- Friday, 30 May 2025
Kathmandu, May 29: Eighteen years have passed since the country practiced republican system of governance as an outcome of the epochal April Uprising of 2006.
The first-ever meeting of the people-elected Constituent Assembly (CA) held on 28 May 2008 had officially announced the Federal Democratic Republic by abolishing the autocratic regime of the monarchy prevailing over 240 years in the country.
The Republic Day has been observed across the nation to commemorate the historical day the republican system was proclaimed on the backing of the People’s Movement of 2006.
It is the Day when the Nepali people obtained civic supremacy having inclusive proportional democratic republican systems with freedoms and liberal social justice.
The Federal Democratic Republic has guaranteed the people with entire political rights to move ahead for prosperous future in an organized manner.
The primary responsibility of the democratic republic is to elevate the dignity of Nepal and Nepali people in global arena while ending poverty, along with ensuring education, health, public transportation, and social security for citizens.
Adhering to public aspirations is the core essence of a republican Constitution – which makes it equally essential to establish this day as a promoter of democracy, while maintaining unwavering faith in the rights of all citizens.
The democratic republic is considered not just a political system but the forms of governance and a lifestyle, thus is regarded as an outcome of liberal ideals.
Among the governance systems practiced worldwide, democracy is the best, serving as a strong weapon for improving life standards of the people and ensuring the prosperity of the nation.
Meanwhile, the 18th Republic Day is being celebrated across the country with various programmes in a fanfare.
Distinguished personalities, including President Ramchandra Paudel will participate in the special ceremony organized by the Republic Day Main Celebration Committee at the Nepal Army Pavilion in Tundikhel.
On this occasion, tributes will be offered to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for epoch-making change, and the contributions of the seniors who struggled and sacrificed for democracy will be remembered.
Several Nepali citizens had to endure imprisonment and torture in the movements and struggles for social justice, freedom, and prosperity in the country, and largely for reinstating democracy.
Leaders of various parties have expressed their belief that today’s celebration signifies a stronger commitment to unite all in the campaign for happiness of the citizens by enhancing their status and empowering their rights within a democratic culture.
The leaders also assert that there is a shared responsibility to improve the citizens’ living standards through production growth, fair distribution of opportunities, promotion of employment, and establishing good governance within a democratic environment.
In their messages, it is stated that the present generation must be ensured with prosperity characterized by a strong economy, whereas there is an obligation to hand over the next generation a strong, united, and liberal State and enhanced democratic culture.
“If we can move ahead in unison and cohesion in accordance with the mandate, electoral rights, and constitutional provisions, the federal democratic republican governance system in Nepal can be strong, robust, and functional”, reads the messages delivered by political leaders on the occasion.
It is inevitable to foster a democratic lifestyle at all sections of society and raise awareness to institutionalize democracy at the citizen level.
The democratic republican governance system must keep development, good governance, prosperity, and national pride at the center to bring together the strengths of every Nepali citizen to nation-building efforts.
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Change character of governance to connect republic with citizens’ lives-President
Kathmandu, May 29: President Ramchandra Paudel has stated that the biggest enemy of the republic is red-tape, irregularity, and disorder.
In his message of congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of Republic Day, 2082, the President emphasized that bare political outcomes are not enough to connect the republic with the lives of citizens, and that we must change our governance character.
The Head of the State insists on the need to change the character of governance, politics, parties, and leaders.
“We must change our governance character. I believe we should not do any delay in making our politics, governance style, political parties, and representative institutions fully democratic, impartial, competitive, just, and effective to preserve the essence and excellence of the republic”, the message reads.
President Paudel stresses the need to perform in a way that does not dent the hope of citizens who cherish the beautiful dream of a democratic republic.
“As long as the lamp of hope does not bring light to the life of every citizen, we will not achieve the goal of the federal democratic republic that we have exchanged with our blood and toil”, he noted in the message.
“Citizens are seeking prosperity with good governance, employment, opportunities, equitable distribution of resources, and arrangements for social justice. Without economic development, none of these are possible, so everyone must take this seriously”, the President empathized.
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PM Oli extends best wishes on Republic Day
Kathmandu, May 29: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad on the occasion of the Republic Day.
“Today is the day when the people created their history by abolishing the repressive regime of the Royals; when the nation’s interests took the centre stage; when the citizens’ dignity was reinstated by breaking the pride and priggish of the throne and when the peoples’ seven-decade-long struggle and sacrifice was materialized earn the republican system”, the PM wrote on social media Facebook.
“On the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, I sincerely wish all Nepali brothers and sisters residing in the country and abroad, Jaya Jaya Jaya Nepal!”
Today, the 18th Republic Day is being celebrated across the country with various programmes.
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Today’s need to value service to the people: Vice President Yadav
Kathmandu, May 29: Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has said the need of the hour is to move ahead taking into consideration the responsive governance, adherence to the constitutional mandate and service to the people as the prime responsibility.
