| Username |
Post |
| Puru Subedi |
Posted
on 23-Jan-03 04:44 PM
Taken from online version of KTM post.
-PS
==
Nepalis in US raise concern over royal move
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 22 The Nepalese residents of USA today raised their voice for the restoration of democracy in Nepal and condemned the royal proclamation made by King on October 4. The Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA said that the current crisis should be solved immediately by handing over the power to the right owner- the common public. It further said that the King’s decision is regrettable, indefensible, and unconstitutional and the present government has no legitimacy and credibility.
"We demand an immediate restoration of democracy in Nepal", it added. The Council also emphasised on the announcement of the date of parliamentary elections and said that the elections should be held within three months after the installation of a new government.
The Council also urged all democratic parties to unite and work towards an immediate restoration of democracy in Nepal. It remarked as long as the political parties remain divided, democracy would not be restored.
NDYC, a newly formed organisation in December 2002 aims to achieve success over the present crisis by sharing its concerns and aspirations with the fellow Nepalese youths and others from different parts of the world. The Council has been formed under the presidentship of Ananda Bist. The Council also has Vijay Sigdel, Kamal Karki, Khagendra GC, Mridula Koirala, and Shailesh Shrestha as its advisors, Sudhamshu Joshi as its vice-president, and Somnath Ghimire as its general secretary.
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| dirk |
Posted
on 23-Jan-03 05:05 PM
Kamal Karki, Khagendra GC and Mridula Koirala still think they are in their youth?
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| forget-me-not |
Posted
on 23-Jan-03 05:20 PM
how do you define youth???
ke lai or kati samma lai youth bhanne?? chunab ma 40-50 ko haru yubs neta bhanera utheko jhajhalko yo dimag ma taja nai chha...
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 23-Jan-03 06:09 PM
Right decision by the council.
It is obvious that sri 5 Gyanendra is feeling like 'I came, I saw, I conquered', but public rage over his move is smouldering day by day, and will make him regret over whatever he did last year.
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| tick |
Posted
on 23-Jan-03 10:37 PM
The people arn't opossing the royal move. Girija & co, Deuba & co are the ones making all the noise. Majority of the people agree with the royal move. Girija is has been under investigation from CIAA, for a while.
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| lamachaur |
Posted
on 23-Jan-03 11:29 PM
It further said that the King’s decision is regrettable, indefensible, and unconstitutional and the present government has no legitimacy and credibility.
Now, why would I give a rats *** about King G's decision being regrettable, indefensible, and unconstitutional . Quite candidly and I think its obvious that the developements hitherto have been more optimistic. I mean look at those smart mouth, money guzzling hypocrites paying their price. So far , it has been good and now all we can do is stay with our fingers crossed and hope that what is to come , does come for good.
..............
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| MadMax |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 10:43 AM
Nepal isn't ready for Democracy yet. Better Gyanendra than the sleezy scumbag politicians. Since 1990 democracy, Nepal has gone down the pits. Dictatorship is what Nepal and dumb Nepalis need for the moment.
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| Takura |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 12:03 PM
The Nepalese residents of USA ?? Restoration of democracy ?? The Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA ?? Handing over the power to the right owner??
What are these? Who are these people, and who 'is' the 'right owner'? Vijay Sigdel, Kamal Karki, Khagendra GC, Mridula Koirala, and Shailesh Shrestha can say poke their disagreement individually but cannot say anything on our(the nepalese in USA) behalf. I agree with TICK. It is just the noise those corrupt politicians like to make when they see no chance of getting their chairs back. Girija, Deuba, Gachhadaar, and all those other corrupt politicians and officers are nothing but disgrace to our country. Neither I support any party nor panchayat system, but I highly support King G's move. We need a strong leader. A leader who can foresee everything and bring our country to the right direction. FYI, I'm not 'durbaariyaa'. I say what I see. Ciao!
-Takura
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 02:07 PM
OK, OK, to some this is going to be real nit-picky, but nevertheless ...
Rule number 1 of journalism: LANGUAGE USE impacts ACCURACY.
This story is inaccurate. It creates an absolutely false impression.
Why? ONE LITTLE WORD.
