- Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Kathmandu, April 10: President Ramchandra Paudel said that the constitution had prioritized making basic healthcare services accessible to all and thus emphasized that this provision should be implemented.
Inaugurating the 33rd anniversary of the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) and 10th national summit of the health and population scientists here today, President Paudel spoke of the need to make basic healthcare services completely free of cost.
“The constitution has prioritized making healthcare services accessible to all citizens, providing healthcare services free of cost and to maintain equal access and share for all,” Paudel said, drawing the attention of government towards implementation of this provision.
The Head of the State viewed that it was necessary to conduct continuous study, research and development in the health sector to identify various problems prevailing the health sector and to address them.
In the latest changing context, he suggested to accord top priority to health issues such as non-communicable diseases, climate change, infectious diseases among others should be highly prioritized.
Furthermore, he appealed, “I urged the health scientists to work diligently on gathering fact-based evidences to support the Ministry of Health and Population in devising policies and strategies and to ensure universal access to healthcare services.”
He saw the need for the government of Nepal to increase investment in health research and encouraging innovation to obtain the health sector’s goals specified as in the national and international documents.
Paudel also viewed that cooperation among educational institution, industries and government should be enhanced to implement the research’s findings.
Lauding NHRC’s role in prevention and control of COVID-19 by conducting scientific study on the global pandemic, he expressed his confidence that the summit would furnish timely and appropriate recommendations to the government about measures to be adopted by the government to increase maximum knowledge and skills in health and population sector and create favorable environment for adequate researches and studies.
Also speaking in the inaugural, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav argued that prosperity, development and socialism could not be imagined without scientific research and studies.
DPM Yadav said that the findings and facts and figures induced from researches had an important place in formulating policies favoring society and country. “Research plays an important role in promoting equity by addressing existing inequalities in the health sector in accordance with the basic principles of sustainable development.”
Similarly, National Planning Commission’s member-secretary Prof Dr Shivaraj Adhikari commended the NHRC for regulating research in health sector, creating an environment for encouraging quality studies and assisting in formulating health policies planning and programmes.
Likewise, Dr Roshan Pokharel, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, said that he was confident that the summit would help formulating policies and plans in health sector.
NHRC’s Chairperson Prof Dr Gehanath Baral hoped that the summit would be useful in chart out priorities in research health sector and make full resolution to fulfill Sustainable Development Goals.
The three-day summit commenced from today with the slogan ‘Research and innovations on Health and Population for achieving Sustainable Development Goals’. Researches and thematic experts from home abroad will hold discussions relating to health sector during the event, it was shared.
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01- ‘Maniraj Bangmaya Award’ to Tripathi and Bandhu
Sudurpaschim, Apr 10: Litterateur and linguist Prof Dr Basudev Tripathi and culture expert Pro Dr Chudamani Bandhu have been conferred on the ‘Maniraj Bangmaya Award’.
Prof Tripathi was awarded for the year, 2078 while Prof Bandhu for the year, 2079 in recognition to their contribution to protection and promotion of Nepali language, literature, art and culture.
Chief of Sudurpaschim Province, Najir Minya, handed over the award carrying the purse of Rs 100 thousand and felicitation letter to each literary figure amidst a programme organized by the Nepali Literature and Culture Foundation Kailali chapter on Tuesday. On the occasion, Province Chief Minya observed that the literati had helped direct society in right tract through their creative works.
Foundation’s Chairman Padam Raj Joshi ‘Prabhat’ viewed the awarded personalities were inspirational to all to advance Nepal’s cultural asset and values.
The award was jointly instituted in the name of noted epic writer and litterateur Maniraj Joshi, a resident of Dhangadhi, by his family members- Govinda Raj Joshi, Tara Rosyara and Basanta Raj Joshi.
A three-member selection committee had picked the names for award.
Earlier, the award had been conferred on Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire, and literati Dadhiraj Subedi, Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Dr Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai.
Established in 2068 BS, the Foundation has been organizing programmes for the protection and promotion of Nepali language, literature, art and culture.
At the same function, literati Laxmi Kant Joshi and Nara Joshi were also awarded with Jayraj Pant Award and Nri Bahadur Swar Award respectively.
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02- 44 Bangladeshi artworks on display
Kathmandu, Apr 10: Two Bangladeshi artists put on display their works at Thamel, Kathmandu.
