Stepping out of the Thai Airways plane at
Tribhuwan airport after an absence of two and a half months abroad not only fills the
heart of a patriotic Nepali with the invigorating freshness of the air coming from the
snow-capped mountains in the north but also cheers his/her spirit with the eternal message
of peace and brotherliness emanating from the all embracing eyes of Bodhnath. Nothing,
indeed, could be more paradoxical, that the land perennially blessed by the invisible
presence and blessings of the Prince of Peace, should be embroiled in senseless killings
of innocent peoples. We have been tirelessly exhorting all concerned and involved parties
to put an immediate stop to this heart chilling loss of precious human lives. But, it
seems, the feuding parties have become so depraved that no amount of persuasion, pleading
or even praise has been able to make any dent on the callousness that has turned them into
human robots totally insensitive to all human values and morality. Since it is never too
late rectifying one's mistakes, we once again appeal to both the combating forces to
listen to reason and thrash out their differences amicably through peaceful negotiations.
We have already offered our voluntary services if any party wants to use them and we do
stand by our commitment.
King Gyanendra's India visit had to be
postponed at the eleventh hour due to the sad demise of Narasimha Rao, the former Prime
minister of India. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the bereaved. Although, we
on our part, were quite skeptical that apart from some high sounding rhetorics and
assurances of cooperation to fight the Maoist insurgency, anything substantially
beneficial to Nepal and Nepali people would have materialized, there would be many who
would believe that Nepal missed an opportunity of ingratiating with India. Since Nepal has
gone out of her way to contribute to India's benefit on more than one occasion, even at
the cost of sacrificing her own interests, it is high time she started thinking of her own
interests, too, quite seriously. The big economic strides India is taking should make her
more magnanimous towards her tiny neighbor, which she can very well afford. Consequently,
a big change in the mindset in both the countries has become imperative if the traditional
relations are really to be strengthened. Indeed, such high level visits between two
friendly neighbors always contribute to dispel any mistrust or misunderstanding between
them besides opening up avenues for newer cooperation. But, we cannot totally overlook the
lessons of history. And in official relations a certain protocol has to be maintained
howsoever close or intimate the relations. As such, the postponement of King Gyanendra's
visit to New Delhi seems to be quite portentous to us. It has provided wonderful
opportunity to both the countries to give second thoughts. We can, at least, urge our King
to give due consideration to our humble suggestion. |
