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The most important day of Tihar, the festival of lights, is being marked today with sisters offering 'tika' to their brothers.

Sisters throughout the country offer 'tika' to their brothers wishing them happiness, long life and prosperity on the occasion of Bhai tika. In return, the brothers pledged to protect their sisters from all kinds of adversities.

The auspicious hour for offering the 'tika' is 10: 51 am this year.

It, however, can be held until sunset. On this day, brothers are seated at a specially anointed place around which a trail of mustard oil is drawn.

The sisters then offer the brothers 'tika' and garlands of 'Dubo' and 'Makhamali'. After placing colorful 'tika' on the foreheads of their brothers, sisters offer them a treat consisting of varieties of sweets, walnut, spices and 'Sel', a special kind of bread cooked in oil.

Brothers also offer their sisters 'tika' in return, wish them happiness and good luck, and give them presents.

The occasion commemorates a legendary event in which a sister has won a boon from 'Yama', the deity of death that her brother would not die until the mustard oil is dried up and the garland of 'Dubo' and 'Makhamali' faded.

The Bhaitika tradition is so strong in Nepali society that even those who have no brothers or sisters of their own receive tika from others whom they regard as brothers and sisters.  

I’m a 35-year-old man and I’m struggling to balance my duties as a son and a husband. My wife doesn’t get along with my mother and my mother isn’t particularly fond of my wife either. They get into arguments very often and both of them expect me to take their side every time. I try to stay out of their issues but I feel like it’s my responsibility to sort things out between them. I feel helpless when I can’t. What can I do?

Answered by Rishav Koirala, psychiatrist and researcher

Balancing the relationship between your mother and your wife can be a formidable challenge. To address this conflict effectively, initiating open and honest conversations with both your wife and your mother is a crucial first step. This allows you to seek their perspectives and express your concerns openly. 

It’s essential to establish clear boundaries that encourage both parties to interact civilly and respectfully, even if they don’t become the best of friends. If conflicts persist and mediating becomes difficult, consider seeking professional help, such as couples counseling or family therapy, which can provide a neutral space for everyone to express their feelings and work towards resolutions.

Moreover, it’s important to encourage your wife and mother to develop their relationship with each other. While they may not become close friends, fostering some understanding and mutual respect can significantly improve the overall family dynamic.

In moments of conflict, strive to be a fair mediator, remaining calm and unbiased. Avoid taking sides and focus on finding common ground and practical solutions. Prioritize your marriage, and your relationship with your mother as well investing time and effort to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with your wife and your mother. This can contribute to an improved family atmosphere.

Most importantly, don’t forget to take care of your well-being, as dealing with family conflicts can be emotionally draining. Seek support from friends, support groups, or a therapist to help you cope with the emotional stress. Keep in mind that resolving family conflicts takes time, so approach the situation with patience and empathy. By focusing on communication, setting boundaries, and being open to positive relationship evolution over time, you can create a more harmonious environment for everyone involved.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said Shankhadhar Sakhwa was the national luminary and an inspiring personality in our history.

Addressing a program organized in Lalitpur today on the occasion of Nepal Sambat New Year 1144, Prime Minister Dahal said, "We cannot stay without remembering Sakhwa while talking about social justice. We have already declared him as the national luminary.  Sakhwa set the record in the Nepali history by relieving the people of Nepal (referred to the then Kathmandu Valley) of debt and abolishing slavery."

Nepal Sambat is not only of a single community but the indigenous calendar of all the Nepalis, he further said, adding, he felt proud to make a decision from the cabinet of bringing Nepal Sambat calendar into use in government documents and works.

"I want to congratulate and extend wishes for the government's decision of bringing Nepal Sambat calendar into use in government documents. The cabinet meeting held yesterday (Monday) took the decision in this regard. It has taken our national sovereignty and self-respect along with freedom, equality and social justice to a new height. It has made all of us proud," PM Dahal said.

He further said the incumbent government has been carrying out activities with high-priority focusing its attention on social justice, good governance and prosperity.

PM Dahal extended best wishes on the occasion of Nepal Sambat New Year 1144, saying this day will give a new message.

Nepal Sambat 1144 is being celebrated today across the country by organizing various programs. 

The Newar community celebrates the Nepal Sambat as the New Year. National luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa initiated the Nepal Sambat calendar by liberating the Kathmandu Valley residents from debt.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, Dr Triratna Manandhar, said Nepal Sambat had got recognition of National Sambat till the reign of Prithvi Narayan.

Since the establishment of democracy in 2007, a campaign has been launched for national recognition to Nepal Sambat.

The people of the Newar community observe Nepal Sambat as the New Year in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, and Dolakha. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his first premiership in 2065 BS had announced to give national recognition to Nepal Sambat.

Similarly, the Newar community also performs Mha Puja today itself. Mha Puja is the day of self-worship. They celebrate Mha Puja on the occasion of Kartik Shukla Pratipada, (first day of the waxing phase of moon in Nepali month of Kartik). 

This year, Kartik Shukla Pratipada has fallen in two days—Monday and Tuesday.

