President inaugurates peace prayers President Bidhya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the world peace prayers organised at the International Mountaineering Museum in Pokhara today. Wishing eternal peace to the souls of those who died in last year’s earthquake and wishing peace to the entire humanity, the prayers was organised by Nepal Mountaineering Association and it will continue until Friday. Speaking at the function, President Bhandari said the country was facing a protracted stalemate due to the decade-long insurgency adding to the woes of people after the powerful April earthquake. “This kind of prayer helps people spiritually contain the state of their minds,” said Bhandari. Buddhist devotees from all over the world have helped promote the Himalayan tourism in Nepal. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world and Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini have helped to promote our country’s identity across the globe, she claimed. She also unveiled the monuments of late Harka Gurung, Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah and Dawa Norbu Sherpa that have been carved in the museum. Speaking at the function, Minister for Tourism and Culture Ananda Prasad Pokhrel said that Buddhism was the common religion of the entire humanity. Meanwhile, Ang Tsering Sherpa, chairperson of Nepal Mountaineering Association clarified that the function was organised to disseminate the message of peace across the world. He also underscored the need of an international airport in Pokhara to promote tourism in the country.