Show that you care

The construction of afflux dam in south Laxmanpur barrage across the Rapti river by India has once again raised doubts about the India’s “attitude” towards Nepal. True, the dam has been constructed on the Indian side of the border but prior consultations and agreement are necessary for any such construction on a river that affects another country one way or the other. The manner in which India has been constructing the afflux dam indicates that  it will submerge thousands of hectares of arable land on the Nepali side of the border affecting thousands of people once the construction is completed. Besides, it also clearly violates the spirit of unwritten understanding between Nepal and India not to undertake projects that adversely affect the other country. The environmentalists who raise hue and cry whenever proposals for construction of hydropower projects are made in Nepal or in India are strangely silent over this vital issue when thousands and thousands of people are affected with many of them dislocated from their homes, almost always without compensation.

Apart from this, the Indian side was supposed to act on the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Inundation between Nepal and India (SCINI) on the issue at hand. But it has chosen not to give a thought to the SCINI speaks volumes about the Indian attitude and “mislaid aspirations” of the country like Nepal. The report comes in the wake of the committee in question discussing the fallout of the construction of a barrage across the Rapti river even as concrete solutions to the problem were being thrashed out. Unfortunately, Nepal is always too late to realize the Indian move or to take up the issue with India at the right time. The gravity of the problem for Nepal could be fathomed from the utterances of even a person like the General Secretary of the ruling party and MP, Sushil Koirala, from whom such thoughts and views regarding India are hard to come by. The people of the area have been pushed to the wall and there seems to be no way out for them except to abandon their ancestral land. We had, time and again, warned the government that such a situation could develop in any part of the Nepal-India border considering the situation in Rautahat and elsewhere. But our caution always seems to fall on deaf ears.

According to Nepali experts, once the 22 kilometres long barrage is completed, the course of the river will take a reserve turn by about 8.6 kilometre, and result in the inundation of at least nine Village Development Committees displacing thousands of people from their ancestral homes. It will also inundate thousands of hectares of fertile land. In the meantime and even as the Nepali side stands uninformed about the likely disaster arising out of possible flooding by the afflux dam, India has already ordered for the resettlement of 52 villages on Indian side of the border. The current undertaking comes as a bombshell subsequent to the Indian disagreement over Nepal’s efforts to construct the canal at Sikta. It may be recalled that India had invoked oft-violated bilateral agreement governing projects which, in some way or the other, are associated with both the countries. How could India construct such a huge barrage so near the border without Nepal’s consent? Has the government taken any stand to stop India from doing so? The government cannot remain silent and let its people suffer when India in total disregard to international norms goes on constructing barrages across those rivers which flow through Nepal and whose construction has an adverse impact on Nepal and the Nepali people. Nepal must strongly take up this issue with India and if this fails, the government must not hesitate to take recourse to appropriate international forums including the International Court at the Hague to remedy the situation. The government must show that it cares for its people.

Peace and security

-By Dipendra Bdr KC

Lying between two nuclearised and emerging superpowers of the new millennium, Nepal will do well to remain sensitive to the “strategic interest” of both India and China without least compromising its own national interest and integrity. The zone of peace proposal made by His Majesty King Birendra which was recognized by 116 countries including the big four, needs to be revived once again as an important component of Nepal’s active non-aligned external relations and to preserve its national independence. To provide guaranteed security with a view to restructuring its economic base, this proposal needs a detailed study with an unbiased mind and without pre-conceived ideas. If our exterior manoeuvre traditionally has been an act of balancing between the two influential neighbours, considering the geo-political and socio-economic factors, the present day equation demands a refined modification. The peace zone proposal was a modification without disturbing the fundamental pillars of the time-tested policy of balancing act.

The ideological battle-lines, which were drawn towards the end of the First World War, were obliterated by the collapse of communism in former USSR and East Europe. This has  amply proved that between the two different systems at loggerhead with each other, in the political evolution of mankind, the pluralistic system endured while the single party system failed. But better managed democratic institutions for promoting economic growth, public security and social equity are the basic structures to lay down in a country where deep poverty still afflicts more than half the population. Capitalism, it turns out, is not a naturally occurring system. It requires rules and customs to protect property and enforce contracts and fair play. Above all else, it requires leadership commitments and national consensus on major issues.

In the context of present Nepal, lack of clearly defined national policy and national consensus on sensitive issues like security and external affairs with our close neighbours, is often leading political leadership into explosive diplomatic minefields. This has seriously affected our national pride, hard-earned prestige and independent standing. On top of all, lack of proper homework, complete ignorance and total disinterest has made the matter chaotic, confusing and complex particularly in the field of security and external affairs. When there is this division and conflict amongst the political leadership it is but natural that the interested external elements would find it not only easier but also smooth to play their card well. This rivalry and rift in the political leadership at the top has given birth to conflict and confusion even at the lower segments of casts, creed, community and regional group which is exploited to the maximum to bring discontent and finally make a serious dent in the national integrity.

