Mitra Kunj Marks 59 Years of Alumni Ties and Service to Nepal

Dragon Media News Desk

The Annual General Meeting of Mitra Kunj, an association of Nepali alumni educated in Russia and the former Soviet Union, was held at Russian House in Kathmandu.

The opening session was attended by Chief Guest Senior Advocate Nilambar Acharya, the association’s founding president and a former minister; Mitra Kunj President Er. Sushma Khatri Ranjit; Vice President Er. Ram Bindu Shrestha; General Secretary Er. Sanjaya Shrestha; Secretary Dr. Premal K. Joshi; Treasurer Er. Dhurba Mani Poudel; executive committee members and former presidents.

Vice President Shrestha reflected on the association’s 59-year history, saying it brings together more than 7,000 professionals from diverse fields. Former presidents Er. Vishnu B. Singh and Er. Achyutananda Bhandari spoke about Mitra Kunj’s history and legacy and shared their hopes for its future. Acharya stressed the importance of unity and professional experience, urging alumni to apply their knowledge to Nepal’s development.

Anastasia Khokhlova, Director of Russian House, delivered greetings in Russian. She thanked members for maintaining their connection with the Russian language, attending films and events at Russian House, and preserving fond memories of their student years. She said the association’s strength lay in members’ heartfelt commitment and the bonds they shared with others who had studied at Russian universities.

Khokhlova also praised the alumni’s community initiatives, including annual health camps, blood donation drives and tree planting at Manjushree Park, where stone had been quarried for many years. “Nobody pays you for this work, yet you still do so much for the good of your country,” she said. She added that Russia viewed the success of people who had studied on state scholarships and now served their communities as a source of pride.

Mitra Kunj will mark its 60th anniversary next year. The association’s new executive committee will prepare a programme for the occasion, with the aim of making it memorable in Nepal, Russia and the wider region. Khokhlova referred to the recent anniversary celebration of Sri Lanka’s alumni association and encouraged Mitra Kunj to match or exceed it.

During the meeting’s closed session, members heard the annual reports. General Secretary Shrestha presented the executive committee’s report, while Treasurer Poudel presented the financial report. After discussion, the General Meeting approved both reports and selected two members to sign them.

President Ranjit concluded the meeting by thanking participants and summarising the proceedings.

Russian House wished Mitra Kunj success in entering its jubilee year with stronger cooperation and closer ties among alumni, Nepal and Russia.