Christopher Sharma

The celebration of the lighted candles ended yesterday. The festival is celebrated by all family components in the Asian nation even those who have converted to other religions. Local expert: "More than a Hindu tradition, it is a common culture."

The Hindu tradition says that a female married before she is fully developed will be holy and destined for paradise. Member of Caritas: "The girls that are given away in marriage at 7-8 years of age are victims of domestic violence, rapes and abuses. They cannot go to school and are likely to be infected with HIV.

Biddhya Devi Bhandari took part in a number of public Hindu celebrations, promoting Vedic values. Christians, Buddhists and Muslims note that Nepal is a secular state and that the government should not be in favour of any one creed.

Hundreds of people protest in front of the temples where Hindus sacrifice oxen, sheep, goats, and birds to the gods. The Dashain festival commemorates the gods’ great victory over wicked demons. For vegetarians, only “Pope Francis [. . .] is very serious in making appeals on behalf of the environment and animals”.

The archbishop was appointed nuncio to Poland. He served in Nepal for six years, making visible the Church’s commitment in the most difficult moments. During the 2015 earthquake, he asked everyone to be united to help.

This is what emerges from the latest WHO report. With 9 thousand deaths per year, poor air quality is the more deadly than Maoist revolution of 10 years ago. At least 36 Nepalese every 100 die from respiratory problems. Local experts: "After the earthquake, the situation has worsened. Now it is public health emergency. "

The Catholic organisation was founded 25 years ago to defend the rights of Catholics in the country. "In the past we could not evangelise, but now we are allowed to bring Jesus and the pope’s precious words to everyone,” says new president. More and more Nepalis are asking to convert.

Those responsible are part of a Communist cell led by a fugitive Maoist leader. For some time, the group has extorted money from private schools. The bombs were placed against those who refuse to pay. Now parents do not want to send their children to school.

The new Prime Minister Prachanda has invited everyone to celebrate the event. The parties of the madhese minority have instead launched a "Black Day", a counter-celebration in which they are ready to burn the fundamental text. The Nepalese prime minister in India to mend relations after the embargo. Foreign Minister: "We will no longer be influenced by Indian pressure."

Fr. B. Rajasekaran is a Jesuit who has worked for 14 years in the Himalayan country. He was ordained in the presence of many faithful, including more than 200 Hindus. The latter lined up to receive the blessing of the new priest. Apostolic Vicar: "It is my hope that vocations will grow in Nepal".

Pollution, contaminated water, collapsing sanitation services and overcrowding are the cause of the disease. Monsoon rains are exacerbating the problem, as “panic and fear” spreads. Experts urge people to boil water rather than rely on government supplies.

Some young people talk about the mark the days in Krakow left on their lives. For Dilip Singh, being Catholic “does not just mean going to church on Sunday and praying,” but is a commitment to share “the importance of God". For Caritas voluntary Robin Shrestha, after years of promises, Nepali youth “are ready to take action".