अभियन्ता तथा कवि कविन्द्र सिटौला आफ्नो विश्व प्रेम र शान्ति यात्राको सिलसिलामा इजरायल प्रस्थान गर्दैछन्। उनको यो यात्रा केवल व्यक्तिगत अभियान मात्र होइन, यो हराएका नेपाली विद्यार्थी विपिन जोशीको रिहाइ, युद्धग्रस्त क्षेत्रका निर्दोष बालबालिकाको जीवन रक्षा, र सम्पूर्ण मानवताको एकता र शान्तिको लागि उठाइएको करुणा र साहसको आवाज हो।

सिटौलाले डीसी नेपाललाई जानकारी दिँदै भने- “म नेपाली जनताको तर्फबाट विपिन जोशीको रिहाइका लागि इजरायल सरकार हमास नेतृत्वसँग अपिल गर्न, शान्तिको बीज रोप्न, र युद्धको घाउमा प्रेम र करुणाको मलम लगाउन। कोसिस गर्दैछु।”

यस यात्रामा उनले इजरायलस्थित नेपाली दूतावास, स्थानीय नेपाली संस्थाहरू, अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय निकायहरूको सहयोगमा इजरायलका प्रधानमन्त्री बेन्जामिन नेतान्याहूसँग भेट गर्ने प्रयास गर्दै, आफूले पहिले नै पठाएको “शान्ति अपिल पत्र” हस्तान्तरण गर्ने योजना गरेका छन्।

युद्धको सुरूमै हुलाकबाट पठाएको पत्र;

Dear Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu,

Honorable Prime Minister of Israel

The Prime Minister’s Office, Public Enquiries Department

Kiryat Ben Gurion, Building C

Jerusalem 91950, Israel

Date: November 17, 2023

Subject: Urgent Appeal for Humanitarian Consideration and Peaceful Dialogue

Dear Prime Minister,

I hope this letter finds you well in these difficult times. My name is Kabindra Raj Sitoula, originally from Nepal—a land that cherishes peace—and currently residing in the United States. I am writing to you today with a heartfelt plea.

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest condolences for the lives lost in the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. The tragic loss of approximately 1,200 people, along with the taking of over 250 hostages, is deeply saddening. My sympathies extend to all those injured, and I wish them a speedy recovery. I can only imagine the immense pain that each affected family is enduring. I may don’t know deep root cause of this fight and war but my I’m a believer, advocate and lover of PEACE and LOVE and sending this peace appeal to you and your people.

In light of this, I would like to begin with a simple but profound prayer:

PEACE… PEACE… PEACE…

Among the 1,200 victims, ten were from Nepal, and among the thousands injured, at least four were Nepalese students participating in an agricultural learning program. Additionally, one of the 250 hostages is believed to be Mr. Bipin Joshi, a Nepalese student in the same program. He went to Israel with the simple yet noble goal of furthering his education and returning to Nepal to contribute to its agricultural development. He has no political or militant affiliations and has never harbored any intent to harm anyone in Israel or Gaza Strips.

I recently spoke with Mr. Joshi’s father, who shared the heartbreaking news that his mother’s health has deteriorated significantly since her son’s capture. She holds on to the hope of reuniting with her only son. In light of this, I humbly request your intervention to help locate and secure Mr. Bipin Joshi’s safe release so that he may return home to his grieving family.

Furthermore, I strongly believe that humanitarian-driven dialogue is the key to achieving lasting peace. Therefore, I earnestly appeal to you to consider initiating discussions aimed at ceasing hostilities and fostering universal peace. The ongoing war has inflicted immense suffering on innocent civilians—children, women, the elderly, the disabled and all innocent civilians. I fully acknowledge the deep wounds this conflict has caused and once again extend my sincerest condolences for all lives lost.