Our traditional exterior and security manoeuvre seems to be inconsistent lately not recognizing the value of balancing act of diplomacy. There are many thorny issues like treaty revision, border disputes, refugees etc that need urgent attention for the just and amicable solutions. When Nepal is passing through a transitional phase, turbulent time of economic and political instability and painful restructuring with mental bankruptcy, there is unleashed a venomous propaganda offensive against Nepal’s credibility as a decent and effective nation to look after its own affairs. What does this prove ? The fact is there is a strong, effective and unfettered element actively working to clip the Nepalese security wing with some pretext and lame excuses. Nepalese genuinely hope that the immediately expected high level visit of our political leadership will avoid the ruse and bypass any diplomatic mine-filed, if there are any, trying to trap the Nepalese national security and external affairs. Should this ever happen, Nepalese, who are proud of being a free citizen of a free country, are sure to lose even their dormant patience and cross limits if the leadership compromises on security and external affairs. Nepalese security perception is different from our neighbours’ and therefore, Nepal cannot remain under anybody’s security umbrella.

Historical wealth of experiences have proved that the sensitive issues like the national security and external affairs must actively be conducted under the patronage of a most trustworthy custodian of the country. In the context of Nepal, who else could be more trustworthy than our monarchy? Within the framework of protecting and preserving the constitutional systems should fall the security and external affairs. Let all senior politicians, professionals, intellectuals and bureaucrats put their heads together and give a serious thought to it before we start repenting.

Well, when we talk of the zone of peace proposal to institutionalise peace for security and development we must first consider our close neighbours. China today is a major power in any terms and is the only strategic competitor of the USA. If the strategic-military capability is in the increase, it also offers the largest market with the highest gross national product. India on the other hand is walking up. Because of its central location, size, shape, population and reserve of raw materials, the world power cannot just ignore it. Its nuclear industry is fast growing. In the new global set up, the strategic politico-military balance and socio-economic rivalry, if India an China will occupy the major portion of world leaders’ time and space, they will also be accorded the larger portion of space in the public media. They are going to become the international focal point in this new century.

In this set up, a tiny but fiercely proud, least developed but sovereign, geographically handicapped but with a strong will to survive, Nepal will have to exist. In the process, it will have to acknowledge its compulsions without compromising its sovereign rights and privileges. This is the trickiest thing our politicians should understand. To survive in the environment of peace and to sustain its balancing act, zone of peace proposal must be revived. Recognition and respect from both of our neighbours must be sought. (China has already endorsed Nepal’s ZOP proposal.) A strong, independent and actively neutral Nepal is an asset for both of our neighbours. After all, we have now a political system recognised by the international community. Except some elements, the vast majority of Indian people have profound desire to see Nepal as strong and self-sufficient as any other nation. There is a tremendous amount of goodwill in India for Nepal, which needs to be used for Nepalese welfare and benefit. Our leadership needs to explore, unite and exploit this goodwill to influence Indian leadership in getting the recognition in due course of time.

The late B P Koirala, former Prime Minister talking to Rastriya Samachar Samiti, the national news agency of Nepal, had stated that the peace zone proposal of HM is basically in the interest of nationalism, sovereignty and independence of Nepal. Thus it is clear he had no doubts that it would serve to consolidate Nepal’s sovereign status, territorial integrity and independence. But as the role of parliament is vital in a democracy, proposal of peace zone needs an institution to realise and revitalise its consistent theme (Part -4, article-16 of our constitution?). Nepal as a recognized zone of peace will not only guarantee its own national security, a balanced external affairs to ensure a sustained national development under the patronage of the monarchy, but it will also act as a stepping stone for the regional and international peace initiative. Nepal should therefore consistently try to institutionalise peace, however hard and time taking the process may be. The Multi Platoon Training Event, sponsored by UN and USA that is taking place in this country may be a recognition towards this end. India as a dominating regional power will have greater influence in the world affairs if she can display greater magnanimity towards its smaller neighbours. India can thus play a leading role in the New World order, while Nepal as a zone of peace on the other hand, can consolidate democracy with development, with national security and external relations conducted under the active patronage of the monarchy.

Contradicting values

-By Prabin Prajapati

Our society is full of common  contradictions. Almost everyone has seen or experienced them, both in linguistic and practical terms. For example, a man who does not have a single penny in his pocket and one who always has to worry for his evening meal has been named Dhan Bahadur — a brave man of wealth indeed. Likewise, a man who rambles in a private Prado and possesses a lot of physical facilities is well known among neighbours as Garib Nath (poor man). A vagabond or a rascal is known in his village as Gambhir Jung, one who is always serious. These contradictions, just linguistic as they are in nature, are however digestible to us and will continue to be so in future as well.

I remember a quotation of Shakespeare “politicians are the creature which deceives itself.” Presently, it may not be true in the other hemisphere of the globe but we have been finding it sorhai anna (hundred percent) true  in Nepal. And this is so even after 300 hundred years of the Englishman making that remark.

I was talking about ‘contradiction’ which I want to present with some examples of our politicians. Let us say VVIPs. Khursani Maila of yesterday has become today a powerful minister after the restoration of democracy. A culprit of the past has been sitting in the cabinet and no one dares to protest him even though the decisions he makes are harmful to the country. We all Nepalis wish that politicians should maintain moral values or code of ethics. But the wish goes to no avail.

