Nepal Army Celebrates Army Day (Photo Feature)

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Army has held a special function at Sainik Manch, Tundikhel on the occasion of Mahashivaratri and Army Day.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ were present on the occasion.

On the occasion, President Bhandari laid a wreath at the Army Memorial there as well as received a guard of honor presented by the Nepali Army. The President is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Nepal Army.

The Army has been observing the Mahashivaratri as the Army Day since 1991. Customarily Shiva is taken as the symbol of peace and security.

On the occasion, President Bhandari released ‘Sipahi-2079’, an annual publication and ‘Glorious Past of Nepali Army’, a book, published by the Nepali Army, Directorate of Public Relations and Information.

On this occasion, the army displayed various skills and weapons.

The Nepali Army soldiers opened celebratory rifle and artillery fire as part of the function. This also included opening of volley and individual rifle celebratory fire. Floats displaying the traditional army costumes, and music and dance ensembles were also paraded.

Mass PT as well as taek-won-do and khukuri drill was also presented on the occasion. Similarly, some shows displaying the military skills were presented on the occasion.

Also attending the function were the government ministers, legislators, office-bearers of the constitutional bodies, high-ranking government officials, the chiefs of the security bodies, the chiefs and representatives of the Nepal-based diplomatic missions as well as distinguished persons from various walks of life.

After the ceremony, Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhuram Sharma presented the CoAS Commendation Medals to individuals making special contribution to various social sectors.

At the outset of the program, CoAS Sharma handed prizes and insignias to various other battalions for their best performance.

People had also gathered around Tundikhel to observe the Shivaratri celebration by the Nepali Army.