I have been following some of the discussion about the Dallas ANA convention. While some of the comments and criticisms are valid, most of them are without merit, which is to be expected in Sajha. Without getting into specifics, let me try to explain a few things about ANA and its conventions. I am Executive Committee member and a long time ANA Life-member as well.

1. ANA: ANA is a non-profit organization, and its financial affairs are posted quarterly in its web site. Its revenue is primarily from membership. Over 60 % of its members are life members meaning there is no recurring revenue, and dues paying membership is very small. Its main expense is Newsletter publication, and some incidentals (tax, postage, web etc.). The other major source of revenue is its annual convention, but it is not guaranteed. For example ANA lost about $3000 from last year?s convention. It should also be noted that most of the money shown in ANA?s current account actually is the money raised for NECC (Nepal Education and Cultural Center) and in the near future these two entities (ANA & NECC) will be separate leaving ANA with little money. All of us serving in ANA in various capacities do it voluntarily costing us much of our time, and some time even our money.

2. ANA Convention: The ANA convention has grown to be very large. Although as an ANA member, I find it unfortunate that most of conventioneers have nothing to do with ANA as such, I still think ANA is serving the Nepali community in the Americas by providing a place every year where they can come, meet with friends, and family members, have party etc. It is impossible for 6 volunteer Exec. members to organize such a convention annually. So, far the last ten years or so, all ANA conventions have been hosted by local organizations. Local organizations do get some basic guidelines from ANA, but by necessity, most of the grunt work is done by the local organizers. Dallas was no exception. It is to their credit that they organized such a grand convention. Again all of these local volunteers provide their time freely. As for the revenue from conventions, there has not been a hard and fast rule, ANA has basically been at the mercy of the local host on how much of the profit, if any, will it get. This may change in the future, but that is the way it has been done in the past. It is all based in trust and goodwill.

When you gather couple of thousands of people together, it is impossible to please everyone. The organizers try their best, but mistakes do happen, and we try to learn from our mistakes and do better next time. One should also realize that some of the things people complain about are beyond our control, like overpriced drinks, or momo. That is for the hotel and vendors to decide and for customers to boycott if they so desire. The organizers did negotiate the room price, which was quite reasonable. For those Sajha readers who are genuinely interested in making ANA conventions better, I have a request. Contact the convention organizers (next year it will be in NYC area), or contact us at ANA. Make your suggestions and better still volunteer your services and even better join ANA!
Shailendra Shukla
Newsletter Editor, ANA

Shukla Ji,

Pahiley tapai ko NATIONALITY ke ho ? Naam Sundaa ta INDIAN jasto laagyo. Kripaya, tyo kura Killear garnu paryo. Dhanyepaad !!

Nattu:

Sorry, I hate to be rude but your comment was extremly insensitive and pathetic. I would have hold my venom within myself if only your comment had any relevance to the thread. However,its ok, there are always bad apples. Anyway, if you don't know, there are quite a few last names that are used in Nepal and India regularly(i.e, Sharma)

Shukla:

Yes, hats off to all those organizers and volunteer workers who indulge their precious time in bringing the show to hundreds of people. It is indeed a daunting task realised only by the people who have been through it. Having said that, one cannot shy away from the criticism as appropriate criticism to better system could being out strong results. I just hope people weigh in all the consequences before bickering about it.

I agreed with Mr. casey00.

Nattu, you are none but racist foo. I am Tiwari and I am 100 % nepali.

