A Symbolic Story: National Flag of Nepal Replaces the “Royal” Flag

The symbols are powerful. People understand that. That’s why thousands of enthusiastic people today demonstrated throughout the day, a day after the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a republic, demanding that the national flag of Nepal be hoisted at the Narayanhitti palace occupied by former king Gyanendra Shah. Earlier in the morning, [...]

A Day After Nepal Monarchy Abolished, International Recognition

Congratulations to Nepali people for abolishing monarchy and establishing republic! Here are the press statements we received from the UN via its mission in Nepal, the US embassy and the British Embassy welcoming the historic decision of the CA yesterday to abolish the monarchy in Nepal and congratulating the people of Nepal.
CARTER CENTER CONGRATULATES NEPAL’S [...]

Nepal is Declared a Republic!!!

The proposal to declare Nepal a republic is passed by 560 vs 4 votes. [Here is the minute by minute account of the first meeting of the CA.]
Remove former king and his secretariat from the Narayanhitti palace within 15 days; the CA meeting directs the government.
The 240-year-old institution of monarchy is formally abolished in Nepal.
The [...]

Historic Session of Constituent Assembly Begins in Nepal

Now (23:32), K B Gurung convenes another meeting of the CA tomorrow at 11 AM. The first meeting is over.
Now (23:25), K B Gurung declares the proposal passed. He also tables a proposal to direct the government to remove the former king and his secretariat withing 15 days. This proposal is passed by the majority [...]

People on Streets to Welcome the Declaration of Republic

Update: (21:19 hours) The first meeting of the CA has begun.

Soi Dhole Soi, Ganatantra Khoi?
Thousands of jubilant people have hit the streets chanting slogans that hail Nepal as a republic country as the Constituent Assembly is about to declare Nepal a republic. People who have gathered in New Baneswor where the first meeting of the [...]

Aftermath of Nepal’s CA: By Hook or Crook

By The Conflict Study Center
[More credit at the end]
The unexpected results of historic Constituent Assembly (CA) elections have invigorated the CPN (Maoist), now the largest political party, on the one hand, and have enervated the former power holders, the NC in particular. Moreover, the results gave a mandate for transformation of the government from conformist-cum-centrist [...]

Nepal Awaits To Be the REPUBLIC of Nepal

I am writing these lines on the second hour of the day (that is 28 May 2008) that is expected to be a historic. Nepal, a 240-year-old monarchy, will formally be declared a republic today by the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly. The CA will meet in New Baneshwor’s International Convention Center that has [...]

Ian Martin: Too Many Challenges Ahead for Nepal

Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal at a press conference at the Reporter’s Club, Kathmandu today. The following is the transcript provided by his office:
Introduction (in Nepali) by Rishi Dhamala, President of the Reporters’ Club.
Ian Martin: Thank you, Rishi. I could not understand your introduction, but you are usually over generous. And thank you [...]

American Minister Meets Maoist Chairman

Twenty five days after it made first official contact with the “terrorist” Maoists in years, the United States today held another face-to-face meeting with the top leadership of the Maoist party.
Visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan A. Feigenbaum met Maoist chairman Prachanda in latter’s residence in Naya [...]

Our Geography and Our Economy

Does Mr. Prachanda also have the spirit and determination to lead the impoverished Nepal and be the helmsman of 27 million Nepalese?
By Samyam Waglé
While the debate about the probability of miraculous economic success in Nepal under Maoists leadership is going on, they have not still come up with such strong convincing economic policies that would [...]