By Our Correspondent
BIRATNAGAR, Jan. 3: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has said that when we talk of multi-party polity, we should not forget the need for political conduct and way of life to comply with democratic norms and values.
His Majesty the King said this while addressing the civic reception held to felicitate Their Majesties the King and Queen by the people of the Eastern Development Region at the local Shaheed Stadium here today.
Speaking to tens of thousands of people who had come from even districts that are several days’ walk away, His Majesty the King said, “The country’s future and the people’s security cannot be held hostage to serve high ambitions and desires, while personal issues or technicalities should not be the cause for impediment in the exercise of multi-party democracy.
Pointing out that all of us are at a juncture where history will judge us, His Majesty said, “Those who cannot do justice to Nepal, those who cannot believe in the sound judgement of the people and those who cannot align themselves in favour of peace will stand condemned by the Motherland.” “Above all, the Nepalese people aspire for law and order in the country, harmony in the society and improvement in their living standards. It is on our shoulders that the grave responsibility of fulfilling these aspirations lies.”
Saying patriotism must form the basis for the resolution of all feuds, His Majesty said that all mutual disputes must be settled through dialogue, with patriotism as the focal point. “The greater good of the nation and the people must be taken into consideration in finding amicable solutions to mutual differences.”
“Safeguarding Nepal’s independence, national unity and sovereignty rests on the close and intimate relationship between the King and the people, and the will of the people has always provided the guiding light for the institution of Monarchy in Nepal,” said His Majesty. “It is, therefore,” His Majesty added, “our wish that all of us walk together on the path of harmony and not let petty issues divide us.”
His Majesty added that all Nepalese should continuously strive for the all round development of the nation and people by rising above class, regional and party interests in the greater good of the country. “The international agenda of the day – market economy, good governance, transparency and corruption-free practices – must be incorporated into our national agenda too.”
His Majesty the King noted that Nepal’s monarchy in the 21st century is for democracy, democracy for the nation’s development and both monarchy and democracy for a prosperous future of Nepal. His Majesty the King said that close contacts with the countrymen have always encouraged the royal institution to re-dedicate to the welfare of the nation and people.
The faith and affection you have shown here today serve as a source of great inspiration for us to remain even more resolute in ensuring their well-being.
The full text of His Majesty’s address is as follows: Beloved Countrymen, We are happy to share the warm feelings and confidence of the beloved citizens of the Eastern Development Region in this industrial city of Biratnagar. Close contacts with our countrymen have always encouraged us to re-dedicate ourselves to the welfare of the nation and people. The faith and affection you have shown here today serves as a source of great inspiration for us to remain even more resolute in ensuring their well being. Safeguarding Nepal’s independence, national unity and sovereignty rests on the close and intimate relationship between the King and the peoples. The will of the people has always provided the guiding light for the Institution of Monarchy in Nepal. The people’s joys and sorrows are our joys and sorrows and it has always been our firm desire that no Nepali should experience any pain or suffering.
We all love our motherland. We must, therefore, unite in promoting the glorious culture and civilisation, which our nation has been endowed with since ages. Political, economic, social and human resource development must be pursued within the framework of the multiparty democratic policy and our people made prosperous soon if we are to ensure a place of pride for our motherland among the comity of nations. When we speak of multiparty policy, we should not forget the need for political conduct and way of life to comply with democratic norms and values. Similarly, development activities must give due emphasis to economic prosperity and social harmony. Upholding nationalism, multiparty democracy and social justice has, therefore, been our top priority.
We are, at present, at a very difficult and complex crossroad, with many challenges ahead of us. It is our desire that instead of indulging in mutual recrimination, all patriots should work in unison towards the nation’s welfare, Nationalism, democracy and prosperous complement each other. All of us must work together in the creation of a dynamic and prosperous new Nepal with Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democracy as its cornerstones.
Rising above class, regional and party interests in the greater good of the country, all Nepalese should continuously strive for the all round development of the nation and people. The international agenda of the day-market economy, good governance, transparency and corruption-free practices-must be incorporated into our national agenda too. There is no time to spare. The country’s future and the people’s security cannot be held hostage to serve over ambitions and desires. Personal issues or technicalities should not be the cause for impediments in the exercise of multiparty democracy. All of us are at a juncture where history will judge us. Those who cannot do justice to Nepal, those who cannot believe in the sound judgement of the people and those who cannot align themselves in favour of peace will stand condemned by the motherland. It is, therefore, our wish that all of us walk together on the path of harmony and not let petty issues divide us. Above all, the Nepalese people aspire for law and order in the country, harmony in the society and improvement in their living standards. It is on our shoulders that the grave responsibility of the fulfilling these aspirations lies.
Patriotism must form the basis for the resolution of all feuds, while the greater good of the nation and people must be taken into consideration in finding amicable solutions to mutual differences. In keeping with the glorious history of Nepal, all mutual disputes must be settled through dialogue, with patriotism as the focal point, “Our common cause should be based on the conviction that Nepal’s monarchy in the 21st century is for democracy, democracy is for the nation’s development and both the monarchy and democracy are for the prosperous future of Nepal”.
May we dedicate ourselves to the service and defence of our motherlands, mindful of the fact that love for the nations is inherent in us. On behalf of the Queen and ourselves, we would like to thank the organisers of this function and all our countrymen who are present here today.
May Pashupatinath bless us all. Jaya Nepal.