The President Office at Sheetal Niwas witnessed a brief emotional moment while outgoing President Ram Baran Yadav handed over responsibilities to new President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

Once Nepal Army soldiers began their customary salutation, tears rolled down Yadav’s eyes. Yadav then wiped it off with his handkerchief before offering a seat to Bhandari. This was Yadav’s final official duty as the head of state.

Going on to attend his farewell function, Yadav expressed his happiness over the historic transformation the country had made by promulgating the new

constitution.

“A cycle of interim politics and governance of the nation has been completed,” said Yadav in his farewell speech.

Wherever we live in, Tarai, the hills or the mountains, we all are Nepalis, said Yadav. “Whatever costume we wear, whatever tradition we have or whatever culture we adopt, we all are Nepalis.”

The former head of state also urged political leaders to initiate a culture of consensus, asking them to address the demands put forth by various communities.

Prime Minister KP Oli then thanked him on behalf of the government for his services by handing him a portrait of Lord Buddha. Chief of the Army Staff Gen Rajendra Chettri followed by offering him a ‘Kalash’. Subsequently, on behalf of the President Office, Secretary Tek Prasad Dhungana offered a portrait of a landscape.

After the function, President Bhandari bade farewell to outgoing President Yadav by offering a bouquet.  Vice-President Paramananda Jha, Chief Justice Kalyan Kumar Shrestha and Speaker Onsari Gharti also presented a token of love to Yadav. Former prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, present ministers, chiefs of the constitutional bodies, chief and representatives of the diplomatic missions, leaders of different political parties attended the ceremony. 

New President moves into Sheetal Niwas

Newly elected President Bidhya Devi Bhandari moved into Sheetal Niwas on Thursday. She will be living with her 75-year-old mother Mithila Pandey.  Before being elected as the President, she was residing at New Baneshwor in Kathmandu. Expressing her delight, Pandey told the media that her daughter’s ascendency to the post was the happiest moment of her life.

Bhandari leaves UML positions, responsibilities

Newly elected President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has left her positions and responsibilities from her party, CPN-UML. Issuing a press statement on Thursday, President Bhandari said she has left the party posts and responsibilities to preserve unbiased dignity and constitutional duty as the head of the state. Before being elected the President, Bhandari was serving as deputy chairperson of UML and head of the party’s sister wing, All Nepal Women’s Association. President Bhandari also thanked UML and other parties for supporting her in the presidential election. (PR)