Where are you guys?

Has the all knowing conceded? Isn't this the time for a solid discussion. Why are you guy(s) hiding your tail(s) these days?

To Nepe, Ashu and others:
"http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/others/guestcolumn/may/guest_columns_may06_08.php", this article by Subba again arose one thought playing in my mind.
Shall we continue to be begging for subsistence, any alternatives to that, will it ever be possible to repay all the debts on our back, sense of guilt and humiliation that comes with it.

Three quick arguments for a Republic against Ceremonial Monarchy. Agree or disagree...

1. For such a poor country like Nepal, to me, it is impractical to have to maintain the institution of monarchy. We'd have to pay for their "bhattaa"; we'd have to pay for their trips; we'd have to pay for their food; basically, we'd have to pay for their living and the maintenance of their institution. When majority of the poulation suffers from abject poverty, hunger and disease, WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD even a Ceremonial Monarchy.

2. It is morally incomprehensible to me that just by the virtue of someone's birth into a certain family, clan, caste, "kul" or "bansha", that s/he be awarded with a special privilege or respect. For every Nepali man, woman and child to be accorded such privilege and respect based solely on their merits, we'd have to reject even the slightest hints of monarchy altogether.

Finally, to those who argue about continuing our tradition, i.e., of monarchy:

3. Traditions are not God-given. They are creations of those in power. The "mahaan-ness of Nepali Rajtantra" is no exception -- afterall, we were not subject to the tradition of monarchy before 237 years ago. Such traditions, as time requires, and as current conditions demand, must be subjected to abolition. We got rid of "sati prathaa", or the "daas prathaa" -- despite those were the traditions of the past -- and it is now time we got rid of "raajtantra" too, for it has proven to be the greatest impediment to the notion of free and prosperous Nepali nation, where each and every Nepali is sovereign.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have managed to paraphrase the sentiments of many Nepalese people in simple terms. APPLAUSE!!!

Nepe wrote:

"If Prachanda, who has not read anything except "Collected works of Chairman Mao" and quotations from Marx, Lenin and Stalin, can change Nepal for good, we, with our state-of-art knowledge in law, economics, management, IT, science & technology, sure can change Nepal. Can't we ?"


When I read sentences like this, I feel the same way -- please see the quote below -- that Speaker Sam Rayburn (D-TX) felt when he heard from Lyndon Johnson about all the top brains assembled to do great things in US President Kennedy's administration.

"They may be just as intelligent as you say. But I'd feel a helluva lot better if just one of them had ever run for sheriff." Speaker Sam Rayburn (D-TX), to LBJ.

America's then "best and brightest" led that country to Vietnam War and much else besides, as grippingly recounted in David Halberstam's book by the same name.

***

Likewise, though I CELEBRATE various intellectual accomplishments of our fellow-Nepalis around the globe, I, for one, would feel a lot more comfortable -- when it comes to reading their proposed "we should do this, and we should do that" ideas for Nepal --
if only they "had ever run for sheriff" in Nepal.

In otherw ords, if brains substituted actions, then the Golden Boys of Panchayat -- Prakash Chandra Lohani, Bhesh Bdr. Thapa, Pashupati Shumsher Rana, Narayan Prasad Shrestha etc, with their fanciest degrees from the world's best academic institutions -- would have made Singapore envy Nepal by now.

Ditto for the Golden Boys of Jana Andolan I: Sher Bdr. Deuba, Ram Saran Mahat, Madhav Nepal, etc.

This is NOT a criticism of Nepe's dreams per se. Don't get me wrong. Dreams are important. But too much dream merely makes one sleepy long after the alarm has
gone off.

And so, this posting is just to an attempt to keep one's feet planted on the ground by reminding ourselves that -- no matter how lofty our talks are -- it's the small, small but consistent actions (full of mistakes and feedbacks in ALL fields) that are likely lead us
to larger goals for a better Nepal.

Anything else, and we will be ticking off the Golden Boys of Jan Andolan II 10 years from now.

*************

Anil J Shahi wrote:

"Traditions are not God-given. They are creations of those in power."


Right.

In this lok-tantrik Nepal, and in the spirit of times, can we expect to see you change your formidable 'Jung Shahi' title -- with its obvious connotations of proximity to
royal power -- changed to, well, Anil Nepali or Anil Chepang?

oohi
ashu

Robert Frostji,

Among a lot of things that were amazing about Jana-andolan-II was that it was neither led by any "Messiah" nor did it produce it's own "leader".

Also, it did not end in an outright "revolution". Yet, it did/is doing the job of a revolution.

And all this is happening without revolutionary "leaders" of it's own.

