KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Brahmacharini Devi being worshipped on second day of Navaratri
Brahmacharini Devi, the second of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, is being worshipped today on the second day of Navratri in Dashain Ghar and household prayer rooms across the country. On the first day of Navaratri, Sunday, devotees performed Ghatasthapana according to Vedic rituals and sowed barley seeds to grow jamara (sacred barley shoots), a sacred offering associated with Dashain. Goddess Shailaputri, the first form of Durga, was also invoked and worshipped on the occasion. On the second day, devotees invoke and worship Brahmacharini Devi at the place where Ghatasthapana was performed. Throughout the nine days of Navaratri, devotees recite sacred texts, including the Durga Saptashati (Chandi), Shreemad Devi Bhagwat and other hymns dedicated to the Goddess.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung begins first foreign visit, heads to India for BIMSTEC meeting
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has left for India to attend the first BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Home Affairs, marking his first official foreign visit since assuming office. Gurung departed for New Delhi from Tribhuvan International Airport at 1 pm on Monday. He is scheduled to address the ministerial meeting on Tuesday. The meeting is being held for the first time in India, following the proposal for a high-level security mechanism made at the fourth BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu in 2018. Ministers responsible for internal security from BIMSTEC member states will attend the meeting. Discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation on cross-border and regional security concerns, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, terrorist financing, terrorism, disaster-related security challenges and cybercrime.
PM Shah calls for impartial policing free from undue influence
Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah has said that ethics, integrity and honesty are the fundamental requirements for professional success. Addressing the graduation ceremony of the 184th batch of Police Inspector Basic Training at the National Police Academy in Maharajgunj on Sunday, Shah urged the newly inducted police inspectors to internalize and apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired during their training. “Maintaining professional conduct and discipline, and strictly adhering to the Constitution, prevailing laws, rules, procedures and standards are essential to professional success. Accountability in carrying out one’s responsibilities is equally important,” he said, urging the graduates to uphold these principles throughout their careers in the Nepal Police.
Stakeholders call for special-purpose schools to be included in Education Act
Stakeholders have called for special-purpose schools to be incorporated into the Education Act, with provisions allowing them to operate autonomously and effectively. The recommendations were made during a consultation organised by the Ministry of Education and Sports with officials and stakeholders from schools established for specific purposes as part of the process of drafting the Education Act. The meeting, chaired by Shailendra Jha, chief adviser to the education minister, was held at the ministry in Singha Durbar. Discussions focused on the operation and management of special-purpose schools, policy and legal provisions, financial management and the quality of teaching and learning. Participants stressed the need for appropriate legal and policy provisions to integrate these schools into the mainstream national school education system. They also discussed coordination among the three tiers of government, greater accountability in administrative processes and the development of suitable operational models.
Asan and Indra Chowk markets bustle with shoppers ahead of Dashain (Photos)
As Dashain approaches, activity has picked up in Kathmandu’s Asan and Indra Chowk markets, with shoppers crowding the streets to buy festive essentials. People have been visiting the markets to purchase new clothes, shoes, slippers, puja items and other goods needed for the festival. Asan and Indra Chowk traditionally draw large crowds during Dashain, attracting shoppers from across the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas. With demand for festival essentials rising, shopkeepers have also become busier.
Oli says ‘siege’ against UML continues, calls for protests if party faces repression
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has said efforts to isolate and undermine the party are continuing. Speaking at the party’s central office in Chyasal on Monday while administering the oath of office to newly nominated Central Committee members, Oli said the party had repeatedly faced attempts to surround it politically in the past and that such efforts were continuing as the next election approaches. He said restoring democracy, national identity, sovereignty and independence was essential, arguing that these values had been weakened. Oli said the party would take to the streets and launch protests if it faced repression while standing up for national interests. Oli also said the party must move forward strongly and should not become entangled in internal opposition and disagreements.
