Newspapers in Nepal
Newspaper distribution in Nepal is low (12 newspaper excl. Per 1,000 residents, 2000). There are about thirty daily newspapers, of which Gorkhapatra (about 75,000 copies) in Nepali, Nepali Hindi Daily (about 60,000 copies) in Hindi and Rising Nepal (about 20,000 copies) in English are the largest. The press was previously state-controlled, but since 1990 the constitution basically guarantees freedom of the press. The majority of the press is in various ways linked to the political parties.
State Radio Nepal is the only radio station and with its broadcasts in Nepali and English reaches about 90% of the population. State Nepalese Television Corporation broadcasts in one channel. Since 1994, a company has been transmitting satellite TV over Kathmandu. There are 39 radio and 7 TV receivers per 1,000 residents (2000).
Culture
According to APARENTINGBLOG, religion is expressed in all parts of cultural life. The motives are derived from both Hinduism and Buddhism. There are many famous Buddhist temples, as well as memorials from Buddha’s own time.
The craftsmanship and architecture of the New People flourished between the 9th and 16th centuries and can be seen in temples and other shrines in the capital, Kathmandu and its surroundings. From the 18th century, Nepal experienced a cultural decline, but after the fall of the Ranad dynasty in 1951 (see Modern History) a cultural rebirth was encouraged. King Mahendra (1955-1972) did much to revive art and literature.
Many temples, stupas and other religious or cultural buildings were destroyed in the 2015 earthquake in Kathmandu Valley (see further Modern History and Current Politics).
There is a small film industry sometimes called Kollywood or Kaliwood.
2020
June
New map teases India
June 19
The Government of Nepal is publishing a new controversial map that includes areas that even India claims. India calls Nepal’s claim in the area “unsustainable”. Tensions between the two countries have risen rapidly since India opened a new path from Indian Uttarakhand to the disputed passport Lipu Lekh. The passport is Nepali on the new map, as are a few other areas that India claims. Parliament has previously approved the map. Road construction has in recent weeks led to protest demonstrations in Nepal.
Death shooting at the border with India
June 12
Nepalese border police shoot at a group of about 30 Indians who violate the border with Nepal in the Sarlahi district in the south. According to police, one man is killed and two injured. The police must have shot at the Indians since they attacked the guards with stones and also stole a rifle. Three Nepalese border police are also injured. The incident is one in a series of similar incidents that have occurred along the Indian-Nepalese border since Nepal closed the border at the outbreak of the corona pandemic in March. The increased tensions between the two countries are also due to India opening a new contentious road across the border.
May
The first death in covid-19
May 16
Nepal reports its first confirmed death in covid-19, while the country notes 281 cases of confirmed corona-infected residents. The deceased was a 29-year-old woman who gave birth to a child ten days earlier. She died on her way to the hospital. The whole of Nepal has been shut down since March 24.
Protests against Indian road construction
May 9
Nepal lodges a formal protest against India opening a new stretch of road from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to China. The eight-mile road to the Lipu Lekh mountain pass in the Himalayas passes through an area claimed by Nepal. Despite the coronary restrictions, people gather for protest demonstrations in Kathmandu, including outside India’s embassy. About 40 people are arrested.
April
HD: guest workers have to come home
April 16
The Supreme Court orders the government to assist Nepalese guest workers who are stuck abroad where they lost their jobs due to the corona pandemic. Until now, the government of Kathmandu has not allowed migrant workers to return to Nepal for fear of spreading infection. Up to 2.6 million Nepalese are estimated to be located in the Persian Gulf countries, in Malaysia and in South Korea, where they lost their jobs due to quarantine rules and closed jobs.
March
Measures against coronary pandemic
24th of March
Nepal shuts down large parts of the country in an effort to prevent the spread of the new corona virus, which has caused a pandemic. Residents are encouraged to stay home if they do not have to do the necessary tasks such as purchasing food and medicines.
February
Ex-President is exempt from rape
February 17th
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Krishna Bahadur Mahara of the ruling Communist Party of ULM, is acquitted in court of the charges of rape (see October 2019). Mahara was forced to resign as President after being accused of rape by an employee of Parliament, but he retained his place in the House of Commons. The acquittal comes after the claimant withdraws his notification.
