NC General Convention
Time To Focus On New Course

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE 10th General Convention of Nepali Congress party opens today in Pokhara amidst much hopes of taking the party forward in its mission of serving the people and the country in a more unified manner. For the largest democratic and ruling party in the country, there is much to be expected from the mahaadhiveshan.

The uncertainties that had existed in the past will be resolved as things have geared on electing a new president of the party. Prime Minister and President of the party Girija Prasad Koirala has already declared his candidacy while former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is also in the fray. This is a democratic system wherein everyone has the right to stand up and face the voters for the election.

The 10th NC General Convention that kicks off today will see hectic activities geared for revitalising the party and see that it moves ahead in a dynamic manner. The convention in Pokhara will address many of the grievances and problems within the party and main agenda is to bring unity among all the party workers.

The convention has come on the heels of the no confidence motion that was tabled by the group led by Deuba in the NC parliamentary party. The motion went in favour of Prime Minister Koirala. It was felt that the unity in the party would be disturbed with the divided NC lawmakers. But nothing of this sort has happened and all focus has been on this general convention.

Now is the time for the party leaders to leave aside the trivial issues and work for making the party stronger as the challenges in front are many. It must be remembered herein that if the ruling party remains strong it can deal with any difficulties howsoever formidable they may be. But the fact remains that the voices of all must be heard and no coercion must be resorted to. It is this fact alone which can see a stronger party emerge. After all it not a one man show but a collective effort for the party that has led the freedom struggle twice.

Any grievances within the party must be dealt with sensitively and bringing about consensus among all the members. This alone would be able to bridge the gap that may exist within one party member and another. Now is the testing time for the party leadership so that unity remains while at the same time serving the people with greater zeal and dedication.

‘ The focus on party unity is an integral part of the whole fabric which all the NC leaders have realised and have expressed their commitment to it. To what was observed recently that party unity might be threatened, at the moment everything seems to be normal as all attention is on the general convention. This speaks of the fact that all want a united and strong party to face the challenges that lie in front of the party and the country.

The second-generation has also come of age and want a greater say in party matters than in the past. This is a good move as the energetic party workers will have to come up with innovative strategies so that they can prove their popularity. And the provision for electing half the members of the party’s Central Working Committee will make way for the second generation to come directly into the picture of the party leadership. Moreover, as the Prime Minister had said, it would be a process for handing over power to the second generation while at the same time forge a collective leadership of the party.

There is also the question of more representation of women in party activities. There should be no discrimination. More representation of women would mean a greater say for the women who constitute 50 per cent of the total population of the country. More women at the decision making level would be a catalyst for more women oriented programmes. It is hoped that the present general convention will take the needed measures in the interest of the women.

At the same time eyes have focussed of electoral reforms so that more can participate in the leadership. This means taking into consideration all the factors right from the grass roots level to the central. This would help in further strengthening the party. A strong party means one that can work wholeheartedly for the welfare of the people. Trivial issues must be resolved with the minimum of fuss. This would lead to more attention on the major issues.

On the question of good governance, maintenance of law and order and the Maoist problem, the convention must arrive at concrete decisions. As it is also the ruling party, the Nepali Congress has more in stake by giving more consideration to these issues. There is no doubt that the convention will see the elimination of many anomalies.

The optimism that prevails within the party is great as to the outcome of the general convention. The party will be able to take on a new course with the conclusion of the general convention. Every participant will be able to speak his or her mind so that new ideas can flow in the interest of the party and people as well. The success of the convention will speak much for the aspirations of the people and the progress of the country.

SAARC: Cooperation In Limbo?

By Jagadish B. Mathema

LAST NOVEMBER, Addressing a gathering of intellectuals, journalists, diplomats and government officials organized by Nepal Council of World Affairs, Indian envoy to Nepal, Deb. Mukherjee hinted that India is still unwilling to kick the SAARC process in the immediate future. In response to a question, Indian Ambassador Mukherjee had said," When it comes to state of almost undeclared war between the two countries-India and Pakistan-do not ask magnanimity. It is not going to happen.

The 11th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation meeting has been in limbo since November 1999’ due to India’s unwillingness to resume SAARC Summit in the pretext that General Parvez Musharraf over-threw Nawaz Shariff’s democratically elected government in -Pakistan in October that year.

We all know that the enmity between India and Pakistan has remained since 1947, when British Government created two nations, declaring their independence. The core reason of this beligerency between India and Pakistan is the issue of Kashmir. India and Pakistan have already fought three wars over Kashmir.

It was in December 8 of 1985, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation saw light of the day consisting of seven countries—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal in Dhaka, Bangladesh. SAARC was created with big fan fare and it has been now fifteen years that SAARC countries have, among themselves, initiated various activities in agriculture, health, family planning, transportation and postal system. Besides, many programmes have been launched with regard to women’s issues, children, drugs, terrorism etc., which have benefitted the people in this region. However, it was unfortunate that at India’s request, the 11th SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in November in Kathmandu has been postponed due to political development in Pakistan SAARC Summit has remained in abeyance since November, 1999 and it seems that there is no light in the tunnel with regard to reconvening SAARC Summit in near future.

