Let's Destroy Nepal.

Maoists have decided to initiate Nepal Bandh for an unknown period of time, could be a day long or a week or a month. They claim the bandh will be an example of their opposition to the present government. They want their voice to be heard. They want the cabinet. What the hell?

Why don't they just say, we want money? They had cabinet for a decent amount of time, they could not even make a drain. Why are they doing all these?

Even though, their claim is justifiable in the sense that, the present government is also doing nothing. So, being an opposition party, they have a right to claim. These steps are yes, beneficial for them.

What does it signal though? What can be deduced from the fact that the maoists are making some aggressive moves against the present government?

One: They want the cabinet. This is just a deduction we can make.

Two: We are on the verge of war. The tension is growing everyday. The maoists plan to become brutal if their whimps are not met. This is an indirect way of saying: if you don't give us the cabinet we will return to the jungles.

Nepalese politicians are barbarians. Let us not be them. Act.

Let's not let them destroy Nepal which has become Never Ending Peril And Loathsomeness from Never Ending Peace And Love.

Don't call this a bullshit. But why won't you? What the hell can we do now? Ha.

Yes we can, one may not but a group can. Talk about this with your friends, families, bring them up, materialize your thoughts that you had when you saw the movie Balidan or Rang De basanti or when you read about the Gurkhas on your Social Studies Class (see I don't have much of examples as well) or when you feel bad for someone who has lost his/her beloved in a war (we had a decade long war, you must feel pity for those who died). Let that thought not die. Make a group to change, change the future of Nepal. Yes you can. Talk, Talk, Talk Politics. What goes if you talk? You have spent at least 8 years of school talking in the class, why stop now? We all are youth, dream about the future of the counrty, which is indeed your future. Haha, talking only may not help, but we should act. Conduct seminars (you can) call politicians (I know many of you know someone who is in politics) talk to them, make them realize, give speeches, and do wahtever you can.

I know this is our age to buy iphones, bikes, impress girls/boys and all. I can see almost everyone putting up status about love and all on facebook. Can we ignore that for the betterment of ourselves? Or may be you could continue that talking politics with your girlfriend or boyfriend or whatever. My point is talk. Do not talk about Edward Cullen or Miley Cirus (I am not sure if I spelled that correctly) or things like that, talk Politics.

Let's destroy present Nepal and rebuild a new one.

Hopefully this justifies my topic.

Thank you.

I hope you realise.

The Revolution Begins with You By Zachary R C Holzworth

You say you want a revolution?
Well, my friends, I do too.
It is indeed the solution
to make the world a new.
But first listen to the advice I have for you,
my brothers, my sisters, if we are to make the world a new,
you must realize the revolution begins with you.
This is true, this is true, oh, this is true.
The revolution does indeed begin with you.

Don’t wait for a messiah to come and save.
Or you’ll wait on nothing and enter your grave.
So standup! Arise! Arise! Arise! Be brave!

And my brothers and sisters, if you do,
we can make the world a new.
Debuts! Debuts! Debuts!
And there will be a moral evolution.
Oh, what a grand solution.
But first we need the people’s revolution,
which begins with you,
which begins with you,
Which begins with you.

(Published with permission from the Author)

Introduction to Bikalpa

Bikalpa:

Bikalpa is a non-profit, non-partisan (yet to be registered) organization, formed by a group of Nepalese students studying in USA, but which aims to include Nepalese youth residing anywhere in the world. The country is in a terrible situation economically, politically, technologically and socially. In this context, a handful of educated young individuals decided to unite and search for an alternative, a “Bikalpa”.

Mission Statement:

To search, envision and implement an alternative to the current situation of Nepal.

Objectives:

1. To discuss, research and understand the economic, political, technological and social situation of Nepal.
2. To seek and find a "Bikalpa" (an alternative) to the current situation of Nepal.
3. To recognize Nepalese youth as the force that can lead to a "Bikalpa".
4. To inspire, educate and mobilize youth to lead the movement "Bikalpa" in order to change the state of the country.

Let’s Talk about Nepal:

The first phase of Bikalpa is called “Let’s talk about Nepal”. Bikalpa plans to organize programs in different colleges (Bachelor’s and Master’s level colleges) by bringing intellectuals and exposing youth to their knowledge and experience. Bikalpa aims to inspire youth to actively take part in nation building.

Pilot Program:

Bikalpa is trying to launch a pilot program at Budhanilkantha School. It will be aimed at +2 and A-levels students. Although we will not focus on high-school students in our later programs, due to lack of funding and connections, we have chosen Budhanilkantha School. The pilot program will include a survey (simple questionnaires) before and after the program to analyze the effectiveness of the event.

The program will begin with an introduction of Bikalpa and a description of how students can get involved (through internet, facebook, blogs, etc.) Then, there will be a panel discussion with intellectuals about the need of youth in Nepal’s current situation.


