KATHMANDU, JANUARY 30

Martyrs' Day was observed across the country amidst various programmes, ending the week-long celebration today.

Martyrs' Day is marked every year on Magh 16 according to the Nepali calendar in memory of known and unknown people who sacrificed their lives during different times to establish and restore democracy in the country and for the welfare of people.

Various functions were organised at various places of the capital such as Ratnapark's Shanti Batika, Sahid gate and Martyrs' Memorial Park in Lainchaur, where the head of the nation and head of the government paid tributes to martyrs.

Issuing best wishes on the occasion, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari said the true tribute for martyrs would be to ensure sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity in the country. She also said such goals must be effectively implemented by accepting the federal democratic republic achieved with the sacrifices of martyrs. She also wished that the day would inspire all the Nepalis to work devotedly to realise the dreams of martyrs.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba laid a wreath at the martyr's monument in Martyr's Memorial Park, Lainchaur, and paid homage to martyrs.

Deuba later issued a message reminding that people's rule in the country was established following massive political change due to martyrs' sacrifice and dedication to the country's transformation by putting aside their personal interests.

He said the political changes in the country from 1951 to 2006 (establishment of democracy to restoration of democracy and the establishment of federal republic) was made possible by the vision and sacrifice of the martyrs. He also paid heartfelt tributes to all known and unknown martyrs in the country for their sacrifices.

'I wish we could all materialise the dream of beautiful Nepal as envisioned by the martyrs and could follow the path of truth, justice and equality shown by them.'

Similarly, CPN-Maoist Centre Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal paid tribute to the martyrs today. 'I offer heartfelt condolences to entire martyrs, including Shukraraj Shastri, Dashrath Chand, Dharma Bhakta Mathema and Gangalal Shrestha, who sacrificed their lives in the course of their struggle against autocratic Rana regime,' Dhahal twitted.

Every year, the government organises a martyrs' week to remember the martyrs in the country. Apart from political leaders, the general public from various walks of life attended programmes across the country paying homage to martyrs.

A separate programme was organised at the under-construction National Martyr's Memorial at Gokarneshwor in Kathmandu. Minister of Forest and Environment Ram Sahaya Yadav paid tribute to the martyrs from Gokarneshwor.

Similarly, Kathmandu Metropolitan City which has been working as the main celebration committee of the government organised its own function at Lainchaur-based Martyr's monument.

Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dasharath Chand and Gangalal Shrestha are the four martyrs under whose name the Martyr's Day is celebrated in the country.

They had sacrificed their lives to rid the country from the tyranny of Rana rulers.

The then Prime Minister Judddha Sumsher had announced death penalty for the four martyrs on 19 January 1941. Four days later, martyr Sukraraj Shastri was hanged from a tree at Teku. Dharma Bhakta was hanged at Sifal Height after seven days. Similarly, Gangalal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand were shot dead on the banks of Bishnumati River at Sobhabhagwati nine days after the death penalty was announced.

Every year, the government organises Martyrs' Week to honour the martyrs

A version of this article appears in the print on January 31, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.