At the beginning, I was thinking it was a weakness and flaw of this revolution. But as I think more and look more carefully at Nepali society, my views are changing. Now I am more and more convinced that what I thought were weakness and flaw are actually it's merit and strength. Think of it, we now have no "leaders" to let us down, to disappoint us, to push us back to our old resignation, apathy and cynicism.

We are making the old jokers- Girija, Deuba, KP and others- work for us with full knowledge of their limitation and the extent of our dream at the same time. Did you get my point ?

To illustrate how my views are EVOLVING, here is my two weeks old conversation with a columnist who asked me whether there are lessons to the world from our "April revolution". I wrote the following lines to him.

From: Deepak
To: ..
Date: Apr 27, 2006 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: A quick question

...-jee,

I am glad you asked this question. Because I was meditating on this one.

Although, I am deeply disappointed to see that a revolution was lost (postponed) when it was an inch away simply because not a single politician came forward to lead it, I am still seeing, based on how far the movement went, it as a unique test case that cleanly demonstrates "people power", that is, how much people can do on their own (without a messiah).

Nepali people showed their power not only when there was no messiah, but when there were deeply resented and disrespected political leaders around. It's really an amazing triumph.

Nepal now provides a precious and practical lesson to many countries fighting for democracy. The lesson is: don't wait for a messiah.

And for a country that has a messiah who has failed to bring democracy yet, our lesson can still be, may be more, useful.

Don't depend on the messiah. Do it yourself. That's the lessoon.

Burma comes to my mind. As much as I revere Aung San Suu Kyi, I think she is the reason why Burmese people are not fighting for democracy on their own. I hope you got my point.

I think it's time for Aung San Suu Kyi to tell Burmese people, she is not the messiah. Burmese people should learn from Nepalese people to fight without depending on a leader.

*** *** ***

Another lesson that can be drawn is from what many "analysts" found as an incomprehensible "apathy" of Nepali people to political parties "movement" during October 2002 to somewhere like May 2005.

In one of my comments on one piece by Dr. Alok Bohora-jee, I had said I view this apathy rather as a "passive resistance" and "silent protest" to political parties' self-serving "movements" the purpose of which was limited to be able return to Singh Durbar.

So this "apathy" was actually showing Nepali people's maturity to understand what is worth fighting for and what is not.

I think Nepali people was misunderstood and underestimated not only by the politicians, but also by our intelligentsia.

Among other things, many "scientific polls" that actually gave erroneous picture of what Nepalis have in their mind also misled our intelligentsia. These "scientific" poll's scientificness was limited to statistics. The questionnaires were terribly unscientific. They were political and usually full of jargons. Show the questionnaire to any social psychologist, I bet most of it will be dismissed for lack of scientific sense including lack of consideration to the specific culture of communication in Nepali society.

My doubt and questioning to these "scientific" polls might sound unreasonable to many. However, if you look at the results of the polls conducted during last 5-7 years to see if the trend drawn from them could predict our socio-political development accurately, you will be disappointed.
[skipped]

yours,
....



I guess these gives some idea about exactly what gives me optimism. Yes, the level of people's awareness, participation and vigilance. That's what makes me optimist about new Nepal.


*** *** *** ***

Ashu,

What you are saying is, I think, a common sense and wisdom every average Nepali has with him now. Partly that's what I was talking about in above posting. And although I used the term "dream", I was actually talking about the "reality"- the real chances we have now after breaking the stalemate that continued for so many years.

History does not give guarantee to anything. It only gives you chances. Take it or miss it, there are only these two choices in life.

What one does and with what level of optimism/skepticism is entirely personal choices of a man. My advice is only this: have a reasonable idea of chances. Don't plan to buy a mansion just because there is a chance that you might hit the jackpot you bought yesterday and don't stay at home because there is a chance you might get killed in a traffic accident if you go out. Tetti garey pugyo !


On a different and more interesting note, you wrote:

>In this lok-tantrik Nepal, and in the spirit of times, can we
>expect to see you change your formidable 'Jung Shahi'
>title -- with its obvious connotations of proximity to
>royal power -- changed to, well, Anil Nepali or
>Anil Chepang?

Believe or not, this is one of many things I have in my mind for new Nepal. De-casteification of surnames is one of many minor but significant social reforms I think about Nepal.

Letting people freedom to choose names, surnames, religion and everything a Nepali is entitled to is going to be among many socio-political reforms I am going to pursue (no, not limited to cyber-activism !).

So, I will be promoting one broad basic right of Nepali citizen (freedom of a child from being imposed religion and surname of parents !) in the new constitution. Seriously.


*** *** *** ***

Kalekrishnaji,

I will leave it to "experts" for formulating a more sensible economic policies for Nepal. However, I am not for too cautious and "conservative" economic thinking. Nepal will have to take some big "risky" and "ambitious" steps. That's my amateur take.

