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VOL. 27, NO. 44, July18 , 2008 (Shrawan 03 2065 B.S.)
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Diplomat's Diary
Former American diplomat Fredrick Selby, who stayed in Nepal in early 1960s as an economic advisor to the US Mission, records the transformation of Nepal as he saw
By KESHAB POUDEL
Though a few of the diplomats and foreign scholars who have stayed in Nepal have written their memoir, their observations have helped to enrich Nepal's history.
Postcards from Kathmandu
(My Life among Gods, Kings and Diplomats)
By: Frederick Selby
Published by: Vajra Publication, Jyatha, Thamel P.O.Box -21779, Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone: 977-1-4220562
Email: bidur_@mos.com.np
www.vajrabooks.com.np |
Because of their education, orientation and their habit of record keeping, western scholars and diplomats often collect enormous volume of information throughout their assignments. After leaving the place, they, too, carry the information in their mind about various events of the country.
Frederick Selby, who came to Nepal in a crucial political period when first elected government led by B.P. Koirala was dismissed, has narrated Nepal's social and economic transformation of the last fifty years. Selby who has visited Nepal several times in the past mentions political events just as a passing reference but that also provides many interesting insights about Nepal.
Selby's tenure in Nepal was characterized by the beginning of development programs. Selby witnessed all the ups and downs including exodus of Tibetan refugees into Nepal, political turmoil after dismissal of elected government and Nepal's entry into the phase of modernization.
He also discusses his personal relations with King Mahendra, prince Bashundhara, Barbara Adams, Tony Hagen, pioneer of tourism industry Boris, then Indian ambassador Harishwar Dayal and his wife Leela Rau Dayal. He pays great respect to Sir Edmund Hillary and his contribution to Nepal. Known as a man to have made the first Postcard of Nepal, Selby also contributed to introduce Nepal in the global market as a Shangri-La for tourism and trekking.
"It certainly is a significant account of the people and life in Himalayas when Nepal opened its doors to the outside world," writes Peter Hillary mountaineer and son of Sir Edmund Hillary.
Along with the social and political life of the valley, the book also describes the life of diplomatic community in Nepal in early 1960s when travelling to Nepal was one of the most difficult job. Landing at Gauchar or present Tribhuwan airport sometimes took several days from Patna, a nearby Indian city because of weather. It was foggy during winter and clouds in summer made landing the plane at the airport virtually impossible.
"My life in Nepal, first as a diplomat then in later years as a trekker and climber, has provided me with the insights to feel empathy toward an often forgotten slice of the world's population," writes Selby in his introduction.
Long distance telephone communication was almost impossible. It required a drive to a small Indian telephone station at the Indian post office, near the Indian Embassy. Completion of a call often required waiting of more than an hour.
"I was surprised at how quickly I had developed a heartfelt feeling for the people of this beautiful but poor country. I was not here to serve my time but to try to make a difference in the quality of life of the Nepalese," writes Selby.
Published by Vajra Publication, this is a very interesting book which details Nepal's difficult phase of last fifty years. The book is very useful for Nepali as well as foreigners to understand the transformation of Nepal from merely a closed remote part of the world to a member of globalized community.
"This is the 50th publication of Vajra Publication. The book published by Vajra is available in worldwide market," said Bidur Dangol, proprietor of the publication.
Highlights of the Book
- Alva Myrdhal, a native of Sweden and wife of the great Swedish economist Gunnar Myrdhal sent us a driver with written invitation to attend her gathering for prime minister Koirala (late BP Koirala), The same day the King decided to jail the prime minister. Prime minister Koirala's jailing was a serious blow to the educated youth who were fighting for democratic rule. Only then did I learn that she was the Swedish ambassador to India and Nepal and was visiting Nepal to present her credentials to the King.
- I noticed that there were no picture postcards in Nepal, this most scenic country in the world. Without postcards, its great beauty would remain secret to tourists and travellers.
- From a small clinic near Kathmandu, Dr. Bethal Fleming, a middle aged self assured woman physician graduated to larger quarters and found Shanta Bhawan Hospital in the mind 1950s. Several protestant medical missionaries came from the US to join Fleming.
- To my question as to whether he regretted his inability to teach the gospel of Christ and his failure to be able to convert Nepali Hindus or Christianity, father Moran replied." My fellow fathers and I educate young men and we teach them by book learning, lecture by personal example, to follow a life of morality, goodness and decency. We teach them to be charitable and to aid the unfortunate. When I see a graduate in later years perform good works, I feel fulfilled- it does not matter that he is not a Christian."
- Most of the Khampas retracted to the Nepalese province of Mustang..... There and in the adjoining province of Dolpo, the CIA supplied these fighters with arms and ammunition equipment. The Khampas would cross the borders into Tibet to attack Chinese troops. The CIA backed operation was not well thought out.
- The People's Republic representatives met with the Nepalese government and threatened to take over the state being used for arms smuggling to Tibet. The frightened Nepali ministers and king quickly closed the borders of the two states to visitors
- I mentioned the availability of Mercedes to whoever would listen. Prince Bashundhara, Mharj Maurbahng, brother in law of the King, Boris, Nepal government officials and members of foreign embassy staffs. After a few days of getting the word out, a young Nepali acquaintance asked with me. His name was Juddha Bir Lama, an assistant to Nepal's foreign minister Dr. Tulsi Giri. "My minister Dr. Giri is interested in your car," he said. If it runs well and does not need repair, I have been authorised to give you the asking price in Nepali rupees."
- I realized, of course, the Indian mission was most important to Nepal. The country was landlocked. At the time, there were no roads leading north over the Himalayas. The transportation was directed to the south, via India.
- Prince Basundhara and Tika Sahib Mayurbhanj mentioned to His Majesty that an American boy was born on his birthday and had been given the name Mahendra. Some years later, a large, postcard-sized photo of the King arrived for our son, autographed by the other Mahendra. I enjoyed Basundhara. He had a pleasant, modest, laid-back aura about him. It took a while before he would provide information about himself- he was more a listener than a talker. He did not laugh.
- On June 1, 2001, the popular King Birendra, son of the deceased King Mahendra, was murdered by his own son when crown prince Dipendra , a devotee of automatic weapons, descended on a family dinner firing a number of guns. Conspiracy theorists had their "say", implicating everyone from the USA- CIA to India, and to Gyanendra, the deceased king's brother.
- Nepal's king Gyanendra remained aloof, uninvolved and a revolutionary movement headed by the Maoist, was born, The name monarchy was erased in May 2006. He was incapable of understanding the needs of the masses. And, so he no longer rules Nepal.
