The Asha Project

PDG Rotary District 7475, Founder The Asha Project

By: Rishi Poudel, President, Rotaract club of Rudramati

Dr. Tulsi Maharjan is the Chair of the Asha Project, Past Rotary District Governor of RI 7475, and founder of the GAP (Global Action Program) program. He is responsible for developing projects to empower youth and women in developing countries with the support from multitude of grants from Rotary and other organizations to help poor people. He is devoted to promoting hands-on volunteering services to help global communities. He is recognized worldwide for his compassion and innovative service projects. He has volunteered for many social causes and humanitarian organizations since he was a teenager. He is a world-renowned faculty on volunteerism and fundraising. He is an accomplished team builder for non-profit sectors. Dr. Maharjan is recognized for his work with youth/women empowerment and social inclusion. He has motivated many youth groups to become effective leaders. He has worked with many religious, ethnic, and regional organizations to achieve social harmony and symbiotic relationships in our communities. He closely works with individuals to improve their quality of life.

To get more insight into his journey as they get ready to celebrate their 34 years of Humanitarian service in Nepal, the Asha Project, Rotary Movements, and Friends of Nepal-NJ, our president Rishi Poudel interviewed past district governor Dr. Tulsi Maharjan.

Rishi: I know Tulsi Sir as a very positive community leader who has consistently supported various projects in Nepal. But I was wondering how you see yourself.

Dr. Maharjan: Sewa nai dharma ho,” a Nepali proverb, has always been part of my philosophy. Even in my high school days, I was involved in the Junior Red Cross and participated in the International Junior Red Cross convention in Moscow in 1970. I was also a member of the Dharma Sewa Samaj committee in pulchowk, Patan. 

Rishi: Can you tell us a bit about your journey with Rotary?

Dr. Maharja: My involvement with Rotary began in 1988. When I returned to Nepal,  I met two children at the Chobhar Temple who couldn’t afford to pay for school, and I wanted to help them. It was unbelievable that at that time, only $25, which we used to spend on a cup of coffee, was enough to pay for their schooling. This incident made all the difference for me, and after returning to the USA, I started to raising funds to send those kids to school. I have continued that tradition even since.

Rishi: Can you tell us about how you came to be a Rotary Governor?

Dr. Maharjan: When I was visiting Nepal in 2010, my high school friend from Tri-Padma in Patan, Dilendra mentioned about being a governor of Rotary and suggested that both of us become Rotary Governors, one from Nepal and one from USA. Before that, I had never paid much attention to it, but after the conversation, I thought, “Why not?” and applied for the position. Coming out of the same school, we were both proud because one became the district governor of Rotary in Nepal, and the other in America.

Rishi: What differences do you see between the Rotaract and Rotary movements in the past and present?

Dr. Maharjan: The number of Rotary clubs has significantly increased. During my time, there was no district rotary in our nation, and India had to approve our grant project. The current picture has undoubtedly changed significantly. We have completed more projects in the last 33 years, and not only have the projects changed but also there have been improvements in leadership. Our first International global grant in 2003 was for $5000 dollars and our 2019 grant was for $94,000. We have completed more than 25 grant projects and total investment in Nepal exceeding more than ONE MILLION dollars. I met all kinds of people all these years with different intentions and mindsets. We invested in many scholarships projects and other community projects. Just for example, after the earthquake in 2015, I met Kishor Tripathi, who now has been running different projects smoothly. In 2005 we started working with Rotaract club of Patan and eventfully those Rotaract members started E-club in Nepal with the help of our Rotary district. So, there are more Rotaractors now because they know that this platform allows them to connect around the world. And I see the increasing interest in leadership activities. We also sponsored two Rotaractors to come to USA and study here as well.

Rishi: I want to jump on the Asha Project now; the name is very interesting. Is there any story behind it?  

After all, the only thing we have to offer is Asha and Bharosha. Just as in our project, “Maa garna sakchu,”  we see youngsters who want to be pilots or doctors, and while we can’t offer everything, we can give them Asha. So that’s the story behind our name.

Rishi: And how about the story of the Asha project—how did it come to fruition and how is it working? 

