Nepal 2024 Wrapped: Disasters, Celebrations, and New Beginnings

As 2024 concludes, Nepal reflects on a year marked by significant events that shaped the nation’s socio-political and cultural landscape. From political upheavals to natural disasters, here are the major highlights that defined Nepal’s journey this year.

KP Sharma Oli Returns as Prime Minister

In a notable political development, KP Sharma Oli resumed the office of Prime Minister, marking his fourth term. The two largest party, Nepali Congress and UML came together to end the Prachanda’s dominance in the government. The alliance was formed claiming to work against the existing dissatisfaction amoung the public and make some major amendmend in the constitution.

Sahakari Thag

The issue of cooprative scandal in Nepal has been the center of all the chaos and drama. Rather than solving the actual problem of the victims, this issue has been politicized and everyone is using it for their own good. Nepali Congress had obstructed the HOR meeting for months demanding an investiation comittee against then HM Rabi Lamichhane. Lamichhane eventually went to custody for investigation but the major culprits of the scandal are still missing or being protected.

Tragic Accidents: Bus and Plane Crashes

The nation mourned the loss of lives in several tragic accidents. On July, two buses carrying more than 60 people were swept by a landslide into a rain-swollen river in Chitwan, many bodies are left to be found including the bus wrecks. Another bus accident claimed lives of 24 Indian passenger. A Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 plane crashed and caught fire on July 24, resulting in 18 fatalities.

Landslides and Floods

The heavy rainfall in late September, which triggered floods and landslides in most parts of the country, caused a loss of Rs46.68 billion to Nepal’s economy, and claimed the lives of more than 200 people.

Nepal in the Cricket World Cup

Nepal’s cricket team made a historic appearance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Though the team failed to register a win, the main highlight was the teams performance against the finalist South Africa, in which they lost just by a run. They also gave tough faight to Sri Lanka and the Neatherlands. Their participation was a source of national pride and showcased the growing talent in Nepali cricket.

KP Oli’s Feuds with Kulman Ghising and Balen Shah

Prime Minister KP Oli publicly criticized the working style of Kulman Ghising, Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), expressing concerns over power shortages impacting industries. Additionally, tensions arose between Oli and Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah over urban development issues, sparking public debates on governance and leadership.

Hit Songs of the Year

Nepal’s music scene thrived with several hit songs capturing the public’s imagination. Tracks like Rukum Maikot, Bujina Maile, Hyatterika Sailirimai, Bardali, Kashmire Pacheuri etc became particularly popular, reflecting the nation’s rich musical heritage.

Tiktok unban

After a nine-month ban, the Nepalese government lifted restrictions on the popular video-sharing app TikTok. The decision came after TikTok agreed to collaborate with authorities to address concerns related to cybercrime and content regulation.

Same-Sex Marriage Legalized

In a landmark decision, Nepal’s Supreme Court recognized a marriage between Nepalis of the same legal gender for the first time. This step was celebrated as a milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in South Asia.

MrBeast Builds a Hospital in Nepal

Renowned YouTuber MrBeast, through his philanthropy, partnered with non-profits to renovate a hospital in Fikkal Rural Municipality, Sindhuli. This initiative brought vital medical services to thousands, earning widespread appreciation.

Controversy on It’s My Show

The popular talk show It’s My Show, hosted by Oshin Sitaula, faced controversy over remarks made by guests, leading to public debates about media responsibility and freedom of expression. The show’s producers addressed the issue by removing the controversial segments.

Prakash Returns Home

In a heartwarming story, Prakash Tamang from Jhapa, who had been missing for nearly 34 years, was reunited with his family. His journey, which took him to the high mountains of Tsum Valley, Gorkha, was widely covered and touched the hearts of many Nepalis.

Kailash Sirohiya Arrest

In May 2024, Kailash Sirohiya, Chairman of Kantipur Media Group, was arrested over alleged citizenship discrepancies. Critics called it a suppression of press freedom, especially after KMG’s investigative reports on Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane. Sambhav Sirohiya released a video accusing Lamichhane of retaliation. The arrest sparked widespread condemnation, highlighting concerns about media independence in Nepal.

Nepal Premier League

The 2024 Nepal Premier League (NPL) marked a huge leap for Nepali cricket, with the tournament attracting top international players like Shikhar Dhawan, Martin Guptill, and James Neesham. In a thrilling finale, Janakpur Bolts emerged as the champions, further elevating the league’s stature in the cricketing world.

The rise of Nepali cinema

In 2024, Nepali cinema saw a surge of hit films like Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi, Boksi Ko Ghar, 12 Gaun, and Chhakka Panja. These films resonated with audiences for their compelling stories, strong performances, and humor, becoming major successes at the box office and boosting the industry’s profile.

Pashupatinath Kotihom

The Kotihom Mahayagya at Pashupatinath Temple in 2024 was a significant religious event, attracting thousands of devotees for a month-long chanting of mantras. However, it sparked controversies due to financial challenges, with expenses exceeding donations by over 72.5 lakh rupees. Additionally, tensions flared when plainclothes police appeared at the event, causing a brief disturbance. The event also witnessed calls for religious reform, particularly from Krishna Damai, who challenged traditional caste practices.