As the nation reels from an unprecedented energy crisis because of the untoward behavior of the angry elephant, we Nepalese can only think of this situation symbolically. Take it as a demo version of an apocalyptic future—when the oil patches will swell and the world will fall in the quagmire of ‘there’s no oil anywhere’. Like our calendar which is futuristic, maybe it is time that we learn to seek ‘alternative energy’ and diversify our trade with other countries rather than staring at the burning open border. It is with no doubt those nations with geographical advantage have the tendency to bully, look at Russia engulfing Crimea, and there are hundreds of examples in the past, including the smaller kingdoms of Nepal. Is there no situation way out then?
Chauvinist Diplomacy
I support democracy than any other form of state governance sine there are no alternatives yet. I have this crazy idea of cultural anarchism, where human beings have evolved to the state of non-violence and utmost intelligence, and there’s no need of security elements and no rules applied. However, it is just a utopian dream and as we march towards the 22nd century, we are only witnessing newer complicated threats like ISIS, cyber terrorism, bullying by energy hungry countries. The rhetoric of Oli government is questionable, just like any previous Nepali governments.
The ruling government always seeks a minority and external symbol to sustain its power—this time, it is the neighboring drunk elephant, and the flame torchers in the Madesh region. The government has managed to incite hatred among people in the hills against these two, thus managing to instill chauvinism among general Nepalese, like me. We live in a globalized world and geopolitically speaking it would be disastrous for us to seal the border with India, introduce visa system, and ask the Indian Embassy in Nepal to leave. If that happens, I can only think that Nepal might become the next North Korea, opposed to the claim by many that India wants to make Nepal the second Sikkim. Both possibilities to occur are extremely difficult in the current context, but if nothing is done to mend the fences, our fall might be because of chauvinist diplomacy by our political rulers.
The Wood
The government of Nepal recently initiated a stone-age program to sell woods for fifteen rupees. Tree often represents longevity but what does wood signify in the 21st century? In the western world, people use it for camping or barbecuing, but we in Nepal are forced to cook food with it. It is our survival. We burn fire, we survive. We have wood, we survive. It is a farce of the ruling government that they are planning to declare ‘energy crisis.’ What can this declaration do for general people? We have heard stories about how high position people are able to get gas and fuel, but people who are blind and non-citizens cannot get. Even few people have been reported to be dead due to unavailability of medicine. Perhaps, the government could manufacture medicine and food essentials? No, we aren’t self-reliant yet. We have become like the wood, that any foreign element can burn us for their selfish purpose. In a general level, we have to understand that the government and other parties involved in Nepal want ‘power’ and power often corrupts absolutely. Is there a way out?
The Way Out
Once, a famous Nepali poet had said that Nepal is a country full of gossips. Now it is of conspiracies and theories. Most of us already have a pre-established lens for ourselves and neighboring countries too. There are views like India is after our waters and China wouldn’t interfere ever due to their foreign policy. I strongly believe that both rhetoric are false since these are only assumptions. Wouldn’t China and India break up like USSR did in the early 90s? I think bigger nations have that edge to break apart due to internal strife than smaller nations like Nepal. Hence, the government and the Madeshi Morcha should keep in mind that the current situation is our ‘internal matter’ and should intelligently solve it by forgiving each other. Yes, both of them made mistakes, but it is high time that both parties drop their vested interests and work for the benefits of the common people. Meanwhile, we can only watch and see if China really sends fuel to Nepal and whether Oli and Modi can come to a truce. Culturally we are closer to India and it makes no sense that we should divorce with them. The only way out I see is through a peaceful table negotiation—isn’t that what democracy means? If it was anarchism, we wouldn’t have to see all these dramas.
Mr. Arun Budhathoki can be reached at twitter: @arunbudhathoki
https://www.facebook.com/arunbudhathokiauthor
http://thebruns.ca/author/abudathaki/
His recent books are: Prisoner of an IPad: New Poems & Second in Love: Short
Stories
