Kathmandu, Jan. 29: The Martyrs Day was celebrated throughout the country by extending heartfelt tributes to the known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the establishment of democracy in the country.

Every year Jan. 23 to 29 is celebrated as the Martyrs Week in memory of the known and unknown martyrs including Gangalal, Shukraraj, Dharma Bhakta and Dasarath Chand who laid down their lives to relieve the Nepalese people from the autocratic Rana rule and for the establishment of democracy in the country.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has the objective of formulating and implementing special programmes to cherish the memory and make meaningful the struggle and sacrifices of the martyrs.

This is stated in a statement given today by Mayor Keshav Sthapit on the occasion of the Martyrs Day-2001.

In the statement, Mayor Sthapit appealed to all brothers and sisters to contribute to social welfare works and follow the path shown by the martyrs and at the same time be fully aware of the sacrifices and dedication of the martyrs for the realisation of a total social transformation.

Mayor Sthapit also expressed heartfelt tributes to the known and unknown valiant sons of Mother Nepal who laid down their lives for the greater cause of the country and the people with the sole motive for the welfare and prosperity of the country and the countrymen.

We need to learn from these brave sons of the nation who freed the Nepalis from the clutches of tyranny and made them sovereign, Mayor Sthapit said in the statement, adding that true tributes to them would be to follow the path of norms and values which these brave martyrs stood for throughout their lives.

Marking the occasion, a condolence meeting was organised at Lalitpur by the Martyrs Memorial Committee today.

Addressing the meeting, ex-prime minister Kirtinidhi Bista expressed the view that we have been forgetting the sacrifice and dedication of the martyrs, and that preservation of nationality and democracy would be a genuine tribute to the martyrs.

The committee’s General Secretary Durga Bahadur Shrestha, ex-mayor Bekharatna Shakya and other speakers also pointed out the need to materialise the dreams of the martyrs and respect their families.

The committee chairman Ram Prakash Sharma presided.

Likewise, an audio cassette entitled “Udaundo Tara” (rising star) including songs sung by students of Children’s International Academy was released here today.

Lyricist Krishna Hari Baral released the cassette at the function chaired by headmaster of the school Baburam Adhikari.

Likewise, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Keshav Sthapit inaugurated a Lichhavi-era temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati at the local Handigaun Dabali on Sunday.

The temple, believed to be 300 years old, was renovated at the total cost of Rs 751,412 collected from 126 local donors and the assistance provided by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 5 committee.

On the occasion, Mayor Sthapit said that the government should formulate separate policy for preserving the beauty of Kathmandu.

MP Rameshnath Pandey said it is also the duty of the people to preserve ancient monuments.

At the programme presided over by the co-ordinator of the temple construction committee and ward chairman Sukharam Maharjan, Deputy-Mayor Bidur Mainali, ward members Birendra Prajapati and Nirmala Prajapati and the temple priest Surya Lal Prajapati shed light on the cultural heritage of the Handigaon area.

In Nepalgunj, at a function held here today by Banke District Development Committee to mark the Martyrs’ Day, various speakers urged each and every Nepalese to do their best from their respective quarters to materialise the dreams of the martyrs who had made great sacrifice for the cause of democracy.

Chief guest at the function, the House of Representatives State Affairs Committee Chairman Homnath Dahal said that as a path of violence would only weaken the national identity and democracy any injustice, oppression and exploitation in the country should be ended through democratic process.

Member of the State Affairs Committee Arjun Bahadur Singh was of the view that some negative aspects of democracy were getting more publicity because of the failure to bring to light the achievements made in the ten years of democratic restoration.

Another member of the State Affairs Committee Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said, democracy mean attitudinal changes on our part and democracy cannot made headway if we don’t change our attitude.

Chief judge of the Appellate Court (Nepalgunj) Arjun Prasad Singh said, total commitment, sacrifice and dedication are what martyrs are known in other words.

DDC chairman Omprakash Jung Rana presided over the function.