The restoration of the House of Representatives brought a semblance of order to the Valley, but with the memory of September 01, 2004 fresh in my mind, I looked on with apprehension as the people took to the streets on Tuesday for the victory rally. To begin with, I do not agree to the use of the term victory: agreed that the monarch has acceded in parts to reason and the need of the hour, but the ongoing tussle has left no victors, only losers. The people have been the hardest hit and the biggest losers.
Led by the seven agitating parties, and catalyzed by the excessive use of force by the security forces, the people have had a big say in the recent political developments in Nepal. The parties owe their success to people power, but people power may well their downfall. The unprecedented arson and pillage that the capital witnessed on September 01, 2004 was a vent to the dormant angst and frustration of the people. A single spark was enough to inflame passions and inspire destruction of private property at a scale never before seen. It does not take much to trigger such a flare up of emotions, and it maybe only a matter of time, before the next one takes place.
Political rhetoric can change overnight. The same leaders who braved the bite of the monarchy alongside the people on the street may themselves be forced to turn the guns on the public when in power. Many promises were made during the past fortnight. Fuelled by a sense of right and the promises made, people power drove the leaders ahead. Expectations are heavy, but will they keep the promises made?
Pro-republic slogans are echoing across the nation. While most people welcome the current initiative, there are others who feel let down. Life is steadily returning to normal, but the fear of recurrence lies heavy in our minds.
We have seen a tremendous display of ‘people power’, but reining in the same force seems a headache this coalition of parties may have to contend with if they fail to deliver yet again.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Fall from grace
Not so long ago, I was rebuked by a close friend for questioning the protocol of addressing the monarch as Shree paanch. As I rationalized, it would be absolutely silly to address the British monarch 'Her Highness, Highness,..., on similar logic. I was accused of not being a 'Nepali at heart, and that I failed to understand Nepali sensibilities and the reverence with which a common Nepali looks on at the institution of monarchy. My friend in question BTW is a U.S. educated, open, liberal and intelligent individual. Last evening, I met my friend online and she complained about 'that king' being stubborn, and leading the nation to ruin. Gone was the former reverence for the monarch. In its place instead was a certain degree of revulsion. I have been a mute observer to the events in Nepal in the last few years, but I found it especially sad to see the royal institution's fall from grace in the wake of recent happenings.
Power is said to be intoxicating and addictive, but never being in a position of power, I cannot validate that claim. Further, being an ordinary person on the street, I have to admit that my view and perspective may be way different from what the monarch sees. However, given the state of affairs, I strongly feel that 'a graceful exit' would be really becoming of an institution, traditionally, so loved and revered by the common people. Ironically, by his fixation towards maintaining his royal status, the monarch appears to have taken the royalty itself towards extinction.
Many condemned the monarch’s move to take the state of affairs into his own hands towards a possible salvage from shambles. In retrospect, I think it was a bold and proactive initiative. The political leaders had sold out previously on many occasions, and the people felt let down by the democratic institution. The royal takeover thus raised the hope and aspirations of many. But as things unfolded, the initiative was not backed by the will that sparked during the takeover. Surrounded by sycophants, most with their own axes to grind, what followed was ‘public ego wrestling’ between the royalists and the democratic forces.
From bad, the situation plummeted down to worse. As it soon became evident, autocracy and high-handedness would achieve as little or even less than what the democratically elected bodies had managed to in the past. Well, we all know the rest of the story. Anyway, the recent headlines may read the monarch's address as 'bowing down' to pressure, but I would label it as a sensible move. I agree though that the content of the address is unacceptable: it is yet another hollow promise. It was good for the monarch to relinquish executive powers, but it is ‘too little, a little too late’. For someone who wrested power into his own hands for the common good not very long away, it was a complete let down to do a 'Pontius Pilate’ when things did not fare as expected.
It took tremendous will and purpose from the monarch to make the unpopular move of taking things into his own hands, but the same has not been shown when it is time now to make a graceful admission that the mission has failed: to acknowledge the mandate, and to read the writing on the wall.
The monarch may have his way yet and continue to rule the people, but he no longer rules their heart for sure.
