Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has said the responsibility he was taking as Defense Minister had much significance from different viewpoints.
Assuming the office at Defense Ministry on Friday, DPM Khadka viewed, "Defense Ministry carries utmost significance in the context that projects of strategic developments were forwarded via Nepal Army in addition to the protection of territorial integrity and people, and maintenance of national security." He vowed to work for the country and people, arguing that his important responsibility was to protect Nepali soil for which the Defense Ministry had strategic value.
He however said the activities would be forwarded in collaboration and cooperation with all concerned sides taking into account the pressing issues.
On a different note, DPM Khadka informed that government's priorities would be released through the common minimum programmes in a few days. The development works and prosperity initiatives would be moved accordingly, he added.
DPM Khadka's brief profile
DPM Khadka who is also the Vice President of Nepali Congress was born to the family of father Prem Bahadur and mother Maya Devi in Surkhet on Falgun 17, 2012BS. He is currently a resident of Budhanilakantha Municipality-7, Kathmandu.
Khadka had started political journey from Nepal Student Union since 2030BS.
He did his MA in economics. He was the President of Nepal Student Union at the central campus, Tribhuvan University from 2036 to 2041BS. Similarly, Khadka became district president of Nepali Congress in Surkhet from 2044 to 2048BS.
For four years since 2060BS, leader Khadka was central working committee member of Nepali Congress (Democratic) which was then led by leader Sher Bahadur Deuba. Since 2064 to 2070BS, Khadka was central working committee member of the Nepali Congress.
He continued climbing political ladder- became Joint General Secretary of the party in 2070BS while General Secretary in 2075BS and the Vice President in 2078BS.
Committed to the party and democratic values and system, DPM Khadka was detained and jailed time again in course of various political movements and struggles. In 2038BS, he was detained for a month while protesting the election of national Panchayat. He was imprisoned for three months for involving in the movement launched for restoration of democracy in 2046BS.
Moreover, leader Khadka was in house arrest for 40 days during the royal takeover of 2060BS.
DPM Khadka has already served in various ministries including youth and sports; culture; population and environment; commerce; information and communications; and home affairs.
He was elected Member of the House of Representatives from constituency no 1 of Surkhet through November 20 election last year.
DPM Khadka has visited various countries, including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Britain, US, and UAE.
Source: National News Agency Nepal