Every Nepali was hurt when a “private” Indian channel presented a Nepali as  one of the a hijackers of Indian airways plane recently. The same was done by CNN and BBC on Christmas day. No matter the news later proved to be fake. Did our foreign minister protest at diplomatic level? Shall we be grateful to Indian or Taliban or Pakistani government that all of our hostages returned safely? Should Nepalese government remain silent when our reputation has been declining?

We are habituated to remain in confusion and contradictions. None of our ministers seems ready to resign on “moral grounds” even when a ‘loud’ mistake is done. All of us have seen that the frequency of aeroplane crashes has increased during the last two years. The same man when he used to be out of power would burst with ire when he found another committing a small mistake. “The minister should have resigned on moral grounds,” he would roar like anything. But now he himself is
in office, so free to do anything.
Where has he kept his conscience now?

It is seen a top contradiction in Nepal that to be a minister he or she must have become a son or daughter or a chamcha of a political leader. He or she should not have enough qualification or be popular among people. A man who keeps leader in comfort becomes powerful minister. Will he keep all people in comfort? The answer is with everyone. A minister who has been surrounded by the party workers all the time is hardly accessible to common people. How will he deliver to people in the grassroots level? An ex-MP loves his Pajero more than his party. What can we expect of  him even if he makes it to power again? As they say, old habits die hard. But our politicians are not even ready to accept this. With them, old habits die not.

The growth of Kathmandu valley

-By Shanker KC

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Kathmandu valley’s haphazard urban growth is a product of distorted economic development. Dilapidated infrastructures, inadequate urban services, deteriorating social and ethical values, squalid living condition side by side of imposing mansions, air-conditioned Prado and Mercedes plying on the narrow-pot-holed lanes are just a few manifestations.

Kathmandu has, no doubt, been built on corruption money and culture of corruption has very much thrived here. The rich, nouve riche and ruling elite utterly lack civic sense and social responsibility. Otherwise, they would have been ashamed of driving their Prados and Pajeros on such dilapidated pot-holed lanes. Instead of contributing to socio-economic development of the nation, and building appropriate physical and social environment for the city they inhabit, these people have developed parasitic relationship with the nation, city, its economy and common people.

Kathmandu absorbs massive resources of the country. Nationwide investment ultimately gets recycled back to Kathmandu valley. The elite here have developed very elaborate method of siphoning nationwide investment back to the valley. Kathmandu’s swollen head is the result of shrunken body of peripheral Nepal. It has grown on the basis of resources that should have nourished the body.

However, our elite class should realize that they cannot live in the comfort of isolated haven of their palatial buildings, while the environment around them is deteriorating physically as well as socially. In the mad rush toward getting rich elite, they are digging their own graveyards.

There is serious lack of public open space and green parks in the city. Buildings are constructed without any respect for the building codes and norms. In case of some natural calamities like earthquake, Kathmandu could face serious problems as this region falls on earthquake prone zone. City is facing problems of inadequate public services and severe air pollution. The problem of air pollution is further aggravated due to the bowl shape of the valley as polluting particles get trapped inside the valley.

Our children are basically isolated from nature. There are no children’s parks to help them grow physically and socially. However, there are high talks of making Nepal an international sports centre. One has to close his or her eyes, mouth and nose when one comes out of the residence since stinking garbages are littered everywhere on the streets. There is still no sewerage system in the capital city because bulk of human and industrial wastes enters into the rivers untreated. Very few percentage of the city refuse is collected by the municipal waste disposal service, the rest is ending in rivers, street and public open space.

Social life is disintegrating as traditional social and ethical values are replaced by dominant western culture. The country is also witnessing  youth in search of employment and economic opportunities abroad. Many households in rural hilly regions are left only with elderly people. This phenomenon has become evident even in Kathmandu valley.

The existence of children in the streets and sweatshops are perhaps another tragic expression of this failure. Increasing activities of global corporate forces have resulted in new international division of labour around the world. As a result, hi-tech and capital intensive activities which require high degree of professionalisation, are being concentrated in developed countries. Whereas, labour intensive activities requiring little skills are being concentrated in the peripheral countries like Nepal, in order to minimise the cost of production. This has also contributed to commercialisation of child labour, on the one hand, and growing unemployed adults on the other. The least developed countries like Nepal have turned into slave camps for the developed west. Flourishing pashmina, garment and carpet industries are manifestations of these anomalies in the Nepalese context.

A country, which is insensitive to the plights of its children and youth has no future. The destiny of a nation is invariably linked up with the destiny of its children and youth. There are high level conferences on children inside the deluxe hotels of Kathmandu, whereas thousands of children are languishing their lives on squalid conditions on the city streets and sweat shops.

Social infrastructure gap is widening. Good health and educational facilities have reached beyond the means of common people. This growing social stratification and polarization is detrimental to healthy development of the nation. While the world around is talking about info-tech revolution, human genetic cloning and travelling into the space in the new millennium, we are further gripped by vicious poverty. However, the overall scenario seems very pessimistic as our national leaders do not have any vision to take the nation out of this vicious prison of poverty.