King Gyanendra to make Royal Announcement (Kantipuronline)


KOL Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 1 - King Gyanendra is to address the nation later this (Tuesday) morning. An official notice by the Press Secretariat of the Royal Palace said the King will issue a "Royal Announcement" at 10 a.m.(4:15 UT) Tuesday morning.
It is not clear what the announcement will deal with. However, it comes at a time when there is intense speculation over holding of elections.

On Monday evening, King Gyanendra met Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba followed by separate meetings with heads of different security wings .

Detail of that meeting is not clear. (rk)

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=30549

ALL THE LEADERS IN NEPAL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM: THEY WAN'T THE PRIME MINISTER'S CHAIR. THEY KNOW THE COUNTRY'S SITUATION VERY WELL..THEY ALSO KNOW THAT THEY CANNOT DO IT YET CLAIM ALL THE TIME THAT THEY CAN SOLVE THE MAOIST PROBLEM IF THEY ARE MADE THE PM.
Deuba is no exception. He was sacked two years ago and he went to protests and once again when he was proposed for the post..he accepted like a lousy dog. These leaders have no dignity at all. They don't have balls to face the King and like someone said above..no one is gonna dare to come to the streets and protests. Maoists know one thing: CALL STRIKE. and they have done that again. Now common, what's the use of the strike when there is already curfew in the country. HAMI PANI KE KAM that's what they want to prove.
All these leaders are gonna put their heads into their asses and keep shut.
The day the leaders start seriously thinking about doing things for the people rather than fighting for the chairs...NEPAL KO AWASYA PANI KALYAN HUNCHA. How silly they are....assholes...they fight about making one of their guys a governor but they give a shit that there is 3 weeks nepal bandh every month.

I WAS NOT TOO SURPRIZED THAT GYANE DID THAT BUT I SEE IT AS THE ONLY OPTION NEPAL HAD IN THE PRESENT TIME. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THE COUNTRY GETS BETTER.
JAI NEPAL

It's quite fun to watch some of the hissy fits a-brewin' here in sajhaland over Gyanendra's move. I think I'm gonna sack San and put all the sajha netas under cyberhouse arrest. Yes, it's good to be KING!!! Kuccchhhhhhing!

ISO bro,

You repeatedly juxtapose Gyanendra and Musharraf, here and in other threads. I don't think it's a fare comparison.

First of all, from what I have seen, Musharraf and his political gang is far (I mean FAR) more educated, articulate, modern-thinking, forward-looking, visionary and connected to the people they rule than King G and his vision-deprived crooks who hail from the OLD SCHOOL.

Secondly...

I admit I lack any knowledge of specifics in Pakistan's development after the last military coup. However, just as a general observation, one can argue that even though India and Pakistan were literally born together with almost the same level of development, look at how far Pakistan lags behind India now, which, among other factors, of course, can be partly attributed to India's committment to democracy ever since it's inception. While Pakistan got embroiled in social conservatism due to religous rigidity, and politcal backwardness due to intermittent military rules, India, despite it's mound of problems, slowly but surely rose to hitch a ride in economic and social prosperity.

My point is, despite what at times seems like problems beyond one's comprehension, nothing but only free minds can move societies forward and achieve greater degrees of development. Solutions to problems in democracy CANNOT, and WILL NEVER, come from backward steps towards autocracy, but rather from more freedom itself. The process of democracy corrects itself.

This is not to say I advocate the notion that democracy based on Western thoughts should, and must, be appied to every society on earth. However, I seriously wonder if Nepal and other underdeveloped countries can really prosper if their leaders dictate what/how the governed should think. Cultural, social and geographical aspects aside, FREE MINDS that democracy promotes is an absolute necessity in ANY society's prosperity, be it economic, intellectual, or social.

THAT is why I think Nepal fell far behind because Panchayat shunned FREE MINDS, and THAT is why I don't see a bright future for Nepal if it is to revert back to Panchayat era, as the initial moves of King G indicates.

