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UN International Day of Families 2013
Day of Families Observed in 5 Cities in Nepal
Written by Dr. Robert Kittel, Photo-journalist
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Kathmandu, Nepal - From new-born babies to the elderly, along with the whole spectrum of our human family—students, disabled, orphaned, and eminent leaders of civil society, all celebrated the UN International Day of Families in Nepal. Programs held in five cities may well have helped Nepalese rediscover their most cherished heritage: the intergenerational family.
As Nepal gears up for a second round of Constituent Assembly elections and seeks to elevate patriotism above ethnic divides, the Universal Peace Federation of Nepal supported the United Nations by conducting programs focusing on the International Day of Families theme, “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity.”
Nepalgunj
In Nepal’s far-western city swaddling clothes were given to 26 new born-babies. The program was inaugurated by Dr. Pitambar Subedi, Superintendent of the Bheri Hospital, who offered clothes to the babies in the intensive care unit. Bheri Hospital is the largest and oldest hospital of mid-western Nepal. Ambassador for Peace and senior journalist, Mr. Purna Lal Chuke, also distributed clothes to the new-born babies.
Biratnagar
In southeastern Nepal more than 40 senior citizens socialized by being together and sharing a meal together. Nepalese traditional cultural highly honors parents and grandparents. The norm in Nepal is that three or even four generations live together. UPF volunteers donated the food and served the elderly.
Chitwan
In south-central Nepal seven new Ambassadors for Peace were welcomed into the UPF family. In addition, UPF-Chitwan held a speech competition for school children on the theme, “Ideal Family for World Peace.” More than 100 students plus over 40 senior community leaders heard speeches from the 11 contestants. The first-place winner was Milan Katuwal from the Narayani Namuna Secondary School. The second-place winner was Munal Sharma from the Polar Star Secondary School. Ms. Gunga Tamang from the Gauriganj Secondary School was the third-place winner.
Kathmandu
In the capital of Nepal, a home for children of conflict and orphans was chosen as the venue to celebrate the event. Special Guest, Mr. Rabindra Rana, read the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Dr. Robert Kittel, Education Director of UPF-Asia, read the message from Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, President of UPF International. Afterwards, school bags were given to the 35 children and UPF staff served them lunch. Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, Chairman of UPF-Nepal and President of the Nepal Family Party, explained that Nepal’s economic development must not be at the expense of losing the heritage of its intergenerational family.
Mr. Til Bdr. Karki, Chairman of the Joint Disabled Unity Awaz Center, taught everyone how to overcome self-pity in a powerful and personal testimony. He was born with a birth defect in his feet, and over his lifetime tried to kill himself five times. But after begging at a Hindu temple in Kathmandu for 20 years, he decided to help others rather than pity himself. Mr. Karki took all the money he saved, nearly $6,000, and started a home for orphans and children displaced by conflict, which he been running for the past eight years. These orphans, biologically unrelated, had become a family through the sacrifice of one man.
Pokhara
In the tourist city of Pokhara, 200 km west of the capital, nearly 200 participants gathered to celebrate the UN International Day of Families in the Manakamana Temple's Shava Hall. Speakers included educators, military and police officers, social workers, women leaders, religious practitioners, and a former member of the Privy Council.
In addition to speeches by distinguished guests, UPF representative Mr. Ram Chandra Devkota took the opportunity to outline why one of UPF’s focuses is the family. Drawing from the message from Dr. Thomas Walsh, President of UPF International, it was explained why the family was the cornerstone of social harmony.
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