- Friday, 29 August 2025
Kathmandu, Aug 16: Shree Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated by Hindus throughout the country today with devotion and veneration amidst a variety of programmes.
According to scriptures, Lord Shree Krishna was born in the midnight of Bhadrakrishna Ashtami day as per the lunar calendar during the Dwapar era.
Lord Krishna is considered the incarnation of Lord Bishnu, the protector of human beings from evil, injustice and devilish forces. He is also regarded as the proponent of the three principles of Gyanayog, Karmayog and Bhaktiyog.
Shree Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated to cherish the good deeds of Lord Krishna for a happy and prosperous life. Lord Krishna, born to Basudev and Devaki and held prisoner by Kansha in Mathura, guided humanity on the path of knowledge, truth and immortality, the legend says.
Lord Krishna is also known as “Gopal” for his dedicated service to the cows as a herder. He is also known as “Manmohan” for the melodies he used to play on his flute, charming everyone.
Devotees throng the temples of Lord Krishna including the famous Shree Krishna Temple of Mangal Bazaar in Lalitpur, Nawatandham in Kageswori Manohara-8, Gothatar, Nepal International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISCON) office premises, Budhanilakantha and Pashupathinath Temple.
The Mangal Bazaar based renowned and artistic Shree Krishna Temple made up of stones was built by the then King of Patan, Siddhi Narsingh Malla.
Various religious organizations and institutions celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna by organizing colorful processions with the idols of Lord Krishna flanked by decorative portraits.
Devotees spend the night chanting prayers and devotional songs, dancing and lighting oil-fed lamps.
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Shree Krishna’s life a source of profound spiritual knowledge: VP Yadav
Kathmandu, Aug 16: Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has appealed to all Nepalis to follow the path of truth, peace, justice, love and prosperity.
At the Shree Krishna Ashtami and Chaitanya Tableau Unveiling and Discourse program organized by Brahma Kumari Rajyoga Sewa Kendra, Thamel today, he said that Shree Krishna’s life is not just a matter of religious faith but a source of profound spiritual knowledge.
Stating that one can draw the message of service, leadership, equality and selfless work from the life of Shree Krishna, the Vice President described Lord Krishna as a reflection of truth, love, compassion and sense of responsibility, which should be put to practice.
The Vice President also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Brahma Kumari organization for its contribution to spreading peace, harmony and spiritual awareness in the Nepali society.
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07- Ayurveda doctors’ society gets new leadership
Kathmandu, Aug 16: Dr Puneshwor Keshari has been elected unopposed as the new President of the Society of Specialist Ayurveda Doctors, Nepal.
The third National Convention of the Society elected Keshari to the post for a two-year term. Dr Nirmal Bhusal, Dr Nishal Gupta, and Dr.Madan Bhandari have been elected as the new Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively.
The newly elected members of the executive committee are Dr Kajol Jha, Dr Bishnu Dayal Prasad Patel, Dr Sadhana Parajuli, and Dr Prashanna Nepal.
The event was inaugurated on Friday in the federal capital. The Society was established in 2065 BS, with Dr Dev Kala Bhandari serving as its founding chair. At present, there are 187 Ayurveda specialists in Nepal.
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08- Communicating public health in plain and simple language a challenging task: Speaker Ghimire
Kathmandu, Aug 16: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that the health sector is more important in terms of genre-based journalism.
Addressing a program organized today on the occasion of the 10th Foundation Day of the Health Journalists Forum Nepal, he said that health journalism informs the public about health issues including diseases. “However, writing about fact-based public health issues in a language that the general public can understand is a challenging task,” he said, “The added challenge now is to stop the misuse of technology, including AI, and fake news that goes viral.”
Hence, individuals and institutions engaged in genre-based journalism, especially health should be more responsible in this regard. Speaker Ghimire emphasized that news should be written with more priority on preventing disease rather than on and about diseases.
Also speaking at the event, Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel said that health journalists can put pressure on those leading the state and health sector. As despite the advancements in the medical and health sector treatment is still not accessible to the general public.
World Health Organization Nepal Chief Dr Rajesh Sambhaji Rao Pandav said that the role of journalists is important in public health awareness and said that the WHO has been collaborating with Health Journalists Forum Nepal on various issues of public health.
