Dr. Shesh Ghale has served as the president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) ICC for two terms since 2013. After the 10th General Convention held in 2021 and the 11th General Convention, the association was divided, and as per the order of the Supreme Court and the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ghale has been given the responsibility of organizing a unity convention. A 13-member high-level committee including Dr. Ghale has also been formed. Dr. Ghale said that the work has been progressed by setting a date for organizing the unity convention in Kathmandu from 20 to 22 Baisakh 2082 (May 3-5, 2025). He said that while different interpretations and analyses are being made on the issue of two separate Supreme Court decisions, he is trying his best to bring the association back to a new and legitimate rhythm by organizing a unity convention. In this regard, Nepal News Bank has an interview based on a conversation with Dr. Ghale:
The high-level committee of NRNA led by you has called for a general convention in Kathmandu on May 3-5, 2025. How are the preparations going?
Till date, we have completed nine 'formal meetings'. The first meeting was held on November 19. Now, we are holding meetings every Sunday by making a calendar until the end of April. It has become a little easier for us at this time. Because we have made the main decisions. Now we have to go into action. Now, the strength of the community friends in the diaspora has gone to the court more than us. The work of taking new memberships and renewing them will have to be done by the people of the NRNA community. The people of the community will have to move forward by understanding the importance of the general convention and what the process is. It is our responsibility to make them aware and remind them. Now the path is clear, the date has been fixed. The remaining ten weeks will have to be spent on raising awareness.
Let's go into a little background, how was the high-level committee formed, what did the Supreme Court specifically say in the verdict?
It has been about 10 months since the court verdict came. Since we are all intelligent and sensible people, we have come to understand the court verdict. There is no such thing as being unable to understand the court verdict. By the time the brief and complete text came out, many had already understood it. It has been widely disseminated in the media and the public, there is nothing that cannot be understood. My understanding of this, as well as the understanding of all activists and lawyers, is the same. The way I understand it, the Supreme Court's mandate was against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that is, the government. The order given to the ministry is the mandate of the High Level Committee of the court. The high-level committee is working on behalf of the ministry. If the order is not followed, the consequences will have to be borne by the Ministry. Therefore, we are working according to the court's instructions. We are working happily.
But the ICC led by Badri KC is preparing to hold a separate general convention in October 2025. Is that in accordance with the statute or not?
From the perspective of social work, the activities they are doing are not bad. I cannot tell them what to do and what not to do. I believe that they should continue. I should not interfere in that. They are working, making the world move, that is good. But the fact is that according to the committee formed as per the mandate given by the Supreme Court, I have known Badri KC as one of the 13 members as the chairman of the high-level committee. Accordingly, I have been consulting him and sharing information with him since the beginning. Before the committee meeting, I have called him at his house and sought his opinion. So far, the agendas of nine meetings have been sent to all the members, the minutes and decisions are also sent to them. All of them are also sent to Badriji. They all clearly know the activities of the committee. But their own claims and activities may also be 'counterproductive' for the committee. I am not scared of that. I am working impartially and positively. Apart from that, I have nothing to say to them.
It is also being claimed that after the second verdict of the Supreme Court, the first verdict has been rendered ineffective. What is the reality?
I consider myself to be a person who is trying to do something for the Nepali diaspora and Nepal. I am also a person who has taken responsibility. I have no personal desire in this event. I am aware that if I work against the advice of legal experts, my personality will be damaged. I am working by facing very valuable time and challenges. I have come forward to help the society and the organization financially as well. I am confident that I will fulfill the responsibility I have received. I have taken this as an opportunity. Let us not dwell on how it reached the Supreme Court now. Let us not only look at how to hold the convention, the main issue is to improve the organization. I have a formula to bring the organization back into balance, and I am working according to that.
How are the delegates selected for the convention to be held in May?
