The President and Supreme Commander of Nepal Army (NA) Bidya Devi Bhandari paid homage to the martyrs at the 'Brave Soldier Monument' before receiving the "Guard of Honor" by a contingent of Nepal Army to mark the Army Day that coincides with the Mahashivaratri festival.During the function, Nepal Army helicopters displayed banners, showered flower petals while the military personnel, lady officers, players of Tribhuvan Army Club and the cavalry presented a march-past.
The army personnel also displayed Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs), Ferret Cars, equipment of artillery and mobile hospital among other things.
During the function, various shows of martial arts, taekwondo, khukuri drill, band display, free fall jump and air formation were demonstrated. 'Disaster Rescue Operation' and 'Disaster Assessment and Response Team (DART) of different battalions performed their skills amidst various cultural dances, showering of guns and cannon fires.
A Nepal Army helicopter flies over Tundikhel with Mahashivaratri and Army Day message on the occasion. (Pratik Rayamajhi/Republica)
President Bhandari also presented prizes to the winners of the Free Fall Jump. Sergeant Ram Bahadur Basnet became secured first position in the Free Fall Jump and Captain Tek Bahadur Karki stood second. Similarly, CoAS Rajendra Chhetri provided the colors to Jagadal Battalion and CoAS Trophy 2072 to the Eastern Division. He also awarded trophies of "Nature Conservation Badge" to the Srijung Battalion and Barahadal Company to honor their contribution in nature conservation.
The function was attended by the Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha, ministers, diplomats and other high ranking security officers. The Nepal Army has been celebrating the Army Day since 1990.
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