Jenisha Manandhar
December 21, 2013
This 19 year long journey of N-SGI has brought many hearts from different parts of country together under a roof to bind them together into a soul. The 19th Annual General Meeting marked this day very beautifully. After the conclusion of prayer led by the guest SGI Director Ong Bon Chai, Ayush Pradhan and Anina Maharjan as the master of ceremony hosted the meeting. They shared the guidance of the day and after that they welcomed members to sing the Gakkai Song. Gakkai Song was followed by the welcome speech of Devendra Man Singh. He heartily welcomed the audience of around 250 with his welcome speech. Along with members from Kathmandu, there were 18 members from Pokhara, 8 from Hetauda and 5 from Illam.
A new district Makalu has been established at Illam this year and in order to present the victory report of the same district Basanti Lama was called on stage. Then, the message of Sensei was read by Sagar Thapa to all the members. Sensei’s message was full of inspiration: “No matter what bitter adversity we may face, we will never be defeated. Through the power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can transform even the most painful sorrow—transmuting it into the compassion to encourage and help others who are suffering—and keep moving forward joyfully and positively.”
Experiences of members regarding their faith have always been the soul of every N-SGI meetings as it helps inspire members. This time there were altogether 4 members who shared their journey of life accompanied with prayers. Naina Ranjit gave a very good start to this experience sharing ceremony with her motivating experience. Kendra Kumari Gurung shared her moments of despair and how her prayers helped her go through those moments.
In between, there was ceremony of conferring Gohonzon. This year two members of N-SGI embraced the house Gohonzon while four members took home Omamori Gohonzon. They took a vow after receiving Gohonzon.
After this ceremony, the sharing of experience continued with Sanjana Agrawal. She shared many quotations of Ikeda sensei that had inspired her and shared her experience regarding her family problems and adjustment in new country. Similarly, Ram Mani Aryal from Hetauda shared his experience regarding finance and prayers.
Sahana Shrestha, General Director shared her determinations for the upcoming year and achievement of the past year to the members along with giving an encouraging message. The determination included Daimoku Campaign, Community Service, Sports Meet and many more. Then it was followed by the distribution of various awards to the members, starting with Sagarmatha Award.
Sagarmatha Award is the most coveted awarded for all the members. It is acknowledgement for those active members of N-SGI who has been working very ardently in the path of Kosen-rufu. Sagarmatha Award winner of this year was Sagar Thapa and Narendra Shrestha. Subsequently Jugal District earned the best district award of the year. Then there was also an additional division in members this year i.e. Young Married Group where all the young married women will be members. Yurika Shakya is the Chief of this group. Similarly, Divya Singh and Dikshya Singh are the vice-chieves. There was also appointment of new chief in the different divisions. Matina Shakya is the Youth Division Chief while Sabina Shrestha is the Young Women Division’s Chief along with Niva Shakya and Grishma Chitrakar as the vice- chieves. Later, SGI Director Ong Bon Chai embraced the stage in a very lively manner and shared a very inspiring and motivating guidance. He shared his personal experience and praised the members’ involvement in Bagmati Cleaning Campaign. Consequently, cultural segment was started after the guidance of SGI Director.
A General Meeting would always be incomplete without a cultural part in it. This year participation was from Hetauda, Pokahara and Illam as well. A skit was performed by Kathmanduities showing the importance of patience and determination of life. Then a member from Hetauda showed her dance and so did a member from Illam. Likewise, two members from Pokhara danced to the same song as that of Illam’s member that is ever so famous and is called Maitighar. They danced very gracefully. After the end of culture show, the 19th Annual General Meeting of N-SGI was formally concluded by Sansho and a commemorative photograph. All the members seemed proud and happy to be the part of a family which is growing bigger and younger everyday with great enthusiasm.