As a matter of fact, the entire SAARC process is being put in jeopardy because of the fact that India and Pakistan hate and mistrust each other.

India is a dominant power in this region. Without India’s good-will and cooperation, revival of SAARC meeting is next to impossible.

The postponement of 11th SAARC Meeting has adversely affected the South Asia Free Trade Area Treaty agreed to by SAARC Member countries.

The efforts to reconvene 11th SAARC Summit have been initiated by the Citizens Commission for South Asia (CCSA). The first meeting of CCSA was held in December in Kathmandu, where former Prime Minister of India I.K Gujral had also taken part. The meeting of CCSA stressed the need to reconvene the Summit and other meetings and create conducive atmosphere for the Summit for the common good of all in this region.

The other concerns CCSA tried to address were to harness the resources of civil society and expand its role in promoting cooperation in South Asia, facilities the task of opinion, policy and decision makers on South Asian issues and carry out an objective evaluation of progress of regional cooperation.

CCSA meeting has succeeded in identifying the regional problems and has fulfilled its aim at putting moral pressures on the respective governments.

The CCSA meeting has also rightly indicated that the inability of SAARC to meet regularly has affected the region’s response to the process of globalisation. "The Rising Nepal" in its editorial dated December 5, 2000 has said. The take up issue of common concern seriously, the first step is none other than to put the SAARC summitry back on the track so that SAARC revival begins.

The current Chairman of SAARC is Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Laxman Kadiragamas recently visited India and Nepal and discussed the possibility of holding meetings of SAARC Charter bodies including the 11th SAARC Summit.

During has visit to Kathmandu, Kodirgamar had briefed Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on the ongoing activities of SAARC and its possibility of holding the meeting of the SAARC Charter bodies. Talking briefly to reporters at the end of his visit, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Kadigamar disclosed that India will be participating in a series of SAARC Technical Committee meetings scheduled to be held at Islamabad, Pakistan on January 5 and 7, 2001.

Despite Sri Lankan Foreign Minister’s effects to revive 11th SAARC Summit, he seemed not so much optimistic, as he said in Kathmandu, "The SAARC Summit will not be revived soon" upon arrived from New Delhi in Kathmandu.

"The present situation between India and Pakistan does not allow the holding of the summit soon". Kadirgamar added.

As we all are aware that SAARC has been in limbo since November 1999, when India asked that the Kathmandu Summit be postponed due to military take over in Pakistan.

Despite such situation, it is our earnest advice that India should demonstrate her magnanimity of heart, so that this impasse can be solved and the 11th SAARC Summit should be convened in Kathmandu at the earliest.

My Old Quern

By Prakash Poudel

"WHAT difference did you find in the United States than in Nepal?" a friend asked me the other day. It was his natural curiosity, for I had just returned after ten years away from home, in different parts of the States. I suppose he was suggesting me indirectly to compare Nepalease life style here with that of Americans.

"Not much," I answered simply. And this is the truth. Except narrow streets, heavy traffic, much polluted air, water and old style system here, everything is almost similar. But I believe this Capital ‘E’ in except covers almost every contradiction here and there. Over there, it is clean everywhere and almost everything in order. You don’t have to stand in line for hours to fill a job application or try for half an hour to connect to 197 if you need somebody’s telephone number from the exchange or stay away from work the whole day if you happen to end up at one of these Sarkari hospitals for medical check-up. Things are rather plain and simple there. Narcissism and favoritism do not work. They still work here. Other than that, we all are in the same haste like in California Gold Rush. Nothing is different inwardly - we are all inspired to make our life better. Dreams and aspirations, which are the anchors of life, lead us towards the shore. We have anchors, but not the right ship. The ship, undoubtedly, is among us but lost within, perhaps because there is no captain.

The process of development is not possible until the road for upcoming journey is paved. The main problem we have had for years is the leader’s selfishness and degraded attitude to accumulate wealth whenever and however possible. As it is rooted very deeply it can’t be eradicated until we take a bold step in approaching them first. Obviously, there might come many obstacles on the way, but we should overcome them — that’s what the obstacles are for!

Needless to say, there is not any definite solution to our problems. But as an individual, we can at least play our part honestly. In the mean time, that’s what we’ve missed most! It is time we realised that the banners across the streets and commercials on T.V. do not make the streets clean.

We need government to put-up dustbins in every corner to throw the wastage but eventually, it is still up to us as an individual to throw into it. If we are not willing to do so, garbage just doesn’t get into it. It is very ironic to find the careless attitude of the people in power although they breathe the same air and drink water from the same water pipe like rest of the millions. God knows what makes the mightier ones immune even to the hazards that harm all the rest!

People in the government are educated, but have failed to put their education to the good of the masses. In the United States, they use this education for everybody’s advantage. They are down to earth people. They work hard, like the ‘peasants’ here. Then, ‘what’s the difference?’ The main and sole difference is they do not go to work just to punch the time card but to work. This is the difference. In doing so, they are learning new methods and techniques everyday. They do their job honestly as their own. This is the difference between here and there.

Now, it’s my time to wonder if my friend will understand me when I tell him that we can have the United States right here in Nepal. But, without an ocean, of course! However, I still love my old precious quern all the same. How about you?