How have you been? Am good, thank you if you did ask me back. Your counter-action to overrule PM Puspha Kamal Dahal’s marching order to Army Chief Rookmangud Katuwal seems to be making headlines these days and your actions seem to have dragged a respectable institution into a deep controversy.

Many believe you have crossed your limits as a ceremonial President, including me as well but you defend your move by saying you acted to save country from accident remaining within a constitution. I am not a legal eagle but still I have few questions which I hope you would answer.

I agree with you that PM Dahal made a blunder mistake by trying to force his unilateral decision on Army Chief stepping on constitutional limitations. He ignored your repeated requests to seek national consensus on the issue. Definitely confusing provisions of Army Act 2063 B.S. (2006) on incumbent army chief, which people define suiting themselves, gave you and PM Dahal a room to interpret in own way. PM Dahal made constitutional blunder and took stern step. (Let’s not talk about PM Dahal’s actions here, instead let’s focus on your action.)

Not any constitutional provision allows you to write letter at the midnight to reinstate Army Chief. Pardon me, if this merely literate misunderstood the constitution. After your action I read the constitution wondering whether there’s such provision, but I couldn’t find any.

You argue that Nepal’s Interim Constitution looks up to you as a guardian of constitution and also made you Chief of whole Army. So to protect constitution and country from grave accident you took such hasty steps. But my point is: Did you realize that very same constitution which made you guardian also made PM a sole executive power holder. Article 37 (1) clearly states that: The executive power of Nepal shall, pursuant to this Constitution and other laws, be vested in the Council of Ministers which means PM.
In every west-minister style democracy like ours, ceremonial heads have no executive authority at all. No head of state can over-ride executive Prime Minister, all head of state can do is stamp the decisions of PM. But if, head feels the decisions are wrong, then he can ask government to reconsider the decision. If that’s not enough, head of state can seek opinion of Court or Legislature for final decision but you followed none. Following which article you wrote letter?

You say that as the commander in chief of Army, you have right to intervene issues related to Army but did you realize that Article 144 (4) states that all you can do is take actions on recommendation of Council of Ministers i.e. PM.

And you also claim that to protect country and democracy from grave accident, you took reinstating step. Could you explain what kind of grave accident you are talking about? Was army going to act on some revolting sinister plan or was there situation of direct foreign intervention or any other unimaginable crisis? You need to explain to us, the people. If you only talk about unseen accidents that are visible to you only, then could you imagine that we believe you? Give us details.

Your overzealous interpretation of authority has created multiple power centers in the country. Considering difficult scenarios that could arise from such crisis, PM Dahal has resigned. Country is feeling the heat. Such decisions could seriously hamper the peace process and constitution writing process. This issue have already polarized the political parties and hampered the daily business. Instead of taking initiative to bridge the widening gap between parties, you chose confrontational step. Another mistake to correct previous mistake cannot be justified.

Still it’s not late. You can rectify the decision and correct the blunder. You can issue statement explaining under what circumstances you took such decisions and firm support to ceremonial Presidential system as envisioned by our constitution.

If our Army Chief feels he’s been victim of injustice he can take course of court. There’s court to listen and interpret laws and constitution. No actions of breaching constitution can be justified in any name especially from you. You are our first President and your every action sets precedent for future. So please take your steps wisely.

Mr. President, I know these unasked words from this mere citizen might not be any value for you. All I want is spirits of April Uprising be respected, Democracy and Republic be properly institutionalized.

I hope I didn’t offend you. If I did, please forgive me considering me as one of your child.

Sincerely Yours,
Rabindra Gurung

Go west, young man and grow up with the country” – John Soule, 1851

During the late 18th century, the United States fought for independence from Britain, a few skirmishes with France, and in the late 19th century, fought a bloody civil war. After these turbulences, the United States was finally seeing growth and was transforming into an economic and military powerhouse. Many people travelled west trying to discover their luck. The United States slowly transformed into a superpower, and change had come.

