Kathmandu, August 6:

Princess Shitasma today inaugurated a group art exhibition organised on the occasion of the auspicious birthday of King Gyanendra. The Princess also observed a cultural programme and presented letters of commendation to various individuals for making contribution to the society. The programme was held by the Auspicious Birthday Main Civic Celebration Committee-2005. Former minister Jog Mehar Shrestha, Surendra Kumari Poudyal, Asha Singh Shah, academician Betty Bajracharya, Sahadev Shrestha, Rajaram Shre-stha, Sanat Kumar Thapa, Sur Bahadur Shrestha, Surendra Kumar Goyal, Sona Moktan, Sarmistha Shrestha, Sadhu Ram Kuikel, Ishwar Bahadur Singh, Bharat Banstola, Kishor Bahadur Singh, Manisha Shrestha, and Rameshwar Khanal were felicitated on the occasion. Stating that the Nepalis have been protected by monarchy in Nepal, the Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Durga Shrestha, said at the programme that the people should help the King bail the country out from the present crisis.