International Yoga Day being celebrated today

Kathmandu, June 21: The International Yoga Day is being celebrated in Nepal today by organizing a variety of programs.

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on 21st June at the call of the United Nations General Assembly since 2016. The proposal by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare International Yoga Day at the 69th General Assembly of the United Nations was approved in 2014.

The proposal was first seconded by then Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala, which was then supported by the European Union and other permanent members of the United Nations. The International Yoga Day has a record of being supported by 177 countries in 90 days, since it was put out for endorsement.

It may be noted that the Yoga Day was being unofficially celebrated in Nepal since 1979 on 1st Magh (mid-January).

            Yoga, which was studied and researched by sages in the lap of the Himalayas during the Vedic period, had become almost extinct in Nepal. The celebration of the Day helped raise public awareness and thereby revive it.

The Council of Ministers through the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction had declared Magh 1 as official National Yoga Day.

—

Possibility of heavy rain in five provinces including Bagmati

Kathmandu, June 21: With monsoon winds influencing across the country, there are chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places of the Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces today.

As the weather remains partly to generally cloudy, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of the hilly regions of country. There is likelihood of light snowfall at a few places of the high mountainous region of the country, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.

Tonight, the weather will continue to remain partly to generally cloudy throughout the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of the hilly regions of country and at a few places of rest of the country.

There are Chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places of all provinces except Karnali province. Light snowfall is likely at a few places of the high mountainous region of the country, adds the Division.

—

House of Representatives meeting today

Kathmandu, June 21: Discussions on the ‘Appropriation Bill, 2082’ presented by the government shall continue in the meeting of the House of Representatives scheduled for 11 am today.

Today’s meeting will discuss the annual appropriation of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Water Supply and Ministry of Health and Population.

Similarly, the budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Communications and Information Technology are also to be discussed as per the agenda shared by the Federal Parliament Secretariat.

As per the agenda, proposals for expenditure cuts of various ministries under the Appropriation Bill, 2082 will also be presented by various MPs in today’s meeting.

—

Traffic to resume only after completion of bridge over Binayi river

Madhyabindu (Nawalparasi), June 21: There shall be no diversion way to cross the Binayi River in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) under the Butwal-Narayangadh road section.

Traffic was being operated through the diversion after the Dumkibas Bridge over the river collapsed early January this year. But now the diversion will not be built after the flood in the river nearly swept away a bus full of passengers on Thursday night, said Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) Chief District Officer Bhaviswar Pandey.

Until the bridge can be used again, likely from early July, an alternative road will have to be used. As an alternative to the Dumkibas bridge, light vehicles have been using the road from Sardi to Dumkibas Bazaar via Hongsi Cement Gate. However, freight vehicles cannot use the alternative route and are suggested to return or wait for the bridge to be completed.

Although it is natural for the road demolished for reconstruction to become muddy after rain the problem has been exacerbated by the contractor’s negligence, said Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality Chair Ghanashyam Giri.

—

Nepal, land of yoga: President Paudel

Kathmandu, June 21: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that studies, research and historical and archaeological facts related to yoga confirm to the fact Nepal is a land of yoga.

Extending best wishes on the occasion of International Yoga Day today, he has said that yoga, meditation and sadhana brings balance to the body, mind and soul, relieve stress and instills positive energy. “I believe that it is necessary to work further in its development by establishing yoga as an integral part of the country’s national policy, educational curriculum and public health sector,” he has said in the message.

Yoga spreads the message of unity, peace and health worldwide and it is necessary to use yoga practice as a lifestyle to make human life easy, simple, and healthy.

            “Through yoga our daily work ability will enhance, immunity will increase, positive thinking will develop, internal energy will be gained and self-motivation will be achieved, and positive qualities will be developed,” the President said while adding that yoga connects the mind and body and leads to knowledge, action, consciousness and stability.

June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day every year since 2015 as per the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014. This year the International Yoga Day is being observed with the theme ‘Yoga for one earth and one health’.

—