Category Archives: Guest Column 2

Announcements, Eye on Maoist, Guest Column, Guest Column 2, Nepali Society 2

आफ्नै छोराछोरीलाई ‘ठूलो रक्तपात’मा होम्ने ताकत छ संग्रौलाजी ?

1 Comment

पारु लिम्बु
युडब्ल्युबी/गेस्ट ब्लग

khasa
Popular writer Khagendra Sangraula saying there will be a bloodbath without an autonomous Limbuwan province. Paru Limbu challenges him to shed the blood of his own family and asks Sangraula not to entice violence from ordinary Limbus.

सामाजिक सञ्जाल पनि बडो अनौठो लाग्छ । यसो केही लेख्यो प्रतिक्रियाहरु थुप्रिने । तर आधिकारीक भने नहुने ।

प्रगतिशील भनिएका लेखक खगेन्द्र संग्रौलाको झण्डै ३ महिना पहिला छापिएको एउटा अन्तर्वार्ता आँखामा ठोकिन आईपुग्यो । अन्तर्वार्ताको हेडलाईन थियोः “लिम्बुवान स्वायत्तता नभए ठुलो रक्तपात हुन्छ˝ । अन्तर्वार्ता पढ्नासाथ मेरो मनमा थुप्रै प्रश्नहरु ओहिरिए ।

कति सजिलोसँग हिंसाको लागि उकास्न सकेका यी मनुवाले भन्ने । अर्कोतर्फ फेरी यही हेडलाईन मनमा खेलाएँ र सम्झिँएः के यो अभिव्यक्ति हिंसाको पुजारी बाहेक सामान्य मानिसले दिन सक्छ? अझै गहिरो प्रश्नः ठुलो रक्तपातको लागि त रगत बगाउनुपर्छ । रगत कसले बगाउने? संग्रौला परिवारले? के संगौला परिवार रगत बगाउन तयार छ? के होसहवास् मै यस्तो बोले त खगेन्द्र संग्रौलाले?

यसपछि मेरो मनमा थप प्रश्नहरु उठ्दै गए । संग्रौलाजी जस्तो “आर्दशवादी” व्यक्तिले आफू र आफ्नो परिवारलाई रक्तपातमा नहोमी लिम्बुलाई रक्तपातमा होमिन कसरी आव्हान गरे होलान र?

यस विषयमा जान्ने इच्छा तिव्र भयो र मैले संगौलाजीलाई प्रत्यक्ष सम्बोधन गरेर ट्विट गरेँः तपाँई उग्र क्रान्तिकारी भएकोले सबैले सोधिरहेका छन्ः तपाईँका सबै सन्तान यहि देशमा छन्? की अमेरिका युरोपमा? जवाफ दिनुस है मान्यबर ।

ट्विटगर्ना साथ टिवटे प्रतिक्रिया शुरु भयो । मोटामोटी रुपमा ट्विटमा (टाईमलाईन र डिएम)मा के कस्ता प्रतिक्रिया प्राप्त भए भन्ने म यसरी प्रस्तुत गर्न अनुमति चाहन्छु:

तपाईँका सन्तानहरु विदेशतिर छन् । तपाईँ पनि केही समय अमेरिकातिर बस्नुभएको थियो । त्यता बस्न गाह्रो भएर नेपाल नै फर्कनु भयो । तपाईँले छोरा विदेश गएपछिको दशैंमा दशैंको प्रतिकात्मक महत्व दर्शाउँदै छोराछोरी विना दशैं मनाउन पर्दाको पीडा समेटेर लेख लेख्नुभएको छ ।

कतिपयले भने तपाईँको उमेर पुगेका छोराछोरीको उनीहरु अनुकुल जीवन बिताउनु अधिकार हो । यसमा सार्वजनिक बहस जरुरी छैन । भन्ने प्रतिक्रिया पनि व्यक्त गरे ।

म व्यक्तिगत रुपमा तपाईँको छोराछोरीको गोपनियताको हकको उच्च सम्मान गर्दछु र यो देशका हरेक बयश्क नागरिकले आफ्नो व्यक्तिगत निर्णय गर्न स्वतन्त्र छ भन्ने पनि विश्वास गर्दछु ।