Casey00 Ji,

tesari risaunu parney jarurat mailey kehi dekhina. Tai pani tapai ko Chitta dukhecha, tesko laagi Maafi paau!! Nationality ke ho bhanera sodhdaa pani insensitve ra pathetic prasna bnannu parney ta mailey kehi kaarn dekhina hai. Afu ta testai ho baa !! Sidha Sidha prasna garincha. Tai pani tyo prasna mailey Shukla Ji lai garya ho, tapai lai hoina kyara !! Tapai lai ke thaha Shukla Ji Indian ho ki hoina bhanera ?? Jaba Samma Shukla ji ko Uttar aaudaina, yo kura maa baad bibaad garnu byartha huncha. Shukla Ji le " Ho, Ma Indain nai Ho" bhanera post garnu bhayo bhaney, byartha ma tapai ko beizzat bhayo ki bhayena ?? Tesaile Dhairya raakhau Mitra haru.Dhairya ko Phal (bad apples) mitho huncha :-)

Tiwari Ji, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU ?? Did I ask you what your Nationality is ?? No disrespect but you are totally irrelevant to this topic. We don't know you and we don't care.But I've seen quite a few Bhutanese with last name TIWARI :-)

So, don't try to fool us. Thank you.

Shreeman Nattu,

yadi kasai ko bhawana ko samman garna jannu hunna, waa aru ko bichar ko tulanatmak byakhya garne kchyamata chaina bhane, aafno kubichar byakta nagare kai thik lagcha!

It is people like you that disgrace our right to freedom of speech and expression. That is why sites, such as sajha, that allow us to rant and rave are regularly violated. Mr. Shukla has attempted to make a very valid point; but whether you agree with it or not, there's no place for disrespectful commentary. No matter his nationality, may he be nepali, american, japanese, he has attempted to shine some light on an issue that a lot of shajhaits are concerned about. So it is your comments that are completely irrelevant to this topic. Please reconsider your prejudices before you post such vile idiom.

Thank you, Shukla ji, for your input. It is appreciated by most of us.

I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank the organizing team on behalf of a non profit organization that I representated in Dallas.

The responses we received were very prompt, thoughtful, organized and professional.
Thank You Dallas for providing us a booth for the price of the non profit.

Others:
(totally personal views)

These people were volunteers and without being the professional event managers/organizers did so much without being compensated, they should be commended and thanked. Of course, managing so many events and so many hundreds of people, things go wrong at times but some of them are excusable.

Next time: Hire professional event managers !

The literary program was overcrowded by undisciplined kids. The parents did not have understanding of the meaning of the poetry recitation and lacked any control over their kids. The concentration and atmosphere were totally ruined with the unruly kids running, jumping around like monkeys.

Next time: Get rid of kids and dont worry about the density of the attendee. It was ridiculous to see kids running around when interested few were trying to listen to a poem.

How would you attract more people with such kind of environment?

One thing I will accept is: The turn over was extremely low in the forums.
Culprits: Some Speakers and moderators.

The moderators were too moderate to allow the speakers to go in lengths with details and taking up others time. People lost interest with presentations that were intended to a very different crowd. This further accentuated thinning of density. Some presentors just read as if it was book reading kind of thing.

Next time: Have alarm clocks and turn off the mike when time expires regardless of who is speaking or reading !

One presenter who was talking about uniting all the organizations, dissappeared after shifting his talk in the begginning. Was he not supposed to be there to listen to "Organizations in US: their roles and chalenges"? which was very apt for his topic !

Banquet:

Was supposed to start at 6 pm and people were coming till 8:30 for the three course (?) dinner. How the manage could think that the dinner will be over in half an hour and get ready for the concert. Both the people who cared less for the time and the management who let them in for the sake of income were ridiculous.

Next time: start in time, finish in time. No hanky Panky.
I wont go to banquet anyway, its not worth 30 $ for that kind of food and round table and listening to some of the ridiculous people.

Changing the price of momo: basic theory of supply and demand. But certainly because of the location of the hotel and those without any transportation facility and closure of the restaurent below had no choice.

Alcohol was expensive and no doubt they sold for 37000$. There were numerous kids and grown ups alike who bought from outside.
Next time: bring alcohol from home.

