1 DECEMBER 2019, KATHMANDU, NEPAL: Er. Dipendra Kandel has thanked the Nepalese Security Forces for their efforts and hard work to keep civilians safe amid safety concerns during the 2019 Nepalese by-elections. 

On 30 November 2019, The Dipendra Kandel Initiative led two election observation missions under the leadership of President cum Founder, Er. Kandel and Vice President, Shanta Sharma. Known as ‘DKIEOM’s 2019 Nepal by-election’, the missions were conducted in both Kaski, Constituency No. 2 and Bhaktapur, Constituency No.3. 

In Kaski, Constituency No. 2, Er. Kandel led his team. This consisted of a pre-polling day, polling day and counting day observation. In Bhaktapur, Constituency No.3, Shanta Sharma led her team in which polling day and counting day observations were performed. During these observations, the teams looked at the logistical and bureaucratic purposes conducted by Nepal, pre, post and during the election. Both groups visited all the polling booths in their respective constituencies. 

Indeed, both teams led well-conducted missions and the turnout was a promising 65%. However, this would not have been done without the bravery and professionalism of the Nepalese security forces. This is particularly in Kaski, where two bombs were detonated during the election, a third bomb was defused due to the hard work of the Nepalese security forces. 

Thankfully, there was no loss of human life or damaged infrastructures during the incidents and the security forces quickly created a blockade to ensure that all civilians and observers were safe. Apart from this incident, the election was conducted in a peaceful manner.

During an interview after the incident, Er. Kandel, who has observed multiple international elections and was in the vicinity of the first explosion said, “a bomb was found near the first polling station whilst the election was underway, the situation was normalized with the coordination of three security agencies from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Nepalese Army. After the incident, no voters were to return to the polling station... This is my first election observation mission in Nepal and I promise to continue observing the election in the coming days”. 

Er. Kandel, The Office of Dipendra Kandel and both Dipendra Kandel Initiative observation teams would like to thank the Nepalese security forces and the head’s of all three mentioned for their work. This is as without their efforts, the elections would have been spoiled by the unsavoury acts of others. 

On top of this, we would also like to thank both the voting public and all of the political parties who ran during the election. Their hospitality and cooperation during the election are highly appreciated, allowing for both of the Initiative’s teams to perform their observations without as much difficulty as there could have been, especially after the incident. Finally, The Office of Dipendra Kandel would like to thank the Electoral Commission of Nepal for enabling the Dipendra Kandel Initiative to conduct these missions. 

Now, the Dipendra Kandel Initiative will write and election observation report. The report will cover how bureaucratic, logistical and tabulation processes were conducted during the election in both constituencies. This will be submitted to both the Election Commission of Nepal and Nepal’s Prime Minister, H.E. K.P. Sharma Oli. 

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Er. Kandel Represents Nepal’s Civil Aviation Sector on International Stage at Airshow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, 24 NOVEMBER 2019

Er. Kandel whilst in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, had the pleasure of attending the Dubai Airshow 2019. The Dubai Airshow is one of the largest and most successful aviation events in the world in which exhibitors and companies from around the world promote the civil aviation sector and their organisations in a variety of ways to attendees of the event.

Attending the event with his Second Secretary, Mehrdad Damavandi, Er. Kandel, who specialises in the civil aviation sector, was pleased to attend the Airshow in which he further developed his knowledge of the area. This is as he attempts to empower the Dipendra Kandel Initiative in one of its primary missions- to improve the aviation knowledge and practices of all states in South Asia and East Africa.

The Office of Dipendra Kandel would like to thank the Dubai Airshow 2019 for its hospitality and organising a professional event for all of its visitors. 

Er. Kandel Makes Statement Thanking Panel for Bringing Nepal Issue onto the International Stage

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, 24 NOVEMBER 2019

During a talk at the Knowledge Summit 2019 on ‘Sustainable Tourism: From Alternative to Mainstream’, Er. Kandel made a statement thanking the concerned panel for bringing up an important issue regarding sustainable tourism and the issues revolving around Mount Everest in this area.

During the panel discussion, both Dr. Harold Goodwin and Dr. Kelly Bricker raised and thus, internationalised the problem of: how tourists create ‘traffic’ on the world’s largest mountain, how littering has become a normality on the Mount Everest and finally, how licenses to climb the mountain are being sold irresponsibly and to too many people which creates additional dangers when climbing the mountain.

Er. Kandel, happy that the issue was raised by the panel, made a statement of thanks. In doing so, he showed his appreciation to the speakers who  internationalised the important Nepalese issue which he himself intends to tackle.

After the panel discussion, Er. Kandel also extended his personal thanks to the panelists and discussed the potential of working together to create innovative solutions to Nepal’s sustainable tourism issues, concerning Mount Everest. The Office of Dipendra Kandel looks forward to working with Dr. Harold Goodwin and Dr. Kelly Bricker on the issue in further detail in the future.

If you would like to see the full statement made by Er. Kandel please click on the link below: 

https://www.facebook.com/100009061366478/videos/pcb.2365260670452622/2365260367119319/?type=3&theater

Er. Kandel Meets Olafur Ragnar Grimsson at Knowledge Summit 2019

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, 24 NOVEMBER 2019

During the Knowledge Summit 2019, Er. Kandel had the opportunity to speak to H.E. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the former President of Iceland who served from 1996-2016. His Excellency is the longest serving President of his country. He is also the Chairman of the Arctic Circle which works on developing an international dialogue to help create cooperation on the future of the Arctic.

