KATHMANDU: A look at Nepal’s history one year at a time — from many angles. Popular people, infamous people, politics, sports, crimes, bank heists, and many more. Here’s the big picture in a summarized package.
After a year of political dramas, from sports to politics, Khabarhub looks back at the highlights, heroes, and villains of 2019. With reflections from the team of Khabarhub English Bureau.
The year 2019 began with enthusiasm with high hopes that the K P Oli-led government would take some concrete steps to bring about drastic changes in the country, end corruption, fulfill people’s aspirations…and the list goes further!
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Oli and his cabinet ministers frittered the whole year making hollow promises. The ministers basically splurged themselves in dribs and drabs, inaugurations, speeches, assurances….! Many of them, including PM Oli, dubbed their first term as the ‘foundation’ of prosperity and development over and over.
In fact, the government faced criticism for failing to control corruption and accelerating infrastructure projects. Another criticism the government faced was its inability to stop skilled Nepali youth from flying abroad for overseas employment.
In 2019, a major political partner in the Oli-led government Samajbadi (Socialist) Party Nepal withdrew its support to the government.
Meanwhile, despite the rift between the ruling NCP’s Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and another Chairman and Prime Minister K P Oli, the two leaders succeeded in resolving the mistrust after PM Oli officially handed over the executive rights of the party to Dahal.
In the same year, Nepal underwent some challenges when it came to accepting the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and endorsing the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which created hullabaloos in both political and social spectrum. While the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) remained divided over the MCC issue, the main opposition Nepali Congress, other political parties, and the majority of intelligentsia circles were in favor of it. A chunk of the NCP perceived IPS as a counter-strategy to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). IPS and MCC remained an issue of debate in 2019.
An issue that was widely debated and protested on social media was the issue of the new political map released by India claiming Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiya Dhura as its parts. Nepal government has reiterated resolving the issue through the diplomatic channel.
In a major development of events, the Government of Nepal announced a ban on all North Korean investment in Nepal. The government gave a two-month ultimatum to North Koreans to shut down their businesses in Nepal and take back their investments.
Meanwhile, in what can be dubbed as a significant achievement, the Nepal Police arrested 122 foreigners, mainly Chinese nationals, from different parts of Kathmandu Valley for their alleged involvement in suspicious activities, including hacking after arriving in Nepal on a tourist visa.
In 2019, Nepal participated in several regional and international diplomatic platforms, including the World Economic Forum meeting held in Davos, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli’s health condition was a prominent issue in 2019. He underwent several rounds of dialysis as well as an operation of appendicitis. Oli also traveled twice to Singapore for treatment.
On the economic front, Nepal’s political stability tends to contribute to economic growth. According to the World Bank report, in 2019 Nepal’s growth rate reached 7.1 percent while making a minimal increase in foreign investment.
In 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Nepal to become the first Chinese president to visit this country in 23 years. During Xi’s visit, Nepal and China signed 20 agreements on infrastructure and investment projects.
Likewise, President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid also arrived in Kathmandu on a four-day official goodwill visit to Nepal.
The month of February 2019 became a month of sorrow as seven, including the then Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari, onboard an Air Dynasty chopper died when the chopper crashed in Taplejung on February 27 when it was returning from Pathibhara.
The government organized the ‘Nepal Investment Summit’ in which PM Oli called on foreign investors to invest in Nepal claiming that the country remains a virgin land where immense opportunities are awaiting foreign investments.
For the government, maintaining political stability will remain a challenge for the Oli-led government in 2020 as Nepal aspires to graduate to a middle-income country within a decade, which means by 2030.
Peek through 2019
January
On January 20, Prime Minister K P Oli visited Switzerland to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum scheduled for January 22-25.
On January 28, hundreds of cows were found dead in sheds being managed at a national forest in Ghodaghodi municipality-8 of Kailali.
February
In February, the government launched the Prime Minister’s Employment Program with gusto. The much-hyped Prime Minister Employment Program was launched amid a special ceremony at City Hall on February 13 in Kathmandu.
On February 15, Commissioner at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Raj Narayan Pathak, allegedly involved in taking a bribe of Rs 75 lakh from the Nepal Engineering College assuring the college management of settling a land dispute, resigned.
On February 17, folk singer Pashupati Shama’s new Song “Lutna Sake Lut” was removed from Youtube complaints on the lyrics.
On February 27, an Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Tallejung killing all seven onboard the ill-fated chopper including Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari when it was returning from Pathibhara at around 1:30 pm on Wednesday.
March
On March 2, 2019, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari passed away. Adhikari, 82, was suffering from pneumonia.
Former Finance Minister Adhikari was undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the hospital. He was suffering from pneumonia.
On March 8, secessionist leader CK Raut joined mainstream politics by signing an 11-point agreement with the government.
