Kathmandu: The 18th Republic Day was observed across Nepal with a series of formal events. President Ramchandra Paudel attended a special ceremony held at the Army Pavilion Tundikhel, organized by the Republic Day Main Celebration Committee. The events commemorated the historic moment when Nepal transitioned into a federal democratic republic.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the ceremony included a guard of honour presented by the Nepali Army to President Ramchandra Paudel, who serves as both the patron of the Constitution and the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army. Tributes were paid to known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the democratic transformations in the country. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in his address, emphasized the sovereignty of the citizens as the true owners of the republic.
The event was attended by Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, and Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, among others. The ceremony began with a Nepali Army helicopter displaying a banner with ‘Republic Day – 2082 BS’ and showering flower petals from the sky.
Cultural dance and musical performances were presented by local levels from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Kirtipur, featuring traditional dances such as the Lakhe and Khaichadi. These performances were accompanied by traditional music played on instruments like the Dhime and Dhaumati. Additionally, a march-past was conducted by the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force Nepal, with the release of colorful balloons and pigeons symbolizing the joy of the republic’s institutionalization.
Today marks the historic declaration of Nepal as a federal democratic republic by the first meeting of the popularly elected Constituent Assembly on Jestha 15, 2065 BS (May 28, 2008), ending a 240-year-old monarchy. Since then, Jestha 15 has been celebrated annually as Republic Day across the nation. Celebrations also took place at the provincial and local levels, with various political parties, organizations, and Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad marking the occasion.
The ceremony saw the attendance of ministers, former Prime Ministers, chiefs of constitutional bodies, senior government officials, heads of security agencies, and representatives from diplomatic missions in Nepal. Distinguished personalities gathered at Tundikhel to partake in the celebrations, which were broadcast live by Nepal Television and Radio Nepal.