Optimist International Asia District Elects Sharad Chandra Bhattarai as New Governor
21st September 2026, Kathmandu
Sharad Chandra Bhattarai has been unanimously elected as the Governor of the Optimist International Asia District for the term 2026–27.
The new leadership team was finalized during the two-day ‘Optimist International Asia District Convention–2026’, held on September 19 and 20 (Ashoj 3 and 4) at the Yechu Boutique Hotel in Kamalbinayak, Bhaktapur.
According to the election committee, all positions were filled unanimously as no claims or opposition were filed against the final candidate roster within the designated timeframe.
Key Executive Committee Members (2026–27)
Governor: Sharad Chandra Bhattarai
Governor-Elect: Vijay Satyal
Deputy Governor: Man Bahadur Basnet
Secretary: Rina Shrestha
Treasurer: Ishwori Prasad Khanal
Parliamentarian: Kamal Ram Bhattarai
Sergeant-at-Arms: Rabindra Thapa
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Lieutenant Governors: Radhadevi Bohora, Rusma Gautam, Arun Raj Pande, Anjali Ranjit Shrestha, Prahlad Dahal, Shankar Rajbahak, Kiran Tiwari, and Omprakash Chaulagain.
Executive Committee Members: Pradip Thapa, Tara Sapkota, Nobel DC, Sirish Bhattarai, Ujjwal Shashi Bhandari, and Kamal Suwar.
Outgoing Governor Pratap Bahadur Thapa will remain on the new working committee as the Immediate Past Governor.
Highlights of the Convention
The convention was inaugurated under the chief hospitality of Bhaktapur-1 Member of Parliament Rukesh Ranjit. Chaired by outgoing Asia District Governor Pratap Bahadur Thapa, the event saw the active participation of Founding Governor Uday Niraula and Past Governor Prithviraj Thapa.
The gathering reviewed the past activities of Optimist Clubs and the Asia District while outlining future action plans, institutional development, leadership transitions, and membership expansion strategies.
Special Sessions and Constructive Journalism
The convention featured specialized technical sessions focusing on constructive journalism, the capital market, and personal motivation:
Niranjan Fuyal (CEO, NRN Infrastructure) presented on optimism and the capital market.
Raman Bhattarai (Motivational Speaker) spoke on positive thinking and personal motivation.
Tumraj Koirala ‘Kala Anuragi’ (Journalist and Author) led a session titled “Communication of Hope: Towards Social Transformation Through Constructive Journalism.” He emphasized that media outlets must highlight credible problem-solving efforts alongside reporting challenges, introducing the concept of “One Club, One Community, One Solution, One Story, and One Dialogue.”
About Optimist International Nepal District
Optimist International formally recognized the Nepal District on November 17, 2020. Notably, the Nepal District holds the distinction of being the first-ever Optimist International district established outside of North America, dedicated to fostering positive thinking, optimism, and community service.
For more: Optimist International Asia District Elects Sharad
