Sunday, November 05, 2006

Nepali Mandir Meeting


Nepali Mandir Meeting
Jackson Heights
Prospect Park


Earlier in the afternoon I participated in the Board meeting of the Nepali Mandir. The attendance was impressive. There were a few newcomers like Sanjaya Parajuli. I have an hour of video from the event that I will post here soon.

Surprisingly the majority of the participants wanted to keep the Mandir intact. But there were a few disagreeing opinions. I have been a supporter of the Mandir since its inception, but I don't like the idea of people not living up to their commitments, and getting Chandra Prakash Sharma stuck in the process.

The issue has to be looked at from a few different angles.

Community Center Idea: A Few Options
Nepali Community Center
Nepali Mandir Board Meeting
Democracy Diwali At The Nepali Mandir
Nepali Mandir

I suggested if we were to dismantle the Mandir, let's focus on two online options. Chandra Prakash Sharma (Chandra Prakash Sharma 2) has bought the domain name NepaliEvents.com. Let's have that as the site that has information on all Nepali events in the city. And let's build my NYC Nepali mailing list. All organizations will organize events. There would be this one website that tells you about it. And we would use the mailing list to publicize the events. We would also go the word of mouth route. Mine was a barebones proposal.

There are a total of maybe 10 Hindu and Buddhist festival events that have to be organized for the community per year. Is it not better to organize those events at existing pieces of real estate like the Dibya Dham temple, and instead focus our efforts on increasing participation? The current Nepali Mandir has only been good for a few Board meetings.

Teej Photos 5
Teej Photos 4
Teej Photos 3
Teej Photos 2
Teej Photos 1

November 6

But I thought about it overnight and this is what I would like to say.
  1. Let's keep the Nepali Mandir going. Let's organize a much larger meeting later this month. A Nepali lady who makes $1000 a month has pledged $150 to rent the hall for the purpose. The hall is near the Mandir premises.
  2. Let's find 200 Nepalis who will pay $5 a month for rent. We will have 20 Board members. Each Board member should find at least 10 Nepalis for the purpose.
  3. The Mandir is $10,000 in debt. I think 100 of the richest Nepalis in the city should each pay $100 and be done with the debt.
  4. Shift the Ganesha and Buddha statues to where the refrigerator is now. Leave the lights on 24/7. So devotees can get "darshan" any time of day or night, regardless of if the Mandir is open or not. The Mandir has a glass door, and is on the ground floor of a beautiful street.
  5. Get rid of the barber shop "prayer wheel" outside.
  6. Put a huge sign called Nepali Mandir where the barber shop sign used to be, same size.
  7. Ram Chandra Thapa makes sure the Mandir is open during weekends. We should commend him for that.
  8. There are 20 Nepalis who have keys to the temple. The key should be left only with those who will open the Mandir for at least one hour each week. So get some of the keys back.
  9. The new Mandir location is better than the old location. For bigger events and larger crowds we have the hall that can be rented for $150 per event. The actual Mandir is where you go for darshan, and you are in and out. Between the Mandir and the hall, we can hope to do even some of the larger festival events. What is next? Shivaratri? Maghe Sankranti? Holi?
  10. Let's keep this Mandir going, and let's keep our other options open. Is there talk among the Ridgewood Nepalis to set up another Mandir? Should the two be merged? Where would be the new location?
  11. We might go back to a bigger, more expensive, nearer to Jackson Heights place down the line. But that will have to be a place that sustains itself. Perhaps dance and language classes for Monday to Friday to generate income. Also rent out the space for birthday parties and the like.
  12. 200 Nepalis who put in $5 a month. That looks doable. What do you think?
Langhali Association: Govind Thapa Magar
March And Rally For Full Immigrant Rights
Hamro Nepal Constitution
Seven Party Delegation
Bye Bye Biplav
Biplav's Satya Narayan Pooja

