Sustainable peace inevitable for prosperity: Leaders

High-ranking leaders of various political parties have univocally stressed on sustainable peace for development and prosperity in the country.

At a programme organized by the Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Memorial Foundation marking the 154th Mahatma Gandhi Birth Anniversary on Monday, they said that the political changes achieved through peaceful means would only be stable and sustainable.

Speaking at the programme, Bimalendra Nidhi, honorary Chairperson of the Foundation and Nepali Congress's (NC) leader, stated that the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi had successfully demonstrated that revolution and changes were made possible through peace.

Nidhi, also former Deputy Prime Minister opined although the armed revolution may be successful for the time being but people's movement in 2062/63 BS remained peaceful and the current constitution was promulgated at the behest of that peaceful movement.

Similarly, NC leader and Minister for Foreign Affairs asserted that Mahatma Gandhi had not only displaced the British Empire from India based on truth, integrity and ideologies but also spread the message of peace in the world.

According to him, late Gandhi had contributed to the democratic movement of Nepal as well and his ideologies and message of non-violence was still a source of inspiration for the world.

Likewise, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, another NC leader and Minister for Health and Population observed that the political changes and peace movements in Nepal succeeded on the basis of national unity.

Stating that the current political achievement was the result of the unity among the political parties, he emphasized national unity for development and prosperity in the country.

Also speaking in the programme, Pradeep Gyawali, CPN (UML)'s deputy general-secretary, cited that Gandhi, he who fought non-violence all his life, ended his life in violence. He argued that extremism of any sort would lead to disaster.

Barshaman Pun, Deputy General-Secretary of CPN (Maoist Centre), said that most of the peace process related works had been completed and there was no alternative for all the political parties to stand together to complete the remaining works of transitional justice.

He underscored cooperation among all political forces besides political parties for the country's peace, stability, development, good-governance and mutual goodwill.

International Cooperation Council's Chairperson Shyam Pandey said that Gandi's service, sacrifice and loyalty which would reflect the essence of holy scripture Bhagawat Geeta would remain as an ideal and inspiration for the future generation.

Prof Dr Ananda Acharya, who did Phd on Gandhi, noted that Gandhi's thoughts were becoming more relevant in the context of increasing chaos in the country.

Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Chairperson of the Foundation, shed light on the important contributions made by late Mahendra Narayan Nidhi who was highly influenced by ideologies of Mahatma Gandi.