KATHMANDU, Oct. 21: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday called on citizens to join hands in tackling corruption, administrative inefficiency, inequality and political instability, stressing that meaningful national progress requires collective responsibility and changes in both attitudes and behaviour.
In his message marking Bada Dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami, Nepal’s most significant Hindu festival, Shah said the government should create an environment in which every citizen feels supported and served by public institutions.
Drawing on the festival’s message of the triumph of good over evil, the prime minister urged people to work together to overcome longstanding governance challenges and strengthen public trust in the administration.
He emphasised that sincere efforts, determination and cooperation were necessary to address corruption, bureaucratic delays and other practices that hinder the country’s development.
Shah also called for an end to violence and discrimination, highlighting the importance of goodwill, mutual understanding and respect among citizens.
He said Dashain plays an important role in bringing together people from different communities, geographical regions and cultural backgrounds, reinforcing Nepal’s unity despite its linguistic and social diversity.
The festival also offers an opportunity for families and friends to reunite after prolonged separations and renew relationships, he said, extending wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to Nepalis living both at home and overseas.
Meanwhile, Nepal celebrated the tenth day of the Bada Dashain festival on Wednesday, with families gathering to receive blessings from elders and participate in traditional ceremonies.
On Vijaya Dashami, elders apply tika, a mixture of vermilion powder, curd and rice, to the foreheads of younger family members and offer jamara, or barley shoots, as symbols of blessings and prosperity.
The red tika represents good fortune and victory, while jamara is associated with growth and abundance. Both are considered auspicious offerings linked to Goddess Navadurga.
Religious observances during Dashain include nine days of worship dedicated to Goddess Durga. These ceremonies, performed at Dasainghar in Kathmandu’s Hanuman Dhoka Old Palace and in Hindu households across Nepal, conclude on Vijaya Dashami with prescribed rituals.
The festival remains an important occasion for strengthening family ties, preserving religious traditions and promoting harmony across Nepalese society.
Shah’s appeal placed particular emphasis on translating the festival’s ideals into everyday public life, urging citizens to reject harmful practices and contribute to a more accountable and inclusive society.