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Tihar, the second largest festival of the Nepali Hindus begins from today. Also known as Yampanchak, the festival is observed for five days. The first day of the Yamapanchak is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messengers in the Nepali society. The second day is Laxmi Puja (worshipping of cows in the morning and Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth in the Hindu mythology in the evening) and Kukur Tihar (worship of the dogs). Likewise, the three day is observed as Goru Pooja (worship of the oxen). Similarly, fourth day is Gobardhan Pooja and Mha Pooja (worship of own soul) in the Newar community while the fifth and final day is Bhai Tika. Bhai Tika, a festival to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, falls on November 13 this year. Sisters put Tika wishing for longevity and prosperity of their brothers, while brothers in turn give gifts and pledge to take care of their sisters. The auspicious time for the Bhai Tika this Tihar is at 11: 37 am, according to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti. Tihar is also a festival of lights and flowers, where people decorate homes with colourful lights or oil-fed lamps and eat various delicacies including sweets and sel roti as a part of this festival. Playing of Deusi Bhailo and worshipping different animals and birds are also significant aspects of this festival. The government has announced a four-day public holiday starting from Laxmi Pooja to Bhai Tika for the festival.

A resolution endorsed by the 20^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China mentions 'fully, faithfully, and resolutely implementing the policy of one country and two systems.'

 The document states that the communist government will oppose and deter any move that seeks Taiwan's independence.  This provision will be a part of China’s constitution through amendment.

Earlier, speaking at the opening session of congress on October 16, Xi, who has become the powerful President of China after Mao stated that China will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts.

“This is directed solely at interference by outside forces and the few separatists seeking 'Taiwan independence' and their separatist activities; it is by no means targeted at our Taiwan compatriots."

At the same time, Xi said that they will never promise to renounce the use of force and they reserve the option of taking all measures necessary.

Though Xi talks about peaceful unification, the growing tension between China and US over Taiwan may prompt Beijing to go for a military attack, experts say.

 As Taiwan is drawing closer to America and there are growing voices of complete independence inside the country, tensions are likely to grow in the coming days. Such a situation, according to leaders, may lead to a military confrontation.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is fully confident and capable of creating new and even greater miracles on the new journey of the new era, Xi Jinping said as the 20th CPC National Congress came to a conclusion Saturday, Xinhua reported. The CPC congress has realized its goals of unifying thinking, fortifying confidence, charting the course, and boosting morale, Xi told 2,338 delegates and specially invited delegates present at the closing session of the weeklong congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "This has been a congress of holding our banner high, pooling our strength, and promoting solidarity and dedication." At the closing session presided over by Xi, the congress elected a new CPC Central Committee, with 205 members and 171 alternate members, and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) consisting of 133 members. The congress passed a resolution on the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, a resolution on the work report of the 19th CCDI, and a resolution on an amendment to the CPC Constitution. "We believe that all the decisions and plans set out at the congress and all its outcomes will play a significant role in guiding and underpinning our efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects, advance national rejuvenation on all fronts, and secure new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics," Xi said. Xi called on the delegates to firmly keep in mind the Party's original aspiration and founding mission and the country's most fundamental interests, and firmly keep in mind that "this country is its people; the people are the country." During the congress, the central committees of other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce as well as public figures from all ethnic groups and all sectors in China offered their congratulations, as did members of the public through various means. Political parties and organizations in many countries around the world also sent congratulatory messages, according to Xinhua. "The presidium of the congress wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them," Xi said. Having come through a century of great endeavor, the Party is once again embarking on a new journey on which it will face new tests, Xi noted. "We are fully confident and capable of creating new and even greater miracles on the new journey of the new era -- miracles that will amaze the world." Xi urged all Party members to stay closely rallied around the CPC Central Committee and hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. "We must remain confident in our history, exhibit greater historical initiative, and have the courage to fight and the mettle to win," he said. Xi called on the Party to stay focused, determinedly forge ahead, and unite and lead all Chinese people in striving to fulfill the goals and tasks set out at the 20th CPC National Congress, Xinhua reported.

