- Friday, 29 August 2025
Kathmandu, Aug 23: The ‘grand finale’ of the second edition of ‘Mero Voice Universe’ and Mero Dance Universe, two of Nepal’s biggest reality shows is being held today. The winners of the both the categories walk home with Rs 10 million each, the biggest prize money in the history of reality shows in the country.
According to the organizers, the Intra National Welfare and Support Foundation of America, the competition is scheduled to conclude today at the Sunrise International Conference Center in Godavari, Lalitpur.
The finale is being held between the top six under ‘Voice Universe’ category. Those in the fray are Deepraj Rai from Sikkim, Wangege Sherpa from Darjeeling, Junu Prasai from Qatar, Pratham Gurung from Japan, Topraj Tamang from Hong Kong and Prashant Pokharel from Jhapa, Nepal.
Similarly, in the ‘ Dance universe’ category, Amrita Rai from Sikkim, Rista Gurung from Hong Kong, and Susana Koirala, Situ Maharjan, Suraj Sinjali Magar and Sajan Pakhrin from Nepal will compete in the final.
Furthermore, the runner-up will win Rs 2.5 million and the third place winner will receive Rs 1 million. The fourth, fifth and sixth place winners will receive Rs 600,000, Rs 500,000 and Rs 400,000 respectively, while the top 10 have received Rs 300,000 each.
Nepali origin and Nepali speakers from all over the world competed in the three-month-long competition. The main objective of the reality show is to connect Nepalis around the world through cultures,” said Dilli Adhikari, President of the Foundation.
—
Kushe Aunshi (Father’s Day) being observed across the country today
Kathmandu, Aug 23: Kushe Aunshi or Father’s Day is being observed across the country today.
Hindus will be celebrating Kushe Aunshi today by bringing kush, a sharp-edged holy grass, into their houses.
There is a religious belief that keeping kush brought by priests and anointed with sacred verses or mantras in the house brings well-being to the household, said religious expert Prof Dr Ramchandra Gautam.
The Hindu community regards kush, tulsi (basil plant), peepal and shaligram (ammonite stone) as the symbols of Lord Bishnu.
The day is also celebrated as Father’s Day or Gokarne Aunshi. People, on this occasion, wish their fathers with gifts and delicious food items including sweets, and show reverence.
The major marketplaces in the capital have been busy since the morning with people shopping for sweets, fruits, and gifts for their fathers.
As per religious belief of ‘pitridevo bhava’ (respect to ancestors), sons and daughters receive blessings from their fathers, and those whose fathers are already deceased, go to a pilgrimage site and perform shraddha, the holy ritual in remembrance of those who have passed away.
By doing this, it is believed that their lineage will remain stable forever.
On this day, a special fair is organized on the premises of Gokarneshwor Mahadev Temple in the north-eastern part of Kathmandu, especially known as Uttargaya. That is why today’s Aunsi is also known as Gokarne Aunsi.
On this occasion, a crowd gathers on the premises of Gokarneshwor Mahadev Temple to offer tarpan, pinda daan and sidadaan in the name of the departed father.
Similarly, the day is also being marked as the birth anniversary of Nepali litterateur Motiram Bhatta who had made epochal contributions to enrich Nepali language and literature.
The 160th Moti Jayanti is being marked across the country by organizing several programmes.
—
02- Vietnam’s Vice President Xuan arriving Nepal today
Kathmandu, Aug 23: Vice President of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan is arriving in Kathmandu Saturday on her three-day official visit to Nepal.
At the friendly invitation of Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, the Vice President of Vietnam is paying an official visit to Nepal.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice President Xuan’s visit from August 23-25 will be the first-ever highest-level engagement from Vietnam to Nepal.
During the visit, the delegation-level bilateral talks will be held between Vice President Yadav and his counterpart Xuan in Kathmandu on August 24, the ministry stated.
Likewise, visiting Vice President Xuan is also scheduled to pay courtesy meetings with other dignitaries of Nepal.