Power is said to be intoxicating and addictive, but never being in a position of power, I cannot validate that claim. Further, being an ordinary person on the street, I have to admit that my view and perspective may be way different from what the monarch sees. However, given the state of affairs, I strongly feel that 'a graceful exit' would be really becoming of an institution, traditionally, so loved and revered by the common people. Ironically, by his fixation towards maintaining his royal status, the monarch appears to have taken the royalty itself towards extinction.
Many condemned the monarch’s move to take the state of affairs into his own hands towards a possible salvage from shambles. In retrospect, I think it was a bold and proactive initiative. The political leaders had sold out previously on many occasions, and the people felt let down by the democratic institution. The royal takeover thus raised the hope and aspirations of many. But as things unfolded, the initiative was not backed by the will that sparked during the takeover. Surrounded by sycophants, most with their own axes to grind, what followed was ‘public ego wrestling’ between the royalists and the democratic forces.
From bad, the situation plummeted down to worse. As it soon became evident, autocracy and high-handedness would achieve as little or even less than what the democratically elected bodies had managed to in the past. Well, we all know the rest of the story. Anyway, the recent headlines may read the monarch's address as 'bowing down' to pressure, but I would label it as a sensible move. I agree though that the content of the address is unacceptable: it is yet another hollow promise. It was good for the monarch to relinquish executive powers, but it is ‘too little, a little too late’. For someone who wrested power into his own hands for the common good not very long away, it was a complete let down to do a 'Pontius Pilate’ when things did not fare as expected.
It took tremendous will and purpose from the monarch to make the unpopular move of taking things into his own hands, but the same has not been shown when it is time now to make a graceful admission that the mission has failed: to acknowledge the mandate, and to read the writing on the wall.
The monarch may have his way yet and continue to rule the people, but he no longer rules their heart for sure.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Some permanence for a change
The air blows heavy with expectation. Thursday is set to bring out hundreds of thousands of ordinary men and women into the streets in what is said to be the biggest ever rally in Nepali history. The time of reckoning is here: what will it herald for Nepal? Will it be another ‘interim’ solution or will it be a more permanent one this time around?
We face a peculiar and rather difficult situation here with the monarchy and the Maoists on the two extremes, and the seven agitating parties smack in the middle. Equilibrium is hard to achieve, and any equation that does not take into account any one of the three is good enough for just another temporary solution.
Compromise formulae have already been exhausted, with every one attempted in the past few years failing. We saw the monarch take things into his own hands in an attempt to salvage what was left of this nation. Surrounded by his band of sycophants, he however failed to impress with any of his efforts, and plunged Nepal into a more serious and deeper crisis. Faced with an autocratic monarch, the political parties did a paradigm shift to align with the Maoists whom they thought as the lesser evil.
Every single front that has a voice is promulgating a solution, and I truly believe the time is ripe for one. But what form will it take? The monarch is too deep into this mess to come out unscathed, the political parties too advanced into this movement to change their stance and sell out yet again, and the Maoists?
As many predict, an emergency may be declared on the eve of the mass rally. The general public having borne the high-handedness of the administration, and survived bullets, tear gas and batons in recent weeks, the potency of such a measure is questionable. There are others who expect the monarch to step down and make way for a republic, but that too may be far fetched. A constituent assembly and the formation of a democracy with the monarch as its titular head seems another possibility. This requires the Maoists to lay down arms and join the national mainstream, but more importantly, the monarch has to accede to it.
As a common person, I can but guess the outcome, and accept it when it comes, at least temporarily. But I really crave for something permanent: from one ‘interim’ to another to another has been a long tiring journey. I seek respite. Give me some permanence for a change.
We face a peculiar and rather difficult situation here with the monarchy and the Maoists on the two extremes, and the seven agitating parties smack in the middle. Equilibrium is hard to achieve, and any equation that does not take into account any one of the three is good enough for just another temporary solution.
Compromise formulae have already been exhausted, with every one attempted in the past few years failing. We saw the monarch take things into his own hands in an attempt to salvage what was left of this nation. Surrounded by his band of sycophants, he however failed to impress with any of his efforts, and plunged Nepal into a more serious and deeper crisis. Faced with an autocratic monarch, the political parties did a paradigm shift to align with the Maoists whom they thought as the lesser evil.
