Why do certain ‘stuff’ happen in Nepal?

This piece is an exercise at connecting the dots and at making some assumptions of situations that have recently occurred that, though apparently unrelated, could be linked to the same thread. I am also, quite boldly, attempting to formulate some theories of Let’s start with the most banal, perhaps frivolous of all these facts. It is about the recent qualification game for the AFC Challenge League played by the Bhutanese side Paro FC against the Nepal’s Martyrs Memorial A-Division League champions Church Boys. 

Just a day before the game, the Japanese football star, now semi-retired, Keisuke Honda, playing for the Bhutanese’s side, lamented, ironically, about the miserable conditions of the football pitch assigned to his team for one of the pre-game training sessions. 

It so happened that, while the team reached the Bhadrakali football ground, workers were still mowing the grass. It is rumored that Honda, used to the highest standards of football after a strong career with some of the most renown European clubs, had said “Is this a joke?”, expecting that such preparatory work like cutting the grass would be done well in advance. 

A day later, I was with a group of youths I have been working with, all smart young students committed to doing good in the society. They are all nice and serious about their work and together we are working in a new dimension of human rights. One of them, mentioning the embarrassing moment, said, ironically, something like the following: “Another track record for Nepal!”. 

In the end, the pitiful conditions of the main pitch of the Dasharath stadium also brought humiliation for the whole country.

The following day we had scheduled an important meeting with a key stakeholder, something we had been trying to schedule for almost two months. It was decided by the group to meet one hour before the meeting to discuss and finalize a few points in the agenda to be discussed. I was running twenty minutes late and I tried my best to inform everyone. 

All the team arrived much later than me and the person who had made the comment on Honda’s amazement about the country’s preparedness to host an international game was the last to arrive and I had to wait outside the office for him even if our official meeting had already started. To me this was also a small embarrassment.
Tragic accidents take place all too often on the country’s roads. 

For example, it is a catastrophic occurrence that buses fall down ravines or, just over a month ago, two buses were hit by landslide on the Mugling-Narayangadh section of the highway during a night trip through a road that should have been precautionary closed. 

When these incidents happen, we hear the usual blames like lack of rules or non-compliance with existing regulations, be they in terms of allowing old vehicles on the road or the lack of common sense on the part of those who drive recklessly. But I am wondering if instead, on the top of an utter disregard for these fundamental laws of the road, the problem is wider and much more systemic than what we might think. The assumption I am daring to make in this column is that many of the challenges affecting the country are due to factors related to the sphere of personal behavior.

Yes, while there is often a lack of appreciation for regulations and laws, such disregard is more a symptom rather than the cause of all these problems.

As we know, putting all these situations together does not only affect the image of the country but also hits the confidence that the people have in their own country. Even we could say that the whole performance as a society is negatively affected. 

What I am talking about instead is that at the bottom, there is a combination of factors that do affect people’s performances and as consequence have a serious impact at societal level. It is not just about small embarrassments per se like the one related to a football pitch’s conditions, these are things that could be easily shrugged off. But, starting from small things, literally speaking minutiae to much more serious affairs, gigantic impacts at system level might come as a result. 

My theory is this: The lack of attention to details combined with a tendency to downplay our own responsibilities while blaming others can bring appalling effects. If you think about road accidents, it is almost a miracle that the country’s roads do not see more lethal accidents. 

On a recent journey to Jorpati, I saw the nonchalant attitude at not observing the undivided line that separates the two senses of direction. To be clear, I am also not immune to some responsibilities as I often ignore some of the most basic traffic rules while I drive like a crazy bicyclist. 

In short, small matters do matter a lot and, taken together, we get the country about which so many people complain about. This is also related to the general (mine included) attitudes related to punctuality. Most of the people, obviously not all, do not bother much about arriving on time. In a scenario where everybody has the same approach, well, there is no big impact as a meeting simply will start later but what if the same tardiness is also applied for other, much more important issues or tasks? 

It is also about personal accountability because people might tend not to care as much as they should in situations where their actions can make a difference, even a small one, if implemented. And to me personal accountability is a big deal because without it, we will hardly have the tons of personal leadership that an ambitious but still developing nation requires to advance and progress. There is a clear link between the two and the former is a sort of precondition to the latter without which nothing can happen. It might be that one of the problems is that leadership in a cultural setting like the one existing in the whole of South Asia and perhaps beyond is always understood in terms of authority. 