On March 10, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari left for the United States of America to attend a high-level event ‘Women in Power’ in New York.
On March 21, President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed chairpersons to five various constitutional commissions, including the National Natural Resources and Finance Commission, National Inclusion Commission, Madhesi Commission, Tharu Commission, and Muslim Commission.
On March 29, Prime Minister K P Oli inaugurated the Nepal Investment Summit in Kathmandu.
April
On April 1, a total of 32 people were killed when a two-minute cyclone hit the districts of Bara and Parsa. Over 2,000 houses were destroyed in the deadly cyclone.
On April 9, Khabarhub exposed illegal activities, including cyber espionage run by North Koreans from Kathmandu’s residential area.
On April 11, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) banned the popular online multiplayer game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
On April 18, Nepal launched its satellite ‘NepaliSat-1’ for the first time in history. The nanosatellite was launched from a facility in Virginia, USA.
On May 6, Chinese hackers attacked some 2,000 Government of Nepal websites due to which several government websites did not open.
On May 13, Interpol issued Red Notice to 97 Nepalis involved in criminal activities.
On May 16, the government made a 3-month-long training mandatory for obtaining a work permit to foreign-bound Nepali workers.
On May 21, nine members, including a minor of two families, were gruesomely murdered at Arubote in Miklajung Rural Municipality-3 in the district.
On May 29, the Government of Nepal unveiled a budget of Rs 1.532 trillion for the fiscal year 2019-20.
On June 7, a total of 11,000 kilograms of garbage and four dead bodies were removed from Mount Everest as a part of a cleanup campaign at the world’s highest mountain.
On June 18, the government withdrew the controversial Guthi Bill amid escalating protests from the locals of Kathmandu.
July
On July 3, the Government of Nepal withdrew its decision to hold the International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) in Nepal after coming under immense pressure from different walks of life, including social media users, film artistes, and the opposition parties, for its decision to host the IIFA.
On July 4, Ex-IGP Ramesh Chandra Thakuri, convicted guilty by the court in Sudan Scam, surrenders before the Supreme Court.
On July 31, NCP leader Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai took the oath of office and secrecy as Nepal’s tourism minister.
August
Nepal lost a renowned litterateur Dixit on August 15. Noted literary figure Madan Mani Dixit passed away at the age of 97.
On August 15, media personality Rabi Lamichhane was arrested over an alleged suicide by journalist Shalikram Pudasaini. Lamichhane was released on Rs 500,000 bail bond on August 26.
On August 17, veteran Kollywood actress Subhadra Adhikari passed away at the age of 73.
On August 26, Nepal’s Supreme Court annulled the Large Tax Payers Office (LTPO’s) decision to collect Rs 62.6 billion tax from Ncell.
On August 31, police busted a gang of Chinese nationals involved in allegedly stealing money from ATMs by hacking the ATM system of Nepali banks. Police arrested five Chinese nationals as they were stealing money from an ATM in Durbarmarg, Kathmandu.
September
On September 8, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi arrived in Kathmandu on a three-day visit to Nepal. Yi came to Nepal as part of the preparation for what has been said as ‘sojourn visit’ of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
On September 10, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the Nepal-India cross-border petroleum pipeline through a video conference.
On September 30, Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara was accused of sexual assault. A woman employed at Parliament Secretariat accused Mahara of sexually assaulting her.
In the same month, the Government of Nepal announced a ban on all North Korean investment in Nepal. The government gave a two-month ultimatum to North Koreans to shut down their businesses in Nepal and take back their investments.
October
On October 1, Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Krishna Bahadur Mahara has resigned following accusations of sexual assault and harassment.
On October 6, police arrested outgoing Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara on the charge of rape. Mahara was arrested from Speaker’s official residence in Baluwatar after Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant against him for allegedly raping a female employee at Parliament Secretariat.
On October 12, President of China, Xi Jinping arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
On October 13, police arrested former minister and Nepali Congress (NC) leader Mohammad Aftab Alam from his residence. He was arrested over a connection to a bombing on April 9, 2008.
On October 15, President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to two newly-appointed Nepali Ambassadors — Nepali Ambassador to Spain Dawafuti Sherpa and Nepali Ambassador to Australia Maheshraj Dahal.
On the same day, Nepal’s cricketer Paras Khadka announced his resignation as Captain of the Nepali cricket team.
On October 13, Nepal and China signed 18 Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) and two letters of exchange following the conclusion of the official meeting between the high-level delegations between the two countries.
On the same day, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Oli and visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping led their respective nations in the meeting that focused on discussions and discourses about all aspects concerning Nepal-China relations.
On October 14, the International Cricket Council (ICC) lifted the suspension of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). ICC had suspended CAN in 2016.
On October 15, Member of the House of Representatives, Mohammad Aftab Alam, was relieved of his parliamentarian position. He was suspended from the position after the District Police Office, Rautahat demanded his arrest for an investigation into his involvement in a murder case.
