The Country at the cross road

Fired by unalloyed idealism to usher in a liberal democracy in Nepal, many became martyrs, and many others underwent a severe hardship for the noble cause.

People had entertained high hope and aspiration that ushering in a democratic system of Government would ensure all round progress of the country. There would be sufficient avenues for employment, enlightened and honest leadership coupled with efficient and responsive bureaucracy would replace the feudal oriented leadership and irresponsive and lethargic bureaucracy. After passing through different phases of ups and downs, multi-party system of Government was restored in 2046. The sovereignty vested in the Crown was transferred to the People. H.M. the King consented to remain a Constitutional monarch.

The new leadership that came at the helm after general election, instead of channelizing their energy in addressing various urgent issues confronting the nation, amassing wealth by either fair or foul means became their prime-concern. Their yesterday's Spartan living overnight changed into luxurious life style with all its trappings surpassing even the Royales. This virus has affected every tier of administration and public life. Even Judiciary is not immune from this virus. People's hopes and aspirations have been belied. Whatever infrastructure were established in the so-called maligned system of governance are in a state of decay. Many are on the verge of collapse. Closure of some major industries has rendered thousands of people jobless adding to the rank of already unemployed population.

Frequent bunds, gheraoes and strikes which are resorted to at the drop of the hat have affected the productivity of few industries running under different constrains. If the present trend of lawlessness and free for all scenario is to continue for some time more foreign investors will leave the country with bag and baggage giving a death blow to the nascent entrepreneur, both indigenous and foreign.

Hundreds and thousands of unemployed youth are immigrating to foreign land for their livelihood. The rate of growth of industries has not in any way registered a spectacular growth, which could have absorbed most of the unemployed. The carte blanche, allowed in educational sector has resulted in mushrooming the private educational institutions, which has brought about a new problem in its trail. The resentment of some section of student community culminated in the closure of private schools alternately for two weeks. The deplorable incident of vandalism and man handling of the teaching staffs failed to stir the conscience of the power i.e., they remained a silent spectator, did nothing to rein the unruly elements. Nowhere in the world such anarchy and lawlessness is tolerated.

During three day's bund organized by six Communist outfits, Government will cease to run in the country. Hundreds of lathi-wielding muscle men roam the cities threatening dire consequences to all and sundry who ever dare to disobey their dictates. Factories are closed, driver of railway train mercilessly thrashed, and even unwary cyclists are not spared. Education, business and all national building activities came to a halt. Govt. presence is conspicuous by its absence.

The fissiparous tendency is raising its ugly head. The parochial sentiment is being enflamed, and ethnic politics is posing a menace to age long harmony and fraternity existing among various ethnic groups. Taking advantage of rising discontent and frustration among the unemployed coupled with pervading all round corruption and cynicism with the present dispensation Maoist forces is gaining momentum.

About half of the western region gout writ is confined to district head quarters, Maoist forces rule the roost. Gradually they are spreading their influence in eastern region including Sindhuli, Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga, even in the vicinity of Kathmandu they have registered their presence. If this sorry state of affairs and free for all scenario is not contained even belatedly, with firmness and determination, the country will be plunged into chaos and total anarchy, the very unity and sovereignty of nation will be in peril.

In defence of Freedom of the Press

-Pravin Rana, Kathmandu

The Freedom of the Press is one of the prerequisites of democracy. Its plays a vital role in creating awareness and disseminating information to people in general. The importance of fourth estate as it is generally called is undeniable and accepted norm in any democratic country. The question of muzzling, censoring, or outright banning due to national interest, vested interest or personal vendetta is illegal and contrary to principle of democracy. There can be no second opinion in this regard.

Now, lets see the role of the fourth estate in Nepal. It is generally a business house- nothing wrong with that - which focuses more on the commercial aspect than in the content. In speaking of content in the newspaper- the proclivity of reporting in most of the tabloids and so-called established newspaper is without the basic tenet of "good reporting." Most of the articles are opinion of sort lacking identifiable and authentic source, biased with color of their political leaning gleaming from their editorials to news reporting, and serving their own vested interest than public in general. And now to defend themselves they have developed the tendency that mirrors labour union of the past. They are quick to write critical write-ups without the factual data or source which can be identified or produce on government or institutions or even on a person in wink of an eye and they have no qualms. The damage they do falls on Freedom of the Press – if they can hide behind the clock of Freedom and wield influence that is detrimental rather that the opposite then are we to assume- they are bred apart. They have to develop the capacity to do critical analysis, assure accuracy of the report, and weigh the effect of each and every word. It is a powerful tool. They tendency to see themselves as lone crusader is the crux of the problem- Judiciary, Executive, and the Fourth state are not disjointed but an equal partner; therefore, the responsibility and duty is equal but being self monitoring - the forth estate has the onus in its own shoulder. It is the news organization prerogative- and this is where it is utterly lacking.

The sad fact of news reporting in Nepal is that it is identical to politics in Nepal. A story can be bought & sold or held for ransom- ethical news reporting is not the norm but accidents. The reporters have developed habits of rent seeking tendencies - free passes to important gathering, discounts in travel and easy access to people in high offices. The badge of reporter is not utilized to do research, seek foolproof collaborators, or identifiable source that can withstand the scrutiny at the court of law but simply for easy access and all the perks. They have quite unabashedly assumed that we, the people, are not capable to " handle the truth."

News organization have the responsibility to put its house in order- systematically upgrade its ethical standard, act independent, and employee reporters who can dig up stories that can withstand any scrutiny or fend off any libel case. The work of fourth estate is very important in democracy but the onus to bring credibility and genuine news report falls on them. Instead of crying foul it should be able to convince its readership to fight in its behalf. The battle cry for the release of Kantipur Newspaper’s editor is case in point. The editor is jailed for no reason except that he okayed Maoist writing to be in his paper- there is nothing wrong in this – freedom of press applies to each everyone but voice to free him is only limited to few sister organizations and affiliates. This should not be the case.

One thing that is amiss and which is very critical and that no political party or news organizations have realized is that – we, the people, count. Unless they find a way to make citizens active and participatory in governance- it is a dead end. No elitist organization or populist political parties can makes us drink the water although they might be able to take us to the river. Freedom of press and democracy requires us- the people and we are an intelligent lot. Therefore, in defense of Freedom of the Press we, the people, presume unless the right of people are safeguarded- there is no such thing as Freedom of the Press.

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