In Need Of Civic Sense
AT A time when violence and terrorism have been affecting
every sector of the country, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand once again reiterated
the priority of His Majesty's Government to ensure law and order and hold elections in a
free and fair manner in order to further strengthen democracy and accelerate the pace of
development. Addressing the second convocation of Pokhara University in Kaski the other
day, Prime Minister Chand said that as the country is really in a state of crisis because
of growing violence and terrorism, it is the duty of all citizens especially the
intellectuals and educated populace to extend active and meanignful support and help to
the government for tackling the problems being faced by the country and the people. Nepal
is, indeed, in a critical situation. Violence and terrorism have divided the society and
created a sense of insecurity and terror in the country, which is by no means compatible
to development and democracy. Violence and terror cause hatred and destruction. Violence
and terrorism being perpetrated by the so-called Maoist terrorists have already claimed
more than 5000 innocent lives and damaged property worth over billions of rupees.
Development has virtually come to a standstill. The nation is without elected
representatives both at the central as well as local level. Parliamentary election had to
be postponed because of violence and terror. Free and fair election is the essense of
democracy. The government is, thus, committed to hold elections in an appropriate time.
However, elections cannot be held in a free and fair manner unless peace was restored and
law and order improved in the country. The government is also working to create a
conducive environment for holding elections by improving security situation in the
country. Besides government's efforts, cooperations and contributions from political
parties and civil society are equally important. However, some political parties do not
seem serious for the election and have not reciprocated to government's appeal.
Peace is, thus, a must for consolidation of democracy and
institutionalisation of development in the country. It is the education that promotes
moral values and civic sense among the people and builds a civilised society. Absence of
civic sense and moral education, distortions and aberrations crop up in the country. The
educated people and intellectuals are the jewels of the nation, who shape public opinion
and properly guide the society for better posterity. The country is, thus, in need of
moral values, sense of civility, peace and mutual harmony. This can be possible only when
we promote civic and moral education in the country.
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