Here's the lead: "The Nepalese residents of USA today raised their voice for the restoration of democracy in Nepal and condemned the royal proclamation made by King on October 4."
IQ/grammar question: What's wrong with this statement?
.... (tick tick tick ) ......
......... (insert theme from "Jeopardy" in here) ........
A: THE Nepalese residents of the US do not have a single opinion on this matter, and a statement by one group does NOT constitute a statement by THE Nepalese in the US.
This "newly formed organization"--and yes, I'd call December 2002 pretty darned new--can hardly pretend to speak for THE Nepalese in the US. Of course, the group itself isn't making that pretense--they're speaking for themselves, which is what interest groups do, and they're saying some pretty important things. (Think the political parties will get that message about uniting?)
But I fail to see a statistically reliable survey reflected here. I fail to see anything that suggests this should be presented in the media as THE voice of the Nepalese in the US.
Editor, editor!
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| whine and chij |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 02:52 PM
most literate people know how to take things figuratively, in spite of the literally presentation of things. one should be able to read with sufficient care to understand that the subject of the first two sentences are synonymous and, therefore, that "the" use of "The" to begin the first sentence is silent. if the reader does not get that, by choice or inability, then it's probably not the editors' fault. Ambiguity certainly exists, though the leap to false impression, then, is created by the reader, in this case. when you call "the" police, does every single cop in "the" world answer the phone, and do they all appear at "the" door?
alex: sorry, i can't give it to you, sally, as you did not give your answer in "the" form of a question. ;)
"you must be THE commentator" ~sasu-ji
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 03:07 PM
Sorry, Whine and Chij. Journalism is neither poetry nor casual conversation. First references have to be specific. Most people may know "how to take things figuratively," but they shouldn't have to decode a news story and pretend a "the" is silent.
You gave "the police" as an example. Obviously, we say in conversation, 'I had to call the police."
However, here's the correct use of police in journalism: "The Happy Valley Police today raided an alleged looney bin, Sajha.com ..."
Also correct: "Police today raided an alleged looney bin ..."
Version that wouldn't pass muster with any copy editor worth his or her salt: "The police today raided ..."
It's not a comprehension matter.
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| jimpathi |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 03:34 PM
Few people do not represent everyone. But the statement sounds like that and it is regrettable. I know for sure support for King is much higher than opposition. By reading the name of the members it sounds like they arethe same NC and UML clans who rules Nepal. That does not surprise anyone Nepali all over the world.
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| jimpathi |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 03:39 PM
People have already lost faith in Parties due to its leaders. They have given nothing but pain and regrets to the people and the country. Right now people are looking for a strong leadership. Anyone who can provide it people will follow whether he/she is dictator, pujari,or whatever.
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| Takura |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:09 PM
Sally and Wine & Chij,
Get your 'wannabe smart' ass out of here. Noone needed your expertise on grammar and journalism. Keep that to yourselves. LOOK, and again LOOK at the content and just think, what if it is true.....?? I am not worried about their punctuation, missing word, or even wrting skills, I'm worried about them speaking on our behlf(if it is true).
Now you both can go back to the library and start working on your papers...seems like you are either preparing for your exams or just taking some higher level English classes. Whatever it is- Good luck to you both.
-Ciao!
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:22 PM
Jimpathi, I don't know how you can know "for sure" that support for the king is higher than support for "opposition." Although you didn't define "opposition" ... if you mean the political parties and their current leadership, you may be right; certainly it would be hard to find many "party animals" these days, either of the rabid or the starry-eyed variety. I hear the same from Nepal. The disenchantment seems to be pretty thorough.
But disgust for party politics, as it's been played out for more than a decade, doesn't necessarily translate into support for the royal move. Many people seem to oppose the king but also also be disgusted by the parties. So, in a sense, they support "the opposition" but with a lot of qualms. Kind of a "lesser of two evils" argument. (Or maybe that should be, the lesser of three evils.)
