- Sunday, 1 February 2026
Kathmandu, Aug 9: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said the Rakshabandhan, a cultural festival of Nepal, is significant as it plays a vital role in strengthening family love and bonding.
Taking to a social site today, she extended her best wishes to all Nepali citizens on the occasion of Janaipurnima, Rakshabandhan, and the Kwanti festival, the tradition that involves enjoying kwanti, a nutritious food made from a mixture of various grains.
She said that Rakshabandhan serves as a means to deepen familial love, bonding, and intimacy. Likewise, the tradition of eating kwanti reflects a deep respect for indigenous knowledge about food, its health benefits, and the preservation of Nepal’s rich culinary heritage, the former President added.
Describing the festival celebration as a reflection of Nepal’s faith in civilization, culture, and spirituality, she highlighted its significance in fostering spiritual purity, strength, and patience. The former President also expressed her hope that such cultural festivals would continue to promote social unity, harmony, and goodwill across the nation.
—
Vehicular movement resumes in Kaligandaki Corridor
Dhorpatan (Baglung), Aug 9: Vehicular movement in the Kaligandaki Corridor, which was blocked since last Friday evening following a landslide, has resumed from today morning.
According to the District Police Office, Baglung, the Corridor was completely blocked when a landslide fell in the road along the Corridor Kalakhola of Baglung Municipality-12 in Baglung district at around 7 PM.
Police Inspector Keshav Thapa shared that the Corridor reopened today morning around 10 AM after clearing off the debris using a machine.The southern side of the Baglung district had remained disconnected due to the blockage in the Corridor, one of the national pride projects.
With the Corridor reopened, vehicles traveling to Mustang and Butwal, Bhairahawa and Sunauli among others plying the road along the Corridor have moved towards their destinations, said Inspector Thapa.
According to him, efforts were made to reopen the blocked road last night itself but no avail due to torrential rain. Moreover, landslide falling in the road continuously had hindered the effort.
The debris was removed today morning allowing the stranded passengers head towards their destinations.
—
Farmers in Madhesh intensify paddy plantation with rain after prolonged drought
Birgunj (Parsa), Aug 9: Until just 10 days ago, Shambhu Prasad Yadav of Sakhuwaprasauni Rural municipality-2 in Parsa district was uncertain whether he would be able to complete paddy transplantation this season, as a prolonged dry spell had gripped the Madhesh Province.
However, the rainfall which is almost regular over the past week has brought much-needed relief to farmers across the province.
Prior to the rains, farmers were relying heavily on deep tube wells for irrigation, a costly and challenging alternative, particularly in areas with unreliable electricity supply.
According to Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Senior Crop Development Officer at the Madhesh Province Agricultural Development Directorate, paddy transplantation activities have gained momentum since the rainfall began. As of Saun 16 (August 1), some 57.27 percent of the total 372,645 hectares allocated for paddy cultivation had been transplanted. Over the past week, it increased by 19.27 percent.
By August 8, the area under paddy cultivation in the eight districts of Madhesh Province had reached 76.54 percent or 285,234 hectares.
Among the districts, Bara reports the highest progress with 95 percent of its paddy fields transplanted, followed by Parsa at 92 percent, Rautahat at 85 percent, Sarlahi at 75 percent, Dhanusha, Saptari and Siraha each at 70 percent and Mahottari at 61.5 percent.
Chief of the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Bara, Raj Narayan Prasad Shah, said that the recent rains have brought immense relief to farmers. “Many fields had developed fissures due to prolonged dryness. And the rains have not only irrigated the land, but also brought relief and joy to farmers.”
—
President Paudel receives ‘Rakshabandhan’
Kathmandu, Aug 9: President Ramchandra Paudel received the Rakshabandan (a sacred thread tied around the wrist) and the Nawayagyopavit (Janai) in accordance with the Vedic rituals on the occasion of Rakshabandhan and Janai Purnima festival today.
President Paudel along with First Lady Sabita Paudel received the Rakshabandhan from priest Arjun Neupane at the auspicious hour, according to the Office of President-Shita Niwas.
The ceremony was held at the Shital Niwas where the President’s close relatives were also adorned with the Rakshabandhan.
The festival of Janai Purnima, also known as ‘Rishi Tarpani’, is being celebrated across the country today along with Rakshabandhan.
Earlier today, President Paudel extended best wishes to all Nepalis at home and abroad and wished them happiness, peace, good health and progress on the same occasion.
In his message, Paudel expressed his confidence that the festivals celebrated by putting on Janai and Rakshabandhan would further deepen mutual relations and goodwill among Nepalis.
Emphasizing the importance of such festivals in a culturally diverse country like Nepal, the Head of the State believed that celebration of such festivals would contribute to foster friendship and goodwill among all communities.
