The Association of Nepali Teraian in America (ANTA) is pleased to announce a successful completion of a weekend long Annual Meeting held in Odessa, Texas on the weekend of July 6-8th. This provided a first ever opportunity to ANTA members to meet and greet fellow Teraians prior to the biennial convention. The attendance to the meeting was purely voluntary and on a best efforts basis as no executive decision was being taken at the meeting. A large number of ANTA members arrived by flights and many others drove themselves to the meeting venue.

On July 6th, the program started with a strong drive to sign up the new members. Mrs Rekha Mallik Karna and Mr Jitendra Thakur took an active role in the membership drive. The evening started with a birthday cake cutting ceremony for the ANTA president Mr Vijay Singh, and followed by music and dance till the midnight. There was also a youth committee pre session around the dinner table that day.

Saturday the 7th of July took the shape of a more official ANTA meeting. After a Madheshi Jalpan, the program commenced with the welcome speeches from Mr Vijay Singh and Dr. Kaushal Jha, Greater Houston Chapter President. Mr Ratan Jha, a founding member & past ANTA President shared his thoughts on leadership. His words were motivational and brought the momentum to the sole purpose of the ANTA gathering in Texas. The chapter Presidents, Mrs Nilu Jha – Greater NYC, Mr Laxmi Mandal – Ohio, Dr Kaushal Jha – Greater Houston discussed their past and upcoming programs, including investment into an upgrade of the ANTA official website. The Project Committee discussed their views on upcoming plans and projects. Dr Subodh Mallik, Senior Vice President, started the presentation with an urge to keep the Executive Committee meetings within the time frame posted on agenda. He made remarks on past and upcoming short-term and long-term projects. Dr Archana Kayastha, an ANTA EC member and Mrs. Usha Jha presented heart touching details of a project to help autistic and other special need children in Nepal. Mrs Nilu Jha discussed a project called Itty Bitty Care which is designed to promote education and discourage child labor. After lunch, Women’s Committee program was led by Dr Archana Kayastha and there was a candid participation by Mrs Manju Singh, Mrs Usha Jha, Mrs Madhu Tiwari, Mrs Kajal Karna and others. Mr Lalit Jha, a founding member & past ANTA President and Mr Dharmendra Thakur, ANTA life member had an elaborate presentation on by-laws and its significance. Their dedication and hard work was seen in their 2 hour long delivery which included a topic wise quiz to keep the audience engaged. They led the discussion about by-laws amendments, Trivani, and the Annual calendar. The participants also had a round table talks on potential Vice President nominations, ANTA scholarship project and potentially creating an on the ground presence in Nepal for ANTA. Mr Rajat Jha, one of our youth members, expressed how he felt about the annual meeting and how youths relate to such get-togethers. His positive vibes were echoed by Ms Neha Jha, Ms Anisha Mallik, Ms Uditi karna and others.

Evening of the 7th was culturally filled with singing and dancing by ANTA friends and family. The participants also had the privilege to be part of the 60th wedding anniversary of Dr and Mrs Birendra K Mallik. The Mallik couple is known for their contributions in education and social cause in Nepal and USA. Dr Mallik is also a recipient of ANTA Life Time Achievement Award in 2014. They currently live in Odessa, TX where the annual meeting took place.

Sunday morning of the 8th was a beautiful day. After the breakfast the attendees gathered around to deliberate on ANTA’s future road map. Mr Indradev Sahu’s (ANTA General Secretary) report was read out by Mr Jitendra Thakur in his absence. Closing remarks were given by Mr Vijay Singh and Dr Kaushal Jha. After lunch the attendees took a trip to visit the childhood home of President George W Bush in Midland, TX and thus concluding the Annual Meeting/Madheshi Mela.

ANTA is immensely grateful to Mr. Subodh Mallik & his entire family for facilitating the event and their generosity.

Further details of this event available on the Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/ANTAExectiveCommittee/

Aprajita Jha, Spokesperson, 201-621-1206

Vijay Singh, President, 703-987-7457