KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah has expressed deep concern over the current state of the country, remarking that Nepal has been reduced to a mere laboratory for political experiments.
In a message issued on the eve of the Nepali New Year, he said that frequent shifts in national politics and governance systems have pushed the country backward rather than onto the path of progress.
Reflecting on the changes in politics, state systems, and administration, the former King stated that these transformations have remained superficial and failed to contribute to the nation’s prosperity.
“We have remained constantly engaged in experiments, practices, and the search for alternatives. As a result, the country has become nothing more than a laboratory,” he said. He further noted that the desired development has remained elusive and that a sense of despair prevails among the Nepali people.
However, Shah described the increasing participation of youth in politics and state affairs as an encouraging development. He expressed hope that the involvement of educated youth who understand the country and possess modern technical knowledge would eventually help steer the nation toward a more fruitful future.
Highlighting that the country is currently burdened by multifaceted problems, he emphasized that national interest must remain the top priority. He stressed the need for a focused effort on reviving the economy and strengthening cooperation and goodwill with neighboring and external friendly nations.
He also pointed out the fragility of the internal security system, urging the state to pay serious attention to providing citizens with a genuine sense of physical, mental, and material safety. Warning that policies of exclusion, division, and conflict only weaken the nation, he called for mutual harmony and unity to safeguard the country’s future.
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