Shreedhar Ranabhat: Nepali American leader in Madison
| in some creative and fun activities. “We would like them to prepare a NAFA logo which we can use for all functions,” he said excitedly, describing the logo size as about 20 ft. by 10 ft. “They are going to paint their ideas about Nepal, and express that in the logo. The tentative date is September 5th. “ NAFA’s fund-raising events will also be continued and added to some more, if possible. “In the past, we participate in BratFest and gift- wrapping; we’ll continue to do that and this year, on Aug. 22, we’ll have a fund-raising dinner, and it’s going to be at Wilmar Community Center on Jenifer St. It’s going to cost $3 each at the door. It’s going to be good food, served buffet style. We might incorporate some cultural activities, songs and dance. We’ll have volunteers, too. So that’s to give you some idea on what we’re trying to do.” (This event was another successful undertaking!) Most recently, NAFA also organized a deusi and bhailo program, whereby a group of singers/dancers visited Nepali American homes during Tihar, a big festival following Dashain, to offer prosperity during this occasion. As a Nepali custom, the visitors were offered money and food. Proceeds raised from this event went to NAFA coffers for its educational and cultural programs. Ranabhat is definitely meeting his challenges as new NAFA president with an extraordinary commitment. Asian Wisconzine salutes Ranabhat for his efforts to strengthen the only Nepali American association in Dane County and make its programs focus on its members’ cultural, social, and spiritual well being. Shreedhar Ranabhat immigrated to the U.S. in 1985 after completing high school in Nepal. He first joined the family of his brother-in-law, Krishna Sijapati, who was then taking his Ph.D. Focused on getting an education, he worked during the day and went to night school at Lakeland College. He completed his masters in urban planning in 1995, and worked in the area of land use and housing. In the last five years, Ranabhat has been working for the Wisconsin Housing and Development Authority (WHEDA). |
By Heidi M. Pascual
Shreedhar Ranabhat knows that it is a challenging job to be the president of a community association
seeking to become an integral member of the Madison-area community. Ranabhat is the new president of
the Nepali American Friendship Association, a nonprofit of about 150 members, and he accepted the
responsibility because he trusts that his team will work with him well.
“We have a new board — 16 in all — and we have a lot of new people,” Ranabhat said in an interview
with Asian Wisconzine this past summer. “We also have folks from the past leadership who are continuing
to serve. They’re really energized to work on new things, eager to participate and bring in new ideas.”
The first thing that the new board changed was their meeting frequency. “Before, we met only as needed;
now we try to meet once a month,” Ranabhat continued, adding that they also formalized some of the
programs offered by NAFA, and evaluated how they can do better.
“This year we have three major programs,” he said, covering cultural, social, and spiritual aspects of
life. “We are gathering, bringing all members together through the summer picnic we just had last July 11,
and it had a successful turnout. People really enjoyed it. Then we have Dashain – either the last week of
September or first week of October. That’s going to be held in a major community facility like Eagle Heights.
We’re exploring a suitable place to celebrate that occasion. Then, we have New Year in April, and this year
we also had our induction of officers. So those are the three main events.” (Editor’s note: Asian Wisconzine
attended the Dashain celebration at Eagle Heights last October 3.)
Aside from those events, Ranabhat explained that NAFA would like to have their children get involved
Shreedhar Ranabhat knows that it is a challenging job to be the president of a community association
seeking to become an integral member of the Madison-area community. Ranabhat is the new president of
the Nepali American Friendship Association, a nonprofit of about 150 members, and he accepted the
responsibility because he trusts that his team will work with him well.
“We have a new board — 16 in all — and we have a lot of new people,” Ranabhat said in an interview
with Asian Wisconzine this past summer. “We also have folks from the past leadership who are continuing
to serve. They’re really energized to work on new things, eager to participate and bring in new ideas.”
The first thing that the new board changed was their meeting frequency. “Before, we met only as needed;
now we try to meet once a month,” Ranabhat continued, adding that they also formalized some of the
programs offered by NAFA, and evaluated how they can do better.
“This year we have three major programs,” he said, covering cultural, social, and spiritual aspects of
life. “We are gathering, bringing all members together through the summer picnic we just had last July 11,
and it had a successful turnout. People really enjoyed it. Then we have Dashain – either the last week of
September or first week of October. That’s going to be held in a major community facility like Eagle Heights.
We’re exploring a suitable place to celebrate that occasion. Then, we have New Year in April, and this year
we also had our induction of officers. So those are the three main events.” (Editor’s note: Asian Wisconzine
attended the Dashain celebration at Eagle Heights last October 3.)
Aside from those events, Ranabhat explained that NAFA would like to have their children get involved
NAFA President Shreedhar
Ranabhat
Ranabhat