Posted by: relaxion April 13, 2008
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Warning: I didn't plan this comment to be this long... but when it comes down to speaking my views about my country, I am sorry I get carried away.
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I have been reading some threads to see how our Sajhaites have viewed the current trend in CA election results. I am glad that, despite the difference in opinions, most of the comments originate with the feeling of great love for our precious country. That's why we are Nepali. We love it deeply!
But as it has been stressed numerous times in the media, this is definitely a crucial period in the history of Nepal. It will be stupid for us to ignore that there are several paths the country might follow under the new leadership. Should Maoists abadon their promise of running a multi-party "democracy" government and attempt for a "communist" regime, then the grounds will not be as smooth. But, if they abide by the promises of their election campaigns to the people of Nepal, to whom they have aspired so much hope for a better life, then in the context of Nepal, it might actually be good for the country. Afterall, all I care about is good for the people and the country, in which rights are honored and people have fair and equal opportunity to develop their potential. (By 'equal', I mean equal opportunities, ie. slackers fail, hardworkers progress). Last thing I care is the ideology affiliated tag based on some other historical context, which often illudes us from what we really care about.
We did have such a "democratic" system under NC and UML (and others)...The government under these groups had 18 years to fulfill their 1990 campaign promises. Although the country today is not the same as in 1990 (judging from the progress that has been made so far), still the inequalities, impoverishment, and underdevelopment are undeniably and unacceptably prevalent. The governance, as we all can agree upon, was unsuccessful and was primarily for "personal development" rather than directed towards the development of our country. In my personal opinion, that is a huge failure. Nevertheless, it will again be stupid to deny that many people had opportunities to develop their potential under such "democratic" government. That's why we are here in America, studying, working, raising our families, and even writing on Sajha. But when we sit in our sofa and turn on the TV to relax, we often forget those that have been left behind in our poor villages of Nepal where even the most basic rights have not been guaranteed. It is quite shameful and sad. All I would like to see is those people also receive the same opportunity to discover what is out there for them, without being suppressed or denied based on their caste, socio-economic condition or gender. But this has to be done the "right" way with right minds. We must not also forget that "communism" can, and has shown to, produce negative consequences for not just the ones who already are better off, but also for the ones to whom this ideology seeks to benefit. So, the key is to cherry pick the "right" ideas that are good not just for one group or ideology but for all, in a fair "democratic" manner. (That is why I do not associate myself with one particular party.)
As an optimist, and standing on the same platorm as many other Nepalese who voted for Maoists, I am hopeful that a positive change can occur in Nepal. This orginates mostly from my disappointment of the older parties and their inability to bring significant change to our country. Assuming what Prachanda, Bhattarai and other Maoist leaders have promised and praised (in their campaigns and in conferences and meetings with the international community) in their slogans is coming from their heart for the love of Nepal and development of the lives of Nepalese, I think they should be given a chance... Let's see if they have the guts to defy the sytem of corruption and "personal development" and work towards "converting Nepal into Switzerland." That's what we want, isn't it? If that's we want, then wouldn't it be stupid for us to tag ourselves with the biases and personal hatred for a particular group to hypocritically deny what we want?
The violent path they used to come to this state, the process in which 15000 of our fellow citizens became martyrs, is very difficult to justify, if justifiable in the first place. But, we will be able to better judge that in few years from now. Since the new leadership represents the will of the people, it must be upheld; otherwise, we will be lying to us by calling ourselves believing in democracy.
Jai Nepal...
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I have been reading some threads to see how our Sajhaites have viewed the current trend in CA election results. I am glad that, despite the difference in opinions, most of the comments originate with the feeling of great love for our precious country. That's why we are Nepali. We love it deeply!
But as it has been stressed numerous times in the media, this is definitely a crucial period in the history of Nepal. It will be stupid for us to ignore that there are several paths the country might follow under the new leadership. Should Maoists abadon their promise of running a multi-party "democracy" government and attempt for a "communist" regime, then the grounds will not be as smooth. But, if they abide by the promises of their election campaigns to the people of Nepal, to whom they have aspired so much hope for a better life, then in the context of Nepal, it might actually be good for the country. Afterall, all I care about is good for the people and the country, in which rights are honored and people have fair and equal opportunity to develop their potential. (By 'equal', I mean equal opportunities, ie. slackers fail, hardworkers progress). Last thing I care is the ideology affiliated tag based on some other historical context, which often illudes us from what we really care about.
We did have such a "democratic" system under NC and UML (and others)...The government under these groups had 18 years to fulfill their 1990 campaign promises. Although the country today is not the same as in 1990 (judging from the progress that has been made so far), still the inequalities, impoverishment, and underdevelopment are undeniably and unacceptably prevalent. The governance, as we all can agree upon, was unsuccessful and was primarily for "personal development" rather than directed towards the development of our country. In my personal opinion, that is a huge failure. Nevertheless, it will again be stupid to deny that many people had opportunities to develop their potential under such "democratic" government. That's why we are here in America, studying, working, raising our families, and even writing on Sajha. But when we sit in our sofa and turn on the TV to relax, we often forget those that have been left behind in our poor villages of Nepal where even the most basic rights have not been guaranteed. It is quite shameful and sad. All I would like to see is those people also receive the same opportunity to discover what is out there for them, without being suppressed or denied based on their caste, socio-economic condition or gender. But this has to be done the "right" way with right minds. We must not also forget that "communism" can, and has shown to, produce negative consequences for not just the ones who already are better off, but also for the ones to whom this ideology seeks to benefit. So, the key is to cherry pick the "right" ideas that are good not just for one group or ideology but for all, in a fair "democratic" manner. (That is why I do not associate myself with one particular party.)
As an optimist, and standing on the same platorm as many other Nepalese who voted for Maoists, I am hopeful that a positive change can occur in Nepal. This orginates mostly from my disappointment of the older parties and their inability to bring significant change to our country. Assuming what Prachanda, Bhattarai and other Maoist leaders have promised and praised (in their campaigns and in conferences and meetings with the international community) in their slogans is coming from their heart for the love of Nepal and development of the lives of Nepalese, I think they should be given a chance... Let's see if they have the guts to defy the sytem of corruption and "personal development" and work towards "converting Nepal into Switzerland." That's what we want, isn't it? If that's we want, then wouldn't it be stupid for us to tag ourselves with the biases and personal hatred for a particular group to hypocritically deny what we want?
The violent path they used to come to this state, the process in which 15000 of our fellow citizens became martyrs, is very difficult to justify, if justifiable in the first place. But, we will be able to better judge that in few years from now. Since the new leadership represents the will of the people, it must be upheld; otherwise, we will be lying to us by calling ourselves believing in democracy.
Jai Nepal...