In view of the occasion, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina attended the main function of National Democracy Day 2019 at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel.

Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana and Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara along with several Deputy Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers and other ministers were also present at the event.

During the event, Nepal’s national anthem was recited and homage was paid to all the martyrs. A Nepal Army helicopter hoisted a banner with the words ‘69th National Democracy Day-2075’.

Institutions including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Scout performed march-pasts at the pavilion.

The event also witnessed cultural performances depicting the cultures of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Kirtipur, Lalitpur and Madhyapur Thimi.

PM Oli Calls for International Community’s Support

While addressing Nepal on the occasion of the 69^th Democracy Day, PM Oli gave emphasis to proportional development in Nepal.

“Nepal has arrived at this point by overcoming various obstacles, averting adverse situations and defeating the then absolute rulers. The time which we have gained now is not possible through absolute development and hinders the constitution we have adopted,” said Oli.

The Prime Minister also appealed to the international community to make Nepal’s new development goals a grand success.

“I appeal to all natives, well-wishers and the foreign countries to come participate and help in the development move,” added the Prime Minister.

Celebrations at Province 1

Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sher Dhan Rai, Province 1 formed a 501-member main committee Rai to host a three-day celebration in view of the 69^th Democracy Day.

Several arrangements were made across the province, including illumination at educational & private institutions, industrial centers and government offices, distribution of fruits at child rehabilitation centers and in Koshi Hospital and a morning rally among others.

History of Nepal Democracy Day

Democracy Day, also known as Rashtriya Prajatantra Diwas is celebrated as a reminder of Nepalese freedom from the 104-year old Rana regime.

The people of Nepal suffered under the corrupt Rana rule that robbed them of a lot of opportunities. On the other hand, the Ranas enjoyed a life of luxury and comfort. During that time Nepal was rampant with corruption, discrimination and violent treatment at the hand of the influential.

Ultimately on February 19, 1951, Nepalese overthrew the corrupt Rana autocracy after years of prolonged protests and the support of the four martyrs – Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dashrath Chand and Ganga Lal Shrestha.

The end of the Rana rule established democracy in Nepal –  rule of the people, by the people and for the people!

World Democracy Index 2018

Justice Impending for Insurgency Victims

During the famous decade-long revolt against the Rana autocracy, as many as 13,000 people lost their lives and about 1,300 went missing. Besides, there were many reports of human rights violation.

The Nepal Government had formed a commission to investigate the missing reports. However, hardly any progress has been made in this area, which has drawn attention from world governing bodies.

Related News:

• Nepal Development Report 2018 Highlights

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Speaking at the occasion, PM Oli said that he would not tolerate corruption and that his government would take firm steps to counter the rising menace.

Oli added that those misusing power would have to face the consequences despite their political connection while stressing on his government’s zero-tolerance policy.

“I will not be corrupt and I will not tolerate corruption. This is our declared policy,” PM Oli said while speaking at the event.

PM Oli addressing the Annual Day of the Armed Police Force

Sealing the Peace Process

The Nepali Prime Minister also informed that the government was working diligently towards the remaining works of the peace process.

He also urged the concerned stakeholders to not politicize the matter.

“The peace process is finally coming to an end after a decade-long Maoist insurgency and another decade of political transition. We can only move forward, not backward. It won’t be wise to revert, inciting conflicts again,” Oli said, adding that some things were being conspired to take Nepal back into conflict.

2,807 Security Personnel – Martyrs of Insurgency

PM Oli also informed that 2,807 personnel were killed in the line of duty at the time of the Maoist insurgency.

The martyred persons include 318 from APF, 1,448 from Nepal Police, 1,018 from Nepal Army and 23 from the National Investigation Department.

A Retrospect on Nepal’s Corruption Scenario

The Prime Minister’s address comes at a time when his government’s ability to curb corruption is being questioned.

The Oli Government also faced heavy criticism when the Prime Minister presented Nepal Communist Party’s Contribution to Nepal’s progress path in the Parliament’s winter session

Recently, Transparent International, the watch guard for corruption across world countries placed Nepal at the 124^th rank on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The country climbed higher in the corruption index by 2 spots compared to last year.

Events such as the infamous aviation scam and the NPR 52 billion money laundering racket only raised doubts on the government’s ability to stop corruption.

