BUTWAL, Jan 5: Former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah has said that the existence of the nation has been worsening, comparing it to rusting. Shah said that the country’s increasing dependence has led the country’s self-esteem to shrink.

Addressing a civic felicitation program in Bhairahawa, the former monarch said that the independent identity of the country has been shrinking of late. "Our country, which has valor, prowess, manliness, and high values, has a high glorious history, has now been brought to a state where outsiders look at it with disdain and insult it," he said.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the current political situation in a roundabout way, the former head of state said that the current trend which is going on to make the country hollow should be stopped. Aiming at the current politics, he said, “The trend that is going on to make the country hollow must end.”

He mentioned that the age of ethical politics had faded, noting a prevailing notion that Nepal's political shifts demand backing from various powers - left, right, internal, and external. Reflecting on the nation's past, he stressed the importance of Nepali autonomy in determining the most beneficial course of action, system, and structure that align with the nation's and people's best interests. "Now is the time for us to unite, assess everything, and envision a positive future. Let's harness our resources to propel the country forward," he said. 

Addressing the political parties, he said, “Insisting that only our path is correct while dismissing others' perspectives as wrong breeds conflict. I urge you to transcend this discord, unite under the Nepali identity, and progress together." He underscored the need for peace for everyone's future, advocating for leaving behind past grievances and animosity, embracing love, and collectively moving. “Let's connect the broken pieces; how long will we listen to complaints of oppression, injustice and tyranny, let's liberate the injustice and tyranny,” he said.

Expressing solidarity with the Nepali populace, he asserted that wherever he travels, he hears the people call him to come save the country and build the country. "Everywhere I go, wherever I go, I hear the voices of the people saying, Raja Aau Desh Bachau (King, come and save the country)," he said. He also said that he has not gone anywhere and is in Nepal among the Nepali people. He also said that Nepalis are together and he has been closely observing the hardships and pain and sufferings of the people. "I stand here, affirming that we must build and safeguard our nation."

He said that he is closely monitoring the problems of Nepalis. Saying that any society cannot exist without law and order, he said that the country should move forward through suitable and strong innovations, otherwise the country would be in a shambles. He said that poverty, unemployment and poor educational system in the country forced hundreds of thousands of Nepali youths to go abroad. He said that not because they do not love the country, but because of the deterioration of the country's condition, Nepalis are forced to emigrate. He said that such a situation should end. He said that production, education, civilization, enterprise, skill, knowledge, opportunity should be created within the country, and the situation of national enthusiasm should be created.

He said that he felt proud to address the people in the holy land of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. “The birthplace of Buddha, the country of Mount Everest, the country of ancient intellectual culture, various religions and heritages, the prosperous country, which is full of many means, resources, wealth, culture, civilization. Even though it is such a wonderful country, we are running away from it,” he said.

Former King Shah, who came to Rupandehi two weeks ago, was felicitated on Thursday in Bhairahawa. Former King Shah came to Rupandehi on the 24th of December to visit the religious places and shrines in the district. Former Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Shah also participated in the felicitation program.

 
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