Nepal Embassy’s Consular Camp in Los Angeles Serves Hundreds of Nepali Citizens

The Embassy of Nepal to the United States successfully concluded a six-day consular services camp in Los Angeles, assisting 785 Nepali citizens residing in California and the west coast with passport renewals. The camp took place from July 9th to 14th, 2024.

Honorary Consul General Rishi Punnakhar Dhakal expressed his gratitude to Kumar Raj Kharel, Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. of Nepal Embassy to the United States, for sending the Embassy’s consular services camps to California. He thanked Embassy staff EC Yug Raj Pandey, Second Secretary Uttam Ghimire, Third Secretary Lal Bahadur Aryal, and office Assistance Himadri Bhandari, whose tireless efforts and dedication were instrumental to the success of this initiative.

“This accomplishment would not have been possible thanks to the unwavering support of numerous local organizations, volunteers, and community leaders. A special thanks to all the volunteers who worked alongside the Embassy staff. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a grand success,” said Dhakal, who played a key role in bringing consular service to LA.

The mobile camp addressed the urgent need for consular services in California, where over a thousand Nepalis await passport renewal. The cost and time required to travel to Washington DC for renewal have been prohibitive for many, including the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities.

Some green card holders, whose passports have more than six months of validity, opt to renew in Nepal due to the convenience and lower costs compared to traveling to Washington DC.

Key contributors included:

8848 Entertainment INC/Amrit Mahato: Served lunch for all six days.
Blood Donors Association, Southern California Chapter/Sharada Shrestha: Provided drinking water for all six days.
Everest Banner/Ramesh Shrestha: Printed program banners and certificates.
Far Western Nepalese Society (FNS-CA)/Hem Thakulla: Volunteered throughout the event.
Jay Nepal International Foundation, Southern California Chapter/Indra Raj Pandey & Bibek Shrestha: Provided breakfast for all six days and assisted with passport renewal applications.
Koseli Mart/Harish Poudel: Provided cold drinks for all six days.
Madheshi Association of Nepal, Southern California Chapter/Dinesh Shah: Hosted a farewell and appreciation dinner.
Nepal America Ekata Samaj/Roshan Adhikari: Coordinated volunteer mobilization for all six days.
Nepali Public Relations Committee, Southern California Chapter/Nabin Pokhrel: Hosted a welcome dinner.
Non-Resident Nepali Association, California Chapter/Kopila Adhikari and Ajit Ghimire: Volunteered at the event.
NWGN Los Angeles/Sapana Sedhai Thapaliya: Provided drinking water for all six days and volunteered.
Shree Pashupatinath and Buddha Mandir/Rameshor Bhandari: Hosted and coordinated the consular service camp.
Society of American Nepali Nurses, So Cal Chapter (SANN)/Tika Angdembe: Provided first aid services.
Himalayan Grill/Amrit Mahato, India Gate Restaurant/Balkrishna Guragain, and India Kitchen Restaurant/Rajesh Niroula: Sponsored dinners.
Everest IT/Samir Thapa: Provided IT support.
Everest Private Security/Karna Chand: Provided parking and security.