PM lauds army’s peacekeeping role

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the Nepali Army has made an important contribution in making Nepal known to the world as a 'country of peacekeeping soldiers'.

Addressing a special function of the Officers' Cadet Pass Out ceremony of the Commissioned Officers (COs) of Serial No. 61, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) of Serial No. 3 and Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers (N-Cos) Serial Number 51, at Nepali Military Academy, Kharipati in Bhaktapur on Wednesday, Prime Minister Prachanda said that Nepali peacekeepers have contributed significantly to the establishment of world peace by serving as peace ambassadors in various conflict-affected countries of the world based on their unique organisational capabilities.

"The contribution made by the Nepali Army in disaster management, environmental protection, development work and protection of national interest in times of crisis is important and commendable," Prime Minister Prachanda said. 

"The contribution of the soldiers to the establishment of world peace by serving as ambassadors of peace in various conflict-affected countries of the world has made Nepal known as the 'country of peacekeeping soldiers,' said Premier Nepal. 

Prime Minister Prachanda said Nepali Army being the largest troop contributing nation in the UN peacekeeping missions, is itself a historic moment and important milestone in peacekeeping operation. 

Emphasising that the contribution of the Nepali Army demonstrated at the national and international level as a successful multifaceted, strong and capable organisation to fulfil its responsibilities in an excellent and professional manner should always be remembered, Prime Minister Prachanda said that the new pass out cadets should always be filled with high morale, energy and enthusiasm to serve the nation and the organisation. 

Referring to the situation where the international community is divided into multiple poles is directly or indirectly affecting the national security, PM Prachanda expressed his belief that the Nepali Army can achieve meaningful results based on timely security policy to protect and promote national interests.

"Security and development are complementary to each other and indispensable to maintain an effective security system to fulfil the national ambition of development," he said. 

Prime Minister Prachanda said that it is crucial to have a leadership that can anticipate potential challenges to the security of the nation and its citizens and correctly assess the national challenges to protect the country from potential threats. He also said Nepal is always prone to face complex security challenges and disaster risks such as multifaceted conflicts, the effects of climate change and various pandemic and epidemic situation at any time. 

He said that the government supports the proposal submitted by the NA to build Kharitipati Training Academy's Satellite Camp in Panauti of Kavrepalanchok. Although the number of trainers has been increasing in the force, the training areas and land for Nepali Army is getting limited, he said. 

On the occasion, 133 new officer cadets have completed two years of training which had participants also from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zambia. Twelve female officers also completed the training. 

Prime Minister Prachanda handed over Khukuri and short canes to cadets who topped in their respective serial numbers. Among them, Dipendra Kadayat from among senior most trainees, Deepa Ghimire from female cadets, Manish Khadka from Serial No. 3 Bachelor Officer Cadets, and Bibek Adhikari of Serial No. 51, were honoured. 

According to the NA, so far 5,042 officer cadets and 1,136 technical officers have completed their training on 

different dates. Since 2012, NA started enrolling foreign trainees and as of today, 27 foreigners have completed the course.