This is a misconception because equating leadership to power and personal authority is one of the best ways of disempowering and disenfranchising people from assuming their responsibilities. The end results can vary: it can bring to being late in a meeting or being late at mowing a pitch. But it could also bring to delaying till last minute important tasks and, by the way, it can also lead to a lack of competitive performances at the highest levels of the sports.

Such an approach, tragically, could also lead to preventable deaths on the road. That’s why it is important to work at a behavioral level when we try to fix the most common problems, either the small or big ones. Without such effort, even the stringiest regulations might fail to have an impact and we all know the consequences. 

Finally, do not forget that details matter a lot!

Views are personal

Woman dies as truck hits scooter in Bhaktapur

A woman died when a truck hit a scooter at Gatthaghar in Bhaktapur on Thursday.

DSP Rajan Karki of the District Police Range, Bhaktapur said that the truck hit the parked scooter during the traffic police checking.

The truck (Na 6 Kha 2173) hit the scooter (Ba 49 Pa 8944) this afternoon.

Police said that the scooter rider died on the spot.

The identity of the deceased has not been ascertained yet.

Police said that they are looking into the case.

PM directs security agencies to intensify search for those missing in Simaltal mishap

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the three state security agencies to intensify search operations for individuals who went missing after the two passenger buses plunged into Trishuli river at Simaltal, Chitwan.

The Prime Minister summoned the heads of the security bodies at his private residence in Khumaltar on Sunday to receive updates on the accident.

He urged them to take all necessary measures to search for the missing individuals.

Two passenger buses: one heading to Gaur from Kathmandu (03-001 Kha 2495) and another going to Kathmandu from Birgunj (03-006 Kha. 1516) were swept away by landslide into the Trishuli river on Friday morning at Simaltal in Bharatpur Metropolis-29.

The PM utilized the meeting to express gratitude to the security personnel involved in rescue and relief operations amidst monsoon-triggered incidents nationwide including in Simaltal, risking their lives.

"The bureaucracy and security agencies, as permanent institutions, should commit themselves unreservedly to serving the people, no matter how the political situation is," he stated.

 

Three killed, dozens injured as bus hits lorry in Sarlahi

Three persons died and dozens were injured when a commuter bus hit a parked lorry at Rayamajhi Chowk in Bagmati Municipality of Sarlahi on Thursday.

The deceased have been identified as Hari Bahadur Chaudhary, Dashrath Kohar (85) and Ram Karan Kewat (50) of Mayadevi Rural Municipality of Rupandehi.

Following the incident, they were rushed to the Hariban-based Naumna Hospital. But doctors pronounced them dead on arrival, Inspector Anil Raj Giri of the Area Police Office informed.

The bus was heading towards Janakpur from Rupandehi when the incident occurred this morning.

The injured are being treated at Janakpur, Birgunj and local hospitals.

1 killed, 22 injured as four vehicles collide with each other in Chitwan

A person died and 22 others were injured when four vehicles collided with each other at Satrakilo in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 in Chitwan along the Narayangadh-Mugling road section on Sunday.

The identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained, police said.

Bhesraj Rijal, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Chitwan, said that three buses and a truck had collided with each other last night.

The road remained obstructed for some hours after the incident. However, two-way traffic resumed this morning, Rijal added.

Eighteen injured passengers are undergoing treatment at a local hospital, Kurintar, while four others at Chitwan Medical College.

 

One killed, two injured after being hit by ambulance in Butwal

A person has died and two others were injured after being hit by an ambulance in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-13 along the East-West Highway.

The deceased has been identified as 56-year-old Kamala Nepali of Butwal-11 Devinagar, according to the area police office Butwal.

The incident took place this morning when the ambulance (Lu 1 Ja 531), which was carrying a patient from Argakhanchi to Butwal, hit them near a suspension bridge.

The injured 55-year-old Harikala Nepali and 35-year-old Jhupa Thatrai of Devinagar are undergoing treatment at the Lumbini Regional Hospital.

Ambulance driver Narayan Bahadur Magar of Panini Rural Municipality-7 of Arghakhanchi has been taken into custody for necessary action, police said.

 

Three killed as bike and jeep collide in Jhapa

Three persons died when a jeep and a motorbike collided with each other at Jhiljhile in Shivasatachhi-8 of Jhapa district on Wednesday.

The incident occurred when the motorbike (Me 3 Pa 5001) heading towards Surunga from Damak along the East-West Highway collided head-on with the jeep (Pra 1-01-001 Cha 9329) at around 5 am today.

