CNSUK Annual Summer Gathering: New Initiatives and Future Plans

London- The Centre for Nepal Studies UK (CNSUK) held its annual summer gathering on 10 August 2024 in Reading, marking a significant step forward with the launch of two new initiatives.

During the meeting, it was decided to initiate the “Nepal Dialogue UK: Monthly Webinar Series.” This online discussion forum is designed to serve as a platform for presentations and discussions on research and practical issues concerning Nepal, Nepalis in the UK, and elsewhere.

Mr. Lokendra Dhakal, the Executive Director of CNSUK, emphasised the importance of active participation by leading Nepali professional organisations in the UK and individuals to make this series truly collaborative. He expressed confidence that the webinar series would evolve iteratively, ultimately becoming a valuable resource for the Nepali diaspora in the UK.

The leadership of the initiative has been entrusted to Dr Krishna P. Adhikari, who will serve as the Coordinator, with Mr Naresh K. Magar appointed as Deputy Coordinator. Publicity efforts will be managed by Dr Sangita Shrestha.

In the context of Prof. David N. Gellner (CNSUK’s founding Advisor) retiring from his long active teaching service at Oxford University this September, CNSUK is proposing to organise a workshop next summer (inviting papers for presentation and discussion) and eventually publish an edited volume to celebrate Prof. Gellner’s contribution to scholarship on Nepal and South Asia.

The gathering also included a review of CNSUK’s annual programmes, leading to a decision to establish a basket fund for the Moti Lal Singh Scholarship, a long-running initiative that provides financial support for Master’s level thesis research, along with supervision support, at Nepal’s Universities. This scholarship has been a cornerstone of CNSUK’s efforts to support higher education in Nepal in recent years.

As part of the event, CNSUK also held a book exhibition showcasing many publications, along with a book signing for Research Associate Dr Sangita Shrestha Swechcha’s latest work, ‘Rose’s Odyssey’.

Dr Krishna Upadhyay was welcomed to the team as a new Research Associate and will focus his studies on the “Old Nepali Diaspora.”