The Supreme Court has pointed out three things. It has looked into the dispute over our membership that has been going on for years. This organization is an organization registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Nepal and the statute clearly speaks about membership. We are being confused, misinformation has been given about membership. Membership was distributed contrary to the statute. Whatever was done in the delegation, members were deprived. We also made students and people from SAARC countries members. The problem started from this. They were deprived of the right to choose their leader when they came to Nepal. If there are 100,000 members, only 100,000 valid members should come to Nepal and choose their leader. This should not be done electronically, it should be done on paper. The issue of membership must be strictly enforced and non-members must be expelled. But all members should be given the right to choose a leader. After this unity convention, a brand new constitution (statute of the organization) will be prepared. This democratizes the NRNA, individualizes rights. I am ready to explain this to everyone wherever I go.
The term of the National Coordination Council (NCC) of the NRNA is still about 6 months. What will happen to their term if the general convention is held in May?
NCCs are country chapters. They are registered according to the laws of the respective countries, that is, autonomous. This NRNA registered in Kathmandu is just a loose network of NRNA. But the NRNA registered in Kathmandu is trying to control the NCC, this is not justified. What I am saying is that if it can be done, the NCC should hold a convention by April 15. This is not mandatory. The NCC convention is not necessary to hold the NRNA convention, but mutual understanding and consultation should be required. The tradition is that the ICC general convention is held after the NCC, it would be even better if that were done.
The Badri KC group is doing its work from the central office. It is spending the central fund. Is that legal or not?
From the beginning, our mission is not to interfere. It is not to run the secretariat, control the finances, and govern. Since it is a social organization, the expenses are being done transparently. If it was a company or a political organization, things would be different. Of course, we are facing some problems due to lack of financial resources. At this time, we are trying to find some help to work. During my tenure, it was a lot of trouble to build the headquarters, we have worked day and night. We have built the building and handed it over. Even if they lock it when they go to the headquarters, I am not much concerned. Not only the headquarters, but the Nepali diaspora can do a lot of work.
What will be the legal status of the NRNA if the general convention of unity is not held by May?
We have been consulting everyone since the first meeting. We are saying to set our agenda, let's move forward after consulting. I can't keep fighting anymore. How can we try to set a separate agenda and divide the organization? It is not only my responsibility, they are also equally responsible. People will judge about this. But in what form I have taken it, the organization has become weak, it is my effort to bring the organization back to normal legally. There is no need to say that the organization has broken up. Because I have made everything transparent. We have followed the rule of law and fairness. I have taken it as an opportunity to open the way for all members to exercise their rights. Please try to understand. Come to Kathmandu for two days in May and elect a leader. Support us in bringing the organization back to normal according to the rules and regulations. The way to democratize and improve the organization is the General Convention of Unity.
Let's change the context a little. The government is making arrangements to provide free visas for non-resident Nepali citizenship holders for 10 years, is this right or not?
There has been an attempt to weaken the achievements of ten years ago. During my tenure, we were able to include non-resident Nepali citizenship in the constitution. At that time, we were told to just take an identity card, there was a lot of pressure. I have heard that citizenship was distributed only last year. I did not take it. And citizenship was given without a federal law. Everyone is told to give rights other than political rights in the federal law, and they should get them.
News keeps coming that Nepal does not have an investment-friendly environment. How are you experiencing it?
I have been saying this for 10 years now. What we mean is 'growing economy'. We may have felt some discomfort because we live in developed countries, but there are opportunities in Nepal. Since I have gathered the experience of Australia, Nepal is a bit troubled, but there are definitely opportunities. We must do something in Nepal.
Don't you feel a little disappointed when NRNA reaches its current state?
Although I am not the founder of the organization. Upendraji and Jiwaji founded it. I am grateful for the creation they have made. I was not aware, I was busy with my own work. But I would like to express my gratitude to the founders for getting the opportunity to lead. If the organization cannot be contemporary, if it cannot change, it is not good. Therefore, we should not be satisfied with having established the organization. We should be able to attract new generations.
If the convention is not held at the time you have specified, what will be the legal status of the organization?
We have moved forward according to the understanding and advice of experts and legal professionals. The mandate has been given to us for 6 months. Our committee will not exist after May 19, 2025. It does not seem that there will be another one after one court order. We have moved forward according to that target and we will succeed. I have taken this as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Since there are some problems even when bringing political figures to the organization's programs, I think some modalities should be changed. The program should be focused.
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