ISO, I know you and I will have vast differences on these issues, but it's no secret that I take immense pleasure in trusting your capacity to argue with civility and articulate reasonings. Therefore, I hope you also understand that these differences are limited to intellectual discussions, and I otherwise hold a great personal admiration for you.

Cheers!

First of all, from what I have seen, Musharraf and his political gang is far (I mean FAR) more educated, articulate, modern-thinking, forward-looking, visionary and connected to the people they rule than King G and his vision-deprived crooks who hail from the OLD SCHOOL.

Poonte bro,

We don't know who the King will be choosing as of today. So let's just not jump to conclusions right now. I don't think he will choose someone from the Panchayat era... who knows he might assemble a team of intellctuals like he did in 2002. My guess is, he won't choose the people who have failed previously. It will be a fresh team. Our country has educated, visionary people too.


"I admit I lack any knowledge of specifics in Pakistan's development after the last military coup. However, just as a general observation, one can argue that even though India and Pakistan were literally born together with almost the same level of development, look at how far Pakistan lags behind India now, which, among other factors, of course, can be partly attributed to India's committment to democracy ever since it's inception. While Pakistan got embroiled in social conservatism due to religous rigidity, and politcal backwardness due to intermittent military rules, India, despite it's mound of problems, slowly but surely rose to hitch a ride in economic and social prosperity. "

Pakistan udner Musharraf is more peaceful and less corrupt than it was under Benzir and Nawaz (Kaplan, 2002/3); Zakaria, 2003). I agree about the democracy part. Pakistan is behind India because it never enjoyed political stability due to the failure of democratic regimes, but India is behind China.. and India is behidn China because India is a democracy. Russia is failing because its a democracy, China is developing because its not [yet a western style] democracy.

Pakistan because its uner Musharraf, doesn't have to deal with communal strifes, corruption and fanatical ideologies that India has to deal with.


"This is not to say I advocate the notion that democracy based on Western thoughts should, and must, be appied to every society on earth. However, I seriously wonder if Nepal and other underdeveloped countries can really prosper if their leaders dictate what/how the governed should think. Cultural, social and geographical aspects aside, FREE MINDS that democracy promotes is an absolute necessity in ANY society's prosperity, be it economic, intellectual, or social. "

No. Freedom minus elections.. is also acceptable. Hoina? Elections nai huna parcha bhanne ta chaina ni bro, mero bichar ma. Democracy supplemented by the rule of law should be the ultimate goal of Nepal. Noone can dream of imposing rana or panchayat regime now. Things have changed, however people along with political rights want economic oppurtunities and its the latter that is more important to people, if global surveys are to be believed. So a phase-wise manner with teh ultimate goal to having a liberal democracy is more sensible. Also many people are contesting democracy and development theory. Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Chile.. and look at Russia, Nepal, Central Asian States, African democracies going downhill.

"

THAT is why I think Nepal fell far behind because Panchayat shunned FREE MINDS, and THAT is why I don't see a bright future for Nepal if it is to revert back to Panchayat era, as the initial moves of King G indicates. "


panchayat was 3 lost decades. If you ask me, I personal;ly do not have any problem with the system.. the system failed because the people were corrupt. IF the people were responsible, in that 30 eayrs time, we could have come a long way.. economic development would have forced the state to implement the institutions of democracy and the rule of law, and tdoay we would be having democracy quite similar to that of the Asian Tigers..

"SO, I know you and I will have vast differences on these issues, but it's no secret that I take immense pleasure in trusting your capacity to argue with civility and articulate reasonings. Therefore, I hope you also understand that these differences are limited to intellectual discussions, and I otherwise hold a great personal admiration for you"

No.. I know you hold deep grudges.,. and are planning on "lakheting" me holding a Sirupate Khukuri in your rifght hand and a beer bottle in your left.. from Baneswor to Gyaneshow.. from Mandikhatar to Baluwataar.. kasam yaar.. tyo chyattya petticoat laune habsini le phone garera bhanya!!!

