On January 16, 2016, the ex-King of Nepal, Gyanendra Shah visited Shital Niwas – the president’s government residence to participate in the marriage of the younger daughter of the president, Bidhya Devi Bhandari. It was a coincidence that Shital Niwas was also the venue of the marriage of Gyanendra Shah some 46 years ago. At that time, the venue was used for royal events and as a guest house for foreign dignitaries. As a prince, Gyanendra Shah had married Komal Rajya Laxmi Shah in 2027 BS.
Video report:
During the marriage ceremony, Gyanendra was surrounded by the leaders of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). RPP is the party formed by the former Panchayat System leaders. The party led by Kamal Thapa and Lokendra Bahadur Chand is considered pro-monarchy and pro-Hinduism. Gyanendra told, “I remember the days of my marriage.”
In the recent days, Gyanendra has been releasing politically motivated press statements. He had expressed his dissatisfaction over the way the leaders have been working and the foreign influence in the Nepali politics.
Who are Nisha Kusum and Abhisekh ?
The bride of the ceremony, Nisha Kusum Bhandari is the daughter of late Madan Kumar Bhandari and the current president Bidhya Devi Bhandari. A doctor by profession, Nisha has married Abhisekh Yadav, an engineer by profession. Abhisekh is a relative of the first president of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav. Abisekh’s mother is also a member of the parliament, Kiran Yadav. His father Munilal Yadav is an engineer too.
About Shital Niwas
A palace constructed by Rana prime minister Chanda Shumsher Rana was converted into the presidential palace after the declaration of Republic Nepal in 2008.
The palace was handed over to the government by the youngest son of Chandra Shumsher, Krishna Shumsher in 1948 AD. After that, the palace was used as a venue of Royal events. The Nepal government at that time had also used the palace as a gust house for the high level foreign official’s visit to Nepal. Gyanendra’s marriage being a royal event, the palace was used as the marriage venue.
At one time, the Foreign Ministry was also stationed at the palace.