The NRNA Australia Election: A Debugging Session on Diaspora Leadership

Let me preface this by saying that if the NRNA were a software system, its recent election would be the equivalent of a major version update. The election of Santosh Kunwar as president of NRNA Australia isn’t just a leadership change—it’s a system reboot with potential to fix some long-standing bugs in diaspora representation. But before we celebrate, let’s run some diagnostics on this electoral process and what it means for the Nepali community in Australia.

The Election: A Glitch-Free Process (Mostly)

The election itself was surprisingly smooth, with 13,701 voters out of 16,000 eligible participants—a turnout that would make Silicon Valley’s most engaged users jealous. The online voting system across six states and two territories was a solid UX improvement from previous manual processes. No major crashes, no voter suppression algorithms—just a clean, transparent process that actually let the community’s voice be heard.

Kunwar’s victory with 6,839 votes against Dhakal’s 3,727 wasn’t just a win—it was a mandate. The margin suggests that voters weren’t just looking for any change, but specifically for Kunwar’s vision. His decade-long involvement with NRNA Australia gave him the credibility of a seasoned developer in an open-source community, rather than some outsider trying to fork the project.

The Campaign: Debugging the Organization’s Reputation

The election campaign was where the real work happened. Candidates had to address some persistent bugs in the NRNA’s reputation—particularly around student support and organizational transparency. Kunwar’s public discussions on platforms like SBS Nepali and “Happy Show Australia” were like writing clear documentation for the organization’s roadmap. He didn’t just promise features; he explained how they’d be implemented.

This was crucial because the NRNA has faced criticism in the past about being more of a social club than an effective advocacy group. The election forced candidates to articulate concrete plans rather than just relying on goodwill. Kunwar’s victory suggests the community is ready for more than just cultural events—they want tangible benefits, whether that’s better support for students, stronger economic ties with Nepal, or more effective representation in Australian policy discussions.

The Broader Context: System-Wide Updates

This election didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger effort to update the NRNA’s entire architecture. The recent 11th World Conference and Convention, led by Shesh Ghale, was like a major refactoring of the organization’s codebase, addressing longstanding disputes and restructuring internal processes.

Kunwar’s election coincides with this broader reorganization. His professional background as a migration agent gives him the technical expertise to navigate complex systems—whether that’s Australian immigration policies affecting Nepali migrants or economic development initiatives in Nepal. His victory suggests the community wants someone who can bridge these systems effectively.

The Diaspora’s Growing Influence: New Features in the Community

The election also reflects the growing influence of the Nepali diaspora in Australia. From community service initiatives to entrepreneurial ventures, Nepalis are making their mark. The recent success of Darwin Hearts FC—a Nepalese football club in Australia—shows how the community is building its own infrastructure, both cultural and economic.

Kunwar’s election is part of this trend. His focus on supporting the Nepali community within Australia suggests an understanding that diaspora organizations need to do more than just maintain cultural ties—they need to actively empower members in their host countries. This is particularly important for younger generations, who are increasingly engaged in NRNA affairs and looking for practical benefits from their involvement.

The Road Ahead: Will the System Scale?

The big question now is whether Kunwar’s leadership can scale the NRNA’s impact. The organization has a 20-year history with both successes and challenges. Its global structure, with different chapters operating semi-independently, creates both flexibility and fragmentation. The recent contested election for NRNA president (with Dr. Badri KC ultimately winning) shows that these challenges aren’t unique to Australia.

Kunwar’s success will depend on his ability to implement his vision while maintaining the organization’s unity. He’ll need to balance local needs with global coordination, and address both immediate concerns (like student support) and long-term goals (like economic development in Nepal). The NRNA’s role as a cultural bridge will remain important, but its future relevance depends on whether it can deliver tangible benefits to its members.

Final Thoughts: A Community-Wide Update

The NRNA Australia election was more than just a leadership change—it was a community-wide update. The high voter turnout, the transparent campaign process, and Kunwar’s decisive victory all suggest that the Nepali diaspora in Australia is ready for more from its representative organizations.

The challenges ahead are significant, but the election itself was a promising start. If Kunwar can deliver on his promises—improving student support, strengthening economic ties, and maintaining organizational transparency—he could set a new standard for diaspora leadership. And if he can do that, maybe the NRNA’s global structure will finally get that much-needed system-wide update it’s been waiting for.