In the programme organized by the art and culture department of Girija Prasad Koirala Foundation, artists Jaber Ahmed Chaudhary and Sanjay Kumar Das displayed their artworks.
Chaudhary’s photographs on images prepared by noted sculptor of Bangladesh Nobera Ahmed are displayed in the show, according to chief of art and culture department of the Foundation, Syam Sundar Yadav.
Similarly, artist Das has depicted Bangladesh’s contemporary lifestyle, art and culture in his works.
The exhibition begun three days back is conducting today. The department has been concluding such exhibition every year.
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03- UN willing to strengthen cooperation with SAARC
Kathmandu, Apr 10: The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has shown willingness to strengthen cooperation with SAARC.
The UN Secretary General expressed desire of the UN to strengthen cooperation with SAARC, which represents the ‘Large Chunk of Global Population’. He expressed it during a courtesy call Secretary General of SAARC, Golam Sarwar, had paid to him at UN Headquarters in New York on April 8.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Sarwar appreciated UN Secretary General for UN’s steadfast commitment and support to SAARC, which is an Observer Organisation of the UN since 2004, according to SAARC secretariat, Kathmandu.
The visiting Secretary General of SAARC had extensive discussions on further strengthening of relations between SAARC and UN in multiple areas of mutual interest especially climate change, food security and renewable energy collaborations.
While highlighting that SAARC has signed Memorandums of Understating (MoUs) with UN agencies including UNDP, FAO, UNEP, UNISDR, UNESCAP, UNTAD, UNICEF,
UNESCO, WHO, UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNWOMEN, Ambassador Sarwar further stated that several of these MoUs need to be updated taking into account the present context in order to augment existing ties between two parties.
Given the potential of reinforcing project-based collaboration between both organizations, Ambassador Sarwar proposed a joint meeting of the SAARC secretariat and UN agencies in Kathmandu at the SAARC secretariat, in the near future as a brainstorming session to identify forthcoming areas for further collaboration.
UN Secretary General Guterres welcomed the proposal and emphasized on the elevation of the cooperation between SAARC and the UN. He also instantly instructed his office to connect the SAARC secretariat with relevant officials of the UN Headquarters for the sake of effective Sectoral Cooperation.
In a bid to boost effectiveness and sustainability of the secretariat, Ambassador Sarwar explored the avenues for capacity building opportunities for the officials of the SAARC secretariat.
Moreover, UN Secretary General Guterres assured continued UN support and assistance toward SAARC and both dignitaries during the meeting agreed to work closely to further enhance the existing ties between SAARC and UN in the coming years, the press release added.
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04- Property worth Rs 20 million lost in fire
Damak, Apr 10: Property worth over Rs 20 million was gutted in fire occurred near Lifeline Hospital of Damak, Jhapa last night.
The fire emanated from a house of a local Prem Bahadur Dhimal spread to three other houses, causing huge loss of property.
District Police Office, Jhapa informed that even the medical equipment and accessories were damaged in the fire as it covered the building having dialyses facility.
Hospital Chairman Dr Muktinath Bhattarai informed that the dialyses machine was rendered dysfunctional with the blaze.
The blaze was doused with joint efforts of the Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and locals. They had to mobilize six fire engines to bring the fire under control.
A local woman informed the that the fire was spread from a crate lit to avoid mosquito.
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05- UN report underscores urgency of hefty financing to rescue SDGs
Kathmandu, Apr 10: At a time when only six years are left to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), the global efforts towards sustainable development have witnessed severe setbacks resulting into crisis.
A UN report released yesterday asserted that financial challenges are behind the present sustainable development crisis, while countries are not only slow off the mark but also deviated to realize 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The ‘Financing for Sustainable Development Report, 2024’ prepared by the UN Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development, stated, “Countries are off track on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with around half of the 140 SDG targets for which sufficient data is available deviating from the required path.”
According to the report, it is present projection that almost 600 million people- more than half of them women- will languish in extreme poverty in 2030.
Importantly, the UN report has pointed a dearth of finance to cope with pressing problem as climate crisis along with SDGs. “The unmet financing needs for SDGs and climate action are estimated to be in the trillions of dollars annually,” the report reminded.
