ANMA View points – May 2011

Hearty welcome to brothers and sisters residing in USA and Canada
The Special Annual Convention of the ANA which is hosted in the first week of July every year is a much looked after opportunity for those of us who are residing in this part of the world when it comes to meet one another, exchange views and when it comes to draw up future projects while also promoting our language, arts and literature.

This is the only such convention which attracts people from far and wide and those involved in diverse activities. An event which has received continuity for the last 28 years it is now not only historical but has also become a part of the tradition. It could be that not all know about the organizers while others may not be aware about the objective of it but there may not be anyone who is not aware about the fact that a convention is hosted in the appointed week of July.

While many have not only decided to take part in the convention there are still others who have already rescheduled their work so that they can take part. Every Nepali who have contributed to bolster the history of ANA by making sacrifices of every kind are all respected men while the rest of us wish that may the hard work put in by them keep on producing results.

It is unfortunate to see that the good work undertaken 28 years ago came accidentally crashing down. The twenty ninth convention was nearly wrecked by it all. Can one expect any tradition to restore to its former glory in spontaneous manner once it is disrupted? Keeping this in mind those of us who have been residing in DC region and have been associated with prestigious organizations with selfless spirit for a long time have got down to the task of averting the departure from tradition and thus salvage the history of ANA from going to ruination by kicking off preparation to hold this year’s convention in DC region.

Once the opportunities and occasions become part and parcel of tradition and culture they are issues of concern and interest to the common people rather than individuals and organizations while rules and laws pale in comparison to such tradition, norms and culture. It goes without saying that we Nepalese are known to feel excited when it comes to uphold our tradition. To cut a long story short it is this sensitivity of the Nepalese people which is now clubbed with the planned ANA Convention. An organization could have a number of problems and those in leadership could be at loggerheads with each other but is it wise to abandon tradition due to someone’s undoing? How far is it legitimate to play with popular sentiments just because there is misunderstanding among those in leadership? Don’t we celebrate the festival of Dashain and Tihar together although families too are wracked by quarrelling and often move court? This incidentally is where we have arrived. ANA family is wracked by internal crisis but here is the convention much before we could sort it out. We are of the view that we must continue with our tradition while keeping the problems aside.

This incidentally what goads us to go ahead and host the convention and thus give continuity to the tradition. We would like to convey to one and all that we do not have any other vested interest than giving continuity to our tradition. We do not belong to anyone and we are not harboring any ulterior motives while also make it clear that there is no politics or any kind of pressure behind it all. As a matter of fact we are all well wishers of ANA. We are merely trying to bring back to life its long history while also keep alive what has come to us from those who founded it. We would like to express our deep regrets just in the event we have committed any mistakes in their wake.

We are making it a point to keep the convention as short, swift and less expensive and organized. Apart from sporting activities and some attractive regular programs this year specially we have planned “ANA Talent 2011″ with the objective of encouraging Nepalese involved in the field in America and shall include acting, dance, instrumental music and song. Similarly we have also decided to organize a maiden “International Nepal Women Literary Convention” and a workshop “ANA- Past, Present and Future”. We have hoped that the convention which is being organized in US capital which is important from historical, culturally and natural setting perspective will go down in history as unforgettable and productive. The ANA Convention Organizing Main Committee which has been instituted only with the mandate to hold the convention will not be involved in internal functioning of the organization going back to the past while also keeping out of politics and working merely as a volunteer body is something which we would like to inform all concerned.

We would like to issue hearty appeal to all ANA former functionaries, its well wishers and all Nepalese brothers and sisters to contribute to the maximum and thus help us to successfully organize the Convention.

Thank you
Hemanta Shrestha
Coordinator
29th ANA DC Convention

ANA Washington DC welcomes you to the Nation’s Capital for 29th ANA Convention