By Nav Raj Pokharel
It was exciting moment to have seen the busiest roads in the capital free of traffic, to have breathed in the fresh air without any smell of petrol and pollution, to have felt a kind of peaceful silence in the environment without honking of horns and screeching of tires, seen people hustling and bustling on the roads, scurrying to catch the public transports, as it was a rare occasion to witness the impact of the call of Banda few years back in Kathmandu.
Now, the story has been upside down. Those rare and exciting moments are more than enough. The Banda has virtually not only tripled the regular 104 days of holidays (Saturdays and Sundays) in a year; but also crippled the economy of the country and the lives of people on the top of it . Now, people again want to see those regular activities in every walks of lives; suggestive it a symbol of normality, as almost every day the call of Banda has swapped it away.
The change is so sudden and should have been shocking to the people of all the walks of lives including the politicians. But to my astonishment it is not so. People, including the politicians, I realize now, have even the greater ability to make over him to the newer milieu. Perhaps they know their doomed fate is not going to change so easily. They must get themselves changed instead. It seems that the Darwinian theory of 18th century 'the survival of the fittest' is equally applicable to us even though we boast of entering in the 21st century.
People are now no more in illusion that the state-machinery is sturdy and capable to exercise anything to overcome the malfunctioning situation prevailed in the country.
People seem to know the reality that keeping quite and withstanding the brunt of problems is the last weapon left for them if they want to die a natural death, but not by the hand of other fellow men.
It is that's why when ever there is yet another call of strike they seem to accept it on the surface level that as if it were the normal part of their lives. But in the deeper level it is not so. The annals of history have evidence to support this point.
The pressure put to the lives of people has always yielded reimbursement. It is only a matter of time. This 'time-duration' is relative to the endurance capability of the people. To some people, the duration, this time, may seem a bit longer.
Sociologists and political-psychoanalysts now pin down it that shortly and with almost so futile a reason at hand the long suppressed distress, suffering, pains, misery and affliction is to surface at any point of time. After all there is limit for everything. When it is enough, it is really enough.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Nepal: Political Fantasy, Illusion and Disillusion
Nav Raj Pokharel
Journalist
Gradually the country as a whole is turning into insensitive, a horrible social transformation. Incidents of killing, kidnapping, and extortion that originated in remote pocket areas in Nepal during the Maoist insurgency have multiplied like a pandemic virus, engulfing the nation as a whole now.
Human sensitivity is what a civilized society endeavors to cultivate and attain. It requires to be nurtured. Yields human qualities when fostered and putrefies when ignored.
In comparatively peaceful period in Nepal, people took the sporadic incidents of murder, kidnapping, black marketing, dearth of artificial supplies very seriously and the media reflected the sentiments of the people by prominently covering the issues. Now media in general put such news as less prominent items, reflecting the feeling of society that has gradually becoming insensitive as a result of the state mechanism ignoring to curb them. Incidents of extortion and intimidation have now become filler news-items in media, as if people do not heed to such everyday happening. The more sensitivity of a citizen declines, the more savaged the nation becomes. A warning bell for law-abiding common citizen of this country.
With the ever-increasing rate of unruly events like strike, road blockade, demonstration, picketing, protests, kidnapping and killing that we have been facing unduly, overly forcing the society to tread psychologically towards inhumanity and insensitivity. In abundance in nature: selfishness and crime instincts are in human genes, expert related explain. This indispensable basic instinct needs to be carefully guarded from growing like wild foliage. The country becomes an Animal Kingdom when the number of gradually insensitive growing people start bullying the common and law abiding citizen some how in and outside the rule of law. They thrive plentiful on roiled political situation. They are the ones who find the criminal activities as easier and short route to earn all the possible wealth, power, and social status. Civilized society tames the harmful instinct the uncivilized cult nurtures it.
