Op-Ed – United Kirat Rai Organization of America (UKROA)

Encouraging Youth Involvement in Nepali Culture: Strategies for Engagement and Empowerment

UKROA — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:16:13 +0000

As a first-generation immigrant, I’m constantly reminded of the complexities of being Nepali-American. Balancing school, parental expectations, and social life while figuring out my identity is no easy task. Growing up, my parents placed a strong emphasis on my Nepali heritage—whether it was through language, writing, or cultural traditions. I would often come home to Nepali reading and writing…

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A Journey of Service, Culture, and Yoga Across Continents

UKROA — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:15:26 +0000

I am Chuna Grace Rai, became Rai-Nelson after marrying a Nelson. Being a daughter of a British Army Officer I learnt discipline. After he retired, my father Late Ganga B Rai (Ruchhenbung) from Bhojpur did lots of social service—supporting ex-British army families, establishing and constructing schools in the village. He was affiliated with an ex-army organization and later worked as a welfare…

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A Sense of Cultural Awakening in America

UKROA — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:55:36 +0000

I arrived in America in January 2022 with the goal of pursuing higher education. Growing up in Nepal, I was largely indifferent to my cultural heritage and traditions. They were deeply ingrained in my upbringing, but I saw them as mere rituals—occasions for family gatherings rather than something to be consciously appreciated. It wasn’t until I found myself in a foreign land…

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