A swift diplomatic approach could prevent further loss of innocent lives and lay the foundation for a peaceful resolution. Your leadership in this moment is crucial. History has shown that conflicts can be resolved through dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Israel has demonstrated in the past that it values peace above all else. Your nation has inspired the world by producing leaders like Ex-Prime Yitzhak Rabin Minister and Ex-Prime Minister Shimon Peres and many others, who were not just warriors for Israel but champions of peace for humanity. Mr. Peres was a widely respected figure, admired not only in Israel but globally. Wherever he traveled, people listened by heart to him. In 2004, when Mr. Peres was asked how he wanted to be remembered, he did not speak of his long career in public service. Instead, he said: “I would like that somebody would write about me that I saved the life of one single child. This will satisfy me more than anything else.”

Mr. Prime Minister, these words have deeply inspired me as its great value and meaning. We still have the opportunity to bring hope, love, and inspiration to the thousand’s innocent children of Israel and Gaza. They can become ambassadors of peace rather than warriors of war, for true security lies in coexistence, not conflict. As neighbors, the only way forward is through mutual respect and harmony.

We must embrace peace as a holy divine duty—one entrusted to us by our forefathers.

Instead of rifles and rockets, we can give children books and pens.

Instead of enmity, we can foster friendship.

Instead of hatred, we can teach love!

Instead of fear, we can instill hope!

Instead of restless nights, we can give them sweet dreams!

And

instead of fighter jets in the sky, let them enjoy the simple joy of flying kites with laughers and fun!

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, nothing is impossible. You are a great leader of the world and of that great nation, let us envision a future where an Israeli child and a Palestinian child can freely visit each other’s lands, play together, and show the world the power of peace and love to live in the harmony. Let us work toward a world where future generations do not dream of war but instead lead the world with their talents and human aspirations. Israel can once again rise as a beacon of peace and compassion.

Honorable Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I have a desire and dream to visit the ancient and beautiful land of holy Israel someday and meet the Nobel peace winners Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres family and great people of Isreal. Waiting for a peaceful time.

At last, I request and pray for the safe release and return of innocent international Nepali student Mr. Bipin Joshi and all other respected hostages.

Thank you very much.

With deepest respect and hope,

Kabindra R. Sitoula

Aldie, Virginia, United States of America

सिटौलाले दोहामा पुगेर हमासका पूर्व राजनीतिक नेता इस्माइल हानिया उनका स्वर्गीय पतिलाई युद्ध आरम्भ भएपछि लेखेको शान्ति पत्र धर्मपत्नी अमललाई पनि शान्ति प्रस्ताव स्वरूप हस्तान्तरण गर्ने घोषणा गरेका छन्। उनले यस अवसरमा स्मरण दिलाउनेछन् कि-“आज विपिन जोशीकी आमा आफ्नो हराएको छोरोलाई खोज्दै इजरायल आएकी छिन्। एक आमा भएर अर्को आमालाई माया र पीडाको साझा भाषा बुझाउन सकिन्छ। यो मातृत्व केवल एउटा परिवारको पीडा होइन, सम्पूर्ण मानवताको पीडा हो।”

Mr. Ismail Haniyeh

Hamas Leader

Chairman of the Political Bureau

Gaza Strip office, Gaza Strip.

Subject: Urgent Appeal for Humanitarian Consideration and peaceful Dialogue.

Date: November 17. 2023

Dear Mr. Ismail Haniyeh,

I trust this letter finds you well on this very difficult day and time. My name is Kabindra Raj Sitoula, originally from peace loving land-Nepal and currently residing in the United States. I am writing to you today from my Canada trip with a plea that is deeply important to me, original letter was mailed to your office in Gaza strip last week from USA. But I couldn’t find proper address and so I’m also posting it in my personal social media page as well.

Firstly, I would like to express my deepest condolences for all lives lost in the Gaza Strip conflict and sympathy for all injured people wishing a speedy recovery. I may don’t know deep root cause of this fight and war but my I’m a believer, advocate and lover of PEACE and LOVE and sending this peace appeal to you and your people.

I would like to start with a peace pray in the region and for your country;

PEACE…PEACE…PEACE…

NOW, I would like to address the matter of Mr. Bipin Joshi, a student from Nepal who is believed to be currently held captive in Gaza since October 7 incident. Mr. Joshi went to Israel with the simple but golden objective of pursuing his studies and return Nepal after completion of study in agriculture and serve in his village. He is not affiliated with any political or militant group and never have an interest to harm Hamas in Gaza Strip and have respect people of Gaza. I recently spoke with his father, who conveyed distressing and touching news of his mother’s deteriorating health since her son’s capture. She is desperately waiting to meet her only son with great hope. So, I humbly request your kind intervention and help to locate and release of Mr. Bipin Joshi to ensure a safe reunion with his mother and family, who eagerly awaits his return.

