel that the 'right leadership' has arrived at the 'right time' to utilize the knowledge, capital, and resources of Nepalis abroad.

• What is your leadership committee doing for Nepalis affected by the ongoing conflict in West Asia?

We have a 'Foreign Employment Welfare Fund' of 30 million Nepali Rupees, which we aim to increase to 100 million NPR. A decision was made in the first meeting of the executive committee to add 10 million NPR. Currently, regarding the problems seen in West Asia, our National Coordination Councils are coordinating with the embassies to carry out relief and rescue work. We are also discussing the security and shelter of Nepalis with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

• What is the progress on the 10 Billion 'NRNA Development Fund'?

This project was slow due to some policy and internal discrepancies, but we have now resolved those issues. The minimum investment threshold has been set at $1000, allowing even Nepalis who save a little to participate. The government has a 5% investment in this, which makes it credible. We will soon travel to various countries to attract investors.

• There is also criticism that NRNS 'talk more than they work.' How do you respond?

To some extent, this might be true, but much of it is a communication gap. Many individuals have personally invested billions in sectors like hydropower, hospitals, and social work. However, we lagged slightly in collective investment due to legal complexities. The laws have now been reformed. Furthermore, there is a misconception in Nepal that all Non-Resident Nepalis are wealthy. Perhaps we sometimes made promises exceeding our capacity out of emotion. Now, we will focus on concrete and results-oriented work based on actual capacity.

• What is your plan for the implementation of citizenship and voting rights?

Our first priority is to immediately resolve the ambiguities in the Non-Resident Nepali Citizenship Act by coordinating with the new government. In the second phase, we will strive for the continuation of lineage-based citizenship through constitutional amendment. Regarding the right to vote, it is possible to involve Nepalis abroad in elections by using online voting technology. We are implementing an online system with 'facial verification' in the upcoming NRNA elections. After its success, the government can adopt the same technology, for which we are ready to provide technical support.

• 'Distance Nationalism' is being discussed; how do you view this?

The idea that contribution only happens by being physically present in Nepal is now outdated. In today's era of globalization, one can support Nepal from wherever they are. We must connect the knowledge and skills of the second generation of Nepalis, in particular, with Nepal's development. Even if they do not return to Nepal physically, we will create an environment where Nepal can utilize their technology and capabilities.