KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has said democracy can be strengthened only by establishing a culture of respecting dissent, learning from criticism and making the state accountable to the people.
Addressing a special ceremony held at the Office of the President on Saturday on the occasion of Constitution Day (National Day) 2083, President Paudel stressed the need to implement the Constitution in citizens’ lives rather than limiting it to speeches.
“If we can establish a culture of respecting dissent, learning from criticism and making the state accountable to the people, only then will democracy be strengthened and the commitments envisioned by the Constitution be fulfilled,” he said. “For this, let us resolve today to bring the Constitution into the lives of citizens, not just into speeches.”
Paudel said the true meaning of the Constitution, achieved through decades of struggle and sacrifice, would be established when no Nepali would have to plead with the state for justice, dignity and a secure future.
He said political change must be linked to people’s lives through good governance and effective public service delivery. Merely changing the structures of governance would not fulfil citizens’ expectations, he said, adding that changes were also needed in the character of state power, political commitment and values.
“A state or system cannot succeed by keeping citizens in despair instead of giving them hope,” he said. “Changes in governance structures alone cannot fulfil the expectations of the era.”
Paudel said Constitution Day should remind political parties, leaders, the government and the state as a whole of their responsibility to make governance more democratic, just and results-oriented.
He said the Constitution is not merely a collection of words and sentences written on paper but a shared commitment to citizens’ dreams, hopes, expectations and rights.
“Its importance becomes evident when the state stands with citizens in their distress, the government becomes their servant, justice becomes the state’s fundamental objective, and no Nepali feels alone or alienated in their own country,” he said.
Paudel stressed the need to establish a citizen-oriented, transparent and results-driven government and ensure the supremacy of citizens. He said the promises of the Constitution could not be fulfilled without guaranteeing equal rights, social justice and prosperity for all.
Disasters offer lessons to rethink development
President Paudel said this year’s Constitution Day was being observed amid the suffering caused by floods and natural disasters, adding that the disasters had provided a lesson to rethink the concept of development.
“This disaster has reminded us that development is not only about roads, bridges and buildings; it is also about protecting people’s lives, livelihoods and future,” he said. “Therefore, during reconstruction, we must restore not only the damaged structures but also the dreams of displaced families.”
Amid the challenges posed by climate change, Nepal’s development models should become more humane, just and environmentally friendly, he said.
Paudel said the Constitution had provided Nepal with an opportunity to build an inclusive state based on democracy, federalism and pluralism. He described federalism, which replaced the unitary and centralised system of governance, as an important achievement of the Constitution.
“This Constitution has given us an opportunity to build an inclusive Nepal based on pluralism,” he said. “Through this Constitution, we have established a new form of state governance. These are great achievements provided by the Constitution.”
He said Nepal should utilise federalism as an opportunity and advance it as an essential level of national development.
Tribute to martyrs and democratic fighters
President Paudel noted that 11 years had passed since the promulgation of the Constitution and recalled that the Nepali people had endured more than seven decades of struggle, sacrifice and hardship in the process of constitution-making.
He paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the establishment of the democratic republic and expressed respect and gratitude to democratic fighters who faced imprisonment, detention, exile and torture during various movements.
Paudel also paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the floods and natural disasters and expressed condolences to bereaved families. He wished for the speedy recovery of the injured and for the search and identification of those who remain missing.
He also expressed, on behalf of Nepal, deep condolences and sympathy to the families and governments of citizens of friendly countries affected by the losses caused by the floods of Bhadra 10.
On the occasion of Constitution Day, President Paudel extended his best wishes to all Nepalis living in the country and abroad.
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