ANFS holds annual award gala; FM Pradhan attends the function

The America-Nepal Friendship Society (ANFS) hosted its annual awards dinner on September 29 in New York.

This year, the ANFS awards were given to US Congressman James T Walsh, Marvin A. Brustin and Ashok Gurung in recognition of their outstanding commitment, vision and leadership in American – Nepali relations.

Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan, who is currently in New York to attend UN general assembly, also attended the ANFS function.

The event also included a panel discussion on "US Nepal Relations: Expectations and Realities in a Period of Transformation."

The America-Nepal Friendship Society (ANFS) is an association of individuals engaged in bringing the people of the United States and Nepal closer together in understanding, appreciation, and cooperation.

According to a press release by the ANFS, Kiran Chetry, CNN's American Morning Anchor, provided insight as well as a personal Nepali connection in moderating the panel which included Minister Sahana Pradhan,. James T. Walsh, member of the United States House of Representatives, Kul Chandra Gautam, Assistant Secretary General of the UN and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF among others.

Minister Sahana Pradhan highlighted the historical relationships between Nepal and the United States stating, "It is our understanding that the United States wants Nepal to be a stable, prosperous and democratic State that is at peace with itself, with its neighbours, and with the rest of the world. The US wants to assist Nepal in achieving these goals. Nepal is making significant progress towards those goals by consolidating peace, democracy, development and economic prosperity. As a result, there is convergence of interests and expectations between Nepal and the United States in Nepal's internal political transformation".

Citing the increasing role of the Nepalese Diaspora presently occupying prestigious professional and business positions in the U.S. she stated, "Among the various aspects of the transformation in the US-Nepal relations is the increasing role of the Nepalese Diaspora. They have helped infuse dynamism in the traditional relations between Nepal and the United States. Today, the Nepalese Diaspora is represented in prestigious academic institutions, professional positions, successful businesses and in the growing community of migrant workers in the United States. They have been successfully bridging people-to-people relations and have been contributing to the economy of Nepal and, to some extent, of the United States. The Nepalese Diaspora has created a distinctive niche in the United States. In Nepal, we have realized their potential and have started to offer them opportunities in economic activities, recognizing the Non-Resident Nepalese (NRN) as distinctive category legally, politically and economically."

Delivering his keynote address, Congressman James T. Walsh, who served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Nijghad, Bara from 1970-72, stated that much of his identity today was defined by the two years he spent as a volunteer in Nepal.

Congressman Walsh, who was first elected to the US Congress in 1988, said he was "struck by the bravery and selflessness of the people who took to the streets in April 2006 against King Gyanendra, sacrificing their lives for the good of the country." He stressed that the April movement, which captured the imagination of the world, must now go all the way".

Commenting on the recent developments in Nepal, Congressman Walsh said, "The government of Nepal has to hold the elections on November 22; it can't be pushed back any further." Regarding the recent Maoist realignment and break with the government, Walsh said, "It is not fair to the people of Nepal that the Maoists have quit the government. When they walked out in mid-September, they walked out on the entire process. The people have worked so hard, given up so much and been through hell to come to this point. The Maoists are on the brink of ruining an entire country's hope for democracy."

Kul Chandra Gautam, the highest ranking Nepali in the United Nations, congratulated the America-Nepal Friendship Society for its sustained leadership role in developing and nurturing a strong political, economic and social relationship between the people of Nepal and America over several decades.

Delivering his opening remarks, Dr. Tara Niraula, the President of The America-Nepal Friendship Society, praised the meaningful relations between both counties over the past 60 years. "The strong state-to-state relation between the two countries has been accompanied by an ever growing and meaningful friendship between our two peoples," he said, adding, "The America-Nepal Friendship Society is committed to working for stronger relations between the communities and people of these two uniquely blessed and independent countries and taking our ties to the next level."

The ANFS honoured Congressman Walsh with The ANFS Friendship Award in recognition of his 'outstanding commitment, vision and leadership in bringing greater understanding and enduring partnership between the people of the United States and Nepal.' Similarly, the ANFS Community Leadership Awards were presented to Marvin A. Brustin, Honorary Consul General of Nepal and Ashok Gurung, Senior Director of India China Institute in recognition of their 'outstanding leadership and distinguished service in bringing greater understanding, enduring partnership between the people of the United States and Nepal through their community development efforts.'

At the conclusion of the panel discussion, Moderator and Master of Ceremony Kiran Chetry was presented with a Nepali scarf and Honorary Certificate as a token of appreciation by Dr. Tara Niraula. nepalnews.com sd Oct 03 07