New York, USA: Morang Samaj America hosts historic Meet & Greet:Picnic Party in partnership with QueensTogether and GPK Foundation America in Queensbridge Park, within the Queens borough of New York. Morang is a famous district in Nepal that has been the root of four former Prime Ministers of Nepal. President of Girija Prasad Koirala Foundation America– Somnath Ghimire acted as the event coordinator and Master of Ceremony. 

U.S. Congresswoman Honorable Grace Meng was the Guest of Honor and Consul General (Acting) of Consulate General of Nepal Honorable Bishnu Prasad Gautam was the special guest.

Dr. Leong Ying, Creator of Our Collective global alliance was also a special guest, alongside various invited local political dignitaries. Accompanying him was iconic music and fashion superstar – Aaron Paul, the former Afghanistan presidential candidate – Dr. Dawer Nadi, and local business and political consultant – Jimmy Chue.

The list of other attendees is a proverbial Who’s Who of local and international dignitaries: Honorable David Weprin (New York State Assemblyman), Honorable Jenifer Rajkumar (New York State Assemblywoman), Honorable Brad Lander (New York City Councilman of 39th District, and Democrat nominee for city Comptroller), Honorable Shekar Krishnan (Democratic nominee for city 25th District Councilmember), Honorable Julie Won (Democratic nominee for city 26th District Councilmember), Pema Genkhang (Queens regional director for the office of State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli), Taylor Abbruzzese (District Representative of US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney), Andrea S. Ogle (Democrat nominee for Queens County Civil Court Judge), and Ambassador Sima Karetnaya (US appointed Ambassador of Health to the United Nations).

Aaron, who is a protégé of television personality Simon Cowell, was invited to perform for the local communities, and as a true kind-hearted professional that he is, he took center stage (in the middle of the park) to perform couple of songs that make him a global success as the former lead singer of the UK boys band – Worlds Apart. Since the majority of the local community at the event were Nepalese, one of their own performing stars – Basanti Rai, also shared the performing spotlight with Aaron.

Nepalese artists included: Sangita Mukhiya, Dr. Mahesh Raj Thakur, Bimal Dangi, and acting DJ Rajendra Rai, also a Nepali Artist. Other community leaders present: Subarna Lama(VP of GPK Foundation America) Saleem Syed (General Secretary of ICCD), Syed Wasim (Sr. Vice President of Pakistani American Community), Arsaath Uthumalebbe (President of Tasmina, Sri Lankan American Community), Emmanuel Asse (President of NAN-Long Island Chapter), Urgen Sherpa (New York City Community Board Member#4), Tenzin Tseyang (Human Rights activist), Anjan Chaulagain (General Secretary of NRNA NCC-USA), Ang Tshering Sherpa (President of NRNA NCC-USA New York Chapter), Manita Gurung(President of Tamu Pariwar NY), Jonathan Forgash (co-founder of QueensTogether, Matt Fisher(Custom made BBQ), Amit Pratap Shah(Founder Mithila Center USA), Luisang Tamang(Social Activist), Durgesh Karki(NRNA USA, Board of Director), Pasang Nima Sherpa(President of US Nepal Climbers Association),Trishna Budhathoki(Small Business Owner-Trishana Supplies, Nepali Products) and Bright Future Online Channel.

Bibek Chhetri Poudel, who was selected on this day as the Coordinator for Morang Samaj America. The newly selected Coordinator Bibek Poudel thank everyone who made this historic picnic possible, special thank goes to the President of GPK Foundation America Mr. Somnath Ghimire for his leadership in building bridges among elected officials, community leaders and Morang Samaj. Mr. Poudel also thank the members of Morang Samaj who worked tirelessly in arranging everything that required for this event, they are Buddhi (buddha) paudel, Ram Rijal, Mahendra Bajgai, Rajendra Rai, Hem Raj Rai, Maikal lama(camera men), Bikash Sapkota, Bijay Rai, Hemu Ojha, Shekhar Karki, Poonam Sitaula Karki, Rukmani Bhattarai, Lok Bdr. Karki, Jhoti Rai, Merina Parajuli, Sushila paudel, Anita Gurung, Ram Khadka, Apsara Khadka, Deepak Ghimire,Rudra Raut, Anju Tamang, Saraswati Sapkota and Sabita Lama.