| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 03-May-03 11:04 AM
His Honourable Airiness
By SUMAN PRADHAN
It was supposed to be a quiet evening of cocktails and guff suff. Our host, a powerful politician who commands a major political party and who, I might add, is responsible more than most for the ills bedeviling Nepal today, had invited a small group of journalists to his house over the weekend to discuss what else but current politics.
In general, politicians in Nepal are not known for their intellectual bearings, barring a few exceptions. They are more attuned to the rough and tumble side of politics, of how best to gain power and stick to it by any means than engaging in intellectual discourses. But this particular leader is different: he holds a higher education degree from an impressive centre of learning, and has surrounded himself with a bevy of PhD-holders as his advisors.
The evening began on a quiet note, with the predictable ruminations of how the King, the Maoists and political parties are all involved in a contest of wills and strategies. But before we could finish our plate of crispy chicken chilies, the discussion began to centre on the socio-economic aspect of the Maoist rebellion.
We wanted to know whether political leaders realized that the rebels had hijacked the agenda of the numerous disparate groups the ethnic, cultural, regional and linguistic groups - and turned it into the fulcrum driving their rebellion? And as a follow-up, we also asked how the parties intended to face this challenge? Specifically wanting to know whether they were merely content in letting the Maoists set the political agenda and thereafter reacting like cry-babies.
The answers that tumbled forth from our dear leader between rounds of drinks, cigarettes and more chicken chilies and momos were quite illuminating. Of course there are social problems in the country, he acknowledged, but not to the extent that is made out to be. "Show me if it is that bad," he barked at one point. "You are making this a mountain out of a molehill," he hissed at another point with a contemptuous sweep of his hand.
It was clear that as the discussions progressed more and more to the micro level, the politician, irritated as he was, wanted to avoid it. He even ended up mildly accusing his invitees of asking irrelevant questions. The relevant question for him was how the Palace and Maoists were out to get the political parties. But that was precisely our question: what are the political parties doing not be so irrelevant as to be swept aside by the tide of history, as any casual observer of Nepal can see happening these days. Mr. Politician had no answer. Worse, he didnt even want to discuss it, focussed as he was on the power politics of the three-way contest.
I narrate this anecdote here not as a comical aside against a senior politician who has, to his credit, fought long and hard for multi-party democracy, but as an illustrative example of the thinking of our nations "democratic" leaders. And for this reason, the name of our dear leader is immaterial here. It is the attitude he embodies that matters. And this, mind you, from a senior politician who has the power to effect change.
Our dear leader is not alone in harbouring this attitude, however. You talk and listen to any of the senior politicians of most political parties, including Girija Prasad Koirala, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pashupati Shumsher Rana and Badri Prasad Mandal, and chances are the answers will be similar. The self-proclaimed bigwigs of a bygone Panchayat era, who have returned to positions of power today, are no less different.
Their attitudes, their denial, in the face of rising evidence to the contrary brings to mind the story of the ostrich who had his head buried in the sand as danger lurked nearby.
It seems in Nepal today, most political parties are behaving like ostriches. Those who genuinely understand - or at least are trying to understand - the widespread sense of divide, exclusion and alienation underneath the surface are the marginalized voices within large political parties, small left groups, and the Maoists. Even the communist UML seems to have its head buried in the sand. How else to explain their decision to bar discussion of constituent assembly by their cadres? Need a major party such as the UML fear ideas?
This is not to argue that the political parties should not be concerned with what happens in the government-Maoist negotiations. Their very existence now depends upon it. But while finding a role in the peace dialogue is very important, it is just as important for the parties to reach down to their constituencies and listen to the many voices that are clamoring to be heard. These voices have been crying out for ages.
Time to take your heads out of the sand.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kol_sp_feat.html#His Honourable Airiness
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 03-May-03 02:10 PM
Sumanji's report is not a typical dull report one finds in Nepali English newspapers. Sumanji has attempted to dissect the personality of Sher Bdr Deuba and his ilks, and in a way that provides this piece with some literature value.
--
In a related note, Vijaya Babu Khatri, a prominent reporter with Kantipur who on 19th of March wrote 'there are 3,00,000 people added to labour force every year [in Nepal], has written in yesterday's [may 2] news [re lathi charge to those aspiring to go to korea] that there are more than 3,50,000 people added to labour force every year.
Such discrepancy only adds to public's general discomfort about the data produced in Nepal, even in major newspapers.
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| jaya_nepal |
Posted
on 03-May-03 04:07 PM
Suman Pradhan has depicted the ideologies of most of the political leaders existing in Nepal. No matters who forms the government, the pace of development remains the same. Just that the relatives of the leaders get a job in RNAC, or other public agency where they can make some money and transfer all the civil servants throughout the nation again for the same reason to safeguard their dear ones. The topic of discussion before the October 4 by all the political leaders was how to resolve the Maoist issue. The Girija government was also toppled showing his incapability to reolve the issue. Now, when the country is all set to resolve the issue why do they have to come up with some new agendas to continue the instability prevailing the nation.
No one in Nepal follows the norms set the respective party ideologies. Atleast one follow the human norms and let everyone live in peace. Whatever happened in Kathmandu Universities was the worst thing that could happen within student societies. Just to gain power, leaders are trying to involve themselves with everything possible they can, without worrying about the consequences.
Girija is the main culprit for the massive curroption prevailing the country. This is a true fact. I remember an incident when Khum Bahadur Khadka was offered bribe by some person to get his work done. Khadka refused as the project was not in the interest of the nation. The person then went to PM Honroable Mr Girija and offered him money. Beacuse he can do anything for money, he ordered Khadka to complete that person's work under Khadka's Ministry. That was the turning point since when Khadka starting accepting bribes. Who is the culprit now..?? Who is behind the bars now..?? Why is Girija set free and why doesnt anyone apeak against him. He is also responsible for the RNAC mess. It is in a shamefull state.
