Voting Rights For Immigrants In New York CityI feel like there is a need for it, an association that appreciates the vertical implications of one person, one vote. What we have right now is skewed. We don't have much. The only umbrella organization I am aware of right now is the GFIPN, Global Federation of the Indigenous People of Nepal. (Alliance, GFIPN: Audio, Video, Global Federation Of Indigenous People Of Nepal)
Here is what I am looking at.
Let's say there are 40,000 Nepalis in New York City. And let's say there are 30 Nepali organizations in the city, with anywhere between 10 and 200 members each. Some organizations have membership dues, and some don't, that is their private thing.
We would form this umbrella organization. Any willing organization can become a member. The president or representative of the organization will be the designated member. Each organization will have to reveal how many members it has. You do that by submitting the names and basic contact info such as email address and/or phone number of each member. There should be a provision that each organization must elect its president at least once every two years. All members of that organization should have the option to contest and vote.
Within that umbrella organization, each member organization's weight will be directly proportional to the number of members it has. This is what I call the vertical implications of one person one vote. We have to practice internal democracy. This will also put pressure on the existing organizations to constantly expand their memberships. The umbrella organization concept will also encourage the launch of new organizations so we can get a much larger number of Nepalis to get organized.
This will make the ANONYC the official host of all the visiting Nepali dignitaries.
The KP Oli Event
We have to do this to earn voting rights in the city. If you have a green card, you should be able to vote in the city elections. Those who can vote make more money than those who can't.
Unity is strength. And the internal democracy within that unity makes sure we stay vibrant, makes sure we don't succumb to groupthink, or to the backstabbing, leg-pulling brand of politics. Let there be healthy competition. Let there be transparency.
I for one have no desire whatsoever to run for ANONYC president. Between Hamro Nepal and the Nepali Convention, my plate is full.
Race Relations And The Nepali Diaspora
Everybody is aware of it, but noone hardly talks about it. Race just so happens to be the elephant in the room. The closest thing to discussions on race I have had with Nepalis in the city is where some folks who manage to get "close" to me speak to me like they were the racist white folks from my past. That is perhaps their way of helping me feel the pain they feel through the racism they experience. Here, let me inflict some pain on you so you can feel my pain kind of deal.
I don't put up with it. I don't care if you are white or brown. You don't make racist comments and get along with me.
On the other hand, if you were to talk about issues in race relations, I am all ears. If you want to talk to me about your personal experiences, I am all ears. If you want to seek my advice, I am all ears. And I have political solutions I can suggest. You could say I have something akin to a Ph.D. in race relations. I am a doctor. I can help you. But for that you have to be willing to talk. You don't try to inflict pain on me, you seek a conversation with me. I am all ears.
There is too much internalized anger in the Nepali community. A new solidarity has to be built based on shared stories of experiences in racism. I am perfectly willing to take the lead. I am about to record in audio hours and hours of my stories. Got to vent the anger. That will be good for your emotional health.
We are in such bad shape locally, we don't even miss the fact that we can't vote. We are starving, but we are not even aware we are hungry.
Step one is to realize we are disenfranchised as a community. Step two is to earn the right to vote. Step three is empowerment through that right to vote. Step four would be to see Nepalis run for office.
Hamro Nepal
ANA Convention: My Hamro Nepal Speech
Hamro Nepal Has Three Goals
Hamro Nepal Will Not Be Registered
Hamro Nepal: Free Membership
Hamro Nepal: Membership Drive
Hamro Nepal, Latest
Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution
Hamro Nepal All Set To Be Launched
Organization: Hamro Nepal
Nepali Convention Leadership Weekly Meeting
Nepali Convention: Management
Nepali Convention 2007: Venue Options: Flushing
Nepali Convention 2007 Shifted To Last Weekend In May
In The News
PM Koirala discusses Congress unification with KP Bhattarai NepalNews
Seven district HQs to be linked by roads within a year eastern districts Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur and Khotang and western districts Bajhang, Kalikot, Jajarkot and Jumla... Rs.700 million has been earmarked for the road projects launched recently following the adoption of a 20-year master plan by the ministry. The ministry has also planned to construct 27 bridges as part of the road projects linking the seven districts. ... other seven district headquarters would also have roads within 1-2 years. ... there are 14 district headquarters untouched by roads
MP Swar calls on developed countries to fulfil their commitments to LDCs
Leaders intensify efforts to reach common positions before summit talks NepalNews are yet to reach common positions on key issues. ..... On Wednesday, second-rung leaders of Nepali Congress, NC –Democratic and Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) held hours-long talks with their Maoist counterparts in Hyatt Hotel in Kathmandu. .....
Deuba meets with Koirala
Judges suspend their national conference
Law minister addresses UN General Assembly
Maoists continuing abductions: NHRC NepalNews the rebels abducted 11 persons from different places in the last two weeks. Of them, three persons still remain in their control.
Signing of Nepal-India Extradition Treaty deferred due to ‘Maoist objection’ the Maoist demand that no major treaties be signed with foreign countries before the summit talks. .... the new treaty does not allow - as feared by many in Nepal - Indian security officials to come into Nepal and apprehend anybody wanted by them.