सँगै म सम्झन्छु माहात्मा गान्धीलाई । उनी भन्दथे जुन कुरा तिमि तिम्रो जिवनमा लागु गर्न सक्दैनौं त्यो कुरा अरु व्यक्तिमा लाद्नु ठिक होइन । उनी यतिसम्म आदर्शवादी थिए की आफूले चीनी खान छोड्न नसक्दासम्म गाउँका बालबालिकालाई चीनी धेरै खान हुन्न भन्ने अनुरोध समेत गरेनन् । अर्थात आफुले नै कार्यान्वयन गर्न नसक्ने आदर्श अरुलाई सुनाउन हुन्न भन्ने ठान्दथे गान्धी ।

ठुलो रक्तपात भन्ने शब्दले बोकेको अर्थ के हो पक्कै थाहा पाएर नै तपाईँले अन्तर्वार्ता दिनुभयो होला । रक्तपातको “आदर्श” छाँट्नु अघि तपाईँले एकपटक आफ्नो छोराछोरीको रगत बगे के हुन्छ भन्ने कल्पना गर्नुभयो? की तपाईँलाई कथित प्रगतिशील र क्रान्तिकारी बनाईदिन जनताका छोराछोरीले मात्र रगत बगाउनुपर्ने हो?

यदी म तपाईँकी छोरी भईदिएको भए निश्चय नै भन्ने थिएँः बाबा सोझा जनतालाई रगत बनाउन आव्हान गरिएका विचार छाड्नुहोस् । तपाईँ आफ्नै सन्तानका अनुहार सम्झेर भएपनि मर्ने र मार्ने कामको वकालत छाड्नुहोस ।

मलाई आशा छ तपाईँको छोराछोरीले पनि तपाईँलाई यो अनुरोध गर्नुभएको छ । तपाईँको छोराछोरीलाई यो महसुस पक्कै होला की यो देशमा “ठुलो रक्तपात” हुँदा साना मान्छेहरु अर्थात गरिब मान्छेहरु नै मारमा पर्दछन । उनीहरु जस्ता सयौं छोराछोरीहरुको विचल्लि हुन्छ । ज्यान जान्छ ।

गोपनियताको हकको सम्मान गर्दै, व्यक्तिगत प्रश्न भएकोमा माफी माग्दै म नम्रतापुर्वक प्रश्न गर्न चाहन्छु कृपया एकपटक आफ्नै छोराछोरीलाई सोध्नुहोस्ः मैले गरेको ठुलो रक्तपातको आव्हान कसको लागि हो? यसले सोझा जनताका छोराछोरीको हित गर्छ ? गरिब लिम्बुहरुको हीतमा छ ठुलो रक्तपात?

संग्रौलाजी काठमाडौं निर्मम छ । निर्दयी छ । टाठाबाठा बाहुनक्षेत्री र टाठाबाठा जनजाती नेताहरुको एकता छ । हिजोका शाषकका सन्तानहरुसँग केही टाठाबाठा जनजाती नेताको मुद्धाहरुमा एकता जस्तो देखिन्छ । खास त्यो स्वार्थको एकता हो । धनी र शाषक बाहुन र धनी र अग्रभागमा रहेका अन्य जातजातीको मिलोमतो छ । टाठाबाठा बाहुनलाइ गरिब बाहुनको सत्तोसराप गरेर “प्रगतिशील/क्रान्तिकारी” देखिनु छ भने टाठाबाठा जनजाती नेताहरुलाई पनि टाठाबाठा बाहुनको समर्थनमा मुलधारमा उपस्थिति देखाउनु छ । तपाईंकै दर्शनमा हिजो देशका गरिबलाइ चुसेर पढेकाहरु आज अचानक “क्रान्तिकारी” हुनु कत्तिको प्राकृतिक हो? आफैं बुझ्नुहोला ।

सबै क्षेत्रीबाहुन शाषक हुन भने तपाईँ पनि शाषक नै हो नी होईन र? सबै क्षेत्रीबाहुन शोषक हुन भने तपाईँ पनि शोषक नै हो नी हैन र? की तपाईँजस्तो बिचार राख्ने बाहुन मात्रै “प्रगतिशील” र फरक विचार राख्ने गाउँको हली पनि सामन्त हो र? गोलमोटोल शब्द प्रयोग गरेर धनी बाहुन र वास्तविक शाषकहरुको चाकडी र गरिब पहाडे बाहुनलाई सत्तोसराप गर्नुको फाईदा के?