Come on Poonte bro, we have been exchanging views in Sjaha for a long time. I udnerstand your POV. And I respect those.

La alik Sur launa janey hoina?

ultimate goal to having a liberal = ultimate goal of

I cannot nullify the points Poonte is making but I guess agree with Isolated more. Here are my thoughts:

We, here, are generally discussing the effect of an event, as opposed to affecting the event; I am a culprit myself. In that regard, I give the King some credit, he had a firm belief on what he wanted to do and he executed it.

If I were given a choice among Democracy, Maoism or an absolute monarchy; I?d chose Democracy in a heart bit. But if I was to choose among the now-expelled government, the Maoism or the King; I?d chose the King.

Having said that, I find it hard to believe that the sole reason the King seized the power is because he cares for the people. No matter what the intention is, if it is any bit better than what we have been seeing for the past few hundred years, then I?d take it. But the final answer has to be a total democratic rule with competent leaders. Point is, we never had good choices, so I don?t have any complaints right now.

By test director, "Please forgive me for saying the following, but no personal offense: if someone you know rape your sister in front of you, will you consider him brave, courageous and think that at last your sister will get life? I'm trying to see if I could shed light on the issue putting this way!"

No offense again, but let me ask you test director what do you prefer, rather GANG RAPE? That is what your democratic politician were doing for freaking 14 years. Lets not be a big time scholar in this issue - I know whatever step King G has taken is not worth praising from Democratic point of view - but again what is the use of that Democracy that never can restrain peace in the country, what the fck Multiparty systems have done so far to established law and order, what is the use of Democracy that makes us audience when we are looking at our Neta slicing and dicing Nepal every freakin second? You and I have seen the world and its easy for us to throw nonsense comments here and there, but put yourself in the shoes of 80% of total population who are under line of poverty and practice democracy - then you will go crazy.

King did absolutely right what he was suppose to do. I would have supported Maoist if they had coup the government or may be army or whoever- who has motive to restrain peace. Nepal need ONE MAN POWER to lead forward. Democracy make no sense anymore in country like Nepal. Give one example other than BAK SWATANTRATA, so far what we have acheived from PRAJATANTRA. Prajantra was not for praja, it was for those clan of democratic profiteer which was not you and me.

If this not correct move, can somebody please post an alternative. Let me post mine.

1. Arjoo or Sujata?

2. Girija and his clan and counterpart ? - Without any doubt they will fight for kurshi and will not hesitate to slice and dice Nepal. They will suck every drop of blood from you and me. Imagine where were they before and what they are now. They came in to Singha Durbar on their Chappal and handful of Chana and came out with Pajero and Gold Biscuit. WHere are they now. Jwalata udharan - Govinda R Joshi (not just hm, his sons), KHum Bhahadur Khadka, Arjun Narsigh KC, Makune, Olee and many more.

3. Maoist ?

3. Or one from Sajha - Poonte, Nepe, Test Director - who ?

4. Or make Nepal another state of India?

There is not other alternative other than King's move. We are in verge of being citizen without a country. We have seen lots of Gai Jatra, lets see one more.

Poonte ji, I suggest you to read ISO comments twice.

Regarding India, it is very true India never wants Nepal political environment to be stable becoz they dont want to see Chinese influence in Nepal, so fck India, they ain't do nothing as long as China is supportive. Its time to for us not to be in dillema with freaking Indian hypocracy rather we look for China.

I suggest every single Sajhaties who are concern about King's recent movement to vote on available online poll in this portal. Thats how we can make the statistical guess on how the ppl of Nepal reacting to the situation.