Secondly, I firmly believe that the mutual dialogue based on humanitarian ideals is key to resolving conflicts permanently. Therefore, I earnestly request you to consider initiating a dialogue to cease hostilities immediately cultivate universal peace. The ongoing Gaza the Hamas – Isreal war has taken tolls on the lives of innocent children, women, seniors, disabled, individuals, refugees and all innocent civilians. I totally understand the very deep pains and sufferings there due to this. I again want to express my deepest condolences to all those who have lost lives and have great sympathy for all families who survived and have injured due to war.

An earliest diplomatic approach can potentially save further innocent lives and pave the way to a peaceful resolution and your role would be very important and crucial for this mission. Differences definitely can be resolved by discussion, dialogue and mutual understanding.

Dear Mr. Haniyeh, allow me to share a personal story that has left a lasting impact on me. Back in the 1990s of my initial student life in USA, I had a passionate lifetime dream of meeting Nobel Peace Prize laureates like Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr. and many. When Mr. Yasser Arafat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and that time foreign Minister Shimon Peres, I had a unexpected privilege of meeting a gentleman from Gaza in Arlington Virginia USA who played a vital role in making my lifetime dream a reality to meet a Noble Peace winner President Yasser Arafat in 1999. He facilitated my meeting with Palestine President Mr. Arafat in Washington DC, and it was a profound experience that I will be forever sentimentally cherished… I had invited President Arafat to visit my birth country of peace Nepal and he also had invited me to visit the beautiful Palestine State (picture included). So, I would like to remind the peace-loving Palestine people and I understand that they might be voicing for their cause and freedom.

I always remember this part of speech of given by President Arafat speech at Nobel Peace Prize acceptance program: “We celebrate the reawakening of creative forces within us and restore the war-torn home that overlooks the neighbors…. where our children shall play together. We shall discover ourselves in peace more than we have with war and confrontation”.

In closing Mr. Haniyeh. peace talk is the ultimate solution for the current crisis, and I very sincerely request for both parties to come to the table bravely to end this war.

I very humbly request you for help to locate and release of Mr. Bipin Joshi and all other hostages. I do express my respect for the great people of Gaza strip and Palestine State and my desire to visit your beautiful nation one day as Mr. Arafat have invited to me back in 1999. I dream of seeing a peaceful and prosperous Gaza Strip and west Bank, and believe that through open communication, love, understanding and harmony, we can resolve any problems and we can certainly work towards a brighter future and happier world for all of us. The world is our home, and we are ONE FAMILY.

We must embrace peace as a holy divine duty—one entrusted to us by our forefathers.

Instead of rifles and rockets, we can give children books and pens.

Instead of enmity, we can foster friendship.

Instead of hatred, we can teach love.

Instead of fear, we can instill hope.

Instead of restless nights, we can give them sweet dreams.

And

instead of fighter jets in the sky, let them enjoy the simple joy of flying kites.

Thank you for your time, great efforts and consideration. I truly hope that this letter reaches you with the sincerity and urgency it carries, best wishes for permanent ceasefire and peace.

At last, I request and pray for the safe release and return of innocent international student Mr. Bipin Joshi and all other respected hostages.

Sincerely,

Kabindra Sitoula

Toronto, Canada

November 23, 2023

(Permanent address

Aldie, Virginia USA)

विद्यार्थी जीवनदेखि नै नोबेल शान्ति विजेताहरूसँग भेट्ने सपना बोकेका कविन्द्र सिटौला १९९४ मा यासेर अराफातसँग भेट्न पुगेका थिए। आज पनि उनले त्यस स्मृतिलाई सम्झँदै भन्न चाहन्छन्- “गाजाका मान्छेहरू शान्तिप्रिय छन्। युद्धले तिनलाई मात्र होइन, सम्पूर्ण मानवतालाई घाइते बनाएको छ।”

