<p>At the friendly invitation of the President Bidya Devi Bhandari, President of the Republic of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee is paying a three-day State Visit to Nepal from 2 to 4 November 2016. <br><br>According to the schedule about the Indian President's visit made public today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Bidya Devi Bhandari will receive the President of India at the Tribhuvan International Airport on 2 November 2016. The visiting dignitary will be accorded a ceremonial reception. <br><br>Mukherjee will meet with President Bhandari at Shital Niwas. The President of Nepal will host a State Banquet in honour of the President of India. Vice President Mr Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Mr Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" will call on His Shri Mukherjee. <br><br>On 3rd November, President of India Mukherjee will visit Pashupatinath Temple and perform Puja. <br>Kathmandu University will confer an honorary degree on Mukherjee on the same day. He will attend a civic reception in Kathmandu to be held in his honour. <br><br>The Indian President will deliver a speech at a seminar of Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal and India Foundation. <br><br>On 4th November, the President of India will visit Janakpur and perform Puja at Janaki Temple and attend a Civic Reception to be hosted in his honour. He will also visit Pokhara. <br><br>The President of India Pranab Mukherjee will leave for New Delhi on 4 November 2016.<br><br></p>

<p>President Bidya Devi Bhandari has appointed Mr Deep Kumar Upadhyay as the Ambassador of Nepal to India. <br><br>Similarly, Mr Leela Mani Poudyal has been appointed as the Ambassador to China.</p><p>President Bhandari appointed both of them as the ambassadors in accordance with Article 282 (1) of the constitution at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. <br><br>Upadhyay has been assigned the ministerial level diplomatic rank, according to the Office of the President.<br><br><br></p>

<p>A special security plan has been prepared for the forthcoming state visit by Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee, from November 2 to 4. <br><br>Home Ministry's Spokesperson, Bal Krishna Panthi, said all necessary security preparations have been completed for the Indian President's visit.</p><p>The extensive security plan spans President Mukherjee's arrival and departure, to the hotel where he will be accommodated and to the programme venues.</p><p>The authorities have started stricter monitoring at the Nepal – India border and checking of the passengers travelling to the Kathmandu Valley at prime entrance points. <br><br>The security circle will include Nepal Army, Armed Police Force (APF) and Nepal Police while National Investigation Department (NID) will also be mobilized during the visit.</p><p>Special security sensitivity is being adopted for the visiting Indian President in view of the soured India – Pakistan relations and open Nepal-India border. <br></p>

CPN (UML) general secretary Ishwar Pokharel has opined that if the constitution is amended then the chief executive of the country should be directly elected. &nbsp;<br><p><br>Speaking at a programme organised by the CPN (UML) Kathmandu Metropolis-4 committee to exchange festive greetings with a tea reception today, leader Pokharel stressed on amending the electoral and governance system in the constitution.</p><p>He further said the directly elected chief executive is essential to end filthy political game of changing the government.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br><br></p>

<p>Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said he will make effort to establish an airport and trauma centre in Siraha. <br><br>Responding to a memorandum submitted by a delegation representing the Siraha constituency-5, PM Dahal pledged his utmost effort in developing Siraha, PM's Secretariat said. <br><br>The PM stated that he has forwarded various plans for Siraha district's development while expressing his commitment to take initiative in constructing an airport favourable for Siraha, Saptari and Udayapur among other districts in the region. <br><br><br></p>

<p>Kukur Tihar, second day of the five-day-long Tihar festival, is being observed today by worshipping, garlanding and feeding dogs.<br><br>According to a Hindu myth, dogs are regarded as guards of Yamaraj, the god of death.</p><p>Tihar is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence to not only humans and gods, but also to animals like crows, cows and dogs, who maintain an intense relationship with humans.<br></p>