The statue of former king Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, was garlanded on the occasion of his 292nd birth anniversary at the West Gate of the Singha Durbar in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Leaders of different political parties, intellectuals, former administrators, former chiefs of security bodies, industrialists, lawyers, journalists and commoners were present during the function organised by the Prithvi Jayanti Main Organising Committee.

Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Kamal Thapa, former Chief of Army Staff Rukmangud Katawal, historian Ramesh Dhungel, politician Bishwa Bandhu Thapa, former top-level officials of Nepal Police, Nepal Army and others garlanded the statue and lauded the contributions of Shah.

Earlier, a rally was organised at the major thoroughfares of the Capital city at the call of the Main Organizing Committee.Participants in the rally demanded public holiday on Poush 27 and mark the day as the national unity day.- See more at: http://www.kantipurvdo.com/videos/prithvi-narayan-shah/#sthash.5cOjsVz3.dpuf