Among the three persons riding on the bike, two died on the spot and one breathed his last on the way to the B & C Hospital, DSP Krishna Kumar Chand of the District Police Office, Jhapa said.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be established.

Meanwhile, police have impounded both the vehicles and arrested the jeep driver Rishi Raj Giri (45) of Mechinagar Municipality-6 for the investigation.

Eight Chinese tourists injured in Pokhara microbus-jeep collision

Eight Chinese tourists were injured in a road accident in Pokhara on Thursday.

According to Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kaski, Mohan Kumar Thapa, the accident took place when a microbus (Ba 1 pa 851) heading towards Mustang Chowk from Lakeside and a jeep (Ba 13 Cha 513) en route to Ratna Chowk collided with each other at Rastra Bank Chowk in Pokhara this morning.

All the injured are receiving treatment at Gandaki Medical College, said Kaski Police. All of them are out of danger, according to the Hospital.

Police have arrested both drivers.

 

Seven Nepalis killed in India road accident

Eight people including seven Nepalis died in a road accident at Betalghat in Nainital district of India on Monday night.

According to Sub-Inspector at Betalghat Police Post, Anish Ansari, the deceased have been identified as Bishram Chaudhary, Dhiraj Chaudhary, Antaram Chaudhary, Binod Chaudhary, Tilak Chaudhary, Udayram Chaudhary and Gopal Basnet.

Based on the documents found with them, the seven Nepalis were from Babai of the then Bheri zone, according to the police. 

The accident took place when a rented vehicle fell some 150 meters down the road while loading goods. They had been working there to lay pipelines along the roadside around the incident site.

A local driver along with seven Nepalis lost their lives in the accident, he shared. All the bodies have been kept at Nainital Government Hospital.

Similarly, Shanti Chaudhary, wife of Dhiraj Chaudhary, and Janak Chaudhary were injured in the incident.  Sub-Inspector Ansari said police personnel as well as state disaster response teams were deputed to carry out rescue operations.

 

Three Nepalis killed in road accident in Kuwait

Three Nepalis, who have reached Kuwait for foreign employment, died in a road accident on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Sujan Karki of Sano Bharyang, Nagarjun-2, Kathmandu, Surat Bahadur Kadayat of Layati Panchadewal Binayak-5, Achham and Dhiraj Gurmachan of Bengadawar-3, Dhanusha.

They were heading towards the workplace from the room of Kadayat when a local vehicle hit them while crossing the road in Mahabulla area of ​​Kuwait., it has been learnt.

They had been working at the Papasan Company in Kuwait.

Following the incident, police have taken the driver under control and kept the bodies of the deceased at the Farwaniya Hospital for postmortem.

The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait said that efforts are being made to send the bodies to Nepal.

Two killed, one seriously injured in Mahottari road accident

Two people have died when a jeep bearing an Indian registration number plate hit a tractor and a bicycle at Matihani Janakpur road section of Mahottari district on Sunday.

The deceased have been identified as 60-year-old Akbar Rayin of Pipra Rural Municipality-5 of Mahottari and 60-year-old Rajkishore Yadav of Kshireshwarnath Municipality-1 of Dhanusha district, DSP Dilip Kumari Giri, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Mahottari, said.

The jeep (BR 06 PD 3330) hit the tractor (Madhesh Pradesh 01 Ta 3009) last evening.

Akbar was traveling in the tractor.

Likewise, Rajkishore died when the jeep hit the bicycle he was riding on when the former was trying to flee the scene after hitting the tractor.

According to police, 60-year-old Jhapsi Kawadi of Pipara Rural Municipality -5, who was also traveling in the tractor, was seriously injured. He is undergoing treatment at the Provincial Hospital Janakpur.

Meanwhile, the jeep also overturned on the side of the road in Matihani Municipality-4 following the incident. The driver of the jeep, however, is at large.

 

Three die in three vehicle collision in Morang

Three persons died when three vehicles collided at Belbari in Morang along the East-West Highway on Friday.

According to police, the deceased have been identified as Yadukanta Bhattarai (52) of Kamal Rural Municipality-2 of Jhapa, Deepa Khanal (44) OF Kamal Rural Municipality-4 and Krishna Gajurel (36) of Birtamod Municipality-2, Jhapa.

Critically injured in the incident, Bhattarai and Khanal died at the Biratnagar-based Koshi Hospital and Gajurel at the Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar.

After the incident, Bhattarai and Khanal were rushed to the Koshi Hospital, but doctors pronounced them dead on arrival.

Gajurel breathed his last during the course of treatment at 8:55 am today.

