Kathmandu, Nepal - “Peace and democracy are inseparable from each other,” Hon. Dhan Raj Gurung, Member of Congress stated at the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, September 21, at the Peace Embassy in Kathmandu. He explained that only when democracy is assured can peace be established. He also added that peace without democracy and democracy without peace are meaningless. He expressed appreciation for UPF Founder Father Sun Myung Moon’s vision of “One family under God” and called it the best vision for achieving lasting and true peace.
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Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, President of UPF-Nepal and Member of Congress, said that the whole nation of Nepal is involved in the peace process. Parliamentarians, religious leaders, Ambassadors for Peace, and civil society leaders assembled for the occasion to express their desire to have peace, a constitution, and reconciliation, as expressed in this year’s UN International Day of Peace theme, “Peace and Democracy: Make Your Voice Heard.” Hon. Dhakal also read UPF International's statement in support of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Hon. Abhishek Pratap Shah, Member of Congress, stated in his special remarks that as long as turmoil and practical problem such as unemployment, illiteracy, and poverty exist in Nepal's society, peace and democracy will not be achieved.
The program officially started with prayers offered by leaders from four major religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, voicing a fervent appeal for lasting peace. Mr. Raj Narayan Shah, UPF Coordinator for the southern region of Nepal, warmly welcomed all the guests and participants in the program. The message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was read by Mr. Piya Ratna Maharjan, Secretary General of the International Relief Friendship Foundation. Everyone was inspired by the message that “Democracy does not just happen; it has to be nurtured and defended.” Indeed, peace is our mission, our day-to-day quest, while democracy is a core value of the United Nations.
Mr. Santosh Kumar Paudel, Secretary General of UPF-Nepal, highlighted UPF-Nepal’s accomplishment and activities in support of the peace process in Nepal and the work of Ambassadors for Peace around the world. Prof. Narayan Sharma Gajurel, Vice President of UPF-Nepal and chair of the program, quoted UPF's statement calling for a moral and spiritual awakening to accompany the welcome rise of democratic processes throughout the world. He added, "Ultimate peace is attainable only when it starts from the individual and expands to the family, society, nation, and the world.” He also officially concluded the program by thanking everyone for their active participation. There were 120 participants in the program.
The UN International Day of Peace was also celebrated in eight districts of Nepal besides Kathmandu: Kaski, Morang, Jhapa, Sunsari, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Banke, and Rupandehi.
Pokhara, Kaski District: 80 participants
Venue: Tamudhi Samajghar, Pokhara
Coordinator: Mr. Ram Chandra Devkota
Emcee: Mr. Kedar Bajagain
Chief Guest: Prof. Ganesh Bahadur Gurung, Tribhuwan University
Speakers:
1. Prof. Tribhuwan Sharma, Lecturer, Tribhuwan University
2. Mr. Dharma Raj Baral, Politician
3. Mr. Hanif Miya, Poet
4. Mr. Chij Bahadur Gurung, Community Leader
Jhapa District: 150 participants
Venue: Kankai Campus, Birtamod
Coordinator: Mr. Rajendra Murti Panta
Emcee: Mr. Rupak Khanal
Chief Guest: Hon. Gokarna Bista, Former Minister of Energy
Speakers:
1. Mr. Madan Kumar Dhakal, Senior Journalist
2. Mr. Jayanarayan Dungana, Founder, Kankai Campus, Birtamod
Chitwan District: 23 participants
Venue: Family Federation for World Peace and Unification-Chitwan Center
Coordinator: Mr. Ram Prasad Gyawali
Emcee: Engr. Ram Prasad Gyawali
Chief Guest: Mr. Shiva Raj Sharma Lamichhane, Peace Activist, Ambassador forPeace
Speaker:
1. Mr. Janardan Sharma, Youth Leader
Biratnagar, Morang District: 65 participants
Venue: Family Federation for World Peace and Unification-Biratnagar Regional Office
Coordinator: Mr. Nara Bahadur Dahal
Emcee: Mr. D.K. Biswas
Chief Guest: Prof. Tirtha Raj Ghimire, District Peace Council, UPF-Morang Chairman
Speakers:
1. Mr. Govinda Rijal, United States Institute of Peace
2. Mr. Ghamachandra Nepal, Social Activist
3. Mr. Nabaraj Dahal, UPF-Coordinator, Eastern Nepal
Sunsari, Dharan District: 35 participants
Venue: Mahendra Multiple Campus
Coordinator: Mr. Ram Limbu
Emcee: Mr. Dhan Risal
Chief Guest: Prof. Surya Kumar Rai, Campus Chief, Mahendra Multiple Campus
Speakers:
1. Mr. Bikram Shree, Peace Council President, Sunsari, Dharan District
2. Prof. Dr. Tanka Pd. Neupane, AFP
3. Mr. Ram Bahadur Limbu
Nepalgunj, Banke District: 120 participants
Venue: Dinner Restaurant
Coordinator: Mr. Rupsingh Bhandari
Emcee: Mr. Krishna Shahi
Chief Guest: Dr. Shem Shakya, Vice Governor, Lions Club-Nepalgunj
Speakers:
1. Mr. Kanahiya Tandon, Business Leader
2. Mr. Purna Lal Chuke, President, District Peace Council, UPF-Banke
3. Rupsingh Bhandari, UPF-Coordinator, Nepalgunj
Hiatauda, Makwanpur District: 57 participants
Coordinator: Mr. Manoj Surkheti
Emcee: Mr. Manoj Surkheti
Chief Guest: Hon. Prahlad Lamichhane, Congressman
Speaker:
1. Hon. Krishna Prasad Dahal, Former Congressman
Lumbini, Rupandehi District: 30 participants
Venue: Gyanjyoti Library
Coordinator: Mr. Lok Bahadur Giri
Emcee: Mr. Lok Bahadur Giri
Chief Guest: Mr. Gopal Pandey, Lecturer, Tribhuwan University
Speakers:
1. Mr. Tuk Bahadur Chettri, Ambassador for Peace
2. Mr. Ram Pd. Aryal, Campus Chief