Walkathon for National Unification Day starts from Gorkha Durbar

Published On: January 5, 2023 03:20 PM NPT By: Narhari Sapkota

GORKHA, Jan 5: The Nepali Army has started a walkathon from Gorkha to Kathmandu with the aim of preserving and promoting historical heritage. A Nepali Army team is participating in the walkathon which started from Gorkha Durbar on Thursday morning.

The walkathon themed on the unification of the country started with the support of Gorkha Municipality and Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality, organized by the Ripumardan Battalion of the Nepali Army. Sabuj battalion, Barda Bahadur battalion, Old Gorakh battalion, Kalibux battalion, and Srinath battalion are participating in the journey. According to the chief Hem Bista of Ripumardan battalion, the walkathon, which started from Gorkha will end at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on the National Unification Day.

A team of Nepali Army marched from Hanuman Bhanjyang in Gorkha Durbar, carrying the national flag, the army's own flag, torches and garlands. The team that walked from Gorkha to Gorkha Durbar- Jor Chautari-Table-Ashrang-Borlang-Borlanghat will reach there Thursday evening. The soldiers of Prithvi Narayan Shah period known as Gurujiu's battalion are also participating in the team.

The team marching from Gorakha will hand over the flag, torch to the Shiv Dal battalion team of Dhading at Bhimsen -8, Ghatbesi. Battalion Chief Bisht said that after the team of Dhading hands over the torch and flag to the team of Jawarjung battalion of Nuwakot, the latter will reach Kathmandu on January 11.

The route used by the late King Prithvi Narayan Shah during his Nepal Unification Campaign has been developed by the Nepali Army as the ‘unification path’ for the past four years. This is the fourth time that the national army has organized the walkathon.

At the inauguration program of the walkathon, Major General Deepak Kumar Baniya said that it is important to preserve history.

Krishnarana Magar, mayor of Gorkha Municipality, said that the route of the walkathon should be developed as a tourist trail as the country will also benefit from learning about history. He also said that Gorkha can benefit greatly from tourism promotion.

Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Shankarhari Acharya said that everyone should cooperate in the work started by the army. He said that the people of Gorkha stand to benefit a lot if attention is paid to the preservation of history.