Tiny Writing

This piece was placed in Nepali Times, January 14-20,Kathmandu…with great appreciation for feedback, I am being glad to publish this meaningful debate on my blog…hope it would assist to break the ice over many contentious points in the India-Nepal relations…

Atul Kumar Thakur
Blockade of Nepal

Quite intriguing reading this piece of Prashant Jha,which is more based on potential wish-list of political faction rather than the imperative need for nation.Such intellectual assertion could be merely seen as prolongations of impending inferences that consistently have been defying the fate of Nepal.
The Constituent Assembly’s failure to deliver a Constitution on stipulated time-line and even after and Parliament’s failure to elect a Prime Minister despite prolonging the exercise for double digit rounds raising serious concern over the accountability of political parties in Nepal. Following perplex state of action in absence of any outcome makes an observers side completely drudgery and concomitant despair for all concerned components.
With unkempt promises, political class especially Maoists are now being seen as hellion with their brusque attitude towards the ground realities and needs of nation. No denying the fact, that Maoists are not alone accountable for the quivering domestic political scenario though with putting upon theirs ostensible demand after putsching the Monarchies quintessentially makes them a catalyst in entire persisting deadlock.

Signing twelve points understanding in November2005 in New Delhi with the Indian mediation for anti-Monarchy movement was a hurried step that couldnï’t be adequately sensed by the Maoist or other seven pro-democracy parties from Nepal. Instant reason for Indian involvement in anti-Monarchy movement was shaped through the aberration created by King Gyanendra during the 2005 SAARC Summit where he laid the proposal for China as an observer which was unanimously accepted by the member nations-without any mediation, indeed it was a sort of unofficial breach that caused deep insecurity in Indian diplomatic side.
Given the historically trusted and entwining relationship between India and Nepal, it was unbearable for India to see China’s unnatural involvement with its very dear Himalayan state. China has been so far played feeble and inconsistent role in Nepal but the Maoists emergence at Centre-stage suddenly given them a level playing field against India which now fuelling the rivalry of engagement.

As a very close entity in varied terms, Nepal must understand the growing insecurities of India from its strategic point of views and instead of pushing both superpower for negative engagement at the domestic turf; it would be quite better to engage with both of them without forgetting its natural akinness for India. It would leverage Indian role in forming conducive environment both at domestic arena in Nepal as well as at international juncture-positive involvement would give India too a chance to strengthen its diplomatic ties with Nepal by giving its actual due to the Himalayan state. Energized co-operation with spillover of goodwill would forge better environment of concord and prospects of democracy.
Nepal here must have to prefigure the China’s dual playing at its every crucial juncture; from1950 to 1989{during trade blockade by India which lasted for twenty months that badly affected its economy}-at both the crucial occasion, China checked them with realistic visualization and kept reiterating Indiaï’s natural closeness to Nepal. Even in 2006, when India along with the Nepalese democratic forces was poised for heading-on with Monarchy, China was feeding the King with arms and ammunition to crackdown on Maoists and other demonstrating political parties-thanks laudable collective efforts, Chinaï’s plan of bloodshed didn’t worked out in Nepal. Nepal must be reckon with its strategic standing without too much reshuffling some of its conventional basic lesson of diplomacy-otherwise, contemplation of experiments wouldn’t be ended more than deadpan per se following the ambitious dualism.

The most inevitable thing that Nepal has to do the figuring out of its people’s aspiration as now Maoists too sounds pragmatic about the prospective merger of Armies and noticeably on the role of Monarchy. Without deviating under any forcible ideological compulsions, it would be prudent for Nepalese political parties to delve with the best possible options suitable for their quest for democratic establishment and supremacy of Constitution.
This would be true healing touch from democratic political forces who have been disappointing the mass Citizens since 1920-if Maoist Supremo Prachanda sensing the blunder of abrupt abolition of Monarchy without giving them even a minimum Constitutional prerogative, that remorseness must be seen in true light and without contentious convictions. Prolongingness of deadlock in Nepal is neither feasible not ideal for the sake of peoples genuine aspirations here is need of rebuilding the confidence among the mass Nepalese for a brighter prospect of this beautiful nation.
I have taken few more words to express myself,but as an enthusiast and a well wisher of Nepal,I only wish to see the nation out of flux.Role of Press is very vital in this...my sincere thanks for Himal South Asia and Nepali Times for keep aliving the debate.

Posted on: 15 JAN 2011 | 12:22 PM NST

7.rishav
Reply

Mr Thakur, Nepal-India relations hasn't really changed. India's policy on Nepal hasn't changed from the Nehru doctirine, and is stll continued till this day.

