KATHMANDU: Nepal is marking 14th Republic Day today as it has completed 13 years since it was announced.

The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) elected on the foundation of People’s movement in 2062/63 BS had declared Nepal as the Federal Democratic Republic on May 28, 2008, ending a 238-year-long Shah dynasty.

Due to the COVID-19, the government is not organizing a formal program to observe the Republic Day this year.

Earlier, the government was providing holiday on the Republic Day. The holiday was cancelled since 2076 BS.

One and a half decades have elapsed by since the establishment of the Republic but no significant changes have taken place in the country as had been expected.

The institute of the President which is considered as the symbol of the Republic has courted criticisms from all quarters, of late.

On the occasion of the Republic Day, President Bidya Bhandari expressed belief that the Day would inspire the entire Nepali people to establish the socialism-oriented national economy as envisioned in the Constitution.

In a message of best wises on the occasion of the Day today, the President offered her greetings for happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad and asked the people to observe the Day wherein the people have won by adhering to the prohibitory order imposed by the government in a bid to prevent and control the second wave of COVID-19.

“Every citizen is equal in accordance with the Constitution. The democratic republican administrative system is gradually getting institutionalized,” said the message issued by the President, adding, “The Republic Day will further bolster the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national unity.”

President in the message has further said the Republic Day will encourage all the Nepali people to attain economic prosperity and help establish a cultured, civilized and just society.