NAF Organized Virtual Interaction Program on Current Real Estate Market, Opportunity, and Challenges on Saturday, May 1, 2021
Speakers:
Santosh Sthapit
Vishwa Parajuli
Jaya Khakural Pandey
Moderator: Madhu Nepal, NAF Tallahassee Chapter
The program was also live broadcasted on Radio Himalaya
To watch full program, please follow the Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/100008375828381/videos/2955835758038923/
An Interaction program on “A Changing Perspective-Dignified Menstruation in Nepal” was organized virtually by the Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) on Saturday, March 27th, 2021. Previously, NAF organized an introductory virtual interaction program on “Dignified Menstruation” with Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation (GSCDM) to raise awareness about Dignified Menstruation. This time, the program was focused on the work of different young social activists working on Dignified Menstruation in Nepal, the challenges, and the accomplishments.
The program was attended by panelist Dr. Garima Shrestha, Founder SHE, Ms. Manita Devkota, MHM Activist/Days for Girls Nepal, Women’s Health Advocate, and Former Miss Universe Nepal, Ms. Bhawan Raut Youth Leader/Social Activist and Ms. Smarika Nepal, Youth Activist/Founding Co-President WomenForNepal spoke during the program.
At the beginning of the program, Dr. Garima Shrestha presented her initiative SHE Nepal’s activities; this was followed by an update and activities of Days of Girls-Nepal by Ms. Manita Devkota. She highlighted how Days of Girls-Nepal is educating young girls on Menstruation and how it is helping to build employment opportunities, focusing on manufacturing reusable menstruation-pad in a different district in Nepal. She also highlighted how difficult it is for young girls and women to attend school or colleges during menstruation due to the unavailability of clean toilets, too poor to buy pads, etc. Ms. Bhawan Raut highlighted how she and her team are working on the policymaking aspect with the Department of Education. She also highlighted how it will be effective if we start education to break the prevalent taboos from the home; she also shared her personal experience about how she managed to break the taboo within her own family. She implies that if young girls are educated in advance on these issues during school days, it may be possible to break these taboos. The youngest panelist, Ms. Smarika Nepal from West Palm Beach Florida, discussed her initiative “Women’s for Nepal” and how she is currently working with her friends in the USA to raise awareness about menstruation taboos that exist in Nepal. She also shared how she is using Instagram to create short stories about taboos in Nepal. She also discussed her involvement in creating a worldwide menstruation database in August where she discussed “Chaupadi Pratha” from Nepal. The program was moderated by NAF Vice-President Dr. Pragati Ghimire Aryal and General Secretary Dr. Niraj Shrestha. The program lasted for almost two hours where participants discussed the different strategies to break taboos, girls and family education on menstruation, religious perspectives, eco-friendly menstrual sanitary product and widespread use of it, sustainability of the different initiatives, and how the pandemic is affecting the different programs focused on dignified menstruation in Nepal.
At the end of the program, NAF President Ms. Anila Neupane and General Secretary Dr. Niraj Shrestha highlighted the significance of the program and thanked all the speakers and guests. If you need more information about this program and NAF activities, please email us at naflorida2016@gmail.com
Sincerely,
NAF Executive Team
NAF Youth Forum Organized Second Series of Youth panel Discussion on Jan 30, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada).
Topic: NAF-Youth Forum Panel Discussion-A Cross-Cultural Look At Our Youth-Sharing Experience about Growing Up in Two Cultures
Detail video on Facebook Live link.https://www.facebook.com/100008375828381/videos/2889865601302606/
Press Release-
Due to COVID-19 pandemic Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) virtually organized 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 7th , Saturday 2020 via Zoom. In the beginning of the program Mr. Dev Bhandary, Ms. Priti Bhandary (Member At Large), Mr. Sahil Bhandary and Ms. Yuvani Bhandary from West Palm Beach sang Nepal’s national anthem followed by national anthem of USA by Master Resh Neupane and Ms. Resha Neupane from Gainesville.
Dr. Pragati Ghimire, NAF- Vice President gave a welcome speech on behalf of NAF-Executive Team and followed by honoring Ms. Rosy Sharma Sendhai for her volunteer contribution to the community for organizing “Mindfulness Meditation Class” since April 2020. NAF-President Ms. Anila Neupane awarded a plaque on behalf of the NAF Executive team to Ms. Rosy Sharma Sendhai. Dr. Niraj Shrestha, General Secretary, presented the Annual Report for 2019-20. Annual report presentation was participated by Mr. Sushila Bhattachan (Mentorship Coordinator), Mr. Krishna Shrestha (COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator), Mr. Bimal Nepal (Atop-A Highway Coordinator), Ms. Shailee Banskota (NAF Youth Forum Coordinator), Mr. Naryan Neupane (Information Secretary/Indreni Quarterly Publications Coordinator) and Dr. Amar Bahadur Karki (Community Engagement Coordinator). Treasurer, Mr. Bishal Gautam presented a financial report for 2019-20.