Nepali Convention Leadership Weekly Meeting
Nepali Convention: Management
Nepali Convention 2007: Venue Options: Flushing
Nepali Convention 2007 Shifted To Last Weekend In May
April Convention Venue Options 1
April Convention Market Research 1
Nepali Convention: Venue Options, Website, Core 200
April Convention: Creating A Glowing Core
April Convention: Emerging Picture
Chicago Convention September 2-4
April Revolution, April Convention

ANONYC

We also have to set this up. I am a proud and politically conscious Madhesi, but I have refused to become an Officer with ANTA, Association of Nepali Teraian in America, although I am an active, ordinary member. It is because ANTA is a member of umbrella organizations like NAC and ANA that are not democratic, not mass based. When you go to an ANA convention, it is like you went clubbing.

There is this clique of about 100 professionally accomplished Nepalis who act like they speak on behalf of the Nepalis in America. Who elected them? Unless they reform, I am very tempted to boycott the next ANA Convention, to be helf in Los Angeles.

Reorganize the NAC along the ANONYC lines. All Nepali organizations in America would be members, each such organization would have voting powers in direct proportion to how many members it has. It is called the vertical implications of one person, one vote. It is called democracy.

The psychology behind the existing undemocratic elitist structure is as follows. Nepalis hit the glass walls and ceilings even when they accomplish professionally. So they have to fall back and fall back hard on the Nepali community to get recognized.

We have to practice democracy within the Nepali community if it is to earn its rightful place on the American political landscape. We start with the city.

ANONYC: Association of Nepali Organizations in New York City

When I crunch the numbers, Karma Gyalden Sherpa looks like is the obvious choice for president. He is the founder of a Sherpa association that is the largest and most vibrant Nepali organization in all of America. And he also is the president of the larger alliance of the many Janajati groups in the city that are the pride of the Nepali community. (Alliance, GFIPN: Audio, Video) I think it is between Karma Gyalder Sherpa and Tara Niraula (Happy New Year 2063). One will be president, another vice president. Then we will need a Secretary. I think Mridula Koirala. But is she too busy? Does she lead any organization? By definition, to become a member of ANONYC, either you have to be the president of an organization, or you have to be sent as a representative. The Secretary has to be doing a lot of work. Perhaps Sanjaya Parajuli. I would recommend Luna Ranjit. (Adhikaar 2, Adhikaar) Chandra Prakash Sharma could represent the Nepali Mandir, and the Nepali Aawaz, and the Nepali Convention and become Treasurer. Binay Shah of ANTA and Kamala Prasain of INLS could be Executive Committee members. Mohan Gyawali and Anand Bist are some other active members.

I have no desire to play kingmaker. I think the ANONYC should be launched. And individuals will have to express interest for the Officer positions. And we should attempt a consensus. If not, we hold elections. But I do think we have to attempt ethnic and gender diversity.

If we were to blog all the meetings, there is less need for one and all to get in the top Officer positions. I would just like to be an ordinary member as the president of Hamro Nepal.

