2017-12-17, Sources
All thanks to NRN Australia’s NSW chapter, 850 Nepalis picnicked – ate, danced, sang, and had lots of fun in Hunter Valley, NSW on Saturday. NRN Australia’s NSW chapter had organized a picnic for parents/elderlies/guardians of NSW as a social responsibility towards the community. NRN even organized pickup and drop off service from 8 convenient locations across the city. Parents/guardians who were in Sydney applauded the effort and said we would welcome more social gatherings as such. Acting upon the suggestion, NRN Australia’s Vice President and coordinator of NSW, Nanda Gurung has said NRN will host more events as such. “We are thinking of organizing a joint picnic for Nepalis from Sydney and Canberra”, he added.
Excited vibes could be felt on the bus on the way to Hunter Valley. The day that was to follow was a fun filled one. Welcome drinks and lunch was made available upon arrival and Nepali doctors in Australia provided free health check-ups to elderlies. NRN Australia’s Tonnou Gothane and NRN Australia’s Secretary Narayan Koirala had reached Sydney to take part in the picnic from Melbourne and Brisbane respectively.
“This program is being held to honour our parents and we shall be organizing more programs as such in the future”, President Gothane said. A similar picnic was organized in Canberra on the same day which was met with equal enthusiasm and Victoria’s chapter had already held theirs a couple of weeks ago.
Speaking on behalf of the parents/guardians, Shambhu Pokhrel thanked NRN and bestowed them with blessings. “Due to this picnic, we were able to catch up with old and make new friends”, he added.
The travel arrangements from various locations were coordinated by Sita Ram Ghimire, Shanker Shrestha, Parash Thapa, Sashi Chandra Rai, Arjun KC, Prem Niroula, Laxman Sapkota, Hira Kandel, Samir Shrestha, and Saroj Poudel.
Bhimsen Sapkota spoke about Yoga and its benefits. There also was a dancing/singing program in which everyone participated with happiness.
This is the second time Nepalis have met in this large number in Australia. The first time was also in a picnic organized by NRN Australia.
