Kathmandu, September 3, 2005

The Maoists today announced an unilateral ceasefire for three months and suggested the formation of an interim regime and election to the constituent assembly to solve the crisis facing the country. The Maoists have also warned of a resumption of hostility if the government keeps resorting to military means. On the government’s part, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative Badri Prasad Mandal, addressing a programme organised by an intellectual forum, said the government was considering the Maoists’ announcement of ceasefire. He refused to comment any further. The Maoists who have been baying for an election to the constituent assembly for the past four years, however, said reinstatement of the House of Representatives would not serve any purpose. “That (reinstatement) would only give leeway to the palace to conspire. This leaves going for an interim regime and constituent assembly as the only way out,” a Maoist statement issued today said. Conceding that the party was currently involved in a “positive interaction” with civil society and political parties, the statement said the party considers a “democratic republican order” as a temporary solution. Referring to the decisions taken by the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) regarding the constitutional monarchy, the Maoists have billed the same as something which could further “fortify the basis of unity of purpose with those parties”. They have also made it clear that pro-parliamentary forces will have to assure the people that they will not fall victim to “sweet bullets” of the “feudalistic palace” as in the past.

Father’s Day observed

Showering their fathers with sweets, gifts, love, and respect, Hindus celebrated the Kuse Aunsi, also called the Gokarna Aunsi, today. Those bereaved of fathers visited the Gokarneswor Mahadev in Gokarna and paid their homage by performing shraddha, the annual death ritual. The Kuse Aunsi, a festival in a series of holidays, is marked to strengthen the bond between fathers and offspring. The Nepali religion, tradition and culture consider father as a pillar of strength.

Married daughters express their respect and love to their fathers by offering them sweets and gifts. “The Father’s day is celebrated all over the world different ways,” Satya Mohan Joshi, a cultural expert, said, adding: “The Kushe Aunsi is observed to pay respect to fathers.” “On the Kuse Aunsi, the orphaned children pay home to their fathers by performing rituals at the Gokarneswor Mahadev temple.” According to a legend, Lord Shiva once used to roam in the Pashupatinath forest in the guise of a one-horned golden deer.