The 70th National Democracy Day is being celebrated across the country today amid various programmes.
Rallies, sports events, symposiums and cultural events are being held in various parts of the country to mark the day.
Similarly, the Nepal Army hosted a special function in Tundikhel of Kathmandu to mark the occasion. The function was attended by the president, vice-president, prime minister, chief justice, speaker of the House of Representatives, chairperson of the National Assembly, former prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers and chiefs of constitutional bodies and security agencies.
Top leaders have also issued their special messages for the occasion.
The Nepal Army also conducted a special parade and showered flowers from a helicopter on the occasion. Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal Scouts and various clubs, schools and other institutions performed march past and showcased their arts as well as skills.
Chief ministers, chief of district coordination committees and chief of rural municipality or municipality are leading the celebrations at the provincial, district and local levels, respectively.
Likewise, as many as 329 jailbirds were pardoned by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on the occasion of Democracy Day. Every year on this day, the president grants clemency to jailbirds on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.
Democracy Day celebrates the abolition of the 104-year-long autocratic Rana regime 69 years ago.
A member of the Nepalese army free falls after jumping from a plane during the rehearsal for the upcoming Army Day celebration at Tundhikhel in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2020. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar