Category Archives: Guest Column 2

Maoists are winning the election. There are various reasons for that. The most prominent reason is people’s need for a change. They want something different. They have tried congress and they have tried UML.

By Tilak KC in Bremen, Germany

I am usually a political pessimist. I never thought that Maoist would come to dialogues in the first place. When they did, I came up with another excuse. They would never agree to participate in election. They agreed for that too. I was left with no choice but to come up with another excuse. I never thought they would get this much of the political response. They have done it. And for the final time I have come in terms with reality. Nepalese political scenario is changing. And Maoists have done it. They have done what non before them had managed to do. They have fought a decade long war, came to dialogues, came into democratic election and actually lead the election. Continue reading →

Nepalis have very good reputation here in the UAE. If we can have the balance of hard work and talent, no other nationals can beat Nepali workers in the labor market

By Sudip Adhikari

I have been working in United Arab Emirates for the past seven years. Before coming here in this rapidly developing country (many of my friends and) I used to think that the gulf countries didn’t have anything other than oil. That impression has changed. I have learned something new while working in the Middle East (or West Asia) and seeing the way my host country is doing phenomenal progress in economy. UAE has become an example in Asia that if the governments have the strong will power anything is possible to bring in a new era in a country. Let us not forget that, to achieve such progress, this country is getting hard work support from thousands of Nepali nationals. Continue reading →

The election has been avoided and Dr. Mahato is allowed to continue as the chair of the Non Resident Nepali (NRN) movement despite his apparent unwillingness. This clearly indicates that NRN, which boasts of Kul Chandra Gautam and Prof. Surya Subedi as advisors, is no different from a political party where a personality dominates the organization.

By Paribartan
The writer is a NRN based in Japan

With ongoing 3rd Global conference, Non Resident Nepalis have decided to elect Dr. Upendra Mahato once again as president of International Coordination Council of NRN network. Though Dr. Mahato has shown his unwillingness to continue, reportedly there was unanimity in avoiding election and thus a request to Dr. Mahato to continue was made. This clearly indicates that NRN is dominated by personality of Dr. Mahato rather than the agendas that it’s pushing forward. In addition, it clearly shows that without Dr. Mahato, NRN movement can crumble and fetter away. Definitely, this is not a good sign for a fledgling organization which aspires to lay foundation for New Nepal and to cater to the needs of millions of Nepalis abroad. Therefore, it is a need of the hour for everyone to think deeply and work for real institutionalization of NRN movement.

Ever since its inception, NRN has been preoccupied with its expansion and setting up new committees worldwide. Many have aligned with this movement on flimsy grounds. As NRN status would easily bring so called name and fame, many have tried to occupy stage here as they would get a chance to brush their shoulders with Dr. Upendra Mahato. At the same time, there are many business-minded Nepalis who feel that by aligning with NRN network they could enter into some partnerships and business joint ventures. All hopes of these people, therefore, rests on presence of Dr. Mahato and hotshots like him. Bunch of NRNs who have been able to emerge as ad-hoc committee members or 1st committee members in different countries invariably want Dr. Mahato to continue. And to show their good works, these people are traveling helter-skelter to be present with Dr. Mahato in every meet and every convention. Cozying up with Dr. Mahato, a Madhesi, is now a preoccupation with many Pahadi intellectuals and business tycoons. Dr. Mahato and NRN is a prime example of how money can change the attitude of the Pahadias towards a Madheshi. Continue reading →

Is NC so weak that it can not find an alternative of Khum Bahadur Khadka, Govinda Joshi, and Chiranjivi Wagle?

By Puskar Magar
(The writer is a Nepali Congress party cadre)

It is sad to see Nepali Congress (NC), the party of Prime Minister, which led all the democratic movements in Nepal, is gradually moving in the hands of corrupt leaders. “True NC leaders” within NC are loosing their battle against corrupt leaders.

In long term politics, what matters the most is the party’s “image”. NC’s image has significantly deteriorated because of having corrupt-unpopular leaders in the decision making capacity. Continue reading →

Morang district branch of Nepali Congress (NC) on September 13 sent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s name to contest Constituent Assembly elections based on first-past-the-post electoral system from Constituency No1 of Morang. As the district committees of the party are gearing up for such nominations, Puskar Magar, a Nepali Congress cadre writes an open letter to the leadership.

Dear Nepali Congress Leaders and Cadres
Jay Nepal all,

Subject: No corrupt leaders for CA election!

Nepal is going through a crucial political juncture. Forthcoming CA election will define the future of Nepal. Any ill decision by our Nepali Congress (NC) party could significantly alter the results of the future election. As a NC worker, what scares me the most is that NC has not been able to isolate or remove corrupt/tainted NC leaders from the party. Apparently, those who are known for the corruption and misdeeds are working hard to get a ticket for the forthcoming CA election; and NC leadership is ignoring public displeasure with these tainted leaders.

We have five corrupt leaders, whose corruption cases are pending in the Supreme Court: Govinda Raj Joshi, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Chiranjeeve Wagle, Vijaya Gachhedar, and JP Gupta. If NC continues to support/protect these corrupt leaders, NC will pay a big price in forthcoming CA general election. Continue reading →

Kicked out by Qatar, Nepalis greeted with animal treatment in Bahrain. A firsthand experience of a young Nepali student returning from America

By Tulsi Bhandari

Last month, Nepal’s newspapers were awash with reports of hundreds of Nepali workers in Qatar being driven from the country for demanding better pay from their employers. When I was on my way home from the United States, I was a witness to a harsh reality: the Gulf Airlines staffers treating their customers – the deported Nepalis – like animals in a dingy hell called Bahrain, where I had my stopover before flying to Kathmandu.

When I arrived at the Bahrain International Airport after about 14 hours of flight from New York, I was told that the flight to Kathmandu had been delayed for about six hours. I was taking rest in a tiny room, while, at the same time, observing peoples outside.

The desperate situation of the passengers waiting for their flights was pathetic. I talked with a few people, and listening to their stories wasn’t easy. Some had been stranded there for more than three days. I was quite keen to meet a few Nepalis, but listening to their stories made me furious. Continue reading →

Why is Prachanda so reckless when it comes to his public utterances? The answer could be worrying.

By Ameet Dhakal

Public perception of leaders changes with time. But the public image of Maoist Chairman Prachanda is changing rather fast.

Before the April Movement, when the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was still at war, the public image of Prachanda (left) was true to his name – the fierce one. In the post-war period that image underwent a metamorphosis: With his broad grin, often ear-to-ear, people found him friendly and amenable. During crucial negotiations he demonstrated much-needed courage and flexibility, building up an image of bold and practical leadership.

Lately, however, another defining characteristic of Prachanda’s is emerging – that of a loose talker. Don’t agree? Consider these eight public gaffes he committed over the past one year.

June 8, 2006: He actually bungled his first public appearance. Addressing media persons after he first met with the eight-party leaders at the prime minister’s official residence at Baluwatar, Prachanda said the army should be reduced to 20,000 in size since it had no purpose but to kill the sons of the people and engage in rape. A week or so after making the comment he apologized for it.

November 20, 2006: Addressing journalists in New Delhi, he said that the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI had offered help to his party through direct and indirect means but he had turned down the offer since it was not in the interest of the Nepali people and India.

March 2, 2007: When journalists asked him why the Maoists had surrendered only a little over 3,000 weapons while they had placed over 30,000 combatants in the cantonments, Prachanda said, “A sizeable chunk of our weapons were swept away by the river.” Next day a blogger wrote in: “Prachandaji where is the river?”, and then answered himself, “Dried out suddenly”. Continue reading →

By Dr Pramod Dhakal

The English-educated and Internet savvy Nepalese have started a number of mailing lists that pour emails at a rate that there are not enough hours in the day to read them all. Involved in these groups are some self proclaimed “intelligent” and “educated” cyber-friends who love to edify the self. Although they mostly do superficial and self-serving discussions on the name of the people and “the motherland”, still I go there to get some fodder for the brain when the mind wants a break from usual work. While doing so, I came across some pitiful emails proclaiming a survey about the “uneducated” and “unintelligent” politicians of Nepal. However, despite my strong grievances towards the failed leaders, I found the kind of criticism done by these propagandist friends to be in poor taste. Therefore, I would like to write some words in defense of those politicians and to point out the hollowness of the thoughts of our “intelligent” friends.

Before going to the subject matter, however, I must also tell that I find Nepal’s old political leadership lacking vision and wisdom, predisposed to corruption and ineptitude, attached to power, and holding sway in the parties, and the country, due to a culture of impunity in the parties and in the government. At the same time, it would be unfair to ignore their contributors to the positive developments that have happened from the time of signing the 12 Point Agreement of November 22, 2005 to the formation of interim government of April 1, 2007, which has presented a new opportunity to build democracy, peace and security in Nepal. Therefore, they deserve their fair share of credit along with all the criticisms that they have earned. Continue reading →