When the government condones to such immoral and inhuman activities taking place in society, then the system becomes anything but not a democracy. When it happens so, the nation dooms. It happens so when the state fails to discharge basic duties to the people and its country. Basic duties of a government are three. First, to protect the national territory; secondly, to preserve peace within its boundaries; and thirdly to ensure that every family unit of the nation has space in the nation's territory for a home and a means of livelihood (economic prosperity). Has the government of Nepal been discharging its duties? If not, why would common people need the government in the country? Flaws and follies lie not in the natural resource laden country Nepal, but in its self-esteemed leaders. It is now high time to speak the truth, “the king is naked” and that the leaders of this country are bogus and phony. The country has tested many leaders, their sects, and the monarchs. The country, so far, has found only the worse leaders, if not the worst. Development efforts are challenging anywhere in the globe.
Harnessing economic prosperity takes decades if not centuries. And, Nepal waited hundred of years only to experience ever escalating poverty and dissatisfaction, ever dilapidated security situation and the one of the worst roiled political scenarios until she has waited to this juncture. Nevertheless, impoverished country Nepal never breathed a sigh of relief. Poor Nepal! The leaders of various cults and sects have deceived the poor, naive, and tormented citizen of this country, once and again. The leaders stand naked before the people and the blind folded members of their cult praise at the top of their voice that the naked king is the wisest, and looks gorgeous in the imagery golden cloths. Shame on them!
The leaders of this country when lack vision, strength and ability to lead the country toward prosperity, they blame both domestic and international forces only to hide their inefficiency. Dear leaders, if every thing goes favorable to ones wish, why you and not I deserve the key posts in the government. I did not opt to rule the people democratically. So I am not in the government. But you did and promised to be a deserving person for the government posts. That is why you are there where you are now. Now, show us your ability and caliber. Although you could not prevent it happen, what are your stern measures to control the diarrhea/cholera in remote areas of this country after the epidemic has claimed lives of more than two hundred people? Alternatively, are you, too, growing insensitive as many of them have gone? Do you have your vision to better protect the hard-owned boundaries of this country after thousands of hectors of land has been encroached? Do you have foolproof planning and strategies to restore peace and security within the boundaries after receiving reports of rampant murder, kidnapping, and intimidation almost everyday? Do you have provident vision and approach for harnessing economic prosperity of this nation, although for short term? If you have none, would you please question yourself, what are you there for? If you aver the reason behind all these maladies are because the key parties and persons did not support you, did you support them when they were you and you were they? The world does the same to you as you do to the world. This is the way of the word. Did not you know that? If you - the leaders; your cult, and political pundits are, however, convinced that the business of politics in Nepal is only to craft political fantasy as motivating factor in the minds of common people like me, protract the illusion during the their induction in the government and finally abandon the people disillusioned after they willy-nilly step down the government. I take back all of my complaints and opt to survive like a submissive animal in their Animal Kingdom.
The author could be reached at P.navraj@gmail.com
2009-08-06 10:51:27 ( Published on Telegraphnepal.com)
Journalist
Gradually the country as a whole is turning into insensitive, a horrible social transformation. Incidents of killing, kidnapping, and extortion that originated in remote pocket areas in Nepal during the Maoist insurgency have multiplied like a pandemic virus, engulfing the nation as a whole now.
Human sensitivity is what a civilized society endeavors to cultivate and attain. It requires to be nurtured. Yields human qualities when fostered and putrefies when ignored.
In comparatively peaceful period in Nepal, people took the sporadic incidents of murder, kidnapping, black marketing, dearth of artificial supplies very seriously and the media reflected the sentiments of the people by prominently covering the issues. Now media in general put such news as less prominent items, reflecting the feeling of society that has gradually becoming insensitive as a result of the state mechanism ignoring to curb them. Incidents of extortion and intimidation have now become filler news-items in media, as if people do not heed to such everyday happening. The more sensitivity of a citizen declines, the more savaged the nation becomes. A warning bell for law-abiding common citizen of this country.