This year holds special importance as it marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.
The Vice President is scheduled to return home after wrapping up the visit on August 25.
—
03- Monsoon to remain active today; Heavy rainfall likely in four provinces
Kathmandu, Aug 23: The low-pressure trough of monsoon is currently situated around average position.
Besides, there seems to be an influence of humid winds from the Bay of Bengal, which could make the monsoon somewhat active.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather will generally be cloudy across the country.
Moderate rainfall is likely to occur in some areas of the hilly regions and a few places in the Terai.
The division has indicated a chance of heavy rainfall in one or two places of the Terai region of Lumbini province, as well as in the hilly areas of Bagmati, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces.
Tonight, the rest of the hilly regions of the country, including Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces will generally be cloudy, while the remaining areas will have partial cloud cover.
There is a possibility of moderate rainfall in some places of Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, and in a few places of the remaining areas.
There is a chance of heavy rainfall in one or two places of the hilly parts of Gandaki province and the Terai region of Lumbini province.
—
04- Moti Jayanti being marked today
Kathmandu, Aug 23: The 160th birth anniversary of the national luminary Yubakavi (the Youth Poet) Motiram Bhatta is to be observed by organizing several literary events today.
Bhatta was born this day on Kushe Aunshi (National Father’s Day) in 1923 BS (1866 AD) and died on the same day in 1953 BS (1896 AD). He lived a short life of 30 years but is ever remembered for his substantial contributions to the world of Nepali literature, especially for immortalizing Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya by making public his biography.
Further, Bhatta was also credited for introducing the printing press in Nepal for the first time. He was the one who introduced Ghazals in Nepali literature. He also published the Ramayana of Bhanubhakta in 1941 BS.
He further developed Nepali language and made it a beautiful medium for literary expression.
Among the popular literary creations of Bhatta are ‘Bhanubhaktako Jeewan Charitra’, ‘Priyadarshika’ and ‘Pikdut’.
It is through this press that journalism has started in Nepal. Various literary organizations, including the Nepal Education Council and Nepal Academy are organizing programmes on the occasion of the day.
—
05- PM Oli extends Kuse Aunshi greetings
Kathmandu, Aug 23: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes to one and all on the occasion of Bhadra Krishna Aunshi or Kushe Aunshi (Father’s Day).
Taking to the social networking site today, PM Oli extended his greetings on the day while paying respect to all living fathers and departed ancestors.
The Prime Minister took this an opportunity to share that he received blessings from his father early this morning on the occasion.
He noted that the day to honour the father is a symbolic day of showing ancestral respect in our tradition.
“Parents should ever be given a feeling of respect not being limited on a special day. The day is special because children who are far away also come to see their fathers”, he stated.
—
07- Waste management centre in Kanchanpur padlocked, garbage disposal halted
Kanchanpur, Aug 23: The Garbage collection and disposal in Shuklaphanta municipality-11 in Kanchanpur district has been disrupted for three days now after the Shree Krishna Community Forest User Group padlocked the Waste Management Centre’s office.
The Group, demanding an implementation of the 11-point agreement, locked up the office of the Centre halting the garbage collection process.
This has led to heaps of wastage mounting in Jhalari, forest users committee and market areas at Kaluwapur among others.The Municipality has been temporarily dumping trashes in the land of the community forest since the Centre is not fully operational yet.
The garbage disposal centre was built at over Rs 300 million under the concessional loan provided by the Asian Development Bank. The centre can process up to 6 tonnes of wastage daily for the next 20 years.
An 11-point agreement was inked between the Municipality and the Users’ Group during the construction of the centre which, User Group’s Chairperson Ambar Bahadur Ayre, said is far from implementation.
The two sides had agreed that no dumping of garbage from another areas will take place in the current site, to carrying out fencing the site, providing LPG gas cylinder to every member of the Group, constructing embankment at Banhara and Sanbora river and providing jobs to local residents among others.