US ready to 'absorb' up to 60,000 Bhutanese refugees from Nepal
Prachanda warns of capital-centered 'new revolution' Kantipur Publications
In Nepal, time to check the dangerous drift The Hindu a needless controversy over the disposition of Maoist arms. ..... insisting on the surrender of arms before a political settlement was like putting the cart before the horse ....... the old order and its backers have begun reasserting themselves. ...... Also involved in this anti-Maoist scare campaign are Army officers who have not yet reconciled themselves to the loss of the "Royal" prefix from the name of the Nepal Army. ...... Nowhere do the letters speak of decommissioning. ..... the dangerous drift that has set in on the formation of an interim government. ...... Washington has muddied the waters with its strident anti-Maoist campaign
Deuba stresses on homework for Congress unity NepalNews a lot of technical homework to be carried out before the two Congress parties can unite. ..... "There are 75 districts and in each district there are district presidents and secretaries. Likewise, there are 205 constituencies and in each of those places we have party secretaries. Same is the case with 58 municipalities and thousands of Village Development Committees," Deuba said referring to the huge organization restructuring that would be needed for completing the unity of two Congress parties.
Oli to return home on October 6
PM Koirala returns to Kathmandu
US ready to 'absorb' up to 60,000 Bhutanese refugees from Nepal
Prachanda accuses govt of delaying peace talks accused the SPA government of delaying the peace talks thereby giving chance to regressive forces and foreign powers to play into Nepal's politics. ..... Addressing a training programme for district level Maoist leaders' at Jalbire of Sindhupalchok district, Prachanda said the Maoists were preparing for a “new form of people's revolt strong enough to capture Kathmandu and the state power”. The people’s revolt will be led by local Newars, he said. ...... the Maoists would opt for a peaceful movement than to return to jungle for armed rebellion. ..... “The government is not serious about talks,” he said. ..... Prachanda returned to capital on Tuesday by a Pajero.
Gyawali to Maoists: End extortion, abduction
Nepal's Peace Process: Need to Get Back to the Basics - By Anga R. Timilsina The violation of the spirit of the ongoing peace process by continuing (if not increasing) the activities, such as use of violence against those who do not submit to them, forced donations, forced unionization campaigns, abductions, and even killings, has questioned the Maoists' true intentions. ...... there is no effective mechanism for monitoring the code of conduct and agreements that have been previously signed. ....... there is a need to form a standing peace council at district levels ..... effective peace-building requires a successful reintegration at the community level. ....... effective local governance substantially helps in bringing the rebels into the mainstream by providing a mechanism to deal with the issues related to community-based rehabilitation and reintegration, return of refugees and internally displaced persons, property rights, justice and reconciliation, healing process, and revival of essential infrastructure and services. ....... crucial that consultation, coordination and dialogue mechanisms are established at the local level ........ the lack of practical monitoring and dispute resolution mechanisms at both national and local levels. ....... he inability of the SPA to reach to common positions before going to a submit talk with the Maoists ...... There is little chance that the SPA will buy the Maoist idea for state restructuring because it is widely believed that the Maoist model of state restructuring will contribute towards the ethnic division by threatening age-old secularism and coexistence of multi-ethnicity......... the question regarding what to do with the Maoist militias is likely to be contentious. ....... Some people in the SPA are discussing to have an agreement with the Maoists that anyone who is going to be caught with weapons after the cantonment process will be charged with criminal offenses. On the other hand, the Maoists are arguing that the Armed Police Force of Nepal, a semi-military institution, should be abolished and the Maoist militias should be merged with Nepal Police before the CA elections. It should be noted that the elections will not be held in intimidation-free environment unless the issue of the Maoists militia is resolved........... a comprehensive peace agreement that will include the agreement on the interim constitution, interim parliament, arms management, and state restructuring. They will also announce the date for the CA elections. ...... the Maoists may pull out of the talks and call for mass protests. ..... if the violence breaks out during the protests, Nepal may witness the end of the peace process. If Nepal Army is mobilized to quell down the agitation, Nepal will return to a civil war. The United States, India, and other countries are likely to resume their military aid to Nepal government while the Maoists may go back to jungle and resume their guerilla war............... an agreement to delay the discussion on the state restructuring until the CA elections can not be ruled out. ...... the SPA seems to have spent very little time to do homework ...... Nepal's peace process has experienced deadlock mainly because it has been deviated from the basics of the peace process....... it is very important to have a consensus among the SPA factions before going for October 8 summit talks ........... the success of any negotiation is a matter of both psychology and pragmatism. ............. Confining the Maoist arms and army to the cantonments and Nepal Army to the barracks could reduce the fear but security can not be fully ensured without controlling Maoist militias' atrocities. ..... if both the Maoists and the government do not agree on the scheme to merge these two armies before the CA elections , the complexity will only be added to the disarmament issues. Both parties need to agree on a plan for decommissioning the Maoist arms before the CA elections........ without the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and a people-to-people reconciliation at the local level, no election can be meaningful in conflict-emerged countries. ...... establishing an effective mechanism for returning IDPs and forming a truth and justice commission in order to facilitate the reconciliation process.
King Gyanendra terms peace process as nation’s need NepalNews
Nepal’s peace process will be an example for the world, PM says
Maoists abduct former mayor
Maoist leaders busy in ‘party functions’ during Dashain we do not believe in celebrating the festival as a form of religious dogma .... we do not believe that one should wait for Dashain to meet with relatives .... his party’s intention is to keep on continuing holding summit talks until the outstanding issues like interim constitution are settled
Ten injured in clash between Dalit and ‘upper caste’ communities in Bajura
The Interim Constitution - By Prof. Andrew Arato
Girl injured in firing in Kathmandu
PM Koirala hopes successful summit talks