But of course you're right that people are desperate for strong leadership, and that's part of the appeal of both the king's move and the Maoists. Good or bad is another question. Abraham Lincoln was a good "strong leader" who, as it happens, infringed on many civil rights in the process and led the country through a hideously bloody war that, in the end, was the right thing to do. Hitler and Pol Pot were also "strong leaders" who, of course, almost destroyed their countries. Gyanendra seems to be a strong leader. George Bush is a strong leader. The judgment of the future will be .... ????????????
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| whine and chij |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:27 PM
sorry, sally, but it is a comprehension issue. literate people need to comprehend the fact that typos and errors abound in the real world of journalism, and in cases of minor errors, such as that one, readers need to be able to comprehend the mistakes, fill in the blanks, and mentally correct OBVIOUS errors. that's not even mentioning reading between the lines.
journalistic standards, now THAT's an oxymoron. yeah, people shouldn't have to figure out some things on their own, such as rigidly obeying traffic rules all the time probably increases the likelihood of an "accident", or that a native english speaker nitpicking on the writing of someone for whom english is likely a third or fourth language will likely get the nitpicker nitpicked on, but journalists and the world don't revolve around j-school rules. the long and short of this is that, while there is a technical error, the greater error is to attach unwarranted importance to it.
you'd comprehend this, if you let yourself.
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:30 PM
Takura, sorry for making points that seem obscure to you. Actually, though, I'm not being a grammar maven here.
I don't in the least mind those entertaining headlines like "TRUCK HITS MAN TO DEATH!" (Whap! Whap! Whap! My god, it came again and again! Again and again, no one could stop it, it must have been ... yes ... a Demon Truck!) I think the KTM Post and other English papers do a good job under the circumstances, and grammar lapses hardly make an impact in most cases.
But here, it did. The point was the intersection between grammar and meaning. The IMPRESSION was created that the group was speaking on other people's behalf. That wasn't true, but it was a mistake of editing or writing, and it jumped out at me.
Like I said, it might seem nit-picky to some. It apparently did to you. Oh, well.
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:32 PM
"readers need to be able to comprehend the mistakes, fill in the blanks, and mentally correct OBVIOUS errors"
So do copy editors.
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| Torpe |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:39 PM
The news IS misleading. This council's view does not represent the true feelings of all the Nepalis staying in the US, and it will not do so even if there is just one Nepali in the US who supports Gyanuchaa's move. But, unless we have clear evidences to claim that these people have been using "links" with the top political leaders to give a wrong impression to the public--that what they are saying is the true depiction of collective feelings of all Nepalis in the States--these people are innocent. May be people with good English should send the editor/publisher of the Kathmandu Post a letter about this misleading news.
Whatever the council is doing, although the reporter reported it slightly wrong, is praise- worthy. I wish these people all the best in their endeavor. A republic state is inevitable. Swasthani maata le yo council laai yo thap gyaan pani pradan garun.
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:46 PM
Yes, Torpe, I agree that it wasn't the group's fault. They're simply making a case about their own views.
But the error begs an interesting question: What ARE the views of Nepalis in the US, and how might they differ from views in Nepal?
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 04:54 PM
Sally,
Without getting into the nitty gritty of semantics and Grammar (which I do not follow too closely, esp., when I go into a casual and literal translation mode...), you are right; the article has a sweeping view, that erroneously attempts to voice sentiments of an unkown Nepalese majority living abroad!
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 05:20 PM
Well, the news is actually following the accepted norm of journalism. I don't even think it is wrong. It says "Nepalese residents of USA raise concern...", and that is right, the members are Nepalese residents of USA. It is obvious to readers that it means some Nepalese residents, and the news also doesn't claim 'all Nepalese residents'. They write this way in Times Of India and other newspapers all the time, don't they, Sally?
Now, do we Nepalese living in USA really support Gyanendra's move? How come I have never seen a single compatriot soul who supports Gyanendra in USA? May be I am missing the bastion of rightwingers by living in deep south.Or may be I am discouting those souls who enshround themselves with the assumed login name in sajha.com and write in his support.
