KATHMANDU, May 22: Indirectly hitting out at the politicians and political parties ruling the country for the past few decades and holding them responsible for the sorry state of things in the country, former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah has drawn everyone’s attention toward ‘the waning legacy of our forefathers.”
The former king said so while addressing an event organized to felicitate him in Dhangadhi of far-western Nepal on Monday. Former King Shah also said that today the situation is such that “the common people are belittled and treated as fools to serve the selfish interests of a few.”
Commenting for the first time on the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, the former king said that our respect and pride have been eroded by those who turn our fellow Nepalis into refugees, forcing them to toil in foreign lands, disregarding our territory and national sovereignty. “The sentiment of living in our own country, toil and sweat within our own borders, and bestow upon our homeland the legacy of our forefathers is waning,” he remarked.
“With our own eyes, we have witnessed and experienced the self-sufficiency our country enjoyed in agriculture, forestry, and other vital sectors until four decades ago. We were exporters of paddy and rice, meeting our own needs. What happened to the rural and urban factories, the small-scale industries? Why did they vanish?” asked the former monarch.
The former monarch also questioned the rhetoric of ‘New Nepal’ often raised by the politicians. “Is this the new Nepal we envisioned? Does an agragami (forward-looking) Nepal mean a dependent Nepal? Does Nepal not possess its inherent identity?” he asked.
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Here is the full text of an unofficial translation of the speech delivered by former King Gyanendra:
Ladies and gentlemen present,
This auspicious gathering, organized by your esteemed efforts, stands as a remarkable testament to harmonious coordination. I extend my deepest gratitude to the organizers and every individual gathered here in the far western region, for granting me the honor to address you today. Dhangadhi, a land of old bustle in the farthest reaches of Nepal has evolved into an urban epicenter of enterprise and commerce. The sons and daughters of this region, who hold their land and heritage sacred, yearn for comprehensive development of this region. The burgeoning curiosity and consciousness toward this endeavor is indeed commendable.
As we advance through our collective journey of nation-building, fostering physical, educational, and social progress, no part of Nepal remains distant or remote. Since the reign of my revered father, the concept of nationhood has flourished in unparalleled ways. Tikapur and Mahendranagar now stand as prominent cities in this region, as the very example of this vision. However, it is disheartening to observe that the same fervor of nationalistic thought, unity, and upliftment of our entire nation toward holistic progress is not advancing at an equal pace and magnitude. Such a realization is far from satisfactory for all of us. Doti, Dadeldhura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Baitadi, Darchula, Accham, and Bajura adorn this region with their majestic landscapes and sacred pilgrimage sites. It is a harsh reality that centers like Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, and Tikapur, although developed in the modern era, have failed to radiate the expected radiance.
With our own eyes, we have witnessed and experienced the self-sufficiency our country enjoyed in agriculture, forestry, and other vital sectors until four decades ago. We were exporters of paddy and rice, meeting our own needs. What happened to the rural and urban factories, the small-scale industries? Why did they vanish? Our water, land, forests, herbal wealth, and the skills of our people now languish in desolation. The once-thriving cottage enterprises of our craftsmen and women that adorned our homes, courtyards and backyards, have vanished without a trace. Should we not acknowledge and honor our ancestors and earlier generations for their contributions? These questions demand our contemplation.
The phenomenon we witness today, wherein the common people are belittled and treated as fools to serve the selfish interests of a few, is now laid bare. Our respect and pride have been eroded by those who turn our fellow Nepalis into refugees, forcing them to toil in foreign lands, disregarding our territory and national sovereignty. The sentiment of living in our own country, toil and sweat within our own borders, and bestow upon our homeland the legacy of our forefathers is waning.
Is this the new Nepal we envisioned? Does an agragami (forward-looking) Nepal mean a dependent Nepal? Does Nepal not possess its inherent identity? We, brave, hardworking, and proud Nepalis, but is our courage, self-respect, and laborious skills getting stripped away today? Witnessing such a distressing panorama brings tears to our eyes. This is the age of progress; this is the age of technology. We yearn to harness our own resources, our own strength, and our inherent capabilities to fuel our timeless advancement.
Now is the time to contemplate the national approach we must undertake. What systems and procedures should we embrace? Let us reflect profoundly, with our hearts full of passion, as true Nepalis, connecting deeply with the soil and the essence of our motherland. There is nothing greater than our nation.
Pretending ignorance and misunderstanding the dire circumstances that surround us, perplexing and inhibiting others through empty rhetoric, will not manifest the future we envision for Nepal and the Nepali people. Realizing the beautiful dream of tomorrow and achieving its realization relies upon the Nepali people themselves, guided by their collective wisdom, faith, and spirit. This is our shared welfare. Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Long live Nepal!
