Fewa festival starts

POKHARA: The 4th Fewa Festival began at Pokhara yesterday amidst much fanfare. The festival is aimed at increasing domestic and foreign tourists on the occasion of the Nepali New Year. Celebrated by the side of Fewa Lake, the festival is scheduled to run up to the month of Baisakha 2. The festival ‘Save Fewa’, was inaugurated by secretary for culture, tourism and civil aviation, Madhav Prasad Ghimire who expressed his satisfaction over the increase in the number of tourists to the late. Pokhara has witnessed an upsurge in tourists following the peace processes after the Jan Andolan II, he said. He also pointed out the need to identify and promote adjoining areas in Pokhara as tourist destinations. — RSS

Office padlocked

DHANKUTA: Seekers of prepaid mobile phones have locked up the telecom office of Dhankuta for an indefinite period. They had sent a memorandum to the government of Nepal through the Nepal Telecom Office, Dhankuta for the distribution of pre-paid mobile phones within a month. They locked up the offices from today alleging SIM-cards were not being distributed, in utter neglect to their demands even after the crossing of the deadline. The lock-out will continue unless SIM cards are distributed, said convenor of the Prepaid Mobile Users Struggle Committee, Tikadevi Bhandari. — RSS

Ghee export drops

BIRGUNJ: Export of ghee according to the fixed quota this year has reportedly come down as compared to last year. Ghee worth Rs 1,445 million or 30,932 tonnes was exported in the first six months of this fiscal year, while last year it was worth Rs 1,586 million or 36,472 tonnes, during the same period. Nepal has received the quota for 100,000 tonnes annually in the renewed trade treaty with India. Ghee export has been affected by repeated bandhs and strikes. — RSS