December 31, 2005
KATHMANDU: The 35th auspicious birthday of Crown Prince Paras is being celebrated across the country amidst various programs today.
The son of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Crown Prince Paras was born on December 30, 1971 in Kathmandu.
Crown Prince had his early education at St. Joseph’s School in Darjeeling, India and Budhanilkantha School in Kathmandu. He is an undergraduate in Business Administration from Schiller International University, United Kingdom. Crown Prince Paras was married to Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah on January 25, 2000.
Their Royal Highnesses have three children – His Royal Highness Nava-Yuvaraj Hridayendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Royal Highness Princess Purnika Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and Her Royal Highness Princess Kritika Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.
He was proclaimed the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Nepal on October 26, 2001.
Crown Prince Paras has been the Chairman of King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) since December 2001. Prior to this, the Crown Prince was coordinator of KMTNC’s Zoo Development Committee.
He was decorated with Maha Ujjwal Kirtimaya Nepal Shreepad (First Class) 2004, Shubha Rajya Bhisek Padak, 1975, Gaddi Aarohan Rajat Mahotsav Padak, 1997, Bishista Sewa Padak, 1999, Birendra-Aishwarya Sewa Padak, 2001, Suprasiddha Praval Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, 2001 and Daivi Prakop Pidittodhar Padak 2003.
A widely traveled person, the Crown Prince has visited numerous countries across the world. He has also paid official visits to India, China and Japan.
Crown Prince Paras represented His Majesty the King at the funeral service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother of the United Kingdom in 2003.
Crown Prince Paras participated in the Bishkek International Mountain Summit in Kyrgyz Republic in 2002. The Crown Prince participated in study tours at the Asian Institute of Technology and some national parks in Thailand in 2003.
The Crown Prince addressed the Nepal Forum at the Asia Pacific Week in Berlin and participated in programs organized by King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, German Chapter in 2003.
Crown Prince is keenly interested in the study of nature and wildlife in its natural habitat. He is also equally interested in trans-border environmental issues, international affairs and development, and sustainable community development.
The Crown Prince’s hobbies include, among other things, horse riding, music and composing poems.