The 8th jamboree of non-resident Nepalis (NRNs) is beginning on Saturday with participation of more than 1,500 Nepali diaspora scattered all over the world.

The event, which will be inaugurated by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, will continue till Tuesday. During the 4-day programme, international general assembly of the NRN Association (NRNA), a slew of conferences on various themes and networking events will be held.

The biggest highlight of the programme will be the election of the International Coordination Council (ICC) of the NRNA, the apex umbrella body of NRNs, which will be held on Monday.

The election, which is held in every two years, sees various NRNs contending for different post of the association, including the president.   

This year, two contenders vying for the post of the president are Bhaban Bhatta and Jamuna Gurung. 

Bhatta, the incumbent vice-president of the NRNA, announced his candidacy around a month ago. Gurung, wife of incumbent president Shesh Ghale, declared her candidacy on Thursday.

Whoever emerges victorious will succeed Ghale, who is stepping down after completing his second two-year term as NRNA president. 

Bhatta, who owns hospitality businesses in Japan, has said he will give continuity to work initiated by the association if he gets elected to the post.

Likewise, Gurung has vowed to empower women by promoting women entrepreneurship if elected as the president. 

The four-day event will also see election to different posts of the NRNA-ICC’s executive committee.

It will also elect regional coordinators and co-coordinators for six regions, Asia-Pacific, Europe, America, Oceania, Africa and the Middle-East.

The NRNA-ICC last held its election in 2015. The NRNs have been working in an organised way in Nepal and other countries since October 2003 following establishment of the NRNA.

Since then, the NRNA has expanded its networks to 77 countries around the globe. Over 100,000 Nepalis, except those residing in South Asia, are associated with the NRNA. It is reported that five million Nepalis are living in 110 countries throughout the world. 

Despite expanding global reach, NRNs, however, are charged of only visiting the country every two years to attend global conference and general assembly—which are held during the Dashain, the biggest festival of Hindus in the country—and making big promises, but delivering little.