Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

Amidst the severe political gloom enveloping the country, the nation celebrated King Gyanendra's auspicious birthday in a joyous and festive atmosphere. The longer than usual lines of people from all sections of the society thronging the royal palace to greet their sovereign, the varieties of festivities arranged by numerous social and political organizations all around the country and the spontaneous manifestation of affection and loyalty towards their monarch are, indeed, irrefutable proofs of the fact that the institution still commands great love and respect from overwhelming mass and has a very strong hold on the psyche of the common Nepalese. And unless dissipated by the palace itself, it is going to be there for a long time to come. These are the pitfalls, which we have always emphasized the King must be vigilant about and avoid. Since there would be sycophants and charlatans in every society, Nepal could be no exception. Because, we know some of them who don't tire singing eulogy in public are the foulest mud-slingers of the monarchy in private and they often get rewarded for their pharisaism. This is where King Gyanendra has to use his own discernment and discretion. This is the most critical time in the history of modern Nepal where politicians have utterly failed the country. This is the most critical time when the nascent democracy is facing gravest dangers due to the unethical behavior of self-centered politicians. And this is the critical time when the infant constitution of the country is not only in a state of ennui but gasping for survival. And the only solution to all these problems lies in a new house of representatives elected most freely, most fairly and most expeditiously. This could be a tall order even to King Gyanendra whose ultimate faith in and commitment to constitutional monarchy is widely accepted. Since he cannot afford to fail like the unscrupulous politicians, he needs unstinted cooperation from all of his countrymen. Consequently, he must try to find the hidden treasures because they also serve who only stand and wait.

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The anti-state and anti-monarchy movement of the frustrated politicians has miserably failed to arouse any public response and is gradually fizzling out. If these leaders cannot take any lessons from the marked apathy of the general mass towards their misguided movement they would not only be making a great mistake but also darkening whatever future they have left with them. They must refrain from comparing the huge sympathy they had won with the Nepalese people for their struggle to end the Panchayat regime. Then they were hailed as heroes. Now they are branded as thugs and quislings. We have been even exhorting the Maoists to dissociate themselves with their unholy mission. Otherwise, the Nepalese people will tar them with the same brush. As it is, they have already started losing their charisma. What the Maoists must do at this juncture is to totally sideline these defamed political parties, join hands with all the patriotic forces and pressurize the government and the King to hold general elections at the earliest opportunity. They can, of course, continue their peaceful struggle, if they want, after the new parliament starts functioning. We do want to see the derailed democratic process back to track. But we don't want to see the old corrupt and discredited faces back in power. And this is where we would expect our good friends, far and near, help us cleanse the stinking political atmosphere in our country. And, of course, our good friend India can play a very effective role in this regard. This is one opportunity India should not miss to demonstrate her genuine concern for our political and economic advancement and prove, for a change, that it is not simply rhetorics all the way.

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The Press Secretariat at the Royal Palace has been holding receptions for mediamen to celebrate the auspicious B'day of the King for some years. Indeed, it is an honor to be invited at the royal palace. But, except for a few who take greater relish in boozing, these receptions had not been able to generate any great enthusiasm for many since the mediamen were never favored with the opportunity of having a word with their beloved monarch. But what a pleasant surprise this time! His Majesty the King did not only grace the occasion with his presence but gave patient hearing to anybody who wanted to fulfill his ambition of talking to the King. He went round and round the reception courtyard encouraging everybody to talk to him. While expressing our gratitude to the august monarch, we believe it is a good augury. The new press secretary, too, definitely deserves our commendation.