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People receive tika from president, ex-King

Hundreds of people thronged at President's residence in Dhapasi to receive tika from him on the occasion of Bada Dashain.

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav had announced to offer tika to anyone interested.

Vice president Parmananda Jha, deputy prime minister Bamdev Gautam and other officials, along with common people received tika from the president.

"This festival provides an occasion for national unity. It helps bind all of us in single string. I am feeling very happy," President Yadav told reporters after offering Tika to people.

Meanwhile, ex-King Gyanendra and ex-Queen Komal also offered tika to interested people on Thursday.

Hundreds of people including former Home Minister Kamal Thapa reached his residence at Nirmal Niwas in the evening to receive tika.

The ex-royal couple started offering tika from 4 pm and there was a long queue of people. The crowd even resulted in a traffic jam in the street outside. Some people even chanted pro-monarchy slogans.

In the past, there used to be official function on Bada Dashain when the Kings and the Queens used to offer tika to ministers, officials and common people.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' on the other hand, spent Thursday meeting with his families and colleagues. As communists, Maoist leaders refrain from engaging in religious festivities like Dashain. nepalnews.com sd Oct 09 08