With malice to none
Expert on culture is told to look after Nepal’s horticulture issues

Some are not born equals. This is my personal experience gained over the decades I have spent in the journalism sector.

I did not mind in the past when one expert on culture was appointed the chief of the Horticulture department by the Agriculture ministry in the bygone Panchayat era. Likewise, I did not take it uneasily when one expert of agriculture was told to function as an expert on culture.

In the process, I took it very lightly when one political leader was made the country’s Ambassador to a neighboring country simply because he had in the recent past gained the expertise of exporting arms and ammunitions to an emerging nation—Bangladesh. The arms, we were told then, were to create havoc in Nepal but instead, on recommendations of Indira Gandhi, the said lethal weapons had to be diverted to that country which was fighting tooth and nail for its liberation.

I fail to understand as to how such overtures make the personality expert on foreign relations. The fact is that such events at best one smuggler of arms can do it easily. Should this mean that the arm-smugglers are to be made Ambassadors?

It is up to you to judge.

Similarly, I accepted with pleasure- I had to because I was left with no other option other than that- the appointment of one political leader as the country’s foreign minister. His extra qualification had been that this gentleman had worked several years under the UNDP. Perhaps those who elevated him to this rank might have concluded that the personality while working under the UN agency could have achieved extra talent that is demanded of a foreign minister. I accepted his nomination. Others too had to gulp this bitter pill. It could be very wisely suggested then that those who attend diplomatic receptions possess definitely the acumen to look after the country’s foreign relations. Why not to try with the waiters of the Hotels who day in day out serve those attending diplomatic receptions. In the process they too could have gained expertise on how country’s foreign relations were conducted or should be conducted.

Later, I took it as a very very normal affair when the same personality was made the finance minister. However, this time I did not retaliate to his appointment simply because he was in effect an economist. His added qualification was that he was later charged by his detractors that he had been operating an account in Dollars in a foreign bank. The charge created a furore and the minister resigned. Thanks the sagacity of Deuba that he resumed his duties.

Such examples are galore in Nepal’s political paraphernalia. Keep your eyes and ears open, you will find some more mind-boggling appointments.

An outdated economist is made Ambassador at large and is told to act as country’s foreign minister, no less an interesting example indeed.

If talking English, eating English, sleeping English and quarreling English were an extra qualification for such weighty posts, then should not the English language editors deserve the sole rights for such posts? To many it might be an idea but the fact is that the editors should be left where they are. Experts on international relations and those who have studied diplomacy for years and years should be entrusted with such delicate jobs.

Should I hope that things will improve from now onwards?

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