Outgoing NEC Handovers Leadership amid grand Ceremony

Posted On - 03/05/2009

April 30- Finally a brief but impressive ceremony was held to handover the leadership to the newly elected GEFONT National Executive Committee. Com. Binod Shrestha, the outgoing Secretary General final time appeared in dais in his capacity of Secretary General and welcomed the guests and both newly elected and outgoing NEC.

"Now time has come to exchange our responsibility, he said- let me welcome you in this august gathering". The programme kicked off with National Anthem and Comrade Mukunda Neupane- the outgoing Chairman had been called on at podium. The 53 member NEC including newly elected president Com. Bishnu Rimal took oath of office by him Com Neupane is the ex-officio chief of GEFONT Congress delegates’ Council. The president offered oath to the leadership of new structure- the GEFONT Veterans’ Network immediate after.

The outgoing Secretary General handed over his responsibility to the newly elected Secretary General Com. Umesh Upadhyaya. Com. Upadhyaya then administered entire programme.
An emotional moment came Com. Neupane handed over GEFONT’s new flag to the newly elected President Com. Rimal.

"We have shared happiness and the sorrow together during the course of struggle. The outcome is- we have now one of the largest confederations" said- Com Neupane delivering his farewell remarks. He was in opinion that none of the ill-culture, which has polluted the majority of Nepali political parties, should infiltrate inside trade union movement.

"I am sure that this organization will further reach at summit under the new leadership."

A brief documentary was screened, filmed on Comrade Neupane, which rememorizes his entire struggle for the betterment of Nepali working class. Com. Rimal offered him a token of appreciation on behalf of newly elected Executive Committee.

"In the last one-and-a-half-decade, we left no stone unturned to promote investment-employment and the rights and welfare of the workers. Nor did we bow to any pressure against the interest of the workers. Throughout the last two decades, our leadership remained firm, undivided and intact. Both as an organizer and Chairperson, Comrade Mukunda Neupane consistently led the GEFONT movement. Thank you Comrade Neupane for your decisive and firm leadership"

The New president made point delivering his inaugural speech.

"To accept leadership is not to swim and relax in the pond of achievements of the past. It is however to unpack the problems entangling the world of work and tackle them, and rise to challenges that lie ahead." Com. Rimal further said.
General Secretary of CPN (UML) Com. Ishwar Pokharel was the guest of honour he congratulated the NEC.

"The left-movement, particularly of Nepal, has failed to understand current trend of trade union movement. I confess, we have to learn many things by you."

The programme was packed with guests representing from different trade union centres, business community, political parties, Media persons including country director of ILO Nepal. They extended their best wishes to the newly elected leadership and participated in the brief celebration.

More>> Full text of inaugural  speech