KATHMANDU, MARCH 8
President Ramchandra Paudel attended a special ceremony organized by the Nepali Army today at Sainik Manch Tundikhel on the occasion of Mahashivaratri and 261st Army Day.
On the occasion, President Paudel, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Nepali Army, paid floral tributes to the military memorial and received a salute offered by the Nepali Army. The Nepali Army has been celebrating the day of Mahashivratri as Army Day.
At the ceremony, President Paudel released the annual magazine 'Sipahi-2080' published by the Nepali Army, Directorate of Military Public Relations and Information. He also gave away awards to Tanka Bahadur Dangi and Jaganath Danai who stood who first and second respectively in the 'Free Fall Jump' competition.
Likewise, the President presented gifts to the team leaders of the Indian, British and American military units, who played the band during the Army Day celebrations.
Earlier, flowers were showered by an army helicopter and the national flag along with a banner reading 'Army Day-2080' were displayed. The army presented the Mahashivratri parade and march past with rifles and cannons. Various arts, dances and music were also performed by the army.
Furthermore, various types of military vehicles, equipment and weapons used by the Nepali Army in UN peacekeeping missions were displayed.
Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha were present at the ceremony. Also present to witness the
army day celebrations were the Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Constitutional bodies and officials, high-ranking officials of the Government of Nepal, heads of security agencies, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Nepal, and distinguished personalities of the society.
A large number of people had also gathered in and around Tundikhel to witness the Army Day celebrations.
The ceremony was also broadcast live by Nepal Television and other media. At the function, Chief of Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma presented the COAS Commendation Medals to various individuals who have made special contributions in various fields of the society.
