Looking Back at 2024
The year 2024 was a year of progress and challenges for Nepal, with significant events in politics, economics, and social spheres, along with natural disasters and tragic accidents.
Political Landscape:
Government Changes: Nepal experienced political instability in 2024, particularly in July when Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned after a no-confidence motion was filed against him. This led to a shift in coalition dynamics, with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) exiting the coalition government and forming a new alliance with the Nepali Congress. This marked the 14th change in leadership since 2008. Therefore, 2024 was a politically unstable and fluid year for Nepal.
Year of Scandals: This year was also filled with numerous scandals, including the Durga Prasai Cambodia scandal, Ravi Lamichhane's cooperative scandal, arrests, corruption cases, party protection, and a growing distrust in the judiciary.
Political Instability: Frequent government changes and shifts in alliances underscored the ongoing challenge of achieving political stability in Nepal.
Economic Performance:
Growth and Challenges: The real estate sector slowed down, the stock market was unstable, and rising loans, non-banking assets, and default loans caused economic challenges in 2024. While Nepal's economy showed some improvement with a real GDP growth rate of 3.9%, a significant rise from 2% in the previous year, the country still faced many economic hurdles. The services sector, particularly tourism and remittances, drove the growth, with a 30.7% increase in tourism-related activities.
Natural Disasters:
Floods and Landslides: September brought heavy rainfall, causing floods and landslides that particularly affected the Kathmandu Valley. The Bagmati River overflowed, resulting in at least 224 deaths and 24 people going missing. The monsoon season also saw floods and landslides that caused millions in damage and affected hundreds of people.
Other Disasters: A flood in June claimed at least 20 lives, and other landslides affected various regions.
Accidents and Tragedies:
Airline Crash: On July 24, 2024, a Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ200ER aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport, killing 18 people. The only survivor was the pilot, who sustained injuries but survived.
Bus Accidents: In July, two buses with 65 passengers went missing in the Trishuli River, and their whereabouts remain unknown. In addition, there were other road accidents, including a helicopter crash, making 2024 a year marked by numerous tragic accidents.
Death of Prominent Figures: Several notable figures in Nepali politics, arts, and culture passed away in 2024. Former Speaker and constitutional expert Daman Nath Dhungana died on November 18, as did former Kathmandu Mayor P.L. Singh in the same month. Additionally, singer Bhakta Raj Acharya, linguist Gyan Mani Nepal, and singer Prakash Timalsina passed away, leaving a significant impact on the country's cultural landscape.
Unsolved Cases: The murder of Nirmala Panta remains unsolved, and the American refugee scandal was not fully investigated. The cooperative scandal, with allegations of bias, and several crimes associated with political protection were also notable this year. Ravi Lamichhane remained in the spotlight both as a Home Minister and as a figure tied to the cooperative scam.
Gadhimai Festival and IPL:
The massive Gadhimai Festival, held every five years, took place in 2024. Towards the end of the year, Nepal's first NPL (Nepal Premier League) cricket tournament was held, with eight teams, and Janakpur Bolts took the title. Internationally recognized players also participated in this cricket festival.
International Developments:
Middle East Conflict: The Middle East saw significant changes, with escalating conflicts in Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine throughout 2024. The Israel-Palestine conflict intensified, resulting in increased civilian casualties, and despite international calls for peace talks, the world remained divided on the issue. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria opened doors for potential peace, though challenges persisted. Iran's regional influence waned, while Turkey re-emerged as a key geopolitical player. The Russia-Ukraine war remained unresolved.
U.S. Politics: In the United States, Donald Trump, despite being one of the most controversial candidates, won the presidency again, marking his return as the 47th president. His presidency will likely influence U.S. immigration policy and global relations, with significant effects to be seen in 2025.
Conclusion:
In summary, 2024 was a year of mixed emotions for Nepal. The country showed signs of economic improvement, especially in tourism, but was deeply affected by political instability, tragic accidents, and natural disasters. The year 2025 will likely bring more clarity on the country's trajectory.
-Suyog Dhakal
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