KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah announced on Sunday that he would not celebrate his birthday this year.

Issuing a statement, the former monarch said he decided not to mark his 69th birthday, which falls on July 7, as the country has been devastated by the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks and is in sorrow.

"At this time of crisis and sorrow,  my heartfelt wish is that we all join hands and worked for the reconstruction and creation of Nepal," a statement issued in his name and circulated to the media by his personal aide Phaniraj Pathak read.

He further urged his supporters to opt for "cooperation, service and charity work."