Federation of Nepali Journalists President Nirmala Sharma said that health journalism has emerged along with the development of genre-based journalism. She stressed that not all that appear in the digital media is news.
Forum President Bisha Kafle discussed the 10-year history of the forum and the initiatives so far.
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09- Around 300 hectare land irrigated thru 13 deep boring system
Narayangadh (Chitwan), Aug 16: The 13 underground micro-irrigation projects (deep boring system) constructed in Bharatpur Metropolitan City (BMC) in Chitwan have provided irrigation facilities to around 300 hectare of land.
It was shared at a programme organized at Aalamghat of BMC-23 today to hand over those projects to the user group committees.
Bishwa Bandhu KC, Chief of Underground Irrigation Project, Chitwan, shared that the projects were implemented to provide irrigation services to the farmlands lacking alternative irrigation facilities.
According to him, Narmadeshwor Underground Irrigation Project and Manakamana Underground Irrigation Project at BMC-15 were transferred. Rukheni Project at BMC-18 was also handed over.
Other handovers include Sangam project, Samjhauta Project and Juntara Project at BMC-21, Patihani Parsa Project at BMC-22. At VBMC-23, Thadokhola project, Kerung project, Sange Project and Phalguni Project were handed over
Likewise, Bhagauli Project at BMC-25 and Jhyauretandi Project at BMC-27 have been transferred.
Over 730 million rupees has been spent in these projects, KC shared, adding that 19,531 metres of pipes have been installed. These pipes have facilitated water supply to the drought-hit lands and contributed to the BMC’s goal to expand arable land within the Metropolis.
Farmers expressed that planting crops has been easier due to these projects. Yam Prasad Lamichhane, one of the beneficiaries of Patihani Parsa Project, admitted that the construction of the project has addressed the irrigation issue in his locality.
Likewise, Manibhadra Kandel, another beneficiary of Narmadeshwor project at BMC-15, mentioned that the farmers have been elated as there is access to water to their drought-affected land.
Anita Waiba and Kamala Kumari Bishwakarma, who are benefitted by Phalguni and Kerunga project, admitted that irrigation of farmland has been easier due to these projects.
On the handover ceremony, BMC Mayor Renu Dahal asserted that the problems of barren land in western side of Bharatpur have been addressed due to these irrigation facilities
Stating that the deep boring system had brought additional convenience to farmers for irrigation, the Mayor, reaffirmed the BMC’s commitment to always support the farmers with necessary assistance.
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10- Sanfe-Martadi Highway open for traffic
Bajura, Aug 16: Traffic has resumed on the Sanfe-Martadi Highway linking the district headquarters. It had been obstructed since Friday night due to landslides triggered by floods in the Rila river following incessant rainfall.
Police Inspector and Information Officer at the District Police Office Bajura, Dev Bahadur Chaudhary said that the traffic along the highway has resumed after the obstruction caused by the flooded Rila River in Badimalika Municipality-4 was cleared away.
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11- Indian Foreign Secretary arriving tomorrow
Kathmandu, Aug 16: At the cordial invitation of Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, will arrive here on Sunday for a two-day official visit.
During the visit, the two Foreign Secretaries will hold discussions on various aspects of the Nepal-India partnership, with a focus on connectivity, development cooperation and other matters of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Indian Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to call on high-level dignitaries of Nepal. He is scheduled to leave Kathmandu Monday, adds a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry here today.
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12- One dead, five injured due to electric shocks in Achham
Achham, Aug 16: A 16-year-old boy died and five others were injured after accidentally receiving an electric shock while hoisting the national flag as part of preparations for the Krishna Janmashtami festival in Bannigadhi Jayagadh Rural municipality-1, Achham.
Rohit Saud, a resident of Nandegada in Mellekh rural municipality-7 succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Bayalpata Provincial Hospital.
The incident occurred today near the Bardadevi Temple in Jayagadh Bazaar, where locals were organizing celebrations for Shree Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of the Hindu deity Krishna. According to reports, an iron pole being used to hoist the flag accidentally came into contact with a live electric wire.
The injured have been identified as Samir Shah, 18; Binod Raut, 17; and Bam Shah, 20, all from Bannigadhi Jayagadh-6; Lawashan Sunar, 16, from Mugasain of Sanfebagar municipality-4; and Shamsher Saud, 16, from Ramaroshan tural municipality-6. They are reported to be out of a life-threatening condition.
