Former King Gyanendra Shah extended his Vijaya Dashami greetings to all Nepalis, both at home and abroad, on Friday, urging citizens to strengthen national unity, self-reliance and national pride as the country confronts natural disasters and ongoing instability. In a greeting message issued from Nirmal Niwas, his residence in Kathmandu, the former monarch also said that the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and the swift rehabilitation of citizens affected by natural disasters should be treated as pressing national priorities.
The message, released on the occasion of Nepal's biggest festival, combined festive wishes with a sober reflection on the challenges facing the country, and it quickly drew attention as one of the notable Dashain greetings of the season.
A Message of Unity, Self-Reliance and National Pride
The central thrust of the former king's greeting was a call for cohesion among Nepalis. Shah stressed that national unity must be strengthened, and he linked that appeal directly to the ideals of self-reliance and national pride, presenting them as values that citizens should uphold together in difficult times.
In his message, the former monarch wished for peace, prosperity and happiness for Nepalis wherever they may be. His greetings were addressed both to people living within the country and to the broad Nepali community abroad, for whom the festival remains a powerful symbol of home and identity.
Festival greetings of this kind are a well-established tradition in Nepal, with the head of state, political leaders and prominent public figures issuing messages on the occasion of Dashain. As the country's last reigning monarch, Shah continues to release such messages on major festivals and national occasions, and his Dashain statements are consistently among the most closely watched of the festival season.
Three Themes at the Heart of the Greeting
The former king's Vijaya Dashami message can be summarized around three recurring themes:
- National unity, which he described as something to be strengthened rather than taken for granted.
- Self-reliance, presented as a guiding principle for the country and its people.
- National pride, framed as a shared asset that Nepalis should nurture collectively.
Together, these themes gave the greeting a distinctly patriotic tone, one that has characterized the former monarch's festival messages in the past.
Concern Over Disasters and an Appeal for Reconstruction
A substantial portion of the message was devoted to the hardships currently facing the nation. Shah expressed concern over the disasters and instability affecting Nepal, and he underlined the need for the state and society to focus their energies on recovery.
In particular, the former king said that two tasks should be prioritized:
- The reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, so that normal life can be restored in areas hit by disasters.
- The swift rehabilitation of citizens affected by natural disasters, ensuring that displaced and struggling families receive timely support and can rebuild their lives.
By weaving these appeals into a festival greeting, Shah positioned Vijaya Dashami not only as a moment of celebration but also as an occasion for reflection and shared responsibility. The message suggested that the spirit of the festival, with its emphasis on family, community and mutual support, should extend to the collective work of rebuilding what has been lost.
Turning Grief Into Strength
The theme of resilience ran through the former king's remarks. In his Dashain wish, Shah called on Nepalis to turn grief into strength and move forward, as reported by Ratopati.
That appeal encouraged citizens to confront the country's difficulties with determination rather than despair, and to draw on the sense of togetherness that defines the festival season. It reflected the broader message of the greeting, which paired congratulations on the occasion with a candid acknowledgment of the suffering caused by disasters and instability.
Greetings From Nirmal Niwas in the Festival Season
Vijaya Dashami, observed on the tenth day of the Dashain festival, is the most widely celebrated occasion in the Nepali calendar. Families gather to receive tika and jamara from their elders, exchange blessings and greetings, and share festive meals, while those far from home make every effort to reconnect with loved ones.
It was against this backdrop that Shah issued his message from Nirmal Niwas in Kathmandu, the residence from which he regularly addresses the public on important dates. Details of the greeting were carried by Khabarhub, which noted the former king's wishes for Nepalis at home and abroad.
Shah, who reigned until the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, has remained a prominent public figure in the years since, and his festival messages continue to attract public and media interest. This year's Vijaya Dashami greeting, with its blend of festive wishes and commentary on the condition of the nation, follows that familiar pattern.
As Nepalis across the country and around the world celebrate the festival, the former king's message stands among the season's greetings as both a congratulation and a call to action, urging solidarity, self-reliance and a shared commitment to rebuilding the nation.