संग्रौलाजी तपाईँको जस्तो लामो अनुभव त मेरो छैन । कहिलेकाँही सुन्थे तपाईँ बामपन्थी विश्लेषक हो भन्ने । वामपन्थि विश्लेषकले वर्गको कुरा कस्तो भुलेको?

वर्गको कुरा भुल्नुस ठिक छ । तर जातजातिकोबीचमा फाटो ल्याउने काम नगर्नु होला । हरेक पटक बोल्दा सम्झने गर्नुस तपाईँका छोराछोरी र अरु बाआमाको छोराछोरीको जीवनको मुल्य बराबर होईन र?

अन्तमा, व्यक्तिगत टिकाटिप्पणी हुन पुगेको भए माफ पाउँ। अप्रिय र बिझ्ने शब्द परेको भए नि माफ पाउँ। यो मेरो व्यक्तिगत भावना हो। तपाईंको छोराछोरीको उदाहरण प्रस्तुत गरे पनि म वहाँहरुले यो देशका आम मानिसका छोराछोरीले जस्तो द्वन्द र हिंसा भोग्न नपरोस भन्ने कामना गर्दछु।

(हाल: लाहान)

Advertisements
Guest Column 2

Is Nepal Going to Fail?

100 Comments

It is really hard to believe that Nepal has a democratic government.

By Krishna Giri

Instead of mocking Nepali leaders, this time my thoughts were going towards the country and countrymen. Bulldozed by the political and leadership changes; besieged by living and security conditions; aggravated by the false hope for water and electricity, people are going through exceptional intellectual stress than ever before. The successive government’s governance is being so underprivileged that people are abandoned by every successor. Peace, Rule of law and social harmony amongst diverse societies are fouled by various power centres. I thank God that this country is still surviving and let it remain the same forever. The Prime Minister is talking about waging another civil war. Defence Minister and Chief of Army staff announced series of ambiguous statements. A Madheshi leader is talking about end of Nepal. Janajatis are already declaring their own autonomous regions. Indian Ambassador, once close friend to all parties, is holding secret meetings with former Monarch. Various ethnic groups are recruiting armed combatants to wage war against the state. Few religions elements are already plotting bombs across the country. A Supreme Court judge gets lecture about rule of law and power of people. And now a Pashupati Priest becomes another victim of dirty political onslaught. Continue reading Is Nepal Going to Fail? →

Guest Column 2

New Nepal, New Thoughts

63 Comments

By Bhupendra Khanal

Efforts to form the first ever Maoist-led government in Nepal are going on. The new government will have many challenges going forward and they will have to work actively and aggressively. It is challenging but not impossible.

Here are my suggestions for the new Nepal Government.

1. Integration to Global Economy Free Trade Agreement with China, Japan and US to make the economy multi-lateral. This can be in-line with FTA with India. This should be accompanied with aggressive infrastructure building to get maximum benefit from these bilateral treaties and SAFTA.

2. Suitable Investment Climate Industrial Protection Act and Liberal Labor Regime to increase investor confidence. Indian Business houses in particular needs to be protected which are the most affected ones, as in todays world Indian Corporates are among the best governed and most aggressive ones. Entry of Companies like IBM, Accenture, GM, GE, Toyota, Infosys, Reliance, Bharti, ICICI etc can completely change the way companies function in Nepal. They will bring quality technology and huge volume of business, thus creating huge employment and great technological know-how. Continue reading New Nepal, New Thoughts →

Guest Column 2

Let’s Give Maoist A Chance!

31 Comments

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 Let’s Give Maoist A Chance! →

Guest Column 2

Nepal in UAE: Experience of a Nepali Worker

40 Comments

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 Nepal in UAE: Experience of a Nepali Worker →

Guest Column 2

Non Resident Nepali and Double Standards

39 Comments

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 Non Resident Nepali and Double Standards →

Guest Column 2

Save Nepali Congress From Corrupt Leaders

18 Comments

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 Save Nepali Congress From Corrupt Leaders →

Guest Column 2

Dear Nepali Congress Leaders and Cadres….An Open Letter

15 Comments

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 Dear Nepali Congress Leaders and Cadres….An Open Letter →

Guest Column 2

Nepalis' Nightmare in the Gulf

48 Comments

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 Nepalis' Nightmare in the Gulf →

Guest Column 2

Loose Talk Indeed! [Mr. Chairman, Better Mind Your Tongue!]

24 Comments

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 Loose Talk Indeed! [Mr. Chairman, Better Mind Your Tongue!] →