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?