The first and foremost ambitious plan Nepal needs is educating it's entire population. Everything else can wait, be on hold, get cut down, go to saving mode or whatever it needs.

There are brilliant economists and expert in Sajha. So I do not want to show more of my uneducated ideas :-) . In any case, I have more to learn than give inputs in this area.

Nepe

Nepe,

Absolutely. Thats one side of the issue.

However, to blatantly put that we have no leaders to let us down or to disapoint us, could be cynicism on itself. Have we not learned a lesson from the 85 year old Girija being Prime minister? If people have brought democracy without being led, can we possibly be happy that Girija is the one who is going to lead us? Are the faces of people who took to the street smiling? Thats why I think a checks and balace system is the best alternative.

Ashu,

"I, for one, would feel a lot more comfortable -- when it comes to reading their proposed "we should do this, and we should do that" ideas for Nepal --if only they "had ever run for sheriff" in Nepal"

I agree.

Iisn't this the perfect characterization of civilians taking military decisions and important strategic military decisions being taken by the civilians? Vietnam conflict and the Iraq conflict are all major policy failures abruptly designed by people who know little about the army.

For example, Bush keeps saying that he listens to commanders on the ground for taking necessary steps when it comes to the mess in Iraq. Had he done that, we would have thought the Iraq conflict would have been history by now. Just like Donald Rumsfeld has been making a serious of grotesque mistakes in military policy decisions. And now Gen. Hayden seems to be heading to the CIA.

I don't think there is anything wrong with saying this is what needs to be
done in the country. Urgency with which Nepe's is trying to portrait a nation's gallop to
development is worthy. Ofcourse you want it the slow way where you want to waltz with taking appropriate steps. Beautiful.

Nepe wrote:

"If Prachanda, who has not read anything except "Collected works of Chairman Mao" and quotations from Marx, Lenin and Stalin, can change Nepal for good, we, with our state-of-art knowledge in law, economics, management, IT, science & technology, sure can change Nepal. Can't we ? "

Nepeji, I think that is a very cheap analysis of the Maoist Movement. I do not think a political party has to be led by a Ph.D. holder in political science from Harvard to make it successful.

And you contradict your own reasoning. In one hand you agree that Maoist are able to change Nepal for good and on the other hand you make fun of them like - they are bunch of uneducated people who do not understand the politics of world. You are saying something like they were successful only by chance. I am sorry sir but politics is science, a political party has to understand the socio – political need of that society to be successful – it does not happen by chance. Maoist became successful because they were able to understand the root cause of centuries of sufferings of Nepalese society

Maoists were able to agitate the Nepalese society which was sleeping for centuries. They taught people of remote villages - what is their right as a citizen of the country.

Unfortunately Nepali has to go through lots of suffering during this past decade or so but the bitter truth is probably that’s the way a society has to go through for a change.

I think Maoists are evolving. They have admitted they will accept the democratic process. They understand international politics very well. They have always been able to keep reasonable relations with the EU and the UN.

They were also real reason of the April Revolution. If you remember well, before 12- point understanding with Maoist there used to be hardly 500 people behind Girija and Madav Kumar in the street. That does not mean all people who were in street support Maoist cadres or supporters but they were able to understand the general sentiment of Nepali.

Undeniably Maoists are the one who have already changed the face of Nepal and they are the one who will shape the future of Nepal

>>> De-casteification of surnames is one of many minor but significant social reforms .

Blacks and whites share the same name, surnames , religion , school and even same neighborhood.
Change of surname does not wipe the superiority or inferiority complex that we brought upp in this society. Instead of wiping the identity which we all love so dearly what about the brilliant minds in the world working to devise a way to inculcate our brain with respect to all other human beings.

Nepe wrote:

"Believe or not, this is one of many things I have in my mind for new Nepal. De-casteification of surnames is one of many minor but significant social reforms I think about Nepal."


Interesting.

In the course of my travels across Nepal, I came across these two things. I don't know whether these are just one-off sort of anecdotes I happen to run into, or whether these are indications of something general that's been going on.

1) Dalits from Western Nepal (Kanchanpur, Kailali) etc migrate to other parts of
Nepal to work and to take up residencies. When they do that, they simply change
their surnames, and start afresh; and therefore the reduce the social costs
associated with being, well, Dalit.

2) Dalit females (especially around the tourist belts of Pokhara) marry foreigners,
and leave the country -- thereby escaping the whole dalit/non-dalit issue.

On another note, in one corner of Bangladesh last year (the place name is Mymensingh), I came across a group of Nepali-Bangladeshis, the eldest of whom
have been in there since 1944. Since these were Nepalis (bahuns, chetris, newars, and tamang) who were married to other Bangladeshi-Nepalis.

