Proud to be a Nepali?

Niraj Aryal

Still left with some traces of Dashain hangover in my head.

It's not the smell of coming of Dashain in the air.

It's not the frightened looking eyes of the Khasi(he goat) staring my eyes so revengefully.

It's not the crying of myaaaa.. myaaaa… of the Khasi in my ears so helplessly.

It's not even the taste of Kewab in my tongue, spices added so perfectly.

It's something else that is still giving me pain in my back and in my head.

In the recent times going to Biratnagar once a year during this festival has been very difficult.

The state of around five hundred fifty kilometers of the roads that connect capital to the eastern part of the Kingdom is certainly in a terrible condition. Moreover, the state of thirty-five kilometers of road that connects Mungling to NarayanGhat, the only exit from Kathmandu, forces one to forget the glories that Dashain brings once in a year. The four hour long journey from Mungling to Naryanghat for just thirty-five kilometers of road speaks in itself as what sort of condition it is left since last two-three years.

A woman after reaching Nayanghat could not remain quiet. She bombarded!

Every one was puzzled when she told, "These vehicles manufactures bribe the road authority (very popular there) for not maintaining the roads". Wow! What a reason. Can't say it's incorrect given the leniency in the maintenance of the roads.

"In Kathmandu alone there are eight thousand Maruti Taxis, not more than two years they run efficiently, who benefits from this?" she asked further.

She looked like a woman tired of being a part of Ratnapark anti-regression movement, going back home for Dashian. She still had something left in her head.

Waiting four hours in the mid-night at Lothar, when the curfew is lifted is not left with serious security problems.

This is a time when there are people who do not even trust the police forces and there are those who are afraid of the Maoists. There are others who are afraid of such groups that are hell-bent on using the name of the Maoists while looting and killing the general public. Recently two Indian businessmen were shot in a broad daylight. A few Nepali Media suspects the involvement of the security agencies in this incident.

Now on the highway again. The foods dished up along the side of the highways are certainly something to remember. Eighty rupees per plate with a morceau of meat, not so expensive if served clean and fresh.

This is certainly not the case.

Reckless driving, unplanned stopovers, the corrupt police officials present here and there are some of the things one encounters so regularly.

Reasonless kilometers of walks in the name of security checks and the above mentioned reasons forced me to forget the charm of this Dashain.

We the Nepalese can certainly live in any extreme conditions.

This is how I conclude.

Still I feel proud to be a Nepali.

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