Democracy Day Dedication Must Be Uppermost

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE 53rd National Democracy Day is being observed today amidst a variety of programmes. It is a fitting day to remind us of the great struggles that took place to usher in democracy in the country. Over half a century of democratic experience has certainly made the people aware of their rights as well as their duties.

Spirit

It is true that times are different now than what it was in 1951 yet the spirit remains the same. That was a time when illiteracy was rampant and the people were not aware of their rights and the light of education was not there so the condition was not conducive for talking about democracy and rights but there were groups of people who were dedicated to the welfare of the nation and did not think much about their personal interest.

Despite the lack of access to education a few people were there to lead the thrust for a greater freedom of the people. There is no denying that the steel-willed people had their way in their fight against the then regime. The role of His late Majesty King Tribhuvan was a vital factor in seeing that the people's rights were restored and democracy with multi-party system put into place.
The institution of Monarchy has always played a crucial role in the country. Come any problem on the nation, it is the Monarch that sees to it that it is resolved in the right scheme of things. This is our greatest asset.

The Monarch has always been the focal point of inspiration and guidance for the Nepalese people.
The Monarchs have always held the welfare of the people uppermost. Even in the present times this is true.

His late Majesty King Tribhuvan realised that the then situation did not favour the Nepalese people so he showed his discontentment by supporting the freedom fighters. Being confined within the four walls of the palace, it was difficult for him to keep in touch with those who wanted to liberate Nepal from the autocratic regime. It was the king siding with the people that led to the successful culmination of the then people's movement. It was all for the greater benefit of the Nepalese people.

With the entry of democracy, the wish of those who had sacrificed their lives was fulfilled. A new era had begun. The people had the right to form their own administration. But there were many hurdles ahead. This was seen by the frequent changes of government.

In 1990, the Nepalese people again joined forces for the reinstatement of democracy. The People's Movement was an important landmark of the time. Many youths of today still remember the enthusiasm that the people had in those days. The people had aspirations that they thought would be fulfilled with the multi-party dispensation in place. But the later years saw aberrations. The different political parties were responsible for bringing this country to this state.

Despite the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 being in place, the political parties did not work in the fashion that it was supposed to. The gray linings in the Constitution were exploited by them for their petty interests, the consequences of which the nation is facing today. Had they been more mature, the country would be passing through a happier phase now. It would have been more prosperous and better off than what it was twelve years back. Unfortunately, the country has come to the brinks all because of the follies of those who were at the helms of affair in all this duration.
The political instability prevalent in the country is all because of the inter- and intra-party conflicts that have been witnessed in the past- for almost thirteen years now.

Had we been able to utilise all that we had achieved, the Maoist problem would not have come about. With the death of over 7,000 people belonging to all walks of life, it has been a tragedy.
His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has always been aware to the problems of the people. This is the reason why His Majesty had said, at the Civic Reception in Biratnagar recently, that we all had to move ahead together. This is an important remark in the sense that the Maoist problem was at the top of the agenda.

Fortunately, a cease-fire has been declared by the government and the Maoists which surely is an indication that better days are ahead as far as lasting peace in the country is concerned.

Essence

The essence of the celebration of the Democracy Day is itself a reminder of the fact that it is everyone's duty to work for the country. Fitting tributes on this day can only be paid if our contributions are for the country and not limited to our own interests.

King Tribhuvan & Democracy

By Guna Dev Bhattarai

HER late Majesty Queen Dibyaswori Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, mother of King Tribhuvan, had brought up the King in a very congenial environment. She taught the young king about the political background of Nepal. Moreover, she told the king the epic stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Ideal

As she was an ideal Hindu mother, she shaped the destiny of the king. She imparted him every possible lesson so that he might be an ideal king in the future. After the demise of his mother, King Tribhuvan was determined to follow her teachings out and out.

Chandra Shumshere was well educated to read the mind of King Tribhuvan. He found something unusual in the character of the king. That is why he tried to appease the king by every means so that the king might not take interest in politics, because that would be detrimental to the interests of the Rana regime. The king was kept quite aloof of politics. The activities of the king were confined within the four walls of the palace. He was encouraged to be absorbed in romance and luxury.

Bhim Shumshere and Juddha Shumshere were successful in suppressing political activities in the country. The independence of India in August, 1947 A.D. facilitated the Nepalese youths residing in India for a long time to found the Nepali Rastriya Congress. The exiled Ranas also formed a party called Nepal Prajatantrik Congress. In course of time the leading members of the two parties decided to be merged into a single party which was named the Nepali Congress Party.

