KATHMANDU: The Martyr Day is being observed across the country today respecting the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of nation and welfare of the people.
The Day is celebrated on Magh 16 every year by organizing various programmes in commemoration of martyrs who scarified their lives for the establishment and restoration of democracy and freedom in different times.
The Day is observed by remembering the struggling life and devotion of martyrs, Shukra Raj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dasharath Chand and Ganga Lal Shrestha as well as contributions of other martyrs to the establishment of democracy in the country.
Martyr Week is observed from Magh 10-16 every year on the initiatives of different non-government organisations in memory of brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives against the then Rana regime.
In 1997, Martyr Shukra Raj Shastri was executed in Teku-based Pachali on Mag 10, Dharma Bhakta Mathema at Shifal on Magh 13 and Gangla Lal Shrestha and Dasharath Chand at Shobha Bhagawati on Magh 15 by Rana ruler while demanding independence.
Number of martyrs is 14,680
The number of martyrs in the country is more than 14,000. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Council of Ministers has decided on the names of 14,680 martyrs.
According to the spokesperson of the ministry, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the names of 11,419 people have been published in the gazette, while the names of 3,261 people are yet to be published.
Recently, when the state started declaring martyrs even to those who lost their lives in minor incidents or accidents, the relevance of the day has been questioned as it is an insult to the martyrs who sacrificed for the state.
