Address by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Mr K. P. Sharma Oli
at the Asian Institute of Technology
Respected dignitaries present here,
Whenever I travel abroad, I do not wish to limit myself to diplomatic meetings alone. Wherever possible, I take the opportunity to visit universities. In my view, universities are not just educational institutions; they are the fertile soil where the seeds of new ideas sprout. They are also the places where new thoughts emerge through study and research. That is why, wherever I go, I strive to visit such places and engage in dialogue with students, professors, and scholars. After coming to Thailand to participate in the BIMSTEC summit, my heart did not permit me to leave without visiting this institution. It is in this spirit that I stand before you today.
Thank you for granting me this opportunity— It is a matter of immense pride for me to speak at a prestigious academic institution like the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
After all, an institution like AIT was established as early as 1959—a truly great and visionary decision!
At that time, the field of computer science and computing had not even entered its initial phase.
The 1950s were merely the beginning of the computer age. To foresee the rapid, science-and-technology-driven transformation of the future before it even began, and to establish an international institution focused on the necessary fields of knowledge to make that transformation possible—this, as I mentioned earlier, was indeed a remarkable and far-sighted initiative.
AIT has not only contributed to the rapid development of science and technology but has also provided a foundation for understanding the social changes brought about by these technologies.
The contribution of this institution to the advancement of human society as a whole is not only a matter of pride but also a source of inspiration.
To me, this institution represents a confluence of multinational thought, technological excellence, and social commitment. It has made significant contributions not only to the development of science and technology but also to Asian cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development.
Nepal is also one of the founding member nations of this institution. For a country like Nepal, which is only just attempting to enter the stage of development, this institution did not offer membership based on investment but on participation and collaboration. That is why, even today, Nepal represents itself as a member of the Board of Trustees. I believe our relationship is not merely formal but also emotional. In 2012, Nepal was among the first countries to approve AIT’s new charter.
Many Nepali graduates of this institution are contributing to Nepal’s development—from infrastructure to water resources, from information technology to policymaking. We have always viewed our collaboration with this institution with respect and a sense of possibility.
Respected dignitaries,
Our ancestors have said—
‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid Dukhbhag Bhavet.’
Which means—‘May all be happy. May all be free from illness. May all see auspicious things. And may no one ever be subjected to suffering.’
This is not merely a prayer; it is a life philosophy born from thousands of years of experience of our forebears.
Even creatures with low levels of consciousness seek happiness—they may not express it, but that is a different matter. But what about human beings? All humans seek happiness. Ultimately, all human efforts and endeavours are in pursuit of happiness.
In fact, seeking happiness is our sovereign human right.
That is why, in Nepal, we have embraced the national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.’ I have made its realization my goal. That is why today, I wish to share a few thoughts on prosperity and happiness with you.
I am facing a slight difficulty today because I am speaking in English.
Some words in Nepali do not carry the exact sentiment when translated into English. In Nepali, we have two distinct words—‘Khushi’ and ‘Sukhi’. However, in English, both are generally translated as ‘happy.’
The difference is significant. One conveys a momentary, periodic, and subjective feeling, whereas the other represents a permanent, long-term, sustainable, and holistic state of well-being.
Allow me to elaborate on this.
In Nepali, ‘Khushi’ refers to the transient joy derived from laughter, enjoyment, success, delicious food, travel, etc.
Meanwhile, ‘Sukhi’ denotes a state of security and peace of mind, where one can sleep soundly without worrying about tomorrow.
You see, not just the sentiment, but the depth of meaning differs greatly!
Here, I am discussing happiness and prosperity, which are permanent, long-lasting, sustainable, and holistic. They benefit not just the present generation but future generations as well.
That is why, when we defined Nepal’s national aspiration and destination, we chose ‘Prosperous Nepal, सुखी (Happy) Nepali,’ not ‘खुसी (Happy) Nepali.’
Respected dignitaries,
For democracy, I have endured 14 years of imprisonment. I have struggled for decades, endured torture, and lived a life of hardship. Today, as the Prime Minister of Nepal, I am serving my country.
Sometimes, I ask myself—
Looking at the past, assessing the present, and imagining the future, I find that the answer to all four questions is the same— That all of humanity should be safe and happy today.
And that the future generations should be even safer and happier.
The first biological instinct of every living being is–– survival.
I grew up in a simple village in Nepal. In our childhood, after cooking food in the morning, we would set aside a small portion on a leaf outside for the crows. However, the crow would not immediately swoop down to eat. At first, it would watch from a distance, hesitating despite its hunger. Perhaps it wondered—Is there a trap here? A conspiracy? Will I lose my life if I approach this food? Is my safety at risk?
Until it felt assured that it would not die, it would not eat. It would rather stay hungry.
Even a mere crow refrains from eating food placed on a leaf unless it feels secure.
It knows that there may be more food tomorrow, but if it dies today, there will be no tomorrow.
That is why, before choosing food, it chooses life.
This instinct is even stronger in humans.
Thus, I firmly believe that ensuring a citizen’s sense of safety and security is the primary duty of the state.
