Wednesday, September 27, 2006

This rainy season brought disasters for Nepal . The country lost many a precious lives who were acclaimed academicians, experts and noted bureaucrats.

This is not all. We lost some of our international friends from Finland , WWF and United States of America as well.

All those whom we lost have had contributed for this country from their respective quarters for the development of Nepal . That way the loss that was forced on us by adverse climatic conditions was irreparable. We will miss each and every one who left for their heavenly abode for their valuable contributions that they have had made for this country.

However, let me concentrate my efforts today on how I happen to meet the Finnish Charge de' Affaires, Pauli Mustonen, for the first time after Asko Luikkonen left upon completion of his Kathmandu tenure.

It should have been a national day reception organized by Thai Ambassador at Birendra Convention center some two years ago.

Myself being a smoker, I have had to go in search for a match-box. After a long search, I finally found one white personality, round headed and be-spectacled smoking out side in the lawns of the said center. Naturally I have had to ask for his help for the match-box. He handed over the lighter with pleasure. Thus I quenched by urge for smoke. Unfortunately, I did not ask who he was. Neither he expressed his desire to get introduced with me. He was then a new man, I guessed.

After a few days when I was watching a NTV news, suddenly I saw the same personality making lecture on Nepal-Finland ties. He was the Finnish Charge de' Affaires-Pauli Mustonen. Later we both recalled our meeting with each other at the said party. Smoking habits too at times makes friendship. We used to laugh at each other recalling the previous first event.

Very recently, at a party at Hyatt Regency, I ran out of cigarette sticks. My urge for smoke brought me closer to Pauli who was smoking. He instantly guessed as to why I had approached him. He opened the box and I picked one for myself.

Look what he said to me which is perhaps his last word with me: "Thank you Mr. Upadhyaya! At least you have extended my survival by ten minutes". I got the point. This meant that those ten minutes plus for him would be automatically minus from my survival. This was his last conversations with him.

And now look what he says of this country which I presume should have been his last "grand departure statement". Before I present his last statement on Nepal , I pray the almighty to offer eternal peace to all the departed soul. Pauli rest in peace!

"Nepal is not alone in its efforts to achieve peace and prosperity and a just society, said Charge d' Affairs Pauli Mustonen of the Finland Embassy, which is currently taking the Presidency of European Union in Nepal .

Finnish people know the trauma of war as they went through the terrible civil war in 1918 which claimed 34,000 lives, and they know that sustainable peace after a traumatic conflict is possible," he said at a symposium here to mark the International Peace Day.

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement, he said South Asia has made important contributions to the cause of peace by launching peaceful movements even before the European and UN efforts and its impacts have been felt the world over".