Every single front that has a voice is promulgating a solution, and I truly believe the time is ripe for one. But what form will it take? The monarch is too deep into this mess to come out unscathed, the political parties too advanced into this movement to change their stance and sell out yet again, and the Maoists?
As many predict, an emergency may be declared on the eve of the mass rally. The general public having borne the high-handedness of the administration, and survived bullets, tear gas and batons in recent weeks, the potency of such a measure is questionable. There are others who expect the monarch to step down and make way for a republic, but that too may be far fetched. A constituent assembly and the formation of a democracy with the monarch as its titular head seems another possibility. This requires the Maoists to lay down arms and join the national mainstream, but more importantly, the monarch has to accede to it.
As a common person, I can but guess the outcome, and accept it when it comes, at least temporarily. But I really crave for something permanent: from one ‘interim’ to another to another has been a long tiring journey. I seek respite. Give me some permanence for a change.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Kamalji, our reluctant hero
Many years down the line, we may look back at this movement as one of the most significant events of modern Nepali history, as important as the one in 2046 B.S. This momentous event will surely bring out its line up of heroes and villains. Many people may already be busy drawing up their individual line-ups, and I think home minister Kamal Thapa, who has been featuring prominently in recent happenings, finds a place in many of them. For most, he may be a villain, at least in the present context, but I personally feel that he deserves a well-earned place among the heroes.
Kamalji belong to a special species: he is a plasticine peg that fits in all holes, and a chameleon that changes colour with the need of the moment. The recent happenings in Nepal have put him under the spotlight more than anyone else, and more than anytime before. Voluntarily or involuntarily he has had the biggest role to play in the present scheme of things. I am not a political analyst, but even as a lay person, I can safely give him credit for single-handedly elevating what started as a 'protest rally' by the seven agitating parties into a 'people's movement'. He of course had the support of many rounds of bullets, live and rubber, canisters of tear gas, batons, boots....
A champion tennis player and a crafty politician, we saw a tough, fire breathing side of Kamalji as he took on the responsibilities as the home minister. Information minister Rana spews gall every time he finds himself behind the microphone, but Kamalji is no less impressive with his gush of misinformation and hollow assurances. As we know now, he has democratic ideals and is a 'people's man' - be it a baton charge or even shooting, he does it 'among' the public, 'for' the public's security.
Tennis requires strong shoulders and stronger arms, lucikly for us, Kamalji is well endowed on both counts. Who better than Kamalji to use 'strong arm techinques' during these moments of need?
Kamalji belong to a special species: he is a plasticine peg that fits in all holes, and a chameleon that changes colour with the need of the moment. The recent happenings in Nepal have put him under the spotlight more than anyone else, and more than anytime before. Voluntarily or involuntarily he has had the biggest role to play in the present scheme of things. I am not a political analyst, but even as a lay person, I can safely give him credit for single-handedly elevating what started as a 'protest rally' by the seven agitating parties into a 'people's movement'. He of course had the support of many rounds of bullets, live and rubber, canisters of tear gas, batons, boots....
A champion tennis player and a crafty politician, we saw a tough, fire breathing side of Kamalji as he took on the responsibilities as the home minister. Information minister Rana spews gall every time he finds himself behind the microphone, but Kamalji is no less impressive with his gush of misinformation and hollow assurances. As we know now, he has democratic ideals and is a 'people's man' - be it a baton charge or even shooting, he does it 'among' the public, 'for' the public's security.
Tennis requires strong shoulders and stronger arms, lucikly for us, Kamalji is well endowed on both counts. Who better than Kamalji to use 'strong arm techinques' during these moments of need?
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Lemon @ NRs 15/piece and Extortion Notes
Just a fortnight or so ago, I got a shock to hear that a lemon cost five rupees – it seemed I was still stuck in those good ol’ days when ‘nimbu’ was sold in the ‘saikada’ and not per piece. Now I realize why the bottles of lemon pickle have diminished or disappeared from our homes. Imagine my consternation when I heard this morning that lemon now cost 15 a piece. Lemon I can cut off my diet, but imagine food without salt. And, with salt already scarce in the market, it may soon be a reality. Panic buying is on and prices are sky high.
