BHAKTAPUR, SEPTEMBER 19

President Ramchandra Paudel unveiled a life size statue of the iron man, the late Ganeshman Singh, in Bhaktapur today.

The 12-feet high statue was constructed using 1,002-kg metal. The Ganeshman Singh Memorial Park and Statute Protection Committee installed the statue at Ganeshman Park in Katunje of Suryabinayak Municipality.

President Paudel said Ganeshman Singh established the norm that politics is not for power and personal interests but for the country and the people.

Ganeshman was the only personality who was accepted as leader of all the Nepali people, President Paudel said.

'I recognise Ganeshman as a leader acceptable to everyone in Nepal.

Whether leftist or rightist, all accepted Ganeshman as common leader.

He was the leader who brought together parties having different ideologies for the People's Movement in 1990,' he added.

Ganeshman was a leader with unflagging courage and indomitable devotion towards democracy and freedom, Paudel said, adding that he set an example of sacrifice, ideals and honesty in politics by handing over the prime ministerial post he was offered to his contemporary leader following the success of the People's Movement in 1990.

On the occasion, President Paudel posthumously honoured former parliamentarian the late Rameswor Dhungel who envisioned the construction of the statue.

The president presented the letter of appreciation to late Dhungel's son Anup and grandson Akshep. President Paudel also felicitated artist Mahesh Tuladhar who constructed the statue of the veteran democratic leader Singh.

Also, on the occasion, President Paudel launched the Ganeshman Batika souvenir published by the committee.

Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat stressed the need to inform the new generation about Ganeshman's unparalleled contributions and sacrifice for the attainment of democratic rights and rule of law.

At the programme, Ganeshman Singh Foundation Chairperson Prakashman Singh said no generation should forget Ganeshman who survived a 15- year life of imprisonment and another 15-year of exiled life during his six-decade-long political career for the people's rights and freedoms.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 20, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.