Dr. Maharjan: My son and daughter were helping with our projects in Nepal and thry thought it was not focused so of projects in Nepal that were dispersed and unfocused. My son suggested that we concentrate our efforts on certain areas, so we created the ASHA project with three focus areas: “House of Hope,” “Legacy of Hope,” and “Rays of Hope.” We started with the purpose of sending two children to school, but over time we have been successful in giving scholarships to thousands of students, which we plan to continue. In the past, numerous rotary clubs approached us, but many initiatives were never realized, which was disappointing. So, we are now doing it directly through the projects.

Rishi: What were the projects that were special to you?

Dr. Maharjan: There have been numerous ones, like the “Goat Project,” “Microcredit Projects,” and “Three Sisters.” The “Goat Project” had the most significant personal impact and practicality in terms of the impact it had on families. We provided goats to families in 10 different districts, which had the potential to sustain them. It is a meaningful program. Additionally, the local Rotaract clubs have helped organize various youth exchange programs. We hope to continue these initiatives every year.

Projects since 2005

Rishi: You’ve been in charge of volunteer organizations for decades. What do you believe is the secret to successfully running such organizations?

Dr. Maharjan: I always say “Thank you,” which are two magical words. I appreciate even the smallest contributions. You cannot force anyone to do something. People have different expectations, and some join these projects for personal benefits while others do it for the upliftment of others. I always carry the Rotaract theme “Service Above Self” in my heart and expect others to do the same. The things you do for yourself will fade away as soon as you’re gone, but the things you do for others will always be a legacy.

Projects since 2010

Rishi: What is leadership for you?

Tulsi: A leader is someone who prefers “we” instead of “I” and is inclusive. In one word, it’s “inclusiveness.” Leaders always put people first while pursuing their vision. Being trustworthy is the best character that anyone can develop and become, not just for leaders but also for all human beings.

Rishi: What have you learned or achieved from your years of social service?

Dr. Maharjan: First, I learned from an early age that giving back to the community is a good thing. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn about people, there are good, bad and ugly people everywhere. Working with people you learn variety of lessons. It is part of growing up process. As the Bhagvat Gita says: “Do your karma, but do not expect anything in return. If you do not get something back, you will be disappointed”. As in Rotary its motto is “Service Above Self” when you put people first and do your Dharma without expecting anything in return then you will not be disappointed. But above all, I derive personal satisfaction from doing social service. I was involved in the social service since my early childhood as a Junior Red Cross leader and member of the Sewa Service in Nepal. Everyone wants to live a fulfilling life, and I find that fulfillment within myself. In my opinion, spreading hope is the greatest thing I can do in this world, and it brings me personal satisfaction in return.

Rishi: What are your thoughts on failure?

Dr. Maharjan: There are many problems you will face in your personal life and also in these projects, but one must learn to move on. Failure is the test from God to see how prepared you are to carry on your mission. As Buddha said ” We are here in this world for a short period of time. If you share your knowledge and experience with others you have full filled your time being on this earth”. Some are trustworthy, some are not. And yes, failure is always there. But you have to learn to solve the problem instead of holding yourself back.

Rishi: What advice would you provide to young people?

Dr. Maharjan: Mindset is everything, and you can be anything you want to be in this world. The world itself is a big stage to showcase your skills. Try to excel in whatever you’re doing because there are many opportunities around us. Don’t look for instant gratification because fear has always been a major factor that holds someone back from exploring their potential. Learn to overcome fear by doing your best and going beyond your limits. Every step of the way is a learning experience.

projects

This time of year reminds us of all that we have to be grateful for, as well as the impact we’ve had—thanks to your support and participation.

As we celebrate another year on the calendar, we’re proud to share few pictures of our activities. 

Finally, we want to express our deep gratitude for your belief in our club and its special we are playing locally and internationally. Your support and leadership mean so much to us. 

Wishing you and yours the very best of health and peace this season and throughout the New Year ahead.

FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF MHA ROTARY’S ACTIVITIES

Special Breakfast and induction ceremony was held on August 16th.

Sheriff Gannon was inducted on August 16, 2023. 

It was great to see all our members at this special breakfast.

Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. This year on June 4th, MHA joined with the Hunterdon County Mental Health group to promote the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, we have been fighting stigma, providing support, educational programs as well as doing public advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness. 

Therapeutic, Peace and Pollinator Garden at the NJ Buddhist Vihara.

With grants from the Rotary district, some local companies as well as Nickelodeons, Xerces Society and Pollinator Partners, we have set up the Therapeutic, Peace and Pollinator garden at the NJ Buddhist Vihara.

A therapeutic garden, according to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, is “a plant-dominated environment purposefully designed to facilitate interaction with the healing elements of nature. Interactions can be passive or active depending on the garden design and users’ needs.” Some of the types of therapeutic gardens include sensory gardens, healing gardens, restorative gardens, enabling gardens, and habilitation gardens.

Benefits

Working in a garden offers many benefits. Some of these benefits include connecting with nature, social interaction, and learning new skills. People of all skill levels can learn to grow and care for plants, and gardens can be designed so that they are accessible to everyone. If you are interested in volunteering at the garden, please let PDG Tulsi Maharjan know. trm7510@gmail.com

Volunteers helping ..

International Global Grant for Nepal.

MHA to host a special guest from Nepal. 

Ms. Silvi Joshi, a member of the MHA from Nepal will be visiting us to learn more about Mental health practices in USA in April/May 2024. If you would like to have her visit your clinic, work place to share information, let us know. Silvi on the left of the picture.

Amulya Bisaria

Early in March 2023, I had the honor of attending the 2023 Youth Leadership Conference sponsored by the Lions International along with many community organizations like Rotary International, Friends of Nepal-NJ and many more at the Special Olympics village in Lawrenceville, NJ .

This experience taught me lessons on the importance of strong leadership and visionary thought in creating a better world. The conference featured several prominent speakers, including NJ Senator and many community leaders, each drawing from their illustrious careers in their respective fields to impart upon us the most important teachings from their lives.

The conference was inaugurated by a speech by Former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, Kim Guadagno. She spoke on the importance of a strong education as a foundation for chasing our ambitions, as well as her experiences as a minority in a male-dominated field. She taught us that we should never be afraid to defy the norms and expectations of society in
chasing our ambitions.

Next, Colonel Alan R. Smith provided several points on strong leadership, advice that he had gathered from his years of service in the Marine Corps. He described the importance of having a team and the role of an ideal leader as one who listens to and engages with their people.

Nazanin Ash, the CEO of Welcome.US spoke about her experiences and struggles assimilating to American culture, which inspired her to create a nonprofit organization that coordinates the support of refugees. The Welcome.US program admitted more than twenty times the number of refugees in 2022 than the US government did.

At this point, I was eagerly dreaming up ideas of the next big idea to change the world, but I was a little intimidated by the daunting prospect of embarking on an ambitious endeavor, especially with the relatively few resources I had as a high-schooler.

Thankfully, Ashton Burrell reassured us that one doesn’t need money to make a difference in the world, just passion and simple kindness can make a difference. It takes many small steps to reach a bigger goal. No matter how ambitious our goals may be and how passionate we are for achieving them, we must never abandon our mental health, especially in today’s time.

John Schweska spoke on the importance of mental health, especially in teenagers. Over the span of the conference, I noticed one recurring theme amongst all of the speeches: the importance of working both for and with your team.

With the experiences of all of these leaders tucked in my head, I felt a little more confident in my ability to change the world. If ever I feel overwhelmed in trying to realize my ambitions, I can always think back to the agenda of the conference: “Together We Can.”

25 years ago, when Monk Krishnman visited the MET, the absence of Nepali instruments at the Museum did not go unnoticed by him.

Determined to showcase the rich musical heritage of his homeland, he offered the museum a set of traditional Nepali instruments called ‘Pancha Baja’. Krishnaman’s efforts have paid off, as the museum accepted the instruments 1993 and finally in 2003, the MET designated Nepal window with his Pancha Baja display and making Nepal a part of its diverse musical collection at the MET. This accomplishment is a proud moment for Nepal and its people, as it marks the recognition of their unique cultural identity on a global stage.

