The newly declared republic of Nepal continued on a historic journey of change as the country’s first ever president was sworn in on July 23rd.
Newly elected President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Vice President Paramananda Jha were sworn into office at a ceremony held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, after a determining vote held by the Constituent Assembly on Monday, 21 July.
Apart from the novelty of the first president Nepal has ever had, the appointment of President Yadav is significant for three other reasons. Firstly he was not the Maoist’s candidate, rather that of the Nepal Congress Party. The Maoist’s had won the Constituent Assembly by a large margin recently.
Secondly, he is a Madhesi, i.e. from the plains along the Indian border. The Madhesi separatist movement is probably one of the most dangerous of Nepal’s ethnic movements and recently spilled over into a fresh spate of violence. This could help pave the way to reconciliation.
Lastly, the traditional mould of political leadership dominated by the Bahun and Chetri castes, which are the high castes within Hindu society, has finally been broken by President Yadav’s lower caste background. Again, a very significant event in a country undergoing enormous changes in moving away from a history of oppression and corruption.
The president is currently more of a symbolic figure. The new government, which expected to be led by the Maoists, is yet to be formed and will bear much weight in shaping the future of Nepal. Unfortunately the all too familiar squabbling among the leading parties continues.
Good signs continue though and we continue to watch with optimism and hope. Much longed for political and social stability will finally help the crippled tourism industry back on its feet. Tourist arrivals were up by 6% last month (based on arrivals at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu). These have since dropped off again this month, probably due to the Monsoon rains currently drenching the region. We wait to see what September brings!
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