Two persons were injured in the accident.

Hari Khanal (46) of Kamal Rural Municipality-4 and Gayetri Bhattarai (48) of Kamal Rural Municipality-2 are undergoing treatment at the Neuro Hospital.

Police said that a tipper, a bus and a Bolero jeep collided at around 6: 30 am. According to police, the deceased and the injured were traveling in the jeep.

The tipper (Pradesh 1-02-001) heading east from west collided with the bus (Pradesh 03-001 Kha 2718) and Bolero jeep (Me 1 Ja 2856) this morning.

Injured Hari is the husband of deceased Deepa and Gayetri is the wife of deceased Yadukanta.  

Among the deceased, Krishna is the driver of the jeep.

Following the incident, police have impounded the tipper and bus and arrested their drivers Chandra Bahadur BK (23) of Sundarharaicha Municipality-7, Morang and Chatra Kumar Maske (46) of Sundariharaicha-12 for investigation.

 

Two killed in separate road accidents in Jhapa

Two persons died in separate road accidents in Shivasatakshi Municipality and Kamal Rural Municipality of Jhapa on Saturday.  At least eight people were injured in the accidents.

A person died when a motorbike (Me 10 Pa 7212) and a car (Ba 14 Cha 6603) collided with each other at Shivasatakshi-10.

The deceased has been identified as Anup Dhakal (23) of Damak-9, DSP Khagendra Prasad Rijal said.

Dhakal died while undergoing treatment at the Birta City Hospital, Birtamod. Pillion rider Pradeep Basnet (21) of Urlabari-1, Morang sustained injuries in the accident.

Likewise, car driver Anil Kumar Shah (50) of Birtamod-3, Jaya Prakash Shah (53) of Birtamod-4, Ranjan Shah (44) and Lalit Shah (53) of Birtamod-3 were also injured in the accident.

In yet another road mishap in Jhapa on Saturday, a person died in a scooter-motorbike collision.

The deceased has been identified as Raghunath Bhattarai (70) of Kankai-3.

The accident took place when a motorbike (Me 6 Pa 3152) en route to east from west first hit another motorbike (Province 1-01-016 Pa 8992) heading towards the same direction and then hit a scooter (Province 1-01-016 Pa 7140) coming from the opposite direction.

Chandra Prasad Bhattarai (52) and Raghunath Bhattarai (70) of Kankai-5 were injured in the accident.

Critically injured Raghunath died on the way to hospital, DSP Rijal informed.

Two killed in Mahottari motorbike collision

Two persons died when two motorcycles collided with each other in Mahottari along the Jaleshwor-Bardibas road on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Mukesh Chamar (30) of Thalahi Birta of Ramgopalpur Municipality, and Dharmendra Mahato (32) of Bhangaha Municipality-3, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police at District Police Office, Dilip Kumar Giri.

Two pillion riders were injured in the accident.

Shree Ram Gosai (32) of Bhangaha-5, and Pradip Kumar Yadav (36) of Bardibas Municipality are undergoing treatment at Shuva Swastik Hospital, Bardibas.

Although both bike riders were taken to hospital after the accident, they breathed their last during the treatment.

Police said that they are looking into the incident.

Two killed in Pokhara car hit

Two persons died after being hit by a car at Prasyang of Pokhara Metropolitan City-5 in Kaski on Monday.

The car heading towards Zero KM from Baglung Bus Park knocked down Dholandra Chhantyal of Nadipur, Pokhara-3 and another person, whose identity is yet to be established, last night, according to the District Police Office, Kaski.

They were rushed to the Western Regional Hospital for treatment but doctors pronounced them dead on arrival.

Police said that they are searching for the car driver who was on the run after the incident.

 

Two killed in Sindhuli bus-motorbike collision

Two persons died on the spot when a bus and motorbike collided with each other at Boharetar in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-3 of Sindhuli along the BP Highway on Monday.

According to Chiranjibi Dahal, spokesperson at the District Police Office, the bike rider and the pillion rider died in the incident.

The identity of the bike rider is yet to be ascertained while the pillion rider is identified as Munakala Rai (18) of Diktel Municipality-10, Khotang.

The bus (Ba Pra O1-006 Kha 4593) heading towards Kathmandu from Manthali, Ramechhap collided head-on with the two-wheeler (Ba 60 Pa 3545) this morning.

Police said that they have impounded the bus and arrested its driver Rupesh Adhikari (24) of Manthali Municipality-13, Ramechhap for investigation.