As we welcome the Nepali New Year 2082, I extend my heartfelt best wishes for peace, prosperity, and unity to all Nepalis—whether at home or abroad. With the arrival of each new year, we look toward the future with renewed hope, light, and determination. And yet, for many years now, we have also seen each year end under a cloud of growing disappointment and despair.

A true democracy honors the rights of all people—across beliefs, backgrounds, and ideologies—to speak, to believe, and to express. But when these expressions turn to violence, vandalism, and arson—as we witnessed in recent days—it causes sorrow and concern for every citizen. Freedom without discipline weakens democracy; there is no greater system than one that protects individual liberty, but it must be exercised with restraint and responsibility.

The level of awareness among the Nepali people about the country and its future is a positive sign. The patriotic spirit of Nepalis is unmatched anywhere in the world. We must recognize the changing aspirations of the people and accept that the source of all state power is the people themselves.

I have watched with care and hope as the people of Nepal have become more aware, more alert, and more invested in the future of their country. This public consciousness, rooted in patriotism and shaped by collective hardship, is commendable. It is also a call—to all who care about Nepal—that the time for real reform has come.

It is now evident that the country cannot move forward under the current circumstances. The structure of the state itself demands rethinking. The systems that govern education, health, and daily administration must undergo transformation and modernization. Without such change, we risk deepening the sense of instability, frustration, and stagnation that has already taken hold.

As someone who has long believed in the coexistence of multiparty democracy and a constitutional monarchy, I reiterate: we must protect the institutions that reflect our national sentiment, that hold us together, and that remain accountable to the people. The source of all state power must be the people themselves, and their voice must guide the future of governance.

Our economic model must also evolve. The world is undergoing rapid shifts—globalization has brought both opportunity and imbalance. Nepal must now focus on building a self-reliant economy. We must strengthen internal production, encourage domestic consumption, and support industries that create employment at home. The current wave of economic uncertainty globally only affirms this urgency.

The country is grappling with unrest, chaos, disappointment, and corruption—conditions the monarchy has long sought to help resolve. Now, alongside rising citizen migration, capital flight and disorder have reached levels that Nepal can no longer bear. We seek an end to instability and poverty.

I am particularly concerned about the growing exodus of our youth. When a land as rich and beautiful as ours cannot offer its young people hope or opportunity, something is fundamentally broken. We must act—decisively and swiftly—to create the environment for youth to stay, work, and thrive in Nepal. Let us begin a campaign: Return home—Nepal is your future.

To our brothers and sisters in the diaspora: the time has come to bring back not just your dreams, but also your knowledge, your capital, and your commitment to this soil. The homeland awaits your contribution.

We must also be honest about the challenges before us. The economy is faltering, our industrial output is weakening, national debt is increasing, and unemployment is rising. Corruption and systemic failures have reached a level that the nation can no longer tolerate. Even more worrying is the erosion of our unity, our traditions, and our faith in one another.

Nepal cannot afford to be divided—by ideology, party, or prejudice. There must be no conflict among Nepalis, no distrust, no violence. The future of this nation lies in unity, in cooperation, and in mutual respect.

The sacred teachings of our nation-builder monarchs must once again guide our politics. We are stuck in ideological dead ends while the world moves forward. Our appeal is not for personal gain, but for national sovereignty and the dignity of all Nepalis. Every problem can be solved through dialogue, consensus, and cooperation.

This message does not arise from any desire for personal gain, nor from allegiance to any one doctrine. It stems from a deep belief in Nepal’s sovereignty, in the dignity of the Nepali people, and in our shared duty to protect and build this nation.

Let us stop spinning in circles of ideology. The world has moved forward—we must too. Let our thoughts be shaped by Nepal. Let our actions be centered on Nepal. Let every problem be addressed through dialogue, consensus, and coordination.

This new year must not become just another chapter in a long story of missed opportunities. It must become a turning point—a golden moment in our national memory. That is my belief. And that is my hope.

May this New Year 2082 bring clarity, courage, and collective determination. May it lead us toward a peaceful, prosperous, and sovereign Nepal.
(Unofficial translation of the former King Gyanendra Shah’s New Year video message)