By Our Reporter The 302nd Prithvi Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of the late King Prithvi Narayan Shah, was observed on Friday across the country. The practice of observing Prithvi Jayanti from the government level began only last year when the Rastriya Prajatantra Party put forth a precondition of giving a public holiday on Push 27 to join the government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Accordingly, the government accepted the demand. This year, the day was marked with fanfare in Kathmandu and across the country by garlanding the photos and statues of PN Shah, the unifier of Nepal. President Ramchandra Paudel paid his respects by garlanding the statue of the late king, outside Singha Durbar’s main entrance. Various programmes were held nationwide to celebrate Prithvi Jayanti and Unification Day. Prime Minister Dahal also garlanded a picture of Prithvi Narayan Shah while attending a tea reception organised at Bhrikuti Mandap by Rastriya Prajatnatra Party. Top leaders of all political parties attended the RPP's tea reception. Prithvi Narayan Shah was born on January 11, 1723, to King Nara Bhupal Shah and Queen Kaushalyavati Devi. He ascended to the throne on April 3, 1743. Prithvi Narayan Shah is widely celebrated for starting the unification movement during his reign. Prior to the movement, Nepal was divided into 52 different states. However, after the political change of 2006, the governments were reluctant to recognise the unifier of the country and cut the practice of giving a public holiday on Push 27. Yet, the patriotic people and groups did not stop observing the day. Now again, the practice of marking Push 27 as a national festival has begun, which should be taken as a positive move. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party led by Rajendra Lingden and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal led by Kamal Thapa hosted separate tea receptions on the occasion.