Nepal is now in the same stage the United States was during the early 19th century. We have witnessed the end of a 10 year long armed insurgency, the fall of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. After the historic Constituent Assembly election, politicians are now writing a new constitution. In such transformation phase, our leaders are going south to bring about change. (Well, not west, but does direction matter?)

Every change in Nepal has occurred after intervention from the South and it seems that even our leaders believe that without the South’s hand steadying them, nothing can be changed in Nepal. Now many Nepali leaders are on the Delhi-run. Former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, deputy prime minister and UML leader Bamdev Gautam, former PM and Rastriya Janashakti Party chief Surya Bahadur Thapa all recently visited Delhi under various pretexts. Even former king Gyanendra Shah made an India tour. If rumors are to be believed, all met in Delhi to discuss strategies to overthrow the Maoist government and apparently also to find ways to reinstate the monarchy in Nepal with Gyanendra’s grandson Hridayendra as a baby king. Apparently India is unhappy with the Maoists performance and their increasing closeness to China. The leaders’ Delhi-run might have various pretexts but it’s crystal clear that they are there to vent out their frustrations against the Maoists.

What is not understood is why our leaders have to run to the South for everything. Rumors are rife that without the South’s support nothing can be done in Nepal. If these things are true then why say we are a free, independent and sovereign country.

Whenever the politicians have to get an edge against each other, they use the terms “patriotism” and “nationalism”. Haven’t you heard the Maoists’ slogans of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism or the Nepali Congress’ call to save national integrity or pro-monarchy’s call of monarchy as the institution that upholds national unity? But in reality do they care? Seeing their regular Delhi-run it doesn’t seem so.

We need real change in Nepal’s politics, one which is transparent and based on mutual understanding. We can’t save our democracy, national integrity and sovereignty just by making our voices loud; to save it, we should act rather than talk. We should all be united and only then can we safeguard our interests. We all have different ideologies and beliefs but we should remember that “a house divided cannot stand.”

By asking foreigners to solve our internal problems, we are giving them space to play around in our internal affairs, which could be disastrous in the future. Our leaders should stop visiting Delhi to ask for small petty favors which might be beneficial for them in the short-term but could be dangerous for the country in the long run. Foreign powers including Delhi, Beijing or Washington all are surely powerful. Being aggressive can’t be a way to save our sovereignty but seriously engaging in discussion to find mutual dialogue and understanding with our neighbor countries is the only way out. But for that the house needs to be strong and powerful from within.

Our political leaders should soul search in themselves and their ideologies, and have a discussion to find a common understanding that could usher in an era of mutual trust. The transitional time Nepal is currently passing through could be really dangerous if we don’t become serious about our actions and it’s repercussions on the future. But this is also an opportunity. All those ethnicities and groups that were suppressed for so long are now trying to make their voices heard. In such a turbulent period, if genuine causes are not addressed properly, the consequences could be fatal. But for this, all the political actors need to come together, build trust for each other, have mutual discussion and be ready for the compromises and concessions that are required. Only then can we pass through this transition to a prosperous Nepal with real democracy.

12 years of miserable democratic experiences prompted the king to think that it’s ripe time to take over and so he did. He dismissed elected PM and took absolute power. People were already fed up with the 10 years of bloody war that had cost lives of too many near and dear ones; forget about the loss of properties. Never ending cycle of corruption no matter it’s king’s men or whoever in power, always inching inflation and gross violation of basic rights made people to speak out against the king and his rule. 7 political parties who were ousted by the king and the Maoists met in Delhi (yeah, again!) to find solution to the crisis. And the great April Revolution (for many Popular Movement – II) occurred. Millions of people poured in the street demanding democracy, equality and end to the war which forced the king to kneel down and bow out. 2 years afterwards, much awaited (remember from 1951) happened and very same parties who have led the April Revolution swept the election and the Institution of Monarchy was abolished heralding new dawn of Republic era.