The Municipality had also agreed to blacktop the roads and install electricity facility in the human settlements affected by the disposal site, organize Aryaghat areas, arrange dustbins and roll out insurance scheme, provide free medical treatment to the affected ones and return the land after use.
“Three years have elapsed since the agreement but it is not implemented yet,” lamented Ayre, expressing his displeasure over the inaction of the Municipality to bring the agreement into effect.
Former secretary of the Group, Dil Bahadur Saud, further accused the Municipality authorities for turning blind eye to the issue and not taking any lead for talks to resolve it.
He warned of further protests if their demands are not addressed.
—
08- Vietnam’s Vice President Xuan arrives
Kathmandu, Aug 23: Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan arrived here this morning on a three-day official visit to Nepal, at the friendly invitation of Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav.
Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Vietnamese Vice President was welcomed by Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey.
High-ranking government officials and heads of security agencies were present on the occasion. Vice President Xuan also inspected a guard of honour presented in her honour by the Nepali Army.
Foreign Minister Dr Rana is to pay a courtesy call on the Vietnamese Vice-president later this afternoon, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This is the first high-level visit from Vietnam to Nepal. During the visit, delegation-level bilateral talks will be held between Vice President Yadav and his counterpart Xuan in Kathmandu on Sunday, the ministry has stated.
Vice President Xuan is scheduled to pay separate courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the visit. This visit is viewed with special importance as this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.
Vice President Xuan is scheduled to return home on August 25.
—
09- One dies while electro-fishing in Jhapa
Birtamod, Aug 23: One person has died from an electric shock while electro-fishing in Kankai rural municipality, Jhapa.
The deceased has been identified as Pankaj Majhi, 37, a resident of Kankai municipality-1. According to the police, he was electro-fishing in a local river when the incident occurred at around 8:30 am today.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bijay Shrestha, Chief of the Area Police Office, confirmed the fatality. It is said that incidents of death due to electric shocks have increased lately in the district.
Further investigation into the incident is underway, police said.
—
10- Traffic disrupted in Hunggung road section along Koshi Highway
Khandbari (Sankhuwasabha), Aug 23: Vehicular movement along the Hunggung road section along the Koshi Highway in Bhotkhola rural municipality in Sankhuwasabha district has come to a grinding halt for three days due to a landslide.
The significant landslide occurred on last Thursday at the road section that connects district headquarters Khandbari to Kimathanka point along the Nepal-China border, according to Ram Bahadur Gurung, Chief of North-South Koshi Road Project.
Gurung shared that the massive mudslide, consisting of rocks, soil and bushes had fallen onto the road in around 300 metres of area.
“Since the road is still under-construction, it is not possible to use machines to remove the debris to resume traffic on the road,” he explained.
Moreover, the steep terrain and incessant rainfall have made the resumption of road more challenging, he added. Due to the road blockage, transportation of daily consumable goods, fuel, construction materials among other has been affected, he reported.
Furthermore, travelers using this route are also facing problems since the highway has been shut down for three days. Although landslide occurs in this area every monsoon season, this time an exceptionally huge landslide was witnessed, Gurung added that, ruling out the possibility of resumption of the highway anytime soon.
Efforts are underway to clear off the debris to reopen the disrupted highly but to little hope, he noted.
—
11- One dies of scrub typhus in Chitwan
Chitwan, Aug 23: A woman has died of scrub typhus in Chitwan. The 36-year-old woman succumbed to scrub typhus in the course of treatment in the Bharatpur Hospital.
A resident of Bardghat municipality-13, she was hospitalized on August 20, said Hospital Spokespersons Dr Ram Prasad Sapkota. She was also a patient of epilepsy.
Meanwhile, Public Health Office Chief, Dinesh Rupakheti, said lately 73 patients have been diagnosed with scrub typhus at various hospitals in the district and of them, 58 are from Chitwan alone.
Out of 1530 tests, 73 tested positive to the scrub typhus.
