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Gai Puja and Goru Puja are being observed throughout the country today on the third day of the five-day-long Tihar festival celebrated mainly by the Hindus across the country. This year, Gai Puja and Goru Puja have fallen on the same day, today. The cows are fed with sweets and delicacies as part of the Gai Puja rituals. As per the tradition, the sacred thread tied around one's wrist on Janai Poornima festival would be tied on the tail of the cow while performing Gai Puja today. The myth has it that by doing so, the person's soul crosses the Baitarani River, a mythical river, to heaven, after his/her death. Likewise, the ox is also worshipped today as it is a very useful animal in different agricultural works in Nepal which is a predominantly an agricultural society.

Nepal Samajbadi Party's Chair Dr Baburam Bhattarai has claimed the existing left-democratic alliance was formed to lead the nation towards the path of good governance and prosperity by safeguarding democracy. In his address to the province-level (Bagmati) party cadres gathering today, the former Prime Minister said the alliance was formed on a certain basis with political goals, urging party cadres not to doubt its intention. According to the leader, the alliance aims to promote good governance and prosperity by eliminating corruption. "The alliance is collectively agreed that the preparation of a new model of development is required in the nation, and it has a common understanding about the nation's socio-economic and political issues," the party chair said. He said the alliance to which he is associated with is guided by progressive thoughts and is pro-people as well and the alliance in its opposition lacks a ground to stand up. He drew the attention of the gathering to forget the past bitterness and assimilate its common goals. He also urged them to vote for election candidates and symbols representing the alliance during the voting for the elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly on coming November 20.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, also the government's spokesperson, today said the government would launch a campaign to alleviate poverty and end employment problems. Plan would be made for the holistic development of the country, economic prosperity and employment opportunities creation, said Karki, also Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. He was addressing an event organized at Barahachhetra Municipality-6 in Sunsari by Jaycees Nepal, Chakraghatti. He fulfilled most of commitments he made to the people of Sunsari constituency 4 during the erstwhile elections, he claimed. Minister Karki, also Nepali Congress leader, has filed his candidacy in the November 20 House of Representatives (HoR) elections from the same constituency from the left-democratic alliance that includes the NC. Maintaining that the constituency saw development activities in education, health, electricity and physical infrastructure in five years, his next priorities according to him would be to alleviate poverty and create job opportunities.

The Nepali Army (NA)'s contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping missions is memorable. The NA has been contributing to the UN peacekeeping missions since 1958 and it has strongly proved its role in the establishment of peace in the war-hit countries. The Nepali blue helmets have also been playing a commendable role in the areas of education, health and other humanitarian sectors in the UN peacekeeping mission where they are deployed. It is said so far 60 contributors to the world peacekeeping missions from Nepal have attained martyrdom while on duty and 66 have got serious injuries. The professionalism of NA personnel has played a role in establishing Nepal's deeper ties with many nations in the world and citizens there, Nepal's foreign relations experts say. At present, Nepal holds the third position in terms of the number of troops it is sending to the peacekeeping missions at the call of the UN, according to NA. In a 64-year journey to the UN efforts to keep world peace intact, 140,366 blue helmets have contributed to 43 missions. Participants of a program on need of work efficiency in the UN peacekeeping mission and a future organized on the occasion of the UN Day said the NA's role it played under the umbrella of UN peace operations were commendable. Government's Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi was of the view that Nepal's support, cooperation and contribution to the UN peace campaign was incomparable. "The NA has been abiding by UN genuine instructions during the crisis in the war-hit countries," he said, adding that it deserves the same role in the future, too. Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma said the NA was efficiently doing its role for the peace establishment given to it in the highly sensitive zone. The NA deputes a disciplined, professional and brave workforce in the management of multidimensional conflict seen lately in the world," the NA Chief said. On the occasion, General Birame Diop, Military Adviser in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), UN released a coffee table book 'Nepali Army: Strengthening Global Peace and Security' with pictures of the activities of the Nepali Peacekeeping Force. The NA received a message of appreciation from the UN in recognition of its support in the world peace efforts, wishing for the success of today's program. At the moment, 5,568 soldiers are deployed for peacekeeping in 12 zones in 11 countries of the world. Similarly, 42 Nepal Police personnel and 194 Armed Police Force personnel are deputed to various countries at the call of the UN. It is said. The presence of Nepali security forces in such countries has largely contributed to the creation and cultivation of the military-civic relations. The UN has so far allocated the responsibility of force commander to nine high-level officers At the call of the UN, blue helmets get training at the Birendra Peace Training Center based in Panchkhal of Kavrepalanchok. Nepal has already committed to the United Nations that it is capable of sending around 10,000 peacekeepers if necessary. The UN founded on October 24, 1945 has won the Nobel Prize for its significant contribution to world peace.

Two persons were killed and two sustained injuries in a tractor accident at Ullani, Shailyashikhar Municipality-6 of Darchula district on Saturday. The deceased have been identified as tractor driver 45-year-old Panchu Rana of Laljhadi Rural Municipality-5, Kanchanpur district, and Santosh Singh Daga of Shailyashikhar -5, said Inspector Rajesh Shahi at the District Police Office, Darchula. The tractor (Su Pa Pra 02001 Ta 1467) was heading towards Gokuleshwor from the district headquarters, Khalanga when the incident occurred last evening. The tractor fell some 150 metres down the road. The injured are undergoing treatment at the Gokuleshwor Hospital, police said.    