I asked them how they managed to find their life-partners. A young one, in his 20s, replied, "Oh, except for those paani-nachalnay jaat ko manche (some of whom live in deep Dhaka), we feel free to marry any other Nepalis we wish"

I mean, think about this: The man is a second third-generation Bangladeshi Nepali who's never been to Nepal. He himself is of mixed Nepali heritage. Yet in the middle of nowhere in Bangladesh, he is adamant -- a la a pure Upadhyay brahmin -- about not touching, let alone, marrying Dalits at all.

Of course, that great Nepali reformer -- Pundit Narayan Pokharel who allowed Daliits into his public poooj-paath and was therefore controversial -- was killed by radical Dalits last year.

oohi
ashu

http://www.kantipuronline.com/interview.php?&nid=73406
Did our film industry and media failed us, will we learn to harness its potential mass awareness capability to educate our masses.
I for one believe yes, one of the major actor in the currently achieved JA-II was the role of media.

The Ashok Sharma interview stands in sharp contrast to this Tsering Ritar Shepa interview (see the link below).

Sharma criticizes his own industry in broad terms; offers no ocncrete solutions, and
and expects "educated people" (whoever they are and whatever they'll do!) and government hand-outs to help the film industry.

On the other hand, Sherpa has made fewer films than Sharma; he talks about the craft of film-making, and shows the kind of optimism that is realistic, sincere and grounded
in celebrating small, small achievements.

In fact, Sherpa says:

"Our industry is young and we were not exposed to films other than Bollywood until 20 years back. Change is not an overnight process. It is not that a good set of films will come and suddenly change the industry. It is a very slow evolutionary process. Because it is a very slow process, we have to appreciate the small improvements."

Read the rest of the Sherpa interview next to the Sharma interview, and see for yourself as to who probably represents a better future for the development of Nepali film industry in Nepal in times ahead.

- http://www.kantipuronline.com/interview.php?&nid=71961

oohi
ashu

''Letting people freedom to choose names, surnames, religion and everything a Nepali is entitled to is going to be among many socio-political reforms I am going to pursue (no, not limited to cyber-activism !).''

..Nepeji, I believe we already have this freedom in Nepal. I chose to have slightly different surname to my father when I applied for my citizenship and I know a number of people who have completely different surname to their fathers (eg Nepali, Nepal etc). Ashuji above also pointed out that dalits from western Nepal start afresh with different surname when they migrate to a different place. As for religion, I'm sure one will not have much difficulty taking up the religion of her/his liking. So, I guess we need more than just the freedom to choose our surname etc.

We already have law in place which makes discrimination on the basis of caste/ religion etc illegal. However, I think what we need's a strong zero tolerance policy against those who break the law. We need right people in the relevant authorities to implement the law and take strong actions so that the law's not just limited on the paper, which's the mostly the case at the moment.

And of course government needs to take initiatives to improve socio-economic status of dalits and implement education system which will encourage children to understand from early age that everyone is equal regardless of their caste, religious status etc.

I have no doubt that the influence of caste system in Nepal is diminishing and it will continue to diminish with time. After 100s of years of practice, it's not going to radically change overnight.

''Undeniably Maoists are the one who have already changed the face of Nepal and they are the one who will shape the future of Nepal''

Jawalaji, yes of course, they've not just destroyed faces, but cut off legs too.

I just hope that they've come to their senses now.

Ashu,

The issue of jaat-related hierarchy and social norms thereof is very valid. However, I have a lsight objection to your approach of giving more credence to what a peron's name is, i.e., the facade, than to who that person actually is

I could be Anil Chepang.
Or, I could be Anil Budhamagar.
Or, I could be Anil Jung Shahi, which I am.
Or, for that matter, I could be His Highness Anil Bir Bikram Shahi Dev.

What should really matter above all of the afore-mentioned names is WHO I ACTUALLY AM -- how I think, act and behave, derived from what I believe in, expressed through what I do, write, or say. It is the thought process that should prevail in determining one's tendency towards social ills and reforms thereof, not what name tag that thought process may carry.

Same issue from another aspect:

Many of my friends in the RNA , when questioned about their institution's exclusivity, are quick to point out that many of the high-ranking Generals are from, what they term, "MaGuRaLi" (Magar, Gurung, Rai, Limbu) group. And indeed they were -- in 2002, if my memoery serves me right, nearly 10 of the 18 Generals in the RNA were "MaGuRaLi"s. A case, which at it's face value, should be a reason to rejoice.

Not so.

