Crown Prince Dipendra proclaimed King
HRH Prince Gyanendra designated Regent

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has been proclaimed His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Nepal from June l, 200l.

A meeting of the Rajparishad held today declared His Royal Highness the Crown Prince His Majesty the King.

With the demise of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the most respected and beloved King of the Nepalese people, at 9.l5 pm on June l, 200l, at Narayanhity Royal Palace, His Majesty’s eldest son and heir to the throne His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra has been declared King in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-l990, the law on succession to the throne and usage and tradition, according to the proclamation made by the Rajparishad.

As His Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is in a physically incapacitated condition requiring intensive care at the Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni and unable to assume his duties in his capacity as King, and as His Majesty’s Mother Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and brother His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah have also passed away, the meeting of the Rajparishad today also declared the immediate younger brother of His Late Majesty and uncle of His Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, Regent of the Kingdom of Nepal in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal- l990.

Biography of HM

Our staff reporter adds: His Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was born on 13 Asad, 2028 B. S. (June 27, 1971 A. D.) at the Narayanhity Royal Palace as the eldest son of His late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her late Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.

His Majesty King Dipendra is the 12th generation King of the Shah Dynasty after His late Majesty Badamaharaj Prithvi Narayan Shah founded the modern Nepal.

His Majesty the King received his primary school education from Kanti Ishwori Shishu Vidhyalaya, Kathmandu.

Having passed the Class 3 district level examinations in the first division, His Majesty the King joined Budhanilkantha High School and passed the School Leaving Certificate Examinations in the First division. Then, His Majesty the King completed ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels from Eton College of the United Kingdom.

After returning from the United Kingdom, His Majesty the King studied BA at Tri-Chandra College and passed in the first division. His Majesty the King joined the Tribhuvan University and studied Geography at the Masters’ Level and also passed in the first division with distinction.

His Majesty the King has undergone several training programmes from different institutes. His Majesty the King took ‘Officers B. Training’ from the Royal Nepalese Army Academy, Bhaktapur. Similarly, His Majesty has also received pilot’s license from the then Department of Civil Aviation. In 2047 B. S. His Majesty was announced as Colonel-In-Chief of the Royal Nepalese Army.

Patron of the National Sports Council, Nepal Olympic Committee and the Royal Golf Club, His Majesty King Dipendra encouraged the Nepalese athletes by gracing the 8th SAAF Games and other sporting activities held in Nepal. He had also attended different Olympic Games.

His Majesty the King has also paid official visits to Thailand, India, China, Britain, Pakistan and Japan among others.

His Majesty, when he was the Crown Prince, had also participated in the General Conference of the Non-Aligned Nations held in Belgrade as an observer in 2046 B. S. His Majesty King Dipendra had also accompanied Their late Majesties King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya during Their Majesties’ official visit to Denmark in 2046 B. S. Besides, HM also participated in the international tourism fair held in Berlin in 2055 B.S.

After the earthquake of 2045 B. S. and during the devastating natural calamity in 2050 B. S., His Majesty had assumed the burden of special relief work.

HM King has been decorated with the Shubharajya Bhishek Padak, Gaddhi Aarohan Padak, Grand Cross Medal of Germany and several medals and honours from different countries.

…A promise cut short

The whole nation went into shock when news started to slowly trickle in early Saturday morning, that His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Aiswarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah had passed away. Many people at first couldn’t believe that their beloved Monarch and his consort had suddenly left them forever. But when the news was confirmed officially in the afternoon, the people wept as one for their now lost King and Queen. The distraught citizens were shocked to hear that other members of the Royal family, including Prince Nirajan had also died. Perhaps this is one of the biggest tragedies suffered by the dynasty, which has ruled Nepal since King Prithvi Narayan Shah-the Great brought together different small principalities and founded modern Nepal. For the nation and the people, it is a loss of unbelievable proportion.

Born in December 28, 1945, King Birendra was the eldest son of late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. King Birendra received the best of education right from his childhood and did his schooling in St. Joseph School of Darjeeling and later went for higher studies in prestigious universities like Eton in the United Kingdom and Harvard in the United States among others. He married Queen Aiswarya on February 28, 1970 when he was still the Crown Prince. He became King after his father King Mahendra died on January 31, 1972. However the coronation of King Birendra took place on February 24, 1975. Right from the time when he was the Crown Prince, King Birendra showed keen interest in the development of the country and at a very young age, he travelled all across the nation on foot to get first hand information on the state of the Nepalese people. It is folklore now, of how the young Crown Prince mixed up with the ordinary folks, had meals together with them, slept in their homes and talked with them about their aspirations and needs. Maybe few monarchs in the world had gone to that extent to know the problems of their subjects.