Moreover, acute financing needs are seen in developing countries in particular, which the report argues, “They face higher costs of capital and significantly worse terms of access to financing. Due to misaligned incentives, both public and private actors still invest in brown activities and have not yet fully aligned their decision-making and financing with the SDGs.”
The technological change, especially digitalization has been mentioned as a factor affecting financial area. Fragmentation of global economy is taken as an equally increasing threat. The new trends, despite creating some opportunities for development, are major stressors in national and the international financial fronts.
It is worth noting that the SDG Summit in September 2019 had called for ‘Decade of Action’, promising to channel financing and boost national implementation along with the reinforcement of institutions to realize the goals. But, the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 and subsequent effects on world economy resulted in slow progress toward this end.
Chair of the Inter-agency Task Force, and Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, UN, Li Junhua, observed, “Financing challenges—including an investment crisis, driven by a sluggish global economy and tight financing conditions—have hampered our progress, preventing the urgently needed investment push in the SDGs.”
He, however, sees opportunity in the challenges, arguing, “Amid these challenges there lies opportunity. If we can address the big financing challenges of today— close the growing financing gaps, fix the international financial architecture, and create enabling environments at all levels to finance the ambitious transformations we need—then we can still succeed. It will be difficult, but it is doable.”
To this report, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres underlined, “Our proposed SDG Stimulus of USD$500 billion per year of additional investments in sustainable development and climate action includes concrete steps that global leaders can take right now.”
The UN defines ‘sustainable development’ as: ‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ It underlines the need of concerted efforts so that inclusive, sustainable and resilient future would be created for the people and planet.
After wrapping up the millennium development goals (MDGs), the UN member states had launched 17 SDGs in 2015. Since then, every UN member has been setting targets and implementing action plans and monitoring and evaluating these at national level, and sharing achievements at regional and global forums.
The national budgets and periodic plans are aligned with SDGs in order for their better localization.
The 5Ps focused by the SDGs are- people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.
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06- Maternity service building constructed in Bhojpur
Bhojpur, Apr 10: A maternity service building has been constructed at Kimalung of Shadananda municipality-9 in the district. The modern facility is set up in a remote village at the cost of Rs 10 million.
Necessary medical equipments have also been installed in the building. With this, the people in need of delivery service and natal healthcare have got huge relief- their compulsion to visit next district has ended.
A local Bir Bahadur Tamang said, “We’ve got a well equipped health service building, which ended our compulsion to go to Sankhuwasabha district.” He however demanded State’s role to manage necessary workforce so that it would ensure smooth service delivery.
Ward 9 Chairman Nima Sherpa informed that the people from ward no 3, 8, 9 and 19 of Shadananda municipality would be directly benefitted by the modern hospital.
The fund for the construction was managed by Nepal Helping Education Foundation. It was provided in grants. Similarly, three international organizations- two from Germany and one from Switzerland- had provided support to this bid.
There are seven rooms in the building. “We have agreed with Shadananda municipality that it would manage necessary human resource for the hospital,” Foundation’s Manager Ram Kumar Tamang informed.
Similarly, Municipality Mayor Surendra Kumar Udas informed that the building would be brought to government ownership and workforce managed by the municipality as per agreement.
Earlier, a local Subash Tamang had donated a ropani of land to set up the structure. It is named after his mother Pakturi Maya.
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07- Education Ministry’s advisory not to enroll in foreign-affiliated colleges sans permission
Kathmandu, April 10: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has cautioned against enrolling students in colleges having affiliation of foreign educational institutions and operating without acquiring permission for the same.
Issuing a notice, the Ministry has made public a list of 49 education institutions that have acquired permission to run the Advanced Level, the International Baccalaureates and CBSE programmes or equivalent courses. It urged all concerned not to enroll students in these programmes in other educational institutions, except those mentioned in the list.
However, the International Education Providers of Nepal has stated that 89 educational institutions having affiliation of foreign academic programmes and boards are in operation in Nepal.
The Ministry has warned of action against the educational institutions running foreign courses and programmes without taking permission for the same.
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08- By-polls: Code of conduct in effect from today
Kathmandu, April 10: The Election Commission (EC) has enforced the election code of conduct for the April 27 parliamentary by-election announced for the Ilam constituency-2 and the Bajhang Province Assembly 1(A). The House of Representatives (HoR) by-election is taking place in Ilam and the Provincial Assembly election in Bajhang.
