Clearing Misconceptions

What comes to your mind when you hear the word political party? You might probably think of a group of wrinkled corrupt sly foxes partying at luxurious hotels with money extracted from poor citizens. That was what I used to think. Yes! That image of a political party, although still prevalent, might soon be an imagery of the past. I say so as I came in contact with a political party that does more 'social service than politics'.

Sounds strange, doesn't it? A political party coming forth and gaining reputation as a social service organization isn't what we are used to seeing. But as strange as it may seem, it is the truth. I am writing about the new political party in Nepal that has been attracting a lot of interest from youths and professionals. Yes, I am writing about BibekSheel Nepali Party!

The party supported and created by group of young professionals has, since its inception, been actively taking front row in bringing positive change in the country. Be it taking stand for Dr. Govinda KC or raising voice against violence against women, the members of BibekSheel Nepali had always taken the lead to guide people through it. BibekSheel Nepali has proved itself yet again.

After the devastating earthquake of 25th April 2015, BibekSheel Nepali took it upon themselves to mobilize its volunteers and members in rescue mission. Within an hour of the earthquake, volunteers for BibekSheel Nepali had started working on rescue mission, which after a couple of days, shifted towards relief program. A formal task-force, Earthquake Response Task-force was created where volunteers working for helping the victims of earthquake came from all over the place to offer their help.

After what is said to be the biggest aftershock of all, the 7.3 quake with epicenter at Dolakha district of Nepal, shook not only the structures but also the hopes of all Nepalese people. Yet again, it stroke with such a jolt that jarred the courage of many people that was being slowly recovered. It, however, could not shake the determination of youths who had been working tirelessly for rescue and relief of the victims and BibekSheel Nepali was not an exception.

BibekSheel Nepali Party mobilized its volunteers and sent them in groups to various hospitals around Kathmandu within an hour of the aftershock. The volunteers were spotted at TU Teaching Hospital, Bir Hospital and Bhaktapur Hospital assisting and helping the victims. With their willingness to lead and help people when everyone else are in state of confusion and chaos, the determination with which the members at BibekSheel Nepali are working shows a ray of hope towards actually creating a better and prosperous new Nepal lead by the new generation.

They have, with their good work and transparency, been possibly attempting to redefine how politics should be practiced and what a political party should stand for!

Building Road to Maitighar

When I pass through Babarmahal-Maitighar route, I feel like ‘WOW! I am in the capital city’. Apart from that, there is nowhere else that makes me feel so, well, of course there are few other places and things but let’s not focus on that for now.

Getting back to Babarmahal, the wide roads, not-so-messy light poles (without the wires) at least at the side of the road, lights with solar panels, neatly planted trees on the sides, freshly painted dividers, clean and unbroken sidewalks, all of these make me feel that yes I am in the capital. The road from Maitighar to Baneshwor, even to Koteshwor Chowk clearly gives us the feeling of a capital city but just as I cross the Chowk towards the route to Balkumari, it is the worst road one could ever be on. And it has been like that for over four months now.

As far as I could remember, the Baneshwor-Maitighar route was built within few months and now that the SAARC Conference is all set to happen in Nepal, the roads have also received finishing touches. Unfortunately, the Koteshwor-Satdobato route, however, have not received much attention. The dusty fog always covers the way as soon as the day gives way to afternoon. I wonder how the drivers find their way and Oh, how can I ever forget the never ending, usually an hour long traffic jam on the route! How I wish Mr. Modi had put forward a wish to visit Patan through Koteshwor! I am sure this road would have been ready by now.

It’s incredible, the sort of motivation it takes our government to get to work. All those tax payers paying a part of their hard earned money for almost non-existent benefit they get in return, all those troubles we Nepali citizens face on daily basis, the number of complaints we make to the government, the support we could show to them if only they had asked, none of these could get them to work, none of these could get our government to repair roads or erect street lamps. One international conference and up and about they go. Feels like they had some magic wand they waved and suddenly they had money and labor force to start the construction and repair works. Unfortunately, the wand only worked in the route these delegates would probably take. I just wish they had put forward a desire to go on a tour of the entire city. Maybe then the roads of Kathmandu would have been transformed.

There is no saying about how our government works and no one can, I believe, predict what the government will be doing or what will motivate it to work. All I wish is maybe someday before I die, I shall see our government motivated to work for its citizens and for their benefits rather than to show it to the delegates of other countries. I understand that impression matters and to earn a place in the world, one should learn to give an impression, a good one at that. However, if you cannot earn the respect, love and trust of your own people, there is no point in trying to win it from others. As we say charity begins at home, I believe love, trust and respect should also begin from home. You see, change should come from within.

We can only wish that this construction and repair works do not end here and shall continue even after the conference is over. We wish the money that we received from our neighboring nation shall be put to proper use. Else, repairing roads of only one route or the couple of them while all other roads are covered with dust and pebbles is like buying a brooch when you don’t even own a suit?

The democratic version of the Rana reign

Recently, I have had a lot of time for myself and I spent most of this time doing one thing that I enjoy the most - reading novels!

My recent read Satprayas left me thinking and making comparisons between the Rana rule and present Republic rule in the country. This book by Diamond Sumsher Rana, as most of his other works, tells the story of the Rana reign in Nepal. It mostly revolves around Dev Sumsher Rana, the reformist and probably the only democratic Rana ruler in the country whose democratic and people-oriented ideologies didn't let him stay on power for more than few months. 

Dev continuously tries to work for the betterment of the common people and development of the country which is not liked by the selfish Rana rulers who are more interested in their own personal development and entertainment. Long before he becomes the Prime Minister of Nepal, he approaches the then PMs with the proposals of starting development works in the country. The proposals are postponed with false assurances by the rulers, which Dev happens to believe. When he comes to power, he starts to work seriously on his dream projects, of opening schools, educating the common people, starting hydro power plants in the country, etc. His brothers, naturally doesn't like it and take over the power from him. 

This reminded me how such things still happen in our country. Whoever wants to do good are only given false hopes and assurances by others. Power and wealth are still being misused by those in power to support their personal development rather than the national development.

The book is considered as a historic novel so naturally, many things written there are true. I learned many things from it which made me think and compare the two political eras of our country. Here are some comparisons that I have made:

1.     The Rana rulers claimed to be powerful and strong. They were tyrant. But no matter how strong they presented themselves to be, they were in constant fear. They did not have to fear the common people like the politicians (if they do) have to now, but their own brothers. They are known for killing and overthrowing each other for power. Killing of their own kin was what brought them to power in the first place and it didn't quite stop. Well, even if the killing did, the mistrust remained. They did not trust each other and even a slight misunderstanding between one another lead them into plotting and taking over the control for themselves. This practice still exists in our political world. The leaders don't trust each other and if someone (outside of their political party) is in power, they start plotting to overthrow them and take the power for themselves. No wonder, we don't have a stable political leadership in the country.

2.     The Rana rulers lived extravagantly. They loved to show that they had enormous amounts of wealth (which of course wasn't theirs but belonged to the people of Nepal). They raised the taxes if their Dukutis were running low on wealth. They took people's money and spend them for their personal interest and entertainment. Looking at how our top leaders and country heads live and travel, we can rest assure that the practice of using people's money for personal benefit still exists. The only difference now is that the people are educated enough to know that their hard earned money is being wasted but yet, they do not seem to complain. The taxes still continues to rise. I wonder how poor our late Kings must have been because even after nationalizing all their wealth, our government has not been able to cover the loans and are in deep debt which results as price hike that only seems to affect the common people and not the ones riding the expensive air-conditioned vehicles around the clean roads of the capital.

3.     The newly appointed Shree 3 Maharaj (The title given to the Prime Minister then) would transfer all the national treasure into his palace. Few lakhs (One lakh of that time was more or less equivalent to one crore of today) were given to the second and third-in-command like Mukhtiyars and Hajuria. I fear the practice still exists, although not openly and not in the same way (you need to show some respect to those guys at Income Tax office, don't you?). The Prime Ministers and other Ministers in power still likes to live the same way and spend millions on their unnecessary travels to the foreign countries (apart from Sushil Koirala of course). I don't understand why discussions on state matters require the PMs and Ministers visit foreign country with their family (PLEASE let me know if this is necessary as my understanding of politics is limited). 