The following is a list of the 205 members of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) elected at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress in Beijing on Saturday (listed in the order of the number of strokes in their surnames): Ding Xuedong, Ding Xuexiang, Wan Lijun, Xi Jinping, Ma Xingrui, Ma Xiaowei, Wang Ning, Wang Kai (Henan), Wang Kai (PLA), Wang Yong, Wang Hao, Wang Qiang, Wang Peng, Wang Yi, Wang Xiaohong, Wang Guanghua, Wang Renhua, Wang Wenquan, Wang Wentao, Wang Yubo, Wang Zhengpu, Wang Dongming, Wang Weizhong, Wang Zhijun, Wang Xiubin, Wang Huning, Wang Junzheng, Wang Zhonglin, Wang Shouwen, Wang Chunning, Wang Lixia (f., Mongolian), Wang Xiaohui, Wang Xiangxi, Wang Qingxian, Wang Menghui, Ju Qiansheng, Mao Weiming, Yin Li, Yin Hong, Bater (Mongolian), Erkin Tuniyaz (Uygur), Shi Taifeng, Ye Jianchun, Feng Fei, Qu Qingshan, Ren Zhenhe (Tujia), Zhuang Rongwen, Liu Ning, Liu Wei, Liu Xiaoming, Liu Faqing, Liu Qingsong, Liu Guozhong, Liu Jinguo, Liu Jianchao, Liu Junchen, Liu Zhenli, Liu Haixing, Qi Yu, Xu Qin, Xu Kunlin, Xu Xueqiang, Sun Jinlong, Sun Shaocheng, Yin Hejun, Yan Jinhai (Tibetan), Li Yi, Li Wei, Li Xi, Li Qiang, Li Ganjie, Li Xiaoxin (f.), Li Fengbiao, Li Shulei, Li Yuchao, Li Lecheng, Li Yifei, Li Shangfu, Li Guoying, Li Bingjun, Li Qiaoming, Li Xiaohong, Li Hongzhong, Yang Cheng, Yang Zhiliang, Yang Xuejun, Xiao Jie, Xiao Pei, Wu Hansheng, Wu Yanan, Wu Zhenglong, Wu Xiaojun, He Weidong, He Lifeng, He Hongjun, Zou Jiayi (f.), Ying Yong, Wang Haijiang, Shen Chunyao, Shen Xiaoming, Shen Yueyue (f.), Huai Jinpeng, Zhang Gong, Zhang Jun (SPP), Zhang Lin, Zhang Youxia, Zhang Shengmin, Zhang Yuzhuo, Zhang Qingwei, Zhang Hongbing, Zhang Hongsen, Zhang Yupu (Hui), Zhang Guoqing, Lu Hao, Lu Zhiyuan, Chen Gang, Chen Xu (f.), Chen Yixin, Chen Xiaojiang, Chen Wenqing, Chen Jining, Chen Min'er, Nurlan Abelmanjen (Kazak), Miao Hua, Lin Wu, Lin Xiangyang, Yi Huiman, Yi Lianhong, Luo Wen, Jin Zhuanglong, Jin Xiangjun, Zhou Qiang, Zhou Naixiang, Zhou Zuyi, Zheng Shanjie, Zheng Xincong, Meng Fanli, Meng Xiangfeng, Zhao Long, Zhao Gang, Zhao Yide, Zhao Leji, Zhao Xiaozhe, Hao Peng, Hu Zhongming, Hu Yuting, Hu Changsheng, Hu Heping, Hu Chunhua, Hu Henghua, Zhong Shaojun, Xin Changxing, Hou Kai, Hou Jianguo, Yu Qingjiang, Yu Jianhua, He Rong (f.), He Junke, Qin Gang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Yuan Jiajun, Tie Ning (f.), Ni Hong, Ni Yuefeng, Xu Lin, Xu Xisheng, Xu Zhongbo, Xu Qiling, Xu Deqing, Yin Yong, Gao Xiang, Gao Zhidan, Guo Puxiao, Tang Renjian, Tang Dengjie, Huang Ming, Huang Qiang, Huang Shouhong, Huang Kunming, Huang Jianfa, Huang Xiaowei (f.), Gong Zheng, Chang Dingqiu, Tuo Zhen, Liang Yanshun, Liang Huiling (f.), Shen Yiqin (f., Bai), Dong Jun, Han Jun, Han Wenxiu, Jing Junhai, Cheng Lihua (f.), Fu Hua, Tong Jianming, Xie Chuntao, Lan Tianli (Zhuang), Lan Fo'an, Lou Yangsheng, Lei Fanpei, Shen Haixiong, Cai Qi, Cai Jianjiang, Pei Jinjia, Pan Yue. (Xinhua)