In his message on the occasion of the Republic Day, 2082 today, the Vice President stressed the need to address all kinds of existing challenges facing the country by rising above party interests, and that the role of the leadership is crucial to this effect.
Yadav further noted in the message that political parties should fulfill their responsibilities with a sense of duty and obligation to strengthen democratic governance, listen to the voices of ordinary citizens, and establish good governance.
“Republic Day is an opportunity to commemorate democratic values; the day should be taken as a means to respect the struggle and contribution of ordinary citizens while further strengthening civil rights, equality, and the rule of law,” the message stated.
“The federal democratic republican system in Nepal has ensured citizens’ rights, equality, inclusiveness, and participation. Our Constitution is an important pillar to implement the principles of this best governance system in the world”, Vice President Yadav said.
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NGO Federation calls for civil society-friendly laws and reforms
Kathmandu, May 29: The NGO Federation of Nepal has emphasized the need for policies, laws, and structures that protect and promote the civic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, rather than merely regulating them.
Presenting a joint position paper prepared collectively by over 40 civil society organisations (CSOs) on Wednesday, the Federation called for enabling legal and policy environment conducive to strengthening the role of CSOs that align with democracy, social justice, human rights, and development.
The paper advocates for significant reforms, including removing the Act related to CSOs from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and simplifying the CSO registration and renewal processes.
The Federation has proposed these procedures be made transparent and integrated, reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Additionally, the Federation has called for the formation of an independent and representative Social Development Board to support the functioning of CSOs.
It has urged the government to recognize CSOs as non-profit entities and to provide tax exemptions on grants and self-generated income. It also pushed for transparent utilization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds at the community level.
Delivering the paper, President of NGO Federation Arjun Bhattarai stressed the need for the State to treat CSOs as development partners. He called on the government to enact supportive laws aligned with the Constitution and international treaties.
The Federation underscored that legal and policy reforms are essential at all levels of government to ensure a strong, autonomous, and dignified role for civil society in Nepal’s democratic development.
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Building just society is true respect to republic-Speaker
Kathmandu, May 29: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that building prosperous, inclusive and just Nepal being critical to corruption, inequality and governance deficit is a true homage to the republic.
Speaker Ghimire said this in hiss message to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad on the occasion of the 18th Republic Day today.
He stated that the spirit of the republic should not be limited to merely changing the constitutional structure, but instead transforming into a vibrant practice of serving public interest, good governance, transparency, and inclusiveness.
Ghimize mentioned that the anti-republic activities observed in the democratic system are not only a undermining of the constitution but also an insult to the martyrs.
He emphasized that all political parties and the Nepali people should unite to reject any desire that hurts the dreams and sacrifices of the movement.
In his message, Speaker Ghimize noted, “On Republic Day, it is essential for all Nepalis to dedicate themselves to the defense, promotion, and strengthening of the republic, and to resolve to contribute to the nation’s stability, development, and prosperity”.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal asserted that the regressive family regime could in no way be the alternative of the republic.
In his message on the republic day today, he noted that there are still challenges galore to honestly implement the Constitution to institutionalize the federal democratic republic with proportional inclusive system.
He said that the system should perform to bring about changes in the lives of the people.
Likewise, Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, in her message of best wishes, has said that the prime agenda of the republic is to advance the country enabled with the self-reliant economy.
Similarly, in her message on the republic day today, Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, Bimala Ghimire, said the Constitution should implement the fundamental rights as per the people’s aspirations. —
Cabinet meeting to endorse executive’s budget this afternoon
Kathmandu, May 29: A meeting of the Council of Ministers is scheduled to take place this afternoon to endorse the estimated revenue and expenditure (budget) for the fiscal year 2082/83.
The executive budget proposal will be presented at a joint session of both Houses of the Federal Parliament this afternoon.
The meeting will take place at the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
According to the PM’s private secretariat, a meeting of the National Planning Commission will also be held this afternoon under the chairmanship of Prime Minister KP Oli.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel is scheduled to present the budget in the federal parliament at 3.00 pm today. —
Prosperity possible only through institutional development of republic: NC President Deuba
Kathmandu, May 29: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the prosperous, civilized and progressive Nepal could be built through the protection of the Constitution and institutionalization of the federal democratic republic system.
On the occasion of the Republic Day today, he extended his best wishes to all Nepalis residing at home and abroad, stating that it is everyone’s shared responsibility to protect the historic achievements gained through the sacrifices of the Nepali people.
The former Prime Minister also expressed his belief that this day will inspire everyone to work for consolidating inclusive democracy and social justice with equality and prosperity.
He expressed his respect for all those contributing to the protection and promotion of democracy, the message reads.
“Many individuals have sacrificed their invaluable lives in every democratic movement for civil freedoms, national independence, the establishment and restoration of democracy, and for its protection and promotion”, Deuba noted in the message.
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