Corruption in Nepal averaged at a rank of 127.40 between 2004-2018, during which the country witnessed the highest rate of 154 in 2011 and record low of 90 in 2004.

PM Oli: No more Martyrdom for Rights!

PM KP Sharma Oli paid homage to martyrs on the occasion of Martyr’s Day at the Martyrs Memorial Park in Lainchaur on January 30, 2019.

Oli reassured that no one needed to become martyrs in the fight for rights from now onward since the Nepal’s democratic regime has already been put in place.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the need for unity within Nepal to promote good governance and economic development in accordance with the martyrs’ dreams, adding that it was time to drive Nepal towards economic transformation through ‘Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali’ campaign.

“Let us all come up with the resolution today again to end corruption by maintaining good governance. Let us hand over the country with equality of rights, people’s respect and rule of law to the generation to come”, Oli said.

Kathmandu Metropolis Mayor Bidhya Sundar Shakya also stressed on the need to work towards cherishing the dream of martyrs.

As part of the honorary day, Kathmandu Metropolis organized a morning rally from Ratna Park to Lainchaur in view of Martyr’s Day.

Likewise, a contingent of Nepal Army offered a guard of honor to the martyrs at the event held in Martyr’s Memorial Park.

Several high-ranking government officials, constitutional bodies and security agencies chiefs, people’s representatives and ministers were also present at the event.

Martyr’s Day commemorates the martyrdom of Shukraraj Shastri, Dharmabhakta Mathema, Dasharath Chand Thakur and Ganga Lal Shrestha in their fight against the Rana rule in 1997 BS.

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High-ranking military officials met at the 11^th Asia-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference (APICC) to share mutual beneficial interests and military intelligence information.

According to the Nepal Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DPR&I) at the Nepal Army Headquarters Bhadrakali, the officials interacted and agreed to share expertise and skills to counter potential security threats faced by any of the member countries.

The three-day conference that concluded on September 6, 2018 witnessed the participation of military officials from Nepal, Bangladesh, Brunei, Japan, Fiji, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Magnolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vietnam, Brunei, Papa New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Cambodia, America, Canada and France.

Talking about the important of such events, Nepal DPR&I said that an international interaction at such a high-level would help in enhancing military intelligence in the region.

The conference was concluded by Nepal Military General Staff Chief (CGS) and Lt. General Hemanta Raj Kunwar with the decision to organize the conference’s 12^th edition in Philippines in 2019.

The Nepali Army and US Indo-Pacific Command Directorate of Intelligence organized the conference.

Poland-Nepal Joint Military Exercise:
In another scenario, Poland proposed a joint military drill for capacity enhancement of the Nepal Army.

The proposal was made by Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Btaszczak to Nepal Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Defense Minister Ishwor Pokharel, on his official visit to Poland.

Minister Pokharel has accepted the proposal. According to the DPM’s Press Coordinator, Pokharel said that the Nepal Government and Army will be ready to provide staff commando training, mountain warfare training, and para basic training to the Polish Army.

Oli’s Take on BIMSTEC Joint Military Exercise
The Indian Army had first proposed a joint military exercise in the initial meeting of the BIMSTEC army representatives in June 2018.

Furthering this cause, the Indian Government announced that it would be hosting the drill and organize a meeting of army staff chiefs on the concluding day in August 2018.

However, the decision to hold a joint military exercise was strongly criticized by Nepal PM Oli’s party members, the opposition and several others. A number of Nepali lawmakers questioned the decision of Nepal’s participation in the drill.

Nepal PM Oli was quick to clear doubts and defend the exercise, terming it as a ‘friendly gesture’.

He explained that BIMSTEC did not have any military motive or believe in holding a military pact.

“Nepal Army has been conducting such friendly military exercises with India, China, Pakistan, and the United States of America, and there are a number of other multilateral drills conducted regularly. Officials from different countries take military courses in Nepal, so do our officials in other countries,” said Oli.

Adding further he said, if there had been any military motive, it would have been added to the 18 points Kathmandu Declaration.

Conclusion:
Nepal’s enthusiasm in building and maintaining military relations in note-worthy. We hope that these military decisions will bring about the much-needed regional cooperation to counter regional security-threats.

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