The
hoax played by some invisible interested party through its agent regarding the visit of
King Gyanendra to India has after all, not done any harm. But the hoax seems to persist,
K.P. Nayar, an Indian journalist, has come out with his version in the Indian publication
"Telegraph" that "The King's visit has now been put off till the first week
of November." Since there has been no authoritative announcement either from H.M.G.
or the Palace, nobody is taking itseriously. People here are simply wondering about the
motive behind playing such hoaxes. However, the visits of the Kings of Nepal to India is
nothing unusual. And, perhaps, in the present political climate in Nepal, it could prove
to be quite meaningful. What is needed most urgently for us is that we make a departure
from the stereotyped posture of dwelling on the rhetorics of age old long friendly
relationship and strengthening it further. It is high time both for Nepal and India to be
able to give a more realistic and practical shift to Nepal-India relationship rather than
mislead the people with senseless sentimental slogans. And King Gyanendra must take up the
issue with his Indian counterpart in his next visit whenever it takes place. The first
technocrat prime minister of India, although branded by many as surrogate, could also lend
a new angle to Nepal-India relations if he could withstand the pressures of the South
Block whose colonial mindset has become as proverbial as the spot of a leopard. In the
last fifteen years specially, no Nepali politician has ever made, even a feeble attempt to
exert and defend his nation's rights. He runs over to New Delhi whenever he feels he is in
desperate need of effective favor and blessings. As long Nepal cannot produce a completely
new generation of clean, honest and patriotic politicians who takes pride in its
independence, heritage and national dignity and who focuses only on winning the love and
respect of its own people, it is only King Gyanendra who will be looked upon to defend the
country's honor and rights and maintain, as well, the country's peace and normalcy. And
this will not be possible as long the King does not decide to break the traditional
sycophantic network. Since he has no axe to grind except the good of the people and the
country, it should not be difficult for him to rise above all vested interests and to
dissociate with all corrupt politicians. In this trying and extremely difficult times, he
must not lose any time in replacing the inept and incompetent government with one that can
command the respect and cooperation of the people and bring peace and normalcy in the
country so that a free and fair election can take place without undue delay. We have been
continuously emphasizing on this very important aspect of our national politics because
the nation has no alternative. All the politicians entrusted to govern the country have
totally failed. But they never tire to scheme to grab power again. King Gyanendra, since
he knows them all very well, must not be impressed by their glib assurances any more. He
has to find new and honest faces if he wants a cleaner government to avoid more senseless
deaths and destructions, early peace and a free and fair elections. Induction of the
corrupt politicians again can generate unsavory reflections. As the festive season is
round the corner, the poor and distracted people badly need peace, even though temporary,
so that they can enjoy (if they really can) the Dashain without any let or hindrance.
Since, unlike the callous and unscrupulous politicians, the King cannot stay insensitive
to the joys and sorrows of his poor millions, if the government cannot persuade the
Maoists to come to some kind of understanding even only for the duration of Dashain and
Tihar, the King has to use his authority and generate a situation so that his poor
countrymen, who hold him in high regard, would not think that he too, has become
indifferent towards their urgent needs. On this assumption, we take this opportunity to
wish a Happy Dashain to all our friends, patrons and countrymen and do hope Ma Durga will
grant our Maoist brethren wisdom and good sense not to disturb the only festival that
brings momentary joy and happiness in the miserable lives of millions of our poor
countrymen. |
