Organizing a press meet in Kathmandu on Tuesday, representatives of different sectors urged Nepalis to celebrate the upcoming 299th Prithivi Jayanti on January 11 as the National Unity Day.

Former Chief of Army Staff Rukmangad Katuwal, actress Manisha Koirala, former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police Ramesh Kharel and others urged to celebrate Prithivi Jayanti with fervor.

Before the abolition of monarchy and Nepal being declared as a republic nation, Prithivi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the then King Prithivi Narayan Shah, used to be observed across the country as National Unity Day amid a public holiday.

Now, however, no public holiday is announced on the day and only fringe political parties and royalists mark the day.