THE 20th ANA CONVENTION
July 4th – 7th, 2002
Marriott Westfields Conference Center, Chantilly, Virginia
We extend our warmest invitation to alll of you to the 20th ANA Convention at the Nation's Capital, July 4th-July 7th ,
2002. Among the many joys to look forward to during summer, one that has a special place in the hearts of the
members of the Nepali community in North America is the annual Convention of the Association of Nepalis in the
Americas. Indeed, for 20 years running, ANA has heldsuccessful Conventions all across this great continent. This
year the ANA has privileged the Nepali community of greater DC-Metro area with hosting its 20th Annual
Convention. We are proud and thankful for this honor. We are leaving no stone unturned to make this, the DC
2002 ANA Convention, outstanding in every respect. With your support and participation we know we will
succeed. The details of the 20th Convention will soon be posted in http://www.ana-home.org . Following are the brief
summaries of the major features of the DC 2002 ANA Convention so you and your family can start plans to attend.
The Theme: “Making Our Mark: Nepalis in North America.”
The immigration of Nepalis into NorthAmerica is very recent in comparison to other ethnic/national groups. Yet, in
this short time many Nepalis have distinguished themselves as outstanding achievers in their chosen fields,
receiving national awards and positive press/media coverage. The 20th ANA Convention will identify and honor a
few such individuals of Nepali origin, and in the process hopefully establish a tradition within ANA of celebrating
and sharing in the success of Nepalis in each annual Convention. The first forum session following the inauguration
on Friday will be dedicated to the “Making Our Mark” theme.
The Venue: Marriott's "Crown Jewel"
After a vigorous and careful search we have settled on one of the most beautiful and complete settings ever for the
ANA Convention – Marriott Westfields Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia, located about 20 miles west of
downtown Washington DC. Community members who have visited the site – including many past and present ANA
executives – are unanimous in their judgment that Marriott Westfields Conference Center is a venue like no
other. Hotel facilities include free morning coffee, jogging trail, tennis, swimming/spa, sports bar, basketball courts,
and free parking. There are over a dozen restaurants and shopping plazas within a five-mile radius of the Hotel.
The best part, however, is that we have managed to negotiate a most reasonable convention rate of $89.00 per
night for a double room (4 occupants) which for the metro region and for a hotel of Westfield’s standard, is a truly
great deal. We have no doubt that you will agree when you visit the hotel.
Focus on Our Pride: The NECC and Pashupati-Buddha Mandir
What could be a better time to draw the attention of the Nepali community in North America to ANA’s biggest and
most ambitious project to date – the Nepal Educational and Cultural Center/Pashupati-Buddha Mandir project. The
dream of so many Nepalis is now a living, growing reality. we have set aside Sunday, July 7th from 8:30 am
onwards for a festive on-site program of Mandir darshan, puja and free prasadi/lunch. The local NECC committee
is working extra-hard to prepare the mandir site for this auspicious occasion. We urge all, especially those who will
come from out of town, to make it a point to visit the only Nepali Mandir in North America. In addition to the Mandir
site visit, the 20th ANA Convention will include numerous other features, including an exclusive forum session
dedicated to highlighting the NECC/Mandir project and its prospects and current needs. The last business
meeting of ANA will be held at the Mandir on the morning of Sunday July 7th.
The Forums: Food for Thought for All
This year, as in the past, the ANA convention will feature a full menu of forum sessions. There will be two special
forums on Friday – “Making Our Mark”, and “Contemporary Nepal,” followed by concurrent sessions. Forum topics
will include pressing concerns relating to students, immigration, professionals, teens, and a range of other issues.
On Saturday there will be one special forum dealing with the NECC project followed by numerous concurrent
sessions. The Forum sessions will be designed to reflect the needs and interests of the diverse convention
audience. We will post details of the specif topics and timings as early as they become available to us.
The Entertainment: A Two-Night Extravaganza
High quality Nepali entertainment has been one of the features that has made past ANA conventions so
memorable. This is going to be especially true of the ANA Convention in DC which ishome to two of the leading
Nepali performance arts groups in N. America – the“Phoolbari Cultural Club”, and the “Kaligandaki Cultural Club.”
