In the wake of Nepali new year 2064,Nepali journalists, students and teachers of journalism currently living in USA and Canada are gathering in Washington DC on April 21st and 22nd  this year. This first general convention of Nepal America Journalists Association NAJA is a initiation of seeking own professional and community identity by Nepalese media folks in USA.

The capital of United States, Washington DC is welcoming million tourists for this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival, meanwhile Nepali media folks are going to map a future strategies in the lap of Potomac river in this year’s Cherry Blossom season early spring.

Bringing the Divide Together” is the basic theme of this convention with the optimism of professionals Nepali Diaspora in USA which might be a milestone for the benefit and betterment to Nepalese journalists .First time, Nepalese journalists are gathering widely to create  a broader professional path and coalition in USA and Canada. Along with Federation of Nepalese Journalists’ head and dozen  of visiting journalists from Nepal and more than sixty Nepalese journalists based on United States and Canada are  participating at this convention. And numbers of American journalists and media organization’s representatives will join together.

It is estimated that about 150,000 Nepalese are living in USA and among them more than one hundred  Nepalese deserve journalistic background back home and significant numbers of Nepali journalists are working for various media in USA. The Nepali journalists, scholars, teachers, and students of journalism and mass communication are hopefully tracing their future in US.

Sharing and exchanging the knowledge and experiences between US journalists and Nepali media persons is another facet of this spring gathering.

It is  hoped that this convention might open the doors of many opportunities , ties and areas of cooperation for Nepalese journalists in US and Canada. As well as this convention can give the message to the world about the situation of  Nepalese  journalists, media  and political developments too.

It is supposed to bridge the multi-dimensional aspects between a vast, technologically advanced, democratic,world leader country US and a small, developing, landlocked and newly democratic country Nepal.

This convention will help to intensify the people to people relation and professional cooperation and solidarity among US and Nepalese media people and sectors.Not only the generation gap but also bridging the divide of technological,cultural,educational aspects and even knowledge level too between US and Nepalese media and professionals.

Three localize television stations,three frequency modulation radio stations,a dozen of online magazines.couples of blogs,weeklies and fortnightly Nepali language media are existing in USA and Canada.These Nepali and bylinguel media are running by Nepali ownership.Though financially they are not sustaining as a  business,but with the generous support of Nepali diaspora these Nepali media in US and Canada are serving a lot to recognize Nepal and Nepali community.

In the modern communications age,Nepali professionals can tap the tremendous opportunities if we work together. Significant numbers of the Nepali diaspora in USA now are serving and contributing as University teacher,scholars,think tank,scientists,technicians,researchers,artists,businessman/woman and service sector in USA. It is not exaggeration that these days it is hard to find a single University or college in US where Nepali student or teacher are not engaged.The major cities in USA and Canada have Nepali Mandirs(Hindus & Buddhism)  and community welfere groups.Nepalese language is taught in North Carolina  State University and there are several Nepali language and culture teaching primary schools run by Nepali community for Nepali kids across USA and Canada.

Because of the systems, respect of human rights & values,opportunities,freedom and many more,US is a dreamland for all kinds of population around the globe.Nowadays it became common phenomenon for Nepali to think and obtain chance to enter or visit USA.The dream of majority of Nepalese youths and urban population is to come USA for study,settlement and many more reasons.

The flow of Nepalis towards US through Diversity Visa Lottery program and as a student increasing significantly.Around 300 Nepali community based organizations are working to create conducive atmosphere for Nepali diaspora across the US.Now,professional coalitions of Nepali journalists,medical doctors,scholars,teachers,scientists are emerging in US.

The upcoming Nepalese journalists’ convention in Washington DC will pave the road for professional relations,media cooperation,technological and knowledge share and even promotion too.That will definitely enhance the excess for Nepalese journalists and technical hands to USA media industries. This Nepali journalists’ forum might convey the message to the US mainstream media and journalists ,that Nepal is moving towards full fledged democratic system soon.

Most of Americans have zero level idea about Nepal and those who  know little about Nepal ,because of the highest peak of the world Mount Everest, birthplace of Buddha and for a decade long Maoist communists’ insurgency as like a killing field. The main concern of Nepalis currently residing in US is to familiarize about our country and Nepal’s new political developments, culture and her positions.

The Nepalese journalists community in USA always raised  voices in favor of democracy, good governance and peace in motherland. On the struggle against autocracy, in last second “Janaandolan” the series of meetings,demonstrations  and programs were held in major cities across USA to express solidarity  to seven parties’ effort which created an immense pressure and support for restoration of democracy in Nepal.In which Nepalese journalists in USA were actively involved with lead role that caused huge influences and publicity in favor of Nepalese movement for freedom.

The forthcoming effort to convene a first Nepalese journalists’ conference in US,initiated by Nepalese jourlists living in USA and Canada will contribute to improve the situation of  Nepali media,& journalists and  create better excess for  Nepalese journalists  to USA media to promote Nepal in fact.

Nepal America Journalist Association is planning to establish an emergency relief fund for Nepalese journalists and their family and would work closely with Federation of Nepalese Journalists and other potential Nepali media organizations. It is obvious that Nepal America Journalists Association  will command special relation with FNJ for the cause of Press freedom  and welfere of Nepalese journalists. NAJA would start a journalists exchange programs,fellowships,and incentive programs for Nepalese journalists and instutional assiatance to Nepali media organizations.NAJA would do its efforte to link up Nepalese journalists and media to US vice versa and it is expected that it is possible only working together with professional manners,positive attitude and pluralistic approach.There might be a lot of scope and areas to provide assiatance for Nepalese journalists and media establishing wide relation with US and global media counterparts.
                                                                    
Writer Mr. Poudel is a USA based Nepali journalist. comments can be sent to tarunpoudel55@yahoo.com

(Note from the Nepal Horizons Editorial Team: The views and opinion expressed in this article are that of the author and not of NHC. We request individuals with interest in Nepal to submit their views on contemporary Nepalese issues to the following e-mail address: editor@nepalhorizons.com.  Pictures of contributors or images that relate to submissions are welcome)