Well, very intreguing political developoment in nepal. This could be the drastic motion in the political evoluiton process that either drows back or push ahead democracy and development in nepal. But one this is very clear, politicians including those vocuous intellectuals in nepal were proactive (no doubt for ther personal interest) in the rein of Birendra. Birendra just had cool sleep for ten year and went into deep sleep lateron. This king is sleepless and has made everyone awake. Now it is our task to evaluate what is good for we nepalese people: When King is in Cool Sleep, in Deep Sleep or Sleepless. My choice is none of them. As "King don't do any wrong" he also don't know how to sleep and also don't know what to do when sleepless.
PEACE

I don't understand why people think democracy is effected by King G taking over. Name one instance in the 14 years of democracy that we as Nepalis felt democratic.
All idiots running around and calling themselves democratic rulers doesn't make it democratic. When did any of this ruler do anything that was for the people. Democracy in Nepal was " off the people, bye from the people and far away from the people" so we should at least stopping bitiching that our democratic ways are being violated and come up with better reasoning as to why King G move is wrong. Anyways I support it because I don't trust the other idiots.

I would agree with ISO and Pieces bro. King G's move is very brave and approriate for the time being. Let us not disscuss abt King's intention's for now (whatever it may be), because we know the intentions of other's maobadi and ghushiya leaders.

Democracy has literally failed in Nepal. It drowned the country with ghushiya leaders and It gave rise to Maoisim and then deaths to more than 10,000 ppl in this past decade, hope this event will bring peace and change the course of nepal's history.

Just like everybody, my first priority is Peace..PEACE and PEACE..and then we can battle other issues.

tapai ko naam confused bhaya panee kuro chahee 16 ana thik garnoo bhayo hai...

bakaap cha tapailai ;)


Jai Desh Jai Naresh

Jai Nepal

Pisces,
Good to read your comment. You probably know that G Shah wants power and nothing more. He also wants to save it for his son, as well. That means he wants to suck us, our budget as much as he can. He wants his son Paras to be there after him to suck us likewise. That's all he cares about. If you want, I don't mind you calling it gang-rape, three-some, whatever...
As long as these fascist kings and clans remain, the poor will suffer as long. These come to the forefront when we talk about the gang rapes. I do not know why we have Girija, but can see why we have Maoists... because these f*king bastard kings are doing whatever they like to.
About poverty, been there done that, again. Today's rape you can call it just a rape or gang rape, it's up to you. There have been too many cases over the last 200 years where these bastards have bramha-looted the people and the country. I don't think I have to count the cases here: 1) Mahendra -- same as Gynendra, 2. Birendra same as Gynendra.
All of them are looters in one incarnation or another.

These hands have touched all soils from the east of Nepal to the west. And without being personal, you probably do not want to tell me that the current crisis would have been there had King Tribhuvan properly established a good political system, but he was one of the most bastards of all Shah kings.
ALL THESE 200 YEARS THE SHAHS are gang raping the country left and right, left and right, sometimes hand-in-hand with the Ranas. Do you agree here?
I'm not a politician and I'd rather not want to be one. Looking at the way politicians are running the country, it'd not take a rocket scientist to run it like that.

Pisces should understand that G Shah created this scenario himself, not today but a few years ago. G Shah is talking about bucking up three more years with $$$ and then probably mean "Dekhajayega". G Shah is using Maoist issue to his advantage.

On the other hand, today's politicians are not good, if you want to say that. But Today's move has tried to put a lid on everything whatever we have. I agree that democracy in Nepal has not lived up to its name. Was Panchayat any better? NO NO NO!
I understood you want peace, but then how many in Nepal will get it. You are ready to trade peace for slavery? On top of it, now a simple Nepali whoever he will not have a chance at all to be a Chief of The Army or police etc. You will have to be a Shah (you missed the boat to marry Prerana if that was on your list: Hehe no offense), a Rana , a Thapa etc. That's what it means when G Shah has taken over the power. The keyword is "Chaplusi".

The only hope, however untrue, is there with democracy, my dear pisces. I've to tell you the difference is the absence of concept of well-to-do in the authoritarian regimes for the common people; without concept how can you be well-to-do? Choose who you want to support, choice is yours. My choice is clear an loud now! But I do not support Girija or BP, believe me!

