Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has expressed his displeasure over the stagnation of the implementation of the constitution even after 18 months of it promulgation.

Former President Yadav said this while addressing a programme organised here on Friday on the occasion of 95th birth anniversary of veteran democratic leader, Mahendra Narayan Nidhi.

He said that there was no alternative to go for election by addressing the demands of disgruntled parties, saying all parties should budge from their stance for the same.

The former President said, "The element that integrates the mountainous, hilly and Tarai is true nationalism." Recalling that he was proud for getting the opportunity to become the first-ever President of the country from the Nepali Congress, he said that he played crucial role in the complex and difficult situation in the capacity of the head of the state.

Former President Yadav presented this year's Mahendra Narayan Nidhi National Award jointly to senior journalist Pannalal Gupta (Banke) and a leader of democratic movement, Devendra Prasad Upadhyay (Chitwan). The award instituted by Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Memorial Foundation carries a purse of Rs 100,000 along with a letter of felicitation.

Similarly, social workers— Brinda Joshi (Bardiya) and Ranta Kumari Shrestha (Baglung) were jointly honoured with this year's Prem Sagaridevi Nidhi Award. The award carries a purse of Rs 51,000.

Foundation President and senior journalist Purushottam Dahal highlighted the late Mahendra Narayan Nidhi's exemplary contributions to Nepal's non-violence and democratic movement. RSS