<p>Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has left for India today. </p><p>Leader Deuba flew to Indian Capital New Delhi to attend a programme organized by the India Foundation in Goa, according to Deuba's Personal Secretary Bhanu Deuba. <br><br>The former Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party Amit Shah and President of Congress I Soniya Gandi among other Indian leaders in New Delhi after attending the event in Goa, shared Bhanu. <br><br><br></p>

<p>Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has returned home today after completing a three-day state visit of Nepal. <br><br>President Mukherjee left the Tribhuvan International Airport via a special aircraft of the Indian air force at 5:35 pm. </p><p>Earlier, he was seen off at the VVIP lounge of the TIA by President Bidya Devi Bhandari. </p><p>Prior to embarking the plane, President Mukherjee was given a 21-gun salute by a contingent of the Nepali Army. </p><p>Also present at the airport to bid farewell to the Indian President were Vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, DPMs Bimalendra Nidhi and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Ministers, heads of constitutional bodies and security agencies, diplomats and high-ranking government officials. <br><br>It was Indian President's Nepal visit in a gap of 18 years. Mr. Mukherjee held high-level meetings as well as he received civic felicitations in Kathmandu and Janakpur. <br><br>During the visit, President Mukherjee attended various events including performing a special pooja at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu and Ram Janaki temple in Janakpur. Earlier today, the Indian President addressed a gathering of Indian Army pensioners in Pokhara.<br><br>…..</p><p>Addressing a gathering of Gorkha soldiers in Pokhara, Indian President Mukharjee said the relation between Nepal and India remained close since the time immemorial. He further said Indian Gorkha regiment is the foundation of the historic relation between two countries.</p><p>On the occasion, President Mukharjee said India wants to see peace, development and progress in Nepal and will always remain a close neighbor to support in development endeavours.<br></p><p><br><b>EARLIER TODAY,<br></b>President of India, Pranab Mukherjee had performed special pooja at the Janaki temple today. &nbsp;<br><br>He offered pooja at the golden idol of Ram and Sita at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in accordance with the vedic rituals.&nbsp; <br><br></p>

<p>President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, was offered a civic felicitation in Janakpurdham, the ancient capital of Mithila this afternoon. <br><br>The visiting Indian dignitary was given the civic felicitation on behalf the Janakpur people by the Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City. <br><br>Acknowledging the civic felicitation, President Mukherjee said he was moved by the reception he received in the ancient city of Janakpur. <br>He said Janakpur, the birth place of goddess Sita and the sage king Janak, was a place of reverence for India and has encouraged study and research on culture and knowledge. <br>. <br>The Indian President maintained about the construction of two dharmasalas (pilgrims rest houses) along the Janakpur circuit path, the development of Janakpur, the setting up of modern check posts on the approach roads to Birgunj and Biratnagar and the tourism development plan, which he believed would be of help in the development of the trade and tourism sectors of Nepal. <br><br>On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, welcoming the Indian President, urged for the assistance of the government of India in promotion of tourism in Janakpur. </p><p>He drew attention of President Mukherjee towards the multi-faceted development including the projects undertaken in Janakpur with Government of India's cooperation. <br><br></p>

<p>Chief Justice Sushila Karki administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly appointed member of the Judicial Council, advocate Padam Prasad Baidik at a function held at the Supreme Court today.<br><br>President Bidya Devi Bhandari had appointed Baidik to the post upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.</p><p>The Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee yesterday approved the name of Baidik. <br><br><br></p>

<p>The Ministry of Information and Communications has forwarded the necessary process for implementing the provision allowing 50 per cent discount to working journalists for medical treatment. <br><br>In the ongoing fiscal year budget, the government has announced 50 per cent discount for journalists in health treatment at the government run hospitals. <br><br>The Ministry has already alerted the Health Ministry for implementing the arrangement.</p><p>The Health Ministry has expedited the process for forming a committee comprising the representatives of Finance Ministry and Information and Communications Ministry, the Federation of Nepali Journalists and concerned organizations, Health Minister Gagan Thapa's Personal Secretary, Shaligram Dahal said. <br></p>

<p>The Chhath festival observed as common cultural symbol of the Tarai is being celebrated as per religious tradition and much fanfare starting from today. <br><br>The festive fanfare has been seen in different parts including Ranipokhari, Gaurighat, Kupondole of Kathmandu valley as well.<br><br>The festival is dedicated to the sun God, with offerings made to the rising and setting sun. It is observed for four days, from Kartik Shukala Chaturthi to Kartik Shukla Saptami as per the lunar calendar. <br><br>The ritual of Chhat Parba includes taking holy bath, fasting, standing and worshiping the sun for a long time and offering Prasad and Argha to the ‘Rising and setting Sun”.<br><br><br></p>

<p>The government has concluded that the visit of Indian president to Nepal is highly successful.<br><br>After the meeting of the council of ministers today, Spokesperson of the government Surendra Kumar Karki said the government has efficiently managed every arrangement including security of his visit.<br><br>The meeting also conceded that the high level visit has additionally strengthened Indo-Nepal relations.<br><br>The cabinet meeting also decided to make preparation of Nepal's president Bidhya Devi Bhandari's visit to India.<br><br>Additionally, the meeting appointed Revenue Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Rajan Khanal, as the chair of Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund.<br><br>A meeting of the Council of Ministers today took a decision to this regard. Similarly, the meeting agreed to send the Bill on Khwopa University to the Legislation Committee for further discussions, according to Government Spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communications, Surendra Kumar Karki. <br><br>The Cabinet meeting nominated Dr Buddhi Bahadur Nepali for appointment as the executive director of the Neglected, Suppressed and Dalit Upliftment Development Committee that remains under the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development and send nominations for the appointment of heads at the development committees under the Ministry of Health. <br><br></p>