Networking goals:
Bikalpa wants to bring young generation of Nepal who are involved in different youth movements, projects and groups to a single forum, so that older generation can know what young people have done and are capable of. At the same time, we want to inspire other young people through the examples and role models of people who have done inspiring work in Nepal with the help of Davis Peace Prize, other foundations and organizations. This summer, we are planning to have an interaction program with the press, intellectuals, and academics in Nepal where these young leaders will make a 15-minute presentation about their work and how our generation should start working now for a better future of Nepal and themselves.


Contact Persons:

1. Sailesh Dhungana (Princeton University):
Currently in Nepal and in-charge of networking and organizational matters in Nepal.
Email: dhunganasailesh@gmail.com
Cell phone: 9849113051

2. Vijay Raj Tandukar (Grinnell College):
Currently in USA and in-charge of networking through the internet.
Email: vijay.tandukar@gmail.com or tandukar@grinnell.edu
Cell phone: 001-641-727-9946 (no messages)

3. Roshan Sharma (Williams College)
Currently in USA and in-charge of networking through the internet
Email: rs3@williams.edu or roshan_430_9128@hotmail.com

मेरो स्वार्थ समृद्ध-- नेपाल उपेन्द्र महतो

मलाई कहिलेकाहीँ सोध्छन्, “संसारको जुनसुकै देशको नागरिकता लिएर बस्न सक्ने मान्छे, किन नेपाल जस्तो अप्ठ्यारो अवस्थाको विपन्न मुलुकसँग जोडिएर बसेको? किन नेपालमा काम गरिरहेको?” उनीहरूलाई मेरो सरल उत्तर हुनेगर्छ, “नेपालमा मेरो सबैभन्दा ठूलो स्वार्थ छ।”

भूमण्डलीकरणका प्रभावहरू संसारभर प्रबल छन्। धेरै देशले नागरिकता नीति लचिलो बनाएका छन्। खासगरी धनी, विशेषज्ञ, बुद्धिजीवीहरूलाई नागरिकता दिएर देश विकासमा सामेल गराउने नीति धेरैको छ। तर, मेरो अनुभवमा विश्वका जुनसुकै देशको नागरिकता लिए पनि मेरो स्वभाव, चालचलन, हाउभाउ, रुपरङ, पर्वहरू फेरिँदैनन्। एउटा नेपालीले अमेरिकी नागरिकता लिए पनि संस्कृतिमा ऊ नेपाली नै रहन्छ। तपाईंले कतै “म अमेरिकी नागरिक हुँ” भन्नेवित्तिकै अर्को प्रश्न आइहाल्छ, “खास 'रिजिन चाहिँ कहाँ हो?”

त्यहीँ जन्मेका हाम्रा सन्तानलाई पनि “तिम्रो बुबाआमा कुन देशबाट आएका नि?” भनेर सोध्छन्। यो प्रश्न यसकारण स्वाभाविक हुन्छ; रङ, अनुहार, चालचलन, स्वभावले नै तपाईं अमेरिकी होइन भनिरहेको हुन्छ। त्यसपछि गरिने व्यवहार तपाईंको मूल देश हेरेर हुन्छ। नेपालमै पनि कुनै व्यक्ति अफगानिस्तानबाट आएको भनेपछि उसको विद्वत्ता वा सफलता जतिसुकै ठूलो भएपनि उसलाई हामी अफगानिस्तानको दुरवस्थाबाट हेर्न थाल्छौं। एउटा साधारण अमेरिकीको आगमनलाई पनि सल्लाह दिन वा सहयोग गर्न आएको भनेर सोचिन्छ।

अर्थात् नागरिकता फेर्दा जरो फेर्न सकिन्न। मेरो मूल देश समृद्ध नहुँदासम्म कुनै अर्को धनी देशको नागरिकको शान मेरो भागमा पर्दैन। मेरा छोराछोरी र नातिनातिना समेत यस्तो हीनताबाट मुक्त हुन सक्दैनन्। अहिले विदेशमा सानोतिनो काम गर्नेदेखि बुद्धिजीवी, प्राध्यापक, व्यापारी सबैमा हीनताबोध छ; बाहिर व्यक्त नगरे पनि। देशको अवस्थाले गर्दा हामीले जति नै राम्रो काम गरे पनि राम्रो मूल्याङ्कन भइरहेको हुँदैन।

