Kathmandu. On the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed his wishes for the good health, progress and prosperity, of all the Nepalese, living at home and abroad.

Stating that the festival is not just limited to festivities and celebration but is also the basis of social management, he highlighted the need to carry it forward. He mentioned that some of the negative aspects adopted for the namesake of the festival of being wasteful or splurging regardless of one’s ability is not appropriate from any angle.

He further commented that this major festival has to be celebrated in a different way this year due to the current situation, introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister suggested the people to be mindful of possible infection while receiving tika and urged every one to maintain appropriate distance.

He also pressed on the matter to celebrate Dashain with special awareness as senior citizens, children and people with poor health are more likely to be infected by the virus. Prime Minister Oli has made a humble request to all to celebrate this year’s Dashain, wherever we are. He also informed that instructions have been given to not hold any public programs this year at the Prime Minister’s residence keeping the threat posed by the contagion in mind.