A deeply religious man, he joined the order of the Mahayana Buddhists to become a monk in 1992. He then began to play a larger role in life, writing books, organizing international peace walks and has now become a sort of a cultural historian. I met him during his Peace Walk from Washington to New York in 2002.

As he recalls, “While I was in America, I visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There I noticed that the museum had musical instruments from all over the world, but none from Nepal. So he made his mission to collect those instruments and donated to the MET.

But those instruments were not displayed for a long time. With the help from the Friends of Nepal-NJ and many other organizations as well as US Ambassadors, we were able to meet with the director of the museum and convince him the importance of musical instrument. He was very proud that it was accepted, and Nepal has been represented in such a prestigious museum.

Unfortunately, during recent renovation of the MET, display pieces were reduced, and they were able to display only two pieces of instruments along with similar sets from India.

At the age of 92, Monk Krishnaman, determined to convince the MET staff, he visited again last week to have a full display of his Pancha Baja instruments at the MET.

Monk Krishnaman has been promoting Nepal and Nepalese music and culture for a long time. Let’s hope that his wishes will come true and have a full display at the MET soon. That is his last wish and he made 7000-mile trip at the age of 92 to convince the MET staff.

As the Bhagvat Gita says: “Do your karma, but do not expect anything in return. If you do it to get something back, you will be disappointed.” He is confident that full display of his Pancha Baja will take place soon.

Every trip I made to Nepal he came to meet me to get his message to the MET staff and finally we were able to get him visa to come for the visit. Hopefully, his last wishes will come true soon. Hopefully his last mission will keep him focused and continue his last fight.

May his last wish will come true.

Monk Krishnaman was also instrumental in setting up an Interfaith Peace program in New Jersey. Last week we dedicated the Interfaith Peace Garden at the NJ Buddhist vihara. Unfortunately, he was not able to visit, due to his ill health and his son Ashok Manandhar, represented him at that Peace Celebration and presented special Buddha on behalf of his father to Ven Bhanthe Hungampola Sirirathana Nayaka Thero.

Parents name: Sudhir Maharjan and Hashina Shrestha

School Activities at the school: International Alliances, Student Helping Honduras, Tri-M Music Honors Society, Marching band, varsity swim, peer leader

Community Activities and support: FONNJ Youth Group Volunteering

Hobbies: Guitar, piano, singing (auditioned choir), journaling, reading, varsity swimming, dance, volunteering

Future plans?

 I’m still unsure what I want to do in the future considering I am a sophomore in high school. There’s a lot of choices I have with what I want to study but I’ve been interested in human behavior and/or psychology. I plan to complete high school and go to college.

Q. What do you believe are three keys to being a good citizen?

I believe that the 3 keys to being a good citizen are being respectful, responsible and being involved within the community.

Q. What piece of advice that you have received that has made a difference in your life?

Do not worry about what other people think. This really keeps me going as a high school student because in this society, most teens tend to overthink situations with people judging and so because of this, we become afraid of the worst things possible. But hearing other people’s opinions and thoughts have made me realize that I am not alone, and that people aren’t always judging you in the way that you think they are.

Q. Who is your favorite teacher? 

As much as I like all of my teachers, my favorite teacher is my choir teacher, Mrs. Johnson. I’ve had her for all of high school so far and I plan to have her for the rest of my high school experience. She always finds a way to challenge me and I always learn so much from her as both my teacher and a person. She is always there for me when I need it and always makes my class fun.

Q. Who is your favorite community program?

 My favorite community program would have to be the FONNJ events that we host.

Q. How have you tried to make your school/community a better place? 

I’ve collected donations of canned food to help with homelessness and have spread awareness about it at my school in order to help the community.

Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of, and why? 

The accomplishment I am most proud of is receiving the President Award. This really helped me see in myself how I can help a community. This helped me realize that even the little things can help the community. Working for the president award helped me appreciate and value the new skills I’ve learnt from other people in the community.

By: Yavi Sharma

With the cooperation of adults and children from all around New Jersey, the plain area around the Buddha statue at the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara Temple is slowly but steadily becoming a lovely Peace Garden. Every weekend, volunteers come to the temple to help with various tasks such as gardening and painting garden stones. I’ve been to the temple three times now to help out, and I’m looking forward to revisiting. Through various activities, I was able to experience new facets of the community each time.