With the ever-increasing rate of unruly events like strike, road blockade, demonstration, picketing, protests, kidnapping and killing that we have been facing unduly, overly forcing the society to tread psychologically towards inhumanity and insensitivity. In abundance in nature: selfishness and crime instincts are in human genes, expert related explain. This indispensable basic instinct needs to be carefully guarded from growing like wild foliage. The country becomes an Animal Kingdom when the number of gradually insensitive growing people start bullying the common and law abiding citizen some how in and outside the rule of law. They thrive plentiful on roiled political situation. They are the ones who find the criminal activities as easier and short route to earn all the possible wealth, power, and social status. Civilized society tames the harmful instinct the uncivilized cult nurtures it.
When the government condones to such immoral and inhuman activities taking place in society, then the system becomes anything but not a democracy. When it happens so, the nation dooms. It happens so when the state fails to discharge basic duties to the people and its country. Basic duties of a government are three. First, to protect the national territory; secondly, to preserve peace within its boundaries; and thirdly to ensure that every family unit of the nation has space in the nation's territory for a home and a means of livelihood (economic prosperity). Has the government of Nepal been discharging its duties? If not, why would common people need the government in the country? Flaws and follies lie not in the natural resource laden country Nepal, but in its self-esteemed leaders. It is now high time to speak the truth, “the king is naked” and that the leaders of this country are bogus and phony. The country has tested many leaders, their sects, and the monarchs. The country, so far, has found only the worse leaders, if not the worst. Development efforts are challenging anywhere in the globe.
Harnessing economic prosperity takes decades if not centuries. And, Nepal waited hundred of years only to experience ever escalating poverty and dissatisfaction, ever dilapidated security situation and the one of the worst roiled political scenarios until she has waited to this juncture. Nevertheless, impoverished country Nepal never breathed a sigh of relief. Poor Nepal! The leaders of various cults and sects have deceived the poor, naive, and tormented citizen of this country, once and again. The leaders stand naked before the people and the blind folded members of their cult praise at the top of their voice that the naked king is the wisest, and looks gorgeous in the imagery golden cloths. Shame on them!
The leaders of this country when lack vision, strength and ability to lead the country toward prosperity, they blame both domestic and international forces only to hide their inefficiency. Dear leaders, if every thing goes favorable to ones wish, why you and not I deserve the key posts in the government. I did not opt to rule the people democratically. So I am not in the government. But you did and promised to be a deserving person for the government posts. That is why you are there where you are now. Now, show us your ability and caliber. Although you could not prevent it happen, what are your stern measures to control the diarrhea/cholera in remote areas of this country after the epidemic has claimed lives of more than two hundred people? Alternatively, are you, too, growing insensitive as many of them have gone? Do you have your vision to better protect the hard-owned boundaries of this country after thousands of hectors of land has been encroached? Do you have foolproof planning and strategies to restore peace and security within the boundaries after receiving reports of rampant murder, kidnapping, and intimidation almost everyday? Do you have provident vision and approach for harnessing economic prosperity of this nation, although for short term? If you have none, would you please question yourself, what are you there for? If you aver the reason behind all these maladies are because the key parties and persons did not support you, did you support them when they were you and you were they? The world does the same to you as you do to the world. This is the way of the word. Did not you know that? If you - the leaders; your cult, and political pundits are, however, convinced that the business of politics in Nepal is only to craft political fantasy as motivating factor in the minds of common people like me, protract the illusion during the their induction in the government and finally abandon the people disillusioned after they willy-nilly step down the government. I take back all of my complaints and opt to survive like a submissive animal in their Animal Kingdom.
The author could be reached at P.navraj@gmail.com
2009-08-06 10:51:27 ( Published on Telegraphnepal.com)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Servant enslave Master in Nepal
By Nav Raj Pokharel
Overflowing desire of political leaders to remain powerful throughout the life is the root cause of all the problems facing Nepal and Nepalese since long. The best among best political systems in Nepal in the hand of those political leaders only spouse and actuate the ruling sides to maneuver state mechanism in their favor. The state power casts malign influence on them, enticing the leaders to do all those inhuman and immoral, illicit, and illegal steps to take. People are mere spectators.
