KANCHANPUR, Jan 10: It has been 15 months since Hamas detained Bipin Joshi, who had gone to Israel as part of the “Earn and Learn” program of Sudurpaschim University on agricultural science.
Despite not having any contact with their son for these 15 months, the Joshi family has remained hopeful for the return of their son. Bipin went to Israel to study and earn, but since the last contact with him, his father Maha Nanda, mother Padma, and sister Pushpa have been distressed.
Bipin’s family have been spending their days hoping for the good news of Bipin while checking the news on mobile. Unaware of his son’s condition, Bipin’s parents are praying for his safe return at their home in Bhimdatta Municipality-3. The Joshi family is waiting for Bipin's safe return.
“About 15 months have passed waiting for my son to return. When will the government bring my son Bipin back safely?” asked Bipin’s mother, Padma, adding, “I request the government to take initiatives to bring my son back safely.” The Joshi family is persuading the government for the release of their son. Bipin’s family has met several ministers including the foreign minister, prime minister, ambassadors and persuaded them for Bipin's release.
Mother and son killed in Udayapur
The news that Hamas would release 34 prisoners brought slight happiness to the faces of the parents. However, when they learned that their son Bipin’s name was not on the list, their faces became pale. “So far, many foreign nationals have been released,” said mother Padma, “A year and a half has passed by, hoping that he would be released.”
The Israeli government stated that the Hamas group took hostages from the Israeli southern region of Alumim, kibbutz. Since then, Bipin’s whereabouts are unknown. Under the study-and-earn program, 39 students from Sudurpaschim University had gone to Israel.
Within a month of the Nepali students reaching there, the Hamas group had attacked. Similarly, 10 Nepali students were killed in the attack by Hamas. “Citizens of other countries are being released from time to time. Hasn't our government taken any initiative?” asked Bipin's father Maha Nanda, adding, “We have met all the ministers, the prime minister and the president and persuaded them for the release of our son.”
Joshi said, “The government should make efforts for the release of my son. If the government had made diplomatic initiatives with Qatar, my son would have been released.” In the previous month of mid-November, Bipin’s family had already met with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Foreign Minister to request them for their son’s release.
Even before Qatar’s King Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani came to visit Nepal, Bipin’s family had met President Ram Chandra Poudel and requested him to take initiatives for Bipin’s release.
Bipin’s father Maha Nanda said, “Those who took more initiatives prioritized releasing the citizens of their countries first. The Nepal government must also make more initiatives with Qatar.” Just last Monday, Bipin’s family and relatives posted his picture on social media, wishing him a happy birthday and praying for his safe release. Family members have requested the government for Bipin's release, claiming that no diplomatic initiative has been taken on behalf of the government.
Bipin’s brother, Kishor Joshi, said, “I still have full faith that Bipin will return safely. If the government had taken action, he would have been back sooner, but it seems the government's initiative was not enough.” He said that while other countries have managed to secure the release of their citizens, Nepal has not been able to release even one of its citizens.”
He further said, “There is no minister or prime minister left to meet, but everyone claims initiatives are being made. When a ceasefire happens, citizens of other countries are getting released, but it seems that our initiative is not enough.”
A few days ago, when news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas broke, Bipin's family was hopeful about his release. However, after getting the news that Bipin’s name was not included in the list of 34 people Hamas would release, the family is now distraught.
