Kathmandu, Aug 11. Raunak Thapa, son of Chief of Army Staff(CoAS) Purna Chandra Thapa has penned an emotional note stating that his father remained away from the family for 42 years for the service of the country. He is happy that his father has returned home.

CoAS Purna Chandra Thapa is on home leave before his tenure expires after three years. He has handed over his duties to Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Prabhu Ram Sharma.

His son shared a photo with his father with long hair and said, “Now you can grow your hair long”. He also said that his father taught that determination is the key to success and that one can use such an apex position to correct the wrong and lead the way.

CoAS Thapa is on home leave from Tuesday. After departing from the ‘Junge Adda’, he took a picture with his family in front of the statue of Prithvi Narayan Shah. He also took a picture of himself with his granddaughter.

Thapa joined the Nepal Army as an official cadet in 2036 BS. He took up the responsibilities of CoAS from 9 September 2018.

He also served as Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNDF) at Golan Heights in the Middle East in 2014.

During his three-year tenure, Thapa has played an important role in the organizational reform of the Nepal Army. He made significant improvements in the army recruitment process, control of corruption; along with working towards welfare and interests of lower-ranking soldiers.