Nepali leaders, it appears, have forgotten their bad days - Rajendra Vaid, Chief editor, Bimarsha Weekly

I have always been guided by strict discipline and logic. I have never crossed the limits stipulated by myself. It is already a way of life for me and thus no body can deter me from my accepted duties and responsibilities. It is altogether a different matter that I have had to undergo through mental torture and traumatic conditions at times through the kind courtesies of my own colleagues in the recent past. However, I am moving with more determination and dedication and will continue to do so even if the heaven comes down the earth.

I had a sort of penchant for the journalism profession beginning my college days. This attachment brought me to this sector and at the moment I'm the chairman and concurrently the Chief editor of the BIMARSHA Weekly.

I recall, I was involved in a weekly, The Kantipur Diary that fared well until one year or so. Later, I ventured into yet another trial and error method and began the publication of Media Diary, which also could not see the light of the seventh week of its publication.

I am a Marwari but a genuine Nepali citizen as good as other Nepalese claim for themselves. Take it for granted I feel the same sentimental attachments for "my" country "Nepal" as you do! However, there has been a sort of clandestine onslaught on the Marwaris whom, if some one wished to harass and embarrass, would hurl allegations, for example, firstly as a personality having a fake citizenship certificate; secondly we would be dubbed as persons in possession of a car sneaked into Nepal without paying taxes as per the laws of the land and then finally we would be propagated as "smugglers". Such allegations are baseless and that pains not only me bout other Marwaris like me. This practice should be not allowed to exist in our society. In this way, I too have been the victim of such harsh and meaningless charges that only aims at alienating us. But then yet, I have not yielded to these wild charges. I will continue to move with further determination come what may.

Some friends in the Nepali media approached me and we collectively began the publication of the Bimarsha weekly under the corporate management. We advanced for few months. Later we split. I would not go into the details for those who have left me still were my intimate colleagues. I wish them success in their future endeavors.

As regards my attachments in the media sector, well, even during my childhood, I used to get excited and irritated as and when I saw the prevalence of injustice in my own society and beyond. I wished that if I were in a position, I could have done better things for those who were neglected and denied justice which was their due. All these put together, I am now in this profession fully engaged. Apart from my involvement in the media, I am also interested in providing social services to the needy ones.

By the blessings of Goddess Durga, I am enjoying my engagement in the media. Media is a challenge and the challenge is interesting.

As regards the Nepali media, let me say that it is not in a healthy condition. However, I believe that it would improve in the days to come. Interestingly enough, my new engagement in the Nepali media is that of late my colleagues in the profession have lately been providing me due recognition which is what pleases me to the most.

Politics? It is as bad as any thing. I am not satisfied for what I conclude is that Nepali leaders possess no guts and they don't stick to what they commit at times of making lectures. Nepali leaders have forgotten their bad days. Extracting commission and getting involved in acts of corruption have become the hallmarks of Nepali system, which has badly damaged the very image of the democratic system now in place.

Maoists? Yes it is a complicated issue indeed. Part of the problem cropped up due to the unemployment crisis. I don't think that this issue will soon be sorted out. I see a role of the Palace, political parties and the Maoists as well in settling the issue for good. I see also the roles of the United States of America and India and a few other democratic countries. The crux of the issue is the generation of employment opportunities so that the needy ones get engaged in jobs. Importantly enough, I see the dearth of honesty in the actors on which the whole Maoists issue revolves around.

Nevertheless, even if we agree for constituent assembly elections, what is the guarantee that the Maoists will accept the results of the elections or of the referendum if they get defeated? Secondly and very significantly, how the issue of the Maoists militia would be sorted out even if we arrive at a solution through talks? How will they be assimilated in the mainstream army? Where to assimilate them will be a big question later.

Let me ask a question to the Maoists. If they were fighting for the poor and the neglected ones then how they justify the closures of mills and factories wherein poor workers and laborers work and earn their livelihoods? They should at least refrain from committing acts that have an impact on those for whom they claim to have been working. They must allow the factories to run smoothly under any circumstances.

In my consideration the Palace is also partly to be blamed. But then the political parties are to be blamed more than the Palace for a variety of reasons. Palace at times has hinted that it is ready to go to any extent in settling the Maoists issue. However, political parties so far have not extended their helping hands to the Palace.

In sum, Deuba and Koirala's personality clash and their respective ego is what is killing the development of the nation. I feel disgusted when I see these leaders fighting for the chair.

That's all.

(Based on the author's talks with the editor).

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