Theirtalents will be complimented by other outstanding performers from across N.America, including the gifted
dance director Mr. Raj Kapoor founder of Nepai Dance theatre of New York. The climax of the Convention
entertainment extravaganza will be a live Concert by the phenomenally talented Nepali band1974 AD together with
the legendary Nepali musical genius Mr.Deep Shresthahimself ! 1974 AD is arguably the most talented musical
band in Nepal – Deep Shrestha needs no introduction. The two of them in live concert, we are confident, will satisfy
a wide array ofNepali musical taste. We will post some samples of their music so that you can get a preview of the
fantastic concert that is in store for you at the 20th ANA Convention.
Seats are limited so register and buy your tickets early.
The Sports: Delivered in DC Style
The sporting events of the DC 2002 ANA Convention will build on the experiences of the past, adding professional
elements where needed and will showcase basketball, this region's all-time popular sport. In keeping with the DC
community's experience and enthusiasm in sports, we will make concerted attempts to raise the standard on the way
the games will be conducted. This way we hope to bring together people of all ages in the spirit of camraderie and
sportsmanship. In addition to the annual soccer tournaments, men's and women's basketball games are also on
the platter. We will offer special sports programs and activities for kids participating in the Kid's Kamp. The
soccer tournament will commence on Thursday and will conlclude on Saturday with a cap of eight on the number of
participating teams. We are trying our best to hold the soccer tournament at a field no more than 5 miles from the
hotel. In all, there is going to be an exciting sports package in store for conventioneers.
The Poetry Festival: Sundar Shanta Bishal
The evening of Thursday July 4th will be dedicated to poetry and literature. Incomingguests will be treated to the
annual Sharma-Mudvary Poetry Competition and award ceremony organized in collaboration with International
Nepali Literary Society based here in DC. This year therewill also be non-competitive poetry readings and poetry
recitation byyoungsters. The Poetry Competition will be followed by a momo dinner at the Hotel at a resonable
rate.
The Kids’ Kamp: An Exciting New Feature:
Another key new addition to the DC 2002 ANA Convention will be the “Kids Kamp.” This will be mini-camp
designed first, to give parents with young children an opportunity to enjoy and participate in the Convention without
the distraction of children, and second, to make the ANA Convention “kid friendly” so that children can get more out
of this premier Nepali gathering than simply the experience of tagging along with parents from place to place. The
Kids’ Kamp will feature dedicated rooms for kids at the Hotel where children will be divided according to age
groups. The rooms will be filled with age appropriate activities. They will be supervised by camp counselors with
expertise in child-care and instruction. The kids’will be guided through a variety of stimulating learning and fun-filled
activities including art, sports, Devnagari reading and writing, and Ethnic dances and songs. This program is
being provided free of cost for the benefit of registered conventioneers. K ids' Kamp will accept children from
potty-trained to 12 years of age. We anticipate this to be a very popular feature at the Convention so book a spot for you child
early.
The Banquet: Gourmet South Asian Fare
On Saturday evening there will be a sit-down multi-course banquet featuring fine South Asian cuisine with possibly
a few select Nepali items. Westfields Marriott has cultivated a large following in the DC –Metro area among South
Asian immigrants and caters to dozens of South Asian group events each year. As a result, their chefs – including
Indians – have amassed significant experience catering to South Asian tastes. The banquet will also feature
selected speakers and awards. Seating is limited so book early.
The School Reunions and Focus Group Meetings:
We have set aside Friday evening especially for school reunions and ANA focus group meetings. Following the lead
of successful Budhanilkantha School reunions of the past two ANA Conventions, we want to encourage alumnus of
interested schools to hold similar gatherings. This time slot will also be available for ANA focus group meetings
and social hour. We will do our best to help you organize your school reunion and will arrange for the space.
The Bottom Line:
The 20th Annual ANA Convention is shaping up to be a grand no-to-miss and celebration and sharing of our
common cultural heritage, and a wonderful time for all to renew old friendships and to make new ones. There will
be something for everyone, literally! Think of it as a mini vacation with the added bonus of great company and
great information, wonderful food and fantastic entertainment for both adults and kids, and an opportunity to
contribute to the fostering of a unique and proud heritage of Nepalis in N. America. Make it here in July we will
make it happen for you!
Thank You.
The DC 20th ANA Convention Committee.
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