2017 AD, a foundation year
for Nepal’s prosperity
- Mahendra Subedi
- Mahendra Subedi
KATHMANDU
(RSS): The year 2017 has just ended with some far-reaching impressions and
precedence in Nepal’s history. Nepal witnessed many ups and downs both positive
and negative last year. The year 2017 left behind sweet memories in political,
social and economic domains but disaster took a heavy toll in the southern
plains causing a huge loss to human life and property.
Completion
of all three-tiers of elections amid uncertainties remained the landmark
achievement in the country. The country people got their elected
representatives for the first time nearly after two decades in the 2017 in line
with the federal setup. Uncertainties had loomed large over the timely
elections to the local levels despite the government announcement as the
political parties in the Province No. 2 were taking to the streets threatening
to boycott the local polls. However, the agitating parties too came on board the
polls thanks to massive political engagements and grievances handling of the
agitating forces.
Likewise,
Nepal held the province assembly elections for the first time in the history
while the elections to the House of Representatives were also conducted in a
free, fair, fearless and credible manner. The international community has also
lauded the elections to the Province Assembly and House of Representatives
stating that the elections have provided ground for much needed periodic
stability in the country.
With
the fresh mandate and people representatives in all layers of government, Nepal
has entered into a stage in which almost all doors to possibilities towards
prosperity have opened up.
The
issue coming together with the election-2017 is the alliance of two rival
communist parties. The patch up of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (UML) and
landslide victory of the left alliance has become a historic move in the
country. The victory of left alliance forged aiming to form a single communist
party and the subsequent victory has ushered in multiple rays of hope to the
general public. In this case, 2017 has become a foundation year for the
nation’s economic development followed by political stability after the end to
longstanding political instability and decade-long transition. So, the country
has welcomed the left alliance's plan for socialism of Nepali characteristics
by sweeping away all forms of exploitations and injustices prevailing in the
society.
Another
thing to cheer in 2017 is rapid economic growth and all time high tourists'
arrival with past record break.
In
the year 2017, Nepal remained the third fastest growing economy in the world
according to a report of the World Economic Forum. The Swiss non-profit
foundation ranked Nepal third in terms of growing economy after Ethiopia and
Uzbekistan stating that Nepal’s growth rebounded strongly following a couple of
reasons.
For
the first time in the history of tourism sector, Nepal welcomed 940,000 plus
international tourists which is a major point to cheer as good rebound in
tourists' arrival has build trust of the air service operators, tourism
investors and business community ultimately contributing to the country's
foreign exchange earning. However, there
are some analysts who argue that tourism experienced better turnaround due to
marketing efforts and aggressive promotion by various international media. The
current growth heralds a cosy picture of the country's tourism. The number of
2017 indicates that we will be seeing arrival of more tourists in 2018 because
more star-hotels are under construction, better tourism infrastructures are
being created and political stability and peaceful situation in the country has
been improved.
Despite
the abovementioned achievements, Nepal suffered badly, perhaps one of the worst
disasters in southern plains in 2017. Nearly one and a half dozen districts in
Tarai and Madhes suffered badly due to floods. The total damage caused by the
floods is approximately Rs 61,844.8 million (USD 595.5 million) which stands
almost three per cent of our gross domestic products (GDP). The household
sector takes the largest share of damages as many houses and standing crops
were damaged. The 2017 floods damaged thousands of houses and the total number
of houses completely destroyed was reported as 41,626 while 150,510 houses were
partially damaged. The government report states that Rautahat district reported
16,145 houses as fully destroyed, the highest among all the 18 severely
affected districts. The total cost of recovery needs is estimated at Rs
73,224.8(US$ 705.1) million. Though the cost of recovery appears to be high, a
careful planning of the recovery programme would ensure that the recovery
programme is fiscally prudent and affordable.
Nepal
set bright records in almost all issues in 2017 despite some hurdles. We
witnessed better political accommodation, economic growth and better
international image. However, the natural disasters remained beyond our control
as the Tarai flood took heavy toll on human lives and infrastructures. So, 2017
remained a departure point for Nepal's prosperity from where we can set a new
journey for the country's bright future and people's wellbeing provided that we
deal with the serious issues at hand tactfully.
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