Kathmandu, Feb. 21: President Bidya Devi Bhandari today attended a special ceremony organised by the Nepal Army (NA) at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel on the occasion of Mahashivaratri festival and Nepal Army Day.

On the occasion, President Bhandari laid a wreath at the Army Monument there and was presented a guard of honour by a contingent of Nepal Army. President Bhandari is the Supreme Commander in-Chief of the NA.

The Nepal Army has been celebrating Nepal Army Day on the day of Mahashivaratri since 2047 BS.

The Head of the State also unveiled 'Sipahi', an annual publication published by NA Directorate of the Public Relations. She also presented prize and certificates to Sergeant Laxman Bajgain, winner of 'Free Fall Jump Show' organised marking the Army Day and first runner up Warrant Officer Second Class, Ram Basnet.

On the occasion, the Nepal Army helicopter displaying a banner that read 'Army Day-2076' showered flower petals. NA personnel opened celebratory from rifles and canons.

Similarly a PT show was organised along with the demonstrations of taekwondo and Khukuri drills. Some military skills showing professional competency and efficiency of the NA were also exhibited on the occasion.

The Army banner was displayed by a helicopter of the Directorate General of Army Aviation and a helicopter show was also presented. The Army band carried out a band display. Various motor vehicles appliances and arms and ammunitions used by the Nepali Army were also exhibited on the occasion.

A demo of military skills of controlling fire was held on the occasion.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana, House of Representatives (HoR) Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota and National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina were there to grace the moment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwar Pokhrel, ministers, lawmakers, officials of constitutional bodies, government senior official, chiefs of security bodies, chiefs and representatives from Nepal-based diplomatic mission and reputed personalities in the society had been in the Tundikhel to observe the Mahashivaratri celebrations.

Visiting British Army Chief Mark Carleton Smith attended the event as a guest.

A large number of members of the general public had gathered around Tundikhel to observe the Shivaratri celebrations. Nepal Television among various other electronic media had made live telecast of the celebrations.

Following the ceremony, Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa presented the 'Chief of Army Staff Commendation Medals' to national media journalists covering the Army beat news while NA personnel from several battalions giving best performances were offered prizes and insignia