In the months and years since, after having studied and conversed about the issue with many other intellectuals, it turns out that it didn't matter what surnames those generals carried. What mattered most was what their thought process was like. In their daily lives, from their language to their behaviors in general, they had comfortably assimilated to the high-class, Chhetri-Thakuri aristocracy.

So, it really should not matter what my name tag says. I believe I have made it abundantly clear my quest for equality and freedom for ALL Nepalis, reagrdless of their caste, class, geography or gender. A person would be damned is s/he ever questioned my genuine and profound affinity to the poor and underprivileged.

savar form kunsan kaka

अस्तिताका दुई कांग्रेसका जुँगाधारीहरूले चित्रलेखाको पक्षमा जिब्रो चलाएको मैले सुनें । झट्ट हेर्दा जिब्राको यो चलखेलमा उदारता देखिन्छ । तर यसमा कुटिलता छ । एमालेका उपरवालेहरूले सभामुख पद दाबी गरेका छन् । यो उदारता त्यो लुब्ध दाबीको मुख थुन्ने र दुई दलबीच कलहको बीउ रोप्ने दाउ हो । यी कुर्सीवादीहरू हाम्रो पेटभित्रका राजा हुन् जो सहिदका शवमाथि आपmनै सालिक खडा गरेर अमरत्व प्राप्त गर्न चाहन्छन् ।

Jawala-jee,

I did not intend to "cheapen" Maoist movement, neither would I go for overrating it. When I am in an analytical mode, I would evaluate things in a case by case basis. Dudh ko dudh, paani ko paani. That's the way it has to be.

Maoists movement had some unforgivable flaws and blunders, or whatever name suits it. The Maoist brand, communist banner and use of violence against innocent civilians were all unwarranted. And the source of this blunder was what I talked about Prachanda earlier. Kura tyaso thiyo. I was not intending to say that Gyanendra Shah, GP Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Madhav Nepal are more studious and intelligent individuals than Prachanda.

However, I would add that Maoists seriously lack appreciation of free thinking, free market and freedom that is going to be vital requirement for reconstruction of Nepal. Their dogmatism is going to be a big pain in the ass of economic reform of Nepal, I am afraid.

That said, we have noticed some degree of flexibility/reformism/adaptability in the Maoists. Their adoption of "democratic republic" is a proof to that. And this was not something that came out of blue.

They showed the first major sign of ideological flexibility in 2001 by accepting the notion of pluralism in their new doctrine called "democracy for 21st century". Actually that is what makes their commitment to "democratic republic" credible. I had a long discussion on this very subject in ND google group with a member who was skeptic of the Maoists and was apprehensive that Maoists are up for establishing "North Korean republic" in Nepal. I was trying to convince him that Maoist's "abataran" to "democratic republic" is real and credible. There I was kinda defending the Maoists. Again, what I was doing was -Dudh ko dudh, paani ko paani.

Here is that conversation:



The following article by Murariraj Sharmaji was the starter:

- http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/others/guestcolumn/may/guest_columns_may06_06.php

My first comment:

From: ..
To: "nepal democracy"
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 5:23 PM
Subject: [ND] Re: Murari ji's article in Newpal news.com