The 171-megawatt Dudhkoshi-6 Hydroelectricity Project is to be constructed at Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-3 in Solukhumbu. The river-based project is being developed by the private sector's Sagarmatha Hydropower.  The district is lately becoming a hub of hydropower projects. A diversion ware, under sluice, gravel trap, settling, basin, headrace pipe, headrace tunnel, surge tank and audit tunnel will be built as major structures under the project. The project is capable of producing 984 Gigawatt annually. The route to reach the project will go along the Dudhkoshi river bank.  The net head of the project will be 367 meters. It will have an underground power house. The power to be generated from the project will be connected to the Nepal Electricity Authority's Naya Khimti substation via the 63-kilometer 220 KV transmission line. The total cost of the project is Rs 30.80 billion. The environmental impact assessment report of the project has been already prepared. Releasing the report, the Ministry of Forestry and Environment has urged the concerned agencies or the residents of the affected zones for submissions. The project will have to acquire 8.3 hectares of land. During the project implementation phase, 550 will be directly employed. The project has allocated Rs 137.59 for the reduction of biological environmental impact.    

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand. Various matters of bilateral mutual interest were discussed during the meeting held today at the Ministry, according to the Home Minister's Secretariat. Welcoming Ambassador Thompson to Nepal, Home Minister Khand expressed his gratitude for the US support to development and democracy of Nepal and hoped for continued support in the future. On the occasion, Ambassador Thompson expressed his belief that the upcoming elections in Nepal would contribute to making Nepal's democracy more prosperous. He also assured that the US will continue to support the development endeavors of Nepal.

Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba asserted that the current coalition was the national need. Inaugurating the provincial level assembly of the party cadres organized by the five-party coalition Gandaki Province Committee Pokhara today, PM Deuba clarified that the current coalition meant for protection of constitution, stability and prosperity in the country. “Inclusion of all contributes to national unity. Nation becomes strong because of national unity. It is a system where there is representation of all,” Deuba said, expressing his confidence that the upcoming elections would protect constitution and promote stability and inclusiveness. He viewed that it was necessary for the coalition to secure victory in the upcoming election. The House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections are slated on November 20 this year. Stating that no suspicion should be raised regarding coalition under any pretext, he underscored that there should not be any work by anyone that would stem bitterness in speech and behavior. Furthermore, Deuba revealed that the political parties had to consider entering electoral alliance since there was no possibility for any political party at present to securing a majority. The PM viewed that by keeping up with the coalition would create opportunities for all. He urged all the contenders in the upcoming election to go for the poll regardless of who got the ticket to contest and who did not. He assured that if the current coalition secures victory in the upcoming election, it would create various opportunities. Saying Nepal undergone various changes since 2007 BS and achievements like republic, inclusive democracy have been gained, Prime Minister Deuba shared that inclusive democracy has become the issue of interest and study for other nations. He further said that the Ninth National Games concluded with grand manner in Gandaki Province and it has further exposed the potentialities of the Province. PM Deuba stressed on inevitability of the victory of the alliance for the protection of constitution, political stability and prosperity, adding prosperity and development of the country is the need of hour. Similarly, Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said the incumbent government was formed not only for the election. He clarified that the alliance was formed with a broader objective after lots of hard work with a goal of protecting constitution, democracy and nation. The former Prime Minister shared, “The incumbent alliance was not formed only to get power and win election. There is no other goal except stability, development and prosperity in the country.” The alliance would exist until the guarantee of changes in people’s living standard, protection of constitution, end of autocracy, and beginning of era of economic development, he mentioned. Chair Dahal urged leaders and cadres of the parties in the alliance to make candidates from the alliance victorious in the elections which as he said would determine whether the nation, democracy and the Constitution could be prevented from suffering regression. “”Not to vote for a candidate from the alliance is itself a deception to our friends. So I request you all not to hesitate to vote for the alliance candidates.” CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal utilised the forum to make a public call for voting for alliance candidates from the Gandaki Province. Terming the existing alliance of ruling parties is usual and natural, he said this is the major force to safeguard republic. He also accused the opposition alliance of failing to internalize the essence of republic, federalism and democracy. “The coalition government has been successful to ensure justice to the people, establish equality and take the country towards the path of development,” the leader said. Nepali Congress senior leader and a taskforce (five parties’ alliance) coordinator Ramchandra Poudel said parties in the alliance rose above the partisan interests as per the national need and united for common goals of the nation. Stating that the coalition, formed for defending the constitution, stability and prosperity, is opposed to the ‘regressive force’ that is attempting to undermine the constitution and against the nation, he stressed on the need of defeating this regressive force. He claimed that the coalition is not only for going to power but is for the prosperity and development of the nation. Chief Minister of Gandaki province, Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel, said the leaders and cadres of the ruling coalition should realise that not all the aspirants will get the ‘ticket’ for candidacy as the number of seats have to be allocated in a proportional basis. Rashtriya Janamorcha Party’s central executive committee chair Rashmi Raj Nepali reiterated that the coalition was the present need no matter the differences among the coalition constituents. He added that the coalition candidates should be made victorious in the election for safeguarding the constitution. Nepali Congress Gandaki Province president Shukra Raj Sharma said the coalition should be made victorious in the election for protecting the political achievements and the nation’s development. CPN (Maoist Centre) Gandaki Province chairperson Gayatri Gurung opined that the province-level party workers’ assembly of the coalition parties will help boost the election-related activities and prospects of the coalition. CPN (Unified Socialist) Gandaki Province Chairperson Keshav Lal Shrestha stressed on the need of managing the rebel candidacies within the coalition. Nepal Samajbadi Party, Gandaki Province chairperson Hem Bahadur Thapa said that this campaign of the coalition should be developed and taken ahead as a campaign to always defeat the autocracy.