In effect, the present system is already a sinking horse

Professor Pitambar Rawal, T.U

It should have been somewhere around 1977 that I joined the Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur. My engagement at the Varsity is thirty-eight years, precisely speaking and I wish that I retire right from here which is almost at hand.

In the process, I have had the opportunity to Head the Economics department, T.U and assumed the post of the Executive Director at the center for Economic Development and Administration, CEDA.

MY discipline is Economics and I taught the Masters level students Micro-Economics but had an interest in "resource economy and infrastructure development".

These two separate topics deal with the agricultural sector and roads and energy respectively.

Talking of the education level at time when I joined the University, well! Though the courses developed and incorporated in the curricula were at par with top-class Indian Universities. That way, we were in no way less than some of the best universities in the world. Nevertheless, the teaching methods were a traditional one. It was a classroom education or better say chalk-duster education and nothing more than that. Times were different and we did not possess teaching techniques in order to impart quality education to our students.

The tragedy is that, let me admit, the teaching mode still is more or less the same from where we began some four decades back. Other universities, of late, have developed various suitable and scientific methods to teach the students, however, we still toe the same line.

Why is the quality not improving? Yes! It is, I suppose, the unlimited number of students that come to us for enrollment. We can't reduce the numbers for fear of antagonizing the political parties, the student organizations and hence the crowd that ultimately impedes the quality education.

Limit the numbers of the students. Withstand the political pressure and adopt new techniques and look then, the results! We have the best of top class teachers who can compete with any one in the world in the same subject. Provide them trainings. Allocate some scholarships to poor but deserving students.

The question now arises: will the political parties allow such a change in the enrollment of the students?

Penetration of politics in the university? Yes! It is obvious and evident as well. Damage has already been done. You don't have to provide statistics on how political penetration has engulfed the academic sector of late. I wish politics to remain confined in the peripheries of Ratnapark.

As of country's politics, I feel very sorry for Nepal's political leaders. I am unhappy with those who are at the policy making and decision-making levels. I don't know the future of this country, which is dark, and finally bleak should we let the things to go, as it is moving or is allowed to move. However, let me assure you that I will never lave the country for good. This is my country and I must be here and contribute in whatever way I can for the benefit my own motherland. I have to do a lot for the society and the country.

Maoist's insurgency at its initial years, admittedly, was proceeding with a vision in order to bring about a phenomenal change in the society. Those were cheering indeed which allowed them to bag a sort of compassion and a silent approval from the lay men across the length and breadth of the nation. The previous regime, the Panchayat system, collapsed for it failed miserably to deliver which secured the installation of the present democratic system. That this system has also failed to provide good governance over these thirteen years or so thus it could be expected that this system too would have the same fate as that of its predecessor. In effect, the present system is already a sinking horse. Now if by chance, if the Maoists come to power, they too would have the same fate. Take it for granted. The manner they are behaving and been exhibiting their power of violence, it is sure to fail.

Since both the warring rivals, the State forces' and the insurgents, are adamant on their stands, the initiation of the talks or for that matter restoration of peace, a permanent one, appears to me a very painful process awaiting the nation. Both the parties in conflict understand it better that they cannot win the battle with the other. If they continue would mean loss of more Nepali souls. It is already enough. But who would convince them?

It is thus time for the educated people like me and my colleagues to come out in favor of peace. Let's come to the streets in order to bring about a positive change in the society. In doing so we would have served the nation better than the leaders who keep on making eloquent lectures that have lost credibility and legitimacy both. That's all.

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