People had many expectations from those parties who talked about reform and development. They believed parties have changed their attitudes and mended their corrupt minds but alas! Nearly after a year country saw CA elections and Maoists taking over the government as an elected force, I rode micro, as usual, to my work destination.
A man of probably 40s or 50s too hopped in. People were talking about whether new revised transport fares have been implemented or not. There was skepticism in the crowd. Even though government consulting transport entrepreneurs announced revised fares, in reality it was a joke. No one implemented the new fares and consumers were being cheated everyday.

After brief interaction on fares, the man I mentioned earlier talked how inconsiderate we, the common man have become. The common man doesn’t want to speak for right cause and just become a silent spectator when another common man is fighting for the cause that could benefit him as well. And when the power throws him out, we feel sigh of relief (not bothering that we could be in that thrown man’s place tomorrow or any other day).

The common man is being cheated in every front. All political parties are cheating him. They talk about transparency and accountability but when given a chance, happily indulge in corruption. Even government is cheating the common man. Look at Nepal Oil Corporation and Nepal Telecom. Even though petroleum prices have gone down like a bungy but we are still paying more than higher price. NTC loves to charge money for the calls we can’t make. They are just a few examples. Tariffs of water, electricity etc. has gone up but water doesn’t come from tap and we are facing load shedding of more than 16 hours a day. Government bureaucracies make common man like a sheep knocking every possible door without thinking twice for a simple work.

Not only government and parties claiming to represent the same common man, but every powerful one is resisting the change and cheating very same common man. Revenue department tries to check evading of taxes but the business people protests saying this is attack on their business, the common man can’t finish his work because of no products in the market. Government tries to take 5% education tax from profits of private schools to support government schools of rural areas, Schools go on strike but the common man obligingly pays dues. Government announces new revised fares (of course bowing to transport entrepreneurs) ignoring consumers, those entrepreneurs again defies government cheating passengers, the common man. The rich and well-linked people makes their way out of legal hassles easily no matter how serious his crimes might be, but the poor common man has to make rounds of courts or government administrations thousands time to solve a simple case. Poor common man can’t put his stalls at public places to survive but the rich powerful always gulp down government properties, that too easily. Common man can’t take loan to start his business but rich never pays back the loan still live king’s life. Poor common man has to abide by law always but rich powerful ones jokes about the law.  Millions of rupees are pouring in for the common man but what change has it brought in his life? Still a common man can’t get any security and always has to be exploited to light stove at the night.

So has any change come to the life of common man? Yes, democracy came so did power in the hands of people, but only in the paper. In reality his life has never seen sunshine of change and prosperity. Instead he’s being looted, cheated and exploited everyday.

Isn’t he angry, of course he’s. He too wants to express his anger but all he’s doing is, quelling those aggressions inside him and trying to make a decent living. But for how long? The quelled feelings has slowly become like stored lava which could erupt any time. And when it happens, we should redefine the term “Chaos”.

So may be this is high time we respect a common man. Definitely we can’t expect government intervention or any miracle for this. We can begin from ourselves, respect another common man. At least support his argument for the right cause. This is just a beginning, a beginning for real new change.

(Mandala, Rights, Miss Nepal, Petrol and Dreams)

Every time on my way to the office I pass the “MaitiGhar” mandala, a mandala dedicated to peace but the irony this mandala has never been bestowed with the peace which it was meant to impart. There’s always this 365 days reservation sometimes it’s the homeless, sometimes the indigenous and today staging protest are women activist strongly voicing their dissatisfaction and anger over the hard lined behavior from the police.

The Mandala which was once a magnificent masterpiece of art today stands helpless; as police men stand guard, alert and moodily tied down by their responsibility, many of the police men sit on the gravel surface of the mandala reading the newspaper unperturbed by the strong voices of anger from the women activists’ side.

