ecember 31, 2009 (New York): A delegation of prominent NRN community leaders in New York area led by Dr. Binod Shah, Director-at-large for NRN Affairs of Nepalese Americas Council, handed over a memorandum to His Excellency Gyan Chandra Acharya, the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations. The memorandum addressed to Rt. Honorable Subash Chandra Nemwang with copied to Rt. Honorable Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Honorable Nilambar Acharya, the Chairperson of the Constitution Committee and Honorable Binda Pande, Chairperson of Fundamental Rights Committee of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, demands the inclusion of a provision for dual citizenship to NRNs living abroad in the new constitution of Nepal. Ambassador Acharya assured the NRN community delegation that the Nepal Mission would forward the copies of the memorandum to the concerned authorities in Nepal on the very day.
Highlighting the realities of increasingly globalized nature of nations and their interdependence on each other, the NRN leaders expressed that it was in the best interest of Nepal to offer every incentive to attract Nepalis residing abroad to Nepal. They further stressed that Nepali people no
matter where they live want to live as Nepali and the dual citizenship will offer that opportunity and valuable linkage and encourage NRNs to be part of Nepal’s development and progress. They also reminded that increasing number of countries around the globe have been offering dual citizenships to their nationals who are permanently living as citizens of other countries.
During the meeting, NRN community leaders also brought up number of local Nepali community issues and stressed that in some areas there were needs for the NRN community, Nepal missions and Embassies to work together to help Nepali communities in America become stronger. Ambassador Acharya assured the delegation that his office would provide any support to NRN communities within the Mission’s scope and limitations. Particularly, Ambassador Acharya expressed his willingness to work closely with local Nepali community organizations on number of issues.
The delegation also included prominent community leaders and scholars–Dr. Tara Niraula, Mr. Indra Tamang, Mr. Bansalal Tamang, Mr. Sonam Lama and Mr. Pemba Sherpa. Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai, Minister Counsellor of the Permanent Mission was also present at the meeting.
