Feature: Nepal finally adopts new constitution

New Baneshwor, the central part of Kathmandu where Nepal's Constituent Assembly is located, was in a festive mood on Sunday when Nepal's new constitution was unveiled by Nepali President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.

Even if the formal unveiling was scheduled in late afternoon, hundreds of people from all walks of life waving miniature national flags have gathered at the CA premises since noontime to witness the historic event. Some were holding candles and singing patriotic songs.

The enthusiastic crowd exchanged greetings with each other and shouted "Jay Nepal', 'I Love Nepal,' and 'Our Constitution' after the president announced that Nepal has a new constitution.

Roshan Basnet, a young Napali who painted his face with the red and blue color of the nation's flag told Xinhua that he was so happy that after a long wait, Nepal has now a constitution. "The whole country should celebrate," he said.

The celebration included a fireworks display and the release of hundreds of colorful balloons to the air.

Earlier the government had urged people to welcome the new constitution by lighting candles or doing 'deepawali' in houses. Thus residents of Kathmandu lighted candles and oil lamps on the entrance of their houses and major buildings.

The new constitution, which has been drafted by the Constituent Assembly for almost a decade, contains 35 parts, 308 articles, and nine schedules.

The drafting of the charter is considered democratic and inclusive since an overwhelming two third of the CA members voted for its adoption.

Purshottam Karki, a 55-year-old government employee, joined the crowd with his wife and a daughter to mark the momentous event.

"It's like a dream came true. We got the constitution written by representatives chosen by us so it's our constitution. I hope this constitution will bring peace and prosperity to our country," Karki said.

Although there were 601 lawmakers in the Constituent Assembly, only 598 were present in the final CA sessions that led to the adoption of the constitution.

With the new constitution, Nepal has institutionalized a federal democratic republic that was established through the people's movement in 2006 after the monarchy was toppled.

Talking briefly to Xinhua in the CA premises, Home Minister Bamdev Gautam said, "Nepal has finally institutionalized a federal democratic republic. It is a historic moment, indeed."

"After a long wait of almost six decades, finally the wishes of Nepalese have come true," Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh told Xinhua.

The celebration inside the CA premise was attended by lawmakers, their family members, high-level dignitaries, chiefs of Army and Police, members of the diplomatic corps, businessmen, civic leaders, and journalists.

But not everybody was happy about the adoption of the new constitution.

People from the southern Terai belts of Nepal refused to recognize the new constitution, saying that it was a "black day" for them since their views and grievances were not considered in the drafting of the new constitution.

Praveen Kumar Yadav, a journalist and a youth activist, said that the death of a protestor on Sunday in the southern plain city of Birgunj allegedly by the police is a bad omen for the constitution. The activist was killed after he defied the curfew imposed by local authorities.

Some 40 persons have also been killed during demonstrations while the constitution was hotly debated in the CA.

Some of the Madhes-based parties and Tharu leaders have also boycotted the promulgation of the constitution for not including their inputs. Endi