Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Martyr's Memorial Park

Human civilization history is full of revolution and struggle. Alike in other parts of world, in our country Nepal, Martyrs have contributed their life for the sake of people's freedom and prosperity. Those who invested their life for other's happiness are absolutely great.
The word "Martyr" is respectable in itself. Either Bhakti Thapa who fought against the British feudalism; Dasrath Chand, Dharmabhakta, Gangalal and Sukraraj who fought with Rana family rulings; Ratna Kumar Bantawa, Captain Yagya Bahadur Thapa, Durganand Jha etc. who existed their life on deferent struggle all these are great and respectable for Nepal and Nepalese people.Martyr is a history in itself. Human history will be incomplete without referring the contribution of martyrs. Giving honor to martyrs on just ritual basis could not reflect a true honor to them. Internalization of the martyr's thought and materialization of their dreams into practice is the true way of giving honor to them. This is today's real need.Today, we are confining martyrs on political boundaries that could not be perceived a healthy practice. Martyrs are not anyone's personal / group property. So, their contribution should be evaluated irrespective of group politics viewpoint. Internalizing this truth, Hetauda Municipality has tried to establish a Martyr's memorial park including 12 martyr's statues, which is a new type effort in Nepal. However, this is just a small effort and which is very negligible in comparison to the martyr's contribution.


Background of the Martyr's Memorial Park
The place selected for this park is situated into east-west highway at Hetauda Municipality ward No. 11, 4 km approx. northwest from Hetauda city.Previously, according to religious thought, this area was famous by naming "Punya Kshetra" (Holy Area). Nature and full of natural scenic beauty also bless this area.From the east-west highway, this place is accessible within 5-7 minutes by vehicle and could be there within 10-20 minutes by foot. Nearby the park, an idol of god Laxmi Narayan that is established by Manab Dharma Sewa samittee is famous by name of "Holy Area" which attracts to the religious people. The local people are also using this place as a good picnic spot.
In 2047 BS, naming “Martyr’s Memorial Garden” first started this park. Later, Hetauda Municipality targeted to develop this place as a park and a tourist place as well. Many institutions have contributed to develop infrastructure of this park for which Hetauda Municipality is always obliged. It also expects such cooperation from all in future.
We have tried our best to provide brief introduction of 12 martyrs whose statute is established in park. However, some important information may be missing here. We apologize for the same.
Publisher: Hetauda Municipality

The Memorial Monument
The main attraction is the carved monument itself. The rock has 12 faces engraved on its three sides. On the south side are: Bhakti Thapa, Shukra Raj Shastri, Dasharath Chandra, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, and Ganga Lal Shrestha.

On the east are: Bhim Dutt Panta, Biren Rajbanshi, Yagya Bahadur Thapa, Durgananda Jha and Muneshori Yadav.
On the West Side are: Prabhakar Paudel and Ratna Kumar Bantawaa.This engraving of 12 faces in a single rock stands unique in Nepal.


The Fountain Park
Nepal Tobacco Co. has contributed to set up a park with wooden benches surrounding an artificial fountain. One can rest and have a good view of other attractions from this area.

The Tower
A two-tier view tower that gives good view of the monument, mini zoo, temple as well as the industrial district of HID, River Rapti and other scenic surrounding was constructed courtesy of Narayani Transportation Workers Association.


The Temple

Local entrepreneur Ranjendra Singhal has constructed a goddess temple, which now serves in such ceremonies as marriages and rite of passages (Bratavandha), for boys.

The Mini Zoo
To the north of the monument about 10 katthas of land has been acquired to make a mini zoo. At present there are two Chittals (dears), three Ratuamrigas (red dears), one peacock and about 30 rabbits and other birds and animals in open as well as closed encampments.