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13- Dry landslide blocks Hetauda-Kathmandu road
Bagmati, Aug 16: The road connecting the provincial headquarters Hetauda to the federal capital Kathmandu has been blocked due to a dry landslide.
A dry landslide occurred at Jyamire, Indrasarobar Rural Municipality-3, along the Hetauda-Fakhel-Dakshinkali-Kathmandu road at around 9:30 am today, completely disrupting transport services in the area, said Spokesperson of the District Police Office, Makawanpur, Deputy Superintendent of Police Shyam Aryal.
Furthermore, stones and trees falling down near Lamidanda, Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-9, along the Tribhuvan Highway has also brought the road to a standstill. DSP Aryal said that work is being done to remove the landslide debris by using machines in both places.
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14- Government effortful to address issues in cooperatives sector: Minister Adhikari
Kathmandu, Aug 16: Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Balaram Adhikari, has said that the government has so far returned the savings of 6,700 depositors from troubled cooperatives. According to him, the government is actively working to address the issues facing the cooperatives sector.
Similarly, efforts are underway to get a land-related bill endorsed by Parliament. The bill aims to provide land to landless Dalits, squatters, and those living in unplanned settlements.
Speaking to RSS about the major accomplishments during his 18 months in office, as well as the bill designed to amend several of Nepal’s land-related laws, the Minister stated, “The government, as the caretaker and guardian of the people, is responsible for addressing citizens’ concerns.”
Highlighting the Ministry’s direct engagement with public issues, he said the government is working to identify poor households, a task expected to be completed within a year.
Believing that the land-related commission should be high-powered, the government has restructured the latest commission accordingly. A bill to amend several laws, including the Land Act, the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, and the Forest Act, has been introduced and presented to the Bill Committee. The aim is to revise inconsistent or outdated legal provisions.
Another key responsibility of the Ministry is resolving issues related to cooperatives. After reports of some cooperatives operating in violation of standards and misappropriating depositors’ savings, the Ministry intervened in such cooperatives, following expert recommendations. Legal and structural measures have been put in place to bring these efforts to a meaningful resolution.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister said that the government can no longer afford any delay in addressing land-related concerns of the citizens.
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15- Maternity Hospital, a national heritage connecting the lives millions of mothers and children: Minister Paudel
Kathmandu, Aug 16: Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel has described the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, a specialized hospital for women’s health, a national heritage that connects the lives of millions of mothers and children in the country.
Addressing a programme organized to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Thapathali-based hospital today, Minister Paudel asserted that the hospital stands as a witness to the Nepal’s development in the health sector. “I am confident that the neo-natal screening and milk bank initiated by the hospital would significantly contribute in reducing the neonatal mortality,” he said.
The Health Minister expressed his confidence that the reestablished IVF service in the Hospital would play a leading role in successfully implementing the infertility treatment standards introduced by the government. He pledged to add 11 additional beds to make the hospital a 500-bed health facility.
Furthermore, he informed that preparation was underway to forge an agreement to build two 25-bed satellite maternity hospitals in two municipalities in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City so as to manage the increasing patients’ flow in the Kathmandu Valley.
He assured to incorporate gynecology related diseases, Safe Motherhood and Newborn Programme in the national health insurance scheme.
Likewise, Shree Prasad Adhikari, Director of the Hospital, proudly shared the referral rate among the patients had been reduced due to robotic surgery in gynecological surgeries, Mental health OPD services, fetal and maternal echocardiography services being rendered by the Hospital.
He said that around 21,000 deliveries were conducted last fiscal year alone while more than 233,000 service-seekers availed services from Outpatient Department during that period.
Adhikari also mentioned that 8,693 service-seekers received infertility-related services through the OPD in the last fiscal year. Likewise, a total of 298 women availed Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) services and 43 received IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) services in that year.
Around 2,000 newborns have been tested through neonatal screening test so far. Among them, 20 newborns were diagnosed with various disorders. According to him, this test has facilitated in diagnosis of genetic disorder in fetus and unborn babies.
The Paropakar Maternity and Women Hospital currently is the only central specialized hospital for women’s health and operates with 489 beds.