During the program invited speakers from different local and state organization ; Dr. Rajendra Shakya (president, Newah Organization of America-Florida Chapter), Mr. Prem Singh (President, Madheshi Association in America-Florida Chapter), Mr. Deep Karki (President, International Nepalese Literature Society-Florida Chapter), Mr. Nijananda Malla (President, Nepalese Community Center Orlando), Dr. Archana Kattel (President, Abi Kattel Memorial Foundation), Mr. Ajaya Satyal ( President, International Nepalese Blood Donor Associations), Mr. Binaya Aryal (President, Nepalese Association of South-East America), Mr. Suneel Sah (President, Non-Resident Nepali Association, USA), wished NAF team for the first year and discussed about future collaboration with NAF. Beside the different organization, President from US Nepal Research Policy, Dr. Rajan Pant highlighted how NAF currently organizes different social programs important for the community which is an example for other different organizations. He also proposed to run a collaboration program with NAF in near future. Invited guest speaker, Mr. Pukar Bam from Hamro Sano Prayas-Nepal, discussed first-hand experience on current COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal and roles of different social programs which Hamro Sano Prayas running in current situations in different parts of Nepal. Ms. Avima Upreti, Esq, President of Nepali Women’s Global Network, discussed the different programs currently running in the community by NWGN. She also appreciated different social programs run by NAF and how two organization can work together in future on women related issues. She also pointed out that different organizations should learn from NAF to involve women in leadership roles. Past President Mr. Tirtha Mali, Mr. Bimal Nepal and Mr. Bikash Devkota, Ad Hoc Committee Member Dr. Shailendra Shukla and Unification Team Member Dr. Rudra Aryal also spoke during the program on the important roles currently NAF is playing in current situations. At the end of the program NAF President Ms. Anila Neupane gave a vote of thanks. In her speech she appreciated all the coordinators who are currently running different NAF flagship programs. She also thanks all invited speakers and community leaders for their participation.
Program was attended by more than 60 community members from different parts of Florida via Zoom and Facebook Live and moderated by NAF General Secretary Dr. Niraj Shrestha.
Following NAF-AGM, INLS-Florida chapter organized the रचना वाचन Program moderated by Madhu Nepal. Later in the evening, with collaboration between NAF and Nepalese Student Association (NeSA)-University of South Florida, organized the Deusi-Bhailo and Cultural Program to raise funds to support different COVID-19 pandemic related programs in Nepal. The program was moderated by Mr. Sanjiv Gurung, Graduate Student and Ms. Sujita Bhandary, technical help by Mr. Shree Ram Bhandary and Mr. Anwesh Tuladhar. Community members and children from different cities participated in a culture program with their talent. Popular Nepai Singer Mr. Diwas Gurung was a highlight of the culture program who participated via Zoom from New York for interaction and performance. Program was streamed live on YouTube and Facebook Live.
If you need more information about this program and NAF activities, please email us at naflorida2016@gmail.com
Sincerely,
NAF Executive Team
Link for NAF-AGM
Link for Culture Program
Menstruation is a natural process and a monthly occurrence for the billions of girls and women. Still millions of menstruators across the world are denied the right to serve their menstrual period in a dignified way. In 2014, the UN resolution used the word menstruation associated with human rights and expressed concerned menstrual hygiene management including stigma and its reversed impact on gender equality and human rights of girls and women. “Dignified Menstruation is simply the state free from any kinds of abuses, stigma, discriminations, violence associated with menstruation”.
