Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

Unauthorized reports from the besieged capital tell us that King Gyanendra’s so much hyped visit to India is still hanging in the balance. As usual, the hosts seem bent on reaping the fullest advantage of the age-old relationship when the smaller and weaker partner is fighting for its survival with its back to the wall. Even though some of the recent events in Nepal might have started giving away meaningful signals, King Gyanendra is still regarded as a strong and patriotic King. Many of the NRNs this scribe has talked to here do believe that King Gyanendra can stop the political deterioration and bring the country back to the democratic rails. Moreover, when he himself has to bear all the kudos or blames he just cannot afford to do anything that might harm the overall interests of the country even to the most insignificant consequence. Knowing fully well that the ‘Brown Sahibs’ of the South Block are still obsessed with the colonial mindset, King Gyanendra must put off his India visit for the moment. As long as India does not renounce her double standard regarding the Maoists, the atmosphere cannot be taken as congenial for a royal visit to New Delhi. It was, indeed, very interesting to read an article by Tim Sullivan of the Associated Press published here the other day about the Delhi Gymkhana Club in New Delhi where the colonial traditions still rule the roost, which fully substantiates our above mentioned statement. We have been constantly emphasizing that it has become most imperative for us to formulate a new practical and pragmatic policy towards India. The hollow sentimental rhetorics and the submissive attitude of Nepali politicians and statesmen have perpetrated immense harm on our poor country. And now is the time King Gyanendra must bring out the timely and most warranted change in our policy. There could be no valid reason for us to doubt that all reasonable and friendly Indians will not only appreciate but also welcome our honorable and dignified stance.

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Celebrating Dashain almost twelve thousand miles away from home, even with the family around, could not generate the same joyous atmosphere that is so inherent in Dashain usually celebrated at home in the native country. Even though this sojourn so far from home was a premeditated plan to avoid the festivities of Dashain at a time when the whole country was mourning the untimely deaths of thousands of its dear sons and daughters caused by the most callous behavior of the heartless politicians and indifferent administration, it was not possible to totally escape the pangs of sorrow and pain being borne by so many miserable countrymen back home. While the family seemed quite happy at the Dashain reunion, the least concern they and other NRNs exhibited at the ongoing sufferings of their wretched countrymen back in their mother country made me not only uncomfortable but incapable of sharing the insensitive merrymakings. It was, indeed, a great relief, at least for me, when all the guests left for their homes at the end of a long day. That people could become so inhumanly indifferent and unfeeling in such a short time, towards the unbearable sufferings and miseries of their countrymen of not so long back came to me as a revelation. As a matter of fact his could be the extreme but correct manifestation of Nepali character.