President Bhandari observes Phulpati ceremony

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has observed the Phulpati Badhai ceremony organized by Nepal Army at army pavilion, Tundikhel.

President Bhandari is the supreme commander-in-chief of Nepal Army.

The NA helicopter showered the flowers, and bands played Malshree and Durga strota.

Various companies performed drills and march past.

In view of the coronavirus risk, the Phulpati ceremony was organized in a minimalist way, giving continuity to religion, culture and tradition.

The function was attended by Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, Speaker Agni Sapkota and National Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Prasad Timilsina.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Prabhuram Sharma could not attend the Phulpati ceremony due to fever.

Nepal Army (NA) spokesperson Santosh Ballav Poudel informed that Army Chief Sharma was not present on the occasion taking health precautions.

However, NA Chief tested negative to the coronavirus at PCR test undertaken after he grew fever, Poudel informed.

Also attending the function were ministers, chiefs of constitutional bodies, high-level government officials, chiefs of security agencies and social dignitaries. The event was live cast by various media, including Nepal Television. The commoners thronged around Tundikhel to observe the special function organized annually on Saptami.