Happy Bada Dashain

THE Bada Dashain-2057 has already started. Hindus all over the world are celebrating Bada Dashain-2057 with joy over the world and happiness. In Hindu religion, Dashain is celebrated every year as a symbol of victory of truth and virtue over falsehood and vice. The Hindu mythology says that once there was a heavy fight between Gods and devils, in which the devil chief Mahishashura, continued to expand his muscle to give a lot of trouble to Gods and the entire human kind. Exhausted with their strength and resources to fight more with the demon, Gods collectively requested the Goddess Durga or Kali to come to their rescue. Goddess Durga or Kali then used her strength and killed the Mahishashura, the demon disguised as a buffalo, and saved humanity. This is why Durga or Kali is worshipped as the Goddess of power or strength. Thus, the Dashain is celebrated to mark the victory of Gods over devils, which is symbolic as well as relevant, too at the present context. This is the tradition of conveying message of truth and good conduct to the people and society and encouraging the people to fight against the social vices and distortions. We worship Goddess Durga or Kali, goddess of power, believing that the deity gives us power and courage to fight against evils. Nepalese society, at present is also suffering from various kinds of evils. The country is facing a problem of violence and other social distortions. In this situation, we need to be united to fight against these social problems and maintain peace and franquility in the country. This occasion also provides us the opportunity to be united and cooperative among each other and collectively fight for the common good of the humanity. It is also the occasion to meet, exchange good wishes and celebrate with joy. On this occasion, we have to express our resolve to cooperate each other and shun any kind of evil things and acts against humanity. This is, perhaps, the best message of Dashain. On this occasion of Bada Dashain-2057, we extend our greetings to all our valued readers, advertisers and well wishers a happy Vijaya Dashami. May Goddess Durga bring happiness, progress, prosperity and good health for all Hindus both at home and abroad as well as entire human being.

Good Omen

IN THE wake of a series of fatal attacks on police posts by Maoists, some substantial changes in the Council of Ministers as well as the Home Ministry have come about. These changes were necessitated as the law and order situation did not seem at all to be in control of the police and kept deteriorating day by day. This is when the government ministers and opposition leaders have sat down to review all the issues that the country is facing including the law and order situation. The All-Party meetings being held regularly since last week is also to continue even though Dasain festival has already begun for the Nepalese. Such meetings, where the ruling party as well as the opposition sit together to find a solution on national issues, bode well for the nation. At this stage, what is needed is not only inter-party consensus, but also intra-party harmony, especially in the ruling party. If the people’s representatives are serious about their responsibilities and put their heads together, there is no reason why solutions cannot be reached. The participants as well as the new Minister for Defense have declined to comment on the exact agenda of the meeting. However, Maoist violence and the issue of law and order are certainly the top priority in the agenda as these All - party meets have come in the aftermath of a series of acts of terrorism. It is not the specificity of the issue, but national interest is what concerns us. At least our leaders have decided to unite at the face of the crises faced by the nation through a consensus in the true democratic spirit. It should not be difficult to defeat the anti-democratic forces if everybody plays by the rules of democracy. Let this Vijaya Dashami herald this new tradition of unity among our leaders as solutions are reached for the betterment, happiness of the peoples. Let us hope that this Dasain also heralds end of misery, insecurity and poverty of the people. As national concern has united all our party leaders, let us also hope that the solution to the problems may be reached through dialogues and the government does not have to use force or mobilse the armed forces. But like the Defense Minister has said, government must not fight shy of mobilising all its organs as the need be so peace prevails and the stalled development process begins.