Now, opposing political leaders is ok. That's what I always do, too. But do I support Gyanendra? What is there to support? Support the fact that he raised his own salaries while kicking the editors of Nepal's eminent literary journal "Samakaalin Saahitya" and Nepal's topmost theatre persona Prachanda Malla because of economic crunch? Support the way he pioneered Abhinandan Jaatraa? Support the cowardly way he announced his much maligned son to be a king in the midst of Dashain? Support the fact he and his 'swachchha' ministers never bothered to publicize their property? Support the fact that his ministers talk nonsense day by day? Support the fact that Maoists are still killing people, and shaantisurakshyaa is still same despite his lofty claims? Support the fact he announces holidays the day he wishes? Why should anyone living in USA support his reign which is so much similar to the medieval era?
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 05:55 PM
Well. Pretty funny to "miss the right-wing bastion" by living in the Deep South. (!!!)
Biswo, you're assuming that everyone who "supports" or "opposes" something has thought through all that it implies. There is definitely support for Gyanendra here. One could argue that it's emotional, and that supporting him on the basis that "finally somebody cracked down" or "yeah, he was right to just toss out the bastards and wipe the slate clean" is misguided and unwarranted. But that doesn't stop such feelings from being genuine.
Many people are supporting Bush on the war in Iraq for the same reason: "We've just gotta be tough on the bastards." It's support, whether the reasons are logical or not.
(On whether the news is following the accepted norms--yes, most of the article does, but trust me, the wee little tidbit I mentioned doesn't. But 'nuff said on that.)
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| tick |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 07:02 PM
I support the move Gyanendra made and I know many who openly support it. It is certainly not the opinion of the Nepalis living in USA, for sure.
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| whine and chij |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 07:19 PM
a lot of people were, then weren't, then are once again against the war that's been going on in the gulf since 41 was in office, for the same reason: "we've just gotta be tough on the bastards." same gu, different gaun.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 07:35 PM
Sally, I wasn't assuming that. Also, I don't think that our situation is comparable to Iraq situation. Majority of Americans , say polls, support the Bush's view. But in Nepal, is that the case? Polls(I think one came out sometimes ago), acadamicians, journalists, people, they haven't supported the move.Please tell me which famous journalist[at least those ones who aren't soiled by Panchayati dirt]or writer has supported the king's move catagorically? How many times do I need to repeat this, dear?Yes, they(Nepali people) didn't like Deuba and co., they didn't like Girija and co., they didn't like Madhav Nepal and co., but they never liked Gyanendra and co. too.What the council has said, it seems to me, is that the power belongs to the people, and let the democratic exercizes begin again.Nothing wrong in that.And that's also the prevalent view of all the compatriots I have met here.
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| whine and chij |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 07:35 PM
Thakura (THAT's where me h went!)
I-and-I LOOK, and again LOOK at the content and just think, what if them is true.....?? I not worried about they's punctuation, missing word, or even writing skills, I've worried about them content speaking on our behalf(if it is true).
"for how else can you capture a boogie,
if you don't attack from the back?
to the rear...MARCH!"
~parliament, "theme from the black hole"
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| whine and chij |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 07:51 PM
no, YOU trust me, ain't 'nuff said on it until I say it's enuff.
the little bit you myoped on IS (yeah, even dems know is's meaning) standard journalistic norm at tkp, online or no. and that norm is based on nepali colloquial english.
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| whine and chij |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 07:59 PM
b,
i don't really think THE bush is the caring being to right now what nepalis think at his view on iraq. (i can be the tick, two!) nice to have an accredited sajha veteran play the straight man. don't you think folks here should be more concerned w/ the "at" thread?
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| sally |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 08:27 PM
Biswo, I basically agree. That's what I'd said, more or less, in my reply to Jimpathi.
And of course the situation isn't comparable to Iraq, but I was talking about the nature of what support does exist (and it does, regardless of how many urban intellectuals do or don't share that support ... see Tick's reply). Not the nature of the situation.
