Spring Break
Nepal transformed, now looks to the future
Sudarshan Karki
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: Forum
I vividly remember the day four months ago when we held the historic Constituent Assembly (CA) election in Nepal.
"The stench of blood has finally died down. Leaving behind the debris of old and feudal Nepal, with the election of the long-awaited Constituent Assembly tomorrow, we are headed toward the formation of a new and prosperous Nepal, and I am excited."
Those words filling the pages of my diary have not yet dried.
The last four months have been confusing and painful for many Nepalese. The rise in price of the commodities, the state of lawlessness and the increase in criminal incidents around the country, the numerous protests and their effect on public life - all of this made my country look like a failed state.
The enthusiasm and aspirations we had seen in the historic April revolution that engineered the abolishment of our monarchy was strengthened with the completion of the CA election.
But the reluctance of the existing political parties to hand over the power of the state to the former rebels, whom the election mandated to lead the government, diminished the hopes of a "New Nepal."
At the gates of change, transition appears more difficult than anticipated. Of course, transition is never easy anywhere since it calls for dismantling and replacement of existing mechanisms and structures.
And this is where we have collectively failed to take adequate measures.
The Nepalese had to withstand these long and soaring four months of predicament that ended with the election of former rebel leader "Prachanda" as the new prime minister just a few days ago.
Still, the failure of the coalition partners to form a full cabinet five days after the prime minister was elected is a looming shadow over the stability of this newly-formed government.
Despite all this, people are excited to be at this juncture where they have uprooted the deep-seated feudal/monarchical system and established a democratic republic system. Electing a communist rebel as the premier of the country has left an impression that communists are able to ascend to power through the people's force if they have a concrete agenda for the economic and social transformations centered on the people's will.
"The stench of blood has finally died down. Leaving behind the debris of old and feudal Nepal, with the election of the long-awaited Constituent Assembly tomorrow, we are headed toward the formation of a new and prosperous Nepal, and I am excited."
Those words filling the pages of my diary have not yet dried.
The last four months have been confusing and painful for many Nepalese. The rise in price of the commodities, the state of lawlessness and the increase in criminal incidents around the country, the numerous protests and their effect on public life - all of this made my country look like a failed state.
The enthusiasm and aspirations we had seen in the historic April revolution that engineered the abolishment of our monarchy was strengthened with the completion of the CA election.
But the reluctance of the existing political parties to hand over the power of the state to the former rebels, whom the election mandated to lead the government, diminished the hopes of a "New Nepal."
At the gates of change, transition appears more difficult than anticipated. Of course, transition is never easy anywhere since it calls for dismantling and replacement of existing mechanisms and structures.
And this is where we have collectively failed to take adequate measures.
The Nepalese had to withstand these long and soaring four months of predicament that ended with the election of former rebel leader "Prachanda" as the new prime minister just a few days ago.
Still, the failure of the coalition partners to form a full cabinet five days after the prime minister was elected is a looming shadow over the stability of this newly-formed government.
Despite all this, people are excited to be at this juncture where they have uprooted the deep-seated feudal/monarchical system and established a democratic republic system. Electing a communist rebel as the premier of the country has left an impression that communists are able to ascend to power through the people's force if they have a concrete agenda for the economic and social transformations centered on the people's will.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
kriti
posted 8/26/08 @ 7:26 PM CST
sudarsan dai...i like your article...i laso hipe all this process will turn into something good and developing.
Prack
posted 8/27/08 @ 2:37 AM CST
Nice work man! As far as as I know, you have successfully pointed out the current political scenario of Nepal.
Rohan Suppal
Rohan Suppal
posted 9/01/08 @ 4:14 PM CST
Wow, I didn't know you write so good. Awesome job
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