25.12¡ÆC
<p> President Bidya Devi Bhandari graced a special function organized at the Army Pavilion (tundikhel) to mark the Republic Day 2016 this morning.<br><br>Vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Onsari Gharti, Acting Chief Justice Sushila Karki and other distinguished personalities also attended the function.<br><br>In his address on the occasion, Prime Minister Oli said today is a day of important achievement with the establishment of republic as the cornerstone of social justice and equality, and by doing away with the monarchy based on unscientific principle of supremacy by birth. <br><br>Stating that the constitution was promulgated through the people-elected Constituent Assembly on September 20, 2015 as a result of the Nepali people's struggle since 1951, Prime Minister Oli said the constitution is thereby a recognition of the long struggle and sacrifices by the Nepali people, and has institutionalized the achievements made through those struggles. PM further said the new constitution has not only granted equal rights to all Nepalis, but also guarantees socio-economic, cultural as well as political rights.<br><br>The Prime Minister referenced the act of beating of the mattress to clear the dust, liking it to the government's overcoming the mega crisis emanating from the earthquake-triggered massive destruction, agitation, strikes and supply management crisis, and added it is now working to reconstruct and rebuild. <br><br>Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force (APF), representatives of the district development committees, municipalities, sport associations, athletes and locals made a march-past, and took out processions and parades evoking various cultures, traditions, dances and musical instruments. <br><br></p>