त्यसैले आफू जन्मेको देश समृद्ध हुनु ठूलो कुरा हो। देश समृद्ध भयो भने हामीले विदेशको नागरिकता लिन लालायित हुनै पर्दैन। विदेशीहरू नै नेपाली नागरिकता माग्न आउलान्। त्यस अवस्थामा हामीले अर्को देशको नागरिकता लियौं भने पनि इज्जत बढ्छ। त्यसकारण एउटा समृद्ध देशको नागरिकका रूपमा चिनिनु मेरो स्वार्थ हो। त्यसैले सकेको पहल गरिरहेको छु। नेपाललाई समृद्ध बनाउन चार पाँच पुस्ता लाग्ने देखेको भए कुनै विकसित देशको नागरिकता लिने निर्णय पनि गर्थें कि?
नेपाललाई छोटो समयमै, १०-१२ वर्षभित्रै, सबैले देख्ने र अनुभव गर्ने गरी समृद्ध बनाउन सकिन्छ। यसोभन्दा नेताले झ्ैं भाषण गर्‍यो नभन्नु होला। सन् १९९० मा रूसको सुरक्षा र राजनीतिक अवस्था अहिलेको नेपालको जस्तै थियो। तर, सरकार बलियो भएको दुई महिनामै नागरिकले सुरक्षित महसुस गरे। आफूलाई रसियन भन्दा हीनताबोध गर्नेहरू गर्व गर्न थाले। हामीकहाँ पनि सरकार इमानदार भएर अगाडि बढ्न खोजेको भोलिपल्ट जनताले साथ दिन्छन्। दोस्रो विश्व युद्धताका यहुदीहरूलाई आफूलाई यहुदीको रूपमा चिनाउन गाह्रो पर्थ्यो। तर, इजरायलको स्थापनापछि यहुदीहरूको इज्जत संसारभरमै बढ्यो। नेपालमा भएका केही सय यहुदीहरू अहिले आफ्नो नयाँ वर्ष र अन्य चाडपर्व धुमधामका साथ मनाउँछन्। इजरायल गरिब भएको भए यस्तो हुने थिएन।

भौगोलिक हिसाबले नेपाल सानो देश भएकाले पनि विकास गर्न सजिलो छ। तेल र ग्याँस छैन, समुद्रले छोएको छैन भन्नु बेकारका कुरा हुन्। तेल र ग्याँस भएको इराक खै धनी देश भएको? हामीसँग विकसित देशहरूले चाहेर पनि बनाउन नसक्ने प्राकृतिक सुन्दरता र जडिबुटीको खानी छ। देश विकासका लागि नेपालीले खाली आक्रामक रूपमा अगाडि बढे पुग्छ। राजनीतिमा आक्रामक हुनसकिन्छ भने विकासमा किन नसक्ने? संस्कृतिमा चाहिँ क्रमिक परिवर्तन हुनुपर्छ।

सन् २००३ मा गैर-आवासीय नेपाली सङ्गठन बनाउन विभिन्न देश घुम्दा म नेपालमा हिंसा छ, भ्रष्टाचार छ, सुरक्षा छैन, खत्तम भयो भनेको सुन्थें। अनि त्यसलाई सुधार्न के गर्न सकिएला त भन्दा हामीले गर्दैमा के हुन्छ र! भन्ने सुनिन्थ्यो। अहिले तिनै व्यक्तिहरू नेपालमा के गर्न सकिन्छ भनेर गम्न थालेका छन्। देशका लागि अहिलेसम्म केही नगरेकोमा सङ्कोच मानिरहेका छन्। देशको लागि योगदान गर्न सम्पत्तिको थुप्रो चाहिँदैन, मन भए पुग्छ भन्ने भावना बढेको छ। रोजगारीका लागि खाडी मुलुक गएकाहरू समेत एक-दुई दिनको कमाई देशका लागि अर्पण गर्न लाइनमा बस्न थालेका छन्। आफूले कमाएको एक-दुई सयले भोलि देश समृद्ध भएपछि आफैंलाई फाइदा पुग्छ भन्ने उनीहरूको बुझ्ाइ छ।

प्रतिष्ठित भएर बाँच्न आफ्नोपन को पनि त्यतिकै भूमिका हुन्छ। दुर्भाग्य के छ भने, जीवन सङ्घर्ष वा कामको व्यस्ततामा हामी आफ्नोपन-नेपालीपनका कुरा सोच्नै भ्याउँदैनौं। बुढेसकालमा ती कुराको अभाव खट्किँदा समय घर्किसकेको हुन्छ। आफ्नोपनको सबभन्दा ठूलो माध्यम भाषा रहेछ। एकताका नेपालीहरूको भेलामा अङ्ग्रेजीमै बोल्ने अनि नेपाली भाषाको महत्वका बारेमा पनि अङ्ग्रेजीमै व्याख्यान दिने फेशन चलेको थियो। तर, नेपाली हुनलाई नेपाली भाषा चाहिँदो रहेछ। नेपाली संस्कृतिबारे विदेशीलाई अङ्ग्रेजीमा बुझ्ाउन सकिएला तर, नेपाली भाषाविना नेपाली संस्कृति जाने पो अरूलाई बुझ्ाउनु!
यसैका लागि हामीले बालबच्चालाई नेपाली भाषा सिकाउने अभियान चलायौं, भाषासँगै संस्कृति सिकुन् भनेर। कतिपय साथीहरू गैर-आवासीय नेपाली कार्यक्रममा भाषा अङ्ग्रेजी हुनुपर्छ भन्नुहुन्थ्यो। तर, मैले नेपालीहरूबीच सम्पर्क भाषा नेपाली हुनुपर्छ भन्ने अडानै लिएँ। म मातृभाषाका रूपमा मैथिली बोलेर हुर्किएँ, तर नेपाली भाषाविना मातृभूमिका मेरा सबै बन्धुबान्धवले बुझनेगरी कुराकानी गर्न सक्दिनँ। देश बाहिर बसेका नेपालीहरूलाई आपसमा जोड्ने सबभन्दा बलियो सूत्र पनि यही भाषा हो। त्यसकारण म नेपाली भाषालाई लादिएको भाषा ठान्दिनँ।