Think of ambitious Rana Regime in Nepal hundred years ago and think of British empire in our continent and dictators in many countries across the globe since the beginning till the date, you will logically deduce almost the same conclusion. Root cause of the people’s suffering under their rein is the consequences of their desire for more power. It seems natural phenomenon to have the downfall beginning, no sooner than the ephemeral human does peruse for lasting power and seeks only pleasure in politics.
Soon after the restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal in 1990, many parties and people ascended to state power and willy-nilly descended soon after they attached priority for amassing power to themselves more than the welfare of the people. They do not hesitate to admit that they are the servant of the people. However, in reality the practice is just opposite. If the leaders are the servant of the people, why do they act as if they are the adroit masters of the people? It becomes obviously irrational and beyond natural justice for the servants to enslave the master. Reality chills, doesn’t it?
Political showground never showed human virtues and human quality of abnegation and renounce to the leaders at present and it will be so to the promising future leaders as well. Political practice in Nepal is heading towards intimidation, coercion, kidnapping, killing, and violence rather than toward the direction Nepali has been aspiring for.
The political arena in Nepal has never had statesmanship culture and practice for more than past many generations. As a result, Nepal’s political arena has been experiencing thugs and phony athletes on the track competing to win the race and eventually grab power. Once they grab the power, they pronounce the competition on the tract is unhealthy and requires obliteration, under arcane wily attempt to retain in power by hook or crook.
Every time and all the time, the assurances they allot to the people before they are in power is unmistakably forgotten after assuming the power. General and downtrodden people and their concerns are merely tools for them to step up to power. As the aphorism goes, forgetting the stick after wading the river.
Besides, glib are leaders’ tongues. Louder is the voice. They seem to have practical knowledge of all the problems facing the people and the society. In reality, they are like empty vessels (anomalies are not included here). The substandard political culture, practice, and lack of finesse they pass to new generation are imparted with further dilapidation. Thus, substandard practice gets popularity over the new generation. What they spawn is nothing but degradation. Political arena is mostly thought to be a sector where genuine and adroit people feel suffocated. The little number of genuine people the country has will prefer to be engaged in other professions, sans politics. It is because they have been exposed the dirty games of politics from the beginning to their education and career.
Political athletes in Nepal and so other impoverished countries around the globe are identical in nature, intention, and practice. They expect cooperation from others at odd time whilst they are in the government. However, neither they extended genuine cooperation to their successors nor will they do so to their followers in similar odd situations. Leaders in banana countries are simply unpredictable, unreliable, and phony creatures. May god bless us, Amen!
2009-04-12 06:01:45
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Comments (4)
Expect to read solution than the repeat of 'well-known' problems. How to make them 'predictable', 'reliable' and 'sincere' is what the socitey needs to do through various channels such as educational institutions, manadatory periodic training, laws requiring them to get involve in social works.
Commented by ananta niraula - April 13, 2009 @ 4:29 PM
Mr Pokhrel should have exposed more on his text, ie. we (citizen of Nepal) must know that all Govt paid people, Police/Army are servant of citizen, they MUST protect/serve citizen well. May all politicians, office holders,Police and army read Mr Pokhrel text. Poor Nepali
Commented by Gauraj - April 13, 2009 @ 5:29 AM
Good presentation. Keep it up.. Good luck.
Commented by Sanjay - April 12, 2009 @ 3:37 AM
as a long time observer of Nepal I have waited for as long a time for someone to point out what Rav Naj Pokharel as said.May all politicians raed his text. Pls Mr. Pokharel mailyour email.