—
12- Journalist Koirala awarded
Morang, Aug 23: Senior journalist Tirtha Koirala has been awarded the Koshraj Regmi Memorial Journalism Award, 2082 BS.
Speaker of the Koshi Province Assembly, Ambar Bahadur Bista, awarded journalist Koirala, the Chair of Nepal Press Institute, amidst a programme organised by the Pitambar-Khileshwori Memorial Trust and the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Morang here today.
The award carries a purse of Rs 25,000. On the occasion, the Speaker said the in-progress Province Communications Academy Bill aims to promote the rights of journalists.
FNJ former central chairs Harihar Birahi, Bishnu Nisthuri and Dharmendra Jha were the earlier recipients of the award.
—
13- Hundreds of participants including senior police officers participate in Pashupatinath Temple Area Cleaning Campaign
Kathmandu, Aug 23: Hundreds of people including high-ranking police officers participated in the cleaning of the Pashupatipath Temple area in Kathmandu today.
The cleaning drive is initiated by Maina Devi Foundation since July 22 and running every Saturday in and around the Temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Hundreds of Nepal Police personnel including Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nawaraj Adhikari engaged in the today’s clean-up, said Foundation’s Chairperson KP Khanal.
During the event, SSP Adhikari emphasized the need to always keep the Pashupatinath Area, the centre of faith for millions of Hindus across the world and a major tourist attraction, clean. He also expressed his thankfulness to the Foundation and all those contributing to this cause.
“Human’s life begins and ends with religious rituals. Pashupatinath Temple is the centre of faith for all Hindus across the world. It is also one of the religious tourism destinations for national and international tourists,” he noted, underscoring the urgency to keep up the sanctity of this sacred shrine.
He argued that the cleanliness of this area reflects our identity. “It is everyone’s duty to keep this place vibrant. Today, we have joined this effort and urge everyone to contribute to this clean-up campaign,” appealed Adhikari.
Volunteers from Creation Nepal and Foundation also participated in the cleaning of the Temple area that is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
More than 890 kg of wastages were collected during the clean-up, it was shared.
—
14- Foreign Minister Dr Rana calls on Vietnamese Vice President
Kathmandu, Aug 23: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba paid a courtesy call on Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan here today.
The Vietnamese Vice President arrived in Kathmandu today for a three-day official visit to Nepal at the friendly invitation of Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav.
During the meeting, various dimensions of Nepal-Vietnam relations as well as issues of bilateral interest and mutual concern were discussed.
On the occasion, Minister Dr Rana emphasized the need to highlight the cultural relations between the two countries, while adding that Buddhism is a strong link in expanding relations between the two countries and their peoples. She also said that both countries can work together in the field of cultural tourism promotion, citing the fact that many Vietnamese citizens visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.
Minister Dr Rana also requested for support from Vietnam to create an environment conducive for direct flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport in Pokhara.
The Foreign Minister also sought Vietnam’s support to Nepal’s candidacy for 2027-2029 membership of the UN Human Rights Council and 2029-2031 membership of the Economic and Social Council. In response, Vice President Vo expressed her commitment to support Nepal in this regard.
During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed about Nepal and Vietnam cooperating and supporting each other at bilateral and multilateral forums, the need to move forward with cooperation on global agenda such as South-South cooperation and climate change in the coming days.
As member countries of the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Nepal and Vietnam should continue working together to protect the interests of developing countries.
—
Connect new generation to literature: Minister Pant
Kathmandu, Aug 23: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Pant, has said new generation should be connected to literature for amplifying voices for social justice.
Minister Pant viewed economic interest is, however, overriding the voices for justice across the globe at present. He was speaking at a programme organized to hand over the Sahitya Sandhya Award.
Literature is a creative faculty to express voices against injustice, he said, reminding, “Literary network is such a platform which helps launch cultural, ideological and creative movements, so new generation must be linked to it.”
He expressed worry over the declining attraction towards faculty of humanities in recent years. “Earlier, education was linked more to knowledge, but now to science,” Minister Pant argued, adding that it is important how we can produce thoughtful and hardworking workforce with the interplay of knowledge and science.
