National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Incomplete Tenure

Indian Ambassador Shyam Saran is the third Indian envoy to Nepal in a row to be returning without completing his full tenure here

By A CORRESPONDENT

Despite complications and closeness in relations, Nepal seems to in no position to get an Indian ambassador who completes his full tenure. Following the departure of then Indian Ambassador K.V. Rajan who stayed for four years in Nepal, all three subsequent Indian ambassadors returned without completing their full term.

Although the present Indian ambassador Saran is reportedly being called back to assume senior position in the South Block, nonetheless, he will also be returning after serving for less than half of his term.

Saran : Short experience

Saran, a highly polished diplomat with commitment to bring Nepal-India relations back to track, has made good efforts to narrow down the differences existing between the two countries. Saran was appointed ambassador when then Indian ambassador to Nepal I.P. Singh expired and the position remained vacant for more than a couple of months.

The role of ambassador is to execute the decision of the particular country and pursue the diplomacy according to the interest of his own country but the personal views and perception of particular individual can also make a lot of difference. After assuming his position, Indian ambassador Saran has spent enormous energy to narrow down the differences between two South Asian neighbors. Despite his short tenure in Nepal, Dev Mukharji, though working at low profile, was also seen as an ambassador with different vision regarding the way to look at the problems existing between the two countries.

“The change of ambassador in short course of time is not good for both the countries since a new comer has to spend quite a long time to develop rapprochement,” said a retired Nepalese foreign ministry official. “Although Indian has not made any sincere efforts to cooperate with Nepal in tackling the Maoist insurgency, Saran had played important role in solving all outstanding issues.”

During his tenure, King Gyanendra paid a visit to India and the Crown Prince Paras is currently in an official visit there. Nepalese prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa also paid a successful visit to India in that period.

Although every official in Indian civil service has to work under a well defined system, Nepal will be hopeful to receive prominence if Saran who also considers his tenure in Nepal as rewarding, is assigned bigger role in the South Block.

BAR ELECTIONS
Mixed Results

Despite losing the battle for presidency, democrats win two thirds of positions in the election of Nepal Bar Association (NBA)

By A CORRESPONDENT

As was predicted, advocate Sambhu Thapa, a progressive candidate, won the important position of Nepal Bar Association president defeating his nearest rival Yagya Murti Banjade, a democrat, in the recent bar elections.

However, apart from the post of president, treasurer and other three positions, democrats won all the remaining positions with absolute majority. According to the elections results, Sher Bahadur K.C (Mid-West), Kedar Bhandari (Eastern region), Kusal Bhujel (Western) won from the democratic front.

Madhav Banskota (democrat) defeated Raman Kumar Shrestha (progressive) in the elections of general secretary. Vijayakanta Mainali won the election for the post of treasurer defeating his democratic rival.

Unlike in the party politics, the democratic forces contested the elections in one front whereas all communist parties, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Sadbhvana Party, backed the progressive fronts.

Along with the personality factor, financial factor also played important role in the elections. Although no candidates have publicly disclosed the amount they spent in the elections, it is estimated that the total elections expenditure was around Rs. 4 million.

“Our elections is like national elections where one can use all kinds of power and money,” said a lawyer. “There is no meaning for professional lawyers since they will be dictated by party interests.”

Anyway, the newly elected president Thapa has expressed that he will enhance the professionalism. “Our aim is to enhance the glory and professionalism of NBA,” said Sher Bahadur K.C., the newly elected vice president of NBA.