Real Lives

UNICEF Representative opens children's memorial peace park in Nepal

© UNICEF Nepal/2011/A.P.Niroula

Ms. Hanaa Singer also does a book launch during the children's park opening

Kathmandu, 4 November 2011 – UNICEF Representative, Ms. Hanaa Singer opened the 'Children's Memorial Peace Park' of Sinamangal, Kathmandu on 3 November.

The Children's Memorial Peace Park is established and dedicated to the memory of the hundreds of innocent children who were killed during the decade long conflict in Nepal. The park was conceived and designed by the Siddhartha Art Gallery and World Peace Propagation Forum.

The beautiful lotus-topped memorial which stands in the midst of the park has names of the 300 girls and boys who lost their lives during the decade long armed conflict.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Singer said, "War not only robs children of their childhood and their innocence, but also their laughter, and their opportunities to lead normal happy and carefree lives. War, tragically, also robs many of them of their life itself."

© UNICEF Nepal/ 2011/A.P.Niroula

UNICEF Nepal representative Haana Singer takes a walk in the children's park

Various renowned singers and musicians of Nepal were also present during the opening event. These singers have been playing a vital role in raising awareness about the plight of the children while the country was going through an armed insurgency.
"Let us hope that this memorial will be a beacon that will always guide the adults in this country towards the path of peace and negotiation, and not towards violence and conflict," Ms. Singer added.

Russian Ambassador to Nepal Dr. Sergey V. Velichkin, President of World Peace Propagation Forum, Mr. Hari Dhakal and Sangeeta Thapa from Siddhartha Art Gallery also gave their remarks during the event.