» Introduction
» Biography
»  Photo Gallary

Early life

Paras is the only son of the last king and queen of Nepal: Gyanendra and Komal. He has one sister, Prerana. He received his early education at St. Joseph's College in Darjeeling, India, Budhanilkantha School, Kathmandu and Laboratary School, Kathmandu. He later attended the Schiller International University in the United Kingdom studying for an Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration. However, he did not complete his undergraduate education.

As a Crown Prince, Paras was present at Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan, to celebrate National Day of the Kingdom of Nepal. He made a trip to Austria in March 2006 where he handed over a pair of Rhinos to the Vienna Zoo.

In July, 2007 the Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala called for the then King Gyanendra and Crown Prince Paras to abdicate in favour of Paras' son Prince Hridayendra.

On 6 September 2007, Paras was rushed to the Military Hospital after he complained of chest pain. Later, at around 11:30 AM, he was transferred to the Norvic Hospital in Kathmandu. He was operated on for about 50 minutes, apparently to treat a "mild heart attack".Doctors performed a balloon angioplasty on him to clear his blocked artery. With a family history of heart problems, the doctors said he is out of danger, but recommended that he change his diet and lifestyle.

[edit] Abolition of the Monarchy

It was announced on December 24, 2007, that the monarchy is set to be abolished in 2008 after the Constituent Assembly elections.

The Nepalese Parliament voted on 28 December as part of a peace deal with former Maoist rebels, 270-3 in favour of abolishing the Monarchy.

On 28 May 2008, the Monarchy was officially abolished, replaced by secular federal republic. In July 2008 Crown Prince Paras left Nepal moving to Singapore.

Conservation trust controversy

In 2008, The National Trust for Nature Conservation, which is run by Maoist rebels, published a report alleging that the Royal Family had misused funds belonging to the charity. The trust was formerly run by Crown Prince Paras, with King Gyanendra as its patron. The committee alleged that the Royal Family had spent large amounts of trust funds on themselves over several years to finance trips abroad, lavish parties, and to pay for Queen Komal's health check-ups in the United Kingdom. One highlighted trip was taken by Crown Prince Paras to Austria to donate a pair of one-horned Indian Rhinoceros, an endangered species in Nepal, to a zoo. As the charity is now run by Maoist rebels, the objectivity of the findings has been questioned.

Allegations

Also as a Crown Prince, Paras became extremely unpopular in Nepal due to a number incidents involving violence and drunk driving rampages. He is also viewed as a heavy drinker. The prince was accused of assaulting "a policeman with the butt of his automatic weapon after being stopped for drinking and driving." In another incident, he allegedly assaulted a policeman after being stopped regarding the lights used in his vehicle.

Praveen Gurung controversy

In August, 2000, Paras is alleged to have run over and killed Praveen Gurung, a popular singer. Following the death of Gurung, there were popular protests. A petition campaign was initiated by the All Nepal National Free Students Union, the student wing of Communist Party of Nepal (UML), and was forwarded to the Royal Palace, calling for Paras to be punished. A police investigation ensued, but no action was taken against Paras.^[14] A Nepalese soldier later admitted to police that he killed Gurung.^[15]

Family

Paras married Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah a member of the Princely family of Sikar on January 25, 2000. They have three children:^[1]

• Princess Purnika Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah (Born: December 11, 2000, Kathmandu)
• Young Crown Prince Hridayendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Born: July 30, 2002, Kathmandu)
• Princess Kritika Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah (Born: October 16, 2003, Kathmandu)