Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Comrades' Ignorance

Although communism in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe collapsed over a decade ago, Nepalese comrades are still practicing what their mentors taught them during their heyday. In the name of solidarity with the people of the Third World, communist leaders used to encourage mass demonstrations against western intervention. The responsibility of waving the hammer-and-sickle and railing against the West has fallen on Nepalese communists. A week ago, nine left parties decided to lodge a protest against US threats to wage war against Iraq. But they did not realize they had scheduled their protest on Presidents' Day, an American holiday. When someone mentioned that there would be no one at the US Embassy to receive their missive, our comrades were caught in a dilemma. They ultimately went ahead with the rally. Better luck next time.

Script Safety

Whenever he addresses public gatherings, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand does not seem to care whether there are any listeners. Instead of watching for the audience's reaction, the premier concentrates on the text. Although Chand speaks slowly and carefully, his diction is too difficult for many to follow. But the prime minister enjoys his style. After all, he does not have to worry too much about issuing clarifications even if his statements turn out to be controversial.

Thapa's Hunch

Known as the lion of Nepalese politics, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Surya Bahadur Thapa roars at every political forum he gets. However, following the party convention in Pokhara, where the RPP leadership passed to a new generation, Thapa was largely out of public sight. Suddenly, he appeared at an RPP meeting last week. Thapa declared that the country would see major political developments soon. With the country passing through a very critical political phase, Thapa must have sensed something that has eluded his colleagues and the people at large.

Marital Misery

Despite the transformation of the social, cultural and political scenario, Kathmanduites still maintain some of their unique ways of life very religiously. Although the roads in Kathmandu valley are jam-packed with a growing number of vehicles, nobody needs permission to take out marriage processions. Similar troubles led police in the Indian capital of New Delhi to make it mandatory for marriage processions to seek permission before moving along main thoroughfares. Is there anyone with the courage to take a cue from New Delhi police and ease our traffic congestion?

Media Jitters

Distortion of news seems to be a regular practice in the Nepalese media. From leaders of the major political parties to the common people, victims of distorted news abound. Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Pashupati Sumsher Rana claimed that Nepal Television used footage of another event to prove his presence at the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand. CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal dismissed a radio news that described his presence at a tea party. Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala lodged a formal complaint against the country's largest circulated daily newspaper for distorting his statements. Quite a consensus.