It was established by the Paropakar Sanstha on Shree Krishna Janmastami with just 40 beds on Bhadra 10, 2016 BS.
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16- President Paudel pays homage to Krishna Temple on Krishna Janmashtami
Patan ( Lalitpur), Aug 16: President Ramchandra Paudel visited the historic Shree Krishna Temple in Patan today to pay homage on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami.
Following the completion of worship rituals, the Head of State of state received flowers and prasad from the temple priest.
The President also observed the nearby Manga Hiti, an area featuring an ancient stone water spout.
Several dignitaries were present to welcome the President, including federal parliament members from Lalitpur, Bagmati Province Minister for Agriculture Madhu Sudan Paudel, Bagmati Province Assembly members, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan, Chief District Officer Ramesh Prasad Dhakal, Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya, Assistant CDO Gita Ghimire, and Chief Administrative Officer of the metropolis Rekhadas Shrestha.
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Monsoon loses strength; moderate rain likely today
Kathmandu, Aug 16: Nepal’s monsoon has remained in a weak state with its low pressure line being located to the south of the average position.
The Meteorological Forecasting Division predicted that the weather will generally be cloudy in the hilly regions of the country, including Sudurpashchim province, while the remaining territories will see partial cloud cover this afternoon.
Moderate shower is likely to occur in a few places of the hilly areas of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as in a couple of areas in the remaining Terai regions.
Tonight, there will generally be cloudy weather in the hilly regions of the Koshi and Sudurpashchim provinces, with partial cloud in the rest of the areas.
The division has indicated possibility of moderate rainfall in a few places of the hilly areas of Koshi and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as in one or two places in the remaining Terai regions.
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02- Chemical fertilizers being imported to Nepal via Kolkata port: STC
Kathmandu, Aug 16: The Salt Trading Corporation Limited (STC) has reported that it has already received 1,523,000 sacks of chemical fertilizers at the Kolkata port in India and that the process of bringing the fertilizers to its warehouses in Nepal is ongoing.
The Corporation has recently imported a total of 1,523,000 sacks of chemical fertilizers, including 440,000 bags of urea and 1,083,000 bags of DAP.
The STC has already issued circular to the provincial governments about the quota-based distribution of the fertilizers being stored in the warehouses, and that quotas as informed have been distributed to municipalities by the provincial governments.
‘All dealers registered as fertilizer sellers of the corporation are requested to coordinate with their municipalities and the relevant offices of the corporation to distribute the fertilizers according to the quotas’, stated a press release issued by the Corporation on Friday regarding the current status of the chemical fertilizer.
The STC has stated that its attention has been drawn to the news and views posted in various media and social sites reporting there is a shortage of chemical fertilizers in the market, the press release noted.
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04- Sanfe-Martadi Highway obstructed
Bajura, Aug 16: The Sanfe-Martadi Highway linking the district headquarters has been obstructed due to incessant rain since Friday night.
Police Inspector and Information Officer at the District Police Office Bajura, Dev Bahadur Chaudhary informed that the highway has been blocked after a flood hit the Rila River in Bodimalika Municipality-4.
The flood, according to him, was caused by landslides from uphill Rila village, leading to the disruption of the highway.
He mentioned that The Road Division Office is effortful to clear off the debris with the use of a JCV.
Obstruction of the highway has caused problems in the movement of both long and short-distance vehicles.
Inspector Chaudhary shared that despite clearing the landslide it has become difficult to resume traffic along the highway due to continuous rain and subsequent landslides.
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05- BP Highway: Vehicular movement halted for further 15 days at night
Kavrepalanchow, Aug 16: Vehicular movement has been banned on the BP Highway for further 15 days from August 17 onwards.
Kavrepalanchowk District Administration Office has informed operation of vehicles that had been restricted since July 21 night will continue to remain until August 31 for 12 hours per day.
A meeting of the district security committee on Friday decided to ban private vehicle operations on the highway from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am during the period.
Additional 15 days of suspension has been imposed on the highway from Kavrebhanjyang to Sindhuli border, it is shared.
Issuing a notice to this effect, the office stated that there is potential risk of landslides and floods on the highway, which could lead to disaster events. The office also urged the general public to stay cautious due to the suspension of vehicle operations in the stated areas of the highway.
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