Deshbhaktaji,

I think it is now time to move beyond pointing fingers. Whatever the means (voilence or peace) to get here, we have the present to deal with, and a future to dream of. Everyone is entitled to their own dreams. But not everyone is capable of mobilizing the masses to get to a conclusion (peace or bloodbath). But what matters is do you (or I) see the light now? Are we better off as citizens than we were 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 25 years ago or even 70 years ago?

70 years ago the Ranas were dethroned. The normal sida-sada praja at that time were probably quite happy with the way things were then. It was just a bunch of 'educated' young bloods that felt a change was needed. And for the next 65 years we learned to refer to the Rana_Kaal as Kaal_ratri. But within 10 years, the ones that had put the Shah clan back on throne were jailed/murdered.

25 years ago the students 'earned' the right to be an influential force in the country, and that was a beginning. Nepali people wanted to be able to frame their own destiny, not have to be fed on the dreams of Panchayati Chahana.

15 years ago the Shahs were tamed again. Nepali people began the true process of framing their own destiny.

In the last 10 years, the dreams and hopes of Nepalis were hijacked again by the ones who supposedly represented them. And within the last 5 years, the last Shah of Nepal took all Nepalis hostage.

And here we are today. Not every system is perfect. But the civic task is to identify and improve on those imperfections. And this takes time. It may not happen in my lifetime. It may not happen in 50 years. But at least I don't have to contribute to the lavish and costly lifestyle of a clan that has given nothing back to me except more reason to hate them.

But I feel better today than I felt yesterday. I am more passionate about my country today than I ever have been before. G Shah has gone back to where he belongs. I will respect him as a citizen of this country and I am at peace with it.

The big cat has been belled. Its the wolf in the lamb skin that I need to be more vigilant about. And I hope you will too.

_x