Kathmandu, Nepal, March 17, 2026: In a significant display of solidarity, Hem Raj Sharma has been unanimously elected as the President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) during its 12th Global Conference and General Assembly. The potential for a divisive election was set aside on Sunday evening when rival contender Rabin Bajracharya gracefully withdrew his candidacy. Speaking at a press conference, Bajracharya emphasized that his decision was rooted in a desire to maintain the event as a “Convention of Unity” and to spare the association from the unnecessary financial strain of a contested vote. Under this new consensus, both Bajracharya and fellow contender Rabin Sherchan have committed to serving as Vice-Presidents, ensuring a leadership team built on partnership rather than rivalry.
While the leadership transition brought a sense of stability to the assembly, the discussions on the floor turned toward a more pressing, personal issue for the millions living abroad: the struggle for true identity. During a session titled ‘Rights of Nepali Diaspora and Dignified Labour Migration,’ delegates expressed deep frustration over the "legal deadlock" hindering the implementation of Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) citizenship. Senior Advocate Radheshyam Adhikari pointed out that while the Constitution theoretically grants economic and social rights, the lack of legislative reform has left these promises unfulfilled. NRNA President Binod Kunwar echoed this sentiment, questioning the value of constitutional provisions that currently offer fewer practical benefits than a simple membership card.
The conference also served as a powerful reminder of the vast and diverse "Global Nepali" family, reaching far beyond those who recently migrated for work. Gopal Dhital, General Secretary of People of Nepali Origin (PNO), spoke movingly about the hundreds of thousands of ethnic Nepalis in Myanmar, Thailand, and Fiji who long to reconnect with their ancestral roots. Similarly, the plight of British Gurkhas was brought to the forefront by Hom Kirat Sunuwar, who argued that those who have served with such distinction should not be stripped of their citizenship by descent. These voices underscored a collective plea for the motherland to recognize its children, regardless of the borders they crossed generations ago.
Finally, the assembly turned its focus toward the safety and dignity of the 1.8 million Nepali migrant workers currently in the Middle East. With geopolitical tensions rising, Ram Kaji Khadka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured delegates that the government is working closely with the NRNA to track and protect these vulnerable citizens. Experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reminded the gathering that at the heart of every remittance is a human being whose fundamental rights must be championed. As the conference continues in Kathmandu, the new leadership faces the daunting but hopeful task of turning these emotional and legal aspirations into a reality for the global diaspora.
