KATHMANDU: Outgoing President Ram Baran Yadav thanked all who helped the nation conclude the peace process and constitution drafting, before leaving the office on Thursday. In his valedictory speech as the first President of the Republic Nepal, Yadav said it was a great achievement for the nation to have a Constitution drafted by elected representatives of people. 'I am very happy today,' reading out the written speech, Yadav said, 'Many of the aspirations expressed by people through various movements from 1950 to 2006 have been realised today.' Reminding that no constitution is complete, Yadav said Nepal's new Constitution would get maturity through various discussions and amendments in practice. Marking completion of his tenure as an end of a chapter of Nepal's transition, he wished that major political parties maintain unity among them in order to accelerate economic and social development of the nation in the wake of promulgation of the Constitution. Yadav recalled that he always stressed on unity among citizens of diverse cultural, religious and geographic backgrounds during his tenure. 'Wherever we live, be it in mountains, hills or plains, we are all Nepalis,' Yadav concluded the speech, 'Let us move ahead with this sentiment. Future of us and our descendants is protected in it.' On the occasion, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had thanked Yadav for his role in drafting and implementing the Constitution as well as finalisation of the peace process. He had also gifted a Buddha statue to the outgoing Head of State. Meanwhile, Yadav left the official residence of Sheetal Niwas today itself. The government has arranged a house for him in Bagdole of Lalitpur. Earlier, at the oath ceremony of new President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Yadav had handed over the chair of President to his successor. READ ALSO:

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