नेपाललाई टुक्र्याएर कुनै पनि जातिको स्वाभिमान स्थापित हुन्छ जस्तो लाग्दैन। हरेक जातिको रीतिस्थिति फरक छ। त्यसलाई जोगाउनुपर्छ, पिछडिएकाहरूलाई समृद्ध बनाउनुपर्छ। तर, यी कुराहरूमा क्षेत्रीय, जातीय राजनीति जोडिनुहुँदैन। विश्वमा अहिले ठूलो समूह बनाउने चलन बढेको छ। युरोपियन युनियन नभएको भए युरोपका देशहरू अहिले जति बलिया हुने थिएनन्। मानिसले आफूलाई समयअनुसार बदल्नुपर्छ। नेपालका सबै जाति र क्षेत्रको समृद्धि सग्लो नेपालमा मात्र सम्भव छ।

From Himal Khabar Patrika :http://himalkhabar.com/news.php?id=3178

 

A plan for our first meeting.

Hi guys,

First of all, I would like to thank you all in supporting us in our small effort to change the political culture in Nepal. I think we all agree that we need to change something in the politics of Nepal, because nothing is working right now. In the informal discussions, that we have had so far in the facebook group indicates that all of us have energy and motivation to make a change but we do not have a direction to focus all of the energy and motivation. In order to do so, we have decided to come and work together. Now, for the formal discussion we need to have a standard procedure that we can follow which will allow every member on the table a chance to put their opinion, a procedure that will avoid distractions and unwanted disruptions in the flow of discussion, a procedure that will allow criticisms. Therefore, I propose the following procedure for our first meeting. The procedure is trying to follow parliamentary procedure. I know, although it seems a pain in the ass, let’s get organized and serious about it. This will allow greater transparency and democracy for the process. We are trying to change the political culture, so let’s begin with ourselves. If you guys do not like the idea then we can cancel it.

Procedures to be followed during the meeting

1. Attendance of the members present in the meeting

2. Review of the last meeting. Finish any “Open Business” in minutes.

3. Present the intended agendas to discuss in the meeting in a prescribed amount of time.

4. The Co-coordinator shall open the table for any motion (discussion).

5. Someone will put out a motion on table (an agenda to discuss).

6. Someone should second the motion to allow the motion to be put on the table.

7. The coordinator will open the table for discussion and asks for any objections against the motion on table.

8. If there is any objection (even one) the coordinator will reject the motion.

9. The coordinator will ask the interested members to raise their hand or tell who wants to speak on the issue.

10. The coordinator will permit the person who raises his hand first or tells it first to speak in a prescribed amount of time. No one shall be interrupted during this.

11. Repeat steps 9-10 till we the allocated time. If we need to discuss about it more in the meeting then somebody should put a motion on the table either to “discuss it in the present meeting”, “discuss it in next meeting as open business” or “to postpone discussion for a certain time or infinitely.

12. Move on to other agendas. In other to pass a resolution, somebody should put the resolution on the table.

13. The coordinator will ask for the seconds.

14. Once, somebody seconds the coordinator shall put the resolution on table for voting.

15. The coordinator will ask people in favour of the resolution to give a sign “say yes, raise your hand or something.”

16. Then the coordinator will ask people who are not in favour of the resolution to give as sign, “say no, raise your hand or something.”

17. To end the meeting, there should be the review of what we discussed, what are open businesses for next meeting and point our conclusions.

18. Decide about the time and venue of next meeting.

Well guys, I propose this structure to be followed during the meeting. It will be helpful for organization and efficiency. For our first meeting, we need to nominate a co-ordinator and a secretary. Let’s nominate a person for coordinator and another to be secretary for the first meeting.

Now, I would like to propose following agendas for our first meeting:

· Find a short, concise and strong reason for a change in the political culture and why it should be brought by our generation?

· Why Bikalpa came into existence? And how can it answer the question above?

· Come up with a mission statement.

· Come up with the house rules of the group which will be our constitution.

· Discuss about networking and public relations in US and Nepal.

· Find immediate goals for both online and on ground Bikalpa movement with tangible goals.

· Make a plan for those goals.

The Devil's Advocate

It is one of my favorite roles - playing the cynic; the dim pessimist who secretly wishes to be proven wrong. So, I will just go ahead and assume your permission to make myself comfortable. What will follow is a numbered set of (personal) musings that I'd like the pioneers of this movement to ponder upon, for what I see now is a lot of adrenaline and very little foresight. A think tank- you say? How about your first project - thinking?


1. The wh- questions
Every Nepali knows wh-y. But perhaps the more pressing and frequently overlooked component is wh-at. What will you do? What can you do? Say you convinced your target group to join you. What next? I sort of get the goal- (mind you it's the one that every three year old inchworm in the country dreams of)- but What is new today? What separates you from all the other different student political organizations in the country ?

