7th Falgun! This day holds the utmost significance in the lives of us Nepalis. It is the day when, through a struggle marked by immense sacrifice, we elevated ourselves from mere subjects to sovereign citizens.
On this glorious and historic occasion, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to all democracy-loving Nepalis on the 75th National Democracy Day.
I pay my deepest tribute to the immortal martyrs, including Shukraraj Shastri, Dasharath Chand, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, and Ganga Lal Shrestha, who sacrificed their invaluable lives in the battle against the tyranny of the Rana regime.
Several days in Nepal’s democratic history are of special importance—Chaita 26, Baisakh 11, Jetha 15, and Asoj 3. These days mark milestones in the abolition of the party-less system, and the establishment of democracy, republic, and statute with federalism. Each of these days has successively empowered the people, granting them greater rights.
- However, among all these days, the most epoch-making one remains 7th Falgun!
7th Falgun 2007! A turning point in Nepal’s history, this day reminds us of the harrowing yet courageous journey that led our forebears from the suffocating darkness of autocratic rule to the warm dawn of freedom, where they could govern themselves with their own wisdom.
7th Falgun recalls an entire century lost. While the world was leaping forward with scientific advancements, Nepal was shackled by the whims of hereditary rulers. It reminds us of a time when a single irrational decree could amputate the hands of gifted individuals striving for innovation. It recalls the painful memories of those who dared to speak the truth having their tongues cut out, their eyes gouged, and their entire existence erased for pursuing new ideas.
7th Falgun!
This day brings to mind the era when citizens could only leave their homes or return at the sound of the rulers’ bugles. It reminds us of a time when Nepalis had to obtain a ‘visa’ to enter their own capital, Kathmandu. It echoes the brutal past when hundreds of citizens were reduced to mere serfs, forced into labour under the diktats of despotic rulers, just so their illegitimate heirs could erect grand palaces.
In ancient times, Nepal had the tradition of selecting its king through a completion in the race. However, this day also reminds us of the conspirators who manipulated even that system, usurping power through deceit and keeping governance within their own bloodline.
Thus, 7th Falgun did not merely change the form of governance; it laid the foundation of a civil administration that replaced arbitrary appointments with a merit-based system. It marked the beginning of planned development and established diplomatic ties with friendly nations on the basis of sovereign equality.
-Overall, 7th Falgun propelled our nation towards complete independence and sovereignty.
We celebrate 7th Falgun as Democracy Day, paying homage to the supreme sacrifices of our martyrs. We recount to the new generation the tales of struggle, hardship, and sacrifice endured by our ancestors to secure a brighter future for them.
For today’s generation, raised in the light of democracy and accustomed to accessing online services through cutting-edge information technology, the tyranny of the past is not a lived experience—it is merely a story !
- Therefore, for the emerging generation, this day is an unforgettable one!
At times, as generations pass, society, basking in the warmth of a free day, tends to forget the chilling memories of the darkest nights of history. It even questions, ‘What has democracy achieved? It still sustains the very palaces built during the Rana era!’
- The hereditary rulers built palaces for their offspring,
- Democracy built roads, bridges, irrigation canals, electricity, commercial trade centres, hospitals, and schools for the people.
Can the structures created for the aristocratic luxury of autocratic rule and those built by democracy to transform citizens’ lives be objectively and factually compared?
- Today’s generation must weigh this not through irrelevant comparisons but on the scales of reason!
Having emerged from the terrifying night of autocratic rule and now enjoying democratic rights, our society has made a comparative leap in infrastructure development. Social security provisions have expanded. Progress has been made in social justice. Society, once shackled by authoritative chains, is now connected to the network of information technology. Through this, it has reached the highway of unrestricted freedom of expression.
- I am confident that the reasoning of those travelling this highway of freedom cannot justify the necessity of authoritarian chains.
In the seventy-five years since the end of 104 years of autocratic rule, despite various ups and downs, we have begun moving from poverty to prosperity, from a developing to a developed nation, and from inequality to equality in the light of democracy.
- A nation’s prosperity is directly linked to the happiness, satisfaction, and well-being of its people.
- The journey towards prosperity continues uninterrupted.
I have termed democracy as––‘comprehensive democracy’ as ‘national prosperity and people’s happiness.’ Conventional democracy advocated only for ‘freedom of organisation and expression.’ Comprehensivedemocracy ensures equal access for all to ‘rights and opportunities, equality and social justice, security and dignity.’ Prosperity is holistic development, and happiness is the easy fulfilment of an individual’s rightful human and biological needs.
We are moving towards this goal with sincerity.
- Amidst rising public aspirations and challenges, we are advancing in a synchronised manner, aligning institutional and state capabilities.
Our youth are the future of the nation. To provide them with education, healthcare, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities, startup initiatives have been launched. Empowering the youth is the government’s policy to lead the nation towards prosperity.
- Progress in people’s lives has been achieved under democracy, however challenges remain.
- By making democracy more transparent and accountable and by eliminating inequality, poverty, and corruption, we will overcome these challenges.
It is due to the light of democracy that today we have been able to initiate swift public service delivery through digital means, which has begun making government services more efficient and transparent.
By 2026, Nepal will be upgraded from the status of a least developed country, and democracy will be the foundation for improving economic indicators for sustainable management. We are utilising every moment, possibility, and capacity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Through this, we will succeed in fulfilling our national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.’
The 7th of Falgun shall continuously inspire:
- All Nepalese to take pride in their history,
- To diligently fulfil their responsibilities in the present, and
- To capitalise their accountability towards the future as a form of social wealth.
Finally,
The 7th of Falgun is also a day to honour the valiant heroes who dedicated themselves to the relentless and unyielding struggles of the past for the establishment of the democratic rights of the Nepali people. It is a day to reaffirm our commitment to realising the aspirations of the people for national prosperity and their well-being, as envisioned through those struggles for democracy.
On this historic occasion, commemorating the day that abolished the autocratic and despotic system to establish citizens' rights, I once again extend my heartfelt tribute to the immortal martyrs who sacrificed their invaluable lives in Nepal’s democratic movement. I earnestly call upon all my fellow sisters and brothers to unite and contribute towards fulfilling our national aspiration for good governance, development, prosperity, and the well-being of the people through an effective system of governance and orderly administration.
Thank you!
[Address by the Right Honourable Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli
on the Occasion of the 75th National Democracy Day
7th Falgun 2081]
