"Maha Shivaratri and Army Day 2072" was celebrated amid a spectacular display held at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel on March 7, 2016.
Chief Guest, Right Honourable President and Supreme Commander of Nepalese Army (NA) Mrs. Bidhya Devi Bhandari paid homage to the martyrs at the "Bir Smarak" before receiving the the "Guard of Honour" by a troop of Nepalese Army.
Army Helicopters displayed "˜Army Day"™ banners on the occasion. No 1 Brigade and Ahridaman Battalion along with Sarduljung Company presented the march past. The No 1 Jagdal Battalion, Singhanath Battalion, Lady Officers, National Cadets Corps cadets, players of Tribhuvan Army Club and the Cavalry presented an impressive march-past. The differently-abled military personnel also participated in the march past with the scooter given by NA. The various cultural dances were also performed by the teams from the different Divisions.
The march-past was followed by the display of Armoured Protected Vehicles (APCs), Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs), Ferret Cars, equipments of Artillery, Signal, Development & Construction and Mobile Hospital. The volleys of gun and cannon were also fired on the occasion. Various shows of Martial Arts, Taekwondo, Shoot-to-Kill, Army Unarmed Combat, Khukuri Drill, Band Display, Free Fall Jump and Air Formation were demonstrated during the programme. The demo of "Disaster Rescue Operation" was displayed by Mahabir Battalion (Rangers) Disaster Assessment & Response Team (DART) and Yuddha Bhairav Battalion.
At the end of the programme, Chief Guest, Right Honourable President Bidhya Devi Bhandari launched "Sipahi" an annual Army Journal published by NA and also presented prizes to the winners of the Free Fall Jump. Sergeant Ram Bahadur Basnet became victorious in the Free Fall Jump beating Captain Tek Bahadur Karki.
During the ceremony, CoAS General Rajendra Chhetri provided the colours to No 1 Jagadl Battalion. He also awarded the "CoAS Trophy 2072" and cash prize to the winner Eastern Division. Similarly, CoAS General Chhetri awarded trophies of "Nature Conservation Badge" to the Srijung Battalion & Barahadal Company respectively. CoAS General Chhetri provided "COAS Commendation Badge" to 218 military and civil personnel while 88 warrant officers were promoted to the rank of Honorary Lieutenant and one to the rank of Honorary Captain.
Also present on the occasion were Rt Hon Vice President, Rt Hon Prime Minister, Rt Hon Chief Justice, Hon. Vice Prime Ministers, Hon. Ministers, Chief Secretary, Defence Secretary & other governmental officials, HE Ambassadors & Residential Defence Attaches, high ranking officer of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, Media Persons, Generals, Officers & families of the military personnel.