2. Priority
Is politics the path ? Why? People are dying! What our country needs is a generation of educated youth willing to actually kneel down in the mud and offer a hand- not sit in air-conditioned restaurants with wi-fi and come up with agendas on how to fix the nation.

3.Capability
Although the prospect of changing the nation is an adrenaline-pumping and exciting one for every commoner down the road, getting capable people to do it is more of a challenge than actually doing it even. What makes you [think you are] capable ?


4.Commitment
You are a group of upper-middle class kids studying in elite schools in the States, blinded by the comfort of not having to work for your education [I'm talking scholarships too]. Once you get out to the real world, and realize that not dying of starvation entails actual work, you will be sucked into the cyclone that is life. Are you yourselves convinced of your dedication ? [Answer it to yourself, first]


All being said, mind you I am no troll. I gain no pleasure in inciting cyber riots out of a bunch of kids I don't know, and don't care about. What I do care about, though, is where your movement heads. Perhaps, I will be a part of it, and so will many others. Convince us first.

If not now,when? If not us, who?

---Aabeg

Do you remember your first Nepal Banda?

• Hey guys, our generation grew up in the political culture of protests, strikes and violence. Do you remember your first Bandhas? Or the political activities of last 20 years that shaped our viewpoint about politics and Nepal.

• I was in kindergarten probably LKG or may be nursery: I remember walking back home with my parents from my mamaghar as there were no vehicles. I also remember that on the radio they said couple of trolley bus and sajha bus were vandalized.
  
  I also have a memory of saying on the day of Nepal banda "Aja Nepal banda, bholi India banda, parsi America banda ani the world nai banda. Kya majja!! Sadhai bida!!" How naive was that idea? I was in grade 1 or 2.
  
  Grade 5: Rumours came, Maosits are closing down all private schools. They are coming to every school and cause physical harm. We were given a half day. Actually, all the schools in that area gave a half day or were not open on the day. As a kid, for the first time I saw that our principal was shaking.
  
  Grade 7: Hritik Roshan scandal. The roads were warzone. Going back home with my mom through the back alleys and crossing the road with burnt tyres, bricks and 100s of people shouting. Do you want a grade 7 student to be in that situation.
  
  Grade 8 and onwards: Royal massacre, student strikes in schools and so on. We know what it is.
  
  Grade 11: Iraq scandal: The darkest day in the history of religious harmony of Nepal.
  
  The list goes on guys!!!!!

Dukha Lagcha.

"Nepal lai netaharule dubaye yaar. Ekdum Dukha Lagcha."

One second, try to remember how many times you might have said this to your self or to somebody else. I guess I might have said this almost 100 times. Since King Birendra died, Nepal has been going under political turmoil. Yes, there were occasions like the Panchayat and all before as well, but the death of King Birendra brought a significant difference to Nepalese Politics.

King Gyanendra ruled over Nepal. He sucked as much as he could from we, the poor Nepalese. But we threw him away. We supported our political parties, we helped them get rid of a parasite. More than 30 of innocent people gave their lives away to bring democracy, a permanent democracy. Alas, we were in a trap.

The ones we supported for turned out to be parasites themselves. Everyone, who has been able to grasp the cabinet after the mass revolution has turned out to be a devil. Now, we are in a phase that determines the future of Nepal. Our political parties are about to draft the constitution, which as we all know is never going to happen. They have requested for 2 months of extension, while on the other hand, Congress has asked for reelection. This is a vicious circle. These morons are never going to stop. And we are never going to react. We see, read and hear everyday, about the CA members failing to do their task, yet we don't respond physically. We are lazy to react.

Many of us are of the kind who enjoy the morning sun, with a hot coffee in one hand and newspaper on the other and deliberately feeling pity on the state of our nation. Stop doing that. Please.

We youths are the ones who should make this country, Remember the dreams that you saw when you were a child. You can become whatever you want staying in Nepal, what we need is us a change. A change, yes we can. We can bring the change and alter the face of Nepal.

I guess everyone of us has either read this or may be even said this. As always we are lazy to react. No more.

It is time that we join hands and work. Let's toil and only then the future will be bright. Let's start from ourselves. Join the group Bikalpa - A new political force to challenge the establishment in facebook. Unlike another useless groups or fan pages this is actually an organization which is soon to be registered officially. Let's meet. Let's discuss. Let's plan. Let's work together. I don't want to write what the agendas of the organizations are because I guess everyone will join the group and act seriously after reading this note. Spread the word, call everyone you know.

If you are in Nepal, talk to Sailesh Dhungana (9849113051). He has called for a meeting on Saturday. Go.

If you are outside Nepal, come let's talk (skype / hotmail / yahoo), talk to Vijaya Tandukar (Grinell College Class of 2011). Come.

Give your emotions and love for Nepal a freedom. Renovate Nepal. I will, will you?

Let's talk politics.

We can’t improve our Airlines. So what? Improve our airports.

Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation was born on the same day as Thai Airlines. I don’t need to elaborate how differently they came to be. We had numerous airplanes when we began, but mismanagement and corruption led us to this terrible situation where we only have one or two international airplanes, which are below standard flying condition.

A lot of tourists come to Nepal. However, the number is limited due to high airlines prices. My friends at Princeton University want to come to Nepal, but they don’t have enough money to travel by air. Only few airlines come to Nepal and the price is too high for average vacationer.

How can we get out of this situation? Buying airplanes and improving Nepal Airlines is one option. However, Nepal being a poor country cannot do that. We have enough to deal with already to buy new airplanes. Also, we cannot trust the government to spend such a huge amount because of the history of corruption in that process.

So, what should we do? Build an airport, I say. Build an international airport with international standard. This will have many advantages. The cost of building an international airport will be less than buying an airplane. Also, a good airport attracts a lot of airlines. When the number of airplanes operating in Nepal increases, government will get a lot of service charge, which can then be used to buy airlines.

A good airport will increase competition among airlines, for the monopoly will change into a free and competitive market. This will reduce the prices. Even if we believe that there is already a free market, increased airlines means increase in supply, which will reduce prices. Reduced prices will attract more people into Nepal. This will dramatically raise Nepal’s income.

The airport we make should not be like Tribhuwan International Airport. It should have sound infrastructure and good administration. Plus, there should be transit lounges. A big problem with Nepal’s airport is that there is no place for transit. People have to come out of the airport to catch next flight.

When the airport in Nepal includes a transit space, Nepal can be a transit hub in the region, much like Thailand. This will drastically increase the number of Airlines and tourists coming to Nepal. For example: Lets say there is someone in Middle East who wants to go to East Asia. They can take a plane to Nepal, and then travel to East Asia. Also, it can serve as a transit for Australia.

Now arises the question: Where should it be made? Kathmandu already has an international airport and improving it will not work. Kathmandu is also a dangerous place to land lots of planes due to its hills. Some people have mentioned Pokhara and Lumbini, but Lumbini is not developed enough to handle an international airport and Pokhara has the same geographical problem as Kathmandu. Chitwan would be the best place to establish an international airport.

Chitwan will be a great place for the new airport. However, rules have to be made such that this won’t lead to overpopulation in Chitwan, like it is in Kathmandu. There should be transparency in the dealings for the airport. Management of the airport should be done effectively and efficiently.

Tourism is our best hope for future. And, an international-standard airport in Chitwan with many runways and a transit space is the best option we have.

Tragedy of Nepal and Bikalpa

We did not have much to begin with. When the Indian subcontinent collided with the Tibetan plates, the land of mountains was formed. The majestic Himalaya is unparalleled in beauty and as a source of inspiration, but it is not what humans find as the most habitable place. The monsoon rains created greenery all over the place, but it is hard to find food in the steep hills of Nepal. But, the Nepalese were hardworking and perseverant. Against all odds, they managed to live here no matter how hard it was.

For a civilization to grow, easy availability of basic needs like food and water is a must. When we analyze ancient civilizations, we see all of them sprouting around rivers and in plain lands. Nepalese were having a hard time to even fulfill their basic necessity. So, education and development were not in their priority. While India, at the same time, was excelling in education, philosophy, art and culture, Nepal’s progress was stagnant due to natural causes.

But, Nepalese are hardworking people. Civilization started growing in little spots spread around the country. There were certainly some influence from India and Tibet, but places like Kathmandu, Janakpur and Lumbini developed their own civilization.

Nepal could have been a dynamic multi-cultural force, if it had stayed in that path. However, the desire of man became a hindrance. As society progressed, people started thinking more about things beyond basic needs, namely power and ambition. Ambitious and powerful people became kings, and the land of the mountains, small as it is, was divided into hundreds of states.

States, in themselves, are not bad. However, hundreds of tiny states in close proximity ruled by ambitious people are bad. They started fighting among each other and there were fights within the states. This continued for more than a thousand year. When civilization could have grown, people got distracted by petty desires and violence.

Meanwhile, in the south, British had landed and had taken over the whole of India. Their rich culture was now reduced to ashes. And, the British were growing powerful and were trying to expand their empire.

In the same time, a king was born in Gorkha. Prithvi Narayan Shah was an ambitious man and also a visionary. He saw what was going to happen next. The East India Company would take the small states of Nepal one by one for they were small and defenseless. He envisioned a campaign to annex all the small states and create a powerful country. It could have been his own personal ambition or maybe he was just looking for the safety of his own state. But, no matter what, he strategically annexed most states around him and created Nepal.

Years after his death, his vision came true. East India Company attacked Nepal. Nepalese people, including women and children, fought bravely. Nepal lost a lot of land, but they were giving British hell and they were not letting the British to enter proper Nepal. Even the British were impressed by the way Nepalese, such a small and technologically undeveloped group, were fighting.