The election code of conduct aims to ensure that the elections will be held in a free, fair, safe, and credible atmosphere, it is said.
According to EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel, the election code of conduct is applied to political parties, election candidates, sister, and other affiliated organizations, and all the stakeholders and its violation is punishable by law. It has also set limits for the election expenditures for political parties and the candidates.
The pre-election campaign which includes the publicity campaign, rallies, mass meetings, corner meetings, other gatherings, and the use of the means of transport and media shall be in line with the provisions mandated by the code of conduct.
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09- Islam community celebrating Eid-ul Fitr tomorrow
Biratnagar, April 10 (RSS): The Islam community in Nepal are celebrating the Eid-ul Fitr tomorrow, Thursday, while marking today the completion of the month-long Roja, a rigorous fasting, that is observed in the month of Ramadan.
The people from the Islam community tomorrow will gather at the Mosque and Idgah, a place set for public prayers on the occasion of Eid, and read the Namaj.
After the recitations of Namaj, they hug each other and exchange Eid-ul Fitr greetings. Back home, they enjoy delicacies. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
In the 70 days of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the Muslim people observe the Baker-Eid or Eid-ul-Ajaha. During this festival, they depart for Hajj, a pilgrimage to the Mecca Medina in the Saudi Arabia.
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10- Government is committed to give impetus to economic transformation: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, April 10: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that the government was committed to accelerate country’s economic transformation by boosting the morale of entrepreneurs and investors.
Addressing the 58th annual general assembly of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) here today, PM Dahal reiterated that the government had prioritized healthy and strong regulation of financial system and to create an enabling environment for the private sector to work with high morale.
Urging all organizations and representatives of private sectors to proceed with high morale, the PM underscored a strong unity among the government and private sector to address the concerns and demand of the entrepreneurs and investors.
Stating that the private sector had been playing a leading role in bolstering production, job creation and increasing investment, the Head of the State said that the three-tier government had been coordinating with the private sector in formulation of policies, programmes and budget.
He observed that Nepal was focused at achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, upgradation from the least developed country to developing country’s status by 2026 and achieving balanced development and prosperity. He called for expansion of investment from both government and private sector to achieve these set goals.
Furthermore, PM Dahal informed that the government was moving ahead with concrete homework and preparations to make the upcoming Investment Summit effective and result-oriented.
“There are plenty of challenges and limitations in our policies, laws, thinking, structure and working style to create favorable climate for investment and attract investment,” he admitted.
According to him, the government was prepared to consider an amendment in the laws by introducing ordinance if need be and to put in place simplified policies and procedures to attract investment.”
Noting that the internal and external indictors of the economy are on a positive trend, PM Dahal said it is a matter of happiness that the primary economic indicators are improving thanks to the harmony between the financial and monetary policies and the strong private sector collaboration.
He added that still the economy remains to achieve the expected level of progress in tandem with the national aspirations and needs.
“The government is committed to forge ahead with additional commitment to expedite the process for improving the economy,” he said.
Stating that the government has, from this year revised the policy, modality and the schedule related to the budget by bringing a bill with the realization that the country’s prosperity and transformation was not possible with the traditional form of policy, programme and budget, Prime Minister Dahal hoped that this time intensive discussions and interaction will be held among the people’s representatives, industrialists and businesspersons, intellectuals and the general public on the government’s policies and programmes.
“The government shall formulate scientific policy-programmes and budget even in the midst of unlimited aspirations and limited means and resources. I consider this as an important base point of a new break from the past in the economic sector,” he reiterated.
As the PM said, the upcoming policy-programmes and budget should stress on production growth, employment generation and on promotion of agriculture-based industries. “We used to see from the instances of other countries that the achievements of other sectors of the economy would not be sustainable if the domestic production and employment do not increase. Now we are ourselves experiencing the same. This problem would be addressed this time,” he further added.
Prime Minister Dahal said the government is doing home work to orient the unspent project budget that is accumulated at one place towards strengthening the economy and transferring it to the projects capable of spending it.
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11- Economic prosperity unachievable sans private sector collaboration: Industry Minister
Kathmandu, April 10: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, has said aspirations for economic prosperity will remain unmet in the absence of collaboration with the private sector.
Addressing the 58th AGM of the Federation of the Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) here today, the Minister acknowledged the contribution of the private sector to the nation’s economy. “The government will treat the private sector as its major shareholder not only as a partner,” he assured.
