PM Deuba sees need of highlighting essence of Nepal Sambat

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba says all arrangements are in place for holding the November 20 elections in a peaceful and impartial atmosphere.

Addressing a program organized by the National Luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa Foundation in Kathmandu today, Prime Minister Deuba said support and cooperation from political parties and other stakeholders were necessary to make the elections a success.

The Prime Minister also expressed his belief that the elections would strengthen democracy.

Terming the Nepal Sambat as the original calendar of Nepal, Prime Minister Deuba said the government had already declared Sakhwa as a national luminary.

The prime minister also recalled that the government had published a postal stamp in his name, and made arrangements to include content about him in the school curriculum.

Sakhwa is credited with initiating the Nepal Sambat and today marks the commencement of Nepal Sambat 1143.

The National Luminary, Shankhadhar Sakhwa is credited with initiating the Nepal Sambat in 880 AD by freeing the poor from their debt during the reign of the Lichhavi dynasty king Raghav Dev.

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha said the government was preparing to announce a national award in Sakhwa’s name to institutionalize his contribution to the nation.

Today itself, Prime Minister Deuba addressed a ceremony organised by the Nepal Sambat Nhuda National Celebration Committee on the occasion of the Nepal Sambat 1143 at Basantapur.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said the Nepal Sambat is an indispensable part to Nepal’s culture, history and tradition and it deserves to be protected and promoted.