On 4th , October 2020, Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) with Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation (GSCDM) organized a virtual interaction program on “Dignified Menstruation”. Renowned “Dignified Menstruation” activist Radha Paudel, Milli Adhikari and Becca Residorf (Fran Olivers) (From REGLA, Chile) spoke during the program. Ms. Radha Paudel presented the current stigma on menstruation in different parts of the world and how local and international organizations currently working to address different issues related to menstruation. Ms. Paudel also informed the current ongoing program of Nepal government which are national levels on policy making, promulgated different laws, free distribution of menstrual pad and different social campaign. Ms. Milli Adhikari, Director of North America, GSCDM, discussed how North America is currently implementing Dignified Menstruations programs and highlighted how developed and developing countries still have similar stigma on menstruations. Another guest speaker, Becca Residorf from REGLA, gave a perspective on Chile and Germany and touched up sexual and social violence due to menstruations. She also highlighted “period poverty” during COVID19-Pandemic and how it impacted menstruation health and different programs currently Chile government are running during the pandemic. NAF President Ms. Anila Neupane and Vice-President Dr. Pragati Ghimire Aryal jointly moderated the program. Beside the invited speakers, attended distinguish guest, Attorney Ms. Avima Upreti, President, NWGN from New York, Dr. Pranay Rana, Expert on International Conflict Management Program from Nepal and Dr. Bidya Ranjeet from Connecticut also express their views on social stigma on menstruation. Ms. Smarika Nepal from West Palm Beach discussed her recent school project on “Period Poverty”. Program was attended by more than 100 participants from different parts of the world via Zoom and Facebook Live. At the end of the program NAF President Ms. Anila Neupane and General Secretary Dr. Niraj Shrestha highlighted the significance of the program and thanked all the speakers and guests.
If you need more information about this program and NAF activities, please email us at naflorida2016@gmail.com
आदरणीय आमा बुबा, दाजु भाइ तथा दिदी बहिनीहरु, कोरनाको महामारीले सम्पूर्ण मानब कार्यकलाप ठप्प बनाएको छ महिना भन्दा बढी भैसकेको छ। हामी मध्य केही अस्पतालजस्तो अत्याबस्यक सेवामा त्रसित अबस्थामा काम गरिरहेका छौ भने धेरै घर बाटै काम गरिरहेका छौ त कती काम बन्द भएर घरमा त्यसैबसिरहेका छौ। त्यसको अलवा हाम्रो केटाकेटीहरुको स्कुल बन्द भएर २४ घन्टा घरमा बस्न बाध्य भएका छन। यि त हामी हरेक ले भोगीरहेको कुरा भयो। हामीहरु कोही अनलाइन मेडिया द्वारा सामाजिक सन्जालहरुमा केही समय आफुलाइ भुलाउन खोजेका छौ। तर हाम्रा आमा बुबाहरु जो कोही नेपालबाट केही समयको लागी आफ्नो परिवार भेट्न र यसो घुमघामको लागी आउनु भएको छ भने कोही येही लामो समय बसिरहनु भएको छ। अहिले कोरोनाको कहरले उहाँहरु घर भित्रै थुनिएर बस्नु परेको त छ नै त्यसमा पनी कसैको उमेरको कारणले कसैको स्वास्थको कारणले हामिले जस्तो यि बिधुतिय सामाजिकसन्जालमा आफुलाइ भुलाउन पनी सक्नु नभएको हुन सक्छ भने अरु साथीभाइहरु सङ्ग भेटघाट पनी रोकिएको छ।
त्यसैले गाउको चौतारोमा बसेर उहाँहरुको मनका कुरा सुन्न नपाए पनी उहाँहरुलाइ यो असहज परिस्थितिका अनुभब र उकुसमुकुस सुनाउने अबसर प्रदान गर्ने मनसाय राखेर जुम मार्फत मिती: आइतबार, अगस्ट ९ गते “मनको चौतारी” कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न भयेको छ । नेपालिज आसोसिएसन अफ फ्लोरिडा को आयोजनामा सम्पन्न कार्यक्रमको सह आयोजक आइ एन एल एस , फ्लोरिडा च्याप्टर रहेको थियो
धन्यबाद,
NAF-Community Engagement Coordinator With executive team
Live Video:
https://www.facebook.com/100008375828381/videos/2742463092709525/
On June 27th, 2020, the Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) held a discussion panel program titled Navigating a Path To College and was a part of the Mentorship program currently run by NAF. The program focused on informing prospective and future college students on the path to college through the eyes of those who already experienced it. To achieve this, NAF hosted an expert panel of invited speakers. The speakers included: Sudeep Subedi (current graduate student at the University of Florida), Monika Karki (recent graduate from Rice University), and Stutee Acharya (current student at Georgia Tech), who shared their experiences on high school, the college admission process, succeeding in college, and choosing the right path for a career. The program was moderated by Jenny Khanal (recent graduate from the University of Tampa) and Shailee Banskota (current student at the University of South Florida) who were also speakers in the discussion and also shared their advice regarding the respective topics. The goal of the program was to guide prospective college students to success in college and to provide insight on how to choose a career they would like to pursue. Around 100 participants from different age ranges, students in middle school, as well as prospective college students and their parents attended the program. The program was two hours long, with many attendees asking their own personal questions to the five speakers. NAF president Mrs. Anila Neupane highlighted the significance of the program and announced that NAF will form a “Youth Forum” to create different programs which will target the Nepali youth in Florida. Moreover, Mrs. Neupane invited any Nepali youth to apply to lead the Youth Forum.