He pledged to take measures to strengthen the country’s trade and investment atmosphere in consultation with and coordination with the private sector.
The Industry Minister also thanked the private sector for its partnership with the government in efforts to implement effective policies, protect domestic products, identify exportable goods and goods of comparative benefits, promote competitive trade, and mitigate trade deficit aiming to transform the import and remittance-based economy to production-based and internal export-based economy.
He stressed that time demands all the stakeholders concerned to work round the clock to make the Nepal Investment Summit ( April 28-29) a success. He also pledged to ensure an active role of the private sector to make the Event, aiming, as he mentioned, to strengthen the economy through the mobilization of domestic and foreign investment, successful.
On the occasion, he shared about the government’s preparations for revising laws to facilitate endeavors in building an investment-friendly atmosphere.
Expressing his concerns over the country’s ballooning trade deficit, a large exodus of youth force in the pursuit of abroad jobs, and a shrinking contribution of industries to the economy, he underlined the need to alter this scenario.
As he asserted, the building of an investment-friendly environment is urgent to address the issues of unemployment and poverty.
The Minister insisted on the need for combined efforts to increase the contribution of industries and commerce sectors to the economy.
As he said, the government aims to build a dynamic economy through revisions to the industrial, commerce, trade logistic policy, innovative policy, small and medium scale industries promotion policy, supplies policy, and the policy concerning intellectual property.
Economy still not free of challenges: FNCCI president
Meanwhile, FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said the country’s economy is still not freed from challenges and solutions should be explored by assimilating this fact.
Speaking on the same occasion, he accused the role of control-based policies and programmes in obstructing economic developments as needed.
” First of all, it is a must for all to admit that the economy is still in crisis and then the finding of solutions will be easier,” he said, adding that there is a lack of a balance in the ratio of income and expenditures,
The private sector is attempting to spread its wings to explore ways for additional income, but the State’s support is not sufficient towards that end, according to him. As the FNCCI President stressed, the private sector wants additional support and encouragement from the effort. It expects the government to come up with effective policies capable of promoting the business atmosphere and economy.
Stating that the financial management expenditures are around double the capital expenditures, he said at present it is essential to garner internal sources to avoid the potentiality of an increased loan burden on Nepal in the course of its graduation to the middle-income developing country from the category of the least developed countries.
He advised the government to ensure that the private sector could invest without any unnecessary hurdles to address the issues of low economic growth seen in the past two years.
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12- NC President Deuba urges party cadres and leaders to move ahead in unison
Bhairahawa (Rupandehi), April 10: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba viewed that time has come for all party leaders and cadres to work in unison to build the party.
At a programme organized by NC Rupandehi constituency no 3’s working committee here today for exchange of Nepali New Year greetings, party President Deuba urged the party cadres and leaders to work in the interest of the party.
Stating that many challenges were mounting on Nepali Congress at present, he instructed the party cadres and leaders to iron out all differences and face the challenges.
He also appealed with them not to do anything that puts party in difficult position.
On a different note, he also pledged to take necessary initiatives for the operation of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport.
NC regional President Sushil Gurung had requested Deuba’s for his positive intervention for the operation of the Airport.
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13- Air pollution reaches this year’s highest point, likely to climb further if wildfires not tamed
Kathmandu, April 10: The air pollution in the country has increased today to reach this year’s highest level. The air pollution level climaxed due to the forest fires raging in various places of the country.
Based on the Air Quality Index (AQI), the AQI of Kathmandu has reached 265 today. This puts Kathmandu on the top of the list of the most polluted cities in the world. The federal capital recorded an AQI of 200 on Tuesday.
Environmentalists and meteorologists have expressed concern, citing that the air pollution might further go up with the continuing bushfires in several places of the country.
Deputy director-general at the Department of Environment, Tara Dutta Bhatta said the air pollution in Kathmandu Valley has also suddenly peaked with the increasing instances of wildfires. He underscored the need of coordination among all the stakeholders for controlling the forest fires.
“The pollution is increasing day by day. The State has to declare an emergency if the AQI reaches 300,” Bhatta said.
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14- HoR meeting postponed after protest of opposition parties
Kathmandu, April 10: Today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) has been postponed after the lawmakers from the opposition parties- Nepali Congress and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)- obstructed the House proceedings, calling for forming a parliamentary investigation committee over the embezzlement of amount of cooperatives.