Mohan Shumshere, successor of Padma Shumshere, was dead against any political reform imported from abroad. After realising the political activities of the Nepalese residing in India he paid a short visit to India. During his visit he tried to appease India by every means but India did not support the autocratic rule of the Ranas. Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India, advised Mohan Shumshere to bring about some reforms in keeping with the age. Accordingly, he introduced some reforms, but they were minor ones. He banned all the political parties and suspended all the rights granted to the people on the basis of the Act of 2004 B.S. promulgated by Padma Shumshere. They were declared null and void.

Bisheswor Prasad Koirala with some of his associates came to Kathmandu and came in contact with some enlightened youths. He was arrested and sent to jail. He went on hunger strike for 21 days but was released because of pressure from India. King Tribhuvan was fully determined to get rid of the family rule of the Ranas. Inspite of being coutiously watched by the Ranas as to the activities of Tribhuvan, the latter with all the members of the royal family except then Prince Gyanendra took political asylum in the Indian Embassy on 21st Kartik, 2007 B.S.

The unique incident was like a bolt from the blue for the Ranas and Mohan Shumshere in particular. He reluctantly crowned Prince Gyanendra as the king of Nepal with the approval of special Bhardars.
The arrival of King Tribhuvan in India gave a golden opportunity to the Nepali Congress to launch its liberation movement throughout the country. At last, Nehru came to terms with the king and the Government of Nepal. The Nepali Congress was bound to accept the Delhi Deal. King Tribhuvan, returned home on Falgun 4, 2007 B.S., and on Falgun 7 (Feb 18, 1951 A.D.), the king proclaimed that the system in which late king Surendra had given administrative power and premiership to Jung Bahadur and his successors ceased to exist.

Nehru had his own interest in making all the participants in the Delhi Deal comply with his wishes for the national interest of India. Anyway, King Tribhuvan formed an Interim Government comprising the Ranas and the leaders of the Nepali Congress.

New Era

The fall of the Ranas restored Kingship and its power, position and prestige and, side by side, the emergence of democracy ushered in a new era in Nepal.

Cap Story

By BG

CAP or topi in Nepali. No one is unacquainted with this object that stands on the head of many Nepalese. However, lately use of topis has sharply decreased in the cities and among the young generations in the villages.

Though there are many forms of caps-Dhakatopi, Bhandgaunletopi, hat cap, hairy cap and even monkey cap-we generally understand cap to be either Dhakatopi or Bhandgaunletopi, both typical Nepalese caps. In the cities hat caps are becoming popular among the youths. They wear it to avoid the sun on the sunny days. Others wear it to hide their bald heads. If a young city man wears a Dhakatopi or a Bhandgaunle one, he may be teased as a Pakhe.

But in villages it is different. Many people there still prefer to wear Dhakatopi. Dhakatopi is still a popular present sisters offer to their brothers during the Tihar festival. Both in cities and villages a bridegroom has to wear a Dhakatopi, at least on the day of his marriage, no matter whether he is wearing a suit or daurasuruwal. This speaks of its importance.

Hairy cap or Bhutle topi is popular among the old men, especially during the winter, because it protects them from the cold. They are made of wool. Monkey cap is also made of wool. It is called a monkey cap because when one wears it hiding his entire head and neck except for his face, he looks like a monkey. Older people prefer it.

Wearing Dhakatopi or Bhandgaunletopi is a unique Nepalese culture. Only Nepalese wear them. They are our identity and symbol of nationality, honesty and simplicity. They deserve respect and preservation.

However, lately it seems we are failing to respect them. It does not mean that we are not wearing them, but we are becoming more dishonest towards our motherland while we have them on our heads. Wearing them alone is not true respect for them. Unless we maintain Nepaliness-honesty, simplicity and loyalty to nationality -we cannot respect them.

If we look into our past, we find several evidences to show that the people who achieved the status to wear Dhakatopi or Bhandgaunletopi were ahead in corrupt practices. Imagine how honest and simple the politicians were when they were fighting for democracy and people's rights for decades without caps on their heads and shoes on their feet. They succeeded in ushering in democracy in the country and restored the people's rights.

People then had much faith on these politicians and gave them a willing mandate to form a government.

Within a few years they started wearing Nepali caps. The majority of the honest leaders turned into dishonest ones by being involved in one after another corrupt practices. They became party to many different scams, wearing proud Nepali caps. They started riding tax-free Pajeros. Some healthy ministers under new caps flew to Bangkok for treatment. Others were involved in horse trading during voting in the House.

The arrests of three powerful former-ministers by the CIAA a few months ago is a testimony to how politicians and even bureaucrats carrupt caps. The Monitory Teams recently formed with the aim of ending corruption and dillydallying in government offices, which have launched a wear-the-Nepali-cap-campaign for the employees, must be aware of all this. Wearing a cap alone does not make one more patriotic and honest. This scribe has an idea: - prohibit corrupt and dishonest persons from wearing Nepali caps.