Kathmandu, Nepal—UPF-Nepal celebrated the 10th anniversary of UPF and the U.N. International Day of Peace 2015 in the country’s capital city on September 22. Programs were also organized in three other cities: Pokhara, Chitwan and Jhapa, for the Peace Day, whose theme for this year was “Partnerships for Peace--Dignity for All”.
In collaboration with several Lions Club chapters in Kathmandu, UPF-Nepal organized an event entitled, “Relief Support to Earthquake Child Victims,” where it awarded money to two disabled youth, who lost legs as a result of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25.
The program was graced with the presence of UPF-Nepal chairman, former government minister and current member of parliament, Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal. He spoke about the need to encourage and uplift needy people by supporting them. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the Day was then read by a UPF representative from the Philippines, Mr. Richell Jalipa. UPF’s statement was read by UPF-Nepal vice chairman, Rev. Santosh Kumar Paudel. Mr. Kashi Nath Khanal, secretary-general of the Teachers’ Association for the Research of Principles-Nepal, emceed the event.
Afterwards, both recipients, Mr. Ramesh Khatri, age 18, who lost both his legs, and Ms. Priya B.K., age 14, who lost one leg, expressed their gratitude for being part of a program to promote dignity for all people. They both determined to use the monetary donations to continue their academic pursuits.
Finally, UPF-Nepal secretary general, Mr. Binod Dangi, thanked everyone.
In Pokhara, a municipality and the second largest city in Nepal, Mr. Ram Chandra Devkota organized an educational program in the Akala Mandir Shava Hall in Lamachaur, Pokhara on September 14 to commemorate the International Day of Peace. The UN Secretary-General's message was read by Ambassador for Peace, Mr. Bhim Prasad Neupane. The chief guest was Mr. Ram Bahadur Thapa, coordinator of UPF’s Peace Council in Kaski district. The program also included distributing feminine hygiene supplies to young women.
In Chitwan, a district located in the southwestern part of Narayani zone, Mr. Ram Prasad Gyawali and Ambassador for Peace, Dr. Hom Bagadur Basnet, a coordinator of UPF’s Peace Council, organized and celebrated the Day in three different places in Chitwan: (1) Ramnagar Shree Jalamai Secondary School, where school bags, socks and notebooks were given to 27 students; (2) Megouli Shajapur Secondary School, where books and painting supplies were given to around 30 students; and (3) the Sun Hak Peace Center in Bharatpur, a city and the district headquarters of Chitwan district, on September 15.
In Jhapa, Mr. Rajendra Murti Panta; Mr. Ram Bahadur Limbu and Ambassador for Peace, Shiva Kumar Paudel, organized a talk on “Partnership for Peace--Dignity for All” at the Shantinagar Village District Council, which 300 people attended. The program concluded with a cultural performance.