Although, in that regard, if you're getting the notion that America is solidly behind Bush, that's not what the polls are showing. He's losing support at the moment, and it's certainly not what I'm seeing anecdotally. I can't think offhand of anyone I know, of any age, who is openly in favor of a unilateral first strike. I do, on the other hand, know people who have already marched against the war. But I don't conclude from the fact that I personally seem to know Democrats that Republicans don't exist :-)
LOL, apropos of nothing, here's a song my son is making up at this very moment. (I think you've met him, Biswo; he's 6 now.) It's hysterical. He's playing a game and this is his song. I'm taking it down verbatim:
Nepalis are the toughest ones in the world
Even tougher than a thousand Americans
Ain't no match for a Nepali, ain't no match for a Nepali
The biggest strongest muscle on earth.
They sail in the seas, no fear of the bees.
There ain't no bees in the sea, that's why.
The Gurkhas are really tough
But they ain't stationed in Nepal,
Cause that is really rough.
They ain't stationed in any country except India, India ...
The GURKHAS! The GURKHAS!
(Honest to God. It's going on and on ... Well, now it's bedtime story time, see ya later.)
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| Paschim |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 08:35 PM
Sally, your son is gifted, and also has a cool sense of humor for a 6 yr. old. Our king can learn to smile from him.
These days, Gurkhas are stationed in India -- and Winchester. No trace in Hong Kong after the city fell to Tung Chee Hwa.
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| Paschim |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 08:36 PM
Sally, your son is gifted, and also has a cool sense of humor for a 6 yr. old. Our king can learn to smile from him.
These days, Gurkhas are stationed in India -- and Winchester. No trace in Hong Kong after the city fell to Tung Chee Hwa.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 09:58 PM
Sally,
Yes, I remember Shiva (isn't that his name?). He is a cute boy, and nice to know about his talent in humour.
Gurkhas are becoming more internationalized. Paschim (and others), do you remember this article around 1994 in International Herald Tribune by some famous guy who proposed that UN keep its own peacekeeping force comprised totally of Gurkhas(cheap, secular and brave, whatever the hell that means!). French gendarme, Macao's penitentiary guards and Casino guards, and Singapore police too have some Gurkhas. Time to form an International Security Group, inc. headquartered in Nepal, I guess.
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| isolated freak |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 10:33 PM
who actually cares whether or not the enaplis living in the US or elsewhere support the King's move?
These statements, press releases etc., have no significance whatsoever.
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| whine and chij |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 10:36 PM
thank you, isolated freak.
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| isolated freak |
Posted
on 24-Jan-03 11:14 PM
welcome, welcome.. whine and chij.
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| jimpathi |
Posted
on 25-Jan-03 01:19 PM
Biswo:
I agree with you that none of the leaders are man enough to earn a respect. But among all of them, I see King as the only chance to save the country before India takes over or it becomes something like Afganisthan.
We should also exercise democratic process again. But not now till we have those bastards as a netas. Unless there is completely new group of younger and broadminded leaders, we will be making mistakes again. I dont think any Nepali can afford that this time. It is not a question whether we should begin the process, rather a question of time. Before we do that we need to ask if we have a right leadership. No certainly not right now. Therefore, we have to take a decision very carefully.
Finally one must also understand the feeling of nepali in Nepal. They are the one who are suffering most. It is not democratic for us to stay in the US and demand this and that.
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 25-Jan-03 05:18 PM
Dem don't speak fo me!!
I think our republicans might be barking at the wrong tree. If they are really serious about bringing a republic in Nepal, raising volunteers in the US does not help that much. The only guranteed success recipe is to follow the Sikkim example: first find one Lendup Dorje, Khatiwada Baje and Poudel Mukhiya Baje who will control the parliament. Then declare the king (Chhogyal) to be unconstitutional and illegal through the parliament; then make the next decision to merge the country into the Indian republic. Presto, then we will become a great republic overnight and we will be part of the great Bharat Mata and enjoy the many privileges of being part of a nuclear power!!
I think this scenario is not very far...most of the mainstream newspapers are now carrying news stories and articles that laud the great achievement Sikkim has made since it joined India. Although it is not explicitly said that Nepal should follow Sikkim's example, the unstated conclusion is the same: in order to make progress, Sikkim is the best model for us. The media is subconsciously conditioning our mind that such an outcome is inevitable, or even welcome.