NCP United leader Dr Vijay Poudel dies
Dr Vijay Poudel, a leader of the Nepal Communist Party (United), died on Monday while being taken to hospital after he suddenly felt unwell at his residence in Naikap. According to Damodar Aryal, spokesperson for the NCP United, doctors said Poudel had suffered a heart attack. Aryal said Poudel was taken to Nepal Burn Hospital, operated by PHECT Nepal, after he became unwell at home. Doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Poudel was the son of veteran communist leader Modanath Prashrit. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Nepali Congress counts votes at 23 locations, results expected by Wednesday
Vote counting for the remaining posts in the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention is underway at 23 locations simultaneously at the party’s central office in Sanepa to expedite the process. After completing the count for the party president and key office-bearers, the Central Election Committee has stepped up counting for joint general secretaries and central committee members under various inclusive categories. Raju Katuwal, member-secretary of the Central Election Committee, said separate teams had been assigned to different posts and categories to manage the large number of ballots and candidates efficiently. Counting for the open-category joint general secretary, women joint general secretary and open-category women central committee member posts is underway at five locations. The largest number of teams, nine, has been deployed to count votes for the Nepali public relations committees abroad.
Budhigandaki flood damages 72 households
A flood in the Budhi Gandaki River on Sunday morning caused extensive damage in Bishalnagar, Tripurasundari Rural Municipality-2, Dhading, damaging 72 households and sweeping away a concrete bridge connecting Dhading and Gorkha. According to the District Police Office, Dhading, 58 of the 72 affected households were completely damaged, while 14 sustained partial damage. A total of 308 people were affected by the disaster. The flood also washed away the concrete bridge linking Arughat Rural Municipality-9 in Gorkha with Tripurasundari Rural Municipality-2 in Dhading, disrupting connectivity between the two districts. Preliminary reports suggest that an avalanche in the Siringe Himal blocked the Uingulung River, causing water to accumulate before triggering a surge in the Budhi Gandaki River. Police said residents of settlements along the riverbanks were moved to safer locations as the flood threatened their homes.
11 gas distribution centers set up in Valley to ease Dashain supply
The number of cooking gas distribution centers in the Kathmandu Valley has been increased to 11 to facilitate a smooth supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) during the Dashain festival. The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association said the number of distribution points was expanded from the initial six in coordination with the Nepal Oil Corporation and the Gas Dealers Federation. Five additional locations began operating on Monday. They include Bhanu Gas in Chapali, Budhanilkantha; Nepal and HP Gas in Harisiddhi; Gita Gas in Kalanki; Sitashree Gas at RK Traders in Khasibazar; and Shrimaya Gas in Santugal. These locations supplement the six centers that began distributing gas on Sunday in Harisiddhi, Kalanki, Sukedhara, the Balaju Industrial Area, Pepsi Cola and Sifalchaur.
Dashain rush intensifies as thousands leave Kathmandu for home
The number of passengers leaving Kathmandu for their hometowns has surged as people prepare to celebrate Dashain with their families. People living in the capital for education, employment and other professional pursuits have begun returning to their villages in large numbers. Passenger traffic has increased at New Bus Park, with more people travelling to various districts across the country on both long- and short-distance public transport services. The annual exodus reflects the tradition of reuniting with family members and relatives to celebrate Dashain, Nepal’s major festival. Pankaj Malla, general manager of Lotse Multi-Purpose Pvt. Ltd., which operates Naya Bus Park, said that 207,251 passengers had left from the bus park during the reporting period.
Floods and landslides disrupt highways in five districts
Floods and landslides have disrupted major road networks in five districts across Nepal, affecting traffic movement in parts of Gandaki and Bagmati provinces, according to updated data released by Nepal Police on Monday morning. In Gandaki Province, several road sections in Gorkha district remain completely blocked. A flood on October 11 at 5:30 a.m. damaged areas around Nayapul in Arughat Rural Municipality–2, 3, and 9. The disaster completely obstructed the iron bridge at Soti and the road linking Arughat with Dhading. Several other roads in Gandaki Province remain open to one-way traffic. In Myagdi district, the Beni–Jomsom road has been affected since a landslide struck Baisari in Raghuganga Rural Municipality–2 on September 26 at 5:50 a.m. Similarly, a landslide at Janti Pahiro in Baudikali Rural Municipality–3 has disrupted the Kaligandaki Corridor in Nawalparasi (East) since September 30 at 4:45 p.m. Although traffic is moving in one direction, heavy vehicles cannot pass through the affected section, police said.
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