Day: October 23, 2023

Gandaki: Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud has expressed his confidence in the revival of tourism industry in Pokhara.

After experiencing paragliding from Toripani to the Phewa Lake of Pokhara on Monday, the Minister said Pokhara's tourism business having much potentialities for tourism development including the adventurous one would gain momentum in the days to come.

The Minister acknowledged paragliding as one of the significant touristic activities in Pokhara and pledged to take initiation to promote paragliding service in the town.

The Minister said he would take initiative to restore its operation from Sarangkot without causing any obstruction to the operation of Pokhara Regional International Airport.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav wished may the Bijaya Dashami encourage entire Nepali people to steer the country to prosperity by strengthening national unity, integrity, sovereignty and nationality.

In a message on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami aka Bada Dashain-2080 today, Vice President Yadav has stated that the grand festival is meant for communicating purity in the mind, thoughts and actions of individuals and promoting collective feeling and unity.

On the occasion, he wished all the Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad for their happiness, peace and progress.

The Vice President said the republic has connected all geographies, regions, religions, communities and cultures . "May the Bijaya Dashami further strengthen the national feeling by deepening social diversities", the message reads.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Chief Justice Biswambhar Prasad Shrestha wished that the Bijaya Dashami may bestow power to overcome all kinds of disasters and adversities facing the country.

In his best wishes message on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami-2080 today, CJ Shrestha expressed his confidence that the underlying sense and message of the festivals can create significant foundations for development, prosperity, good governance and just society in the country.

"Keeping intact the values of independent, impartial and competent judiciary upheld by the Nepal Constitution, may the festival encourage us for ensuring justice for all through effective and quality justice dispensation and establishing reliable judiciary systems", the message reads.

He further said such festivals have played crucial roles for promoting unity among diversities and social-cultural solidarity by keeping age-old mutual harmony, trust and tolerance.

The Chief Justice wished all Nepali people at home and abroad for their good health, longevity, happiness, peace and progress.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said the government is actively working to drive the nations towards a path of prosperity and bring positive changes in the people's lives with the institutionalization of good governance and social justice.

In his best wishes on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival today, the Prime Minister said the public support to all the efforts of the government is very significant for building a prosperous Nepal.

He insisted on the need of thinking collectively and positively to take strides towards a better nation. As the Prime Minister said, the existing pressure on economy, traditional approaches in development endevours and structural obstructions to advancement could be overcome with dedicated efforts focusing on the nation, nationality and the people.

Actions with dedication are needed to realize the long cherished dream of good governance, social justice and prosperity, he states in the message.

The head of the government underlined the need for a positive and creative approach to dispel superstitions and 'aristocratic' beliefs associated with our traditional festivals while preserving their positive elements and the fundamental values they represent.

On the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival, the head of the government extended his wishes for happiness, peace, good health, long life, prosperity, and continuous progress to all Nepali sisters and brothers, both at home and abroad.

Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The 10th day of the Bada Dasain festival is being celebrated all over the country today with great enthusiasm by receiving 'tika' and blessings from elders.

On the day of Bijaya Dashami, today, the Goddess of the festival should be disposed of in rivers and ponds as per religious rituals (bisarjan) at 10.37 am today.

The auspicious hour of receiving tika is 11.03 am, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.

Although the auspicious hour for receiving Prasad of Devi has been fixed 11.03 am today as per the requirement of the calendar, the entire day after the immersion of the Goddess is auspicious for that purpose.

The worship of Sri Durga Bhawani at Dasainghars over nine days concludes formally on the day of Bijaya Dashami after the Abhishekh or sprinkling of holy water takes place marking the beginning of tika.

People receive tika and jamara till the full moon day. Tika and jamara are considered the auspicious gifts of the goddess Nawa Durga and they signify prosperity.

It is believed that one need not seek an auspicious hour if one undertakes any new assignment, campaign or journey on the auspicious day of Bijaya Dashami.

The Bijaya Dashami festival is celebrated in commemoration of the victory of truth over evil and the victory of divine forces over demonic forces.

Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the

authorities concerned to make sure so that competition in public procurement

becomes more open and free.

The directive was given at a cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina in the chair at her office in the city's Tejgaon.

"It has been observed that some companies which do not have capacity are

still getting works, which is causing a delay to complete the works within

stipulated time. To avoid this, the Prime Minister has given instructions to

change the relevant rules and regulations," Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub

Hossain said at a briefing at the Secretariat here after the cabinet meeting.

The meeting gave approval to the draft of 'Finance Company Act, 2023', he

said, adding that according to the proposed amendment, no individual or

related parties associated to him or her or members of the same family cannot

buy more than 15 percent of a company's shares.

