Kathmandu, Feb. 26: Indian president K. R. Narayanan conferred the honorary rank of general of Indian army on chief of the army staff of the royal Nepalese army General Prajwalla Shamsher JB Rana at an investiture ceremony held at the rastrapati bhawan yesterday.

Mr rana is now in India at the friendly invitation of Indian chief of the army staff general v. P. Mallik. According to the royal Nepalese army headquarters, the Indian vice president, chiefs of the army, navy and air forces, defense secretary, royal Nepalese Ambassador to India Dr. bhesh Bahadur thapa and other high-ranking officials were present on the occasion.