KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reiterated that the government is ready to address the genuine demands of all.

PM Oli was addressing the Nepal Sambat New Year 1136 programme organised by the Nepal Sambat 1136 Nhudaan National Celebration Main Committee at Basantapur, on Thursday.

"The government does not address the demands put forth by a handful of people, which are against the aspirations of the millions of the Nepalis. The government does not entertain subjects that harm Nepal, but the government is magnanimous and large-hearted to fulfill the demands of a sizable population," he added.

Stating that the Nepal Sambat calendar started by a Nepali from one's own territory is a unique calendar, he said this calendar has played an important role in terms of making the social life easier and simple.

"Since history, Nepal has been surviving on own pride and dignity. It never accepted the colonisation of and dependence on others. Nepal's prestige is as tall as the Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) and will remain so," the Prime Minister declared.

He also stressed on solidarity of all the parties to bail the country out of the problem stemming from the economic embargo and the devastating earthquakes, calling on all the political parties including the Nepali Congress to join the government for that.

Celebration Main Committee chairman Dr Mahesh Man Shrestha said many praiseworthy works like recognising the Nepal Sambat calendar as the National Calendar and issuing the postage stamp commemorating Shankhadhar Sakhwa, the person who started the Nepal Sambat Calendar have been carried out in the past, and called on the incumbent government to show the eagerness to fulfill the 8-point demands put forth by the Committee.

Programme coordinator Sujeev Bajracharya opined that the Nepal Sambat calendar should be celebrated every year across the country amidst a variety of programmes and not only on the New Year's Day.

Earlier, a mammoth cultural rally participated by various religious, cultural and literary organisations within the Kathmandu Valley went through the inner city in Kathmandu and shared the New Year greetings. The rally that set off from Basantapur concluded upon reaching the same place.