With malice to none
A cocktail reception of its own kind!

It so happened that a group of Nepali journalists converged at a cocktail reception. It was a reception organized by the participants themselves. Since it was a winter Friday evening, thus it had been agreed that they would continue the reception until they fell on the reception grounds. It was also agreed that if some body among the participants didn’t fell would be considered unfit for their future gatherings.

Naturally when it was a meeting of senior journalists, talks began and that too on contemporary national events. Since all were of the same rank, there was no need to ask some one to preside over the cocktail-reception cum talks.

Among the crowd, some one said that since they had only two hours in their possession and hence the talks should begin at the earliest.

The glasses were made full and each one added water in it suiting to one’s taste and ability.

Mr. A: Well friends! I thank you all very much for the nice arrangements made this evening. I think we should continue this practice. Such convergence in effect brings us all together which in turn helps in the ushering in of solidarity in and among the badly divided media men of this country.

Talking about the contemporary Nepali events all that I have to say is that I am bit confused about the suddenness with which the ceasefire was announced between the government and the Maoists. I was taken aback when I heard of this announcement. I smack foul in this affair. I doubt the King and the Maoists were playing a dangerous game to outmaneuver our politics. But I’m happy that our southern neighbor is taking proper interest in this regard and has hinted that it will side with us if need be. Thus I repeat that the now dissolved house be reinstated which would later form a committee to deal with the Maoists. I for one will not accept any agreement in between the government and the Maoists. They talk of round table conference. I wonder, what sort of table it could be? Is it really a rounded structure wherein political leaders will take their respective seats. I smack foul in this. Instead of the rounded table, why it is not a square type of table? The conspiracy lies here. That’s all.

Mr. B: For me gentlemen, the announcement is a welcome move indeed. But the manner the announcement had come a fortnight ago is fraught with danger. I, for one, know the Maoists very well. They usually announce ceasefire to conserve strength. This had happened last time, if you all recall.

But then yet what I would wish to reiterate here is that if the government that was summarily dismissed by the King and replaced by Premier Chand were reinstated, the country’s politics will take a positive shape or else it would deteriorate further.

Mr. C: I beg to differ with what the two previous speakers said. I am neither in favor of the reinstatement of the parliament nor wish to see the "incompetent" prime minister rolling back in the corridors of Singhdurbar.

But instead what I would wish that an all-party government be constituted that would handle the rest of the affairs with the Maoists. Though the Maoists leader has assured me that their party would initiate the talks taking all major political parties in confidence but then yet I suspect their motives. Look how they patched up their Himalayan differences with the government? More over, I wish the talks fail simply because if the Maoists come to the main political stream it is me who will have to face the music. I fear that my party’s cadres will ultimately join their ranks. The sharpness and the kind of militancy that we had in the past is all gone to the dogs. Let’s unite today in declaring that the establishment which is unconstitutional can’t have the right to initiate the talks. It is we who should be allowed to begin the talks with the rebels.

Having said so, yet I am "open" for anything under the sun. Keeping oneself open is, I consider, the real politics. "Open" policy allows one to stick to any policy whom you consider most. At this juncture, I would suggest you all to keep your "options" open. This will bear fruit.

Mr. D: I disagree with the previous speaker. I wish to see further "democratisation" in the newspaper of the previous speaker. Unless there is more democracy, how can a democracy survive? I would also suggest that the "publisher" be also given importance so that he or she controls the hegemony of the "editor". This will in effect bring about a fair system of governance in the newspaper. The rest I agree with what my senior colleague has just now said of the political events in the country.

In the meantime, drink is served. Some are seen gulping the whole content at a go. The alcoholic beverage appears to be working.

Mr. E: Well I think I have nothing to add here except that my publisher appears to be very close to the government. We have, the rest in the editorial board, in retaliation to our publisher’s malintent to sack him for good. But the tragedy with us in the board is that we are "powerless" and can’t compete with the all "powerful" president, better say the publisher of the newspaper. But our efforts are aimed at that to dislodge him from the post of the publisher. On politics, we continue to support to the six party alliance come what may.

Mr. F: I disagree with the previous speaker. He is talking against myself, I could guess. What the hell is the difference if I am close to the government? Supporting a government is almost like being in government which has a different charm, got the point! My detractors, I mean those who are in the editorial board, are some misguided youths. I fail to understand as to which force on earth is misguiding them?

Talking about the ceasefire, I would, say that it was a timely announcement. The major political parties must now cooperate the government and work for the reinstatement not of the parliament but of a permanent peace in the country. Those who oppose the ceasefire appear to be backed by some alien forces which at times also supports our own newspaper!

Mr. G: For me, I am left with no options other than to support the government because he is a close ally of our newspaper. But then yet I would suggest the government to keep things transparent regarding the would be talks.

My own contention is that let’s all support the government so that others could not dare to damage the prospects of peace. I am told some alien power has exhibited its desire to have a role in the process of the talks with the Maoists. It is this force which branded the Maoists as terrorists much ahead of Nepal declaring the same. Now I am told it is this power which sees them as Royal Rebels. It is time that Nepali academia initiate debates on this volte face acquired by that particular force. If we unite, we don’t need any mediation efforts at least by that force, which blows hot, and cold concurrently on matters of this country.

Mr. H: It would be futile to say some thing as I see most of my colleagues half-shaking. I think the alcohol have had its effect.

But yet since I have to abide by the rules of the game what I would reiterate here is that let’s greet the ceasefire. I wish my other competent colleagues too understood the gravity of the political situation of the country and acted in the larger interest of the nation. It is senseless to question how the ceasefire was arrived at? It is again whimsical to question the very motives of the Maoists who have finally agreed to work for peace in the country. Similarly, it is sheer nonsense and immature to pose a threat to the process of the talks. Suspecting others might facilitate others to suspect us as well. What if the people come to the streets and begin throwing stones for our corrupt practices? What if we are questioned about the scams that we created? What if the people begin questioning us on the details of the unusual Mahakali treaty ratification? And what about the Lauda and the North West China Airlines and our ugly linkages with notorious intelligence agencies of alien countries? That’s all!

By time Mr. H concludes his speech, his "competent" colleagues either were vomiting or had become senseless.

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