Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Believe in the strength of your pen

Some called it a perfect gimmick. It was not. Some dubbed his actions to have been politically motivated. It was not, I presume. Some even tried to link his acts with foreign inspirations. To the best of my knowledge, he did it on his own. Personalities from academia to his own profession called his actions to have been guided by the fact that he wanted to draw the attention of the world media. In this regard, he bagged success but not to that extent he might have expected, if any.

Any way, I looked at his adventures bit differently.

It was different in the sense that it differed with the normal practices that more often than not our colleagues do at times when they want to express their fury against the State or for that matter the incumbent establishment, whether democratic or otherwise.

He chose to go a different way but whose ramifications were great in terms of health and finally on one's own life.

But it might seem, the fact is, that he began his adventure right from Dhaka-the seat of the SAARC summit this year, wherein definitely he could have drawn the media attention and thereby could have made it known to the world as to why he chose to go in for a FAST UNTO DEATH.

This suggests that he wanted both name and fame for a cause. But the crude reality is that he did it and finally yielded to break his VRAT under the suggestions of his friends both from the media and the political sector. Good. He is thus saved.

My acquaintance with him is not that long. But I know he respects me. Why? That I don't know. He would better tell you if you approach him.

I liked this man simply because I found in him true zeal to serve the Nepali journalism with his pen. He was doing that smoothly until this event forced him to chose a path which normally people even who possess great health and stamina avoid.

How far he succeeded in his venture, only time will tell. But then I could see some FNJ members panicked when he chose to continue his fast unto death mission right inside the premises of the Federation of the Nepalese Journalists. But I suppose, the top hats of the FNJ must have taken his adventure something that contributed to their own mission.

People differ and thus their mindset also differs. I also differ with some in my own profession. Selection of the streets and speaking as if we were no less than politicians does more harm than good, I presume.

We have pen. It is definitely powerful than a sword. So why not use the pen instead of going to the streets and speaking the voices of the politicos?

I demand press freedom. I can't operate my business unless I am free to write. I know that I too have sympathies with the champions of press freedom. I am with them definitely but….

This "but" instructs me not to cross the limits that I have prescribed for myself. Freedom too has a limit. I wish I could enjoy press freedom but within the limits that neither hurts the state nor the society wherein I live in complete harmony. I also understand that press and the nation rise and fall together. One can't expect its existence in the absence of the other. I hope the establishment understands this dictum.

Well, I was talking of Rajendra Vaid, the chief editor and publisher of Bimarsha Weekly. Finally he is out of danger. Thanks all those who convinced him to break his Vrat!