Indian Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane visits Nepal, conferred honorary rank of General of Nepal Army

He has been conferred the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army by the country's President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

"Gen MM Naravane #COAS was conferred the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army by Rt Hon. @PresidentofNP during a grand ceremony. A unique customary tradition followed by the two countries that has no parallel in the world. #IndiaNepalFriendship
@adgpi @MEAIndia @thenepalesearmy," the Indian Embassy in Nepal tweeted:

He was honoured at a special ceremony at the President's official residence 'Shital Niwas' in Kathmandu.

He was also presented a sword and scroll during the function.

The ceremony was attended by the Indian Ambassador Vinay M. Kwatra and other senior officials of both the countries. 

The practice follows a seven decade old tradition of conferring Army Chiefs of each other's country with the honorary title. Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army Chief to be decorated with the title in 1950.

In January last year, Chief of Nepali Army, General Purna Chandra Thapa, was also made the honorary General of the Indian Army by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony in New Delhi. 

Following the ceremony, General MM Naravane called on the President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari. 

In a solemn ceremony on Thursday, General MM Naravane laid a wreath and paid homage at Bir Smarak (Martyr’s Memorial) at Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu.

He thereafter visited the Nepali Army Headquarters where he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour. 

This was followed by a meeting with his counterpart General Purna Chandra Thapa, during which both delegations discussed Army-to-Army relations and enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

He was also given a comprehensive briefing by senior officers of the Nepali Army.

On behalf of the Government of India, General MM Naravane presented medical equipment for two field hospitals of the Nepali Army.

The equipment includes X-Ray machines, computed radiography systems, ICU ventilators, video endoscopy units, anesthesia machines, laboratory equipment and ambulances.

Additional ventilators were also gifted to assist Nepali Army in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic. This follows an earlier army-to-army provision of ventilators in July this year.

The Indian Army chief also visited several religious places in Nepal during the trip.

General Naravane, went to Kumari Ghar in Kathmandu Durbar Square and worshipped Living Goddess “Kumari” and later toured around Basantapur Durbar Square along with his spouse Veena Naravane, reports ANI.

“Both of them were happy to get a glimpse of living goddess Kumari and seek her blessings. Goddess Kumari appeared on the window of Kumari Ghar and gave them blessings,” Gautam Shakya, who looks after the house and Living Goddess told ANI in a telephonic conversation.