This is new addition to our project, which was just inaugurated last week during our Peace celebration.

Buddha’s 2567th birthday was celebrated with our Nepalese community on Saturday, May 13th, at the temple. This was the first time I had the opportunity to meet many volunteers and members of the community. Because it was so packed, my friend Saumya and I were assigned to handle a rock painting station for the smaller kids. There were not just children present at this station, but also their parents and grandparents. I got to talk with the adults (mainly the grandparents) about where they lived in Nepal and their various temple experiences. I, along with a few other volunteers, had the opportunity to read story about the Buddha, his history, and his birthday. This story provided me with an abundance of new information and allowed me to gain a better understanding of the temple and Buddha.

My second volunteer experience at the temple was mainly about gardening. We were all planning to put flowers and plants in the garden, but we couldn’t accomplish it unless we removed all of the weeds that were interfering with the process. While Saumya and I were pulling weeds from the parched dirt, it was explained to us that not all weeds are wasted. They are used to generate compost, which eventually provides nutrients to the soil and helps plants grow. This may be common knowledge, but it came as a shock to me, as I didn’t know that the things invading the plants could actually be transformed into something that could benefit them. We added fresh dirt, planted the plants, and mulched them after removing the majority of the weeds. Despite the fact that I came into this as a gardening novice, I can safely state that I know what I’m doing now. I was able to learn about the process as well as participate in it.

We were just cleaning up the garden the third time I visited the temple. The flowers we had previously planted had all bloomed and looked wonderful. Weeds would, of course, start sprouting again and overrun the garden. Fortunately, the weeds will eventually be returned to the soil and fertilized. We learned about how pollinators help nourish plants and how they aid the garden in general while mulching the weed-free regions. After about an hour or so, it began to rain, forcing us to move indoors. We began painting the stones that are scattered throughout the garden. We began with the first/background layer and will try to paint different symbols on them during our next visit. Each symbol has its own meaning and significance, and I’m hoping to figure out what they all represent and how they relate to the temple itself.

We have diverse groups of volunteers, which allows me to broaden my understanding of rapidly changing diverse community and appreciate my own culture even better. Because it’s at a Buddhist temple, I also get to witness how Buddhist culture works, which helps me understand how people follow different religions. Despite the fact that I have only attended the temple three times, I have learned a tremendous amount with each visit. Whether it’s gardening, history, or science, volunteering at the temple is about more than simply the hours you put in; it’s also about the information and skills you develop.

Thank you for the opportunity to learn about rapidly changing diverse culture of New Jersey and at the same time gaining leadership skills to learn about 21st century life and career skills as well as to engage as active citizens in a dynamic global society and to successfully meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century global village.

BY RITEE KARMACHARYA

This year, friends of Nepal-New Jersey held their annual Buddha Jayanti event on the thirteenth of May with a new twist- they also celebrated Nepal Culture Day. Held at the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara in Princeton, the event featured prayers, kid’s art projects, story times, speeches, dance performances, and even a parade. Led by a carriage built by members of FONNJ, attendees took laps around the large Buddha statue featured at the temple.

A bell ringing ceremony initiated the start of the event, where FONNJ President Roshan Karmacharya and former President Tulsi Maharjan delivered a speech then rang the bell at the peace garden. Members of the youth team have been working on the Peace Garden every other Sunday. “We’ve been working on the garden, fixing it up and cleaning. It symbolizes peace and diversity and inclusion within all religions. People of all races and religions are welcome to visit.” said Avash Lamichane, a volunteer part of the youth team. They have transformed what was the plain patch of land next to the temple into a beautiful garden with a pathway which includes flags, flowers, painted rocks, and decorations.

The youth chapter, a new group started under FONNJ, is a program catered towards the younger generation, where they participate in volunteering events, fundraisers, leadership opportunities, and more. “Our focus was on fostering a sense of unity, where individual identities were set aside, and each team member made an equal contribution and exerted their efforts. Alongside our offerings to Lord Buddha, a symbol of reverence and inspiration, which held great significance for us, we also dedicated ourselves to ensuring the success of Nepal Day.” said Suresh Shrestha, a leader of the youth team.

