KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah will not offer Dashain Tika to members of the public this year, owing to difficulties in transportation.

Shah's personal secretary Phani Raj Pathak said the former monarch would not offer Tika to public on the Vijaya Dashami day, which befalls on October 22, citing "uneasy situation in daily life of Nepalis and difficulties in transportation".

Even after abolition of monarchy in 2008, Shah had been offering Tika to his supporters at his personal residence in Mahargunj on the day of Vijaya Dashami every year.

Shah, however, has extended a message to all Nepali people on the occasion of Bada Dashain.

In his message, he has expressed worries over recent incidents of violence in various parts of the nation over the new Constitution.

He has said the current unrest including scarcity of daily essentials including petroleum products and life-saving medicines should not go longer.

Prez to offer Tika from 1:30 pm

Meanwhile, President Ram Baran Yadav would offer Dashain Tika to members of the public from 1:30 pm to 5 pm on Thursday, October 22, at his office, Sheetal Niwas.

Issuing a press note today, the President's Office made the schedule public and asked those wishing to receive Tika from the Head of State to attend the function accordingly.