| Biswo |
Posted
on 23-Dec-00 03:25 AM
The Boundary of Nepal,a book by Mr BN Shrestha, is probably
one of the most important books written on the history of Nepal's
turbulent relationship regarding its boundaries with its giant
neighbors , and begs for a reading by everybody interested esp in
recent snafu with India over Kalapani.The scarcity of such books
in Nepal's book markets has traditionally constricted the ken of
average Nepalese readers, and forced them to rely on traditional
textbooks and journalistic clips for the purpose,and it can
be hoped that this book will be helpful for the multitude of
newly conscious Nepalese to understand the abuttal of their
nation.
The book is profuse with old maps that we can pore over, and
the articles and interviews of the writer, himself an expert on
borders, and an ex-director general of dept of survery, published
on different media in Kathmandu.But above all, the book discusses
in detail ,in fact constrasts, the attitude of our neighbors in
resolving border disputes with us.For a lot of uninitiated us,
the book furnishes the details of boundary concepts approved
by international conventions, for example: how the boundary
created by rivers are decided when the river changes its course
,how the border is affected by the channel of river etc, after
reading which we can determine our conviction on several
border disputes Nepal is witnessing with India.If we have more
time,we can read all those unfathomable conditions ratified
in Sugauli Sandhi or Betrawoti Sandhi, something I used to deliberately eschew when I was kid and Antarrashtriya Mancha
type of general knowledge magazines used to publish them.
More than all of these, the book unmistakeably chronicles the
history of shame, the history of timidity, the history of power
ploy in Kathmandu that influenced the fate of the nation of
Nepal for undetermined time frame in future,& the history that
veils itself behind the gloating that we ,Nepalese, were never
colonialized. The book in its each pages on Nepal-India relations
glaringly states that we were bullied, we were shamefully muffled
and we were forced to counter sign in the protocols prepared by
another party in the agreement.We have been just a party of silent
proposals, we have been just a witness of our trampled national
aspirations,we have plethora of subdued demands & silent requests,
we have those proposals that never got off our labial seals.The
book is caveat and reminder for the posterity that we were never
brave enough to counter the pressure of southern cyclone of
intimidation.
The current history of betrayal by Girija Prasad Koirala on
Tanakpur issue fits so correctly in the historical perspective
of our boundary agreements with India, and the proposal of
Mahakali package by UML also doesn't contravene the unspoken norm
laid out by the British-India after the war of 1812.We have
been party to lose in each agreement!
The agreement in 1950 with India says Sugauli Sandhi is dead.
Sugauli Sandhi, a sandhi of momentous gravity because of its
determination of national boundary/sovereignity, was counter
signed by a citizen, not the King of Nepal, still it was validated
because we were just asked to sign there.Until now, when we have
boundary contradiction, we still adduce to the same agreement,
while ,in fact, if international convictions are to be followed
and proofs are to be taken as determinant of disputes, we are
entitled to a lot more territory than just a vicinity of Kali
Nadi in the west.But,as the book reveals,the border disputes
with India are not solved with the proof and testimonies, they
are solved with the coercion,and silence. The prime minister
asks 'the technical committe' to determine this when meeting
with Indian primeminister, while he knows fully that the technical
committe of Nepal is looking for political asistance from
higher level.
The books has been very appreciative of northern neighbor.China
seems to have been proactive in determining border with Nepal
and propitiating Nepal.Even the issues like Mount Everest's
abuttal are resolved with level headedness.
BP Koirala once said: country or whatever you say, it is the
people, the citizen of the nation..And after reading the book,
the idea is more reinforced.Yes, it is we, we from Bhimsen Thapa
to Jang Bahadur Rana, we from BP Koirala to Sri 5 Mahendra, we
are Nepal, our acts affects its boundary, we determine its
sovereignity, and we need to safeguard it, we need to understand
it clearly.(Alas, I believe, BP also fits in the same frame of
politicians who silently listened to Indian ukase several times.)
However, it is still unclear even after reading the book whether
Sugauli Sandhi(which gives up all territories west of Mahakali
river to India) should be basis of our meeting with India on
determining sovereignity over Kalapani, or the subsequent
treaties (like the one of 1913s) which says the river itself is
border. There are still some more treaties which says the pillar
in the border is the landmark.
