President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the feu de joie organized by the Nepali Army at Tundikhel on the occasion of the Maha Shivaratri and 260th Army Day today.
President Bhandari laid a wreath on the Army monument there as well as received a guard of honor accorded by the Nepali Army. President Bhandari is the Commander-in-Chief of the NA.
The NA is observing the day of Maha Shivaratri as the Army Day.
On the occasion, President Bhandari also released the annual magazine 'Sipahi-2079' and 'History of Nepali Army' (1872-2007) published by the NA Directorate of Public Relations and Information.
Similarly, she also conferred the prizes on the winner and first runner-up of 'free fall jump'—Major Jaganath Danai and Tek Bahadur Karki respectively.
Likewise, President Bhandari also presented a gift to the chief of the Gorkha Band Group working in the Indian and British Army.
Prior to this, a helicopter of the Nepali Army carrying the national flag, and a banner reading 'Army Day, 2079' showered flowers. On the occasion, the Army soldiers opened celebratory rifle and artillery fires.
As part of the celebration, the Army performed various arts and dances displaying the traditional army costumes and played musical tunes. A march past and physical training and taekwondo were presented.
Vehicles, equipment and arms, and ammunition used by the Army were also displayed on the occasion.
Others present on the occasion were Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, ministers, lawmakers, chiefs and office bearers of constitutional bodies, the government's high ranking officials, chiefs of security agencies, chiefs and representatives of diplomatic missions in Nepal and other dignified personalities.
Five former chiefs of the Indian Army attended the ceremony as a guest.
General people gathered around the Army Pavilion to watch the celebration while various electronic media including Nepal Television telecast the live event.
Also on the occasion, Chief of the Army Chief (CoAS) Prabhuram Sharma handed the CoAS Commendation Medals to individuals who have made special contributions to various social sectors.
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