1.Yes many political leaders were corrupt, they should be prosecuted.
2.Yes the Maoists have been atrocious, they should be crushed.
3.Yes there had been a political vacuum, it should be filled and given momentum.
I do agree with people who hate the politicians and institutions that could not perform well in the last 16 years. They have a big part (the biggest for sure) for bringing in the situation of today which gave the King very little alternative to choose for other things then what he did today.
BUT
What gives you the hope or belief that this King is going to make things better for our country??
1.He is the King who took the throne amidst a big suspicion of conspiracy. He never gave chance to a fair enquiry of the massacre.
2. He is the King, father of Paras , whom he could not stop repeating all those bullish acts even after declared a Crown Prince and a father of 3 children. If Gyanendra could not handle Paras well, How can he handle the chaotic situation of the country?
3. He is the KIng who appointed infamous Panchas Surya Bahadur and Lokendra Bahadur twice in the last 3 years as primeminister. If those Panchas are his close aides and advisor what better can he do now with the same group of peoples now?
4. He is the King who spent millions of rupees for felicitating himself all over the country. He is the one who has forced a 20 fold increase of Royal expenditure in the last 4 years. Do you think he has good intention of solving problems and helping poor Nepali People?
5. People who believe in multi party democracy are still a considerable force to reckon with in Nepal. WHy couldn't he select non corrupted pro democratic people for running the previous 4 appointed governments ?
6. He has cut off communication and censored media. If he thinks he has the support of the people why is he afraid of allowing freedom of information and speech in the country now?Why does he createddarkness in the country?

All his actions of the past shows that he has no ability, no desire, no visison to give the nation a fresh hope. He simply can't rectify the problems of the country with this move. Instead he should have tried to force a consessus between non maoists, why couldn't he do that? Because he has been ill advised by some file and ranks of the palace aides who think that they should only benefit from the country and the majority of people must away on their orders. They don't like the children of general public getting educated and develope to capable individuals.

Anybody who is pleased with the King's move is either a direct beneficiary of the palace or a hopeful of making advantage of this. Any one with a democratic, progressive, tolerant, moderate principal cannot approve the kings move at any cost. Its really sickening to read words of explicit support to the King from people living in democratic plularalistic western society. This shows how self centric, selfish we Nepalis are.

Friends, you will know after few months that today's King's action is a very insensible move. This has led the future of Monarchy in real trouble. In democracy, people like Girija come and go and better people will replace them.But once Monarchy is gone it won't come back again.

ISO and other skeptics of democracy in Nepal,

First, on a personal note:

Despite growing calls for Republicanism in Nepal in the past few years, I personally have never subscribed to Republican agenda, and I still have doubts that wiping out the royal institution in it's entirety from the Nepali political scenario is neither beneficial, nor feasible. For one thing, among others, given Nepal's extremely fragile ethnic diversity, I have always supported instituting a GENUINELY constitutional monarchy in Nepal, wherby the the King can play a major symbolic role of national unity. However, the moves by the king like that of February 1st makes me wonder if my tacit support for the monarchy is worthwhile at all. I have yet to renounce my little support for the King, but only what further actions the king might take in the days to come will determine if moderates like myself should simply allign with the Republicans and call for a total abolishment of monarchy in Nepal. For the starters, the complete and unprecedented ban on telecommunications and the formation of the cabinet filled with [exepmt a neglible few] old crooks who have proven themselves to be not only incompetent, but primitive and tyrannical in their ideals, have only fueled my desire to re-think my position.

Now, a general comment on democracy vs. tyranny vis-a-vis development and peace:

ISO, we had had an extensive discussion on this many months ago right here in Sajha. However, since it has been so long, and the timing of the subject is so impeccable, that I do not mind repeating myself here again.