Later, after he became King, King Birendra continued to travel to the different regions of the country every year and keenly follow the development works that had been carried out. However, it was not only within the country that King Birendra did something for Nepal, he was equally dedicated to enhance his nation’s image abroad. For this, he participated in numerous international meets, particularly the Non-Aligned and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summits and also went on many official and state visits to friendly countries. It was no surprise that world leaders respected King Birendra for his knowledge and the firm stance he took on different international issues. One of the major successes of King Birendra on the foreign policy front, was the proposal he made to declare Nepal a Zone of Peace. This initiative of his was officially supported by more than one hundred countries of the world.

The respect that he received from Nepal’s two giant neighbours, India and China, was also manifested when he was invited as the "Chief Guest" in the 50th Republic Day celebrations of India in 1999 and when he was made the "Guest of Honor" at the inaugural function of the Boao Forum for Asia in China just a couple of months back. King Birendra was respected and admired by both the leaders and people of India and China.

Back home, King Birendra time and again showed his commitment to hear the voice of the people and act as they wished. First it was in 1980 when he declared a National Referendum after there was a movement to establish multi-party democracy in the country. Then again in 1990, when the Popular People’s Movement was initiated, King Birendra willingly declared multi-party democracy in the country and soon after also proclaimed the present Democratic Constitution of the country. In the past decade since the establishment of multi-party democracy and he was declared a Constitutional Monarch, King Birendra dutifully abided by his new role and became an inspiration to all for the consolidation of democracy.

It is difficult to find a King who had such qualities and who dedicated his entire life for his country and the people. His death has caused an irreparable loss for the nation and on this sad hour, we pray for the eternal peace for the departed soul of the Noble King and other members of his family who died with him. At the same time we also pray to God that He will give all Nepalese the strength to bear with this tragic setback in a restrained manner and stay united in this time of shock and grief.

His Majesty King Passes Away
Her Majesty, Prince Nirajan among the dead

Kathmandu, June 2 (RSS): His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev passed away at 09:15 p.m. in an unanticipated incident at Narayanhity Royal Palace last night. His Majesty was 56.

His Majesty’s accession to the throne ceremony was held on 31st January, 1972.

Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah also passed away in the same incident last night. Her Majesty was 52.

His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah also died last night in the same incident at Narayanhity Royal Palace at the age of 23.

Her Royal Highness Princess Sruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana also died in the same incident at the age of 25. Her Royal Highness Princess Jayanti Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah also passed away in the same incident.

Last rites: The last rites of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was performed in accordance with Vedic traditions and with full state honour at Pashupati Aryaghat this evening.

The funeral pyre of His late Majesty the King was lit by Sahebjyu Dipak Bikram Shah at 9:45 p.m.

Earlier the body of His late Majesty was carried round the funeral pyre of sandalwood three times.

A contingent of the Royal Army presented a guard of honour to His late Majesty as the body was taken round the funeral pyre.

The guard of honour was followed by three volley fires.

A 56-gun salute as per the age of His Majesty also boomed in the air within a span of one minute each.

Prior to the performance of the funeral rites Regent HRH Prince Gyanendra, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the Speaker, the Chairman of National Assembly, the Chairman of Rajparishad Standing Committee, the ministers, Royal Nepaese Army and civil officers paid last respects to His late Majesty the King.

Thousands of people with stunned faces and tearful eyes had gathered around the Aryaghat to pay their last respects to their beloved King.

They were also chanting slogans like "Our King and our country is more dearer than our life" and "Long live His Majesty Birendra".

Likewise, the mortal remains of Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was cremated in accordance with the Vedic rites at the Pashupati Aryaghat.

Also today, the body of His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah was cremated at Aryaghat.

The funeral pyres of Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Nirajan were lit by the Brahmins.

The funeral pyre of His late Majesty was towards the northern side of the Aryaghat, that of Her Majesty the Queen at the middle and that of HRH Prince Nirajan at the southern side of Aryaghat.

Earlier, Regent His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah had paid heartfelt tributes to Their Majesties the King and Queen, HRH Prince Nirajan and HRH Sruti by offering bouquets to their bodies at Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni.

Other members of the Royal Family and relatives of the Royal Family also paid tributes on the occasion.

Also paying floral tributes to Their Majesties were the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the Speaker, the Chairman of National Assembly, the Chairman of Rajparishad Standing Committee, the leader of main opposition party, the deputy prime minister, the ministers, former prime ministers, the heads of constitutional bodies and the MPs.

Likewise, leaders of various political parties, the Rajparishad members, high ranking officials of the Royal Household Service, the heads of diplomatic missions, journalists, intellectuals and a large number of people also paid heartfelt tributes to Their Majesties.

On the occasion a contingent of the Royal Nepalese Army had presented royal salute in honour of Their late Majesties.

Earlier, the bodies of Their Majesties the King and Queen, His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan, Her Royal Highness Princess Sruti and Her Royal Highness Princess Jayanti were taken to Aryaghat from the Birendra Military Hospital at 5:30 p.m.