On October 16, the Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant against Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Parbat Gurung from Dolakha.
On October 22, police arrested pop singer Durgesh Thapa for using derogatory words believed to misguide the society and disrupt social harmony in his latest song “Happy Tihar, Chiso Beer’.
On October 24, police arrested Nepali Rapper VTEN alias Samir Ghising for using obscene words in his song.
November
On November 3, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari relieved governors of all seven provinces from their responsibilities. The decision to this effect was made as per the recommendation of the government. The governors included Govinda Bahadur Tumbahang, Province 1; Ratneswor Lal Kayastha, Province 2; Anuradha Koirala, Province 3; Babu Ram Kunwar, Gandaki Province; Uma Kanta Jha, Province 5; Durga Keshar Khanal, Karnali Province; and Mohan Raj Malla of Sudhur-Paschhim Province.
On November 4, the Kathmandu District Court sent Nepal’s outgoing Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara to custody in jail for an attempt to rape case filed against him. A single bench of Judge Sudarshanraj Pandey made the order following the conclusion of a bail hearing for him.
On November 5, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to the seven newly appointed governors of all seven provinces. President Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Somnath Adhikari (Province 1), Tilak Pariyar (Province 2), Bishnu Prasai (Province 3), Amik Sherchan (Gandaki Province), Dharma Nath Yadav (Province 5), Govinda Kalauni (Karnali Province), and Sharmila Kumari Pantha (Sudhu Paschhim Province) at the President’s Office Shital Niwas.
On November 8, the 11th meeting of the Joint Commission between Nepal and the European Union (EU) was held in Kathmandu, Nepal. A wide range of issues of mutual interest was discussed in a cordial atmosphere.
On November 12, President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid arrived in Kathmandu on a four-day official goodwill visit to Nepal.
On November 15, the Rautahat District Court sent former minister and suspended lawmaker of Nepali Congress Mohammad Aftab Alam to serve his custody in jail for allegedly murdering his cadres injured in a bomb explosion some 12 years ago.
On November 21, President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to six new ministers and three state ministers. Ministers Hridayesh Tripathi, Basanta Nembang, Parbat Gurung, Ghanashyam Bhusal, Lekhraj Bhatta and Rameswor Raya Yadav and state ministers Moti Dugar, Nawaraj Rawat, and Rambir Manandhar took the oath of office and secrecy.
On November 30, 2019, by-elections were held for a Member of the House of Representatives, Member of State Assembly, and some local levels.
December
On December 10, the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) concluded with a fanfare at the Tripureshwor-based Dashrath Stadium. In SAG, Nepal bagged 51 gold medals.
On December 10, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Nepal signed a loan over Rs 40.45 billion rupees for four new projects.
The 13th South Asian Games kicked off in Kathmandu. President Bidya Devi Bhandari inaugurated SAG at Dasarath Stadium.
On December 19, a total of 10, 183 students participated in the 45th Convocation Ceremony of the Tribhuvan University held at Pulchowk Engineering Campus.
On December 19, the United States of America deported five Nepali citizens to Nepal on US chartered plane. They were deported to Nepal after having been identified as illegal migrants.
On December 12, the World Bank projected economic growth of 6.5 percent for 2020 in Nepal. The WB had projected the growth rate of 7.1 percent for 2019.
On December 12, North Koreans ‘packed up’ all businesses in Nepal following a series of caveats from the Nepali authorities, and mounting pressure and monitoring from the UN and the United States.
On December 14, senior Nepali cine artist Deepak Chhetri passed away at the age of 58 years.
On December 15, Chairman of Film Development Board, Nepal (FDBN) Keshav Bhattarai, 51, passed away.
On December 21, Bangladesh decided to procure 500 megawatts electricity from Upper Karnali Hydropower Project.
On December 22, the Sindhupalchowk-based 45-megawatt Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project started its commercial production.
On December 24, Samajbadi Party Nepal (SPN) – a major partner in the Oli-led cabinet – walked out of the government.
On December 24, Nepal Police arrested 122 foreigners, mainly Chinese nationals, from different parts of Kathmandu Valley for their alleged involvement in suspicious activities, including hacking after arriving in Nepal on a tourist visa.
On December 25, the government of Nepal deported 10 North Koreans staying illegally in Nepal.
On December 27, the main opposition Nepali Congress party decided to hold 14th General Convention in Feb 2021.
On December 28, the Chitwan Rhinos lifted the title of Pokhara Premier League (PPL) 2019 defeating Biratnagar Titans by 32 runs in the final match held in Pokhara.
On December 29, the ruling Nepal Communist Party decides to name Province-3 Bagmati. A Secretariat meeting of the party also decided to pick Hetauda as the permanent capital of the province.
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