HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

National unity must to make peace process success: HM
Priority to all round development of Far Western Region stressed

From Our Correspondent

DHANGADHI, Apr. 4: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, addressing the civic felicitation programme at Dhangadhi today, said that at a time when the world was going through a difficult phase, national unity was even more important to us. His Majesty said, "There is only one option - the option of saving the country from the brink of disaster." Should we fail, we stand condemned by history and humiliated before the future generation, His Majesty said.

Addressing the civic reception held to felicitate Their Majesties the King and Queen by the people of the Far Western Development Region, His Majesty the King said that the Nepalese were unreservedly committed to multiparty democracy and that all of them should concentrate on ways and means of uplifting the country and the countrymen to the height of progress in the shortest possible time.
"Our people deserve good governance, a corruption-free administration and a government accountable to the people."

Since peace is an important prerequisite for progress, definite efforts must be followed for a lasting peace. All individuals, political parties and civil society, who have goodwill towards the nation and its people, must contribute to making the peace process a success, His Majesty the King said in the address. His Majesty said that patriotism should be the pivotal element of all diverse opinions. Nepal's Monarchy's devotion to the country and the people's unwavering love for their land are history's glorious past, its present and also its future, His Majesty said.

His Majesty said nations that started their development endeavours together with Nepal had made remarkable progress. Majority of the Nepalese people, however, still suffer from disease, hunger and illiteracy, His Majesty the King said. "Not a single individual, a single village or a district or any ethnic group or community should feel neglected, His Majesty said, adding this goal should be achieved with the active participation of the political parties and elected representatives in a multiparty democracy.

The international community has once again begun to place their faith on Nepal's improving situation as well as on its governance, His Majesty said. "We should not allow this opportunity to go to waste."
Describing the strong bond between the institution of monarchy and the people nurtured by mutual affection and confidence as the quintessence of Nepali identity, His Majesty said Nepal has been able to maintain her independent identity and self-respect throughout history only because of the people's consistent trust in the institution of monarchy and the monarchy's dedication towards the people.

The following is the full text of His Majesty's address:

Beloved countrymen,

We are happy to be amongst our beloved people of the Far Western Development Region here in Dhangadhi. The quintessence of our Nepali identity is the strong bond between the institution of monarchy and the people nurtured by mutual affection and confidence. Nepal has been able to maintain her independent identity and self-respect throughout her history only because of the people's unwavering trust in the institution of Monarchy and the Monarchy's dedication towards the people. We would like to reiterate here that the affection and allegiance of the people have been the source of inspiration for us to dedicate ourselves to the good of the country and the people.

To act in accordance with the wishes of the people is an unchanging commitment of the Monarchy. In keeping with this commitment, the well-being of the people, providing hopes for a bright future for the younger generation and ensuring a pride of place for the country among the comity of nations through multiparty democracy are our only desires.

We must give utmost priority to the all round development of this Far Western Development Region, which has lagged far behind compared to the other parts of the kingdom. It is time we concentrated our efforts in the development of our nation. Countries which had embarked on the road to development at the same time as we achieved a lot of progress. We, however, have fallen behind. The majority of our people must still endure the heart wrenching existence of disease, hunger and lack of education.

While addressing our beloved people of the Eastern Development Region last January, we had stressed on incorporating market economy, good governance, transparency and corruption-free practices into our national agenda in the hope that the administration would inculcate a culture of responsibility towards the common people and that the polity would infuse the society with moral values.

Since we are all unreservedly committed to multiparty democracy, we should all concentrate on the ways and means of uplifting the country and the countrymen to the pinnacle of progress in the shortest possible time. Peace is a pre-condition in achieving this and there must be unequivocal effort in giving permanence to peace. All individuals, political parties and the civil society who have goodwill towards Nepal and the Nepali people must contribute in earnest to make a success of the peace process that is already underway. It will be against the popular will of the Nepali people if anyone tries to thwart this.

Unfortunately, the world is going through a difficult phase and national unity is even more important to us at this juncture. The only option for Nepal and the Nepali people at this crucial hour is to work together to bring the country back from the brink of collapse. Should we fail, we will stand condemned by history and be an embarrassment for future generations.

It is our conviction that our people deserve good governance, a corruption-free administration and a government responsible to the people. It is our desire to see that not a single individual, a single village or a district or any ethnic group or community feels neglected. We also wish this goal to be achieved with the active participation of the political parties and elected representatives of the people under the aegis of multiparty democracy. The international community has once again begun to place their faith on the improving situation in Nepal as well as on its governance. We should not squander this opportunity.

It is but natural to have differences of opinion and competition in a multiparty democracy. However, the converging point of all these different opinions must be patriotism. A monarchy ever devoted to the country and the people and a people with innate love for their land are the glorious past of Nepali history, its present and also its future.

On behalf of the Queen and ourselves, we would like to thank the organisers of this function and all our countrymen who are present here today.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!

Jaya Nepal!

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