37th Annual General Meeting of NAWB
Summary
The 37th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Association for the Welfare of the Blind (NAWB) was held on Saturday, 31st Bhadra 2081 (corresponding to September 16, 2024), in Dhulikhel. The event was organized by the Kavre District Branch of NAWB. The program was formally inaugurated by Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality, who lit the traditional Panas lamp to mark the commencement of the ceremony. During the event, Mr. Pawan Ghimire, General Secretary of the association, presented a detailed report highlighting the activities, achievements, and progress made by the organization over the past year.
In his address, Mayor Shrestha announced the formation of a Disability Council under Dhulikhel Municipality. This council will work to advocate for and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. He further committed that all upcoming public infrastructure in Dhulikhel will be constructed with accessibility features to ensure inclusivity. As a gesture of support, he also declared a financial grant of NPR 50,000 to the Kavre District Branch of NAWB.
Deputy Mayor Neerajan Jangam shared his personal understanding of the struggles faced by blind students, recalling his school days at Sanjivani Secondary School in Dhulikhel. Acknowledging the urgency of addressing these issues, he pledged to cooperate closely with NAWB to enhance the educational and social environment for visually impaired individuals.
Mr. Kamal Rupakheti, former central president and current advisor to the association, provided a historical overview of NAWB’s mission and contributions. He highlighted the organization’s long-standing commitment to education, skill development, and the overall rehabilitation of blind individuals in the Kavre distric
The 37th Annual General Meeting of NAWB, hosted in Dhulikhel, marked a significant step in strengthening support systems for visually impaired individuals. The event was notable not only for its ceremonial value but also for the strategic commitments made by local authorities. Inauguration by Mayor Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, who emphasized inclusive development by announcing: The formation of a Disability Council in Dhulikhel. A policy to make all future public infrastructure disability-friendly. A financial grant of Rs. 50,000 to NAWB’s Kavre branch. Deputy Mayor Neerajan Jangam’s emotional connection to the cause added a personal and authentic touch. His pledge to work with NAWB underscored a strong municipal commitment to educational inclusion. NAWB General Secretary Pawan Ghimire’s report reflected the organization’s steady progress and dedication to its mission. Advisor Kamal Rupakheti’s reflection on the association’s history reinforced the value of sustained advocacy and grassroots efforts in the education and rehabilitation of the blind.
Overall, the meeting highlighted a growing awareness and governmental support for the rights and empowerment of persons with visual impairments. It also reinforced NAWB’s role as a key player in promoting disability inclusion in Nepal.
The 37th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Association for the Welfare of the Blind (NAWB) took place in Dhulikhel on Saturday, 31st Bhadra 2081, organized by the Kavre District Branch. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality, who lit a lamp on the Panas. Mr. Pawan Ghimire, the General Secretary of the association, presented a report on the activities and progress of the association.
Mayor Shrestha announced the establishment of a disability council to advocate for the disabled in Dhulikhel and confirmed that all new public structures will be disability-friendly. He also declared that the Dhulikhel Municipality would provide Rs. 50,000 to the Kavre District Branch of NAWB.
The Deputy Mayor, Neerajan Jangam, expressed his understanding of the challenges faced by blind students, recalling his own experiences at Sanjivani Secondary School in Dhulikhel. He pledged to collaborate with the association to address these issues. Former central president and advisor, Mr. Kamal Rupakheti, reflected on the history of the association and its educational and rehabilitation efforts for the blind in Kavre district.
The event featured various awards and honors:
1. Outstanding Branch Award:
The Kavre District Branch received this award along with an incentive of Rs. 50,000, established by outgoing president Mr. Ajayaratna.
2. Dr. Lakshminarayan Prasad Pratibha Award:
Female student: Kopila Tamang (3.74 GPA), Prithvi Narayan M. Vidyalaya, Goldhunga, Kathmandu.Male student: Roshan Gautam (3.72 GPA), Laboratory School, Kirtipur, Kathmandu.
3. Keshavati Maske Disability Excellence Award 2074:
Awarded to Mr. Sharmila Vishwakarma, Pokhara Metropolitan City-26, Kaski.
4. Vishnu Devi Narayan Govinda Award:
Kopila Tamang (3.74 GPA) for best marks among visually impaired students in the 2080 Secondary Education Examination.
5. Gauri-Tulsi Award:
To be awarded to the top visually impaired or partially sighted girl in Class 12.
6. Jyoti K.C. Pratibha Award:
Awarded to Rita Thapa, a post graduate student with the best graduation marks.
7. Rotary Club of Kastamandap Award:
Awarded to 15 students with the best marks among visually impaired students in the secondary education examination.
List of Awardees
| S.N | Name of Students | Name of Schhools | Sex | GPA |
| 1 | KopilaTamang | Privinarayan Sec. School, Kathmandu | F | 3.74 |
| 2 | Roshan Gautam | Laboratory Sec. School, Kathmandu | M | 3.72 |
| 3 | Dhan Gurung | Privinarayan Sec. School, Kathmandu | F | 3.70 |
| 4 | Prasant Karki | Laboratory Sec. School, Kathmandu | M | 3.69 |
| 5 | Maya Banjan | Laboratory Sec. School, Kathmandu | F | 3.68 |
| 6 | Basana Paudel | Laboratory Sec. School, Kathmandu | F | 3.67 |
| 7 | Babit Basyal | Laboratory Sec. School, Kathmandu | M | 3.60 |
| 8 | Ashok BC | Shanti Namuna Sec. School, Rupandehi | M | 3.56 |
| 9 | Manu Mauriya | Shanti Namuna Sec. School, Rupandehi | F | 3.54 |
| 10 | Janaki Kewat | Shanti Namuna Sec. School, Rupandehi | F | 3.53 |
| 11 | Tulak Bahadur Dangi | Amarshing Sec School, Kaski | M | 3.45 |
| 12 | Chanchali Gurung | Baljyoti Sec School, Makawanpur | F | 3,44 |
| 13 | Punita Devi Kahar | Shanti Namuna Sec. School, Rupandehi | F | 3.40 |
| 14 | Sanjiba Thing | Baljyoti Sec School, Makawanpur | M | 3.40 |
| 15 | Sayana Poudel | Amarshing Sec School, Kaski | F | 3.40 |
8. Hemant Nilima Paudel Memorial Award :
Roshni Adhikari, Nepal Law Campus, awarded among blind or partially sighted students studying Law.
In the second session, Mr. Pawan Ghimire presented the association’s work progress, highlighting ongoing rehabilitation programs across 15 districts, as well as follow-ups, eye examinations, income generation, and inclusive education initiatives in Kailali, Kaski, and Bara districts.
Photo Gallery of AGM
