In the previous Blog, I discussed about 10 happenings of 2020. Well, that is not all of it. While talking about Nepal, plenty of debates, protests and disasters happened here too. So let's see 10 most shocking events of Nepal in 2020.
Nepal released its new administrative map on May 2020 in keeping with the Sugauli treaty 1816. It included all those territories which from a long time were being claimed by both Nepal and India. New map included Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limipiyhura which are within the north western side bordering both India and China. After this incident Nepal and India relations were changed. Releasing a map alone will not bring back Nepali territories that are occupied by India.
2. Corona Virus
Covid 19 is a world pandemic and it affected Nepal too. The primary corona case was confirmed on 23rd January 2020 when a 31-year-old student returned from Wuhan to Kathmandu and tested positive. Country wide Lockdown came into effect on 24th March 2020. During mid September Ministry of health and population confirmed 64,122 cases and 46,233 recoveries. The virus has now detected in every district with Kathmandu being hit hard. All academic examinations were cancelled and schools and universities were closed. Quarantine centers and temporary hospitals are being found across the country. Laboratory facilities are being upgraded and expanded.
3. Youth led protest
Thousand of individuals gathered at Bhatbhateni, Kathmandu for peaceful protests demanding that government should improve quarantine conditions and make wider use of PCR tests. The second series of protests was organized by youths near the Baluwatar residence of KP Sharma Oli demanding more PCR tests. Individuals had lined up the streets wearing masks and holding placards. There has been much criticism on Government's handling of the Covid 19 pandemic with many pointing to the failure to utilize the Lockdown to organize for the pandemic. Public anger has begun to spill over onto the streets, as business people from New road too took to the streets on Wednesday, protesting the prolonged Lockdown.
4. Locusts attack
Around eight million locusts entered Nepal on late June 2020. Several swarms of the crop damaging insects were reported to have entered the country on different dates beginning from June 27. It had been also the prevailing climatic conditions that brought these insects into Nepali territory. The locusts damaged crops in Dang followed by Pyuthan, Makwanpur, Argakhanchi and Palpa.
5. Deadly landslides
Floods and landslides are the foremost prominent and recurring hazards of Nepal, often leading to disasters. Most of those rain induced events occur during the monsoon season (june-September) when Nepal recieves 80 percent of its annual rainfall. This year monsoon rain started on June 12th. Two days later the primary landslides triggered and eight people lost their lives. Floods and landslides have continued to affect several districts within Nepal and rainfall has been heavier than expected. The amount of casualties and also loss of and damage of properties keeps increasing.
6. Rastra kavi Madhav P. Ghimire died at 101
Madhav P. Ghimire was one of the last of Nepali literacy figures among the older generation. He is best known for his works like Gauri, Kinnar Kinnari, Shakuntala and his most appreciated work Malati Mangale. He was a humble and friendly person. He wrote poems that had a very deep meanings. He died at his residence on 18th August 2020.
7. SEE cancellation
The Government had decided to cancel SEE examinations for the first time ever because of the uncertainty seen after Corona cases increased. The NEB decided to issue certificates supported internal evaluation based to school premises. The SEE was scheduled to begin from March 19 but because of the threat of Corona, government imposed Lockdown from March 24.
8. Kulman Ghising's four year tenure ends
For completing the four year tenure Kulman Ghising received a farewell from his office. He was considered as the most effective government officials; currently the public is pressuring the government via social networking sites to re-appoint Ghising as the MD of NEA. there have been many protests all over the country to reappoint Kulman Ghising as MD of NEA with Maitighar protest turn violent. Kulman Ghising requested all his supporters not to hold rally and crowd in his support.
9. Cancellation of Festivals
For the Kathmandu valley, a hotbed for festivals, jatras, and pujas, the Lockdown has shut down it's cultural life. With large crowds and public movement prohibited, some of the valley's most cherished processions are likely to be cancelled. For the communities that celebrate these festivals, their cancellation, something that has rarely happened before, means they are missing out on vital cultural traditions that have long bound them together and animated them. Many are disappointed but also they seen to understand that strict measures need to be adopted to control the spread of the corona virus. For now many have taken the cancellation of their favorite festivals into the stride.
10. MCC Agreement
The US Congress in 2004, approved legislation for the establishment of the MCC as an independent bilateral foreign aid agency. The MCC was formed following dissatisfaction with the US 's other foreign aid program, with an objective to reduce poverty through economic growth. The US government agreed to provide $500 million in grants while Nepal would put in $130 million for the project that Priotises energy and roadways. This is the largest grant Nepal has ever received. According to the deal, the funds will be spent on setting up a 400kv transmission line running 400 kilometers on the Lapsiphedi-Galchhi-Damauli-Sunawal power corridor. For a long time, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been trying to convince senior party leaders Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Bhim Rawal on the need for its parliamentary approval. He hasn't succeeded.
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