—
11- Nepal secures 4.5 billion profit in power trade: PM Oli
Kathmandu, Aug 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that Nepal earned a profit of Rs 4.5 billion from power trade. He shared this information with the public through a social networking site post today.
“We have successfully exported electricity worth Rs 4.5 billion, more than our imports this year. We are gradually reducing the volume of electricity imports,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister also stated that although power-outage had been ended for the public in the past, it had continued for industrial purposes. However, power supply to industries has now been extended as well.
—
12- CIT Minister Gurung for taking maximum benefit from AI
Kathmandu, Aug 9: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has emphasized the need to take maximum benefit from artificial intelligence (AI).
Inaugurating a seminar on ‘Indigenous Nationalities and Artificial Intelligence: Protecting Rights and Building the Future’ organized by the Indigenous Nationalities Commission here today on the occasion of the 31st International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, he said those who have developed today through the use of AI have already benefited. But all countries in the world, rich or poor, can take maximum benefit from AI.
Stating that AI is currently being used in every process of development, Minister Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, said that the government is working to increase its use in agriculture, health, education, good governance, tourism, industry and disaster management sectors.
Calling for unity among the indigenous nationalities to ensure implementation of the constitutional, legal and policy-level rights, Minister Gurung said, “AI is an opportunity for us, but if we do not know how to use it properly the challenges will increase.”
On August 9, 1982, the United Nations announced the celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is being pobserved August 9 of every year has been celebrated as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
On the occasion, Commission Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar stated that it is both the duty and responsibility of the state to protect and promote indigenous and nationalities communities, who are rich with unique knowledge and skills.
—
13- Two dead in head-on collision in Sunsari
Dharan (Sunsari), Aug 9: Two people died in a head-on collision between a scooter and a bus at Panipiya Jungle along the Itahari-Dharan road section of Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City-20 in Sunsari today noon.
According to the District Police Office, Sunsari, the deceased have been identified as Sujan BK and Suraj BK of Birtamod Municipality-5 in Jhapa district.
Yograj Khatiwada, Spokesperson at the DPO, Sunsari, shared that the incident took place when the bus (Pradesh 1-02-002 Kha 0455) heading towards Dharan from Itahari crashed with a scooter (Ko 22 Pa 2125) coming from the opposite direction.
The deadly collision left scooter rider Sujan and pillion rider Suraj dead, informed Khatiwada. Both of them were seriously hurt in the accident and were immediately rushed to the Dharan-based BPKIHS where they breathed their last during the treatment, added Khatiwada.
Police said that they have arrested bus driver Prem Magar of Belaka Municipality-3 in Udayapur district and impounded the bus. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
—
18th National Library Day with theme of ‘Our Library: Our Future’
Kathmandu, Aug 9: The 18th Library Day is being observed with the theme of ‘ Our Library: Our Future’ on coming August 31.
A main celebration committee headed by the secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has also been formed towards that end, according to the Ministry source.
The committee comprises representatives of various libraries including the National Library, Keshar Library and the Nepali Community Libraries Association.
As part of the celebration, the government will also honour libraries and library advocates for their contributions to promoting library culture.
National Library Day is observed annually on Bhadra 15 in the Nepali lunar calendar, with the aim of fostering a stronger library culture and advancing the library sector across the country.
—
Janai Purnima festival being celebrated across the country today
Kathmandu, Aug 9: The festival of ‘Janai Purnima’ or ‘Rishi Tarpani’ is being celebrated across the country on the full moon day, Saturday.
The festival is basically observed by the majority Hindus in the country.
On the occasion of Janai Purnima, the tagadharis or those who wear the ‘Janai’ (the sacred thread) around their bodies from the left shoulder to right change the sacred thread today after having a bath.
According to the tradition, Hindu people receive the ‘Raksha Bandhan’ thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet.
The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease, Prof Dr Ram Chandra Gautam, former chairperson of the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti (Calendar Determination Committee) told RSS.
The occasion is also observed as ‘Kwati Purnima’ by the Newar community.
Kwati, a soup prepared from nine different species of beans, is a special delicacy added to the Nepali menu today.
In the Terai region, there is a tradition in which sisters tie an ‘Rakhi’ around the wrist of their brothers wishing them long life and prosperity.
Today, thousands of devotees worship lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and at Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur and other Shiva temples across the country, and take holy dips in ponds and lakes and rivers.
Religious fairs are being held at Gosainkunda, an alpine pilgrimage site in Rasuwa district, and at Dansanghu, Triveni in Jumla district to observe the festival with offerings to Lord Shiva since early this morning.
Pilgrims come from faraway places to take a holy dip in the A big religious fair takes place in the Gosainkunda Lake and other lakes nearby.
Religious fairs are organized at Pashupati and Manichud of Kathmandu; Gosainkunda of Rasuwa; Kumbheshwar of Lalitpur; Panchpokhari of Sindhupalchok; Janakpurdham, Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar of Dhanusha, Dansanghu of Jumla and Trivenidham.