>
> I appreciate and agree with Murariji's various suggestions to the
> government to consolidate it's power, although I would have preferred
> to see them under the aegis of "institutionalizing Monarchy's surrender
> to people's power of Jana-andolan" rather than what Murariji described
> as "to grapple with twin threats to democracy".
>
> There are no twin threats to democracy, unless "democratic republic" is
> no democracy.
>
> If "democratic republic" is democracy, then it is not the Maoists and
> even not the Monarchy that are threats to democracy. It is Girija's
> group which is in power and have dislike for "democratic republic",
> that is threat to democracy.
>
> Let me elaborate.
>
> King is no threat anymore. He has surrendered. It's a real surrender.
> And remember, it was the CREDIBILITY of pro-republic voice of people
> (not SPA !) that made the King to surrender. Since the voice and the
> people are not going to disappear until a brand new constitution is
> written, it will be a paranoia to fear that King will try to restore
> his power.
>
> (Muraraji has reported something interesting- "the monarchy has already
> mobilized its supporters to lobby the international community to save
> itself". Is this really an authentic report ? Even if it is, it is only
> "to save itself", not to restore his power, I suppose.)
>
> So, monarchy trying to consolidate it's lost power for until CA's
> election is not a realistic possibility. Then, this kind of fear
> actually indirectly encourages the King to do so. The best thing for us
> to reinforce his surrender is to publicly acknowledge his surrender and
> institutionalize that.
>
> The Maoists are no threat to republic democracy. Does anybody has a
> doubt ? The Maoists, as of now, are the only guard after andolankari
> mass to democratic republic. Once again, let's give "democratic
> republic" a status of "democracy". Let's not talk about the obsolete
> "democracy" our parties were trying to save from the Maoists in the
> past. That's obsolete. We are talking about a brand new democracy. And
> the Maoists are guard and a part of it, not a threat.
>
> Now, since we all are familiar with Girija et al's dislike for
> "democratic republic", it does not require much elaboration how he
> could be a threat.
>
> I believe we have it at last. Everything is set for a peaceful, CA
> mediated, transition of Nepal to a republic democracy. If Girija et al
> do not misuse state resources to manipulate it otherwise, a peaceful
> democratic republic Nepal is a foregone conclusion. So, it is monarchy
> loving Girija et al who might screw things up and throw the country
> into uncertainty and chaos. So, a constant vigilance, warning and
> support for every single right thing the government does is the need of
> hour.
>
> There was so strong popular demand to GP Koirala not to take oath from
> the King. He defied. I hope this is his first and last defiance to
> popular voice and also the last loving gesture to the King.
>
> Back to the original discussion. There is one, perhaps the major one
> (as it appears also in the box) suggestion by Murariji regarding
> disarmament of the Maoists before the election of CA, which I would
> like to understand correctly before I say I disagree.
>
> Let me put it this way, I think there are two issues that are or must
> be twin in nature. "Disarmament of the Maoists" and "liberation of RNA
> from monarchy" are or must be twin issues and I think the former should
> be made contingent upon the later.
>
> If Murariji's suggestion was to deal with them independently, then I
> think that is neither realistic, not it does any good to the cause of
> democracy.
>
> Murariji has suggested several good steps to make RNA loyal to the
> people/parliament. They are must. However, they are not going to
> completely liberate RNA from monarchy. If we want to liberate RNA
> completely from monarchy, it is monarchy (the source of loyalty) that
> should be taken care of primarily. I do have some suggestions, some
> moderate, some drastic, to that effect. Instead of elaboration, this
> will be suffice to say that all are meant to imply that
> king/palace/monarchy is suspended until further notice by CA's final
> verdict. If we cut off the source, we can be sure about the termination
> of supply.
>
> Otherwise the transfer of loyalty will remain uncertain. And in this
> situation, we should not hurry to disarm the Maoists. We should only
> ask for a permanent ceasefire and strict adherence to it.
>
> What about the possibility of the still armed Maoists influencing the
> result of CA ?
>
> Well, if we check mostly what kind (of political persuasion) of people
> are concerned about this, we will find that they are handful of
> anti-republicans (Nepalis) and foreigners who understand the Maoists by
> their brand name than anything else. Pro-republic mass of Nepal is not
> really concerned about that.
>
> I have yet to hear the Andolankari mass and civil society of Nepal
> worrying about the armed Maoists influencing the election of CA. When
> and if ever they did, I will too.
>
>
> ...

From my reply to Murariji's reply (partly quoted)

----- Original Message -----
From: ...
To: "nepal democracy"
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 12:59 PM
Subject: [ND] Re: Murari ji's article in Newpal news.com

