A year is a special phenomenon for history, history is shaped by these and such years. In the accounts of years, the year 2023 has also passed away with a special significance and experience.
The year 2023, which was recorded as the most relaxed and free year after the Covid period, can be considered as the year with the most conflicts and multinational enmity after the Second World War. For Nepal, this year can be considered unusually painful. The year 2023, when hundreds of Nepalis died in the earthquake in the Far West, has been considered as the year of the biggest and most destructive earthquake since 2015. 150 people died and thousands were injured in this 6.4 Richter scale earthquake with Rami Danda as its epicenter in Jajarkot district. Still, due to the lack of proper management of the earthquake victims, most of the victims are forced to live in the cold under tents.
After the earthquake, death due to cold is increasing.
In the series of airplane accidents, the tragic accident of Yeti Airlines' Pokhara-Kathmandu flight in which 72 passengers were killed happened on the 15th day of the beginning of the year 2023, i.e. on January 15th. On the other hand, the helicopter accident of Manang Air in Likupikhe of Everest region also caused another pain this year. 6 people died in this accident. In addition to this, the pilot who was injured when another helicopter of Manang Air crashed in Lobuche died during treatment.
Let's take a retrospective trip this year with increasing violence, economic recession, political instability and the increasing pressure of Nepalese migration abroad.
Let's take a retrospective trip this year with increasing violence, economic recession, political instability and the increasing pressure of Nepalese migration abroad.
International events
Middle east war
A sudden attack by Hamas on Israel added another bitterness to the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. In this attack on October 7, 1200 people were killed and 240 people were taken hostage and taken to the Ganja area. 10 Nepali students also died in this attack, while the search for Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who was taken hostage, is still ongoing.
So far, more than 20,000 Palestinians have died, and more than ten thousand Palestinians have been injured in this Israeli-Hamas war, which has clearly divided the world community into two parts since 2023. The world community will have to suffer many of its effects in the coming years.
Turkey- Syria quake
In February 2023, a devastating earthquake occurred in Turkey and Syria. About 67,000 people died in the earthquake that occurred on February 6 in Turkey and Syria. The tremors of 7.7 and 7.8 Richter scale were measured as the most destructive earthquakes in the region since 1939.
India population
This year, according to UNFPA's population report, India has become the world's most populous country, surpassing China. While China's population is 142.57 million, India's is 142.86 million.
Canada- India bitterness
Speaking of India, I am also writing here about the bitter relationship between Canada and India in the year 2023. After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trideo talked about the Indian government's involvement in the murder of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, India-Canada relations deteriorated.
Titanic remains, Ocean gate submersible accident.
On June 18, 2023, a submersible submarine of a company called Ocean Gate crashed while going to sea to see the wreckage of the Titanic. There were 5 people on board this submersible, including a British businessman of Pakistani origin, his son, the owner of the submersible company and a pilot who went down to 12,000 feet to see the wreckage of the 111-year-old Titanic. All 5 people died in this crash.
Russia- Ukraine war
On the other hand, the Russia-Ukraine war that started in February 2022 did not stop this year either. Apart from this, the involvement of Nepalis in the said war has also created a resentment among the Nepali people this year. It has been confirmed that the youths who went from Nepal were also involved in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Pakistani uprising, Imran Khan falls down
On the other hand, another Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has come to power in Pakistan by imprisoning former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Nawaz Sharif, who has been living in the UK for the last 4 years, has risen to the post of Prime Minister in Pakistan amidst great ups and downs.
Nepali context:
In the year 2023, in the Nepali environment, sometimes big fishes ie, bigger culprits were caught in the scandal of sending fake refugees to the US, but due to the government's indifference and pressure, it can be considered that these matters have reached the point where a decision will be taken in favor of the culprits. There have been a lot of incidents and news related to power and position and money this year. The number of people going abroad is increasing due to increasing depression.
Probably the year 2023 will be considered as the worst year in the Nepali economy, the bank interest became the most expensive and reached 15 to 16 percent annually in the year 2023, slowing down both the capital market and the real estate market in Nepal. The year 2023 is coming to an end amid Pashupati's gold spill scandal, minister Sudhan Kiranti's controversial statement, capitalist behavior of socialist leaders and their families, and the survival situation of a commoner in Nepal is being worse.
Bank interest has reached its peak, small and medium-sized businesses are closing, shutters are closing and why is the process of losing dreams stopped?
In the second half of the year, the news of the death of author Tilak Prasad Luintel, a knower of Vedas and Sanatan philosophy, caused an incomparable loss in the field of Nepali Sanatan science and philosophy.
In the year 2023, when businessmen are in immense pressure and even committed suicide, the government did not address it anywhere. Amid intense criticism of the government, 2023 was a down year for the Nepalese economy.
The year 2023 has proved to be fruitful for the sports world, as the small but brutal incidents of violence in society have confirmed the social fragmentation and the low presence of the government. The Nepali cricket team has been selected for the T20 World Cup.
Years have their own importance. The year 2024 is responsible for fixing the things that the year 2023 has spoiled. Happy new year.
-Suyog Dhakal
