Nepal

KATHMANDU: Nepalis are celebrating Phulpati, the seventh day of Bada Dashain, today.

Traditionally, on this day, banana stalks, jamara, belpatra (leaves of wood apple) and sugarcane sticks tied with red cloth along with Kalash filled with holy water are brought to Hanumandhoka from Gorkha on a decorated palanquin.

On this occasion, Nepali Army holds a parade at Tundikhel that includes gun firing, which is observed by the president and government officials every year. All government offices will remain closed for five days from Phulpati to Dwadashi.

The auspicious time for bringing Phulpati to the Dashain Ghar at Hanumandhoka is 8:52 am on October 5, according to Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti (NPNS).

October 6 and 7 will mark Mahaashtami and Mahanavami, respectively.

Vijaya Dashami, the main day of Dashain will be celebrated on October 8. Though tika can be received and offered from the day of Vijaya Dashami to Kojagrat Purnima, the most auspicious time for receiving and offering tika is at 10:35 am on Vijaya Dashami, NPNS said.

According to popular Hindu myth, Goddess Durga had killed demon king Mahishasur on Mahanavami and hence Vijaya Dashami symbolises the victory of good over evil.

The post Phulpati, seventh day of Bada Dashain being observed today appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

KATHMANDU: Several literary publications of the Nepal Academy are in need of a better market.

Samakalin (prose-based quarterly), Pragya (a half-yearly journal with review by experts), Journal of Nepalese Studies (half-yearly English journal), Kabita (a quarterly anthology of poems), and a literary news-based quarterly are being published regularly by the Academy.

Similarly, Pragya Gatibidhi (which means the Academyactivities), multi-linguistic half-yearly publication Sayaptrai, Nepal Bhasaannual journal Thayamu, Maithililanguage journal Aangan, Limbu language journal Phaktanglung, Bhojpuri language journal Mahua, and half-yearly childrenmagazine Balpragya are other regular publications.

According to Academy member-secretary Jagat Prasad Upadhyaya, though an agreement was signed for the sale of these publications, smooth supply has not taken place, compelling the Academy to call for a new tender towards that end.

However, no company so far has taken interest and the Academy will respond to the issue through a new approach after Dashain.

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KATHMANDU: More than 450 thousand people have left Kathmandu, the federal capital, to their home to celebrate Dashain festival, in two days.

A spokesman at the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Superintendent of Police Rabi Raj Poudel said that one million and 656 thousand people exited from the Capital since September 22.

The security arrangement in the Kathmandu valley, Nagdhunga and other places are very good now. Vehicles are operating in a queue as there is large human pressure in some trade areas,& he said.

More than 1,000 traffic police personnel have been mobilized in the capital and traffic police is on stand-by at Nagdhunga, he added.

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KATHMANDU: Social media users, who express their concerns over various issues on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, are criticised often for limiting their dissatisfaction to cyberspace. Many people point fingers at them stating that change is only possible if their words are converted into action.

Today, many people who actively use social media to put forth their views regarding burning issues of social justice came forward in solidarity demanding fair investigation into the Krishna Bahadur Mahara rape case. They have submitted a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The group of individuals from different sectors of life united as a group and submitted the memorandum demanding an impartial investigation against former speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara who was accused of rape by Roshani Shahi, which claim she later retracted. This created much confusion and raised many questions, which further indicated an urgent need for investigation.

In the memorandum, people have also requested the NHRC to provide socio-psychological counselling to Shahi and to arrange a safe-shelter for her.

Former Election Commissioner Ila Sharma, Luna Bhattarai who goes by Twitter name दोस्रो दर्जाकी LUNA, Swarna Tamrakar, also known as Wonder Woman in Twitter, Lecturer at Patan Campus, TU, Dr Neeti Aryal Khanal, among others were part of the group who submitted the memorandum.

Some of the participants today are part of the Rage Against Rape movement — which supports rape survivors and speaks against the impunity of authorities when they deal with rape cases.

While submitting the memorandum, the group said that they are putting their trust on the Commission to deliver fair justice and appealed the national human rights body to protect the rights of Shahi by providing her with all necessary services.

The memorandum was received by Anup Raj Sharma, current Chairperson of NHRC who assured that the Commission will take further steps for fair investigation of this case in the coming days.

An official from NHRC said that they are monitoring the updates of the case and will be in regular contact with the authorities to know how the investigation is moving forward.

Meanwhile, during the handover programme, the group also put forward their queries about how NHRC is performing their responsibilities with regards to the case and what services have been provided to Shahi so far.

Since multiple news have surfaced regarding how Shahi has been suffering psychologically for the past few years, the group demanded the Commission to offer psychological counselling saying that she might be in trauma and may be in need of support.

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