If we look at the affairs of the world, we can compare the ones in the USA, the leading nation, and Nepal, the perpetual laggard coming together to be so much alike in the current era of 2020. Let me just count some ways.
One, our poor, beggar nation is combating the fury of pandemic just as successfully as the mightiest one. The mishandling of the threat and the seriousness of government officials in both and Nepal can be categorized into the same bracket of total inefficiency, incompetency, and inhumanity. So, while the US leads everyone in corona death just like in arms expenditure, Nepal is doing its mighty best to surpass other South Asian countries. Daily infections are now in the hundreds and thousands will have the honor to have been blessed by Corona Mai. For this situation, we can find that the governments of both nations were ill-prepared, unconcerned, and equally inept. Nepal deserves praise for equaling the US in something, finally. Nepal’s oxen cart has reached the White House lawns.
The US is now embroiled in the street protests regarding racism practiced by the White police officers since the death of George Floyd on May 25th. Every day, tensions have been rising across the US to seek justice for Floyd, and then against the discrimination faced by the black community. Such discrimination also exists in Nepal. While color is not that great of an issue, caste is, especially in the less educated, under-developed area, Western Nepal. A “dalit” youth with his five friends were assaulted by a gang of high caste villagers in Jajarkot. Such discrimination against fellow humans is present in both nations.
Now, if we look at the way the government functions, Trump is being called for being insensitive and unconcerned about the plight of the people who are losing jobs in record numbers as also facing deaths in record numbers. He has continued to indulge in golfing and twitting his hatred against his critics, the latest being the Mad Dog Matis, and the Alaskan senator Murkowski. Not to be outdone, the Nepal government has answered with two crucial examples, not even bothering to mention the total washout annual budget. The main focus in Nepal has been the changing of carpet in the President’s residence to the amount of one crore. It is all that is on social media. Then there is the gym, reportedly being built for the honorable “sansads.” Lipulek controversy has quieted down a bit but Indian origin “sansad” are doing all they can to elevate themselves in the eyes of their mother India. Just like the Republican Party hacks are doing their best to be the apples of Trump's eyes.
Both these countries are, however, coming together in one important issue called the MCC. It is apparent that a large section of Nepal population is dead set against this East India Company of the US. However, both the Nepali government and the US government are seeming to be working together to pass it as it is, and thus forever make Nepal lose its sovereignty to a private company.
And lastly, I find it noteworthy that both the US and Nepal is taking similar strides in a matter of free speech. As you know, any critic of the current government is against the republic and democracy. They are silenced, attacked, and given threats. Songs and videos are banned that criticize the leadership and the ruling Communist Party. In the US, journalists are now attacked, apprehended, and called the “enemy of the people” by the president and his minions, including the police on the streets and right-wing White Supremacists. I just had a taste of censorship myself.
The T-shirt that was blocked by the US Company.
During the lockdown, I have had opportunities to explore so many new areas and opportunities online. One among them was an online store for which I am designing niche apparel like Nepal Collections, Spirituality, Proverbs, Good Vibes, Humor, etc. Today when I saw the video clip in PBS of NFL officially recognizing the validity of protests by the black players, he used the words “Centuries of silence, inequality, and oppression.” I thought that was powerful and right away designed a T-shirt to share with the #blacklivesmatter on Instagram, just in case they want to use it. However, my campaign was immediately blocked by the teespring management citing that the campaign “has been terminated early due to content concerns. It appears your campaign may be using content owned by a third party.” I have made other racial reference T-shirts but they were under proverbs from around the world, so probably they failed to catch them. So, this was an example that is my personal anecdote in relation to freedom of speech.
One good aspect of this is that soon no Nepalese might be interested to go to their dream country where gold hangs from the trees. If Nepal can offer those amenities found in the USA, what would be the incentive to make such a long and arduous trip? Am I right?
Meanwhile, let us just congratulate Nepal’s government and all fellow Nepalese in equaling the US in so many ways.