As many people stand , stare and enjoy the everyday melodrama staged in the Mandala many people also stop and stare at the blue flex board facing the Mandala which reads “13,246 we will still remember”; there’s no doubt that Nepal took a giant leap in history but still we fail to heal and forget the past and this flex board which cautions us of the past reflects the situation of the people who dreamt but today peoples dreams have been blur, weathered and worn off just like the Mandala standing there waiting, just waiting for people to notice its pitiful state.

As I stare outside the microbus window irritated by the honking of horns of the vehicles I wonder when the Mandala would finally get it’s rest and peace, my mind gets diverted as I overhear the discussion of two college going students who were voicing in there dissatisfaction towards the postponement of the Miss Nepal Beauty pageant by the culture preservation team in the constituent assembly the Maoist cultural lawmakers and many other cultural stereotype new Nepal women activist.

Talks about new Nepal also made people talking about their rights and responsibilities. The Maoist lawmakers state their responsibility to disrupt and demolish any beauty pageants that disgrace the standard of women in Nepal (Quoted by: Cultural Maoist law makers) whereas on the other hand the Miss Nepal organizers state their Rights to hold the contest.

In this war of Rights and Responsibilities we stand confused wondering what’s right and what’s wrong: the greater question asked “Is there a rule of law?” if you seek for an answer you have none.

As my fellow passenger asks for a discount adding he has a student card, the driver grumbles irritated and complains that no one understood the hardship and pains he had to undergo to get 3 liters of petrol; that too standing in line for the whole day basking in the killer sun. Even though I had a student card I silently hand over 10 rupees to the conductor as I watch the endless lines of petrol fillers that graced the streets.

Everyone in the micro blamed the government for its inefficiency of solving the petrol crises. The frustration, irritation and anger were pensive in all the faces predicting that their anger would surely materialize one day repeating the constant pressure mechanism: Banda, vandalism, social unrest and the Nepali way of Burning tires.

As I walk through the lonely path towards my office I ask myself “Did the April uprising, the CA election, the peace pact, the election of the historic president make any difference in the life of common people?”

The answer is a retrospective to the past.

We have compromised a lot, compromised with our freedom, rights and even our life.

Even our politicians have compromised: Compromised for chairs not for change!!!

And as for us we’ll always dream, wait patiently for our crown of dreams to materialize. If not today then surely tomorrow.

Credits:
1. The Mandala which seeks its lost peace.
2. The two students of Prasadi Academy.
3. The women activists who fought.
4. The cultural Maoist lawmakers who still advocate culture in shades to stereotype views.
5. And For the people who STILL hope.

• No petroleum products, long queue
• Killing Inflation, no measures to stop
• Unmanaged and paining bureaucratic government offices, still no sense of responsibility
• Political hullabaloo: No work, only debate (That too illogical and mero goru ko barai takka style)
• Pessimistic economy:  Government projected 5.25% growth, still the economy is reeling
• No employment, No quality education, No security
• Escalating violence, No let down in deaths
• Unmanaged city, pollution, traffic mismanagement
• Only concerned about rights not duties, so small issue could build tension and protests and Band
• And much less more….

But despite all these, still

• We got president (At least!!)
• A hope for better future

A hope, I think that’s what necessary at the moment.

कति दिन भइसक्यो संसद बस्नै सकेको छैन । मधेशवादी दलहरुले आफ्नो माग पुरा नहुन्जेल सम्म संसद नै चल्न नदिने रे । अब काम नगरेको समयको पैसा त नलिनु नि । तर किन छोड्थे र भन्या । लुटको धन फुफुको श्राद्ध जस्तै गरेका छन् बा यि नयाँ नेपाल बनाउँछु भनेर कसम खाएका सभासद् भनाउदाहरुले ।