First of all, if you notice my comment above on development regarding India vs. Pakistan, I have said: "...how far Pakistan lags behind India now, which, among other factors, of course, can be partly attributed to India's committment to democracy ever since it's inception. You see, several factors play varying degrees of importance in a country's development. To name the few, they are: geography, history/anthropogy, and social, cultural and political aspects. Therefore, I think it is meaningless to juxtapose different countries' development process without first carefully studying what those achievements can be attributed to, depending on their respective ideosyncracies.

I think is only fair to juxtapose India and Pakistan because they both are more or less similar in terms of race, geography, and their anthropological history. Of course their respective peoples enagae in diffrent religions, but then again, as I said above, Pakistan's underdevelopment can also be attributed to tyranny that she has experienced BOTH from military and religious rigidity.

On the other hand, many people, like yourself, seem to enjoy bringing up Asian Tigers' success as an example of successfull development under distatorships. I think it's a misconception that Asian Tiger's remarkable success in development can be attributed to their respective dictatorships. First of all, one of the Tigers, Hong Kong (besides Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea), prospered remarkably under an umbrella of democracy. Therefore, the only common link between the tigers that I can find is STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHY, not their POLITICAL SYSTEMS. With or without dictatorships, I think Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, like Hong Kong, would have prospered anyway because they were right in the middle of booming trade between Asia and the rest of the world, particularly North America. Hence, I cringe a bit when someone compares Nepali dictatorship to 3 of 4 Asian Tigers' and predicts that autocracy will bring prosperity in Nepal. More on Nepali perspective on my theory of development later.

China's economic prosperty too, I believe can be largely attributed to it's geography: The entire pacific coast of China benefits immensely from trade with North America. Nevertheless, in the context of China, I also doubt that without SOME form of tyranny, they'd have had unfathomable problems controling over a billion population, making it impossible to achieve the kind of prosperity it has achieved.

Democracy vs. tyranny on peace in the next post...

What is there in Nepal's PM (Public Marne) chair, every one including the King wants it so bad. Once they have it, they forget why they were there for?

EVERY SINGLE NEPALI IS HAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION.
K NAI PAYKO THEYO RA JANTA HARU LEY?
GHREENA LAGCHA NEPAL KO NETA HARU KO NAM LEENA TA.
AND INDIA,US, UK WHAT THE HELL DO THEY WANT. EVER PLACED THEM IN NEPALI SOJO SAJO JANTAS PLACE AND WATCHED THE SUCKERS.
DEMOCRACY IS WHAT WE NEED IN TODAYS WORLD, I DO WANT THAT TOO, BUT WITH THOSE M F @#&ING NETAS I DONT WANT ANY DEMOCRACY ANYMORE.
LONG LIVE THE KING AND HIS COUNTRY.
CAUSE PEOPLE LIKE ME COULD NEVER HAVE PUNISHED THOSE UGLY CREATURES, FOR THEIR SIN THEY HAVE COMMITTED.
IM HAPPY TODAY, CAUSE I CAN WALK DOWN THE ALLEY WITH MY HEADS UP, WHILE THOSE SUCKERS ARE HIDING. I OFCOURSE DONT HAVE A KALO CAR, BUT THOSE SUCKERS DONT HAVE TOO.
I AM REALLY HAPPY TODAY.

hey Pisces!!!you made sense!!! i agree.. i have same pains when it comes to nepal.. and desperately want peace and stability in nepal... forget about india.. why do they support king since.. all political leaders are in indian pocket.. so india never want to lose their political control on nepal... keep on writing.. ppl need to be enlighted.. and its high time now.. we dont want any protest or rally in nepal anymore.... thanx for ur comment.. i liked it

Democracy vs. tyranny on peace...

Yes, it is rather easy to see with bare eyes that dictators seem to be able to restore peace. One can argue Iraq under Saddam was peaceful, and so is Pakistan under Musharraf, and former Yugoslavia under Tito, therefore Nepal will see peace under King G. It is also true that Nepal SEEMED much more peaceful under the Panchayat than under SO-CALLED democracy.

