Promises in the constitution would be fulfilled if disagreements are respected: President

Kathmandu, Sept 19: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that by learning from criticism with respect for disagreements, the state will fulfill the aspirations that the Constitution intends to establish for the people.

Addressing the special ceremony held today at the President’s Office on the occasion of Constitution Day (National Day) 2083, the Head-of-the-State emphasized that, based on the constitution achieved through many struggles and sacrifices, Nepalis should never have to plead with their state for justice, respect, and a secure future.

“To connect political change to citizens’ lives, we need good governance and outstanding service delivery in practice, which can give citizens hope. Keeping citizens in despair won’t make any state or system successful, because we all must understand that changes in government structures alone do not fulfill the expectations of the times,” President Paudel said.

Noting that the constitution is not just a written document of words or sentences on paper and that it is also a shared pledge of the citizens’ dreams, hopes, expectations, and rights, he said its importance becomes clear when the state stands with the citizens’ wails, the government becomes a servant of the people, justice becomes the core aim of the state, and no Nepali has to feel alone or alien in their own country.

“I believe that the Constitution Day will remind all political parties, leaders, the government, and the entire state machinery of their responsibility to become more democratic, just, and results-oriented,” the President said.

He stressed that the country’s constitution should be respected highly and that the vows and commitments written in it should be implemented in the lives of ordinary people. He also said that natural disasters make us realize that development is not just about roads, bridges, and buildings, but also about thinking of protecting people’s lives, livelihoods, and future.

President Paudel expressed the view that since the democratic system embedded in the constitution is geared toward the people’s highest interests, our development models now need to become more humane, just, and nature-friendly amidst the challenges of climate change.

“In the country’s constitutional development, this people-constructed constitution has given us democracy. We have gained more freedom and respect than ever in history. This constitution has given us provinces, and we have the opportunity to make our provinces peaceful, grand, and organized. The federalism we received in place of a unitary and centralized governance system is an important gift given to us by the constitution,” said President Paudel.

President Paudel expressed the confidence that this constitution has given us the opportunity to build an inclusive Nepal based on pluralism, and since we have established the state’s governance structure in a new way through this constitution, our future journey of prosperity will be ensured on the foundation of these great achievements provided by the constitution.

On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal, President Paudel also expressed heartfelt tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives, highlighting that the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal was issued by institutionalizing the achievements gained through more than seven decades of struggle, sacrifice, and dedication of the Nepali people to write their own constitution through their elected representatives.