Calls for national consensus, stating stability and prosperity have not been achieved even after two decades
Kathmandu —
On the occasion of Prithvi Jayanti, former King Gyanendra Shah, in a message, expressed deep concern that the country was heading toward a serious crisis.
He recalled that nearly two decades ago, political parties had taken responsibility for governing the country with promises of peace, economic prosperity, and stability, and in accordance with those commitments, he had handed over the crown to the people. However, he stated that even after two decades since leaving the Narayanhiti Palace, the nation’s situation had remained troubling.
Former King Shah remarked that while there had once been concern that the country was not progressing, there was now growing fear that the country itself might not survive. He emphasized that Nepal was not the property of any single individual, but a shared nation belonging equally to the king and the people.
In his message, he urged all Nepalis to act with a strong sense of duty and to follow the path shown by Prithvi Narayan Shah, making it clear that the nation could not be built through speeches alone. He warned that if the outflow of youth to foreign countries could not be controlled, the nation could move toward failure.
He stated that a nation could only be strong when its people were capable and empowered, and criticized the tendency of using youth without understanding their needs, which he said had resulted in dissatisfaction and loss of lives and property. He added that incidents involving the loss of lives of youths—considered the pillars of the future—had deeply shocked the nation.
Former King Shah stressed that seeking solutions without national consensus would be a waste of time and urged all sides to move forward together. Concluding his message, he called on all Nepalis to unite in strengthening the nation built through the unification efforts of the king and the people, placing national interest above all else, and extended his best wishes.