The Unificationist leader of the Church in Nepal has joined the ruling government with the rank of Cabinet Minister on May 16, 2012. The Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal took the oath of office at the office of the President of Nepal, becoming the youngest Cabinet Minister and the first Unificationist in such a high official rank.
Dhakal is blessed in marriage to Blessie Dhakal, a Filipina, and is father to five children. He is the national leader of the Unification Church in Nepal, and before being named Cabinet Minister, was a member of the Nepalese Parliament for four years.
Immediately after being sworn in, he came to the Unification Peace Embassy, changed into traditional Nepali dress and prayed in the prayer room with his wife and Nepalese members, according to Dr. Robert Kittel, Director of Education for the Universal Peace Federation-Asia.
He reportedly gave honor to God, Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, as well as to international leaders, especially International President Rev. Hyung Jin Moon and his wife. He also thanked the Regional President and his wife, as well as Nepalese members and international advisors and supporters who had sacrificed much for this moment to take place. He announced that this was an opportunity to serve his nation more, and an occasion to work for God’s Providence in Nepal.
Ek Nath Dhakal is the national leader of the Unification Church in Nepal, as well as a politician.
Since late 2010, the Unification Church in Nepal has been broadcasting a series of Original Divine Principle (ODP) lectures nationally. The day Dhakal was appointed Cabinet Minister, a new series of ODP lectures began. “Nepal TV,” the broadcast station, is government-owned-and-operated. It reaches everywhere in Nepal and is available to millions internationally through cable. The lecture series is aired at 8:30 a.m., which is considered prime viewing time. They are telecast on Wednesday and Thursday each week and will run for nine weeks.
Nepal, a Himalayan country bordered by China and India, is still emerging from a violent 10 year conflict, according to the CIA Fact Book.. During the past five years, Nepal has seen the abolition of its monarchy, the signing of a peace agreement between the leaders of a Maoist insurgency and the state, a new Interim Constitution, the election of a Constituent Assembly (which declared Nepal a federal republic), five governments, and the rise of a strong ethnic-identity movement. Nepal is currently in the process of drafting a new constitution in an elected body, the Constituent Assembly.
“It is a whirlwind of activities, politically and spiritually speaking,” said Kittel. “The previous government was a Maoist-led coalition of parties with nearly 50 Ministers. The current one is a consensus government led by Maoists, the largest political party and will have just 25 Cabinet Ministers. This current government is very historic; it will usher in the new constitution and a new model of government. Most importantly however, because Rt. Hon. Ek Nath is a Cabinet Minister it means Unificationist values will have an influence over the nation.”
“None of this would be possible without our True Parents’ life of complete sacrifice embodying the essence of God, our Regional President, Dr. Chung Sik Yong, and Rt. Hon. Ek Nath’s wife,” said Kittel.
Contributed by Yoshie Manaka
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