Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Nepal Army (NA) is marking the 263rd anniversary of its establishment across the country by organizing various programmes today.

President Ram Chandra Poudel is scheduled to observe the Maha Shivaratri festival and the Army Day special ceremony at Army Tundikhel today. He is the Supreme Commander of the Nepal Army.

The Army has been celebrating Mahashivaratri as the Army Day. On the occasion, a parade, cannon caving, parade, military art and various cultural programmes would be presented at the Army Pavilion.

NA Spokesperson Rajaram Basnet said the day would be marked by organizing different programmes at the division, brigade, battalion and battalions, diplomatic missions and peacekeeping missions.

Army history and international image

The Nepal Army has been carrying out exemplary and record works in different periods to safeguard Nepal’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The organizational structure of the present army began in 1819 BS. It has been able to leave an unshakable impression of faith and trust among the citizens through its glorious activities carried out by keeping patriotism, dedication and interest of general public at the centre.

Nepal was established on the basis of the indomitable courage, bravery and sacrifice of our brave soldiers. It is the constitutional responsibility of the army to maintain national unity. Discipline, chain of command, non-political character and a sense of unity have been high in the army.

The Nepal Army has been able to build its image as a reliable and reliable force not only in the country but also in the international sector. Inclusivity in the military organization is increasing. The participation of women has also been increasing significantly in recent years.

The unparalleled contributions of the Nepali Army in peacekeeping operations in various conflict-hit countries at the call of the United Nations have been widely commended by the national and international arena. The NA’s participation in the United Nations peacekeeping missions started in 1958. So far, 162,496 Nepali peacekeepers have contributed to 44 peacekeeping missions.

As many as 74 Nepali Army personnel have lost their lives while 77 soldiers have been injured in various conflict-hit countries. A total of 4,302 Nepali peacekeepers including 391 women are currently mobilized in 10 UN peacekeeping missions across the globe. Nepal is also in the top position in terms of sending women soldiers.

Nepal is becoming a school for enhancing professional capacity and competence for the soldiers of the world’s most powerful countries. Soldiers from many countries have confirmed this by the continuous participation of soldiers at Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, Kharipati Military Academy in Bhaktapur and Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri.

The NA has been making significant contributions in disaster management and road infrastructure. The construction of the Kathmandu-Tarai Madhes Expressway, a national pride project, is being carried out under the management of the Nepal Army. The NA has been strengthening the military-civilian relations with the government due to the responsibility of protecting the palace, fort, museum, structures of historical importance, power house, protection of physical infrastructures and natural heritage, cleaning of mountains and development construction.

An integrated security plan is under the leadership of Nepal Army to make the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives free, fair and fear-free.