—
02- Prime Minister Oli returns home
Kathmandu, Aug 9: Prime Minster KP Sharma Oli returned home on Friday after attending the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Turkmenistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh, Minister for Home Ramesh Lekhak and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey received the Prime Minister at VVIP Lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Also present on the occasion were Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, Chief of Army Staff, chiefs of security agencies and high-ranking government officials.
A contingent of Nepal Army had offered a guard of honour to the Prime Minister.
PM Oli had left for Turkmenistan at the official invitation of President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The conference was held in the city of Awaza on August 5-8.
During the conference, PM Oli addressed the programme as Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of Least Developed Countries.
Similarly, the Prime Minister co-chaired one of the high-level roundtable meetings and also delivered remarks at various programmes.
On the sidelines of the conference, PM Oli held bilateral talks with heads of the delegation from various countries, as well as high-level office-bearers of the UN and other international organisations.
Altogether 32 Landlocked Developing Countries from Asia, Europe, Africa and South America had attended the conference where discussions on direct sea access, hurdles facing the landlocked nations and benefits to be taken from the world markets were held.
PM Oli was accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Federal Parliament Member Surya Bahadur Thapa Kshetree, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and senior government officials.
—
03- Heavy rainfall likely in Koshi and Bagmati provinces this afternoon
Kathmandu, Aug 9: The low pressure monsoon line is located to the north of the average position in the east, and near Terai in the west.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather will generally be cloudy across the country this afternoon. There is a possibility of moderate rainfall in some areas of the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces and in a few areas of the remaining provinces.
The division has indicated a possibility of heavy rainfall in one or two places in the hilly regions of Koshi and Bagmati provinces.
Tonight, the weather will generally remain cloudy across the country. According to the division, there is a chance of moderate rainfall in some hilly and Terai regions of Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as in a few places in the hilly and Terai regions of the remaining provinces.
Heavy rainfall is likely to occur in one or two places in the hilly regions of Koshi and Bagmati provinces and in the Madhesh province..
—
04- Third UN Conference on LLDCs: Nepal emphasizes on expanding cooperation and collaboration
Kathmandu, Aug 9: Nepal has laid emphasis on expanding mutual cooperation and collaboration, in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) held in Turkmenistan.
At a press conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Information and Broadcasting after the return of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from the conference on Friday, it was shared that the countries like Nepal had raised the voice for the additional support from the development partners to the landlocked countries.
Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai informed that the ‘Aawaja Programme of Action will serve as a cornerstone for transforming a landlocked country’s development and prosperity from being landlocked to trade-competitive, and from being climate vulnerable to climate resilient nation.
He mentioned that during the conference, Nepali delegation leader and Prime Minister Oli clarified that Nepal was working on expanding cross-border connectivity through the construction of smart infrastructure, expansion of highways and railways, development of trade routes, and green energy corridors.
It was also reported during the press conference that Prime Minister Oli called on neighboring countries, development partners, and donor agencies to extend additional support to Nepal’s efforts for development.
—
05- PM Oli extends greetings
Kathmandu, Aug 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes on the occasion of Janai Purnima, Rishi Tarpani and Rakshya Bandhan.
Taking to the social networking site today, PM Oli shared the greetings to all on the Janai Purnima (the festival of sacred thread).
“Today is Shrawan Shukla Purnima (full moon day). This day we celebrate three cultural festivals – Janai Purnima, Rishi Purnima and Rakshyabandhan. Our ancestors have been observing the day also as a festival of consuming different species of beans to shield from cold after completing crop cultivation”, the PM wrote.
He noted that Janai Purnima is considered a symbol of truth, purity, and self-discipline, while Rakshabandhan is celebrated as a festival that strengthens the bond with loved ones.
“In honor of the enlightenment given to human civilization by the ancient scholars through their knowledge, Rishi Tarpani is celebrated”, Prime Minister Oli added.
—
06- Nepali festivals spread message of equality: Vice President Yadav
Kathmandu, Aug 9: Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has expressed his confidence that the festivals including Janai Purnima being celebrated in Nepal have been imparting a message of unity in diversity, gender equality and social harmony.
In his message of best wishes to all Nepali people at home and abroad on the occasion of Rakshyabandhan, Janai Purnima (Rishi Tarpani) and Gunhi Punhi today, he expressed his optimism that such festivals would also open ways for building a prosperous nation.
“I believe that festivals like Janai Purnima, which have been celebrated in Nepal since ancient times, are positively influencing the emotional reconnection, cultural significance, and harmony in today’s fast-changing lifestyle and digital age”, the message reads.
Our country and society, rich in diverse cultural traditions, celebrate the festivals of Rakshabandhan, Janai Purnima, and Gunhi Punhi under different names on the same day, spreading messages of mutual love, respect, unity, harmony, and cooperation, the Vice President added.
—
