Sindhuligadhi, July 28: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has described historic Sindhuligadhi as an identity of the bravery and heroism of Nepali.

While inaugurating the War Museum, the first of its kind in the country, amidst a ceremony in Sindhuligadhi today, the Head-of-the-State said introducing the museum to the world was a matter of pride for Nepali.

The President said that the museum could be developed as a tourist destination and economic benefits could be reaped through the promotion of tourism.

Terming the museum as an excellent example of civil-military relations, the President said it could be developed as a destination for researchers, students, and tourists from home and abroad. The President took time to insist that stories/issues related to the country's integrity and unification should be incorporated in the school curriculum to promote national unity.

On the occasion, Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki described Sindhuligadhi as a significant place in terms of national independence and sovereignty.

The establishment of the museum was an act to protect the glorious history of Nepali, he said, expressing his hope that it would help in the promotion of national unity and security. He assured that the government would prioritise in its policies, programmes and the budget the construction of such museums.

Similarly, lawmaker Ganesh Kumar Pahadi said Sindhuligadhi had remained on the list of the government's 100 tourist destinations and it would be a site of visit for foreigners as well.

Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa apprised the programme that an action plan was in place for the protection of historic Gadhi, forts, and the national integration route. The nation was not expected to forget the history, he said, adding that the museum would highlight the significance of the historic site of some 253 years ago.

Kamalamai Municipality mayor Khadga Bahadur Khatri and deputy mayor Manju Devkota vowed to transform the museum into an attractive tourist hub.

On the occasion, Army Chief Thapa handed the museum to the local government. The museum was built in commemoration of the Nepal-East India Company's 1824 BS war. Arms and ammunition and documents relating to the same war have been put in the museum. It is said around 2,400 soldiers had fought from the East India Company's side and around 1,600 had died in the battle.