NYC Movement For Nepal Democracy

Pramod Kantha, ANTA 9
Sanjaya Parajuli In Brooklyn 7
Sanjaya Parajuli In Brooklyn 10
Pin Plan 30
Rakchha Bandhan 2005
Pin Plan 15
Sanjaya Parajuli In Brooklyn 6
After April 2
After April 3
Hillary Clinton Fundraiser, Crobar, New York City 1
Nepali Mandir 22
Core Vision: Three Pillars For The Democratic Party
Video Blogging Is The Way To Go
Deuba Off To DC 6
Deuba In Jackson Heights 10
Deuba In Jackson Heights 7
Dinesh Tripathi, Your Worst Nightmare 7
Deuba In Jackson Heights 8
Dinesh Tripathi, Your Worst Nightmare 4
Kanak Mani Dixit 5
Sher Bahadur Deuba At Columbia University 14
Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle 33
Ashok Gurung
Rhoderick Chalmers 2
Sher Bahadur Deuba At Columbia University 8
Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle 30
Krishna Pahadi 7
Ram Sharan Mahat
Jhala Nath Khanal
Gagan Thapa 1
Nepal Democracy Movement Crunch Time 10
Gagan Thapa 2
After April 1
Nepal Message To Top Democrats
Democracy Forum Americana 1
Democracy Forum Americana 6
Democracy Forum Americana 7
Democracy Forum Americana 5
Drinking Liberally 4
Eliot Spitzer 3
Nepal Democracy 6
Adhikaar 13
An Evening With Sushil Pyakurel 5
Adhikaar 18
Democracy Forum Americana 3
Adhikaar 22
Fernando Ferrer
Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle 20
Adhikaar 58
Nepali New Year 29
Anti War Rally With Jesse Jackson 8
Rajeev Goyal
Sari Sansar At The UN 14
Nepal Movement For Democracy 13
NYC Rally To Express Soliadarity To Nepal Revolution 8
Kunda Dixit In Jackson Heights NYC 2
Democracy Forum Americana 8
Sari Sansar At The UN 9
Democracy Forum Americana 4
Adhikaar 24
Nepal Democracy 9
Nepali New Year 18
Immigrants Rally 6
Nepal Movement For Democracy 15
NYC Rally To Express Soliadarity To Nepal Revolution 13
Nepal Democracy 1
Manhattan Young Democrats Spring Gala 6
Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle 37
Sari Sansar At The UN 19
Nepal Movement For Democracy 10
Nepal Democracy 2
Nepal Democracy 5
Democracy Forum Americana 9
Howard Dean
Heather Woodfield
Anti War Rally With Jesse Jackson 1
Sari Sansar At The UN 17
Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle 34
Nepal Democracy 4
Youth Council Victory Party 4
Nepal Democracy Movement Crunch Time 2
Nepal Movement For Democracy 11
Adhikaar 26
Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle 38
Nepal Movement For Democracy 8
Nepal Movement For Democracy 9
Nepali New Year 7
Nepal Movement For Democracy 16
Adhikaar 31
Adhikaar 19
Adhikaar 49
Connecticut Traffic 3
Nepali New Year 8
Nepal Democracy 7
Nepal Democracy Movement Crunch Time 6
Sari Sansar At The UN 22
Dean And Ferrer At City College
Democracy Forum Americana 10
Democracy Forum Americana 2
Hillary Clinton Fundraiser, Crobar, New York City 3




Friday, November 03, 2006

Madhesi Movement: Online Resources




Audio: Madhesi Rights 1, Madhesi Rights 2, Madhesi Rights 3

Democracy For Nepal

50-50, 30-30-30-10
िगिरजा, माधव, प्रचण्ड सब एक जैसे हैं
UML Regression On The Madhesi Question
Email To All Madhesis From Rajendra Mahto
Pramukh Dar
Madhesi Rights
Three Emerging Poles
Janajati, Madhesi: Too Vague, Dalit: Not Assertive Enough
Rajendra Mahto: नागरिकता विधेयक खोतल्दा
Hands Off The Madhesi Activists
Citizenship Acquiring Process Eased
Madhesi Self Hate
Interim Parliament: 101 Members Total
Language Policy
Janakpur Gherao
Mainstream Jay Krishna Goit Also
Madhesi Caucus In Interim Parliament Needed
Hindi Is At The Core Of The Madhesi Identity
Girija, Resign
Hridayesh
Direct Elections, One Seat For Every 100,000 People, Reservations, Primaries
C.K. Lal: NRIs In Nepal
ANA Convention: My Hamro Nepal Speech
Madhesis, Social Justice, And The DaMaJaMa Equation In Nepal
June 17 Madhesi Gathering In New York City
MaMaMaMa
Abolish The Monarchy, Abolish The Army
Democracy Diwali At The Nepali Mandir
मधेशीसँग संख्या छ, शिक्त छैन
Internalized Racism Among Nepalis In NYC
The April Revolution Asks For A New Political Party
No Short Cuts: Madhesis Will Have To March
Chitralekha Yadav: Speaker
Madhesi Rights: Total Equality
My Most Controversial Blog Post To Date: On Madhesi Issue
Aire Gaire Natthu Khaire Pahadis
First ANTA NYC Event, Times Square Marriott
ये तो क्रान्ित है
Constituent Assembly: 300 Seats Of Roughly Equal Population
हृदयेश त्रिपाठी: मधेसी समस्या र राज्यको पुनर्संरचना
संघीय गणतन्त्र
मधेशी अधिकारको कुरामा पहाडीहरुको सहभागीता
मधेशी पहचान
अइ आन्दोलनमें मधेशी अधिकारके बात
लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नै किन?
Janakpur Rally, Biggest In Nepal Since 1990
PCP: Pahadi Chauvinist Pig
Time For Madhesi Militancy Is Now
In The Quest For Social Justice Feelings Are Going To Get Hurt
Madhesi
September 16 Protest Rally
Nepal's Terai People In Deplorable Conditions: Mahto
Words Matter
Madhesi Hum Lenge Sau Mein Pachas
The Kathmandu Media Ignores The Sadbhavana
Sangram Morcha: A New Political Party (1993)
Peace First, Then Democracy, Democracy First, Then Social Justice
Madhesi Rights: Abhi Nahin To Kabhi Nahin
Tibetans And Madhesis

