𝗡𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 organised by author and poet, Nirmal Kumar Thapa, along with the Nepalese Cultural Centre in the Universal Peace Federation-UK HQ, to launch his book, 'Ekanta' which is a collection of short stories written in Nepalese. Moderated by Dr. Sangita Shrestha, there were a number of profound poetry recitals during the programme, as well as several songs, in nepalese and english.
Nirmal Kumar Thapa read several of his own poems from his own book 'Crystal Vs Nirmal' appropriately starting with one that expressed his devotion and search for understanding of God. While declaring that he had been strongly influenced by Kahlil Gibran, his poems naturally expressed his rootedness in nepalese culture, religion and environment.
Dr Mike Balcomb shared the moving poem, ‘The Crown of Glory’, written by the 15 year old Father Moon, UPF's Co-Founder, expressing the heart of betrayed love who perseveres to love again because he understood God to have progressed through history with the same heart and pained experience. This was from Father Moon's book, 'A Peace Loving Global Citizen'.
There had been events held in UPF UK’s HQ before by Nepalese political figures or by the diaspora. The Chairperson of the Upper House of Nepal's National Assemby, Hon. Ganesh Prasad Timilsina visited last October. There was a cultural programme in Lancaster Gate in 2019 organised by Nirmal Kumar Thapa. Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, the then Minister for Poverty Alleviation, visited in 2012 and spoke in Parliament with the support of UPF UK’s Patron, Mr Virendra Sharma MP.