Hindustan Times
All quiet on the public front
Nepal’s experiencing its fresh crisis. But unlike earlier instances in recent past when there used to be outpouring of anguish, disillusionment, anger and outburst on social networking sites and on streets—Nepalis seem to have become quiet this time around.
On May 23, four days before dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, thousands of Kathmanduites from all walks of life had gathered at Darbar Marg to show a united face of Nepal and to press lawmakers to draft an inclusive constitution on time.
But when the same lawmakers and the political parties they belong to failed to draft the statute on time—leading to dissolution of the Constituent Assembly and dashing of four years of hard work—there was no deluge of emotions either on the streets or the websites.
More than two weeks have passed, but barring the faint murmurs targeting political parties, the masses have preferred remaining silent on the situation in the country.
Even supporters of political parties seem to have run out of patience. It was evident last week when a mass rally organized by 27 parties to launch a campaign to oust the Baburam Bhattarai government could muster only a few thousand people.
A central working committee member of Nepali Congress, one of the main organizers of the event, admitted that peoples’ loss of faith in politicians was the reason for the low turnout.
The political players have again got busy with their permutations and efforts at staying in power or gaining it, but Nepal’s public, who after a four year wait were expecting a miracle on May 27 with delivery of a new constitution, somehow seem to have lost interest.
Nepalis like Indians are said to be believers of fatalism, the doctrine that all events are predetermined by fate and hence can’t be altered by humans. This belief seems to hold true of how they deal with most problems related to basic amenities plaguing the country.
But a fatalist public is not something which Nepal needs now. Politicians and parties who failed the nation should be reminded that their actions are being watched and if they fail, they (politicians) should be ready to face the consequences in the next battle for ballots.
Someone had said “public apathy is more powerful than public opinion”. Perhaps Nepali masses are showcasing this power with their indifference.
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Your logic is absurd and your judgement flawed.
Pakistan is not brought blight upon itself “for the United States”. It has brought it upon itself for its state support of terrorists and other unsavory actors against other countries.
There is nothing in this alleged conversation that says that the lady blames all Pakistanis for supporting terrorism. In fact, it is the response of the Pakistani gentleman, blaming the United States for an attempted terrorist act on its own soil. By the same logic, Pakistan should be blamed for all the terrorist acts in Pakistan right? That sir, is the inherent contradiction in you position.
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Happiness, bliss, peace… everything is within. We look outside. Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s advise, ‘Hands in Society, Heads in Forest’ is very relevant to handle the stress & strain of our daily lives. At that level, we will not be affected by the stress either.
Be Blissful…. Live SSpiritually
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That is why the Panchayats and Khaps in U.P. have taken things into their hands and have issued guidelines of social behaviour. They are monitoring situation at the village panchayat level – its akin to the neighbourhood watch that the developed countries have – and have appointed panels comprising of elder women to keep an eye on girls! As usual its the females of the society who have their movement restricted, their freedom to use mobile taken away and their choice of clothes tailored down to the traditional. These are extremes and curtailment of various freedoms, but the idea of a neighbourhood watch at the village level is the need of the hour. No policing by our corrupt police would help bring down the rate of crime. Such neighbourhood watches need to be convened all over the country including the big cities.
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