Nepal Sambat was celebrated at some places of Bhaktapur on Monday.  Mha Puja was also observed in Bhaktapur on Monday itself as per the decision of Bhaktapur municipality.

Majority of people in the community across the country are celebrating Nepal Sambat and Mha Puja today. Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, however, asked to mark Nepal Sambat and Mha Puja today.

Korala check point at Lo Manthang Rural Municipality in Mustang district has come into operation again from Monday after four years.

The check point was formally inaugurated in the presence of representatives of governments of Nepal and China.

On the occasion, member of House of Representatives Yogesh Gauchan Thakali, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Gandaki Province, Dipendra Bahadur Thapa, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhan Raj Acharya, Chief District Officer of Mustang, Janak Raj Panta and people's representatives of Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kunda and Lo Manthang rural municipalities were present from the side of Nepal.

Likewise, officials of customs, border monitoring, public security bureau, commerce bureau, border control and dry port management committee were present from the Chinese side.

Chairperson of Lo Manthang Rural Municipality, Tasi Narbu Gurung, said China gifted 100,000 kilograms of food grains, clothes and daily essentials to the locals of Lo Manthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipalities on the first day of resumption of check point.

Locals of both rural municipalities have started visiting China on the basis of identity cards, said CDO Panta. The check point was completely shut down from 2076 BS after the coronavirus pandemic.

'Departure and Entry Permits for Residents of Nepal-China Border Area Nepal- China' was distributed to around 1,000 people of Lo-Manthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kund rural municipalities as preparation for operation of Korala check point.  

"Those who have an entry pass have the facility to travel to and from China at any time", he shared.

Panta mentioned that temporary infrastructures have been built on Nepal's side near Korala checkpoint and arrangement of regular presence of security personnel has also been made."

The fourth day of Tihar is being celebrated today by worshiping Govardhan Parbat. The ox is also worshiped and provided with delicious food today.

Today, people prepare a mixture of cow dung and ochre formed into paste and apply on the house yard and floors and make a replica of the Govardhan Mountain from cow dung and worship it.

Theologian Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai said the ritual of worshiping Govardhan Puja was established in memory of protecting the people of a place, Gokul, by Lord Krishna from torrential rains by lifting Govardhan mountain by his hand. It is believed that the god of rain, Indra, was angered and thereby caused heavy downpour.

Similarly, ox is also worshiped as the vehicle of Lord Shiva today.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed the belief that festivals including Tihar have an important role in preparing the ideological, political, economic and cultural basis of socialism while protecting and strengthening the changed political system.

In a message of best wishes today, PM Dahal extended hearty best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers within the country and abroad on the happy occasion of the auspicious Deepawali, the big festival of the Nepalis.

He stated that the federal democratic republic achieved from a big struggle and sacrifice has provided us with an extensive base to keep the country's independence and dignity high by strengthening internal nationality.

"Festivals including Tihar are also an important context reflecting Nepal's unique identity. This festival makes the family reunion, social harmony and unity, and national independence, strong. It deepens the contribution of birds and animals playing the role of production, labor, information and social sentinel, and their interaction with humans. Cultural activities including Deusi Bhailo that are held during these festivals make an important contribution to creating an environment of gaiety and fervor as well as to promoting culture," the PM observed.

Stating that Nepal has remained as a place of convergence of multi-ethnic, multilingual and multi-cultural features as well as of immense natural resources and civilization, PM Dahal said our diverse traditions, cultures and festivals are not only the common assets but also an important basis for culturally and emotionally tying the country and the people on a thread of unity.

"The national festivals celebrated by the diverse castes, indigenous nationalities and communities are founded on natural heritage and historicity. Incorporated in such festivals are ideals like respect to labor, social feeling and amity, social coexistence, collaboration at times of challenges that come in human life and overcoming such adversities on the basis of unity," stated the Prime Minister in his message of best wishes. 

Properties worth over Rs 2.6 million were destroyed when a fire broke out at a house in Bhojpur.

The fire started from a butter lamp lit for the Laxmi Puja ritual during Tihar festival, it is said.

The house of one Gyan Raj Bista at Bhojpur Municipality-8 was damaged in the fire caused by the lamp lit for the Laxmi Puja, destroying properties worth over Rs 2.6 million, said Inspector Dal Bahadur Rai, information officer for the district police office, Bhojpur. 

The two-storied house of Bista was burnt down due to the blaze, and clothes, food, gold ornaments worth more than Rs 2.6 million, and cash of Rs 15,000 were also destroyed, he said. The fire was doused with the help of the district police office, Nepal Army, local people and a fire engine. 

Meanwhile, a house was gutted in a fire that started from a butter lamp lit for the Laxmi Puja at Himabi of Khandbari Municipality-1 in Sankhuwasabha district.

The house belonging to one Lila Rai was destroyed last night, said Inspector Ram Kumar Lamichhane at the district police office, Sankhuwasabha.

However, there were no casualties in the blaze, he said, adding that clothes and food stored in Rai's house were burnt in the fire.

The blaze was brought under control one hour later with the help of Nepal Army, Nepal Police and local people.

Police said that Rs 31,000 cash was destroyed in the fire, and a tempo parked in the house premises was also damaged.