THE 2564th Buddha Jayanti or Baisakh Purnima passed off without any formal programme due mainly to the prolonged lockdown enforced to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, many Nepalis commemorated the Baisakh Purnima, the time when the Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini, achieved enlightenment and mahaparinirbana, by reminding them of the sage's teachings and messages at a time when our nation is battling against a common foe of all humanity - the dreaded COVID-19. In her messages to the nation on the occasion of the Buddha Jayanti, recognised and celebrated by the UN as the Veshak Day, President Bidya Devi Bhandari stated she had prayed for the world to get rid of the pandemic soon and wished that the Day would inspire all of us to exhibit a greater sense of unity, tolerance, goodwill, non-violence and peace during this crucial time. Similarly, in his message, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stated the Buddha Jayanti would inspire the Nepalis to display solidarity for fighting the pandemic and exuded confidence that the country would taste success in protecting life by defeating the pandemic through global common efforts and unity.

The crux of the message from the President and the Prime Minister points out to the importance of laying a greater emphasis on unity and collective efforts to combat the pandemic. Owing to the pandemic, the people have been passing through an unfathomable level of difficulties. Many have already lost their livelihoods while others are in need of urgent relief and rescue. Industries, businesses and trade have been hit hard, forcing the government to adopt various measures to keep them afloat. Protecting the lives of the people is one of pressing tasks for the government. Equally important is the task of steadying the economy. The pandemic pressure has driven the government to spend tens of millions of rupees and mobilise vast number of human resources to deal with the current situation.

What really annoys a common Nepali at this testing time is- there are elements that are inclined to derail all efforts of the government in its fight against the pandemic. Some divisive forces are hatching plots to cause harm to national unity and deliver a blow to the government. However, these forces must be reminded of the fact that if the government suffers at the hands of these manipulators, all works the government has undertaken in its battle against the pandemic will lose its efficacy, threatening the people's life, social and economic fabric of the nation. If that happens, the people will not forgive them. They should also be told that the current time is not an occasion for flexing political muscle, which will only harm the party unity. Instead, they should display a greater sense of unity and cooperation to fight the common enemy of all Nepalis. At this critical juncture, the Buddha's time-tested message of unity, tolerance, goodwill and service to others is highly relevant and has utmost significance for leaders of all hues and the people following all creeds. We must take inspiration from the message to achieve the most urgent and pressing goal of present hour- defeating the pandemic with collective efforts for the greater good of the Nepalis.