In his discussion with Mr Grimsson, Er. Kandel had the chance to speak about Nepal and relations between the two states. On top of this, Er. Kandel also formally invited Mr Grimsson to Nepal for a diplomatic and personal visit which was well-received and will be arranged within the coming months.

The visit will take place during Nepal Tourism Year 2020, Nepal’s attempts to encourage at least two-million international tourists and passengers around the world to come to the state. This personal visit is believed to be an excellent opportunity to promote Nepal on the world stage and improve Nepal-Iceland relations, only increasing the state’s tourism.

The Office of Dipendra Kandel would like to thank H.E. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson for his time during his busy schedule and looks forward to arranging his diplomatic and personal visit which will be held during Nepal Tourism Year 2020. 

Er. Kandel Promotes Kandel Foundation on the International Stage

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, 24 NOVEMBER 2019

During the Knowledge Summit 2019, Er. Kandel spoke to H.E. Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, the former Foreign Minister from 2009-2011 and former President of Panama from 2014-2019.

This was a very productive discussion as Er. Kandel spoke to His Excellency about a variety of topics, especially about his NGO, the Kandel Foundation, which attempts to empower the societies it works in through the power of sport, ensuring that all children are provided with opportunities they should have but have not yet been provided.

Er. Kandel and Mr Rodriguez spoke about the project in detail and the potential of bringing the project to Panama. This would be the first country the Kandel Foundation would expand its organisation to in the region of South and Central America. Mr Rodriguez was very happy to hear about the project in detail and welcomed the opportunity of the Foundation coming to his state and empowering societies in it.

In addition to this, Er. Kandel invited Mr Rodriguez to Nepal for a personal and diplomatic visit during Nepal Tourism Year 2020. This is Nepal’s attempts to encourage at least two-million international tourists and passengers around the world to come to the state. This diplomatic visit is believed to be an excellent opportunity to promote Nepal on the world stage and improve Nepal-Panama relations, only increasing the state’s tourism.

The Office of Dipendra Kandel would like to thank H.E. Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez for his time during the Knowledge Summit 2019 and looks forward to meeting and collaborating with the former President of Panama in the near future. 

Er. Kandel Meets Helen Clark at Knowledge Summit 2019

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, 24 NOVEMBER 2019

During the Knowledge Summit 2019, Er. Kandel had the opportunity to speak to H.E. Helen Clark, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand who served from 1999-2008. Her Excellency is the fifth longest serving Prime Minister of her country. Ms Clark has also founded the Helen Clark Foundation which focuses on creating a sustainable and peaceful society.

In his discussion with Ms Clark, Er. Kandel had the chance to speak about Nepal and relations between the two states. On top of this, Er. Kandel also formally invited Ms Clark to Nepal for a diplomatic and personal visit which was well-received and will be arranged within the coming months.

The visit will take place during Nepal Tourism Year 2020, Nepal’s attempts to encourage at least two-million international tourists and passengers around the world to come to the state. This personal visit is believed to be an excellent opportunity to promote Nepal on the world stage and improve Nepal-New Zealand relations, only increasing the state’s tourism.

The Office of Dipendra Kandel would like to thank H.E. Helen Clark for her time during her busy day and looks forward to arranging her diplomatic and personal visit which will be held during Nepal Tourism Year 2020. 

Er. Kandel Discusses Potential for Former Minister to Become Special Adviser for DKI

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, 24 NOVEMBER 2019

At the Knowledge Summit 2019, Er. Kandel had the chance to speak to Professor Dr. Yousry El Gamal, former Minister of Education for Egypt and now a senior adviser at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology.

During his meeting, Er. Kandel spoke about his NGO the Dipendra Kandel Initiative, an NGO based think tank which attempts to power states in South Asia and East Africa through extensive research and executive education. 

Furthermore, he discussed the potential of Dr. El Gamal becoming a special adviser for the Dipendra Kandel Initiative. This would be in the education section of the Initiative as the organisation believes in the power of education and that Dr. El Gamal’s contributions would be invaluable for the up-and-coming organisation which intends to improve education policy across South Asia and East Africa.

The Office of Dipendra Kandel thanks Professor Dr. Yousry El Gamal for his time and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavours. The Office also looks forward to discussing his role at the Dipendra Kandel Initiative in more detail as we look forward to hopefully working with him in the near future. 

Er. Kandel Represents Nepal on International Stage at Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, 24 NOVEMBER 2019

On the 19^th and 20^th November, Er. Kandel had the privilege to go to the Knowledge Summit 2019. This is a two day conference created in collaboration with the Mohammad Bin Rashid Foundation and United Nations Development Programme. Er. Kandel has been present at the event since 2016.

Attending the conference with his Second Secretary, Mehrdad Damavandi, Er. Kandel had VIP access to the Summit which gave him the excellent opportunity to liaise with world leaders who could help empower both Nepal and his two NGO’s, the Kandel Foundation and the Dipendra Kandel Initiative, which also attempt to empower the state.

From attending talks about sustainable tourism to empowering women, Er. Kandel enjoyed the opportunity to listen to and learn from some of the most talented speakers in their fields. The information he obtained from the Summit will only be used to empower Nepal in many areas as he looks forward to furthering his future projects.

The Office of Dipendra Kandel would like to thank the Knowledge Summit for its hospitality, running a well organised event and providing an appropriate protocol which shows respect to Er. Kandel and his work as a Public Innovator as the Summit provided him with VIP passes. Finally, The Office of Dipendra Kandel would like to thank and congratulate Hussein Al Shamsi, Director of Events and Exhibitions of the Knowledge Summit, for his work in organising the event. 

Now, Er. Kandel looks forward to attending the Knowledge Summit 2020 as a speaker.