>
>>But the gap between what they said and did in the past is so wide
>>that I cannot take them in their face value. As far as the rhetoric
>>goes, authoritarian regimes often use more nationalist,
>>pro-democratic and pro-people flourish than democratic ones.
>>I will withhold my final verdict on the Maoist intentions until
>>they begin to bridge the gap between their words and deeds.
>
> Murariji,
>
> There are a lot of things about which we should be apprehensive of the
> Maoists. For example, I think, in future democratic Nepal, they are
> going to be a pain in our ass in case of strengthening market economy,
> implementing privatization and other free market policies. And this is
> not because Maoists have shown wide gap between what they say and what
> they do, but because they have not.
>
> As far as the gap between words and deeds is concerned, if we compare
> our ruling governments/parties and the Maoists, the later will turn out
> to be the least dishonest, least phony, least hypocritical and least
> lying party.
>
> (How many sentences that were not phony and not dishonest GP Koirala
> might have uttered throughout his leadership and premiership ? Not
> many.)
>
> It is open that the Maoists have often tried to justify unjustifiable
> things. However, they have generally never lied or hid facts or their
> intentions. On the other hand, our governments always have lied and hid
> facts and truth.
>
> Just compare admissions from our successive governments and the Maoists
> about violation of human rights and other war crimes. How many reported
> extrajudiciary killings and "disappearances" have been admitted by our
> governments ? For God's sake, "disappearance" is another name for "the
> state is lying". Is there any reported case that Maoists have refused
> to take responsibility ? I have seen none.
>
> The Maoists are indeed a misguided (with a flawed ideology and use of
> violence) group. However, they have shown amazing degree of honesty,
> initiative, flexibility and consistency in their ways and decisions.
>
> It is not only from the trend of their behavior, but also from
> ideological flexibility as I explained in my earlier email, Maoist's
> commitment for "democratic republic" needs to be trusted, or given a
> benefit of doubt, as you put.
>
> In terms of likelihood, the chances of Maoists breaking their public
> commitment to "democratic republic" and pushing for "North Korean
> republic" is thousand times less than the chances of SPA reinstating
> "constitutional monarchy" in Nepal.
>
> In terms of reliability for "democratic republic", the Maoists are the
> most reliable ally. Then comes UML and other small left parties. NC is
> the weakest link. And Girija's group of NC is the most unreliable and
> the most untrustworthy group among all democratic forces.
>
> Girija's unreliability for "democratic republic" is not a random,
> practical and accidental coincidence. It has to do with his family
> value and identity. It has to do with keeping BP Koirala's dream
> unquestioned. BP Koirala's dream does not have Nepal without monarchy.
> NC is having a hard time moving beyond BP Koirala's dream of
> "constitutional monarchy" that, unfortunately, as the past decade
> showed, was a Gorkhali Utopia.
>
> I know a lot of our friends genuinely and originally believe in
> "ceremonial monarchy". I am not questioning their beliefs. However, for
> Girija et al, "ceremonial monarchy" is nothing but a validity to BP
> Koirala's dream of co-existence of the King and the people in Nepal.
>
> I am more than confident that the election of CA is going to give
> majority votes for "republic". I am not sure what happens next. Girija
> et al might try to save monarchy despite the clear majority vote for
> republic democracy. I am not going to accept this kind of deceptively
> negotiated "ceremonial monarchy".
>
> I will accept "ceremonial monarchy" only if it got clear majority in
> the election of CA.
>
> However, I am sure, Nepali people are going to vote for "republic".
> It's on the wall, literally on the wall, on the wall of democracy in
> Ratnapark, "My Nepal, serene Nepal, republic Nepal. Khabardar Girija !"
>
>
> Deepak Khadka


My latest reply to follow-up by Murariji

----- Original Message -----
From: ...
To: "nepal democracy"
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 5:50 PM
Subject: [ND] Re: Murari ji's article in Newpal news.com

>
> Murariji,
>
> I fully agree with your emphasis on keeping vigilance to all political
> protagonists' activities. As it has been proven by their records, each
> and every party of Nepal has this or that weaknesses and
> vulnerabilities.
>
> As for the Maoists, a proper understanding of their flaws and actions
> rather than a propagandist condemnation will enable us to be properly
> vigilant about them.
>
> Maoist war activities (including "extortion" and "abduction") needs to
> be stopped. How can we stop it ? This is how I would like to spend my
> precious thoughts and words instead of just wishing it.
>
> The Maoists are continuing their war activities because they are not
> sure monarchy is gone yet and specifically because they don't believe
> Girija's government is upto that job.
>
> We can't blame them for not trusting Girija, can we ?
>
> I was just reading this news forwarded by Padamji. Girija's statements
> made me throw up. This man is still not getting it. He says,
>
> "I'm expected to lead rather than being led by popular opinion."
>
> "What is the harm if he stays as Lord Pashupati?"
>
> http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1695553,0015002500000000.htm
>
> This is the reason the Maoists have not stopped their war activities.
> So a realistic way to stop Maoist's war activities completely is to
> make Girija not oppose "democratic republic".
>
> That does not mean we should not try other ways. We should. We must.
> However, supporting Girija does not make our case strong.
>
> That said, I would also like to make a point that Nepali intelligentsia
> (including some members of this forum) have made a tremendous error
> throughout the past decade by being a part of propaganda machine of the
> establishment that run a PROXY war of the palace with the Maoists and
> called it a war to "save" democracy.
>
> Yes, our governments did not fight with the Maoists to save
> "democracy". They fought to save "monarchy". It's as bright as a
> daylight, at least today. Isn't it ?
>
> It was king's proxy war our parliamentary parties fought for nothing.
> Girija is still fighting. Let's stop supporting Girija's fight for
> saving monarchy.
>
> Let's do something realistic rather than wishful things to stop
> Maoist's war activities and mentality once for all.
>
> D...
_________________________

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Sunnydev,

My proposal does let freedom to those who would like to choose to inherit their parent's surname as their identity.

*** *** ***

Chakku,

I am myself aware of some arbitrary cases of surname changing. My proposal to make it legal from arbitrary.

Of course education and other factors have made the "basnsuri" have more and more feeble sound. However, my proposal was "Na rahe baans, Na baje baabsuri".

Nepe

Nepe,
Few questions. Is it illegal to choose a surname different from your father's surname? Your proposal to make it legal from arbitrary suggests that changing surname as illegal. Some of you have seen such cases, which suggest the other way round.

