Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) organized its 20th Annual General Meeting on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Square Hotel, Pulchowk celebrating the completion of 20 years of active service as a policy research institute. The event brought together the members, dedicated staff, and distinguished guests with expertise from various fields. Dr. Nawa Raj Khatiwada, President of NDRI chaired the session. Ms. Ashma Aryal, Outreach and Communication Officer of NDRI served as the Master of Ceremony for the event. ​

The program commenced with a round of introduction and Welcome Remarks that was delivered by Dr. Manjeshwori Singh, Secretary of NDRI. Dr. Shankar Shrestha, Executive Director of NDRI provided a comprehensive overview of the projects and initiatives conducted throughout the year. The Unveiling of the Annual Report 2022/23 was done by Prof. Dr. Madhav P. Pokharel, Senior Research Specialist and Lifetime member of NDRI followed by his remarks. ​

Dr. Rudra Suwal, Lead of the Economic Development    Program, NDRI, and Mr. Rajendra Khatri, Senior Research   Associate shared their remarks on the Achievements and   ongoiing activities of NDRI from the member’s and the   researcher’s point of view, respectively.​ 

Dr. Jagannath Adhikari, Founding member and the 1st President of NDRI shared his NDRI journey virtually. Similarly, Dr. Krishna Pahari, Founding member and Lead of the Livelihood and Food Security Program of NDRI also shared his experience and memories with NDRI and his wonderful story of how it grew from a 7 membered 1 roomed office to an office with 27 staff and 23 members.​

Prof. Dr. Ram Manohar Shrestha, Professor Emeritus, AIT shared his views about NDRI and the way forward. He suggested his views for NDRI as a think tank to grow in the global market by not only being Multidisciplinary but also indulging in transformative and co-creative research. ​

Likewise, Dr. Arjun Karki, Chair of the University of Nepal Development Board mentioned that our country needs think tanks like NDRI to fill in the gaps of Ethical and knowledge deficit. He added that we should grow as a nation by flourishing wisdom.​

Er. Ganesh Shah, Former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, highlighted how NDRI had been adding value to the nation with its quality research and for the upcoming years it should set another decade goal and flourish globally. ​

Ms. Monica Maharjan, an NDRI Alumnus, who has been undertaking her Higher studies recently in Australia also joined virtually and gave her remarks congratulating NDRI on its 20 years and sending best wishes for its future endeavors.  The major highlights of the event were the valuable words of wisdom and suggestions from the NDRI family and guests.

The constructive feedback and advice from the experts encouraged NDRI, contributing to the ongoing commitment of NDRI to excellence in research and development. The open session of the Annual General Meeting was concluded by the Chair.

The 2nd half of the event was a closed session that consisted of the NDRI members only where the new executive committee was elected.​

The newly formed executive committee 2080-82 are as follows:

President: Dr. Krishna Pahari​
Vice President: Prof. Dr. Tara Nidhi Bhattarai​
General Secretary: Dr. Manjeshwori Singh​
Secretary: Dr. Rudra Suwal
​Treasurer: Dr. Rabita Shrestha Mulmi​
Member: Dr. Divas B. Basnyat​
Member: Dr. Jaya Kumar Gurung

Media coverage:

https://annapurnaradio.prixa.net/story/24150/2023/12/17/annapurnakhabar