Civil Society and Conflict Resolution: Promoting Second Track Diplomacy

Dilli Raman Dhakal, USA

The armed rebellion that started in 1996 in Nepal with a small coverage of geographical area in Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot, Sindhuli and Gorkha districts grew geometrically in the following years. The government failed to understand the inner mood of the group that put forward a 40-point demand comprised of various reform agendas tied with issues like safeguarding national border , corruption control, and, good governance. Neither the government took any immediate action nor did it show any commitment towards addressing their demands. As a result the group went underground and started violent rebellion. The government’s move to quell the insurgency also failed to crush it; rather it resulted in further aggravation with a more retaliatory mood. In the mean time development efforts in the most conflict affected districts and the political move to win over the rebellion were hardly tried. The nine yearlong-armed rebellions have paralyzed almost all regions and districts.

The civil society groups and human rights organizations in Nepal have been in the forefront advocating for peace, human rights and democracy. There is wide spread acceptance of the role of civil society in seeking solution to the present violent conflict in Nepal. Owing to the mounting pressure of the people and civil society organizations, the past two dialogues between the government and CPN (Maoist) could take place. Human rights organizations, NGOs and civil society have all along taken lead in initiating peace process in the country. They have been engaging themselves for various programs that are supportive to the dialogue and peace process. Their involvement has contributed in raising public awareness and communicating peoples’ overwhelming desire to restore peace. In addition to it, the journalists, academicians, intellectuals, lawyers, business persons and several others representing various fields and interests have been continuously advocating for restoring peace and seeking solution to the present conflict. The second track diplomacy has been remarkably moving ahead. Several road maps for the conflict resolution were initiated for discussion by the civil society groups and other stakeholders. Their role has yielded a lot in the promotion of human rights and advocating for peace in the country.

During the past nine years of active conflict, government and non-government actors tried to seek a negotiated settlement of the problem. Particularly the human rights activists and other people representing civil society organizations have played a positive role in bringing the warring sides to the negotiation table. However, owing to known and unknown reasons, the earlier attempts ended prematurely. The dialogue that took place in the past remained confined between the government and Maoist rebellions and there was no representation from the civil society. The role of the facilitators was strictly limited and was almost non-influential in the content of the negotiation process. Given the earlier experiences the general populations think that they are the core and vital party of the decision making process, their active participation in the negotiation process should be ensured. Since there is no elected government at the center nor there are elected local governments that represent the people’s voice, the agreement reached between the two warring sides, might not represent the real will of the people; in this situation chances of rejection will be high. The people, who in fact, should rule the nation through their elected representatives, would like to have their say in the negotiation process. In any conflict situations the participation of each and every actors, interest groups and stakeholders’ is neither possible nor practicable, however, the representation of major actors and segment of the society have to be ensured. They should not be left out of the process. Dialogues aimed at a negotiated settlement should represent the views, aspirations and the interest of the general populations. A durable peace can only be achieved by bringing together all major parties and accommodating their diverse interests.

The people have numerous issues and the nation has several goals to achieve. In a democratic polity of government the problems and complex issues must be addressed and resolved with the consent, and consensus of the people. The people must have a crucial role to play. There is no certainty of peace even if the two warring sides reach to an agreement. It has to be endorsed by the people; otherwise a new wave of conflict can erupt in a different form and magnitude. Hence, the parties in conflict should accept the vital role of the non-conflicting party, which are the people and the civil society. The political parties and groups are always at the front and they try to influence so as to meet their party’s interest and power strategy. Since the agreement or the decision reached has a direct bearing on the citizens’ everyday life, no agreement should be made without the participation of the civil society. Owing to the vacuum created by the presence of non-elected government, the role of civil society to resolve the conflict has now become indispensable.

It is obvious that there is no trust between the warring sides, so confidence building is the first and essential aspect of negotiation to resolve conflicts. In the last two negotiations the facilitators were treated as messengers. This has raised suspicions and the question of international mediation/facilitation did surface. As in the case of other conflict situations in the world, the civil society will have to take lead to initiate the negotiation process. And UN’s technical support could be sought to move forward the process whenever it is so required and agreed upon.

Unless the challenge facing the nation is fought together, there is no hope for peace, prosperity and democracy.

Shalaam Shaab!

By Bindu Chaudhary, USA

If you are blessed with flat nose and chinky eyes, short stature, fair skin and have that "Shalaam Shaab" accent, you are a Nepali, no questions asked. If not, you are in a soup having to explain why you don’t look like one! I often am reminded of my primary classes where we had to re-write a spelling or a sentence twenty, fifty or hundred times if we made a mistake. Now the only thing that has changed ever since is verbalizing it, instead of writing it down. Mistake? No mistake of mine, whatsoever. I have been explaining and educating people about the geographical belts of Nepal and how the features differ from hills, mountains and the plains since a dog’s age and I am all geared up to do this until I am up on my stick, explaining the non-Nepalese and the Nepalese alike why I don’t look like the so-called ‘typical’ Nepali!

