Martyrs’ Day was observed across the country on Tuesday by paying respects to those who sacrificed their lives in the quest for democracy and justice for people.

The country observes Martyrs’ Week from Magh 10-16 on the Nepali calendar every year in commemoration of all known and unknown people who sacrificed their lives for the welfare of the nation.

Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Ganga Lal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand who were executed by the tyrannical Rana regime in the month of Magh in 1997 BS for raising the pitch for democracy, are revered as the four great martyrs in the country. Lakhan Thapa is respected as the first martyr’ of Nepal.

The Rana Regime reigned supreme in Nepal from 1846 to 1951.

The four heroes of the country had established an organisation Nepal Prajaparishad to motivate the people for fighting for their rights. Shastri was hanged from a tree near Pachali of Teku on Magh 10, 1997 BS.

Mathema was hanged in Sifal on Magh 13 and Chand and Shrestha were gunned down at Shobha Bhagawati on Magh 15 by the then autocratic Rana rulers.

In a message on the occasion, President Bidya Devi Bhandari called on all Nepali citizens to always keep in mind that those who sacrificed their priceless life are eligible to be martyrs for the country and people.

The President has also expressed best wishes to all for getting inspirations to materialise the dreams of those known and unknown martyrs to get motivated for joining in the great campaign of nation building. “The federal democratic republic was established in the country due to the contributions of martyrs,” Bhandari said, adding that making a prosperous nation by institutionalising the achievements made so far would be a true tribute to the martyrs.

Similarly, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has urged all to unite to materialise the dreams of martyrs for making a prosperous nation along with the sustainable economic development. He has also expressed due respects to the families of martyrs for their sacrifices for the establishment of democracy and republic.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba paid tribute to the martyrs at the Sahid Park at Lainchaur on the occasion of the Martyrs’ Day on Tuesday.