Former King Gyanendra’s New Year Address: “No System is Greater than People’s Freedom”

Kathmandu:  On the occasion of Nepali New Year 2082, former King Gyanendra Shah issued a video message emphasizing that no political system or ideology should outweigh the freedom of the people. His message comes amid growing national unrest and heated political discourse.

“True democracy thrives where there is room for both praise and criticism. There is no greater system than civil liberty,” said Shah in his address. He appreciated the increasing public awareness among Nepalis about the nation’s future, viewing it as a positive sign of civic consciousness.

Reflecting on recent violent protests that resulted in human and material loss, Shah expressed deep sorrow and stressed the need for restraint and respect for democratic norms. He noted that Nepal’s monarchy has always played a role in stabilizing the nation during times of unrest, and reaffirmed his belief in a multi-party democracy with a constitutional monarchy, guided by the will of the people.

The former monarch advocated for a self-reliant economy, calling on the government to focus on youth employment, reduce capital flight, and modernize systems of education, health, and governance. He called for a corruption-free and stable administration as key to national progress.

Addressing the issue of increasing youth migration and economic challenges, Shah encouraged the return of skilled Nepalis from abroad and the investment of their capital in rebuilding Nepal. He urged all citizens to unite and avoid polarization, asserting that Nepal’s future lies in the unity of its people.

Asserting that dialogue, coordination, and cooperation are vital to solving national problems, he called for collective national efforts to make this New Year a milestone in Nepal’s history.

This is the message issued by Former King Gyanendra Shah:

Dear beloved Nepali brothers and sisters,

The New Year 2082 has arrived in the courtyards of all Nepalis. On the occasion of this New Year—bringing with it new sunlight, new light, and new enthusiasm—I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes for peace and happiness to all Nepalis living both inside and outside the country.

Every New Year brings hope and faith, yet for many years now, we’ve seen those hopes fade into despair by the end of the year. The beauty of democracy lies in the freedom of various political parties, communities, and citizens to express their beliefs, ideologies, and opinions. However, while expressing such views, everyone must exercise restraint.

A few days ago, the violence, arson, and vandalism during public protests—and the resulting human and physical losses—deeply saddened us. No system or ideology is greater than civil liberty. True democracy exists where there is a culture and tradition of listening to both appreciation and criticism. We take the growing public awareness regarding the country and its future as a positive sign.

In fact, the patriotic sentiment among Nepali people is something exemplary even on a global scale. The awareness that has developed to liberate the country from prevailing complexities and to make it peaceful, stable, and prosperous, reinforces the belief that in the year 2082, outcomes will align with the desires of the Nepali people. It is well known that the monarchy of Nepal has always contributed to freeing the public from unrest, lawlessness, hopelessness, and dissatisfaction. Our belief remains rooted in a multi-party democracy and a constitutional monarchy that respects nationalism, democracy, and the will of the people.

Acknowledging evolving public aspirations, the concept that “the people are the true source of state power” must always be upheld. Could the divine guidance of the nation’s founder, His Majesty King Prithvi Narayan Shah, be considered the mantra for today’s governance? A balanced foreign policy and the vision of a self-reliant Nepal are the essence of the Prithvi Path. This, in fact, should be the mainstream of politics.

Considering the changing global circumstances and the economic downturn affecting the world, it is now time for developing countries like Nepal to focus with laser-like vision on building a self-reliant economy.

By utilizing domestic resources, producing locally, and consuming locally, a global trend is emerging that signals the need for countries like ours to revitalize the internal economic cycle and become economically independent. When it becomes difficult to survive in this land—one of the best in the world—there is an urgent need to stop the outmigration of youth and fully utilize their labor and skills within the country.

Creating opportunities for youth self-employment and enabling them to earn a living in Nepal has become today’s top priority. The full focus—mind, body, and soul—of all Nepalis must now be directed toward this goal. There is no more time to delay uniting all Nepalis scattered around the world under one bond of unity.

It is necessary not only to bring back the knowledge, skills, and abilities of Nepalis abroad, but also to inspire them to invest the capital, resources, and means they have earned back into Nepal. It is now time to launch a campaign of return to Nepal, a campaign declaring: “Nepal is heaven in our homeland.”

Understanding public emotions and aspirations, it has become evident that the entire structure of the nation must be re-evaluated. Fundamental reforms and modernization are essential in education, healthcare, and everyday administrative systems. This is an era of technology, and if used carefully, it can significantly contribute to national development. Good governance and a corruption-free administration must become core priorities.

We want to see an end to instability, unrest, lawlessness, poverty, and corruption. We express solidarity with all efforts made by the people of Nepal in pursuit of these goals. The decline in industrial production, rising national debt, unemployment, weakening nationalism, erosion of social harmony, and growing public frustration, dissatisfaction, and cultural loss are our major concerns. Capital flight, corruption, and mismanagement have reached unsustainable levels. In this situation, making this New Year result-oriented has become a collective and united responsibility of all Nepalis.

We must ensure that there is no conflict among Nepalis, no rise in mutual distrust or violence, and that people are not divided by any name or reason. Nepal’s future lies in the unity of Nepalis—this is a truth we have embraced, and we believe everyone must internalize this reality. Our call is not for any personal interest, nor for any specific ideology or doctrine, but for the sovereignty of the nation, the dignity of all Nepali citizens, and the prosperity of Nepal and Nepalis.

It is we ourselves who must build a leading nation in our own way, and we must rise and define our own identity.

The world has moved far ahead, yet we remain trapped in cycles of one “ism” or another. We must center our ideas and actions around Mother Nepal. Every problem can be resolved through dialogue, consensus, coordination, and cooperation.

Let this upcoming year be remembered as a historic and golden chapter in Nepal’s journey. And we believe that it can be made so. May this New Year bring new hope, excitement, and enthusiasm. And may it secure a bright and prosperous future for all Nepalis.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all.
Jai Nepal.