The year 2015 has been a peculiar year indeed for Nepal. Series of ‘not-good’ events in Nepal happened throughout this year. There were so much of ups and downs through every aspects especially politics. The political instability has created a real havoc in here. It was dramatically horrific twelve months I would say.
Here I have summed up this year with a list mentioning few events, which every Nepali people should get to know and remember:
Events in Nepal happened in 2015
- Parliament Violence (January)
The year started with a brawl in parliament house. It happened when Maoist and Madhesi lawmakers tried to block the government from passing the draft of a new constitution. Politicians acted like wild animals throwing chairs and creating complete violence. They also caused injuries to the security officers who tried to take the condition to normal. The constituent Assembly met was forced to halt by speaker Subash Nembang after such brutal act. -
Acid attack (February-March)
Following the senseless behavior by the political leaders in January, a series of acid attack was reported in Kathmandu including schoolgirls and women. The pouring of acid over two girls in basantapur and corrosive battery acid on a woman at mangalbazaar shook the nation. There’s no any legal punishment in Nepal for these kinds of attacks but if the culprits are arrested they can be fined up to Rs.2000 and sentenced for four months in maximum. - TIA Runway blocked (March)
It happened on march 4th when a Turkish Airlines plane (TK726) crashed on the runway due to the loss of balance while landing on TIA, Kathmandu. Because of this, the runway was blocked and all the international flights had to be cancelled. The only international airport of Nepal had to shut down for four days till it was moved to east of the airport on march 7th. -
7.9 Richter scale Earthquake (April 25th)
It was the Black day of Nepal, 25th of April. It was Saturday, people were busy enjoying their weekend and suddenly a huge Earthquake measuring 7.9 Richter scale shook Nepal. The most devastating and terrible earthquake in Nepal since 1990 B.S. Thousands of people died, became injured and homeless. Nepal lost a landmark, which was carrying some historical importance since years, ‘Dharahara’ also called ‘The Bhimsen Tower’. It terrified people for a whole month forcing them to stay outside in tents for days and nights. At the mean time, an avalanche swept the face of Mt.Everest after the earthquake killing around 10 climbers and 30 injured.
The earthquake victims in different districts were helpless till months. Although different countries donated millions of rupees, the victims were unable to get the help because of our country’s greedy politicians. But then, there were some nepali and foreign volunteers who went up to the affected hills and provided the helping hands to the victims. Temporary homes were built-in different districts with donations including food and clothing.
But, there is news saying the earthquake victims are still without the proper fund and help and they are dying because of the cold. Still, our government isn’t taking the necessary steps. God bless them!
- Natural disasters terror (July)
Nepalese people were restoring their life after the huge tremor and nature became furious once more. A series of landslides were marked in different places of Nepal on july and august. The landslide in kaski district was the most damaging one which caused lots of lives and properties.
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Kailali Carnage (August 24th)
Probably this was another Black day in Nepal’s history. The heartbreaking news flared around on this day when the tharu protestors in Kailali districts couldn’t control their wrath saying that their demands weren’t addressed in the new constitution draft. They were like some wild animals who clashed with Nepal police personnel killing them including a baby and burning the SSP alive. It was such a brutal inhuman act by them which forced the Nepal government to mobilize Nepal Army in that particular district.
7. Promulgation of the Constitution (September 20th)
It was the day that illuminated whole Nepal with the light of hope. Yes, the constitution was promulgated with the overwhelming two-thirds majority dated 20th September, 2015. It took nearly seven and half years to draft the new constitution as the first constitution assembly failed to complete it which sat on 2008. With this constitution, Nepal was announced as a Secular country against those people who were demanding Nepal to be considered as Hindu state. People celebrated this day feeling that they were the real triumphant.
8. New Prime minister elected (October 12th)
After the constitution promulgation, the chairman of CPN-UML, K.P Sharma Oli had been voted as the new prime minister. He defeated Sushil koirala (former PM) with comfortable vote counts. Being the first Prime minister of Nepal since the constitution was passed, K.P Oli has promised a lot of missions to be completed in near future to lead Nepal towards the brighter path. We still have to check if it’ll work or not.
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First ever female speaker & president (October 16th & 29th)
The Constitution of Nepal 2072 handed the post of speaker & president to women for the first time in Nepal’s history on 16th and 29th October respectively. The first ever-female president of Nepal, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, the vice-chairperson of CPN-UML defeated kul Bahadur Gurung. And the first female speaker Onsari Gharti Magar, the former Deputy Speaker was elected unopposed. In their respective posts. With this result, no matter whatever the country will get, people are happy that women are also getting themselves forward which is a matter of pride. - Nepali players & AFC president banned (October 14 & November 17)
2015 wasn’t bad only in the field of politics for Nepal but also in sports. On this day, Nepalese sports fans had to face a very humiliating news about their own national football players involved in match fixing. captain Sagar Thapa, vice-captain Sandip Rai, goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, former national defender Bikash Singh Chhetri, and former national player and former coach of Three Star Club Anjan KC all were arrested in Kathmandu valley. Later they were banned by AFC from football activities for life on December 4th.
Moreover, FIFA banned the AFC president Ganesh Thapa for 10 years with a fine of 20,000 swiss francs.
11. India Blockade Nepal (September last – still going)
It was not even a week since the constitution of Nepal was promulgated, India blocked the border stopping the Nepali trucks loaded with goods and fuel tankers to enter Nepal. It was revealed that India didn’t agree with the new constitution of Nepal and needs amendment. And to force the constitution amendment they had started the border blockade, which India specifically doesn’t agree. The sit in protest by Madhesi people on the border was claimed to be the reason.
As the constitution promulgation is a matter of internal affair of Nepal, India has no right to intervene. This pushed Nepali people to make #BackoffIndia, #IndiaBlockadeNepal as a trend in social networking.
This blockade has been a nightmare to all Nepalese till now.
The obstruction of petroleum products has created a serious crisis with black markets rising up. Also, the shortage of cooking gas and kerosene has led people to use firewood even in Kathmandu city. Moreover, lack of medicines and rising of price tag in every item has hit Nepal so badly. Although, talks with china held over the supply of petroleum products, Nepal hasn’t been successful to find a way to get through this arduous time.
To conclude, it wasn’t a good year for Nepal. There were a couple of Black days and lots of struggles and suffocation due to blockade especially. And it’s so unpleasant to say that the blockade is still going on. The season of shortages is still not leaving Nepal.
I just wish Nepal to find its way through these tough times with the arrival of 2016.
God bless us!
God bless Nepal!