Nepal is one of the oldest Countries is South Asia, whilst India was under one empire or the other Nepal was holding it's own diplomatically with the Moguls, British India, and China. So this big brother and little brother concept really has to chnage in the minds of the Indian establishmnet. we are older than you and have more experience of being a state.

The unequal peace treaties of the past, the unequal deals on hydroelectric power, the land encroachment in the terai belts, the active support of the Maoists during the Insurgency to destabilise the state, the blockade of Nepal for 20 months, the missed placed view of this older/younger sibling relationship are all things us Nepali people are aware about and is something your Indian Goverment really needs to make efforts to ammend.
Posted on: 15 JAN 2011 | 9:34 PM NST
Atul Kumar Thakur
Reply Rishav-Glad to see your historic put in India-Nepal relations,indeed there is no denying that Nepal has maintained a sovereign presence in South Asia throughout the history that gives the Himalayan nation a stout edge to dwell as closely woven nation.Yes,it's truly unfortunate that Indian establishment has failed to form a new dimension to look on the neighbors, particularly with Nepal,this is real contention of all swiftly burgeoning misconception in the mind of peoples regarding the Indian role.One thing you missed to stuff in your message that these two nation has failed to live up the symmetrical diplomatic relationship-no Prime Ministerial visit so far from India,it's sort of pragmatic hammering over the soft historically shaped ties.Only once ever,Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,had shown courtesy to receive veteran politician Girija Prasad Koirala at Airport besides conferring him the verbal honour of being South Asia's most remarkable living politician. I emphatically think,India has to show more level playing exercise to bridge the trust deficit developed in the recent years,and yes,treaties must be subject to changes as time and circumstances allows.My personnel views regarding the Nepal have never emerged out of any stereotypical and theoretical school of Nehruvian principles...better,if you can read my last dozen of pieces over Nepal,you would sense the kind of basic I have been following on international relations.And if possible,please nail the relative observations on the kind of state we are living today,instead we shall move up for an universal abode out of disgustingly bounded cunning political convictions.
Atul Kumar Thakur
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
www.onesstandpoint.blogspot.com
Posted on: 16 JAN 2011 | 1:30 PM NST
11. Anonymous
The commentator (ref. to reply #7) is right-- the "Indian establishment has failed to form a new dimension to look on the neighbors, particularly with Nepal..." Sadly, the 'master-slave' mind-set inherited from their colonial past still seems to rule the behaviours of the Indian establishment today. Had Indians internalized their own true historic past, for exmaple, the real meaning of Gandhi's 'Swaraj' and the birth pang of true National Independence, the neighbours would find a different India today. It would not have been difficult for such a Nation to foster a mutual and trusting relationship with her neighbours, nor would it have been hard for Inida to treat her own tribal peoples with dignity and respect. Instead, in the name of the mirage of 'national security', Delhi seems too much obsessed with seking for blessing from yet another 'Master' from the overseas. (Mind you, the historic 'honeymoon' with Moscow ended as soon as the Cold War ended!) On the other hand, the 'traditional' intellectuals and the political pundit class in Nepal, are still obsessed to see every problem in Nepal through the 'Indian' lens. (There was a time, during the 1950's, the entire Nepal's cabinet used to fly to Delhi to take major decisions!) The 'Patna-educated' and 'Banaras-bred' intellectuals and 'pundits' in Nepal have failed to take the 'historically thawed' and 'sick' relationship between the two countries to a new and healthy one. My generation that witnessed first-hand, both the fall of the Berlin Wall and the fall of the Wall Street, sees things through different references (mind it is plural!) I would like both the democratic forces in India and Nepal to be more assertive and confident. It is high time to start a healthy dialogue between our two nations. An alternative discourse is the demand of our time. The best mantra for the mutual security of our nations would be 'keep your purse secure, and don't blame your neighbour!' Nepal needs to define her strategic position as a bridge between the two rising economic power-houses of Asia. Let's do our homeworks to usher in a new era with the hightended consciousness of our own historical realities and sensibilities. It is the task of our younger generation leaderships to redefine a new relationship. Let's have debates on what should constitute the elements of such relationship.

Reply#.Anonymous:-
Atul Kumar Thakur
Rational of Healthy Debate
#.11-Anonymous
I am emphatically happy to entwining with a very meaningful debate that represents all the constructive ideas across the board where the crux of relations between India and Nepal lies in reality.While writing my reply for Anonymous,whom I admire stoutly for his courageous and remarkable hold on synergistic inference;I felt best to leave the scale of peoples relations to shape and uphold the traditional ties between these very close neighbors.Because,with heavy heart,I will have to say that diplomatic relations between Delhi and kathmandu have completely failed to capitulate any mandate of common folks across the boundary.At worst,forcing contentiousness with the changing Nepal were the most unpragmatic programming from Delhi that vehementally shooked the traditional bond which was made through the peoples contact and sharing common griefs.

