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EDITOR'S NOTE King Birendraís speech from the throne spelling out the plans and programs of the Nepali Congress government led by Girija Prasad Koirala has once again passed off as a morbid ritual. Since the monarch has no responsibility whatsoever in preparing the speech nobody bears him any grudge. It is the government and specially the Prime Minister who must bear the brunt of such a listless address. Even a large number of his own colleagues and partymen are not happy with this annual ceremony, to say anything about the common man. He has been experiencing for the last ten years that the governments do not care about his plights and miseries. As such, the address has not affected him at all. The opposition will oppose for opposition sake. Since they have not been able to play the correct role of the opposition, their criticisms also fail to make any impressions on the knowledgeable mass. As such, it would be totally futile to assess the proper utility of such addresses. Since this is a ritual which has to be performed, the governments cannot avoid it. As long honest and committed political leaders are not at the helms of affairs, as long the burning problems of the nation are not addressed sincerely and as long the plans and programs enunciated in the Royal speech are not successfully implemented in the overall interest of the nation, such royal speeches will fail to achieve the objectives they are meant to.* * * Everything does not seem to be well in the Nepali Congress. That a party with a clear majority in the parliament should have a shaky government speaks volumes about the infighting going on in the party without break. That different factions are at each others throats, giving a very hard time to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has become a matter of serious concern to all patriotic forces. Lack of credibility in Koiralaís protestations, his intolerance to take criticisms sportingly, his excessive reliance on cronies and sycophants and his insatiable thirst for power have made it more difficult for Koirala to function. Unless Koirala can change and start behaving in an acceptable manner he will not only find the going rough but end up as ignominiously as he made his predecessor to quit. * * * The series of meetings between dignitaries of Nepal and India reflect positive signs that both sides are keen to normalize the relations. Given the will and understanding this should not be a very difficult task to achieve. As experiences have shown, the real difficulty lies in keeping the relations on track. And this demands lots of restraints and magnanimity. Nepalís size and geopolitics must be able to generate proper understanding in her bigger neighbor about her mindset. Not seeing the problems through proper perspectives may not be conducive to normalize the relations for long. Consequently, it has become imperative that both the countries bring out requisite changes in their mindset. * * * Bandh and violence do not take the country forwards. We have always denounced such activities. Those who advocate such retrograde steps could not said to be real nationalists. The decision to call off the proposed Bandh by the leftists is a commendable step. We would like to congratulate them.
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