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Nepalese association of Florida (NAF) organized the third Explore Nepal on the Memorial Day weekend Sunday, May 27, 2018. The Program was held at the Pegasus Grand Ball room inside the University of Central Florida premise in coordination with the Nepalese Student at the University of Central Florida and Nepalese community in Orlando – Florida.

Explore Nepal- 2018 is the third Edition of such initiative organized by the Nepalese Association of Florida to celebrate the Cultural Diversity, Preserve Nepalese Heritage, and Promote Natural Beauty and Tourism of Nepal among Nepalese and Non- Nepalese living in Florida and beyond.

Around 200 people – Nepalese and Non-Nepalese from all over the Florida participated in the event. It was invigorating to see people from all walks of life dressed in their traditional attire representing Nepalese Culture and Diversity, on a single platform. Whole Program, in fact, represented a mini- Nepal.

Soccer Tournament was the new addition to this year’s Explore Nepal. Three Teams – two from Tampa and one from Orlando Participated in the Tournament. In the closely held final, Tampa- NEPTE won the tournament. Children’s Art Competition saw an overwhelming response from children across Florida. Final selected drawings were displayed throughout the Program and at the end, winners were given prizes. Exhibition of traditional Nepali items was another attraction of the Program. Over 100 typical Nepali items were displayed throughout the Program. The awards and certificates will be distributed during the annual general meeting and Dashain program in Miami on October 27, 2018.

Due to prior commitments, the excellency ambassador of Nepal to the United States Dr. Arjun Karki was not able to attend the program but send us a massage for the success of the event. Likewise the acting President of Non-Resuident Nepali Association National Coordination Council, USA, Mr. Suneel Sah also send us the best wishes. Just a reminder that first and second Explore Nepal program was attended by the then Ambassador and NRN president along with the other distinguished personalities.

The Program hosted by Deep Karki and Pragati Ghimire, started at 3:30 with lighting Diya and National Anthem of Nepal and USA sang by kids of Orlando Pathsala. Dr. Chooda Khanal, President of NAF welcomed all and Mr. Joshua Hanna, Chief Guest of the Program delivered a key-note speech. Short documentary representing Nepal, its natural beauty and cultural heritage was presented along with typical Nepali “LAAKHE Dance” by Saugat Shrestha.

Program also featured unique “singing bowl meditation technique” where audiences experienced a spiritual connection between their mind and body. Talented kids from Orlando Pathsala and “Ramailo” Tampa presented various dance and song shows. Participants played various typical Nepali Instruments. Soothing Flute sound played by Mr. Dev Rai made audience nostalgic. Ladies Team- Tampa presented their wonderful Dance performance in old Nepali song and participants sang various folk and old Nepali songs.

Towards the end of the Program, “LOK DOHARI” song was presented by the teams. People voluntarily came to the stage and danced in the typical Nepali Lok song. Program ended with Dinner and Vote of Thanks by Mr. Bimal Nepal. 

The Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF) has organized the Nepali New Year 2075 at Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers Florida on May 14, 20718. The event was attended by more than 200 Nepalese from all over the Florida. The event was with full of activities to protect and promote our unique socio-cultural values especially for those kids born and raised here in USA from Nepalese parent. NAF has been promoting our unique cultures through various social activities like, Sports, Music, Art and other social events.

The New Year celebration stared with Nepali National Anthem by children from Fort Myers, FL. Activities were designed to make all attendees with diverse interest group to get actively involved throughout the day. There was a literature program (poem competition) for those who love literature. Kids participated in various competitive game activities. There was a friendly volleyball competition amongst the group representing different part of Florida such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Tampa etc. for those who love sport. Friendly cricket match was also played despite the sun. In both the games, Miami team came victorious. Sarita Timsina Khanal and team kept the kids engaged with various kids’ games. The event was energized through live music from different participants now and then throughout the day.

The picnic for the New Year celebration was sponsored by local Fort Myers Nepali Community. Various Nepali cuisines were served throughout the day. Dr. Ghana Shyam Pokharel, Dr. Basu Pudasaini, Dr. Cheban Acharya, Dr. Bishal Rawal and Dr. Yadav Paudel sponsored the picnic. Dr. Chooda Mani Khanal group from Miami Florida brought special Nepali rice Donuts (Sel Roti) and local corns to make the event authentic. 

The Fund Disbursement and Project Monitoring (FDPM) Committee’s tasks of disbursing the disaster relief fund and monitoring all funded 

projects during the time of Nepal’s massive earthquake during 2015 (and flood during 2017) have been completed recently. The FDPM

Committee was formed by then United FNA-FANS Central Executive Committee during the time of 2015 massive earthquake in Nepal with a 

mission to provide the relief for the victims of earthquake that killed and injured thousands of people leaving a big population as homeless.

The FDPM Committee, in my coordination, distributed the total fund of $41,000 for earthquake victims and $600 (in bullet number 8 below) for flood victims to the following eight organizations in order to help the real victims. 

1. Providing Temporary Shelters in Different Districts; Down Syndrome Society, Nepal, Kathmandu ($8,000)

2. Empowering Community through Miteri Community Learning Center (MCLC) in Kavre; Action Works Nepal, Lalitpur ($5,000)

3. Providing Roofs for Earthquake Victims of Kathmandu; Chhatrapati Free Clinic, Kathmandu ($6,000)

4. Providing Clothes and Logistics to Musahars in Mahottari District (through Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation); Nepalese Community Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida ($8,000)

5. Reconstructing Mahendra Leela Higher Secondary School by New Roofs; Mahendra Leela Higher Seconday School, Gorkha ($5,000)

6. Reconstruction of Classrooms in Shree Kalinag Higher Secondary School; Kalinag Higher Secondary School, Dolakha ($4,000)

7. Construction of Two-Room Block in Bagh Bhairab Lower Secondary School, Dhading; Kadam Nepal, Dhading ($5,000)

8. Madi Municipality, Madi, Chitwan ($600)

The relief funds were awarded based on the proposal evaluation scores provided by FDPM Committee members (except for project number 7 above) where the projects were monitored until their completion. The grantees were required to submit satisfactory mid-term report in order to receive the second installment of the fund. The final report was also required to submit to the FDPM Committee that included the following members: Dr. Bidya Raj Subedi (coordinator), Dr. Sharada Ram Bhandary, Dr. Archana Kattel, Mr. Dharma Khanal, Mr. Krishna Shrestha, Dr. Choodamani Khanal, and Mr. Ram Rai. 

In addition to earthquake relief funds, a fund of Rs. 61,800 (awarded to the project #8 in the list above) was disbursed to the representative(s) of the flood victims of Madi Municipality, Chitwan, Nepal. A brief program was held to handover the fund to Mrs. Ganga Belbase, a resident of Madi Municipality (photo provided below). 

Finally, I would like to thank all the individual donors, FDPM Committee members, NAF and then United FNA-FANS presidents as well as those who provided direct and indirect assistance to complete the disaster relief projects. I would also like thank the grantee organizations for their persistence and sincerity in completing the funded projects timely. Happy New Year 2018!

Dr. Bidya Raj Subedi (coordinator)

West Palm Beach, Florida

12/25/2017