Five persons were conferred on the Sahitya Sandhya Award for their contribution to the education, health and social service.
—
16- General Secretary Pokharel points up party unity
Deukhuri, Aug 23: General Secretary of CPN UML, Shankar Pokharel, has underlined the need of cementing unity within party.
Addressing party’s district representatives’ council in Dang today, he said all sides’ unity counts much for party building. UML has a single post concept which would be implemented and given opportunity gradually to all, he made it clear.
“Focus on what you contributed to party rather than what the party gave you. Carry out responsibility effectively,” he made aware the party leaders and cadres.
According to him, it is not good for the former president to join active politics. “It is not appropriate for her to involve in active politics but in the social activities,” he reminded, adding that it was right that she had hosted a dar programme to the active women leaders some days back.
He further argued the government is committed to the national development. “Revenue has upped with the NC and UML in government; spending capacity boosted, and the private sector encouraged with investment-friendly atmosphere,” Pokharel explained.
As he asserted the stalled development projects have gained pace and laws relating to federalism formulated by this government.
Coming statute convention of the UML would feature discussions on proposals relating to political, organization and statute amendment.
—
17- Team mobilized against cholera spread in Birgunj
Janakpur, Aug 23: The Madhes province government has mobilized health officials against the spread of cholera in Birgunj city.
Division Chief at Ministry of Health and Population in the province, Dr Bipin Kumar Jha, and public health officer Santosh Kumar Thakur left for Birgunj after the direction of Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Development, Saroj Kumar Yadav, who is also the Acting Chief Minister in the province.
The secretariat of Chief Minister, Satish Kumar Singh, informed that CM Singh was currently in Malaysia visit, but the adequate coordination was in place for the mobilization of health officials in the cholera-hit area. Utmost efforts would be made to curb further spread of cholera.
Similarly, Minister for Population and Health, Shatrudhan Prasad Singh, directed the health officials and workers to pay heed to the affected region by establishing a proper coordination with the ministry.
Three persons were detected with cholera in Birgunj on Friday.
—
18- One dies of electric shock
Waling, Aug 23: A person died of electric shock at Kolma of Putalibazaar municipality-9 in Syangja district on Saturday afternoon.
Arun Kumar Chaudhary, 25, originally from Rangapur of Gujra municipality-1 in Rautahat district accidentally caught the current while fixing an internet cable to an electricity pole. He was an employee of the Fiber Net in Pokhara, according to Prashanna Raj Chaudhary, an information officer at District Police Office, Syangja.
Chaudhary was rushed to hospital after the incident, but breathed his last during treatment, the police added. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
—-
19- High-level visit contributes to further cement Nepal-Vietnam ties
Kathmandu, Aug 23: The Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan, is in Nepal for a three-day official visit at the friendly invitation of Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav. The visit coincides completion of 50 years of diplomatic ties between Nepal and Vietnam.
Nepal’s Non-Residential Ambassador to Vietnam, Dhan Bahadur Oli, hopes that such high-level visits would further contribute to taking bilateral relations to a new high.
Nepal and Vietnam established formal diplomatic relations in 1975.
Since then, the two countries have continuously worked in diverse areas and have advanced the mutual goodwill.
Such types of visits would contribute to strengthening our formal ties not only at the government level but also in trade, business and people to people ties.
Ambassador Oli said that we need to take initiatives to open up new avenues for our mutual cooperation on trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges between Nepal and Vietnam from this high-level visit.
Vietnamese Vice President Xuan is scheduled to pay separate courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the visit.
The visiting leader is scheduled to visit the Patan Durbar Square and Swyambhunath, the two sites listed as the world heritage.
On the completion of the 50th anniversary of Nepal-Vietnam diplomatic ties, the two countries have organized several programmes this year.
Nepal is going to organize a special event in Hanoi in Vietnam in this October, Ambassador Oli said.
