Govt winning over inequality, poverty: Prime Minister

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 20: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that Falgun 7, 2007 (February 18, 1951) was a turning point in Nepal’s history.

“This day reminds us of the harrowing yet courageous journey that led our forebears from the dark night shackled by the cruel chains of autocratic rule to the warm dawn of freedom, driven by their own conscience,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a special ceremony organised at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel on the occasion of the 75th National Democracy 

Day-2025 on Wednesday.

He said the 7th Falgun did not merely change the form of governance; it laid the foundation of a civil administration by replacing arbitrary appointments with a merit-based system. It marked the beginning of planned development and established diplomatic ties with friendly nations on the basis of sovereign equality, he said. 

“Overall, 7th Falgun advanced the firm struggle for the country’s complete independence and sovereignty,” the PM said. 

He said the current government is committed to enhancing democracy by making it more transparent and accountable while addressing the challenges of inequality, poverty, and corruption in society.

Premier Oli emphasised that empowering the youth is key to driving the country towards prosperity.

“Our youth are the future of the nation. Startup initiatives have been launched to provide them with education, healthcare, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Empowering the youth is the government’s policy to lead the nation towards prosperity,” he said. 

“Democracy is the foundation for Nepal's graduation from least developed country status by 2026 and for improving economic indicators to ensure sustainable development. We are utilising every moment, possibility, and capacity towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Through this, we will succeed in fulfilling our national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’,” said the Prime Minister. He called upon everyone to unite and contribute towards effective governance, development, prosperity, and well-being of the people to realise the nation’s collective aspirations.

Over the 75 years since the end of 104 years of autocratic rule, despite many ups and downs, we have begun moving from poverty to prosperity, from a developing to a developed nation, and from inequality to equality in the light of democracy, he said. 

He said that a nation’s prosperity is directly linked to the happiness, satisfaction, and well-being of its people. 

“I define ‘prosperity of the country and people’s happiness’ as––‘comprehensive democracy’. Conventional democracy advocated only for ‘freedom of organisation and expression.’ Comprehensive democracy ensures equal access for all to ‘rights and opportunities, equality and social justice, security and dignity,” he said, adding that prosperity is holistic development, and happiness is the easy fulfilment of an individual’s rightful human and biological needs. 

He said that amidst rising public aspirations and growing challenges, “we are advancing in a synchronised manner, aligning institutional and state capabilities to meet evolving demands.”

Development for the people

Criticising the feudal rulers of the past for building palaces for their descendants, the Prime Minister contrasted this with democracy, which has provided roads, bridges, irrigation canals, hydropower projects, business centres, hospitals, and schools for the public. 

"Can the lavish structures built for the luxury of absolute rulers be objectively compared to the infrastructure developed by democracy to improve citizens' lives?" he questioned. "Instead of making irrelevant comparisons, today’s generation must weigh these developments on the scale of rationality."

Finally, he urged all Nepalis to take pride in their history, actively fulfill their responsibilities in the present, and regard their accountability towards the future as a valuable social asset.

"Today is not only a day to remember the historic struggle for democracy but also a day to reaffirm our commitment to realising the aspirations of national prosperity and public well-being," he declared.

The Prime Minister paid heartfelt tribute to all the martyrs who sacrificed their invaluable lives for Nepal’s democratic movement.

President graces main ceremony of Democracy Day President Ramchandra Paudel attended a special ceremony organised by the Main Ceremony Organising Committee on the occasion of National Democracy Day-2025 at the Nepali Army Pavilion, Tundikhel, on Wednesday.

The event included a performance of the national anthem, flag hoisting, and a moment of silence in honour of known and unknown martyrs.

On the same occasion, a helicopter of the Nepali Army displayed a banner emblazoned with "National Democracy Day-2081 B.S.," showered flowers, and released colourful balloons into the sky. 

The ceremony featured a march-pass and band performance by the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal, and Nepal Scouts.

Additionally, cultural displays from various municipalities of the Kathmandu Valley were showcased, including traditional Lakhe dance and Taekwondo performance. 

The event was attended by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dev Raj Ghimire, Chairman of the National Assembly Narayan Prasad Dahal, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, members of parliament, heads and officials of constitutional bodies, senior government officials, representatives of diplomatic missions, and various representatives from different sectors of society.