Kathmandu, Nov 6: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has believed that the Tihar festival helps foster harmony, tolerance and fraternity among all Nepalis.    

Giving a message of best wishes on the occasion of the Tihar festival today, President Bhandari wished peace, prosperity and happiness to all Nepali sisters and brothers.    

Tihar is the festival light that is taken as the symbol of victory over darkness. "I wish the light generated with illumination during Tihar festival inspired all to work for truth and justice," she said in the message, adding that the cultural and traditional festival also reflects the inter-relations between humans, nature and animals.    

Similarly, the Bhaitika further enhances the love and affection between the brothers and sisters. 

Meanwhile, Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun has drawn the attention of one and all to protect our fundamental values and identity by averting anomalies surfaced in the celebration of festivals.    

In the message of best wishes on the occasion of Tihar, he expressed worry on the manifestation of wrong practices in course of the celebration of the festivals of late. It is the shared responsibility to protect and preserve the festivals of all types, he added.    

The Vice-President wished for the peace, prosperity, good health and progress of all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad.    

“Our country is rich in terms of diverse religion, cultures and traditions. The diverse religious cultures has strengthened our national unity”, the message noted. “The great festival would believably enhance mutual goodwill, tolerance, brotherhood and unity among the Nepali people”.