Overall impression:

These people have put lots of hard work and time. The level of passions can not be underestimated but showed their weakness at the time of execution.
Next time: Hard work, devotion and well execution to avoid mass confusions.

dear nattu

please u sounded to racists and pathetic.......u got to realize that and also apolozige to mr. sukla.


also how do u feel?...if u are commented over by a stupid american about your race and nationality nevertheless your accent...no matter how hard u try i will bet my boots....a an american will always think u are a foreigner god forbid a lesser class to them by your accent.

may sanity prevails on you...good luck dear fellow nepali

I totally agree with NATTU.. its not racists and pathetic to ask ones Nationallity.. or name or sex or profession or etc and etc.. you cannot judge person with thier name and especially with ther nick name used for some chat or forum

Gorkhali Mahodaya,

Mero prasna ta sirif Shukla ji ko Nationality ko Baarey ma thiyo. Kaha Baata MAAN - SAMMAAN ko Kura uthyo pheri ?? Eauta SAADHAARAN prasna lai tapai le chaahiney Nachaahiney Artha uthayera malai byagtigat aarop lagauney kosis ma hunu huncha. Tapai ko prasna anusaar ta yaha Kasailai kehi prasnai garnai nahuney ray....Gazab cha baa !! Aba tapai lai Mann parena bhaney parena... ke garu ta Mailey !! Tes maathi pani yo kura Shukla Ji ra Mero bich ko ho. Tapai le Taauko dukhaunu parney Jarurat chaina. Tes kaaran, aafnu ganuney mukh ma Taalchaa raakhey nai bes hola. Arko kura - aayo MAAN - SAMMAAN Ko ?? Afu ta yestai ho. Sabai sita yehi MAAN sita bolincha. Shukla Ji, Editor bhanera Chaahiney bhandha Badhi MAAN-SAMMAN garnu parney kunai aabasyektaa dekhdina.Tapai jastai CHAAPALUSI haru le gardaa bigrya ho desh. Tapai lai yedi Shukla Ji ko testo pirr laagyo bhaney, MOI KHAAIDIYE HUNCHA Shukla Ji lagaayet Sabai ANA Executives ko Chaak ma. Malai kunai Aapatti chaina :-)

He he he.. two thumbs up to NATTU Dear

Nepali-tiger,

Sounds like you're not happy with your race or Nationality. Maybe you're ashamed to reveal to foreigners that Nepali, not me. Trust me I have no problem when someone asks me whether I'm a NEPALI or an INDIAN ?? Indian ra Nepali maatrai ko Ke Kura? MEXICAN, PORTUGUESE, RUSSIAN, AFRICAN, CHANGRAY je bhanera sodhey pani risaudina. Yedi tapai aafai lai Secure feeling chaina bhaney ta Je bhaney pani riss uthcha. Mero bhanai ko artho tyo ho. Tara too bad, you are not happy with ur nationality. Now that is sad and pathetic :-(

Nattu,

If this is an issue between you and Shukla ji, why don't you write him a personal email to clarify. You do not need platform of Sajha to do that.

Further, there are some people who are non-nepalese but still are members of ANA. And you surely hurt the feelings of non nepalese members.

Nattu jasta lanthu le k garchan bhane importnat issue lai
trash ma rakhera whole public lai sympathizer ko rupama
convert garidinchan.

I know shukla is not a new surname to me. Rupakheti, Shukla,
Tiwari, bhandary, ................ and so many surnames are there
they co-exist in nepal and india. By looking at surname you can not
twist the contents and importances of the contents in Shukla's
writings. You better read Paramendra's thread on constitution
of nepal....

Nattu, some people here will ask whether you are trying to sway away the
public interest on whats going on ANA by making such comments...
Katai Shukla ji kai request (King G le Tulsi Giri jasto black listed lai
public attention divert garna upadachhya banaye jasto)
tyasto lekhya ta hoina? hahhahahah....
I know that Shukla is not of Tulsi Giri quality, .... he is capable enough
to defend himself and he won't hire Nattu to defend him or sway
the public sentiments. I have seen his quality writings since old gold
and now sunk titanic TND days.

eNeka.