The opposition lawmakers stood from their seats in sign of protest, demanding the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane resign from his post and a parliamentary investigation committee should be formed to probe the cooperative scam.
After this, Speaker Devraj Ghimire called attention of the government and the bodies concerned on the topics raised by the opposition lawmakers and urged them to cooperate in conduction of the House meeting.
The Speaker suspended the meeting, removing the agenda items fixed for today’s session after the opposition lawmakers took stance of not allowing the proceedings to move ahead.
At the outset of the meeting, the opposition party MPs alleged that the victims of cooperatives fraud are deprived of justice because of DPM and Home Minister Lamichhane while the ruling party lawmakers retorted, saying not to resort to personal attack without any basis.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada alleged that justice to the victims of the Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Cooperatives and investigation into the embezzlement of funds of this cooperative have been impeded because of Home Minister Lamichhane.
“The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of Nepal Police dispatched two officers to Pokhara for investigation. The investigation was preparing its report implicating the present Home Minister in the cooperatives embezzlement. We suspect that this report was also tweaked after the change of the political alliance,” he said, adding, “We suspect that the investigation process was stopped when the same person against whom the investigation was going on became the Home Minister under whose jurisdiction the Nepal Police falls, further victimizing the cooperative victims.”
CPN (UML) lawmaker Surya Bahadur Thapa Chhetri said the embezzlement of depositors’ money in the cooperatives is a case of fraud and called on the government to ensure that the depositors are not duped and they get justice. He argued that since this topic is under consideration in the court, it should not be debated in parliament.
Lawmaker Madhav Prasad Sapkota cautioned the opposition leaders and lawmakers not to waste the valuable time of the parliament in mutual disputes by leveling accusations. He urged them to present themselves in a constructive manner in the parliament and make the House a place for meaningful and constructive debate.
Lawmaker of the Rastriya Swatantra Party Manish Jha said that the lawmakers should not target a person in the parliament without legal basis. He however reiterated that they are always in support of rule of law and good governance.
RPP lawmaker Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi alleged that the Home Minister’s issuing order declaring ‘prohibited area’ is tantamount to attack on freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration. He accused the Home Ministry of committing excesses during the RPP’s ‘peaceful’ demonstration on Tuesday, saying 18 RPP supporters were injured due to police’s assault and they had to be admitted in hospitals.
The House of Representatives will next meet at 11.0 am on Sunday, the 14th of April.
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15- Public holiday tomorrow
Kathmandu, April 10: The government has decided to give a public holiday tomorrow on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr, the festival of the Islam community.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated this, issuing a press release today. The government has been giving a public holiday every year on the occasion of the Eid-ul Fitr (Eid) festival.
The followers of Islam said the final day of Eid had to be postponed to Thursday this year, as the moon was not seen today. Today marks the completion of the month-long Roja, a rigorous fasting, that is observed in the month of Ramadan.
The people from the Islam community tomorrow will gather at the Mosque and Idgah, a place set for public prayers on the occasion of Eid, and read the Namaj.
After the recitations of Namaj, they hug each other and exchange Eid-ul Fitr greetings. Back home, they enjoy delicacies. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
In the 70 days of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the Muslim people observe the Baker-Eid or Eid-ul-Ajaha. During this festival, they depart for Hajj, a pilgrimage to the Mecca Medina in the Saudi Arabia.
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17- Bimala Ghimire elected Vice-Chair of NA
Kathmandu, April 10: CPN (UML)’s Bimala Ghimire has been elected the Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly (NA).
NA Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal announced that Ghimire got elected to the post with 39 votes in her favour in the election held through the division of votes in today’s meeting of the NA.
NA Chairperson Dahal, on the occasion, congratulated newly elected Vice-Chairperson Ghimire.
A total of 55 parliamentarians had participated in the voting. While 39 parliamentarians voted in favor of Ghimire, 16 voted against her.
Similarly, Nepali Congress’s Bishnu Devi Pudasaini, vying for the same post, had obtained 16 votes while 39 voted against her. The Chairperson then announced that Pudasaini was rejected for the Vice-Chairperson post after she could not garner majority in the voting.
NA is convening again on April 12 on Friday at 1:15pm.
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