त्यसैले उनी आफ्नै कम्पनी सगुनको संयोजनमा गाजाका भोकाएका बालबालिकालाई खाना उपलब्ध गराउने, शान्ति स्थापनापछि पुनर्निर्माणका लागि नेपाल सरकार, अमेरिकी सरकार, नेपाली इन्जिनियरहरू र विश्व समुदायलाई अपिल गर्ने प्रतिबद्धता व्यक्त गरेका छन्।

सिटौलाले अक्टोबर ७, २०२३ मा मारिएका १० जना नेपाली विद्यार्थीहरूको आत्माको शान्तिका लागि घटना स्थलमै पुगेर प्रार्थना गर्नेछन्। साथै, संसारभरका १२०० भन्दा बढी संगीतप्रेमीहरू मारिएका स्थानमा “प्रेम र शान्तिको ध्यान” गराउने छन्।

त्यसैगरी उनले इजरायलका दिवंगत नेताहरू-यित्जाक रबिन, शिमोन पेरेस-का परिवारलाई भेटी सम्मानपत्र अर्पण गर्ने र आफ्नो “शान्ति स्वप्न” पूरा गर्ने योजना बताएका छन्।

कवि सिटौलाले इजरायलको अक्टोबर ७ २०२३ को घटना प्रत्यक्ष प्रसारण समाचार गर्दा गर्दै भावुक भएर सिर्जना भएको मार्मिक भिडियो कविता “आमा बनेर हेर” युद्धपीडित आमाबाबु र सन्तानलाई समर्पित गर्दै त्यही स्थलबाट लोकार्पण गर्नेछन्।

विपिन जोशीकी आमा र बहिनीलाई भेटेर उनी जनाउँछन्-

“यी आमा र बहिनीहरू केवल आफ्ना छोराछोरी वा दाजुभाइका लागि मात्र होइनन्,
उनीहरू हाम्रो सम्पूर्ण मानवताको प्रतिनिधि हुन्-
त्यो अमर मातृत्व, त्यो अमर प्रेम,
जो सारा घाउहरूलाई मलम लगाउन र विभाजनहरूलाई मेटाउन उठ्छ।”

विश्वका सबैलाई अपिल

बिपिन जोशी र बन्दीहरूको रिहाइको लागिको रिहाईको लागि यस अभियानमा नेपाल सरकार, अमेरिकी सरकार, इजरायली सरकार, कतार र इजिप्टका नेतृत्व, अन्य राष्ट्रहरू, युनाइटेड नेसन अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय संस्थाहरू, नेपाली मिडियाहरू, नेपाली समुदाय र विश्वभरका शान्तिप्रिय मानिसहरूलाई धन्यवाद र उच्च सम्मान गर्दै सक्रिय साथ र निरन्तर सहयोगको लागि आह्वान गरेका छन्।

उनी लेख्छन्,  “यो केवल एउटा विपिन जोशीको कथा होइन, एउटा युवाको सपनाको कथा हो, उसको त्याग बलिदान, साहस र समर्पणको कथा हो,
यो प्रत्येक आमा र बहिनीको कथा हो, जसले आफ्नो सन्तानलाई युद्धबाट बचाउन खोजेकी छन्।यो सम्पूर्ण मानवताको आवाज हो- शान्तिको कम्पन हो,
जहाँ आमा केवल आफ्नै छोराकी मात्र नभई, सबैका लागि आमा हुन्छिन्। जहाँ बहिनी केवल आफ्नै दाजुकी मात्र नभई सम्पूर्ण जगत्की बहिनी हुन्छिन्।“

कवि सिटौलाले मानवसम्बन्धी लेखेको व्यङ्ग्यात्मक कविता पनि प्रस्तुत गरेका छन्;

स्मरण रहोस् अभियन्ता सिटौलाले गत हप्ता अमेरिकी डोनाल्ड ट्रम्पको विश्व शान्तिको प्रसंसा र विपिन जोशीको रिहाइको अपिल गर्दै पत्र पठाएका छन्।

अभियन्ता कविन्द्र सिटौलाको अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रम्पलाई पत्र