Kalpit Parajuli

The festival of Dashain, one of the most important moments for Hindu tradition, has become an occasion of "social harmony" and interreligious dialogue. Positive assessments from Hindu and Muslim leaders, who promote the "sharing of moments of celebration."

The program involves all 75 districts of the country; it is intended to reduce the effects of climate change and protect the natural beauty of the country.

Nightlife establishments will have to close by 11 pm. Home Affairs minister claims measure will help smash crime. Businesses and workers protest, go on strike.

This evening, the Maoist leader will attend a gala dinner offered by the American government, which has still not removed the communist-inspired movement from the terrorist "blacklist". The prime minister will address the UN general assembly, which is expecting reassurance on matters of human rights.

The Maoists, with the backing of the agriculture minister, are appropriating land and homes, forcibly removing the occupants and clashing with police. Now the population is taking to the streets in defense of citizens' rights.

Economic co-operation and trade are at the centre of talks which follow weeks of tensions caused by the newly-appointed prime minister’s visit by to China for the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. Today the premier paid tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi at his final resting place.

Nepal’s Maoist government heeds Chinese demands and publicly announces measures against pro-Tibet protesters. Anyone without a refugee certificate, which the authorities have not released at least since 1995, will come under tight controls and will be expelled from the country.

The Hindu festival, during which women ask to meet the man of their dreams or to have a happy marriage, has also become an occasion for demanding "greater rights and freedoms". Holiday greetings from Prime Minister Prachanda and President Ram Baran Yadav.

Last August 30, on the occasion of the International Day of Disappeared Persons, families organized demonstrations and protest marches through the streets of the capital. The creation of the commission to investigate what happened to them has been awaited for some time, but has been blocked by the government, and especially by the Maoists.

The country is on its knees after the rains in recent weeks. A large number of people have gone missing, while the country's economy is on the verge of collapse. The flooding has also struck in neighboring India: there are 70 certified deaths, but this number could quickly rise.

Despite the poor results obtained by the country's athletes, its true success was the participation of the new prime minister at the closing ceremony. Although he maintained a "low profile" in his statements, he met with the Chinese leadership and promised to be "strict" with pro-Tibet demonstrators.

The Nepal Catholic Youth Movement plans to coordinate activities by various youth associations, which hitherto had no common reference point. It plans a series of activities ranging from the parish level to joint projects with worldwide youth movements.