If you would like more information about the program or have additional questions, please direct them to: naflorida2016@gmail.com.
On June 6th, 2020, Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) organized a discussion program titled “Protection of Mind in the context of COVID19 in the perspective of Buddhism”. The program was led by Professor Naresh Man Bajaracharya, who highlighted how to protect the mind during a stressful situation like the current pandemic situation which the world is facing. He also discussed how Buddhism defines the mind and how it can be controlled by an individual during different situations. The program was part of our regular Mindfulness program which was run by mindfulness instructor Rosy Sharma. NAF General Secretary Niraj Shrestha moderated the program. In the end, NAF president Mrs Anila Neupane highlighted the significance of Mindfulness program and importance in a current pandemic and thanked the participants and the speaker. Around 80 community members participated in the program including few students of Prof Naresh Man Bajracharya.
About Professor Naresh Man Bajracharya:
Professor. Naresh Man Bajracharya (MA, MPhil & PhD in Buddhist Studies from Delhi University, India) was the founding chair of the Central Department of Buddhist Studies and is the first professor of Buddhist Studies at Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He was also a founding member of the department of Buddhist Philosophy in Nepal Sanskrit University and Lumbini Buddhist University in Nepal. He was a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (SIR) in 2009-10 and served as the Vice-Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University. He coordinated and led two International Buddhist Conferences, organized by the Nepal Government. For the past eight years, he has been devoting his life to construction of a Newar Buddhist Monastery in Lumbini. He is also the lineage holder and the leading Vajrācārya of Newār Buddhism(Vajrayāna). He had played a pioneering role in introducing the Buddhist Studies discipline in Nepal and in revitalizing Newār Buddhism. He was once again awarded a Fulbright Scholar-In-Residence fellowship in 2019-2020 and has been teaching Buddhism at the College of the Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA.Recording of the program:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zXZwmCLH8EmVPLBFv1rJAjLRFcpV6Q65/view?usp=sharing
NAF Executive Team (2019-21)
Dear Community Members,
Namaskar,
NAF Executive team conducted emergency meeting on current COVID19 pandemic. Meeting was attended by current NAF executive team, and advisers. From the meeting, following decisions were made:
1. NAF executive team appointed adviser and Community Leader Mr. Krishna Shrestha from West Palm Beach as a Chair to lead COVID19 Response Team. He will coordinate the task force with NAF executive team member Niraj Shrestha.
2. Task force team has appointed following community leaders as contact person for each region:
Miami and Nearby area:
· Shiva Nepal -786-620-6627
· Chooda Mani Khanal -786-797-6412
Port St. Luci, West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale:
· Ram Thapa-561-313-9721
· Binod Basnet- 561-866-5443
· Krishna Shrestha-561-310-0694
· Niraj Shrestha-305-790-1620
Orlando and Nearby area:
· Narayan Neupane-407-376-2758
· Bikash Devkota- 407-453-1732
· Nagendra Dhakal -407-373-5475
Gainesville to Jacksonville:
· Jaya Khakurel-904-738-0907
· Anila Neupane-571-442-1610
· Dipendra Sahi-352-317-8283
· Kalpana Shrestha-904-314-9584
Tampa, Naples and Fort Myers Area:
· Deep Karki-813-753-5616
· Pragati Ghimire-617-460-6665
· Kamal Tiwari -813-789-1343
Tallahassee and Nearby area:
· Bishal Gautam-352-213-9234
· Mitra Khadka-352-870-5527
· Tej Poudel-901-612-8870
All University and College students should contact Mr. Nirjal Shrestha at 580-695-5882 for any questions or concerns. He will be working as a coordinator to connect with the representatives and student from Universities.
If there are any question and concern due to current COVID19 pandemic, please contact one of the community leaders from your area. Appointed members will try to reach out to each community member via social media or text or email or call.
3. NAF is currently working with other organization as well as Nepal Embassy-Washington DC, in case further assistance are required for community.
4. NAF will be uploading a webpage to raise fund for COVID19. Fund will be utilized to help community members who are going through economic hardship due to COVID19. Fund will be strictly utilized for COVID19 related work only.
We want to thank all the Health Workers and people who are currently working on health care field for their commitment to fight against COVID19.
Any new information and activities will be updated in our website and social media.
Stay Safe
NAF Executive Team
