Wishing a happy and joyous Dashain to everyone! It’s a time of family, feasting, and... political shake-ups? As Nepal navigates the aftermath of a youth revolution, the autumn season brings record tourists to the mountains, but landslides are making the journey home a challenge for some. Let’s dive into a week of big changes and celebrations!
Politics & Governance 🏛️
The aftermath of the Gen Z-led revolution continues to dominate Nepal’s political landscape, setting the course for a new and uncertain chapter. A new interim government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, has been established with the primary mandate of holding elections, a commitment she reiterated in her Dashain message (MyRepublica). However, the movement’s profound human cost, with 75 fatalities and over 2,100 injuries, remains a raw wound. From their hospital beds, injured protesters are reportedly more concerned with their demands than their own well-being, insisting on accountability for the violence and deep systemic reforms (The Himalayan Times). In a sign of the new administration taking shape, the Prime Minister has appointed a new team of advisors, including veteran journalist Ajaya Bhadra Khanal as her chief advisor.
The new government is simultaneously grappling with a severe breakdown in law and order that has tested the state’s authority. One of the most pressing challenges is the mass prison breaks that occurred during the protests, with reports indicating 651 inmates from Nakkhu Prison remain at large (The Himalayan Times). Compounding the issue, the Home Ministry issued a controversial directive instructing police not to make any arrests related to the vandalism, a move that drew a swift and sharp rebuke. The Nepal Bar Association slammed the order, stating that it “undermines the criminal justice system, promotes impunity, and signals protection for violence” (Nepal News).
As the new administration finds its footing, the old political guard is reacting to the seismic shift in power. Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has voiced sharp criticism of the interim government, sarcastically remarking on its formation amidst chaos (MyRepublica). Meanwhile, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was himself injured in the clashes, described the violence as an “unimaginable and tragic event” in the nation’s history. Signaling a decisive break from the past, the new government announced that it is set to terminate 234 stalled road and bridge construction contracts that have languished for years, a move aimed at ending the practice of contractors taking advances without delivering results (Nepal News).
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Economy & Development 💸
Nepal’s tourism sector is enjoying a remarkable autumn season, signaling a strong recovery and bringing a wave of positive news. The mountaineering season has started on an encouraging note, with Mt. Manaslu attracting a record 374 climbers and generating over Rs 180 million in royalties alone (MyRepublica). The favorable weather has also led to incredible new records, including a 16-year-old Sherpa becoming the youngest to summit the peak. This optimistic trend is reflected across the country, as jeep safaris have officially resumed in Chitwan National Park and Mustang district has already welcomed over 108,000 foreign tourists this year, a notable increase from 2024 (The Himalayan Times).
Alongside the tourism boom, a significant push is underway to modernize the economy with a focus on sustainability and local enterprise. A detailed analysis outlines the new government’s ambitious vision to make Nepal’s public transport EV-friendly, a critical step toward reducing dependency on expensive fossil fuel imports and combating severe air pollution (MyRepublica). While the plan faces challenges like high upfront costs and the need for updated legislation, it represents a major policy shift toward a green economy. This is complemented by renewed government pledges to support and promote cottage and small industries, which Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Anil Kumar Sinha called the “backbone of the national economy” (The Rising Nepal).
However, progress remains hampered by persistent infrastructure challenges that continue to disrupt daily life, especially during the festive season. A recent report highlights the severe hardship faced by passengers traveling to Khotang due to the absence of a bridge over the Sunkoshi River, which was destroyed by floods last year and has not been replaced (Khabarhub). Meanwhile, incessant rains have triggered multiple landslides, repeatedly blocking the critical Narayangadh–Muglin highway and stranding thousands of travelers (The Himalayan Times). On a more positive environmental note, conservationists announced the discovery of a new lizard species—the Makwanpurgadhi Bent-toed Gecko—in a community forest, a reminder of Nepal’s rich and unique biodiversity (The Rising Nepal).
People & Cultural ⭐
Across the nation, the vibrant spirit of Dashain is in full swing, bringing families together to celebrate Nepal’s most important festival. The week was marked by sacred and colorful rituals, with the observance of Fulpati seeing a ceremonial palanquin brought from Gorkha to Kathmandu (Onlinekhabar). A central feature of the holiday is the massive Dashain exodus, with traffic authorities reporting that over 460,000 people have departed the Kathmandu Valley to reunite with their families (The Himalayan Times). In their festival messages, national leaders like Speaker Devraj Ghimire emphasized Dashain’s themes of reconciliation and reunion, expressing hope that the festival can inspire progress (The Rising Nepal).
While a time of joy for most, the festival also casts a light on the evolving social dynamics and persistent pressures within Nepali society. A poignant story explores the fading tradition of community swings (pings), a once-integral cultural heritage now vanishing due to urbanization and youth migration (The Rising Nepal). This nostalgia contrasts sharply with modern-day stresses, especially for women, who report shouldering a much heavier workload during the festival. Furthermore, as detailed by The Annapurna Express, young women in particular often dread family gatherings where they face a barrage of intrusive questions about their careers, marriage plans, and body weight, turning a festive occasion into a source of anxiety.
The festival season also brought a mix of hardship, national pride, and cultural continuity. For impoverished communities like the landless families in Banahara camp, Dashain brings no joy, serving only as a stark reminder of their daily struggle for survival (Nepal News). In a moment that lifted the nation’s spirits, Nepal’s cricket team delivered a stunning and historic victory, clinching their first-ever T20I series against the West Indies, a former world champion (MyRepublica). Meanwhile, in Kathmandu, a centuries-old tradition continued with the selection of two-and-a-half-year-old Aryatara Shakya as the new Living Goddess, the Kumari, ensuring the preservation of one of Nepal’s most unique cultural heritages (Onlinekhabar).
Diaspora & Globalisation
Nepal’s recent political turmoil has captured the global spotlight, with a detailed report explaining how the Gen Z revolution has resonated far beyond its borders, inspiring similar movements elsewhere (Nepali Times). Amidst this, Nepal has also been proactively strengthening its global ties. The national carrier, Nepal Airlines, has launched much-anticipated direct flights to Guangzhou, China, a move expected to greatly benefit the large Nepali community there (The Himalayan Times). Furthermore, plans are underway for a ‘Manila International Economic and Cultural Programme’ to boost tourism and cultural exchange with the Philippines (The Rising Nepal).
Diplomatic engagements and the timeless rhythms of cross-border life also featured prominently this week. Japan’s ambassador paid a courtesy call to the Finance Minister to discuss ongoing socio-economic support, reinforcing a key bilateral partnership (The Himalayan Times). Highlighting the deeply personal side of globalization, a story captured the annual pilgrimage of Humla residents returning home from Taklakot, China, to celebrate Dashain with their families (The Rising Nepal).
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