Phulpati celebrations organized in Tundikhel (With Photos)
Kathmandu: The ‘Phulpati Badhai’, feu de joie, was organized at the Nepal Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu, on Saturday afternoon. This day marks the seventh day of the ongoing 10-day Dashain festival.
President Ramchandra Paudel, who holds the constitutional role of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Nepal Army, graced the event as the chief guest. On this occasion, the Nepal Army showcased a parade.
A military chopper that flew over the army pavilion displayed a banner that read ‘Phupati Badhai Ceremony 2080 BS’ and showered flowers. The army band played patriotic songs as well as various other tunes.
Furthermore, various army troops performed drills and marched past.
Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chief Justice Bishwambhar Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka, among others, witnessed the parade.
The Phulpati Badhai is a unique and distinguished program that upholds religion, culture, and tradition. It is a long-standing tradition of the Nepali Army to observe the Phulpati Badhai with great fervor.
On this day, a palanquin containing the Jamara (barley shoots) and Phulpati—an assortment of flowers, leaves, and fruits from different auspicious parts—is brought into Hanumandhoka Durbar in Kathmandu from Gorkha Durbar.
Manakamana cable car service to remain closed for three days during Dashain
The Manakamana cable car service is to remain closed for three days, starting from October 23, during the Dashain festival. The service is operated by the Manakamana Darshan Pvt Ltd.
According to company Deputy Manager Ujjwal Sherchan, the service will not be operational on Nawami, Dashami and Ekadashi of the Dashain festival. It will resume on October 26.
The Manakamana cable car based in Kurintar (Cheres) of Ichchhakamana-4 in Chitwan was established in 2055 BS.
The famous Manakamana Temple in Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality in Gorkha is reachable by a 10-minute journey from Kurintar via the cable car.
Doctors recommend healthy foods with limited intake of meat products during Dashain
Doctors have advised the public to be careful of their food choices during this festive season.
They prescribe for limiting the intakes of meat products, beverages and sugary foods during the Dashain festival.
BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital's medical oncologist Dr Guru Sharan Shah cautioned that festival foods are generally not suitable for good health and can increase the risk of cancer.
Liquor products, in particular, can contribute to various cancer risks including liver, throat, stomach, breast and intestine cancers.
Dr Shah also highlights the health risks associated with excessive intake of red meat and sugary foods, which can increase the risk of colon cancer. Grilled meat, due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Dr Shankar Laudari, a cardiologist at Chitwan Heart Hospital, recommends a daily meat intake of just 50-70 grams per person. Consuming more than 150 grams of meat per day can lead to a 15 percent higher chance of suffering a heart attack, according to the doctor.
Moreover, regular meat consumption is associated with a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. "To mitigate these risks, it is advisable to remove fat and skin from meat before cooking and prepare it with minimal oil, spices, and salt. Chicken is a better choice compared to mutton, and fish is recommended over red meat," Laudari added.
Senior physician Dr Bhojraj Adhikari advises the public to maintain a balanced diet during the festival season, urging them to avoid red meat when possible. "Skinless meat is a good source of protein and is healthier. Excessive use of salt, oil, and spices to enhance the taste of meat is discouraged from a medical perspective."
It is worth noting that frozen meat, as well as grilled, fried, and dried meats, are not considered healthy options.
Fresh meat should be prepared with minimal salt, oil, and spices. Combining meat consumption with beverages and smoking poses greater health risks.
A better approach is to include fruits and vegetables along with meat products for a more balanced and health-conscious diet, doctors recommend.
Barahapokhari exports goats worth Rs 17.5m
Khotang: In this festive season, the Barahapokhari Rural Municipality in Khotang district has exported goats worth Rs 17.5m to Kathmandu.
A total of 875 goats were dispatched to Kathmandu by five different groups of intermediaries, solidifying the rural municipality’s reputation as a thriving hub for goat farming.
Ashish Banjara, the Chief of the Livestock Section of the rural municipality, disclosed that the total value of the goats exported from the rural municipality exceeds Rs 17.5m, with an estimated rate of Rs 20,000 for each goat.
The intermediaries made direct visits to farmers' homes to acquire the goats, enabling some farmers to earn up to Rs 600,000 each through these sales.
The transportation of these goats to Kathmandu took place on Oct 18 and 19 from Khotang district, with some farmers themselves taking their goats to Gaighat in Udayapur district for sale.
Officials and members of the business community have noted that a significant number of high-value he-goats were exported from Khotang to other districts during this festive season, further establishing goat farming as a profitable venture.
Nevertheless, there is potential for even greater profits if the local government focuses on developing a more robust supply chain for goods produced in the district.
