- Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Kathmandu, March 21: Today, the Muslim community is joyfully celebrating the festival of Eid (Eid-ul-Fitr) by forgetting grudges and animosities, exchanging good wishes, and sharing happiness among them.
After offering special prayers on Eid today, blessings are sought and given. There is a tradition of eating and serving special sweet dishes on this occasion.
Eid, celebrated after the discipline of fasting (Roza), self-restraint, and devotionally performed prayer rituals, is a symbol of spiritual purity and elevation.
This festival teaches people the lessons of restraint, patience, and self-control. The ‘Iftar’ and collective prayers organized on this occasion strengthen the spirit of unity and coexistence in the nation and community.
The tradition of charity and assistance fosters compassion and sympathy towards the helpless, the poor, and those in need of support.
The tradition of saying ‘Chand Mubarak’ or ‘Eid Mubarak’ upon sighting the Eid moon is not just a greeting but an inspiring custom expressing mutual harmony and brotherhood.
Eid-ul-Fitr is not only a religious festival but also a symbol of social harmony and cultural solidarity. The unique tradition of wearing new clothes, offering prayers, and embracing each other to exchange greetings further strengthens social bonds.
The custom of preparing and sharing special dishes help keep alive the tradition of sharing collective happiness, while the practice of charity and assistance helps make society just and compassionate.
This festival inspires us to embrace the values of fraternity, reconciliation, and collectivism.
The fundamental purpose of religion is humanity. No religion accepts discrimination; rather, it encourages sacrifice, purity, non-violence, public welfare, wisdom, and good deeds.
Religion inspires people to be honest, industrious, and dutiful. Faith in religion provides people with patience and courage during adversity. Harmony, good conduct, and coordination are the pillars for building a civilized society.
In this view, Eid-ul-Fitr motivates us to move forward not only in religious faith but also on the path of social justice, equality, and coexistence.
On the occasion, the government announced public holiday for Saturday, today, the Home Ministry stated.
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02- Unity in cultural diversity strengthens nationality: President
Kathmandu, March 21: President Ramchandra Paudel said unity in social and cultural diversity would enable and consolidate Nepali nationality.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the grand festival of Muslim religious people, today, President Paudel expressed his confidence that the Eid festival would also contribute to preserve, promote and develop indigenous culture and tradition of Muslim community.
“I wish may the festival inspire to enhance the sense of broader national unity along with mutual understanding among all Nepali people, sustainable peace and fraternity”, reads the message.
Meanwhile, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav delivering his greetings message today said may the Eid further encourage for building civilized, peaceful, prosperous and dignified society.
“The festival may create energy and enthusiasm among all Nepali to move ahead to a shared journey by promoting unity, good will and co-existence in our national life”, the message noted.
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03- Cloudy weather with chance of moderate rain/snowfall across the country today
Kathmandu, March 21: At present, Nepal is under the influence of westerly low pressure system and local winds.
The cloudy conditions are mostly pervasive in Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as the remaining hilly and Himalayan regions.
According to the Weather Forecasting Division, there is moderate rain/snowfall with thunder/lightning in some areas of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and at a few places of the other provinces.
This afternoon, most parts of the country will witness cloudy weather condition.
The Division predicted chances of moderate rain/snowfall with thunder/lightning/hailstorm/windy conditions in many areas of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, and in some areas of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces.
Generally it will be cloudy across the country tonight. In some areas of the Himalayan regions of Koshi Province and a few areas of the remaining hilly regions, there is a possibility of light precipitation with thunder/lightning.
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04- Former PM Girija Prasad Koirala’s 16th Memorial Day being observed today
Kathmandu, March 21: Former Prime Minster and former President of the Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala’s 16th Memorial Day is being observed today with several programmes.
Koirala who served four times as the Prime Minster of Nepal breathed his last on 20 March 2010 due to Pneumonia related complications.
He had played a lead role in ending the decade-old Maoist insurgency and bringing the then rebel to the peaceful political mainstream.
