My visits to the Swiss Parliament in Bern over recent years left me with many unforgettable impressions, but none stood out more than the symbolism enshrined beneath its grand central dome. Standing in that historic hall, one looks not merely at classical architecture, but at the very visual soul of a constitutional democracy.

At the centre of the dome stand the Three Confederates, recalling the historic 1291 oath that founded the Swiss Confederation. Flanking them are four armed figures representing Switzerland’s national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Surrounding this central assembly are the official coats of arms, flags, and distinctive emblems of all twenty-six Swiss cantons, woven directly into the stained glass and stonework.

What makes this display extraordinary is that architecture mirrors constitutional reality. The cantonal coats of arms and regional flags prominently decorating the parliamentary walls send an unmistakable message that the federal state derives its identity directly from the sovereignty, dignity, and equality of its constituent parts. Over one hundred thousand visitors, ranging from local students to foreign dignitaries, tour these historic halls every year. They do not visit merely to admire nineteenth-century craft, but to observe how a country transformed vast geographic, linguistic, and cultural diversity into one of the world’s most stable and admired democracies.

This constitutional equality is reflected directly in how the Swiss Parliament operates day to day. The Federal Assembly consists of two chambers operating on strictly equal footing in all legislative aspects: the National Council, with two hundred members representing the general public, and the Council of States, with forty-six members representing the cantons with two seats per full canton and one seat per half-canton.

Neither house is superior to the other, meaning every piece of legislation must pass both chambers in identical form before becoming law. Furthermore, every year both houses convene together as the United Federal Assembly to elect the President of the Confederation for a one-year term and to appoint or confirm the seven-member executive cabinet known as the Federal Council.

Throughout these legislative proceedings, institutional multilingualism allows members to speak freely in their native languages during debates supported by real-time translation, ensuring that language is never a barrier to equal political participation. Despite covering just forty-one thousand square kilometres; roughly the size of Nepal’s Karnali Province; Switzerland empowers twenty-six cantons, each possessing its own constitution, parliament, government, and deep local identity.

As Switzerland celebrates its National Day on the first of August; an occasion that coincides with the milestone seventieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Nepal; it offers a timely moment for reflection. Unlike national celebrations centered on military parades or central state authority, Swiss National Day is celebrated from the ground up. Across the country, communities gather around hilltop bonfires, lantern processions, parish bells, and local music. Every canton celebrates in its own distinct way, reflecting regional customs, dialects, and cuisine while sharing a single national identity.

Swiss constitutional scholar Professor Eva Maria Belser of the Institute of Federalism describes Switzerland as a ‘willensnation’, or a ‘nation of will’. It is bound together not by a single ethnicity, language, or religion, but by the conscious decision of its citizens to coexist under shared democratic institutions.

In this framework, diversity is not viewed as an administrative challenge to be managed from the capital, but as the foundational pillar of the state itself. Power in Switzerland is guided by the principle of subsidiarity, meaning public tasks are handled by the lowest possible administrative level; communes and cantons and only elevated to the federal level when strictly necessary. Cantons hold primary authority over education, local administration, culture, and policing.

As Swiss Ambassador to Nepal, Dr Danielle Meuwly, noted during a tour of the parliament, national unity does not require cultural uniformity; it requires everyday institutional practice that makes every community feel true ownership of the nation.

Like Switzerland, Nepal possesses extraordinary cultural and geography-driven richness. With more than one hundred and twenty languages spoken across the Himal, Hills, and Tarai regions, Nepal’s Constitution rightly recognises all mother tongues as national languages. Yet recognition on paper remains incomplete unless actively supported through provincial legislation, public administration, cultural academies, and local education policies. Languages and local heritages survive when they are actively used, taught, published, and celebrated in public life.

This is where Nepal’s seven provinces play a crucial constitutional role that is often underestimated. Provinces are not mere administrative divisions for budget allocation or public expenditure; they are constitutional spaces where local cultures receive formal institutional backing and protection. Through these provincial structures, citizens see their regional identity reflected directly in governance.

For instance, Koshi Province provides institutional space for Kirat, Limbu, and Rai traditions, Madhesh promotes Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Tharu heritage, Bagmati strengthens Nepal Bhasa and Tamang, Gandaki honors Gurung, Magar, and Himalayan cultures, Lumbini preserves Tharu, Awadhi, and Magar traditions, Karnali upholds Khas civilization, and Sudurpashchim nurtures Doteli and Rana Tharu heritage. Such provincial initiatives allow citizens across all regions to recognize themselves within the national identity.

A recent example illustrates this point vividly. During the budget discussions of the Bagmati Provincial Assembly, Finance and Development Committee Chair Nuraj Bajracharya posed a question in Newa, and Finance Minister Prabhat Tamang replied in Tamang. The video quickly spread across social media, demonstrating how provincial institutions can become meaningful platforms for recognising Nepal's linguistic diversity in public life.

Building mature institutions takes patience and time. Switzerland’s federal system has evolved through one hundred and seventy-eight years of modern constitutional practice and seven centuries of confederate history. Nepal’s federal journey, by contrast, is still in its first decade. Rather than questioning provincial structures because they are evolving, our focus should remain on making them stronger, more capable, more accountable, and more responsive so they can fulfill the constitutional purpose for which they were created.

A walk through Bern reveals a capital city that is impeccably organized and clean, where the turquoise Aare River flows crystal-clear through the city center. Seeing such environmental care inevitably makes one reflect on our own Bagmati, reminding us that federalism and local governance must also extend to restoring and cherishing our natural heritage.

Standing beneath the dome of the Federal Palace in Bern and seeing the coats of arms and flags of every canton displayed alongside federal symbols offers a profound insight into democratic harmony. However, every country carries its own unique history, political culture, social reality, and governance needs. Pointing to the Swiss model does not mean Nepal must blindly copy or import another nation's practices into our own context. What works on the slopes of the Alps cannot simply be transplanted onto the slopes of the Himalayas without thoughtful local adaptation.

Instead, the true value of observing Switzerland lies in the universal principle it demonstrates: federalism succeeds when institutional practice matches constitutional promises, ensuring every community feels valued.

As we join in celebrating Swiss National Day and mark seventy years of enduring friendship between Nepal and Switzerland, the core message is one of optimism and pride. Nepal’s immense diversity is not a weakness to be overcome, but our greatest national strength.

By continually strengthening our federal institutions, empowering our provinces, and ensuring every community feels respected within our shared national home, Nepal can continue to forge its own proud, inclusive, and resilient federal republic democratic tradition. On this joyous occasion of Swiss National Day, I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the people and government of Switzerland. May the enduring friendship between Nepal and Switzerland grow ever stronger.