Kathmandu, September 5:

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav today called on the people to stay united regardless of caste, religion, ethnicity, language, philosophy and culture for building a prosperous and sovereign Nepal.

Unity is the only way to achieve our dream, said Dr Yadav. “Whatever our identity is, we are all Nepalis. We all share the same dream of making the nation economically, socially and culturally prosperous.”

Addressing a felicitation programme, organised by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA), the President said, “Through unity, we can realise the dream of 25 million Nepalis. Divided, we will collapse.” We are yet to institutionalise the gains achieved through Janaandolan II, he said, calling all Nepalis to respect each other.

Dr Yadav said the new constitution should be framed in time. “My shoulders are strong enough to turn the vision shared by all Nepalis into a reality,” he said. NMA felicitated Dr Yadav, a medical professional and member of the NMA, for being elected as the first president of Nepal.

NMA president Dr Chop Lal Bhusal said medical professionals are proud to have a doctor as the head of state.

General secretary of the NMA Dr Kedar Narsing KC said Dr Yadav is a personality to be reckoned with for the entire nation and the medical profession.

He praised the contribution of Dr Yadav as a medical professional and a leader, terming him a visionary, who from the very beginning voiced for the unity of the country and never flinched from his vision.

Medical professionals and classmates, including Dr Bhola Rijal, Dr Bharat Pradhan, Dr Ananda Prasad Shrestha and Dr Manohar Lal Shrestha, felicitated the President and expressed hope that he will usher in a new Nepal.