Nepal marks first Gen Z Martyrs Day with public holiday

KATHMANDU: Nepal is observing the first Gen Z Martyrs Day today with a public holiday, marking the anniversary of a historic youth movement that brought major political changes to the country. The Council of Ministers decided on September 3 to grant the holiday in memory and honour of those who lost their lives during the demonstrations.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah's administration has focused its policies and programmes on improving public services, ensuring transparency and bringing meaningful changes to people's lives. To reduce administrative costs and improve state capacity, the government has decreased the number of federal ministries to 18, a move that saves nearly Rs 20 billion annually.

The government has prioritised digital technology, making several services available through mobile applications to save citizens from waiting in queues for hours. In addition, burdensome administrative mechanisms have been merged or scrapped. The administration has also terminated political party-affiliated trade unions in public offices and student unions in universities to protect these institutions from the undue influence of political parties and improve overall service delivery.

The March 5 elections resulted in a sweeping victory for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which secured nearly two-thirds of the votes, leading to the formation of the new government under young leader Balendra Shah. An interim administration, led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, had previously been formed with a six-month mandate to hold those fresh elections.

The movement began a year ago on September 8 when thousands of youths took to the streets of Kathmandu. Initially sparked by restrictions on social media, the protests quickly expanded into vocal demands for good governance, accountability, and an end to corruption, nepotism, unemployment and inequality. The widespread demonstrations on September 8 and 9 led to the dissolution of the incumbent government.