4.     Many development projects are still 'under construction' or limited to papers just like it was more than a hundred years ago. We are given assurances and hopes but not results. We only hear promises but do not see the actions. Dev Sumsher dreamed of starting hydro power plants in Karnali and Koshi, which to date, has not been completed (I wonder if it has been started at all).

There are many practices today which would remind us of the Rana reign if only we had enough time to sit, think and compare. We barely get enough time to spend with our family let alone compare the political eras. Our everyday struggle to provide a better life for our family does not give us any time to think about our country. We let everything happen around us without frowning and which is why the political leaders have so much control over our lives. They could easily turn our lives upside down if they want because we have forgotten how much power we have over them. We let them rule us when they are there only to serve us. If only we had enough time to think and take some action.

Well, I did have enough time to think after I left my job and waited for my college to begin. There was nothing else to do, thanks to the hours of load-shedding, which made me grab a book and then think about these issues over and over again.

The conclusion I came to often terrifies me. We abolished the Rana rule decades ago but did we actually do it? Are those days really over? Because from what I can see and feel, the system still exists. I fear that the Republican system in the country is only the modified, refined and so-called 'democratic' version of the Rana rule.

Who's the next PM??

Even after the fourth round of election, the PM has not been selected. This is a shame to Nepali leaders that they could not even chose a PM on consensus and they want to lead the government. Lets just hope that in the fifth round we finally GET OUR PM because hope is all we have with those power hungry people as our leaders.

And then the PM resigns..

Prime Minister Madhav K Nepal resigned from his post yesterday. He and his government was the subject of controversy from the very beginning. He had lost in election from two places but still got to be the Prime Minister. He was the first Communist Prime Minister to rule for thirteen months, as told by KFM. Maoists have been demanding his resignation from the very beginning. Although his ruling period has stayed in controversy for may reasons, it has also done some good things for the nation, which he mentioned in his speech before resignation.

Minister slaps CDO, keep denying the act.

Kathmandu, Nov. 17 , 2009

State Minister for Agriculture and co-operatives Karima Begam assaulted Durga Prasad Bhandari, the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Parsa on Tuesday (Nov. 11) for sending her an old vehicle to receive at the airport.

"I was preparing to welcome her when she attacked me without hearing my explanation", Bhandari said. He claimed the vehicle to be in good condition. The vehicle Minister ordered was not available but Begam grabbed his collar and slapped him four times.
Begam was charged for assault, a legal complaint has been filed at the District Police Office against her under Public Offence Act for assaulting the CDO, and an arrest warrant has been issued for her said Police Inspector Bhuwaneshwor Sah. As the Minister returned to Kathmandu twenty minutes after the case was filed by Bhandari's bodyguard, the case was transferred to police in the Capital and Lalitpur.

Begam, however remained defiant under the face of criticism and ongoing protest by various groups. She even dared security personnel to arrest her. "I meet the police wherever I go. They show me respect. Who will arrest me? What I did was absolutely right," she justified her act.
She could be arrested only if Ministry of Home Affairs gives order but Minister Bhim Rawal could not do so without getting a go-ahead from the PM and the coalition partners in the government.

However, Minister for Home Affairs Bhim Bahadur Rawal, who had earlier condemned the act as going against her, gave an advice to Begam : You should have got hold of a few henchmen to beat the CDO. You should not have done it yourself. This has created problems for me".
Amidst the ongoing protest by civil servants of various districts, no action has been taken against her for more than a week. Instead, she said that she would take action against Bhandari and would not apologize as demanded by government. She, who accused Bhandari for being "irresponsible" earlier, accused him for "misconduct to her body".
"First he grabbed my hands against my will and tried to pull me into his chamber", she said. "It is the CDO who has to apologize", she added.

PM instructed her to accept her mistake in the incident and she conceded her weakness in front of him. He summoned her for clarification. After emerging from the PM's office the Minister, however denied admitting her fault. "I slapped him as he disobeyed and dishonored me", she parroted.