Add to this chorus the now republican alliance between the Maoists, UML, NC, the republican state is not far off. I personally think that many of our leaders would be happy to pilgrimage to New Delhi for the Chief Minister's seat in Kathmandu. They already do so to go into power or keep their chairs...being a part of the Indian republic will make no difference to this group of people. While the Indian lobby and its intellectual and political supporters might be happy to realize their republican goal within the Indian republic, what will the majority of the Nepalis want? Personally, Nepali freedom and independence is far more important than all the promises of republicanism...Sikkim has more hospitals than Nepal (according to Kunda Dixit article in the Nepali Times), so what? Look at Bihar or UP, we are way ahead of them! If monarchy can ensure Nepali independence, long live the King...and no thank you Mr. Sikkim-type republic.
Part of the anger of the Indian lobby with King G now is that instead of New Delhi appointing prime ministers and ministers, the King is nominating his own choices, without consulting the Indian lobby. So just to get back their plumb positions of loot, the Indian lobby raises the spectacle of democracy, republic, constitution, law, human rights and anything else that comes in handy to discredit the king. Despite whatever accusations the Indian lobby levels against the King, I still think he has the country's best interests at heart, and as long as he says that he is committed to multiparty democracy we should give him the benefit of the doubt. If his intention was to really usurp power, he would have dismissed the present constitution like his father in 1960 and brought in a new one. If he had wanted to he could have done it , but he did not do that, and that is a good sign. My own prediction is that after law and order situation (Maoist) is solved, he will hold elections and let parliament take over the show. So what he is doing now is a short term emergency measure to get the country out of the present quagmaire.
But if the likes of Girija, Deuba, Madhab Nepal, Oli, Gupta, Khadka and rest of the Mafiosis were so concerned about the fair name of democracy, law, constitution, why were they blatantly raping the same values for the past 12 years?
These are the same leaders who are not bothered one bit when their village and district level workers are being brutally murdered for the past seven years by a political force whose avowed goal is to smash multiparty system, civil rights, market economy and establish a Maoist one-party dictarship. These leaders see no danger to constitution or democracy from this quarter, to date they have not brought out one protest march or demonstration against the Maosits who are killing NC and UML workers.
Now, how can we trust these leaders - who do not raise a finger to protect the human rights, democratic rights, or the very right to exist of their own party workers - that they are really concerned for the welfare of the general masses? Don't they say charity begins at home? These leaders are not committed for the welfare of the Nepali people, they are not bothered about the safety of their own party workers...all they want is their power and plunder.
The very fact that Girija and Madahb Nepal can hang out with Maoist leaders and make secret deals for power is sickening...what will the spirits of their dead party workers think of this duplicity? Betrayal ...against the people, their party workers, and the country!
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 25-Jan-03 05:31 PM
"But if the likes of Girija, Deuba, Madhab Nepal, Oli, Gupta, Khadka and rest of the Mafiosis were so concerned about the fair name of democracy, law, constitution, why were they blatantly raping the same values for the past 12 years?"
Well, to ask the same question, why is Gyanendra and Co. raping the values of democracy now? Why were they raping the values of democracy until 2046?Why are there only unfulfilled promises now?
"The very fact that Girija and Madahb Nepal can hang out with Maoist leaders and make secret deals for power is sickening..."
Again, the fact that Gyanendra and Co. has a long history of hanging out with Maoist leaders is more sickening.And if Girija/Madhav hung out, that was bad, but they were trying to pursuade these folks to join mainstream. Gyanendra and Co. were doing all they could do to discredit the democracy by making illcit alliances with all extreme forces.
--
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 25-Jan-03 06:20 PM
Bishowji,
You say,
"Well, to ask the same question, why is Gyanendra and Co. raping the values of democracy now? Why were they raping the values of democracy until 2046?Why are there only unfulfilled promises now?"
Exactly, I could not agree with you more! Because they were messing with democracy, the Panchayat had to go in 2046! You screw up and you got to go.
You say:
"Again, the fact that Gyanendra and Co. has a long history of hanging out with Maoist leaders is more sickening.And if Girija/Madhav hung out, that was bad, but they were trying to pursuade these folks to join mainstream. Gyanendra and Co. were doing all they could do to discredit the democracy by making illcit alliances with all extreme forces."
