UPDATE NAMCHE FIRE Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: A fire that broke out at Namche Bazzar was controlled Monday after a four-effort. The fire broke out from Namche VDC-2 office. An electric short circuit pobably started the inferno. Two hotels were also destroyed. Nnnn SANKRANTI GREETINGS Kathmandu, 14 Jan.:President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has extended best wishes to all Nepalis living at home and abroad on the occasion of Maghi festival and Maghe Sankranti, RSS reports. In a message today, the President has expressed confidence that such festivals would provide additional powers to unite nation into a thread of diversity. "I express hearty greetings to all wishing that this festival would become a symbol to maintain social harmony for all the Nepalis," the President said. Likewise, Vice-President Parmanand Jha has expressed confidence that mutual goodwill, tolerance and fraternity would be promoted among all Nepalis through the Maghi, a popular festival among the Tharu community. The Vice-President has wished for happiness, good health, prosperity and progress of all Nepali sisters and brothers living at home and abroad. Similarly, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has expressed best wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity for all Tharu sisters and brothers, and all Nepalis living at home and abroad on the occasion of the great festival of Tharu community Maghi and Makar Sankranti 2013. "Nepal is a multiethnic, multilingual, multicultural and multi religious beautiful country. Unity in diversity and national pride are our common identity. Every ethnic and religious community has its own unique traditions with own cultural importance. These festivals have established closeness and mutual fraternity among us by generating enthusiasm, encouragement and inspiration," the PM has said in the message today. Wishing for progress of all, the PM has also wished for encouragement and unity among all Nepalis on this important day. Similarly, CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has expressed happiness, peace and prosperity for all Nepalis living inside and outside the country. In a message today, Khanal has said tradition of observing traditional festival like Maghi need to be started from all walks of life to further strengthen our national unity, Khanal said. nnnn