The new year Bikram Samvat 2080 has begun from today. Nepalese celebrate this day with joy as the beginning of the new year. They exchange good wishes with each other, wishing for happiness and prosperity.

Today is not just the beginning of a new year and a new day, but the newest beginning of an entire decade. Today has begun another new era for Nepal and the Nepalese. But while starting every new day, we should not forget our glorious history. From the past to the present, it seems necessary to review every good and bad activity we have done.

When said and heard, it may sound like empty ideals. But today, we have come to such a time, such a turning point, that now it is time to introspect once again, saying, “Not what the country has given us, but what we have given and done for the country.”

It must be said with sadness that today, most of the youth of the country are leaving for abroad which is a misfortune for the country. For a limited group, leaving home and family and going abroad may be an absolute desire, but for most of them, it is a desire created by compulsion. While spending their entire youth abroad away from home and family, that youth, that generation may or may not have been able to fulfill his responsibility towards his country, but he/she has definitely fulfilled the expenses of their family , children, and parents. The country, which is suffering from corruption and on top of that, trade deficit and is unable to even feed its employees, is supported by remittances. But it is a misfortune for the country that those promising youth of the country, who have flown into the sky in the hope of having delicious meal and standard clothes, are returning in the coffin every next day. Those dreams are now burried along with their coffins.

In the last few decades, a lot many systems have changed in the country. Democracy(Prajatantra) changed to democracy(Loktantra), monarchy changed to republic. Many petty kings born after overthrowing one king and the monarchy. So far, the highways(Rajmarg) have been changed and become (Lokmarg)public roads, but the situation of the country and the people has not yet been changed. The rulers have changed but the system of governance is still the same. The standard of living of those who say they fought for the country and the people has changed. Those who entered Singha Durbar wearing a single shirt and slippers have become the owners of millions of rupees today, but the standard of living of those who sell their bodies just to feed themselves has not been improved. Those who opposed the king, saying the king treated its citizen just as an ordinary people have turned those same people into slaves today.

Politics has become centered on power and self-interest, not service. The country is running in a very miserable situation where employees have to earn their salaries by asking for grants and loans. The constitutional organs of the country have been paralyzed. The judiciary has become a place to recruit party cadres. Even as the pillars of the border are disappearing day by day, the concerned bodies have been sleeping soundly with oil in their ears. Crime incidents are increasing day by day.

What is even more frightening is that it is difficult to find true and devoted citizen in the country now, as easily as party workers are found here. It seems that Nepalese now are becoming less devoted to the country than they are to the political party . What is even more ironic is that the young generation who rose to politics by opposing “Ba”(the older generation leaders), who thought that they would now make some positive changes, has now started humming the same old song with the same rhythm, catching the “Ba” in their stride.

Overall, many changes have taken place in the country since 2047 BS. But those changes have neither addressed the situation of the country nor understood the essence of the people. In the meantime, we have changed many new calendars, many political parties and their leaders too, but could not change the trend. Now, this new year, this new decade, may the thoughtfullness of the common Nepalese also change. May those who do politics gain wisdom. May the common citizen gain the courage to oppose the wrong trend by saying right is right and wrong is wrong, supporting the truth. May corruption and criminal activities end. May good governance continue in the country. May the country become economically strong. May the days of selling one’s body just to feed and survive end. May the day of leaving home and family to go abroad to support oneself never come. May the enthusiasm to protect our religion, our art and culture increase among all Nepalese. May the pillars of the border not disappear and may the country find its own borders. May the faith of every citizen towards the country increase. In this new year, this new decade, lets not only change the calendar, but lets promise to change the future of this country too.

Heartiest greetings for the New Year 2080!
Nepal National Daily
For the country and the people