On Saturday, May 23, 2015, the Newah Organization of America (NOA) held its 14th Annual Convention and General Meeting in George Mason Regional Library, Annandale, Virginia. This year convention has been dedicated to Nepal’s Earthquake: Relief, Recovery and Rebuild. With more than hundred attendees, the program was concluded by a cross-section of the Newah and Nepalese community from the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as guests from different states.

The 14th Annual Convention and General Meeting started with a warm welcome and Tribute to all of the Nepal Earthquake victim rescue, relief, recovery, rebuilding and restarting initiatives. Ms. Sichu Mali served as Emcees called the meeting for order and welcome to the dash NOA President Ram Lal Shrestha, Chief Guest Mr. Narayan Prasad Mainali, Minister Counselor of Nepal Embassy and Key Note Speaker Professor Dr. David N. Gellner, Oxford University, United Kingdom. 

Opening session started with Khatas as welcome to honorable guest, assisted by Mrs. Chitra Shrestha and Mrs. Samjhana Shrestha, and handover flowers to offer tribute assisted Mrs. Chhaya Pradhan and Mrs. Sunita Shrestha. 

To begin with program, One Minute Silence has been Observers to tribute to all of earthquake victims. NOA President Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha has delivered his Presidential address, welcoming all guests and organization representatives, thanking attendees for their continued support, and expressing gratitude to the Chief Guests and Key Note Speaker at the 14th Annual Convention & General Meetings. He informed that this year convention is specially dedicated to Nepal Earthquake Relief, Recovery and Rebuild. He has also shares his fresh memories of earthquake while he was in Nepal.

 

General Secretary Mr. Mahindra Pradhan has highlighted the annual activities of NOA also he has introduce latest 5th Chapter of Newah Organization of America, from New England. Vice President Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha has briefed the activities of the NOA Language Center and urged parents to teach Nepal Bhasa at home and send their children to NOALC class. Treasurer Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha has presented the annual financial report of NOA. 

Member at large Mr. Kiran Ranjit has presented short episode of video dedicated to Nepal EQ and Secretary Mr. Pushkar Prajapati has presented up to dates of Fundraise, Distribution and Relief Effort. Chief Guest Mr. Narayan Prasad Mainali, Minister Counselor of Nepal Embassy has delivered his message and expressed appreciation for the great effort towards Nepal Earthquake relief and rebuild and NOA role of preserving and promoting Newah culture. 

Dr. Maheswor Baidya has presented the topic on ‘Death and Disease from Nepal’s Earthquake: How can we improve outcome?’ Also Dr. Madan Uprety has shares his experience of recent visit of Nepal during earthquake and presented overview of Earthquake Relief in Nepal: Present and Future perspective. Past President Mr. Season Shrestha has introduce and highlighted keynote speaker of the event Professor Dr. David N. Gellner , Oxford University, U.K. 

Honorable Keynote Speaker Professor Dr. David Gellner has delivered impressive speech sharing his lifetime experience with Newah culture, heritage and language. He has presented on the topic of ‘The Great Earthquake & What Comes After: Why it is Essential to Build Nepal’s Sacred Sites’.

On behalf, NOA President Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha has honored Prof. Dr. David N. Gellner as a Patron Life Member of NOA and welcome along with a Plaque. 

NOA Vice President Mrs. Babita Shrestha has thanked all the volunteers for their tireless efforts, the participants, speakers, organization representatives, all the media for their overwhelming support, and Air Zone Travels, Clay Oven Restaurant, Curry Place for the food contribution, George Mason Regional Library for the venue, and Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha, Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, Mr. Yagya Man Shakya for coordinating arrival, registration and book of comments

The convention stretched well into the 5:00 evening and ended with a lot of wonderful new memories.