President attends Mahashivaratri and Army Day function

Kathmandu / March 7: President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the special function organised by the Nepalese Army at the army pavilion at Tundikhel on the occasion of the Army Day and Mahashivaratri today.

On the occasion, President Bhandari laid a wreath at the Bir Smarak (monument to the Brave Soldier) there and paid tributes. She also acknowledged the guard of honour offered her by the Nepalese Army. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nepalese Army.

President Bhandari also on the occasion launched ‘Sipahi’, the annual special publication brought out by the Nepalese Army, Directorate of Public Relations.

At the function, the President gave away prizes to the winners of the ‘free fall jump’. Sergeant Ram Bahadur Basnet won the first prize and Captain Tek Bahadur Karki the second prize in the free fall jump. The Army has been marking the Mahashivaratri as the Army Day since 1991.

In course of the celebration, the Army fired volleys from rifles and canon. The NA soldiers also made formation of the shape of the letter Aum and the national flag on the occasion.

The Army also presented march-past, a variety of artistic display reflecting the traditional Nepali and the army costumes, dances and music.

Under the PT display, the soldiers presented the ‘shoot to kill’, Taek-won-do, and the khukuri drill. The army also displayed some military skills and hardware, including APCs, MPVs and Ferret cars.

The helicopters of the Army’s Aviation Directorate displayed banners and copter formation. The army band presented band display.

Among other VIPs present on the occasion were Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha, the Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers.

High-ranking government officials, the chiefs of the security bodies, the chiefs and representatives of the Nepal-based diplomatic missions and distinguished persons from various walks of life were also attended the function.

General public in large numbers had gathered around Tundikhel, the army parade ground, to observe the Shivaratri and Army Day celebration. Some TV channels and FM radio stations carried the event live.

Earlier, Chief of the Army Staff presented the trophy to the Barahadal Battalion, Namche and the Shreegaja Battalion, Kasara which sto first under the nature conservation category. The East Region Division received the Chief of Army Staff Trophy for coming out first in the army sports competition. RSS