Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has extended best wishes to all Nepalis on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1133.

According to state-owned news agency RSS, in a message of best wishes today, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai has said Nepal Sambat is an indigenous calendar year of Nepal and has helped maintain religious tolerance and social goodwill in the country.

"This Sambat believed to have begun after Shankhadhar freed the poor of their debt, has come ahead by maintaining religious tolerance and social unity", said Dr Bhattarai in the message.

The Prime Minister has also wished that the New Year inspire us all to establish social goodwill and equality and respect the poor.

Meanwhile, inaugurating a motorcycle rally organized by the Sankata Club to mark the new year of Nepal Sambat 1133 in Kathmandu today, PM Bhattarai said as the government has already accepted the Nepal Sambat; it will be made practical by giving public holiday from next year.

The Nepal Sambat started by national luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa is a common calendar of the Nepalese, he said and prayed that the New Year inspire us all for bringing federalism with identity and constitution with federalism.

Club Chairman Indraman Tuladhar said it should be brought into practical use as it is a national calendar.

Also participating in the programme were club's former chairman and former minister Dr. Mangal Siddhi Manandhar, representatives of various political parties and social workers.

The rally which started from the Sankata Temple premises at Tebahal of Kathmandu, went through various parts of Kathmandu, Kirtipur and Lalitpur and concluded at Tebahal.

Participating in the rally were 22 tole improvement committees and Lions Clubs of Kathmandu and other organisation. nepalnews.com