Pokhara, February 20
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged Nepalis not to feel inferior about their country’s size, emphasising that sovereignty is not determined by a nation’s scale.
Speaking at the 20th convocation ceremony of Pokhara University in Dhungepatan, Kaski, on Thursday, PM Oli stated, “No country’s sovereignty is big or small.”
Encouraging students to be courageous, he said, “Instead of running away from an elephant, train to be its mahout. Be brave, but not reckless.”
He called on universities to play a transformative role in development, highlighting Nepal’s fertile land and potential for progress. “Universities should focus on transformative development. The government stands with them in this mission,” he added.
As the university’s chancellor, Oli reminded graduates that Nepal is a land of knowledge, philosophy, yoga, and research. He urged them to work with integrity for the nation.
“Only honesty leads to meaningful success. Success achieved through dishonesty, fraud, or crime is not real success. Your education should serve society positively,” he said.
He further emphasised, “You must contribute to society and the nation. If you work only for yourself, you become selfish. Take pride in upholding citizens’ sovereignty.”
According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Chancellor Oli conferred degrees upon 7,872 graduates from various faculties and levels at the convocation ceremony.
