Roundup: Nepalese mark day of "people's triumph"

Kathmandu, Apr 23 (Xinhua-ANI): Five years ago on this very day, Nepal witnessed a great change in its history. The ultimate power was handed over to the Nepalese people by the then King.

Nepalese remember this day as "Loktantra Diwas," meaning democracy as the day of "people's triumph."

In April 2006 a massive people's movement led by the then seven party alliance had paved the way for the peace process, election of the Constituent Assembly and most importantly the establishment of a republic in Nepal.

The Loktantra Day is commemorated as the day when former King Gyanendra Shah, ceded power to the people under mounting pressure the April uprising had piled up on his authoritarian regime.

The 240-year-old monarchy was abolished in the nation after the Constituent Assembly elections declared Nepal "a federal democratic republic."

Various events were organized throughout the nation to mark the occasion.

Issuing a message, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai paid tributes to all those who gave their lives for the country and promised to make their dreams come true.

"The country is in need of a constitution ensuring sustainable peace, federalism, secularism and inclusiveness, and proportional and participatory democratic values," he said.

He added that the army integration, the integral part of peace process, was accomplished successfully on the eve of New Year and the entire nation is now confident that the constitution would be drafted on time.

Likewise, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala has urged one and all to help within their respective capacities to establish durable peace and thereby draft the democratic constitution.

He recalled the Loktantra Day as an occasion that has reflected the history of Nepali people's struggle for their own rights.

More than 20 people died during the 19-day revolution and thousands were injured as huge numbers of people took to the street for demonstration and protest.

Narendra Raule, an activist in the movement, still feels the pains at times from the gunshot wound in his arm, but he said he feel proud of his sacrifice for the nation.

He told Xinhua that he went to street five years ago as he was frustrated by the King's rule and the incessant conflicts with the Maoists.

He was 18 then.

"The revolution was for changing the face of Nepal, bringing peace and stability in the nation, however without the new constitution our achievements would be in vain," Raule said.

The government has given him an identity card of "injured in revolution," which provides him with a free education.

Like Raule, those who were wounded in the revolution or even dedicated their lives, lives, all long for the birth of a "New Nepal."

Since the establishment of the constituent assembly, government has seen four cabinet reshuffles. Now it has only 35 days to go before the deadline for the draft of the much awaited constitution. (Xinhua-ANI)