Greeting 2002

NEW Year 2002 is here! The New Year has received the amount of greetings that is due to it. It brings with itself a hope of better times where prosperity and happiness will be the hallmarks. In the enthusiasm of the joy of greeting the New Year, the past cannot be forgotten. The year 2001 has been left behind only to be gleaned as records from the past. Yet, every year that passes by leaves its indelible footprints on the sands of time. They have their impacts on the future plan of action, that is, for 2002.

The recent year has had its own unique twists of events that have played on the minds of the people. It was a year that was eventful, though tinged with tragic events too. It is a way of life that joy and sorrow just try to take the upper hand. In the most tragic and unfortunate event of June 1 last year, we lost His late Majesty King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, His late Majesty King Dipendra and other members of the Royal Family. We needed to come to terms with this reality, howsoever painful. The memory lingers on but life has to move on.

As hope remains, His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev became the Monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal and the people saw in him a saviour who could meet the expectations of the nation and the people. With His Royal Highness Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev as the Crown Prince, another glowing chapter was added. Monarchy has always been there with the people in every vicissitudes of national life. The consolation is not small but rather immense.

It was also a year when the Maoist insurgency raised its ugliest head in the six years of their foolhardy attempt to destabilise the country. The three rounds of peace talks with the government saw them adamant in going ahead with their futile attempt to break the unity of the people. In a bid to break the spree of violence and looting by the Maoists, the government declared a State of Emergency and branded them terrorists. This also saw the Royal Nepalese Army mobilised to subdue these terrorists. The return of peace and security in the past one month through the dedicated efforts of the security personnel gives people hope that the terrorists, now facing dire consequences, will ultimately be disarmed and defeated. Things are looking better, normalcy could not be far away.

The return of Sher Bahadur Deuba as the Prime Minister needs to be given the credit for the greater sense of security and peace. Wishes are that in the coming days more encouraging mileage will be traversed with the economic prosperity of the nation.

On the international arena, the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers of World Trade Centre and the Pentagon led to a great loss of life and property. This heralded a new kind of war, the war against terrorism, spearheaded by USA. The Talibans were routed in Afghanistan for harbouring the Al Qaeda terrorists. Similarly, the attack by gunmen on the Indian Parliament a little over two weeks ago reveals terrorism as a hideous force.

On the positive note, SAARC entered its 16th year of formation. The sprucing up of Kathmandu and hectic preparations were evident for the 11th SAARC Summit to be held from January 4-6 this year. The rounding up of 2001 has that quality which will be cherished by the people from every walk of life. And, with the meeting of the seven heads of state and government of the member SAARC nations in the first week of 2002 will set the pace for enhanced regional economic cooperation in South Asia. The keynote event predicts that the New Year will provide the necessary impetus for an all round development of the country.

May the rejoicing that began on New Year’s Eve continue all the year round bringing in peace, prosperity and happiness not only in Nepal but also in every nook and corner of the world. For this earnestness to purpose and hard work is essential.