What many do not realize is the fact that peace under dictatorships are only facades that hides the truth. Trhough the means of censorships and bitter supression, they only hide the turmoil that their societies and slowly being engulfed with, sometimes ready to tick off at the slightest opportunity. It's like boiling water being forcefully covered and being hidden in a pressure cooker. Sooner or later, the water will boil enough to blast the lid off. On the other hand, under democracies, we do not need the lid to cover the boiling water -- slowly but surely, even amongst seemingly incomprehensible chaos, democratic rule seeks to put the fire under the pot out, rather than cover the pot with a lid. Therfore, I seriously doubt dictatorships, be in Nepal or anywhere else, can guarantee genuine and lasting peace, wheras democratic regimes, albeit with major hurdles in the beginning, will ensure that the causes of violence and turmoil be uprooted from the core.

Aba, Nepali paripekshya ma...

It is obvious that Nepal lacks geographical strategic advantage in global trade and commmerce like the Asian Tigers. Even development within the country is difficult due to geographic difficulties. Therefore, where else can Nepal look for it's prosperity?

The key to Nepal's underdeveloppment, in my opinion, is social and political impedements. Socially, we have lived our entire modern history under the discriminatory heirarchy(caste) system. Politcally, we only have been exposed to tyrannies of one form or another. Come to think of it, both social and political impedements to Nepal's prosperity are entertwined -- the caste system was coercively instituted (by the Ranas), and aggressively promoted (by the Shah dynasty under Panchayat) by tyrannies in order to consolidate their respective powers.

You (ISO) say the Panchayat system itself was good, but was infested with corrupt politicians. Well, ISO, political systems do not have lives of their own to be judged good or bad without the players -- the systems are only as good, or as bad, as the people who run it. In this regard, by utterly failing to provide for even the basic education (other than the fact that "Shree Paanch Maharaj Dhiraj bhagwan Bishnu ko avatar hoibaksanchha"), the Panchayat failed miserably in preparing the Nepali people for democracy. (Mind you again, ONLY democracy can prepare people for democracy itself -- ghodchadi le 2-4 choti ladera mattra ghoda chadna sikchha.) In this regard, I personally believe that all the troubles that Nepal faced after 1990, unlike some of you who tend to suggest it was the fault of "democracy," can be attrributed to Panchayat. The Maoist turmoil, bandhs, violent political agitations, in my opinion, were the after shocks of 3 decades of utter neglect of the Panchayat era to properly educate it's people. Education here entails not only being able to read and write, but being able to demonstrate one's disgreements disappointments peacfully.

The sytem of heirarchy (and the discrimination that came along with it), both under the Ranas and the Panchayat, by denying rights and prosperity to certain groups, also promoted corruption. When one has to compete to have even the basic rights and necessities, one certainly would look for alternate ways to fulfill one's needs, hence the snowball effect of corruption.

Therefore, in light of the fact that I attribute much of Nepal's recent problems to tyrannies, I cannot help but vehemently oppose what seems like a return to autocracy. The only way to solve problems in democracy is by granting more freedom, more rights to the governed themselves. Like I mentioned before, democracy corrects itself. What we had in the 1990's was a kalanka in the name of democracy -- they called it constitutional monarchy, but they failed to reign the King's power by the constitution. The King remained still above the law, and even though jaatiya bhed-bhaav was suppposedly banned under the constitution, it failed to take appropriate actions against such discriminations. Religious freedom was NOT granted. Obviously, there were plenty of rooms for violence and turmoil to take roots in our country.

Return the power to the people. Genuinely. And let the golden wheels of REAL democracy roll. And despite initial difficulties, if democracy does not lead Nepal to greater peace and prosperity, all my knowledge, and all that I have believed in,and all that I have stood for, therefore all that I am, would have been damned!

Yes, you will be damned, if you really believe the likes of the current politicians in house arrest would do any better than they have shown in 14 years!!