The people of the Darjeeling Hills braved a 40-day banda in the 1980s. I admire them for their tenacity and resilience at the face of such adversity. We are now in the 11th day of the pro-democracy stir, and it is uncertain how long it will continue on. Life in Nepal has come to a virtual standstill, and ordinary sustenance has become an ordeal. It is heartening indeed to note that the public moral is still high, and we seem to be coping OK with the situation.
Price hikes and food shortages are difficult, but manageable for the moment. ‘What tomorrow?’ is a question that plagues us all – the answers though, only the future will reveal. At a time when every moment and action needs many rounds of thinking and re-thinking, imagine receiving an ‘extortion note’ from one Sushanata Sharma, who claims to be the Battalion Commander of the Maoist, Kathmandu Valley. Investigating the note has revealed that it is a fictitious claim. I heaved a sigh of relief, but this is a very worrying development.
I can bear cutting down my diet, adjusting my budget and my expenses, but how will I cope up with the hyenas that seem to be freely roaming around in our streets. Hyenas by nature are said to prey on the dead and the dying – are our social hyenas doing the same? Is this movement proof that our society is ‘alive’ and well? Or is it on its dying throes?
And here is a follow up to the above email... We await the disaster now:
The people of the Darjeeling Hills braved a 40-day banda in the 1980s. I admire them for their tenacity and resilience at the face of such adversity. We are now in the 11th day of the pro-democracy stir, and it is uncertain how long it will continue on. Life in Nepal has come to a virtual standstill, and ordinary sustenance has become an ordeal. It is heartening indeed to note that the public moral is still high, and we seem to be coping OK with the situation.
Price hikes and food shortages are difficult, but manageable for the moment. ‘What tomorrow?’ is a question that plagues us all – the answers though, only the future will reveal. At a time when every moment and action needs many rounds of thinking and re-thinking, imagine receiving an ‘extortion note’ from one Sushanata Sharma, who claims to be the Battalion Commander of the Maoist, Kathmandu Valley. Investigating the note has revealed that it is a fictitious claim. I heaved a sigh of relief, but this is a very worrying development.
I can bear cutting down my diet, adjusting my budget and my expenses, but how will I cope up with the hyenas that seem to be freely roaming around in our streets. Hyenas by nature are said to prey on the dead and the dying – are our social hyenas doing the same? Is this movement proof that our society is ‘alive’ and well? Or is it on its dying throes?
And here is a follow up to the above email... We await the disaster now:
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Spontaneous Combustion
Nepal awaits the monarch’s address on New Years Eve. Speculations abound, but most folk hope for a peaceful resolution to the political stalemate the nation finds itself in. I look forward to peace, but I am scared of the changes that have come in the general psyche, attitudes and morals.
The security personnel in Nepal have behaved as demi-gods in the past, and there has been no let up despite the political changes that have come about in recent decades. They have always enjoyed immunity for most of their actions, some bordering atrocities and others crossing over. Bloated by their seemingly immune status, the security forces have often squashed over the rights of the public with impunity. Ask the commoners on the streets, and in the villages, for ‘public enemy # 1’, and fingers may be pointed towards the people in uniform. It is ironic, but this is not a trait limited to Nepal alone – the role of security forces is very often translated as ‘ruling’ and ‘bullying’ in many South Asian countries.
The attitudes of the people in uniform leave much to be desired for, but a recent development in the public leaves me worried. On my way to office this morning, I passed a group of people. I heard one of them say, “… lets start with this taxi…” A moment later, he poured some inflammable on the tyres and set the taxi ablaze. It was utterly callous and casual, and unprovoked. It was done as leisurely as we would take a walk or shop.
What I witnessed maybe a one-off incident, but it does not bode well for the future. Peace may come somehow, but with a public that does not think twice before an act as horrendous as burning a taxi, the administration has major headaches in store for them.
From the desecration of private property to that of life is a minuscle step. Political crises may be resolved, but moral afflictions?
The security personnel in Nepal have behaved as demi-gods in the past, and there has been no let up despite the political changes that have come about in recent decades. They have always enjoyed immunity for most of their actions, some bordering atrocities and others crossing over. Bloated by their seemingly immune status, the security forces have often squashed over the rights of the public with impunity. Ask the commoners on the streets, and in the villages, for ‘public enemy # 1’, and fingers may be pointed towards the people in uniform. It is ironic, but this is not a trait limited to Nepal alone – the role of security forces is very often translated as ‘ruling’ and ‘bullying’ in many South Asian countries.