Google Video: Madhesi

Bindeshwar Shah On Madhesi Rights
Madhesi Gathering In Prospect Park 1
Madhesi Gathering In Prospect Park 2
Nepal Democracy 6
Seven Party Delegation At Yak
Aftab Alam, Nepali Congress 1
Aftab Alam, Nepali Congress 2
Ratneshwar Goit, CPN (UML)
Anil Jha, Nepal Sadbhavana Party 1
Anil Jha, Nepal Sadbhavana Party 2
Anil Jha, Nepal Sadbhavana Party 3

Madhesi Jagaran

ANTA To ANT?

Madhesi - United We Stand

Where Is The Land To Distribute?
Case Study: Madhesi dalits are on no one's agenda
मधेशी दलित, भूमि र नागरिकताको पीडा
Game Theory and Madhesi Dilemma
Rastra ko Sabal ra madhesi janta
विश्वविद्यालयमा समावेशीकरण
समावेशी लोकतन्त्रको स्वरुप र संरचनामा कर्णालीलगायत पिछडिएका क्षेत्र
राष्ट्र, राष्ट्रियता र नागरिकता
Case Study - Crisis of Identity and Compulsions of Survival: Paradox of a Madhesi Youth
Historical: King Mukunda Sen’s Invasion of Kathmandu Valley
संविधानसभामा मधेसको एजेन्डा
मधेसीहरूलाई व्यवहारमै नेपालीको रूपमा अझै हेरिएको छैन
DISCRIMINATION: UNTIL WHEN?
मधेसी समस्या र राज्यको पुनर्संरचना - हृदयेश त्रिपाठी
पहाडियामा शासकीय र मधेशीहरुमा दास मनोवृत्ति छ: मात्रृका यादव
मधेसमा अनेरास्ववियुका चुनौती
Land Reforms, Key to Social Harmony
Case Study - Madhesi Dalit
Madhesh -Wikipedia Article
NEPAL: RESTRUCTING of the STATE
Harmful arsenic found in Terai water
Discrimination - how far? How long?
Madhesis: colonial subjects or masters of their own destiny?
के यो न्याय हो
खुला सिमाना र मधेस
Rajendra Mahto Interview with KESHAB POUDEL
Time to Test
The Politics Of State Restructuring
Prachanda on Madhesi
Dalit and Dalit Women of Terai
SEPARATISM OR FREEDOM
मधेसलाई हेर्ने दृष्टिकोण
Tigers in the Plains
Tarai tinderbox
POLITICS-NEPAL: Now Ethnic Separatism
Tarai on a slow burn
A unified Madhes
Democracy is incompatible with the concentration of power
Women Rule The Roost
Inclusion of the excluded Madheshis
The Politics of Citizenship in Nepal View
Nepal’s Terai people neglected View
Nepal’s ‘other’ half View
Nepali Nationalism View
Police brutality on Madhesies demanding Citizenship at Janakpur View
Shalaam Shaab! View
Nepal’s Citizenless Citizens View
Cultural flows across a blurred boundary View
Who Am I ? Nepalese of Indian origin, or Indian of Nepalese origin or Bihari ?? View
NRIs in Nepal View
Dalit Youths for Social Change View
In a state of statelessness: a case study of the citizens without citizenship in Nepal View
In a state of statelessness View
Proud to be Madheshi? View
Proud to be Madheshi? II View