Well Madhav Nepal is also not a descent leader. When the late UML leader Mr Madan Bhandari died in the car accident, Nepal was on the highest pitch of his voice saying that Girjia conspired the death of Mr Bhandari. Girija government was even toppled for the same reason. When UML formed the government, no one gave a damn even about setting up a probing committee. Was the car accident conspired by Nepal himself of Girija is still unknown.
Well, there are many unsolved stories in the Himalayan Kingdom. Old people usually say, "yo sati le sarape ko desh ho, yahan shanti kahile pani hundaina". The fact seems to be true. I have never seen Nepal in peace. When will the final peace resolve. If killing these leaders is the only solution, why not just get rid of these *******. I am eagerly waiting for tomorrow's move. God knows what are they upto. I hope everything goes on peacefully.
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| jaya_nepal |
Posted
on 03-May-03 04:08 PM
Suman Pradhan has depicted the ideologies of most of the political leaders existing in Nepal. No matters who forms the government, the pace of development remains the same. Just that the relatives of the leaders get a job in RNAC, or other public agency where they can make some money and transfer all the civil servants throughout the nation again for the same reason to safeguard their dear ones. The topic of discussion before the October 4 by all the political leaders was how to resolve the Maoist issue. The Girija government was also toppled showing his incapability to reolve the issue. Now, when the country is all set to resolve the issue why do they have to come up with some new agendas to continue the instability prevailing the nation.
No one in Nepal follows the norms set the respective party ideologies. Atleast one follow the human norms and let everyone live in peace. Whatever happened in Kathmandu Universities was the worst thing that could happen within student societies. Just to gain power, leaders are trying to involve themselves with everything possible they can, without worrying about the consequences.
Girija is the main culprit for the massive curroption prevailing the country. This is a true fact. I remember an incident when Khum Bahadur Khadka was offered bribe by some person to get his work done. Khadka refused as the project was not in the interest of the nation. The person then went to PM Honroable Mr Girija and offered him money. Beacuse he can do anything for money, he ordered Khadka to complete that person's work under Khadka's Ministry. That was the turning point since when Khadka starting accepting bribes. Who is the culprit now..?? Who is behind the bars now..?? Why is Girija set free and why doesnt anyone apeak against him. He is also responsible for the RNAC mess. It is in a shamefull state.
Well Madhav Nepal is also not a descent leader. When the late UML leader Mr Madan Bhandari died in the car accident, Nepal was on the highest pitch of his voice saying that Girjia conspired the death of Mr Bhandari. Girija government was even toppled for the same reason. When UML formed the government, no one gave a damn even about setting up a probing committee. Was the car accident conspired by Nepal himself of Girija is still unknown.
Well, there are many unsolved stories in the Himalayan Kingdom. Old people usually say, "yo sati le sarape ko desh ho, yahan shanti kahile pani hundaina". The fact seems to be true. I have never seen Nepal in peace. When will the final peace resolve. If killing these leaders is the only solution, why not just get rid of these *******. I am eagerly waiting for tomorrow's move. God knows what are they upto. I hope everything goes on peacefully.
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| isolated freak |
Posted
on 03-May-03 08:14 PM
nothing big is happening today. nothing whatsoever.
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| isolated freak |
Posted
on 03-May-03 08:29 PM
anyway, Suman Pradhan is good. I like his pieces too. The Kathmnadu Post special editorial piece, which i am 2000% sure, Suman did just before the imposition of the state of emergency remains one of the best pieces I have read in nepal's english newspapers.
on the political situation:
There are confirmed reports of 10-20 buses entering the city/valley with kangressi/commnuist karyakarta to display a magnificent show of gallantry on the streets of kathmandu. The leaders have realized that not a singe person from Kathmandu is going to participate in this "so-called" andolan, they have sarted to bring in people from outside the valley by promising them money.
The govternment has beefed up the security of the valley and is prepared to impose a curfew within one hour's notice (Nepalnews.com). So, major violence, casualties will be averted because:
1. The political parties themselves do not know what they are fighting for.
2. There's no public support whatsoever
3. The governmnet is not staying quiet and letting the protestors damage infrastructures
The chances of the UML breaking into two factions cannot be ruled out.
Even Girija Congress might break into two factions. Shailaja has openly criticized this andolan and was reported saying that this andolan will not benifit anyone.
Lokendra Bahadur has openly challeneged the parties. Yesterday, he was heard saying, "yesto andolan deen ko 10 choti gare pani kehi farak pardaina". That means:
1. He is confident that nothing's big is happening
2. That he has the military and to some extent public support
3. The Maoists aren't supporting the andolan
This happens only in Nepal. Asoj 18 ko move ko biruddha andolan after 6 months. Who can they fool? Not me.
Anyway, Suman Pradhan jyu, a nice read indeed.
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| isolated freak |
Posted
on 03-May-03 09:03 PM
eh.. euta kura yaad aayo:
I think a few months ago, Ashu posted a piece on Manche-Supply garne business in KTM. I heard that it has already started in villages. There are manche dealers who supply julus garney manche to Netas. Netas pay these dealers aound 1 million to 2 million NRS and these dealers send 10,000-20,000 people to Kathmandu. The leaders get the protestors. THe dealers get the money and the protestoprs get to see Kathmandu for free and 200 rs/day.
This is Nepali rajniti 101.
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| Gurl_Interrupted |
Posted
on 03-May-03 09:33 PM
Nice piece guys! I remember a time, when political leaders were paying NRS 100 Rs. to the villagers to vote for them.
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