The attitudes of the people in uniform leave much to be desired for, but a recent development in the public leaves me worried. On my way to office this morning, I passed a group of people. I heard one of them say, “… lets start with this taxi…” A moment later, he poured some inflammable on the tyres and set the taxi ablaze. It was utterly callous and casual, and unprovoked. It was done as leisurely as we would take a walk or shop.
What I witnessed maybe a one-off incident, but it does not bode well for the future. Peace may come somehow, but with a public that does not think twice before an act as horrendous as burning a taxi, the administration has major headaches in store for them.
From the desecration of private property to that of life is a minuscle step. Political crises may be resolved, but moral afflictions?
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Extremist + Terrorist makes bitter brew
Punctuality has never been a virtue in Nepal, but thanks to the recent turn of events, we are now living by the minute. Schedules are tight and every second literally counts. The credit for this overnight transformation goes to the extremists in, and the terrorists out - of control.
The extremist rhetoric is ‘negotiations and talks’, but the terrorist ceasefire was blatantly ignored. The streets are ablaze and the masses demonstrating for democracy. Peaceful demonstrations have been thwarted by the imposition of curfews, and security personnel have ironically used ‘excessive’ force against the public for their ‘safety and protection’. Brick batting has been seen in plenty, but all I see is retaliation by unarmed commoners against provocation by gun wielding and tear-gas spewing forces.
The extremists refuse to acknowledge the terrorists. They maintain their distance from the terrorists and condemn everyone else’s initiatives to bring them into the national mainstream. The extremists have made offers to the seven agitating parties to come for talks with the monarch, but they want a realignment first – a complete disassociation of the seven parties from the terrorists.
What is the ‘in-control’ faction driving at? What future are they leading this nation to? Admitted the ‘out-of-control’ faction is no group of angels, are those in control a better option? Is the issue about the ‘people’ or is it about the ‘monarch’? Is a ‘ceremonial monarch’ the nation’s need or is it a ‘ceremonial government’?
What is the crisis facing the nation today? Is it the commoner’s aspirations for ‘democracy and rights’ or is it the terrorist game plan? Like it or not, but the extremists have a run of the administration while the terrorists rule the countryside. Given the agitating parties agree to talks with the monarch under the extremists pre-condition, and even come to a settlement – where is the nation left? Are we going for a stalemate yet again?
The root of the current crisis runs back to the terrorists and their agenda. If they are to be left out of all future negotiations and talks what are we really trying to solve?
The monarch ascended the throne in suspicious circumstances. Have the extremists forgotten the real issues and concerns of the nations or do they think, legitimizing an institution that has not found much favour in recent times, a bigger priority?
The extremist rhetoric is ‘negotiations and talks’, but the terrorist ceasefire was blatantly ignored. The streets are ablaze and the masses demonstrating for democracy. Peaceful demonstrations have been thwarted by the imposition of curfews, and security personnel have ironically used ‘excessive’ force against the public for their ‘safety and protection’. Brick batting has been seen in plenty, but all I see is retaliation by unarmed commoners against provocation by gun wielding and tear-gas spewing forces.
The extremists refuse to acknowledge the terrorists. They maintain their distance from the terrorists and condemn everyone else’s initiatives to bring them into the national mainstream. The extremists have made offers to the seven agitating parties to come for talks with the monarch, but they want a realignment first – a complete disassociation of the seven parties from the terrorists.
What is the ‘in-control’ faction driving at? What future are they leading this nation to? Admitted the ‘out-of-control’ faction is no group of angels, are those in control a better option? Is the issue about the ‘people’ or is it about the ‘monarch’? Is a ‘ceremonial monarch’ the nation’s need or is it a ‘ceremonial government’?
What is the crisis facing the nation today? Is it the commoner’s aspirations for ‘democracy and rights’ or is it the terrorist game plan? Like it or not, but the extremists have a run of the administration while the terrorists rule the countryside. Given the agitating parties agree to talks with the monarch under the extremists pre-condition, and even come to a settlement – where is the nation left? Are we going for a stalemate yet again?
