I was a school going teenager during the 1990 revolution and because of my participation then we now see a different Nepal. I knew nothing then but went out on the streets and survived one army man's threat who could shoot me if he wanted too. I also defied curfews by playing hide and seek with the army. Defying curfews like they are doing now was kind of out of the question. (What the the protestors are able to do during the curfew is because they have experienced democracy unlike in 1990 when we were still living in fear of what the king could do because we never knew what democracy was) My parents hid protestors during police chase in our homes and fed them. I knew all this had to be for a good reason. Everyone was so happy when the king declared democracy. It was late into the night when we learnt about it. Majority were happy.
In these years Nepal has seen a lot of changes probably which we wouldn't have if Nepal was still an autocratic country. I remember Mahanagar, Kantipur and other mainstream media sprouting to keep us informed. It kept us updated of what was going on in the country and also what was going on with the parties. But democracy was new to us, we didn't know how to take charge of it so we simply stood back and compalined while the parties played a game with us. They reaped the benifits of our ignorance and the situation in Nepal continued to degrade because we could not hold them accontable for their fowl games. We hated them for all that the did but whose fault was it? It was our ignorance and our inability to hold them accountable. Domocracy is for the people of the people, by the people but it turned out to be for the parties, of the the parties and by the parties. We had no role in it though we played a vital role in bring democracy for ourselves. We were more engaged in trying to make a life for ourselves by starting new ventures, doing different businesses, taking up various careers not thought of and going abroad for further studies. We got that opportunity and nothing else really mattered till we finally realised the degrading situation of our country. The good about it all was that we were kept informed about all that was happening. (When Nepal was an autocratic country we knew very little and feared to speak out).
We began to understand politics is a dirty game and we shouldn't meddle with it, while we amused ourselves to all the political happenings we failed to understand what we wanted out it. It is our democracy but we let the parties distribute our share. We never learnt how to demand for our share though we were equal partners to bringing democracy. Now down the years, we are slowly learning the truth. Lets not forget that it is our democracy and we were learning. Democracy is still in its infant stage and it will take time to mature. Now that we know, we shall not be fooled by the parties. The people of Kathmandu thought to be the educated ones should understand and actively take part in the revolution. I'm dissapointed to know that my friends and family all think this game is none of their business.
I was one of them when I was in Nepal. I stayed away from politics in every possible way but now that I'm in the united states I am learning the true meaning of democracy. I was never so much interested in the affairs of my country than I am now. But what can I do, I can't go out in the streets or desire to go back to kathamandu, this being said I know you all will have your own thoughts but we are all away from home for a reason and not not caring for our country is not even the last on the list. I love my country dearly and try to find out what's going on there. The only way I can possibly help is by donating a few money here and there through various channels that are more serious than I am about the state of my country. We all don't have to participate in this revolution but we cannot be so ignorant and so dissociated like the many people in Kathmandu or US or anywhere else for that matter. It is very evident that the locals haven't been charged yet and it is saddening to know that these original inhabitants care less about politics when it is their place that so much influences the whole country. Many think Kathmandu is Nepal and perhaps the inhabitants are happy with their share but the Maoist problem is what Nepal is really about. The problem is all because democracy is in it's infant stage and while the commons tried to make a life for themselves, the educated like Baburam tried to have a greater influence in the country and during the process took a different approach because in this age it is sad that no one hears you unless you turn violent. I believe the same in this revolution. We should have a peaceful approach but because it's a mob we are talking here, nothing can be predicted and the mob will act accordingly to the pressure they face. Ofcourse the revolution should still be peaceful but I'm expecting my very own people of Kathmandu to stand up.
Let's look at the problem in the country as our lack of understanding of the power the we people have and only if we unite we can think of a Nepal that will never be the same, otherwise think about what is to become of Nepal under the rule of Gyanendra and Paras. I'd prefer corrupt politicians than these two guys, atleast I can yell at them when I want to instead of living in fear to voice my concerns. And to have it the way the country wants we all have to take interest in politics because we shape the future of our country and shouldn't not leave it to others. This is possible because we are more informed than we were two decades ago but there has to be a willingness among us that each of us can make a difference. We all should take part in every small way we can. But almost all of Kathmandu want to stay away from it. It is this ignorance that we perhaps will not see a greater Nepal and think of Democracy restored withot the help of local inhabitants. The whole country will perhaps look to people of Kathmandu as sissies.
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