Monarchy Not Ended Yet!!

The words "Monarchy has not ended, yet" spoken by former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (I like to call him by this very name, the one I knew him by until he was overthrown) created a big stir throughout the country.

Many leaders were shaken, some commented he should be legally charged and some dismissed it saying it was just his daydream. I like the latter. He is a normal citizen now and has the right to freedom of speech and expression. He can say what he likes without the fear of being charged. He has the right to speech and I think he just used it, there is absolutely no reason for the leaders to overreact.

I agree with what the former King said about the Monarchy not coming to an end. I, too, think it has not ended. It still rules our heart and if voted for, I wouldn't be surprised people choosing Monarchy over Democratic Republic. We were happier and safer then we are now. Our country would have been better to be ruled by one lion rather than 1oo mouse.

Wherever we turn, all we find is loss. Loss of life, electricity, faith, money everything. It was better then. The only mistake he did was to take the absolute power in his hands and it was the biggest mistake ever. It might have been right for some reason but we have the habit of living in freedom and we don't want anyone to take it away from us. But we are forgetting that in the name of freedom, we are getting out of control. People might call me cynical or pessimist but this is what I feel and I really feel we are getting OUT OF CONTROL.

And The Pillar Breaksdown

The death of the Legend of Nepali Politics, The Peace Maker Girija Prasad Koirala was a shock not only to Nepal but the whole world. He was a great politician with good insights, determination, conviction and great leadership skill. The single person with the power to change the entire nation.

His death was a real shock, not just because it was untimely but also because I heard about it in one FM station so I tuned in to Radio Kantipur for detail but it said he was in COMA and the situation was critical. I was real shocked then. How can a FM station get that news and Kantipur cannot. However, he was announced dead after an hour. His life is full of controversies but he death, too, could not remain an exception, if only for me. It really came as a real shock to me. I don't want to talk about the controversies that surrounds him. He was a great personality with an immense leadership power. The pillar of Nepali Politics, who initiated almost all the major revolutions. The Peace Maker who brought the then rebellions, Maoists into lights by talks. He had the power to convince people. With that one long finger of his, he could make anything happen. Sometimes, I wonder is he was a magician of some sort.

I don't want to write about his contributions because they are too long to fit in here and besides, we all know it better. I just wanted to write about the effect it made on me not on the country or political parties. We will have to wait and watch it, I m not a political expert to predict what happens next. I just wish all the political parties focus on fulfilling his dream and last wish of peace and making Constitution of Nepal.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!!

Meeting deadline

There is not enough time left for making Constitution of Nepal. It has already been postponed several times before, I just hope this time we succeed drafting it. But the way our government works I am afraid they are going to pass the deadline this time as well. I just hope unlike other times, this time the government works on time.

Bow infront of no man

Every time an important person, Presidents, VPs and PMs visit Nepal or any other country then the national flag is placed on the pillars at different places. This is to show respect to the important people who visit out country or go out from here. I like the idea, too, but I think that while showing respect to the people, we forget our flag. Our flag is placed on the bent position,it seems as if it is bowing in front of the people, which is why I don't like the idea. The fault is not of the way it is placed but the way the pillars are designed. The top of the pillars are bent so this happens. However, I still think it is not a good idea to bow our flag, our identity and our proud, in front of others. I strongly believe and would like to apply Salman Rusdie's quote "Bow in front of no man" in this case. Our flag is our pride, why do we bow our pride in front of others???

VIP visits

The VIPs of our country cause trouble wherever n whenever they travel in and out of the country. The President, when he visited India, did not disturbed the traffic, however, during is return the whole airport- Baneshwor area was disturbed. The people traveling during that time had to wait until the VIP passed and reached SAFELY to his destination.These are the people elected by the people,for the people to solve their problems and create an easy environment for them but all they cause is trouble. Why do they have to so many security guards that could guard more than 20 people, for one or two person? Is there so much threat to their life? I know the VIPs has to deal with death threats but it doesn't mean they have to walk with the whole battalion. Cant they just visit and return wherever they like without causing any hype and problems to the people? They are there to serve people not to trouble them but they usually end up doing the exact opposite.