RECOGNITION: Paban Shrestha, who was injured in the Nepalese Civil War, being honoured at the event.
By Usha Wagle Gautam
The Nepalese Progressive Front-Qatar (NPF) organised its fifth convention on the first day of Eid al-Fitr at the Holiday Villa hotel.
Netra Bikram Chand, Leader of Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M), was the chief guest. Co-ordinator Ganesh Bhandari presided. NPF is the sister organisation of CPN-M.
Chand, in his speech, thanked Qatar-based social organisations for their support to earthquake victims in Nepal. He also thanked the Qatar Red Crescent Society for their help. More than 600 people participated in the programme, including Nepalese community leaders, journalists and supporters of NPF.
Ramesh Bhatta, president of Baglung Welfare Society, in his speech urged Chand to not go forward with their planned national strike.
Rekha Rai, president of Nepalese Women Society, urged Chand to lobby for the equal representation of women in the government. A large number of other community leaders also talked about topical matters at the convention.
NPF also honoured Jaya Mani Joshi, brother of a man who lost his life during the ten-year-long Nepalese Civil War, and Paban Shrestha (injured in the war) during the programme.
The front also elected its new working committee at the session. The committee will be led by Chairman Mohan KC. Resham Poudel will be the senior vice-chariman, Guman Singh Sunar second chairman, Ram Kunwar secretary, Ram Chandra Poudel and Kabi Raj Chhetri co-secretaries, and Hem Karki will be the treasurer.
Raj Dhamala, Paban Shrestha, Rabin Pun, Shrawan Ram, Krishna Kunwar, Jaya Mani Joshi, Karakaat Rajbanshi, Resham Sapkota, Binod Dhungana, Bibek Malla, Rajendra Limbu and Kaladarsha Ram are the new working committee members.
