Democratic Culture Need of Hour

By Yuba Nath Lamsal

ONE of the basic tenets of democracy is the competition among different political parties. Parties compete, contest and quarrel to grab state power. They seek state power to implement their policies and programmes, which they consider best for the interest of the nation and the people.

Without conflict and competition, democracy cannot function and flourish. At the absence of competition and opposition, chances are that even elected government and democratic leaders may turn authoritarian.

In Retrospect

It is said "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Even today, many rulers want to hear what is music to their ears. Criticism is bad word for them and do not want to hear dissenting voice. It is not the democratic behavior.

It is the organised opposition that opens the eyes of rulers and prevents the government from going off the tract. Opposition is, thus, regarded as the protector of democracy and people's rights in democratic polity. Any genuine democratic leader always respects opposition and listen to dissenting opinion more seriously and carefully.

Nepal is a unique case. We started our journey of democracy 12 years ago. The multi-party democracy was ushered in by the popular movement in 1990. To think and analyse in retrospect, the new found democracy has been badly bruised by bitter power struggle among political parties. The 12 years of multi-party political system clearly showed that the only objective of political parties and politicians was to grab power. The battle for power was not for the interest of the nation and the people but for the personal and partisan interests.

Nepali Congress remained most of the time in power. CPN-UML ruled the rest of 12 years. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Nepal Sadbhavana Party(NSP) also went to power at different times and played an important role in the national politics in the past. However, the nature of all these political parties was not found fundamentally different. The attitude of all our political parties was to see all is well when in power and every thing bad immediately out of power. This tendency really afflicted our political system.

Nepali Congress represents landlords and upper class people. Although CPN-UML publicly claims that it is the party of poor and working class, its policies and activities never addressed the real issues of the downtrodden people. RPP's and NSP's role, too, did not appear very much different from that of the other two big parties. RPP tended to serve the interest of the rightwing, while NSP always championed the sectarian issue like rights and interest of Terai community but not the nation's burning problems. In practice, all political parties, more or less, served the interest of the same group.
There has to be healthy and democratic competition among political parties. However, last 12 years saw most unhealthy and undemocratic behavior for power that eroded people's faith on politicians and parties. It by no means provides a favourable environment for democracy to flourish and function. It, rather, harmed democratic process and also brought economic, political and social ruin to this country.

Politicians became political bosses but never tried to be statesmen. They regarded the people as their subject but not citizens. They least tolerated opposition and criticism. Those who criticised them were often termed as anti-democratic. They are under the false notion that their political future is safe only when they are in power. It has caused a great deal of frustration, worries and cynicism among general people.

In our 12 years' trek to democracy, we enjoyed freedom and open society. We have, at the same time, seen much of the political contradictions, and economic downturn followed by terror of violence. Corruption has become perennial features for public life. This is the product of misrule and good governance.

Political parties provided the people with little or no choice in terms of policies and programmes. Even when governments changed, people hardly felt any fundamental difference in governance. When both ruling and opposition parties serve the same interest groups, there cannot be healthy competition. When mainstream parties fail to provide genuine political and economic choices to the people, it sometimes gives rise to extra-constitutional elements, which, at present, has badly and seriously affected our country.

Who is responsible for this sorry state of the country. Ordinary peasantry and poor workers, who constitute almost 75 per cent of the country's population, never created this situation. They are doing their work honestly and regularly. They are paying tax to the government and are always law -biding citizens. They have nothing to gain or lose from any political system. Their only concern is good monsoon and timely rain so that they could harvest good crops. They are least concerned with the political changes in the country.

Restoring Peace

Recently, this ordinary peasantry has also been disturbed by violence and terror. Their only expectation from the government, now, is restoration of peace and security. However, the governments in the past failed even in their basic duty of restoring peace and maintaining law and order.

It is the so-called educated populace and elites always benefited from the political system. They are the ones who spoiled the country's situation. These elites and educated ones have dominated politics, business and bureaucracy. Corruption rose due to the nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen. Ordinary people are, now, paying the price of the corruption and misconduct of the so-called elites and intellectuals.

Some people blame democratic system for the present situation. However, failure of politicians and parties should not be equated with the failure of democracy. Global experiences have shown that only representative democracies can deliver goods and address problems of the people. But today's need is to eliminate all forms of contradictions and evils that are in practice in the name of democracy. For this, an independent press, vigorous civil society and an informed citizens are a must.

Condoms For Preventing HIV/AIDS & STDs

By Mohan K.C

HIV/AIDS is taking its toll everyday not only in Nepal but the world over. Despite the disease spreading like hay fire, the research into the scourge to find a cure for it has so far proved futile. Treatment for AIDS is yet to see the light of the day. The only way to treat the spread of the disease is prevention.

Main Medium

In Nepal, too, there are thousands affected by HIV and a few hundreds of full blown AIDS victims. This makes it all the necessary to see that the disease is checked through preventive means. In this respect the recently marked World Condom Day should be an eye-opener. That is the only means through which the disease can be checked. The only hitch is that many people still do not opt for condoms while having sex. In fact, sexual relations is the main medium of the transmission of HIV/AIDS from one infected person to another. The sharing of syringes mainly among drug abusers also contributes to the transmission of the virus.

