COMMENT

Punish the guilty

 The hijacking on Friday evening of an Indian Airlines plane that had taken off from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) here in Kathmandu, has raised many queries about the effectiveness and even the honesty of the security personnel of the country. There are a number of security agencies, as well the Customs and Immigration officials overlooking the security as well as smooth functioning of the only international airport of the country. Yet, it is common knowledge that there is rampant corruption taking place within the Airport, still, the government as well as others are turning a blind eye to the illegal activities taking place there. Ironically, ordinary passengers complain of the harassment they have to face from the security and customs people. Rightly or wrongly, they feel the officials there harangue the people in general and allow the culprits to get away, though of course, at a price. It is also rumoured that civil servants pay a hefty amount to politicians to get a posting at the Airport. But while before, the irregularities were related to contraband smuggling only, with the hijacking of a plane that flew from TIA, questions are being raised as to whether compromises have been made with terrorists as well.

It is a fact that the people are not allowed to enter even the departure lounge without a airline ticket, they cannot go to see off their friends and relatives from the balcony also, still, four heavily armed hijackers managed to get into a plane, how did this happen? The police are there in full force, then there are plain clothes detectives from the National Investigation Department and a wing of the Royal Nepalese Army backs these two agencies in providing security, still all these people were hoodwinked by the terrorists. Meanwhile, didn’t the Customs people who don’t allow you to bring one extra bottle of whiskey or things like dried fruits and new clothes, see the weapons of the hijackers? On the justice front, just suspending the workers who were on duty at the Airport will not be enough if security compromises have been made. If the committee that has been formed to investigate what happened that day finds the culprits, then they must be seriously dealt with. The life of a person has been snuffed out because of some mistakes made at the Airport, almost two hundred others are suffering an ordeal which may traumatise them for life, and if some people are responsible for this, then they must be suitably punished. For now, all we can do is pray for the safe return of the Nepalese and other passengers still in the ill-fated aircraft.

 Millennium musings

A century and a millennium is about to roll by. With it, a  host of events; good, bad and ugly are relegated to history; but the effects of the incidents gone by remains and will continue to do so.  Natural calamities, human follies leave their stamp on the new year as much as do the goodness and ingenuity of mankind. Perhaps it is nature’s way of reminding humans of the impact of their actions.

 Wishful a thought it may seem to start afresh, yet it is not an impossible task. We all could learn from what has happened and make sure the mistakes are not repeated. We also could imbibe the eternal treasure of goodness and sacrifice that the great leaders and pioneers of the century all around the world, left behind. We could remind ourselves to do our little bit to make this place a little better in our little ways.

Coming back to our small country, a pall of disenchantment casts a shadow among the people. They are highly disenchanted by the turn of events during the past ten years of democracy. It is obvious to all that we lack good leadership. The people who showed great sacrifice and uprightness in the quest for democracy now seem to wilt under the sun in their chairs. It is highly disappointing to all to watch power casting its evil shadow on the people holding responsible positions.

We need honest, effective, practical leadership by action. Not by words. We need leaders who become humbler, who sacrifice more when they take oath to serve the people. Leaders who will not be lured by the demons of selfishness, greediness and immorality. We collectively need to realise what went wrong and what is going wrong and take steps to rectify all the wrongs before  it swallows us all.

With the change of the century, we need a change of hearts and minds, not of words. Let us all work towards a peaceful, happy and prosperous country. Let us pray that the world is relieved of its stress and becomes a great place to live in. Happy new year, new century!