Press Council Nepal Chair Basnet urges all concerned not to misuse media
Press Council Nepal Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet has drawn the attention of all concerned not to misuse media as a tool to push the country towards instability and anarchy.
He said that the Council has been monitoring YouTube and online media that have been publishing and broadcasting irresponsible and baseless information.
Many have been found disseminating baseless information to fulfill various interests by introducing themselves as mediapersons.
He said so during a program organized at the office of the Press Council Nepal on Thursday.
Saying that publishing, broadcasting or disseminating false information in a planned manner is an abuse of the freedom of the press, Chairman Basnet informed that the Council has been engaged in a campaign to scrap the cards of such journalists and taking stringent action against them.
He went on to say that the people will not trust the media misusing freedom.
YouTube and other social media networks should always be watchful about whether they are being operated by wrong elements or groups.
He said that the Press Council has developed a working procedure to organize YouTube.
The Council has taken action against 49 various YouTube channels in the last three months, Basnet further informed.
Two dead, one missing in floods in Baglung
Two people have died and one person has gone missing due to floods in the Bandre river in Baglung Municipality-4.
In the incident that took place last night, the floods swept away a motorcycle (Dha 2 Pa 8010) and a scooter (Dha 1 Pa 9996).
Arjun Sapkota (23) and Abeshik Regmi (22) of Baglung-4 died in the incident while 20-year-old Kamal Sapkota of the same village has gone missing, according to Inspector Patap Paudel of the District Police Office, Baglung.
The bodies of Sapkota and Regmi were recovered about 200 meters downstream the river.
The search for Sapkota is underway but continuous rainfall is hampering the efforts, said police.
Heavy rainfall likely in Bagmati, Gandaki and Karnali
A few places in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and one or two places in the remaining provinces are experiencing light to moderate rain. This is due to the monsoon, which is still active in the country.
According to the Weather Forecasting Division, the weather is currently partly to mostly cloudy across the country. This afternoon, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some parts of the hilly areas and in a few places in the rest of the country.
Furthermore, there is a possibility of heavy rain in one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Karnali Provinces, says the weather forecast bulletin issued by the Division this morning.
Teej being celebrated across the country amid fanfare
The festival of 'Teej', also known as the 'Haritalika', is being observed by the Nepali Hindus, especially women throughout the country today.
The festival falls on the dark half of the lunar month that falls in the month of Bhadra in the Lunar calendar. The revelers of this festival, mostly women, observe fast wishing for longevity and a prosperous life for their spouse.
The three-day festivity begins with 'Dar' on the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadra and is marked with fasting and cultural programs the next day. Women rejoice with various delicious dishes known as 'Dar' a day before 'Teej' and fast on the next day as per the tradition.
Women on this day take ritual baths in the morning and offer worship in the evening. They pay homage to Lord Shiva, light oil-fed lamps and spend the night awake.
The festivity comes to an end on the fifth day of the fortnight after worshiping the legendary 'Saptarishi' (seven sages).
This unique festival of Nepali women is also a celebration of sisterhood as sisters gather at their natal home and indulge in jubilant dancing and singing.
The legend has it that Parbati, the daughter of Himalayas, was on her maiden fast, wishing for the health and the wellbeing of her spouse, Lord Shiva. Since then, the same day has been recognized as the Haritalika Teej.
Married women put on bangles, ‘Pote’ (a necklace made of glass beads), ‘Tilahari’ and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments.
Both married and unmarried women perform various pooja and observe fasting, praying for fulfillment of their wish for a happy and prosperous conjugal life.
Shiva temples including the Pashupatinath temple in the Capital sees an overwhelming number of women devotees this day.
To mark the occasion, the Government has also announced a public holiday today for women only.
