Dhorpatan (Baglung), Dec 27: President Ramchandra Paudel paid homage to goddess Baglung Kakila at the Baglung Kalika Temple today. The President who arrived here today to attend the Seventh Baglung Festival visited the temple and performed puja with the help of temple’s main priest Jay Bahadur Khadka. He spent some 20 minutes for performing the puja, according to Kalika Bhagawati Temple Guthi Management Committee Chair Kumar Khadka. On the occasion, the President was offered ‘a letter of honour’ and a ‘token of love’ by the Committee. He landed on the premises of NA battalion at Upallachaur of Baglung municipality -4 here on a Nepal Army helicopter at 10:02 am today. Upon arrival, Baglung’s Chief District Officer, Khagendra Rijal, welcomed the Head of the State.
President Paudel arrives Baglung to attend Baglung Festival
President Ramchandra Paudel has arrived in Baglung Bazar in Baglung. He arrived here on a Nepal Army helicopter at 10:02 am today and landed in the premises of NA battalion at Upallachaur of Baglung municipality-4. Upon arrival, Baglung’s Chief District Officer, Khagendra Rijal welcomed the Head of the State who is scheduled to inaugurate the seventh Baglung Festival. He will also pay homage to Baglung-based Kalika Temple and shortly after visiting the temple, the President will visit the Kundule-based Saligram Museum based in Baglung municipality-4, according to President of Baglung Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Naresh Kandel. The regular episode of Baglung festival was disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic and is taking place after an interval of four years. The event to commence today will run till January 6. It features over 120 stalls and is expected to be observed by around 700 thousand people. Open women and men volleyball tournaments, an open duet song competition and a youth entrepreneur conference are the parts of the festival. As the Chamber said, for those injured during the armed conflict, entry is free.
President visits Shaligram Museum in Baglung
President Ramchandra Paudel today visited the Shaligram Museum at Kundule of Baglung municipality-4. The President who arrived here this morning to attend the Seventh Baglung Festival took the opportunity to observe the museum. Shaligram (the ammonite stone) are worshiped as a symbol of Hindu god Vishnu and are considered holy. On the occasion, he was welcomed by Muktinath Pithadhishwor Swami Kamal Nayanacharya and Rhishi Prapannacharya, among others. Expressing gratitude to the museum management for their efforts in collecting and preserving shaligram stones from the Kaligandaki River, President Paudel said he holds special connection with Baglung. He shared that he had spent a significant period in Baglung, including time in Baglung jail during his involvement in the people’s movement of the 1990s. He also underlined the need of preserving the significance of Kaligandaki, citing that, “Otherwise it may face the fate of Bagamati River.” Stating that Nepal is rich in cultural, religious and customary dimensions, he drew the attention of all stakeholders to the urgency of protection of culture. The President further said, “It is essential to preserve the water resources as the earthly life depends on water. Conservations of mountains, forest and rivers are urgent to preserve the sources of water.” “I have abundant affection for Balgung, I had spent a time here and the communities here have contributions to sending me to the current position,” the President said. —
FNCCI president Dhakal and Prabhu Bank CEO Serchan feted
President Ramchandra Paudel felicitated FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Prabhu Bank’s CEO Ashok Sherchan in their home district Baglung. President Paudel, who arrived Baglung to inaugurate the 7th Baglung Festival in Baglung district today, honoured Dhakal who was born at Amalachaur of Baglung municipality-12 and Sherchan, who also hails from the same district. Baglung Chamber of Commerce and Industry bestowed the honour to Dhakal and Serchan for their outstanding contribution in introducing Baglung district in business sector. Dhakal, who chairs IME Group, gushed that the honour bestowed on him in his native land was precious experience During the inaugural of the festival, various local residents were felicitated for their contribution in organizing the Festival since the beginning. The festival is being held physically after a hiatus of 4 years due to COVID-19 pandemic. It will run through January 6, 2024.
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President Paudel calls for promoting tourist sites in global market
President Ramchandra Paudel has called on the private sector to invest in infrastructures, citing that the role of private sector is vital for infrastructure development. Nepal’s tourism industry could be further improved and established as a reliable means of income generation and prosperity, according to the President. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Seventh Baglung Festival organised by the Baglung Chamber of Commerce and Industry here Wednesday, the Head of the State said Nepal deserves income generation with leverage of tourism potential, for which, robust infrastructures are imperatives. He called the authorities concerned to accelerate the Mid-Hill Highway construction, Paudel stressed Baglung which is also called ‘the district of suspensions bridges’ and ‘Buttenali’, an artistically engraved cane, should focus on fostering economic activities. Paudel took the opportunity to recall time when he spent four months’ imprisonment in the district during the 1990 people’s movement. “I feel, at the moment, that I am at home,” he said. The President also praised the organisers for hosting the event aiming to develop socio-economic, cultural and touristic lives in Baglung and adjoining areas. “Baglung not only serves as a vibrant place for political awakening, but also a naturally highly decorated region.” He however showed concern over less number of tourists compared to richness of the district. Further publicity is essential, he suggested showing additional points as agro- products, medicinal herbs. Also addressing the event were Chairperson of Rastriya Janamorcha, Chitra Bahadur KC, who expressed ire over slowed construction of Kaligandaki corridor and Mid-Hill Highway. He also demanded that the government take action against those delaying the projects. —-