A Somber Return to Kathmandu
Kathmandu – The mortal remains of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student killed during the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, have been returned to Kathmandu, bringing a painful end to a ten-month ordeal for his family and the nation. His body arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport today, marking a moment of profound national sorrow and providing a semblance of closure to an unimaginable tragedy.
For months, the uncertainty surrounding Bipin’s fate gripped Nepal. The successful repatriation of his remains from Gaza is the culmination of a persistent diplomatic effort by the Nepali government.
A Dream Shattered by Conflict
Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old from Kanchanpur, was a symbol of Nepali aspiration. He was in Israel as part of the “Learn and Earn” program, which sends agricultural students for hands-on training on Israeli kibbutzim. Driven by a dream to build a better future, he had travelled thousands of miles from the Himalayan foothills to the fields of southern Israel.
That dream was shattered on October 7th, 2023. When Hamas militants launched their unprecedented assault, Kibbutz Alumim, where Bipin was studying, came under direct attack. In the ensuing chaos, ten Nepali students were tragically killed. While nine were quickly identified, Bipin’s fate remained unknown, with initial reports suggesting he was taken hostage into Gaza.
Diplomatic Efforts and Heartbreaking Confirmation
The lack of information began a torturous period of limbo for Bipin’s family. The Nepali government, under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, launched a sustained diplomatic campaign, engaging with authorities in Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and international organizations to find answers.
The heartbreaking breakthrough came in May. The Israeli government officially confirmed that Bipin Joshi had been killed on October 7th and his body had been taken into Gaza by Hamas. This confirmation extinguished any hope of finding him alive and shifted the mission to repatriating his remains. The subsequent negotiations to secure the return of his body from an active warzone were a testament to quiet, persistent diplomacy.
A Nation in Mourning
As the casket, draped in the national flag, was received by government officials and grief-stricken family members, a somber silence fell over the airport. Bipin’s story is a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of Nepali youth who seek opportunities abroad, sometimes in regions of unforeseen instability.
While the chapter on Bipin Joshi has closed, another Nepali citizen, Bipin Pandey, is still believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The government has vowed to continue its efforts to secure his safe release.
For now, the nation mourns with the Joshi family. They can finally perform the final rites for their son, beginning the long process of grieving. Bipin Joshi‘s journey—from a farm in Nepal to a field in Israel, and finally home—is a poignant testament to how the shockwaves of distant wars can shatter lives across the globe.
