By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Feb. 8: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Sunday said that the nation should equally recall all the brave warriors, not just king Prithvi Narayan Shah, who contributed to the unification of Nepal. "Not only Prithvi Narayan Shah, but also Amar Singh Thapa, Bir Balabhadra Kunwar, Bhimsen Thapa, Bhakti Thapa, Bishe Nagarchi, Kalu Pandey and other warriors are all equally memorable," Prime Minister Oli, who is also the Defence Minister, said while inaugurating a two-day seminar on "Areas of Coordination among Security Bodies in the International Border Security and Management of Nepal."
"Kalu Pandey and Damodar Pandey were in the battlefield carrying swords even though they were generals of the time. They were in an ordering position. However, they did not order the soldiers to go to war and did not stay at home," Premier Oli said.
"We are not in war now, we are just safeguarding the country for which our ancestors had fought," he said. "Our ancestors fought while building forts. How difficult it could have been. Was it possible to go in a car like today? Today, when I go for inspection, I fly in helicopter, I go by car. Our ancestors had to cross the river risking their own lives, no matter how much we praise their deeds, it is always less today,' Prime Minister Oli said.
Prime Minister Oli stressed on the need for preserving the forts secured by the ancestors throughout history. The NA has organised the seminar in accordance with the "Integrated Action Plan for the Implementation of National Security Policy 2075" approved by the government on July 7, 2020.
According to a press statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations and Information of the Army Headquarters, the seminar was the first of its kind held in the country with the aim of identifying the areas of coordination between the security agencies concerned in international border security and management of Nepal and recommending suggestions to the government.
The Prime Minister, who is also the chairman of the National Security Council, said such an event would be an opportunity for internal discussions for experts on serious and important issues like border security. He expressed his hope that the suggestions received would make a significant contribution to formulating an appropriate policy for efficient management of the international border.
The seminar will mainly focus on various aspects of border management and the role of various concerned bodies in times of peace and conflict and extraordinary circumstances.
During the seminar, international practices of border management, methods to be adopted to make the coordination with the national bodies responsible for border management and border counterparts effective and the use of technology in border management will also be discussed.
The seminar will also discuss various issues and provide appropriate suggestions to the government for policy making, according to the press statement.
On the occasion, Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' and Chief of the Army Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa also wished for the success of the seminar, which started with a welcome remarks by Member Secretary of the National Security Council and Secretary of Defence Reshmi Raj Pandey.
The seminar that began at the Army Headquarters today will be held at the Armed Police Force Headquarters in Halchowk from Monday.
The event was attended by senior army officers, officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, ministries and agencies related to international border security and management.