October 17: Government offices across the country that remained closed for the Dashain festival have resumed after a five-day closure.    
Following this, the offices have witnessed a pressure of service seekers. Government offices remained closed for six days during the 15-day Dashain (on Ghatasthapana that marks the beginning of the festival and from seventh day to 11th day).    
Most of ministries in the Kathmandu Valley have seen a dense presence of service seekers. Singha Durbar, the government's main administrative centre, has also resumed its work.    
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki reported back for duty, according to Karki's personal secretary Rajji Thapa.    
Similarly, the market has reopened while vehicles have started plying.    
The 15-day festival is still underway and today is the 12th day of the festival. During the festival, Hindus across Nepal visit their relatives and families to receive 'Tika' and 'Jamara' and blessings from their elders. The festival concludes on Kojagrat Purnima that falls on October 19 this year. -- RSS