ल तपाई आफै हेर्नुस् है त उनीहरुले अहिले सम्म के के काम गरेका रैछन् त

• नेपाललाई गणतन्त्र घोषणा
• संविधानको चौथो शंसोधन

यति हो संविधान सभा गठन भइसकेपछि गरेका काम । यो बाहेक उनीहरुले संविधान सभा कसरी चलाउने भनेर सामान्य नियमावली धरी बनाएका छैनन् …अरु त के गरोस् ? संविधान सभाको अध्यक्ष, राष्ट्रपति छनौट जस्ता केही काम नै भएका छ्रैनन् र छिट्टै हुने छाँटकाँट पनि देखिन्न ।

आफ्नो दलले जे भन्यो त्यसैमा हो भन्ने बाहेक अरु बुद्धि त खै देखिएको छैन क्यारे । स्वतन्त्र र संप्रभु संविधान सभाको सदस्य भइसकेपछि त कम्तिमा आएका विषयहरुमा आफ्नो के सोच छ, आफ्नो क्षेत्रका मानिसहरुको धारणा के छ भनेर सबैलाई जानकारी गराउनु नि । अब खाली ल्याप्चे लगाएर मात्र त के आफ्नै विवेकको उपहास गरेका होलान् । अब हुन त ल्याप्चे नै लगाउन आएपछि अरु काम त के गरोस् हैन र ??

एउटा भनाई छ नि हुने विरुवाको चिल्लो पात नहुने विरुवाको खस्रो पात । अब तपाई आफै भन्नुस् यो संविधान सभाको पात चाहि तपाईलाई कस्तो लाग्यो ?? हामीलाई त खस्रो लाग्यो क्यारे !

Pic Source: cache.daylife.com
Photographer: Prakash Mathema

No, No, I don’t have migraine. But I might have soon if the political deadlock of this country continues. I have stopped following news, stopped reading newspapers. I know the news and I don’t want to dampen my already bad mood.

No matter who they are or where they from, the thirst of power ultimately drives them crazy.

Our dear Prime Minister is clinging to chair and not ready to leave till his last breath (No matter what he says, his actions shows it). Our so called revolutionary leader, Mr. Prachanda, who use to claim that if they won the elections, he would become like Sonia Gandhi. But it seems he has eaten his own words. Now he’s desperate to snatch power from Girija. The UML, it’s becoming dog’s tail. Sometime it wags it’s tail for Congress, sometimes for UML. It doesn’t have clear vision of what it needs. Other regional parties are playing regional games. Everyone is hungry for their piece of pizza. I wonder what dark magic lies there in that cursed chair??

And our dear student leaders, what to say about them. They retort to vandalism and strike for every cause, either justifiable or not, but never comes forward to end such power struggle among their mother parties. Sometimes I wonder whether they fight for our rights or to make mockery of democracy. Look at this time, they began protest demanding 50% discount in public transportation. Fair demand! But the way they pressed their demand? Hmm very unfair. Why every time they have to burn tyres, pelt stones and destroy public property? Have they ever considered, in response to press for their rights, they are snatching other people’s basic right of mobility, security and health. No, why would they consider about my right? After all for every one, their own rights come first. Go to hell other’s rights, am I right student leaders??

This question goes to not only student leaders, but to everyone who are either in strike or planning to go.

There could be other ways to press for their demands. Go to concerned authorities, from PM to Ministers. Do whatever form of chakkajam or gherau there. Don’t let minister out of office until he listens to the rightful demands. Why I have to suffer? Why I have to walk everyday 2 hours and fear of getting stoned or baton. Why I have to inhale the poisonous gas emitted by tyre. If I got some serious health problem because of that reason, would they come to support me? No, why would they? Their responsibility is over in streets.

People’s attitudes have clouded serious doubt over the democracy and New Nepal. It appears they believe they can do everything to press for demands. A traffic accident, road is blocked. Petrol crisis, road is blocked. Law enforcement process, again road is blocked. I wonder may be tomorrow road would be blocked because some men beat their wife or vice-versa.

Is this the New Nepal we want? The country always in chaos and deadlock in every front!