It may be noted that people’s attraction to the monarchy had begun waning when the then Shah King Gyanendra expelled the popularly elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on 4 October 2002 and subsequently appointed Prime Ministers of his confidence.
It is Girija Prasad who spearheaded the struggle waged against the autocratic move of the then monarch against democracy.
Koirala unified all the political parties and led a movement to establish full democracy under his leadership when the then King imposed a ban on political parties and took absolute power as the chairperson of the council of ministers himself in 1 February 2005.
Under Koirala’s leadership, the monarch on 24 April 2006 had agreed to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives following the roadmap laid out by the seven parties involved in the movement, which is also popularly referred to as Nepal’s ‘Magna Carta.’
With the success of the people’s movement, Koirala became Prime Minister of Nepal for the fourth time. The reinstated House of Representatives, on 18 May 2006, curtailed all powers of the king, limiting him to a ceremonial role. Likewise, the integration of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army and management of arms was done under Koirala’s leadership.
Importantly, under his leadership, the Congress planned for a Constituent Assembly election after more than six decades of its demand. The dream of the NC founders, including his own elder brother BP Koirala to write country’s Constitution through Constituent Assembly election for more than six decades was translated to action on April 11, 2008 under GP’s leadership.
Albeit the first Constituent Assembly was unable to promulgate the Constitution, it became an epoch-making milestone in the history of Nepal.
With the first Constituent Assembly election, the armed Maoist party (NCP) also participated in the parliamentary multi-party political competition.
Koirala also held the responsibility of acting Head of State during his last term. When monarchy was abolished with the dismissal of then King, Koirala assumed the role of acting Head of State.
Under his leadership, on 28 May 2008, the Shah dynasty having a history of 240 years came to an end in Nepal, and the country was transitioned to a Federal Democratic Republic.
He was established as a politician who delivered on his promises. In memory of Koirala’s contributions to establishing peace in Nepal, today, the Nepali Congress, along with its sister and benevolent organizations, hosted various programmes to observe the 16th death anniversary of Nepal’s towering political figure Koirala.
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05- BP Highway obstructed; vehicles put on hold
Kavrepalanchowk, March 21: The BP Highway has been obstructed since this morning following the rise in water level in the Kavrepalanchowk Roshi region due to incessant rain.
After the highway was severely damaged by floods and landslides in the area last year, a temporary road was arranged along the river.
Chief of the District Traffic Office, Shunil Dhanju informed that traffic was disrupted at Charsayabensi, Gimdi, Baunne, and Kaladhunga in Roshi Rural Municipality since 3.30 this morning.
He said the road can only be put back into operation after the water level drops. However, efforts are underway to reopen the road in coordination with security personnel through the Department of Roads.
Meanwhile, traffic police have been holding vehicles since early this morning after road disruption in various places of the Roshi area along the BP Highway.
Dhanju informed that vehicles have been held at the entry points of the Highway – Dhulikhel’s Kavrebhanjyang and Bhakunde, as well as at Nepal Thok and Mangalatar.
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06- Eid al-Fitr enriches sense of mutual harmony and unity-PM Karki
Kathmandu, March 21: Prime Minister Sushila Karki wished that may the festival of Eid al-Fitr contribute to the country’s prosperity and stability by enriching mutual respect, harmony and collaboration.
In her message of best wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr today, Prime Minister Karki has extended greetings to all Muslim brothers and sisters at home and abroad. “The long and arduous fast during the month of Ramadan teaches us patience, tolerance, sacrifice, and dedication to humanity”, the Prime Minister wrote on the social media platform Facebook.
“For the very sacred reason, the period of observing the Ramadan fast is also called a month of good deeds and self-restraint”, she noted.
She expressed the belief that these values would inspire society to recognize human ethos, coexistence, and prosperity, and that Eid al-Fitr would further strengthen feelings of mutual harmony, fraternity and unity.
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