Nepal to add 18 ethnic minorities festival as national holidays

Kathmandu, Mar 5 (UNI) To make Nepal all inclusive, the government has decided to observe 18 different festivals of various religions and communities including Guru Nanak day as public holidays.

The new public holidays include Eid and Bakr Eid of the Muslims, Christmas, the Nanak Memorial Day of the Sikhs, Udhouli and Ubhouli of the Kirants, Goura of the far west and the Tamu and Sonam Lhosars, local media reports said today.

Similarly, the cabinet has decided to observe the Siruwa festival celebrated in south-eastern Nepal and the Maghi celebrated by the Tharus of western Nepal as public holidays, the Kantipur quoted an unnamed official as saying.

The cabinet decided to cut three holidays from the Dashain festival but retain Mahashivaratri, Janai Purnima and Fagu Purnima as holidays.

The cabinet also endorsed the government's agreement with the Federal Republican National Front last week and decided to implement it.

The meeting decided to release the compensation money to be provided to the families of those killed during the Madhes movement as per the eight-point agreement signed with the United Democratic Madhesi Front, it said.

Nepal government signed agreement with various ethnic groups including the Madhesis to bring them to the mainstream.

UNI XC SZ KN1417