P ublisher and Chief Editor of Spotlight, Madhav Kumar Rimal, has left for the United States for medical check-up this week. He will spend a few weeks in the US . Weekly editorials by a very experienced, prudent and skillful person like Mr. Rimal remained unique for their thought-provoking views and we believe, were one of the most sought-after features of this newsmagazine.

All through his editorials, he has been consistent to point out failings and mistakes of our democratic process and Nepal ’s relations with its neighbours, especially the greatest democracy of the world with which Nepal has an unavoidable intimate relations. Definitely, there are no Himalayas between Nepal and India but there seems to stand barrier in the process of making bilateral relations smooth. Due to ill-conceived policies and inconsiderate implementation, bilateral relations have never had a chance to have a smooth sail. Experience has shown that it requires huge expertise and intellectual honesty to refer to a spade as a spade.

For this week, readers of this column may feel the difference in style and spirit in the editorial. The same problem can also be explained in different ways and moderation and understanding may have different impact. We hope that it may not be taken as a deviation. There will be complete consistency and continuation of the same outlook and perceptions. The style is considered as a man’s own making. In the absence of editorial written by our publisher and chief editor, it was obligatory for us to explain the change in style and language. We hope our readers will understand our compulsion. From next week, readers will find original style of the columnist from far away.

Without doubt, our country is passing through a period of extraordinary upheavals but we will continue to work with same zeal and fervor by adopting a moderate and consistent approach. The nations constitute the world community and until we can manage our own nation, our role in the world will have no meaning. By upholding the national interest and democratic ideals, a lot can be done to promote solidarity and peace universally. There is no need to compromise democratic ideals for the sake of national interest as democracy is the best tool to safeguard national interest.

As the country’s legitimate political forces continue to march in the course of conflict, it seems that Nepalese will have to face difficult situation for a long time to come. Nepalese have seen enough conflict and destructions caused due to forces beyond their control. All they want now is to return to normalcy. For a small country like Nepal , the country has had to pay a heavy price due to prolonged conflict and chaotic situation. Reconciliation is the only way out for survival. This is the reason political forces must build understanding and negotiations. Past experiences have shown that monarchy and democratic forces are compatible to each other.

Patriotic monarchists and patriotic democrats have many commonalities of interests between them. They must explore the points of agreement so that they can reach into a situation where they can accommodate each other. Using provocative statements against each other will only widen the gap and such divisions will benefit none. Political leaders must accept institution of monarchy as a pillar of Nepal ’s stability and unity and monarchists too need to recognize the role of political parties in the process of mobilization of people that only helps to strengthen national unity. Extremism always invites extremism. We hope that political forces will follow the course of moderation and reconciliation in the days ahead.

Keshab Poudel
Managing Editor