General Knowledge, Significant Events and Achievements

Significant Events and Achievements of 2018

A compilation of key events, milestones, and achievements from 2018, with a focus on Nepal and global developments:

Sports and Achievements

• APF Club won the Prime Minister’s Cup Cricket Tournament in Jestha 2075 BS (May 2018), securing NPR 2 million, with Tribhuvan Army Club as runner-up.
• Yuri Gazinsky, Russian midfielder, scored the first goal of the Russia World Cup on June 14, 2018, in a 5-0 victory against Saudi Arabia.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 teams.
• Y.B. Ghale became the first Nepali footballer to score in an international tournament.
• Essam El-Hadary, Egyptian goalkeeper, became the oldest World Cup player at 45 years and 161 days during the Russia World Cup.
• Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was first used in the 2018 Russia World Cup during the Spain vs. Portugal match.
• FIFA decided to expand the World Cup to include 48 nations.

Political and Diplomatic Milestones

• U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a four-point agreement on June 12, 2018.
• Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli completed a six-day official visit to China from Asar 5-10, 2075 BS (June 19-24, 2018).
• Nepal and India signed an agreement on additional air routes on Asar 2, 2075 BS (June 16, 2018).
• The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) was named the main partner for Nepal Visit Year 2020.
• The One Belt One Road (OBOR) agreement was signed by Nepal and China on Baisakh 29, 2074 BS (May 12, 2017).
• The U.S. withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council on June 19, 2018.
• Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in prison for corruption on July 6, 2018.
• Carlos Alvarado won the presidential election in Costa Rica on April 1, 2018.
• Iván Duque won the presidential election in Colombia in June 2018.
• The ninth meeting of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) for Nepal-India treaty review was held on Asar 15-16, 2075 BS (June 29-30, 2018).
• The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Bangladesh was approved on Asar 14, 2075 BS (June 28, 2018).

Environmental and Scientific Developments

• A Snow Leopard Research Center is planned for the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, Taplejung.
• A conference on snow leopard conservation was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on June 14-15, 2018.
• The Nepal Clean Environment Mega Campaign was announced on Jestha 22, 2075 BS (June 5, 2018).
• Lujendra Ojha, a Nepali scientist, presented evidence of water on Mars.
• Bird flu was detected in Chitwan in the second week of Baisakh 2075 BS (April 2018).
• The Bat Conservation Center is located in Dewanagadhiya, Kapilvastu.

Cultural and Social Achievements

• Phulman Bal won first place in the National Poetry Festival 2075 with his poem Indreniko Geet.
• Shivagopal Risal and Kanchan Pudasaini received the Madhuparka Samman 2075.
• Bhawanishwar Gautam was honored with the Madan Bhandari National Education Journalism Award 2075.
• Basanta Kumar Sharma Nepal received the Adikavi Bhanubhakta Award 2075.
• Narendra Shrestha won the IME-Global-IME Photo of the Year 2018.
• Rajendra Raj Pant from Palungtar, Gorkha, received the Presidential Outstanding Farmer Award 2075 for dairy farming success (Prize: NPR 200,000).
• Kamala Bhandari from Gulmi received the Swarnim Pratibha Award by Heifer International Nepal (Prize: NPR 70,000).

Infrastructure and Technology

• Nepal Airlines Corporation introduced its first wide-body aircraft on Asar 14, 2075 BS (June 28, 2018).
• The Transmission System Development Master Plan was published on Asar 17, 2075 BS (July 1, 2018).
• Shakti Minerals Pvt. Ltd. began constructing an industry in the Bhairahawa SEZ on Asar 14, 2075 BS to produce flux for steel (Investment: NPR 400 million).
• The Land Governance app was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management, and Cooperatives on Asar 10, 2075 BS (June 24, 2018).
• The Traffic Mobile App was launched on Baisakh 20, 2073 BS (May 2, 2016) to improve traffic management.
• The Welcome Nepal mobile app was launched by the Nepal Tourism Board in 2074 BS.
• The Electronic Building Permit System (EBPS) was introduced in Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Mangsir 20, 2072 BS (December 4, 2015).
• Digital signatures for government work began on Mangsir 16, 2072 BS (November 30, 2015).

Governance and Policy

• The minimum wage for workers was set at NPR 13,450 from Srawan 1, 2075 BS (July 16, 2018), a 39% increase.
• The Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway construction was assigned to the Nepal Army on Baisakh 21, 2074 BS (May 4, 2017).
• The EXIM code for foreign trade was mandated from Srawan 1, 2074 BS (July 16, 2017).
• Province No. 5 formed six thematic committees, including Public Accounts, Physical Infrastructure, and Social Development.
• The National Strategy Framework for Nature Conservation spans 2072-2087 BS (2015-2030).
• The Youth Vision 2025 was approved on Asoj 19, 2072 BS (October 5, 2015) to empower youth.
• The Auditor General’s Office introduced a six-year plan (2074-2080 BS) for audit and financial discipline.
• The Nepal Nursing Council mandated a 15% quota for male students in nursing colleges from 2075/76 BS.

Notable Quotes

• “Have confidence that you are the most essential person on Earth.” – Maxim Gorky
• “I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.” – Isaac Newton
• “The mind is the land that can turn heaven into hell and hell into heaven.” – John Milton
• “As long as you don’t stop, it doesn’t matter how slowly you go.” – Confucius
• “Speaking the truth is the greatest revolution.” – Antonio Gramsci
• “The root of education is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – Aristotle
• “Replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and positive results will follow.” – Winnie Nelson
• “Adopt the virtues of an enemy and discard the flaws of a teacher.” – Chanakya
• “A house without books is like a room without windows.” – Horace Mann
• “No matter how hard you try, the sun, moon, and truth can never be hidden.” – Gautam Buddha
• “A true person smiles in sorrow and gathers strength from pain.” – Thomas Paine
• “If a beautiful woman abandons modesty, she loses her greatest charm.” – Saint Gregory

Other Key Developments

• Dhankuta was declared the cleanest city in Nepal in 2074 BS.
• Mahabir Pun introduced the concept of the National Innovation Center.
• Sushant Khadka is the planner of the proposed Gaganpur space settlement.
• The Siddha Cave in Tanahu, claimed to be Asia’s largest, is 440 meters long and offers rappelling.
• Province No. 3 leads in the Human Development Index, while Province No. 2 is the weakest.
• Gandaki Province was named on Asar 22, 2075 BS (July 6, 2018).
• The National Naturopathy Day was first celebrated on Asar 20, 2075 BS (July 4, 2018).
• Shwet Bhairav at Hanumandhoka is now open for public viewing every day.
• The 15th National Paddy Day on Asar 15, 2075 BS had the slogan: Increase in Paddy Production: National Prosperity.
• Tanahu Hydropower Project has a capacity of 140 MW.

These events and achievements highlight the dynamic progress in Nepal and globally during 2018, covering sports, governance, technology, and cultural milestones.