It is a paradox that despite the publicity of the dangers of HIV/AIDS, many people in Nepal are still unaware of the causes and the effects of the disease. As it has no cure, anyone who contracts the disease is bound for premature death. As this disease affects mostly the youths that is those who are in the sexually active age, it is all the more important to see that are made aware of the disease and learn about the ways how it can be prevented.

In this respect, the sex workers are mostly held responsible for spreading the disease through their customers. As such, controlling the sex industry is very important. If this can be done then the number of people contracting HIV/AIDS could become less.

According to a Home Ministry report, published recently, the percentage of people resorting to family planning means is a mere 39 per cent. This is very short of the target that the government has as its objective. But, the surprising revelation is that out of those using various means of family planning, there is only a mere 3.2 per cent who use condoms. This is a matter of great concern because condoms are the only reliable contraceptive that prevent a person from contracting HIV/AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted diseases.

In this direction, the works of the Contraceptive Retail Sales Project of the Nepal Family Planning Association is laudable though the target that has been set has not materialised. According to reports, 14 million condoms were distributed by CRS to various health posts and other agencies. This shows that some awareness is rising among the people as to the prevention aspect. Yet, a mere 14 million condoms cannot meet the demand. It could also be that most of the people think of contraceptives as a means of birth control only. The other types of contraceptives can help in unnecessary pregnancies but they do not realise that they cannot protect a person from contracting the fatal diseases like HIV/AIDS and STDs.

It is only the condom that can fulfill all the needs. It protects a person from these diseases together with helping in birth control. Though other imported varieties are sold in the market, the condoms sold and distributed by CRS has the biggest share. The imported varieties are costlier than those sold by CRS. It sells two types of condoms, namely Dhaal and Panther. The first one costs a mere five rupees for six condoms which is quite low. The fact that a majority of the people are below the poverty line has made it difficult for many to afford. When people have difficulty in meeting their daily needs, spending even five rupees for a packet of condoms becomes difficult. Moreover, they do not realise its importance. Some feel the pleasures of sex to diminish with the use of condoms.

Though the use of condoms has various benefits and that much is spent in advertisements in newspapers, television and the radio, it is surprising to note that the last years sales of condoms increased by only 1.1 per cent as compared to 1996. This is rather unfortunate despite an all out effort to promote its use.

Best option

For other diseases there are cures but HIV/AIDS is one such disease that has defied all attempts to find a sure cure. So, for the present time, the use of condoms when having sex. Sticking to one reliable partner is the best but the society has undergone many changes and so the use of condoms for sexual relations is the best option.

Firecrackers' Sound

By Gandhi Raj Kafle

JUST after some good days of Dashain, here appears yet another great festival of the year for the Nepalese people. The signal is aesthetic and charming. Your can't be untouched, you can't be unnoticed and you can't be indifferent. Sisters call on you, lights delight you and firecrackers of various kinds awaken you. Your Tole and town and your fellows and friends all swoon to the festival of lights. You forget all the burden of daily life and join its celebration instantly. This is the Tihar for you to enjoy.

Tihar has its own charms and beauty. Brothers get holy Tika from their beloved sisters and exchange gifts as a token of love and well-wishes. The unshakable bond of their relationship gets a a new dimension on this occasion. In fact, the festival of Tihar also highlights the intrinsic power and potential of sisters.

According to Hindu mythology, sisters are endowed with special ability on the day of Bhai Tika for the well-being of their brothers. They pray to omnipotent god of death-Yamraj-for a long life of their brothers. Yamraj, listening to prayers, provides blessings as wished by sisters for healthy and prosperous life of their brothers. Sisters also crack wall-nuts as mark of their special power of action to keep away the ominous shadow from the life of their brothers. These are some of the faiths attached to the tradition of Tihar.

The spirit of celebrating Tihar festival is very wide. Different animals like cows, oxen, crows and dogs are worshipped during Tihar. Hindus regard cow as a sacred animal. It is believed that cowcarries various gods and goddesses on its body. The worship of cow, thus, is the worship of gods. So, Tihar's enlightening tradition of worshipping cows and other animals can be regarded as the first formal regard to animals in the human civilisation.

All days of Tihar, the festival of lights, are entertaining. You can interestingly revel Tihar period in a perfectly suitable climate of starting winter. The shops get garlanded, chandeliers begin to dazzle and the illumination takes place in and around houses wheather it is a big building of a small hut. Calling Laxmi, the goddess of fortune and wealth, in dark is impossible. The festival observers in this part of the world, perhaps, know it from the time immemorial because the traditions of illumination has not lost its enthusiasm every now.

So far as the practice of playing various kinds of firecrackers is concerned, ominous instances have been there to note. Some of the Terai towns and villages generally suffer a sort of damaging effects and make news during this festival. India, our neighbouring country, is known for this kind of serious tragedy while celebrating Deepawali. In fact, to face tragic blasts while revelling Tihar or Deepawali is something nobody wants. Yet, it happens and comes to news every year.

The family, certainly remembers and pays attention to take precaution towards it. But, what is more important is that all should be careful while playing firecrackers. The producers and distributers of firecrackers should pay extra attention towards it. The government authorities must remain vigilant to check any untoward inidents.