Other speakers of inaugural session were former Chairpersons Pradip Pokhrel, Lokesh Dhakal, Treasurer Rashmila Bhochhibhoya and Director Rameshwar Nepal. They shed light in different perspectives of human rights in the country and campaign of AI Nepal. Likewise, Chairperson of Human Rights and Peace Society Homkant Choulagain, District Secretary of CPN (Unified Maoist) Nirmal Baral, Member of Nepali Congress Sunsari District Executive Committee Bikash Acharya, President of Federal Limbuwan State council Gyan Bahadur Gurung, President of Federal Limbuwan State Council Sanjuhang Palunga, representative of Limbuwan Freedom Front Bir Nemwang and senior leader of Federal Limbuwan State Council unification coordination committee Janak Chemjong also expressed their views related to the human rights situation in the country. Earlier, a video message by the secretary General of Amnesty international Salil Shetty also presented. The Inaugural Session was chaired by the Chair Person of AI Nepal Hem Kumar Khadka.
Membership Growth Award
The other focus of the inaugural session was “Highest Membership Growth Award”, “Highest Youth Network Membership Growth Award” and “Highest Women Membership Award” that is honoured to any AI Nepal Groups recruiting the highest members, highest women members and highest youth networks members from January to December of each year. The “Highest Membership Growth Award” was won by Group-89,Tikapur Kailali for the year -2009 and the same award for 2010 was won by Group-49,Mahendranagar Kanchanpur. Similarly, the “Highest Youth Network Membership Growth Award” was won by Kathmandu Youth Network,Kathmandu for the year-2009 and the same award for 2010 was won by Joseph Youth Network, Kathmandu. The “Highest Women Membership Award” was won by the then Women Group-in-Formation Gorkha for the year 2009 and same award for 2010 was won by Group-80,Kathmandu. Likewise, the “Second Highest Women Membership Award” announced by Group-82, Pokhara for the year 2009 was won by Nishandeep Group-1, Dhankuta. Krishna Pahadi handed over all awards to the winners.
Business Sessions
Altogether 139 delegates participated the business sessions of the AGM from 71Groups and 1 Group-in- Formation across the country. The closed session went heavy with the discussion on annual report presented by Secretary General Shambhu Thakur, financial and audit report presented by Treasurer Rashmila Bhochhibhoya and activities report of the National Secretariat presented by Director Rameshwar Nepal. Similarly, National Strategic Plan for the coming 6 years, Operational Plan along with proposed budget for the next two years also were approved unanimously by the AGM.
Election of the New Board and Appeal Committee
The AGM also elected a 11-member National Executive Committee for the term 2011-2012 headed by Hem Kumar Khadka. Raj Narayan Mandal (Group – 63, Itahari),Rashmila Bhochhibhoya (Group – 43, Banepa), Rajan Kuinkel (Group -39, Nuwakot) and Surya Bahadur Adhikari (Group – 80, Kathmandu) respectively are elected as the Vice-chairperson, General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary and Treasurer to the National Executive Committee (NEC). Likewise,Yashoda Kumari Upadhyaya (Group 68, Nepalgunj) and Usha Khand (Group-21, Kathmandu) elected NEC member (women seats). Chet Narayan Bhusal (Group 40, Kawasoti), Pratap Paudel (Group 48, Baglung), Pramod Neupane (Group – 66, Dang) and Lekhnath (Laxmi) Niroula (Group-83, Damak) elected as the members. Similarly, the AGM elected Appeal Committee for the same term. Elected to the committee are Uttam Sapkota (Group – 34, Kathmandu) as the Coordinator and Chet Bahadur Magar (Group – 78) and Surya Mohan Sapkota (Group – 52, Bardiya) as the members. Prakash Bhandari the Returning Officer, awarded certificates to the candidates elected.
Closing Ceremony
At the closing ceremony of the three days meeting immediate past General Secretary Shambhu Thakur handed over the ignited candle which is the emblem of AI to the newly elected Chairperson Hem Kumar Khadka. Speakers including the newly elected chair person Khadka, immediate past General Secretary Thakur, Regional Campaign Coordinator of Amnesty International Robert Godden, Advisor of AI Nepal Lokesh Dhakal and Returning Officer Prakash Bhandari made their closing remarks. Dharan based Youth Network affiliated to AI Nepal felicitated to the newly elected AI Nepal Board.