Nepali youths and the '3D' phenomenon

N.P.Upadhyaya

Seminars on the role of the youths in the peace building process have been taking place in the capital since long.

The youths listen to the lectures made by their seniors and that's all. It is not that the youths do not understand their responsibilities towards their own state, however, the fact is that the youths are in a sheer dilemma. The dilemma is what would happen to their future career if the state of affairs continues for yet another decade in the country? They ponder over the possibility of the conflict lingering for some more time and the political parties using them as political tools as they have been doing till today.

Today's youths are a bewildered lot who have been lured by political parties in building their own political base caring little as to what would happen to the career of the youths whom they use for political purposes.

I often ask myself as to what we are talking about.

Youth? Which youth? The youth in the streets with party banners? Or the youth who out of frustration have either joined the armed groups or have become drug addicts? Or are we talking of those who when denied equal opportunities for higher education abroad or here in the capital resort to commit bank robberies? Or are we talking of those youths who in the absence of proper employment facilities right inside their own country being forced to leave the country in search of jobs and who ultimately become the victim of the fundamentalists? The example: the killings of the twelve Nepalese youths in Iraq by some Muslim fundamentalists.

The fact is that had the Nepal government been able to absorb this section of the youths, they would perhaps not said good-bye to their motherland. They did leave their country for what became clear to them is that there was no use of being in one's own conflict ridden country and a country whose leaders have failed to generate employment opportunities for them. It was better to try their luck abroad. The youths who were killed or have left the country in search of jobs did know in advance that earning money being in a foreign land was troublesome. But then yet they decided to go in for a search of a job that was equipped with the three D's: dirty; dangerous; and difficult. Take it for granted that the youths who are serving in alien lands theough were sending foreign currencies back home, but let's not forget that they are doing so at the risk of their precious lives. More so those who are working in the Gulf countries.

Indeed, today's youth is energetic, dynamic and competent as well. However, the government's sheer neglect to their issues and grievances have forced them to go in the rampage. The rest you know better.

The government is hereby suggested to look into the matter seriously or else a day will come when our youths either will be in the alien lands or will have joined the armed rebellions. The message is clear.

The media. Are we talking of the media that has contributed to the divide in between the political parties and the people? Between the Palace and the political parties? Or creating confusions by penning stories that suit to our own political inclinations? Have we in the media ever thought that our distorted versions of the events or of the political realities have even worsened the country's political stability thereby forcing the main actors to go in for perennial confrontation?

We should have acted otherwise. We instead of informing the public, disinforming them pushing our own agendas. Our ethics does not allow this.

I suppose and firmly believe that we in the media can do a lot in bringing the political actors, including the Maoists, together and tell them to chart a better future for the nation by arriving at a consensus in the larger interest of the nation.

This forces me to appeal the Maoists to understand the gravity of the situation and come to the talks. Nepal is yours as well.

Peace! A rare commodity for us now. It was time when we in Nepal used to learn about the killings, abductions, tortures and bombings only through Indian newspapers. That was time when we had a positive peace. Now, we can see and read such events in our own newspapers.

It is enough now. No more blood letting please. Let's go in for what Dr. Bhattachan says, positive peace and not the negative peace.

For the restoration of peace, the youths should come forward. The media in this regard should back the youth's efforts unconditionally. All have a suitable role in this regard provided we act sincerely as per our stipulated roles.

I think it should be enough for this week. It's time that I take your leave.

Please accept greetings for a very very Happy New Year 2005.

All the best to you all dear readers.

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