Around the Birendra Military Hospital complex where the dead bodies lay, roof-tops of houses were filled with people and thousands of men and women had gathered onto the streets with broken hearts. As the royal cortege moved ahead, people showered flowers and bouquets. Some were shedding tears and some sobbing.

The royal cavalry, contingents of the Royal Nepalese Army, the Nepal Police, scouts and Royal Nepalese Army and police bands preceded and followed the bodies.

The body of His Majesty the King placed on a bamboo framework was carried by the Brahmins on their shoulders, followed by the members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and distinguished persons. The body of Her Majesty the Queen was placed in a palanquin.

Thousands of men and women had stood with tearful eyes on both sides of the route from the Army Hospital to the Aryaghat.

Shocked people mourn the death

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, June 2: Hundreds of thousand of people paid their last tribute today to His late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her late Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, His Royal Highness late Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah, Her Royal Highness late Princess Sruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana and Her late Highness Jayanti Shah.

People of all ages, who milled along the funeral procession route, waited for hours with misty eyes and gloomy face, in stunned silence, too shocked to believe what they were seeing. Pain and grief were painted on every face.

Almost every one was out to witness the procession and pay their last tributes. Apart from those gathered along the roadside, grief-stricken people - including housewives with their babies - had also thronged their rooftops, verandas and windows waiting for hours.

The procession had started at 17:35 from the Birendra Army Hospital at Chhauni and passed through Swoyambhu, Shobha Bhagawati, Chhetrapati, Thamel, Keshar Mahal, South Gate of Royal Palace, Jaya Nepal Cinema, Kamalpokhari, Gyaneshwor, Gaushala to reach Pashupati Aryaghat, where the last rites were performed.

A troupe of brass band and soldiers carrying their rifles upside down led the procession while dignitaries and outstanding personalities followed.

Many people avoided salt, many men shaved their heads and women skipped their daily ritual worships to mourn the death of the Royal Family members.

"His late Majesty is the only King I know and I cannot believe that he has died," Rama Gurung, a college student, wept. She was carrying a bunch of flower to offer to the mortal remains of Their late Majesties and the others.

"What a tragedy to strike the country. The people and the country had never expected this would happen even in their worst dreams. Our hopes are shattered," lamented Bhim Prasad Neupane, a trekking entrepreneur. His voice had choked and his eyes filled up while he said, "When the country is facing so much trouble, this tragedy could not have come at a worse time."

Representing the feelings of the common people, he said everyone in this country, the political parties, civil society, the people and also the Royal Family must work together to overcome this tragedy. He even added, "We all pray that nothing will happen to His Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev."

Another mourner, Khem Dhakal said the whole country is united in grief and sorrow. Joining the funeral process were people who had chanted ‘Our King and Our Country are more beloved to us than our lives’.

Rajesh Shrestha, a local of Chhetrapati said he could not focus on anything else after hearing the news of the biggest ever tragedy in Nepalese history. "I could not help coming out here and I know almost every one from my area is out to pay the last homage to Their late Majesties and other members of the Royal Family who have died."

The news of the deaths of Their Majesties and some other members of the Royal Family had spread like wildfire in the capital this morning. From very early in the morning, people had begun to gather near Royal Palace fearing the unexpected and to find out what had happened.

Groups of people were seen at many places of the capital. With the Radio Nepal and the Nepal Television interrupting their regular programmes for mourning tunes and music they suspected the worst. People gathered near the Raj Sabha building at Kantipath to hear the decision of the Raj Sabha, which had sat from 9 A.M. Shops around the city remained closed throughout the day. Everybody’s ears and eyes were on the Radio and on television and when the Raj Sabha declared in the afternoon that Their Majesties the King and Queen had passed away on Friday night at 21:15 at the Narayanhity Royal Palace and proclaimed His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev the new King of the Kingdom of Nepal from Friday, Jestha 19, 2058 (June 1, 2001) according to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal –2047.

The Raj Sabha meeting also declared that because of His Majesty King Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was unable to bear his responsibility because he was physically incapacitated and Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah, the next in line to the throne, was also dead, the Raj Sabha meeting also declared the second brother of His late Majesty and uncle of His Majesty King Dipendra, His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah has been appointed as Prince Regent.

Saddened Adhikary kills himself

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Narayanghat, Chitawan, June 2: In an extreme and exceptional fit of frustration and desperation due to the sudden demise of His late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Leknath Adhikary, a resident of Narayanghat in Chitawan district, committed suicide this morning.

A motorcycle mechanic, Adhikary consumed poison to kill himself no sooner he heard the tragic news. "When the King himself is no more alive, what is my life worth of?" Adhikary reportedly said so before committing suicide in his room early this morning.

Meanwhile, the Narayangadh Bazaar remained completely closed today even as there was no formal declaration of the closure. Naturally, the locals had joined the nation-wide mourning of the sudden demise of the late King and other members of the Royal Family.