Nepali school students performed during the event. These students were taught by Kabina Singh. “Every Sunday we start Nepali class with the Nepali anthem since 2021,” Kabina Singh, the teacher of the group, said. The American national anthem followed, sung by Sahara Maharjan, a youth team member. A welcoming speech talking about the meaning of Buddha Jayanti and why it’s important to celebrate was delivered by Nepal Consulate General Bishnu Gautam before Pragya Shrestha and Ritee Karmacharya took over to MC the event. “I was nervous at first, but it was fun to announce the activities with Ritee. We also read the story of Buddha’s life to the audience.” said MC Pragya, a Rutgers freshman studying biology.

A parade led by a carriage carried by members of the organization with a mini statue of Buddha inside of it followed, and all guests walked around the large Buddha statue three times. FONNJ members worked together to build the carriage, symbolizing a rath in order to honor the god. Fruits, flowers, and dhoop were laid out in front of the temple as an offering. Guests carried flags and dressed in their cultural attire to show their Nepali pride. Students from the Old Bridge Nepali Class performed to a variety of songs featuring Buddha and unity between different ethnic groups within Nepal. Kabina Singh and Menuka Udas led prayers where everyone sat together and chanted the Buddhist prayer “Namo Tassa.”

As the event concluded, guests helped themselves to authentic Nepali food, which included rice, cheura, aloo tama, and more. Members of FONNJ contributed to the food and most brought something along with them.

According to Dr. Maharjan, Founding President, “It was great to see diverse groups of people representing various ethnic communities from Nepal as well as various communities. 35 years ago, when I first came to New Jersey, I had to drive one hour to go to Buddhist Vihara, now it’s only 15 minutes from my home. It was great to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday with a diverse group of people including American and other South Asian friends. I would like to congratulate youth Leadership team members for their dedication and commitment to promote and preserve Nepalese cultural heritage in America. We look forward to having an even greater event next year with everyone’s participation”.

“The event was a huge success,” President Karmacharya says. “It had an amazing turnout and it was even better than we expected,” he added. If you missed out on this year’s amazing event, be sure to join next year!

Before end of the event, three trees were planted in memory of the FONNJ families who had passed away this year. “People are welcome to come plant a tree at the peace garden in memory of a lost one.” said FONNJ President Roshan Karmacharya.

Posted on
Photos provided by Bhushan Shrestha, Rakesh Shrestha and Bikash Shrestha

FONNJ’s annual Scholarship Drive is set to end on July 30, 2023.
However, the club is just $2000 short of its $7,000 goal and is hoping the community can help.
“By donating, you can inspire, influence, and encourage community’s upcoming leaders and dreamers to flourish in the future,” Roshan Karmachary, President of the FONNJ, said.

Last year, the club gave out more than $5,000. This drive is only a small piece of the club’s fundraising initiative for its scholarship program. Over the past 33 years, the Friends of Nepal- NJ and the Asha Project has distributed over $168,000 in scholarships to poor children in Nepal.

“We are trying to help close the gap between cost and the ability to get an education for Nepalese students. We want to ensure greater social mobility for future generations, and to encourage these students to do their best to get education,” Dr. Tulsi Maharjan, Founding President of the FONNJ said.

Any donation or sponsorship is appreciated. The club’s sponsor levels and benefits can be found on its website at http://www.fonnj.com/donation
Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 5015, Somerville, NJ 08876. Donations can also be by credit card through the FONNJ’s website,. The drive ends on July 30, 2023.

The Friends of Nepal-NJ and the Asha Project has been working with youth groups in Nepal since 2000. We have supported many leadership projects as well as one million dollars’ worth of humanitarian projects in Nepal since 1990.

“We are encouraged to see that many youth groups have become the next generation of do-gooders and have continued to make a difference in their communities and communities around the world. Our investment is paying off. Now, we have many volunteers in Nepal who are willing to help with our humanitarian projects”. said FONNJ president Roshan Karmacharya.

