Birgunj
Birgunj, Aug 26: Since its outbreak on Friday, 93 people have tested positive to cholera in Birgunj city as of Monday evening. Cholera has now spread to the community level in Birgunj.
The source of the outbreak is yet to be identified, officials said. According to Jayamod Thakur, the Public Health Officer at the Health Office Parsa, altogether 93 people tested positive to cholera in Birgunj as of last night.
Currently, the infected ones are being treated at various hospitals but the primary source of the infection remains unknown. Bacterial tests were conducted at various hospitals. Narayani Hospital and Tarai Hospital reported equal 32 cases each, 12 in National Medical College, three each in Bhawani Hospital, Birgunj Health Care and Mangalam Pathology and two others in Ali Artho Hospital.
A total of 344 cholera patients and patients of other illness developing similar symptoms have visited the hospitals in Birgunj so far. Of the total patients, 27 are being treated in the ICU beds, six others are being treated with support from the HDCU, and remaining 122 patients are in general beds.
Vice President Yadav, NA Chairman Dahal, other leaders extend Teej greetings
relations. “This is a festival to celebrate, share happiness and recall the memories,” Dahal said. Calling it a cultural festival, NA Chairman Dahal has urged all to observe the Teej festival for holding interactions, debates and advocacy for building an equitable society. Similarly, HoR Deputy Speaker Rana has termed this festival a moment to raise voice for gender equality and women’s rights.
“This festival gives the message for ending all sorts of inequalities including gender-based discrimination, caste-based discrimination and others,” according to HoR Deputy Speaker Rana. Also extending Teej greetings to all, NA Vice Chairperson Ghimire has stressed for safeguarding this festival’s cultural importance while upholding the uniqueness of the Teej festival. She has voiced for ending the trend of profligacy in this festival. Ghimire has extended best wishes and called for building an equitable and progressive society by ending all sorts of discrimination.
The revelers of this festival, mostly women, observe a fast by wishing for longevity and a prosperous life for their spouse. The three-day festivity begins with ‘Dar’ on the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadra and is marked with fasting and cultural programmes the next day. Women rejoice with various delicious dishes known as ‘Dar’ a day before ‘Teej’ and fast on the next day as per the tradition. Women on this day take ritual baths in the morning and offer worship in the evening. They pay homage to Lord Shiva, light oil-fed lamps and spend the night awake. The festivity comes to an end on the fifth day of the fortnight after worshiping the legendary ‘Saptarishi’ (seven sages).
M This unique festival of Nepali women is also a celebration of sisterhood as sisters gather at their natal home and indulge in jubilant dancing and singing. Married women put on bangles, ‘Pote’ (a necklace made of glass beads), ‘Tilahari’ and ‘Sindur’ (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments.
Both married and unmarried women perform various pooja and observe fasting, praying for the fulfillment of their wish for a happy and prosperous conjugal life. Shiva temples including the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu have seen an overwhelming number of women devotees today.