We know what makes Nepali a Nepali in Nepal. After my article "Proud to be Madheshi?" published in the Telegraph on August 25, I got overwhelming responses from people who were concerned about the issue.

Prasanna Lamichhane, a Nepali, working in Mumbai opines similarly. Whenever he makes a trip from Mumbai to Rupandehi, his way back home during vacations, the general introduction in train starts with where he is from, and he confidently replies he is from Uttar Pradesh- a bare-faced lie; because frustration takes his toll when he has to explain why he does not have the chinky eyes, and why his accent is not like those shown in Indian films, and so on. It is in deed a tough call not being able to proudly proclaim your identity.

Ritesh Chaudhary, in spite of being in the United States of America, is still pondered upon by his ‘deshi’ colleagues with questions regarding his facial features and the surname that does not look like a "Nepali", but his patience and humor pays off when he ends the discussion with "Jai Nepal!", startling some of his friends!

When I was in India for my further studies, I had a couple of friends from Manipur, North East India. With a fleeting glance, we were often mistaken with our nationality. I could relate my situation with them, as they too were in ‘identity crisis’ having those ‘Tibeto-Mongoloid’ or the ‘typical’ Nepali look that the Indians comb for in Nepalese. It was a royal pain me being confused with an Indian, and them with Nepalese! Looks can be deceptive! And so can be your language, attire, and your occupation…

So is it the "looks" and the "features" that make a Nepali? Or is it also the way you pronounce your words? If you have good oratory skill, people would doubt you again with the common: "But you don’t speak like a Nepali!" I swear, such comments are a real downer. So if you wish to be known as a Nepali when you are communicating with people of our neighboring countries, you better keep your "Shalaam Shaab" and the "Ji Shaab" accent, if you do not want to be doubted about your nationality!

It is like adding insult to the injury- if you are in a white color job, beware again! It is as if people are used to knowing Nepalese as "Bahadurs/ Chowkidaars/ darbaans (the gate-keepers/ the guards/ the cooks)", "Kahchhas/ Kanchhis (the domestic helpers)", or the "Dhande walis (the commercially and sexually exploited workers)", or the "coolies" in hill stations, or the factory laborers, drivers, ayahs... and other low-paying jobs, rather than someone doing a high profile and top class job and earning a handsome.

It is the ‘more’ that sets an impression. The ‘better few’ therefore gets eclipsed under the ‘high demand and supply’ of beehive of activity of menial laborers from the Nepalese workforce market; the result of the relentless economic marginalization of Nepalis hinterland in the modern era, and the lack of worthwhile opportunities within the country.

"What, Nepalese enjoy a plain land too? Isn’t Nepal surrounded by mountains all around?" Many would give a blank look when you say you may not have even seen the range of Himalayas or the high hill mountains, in spite of being a Nepalese! Well, are they the genuine Nepalese, and do they live in Nepal? As a matter of fact, yes, they do! Nepal is not surrounded on all sides by mountains; it is the Kathmandu Valley which is! And it is very possible that a Nepalese may not have seen Mount Everest and the Himalayas and the mountains and the high hills if they are from the plain-lands!

In many ways, with my "not-so-typical" Nepalese look, accent, profession and location, I am able to make Nepal and Nepalese known more accurately than the media generally confines them to be. There is no ‘typical’ Nepali- there are Nepalese with long aquiline noses and those with flat noses and chinky eyes; Nepalese are from hilly mountains and they are from the vast plains; they may call you ‘shalaam’, or could call you ‘salaam’; they may be ‘Bahadurs’, or ‘non-Bahadurs’… they are, but all, Nepalese! It is a crying shame that a Nepal is seen, known and understood only in part. Media can play a good sport in shaking the mental block of our fellow citizens and neighbors in broadening the sense of a Nepalese. At least those of you, who have read this piece, please don’t ask me next time why I don’t look like a Nepali!

Nepal's Business Magnate: Mohan Gopal Khetan-III

First meeting with His Majesty King Gyanendra and world tour

I then went on a world tour with Pashupati Giri, who was the chairman of the Trade and Commerce Federation. I was its member. The two of us set out on a one month world tour. We went to Germany, Italy and England. All the governments heartily welcomed us. No chairman or member of the Trade and Commerce Federation has received such a welcome since. Even the Chief of Protocol would come to fetch us.

Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya was in New York. He personally came to fetch us. Whether due to pressure from Dr. Tulsi Giri or from Pashupati Giri, the visit turned out to be a high profile one. We got to meet influential senators, got to go to clubs etc.

We went to Japan from there, and there too we were heartily welcomed. Prakash Chandra Thakur was the ambassador there. The embassy organized a state dinner for us.

I first had an audience with His Majesty the present King during this trip in Germany. This was his first visit abroad after his marriage. He had gone there with Prabhakar Shumsher and Colonel Prakash Bikram. Ishwori Raj Pandey was the ambassador to Germany then. He introduced me in such a way that I myself was overwhelmed. He, the son of bookseller Chiniaman, was the chief of staff at the royal palace and the ambassador to Germany, introduced me – "Your Highness, he is the son of our own Biharilal from Makhan." He outlined my background to His Majesty. After that, wherever His Majesty meets me, he recognizes me; that was an achievement.

