KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel said the federal democratic republic is a hard-earned system, providing Nepali citizens with the right to hold those in power accountable.
Speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed administrative building in Nechasalyan Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu, he stressed that the system grants sovereignty to each citizen, ensuring they are no longer ruled but are active participants in governance.
“The federal democratic republic is a system Nepali citizens gained through great sacrifices,” President Paudel said, highlighting that the country’s history is marked by struggles against absolutism and anarchy, including the 104-year-long Rana regime, the 30-year Panchayat system, and the monarchy.
He reminded the audience that it is the responsibility of both the government and political parties to uphold the values of the system and make citizens feel secure about their future.
“No absolutism or anarchy is acceptable for citizens,” he added, recalling his emotional experiences trekking through the eastern hills during his tenure as Speaker of the House, particularly remembering his visit to Timburbote, where democratic fighters were killed by the Panchayat government in 1984.
The President also stressed the importance of addressing youth challenges through citizen-centered policies, emphasizing the need for access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities, especially in rural areas.
He called on local governments to take a more proactive role in implementing the decentralized federal system that grants power from Singha Durbar to the villages.
President Paudel highlighted the expansion of key sectors such as agriculture, water resources, tourism, infrastructure, and industry, as essential for the country’s progress. He expressed optimism about the contributions of hydropower projects in the Solu and Dudhkosi rivers to Nepal’s economic growth.
Additionally, he acknowledged the tourism sector’s significant role, especially the contributions of the Sagarmatha region, and mentioned the growing accessibility of Mount Everest thanks to improved road connectivity.
Recalling his efforts in initiating the construction of the Upper Sagarmatha Route, President Paudel also commended the progress in road connectivity from Dunai in Dolpa to eastern Nepal, noting how it has relieved people from arduous treks and improved access to essentials. “Such transformations, made possible by democracy, should not be forgotten,” he said.
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