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is fully confident and capable of creating new and even greater miracles on the new journey of the new era, Xi Jinping said as the 20th CPC National Congress came to a conclusion Saturday. The CPC congress has realized its goals of unifying thinking, fortifying confidence, charting the course, and boosting morale, Xi told 2,338 delegates and specially invited delegates present at the closing session of the weeklong congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "This has been a congress of holding our banner high, pooling our strength, and promoting solidarity and dedication." At the closing session presided over by Xi, the congress elected a new CPC Central Committee, with 205 members and 171 alternate members, and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) consisting of 133 members. The congress passed a resolution on the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, a resolution on the work report of the 19th CCDI, and a resolution on an amendment to the CPC Constitution. "We believe that all the decisions and plans set out at the congress and all its outcomes will play a significant role in guiding and underpinning our efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects, advance national rejuvenation on all fronts, and secure new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics," Xi said. Xi called on the delegates to firmly keep in mind the Party's original aspiration and founding mission and the country's most fundamental interests, and firmly keep in mind that "this country is its people; the people are the country." During the congress, the central committees of other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce as well as public figures from all ethnic groups and all sectors in China offered their congratulations, as did members of the public through various means. Political parties and organizations in many countries around the world also sent congratulatory messages. "The presidium of the congress wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them," Xi said. Having come through a century of great endeavor, the Party is once again embarking on a new journey on which it will face new tests, Xi noted. "We are fully confident and capable of creating new and even greater miracles on the new journey of the new era -- miracles that will amaze the world." Xi urged all Party members to stay closely rallied around the CPC Central Committee and hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. "We must remain confident in our history, exhibit greater historical initiative, and have the courage to fight and the mettle to win," he said. Xi called on the Party to stay focused, determinedly forge ahead, and unite and lead all Chinese people in striving to fulfill the goals and tasks set out at the 20th CPC National Congress.

The system—if there was one—that major parties adopted to select their candidates for November 20 elections has not gone down well with their rank and file, least of all the voters. The candidate selection process was entirely dictated by top leaders. Despite instructing the grassroots and local members to recommend candidates, the top leaders did not consider the name list. Under the proportional representation category, the same old faces who have been in power politics for more than three decades, got nominated. Those close to top leaders also got election tickets, while the deserving candidates were sidelined. There are also reports that there was a heavy influence of money in the candidate selection process. Under the first-past-the-post category, top leaders of major parties, such as the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Center), have denied tickets to those party members who have been known to be critical of them. UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli refused to hand the election ticket to his rivals Bhim Rawal and Ghana Shyam Bhushal. In the Congress, the likes of Minendra Rijal and Swarnim Wagle were excluded. And in the Maoist party, its chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal is facing criticism for picking those party members near and dear to him. The candidate selection process has once again brought to the fore the absence of democratic culture inside political parties. For a democracy to prosper, it is imperative for parties to lead by example. But this has never been a case for Nepali political parties. Parties that identify as democratic resemble feudal enterprises. Their top leaders are drunk with power and thereby racked with extreme insecurity. And so, they surround themselves with lackeys and toadies and plot the downfall of their detractors. It is for this exact reason why deserving party members do not get election tickets. The faux-democratic parties of Nepal might be right. When a leader ascends to power, he takes the same approach to governing his party and the country: like a mad dictator. True democracy will never prosper in Nepal, unless parties and their power-addled leaders learn to listen to and acknowledge opposing views, for dissent is essential in a democracy. Young leaders and members should take note and take the initiative to reform their parties.  

The candidacy of the CPN (Unified Socialist) candidate from Rupandehi Constituency-2 Raju Gurung has been scrapped. His candidacy was scrapped after the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Election Commission on Friday. The poll body canceled the candidacy of Gurung, who was indicted in a banking fraud by the court, as per Candidacy Election Act 2074. A division bench of Justices Ishwor Khatiwada and Kumar Regmi issued the order today saying that his candidacy was against the law. As a blacklisted person cannot be a candidate in the election to the House of Representatives, it is not possible to issue an interim order as demanded by Gurung,” the Supreme Court said in its decision. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Gurung cannot be the candidate as his name is on the black list. CPN-UML Vice-Chairman Bishnu Paudel has also filed his candidacy from the same constituency.

Indian police have arrested an operative of the ISIS from Vanarasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency, on Wednesday. Following the arrest, an alert has been issued in Sunauli, Nepal-India border, a source said. Police have been questioning suspicious people and security personnel have also been deployed on the routes from Bhagwanpur, Shyamkot, Danda Head, Khanua, Hardidali, Sundi, Mudila, Chandithan and Sampatiha villages. People have been given permission to enter India only after questioning.