The British questioned themselves: “What is that we want the most from Nepal?” The land was not very good for living, and they had already got unlimited resources from India. Was it worth fighting for with these beasts of people? Then they realized something. In that time without fighter jets and nukes, Nepalese people were the best fighters for they fought without care for their lives. That is what they wanted from Nepal to expand their ever-growing empire.

The British also understood the political situations of Nepal. It was ruled by the kings, who had proclaimed themselves as the incarnations of God Vishnu and whom people worshipped. The kings lived in luxury and were full of desire for riches. The king was not fighting for the people, but he was making the people fight for his luxuries and power.

So, the British devised a brilliant plan. They would entice the king with the riches from the west. They would offer him money and valuable gifts. And, in return, they would take the poor soldiers from Nepal who are brave, loyal and honest. They made the offer and the king accepted.

Then for years and it is still happening, Nepal started exporting foot soldiers to British who used them in every war they have been since. The kings were getting their desires fulfilled. Their kids were taught by the British. They got chance to go to Britain and bring back expensive things. But, for this to last, they had to ensure that the people were ignorant. So, they stopped any development in education. They wanted the people to remain in dark.

Janga Bahadur Rana became the prime minister. And, using his tricks established a dynasty of prime ministers from his family. The darkest age for Nepal began. The Ranas adopted the policy of the kings. They kept exporting troops to Britain and got luxuries in return. They built huge mansions for themselves. And, they were even more ruthless than the kings. They were absolute dictators, and to keep their regime, they completely stopped development. Education was shunned, even though their own kids were getting great education. If a normal peasant’s son tried to study, there were dire repercussions. The desire for riches of Ranas and kings led Nepal to a very dark age.

But, how could they stop the curiosity of people to get education. Very few young people managed to sneak to India and get education. They became aware of what was going on, and how they were being oppressed. People like Bisheshwor Prashad Koirala started a revolution, which the then king Tribhuwan endorsed. And, finally the Ranas were overthrown.

That was probably one of the most significant event in Nepal’s history, for that was when Nepal could have changed its course. A constitutional monarchy with mult-party democracy was established. But, the king died and a new king came to power. Mahendra was ambitious and wanted power for himself. He ended democracy and established Panchayat system, a king’s dictatorship. A lot of educated people who protested were killed and put in jails. The desire of man can lead him to do horrible things. Nepal was again in the same place it was during Rana rule.

The king died and Birendra came to power. Birendra was more benevolent than his father, he was more like Tribhuwan. So, when people revolted again, he just let go his powers, and became a constitutional monarch. Democracy was established and Nepal saw relative peace and development for a while. Education started growing and the country was in the right path.

But, it is the desire of man again which turned things for the worse. The politicians, now in power, lost their revolutionary fervor. They started looking out for their own interest. Corruption was widespread in politics and bureaucracy. Nepotism was similarly growing. People started getting dissatisfied. And the communists, who were waiting for their chance, found the perfect opportunity.

Ignorant people in the villages were their targets. Instead of reforming the system, they professed for a new system. They showed villagers how they were oppressed and un cared for. The villagers, who were content previously with the little they had, became agitated. And, the corrupt politicians did nothing to help them. So, they turned to the Maoists and the bloody war started.

After years of violence, they came to peace process and joined mainstream politics. There was an election for constitution assembly. The king was dethroned. Every thing seemed good at first. But, how can the desire of man be destroyed so easily. Politicians were same as ever – old, uneducated and corrupt. They fought among each other for seats, with no regards for the betterment of the country.

Now 45 days are left for the drafting of constitution. But, it is impossible to happen. What will happen next? No one knows. But, if we continue with the apathy of our generation, nothing good will happen. We need an alternative political force – a Bikalpa.

So, what is the tragedy of Nepal? Nepal suffered from natural causes during its conception. But, Nepal’s nature has not only disadvantages. We are blessed to have such a beautiful country. We could use tourism to develop our country. So, we can’t just blame nature.

The tragedy of Nepal lies in the desires of our rulers for their own interest. From the time of the state-kings to Ranas and to present day politicians, everyone has neglected the will of the people and the prosperity of our country. There needs to be a different political force- a Bikalpa.

So, what should that Bikalpa be? We need not a single individual but a movement. This time we need a large group of people who are educated, competent and who love this country more than petty desires. The tragedy of Nepal should not repeat with our desires.
Where will we find that group of people? The young people of Nepal are spread around the world and we need young people more than anything for our Bikalpa. For young people are not bound in families and tend to have fewer things to deal with. They will also not lose their nationalistic fervor easily. Our Bikalpa should be a youth movement for the betterment of Nepal.

What exactly should be our Bikalpa? It should not be a particular ideology but an outcome of educated discussion. It should be democratic in the true sense, that is: it should not just be about getting large number of votes, but it should be about ruling according to the will of the people. Nepal never really got a true democracy, for the politicians were ruling for themselves and had little thought about the will of the people. It never was rule of the people. Voting is a way to ensure check-and-balance in democracy, but it does not ensure democracy itself.