On The Web

A unified Madhes « Madhesi - United We Stand
Prachanda on Madhesi « Madhesi - United We Stand
POLITICS-NEPAL: And Now Ethnic Separatism
Democracy For Nepal (DFN): Bindeshwar Prasad Yadav: Prachanda On ...
eKantipur.com - Nepal's No.1 News Portal
SINHAS
“A unified Madhes” - Nepali Times
Tarai - Nepali Times
IPCS - South Asia
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself
OnzeWereld - Nieuws
Rebellion Is Justified!: Interview with Prachanda: Hoist the ...
[PDF] SUMMARY OF THE PILOT RESEARCH ON THE INHERITANCE RIGHTS OF WOMEN
[PDF] PILOT RESEARCH ON EQUAL RIGHTS TO PARENTAL PROPERTY A Review of ...
Democracy For Nepal (DFN): Contents 2006 (2)
South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR), Weekly Assessments & Briefings
English Search - [ Translate this page ]
Wikipedia:Projekti Fjalori/Fizikë - Wikipedia
Parivartan Nepal: August 2006
NEPAL: Maoïstische splintergroep eist onafhankelijkheid voor Zuid ...

The Madhesis Of Nepal
madhesi news views and terai community of nepal
Democracy For Nepal (DFN): June 17 Madhesi Gathering In New York City
Democracy For Nepal (DFN): Madhesi
Madhesi - United We Stand
SAJHA.COM - Bringing Together Nepali Communities
Madhesi Jagaran
Madhesi Gathering In Prospect Park 1 - Google Video
paramendra's bookmarks tagged with "madhesi" on del.icio.us
madhesi : Madhesi
Nepalnews.com Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Madhesi Jagaran: Madhesi Manch
NATION: Madhesi dalits are on no one's agenda
Bindeshwar Shah On Madhesi Rights - Google Video
Personalities « Madhesi - United We Stand
[DOC] List of Madhesi Ethnicity Institutions
My Dharan | Your Window to a Global Dharane Network :: View topic ...
Social Science Baha - Nepal Tari Conference
SAJHA.COM - Bringing Together Nepali Communities
Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from ...
The Rising Nepal
ASIP--Their World, Their Eyes--Introduction
National The Telegraph - Weekly (Nepal)
Samudaya.org: "Maybe Gulf countries are better, but never Malaysia ...
bhagat's vocal blog on madhesi
eKantipur.com - Nepal's No.1 News Portal
Paramendra Bhagat's Blog
OneWorld South Asia Home / Gender / Gender News - Nepal MPs exhort ...

CIPEC - Reasearch Site - Nepal
Terai Region of Nepal
Nepal Terai Region,Terai Region of Nepal,Nepal Terai Region Tour ...
Nepal's Terai - a photoset on Flickr
The Terai (Nepal) : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk
Himalayan Mask- Rajbansi, Terai, Nepal
Images of the Himalayan Plains, Terai Region, Nepal - Earthbound ...
Tenure and forest conditions: community forestry in the Nepal Terai
Flickr: Nepal Images
Conservation or Development in Nepal's Terai? Resolving Resource ...
NPR - Radio Expeditions: Preserving Nepal's Endangered Species