Also it is little bit callow to suggest that Nepal should have
asked for its land with British-India when they were leaving
India.The expectation of such lagniappe from the Britain is
irrational,because British left India because they were unable
to govern it.The partition of India occured because of the
prevalent bigotry in India communal sections,and it is difficult
to apply same theory to Nepal's demand.Furthermore, one
can understand the colonialist attitude of Indian rulers like
Sardar Patel and Nehru(please read a vivid account in "Raj" of
Gita Mehta) and guess that consequences could have been
unimaginable with the King like Tribhuvan (who was said to be
ready to be King of India) and premier like Mohan Shamser (with
no popular mandate, no confidence and who would later settle
in Bangalore) had we insisted upon 15000 square miles more land.
Finally, it is praiseworthy to find retired beaurocrat/technocrats
working hard to bequeath the progeny their experience and views in
the form of such book, which is more commendable in that it
reminds us the history of shrunk border and untold national
sufferings, and galvanizes feelings for individual
responsibility to protect and maintain the national pride.
The book also demands repeated proofreading specially by
Nepalese language specialist next time when it will be
republished.
Book: Boundary of Nepal.
Publisher: Bhumichitra Mapping Co P Ltd
P O Box: 6769, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 254181
Pages: 550(plus maps)
Price: US$20.00 (Outside Nepal)
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| Trailokya Aryal |
Posted
on 24-Dec-00 01:23 AM
Dear Bishowji,
A good piece. A well written review.
If this isn't being disrespectful, I have some questions to ask and some comments to make:
1-As far as I know (I have to admit that I don't know much), that Tribhuvan was ready to declare Nepal a republic when he landed at the Gauchar Airoport in Falgun 7, 2007. So, I don't know, how anyone can possibely say that he was willing to be the king of India?
2-I have heard some people say that, when the British were leaving India, they were ready to give us the land which we lost during the 1800s. But, the Rana Prime-Minister then wasn't really prepared for that. Furthermore, there wwere democracy movements gaining momentum in places like Drajeeling and elsewhere, which british were ready to give back to Nepal, so our shri teen maharaja declined the offer saying that he was not ready to provide security and stop the anti-rana movements in those parts. So, the british said fine and this was never proposed again.
3- China has certainly been friendly and co-operative towards nepal than India since 1950 because China wanted nepal to recognize Tibet as an intergal part of China, Nepal did and in return China agreed to our border demands.
plus,
Where can you buy that book in the US?
Trailokya
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 24-Dec-00 02:48 AM
Hi Trailokyaji:
Thanks for your comments. Though the history is murky about exact
intentions of King Tribhuvan,he had in deed said in one
occasion after his return from New Delhi that "We will conduct
the election of Sambidhan Sabha which will form the
constitution of "Ganatantra" Nepal." However, though there are
ample evidences that King Tribhuvan was very much grateful to NC
and other revolutionary forces of 2007, there are also at least some
disturbing evidences raised by some Indian historians(though
repudiated by Nepalese side) that king Tribhuvan was ready to
accession ,provided he was given kingship of India.(Natwar Singh
,a former foreign secretary of India, wrote that in his memoir.
I am suddenly confused about the writer's name,though!,but I
am sure he was former foreign secretary of India.)
As for British so called readiness to give Nepal the land Nepal
lost several years ago, it is at best wishful thought from Nepal.
Bihar and UP were at that time one of the best governed states in
India.Several freedom fighters were from those provinces. There
is no evidence that British wanted to give those areas to Nepal
at the period.Furthermore, the pace at which the free India
acquired princely states of India after freedom, (Please read
"Raj" of Gita Mehta which describes a small princely state's
unsuccessful try to keep its independence from India after
freedom) it could be almost certain that we could have been the first
target of Sirdar Patel and Krishna Menon for annexing in India,
had we asked and the British given the land to us.
As for the book:I don't think you can buy the book in USA. You
still need to contact the distributor in Nepal,as long as I can
say. However the book is very highly recommended.
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