It seems the poor
Nepalis are destined to live in filth and squalor. At a time when the United States is
dreaming of sending man to the Mars, the Nepalis are fighting amongst themselves, killing
and looting each other and forcing the deprived millions to live the life of a beggar. Due
to more than a century's exploitation by their own Rana rulers and more than half a
century's dominating presence of their close friend and neighbor, the Nepalis have not
been able to learn that whatever the stage of development and howsoever civilized the
humanity becomes, the perennial truth, the law of the jungle will always prevail.
Consequently, it is always the fittest that will survive and others will have either to
perish or live on charity and mercy. It is high time we poor Nepalis become fully aware of
this hard truth. If noble virtues like peace, love and brotherhood coned really influence
human behavior, the world would still not be embroiled in war, hatred and mutual
recrimination where might only is always right even after twenty six hundred years of
Buddha, the Prince of Peace, two thousand years after Jesus, the son of God who sacrificed
his life to teach love and mercy and about fourteen hundred years after Mohammed who
spread the message of universal brotherhood. If this were not true, there would have been
no world wars, no 9.11, the United States would not have demolished Iraq and Nepal would
not be facing the agony of Maoist insurgency. Theorizing is nice to hear but it never
benefits the poor. Look at the hue and cry for human rights. But who really cares for the
starving billions of Afro-Asian poor? Do not basic human necessities fall under human
rights? Do not providing food to the starving and medicine to the dying fall under human
rights? If not, pray, what is human rights? What is humanity's priority? Feeding the
starving millions on sending man to the Mars? But hen, people are blinded by their egoes.
This is human weakness. And if the Americans too fall victim to this weakness, no one
should be surprised. Since the United States is one country that has the potentials to
come to the rescue, it has to be goaded to do more than what she has been doing. Ever in
the fight against global terrorism. George W. Bush, the U.S. President recommitted himself
in the State of the Union address today. Bush is facing difficult time. if not him, his
successor too must be made to rectify the mistake. if the deprived peoples of the world
are to be guaranteed their human rights, those who can do that must shun hypocrisy and
genuinely come to their rescue. And no other nation than the United States can take the
lead. It is a pity Nepal so far, has not been able to take rightful advantage of American
commitment to fight terrorism. If is never too late to learn.
Kathmandu has turned
into a city of road maps. Every politician of the name has a road map. Road maps are
becoming ladders to climb up to the objective of grabbing power. But all these architects
of the road maps do not understand that road maps only lead to nowhere. It is the
reputation, ingenuity and integrity of the architect that can land him the job. And
unfortunately all those authors of the road maps have already exposed themselves. If any
of their road maps is accepted, there can be no doubt the country would be pushed towards
greater destruction. So, King Gyanendra cannot afford any vacillation. Since he has no axe
to grind except the good of the people and the country, he must not hesitate to take even
steps that may not be palatable to these unscrupulous politicians. It is a time when we do
need the support of our good friends to restore peace and normalcy in the country. As only
rhetorics do not go a long way. We must be able to impress upon them the urgency of their
unstinted cooperation. And this demands a robust and healthy diplomacy. As a
representative government has become the sine qua non for resolving the killing political
uncertainty in the country, early general elections have become imperative. If the Maoists
agree to stop their insurgency and participate in the general elections, they must be
welcomed. They can thrash out their grievances in the elected parliament. They should not
insist on their demand for constituent assembly. Let the people's representatives decide
what the country needs. One man or one party must not be the arbiter of its destiny. For
the good of the people and the country, it is time all concerned must sink their personal
and partisan differences and decide, once for all, to work in the overall interest of the
nation. |
