Alternative to democracy is democracy itself: PM Deuba

GANDAKI: OCT. 10 – Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the alternative to democracy is democracy itself.

Addressing the Literate Gandaki Province Declaration Programme organized by the Gandaki State Government here today, PM Deuba said nobody could hijack democracy and nobody should ever dream of doing so.

He congratulated the citizens of the Gandaki State on becoming the residents of a literate State.

“The Constitution of Nepal has ensured education as the fundamental right and everyone should get this right,” Prime Minister said. He said the international community and the World Health Organization (WHO) as well have appreciated the efforts made towards prevention and control of COVID-19 in Nepal.

According to him, various experience and studies show that literacy and prosperity are directly related. He pointed out the need of conducting additional programmes by determining the exact data on the literate and the illiterate populations. Budget should be arranged and the continuity of the literacy programme should be ensured.

Noting that the history of the Gandaki State is that it is the birth place of luminaries like Bhanu Bhakta Acharya and Motiram Bhatta, the Prime Minister said declaration of the State as a literate State is an important achievement.

Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokhrel was of the view that Gandaki State was home to several potentials, insisting on the need of support from the federal government to explore such potentialities. The construction of the Tribeni-Korola route remaining as the lifeline of the State and other road projects were essential here, according to him.

Stating that the implementation of some projects had remained hindered in absence of land acquisition, he urged the federal government for the support and facilitation towards that end.

He also drew the attention of the Prime Minister towards helping for upgrading the Pokhara Stadium to conduct night sports events.

National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina underlined the need of introducing Nepal as the nation of educated citizens. “Along with the announcement of ‘Literate Gandaki State’ the campaign for unstopped education should be continued.”

Gandaki State Speaker Netranath Adhikari and Minister for Education, Culture, Science, Technology and Social Development, Mekhlal Shrestha, among others said it was a matter of pride for all State people that the State was declared literate.