At the end, I will tell you my story. Growing up in an educated family, I tried to challenge every barrier. I saw borders of countries as imaginary lines created by men. I used to call humanity my nation. I was planning to go to Africa to help poor people after finishing my education, for I thought it needed me the most. But, after leaving Nepal my love for my country grew to an unprecedented level. Also, I realized I could do more here for the poor and the oppressed than in any other corner of the world. So, I have decided to do as much as I can for this country of ours. I want a Bikalpa. Do you?

Announcement

BIKALPA movement invites interested parties to form a panel to make the interim constitution for Project BIKALPA. Interested parties should submit their names to the Announcement made in the facebook group http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=117079471637664 by April 21. We will have our first conference on April 24.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!

Couple of my friends in Nepal and in different places of the world have decided that the educated urban youth of Nepal (age group of 25 and under) should start discussing about the political future of Nepal in next 20-25 years? Modern Nepal has gone through various political changes in its more than 250 years of existence, and we have turned Nepal into a socio-political experiment lab. Major political parties were established before 1990, but we feel that they are still stuck with the same geopolitical and social arguments.And they forget that much has changed in Nepal and outside since then. Most of the urban youth is antipathetic about the situation in Nepal as if they have resigned to their fate.

This group of young people who will be tomorrow's intellectuals, academics and technocrats believe that the first thing the urban youth of Nepal should do is start believing in themselves that they can bring a change. We can take the example of Madhesi youth, small armed outfits have sprung everywhere and we see most of the members are young people. It is unfortunate that they are raising weapons instead of their thoughts. We would like to change it.

We know that the Benaras Hindu University and JNU (Nehru University) in India have played important role in connecting the young intellectuals who are now top political leaders of Nepal . In 21st century, we want to use Internet and media to connect the young people of our age. Our generation cannot be another "lost generation" and we have a chance to become "the golden generation of Nepal". So, to start the process we have started a movement called BIKALPA. We have started a facebook group to start preliminary networking and discussion.

It sounds like a crazy idea but we believe this is not an impossible idea. It needs, motivation, commitment and patience. We will have obstacles on our way especially first couple of months are crucial. We have to keep our energy and find more people who are motivated for this movement. Finding people is not the hard part, but convincing them is. Most of the urban youth are comfortable either in home or abroad, so are their families. So, it is not necessary for them to think about what is happening in Nepal. But, remember whether you are interested in politics or not politics is interested in you, and whether you affect politics or not politics will affect you. Think about our dreams when we were kid, we wanted to be an artist, journalist, teachers, actors, doctors, engineers, scientists and others. But as we grew up, we had to realize that in some fields it is hard to survive economically in Nepal. That's why most of the urban youth is told to become doctor or an engineer. Then if we wanted to escape from those circumstances, or want to try something else we would go abroad. Think about the life abroad: isn't it hard and cold, isolated from your friends, family and sweet climate? Most of us will have to admit that our education may not hold any value in Nepal. It is easy to say "there is nothing to do" but we say that "there is a lot to do" and if we do not do anything then only there will be nothing to do. So, it is time to stop complaining and start taking action.

Before taking any action though, we need to plan carefully about our actions. In order to make those plans, we need to start thinking collectively what should be done. In the first phase of movement, which we have conceptualized to be Let's Talk Politics is get young people start talking about politics. In this way, we can create political awareness among the urban youth which will motivate and inspire them to start thinking about Nepal's political future.

So, in this effort, we need everyone's support so that we will not have to tell every new foreigner where Nepal is.

"bikalpa" ka baatoharu

Growing political awakening amongst youth like us who want to see Federal Republic of Nepal under stable and progressive political changes has urged me to write few words of my own here. While I strongly believe that youth capital can indeed be tapped for revolutionary changes to change the face of our country, there are, as we all know, many obstacles to it; some of them possibly even beyond our imaginative mind. While most of us are tied to the spot we are in for the time being, here are some suggestions that I hope will help get the grass-root movement started:

1. Youth in Nepal and overseas should not be regionally alienated as the establishment we try to resist will be unified in its defense when attacked, rhetorically as well as physically. Internet was the primary tool of Barack Obama's election victory and it has to be the real mass of our iceberg tip too. The group "Bikalpa" should be taken as an initial means to reach the goal and not an end on itself.

2. While a theory is of use only when practiced, it it hard to sway the already existing political ideologies. Even Marxism required "The Communist Manifesto" to propel it to the heights it has achieved henceforth. While our ideas will be best represented not by a centrist figure but a collective judgement of many brains (more like the evolution of modern liberalism through collective contribution), we need to synthesize a doctrine we all can reason and adhere to and suits the political climate of a country like Nepal. The doctrine can be the better cross-product of already established political mainstreams and not a separate entity in itself.

3. While Internet is a reliable way to reach out, it still is not largely accessible all over Nepal. If we are serious about this, then we need more than one spokesperson in the national daily newspapers in Nepal presenting, defending and developing the movement. We have to convince the better half of the nation's youth that politics can be done a better way.

These are just some ideas that popped up in my mind just now. Everyone is more than welcome to add their input to the think-tank on ways to fire this spark. I rest my case here.