It’s good people have become conscious of their rights. But only demanding rights wouldn’t solve anything. In democratic country, respecting other right is equally important. Respecting other rights and utilizing our rights brings cohesion in society and brings transparency and true democracy which catalyzes the peace, stability and development.

If we don’t stop our silliness in time, then soon, the situation would be same as post 1990 movement. People seek drastic change but they themselves become hurdles for it. And later all the parties either public or government starts blame game. But everyone forgets, it’s their part too that brought this social injustice and instability.

Saying goes, Nepali people always understand late. May be, they will understand on time this time.

Sari Soldiers was on women’s role to bring peace, democracy and rule of law in Nepal. The documentary begins with the King Gyanendra ascending the throne, his coup and the escalating Maoist insurgency. The story followed six women from six areas: one was Maoist combatant, second was human right activist, third was army personal, fourth was monarchist, fifth was democracy warrior and the last civilian suffered from the conflict that killed more than 13, 000 people in 10 years.

Comrade Kranti was involved with the CPN Maoist since the insurgency began. She has already participated in many wars. Mandira Sharma is Human Right Defender who was awarded with the Human Right Defender award two times for her effort to protect Human Rights and establish rule of law. After her brother was killed in combat, Janaki joined then Royal Nepal Army. Krishna was a monarchist who was totally against the Maoist atrocities and she had led first women uprising against the Maoist in rural village of Dailekh. Ram Kumari Jhankri, a student leader is fighting to restore democracy and end the autocratic rule of King Gyanendra. And Devi Sunuwar is fighting for her daughter who was detained by army and was tortured and executed in extra-judicial killing.

The documentary follows these six women and tells their own story in their own language. This documentary shows how the conflict affected the all lives and women’s will power to fight for justice and cause. Kranti or Devi, Ram Kumari or Krishna, everyone is trying to end the difference that has divided the society in two fractions of haves and haves not, in their own way.

Danger is there for everyone. Due to conflict many characters were forced to flee their villages and migrate to safer places like Kathmandu. Their lives were in constant danger but the hope of justice, peace kept them moving. Devi fought vigorously for her daughter’s safety and state’s atrocities. The night when her daughter was taken by army, army had come for her. But fortunately or unfortunately, she wasn’t home. Instead army took her daughter Maina and did encounter accusing her to be Maoist. Her constant fight for justice gave the case international attention and at last, army was forced to admit the error.

The documentary ends showing the peace has returned to Nepal, and Democratic Republic has been institutionalized in Nepal. The six characters have moved ahead and are hopeful, it would last forever.

After watching this documentary, I felt like every conflict has bad side. But such effort of people to move ahead and keep fighting for the right cause keeps country on track of development and stability. Many people might believe this was has pushed Nepal backward in terms of development and economic transformation, but I believe this has also brought political consciousness in people. People have understood the meaning of democracy, equality, stability which has made Nepal so inclusive now. If these women haven’t championed their cases, then may be we wouldn’t have been able to bring back the democracy and inclusiveness and way to equality, peace and justice.

I salute to all those visible and invisible, soldiers in sari or any other dresses, who fought for equality, justice and democracy. May be their role would never be acknowledged properly, their actions would be a forgotten history but its because of them, my future generation is in safe hands. Thank you!

For more info: www.wmm.com

www.butterlampfilms.com

Images:          www.butterlampfilms.com

Finally we, the people, have become truly sovereign. We, Younnovation Blog team, congratulate all the people of Nepal living all across the globe for this great achievement.
But we all have to keep in mind that, declaring Republic is not the end of feudalism and autocracy, it is just beginning and lots of work is still left to do. We have to draft our constitution in next 2 years, establish real democracy and create socio-economic revolution that will establish Nepal as prosper and developed nation.

So let’s come together and celebrate this historic time of Nepal’s history. Let’s promise that we all will work together for benefit of this country no matter where we are.

Again: Hurray to Republic

P.S. We all Blog team were busy celebrating the proclamation of Republic, we couldn’t write any post regarding this. Sorry for this late post.