Kathmandu: Prime Minister GP Koirala on Monday hoisted the Nepalese flag at the Narayanhiti palace, converting the 124-year-old sprawling complex into a national museum, which will showcase the diamond-studded crown surrendered by deposed monarch Gyanendra and a Mercedes Benz gifted to his grandfather by Adolf Hitler.
Prime Minister Koirala formally unveiled a board 'Narayanhiti Palace Museum' over the pink roofed building after hoisting the country's flag at a function attended by hundreds of people, including ministers, members of Constituent Assembly, diplomats, leaders of political parties and other dignitaries.
"This is an important day," Koirala said, adding, "The national flag here symbolises national unity." He said the world community is surprised that we have been able to establish a republic in a peaceful manner. "The whole process has completed without bloodshed," he stressed. Home Minister Krishna Situala was quoted as saying in the local media that the museum will open for the general public in about three months.
Besides the diamond-studded crown and golden sceptre, the 1939 Mercedes Benz presented by the German dictator to King Tribhuvan will be a major attraction at the Narayanhiti museum, officials said.
"The car gifted by Adolf Hitler to the Nepal king is likely to be showcased in the palace museum," said Govinda Kusum, a senior Home Ministry official. The car is lying in the palace premises in a wear and tear condition.
King Tribhuvan used to ride the car brought in 1940 via India when there were no other cars in the country. It is parked in the palace after a team of mechanics failed to repair it due to nonavailability of spare parts.
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