Later, I went to London for checkup. I had an audience with His Majesty King Mahendra there. Dr. Mrigendra Raj Pandey was there at the clinic. Dr. Ishwori Lal called up and said, "His Majesty will be arriving soon, if you can come from the hospital, I will arrange an audience for you."

I used to go to London every year for medical checkups. Yadav Prasad Pant was an ideal governor. We needed 500 pounds in foreign currency. He sent a message to the embassy. Gehendra Bahadur Rajbhandari was the Senior Minister, there was no Prime Minister. He wrote to Ishwori Raj Pandey saying, "Mohan Khetan, the son of Bihari Khetan, is coming; he is sick, let his treatment not be stopped due to monetary reasons." That is what I call dignity and honor! Today we have to fall on our knees and beg like beggars for even US$5000.

Determination

Life was different back then. Relatives and friends were influential people. God had blessed us. My survival was also due to that. Whether it be Marwaris or Nir Shumsher or the Ranas of Sanepa, or doctors such as Dr. Mrigendra Raj Pandey, Dr. Dinesh Gangol and later Dr. Sundar Mani Dixit, all were courteous. When Dr. Pandey went to Australia, he left Dr. Dixit in charge of me. I was in the hands of such good doctors. When I was sick, they used to tell me not to look at my files saying that that would harm my eyes. Therefore, as soon as I heard them coming, I would hide my files under the bed. There would be lots of work regarding jute, so as soon as they left, I would open up the files again. I wanted to have my own identity rather than always be known as Biharilal Khetan’s son. Therefore, I stood up for elections at the Trade and Commerce Federation. I later got involved in contracts – from Kulekhani to others. At one time, I even became the foremost specialist in the hydro field and an international consultant. According to Dr. Devendra Raj Pandey, I am just a project fisher. It is the governments who do the transactions.

All the seniors at the World Bank and ADB used to trust me. That trust also may be due to me being a Marwari. I used to face a lot of competition from the likes of Piyush Amatya and Rajkrishna.

If we had understood how businesses are run in Japan and Korea, how we as a people should move forward, our country would not be in this state today.

Effects of migration

The Bangkok I saw in 1966 and the Bangkok of today are completely different. Singapore was a small town, now it is bigger than Kathmandu. In Hong Kong, the ocean was just a distance of two houses from the hotel we stayed in. Mr. Bishwanath Ojha nearly jumped into the ocean due to depression. Laxmidas Manandhar and I dragged him away and treated him. There was no distinction between Marwaris and Newars, we would do whatever was necessary for the other.

During the referendum scandal of 2036BS, I was in Tokyo. Surya Prasad Shrestha was also there. Suddenly we got news that there had been a coup in Nepal. After half an hour, news again came that it was not a coup but just some unrest. Their emergency system sent out audible messages to all hotels describing in the Japanese language all that was going on in Nepal. There were no telephones, just telexes. When I finally decided to return to Kathmandu, a national referendum had been announced. It was ok up to that point, but later…..! Our people came here at the invitation of the Ranas and we survived here with the help of the Shah regime. That is why we should serve this country with our body, mind and money. America was created by migrants from different parts of the world. American Red Indians are still incapable of becoming anything; they are walking around in Colorado dressed like cowboys. From the president to others in the government are people who have migrated there in the last 200 years. There is an Indian president in Singapore. If quality people migrate to a country, the country will benefit immeasurably. For example, the ethnic Thais could not do it in Thailand, but once the Thai Chinese businessmen started to migrate whether they are Thaksin Sinawatra or others, they made the country what it is now.

Khetan on dignity in business

Money is a form of goddess Laxmi, it is never stable. One should not try to stop its unstableness. One who tries is ruined. According to the concepts put into me by my father and my own experiences, I have seen that the more you expend, the more you will earn, the more knowledge you impart on to others, the more you will acquire. If we have money and knowledge, power will come naturally. We have been blessed by Saraswati. The Marwaris are known as Asian Jews. There is no country where there are no Marwaris. If there is profit, we can go up to the peak of Everest and open a shop there. Look at the activities of Big House, they sell rice, they run mills, they sell Mayzan oil from Singapore, and also give interviews acting as Nepal’s biggest industrialist. This is not quality. Tata and Birla do not do this. One should be dignified in business and should let others do business too. If one is to do everything, what will others eat?

Social Work

From 50 Marwaris to begin with, there are now 50,000. Thinking that we should contribute something to the society, I established the Marwari Service Association (Marwari Sewa Samiti) in 2045 BS. I also constructed the Agrawal Service Center (Agrawal Sewa Kendra) building in Gaushala. I constructed shelters in different places. I have established campuses in different districts all the way from Baitadi to Panchthar. I have made contribution in many different things. My father’s wish was – the greatest charity is the charity of education. As soon as one earns a paisa, one should donate. But here, they have made a business out of it, that is why they are in trouble now. I have spent so much in social, political and religious service that from Mechi to Mahakali anyone knows the name of Khetan.

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