The Martyr's

The rock was brought from the Local River Saraswati. Three students from Fine Arts Campus (Lalit Kala Campus, Bhotahiti) Govinda Chaudhari, Kamlesh Maharjan and Prithvi Shrestha worked for almost a year to engrave 12 faces to complete the main memorial. The martyrs included are:
Bhakti Thapa, BS 1802-1872, Deuthal, British
Dasharath Chandra, BS 1960-1997, Sobha Bhagwati, Rana
Ganga Lal Shrestha, BS 1975-1997, Sobha Bhagwati, Rana
Dharma Bhakta Mathema, BS 1965-1997, Siphal, Rana
Shukra Raj Shastri, BS 1950-1997, Pachali, Rana
Bhim Dutt Panta, BS 1983-2010, Dadeldhura, Transition govt.
Durga Nanda Jha, BS 1999-2020, Janakpur, Panchayat
Biren Rajbanshi, BS 2001-2029, Sukhani, Panchayat
Cpt. Yagya Bahadur Thapa, BS -2035, Okhaldhunga, Panchayat
Ratna Kumar Bantawa, BS 2008-2035, Evang, Panchayat
Prabhakar Poudel, BS 2021-2036, Hetauda, Panchayat
Muneshori Yadav, BS 2001-2046, Yadkuwa, Panchayat

The Martyr's

Bhakti Thapa (1802-1872)
Dashrath Chand (1960-1997)
Bhakti Thapa was the symbol of bravery and courage that was born on 1802 BS. He fought till death against the English army in the historical "Deuthal War". On 1815 BS when he was 70 years, he led Nepalese army team. Though Nepalese team was not equipped with modern weapons like English troop, his courage and bravery is always memorable.
Dasharatbjhh Chand was one of the four Martyrs of 104 years Rana family based ruling who was born on 1960 BS at Baitadi. He was arrested and tortured with blame of making effort to end Rana ruling and establishment of democracy. But he did not confessed on his trust. Thus Ranas shot him dead on 14 Magha 1997 at Shova Bhagabati, Kathmandu.
Gangalal Shrestha (1975-1997 BS)
Dharmabhakta Mathema (1965-1997 BS)
He was born on 1975 BS and when he gave his life for the sake of nation and Democracy against Rana Ruling, he was just of 19 years. Being perceived as a child, Rana rulers proposed to escaper from death by confessing for his doing. But Gangalal did not confessed and became ready to hug death. He also shot dead with Dasharath Chand on same date, it place.
This martyr, son of Aadibhakt Mathema who born in 1965 BS hanged till death by Rana rulers on 12 Magha 1997 at Sifal, Kathmandu.
Sukraraj Shastri (1950-1997 BS)
Ratna Kumar Bantawa (2008-2035 BS)
He was son of a social worker Madhav Raj Shastri. He spent some his time in India and became inspired from the Indian political movement. He came back in Nepal on 1995 BS and engaged in Anti-Rana movement. As a result he hanged till death in Pachali, Kathmandu.
He was born on 2008 BS. He was founder central member of Nepal Communist Party (ML). He was a courageous political fighter who passed on in a battle with police on 2035 Chaitra 27.
Muneswori Yadav (2001-2046 BS)
Biren Rajbansi (2001/2002-2029 BS)
He had taken lead in people's political movement in 2046 BS. In Yedukuha , Dhanusha he injured by police bullet and passed on the way to hospital.
He was born on Jyamirgadhi, Jhapa and has a prestigious image on public locality. He started his political life since 2026 BS. Panchayati rulers shot him dead on 2029 Falgun 21 BS.
Yaga Bahadur Thapa (0000-2035 BS)
Prabhakar Poudel (2021-2036 BS)
Okahldhunga armed movement has its own importance which was conducted to reform the seized democracy in 2017 BS. Martyr Yagya bahadur Thapa was hero of that movement. He was arrested and shot dead by police in 2035 Magh 26 BS.
As a son of Thakurnath Poudel and Dol Kumari Poudel he was born on 2021 B.S. He was just 15 years old when he participated in student's political movement in 2036 BS at Hetauda where he shot dead by police. Students of Hetauda used to celebrate each year as Martyr's day in his memory.
Durga Nanda Jha (1999-2020 BS)
Bhim Dutt Pant (1983-2010 BS)
He was one of the heroes of Janakpur Bomb episode in 2018 BS. He was arrested and jailed at Bhadragol Jail. He hanged till death in jail on 2020 Magh 15BS.
He was a courageous fighter from western part of Nepal who tried to organize a armed force (with army dress). This was basically to protect farmer's rights. During the anti feudalism and anti Delhi treaty movement he was killed by Indian army on 2010 Shrawan 10 BS.