Sikkim and Punjab, India - The Universal Peace Federation of Sikkim observed the United Nations International Day of Families on May 15 on the theme of “Challenges to the Security of Human Family” at the Auditorium of the Sikkim Government College. The main attraction of the event was the selection of the Sikkim State Ideal Family-2010 from five nominees. Dr. and Mrs. Mohan Prasad Kharel, Principal of the Sikkim Government College in Tadong-Gangtok, won this year’s title of “Ideal Family 2010."
The program was chaired by the Chairman of UPF-Sikkim, and the chief guest of the program was the Deputy Chairman of State Planning Commission and Former Chief Minister Shri Sanchaman Limboo. Vice-President of UPF-Sikkim Shri Nima Tamang served as emcee of the event.
The program started with the remarks about the United Nations International Day of Families observation by UPF-Sikkim Chairman, Shri Garjaman Gurung, and Mrs. Bharati Sharma, the Chairperson of Commission for Other Backward Classes for the Government of Sikkim and Ambassador for Peace of UPF as chief-coordinator of the event, delivered the welcome remarks highlighting the event of the day. In her speech she urged the gathering to look at our mushrooming family, social, and world problems resulting from the loss of family values in our tradition and our modern lifestyle.
Shri Krishna Bahadur Adhikari, Director of UPF-Sikkim, gave a PowerPoint presentation based on the teachings of UPF Founder, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his vision for Peace through True Family Values education. In the presentation he emphasized the importance of the family for building a world of lasting peace.
Afterwards, a resolution was read by the Secretary General of UPF-Sikkim, Shri Karma Yougyal, and was unanimously adopted by the gathering to submit to the Government of Sikkim urging it to address the core social problems related to the families through its various designated departments and declare May 15 an official commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Families for the years to come.
Followed by the cultural performances of different songs, drama and dance the Ideal Family of the year 2010 was announced; the couple were also appointed Ambassadors for Peace.
At last the Chief Guest of the event addressed the gathering, thanking the organizers for taking such innovative steps to promote peace and harmony through family values education. He appealed to the audience to embody peace and happiness themselves and make a peaceful and happy families which will contribute to lasting world peace.
In the Punjab, the Chairman of Deshbhagat Groups celebrated the UN Day of the Families together with 200 students and faculty at the Desh Bhagat Institute of Advanced Computer Sciences in Mandi Gobind Garh on May 15. The event was covered in several newspapers.