Hony rank of Gen of Indian Army conferred on Nepalese Army Chief

New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) President Pratibha Devsingh Patil today conferred the Honorary rank of General Of the Indian Army on General Rookmangud Katawal Prajatantra Bhaskar Dusro, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Nepalese Army, at a Special Investiture ceremony here.

The brief ceremony was conducted at the Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The General was handed over a cap, sword and 'sanad.' A large number of personnel from the three services, including the Chiefs of Staff, were present on the occassion. A Nepalese delegation was also present on the occassion.

The function began and concluded with playing of the national anthem.

General Katawal was born in a hilly district of Okhaldhunga in East Nepal. After graduating from the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into infantry of the then Royal Nepalese Army on December 20, 1969.

The citiation read that the General has been serving his nation with "distinction and rare devotion for the past 38 years and was appointed the COAS of Nepalese Army on September 10 2006," It said during his service he has held several Command and Staff appointments. He has commanded a Division in West Nepal, three Brigades and a Battalion in different parts of the country.

The citiation also said that General Katawal has exhibited "great professional awarness and has been a key figure in the modernisation and strengthening" of the Nepalese Army. He is decorated with the ' Birendra Prajantatra Bhaskar- Second Class' and many other decorations in his years of service.

It said the General has made a "unique contribution" in furthering "bonds of goodwill and understanding not only between the Indian Army and the Nepalese Army, but with other armies as well." UNI