(MENAFN- Gulf Times) As the blockade passes the 50-day mark, a large number of Nepalis have been working to show their support for Qatar. The gas-rich country is a second home to more than 450,000 Nepalis and they say the crisis has touched a raw nerve in them, with Nepal itself having faced a similar blockade two years ago. They say they can relate to the current situation and hope that the crisis is resolved as soon as possible.
Some have changed their Facebook profile pictures to highlight their support for Qatar, while many others wear t-shirts inscribed with messages in support of their host country.
Rajan Shrestha, a Nepali expatriate, said he felt devastated when he heard that some countries had cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar. The situation, especially with Saudi Arabia, is similar to Nepal's when it was blockaded about two years ago, says Shrestha.
Shrestha has uploaded an image with the flags of Qatar and Nepal on his Facebook account to highlight his support for the Qatari stance. He has lived here for eleven years and his two daughters go to school in Qatar. 'I was born and raised in Nepal, but the foundation of my future is Qatar, Shrestha says. Like most others, he feels that the situation is directly related to his livelihood.
Senior accountant Tuk Aryal is also vocal in his opposition to the land and air blockade. 'I am feeling the same way I felt when India imposed an unofficial blockade [against us] almost two years ago, Aryal says.
Aryal feels he got a platform in Qatar to practice his skills and has travelled to over 32 countries with his job. I would not have come here if there was a chance of getting job in Nepal, says Aryal; 'so my future is intertwined with the future of this country. He adds that while he loves visiting his village back home, most of his friends are now based in Qatar.
Dev Basnet works as a carpenter. Married with two children, Basnet is an elder son solely responsible for the livelihood of his family. In Nepal, he was not able to send his children to school. 'Here I save QR3,000 to 4,000 and send some to my family where twelve of my relatives live, Basnet says. Basnet says if he doesn't get salary for a month, his family would be in a crisis. 'I am afraid that if this crisis goes on longer, I might lose my job. So I pray that this crisis will end as soon as possible.
Shankar BK has been working in Qatar for the past four years as a mason and says that his work here has helped him lift his living standard and social status. His children go to school each day, which is very rare for his community. He said that the blockade has not affected him personally, as there is plenty of work to go around and there is no shortage of food in the supermarkets.
Maya Karki works as a cleaner in a reputed company. She is a single parent of two, having been abandoned by her husband. 'Qatar provided me with a shelter. With her earnings from here, Karki is able to send both of her children to college. As Qatar has supported her, she is supporting Qatar.
Kesav Dhakal has been working as an accountant in Qatar for five years now. With income from Qatar, he has built a house and has raised the living standards of his family. Last month, he had a vacation scheduled in Nepal, but he didn't go. 'I can't leave this country during the time of crisis; I will go to Nepal after this crisis ends, Dhakal says.
Amina Khan too didn't go to Nepal this month citing similar reasons. Khan even brought her Nepal-based daughter to Qatar to spend her summer vacation.
Kareem Box Miya is showing solidarity towards Qatar by wearing a t-shirt with the iconic 'Tamim Al Majd photo imprinted on it.
Some media organisations in Nepal have raised concerns about the future of Nepalis living in Qatar in the face of the crisis. But those living here term the concerns as 'baseless. In this context, community leader Narendra Bhatta has urged his fellow community members not to cite Nepal-based online portals for news related to the Gulf crisis. He also wrote on his Facebook page that the Nepali government should take action against those who publish baseless news items about the crisis.
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) central committee leader Yogesh Bhattarai has also opposed the blockade and criticised the false and baseless news published in online portals.
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