Date Line The Telegraph - Weekly (Nepal)

D A T E L I N E

Niraj ARyal

The last few weeks saw amazing things happen in the Kingdom.

The Taxi-Strike, the Lumbini-Overseas saga, the Cable-War- all happened within the span of few weeks.

These developments can no more be considered as amazing, as things like these happen quite often in this amazing Kingdom.

The demands put forward by the Taxi drivers were indeed quite puzzling.

Among the demands listed below are three of the most funny and amazing ones.

1. No need of identity cards for the drivers at work

2. No Pollution Checks for the vehicle and

3. No seat belts compulsory

Reason: If politicians can call for Nepal Bundhs, students can call for school closures, why not taxi drivers go for a Taxi Strike?

Remark: They are on streets not taking account that at the end of the day they themselves are the losers.

The next controversy, which is still growing in its magnitude, is the Lumbini Overseas saga.

Reason: When there is money involved there is always a problem, this is what my late-grandmother (pbuh) said quite often. Here I agreed with her. This has become a popular Nepali tradition, she further added. I again accept her remarks.

Remark: May be it is the best way to understand the problem and remain quiet.

The last one is of course the cable TV controversy. This controversy with the speed it is growing it would certainly take a heavy toll. Mr. Jamin Shah the owner of the Space Time was initially accused of plotting the vandalism exhibited by the policemen against the smaller cable TV rivals recently. The price is of course very heavy for Jamim as he is accused of using his extra territorial links to harass India. Now India is also involved in this controversy directly. Will Jamaim now explore the undisclosed Indian investments in Nepal?

Reason: Tit for Tat

Remark: Nepali media both pro and anti Jamim will have no problem in paying the newspaper bills.

These few amazing issues were really very difficult for people to digest, at a time when they are hoping for peace process to start. After all who cares about the peace talks?

With examples like these it would not be wrong to say the country witnessed anarchy of the highest order, though it would be wrong to say it is not witnessing since 1990. But it would be even more incorrect to say that the period before the democratic restoration was functioning perfectly.

But question can be asked when did Nepalese lived in perfect order?

Historians claim during the reign of King Anshuburma- father of Bhrikuti, who married a Chinese King, this had happened. But it’s been more than 200 years. Let’s now forget about going back to the distant past and feel pride of how our ancestors lived and acted.

However, the irony is that Girija-ites claim their period in power was the best in the history.

The UML rejects this claim and claims that its nine-month rule in the government has no parallels in history.

The same for the RPP plus the royalists who forward their own justifications.

Now its Maoists turn to claim the same provided they come to power.

But dear readers for me it was something special the last two weeks.

Conclusion: Let us forget about the basics of security, education and health, where the country has already declared itself unable to deliver. After all these three things are the man made criterion to differentiate one country from other. The above discussion are certainly we as a citizen of this amazing nation are to hear from time to time. We as a citizen are also held responsible for these incidents. Our " NO PROBLEM " adage even if every thing goes out of hand is responsible.

Let's wake up!