King-People Relations

PRIME Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has aptly elaborated the historic and unique relationship between the Monarchy and the people. Addressing the special function organised to celebrate the 53rd National Democracy Day and Tribhuvan Jayanti in Kathmandu the other day, Prime Minister Chand said that relations between the King and the people have always been harmonious and cordial due to the tradition of Shah Dynasty to rule the country strictly in accordance with the will and aspirations of the people. There is, no doubt, that Shah Kings have made a historic contribution in Nepal's unification, democratisation and modernisation. It is this reason why Nepalese people are always grateful to the Shah Kings and revere the institution of Monarchy as the symbol of national unity and source of inspiration. At any crucial and difficult point of history, the institution of monarchy has been with the people and worked for the larger interest of the nation. Whenever the nation faced any problem, it has been the Monarchy that has rescued the nation and people from the quagmire of crisis. The motto of the Shah Kings has been the welfare and interest of the people. History is witness that Shah Kings have even sacrificed the throne for the cause of the nation and the people. His late Majesty Tribhuvan joined hands with the people in the movement for democracy in 1950 and finally ushered in an era of democracy in Nepal. The Monarchical Culture has always been instrumental in uniting and mobilising people for the development and democratisation of Nepal. People, thus, look to the King for necessary direction and role whenever a national crisis arose. The recent developments are evident that Monarchy is the institution that commands popular faith, trust and respect. As Nepal badly suffered from the mindless violence for the last seven years, no political parties and leaders could prove their ability to solve the problem and restore peace and stability in the country. But it was the monarchy that expressed grave concern and took serious concern. The recent cease-fire and initiation of peace process are its results. We can be assured that the violence would come to an end permanently and peace would be restored.

Planning Population

NEPAL'S runaway population growth rate at more than 2 per cent is a constant matter of worry for development planners. The pace of development is inextricably linked with the pace of population growth. When the number of people rises exponentially, development interventions and results thereof simply do not suffice to raise the general living conditions of the people. Especially in a country like Nepal where resources are scarce, what little development occurs is gobbled up by the breakneck speed of population growth, with obvious consequences in terms of socio-economic conditions. With the economic situation having splipped from bad to much worse in recent years, resources to feed and clothe a growing number of people are stretched further thin.

The Tenth Plan surely has accorded a high priority to family planning, control of migration and other aspects as measures to control population. But it has been felt for long that Nepal needed a comprehensive population plan if the issue is to be addressed with the seriousness that it deserves. An official of the Ministry of Population and Environment told this newspaper the other day that His Majesty's Government was presently engaged in preparing a long-term population plan. This was a long overdue measure, as a mere inclusion of population control measures in the period plan did not quite give this major development issue the attention it merits. The implications of population growth are far-reaching and affect a nation's economic growth in all sectors. Apparently prompted and supported by a UN agency, the ministry now is said to be busy with the concept paper which will be presented to the high-level National Population Commission some time in March. Then according to the Commission's guidelines the plan will take a firm shape and is expected to be finalised within a year. The process of formulation of the plan should duly take into consideration the results of the national census and health survey that came out last year. Even as such a long-term plan is essential to guide both the governmental and non-governmental organisations in implementing activities to curb the country's unbridled population growth rate, it must be borne in mind that plan alone will not mean much unless the agencies concerned are fully geared to the task. Though nothing like a 20-year population plan-as is being thought of at present-has been drawn up before, it must not however be forgotten that there have been several major medium-term plans and strategies chalked out over the past decades. It would be wise to assess why these plans and strategies failed to make a major difference in the population growth rate, and incorporate in the new plan the lessons learnt.