FONNJ.com

We would like to introduce our newest Goodwill Ambassador, Mr. Pratik Shrestha, who is a dedicated social activist and passionate about brining positive social transformation. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public policy and management (MPPM) from the Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSoM). In 2020, Pratik completed his Bachelor of Social Sciences (BoSS) from National College, affiliated with Kathmandu University.

Pratik’s commitment to social change led him to co-found the NGO Common Actions for Social Transformation – CAST in 2018, where he serves as the President. Under his leadership, CAST has actively empowered youth, improved education, and promoted better health practices. Recognizing the importance of education, Pratik initiated the project ‘Back to School’ under CAST. This project provides scholarships to economically disadvantaged students attending community schools, made possible through an endowment fund created by the organization.

Building on his dedication to community development, Pratik is also the current President of Simrik Yuva Pariwar, a local club located in Chhetrapati. Through this role, he actively engages with the community to address various social issues and foster positive change.

Pratik’s journey as a social activist began in 2012 when he started raising his voice against impunity and corruption while also working to increase awareness within the community. His relentless efforts and dedication have earned him recognition and respect among his peers and community members.

Pratik’s commitment to creating a more equitable and just society is evident through his active involvement in multiple organizations, his focus on education and youth empowerment, and his tireless efforts to raise awareness and combat corruption. As the President of CAST, he continues to lead the organization toward impactful initiatives that make a difference in the lives of those in need. Pratik remains a catalyst for change in his community, inspiring others to join him in his pursuit of social transformation.

We are confident that he will flourish in all his endeavors. We are very happy to appoint Pratik as a Goodwill Ambassador of the FONNJ -Asha Project for the years 2023-25. All the best wishes Pratik.

About the Asha Project & Friends of Nepal-NJ

Over its 33-year history, The Friends of Nepal- NJ and the Asha project in collaboration with many other organizations has built a legacy of addressing important humanitarian issues and galvanizing Nepalese communities here and in Nepal through thoughtful initiatives and activities. Whether encouraging youth to be agents of change through volunteering; motivating students through our story book “I CAN DO IT” (Ma Garna Sakchu) to highlight the importance of education; showcasing tangible steps youth can take to help the environment through our Peace Garden project; celebrating youth who are going above and beyond to help others through the US President’s Volunteer Service Awards; and preparing school children in Nepal through sponsored scholarships and school supplies. Our projects have inspired thousands of youths to take action to improve their lives, communities, and their world.

Parents name: Roshan and Sajina Karmacharya

School Activities at the school:

Track, Asian American Club, Red Cross Club, National Honors Society, English and Math honors society, Journalism

Community Activities and support:

FONNJ Youth Leadership team member and volunteering with the Peace Garden and writing articles about FONNJ activities.

Hobbies:

art, writing

Future plans?
I’m still figuring out what I want to do, but I hope to study something along the lines of engineering in my future.

Q. What do you believe are three keys to being a good citizen?

Three keys to being a good citizen are not only being responsible and respectful, but also giving back to the community by taking care of it.

Q. What piece of advice that you have received that has made a difference in your life?
Once, a good friend of mine said to me “it’s only awkward if you make it awkward.” This has always stuck to me because after that, I started seeing things from a different perspective like talking to new people and doing things outside of my comfort zone. I feel more comfortable and confident in holding conversations and talking to new people now, after taking the advice and not being awkward or afraid to talk to someone. It’s good to just be natural and be yourself.

Q. Who is your favorite teacher?
My favorite teacher is Mr. Goodman-my physics teacher. Though a challenging class, my teacher always finds ways to have fun and keep it interactive.
Q. What is your favorite community program?
My favorite community program would be FONNJ since I love participating in all our events and helping the Nepali community come together.

Q. How have you tried to make your school/community a better place?
I try to make my community a better place by volunteering and helping out in my community, whether it’s cleaning gardens or collecting food for food drives.
Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of, and why?
An accomplishment I personally feel most proud of is coming to America and performing well not only education wise but also socially and emotionally. I feel proud to have made it this far and do this well in my life, made friends and family that are so supportive along the way, and I plan to keep bettering myself.