Concept of "decastification", ( I don't know what that means) is still confusing me.

I am sure that your proposal doesn't infringe the territory of personal choice and beliefs.

Ashu, lets here your point of view, what do you think and how do you think should Nepal take its direction. I am talking about politically. Should the leaders lead or the leaders follow the populous demands. What do you think is the populous demand at this juncture? You being in Nepal, what do you make of all the comotion regarding Constituent Assembly, Monarchy, Ceremonial Monarchy, and the Maoist. Where does the REAL population stand?

I think you are a very good analyst (you don't take sides), I think you could give us some of your views.

सर्दार सिंह, अशुजीलाई कसैले यो प्रश्न माथि नै सोधिसक्यो।

मेरो विचारमा वहाँ अहिले मौन ब्रतमा हुनुहुन्छ। किनभने अहिले वहाँलाई 'बोल्यो कि पोल्यो' को स्थिति छ।

त्यसको उत्तर सुन्ने इच्छा त मलाई पनि थियो।

Chakku wrote:

"किनभने अहिले वहाँलाई 'बोल्यो कि पोल्यो' को स्थिति छ।"


Very funny, Chakku-ji, very funny!
I like you sense of humor.

A boringly truthful explanation is: I have been busy with the demands of the REAL life to sit down and write something that would make people think and (preferably) disagree.

*******

Sardarsing wrote:

"(you, [Ashu] don't take sides)"


Yes, that's true.

I am persuaded more by ideas and individual's actions, and NOT by ideologies and
what political parties do. So, let me take a step back and look at one broad idea.

Contrary to popular thinking, I really don't think of the king as a monstrous villain as most have made him out to be. Now before you start hurling accusations, read my argument. I told you that I was and am NOT idelogical when it came to understanding Nepal's political situations.

If the king really was a monstrous character, he could have killed more -- and be killed or fled the country like so many African dictators. The biggest question is: Why didn't he do that? Wouldn't it have been rational for him to collect money, pack up his bags, and spend the rest of his life skiing on the Swiss Alps?

I still can't understand why he didn't do that when doing that would have been a lucrative option for him. He risked humiliation to exile; he's a poor gambler. :-)

As someone who, as an observer, has quietly watched the king's earlier business career, I think that he was/is a comically clueless character who thought he could
run the the country the same way he ran his profitable joint-venture monopolies.

When you run monopolies for far too long too easily, you think of yourself as a golden money-maker. You underestimate the competition. Your reflexes become dull. You neglect small changes in the market. And you become arrogant about your own abilities, and you you think that your business success translates into success in every other realm.

I think this is what happened to him. He got blinded by his own 'business success', which, in fact, was based on monopoly profits.

So he started running the country as though it were his monopoly!

Mind you, that "monopoly" model worked well in the King's earlier business career: Indians or foreigners would provide technology, contacts and the marketing muscle.
The then Nirmal Niwas would provide local ownership of that business. They shut out the local competitions, and, when the monbey came pouring in, they would share the profits, and life went on fine for all parties concerned.

The king brought that sort of mindset to politics. His message of "I am in charge" reassured people in KTM in Feb 2005, before they realized that he simply was NOT delivering what he said he would.: peace and order.

Looking back, I think -- more than anything -- he was punished for non-delivery on his promise. And the political parties merely became vehicles for people to channel their demands for delivery. By April 2006, having made a series of mistakes, parties had learnt what worked and what did not in an andolan, and to their credit, they were able to use that learning to effective use.

But of course, when you don't deliver, people will call you anything and everything -- from monster to autocrat and what not. I think he and his cronies simply did not realize how the world had changed -- in competitive terms -- around
them.

Now, the political parties have taken the task of "delivering" to people. In this, I am afraid, we are going back to the 1995 (pre-Maoist) situation.

We can have as many constitutions we want. But constitutions mean NOTHING. What matters is the enforcing mechanisms or instititions. In Nepal, institutions are very weak, they have been made weak . . . talks I have heard so far are NOT about making institutions strong.

The need of the hour is: How to dissolve this parliament as soon as possible so that the REAL BUSINESSES (of punishing people and making institutions strong) can start after the general elections with a FRESH and ELECTED parliament.

Already, I see that the parliament, drunk on the success of Jan Andolan II, is behaving as though it were a parliament for life. This is a dangerous sign.

For now, in terms of logistics, the MAIN agenda is:

1) Talk with Maoists to bring them into the fold of political mainstream. [I have always remained suspicious of the Maoist motives, and my suspicions are based on what they did to non-political people I know in Dang, Bardiya, Kailali and other places]

Anything else is just a distraction.

Please feel free to disagree. More later

oohi
ashu