Hetauda, January 30

President Bidya Devi Bhandari today urged all forces to work together for the development of the country.

Addressing a function organised to mark the Martyrs’ Day, President Bhandari urged all political parties to act responsibly to institutionalise the republic. She also urged all to put forth their demands through a constitutional process. She said that the new constitution had accommodated the concerns of all groups and communities.

“We now need programmes and policies aimed at bringing economic prosperity and establishing durable peace. The government should pay attention to the matter,” she said.

President Bhandari also paid tributes to the statues of Nepal’s first four martyrs — Shukraraj Shastri, Gangalal Shrestha, Dharma Bhakta Mathema and Dasharath Chand at Shahid Smarak in Hetauda Sub-metropolis-11.

She also unveiled an inscription set up at the entrance of Shahid Smarak and inaugurated a martyr monument featuring the statues of martyrs who lost their lives during various democratic movements between 1997 BS and 2063 BS.

The monument was constructed on the premises of Shahid Smarak at the of Rs 15 million provided by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Government, said Dormani Poudel, chairman of the Monument Development Committee, Hetauda.

Similarly, the President inaugurated a suspension bridge leading to the statue of late CPN-UML leader Madan Bhandari. The president also offered floral tributes to the statue of the late leader on the occasion.