After months of uncertainty, the Joshi family remains hopeful for Bipin's return while grappling with the emotional toll of his absence.
Ceasefire Brings Glimmer of Hope for Family of Nepali Hostage in Gaza
Ceasefire Brings Glimmer of Hope for Family of Nepali Hostage in Gaza
Mahananda Joshi eagerly awaits news of his kidnapped son Bipin as a ceasefire sparks hope in Nepal.
In the small village of Bispuri Mahendranagar, remote from the chaos of Gaza, Mahananda Joshi clutched his phone, yearning for a call from his son Bipin, a 23-year-old agriculture student taken hostage by Hamas. Since the sudden attack on October 7, 2023, which led to a series of kidnappings including Bipin's, the family's life has been a whirlwind of anxiety and despair.
Mahananda, a devoted schoolteacher, expressed the recurrent fear felt every time his phone indicates a call. "I always hope it's him," he acknowledged, only to be met with disappointment when news of his son comes from others. Bipin was among a group of foreign students who became collateral damage during the violent upheaval when Hamas launched its attacks. While several hostages have been released since, Bipin and a handful of others remain unaccounted for, leaving his family in a state of limbo.
The last time Bipin's mother, Padma, spoke to him was on October 6, shortly before the abduction. He had reassured her of his well-being and boasted about his new clothes, moments that now seem agonizingly distant. The only sign of his survival came from video footage released by Israeli authorities, confirming he was alive—a flickering light in an overwhelmingly dark situation.
As news of a ceasefire agreement emerged, the Joshi family clung to newfound hope. "I feel like he will message me today or tomorrow saying, ‘Mummy, I’m free now,’” Padma said, yet she is tempered by the reality of Bipin not being part of the initial expected prisoner releases, which prioritize the vulnerable.
The long wait has taken a toll. The family reminisces about the early days of their ordeal, when officials were more present, contrasting sharply with the current feelings of isolation. As the situation evolves in the Middle East, they remain primarily informed by the media, with little direct communication underscoring their torment.
Mahananda further explained the anxiety of uncertainty: "Everything could fall apart," he lamented, conveying a surreal sense of waiting for news that might change their lives indefinitely. His 18-year-old daughter Puspa, clinging to hope, mentioned, "When I see him again, I’m going to hug him." Such emotions depict the simultaneous joy and heartache of families navigating life amidst geopolitical tensions.
As the ceasefire promises potential resolutions, the Joshi family’s story is a poignant reminder of the human consequences sweeping through diplomatic endeavors, leaving them to dream for clarity—and their son’s safe return.
Mahananda, a devoted schoolteacher, expressed the recurrent fear felt every time his phone indicates a call. "I always hope it's him," he acknowledged, only to be met with disappointment when news of his son comes from others. Bipin was among a group of foreign students who became collateral damage during the violent upheaval when Hamas launched its attacks. While several hostages have been released since, Bipin and a handful of others remain unaccounted for, leaving his family in a state of limbo.
The last time Bipin's mother, Padma, spoke to him was on October 6, shortly before the abduction. He had reassured her of his well-being and boasted about his new clothes, moments that now seem agonizingly distant. The only sign of his survival came from video footage released by Israeli authorities, confirming he was alive—a flickering light in an overwhelmingly dark situation.
As news of a ceasefire agreement emerged, the Joshi family clung to newfound hope. "I feel like he will message me today or tomorrow saying, ‘Mummy, I’m free now,’” Padma said, yet she is tempered by the reality of Bipin not being part of the initial expected prisoner releases, which prioritize the vulnerable.
The long wait has taken a toll. The family reminisces about the early days of their ordeal, when officials were more present, contrasting sharply with the current feelings of isolation. As the situation evolves in the Middle East, they remain primarily informed by the media, with little direct communication underscoring their torment.
Mahananda further explained the anxiety of uncertainty: "Everything could fall apart," he lamented, conveying a surreal sense of waiting for news that might change their lives indefinitely. His 18-year-old daughter Puspa, clinging to hope, mentioned, "When I see him again, I’m going to hug him." Such emotions depict the simultaneous joy and heartache of families navigating life amidst geopolitical tensions.
As the ceasefire promises potential resolutions, the Joshi family’s story is a poignant reminder of the human consequences sweeping through diplomatic endeavors, leaving them to dream for clarity—and their son’s safe return.