Every state’s fundamental effort must be directed towards creating an environment where people feel confidence instead of fear—
Respected dignitaries,
Humans are–– not like other living beings.
Humans are–– memory, feeling, and experience.
Humans remember the past, carry experiences, and plan based on them.
That is why their first priority is–– security.
They eat, work, and make plans—all to survive and to feel secure.
And once they are secure, they do not stop there. They seek comfort, better lifestyles, education, healthcare, and leisure. Then, they search for opportunities.
And when they find opportunities, they prepare to compete.
But for humans, competition is not merely about winning—it is about gaining recognition. It is about earning respect.
That is why a person desires that their competence, their efforts, and their values be acknowledged.
They work hard—sometimes through personal struggles, sometimes by earning public trust. They seek to prove themselves.
But the kind of competition people truly desire is one where they can strive to be first without having to bring others down.
That is the essence of civilisation. That is the foundation of happiness and prosperity.
As I mentioned earlier, experience and perception hold great significance for human beings.
Let us consider an example—If you scold, insult, praise, or even beat a cow or a buffalo, yet offer it fodder, its way of eating will not change much.
But humans are different.
A human being is not just a physical entity—they also nourish their soul.
Place food before them, but if you accompany it with words of humiliation, they will not remember the meal; they will remember the treatment.
Even in hunger, they may refuse to eat. Even an empty stomach demands dignity.
Humans need not just food but also conduct that is worthy of being accepted.
That is why people do not seek merely to fill their bellies but to do so with respect.
I believe that where dignity holds no value, neither relationships nor integrity can endure.
In a society that fails to offer respect, development, too, cannot be sustained.
A citizen who does not receive respect does not remain loyal to the state.
They neither abide by the law nor take pride in their society.
Thus, the nature of a society is not determined solely by its laws but by its conduct.
Therefore—
The advanced society we envision is one—
We understand that—
Just as I have personal preferences, so do others.
And if I desire that my choices be respected, I must also be willing to respect the choices of others.
Thus, we envision a society where—
All these aspects are both biological and human necessities. Their just and affordable fulfilment is a fundamental human aspiration. The realisation of this very aspiration forms the foundation of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.’
Respected dignitaries,
Looking at today’s circumstances, anyone might wonder—Is a Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali even possible?
As I mentioned earlier, we are envisioning that future—
For us, the first foundation of this vision is agriculture.
Agriculture is the backbone of both our present and our future.
We do not see the agricultural system merely as a means of livelihood; we want to transform it into the engine of modern prosperity—because agriculture is the foundation of life.
If we can increase productivity in agricultural production, improve storage, supply chains, and price stability, we will not only become self-sufficient but also competitive in exports. This will not only enhance peasant's incomes but also contribute to the country’s trade balance.
However, it is not just about agriculture. We must view the service sector, tourism, mining, medicinal herbs, and forest products, industry and trade as part of an ecosystem of economic dynamism.
If these sectors progress together, we create employment, expand value chains, and ensure economic inclusivity. But to achieve this, we must safeguard our stones, preserve our soil, and nurture our water sources.
Through this, we aim to ensure that no Nepali citizen has to worry about their livelihood tomorrow—
This is the path to prosperity. And from it arises happiness.
Today, we stand in the 21st century. And we are well aware that this is an era of rapid development and transformation. Science and technology are advancing every moment, achieving astonishing breakthroughs.
The extent to which we utilise science and technology in our development efforts determines how fast we move forward.
That is why I say—
Society no longer needs to wait centuries to reach an advanced state as in the past. We have the potential to make our developmental pace astonishing. Not long ago, we were crushed by hunger. In just a few years, we can free ourselves from such conditions. We can rapidly realise our development aspirations.
And the national aspiration I have envisioned—‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’—can become a reality within just a few decades.
Respected dignitaries,
However, there is another aspect to this matter. Today, there are pressing concerns regarding the secure future of humankind. There are questions about climate change. There are concerns about the deteriorating ecosystem.
Regrettably, today, we are in a situation where we must worry that humankind’s destruction or grave suffering may come at the hands of humankind itself. Humanity is fearful of its own kind.
Small and vulnerable nations are deeply concerned about their very existence. Instead of working for the protection of humanity, various weapons of mass destruction are being created to strike at humanity itself.
This has posed a threat to the very existence of humankind, the environment, and the future of both humanity and the planet.
Humanity seeks liberation from this tragic predicament. But it seems the path remains unclear.
Beyond human aspirations and voices, no other solution seems visible. Nor can these challenges be resolved through individual efforts alone. They require collective consciousness and shared commitment.
Today, I am not just speaking as the Prime Minister of Nepal—I am speaking as a citizen of this Earth—
That is why, while we are journeying towards ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali,’ our ultimate destination is— ‘A Prosperous World, A Happy Humanity!’
Finally,
Being here today, I deeply feel that despite coming from different backgrounds, we are fellow travellers carrying a shared future.
I extend my gratitude to the students, professors, and entire family of this institution. The thoughts, warmth, and sense of responsibility I have experienced from you all have been truly unforgettable.
Thank you.
