Kathmandu, Feb 19: President Ram Chandra Poudel has expressed hope that National Democracy Day will contribute to achieving Nepal’s national goals of sustainable peace, good governance, development, and prosperity.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of National Democracy Day–2082, President Poudel paid heartfelt tribute to known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives in various movements for sovereignty, geographical integrity, national interest, self-respect, and democracy.

“I pay my heartfelt tribute to all the known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives in the many struggles for the establishment of democracy, and express my respect and devotion to the leaders who led the many movements for the establishment of democracy in the country,” the message stated.

President Poudel described Democracy Day, observed annually on Falgun 7, as a proud and historic milestone that established the principle that sovereignty rests with the people. The day commemorates the success of the 2007 BS revolution, which secured human rights and civil liberties after a long struggle against autocratic rule.

He also emphasized that the federal democratic republic achieved through decades of sacrifice should never be taken for granted, noting that the 2007 BS revolution laid the foundation for the current Constitution of Nepal drafted by the people themselves.

Appealing to citizens to actively participate in the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21, President Poudel urged all stakeholders to ensure the success of the democratic process to fulfill public aspirations for constitutionalism, democracy, good governance, and rapid development.

“The federal democratic republic is an important achievement that we Nepalis have gained through a struggle lasting more than seven decades. Democracy will further strengthen national unity through social justice, equality, harmony, and prosperity,” the message read.

President Poudel reaffirmed that the Constitution of Nepal enshrines a federal democratic republican system and envisions building a socialist-oriented economy based on justice and equality, further solidifying the people as the sole source of state power.