NEPAL ASKED TO HOLD SAARC SUMMIT Kathmandu, 28 March: Government Chief Khil Raj Regmi Thursday discussed preparations for the18th SAARC summit in Kathmandu this year with Ahmed Salem Secretary General of the South Asian regional organization of eight states headquartered in the Nepalese capital. The organization has nine observers. “It’s extremely important the summit be held in Nepal,” Sakem said after briefing Regmi. nnnn ROLPA FIRE, ONE INJURED Kathmandu, 28 March: One person was serious injured and at least eight houses were completely gutted when fire broke out in Kotgaun of Rolpa district on Wednesday night, RSS reports from Rolpa.. The fire was sparked from the house of Ram Lal Gharti, a resident of Kotgaun Daga at 12:00 pm and spread to other houses. Til Kumari Gharti, daughter of Ram Lal Gharti was injured and was sent to Nepalgunj after minor treatment in District Hospital, Reugha. Eight cattle and 26 chickens were also gutted in fire in the house of the Ram Lal, said the District Police Office, Rolpa . Houses of Rupe Gharti, Bhagiman Gharti, Tulsing Gharti, Purna Bahadur Gharti and Satimal Gharti were gutted and food grains and clothes were also destroyed. The damage has been estimated at Rs. 2.5 million. The fire was taken under control under the initiative of the locals and police at 5:00 am today. The fire is supposed to be spread from the leakage of cooking gas at night. RSS Nnnn FESTIVAL SEASON WILL BEGIN WITH NEW YEAR Kathmandu, 28 March: A long festival season in the Valley begins with New Yea 2070 and will conclude before the annual monsoon beginning of June. The Bisket Jatra of Bhaktapur coincides with New Year celebrations 14 April. . Next is Kathmandu’s turn. Seto Machindranath jatra will he hosted by Kathmanduits to invoke timely m monsoon for a good rice harvest. The festive season ends RatoMachindranath jatra celebrations in Llitpur. The festival is dewscribed as Nepal’s longest when a chariot of the diety is pulled from Pulchown to Jawalakhel. With the onset of the monsoon as celebrations end, a long period of rest during the extended rainy begins until the festive season of Dasain/Tihar begins. nnnn