Democracy Day

NUWAKOT: A programme with various activities will begin from Saturday to mark the the 56th National Democracy Day and Tribhuwan Jayanti and the 56th birthday of Queen Komal. A 101-member main function committee has been formed under the convenorship of Nuwakot DDC chairman, Sheshman Lama, to organise the programme. — RSS

Cultural festival

DAMAULI: ‘Indigenous People and Nationalities Cultural Festival’ organised by the District Liaison Office, Tanahun and the Nepal Federation of Indigenous People and Nationalities, has started. The slogan for the three-day event is “Lets go to Damauli and enjoy the cultural festival.” People from 15 nationalities in the district inaugurated the programme. — RSS

Pension camp

SUNSARI: A 10-day camp began from Thursday in the headquarters of Okhaldhunga district with a view to providing pension to Nepali Ex-Indian Armymen. According to the Pension Distribution Office (PDO) of the Indian Embassy, Dharan, more than Rs 20 million will be distributed in the camp. Medicines will also be distributed to over 1,200 ex-armymen. — RSS

King in Pokhara

POKHARA: King Gyanendra arrived in Pokhara on Friday for a three-week informal visit. King Gyanendra arrived at the Ratna Mandir situated at Lakeside of Pokhara at around 11:50 am in a special helicopter, security sources said. Queen Komal had arrived in Pokhara earlier on February 15. Crown Prince Paras is scheduled to arrive in Pokhara on February 19, security source added. — HNS

Tatopani point opens

Sindhupalchowk: Tatopani customs point, which was shut on Thursday following a strike over the identity card system that facilitates the entry of people into Tibet, reopened on Friday. The strike was withdrawn after the government assured temporary ID cards for businessmen, drivers and helpers, according to the Nepal Trans Himalayan Trade Association. President of the association, Durga B Shrestha, said: “The strike was withdrawn after an agreement between the representatives of the agitating unions and the Home Ministry. ” — HNS

Traffic halted

NAWALPARASI: Vehicular movement along the Butwal-Bardhghat road section along the Mahendra Highway remained halted, as the obstructions placed by the Maoists were not cleared on Friday as well. Maoists had placed roadblocks such as rocks, wood logs etc at Badera, Bhutaha and Bhumahi of the road section on Thursday. Those vehicles taking an alternative route of Sunwal-Parasi were also obstructed on Friday. — HNS