KATHMANDU: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari today said Nepal should resolve disputes and end unrest, repression, corruption and oppression.

Addressing a joint session of both Houses of the Parliament today, the head of state urged all Nepalis to help build a prosperous society. The president also urged the   Parliament to coordinate with neighbours and international community to ensure development of the country.

“Let’s move forward to achieve sustainable development and prosperity using our resources, capacity and means,” the president said, adding, “We should move forward to achieve economic prosperity as per need and demands of our people.”

She said the recently-held elections had made the constitution more powerful and ending of the transition was an epochal change that had opened doors for extraordinary possibilities.

“The end of transition has created a base to end discrimination and serve the cause of justice,” she added. The president said   people had given additional mandate to fulfil their aspirations of peace, development and prosperity.

President Bhandari said all elected representatives should focus on their duties to respond to the need and people’s aspirations.

She also expected good governance and development from the government.

“The government’s far-sighted policies and clear determination has injected enthusiasm among the people,” the president said.

She hoped that the Federal Parliament would put national interests above political interests and work for the betterment of people and the country.

She also urged all to follow economic discipline and ensure good governance in all state organs and private institutions.

She hoped that the government would help protect interests of the public.

The president also hoped that the government would modernise transportation and communication and would also develop the energy sector. She hoped that the government would modernise agriculture, tourism, service sectors and other sectors that are crucial for spurring overall development of the nation.

She said representation of 41 per cent women in elected bodies was a matter of pride for all Nepalis. “Some of them are in the government, while some are in the opposition but each and every member of the Parliament should always respect people’s aspirations.” She hoped that the aspirations of youths who go to foreign countries in search of job would be fulfilled by the government.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had handed over written speech to the president in the joint sitting of the Federal Parliament before she read it out. It was the first time after three tiers of elections that the president went to the Parliament. She was welcomed by Prime Minister Oli, Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara and National Assembly Chair Ganesh Timilsena.

(UPDATED)

Nepal begins new era of stability and prosperity: Prez Bhandari

KATHMANDU: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Thursday has remarked that the country has entered into era of stability and prosperity. The President further said that the country should not plunge into conflict in any context.

While addressing a joint session of House of Representatives and National Assembly, President said that after conclusion of elections of local and federal representatives the future prospects of democracy and progress were high.

The president made such remarks while addressing the joint session of both upper and lower houses for the first time.