Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Paudel gracing the ceremony

Thirty Sixth General Assembly of Nepal Red Cross Society has unanimously elected Sanjeev Kumar Thapa Chairman of its governing body known as Central Executive Committee (CEC) for a term of four years. Thapa, who has the experience of holding different positions in the CEC for more than a decade, was Treasurer in the CEC headed by Ramesh Kumar Sharma.

Six out of 22 elected members in the newly formed CEC are new faces whereas, Indira Jaisee is the only woman member. Among the members getting entry to the CEC for the first time are Indra Phuyal, Uday Regmi, Tom Prasad Acharya, Bishwokeshar Maske, Bhimdatta Pandey, Ram Prasad Mainali and Hem Raj Ojha. Dev Ratna Dhakhwa, one of the 22 elected members has again been given the role of Secretary General by the newly formed CEC meeting.

Bheri Technical Institute, Banke where the general assembly was held

General Assembly Meeting (26-28 April) of the society held at Bheri Technical Institute, Banke was inaugurated by Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Paudel inaugurated. A total of 270 representatives from 75 districts and about a hundred observers participated in the Assembly.

“Red Cross has become the most popular and well respected organization through its work in emergency and so its volunteers are well respected” said Minister Paudel in his inaugural speech. He further said that the general assembly would direct the organization for further activating its functions and increasing its presence. “As soon as peace stepped down in the country, it has been disturbed unexpectedly,” he added, “This is the high time for respecting and co-operating each other, for which Red Cross service is always in need.”

Sanjeev Kumar Thapa, newly elected Chairman receives the certificate of designation

Addressing the assembly, outgoing Chairman Ramesh Kumar Sharma said that beginning from 1963, the Society has now its branches in the community and junior/youth Red Cross in the schools and committees throughout the country for serving the vulnerable people. The society has attained this position due to the devotion of its volunteers, and support of governmental, national and international community. Secretary General, Dev Ratna Dhakhwa presented a report of the last year and proposed program for the next year.

Before the election, Sanjeev Thapa made a presentation regarding budget for the same in the capacity of the Treasurer. The opening of the program was chaired by Narmada Sharma, Chairperson of the Banke Chapter. On the occasion, ICRC Cooperation Delegate Aziz Sayed and Federation Representative to Nepal Nicholas Russell also delivered felicitation speeches.

Sanjeev Kumar Thapa who was leading the rally at Nepalgunj marketplace was eventually unanimously elected Chairman

The general assembly reviewed the achievements of the organization during the previous fiscal year and endorsed its policies and strategies, and set programs and budget for the year 2007/8. The budget proposed for the coming fiscal year is about 43 million which will be mobilized in the areas of disaster management, health and community care, promoting humanitarian values and organization development, the strategic priority areas of the Society.

Nepal Red Cross Society, the leading humanitarian organization, in the country, has about one million members and volunteers throughout the country. The general assembly is the apex body of the Society that elects CEC and formulates policies, designs strategies and provides directions to the CEC.