KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has wished that may the 302nd birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan Shah and the National Unity Day inspires the nation to move forward toward social justice, good governance and prosperity by internalizing the late king's Divyopadesh.
The Divyopadesh is a collection of the precepts attributed to the late king Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of modern Nepal, spelling out the policies on statecraft.
Speaker Ghimire, in a message, extended best wishes to all the Nepalis residing within the country and abroad on the occasion of the late king's 302nd birth anniversary and the National Unity Day.
"The Divyopadesh of Prithvi Narayan Shah is equally relevant even after 300 years of their pronouncement for promoting patriotism, attaining national self-sufficiency and maintaining good governance," he said in the message.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives paid tribute to the late king for his contribution to the national unification campaign, describing him as the leader of the campaign for unification of modern Nepal. He recalled today's occasion as the day when Nepal's identity was established.
The credit for initiating the national unification campaign goes to Prithvi Narayan Shah, the then king of the Gorkha principality. The successive kings after him unified the numerous principalities, laying the foundation for building a unified modern Nepal.
"Although the country has transformed into a federal democratic republic, the relevance of Prithvi Jayanti has increased further. On the occasion of the special day today, I express my confidence that this day shall provide the inspiration to attain happiness and prosperity of all Nepalis, keeping intact the nation's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the national unity," reads the Speaker's message.