You say King G was hanging out with the Maoists. Just curios, any dates or newspaper accounts on this? I know some folks including Ramchandra Poudel accused Gyanendra of being the mastermind behind the Maoists...but he never bother to give us the facts (Like Girija baje telling us he will give us the facts at some 'opportune' moment). If Gyanendra was the brain behind the Maoists, why did Baburams and Prachandas really go on the anti-monarchy tirade once Gyanendra became the KIng and call him an Indian puppet? In contrast, they praised King Birendra as the great patriot.
Secondly, you say when Girija/Madhabji meet Prachanda and Baburams, 'they were trying to persuade these folks to join the mainstream.' That is really significant information. In all the newspaper reports about the meeting between these politicians, there was no report of the content of the talk itself. Don't take it otherwise, but what is this source which tells you that they were urging the Maoists to come to the 'mainstream'? If you do have an access to the privileged conversations of the Maoist leadership, I salute you sir,for many people would be happy to pay a fortune to learn of the Maoist thinkings and meetings!
In Peace!
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| Torpe |
Posted
on 25-Jan-03 06:23 PM
Noone could have said better, Biswo!
I sincerely hope our bhaktas of Gyanuchaa do not take us to the sixteenth century due to the fear of Nepal becoming sikkim :). And our over-qualified intellectuals have perhaps forgotten/( or not yet read the news) that the country made a greater economic progress in the 12 years of multi-party democracy than the three decades of rajaa-rule. Soon the starvation in some of the western districts will reach its climax, people will start dieing. Does culture matter to them? Yes, but culture does not count above hunger. Its always good to have a unifying force--if some people still believe Gyanuchaa does this, that's fine--but culture alone does not bring prosperity/happiness. Economic development is necessary. And monarchy has failed to succeed in that aspect too.
One more thing Suva-Chintak,
Personally I believe that the King should be removed through a series of parliamentary processes:
1) Stay away from greed for power, and work for the people
2) Get a majority in the parliament
3) Make the king weaker and weaker
4) Finally, remove the king
But the sad thing here is that the king took away the power while the leaders were still learning (I understand 12 years in a long time but where on Earth have democratic pracrices matured overnight?). If the king understands the language of words, he better show some commitment. Othewise, people will have to use "laat". That's where the Nepali Republicans come in. That's when the NC and UML will be forced to form alliance with the armed forced (the maoists). And I personally believe time has come for that.
Pratigaami ra ugrabaadi tatwo haru baata sajak rahou...
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 25-Jan-03 06:55 PM
Dear Torpe,
I think we can discuss the issue of republicanism/monarchy without using personal slurs.
Having said that, let me respond to one of your claims: you say 12 years of democracy achieved more economic progress than 30 years of progress. Granted I don't read as much new as you do, but there was this news item just the past week which said that Nepal's GDP rate gone in the negative for the first time in 20 years (an interview with the Asian Development Bank chief in Kathmandu). If that is the case, I don't know how we can say it made more economic progress.
And I failed to see your connection between culture and hunger. Do you mean to imply that hungry people in Western Nepal will be prepared to live in a Sikkim-type republic if they can get food? Some people might agree to that, but others might not. If national independence was so easily traded with bread, the Tibetan issue, the Palestinian issue, the Irish issue (just to name a few cases here) would have been solved long ago. And let us assume for the sake of argument that Nepal does become another Sikkim republic..what guarantee that it will remain like Sikkim. As another part of India, Nepal could face the condition of Bihar or Kashmir. It might be easy for the India to provide cheap rice to 600,000 Sikkimese population, but it is quite impossible to do that to 25 million Nepalis. Biharis and Bengalis aren't dying of humnger on the railway lines just for nothing!
And for your information, national independence is not a thing of the 16th century as you claim. Actucally ideas of national sovereignty and identity emerged in Europe in the eighteenth century and this notion took a slightly different form in the Thirld World. And you need not be afraid of going back to the 16th century, the King himself said last month that he wants to make a monarchy of the 21st century!
But, good luck with your Republican campaign and may the Maoists, NC and UML come together as you desire,
Amen!
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