Kathmandu, January 23

The nation began celebrations of Martyrs’ Week from Saturday in commemoration of the known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the country and securing the rights of the people.

The Main Celebration Committee has scheduled various programmes to mark Martyrs’ Week. Martyrs’ Week is observed every year in the country since 1956 under the aegis of the Kathmandu Metropolis.

As per the tradition, Kathmandu Metropolitan City is all set to organise commemorative programmes at four different spots in Kathmandu where the four leading martyrs namely Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Gangalal Shrestha and Dasrath Chand attained martyrdom.

These four martyrs were youths who protested against the tyrannical Rana regime.

Shukra Raj Shastri and Dharma Bhakta Mathema were hanged while Ganga Lal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand were shot by the Ranas for waging struggle to overthrow the Rana regime in 1931.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City stated that tributes would be paid to martyr Shukraraj Shastri at Pachali on January 24, the same place and date where he attained martyrdom 67 years ago.

Similarly, Dharma Bhakta Mathema will be commemorated at Sifal on January 27.

Meanwhile, Gangalal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand at Shova Bhagawati on January 29.