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One of the biggest festivals of Sudurpaschim Province, Gaura, has begun today. 

On the first day of the festival, it is customary for women who fast today to start Gaura by soaking Biruda (five types of grains and legumes). Therefore, today is also known as Biruda Panchami. Biruda is considered as the prasad and used in the worship of Gaura Devi.

“One should follow a strict vegetarian diet and celibacy for a month to take part in this ritual,” said Khageshwari Saud, an expert on Gaura festival. After observing the fast the Gaura festival will begin formally. 

 “It is believed that by fasting and worshiping Gaura, the partner and family members will be healthy, live long, and be happy and prosperous,” Saud said.

From this day on, it is also customary to play the Deuda (dance) with men and women of all ages coming together in a circle. 

Since ancient times, it has been a tradition under this festival to worship Parvati, the spouse of Lord Shiva, as the Gaura Devi.

There is a possibility of heavy rainfall in one or two places in the Tarai region of Lumbini, as well as in the hilly areas of Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces today.

In addition, moderate rainfall is likely in some places in the hilly areas of the country including Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces, and in a few places in the rest of the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. 

The weather will be generally cloudy in the hilly areas of the country including Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces and partly cloudy in the rest of the country.

Tonight, it will be generally cloudy throughout the country. 

There is a possibility of moderate rainfall in many places in the hilly areas of the country. Heavy rainfall is likely in one or two places in the hilly areas of Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, as well as in the hilly areas of Lumbini and Koshi Provinces.

With the low pressure line of the monsoon located around the usual location, the influence of monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal has increased to some extent, adds the Division.

The US Embassy in Nepal handed over modern equipment and the software used for DNA tests and drug tests, to the Nepal Police Central Forensic Science Laboratory. 

The Compound DNA Index System (DNA Software) and Drug Detection Instrument were received from the US Embassy so as to make the lab tests scientific and objective. 

Amidst a program held at the Nepal police Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Samakhushi, Kathmandu today, the US Embassy handed over the technology. 

On the occasion, Inspector General of Police, Deepak Thapa, said that the modern instruments and technologies handed over today would enhance the capacity of the central forensic science lab and thereby deliver reliable lab test services in a prompt manner. 

The systems and its services would bring the forensic DNA analysis capacity to the international mark and improve the overall criminal justice system, he noted. 

IGP Thapa also expressed his confidence that the instruments would also help increase drug screening capacity. 

He lauded the continuous US assistance for the enhancement of the capacity of the central forensic laboratory and its development through consultations, training and equipment. 

At the program, US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thomson expressed his hope that the modern technology handed over today would enhance the capacity of the central forensic lab of the Nepal Police and also make crucial contributions to identify the disappeared persons.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will raise the issue about the Lipulekh pass agreement signed between China and India during his visit to the northern neighbor.
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At a news conference organized to make public the Cabinet decisions on Wednesday, Spokesperson of the government, Prithvi Subba Gurung, shared that the Prime Minister would raise the issue about the agreement between the neighbouring countries during his participation in Sanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in China.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit China from August 30 to September 3.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gurung, mentioned, "The agreement between Foreign Ministers of India and China is against Nepal's sovereignty. This matter will be discussed during the high-level meeting between top leaders of neighbouring countries during the SCO Summit." 

Nepal and India are preparing for a sideline meeting between Prime Minister Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he mentioned. 

Minister Gurung opined that the Foreign Ministry on the behalf of the government of Nepal has already issued a diplomatic note about the agreement signed between foreign ministers of India and China regarding using business route via Lipulekh pass of Nepal. 

Meanwhile, he stated that the government would strictly follow the policy of not adding new and big projects as well as incorporating only the possible projects in its policies, programs and budget.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson paid a courtesy call on Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari.

During the meeting held at the ministry on Wednesday, matters related to bilateral relations including trade and commerce were discussed.

Minister Bhandari and Ambassador Thompson also shared their views on continuing discussions and contacts between the Ministry and the Embassy on issues related to trade and investment promotion between the two countries.

Nepal Rastra Bank has made arrangements for Indian nationals to bring an equivalent of USD 5, 000 in Indian currency during their visit to Nepal. 

With this new policy, tourism business in the border areas is expected to exceed further. 

Previously, business owners complained about the provision allowing only INR 20, 000.

The federal government, through the budget for the current fiscal year announced on May 29, has made it possible for travelers entering Nepal by air or land to bring foreign currency or travelers' cheque equivalent to five thousand US dollars that will be exchangeable in Nepal.

The central bank issued a public notice on August 26, allowing Nepali or foreign citizens to bring foreign currency up to USD 5, 000  in cash. 

Hari Pant, President of the Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association in Birgunj, shared that the provision allowing Indian tourists to bring Indian rupees equivalent to USD 5, 000  without customs declaration would provide relief to the local tourism entrepreneurs. 

Birgunj has more than 85 hotels, including four-star hotels. However, tourists have not been able to extend their stay as expected. 

Entrepreneurs in the tourism sector say that the local tourism industry is sustained largely by Indian tourists.

The government has decided to determine various 20 industrial corridors, industrial zones, special economic zones, dry ports and petroleum pipelines and private sector run cable car projects as national priority projects. 

Making public the August 25 Cabinet decisions, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Guruing, also the government spokesperson, shared that it was decided to publish the information regarding the construction of the government-announced projects in the Nepal gazette. 

The Council of Ministers decided to make a public call for enlisting the social networking sites operators with a seven- day timeline. The decision aims to make the social sites operators responsible and accountable as per the government directive, 2080 and the Supreme Court order to this effect. 

The Cabinet decided to gradually defunct the social sites within Nepal in case the operators do not come to get enlisted or avoid communications for listing, and direct the Nepal Communications Authority through MoCIT to reactivate the social sites from the day of enlistment. 

Likewise, the government has granted prior approval for conducting the Organization and Management Survey of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management and its subordinate agencies.

Laxman Paswan, who was arrested on the charge of murdering Rubi Sah of Madhav Narayan Municipality-6, Rautahat, died during the course of treatment in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Paswan had set himself on fire in an attempt to commit suicide.

Police said that more than 60 percent of his body was burned.

He was then taken to the Burn Hospital in Kirtipur.

The District Police Office, Rautahat has confirmed the death of Paswan.