Pangra,

There is no issue between Shukla ji and me. I don't even know him. That is the reason I was asking his Nationality (to get to know him). As far as the platform goes, Shukla Ji posted here first, not me. I was just asking him a question. I haven't forced him or anyone to answer my question. If he likes to answer he will. If he doesn't he won't. Listen guys, once you post anything on public forum, it becomes a public property. So, don't expect to get easy and nice (goody goody) questions always. My intention is certainly not to embarrass Shukla Ji or anyone. Unless You guys or Shukla ji is embarrassed to reveal his or your Nationality. I think you guys are over analyzing my question and making this a whole lot complicated than it really is. And I never mentioned that Indians should be barred from ANA, ANMA, UN, AC or any other Nepali or foreign Organizations.

eNeka, I think you are into fiction novels. Another conspiracy theory...huh? :-)

Guys n gal,

Let's focus the thread on the main topic it was started for: ANA Explained. Forget about nattu and his comments about suklaji's nationality.

Afterall, Nattu is nattu. He doesn't know how to talk. Don't waste your time discussing about what is wrote above.


-u_day

The power of open forum is visible here. That is why I hate
to join these closed forums. There the forum owner has monopoly
to twist your postings. I did not like the idea of deleting the original
charges on Texas organisers as posted by ChyarekoDokan.
Well, Sajha ko Raja, San wanted to show some kindness to these
both parties... so we have sacrificed what we believed on Sajha.com's
openness. Sometime it has to be done, and done-dona-done...
King G le des lai nilne abastha ma Sajha ma San le civility rakhne
pryash la appreciate garnu parcha. That was probably a bold
step .................

Now, Shukla writes: Contact the convention organizers
(next year it will be in NYC area), or contact us at ANA.

My suggest to Sajahities is that when you write just don't
write a private letter to convention organizers.... send a
CC or BCC to Sajha.com, so that we can realize what you
proposed and what has been done appreciating your
recommendations. When you write quitely, I have found
several times that our Nepali mentality is to file these
recommendations ..... in a corner and do what the power
rangers like to do... the mindset they already have. You
should recommend, but if your recommendation just goes
into file never brought into action, then its better to publish
here, at least the readers will know that it was recommended.
If its public, it might be used by someone else.... So, your
CC or BCC copies are always read by someone out here.
Otherwise, it will be the settlement between Michael Jacson
and the kids in 1990s .... no one knos whether Jackson
is guilty or not guilty........... As Ashu advocates sometime here
that publicly tested / publicly grilled. CKD 's charge came
and it was in peak time, CKD and Texas organizers scared of
public grilling and settled in private? Do you really believe
Jackson owes the same respect as he had before the scandal
broke out? Do you belive CKD and Texans 's claim of being
settled a public matter in private room? Whatever.

Now, if your recommendations and issues are genuine,
raise in public they get more weight than raising in private.
You raise in private, it will be settled ... using "FLATTER"
tricks... as a human being you will lose your strength,
your boldness and genuine effort ... alll will go in vain.
DO NOT INTIMIDATE, just remain professional, no personal
... as long as you are on public issues. Thats the difference
between developed world and underdeveloped world.
INTIMIDATION is poison and it will kill you. Look at the
CKD vs Texan orgganizer .... both intimidated and deprived
us knowing how they settled when the issue looked purely
public.

I am not UKSAING (provoking) to any one.... Telling you
the truth. If you are scared of being intimidated, remain
anonymous.

eNeka

U_day,

What is there to focus ? ANA happens every single year and people can't seem to stop complaining afterwards. They all complain now but guess what ?? They'll go next year again for sure and will complain again. It is like a loop that never ends and I'm sick and tired of reading over and over every single year. My advice is PUT UP or SHUT UP !! If u don't like ANA conferences boycott them or don't attend. Well, if you have to attend the conference then try to be more flexible and stop complaining. But you can't do either...can you ? By the way, I saw your pictures at ANA Uday. Looking jolly good and handsome. SEXY SEXY Man :-)