The root of the current crisis runs back to the terrorists and their agenda. If they are to be left out of all future negotiations and talks what are we really trying to solve?
The monarch ascended the throne in suspicious circumstances. Have the extremists forgotten the real issues and concerns of the nations or do they think, legitimizing an institution that has not found much favour in recent times, a bigger priority?
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Innuendo
I do not believe much in history - it is nothing more than a story written in the perspective of the dominant clan, creed or person. A language is integral to any story, and language can really be twisted, turned and manipulated to serve individual purposes or schemes. Any event or action can be demonized or idolized through usage, and living in Kathmandu for the past few years, I have encountered quite a sampling of it.
Soldiers get martyred, Maoists get killed – the implication, death is justified when carried out by government forces, a damnable offence otherwise.
Bandas (shutdowns/ strikes) are disruptive, curfew, a preventive measure. A friend described a recent curfew as a government sponsored banda. Taking things into perspective, I didn’t see any difference between the two, except for the factions behind them.
Abduction, when by the government, is termed custody, kidnapping otherwise.
Brick batting, lathi charges and tear-gassing is crowd control when by the government forces, disruptive violence otherwise.
Unprovoked and indiscriminate shooting – well, only the army or the police do this. People die, like the 12 at Nagarkot recently, but its not murder, it is just a rare incident.
Soldiers get martyred, Maoists get killed – the implication, death is justified when carried out by government forces, a damnable offence otherwise.
Bandas (shutdowns/ strikes) are disruptive, curfew, a preventive measure. A friend described a recent curfew as a government sponsored banda. Taking things into perspective, I didn’t see any difference between the two, except for the factions behind them.
Abduction, when by the government, is termed custody, kidnapping otherwise.
Brick batting, lathi charges and tear-gassing is crowd control when by the government forces, disruptive violence otherwise.
Unprovoked and indiscriminate shooting – well, only the army or the police do this. People die, like the 12 at Nagarkot recently, but its not murder, it is just a rare incident.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Kathmandu shopping bonanza
I do not claim to have travelled much, but I have heard about Walmart and Lotus megastores around the world. The biggest mall I have been to is MBK in Bangkok, and it was a revelation indeed. Having seen the workings of an anthill on some nature channel, it was quite an experience to be in one, bigger though, but no less busy and crowded.
Many admit to being impulsive shoppers – addicted to the fine art of splurge. I haven’t had enough to ‘splurge’ in the real sense, but I would love to, at least once, just to get the feel of what it feels like. Anyway, I am now moving away from what I set out to write.
Nepal is in the news for all the wrong reasons – tourism, the staple industry, is at a record low, and tourists down to a trickle. But, big constructions go on unabated in Kathmandu. The Sundhara Mall opened recently, and a few more are on the way. Thamel maybe be bare but New Road is still a hub of intense activity. Business goes on as usual, or is it?
The finance minister dishes out stats that indicate a sustaining economy, if not one that is growing. Well, shopping is still a delight in Kathmandu. In fact, it just got better – given the resources to splurge, one can buy not just the ware, but entire shops. And you got quite a choice: from cybercafés to restaurants, everything is up for sale in the alleys.
Malls are going up fast, but shutters are coming down faster.
Many admit to being impulsive shoppers – addicted to the fine art of splurge. I haven’t had enough to ‘splurge’ in the real sense, but I would love to, at least once, just to get the feel of what it feels like. Anyway, I am now moving away from what I set out to write.
Nepal is in the news for all the wrong reasons – tourism, the staple industry, is at a record low, and tourists down to a trickle. But, big constructions go on unabated in Kathmandu. The Sundhara Mall opened recently, and a few more are on the way. Thamel maybe be bare but New Road is still a hub of intense activity. Business goes on as usual, or is it?
The finance minister dishes out stats that indicate a sustaining economy, if not one that is growing. Well, shopping is still a delight in Kathmandu. In fact, it just got better – given the resources to splurge, one can buy not just the ware, but entire shops. And you got quite a choice: from cybercafés to restaurants, everything is up for sale in the alleys.
Malls are going up fast, but shutters are coming down faster.
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