London. Greater Reading Nepalese Community Association (GRNCA), one of the pioneer Nepalese charity organisations in the United Kingdom, celebrated its 17th establishment day during the annual general assembly in Reading last weekend.
GRNCA, which was established in 2001 and registered with the charity commission in April 2008, is the umbrella organisation of all Nepalese living in Greater Reading areas. Over 7,000 Nepalese are said to be living in this area alone.

GRNCA organised various 32 programmes and activities during the last one year including the celebration of Nepali new year, Teej, Dashain and Tihar festivals, the greatest Hindu festivals, Buddha Jayanti, memorial day of Lord Buddha, Saraswati puja,Yoga and Zumba classes, coffee club, football and volleyball programme, seaside tour, walking for health , youth seminar, health awareness , Bhanu Jayanti and poetry recitations. The committee has also taken initiative to buy a community hall, which is one of the most important issue of the Nepalese community.

On the occasion, the GRNCA commended the excellent voluntary works of the community members to run the coffee club, football, volleyball and various other activities during the last one year, and honoured them with certificate of appreciation.
Dr Sarah Gurung, who completed PhD in ‘’Biophysical and Crystallographic Studies of DNA i-motifs’’ from the University of Reading was honoured on the occasion. She was presented a bouquet of flowers and appreciation letter by GRNCA chairman Krishna Neupane and her parents Dhak Bahadur Gurung, advisor and Sushila Gurung, vice chairperson.
On the occasion a host of speakers including Bishwa Pundit, GRNCA advisor, Mahendra Gurung of REGBA, former chairmen Arjun Basnet, Mahesh Gurung and Man B Gurung extended their best wishes for the successful completion of various activities of the community.

At the beginning of the programme, Nepali national anthem was played, current and past chairman and advisors of the GRNCA jointly initiated the annual general meeting lighting the traditional lamp. The establishment day was celebrated as a birthday of the organisation with a 17th GRNCA birthday cake.

Chairman Krishna Prasad Neupane shed light on various activities and programmes of the GRNCA and said that buying a community hall for the community is the most pertinent subject at present , while general secretary Omkar Adhikari conducted the programme including reciting a poem about the GRNCA.

In the second phase of the programme, the general meeting approved various reports presented by general secretary Adhikari and other office bearers. GRNCA has given priority for the community hall, publication of a memoir, Deusi and Bhailo programme during the Tihar and Laxmi Puja to raise funds and encourage peoples’ participation and increase membership of the GRNCA among others.
Various speakers including vice chairmen Yadav Shrestha, Nabraj Neupane, Sushila Gurung and Dipak Gurung shed light on various activities and programmes at the function chaired by Krishna Neupane. A considerable number of people including women and elderly were present and took part in the discussion at the programme which ran for over 4 hours.

-Bharat Paudyal