In The News

Indian PM delaying Nepal peace talks: Maoist leader Hindustan Times, India
Yadav points fingers at Indian PM for talks delay Nepalnews.com, Nepal
One Hurt as Locals, Maoists Clash in Rautahat Himalayan Times, Nepal
Gupta flays monarchy for Madhesis' woes Gorkhapatra, Nepal
Madhesis should be ensured 50% participation in state system Gorkhapatra, Nepal
Opposing class forces face off in post-monarchy Nepal Party for Socialism and Liberation
‘Goit ordered me to bomb Kantipur office’ Kantipur Online, Nepal
JTMM ready for talks with the government Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Summit Talks in Snail’s Pace in Nepal United We Blog, Nepal

E-W OPTICAL FIBER NETWORK: NT gears up to start data service Kantipur the optical fiber network laid along the East-West highway. Once the plan materializes, the cost of data transfer services like Internet would come down by as much as 50 percent. ....... links Bhadrapur in the East and Lamahi in the West. ..... the network is linked to optical fiber networks of two Indian telecom service providers, namely the BSNL in Birgunj and Bharati Telecom in Bhairahawa. ...... in the initial phase NT is planning to procure 155Mbps of bandwidth from one of the two Indian companies, both of which have submarine optical cable links with the developed countries, including Singapore in Asia, the US, and others in Europe. ..... Currently, most of the ISPs have a bandwidth capacity of around 35Mbps ..... “These ISPs pay up to US$3,000 to purchase one mbps of bandwidth, using satellite means”
Rebels grab office building, documents
Post joins Asia News Network brings the number of member newspapers to 16 from 14 countries. The network is a cooperation of leading newspapers in Asia with daily exchanges of news, exchanges of journalists, publication of a weekly news magazine and a host of other media activities. .... China Daily, Daily Yomiuri and Yomiuri Shimbun of Japan, The Island of Sri Lanka, Korea Herald, The Straits Times of Singapore, The Nation of Thailand, The Statesman of India, Vietnam News, The Daily Star of Bangladesh, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Jakarta Post of Indonesia, Sin Chew Daily and The Star of Malaysia, and Vientiane Times of Laos.
Arms management should be complete and credible: Indian envoy
Govt initiates reconstruction program
Maoists bar leading companies from dispatching products
NC MPs press for party's clear stance on monarchy Nepali Congress (NC) Members of Parliament have demanded a special convention to clarify the party's stance on the issue of monarchy. ...... the MPs told Koirala that they were under tremendous pressure to clarify the party's stance on the issue of monarchy. ..... Koirala was positive towards the proposal of holding the party's convention to this end. ...... Minister Sitaula left the meeting following the accusations ..... MPs also stressed on the complete management of Maoists' arms before the Constituent Assembly elections
Army expresses "serious concern" over convoy obstruction by Maoists
SC Justices contest PAC recommendation to impeach Justices
ADB official encouraged by developments in Nepal
10 cops suspended
Oil store owner shot dead in Bara
Moriarty repeats US stance, says Maoists in govt only after arms separation
ICJ urges govt, Maoists to prioritise human rights issues

Flickr

Terai Safari, Terai Kids, Village In The Terai, Mahendra Highway, Southern Terai, Terai Kid, Face Of Terai, Tiger Tops, Terai Houses, Paddy Field, Entrance, Big Banyan Tree, Bibaha Mandap, Fruit Seller In Janakpur, Kids, Japan In Lumbini, Laughter, Backyard, Frontyard, Roadside, Gonarpura, Narayanghat Buspark, Ready For The Riots, Girls' School, Paan, Fourth Of July (Oops), Wedding Bull, Feet, Bazaar Bicycles, Saleswoman, Birgunj Cityscape, Police Mingle, Birganj Kids, Hijaraa, Tikka, The Clocktower, Pani Tanki, Cinema Crowd, Sign Painter, Janakpur Railway, East-West Highway, Ralley, Birgunj Cityscape, Shivaji, Mosque In Nepalgunj, Jhapa

Vistors

31 October 2006, Tuesday501

1 November 2006, Wednesday308

2 November 2006, Thursday190