By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Sept. 10: For the first time in the history of Indra Jatra festival, the Kathmandu city authority has invited representatives of foreign metropolises to participate in the festival.
The officials of 13 metropolitan cities from six countries have confirmed their participation in Indra Jatra this year, spurring Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) to intensify its preparation to mark the festival in a safe and sound manner.
As many as 48 representatives from 13 metropolitan cities of the USA, India, Japan, Bangladesh and Bhutan will join the festival that is observed for eight days.
KMC has made preparations to boost security for the festival. Proper management will be put in place to celebrate the festival in a grand manner.
As a part of promoting the Visit Nepal-2020 campaign, KMC had invited the officials from various cities which have established sisterly relations with KMC.
“KMC will do all that is necessary to ensure the grand success of the event,” said Mayor Bidhya Sundar Shakya.
The metropolis has been holding a series of meetings with the stakeholders to prepare a strategy for making the festival successful.
After holding two meetings on Monday with Newa Jagaran Manch and District Administrative Office (DAO) and security bodies, Mayor Shakya appealed to the Kathmandu people to participate in the festival showing their bonhomie and camaraderie with all communities.
Members of the Indra Jatra Management Committee and people representing bodies related to the Lakhe, Pulukisi, Shree Kumari, Shree Ganesh, Shree Bhairabh, Shree Halchowk Akash Bhairab Guthi expressed their solidarity with the appeal of Mayor Shakya. They have signed the appeal paper of Mayor Shakya.
During the meeting, the officials of KMC, Kathmandu Chief District Officer and representatives of security bodies discussed about the security challenges that might occur during the festival.
The officials pointed out the need to making the festival safe by controlling unlawful activities.
They have also discussed on restricting vehicular movement in the specified areas so that there would be no obstruction while marking the festival.
“No one needs invitation to participate in the festival. Anyone can join the festival. But there might be certain people who may participate at the event with other intention. So we need to be alert,” said Mayor Shakya.
Ram Bir Manandhar, member of the House of Representatives, said. “The preparation should be done in such a way that the people don’t get agitated even at a simple enticement.”
Special safety measures should be prepared for maintain the safety of women participating in the event, Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi said.
Responding to the concern of all, CDO Dahal assured that the District Administrative Office had prepared strategy for the security of the high-level delegation and locals.
He asked the KMC to focus on other preparation of the event instead of worrying about the security of the festival. “We have already discussed about the chances of any immoral activities and its outcome.”
For the management of Indra Jatra, the metropolis decided to establish a trust, said Mayor Shakya adding that in the initial phase a total of Rs. 50 million will be deposit in the trust.
“We are preparing an action plan for the operation and management of the trust,” he added.
Coordinator of the Jagaran Manch, Sujeev Bajracharya and coordinator of cleanliness campaign Rajan Manab said the enthusiastic participation of the local people would make the festival lively and exciting. “Everyone should be united to make this festival a grand success,” they said.
The high delegation will join the Jatra, which will take place at Basantapur, a World Heritage Site, on September 13.
The guests will arrive in Kathmandu on September 12 and will return home on September 16.