KATHMANDU: The statues of martyrs Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Gangalal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand — who had lost their lives fighting for the democracy and against the then Rana regime — were garlanded at Shahid Gate today marking the Martyrs’ Day. The participant speakers at the programme, led by Yogi Naraharinath Aadhyatmik Parishad, shared that the nation should not only respect and honour the contribution of the martyrs in bringing democracy to the country for the benefit of the people, but should also focus on the conservation of Shahid Gate - the memorial built to remember and honour the four martyrs, along with others who had lost their lives fighting alongside. People who visited the memorial today expressed that formal programme must be organised at the historical site, where between BS 2018 and 2063, more than 200 nation and government heads had visited and offered their respects. The memorial, designed by Engineer Shankar Nath Rimal, was inaugurated in BS 2018. Shastri, Mathema, Shestha and Chand were executed in 1997 BS for their fight to bring democracy in the nation. On the initiation of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office, the second week of Magh (of the lunar calendar) is observed as Martyrs’ Week and Magh 16 as the Martyrs’ Day, a public holiday. Various organisations, institutions, and individuals have been paying tributes at Shahid Gate on the said date. Shahid Gate, which was originally called ‘Nepal Smarak’, has late King Tribhuvan’s statue on top with the statues of the four martyrs below. Laxman Singh Khadka has been involved in taking care of the memorial.