The high-level visit from Nepal is also likely to attend the event in Hanoi, it is stated.
According to Ambassador Oli, preparations are ongoing for separate agreements between Nepal and Vietnam including visa exemption for government and diplomatic passport holders from the two countries and investment too.
Oli added that agriculture, tourism, agro-processing, herbal productions, coffee plantation and some other areas have immense potential for cooperation as well the joint investment.
Likewise, cooperation in cultural areas between the two countries is equally crucial as Buddhism is a strong link in expanding relations between the two countries. The two countries can also work together in the field of cultural tourism promotion as many Vietnamese citizens visit Lumbini and chartered flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport could be started.
Earlier today at a meeting with the Vietnamese Vice President Xuan, Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba also requested for support from Vietnam to create an environment conducive for direct flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport in Pokhara.
During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed Nepal and Vietnam cooperating and supporting each other at bilateral and multilateral forums, the need to move forward with cooperation on the global agenda such as South-South cooperation and climate change in the coming days.
—
20- House buried in landslide
Baitadi, Aug 23: A house belonging to Himalay Bohara has been buried at Chankilli of Purchaudi municipality-4 in the district.
The three-story house collapsed in the landslide triggered by the incessant rainfall, according to Baldev Badu, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Baitadi. However, the no human fatality was reported.
The family members escaped the injury, for they promptly left the house, noticing the gradual landslip above the house on time.
The livestock including some buffaloes and goats, and the clothes in the house perished in the disaster. The details on the loss are yet to be ascertained.
The locals and police persons are now clearing the wreckage. The 11-member Bohara family is taking shelter in the neighbour’s home.
—-
21- Nearly 300 dengue patients recorded in Sudurpaschim Province
Sudurpaschim, Aug 23: Almost 300 people were infected with dengue fever in the past eight months in the districts of Sudurpaschim Province.
The Health Directorate, Dipayal, stated that a total of 288 cases of dengue were confirmed with the highest cases in the Kailali district followed by Achham and Kanchanpur districts.
It is shared that Kailali recorded 65 cases of dengue, 41 in Achham and 32 in Kanchnapur districts during the review period.
Likewise, even the mountainous districts of Darchula and Bajura recorded four and 18 cases, respectively.
According to the Directorate, Dadeldhura, Doti, Bajhang and Baitadi had 88 confirmed cases of dengue fever.
The Vector Control Officer at the Directorate, Hemraj Joshi, urged the communities to apply precautions from June to October because the dengue infection is massive during the period.
Joshi viewed that a ‘search and destroy of larva’ should be initiated from the local level.
—
22- Minister Paudel vows assistance to Miklajung Hospital
Pathari, Aug 23: Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has vowed assistance to the Miklajung Hospital of Morang.
Minister Paudel inaugurated a child-friendly hospital building and pledged the government support for necessary equipment and other facilities here Saturday.
He shared that the government had made an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) for setting up laboratories at various 100 health facilities across the country. One among them will be Miklajung Hospital, he added.
The government has prioritized expansion of health services in remote and rural areas, The Minister reminded.
The building was a joint initiative of the federal and local governments that shared the investment of Rs 19.8 million for the construction.
—
23- ‘False narrative against province government needs correction’
Sindhupalchowk, Aug 23: Chief Minister of Bagmati Province Indra Bahadur Baniya has said that the wrong narratives created against the province government should be defied.
At a programme in Melamchi in the district on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that the attempts of the false narratives being created through social sites against the province government should be challenged.
He viewed that massive changes have taken place in the development of physical infrastructure after the establishment of republican system. “The opponents of this system are naysayers of this (the progress). So, attempts are being made to defame through Facebook, Twitter, Youtube like social networking sites,” the Chief Minister added.
Chief Minister Baniya, Health Minister Kiran Thapa, Economic Affairs and Planning Minister Pravat Tamang and Drinking Water, Energy and Irrigation Minister Krishna Kumar Tamang were honoured at the event.
—
