Flashback 2008: revisiting an eventful year

The countdown for yet another new year has begun; 2008 has already seen its final sunset! In fact, the sun hardly came out today at my place. It was snowing till late afternoon. Sitting on a chair which is far from being comfortable, I try to recall happenings of the passing year. I frequently traveled inside and outside of Japan: not less than a dozen times this year. I remember one of my friends calling me a 'traveler'! However, the best of my trips actually happened to be the trip to my own birth place. One thing I must confess here: while being in Nepal I always felt like going out of the country (and possibly settle in abroad) but once it happened, nothing appeals to me more than my motherland!

I started blogging during this year and it's been little over eight months when I initiated sharing my thoughts. At the beginning, blogging was just an extension to my habit of writing diary. A time off thing to avoid boredom and loneliness but, soon it became a passion. Through blogging, I came across several friends and their ideas. I may not be able to recognize them physically, but I feel that I know them for years! I recall one of my friend saying 'blogging is like interviewing yourself'. And I totally agree with him. I am fairly new to blogging; so don't have many experiences to share! It's been a good learning period. We learn something every passing day and try to be much focused and matured than before. I am indebted to all who inspired and encouraged me to keep writing.

Deviating from the personal stuffs, lets talk about some of the major events or incidents of year 2008 that have the potential to impact our future. The year 2008 has been an eventful year in many ways. I am trying to figure out three of the most dominating things that happened this year.


I think, first and the most influential event that happened this year was Barack Obama becoming the first ever black president of the United States of America. Obama is all set to become America’s president after a record turnout propelled him to emphatic victory. Times Online wrote after the landslide victory that "The weight of the world began to bear down on Barack Obama’s shoulders yesterday as the President-elect turned from an epic campaign towards the challenges ahead". Obamas have promised to bring a vision of change. Not only to America but to entire world which inevitably gets affected by White House's policies. Let’s hope the change is real and a constructive one as well. Well, only time will tell if the change is more than a facial one. we have to wait and watch before we conclude if this is the dawn of a new era.

The next significant incident of this year was terror attacks on Indian financial capital Mumbai. India, as expected, pointed finger towards Pakistan based terrorists for the mayhem which obviously did not amused Pakistan. India and Pakistan have already fought war thrice. However, the scenarios have changed dramatically over the years. They both are nuclear powers now. Hence, military solution is no more a viable or desirable option for either party. Besides, America has a long-term interest in Pakistan and the two nations have remained traditionally close in the past. And, any military conflict between India and Pakistan will have a negative impact on it's ongoing war in Afghanistan. Further, a growing relationship between America and India has added another dimension to the situation. There is an axiom that wars are fought on five fronts: diplomatic, social, economic, psychological and military. Obviously, India is trying to exercise all but the last option. The situation is far from being satisfactory and it threatens to prolong further. A troubled Indo-Pak relation is not good for peace and prosperity in the South Asia.

The next dominating thing that shattered entire world this year was the financial crisis which ultimately resulted into global recession. Three months back, Lehman Brothers filed the largest bankruptcy in United States history. This was the unofficial beginning of the 'economic crisis'. It sparked a sudden cascade effect in the world economy as most of the financial indicators dropped down sharply. It is slowly now engulfing each day of our lives, and doesn't seem like going away anytime soon, if it ever goes away at all.

The Nepalese context

The year 2008 will go down in the Nepalese history books as one of the most eventful year in modern times. I have tried to identify three of the most dominating events/incidents that happened in Nepal this year and I believe that these will have a lasting impact in the time to come.

Nepal become a federal democratic republic state with sovereignty vested entirely in the people. A 239 years old institution, monarchy, had already lost its legitimacy in the constitutional frameworks after April 2006 People’s movement; which brought about a change in the country’s governance. Later, Maoist emerged victorious after the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls which, to many, was nothing less than a miracle. However, the actual problem started with the Nepali Congress's decision to sit on the opposition bench. The clouds of mistrust between the major political forces appear to ruin all the good works that have been done in the recent past to end the decade long insurgency.

Another influential thing that happened in Nepal was the emergence of madeshi parties and their 'one madhesh one province' slogan. Though, Nepal has been formally declared as a federal state, the modality of federalism suitable for the country remains the most debatable issue till date. At this crucial juncture, the demand of 'one madhesh one province' by the major madhesi parties threatens to prolong if not jeopardize the entire 'peace process'.

One of the most significant issue that has literally put Nepal on the threshold of moving into darker days is the fresh half-day long daily load shedding schedule announced by Nepal Electricity Authority. The government has to declare 'energy crisis' in the country and take an ad-hoc decision of setting up 200MW diesel power plant in the country. The per unit energy cost associated to diesel plants is much bigger than that of existing hydropower plants. It seems, it's the people who are going to suffer ultimately. The decision has sparked a big debate in the energy sector.

This is my perspective of looking back into the things and you may not agree with me. Nevertheless, lets hope for a better year ahead. Lets welcome 2009!

I wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!
...May it bring success and prosperity into your life!
...May your life be filled with good health, New hope and new beginnings!
...May this new beginning open up more opportunities for you and lead onto the path of continued success!
...May coming year showers on you, all that you ever wished for!