Ofcourse,fault lines were also drawn by the Nepal's political parties,especially by the Maoists camp...their's leadership displayed utmost cunningness in dealing with India.Through my personnal interaction,I could say that,it harmed a lot in distorting Indian diplomatic vision towards their most essential neighbour.I am happy to see the wishes from prolific young Nepali political commentator about the new constructive approaches to build ever best ties between our two nation-on this,I would also add that,peoples like us,who will do this irrespective of our myopic institutional standings.Even,when Nepal is passing through the political crisis,I am quite sanguine about the future prospect it has as nation amidst the two emerged power...yes,this two giant have to essentially break their sleeping tigers tag in perspectives of foreign affairs.Indeed,India with its overt practices of original legacy could have done much better than blindly replicating the foolish bandwagon of cruel colonialists.We must keep the debate alive to sort out the maladies in governance...leave the geographical belongingness out of mind,instead start thinking as humane citizen-hope for building better coception,it's a fair idea...with best wishes for India-Nepal relations...
Atul Kumar Thakur
New Delhi
www.onesstandpoint.blogspot.com{see my creative repository..}
{This was my tiny take following on Prashant Jha’s piece “The Big Madheshi Politics”,Nepali Times,January6-13,2011,Kathmandu}



{This comment was written for Rakshnda Jalil’s meaningful piece “Dipped in the heart’s blood” on Faiz, Himal South Asian did a commendable job to focus on this great revolutionary poet/journalist in January 2011 isuue..]
Atul Kumar Thakur 2011-01-19 13:05
Thanks for focusing on Faiz,one of key literary voice from sub-continent who drawn a superb tradition in literature with aligning stoutly the inferences of nationalism and history during the turbulent times in twentieth century.He was among the few from his generation who tried to see the world with a mix fervor of nationalism and basic humanity along with aim to crack down on oppression and injustice.He was equally remarkable in journalism as like in his cult field of Urdu/English literature..with prudent flex,Faiz displayed his concern for humanity when he felt his time opportune.He joined the British Army only to counter the Nazi force,at heart he remained a soldier but with letters and sensible convictions.His denial of state violence in newly created Pakistan tolled him with grave losses albeit he remained firm with his concern for humanity besides countering the superficial political tracts.
Atul Kumar Thakur
onesstandpoint.blogspot.com


Atul Kumar Thakur:_
Nice reading this piece albeit the malady Prashant has suggested is only a tip of iceberg....the rest are hanging still like iceclets.I have emphatic admiration for the kind of journalism being nurtured by the Himal South Asia and Nepali Times-in present stalemate in Nepal,the progressive role of media becomes very imperative.As a part of host delegation from Indian side,I met with Mahendra Yadav when he was industry minister,indeed in no manner,he was deserving such post of high repute.Such upliftment happened only through the shaky statistical compulsions in a multy party democracy.Plight of Madhesh is much grave than the rest Nepal but that doesn't mean a legitimacy for reactionary politics should be conferred;instead there is lucid wayout in terms of infusing new hope through fair political culture grounded somewhere on the base of common national ethos.Reactionary politics of Madhesh have done as much harm as the divisive convictions of Maoist with their stress on republicanism-that shaded the optimism from political landscape as whole.As an enthusiast on Nepal and a part of friendly nation,I would wish to see Nepal out of factional hooliganism and to visualize a clear road map for nation on the basis of good governance and vital socio-economic prospects.Currently Nepal as an economy performing much below the its potential-a stable and fair leadership can bank upon the rich human and natural resources of nation.The rest misconception regarding the role of neighbouring nations would be ended itself under the engaged order..Prashant has written number of piece on this particular theme and no doubt is among the most remarkable journalist from Nepal.Hope to see his flame intact despite facing various odd opinions on some occasions...thanks for focussing on a vital corner of Himalayan state.
Atul Kumar Thakur
New Delhi,Blog: www.onesstandpoint.blogspot.com
Posted on: 09 JAN 2011 | 12:55 PM NST{Nepali Times, January 7-13,Kathmandu}


For the Sake of Art {January 15,2011, Times Crest, Saturday}
I liked your timely interview with Amit Chaudhuri{January8}while tracing the vital reasons behind the shrinking poetic culture in India .I liked the thrust TOI-Crest gave to this theme. India is known for its rich tradition in both poetry and prose. It’s important to understand modern developments from the view of contemporary writers. I would be glad to see more such topics covered in your newspaper so that the creative arts are not obliterated by crass commercialization.