Bijaya Dashami and related civic, cultural, and policy updates dominate today’s Nepal news, alongside sport, energy governance, and public-interest decisions.
Politics & Governance
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said Bijaya Dashami helps bind Nepal’s diverse society, calling on citizens to celebrate with goodwill while pushing back against corruption and weak governance. The Prime Minister also urged people to reconnect with loved ones and work together to address social problems, reinforcing the state’s role in supporting every citizen. Bijaya Dashami binds country's diverse society together: PM Shah
Speaker Devraj Aryal similarly said Dashain strengthens harmony, brotherhood, and social unity, urging public participation to foster a shared community spirit. Dashain strengthens harmony, brotherhood and social unity: Speaker Aryal
Courts & Accountability
Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology denied screening permission for the Bollywood film “Udta Teer,” citing violations under Section 8(3) of the Film (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) Act, 1963. The decision was linked to concerns that the film could harm Nepal’s relations with friendly nations, with references to provisions that allow restrictions where national security or community harmony may be affected. Nepal denies screening permission to Bollywood film ‘Udta Teer’
Economy & Business
The Ministry of Energy is nearing the final stages of restructuring the Nepal Electricity Authority into three companies, targeting completion within fiscal year 2083/84. The roadmap aims to separate generation, transmission, and distribution functions, while key details on ownership, asset division, and employee management remain pending for the final plan. NEA restructuring into three companies reaches final stage
A separate report argued that Nepal’s green transition must create technical pathways for women, citing low representation in the energy sector and engineering roles. It linked the gap to barriers in education and employment, warning that women’s absence could limit talent and outcomes in areas such as renewable energy and technology. Nepal’s green transition must put women behind the tools
Society & Community
Bijaya Dashami is being observed across Nepal, with rituals including tika and jamara received from elders and an indicated auspicious time of 10:26 am following the immersion of Goddess Nawadurga at 8:49 am. Coverage also emphasized the festival’s message of victory of truth over evil and the unifying effect of celebration. Bijaya Dashami festival being observed today
President Ram Chandra Paudel performed worship of Nawakanya, reflecting the continuing cultural importance of the ritual in Nepali society. President Paudel performs worship of Nawakanya
Kathmandu authorities announced a free police bus service on three designated routes to improve public transport access. काठमाडौंमा प्रहरीको निःशुल्क बस, यी ३ रुटमा उपलब्ध हुनेछ सेवा
Meanwhile, Harka Man Gharti reached the final of the men’s 50m freestyle S5 event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, a first for Nepalese para swimming at this stage. The National Para Swimming Association Nepal credited his discipline and expressed support from his coach and family as he prepares for the final. Asian Para Games: Swimmer Harka Man Gharti reaches final
Finally, the Living Goddess Kumari visited the Taleju Bhawani Temple, drawing devotees and tourists and underscoring the temple’s prominent place in Nepal’s religious landscape. Living Goddess Kumari visits Taleju Bhawani Temple
Date: October 21, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Kartik 05, 2083
Top News
1. Bijaya Dashami binds country's diverse society together: PM Shah (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah emphasized the unifying power of Bijaya Dashami, stating that the festival strengthens harmony among Nepal's diverse communities. In his message, he urged collective action against corruption and poor governance, while encouraging citizens to celebrate the festival with goodwill and respect. He highlighted the importance of reconnecting with loved ones and overcoming societal ills to ensure that every citizen feels supported by the government.
2. Asian Para Games: Swimmer Harka Man Gharti reaches final (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Harka Man Gharti has reached the final of the men’s 50m freestyle S5 event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan, marking a historic achievement as the first Nepali para swimmer to do so. The National Para Swimming Association Nepal praised his discipline and effort, expressing gratitude to his coach and family while wishing him success in the final.
3. NEA restructuring into three companies reaches final stage (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The restructuring of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) into three separate companies is nearing completion, with the Ministry of Energy finalizing a roadmap for the process. This restructuring aims to separate the NEA's functions into distinct entities for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, with the government targeting completion within the current fiscal year 2083/84. However, details regarding the ownership structures, asset distribution, and employee management are still pending and will be addressed in the final roadmap.
4. Bijaya Dashami festival being observed today (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Bijaya Dashami, the 10th day of the Bada Dasain festival, is being celebrated across Nepal with rituals including the receiving of 'tika' and 'jamara' from elders, symbolizing good luck and prosperity. The auspicious time for receiving tika is set for 10:26 am, following the immersion of the Goddess Nawadurga in water bodies at 8:49 am. Prime Minister Shah emphasized that the festival unites the country's diverse society, marking the victory of truth over evil.
5. Nepal denies screening permission to Bollywood film ‘Udta Teer’ (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Nepal's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has denied permission for the screening of the Bollywood film "Udta Teer," citing content that violates Section 8(3) of the Film (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) Act, 1963. The film, which revolves around tensions between India and Pakistan, was deemed potentially harmful to Nepal's relations with friendly nations. Film critic Samipyaraj Timilsina noted that the Central Film Censor Board's decision reflects provisions allowing restrictions on films that could affect national security or community harmony.
6. Dashain strengthens harmony, brotherhood and social unity: Speaker Aryal (risingnepaldaily.com)
Speaker Devraj Aryal stated that the Dashain festival enhances harmony, brotherhood, and social unity among the people of Nepal. He emphasized the importance of celebrating this festival to foster collective spirit and strengthen community ties.
7. Living Goddess Kumari visits Taleju Bhawani Temple (risingnepaldaily.com)
Living Goddess Kumari visited the Taleju Bhawani Temple, marking a significant cultural event. The visit drew attention from devotees and tourists alike, highlighting the importance of the temple in Nepal's religious landscape.
8. Nepal’s green transition must put women behind the tools (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Nepal is undergoing a significant green transition, aiming to generate over 28,000 megawatts of clean electricity by 2035 and promote electric mobility. However, women are largely absent from the technical workforce in the energy sector, with only 12.64% employed by the Nepal Electricity Authority and just 6.19% in engineering roles. Despite their crucial role in energy consumption, women face barriers in education and employment, limiting their access to better-paying jobs in emerging fields like renewable energy and technology.
9. काठमाडौंमा प्रहरीको निःशुल्क बस, यी ३ रुटमा उपलब्ध हुनेछ सेवा (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Free police bus services will be available in Kathmandu, operating on three designated routes. This initiative aims to enhance public transportation accessibility for residents.
10. President Paudel performs worship of Nawakanya (risingnepaldaily.com)
President Ram Chandra Paudel conducted a worship ceremony for Nawakanya, a traditional ritual in Nepal. This event reflects the cultural significance of the Nawakanya in Nepali society.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 152.19 |
| CAD → NPR | 108.27 |
| AUD → NPR | 106.37 |
| GBP → NPR | 203.18 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.63 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4120.32 | NPR 235,151.56 |
| Silver | $57.42 | NPR 3,277.03 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
