BIRATNAGAR, Jan. 3: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah today graced the civic felicitation organised by the people of the eastern region at the Shaheed Rangashala (stadium) amid a grand ceremony.
Tens of thousands of cheering and flag waving people, belonging to all communities and religion welcomed Their Majesties upon their arrival at the Shaheed Rangashala, the venue of the civic reception, at 1:15 P.M. In response to the cheering mass, Their Majesties waved their hand, which sent the huge gathering into further euphoric.
Their Majesties had arrived at the Biratnagar airport from Itahari, and then proceeded towards the Rangashala in a motorcade. Thousands of people had lined along the motorcade route to welcome and to have a glimpse of Their Majesties. At the Rangashala, Their Majesties were welcomed by Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, convenor and members of the Civic Reception Main Committee. The civic reception had started with five Brahmin boys of the Gurukul Secondary School chanting vedic rhymes.
Megh Raj Sharma, convenor of the Civic Reception and Celebration Main Committee, presented a letter of felicitation to Their Majesties on behalf of the people of the eastern region. “We believe the country will prosper under the leadership of His Majesty the King because His Majesty holds the ideals of good moral behaviour and discipline,” Sharma said, reading out the letter of felicitation.
“The Monarch is the protector of liberty and sovereignty of the country. Our national life and culture have been inspired by the Shah Kings,” the felicitation letter reads. “The people are indebted to His Majesty’s far-sightedness, commitment to multi-party democracy, efficiency, and a determined and forward-looking vision,” it reads. Stating that His Majesty has an in-depth knowledge of national heritage, culture and literature, the felicitation letter says, “His Majesty the King has played an important role in protecting the bio-diversity, and natural and cultural heritage of the country.”
“The Royal visit will pave way for an all-round development of the region as it has encouraged the politicians, intellectuals, farmers, businessmen, literary figures and the common people,” the felicitation letter further reads.
“We, the people of the eastern region, welcome Their Majesties with our hearts open, and the visit of Their Majesties had added glory to the people of the region,” it reads. The felicitation letter concludes with the words ‘May God always help His Majesty the King to make a independent and prosperous Nepal’.
Their Majesties were also presented a gift on behalf of the people of the region. A total of 124 felicitation letters on behalf of different organisations and institutions were presented to Their Majesties at the function. Joint Secretary of the commission Pralhad Shah presented a badge to His Majesty the King and treasurer of the committee Bhikhchand presented a badge to Her Majesty. Joint secretary of the committee Sushil Dhanawat presented the programme booklet to Their Majesties. Radha Prasad Ghimire, vice chairman of the main celebration committee, in his welcome address said that monarchy has been a source of Nepalese culture, civilisation and the life system. He said the role of His Majesty the King is indispensable to give dynamism and for the development of the multi-party democracy.
Ghimire also talked about the potentials and the challenges for development of the region. “We appeal to Their Majesties for similar visits in the region in the days to come.” The two-hour long civic reception was highlighted by display of the cultures of different ethnic communities, and the industrial show of different business communities. Their Majesties also received the greetings of the common masses, cultural troupes, students, business community and various organisations as they walked past the dais, where Their Majesties were seated.