Thursday, October 30, 2008

Some pictures of nationalwide Victory rallies of Nepal


Bhai Tika observed


Bhai-Tika, the final day of the Yama Panchaka, has been observed with great zeal across the country on Thursday.
Concluding the five-day long festival, people from all walks of life received well wishes and prayers form their sisters to mark the Bhai-Tika today.
Sisters offer seven colours as Tika on the forehead of their brothers, and put garland of marigold and Makhamali around latter’s neck. Prior to that they inunct brothers with mustard oil. Oil and Makhamali flowers are symbols of longevity.
Sisters pray for long life and prosperity of their brothers with Lord Yamaraja this day.
Likewise, brothers also offer gifts such as clothes and Dakshina (money) to sisters while sisters give a special gift known as Sagun (which is a mixture of curd, dried fruits, nuts, and candies).
The time between 11:35 am to 12:55 noon was the most auspicious for Bhai-Tika, according to astrologers. The sisters could however offer Tika at any time on the day.
Nonetheless, Bhai-Tika has always been auspicious during noon time.
According to the Hindu mythology, even Yamaraja, the god of death, visits his sister Yamuna during the five days of Yama-Panchaka and receives Tika from her.
Hindu legends mention a story of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, offering Bhai-Tika to King Bali during noon this day which is the second day of the waning moon in the holy month of Kartik.

UN secy gen stresses on cooperating among parties


United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his report made public on Tuesday commended the political parties of Nepal for their commitment to consolidating democracy.
“In common with other members of the international community, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of sustaining the cooperation among political parties on which the peace process was founded and which has brought it so far,” he writes in the report.
Ban lauded the pledge of the Nepali Congress, led by Girija Prasad Koirala, to help draft the new constitution, despite its decision to stay out of the Maoist-led coalition government.
He also praised the commitments made by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal concerning multi-party democracy and human rights.
Ban lamented the fact that the “understandable” delays in forming the government have not led to the “hoped-for progress” to allow the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country, known as UNMIN, to wind down by its mandate’s conclusion next January.
“The establishment of the special committee to oversee the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel is crucial in this respect,” he notes in the report, ”However, until the special committee begins its work, it is impossible to predict how soon it will be able to take key decisions and how long will be needed for their implementation,”.
There will be “substantial disagreements to be overcome”, he adds.
Calling on the government to “move as rapidly as possible to create conditions conducive to the completion of UNMIN activities”, the UN Secretary-General expressed regret that the status-of-mission agreement still has yet to be signed by officials.
The report also urged the international community to continue its support for the country to ensure that it successfully completes its peace process.

Nepal Samwat enters New Year 1129

With recognition as the official calendar of the country, the Nepal Samwat, also known as Saka Samwat, has entered into a brand new year 1129 on Wednesday.
The first day of the Nepal Samwat coincides with the fourth day of Tihar festival, known and Gobardhan Pooja or Goru Pooja (Oxen worshipping).
People of the Newar community took out rally to mark the beginning of the Nepal Samwat New Year today.
Welcome gates have been erected at several chowks in three districts of the capital valley and Kavre district hailing the governments move to announce Nepal Samwat as Rastriya Samwat.
The Maoist-led government had announced Nepal Samwat as National calendar only on Friday.
Nepal Samwat was established in the name of the nation after Shankhadhar Sankhwa, then businessman, released the people of Kathmandu from debt almost 1129 years ago.
It is believed that during the reign of then King of Kathmandu, Raghav Dev, the Nepal Samwat was initiated by Sankhadhar Sankhwa to commemorate the pay back of all the debts of people living in Kathmandu, then known as "Ya."
Earlier, various organisations and culture experts had demanded for the announcement of Nepal Samwat as Rastriya Samwat.
Nepal Samwat, one among few of the native calendars to Nepal, has its own special relevance for Newar community, the major constituents of the Kathmandu valley. Moreover, the calendar was widely used by Newars for cultural and religious purpose inside the Kathmandu because of its relation with festivals Jatra that are celebrated in the Valley.
After the unification of Nepal, Saka Samwat took ground and later on, during the premiership of Chandra SJBR Bikram Samwat were recognized for official use
This calendar, Nepal Samwat, is being revived, especially in the Kathmandu Valley, over the last three decades.