Kathmandu, Feb 13:   Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Ishwar Pokharel, has praised the Nepal Army (NA) , saying it has played central role in peacekeeping.    

Inaugurating a seminar organised by the Army at Shivapuri today, He said that NA had worked all the time for the peacekeeping. He recalled that the armed rebellion in the country was adeptly managed.    

Stating that conflicts flared in the world due to internal and external causes, the DPM called for resolving the same through internal unity. He said Nepal also went through a decade-long armed conflict in the past but managed to resolve this in an exemplary way.    

DPM and Defence Minister Pokharel said the Nepal Army soldiers have worked in peacekeeping missions throughout the world by putting their lives at stake, which has won accolades from the United Nations.    

"The Nepal Army has a history always worthy of pride. It always became a supporter and not a hurdle," he said, adding that the Army has also played crucial role in the rescue and rehabilitation at times of natural disaster.    

DPM Pokharel reiterated that the Army's role would also be crucial in materializing the national aspiration, 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.' He said the experience which the Nepal Army has would be useful to other countries as well.    

Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa, Defence Secretary Reshmi Raj Pandey and top brass of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, the National Investigation Department were also present on the occasion.    

One hundred and ninety two participants including representatives of various ministries and other security bodies and instructors and students from the Army Command and Staff College will attend the two-day seminar. Dr Bishnu Raj Uprety, Dr Shambhuram Simkhada and lawmaker Dr Deepak Prakash Bhatta will present papers in the seminar.    
    
Extensive Army Expo commences    
    
Meanwhile, a three-day exhibition entitled 'Nepal Army: From History to the Present' has commenced at the Army Headquarters premises from today. The exhibition organised by the Army aims to further strengthen the cordial relations between the Army and the general public.    
The exhibition includes photos depicting the notable activities of the Nepal Army covering its glorious history to the present as well as the armaments, various equipments, uniform and military hardware used by the Army so far.