CPN-UML General Secretary, Ishwor Pokhrel, has said that national unity and self-respect should be strengthened utilising the festival so as to consolidate social relations. 

Leader Pokharel said so at a Deusi-Bhailo programme organised by CPN -UML Bhojpur-Kathmandu Liaison Forum here in Kathmandu on Wednesday, and also to congratulate and honour Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Sherdhan Rai. 

Pokharel said that all Nepalis should be self-dependent, which is one of the factors to save self- respect, adding that the neighbouring India creates hurdles on the import of essentials and petroleum products at times in the name of renewing trade treaty. 

He said that the trend of only responding to the bad treatment by India in emotion and giving in to such treatment would not help. "Rather we should become self-dependent," he said. 

Pokharel said that such situation would not have happened had all seven border points on Nepal-China border been opened on time. 

Honored personality Minister Rai argued that it's high time to trust the youth and their potentials. 

Touching on the new constitution and the grudges held by dissenting Madhesi leaders accusing that it did not reflect their interest, Rai clarified that the government welcomed the complaints and grievances on the issues not incorporated in the new constitution. 

But, he warned, that the government will play hard ball to the activities that would hinder the implantation of the new national charter and mars the national unity and communal amity. 

He further added that the government was effortful to create an environment favorable for the public to observe the festival by resolving the Terai issues acknowledging the country’s national sovereignty. 

Paruhang Rai, Chairman of the Contact Forum and Devi Prasad Ghimire, Chairman of its Advisory Committee among others also voiced their opinion at the programme. RSS