Nepal

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

Mount Everest

Nepal is one of the developing countries standing between India in the East, west and south and China in the North. This landlocked country locates with latitude between 26022’ north and 300 north longitudes between 8004’ east and 88012’ east.

Language:

Nepal is multilingual country where hundreds of social dialects are spoken and educated people speak and understand English as well. Nepali is the national language.

Climate:

Nepal has hot and hurried, moderate and extreme cold climate according its topography from south to North elevation. It has four seasons: Winter (December- February), Spring (march-may) Summer (June-August) , Autumn (September- November). Nepal can be visited in all years.

People and religion:

Nepal is multi-racial country where many castes of people are living. They one mainly divided into two groups: The Indo-Aryans and the Mangoloids (the Kirats). Though, most of the people are Hindus and Buddhists, Nepal Government has declared Nepal as a secular state. The Hindu Temples and Buddhist shrines are found all over the Kingdom. Nepal is the birth place of the Herald of peace, Lord Gautam Buddha. Due to religious harmony, Hindus Buddhists, Muslims and Christians live together blissfully.

Currency and foreign Exchange:

Nepali Rupee notes are in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 denominations and coins in 1, 2 and 5 denominations. Visitors can exchange this currency in airport on arrival or in banks and authorized money-exchanger in hotels and other places. Except Indian nationals, other visitors have to make the payment in foreign currency in hotel and the receipts of such transaction are to be obtained and retained.

History of Nepal:

Nepal is one of the youngest republic nations being ruled under President after the cut off power of King. After the unification of Nepal by Prithivi Narayan Shah in 1768 and during Shah Dynasty rule sepoy leader Junga Bahadur Rana came to power starting a hereditary Prime Mini starship leading to 104 years long Rana regime. The Ranas saved them from a sepoy rebellion by maintaining relation with British during both world wars too. Nepal and United Kingdom formally made as agreement of friendship, in which Nepal’s independence was recognized by UK.

Pro-Democracy Movement of the political parties ended the Rana’s Hegemony in 1951 however; in 1950 King Mahendra seized absolute power and started a “party-less” Panchayat system. In 1990 People’s Movement brought in constitutional reforms and established a multi party System parliament. In 1996, the communist party of Nepal (Maoist) started vouching for a people’s socialist republic. The following armed conflict left more than 12,000 dead over a course of decade. Fate of Monarchy underwent serious incident on June 1, 2001, while Royal massacre occurred killing reigning King including 17 Royal family members. Then, King Birendra’s brother Gyanendra Shah inherited the throne. On February 1, 2005 King Gyandra dismissed the government and took full executive power. A broad alliance against the royal take over called the seven party Alliance (SPA), came up after the Maoists declared a three month unilateral cease fire in September, 2005, In December SPA and the Maoists signed 12 point agreement and SPA called for a 4 day nationwide general strike with overwhelming support of the general public evolved into April Movement. On April 21, King Gyanendra made a compromising call on SPA to nominate a new prime Minister. The parties put forward three of demands the next day -reinstitution of the old parliament, formalities of an all parties government and election to a constituent Assembly.

An Interim Parliament was formed on January 15, 2007 after the SPA signed comprehensive peace Agreement with the CPN Maoists. In April, Girija Prasad Koirala was nominated the prime minister through political census. Nepal was declared a Federal Republic under a 23 point agreement signed by SPA and the moist on December 23, 2007. On April to, 2008 constituent Assembly election was held and moist led coalition government was formed. The First president of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav was sworn on 23 July, 2008 where as Puspa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) became the first Prime Minister of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The bill of December 2007 came into force on May 28, 2008 as the constituent Assembly meeting overwhelmingly voted for it. In May, Madhav Kumar Nepal succeeded Prachanda as Prime Minister. Recently, Jhalanath Khanal is heading government as prime minister of CPN and UCPN Moist coalition government.