Nepal's prestige as a peaceful nation in the world has been badly tarnished

-Laxmi Prasad Kharel

He hails originally from a village in Jhapa district-the district that borders India in the East.

He is at the moment Lecturer at ASCOL. He obtained his Masters degree in History and also did M.Ed. in English, from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

His teaching experiences include, among others, as an English language instructor in Eloquent Institute; Bright Future Institute; Eton Institute and Nimble language Institute.

Apart from all these Mr. Laxmi Prasad Kharel has taught English in various Higher Secondary Schools in Kathmandu.

Kharel claims that his motto is to dedicate himself for the cause of the nation's overall development and too remaining as a dedicated teacher.

Among the world leaders, Mr. Kharel's ideal personality is John F. Kennedy. His source of inspiration, claims, Kharel, was late King Birendra.

His hobbies include reading books of history and international diplomacy and providing assistance to the needy people of the society.

We approached this young man last week for an exclusive interview to which he readily agreed. Below the results: Chief editor

TGQ1: How do you Mr. Kharel assess the past thirteen years of Nepali democracy? Has the system lived up to the aspirations of the people as promised by the leaders of the 1990 change? If yes then how do you justify your claim and if not what would you say?

Mr. Kharel: The Nepalese people were happy enough in the restoration of multiparty democratic system. They had expected much in the democratic rule. Democracy in itself is one of the best political systems in the world. The greatest leaders and the master minded politicians i.e. Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Sir Winston Churchill were the best ideals and unequivocal followers of democracy. It was a right step of the Nepalese people to chose democracy. However, in the name of democracy, heinous crimes and blatant actions were committed in Nepal. Unemployment, corruption, skyrocketing market price and deteriorating condition of security appeared in Nepal. No one is feeling safe in the country. Such anarchy the Nepalese people had never faced. The prestige of the country as a peaceful nation in the world has been badly tarnished. The gap in between the haves and the have-not is ever widening. Democracy has been profitable for a few elites and the men belonging to the privileged class. The leaders and the initiators of the mass movement of 1990 had promised the people that they would "perform" and bring heaven down the earth should they come to power. But here the Nepali democracy damaged every thing. The ten members of the Royal family including King Birendra were killed in the Royal Palace that was one of the most disastrous tragedies that had befallen on Nepal in the early years of the new millennium. Such unimaginable and horrible incidence took place in Nepal. People are being killed every day in quite good numbers. Security personnel too are being killed in the encounter. Nobody is taking the responsibility of these killings. So I think nothing substantial took place over these thirteen years as promised by the leaders.

TGQ2: What factors could have caused the present congress conflict? Is it simply Deuba-Koirala personality clash or some extraneous forces were at work? How would you wish to comment on this?

Mr. Kharel: The Nepali congress has faced many predicaments since its very inception some five decades plus back. It embraced a terrible loss in 1952 due to the personality clash of M.P.Koirala and his half-brother B.P.Koirala. Even today the nation is facing a great crisis due to their greed for power and chair. To recall, G.P.Koirala has been in the Prime Ministerial chair for long after the 1990 change. He thinks himself as the single suitable person specially "made" for the prime ministerial chair in Nepal. He must be held responsible for the degradation of the country's morale. It is nothing but rumor and a fake campaign of the Koirala camp being deliberately made against Deuba that some extraneous forces were at work in the country. Neither any foreign power nor the Royales were interested in such affair as hinted by Koirala and his coterie.

TGQ3: A section of the Nepali intellectuals maintain that the impending elections will boost the sagging morale of the RPP as a party given the congress conflict and the down going prestige of the UML? Will the RPP benefit as expected by the intellectuals? How you take also the sudden announcement of the elections? Was it necessary given the existing law and order situation as it stands today?

Mr. Kharel: After the dissolution of the parliament the dates for the elections have been announced. History has shown that the NC has become blemished and its glorious history already shattered. In the name of democracy, there is rampant corruption in the country. The main opposition party, the UML, is not aloof from such blames. They are conditioned by their greed and passion of power. The leaders of the UML apparently are guided and instructed by external forces. So I think the NC and the UML don't have basic issues to present it in front of the people at time of the elections. The Nepalese people have already seen their governance in the past. The conflicts and dissension in the NC and the down going prestige of the UML will surely benefit the RPP and will gain support from the voters this round of elections. The RPP played a vital and crucial role as a strong democratic force at difficult times in the past. The RPP had brought wide policy of building a all pervasive national consensus that was a wise idea in the Nepalese politics. I suggest the RPP leaders to strengthen the organization and encourage intelligent, creative and dedicated workers. The party should be run by the advice of top intelligentsia of the party. The future of the youths should also be taken into account. Frustrations among the party might harm the party's glorious history. I am of the opinion that the sudden announcement of the election is a right of the Prime Minister and a right action to save the nation. As for your question I would say yes it was necessary given the law and order situation as it stands today.

TGQ4: The King is being pressed by a section to intervene into the current scheme of things. Will the King's intervention be taken in good taste by majority of the countrymen and the international community? And what is the guarantee that the King's step will correct the ailment of the country?

Mr. Kharel: The Nepali monarchy is a pride of the country that has been playing vital role to safeguard the nation, nationality and the sovereignty. The Shah dynasty of Npal has glorious history in all aspects. Due to the present situation which is almost linked to the life and death of the nation, the King should play a major role to save the deteriorating condition of the Kingdom. History is witness that due to the tireless, relentless and able leadership of the Shah Kings, the Kingdom of Nepal took this shape as it stands today. King Tribhuvan stood always in favor of the nation and the people. He even did not care for his throne in the name of democracy.

The King should redress the grievances of the people and should understand the situation of the country. The King should protect the people and democracy and should also act for the protection and promotion of different languages and cultures. The monarchy can balance the people and the people's representatives. The King should play a role not only as a constitutional monarch but should concurrently guide the destiny of Nepal as his illustrious predecessors did in the past. The King should not leave this country at time of crisis.

I think the majority of the countrymen and the international community has already seen the miserable condition of the country. So, I presume, all will welcome King's intervention into the Nepali politics. The King is the only center of hope. King's step will correct the present situation because people are seeking due role of the monarchy.

TGQ5: How do you take the Maoists issue? What could be its reason behind its speedy growth within six years? What you suggest both the Maoists and the government? Your exclusive comments please!

Mr. Kharel: Nepal's Maoists issue could be considered as a terrible and concurrently a challenging one that has disturbed peace, prosperity and tranquility of the country. The Maoists issue of Nepal has attracted lots of discussions both within and without. Due to the lack of farsightedness in the NC politics, the insurgents could strengthen their organization. Mr. Deuba promised to solve the issue but he did not understand the cunning tactics of the insurgents who wished to make their organization strong in the name of attending negotiation. In essence they did strengthen their organization prior to the emergency. Here some external forces appear also to be involved who wish to bring fissures in Nepali society. I suggest the Maoists insurgents to come to the mainstream of country's politics. They should not believe in bullet and abandon the politics of murder and bloodshed. If such trends continue our sovereignty will be in great danger and aliens may extract advantages from the current volatile situation. At last, the Maoists should take into proper account of the prevailing chaotic situation and be ready for the all round development of the nation which is theirs as well.

I suggest the Maoists and the government to come to the negotiation table. In fact the initiation for talks should come from the Maoists side. If that happens, I think the government will abide by the rules of the game. However, the mobilization of the army must be continued even during the talks. Negotiation is definitely the best solution to this over stretched conflict.

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