A
Decade Of Democracy
THE nation
observed the completion of 10 years of democracy the other day. Exactly on that day a
decade back, multi-party democracy was ushered in the country through a Popular
Peoples’ Movement after the citizens had endured thirty years of dictatorial
Panchayat rule. Thus, the historic day has a special place in the hearts of all Nepalese
because it was from that time that the people were guaranteed their fundamental rights
through which they could live a life of dignity. However, everything has not gone
according to the expectations of the people. Even the leaders who spearheaded the
Popular Movement to re-establish democracy in the country admit that there have been
shortcomings in some sectors. In a forthright and honest assessment, leaders participating
in an inter-action programme organised to mark the 10th anniversary of democracy in the
country the other day, pointed out that lack of political culture and morality have
negatively affected the ability of various governments to fulfil the expectations of the
people. However, both the leaders and the people are optimistic that from now onwards
value based politics would help consolidate the hard won democracy and it would take the
nation on the path that had been envisaged by the Constitution.
But what went
wrong, that in the ten years since the fruitful parliamentary exercises have been carried
out but the delivery of goods has been far short of the people’s expectations? Prime
Minister Girija Prasad Koirala speaking at the inter-action programme, quite accurately
expressed the view that political parties became too busy in strengthening their
organisational base so that they neglected the work of making efforts to fulfil the
aspirations of the people. The very parties that were so instrumental in establishing
democracy in the country could not show the vision to initiate welfare schemes for the
general populace. Looking back, it does seem that the parties were fully aware that
democracy was their single point agenda, but they did not have any idea on what programmes
they would implement after that. But after a decade of democracy, the politicians and
political parties have matured and the people have also realised that they must not expect
miracles from the government of a resource strapped nation like Nepal. So on this solemn
occasion, we must all pledge to work sincerely and honestly for the consolidation of the
hard won democracy and for the development of the nation as cherished by the known and
unknown martyrs who gave up their life so that the rest of us could enjoy our present
freedom.
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