Commented by christel - April 12, 2009 @ 12:00 AM
Overflowing desire of political leaders to remain powerful throughout the life is the root cause of all the problems facing Nepal and Nepalese since long. The best among best political systems in Nepal in the hand of those political leaders only spouse and actuate the ruling sides to maneuver state mechanism in their favor. The state power casts malign influence on them, enticing the leaders to do all those inhuman and immoral, illicit, and illegal steps to take. People are mere spectators.
Think of ambitious Rana Regime in Nepal hundred years ago and think of British empire in our continent and dictators in many countries across the globe since the beginning till the date, you will logically deduce almost the same conclusion. Root cause of the people’s suffering under their rein is the consequences of their desire for more power. It seems natural phenomenon to have the downfall beginning, no sooner than the ephemeral human does peruse for lasting power and seeks only pleasure in politics.
Soon after the restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal in 1990, many parties and people ascended to state power and willy-nilly descended soon after they attached priority for amassing power to themselves more than the welfare of the people. They do not hesitate to admit that they are the servant of the people. However, in reality the practice is just opposite. If the leaders are the servant of the people, why do they act as if they are the adroit masters of the people? It becomes obviously irrational and beyond natural justice for the servants to enslave the master. Reality chills, doesn’t it?
Political showground never showed human virtues and human quality of abnegation and renounce to the leaders at present and it will be so to the promising future leaders as well. Political practice in Nepal is heading towards intimidation, coercion, kidnapping, killing, and violence rather than toward the direction Nepali has been aspiring for.
The political arena in Nepal has never had statesmanship culture and practice for more than past many generations. As a result, Nepal’s political arena has been experiencing thugs and phony athletes on the track competing to win the race and eventually grab power. Once they grab the power, they pronounce the competition on the tract is unhealthy and requires obliteration, under arcane wily attempt to retain in power by hook or crook.
Every time and all the time, the assurances they allot to the people before they are in power is unmistakably forgotten after assuming the power. General and downtrodden people and their concerns are merely tools for them to step up to power. As the aphorism goes, forgetting the stick after wading the river.
Besides, glib are leaders’ tongues. Louder is the voice. They seem to have practical knowledge of all the problems facing the people and the society. In reality, they are like empty vessels (anomalies are not included here). The substandard political culture, practice, and lack of finesse they pass to new generation are imparted with further dilapidation. Thus, substandard practice gets popularity over the new generation. What they spawn is nothing but degradation. Political arena is mostly thought to be a sector where genuine and adroit people feel suffocated. The little number of genuine people the country has will prefer to be engaged in other professions, sans politics. It is because they have been exposed the dirty games of politics from the beginning to their education and career.
Political athletes in Nepal and so other impoverished countries around the globe are identical in nature, intention, and practice. They expect cooperation from others at odd time whilst they are in the government. However, neither they extended genuine cooperation to their successors nor will they do so to their followers in similar odd situations. Leaders in banana countries are simply unpredictable, unreliable, and phony creatures. May god bless us, Amen!
2009-04-12 06:01:45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments (4)
Expect to read solution than the repeat of 'well-known' problems. How to make them 'predictable', 'reliable' and 'sincere' is what the socitey needs to do through various channels such as educational institutions, manadatory periodic training, laws requiring them to get involve in social works.
Commented by ananta niraula - April 13, 2009 @ 4:29 PM
Mr Pokhrel should have exposed more on his text, ie. we (citizen of Nepal) must know that all Govt paid people, Police/Army are servant of citizen, they MUST protect/serve citizen well. May all politicians, office holders,Police and army read Mr Pokhrel text. Poor Nepali
Commented by Gauraj - April 13, 2009 @ 5:29 AM
Good presentation. Keep it up.. Good luck.
Commented by Sanjay - April 12, 2009 @ 3:37 AM
as a long time observer of Nepal I have waited for as long a time for someone to point out what Rav Naj Pokharel as said.May all politicians raed his text. Pls Mr. Pokharel mailyour email.
Commented by christel - April 12, 2009 @ 12:00 AM
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