Doha, 28 Dec. 2022 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

NON-RESIDENT Nepali Association (NRNA), Qatar Chapter, and National Coordinating Council-Qatar (NCCQ) marked their 20th foundation day at the Oasis Beach recently.

NRNA Qatar was established on December 11, 2003 as the second chapter of its parent body in the world with Dr Dev Kaji Dangol as its founding president.

resent on the occasion were Ambassador of Nepal to Qatar HE Dr Naresh Vikram Dhakal, President of NRNA Qatar Mohammad Muktda Musalman, NRNA ICC Vice-President RK Sharma, Youth Vice-President Raj Regmi, Women VicePresident Yasmin Begum Syed; Secretary Praveen Gurung, CoTreasurer Homnath Sharma, Middle East Coordinator Manoj Kumar Shrestha, past presidents Rajendra Aryal, founding member Sagar Nepal, Council members, officials of Nepalese
forums, guests and members of the Nepalese community.

Ambassador Dr Dhakal congratulated the present and past leadership of NRNA Qatar for their dedicated services to their fellow expatriate nationals in the last two decades.

Dr Dhakal, who arrived in Qatar over five months ago, lauded the contributions of Nepalese workers to the historical development of Qatar as well as towards their motherland through their remittances.

He advised the Nepalese community to focus on their jobs and keep working hard for the good name of their country and their own better future.

Praising the bilateral relations between Qatar and Nepal, the envoy said that, in addition to several ministerial and other high level visits to Qatar, President Bidva Devi Bhandari paid official visit to Qatar in 2018 and former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav had visited in 2011, while former King Gayanendra and Queen Komal paid official visit to Qatar in October 2011 and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala visited in 1998.

He said part of his priorities during his tenure as country’s ambassador to Qatar will also be to try to arrange official visit of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal.

NRNA President Mohammad Muktda Musalman thanked the Nepalese ambassador for gracing the event and to all the participants, especially former presidents and other officials for joining the occasion of 20th anniversary celebrations.

He briefed the audience on the achievements of NRNA in the past and about its future plans. Musalman said Qatar chapter is exemplary for Nepalese communities living in the Middle East, describing the region itself as a great example for Nepalese living around the world. He said the occasion was the right time for them to come together and play their role in NRNA main body worldwide.

Earlier, Javi Chamling Rai, NRNA Qatar first vice-president, welcomed the guests. General Secretary of NRNA Padam Giri conducted the event, which was addressed by several community leaders who appreciated the remarkable works of NRNA Qatar.

The ambassador of Nepal led a cake cutting ceremony and in lighting a panas lamp.

Appreciation certificates were presented to the officials for the services rendered by Engineer Raju Syed; Shani Kumar Oli, Chanak Pokharel, Bimal Subedi, Mohammad Aziz Ali, Ramhari Gayre, KB Hamal, Naresh Shrestha, Kumar Khadka, Kranti Singh, Dr Nitesh Aryal, Maya KC, President of Nepali Business Association Qatar Mahendra Chamlagai, Editor of Janaswal National Daily Ramji Bagale Lgaet.

There are around 400,000 Nepalese working in Qatar. Diplomatic relations between Qatar and Nepal were established in January 1977. Nepal embassy was established in Doha on July 11, 2000 and Qatar embassy was established in Kathmandu in August 2011.