The proposed law has also specified what to do for those who currently have

more than 15 percent of company stakes, the cabinet secretary said, adding,

within two years after the law comes into effect, the excess shares shall be

transferred to persons who are not family members and who do not hold the

maximum share limit in the company.

If anyone does not comply with the law, he said, his or her shares will be

confiscated in favour of the government. The proposed law prescribed

punishment for various offences, the cabinet secretary added.

Noting that the law has defined spouse, parents, children, siblings and

dependent people as the family members, Mahbub said, the law will allow 15

directors including two independent directors for a company.

The cabinet meeting also gave the final approval to the draft of the 'Dr MA

Wazed Miah Agriculture University Act, 2023', he said, adding that the new

university will be established in Natore.

The meeting also approved the draft of the 'Village Courts (Amendment) Act,

2023', enhancing authority of the courts to fine Taka 3 lakh from existing

Taka 75,000, the cabinet secretary said, adding that the draft of the

'Sustainable Public Procurement Policy (2023)' also got approval at the

meeting.

Besides, reports on the implementation of the decisions taken in the cabinet

meetings held between July and September this year was presented in the

meeting. The cabinet approved the proposed list of 22 holidays for the 2024

calendar year, but two holidays would be coincided with weekends (Fridays).

Like the current year 2023, the people will also enjoy a 22-day holiday in

the next year.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, has extended his best wishes to the Nepali residing at home and abroad on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival-2080 BS.

In a message of best wishes today, the Speaker wished the festival may inspire all to cultivate the willpower and dedication to bring happiness and transformations in the people lives, promote nationality and prosperity in the nation. "Our cultures, languages, customs, lifestyle, festivals, attires, traditions and history are our identities," he said.

Underling the need of promoting the cultural values of the festival, he appealed to all to celebrate it by refraining from extravagance.

Similarly, National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina has wished all the Nepali citizens at home and abroad for their good health, prosperity, peace and progress on the occasion of the festival.

Stating that the Constitution has identified Nepal as a secular nation, the NA Chair said," Nepal is enriched by cultural diversities and its cultural and social values, festivals, customs, traditions and culture prevailing here remain as an indispensable part of the State"

On the occasion of the festival, he stressed the need of building a civilized, peaceful, equitable, cultured and educated society with the promotion of human norms and values.

Meanwhile, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and former Chair of Council of Ministers, Khilraj Regmi have extended their best wishes to the entire Nepali at home and abroad on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival.

In the message, former President said the Bada Dashain festival has helped connect the family, society and nation emotionally, equally highlighting its economic and social aspects.

Deuba remembered the festival as a tool to promote family bond and reunion, social harmony, mutual assistance and unity.

Nepal underlined the need of strengthening federal democratic republic and by implementing the socialist economy with people's larger participation to achieve economic transformation based on good governance, prosperity and social justice while Regmi called for promoting a clean social and political atmosphere for development, prosperity and social transformation in the society.

Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, President Mohammed Shahabuddin today expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of lives in a train crash in Jagannathpur rail crossing area before Bhairab Junction in Kishoreganj.

In a condolence message, the Head of State prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved families.

President Shahabuddin also wished speedy recovery of the injured ones in the accident.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen today said Bangladesh's image in the outside world has become much brighter during the tenure of the current government.

He was speaking at a launching ceremony of a publication titled "Success Stories of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2019-2023)" at the Foreign Service Academy.

The foreign minister said that Bangladesh is ahead of neighboring countries in almost every socio-economic index.

The size and capacity of the economy has increased manifold, he added.

Bangladesh has the highest number of eco-friendly garment industries among garment exporting countries.

The foreign minister said that the return on investment (investment profit) in Bangladesh is higher than the neighboring countries.

He mentioned that the government has also worked earnestly to improve the 'Ease of Doing Business' index.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam gave welcome speech while Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen gave vote of thanks.

Alam said that the confidence and trust of the outside world has been created on the competences.

He said Bangladesh has set an example of outstanding diplomatic success in dealing with the Covid-19 epidemic.

Masud Bin Momen said that Foreign Ministry is working to make Bangladesh's position strong and prestigious in the international arena by upholding the foreign policy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Awami League lawmaker Mohammad A. Arafat said Bangladesh’s geopolitical importance has grown and many countries are willing to build strategic relations with Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) distinguished fellow Farooq Sobhan said Bangladesh’s presence has been enhanced globally and the country’s economic diplomacy has been strengthened.

Economist Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Prime Minister’s former Principal Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad and Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and MoFA Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin, among others, spoke at the function.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha