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We Are One – Leaders, Wake Up!
By Megha Ratna Shakya, Vancouver
July 5, 2009
We are Nepalese. We are one. We, as individuals, have personal identity with names, so that all the ethnic groups have their identities.
As we respect each individual, we have to respect all the ethnic groups. As individuals we cannot be divided, so the ethnic groups also
cannot be divided. This applies even more to the Nepali nation and Nepali people. We are one. Only if we are one, the nation will stand and
survive. Divided we are bound to fall. Historically, we have lived as one nation, irrespective of our individual identities and ethnicity.
Our future lies in oneness. This is the bottom line that all people of this land have to embrace. The political leaders and their parties have
special responsibility to uphold this reality.
People who have been thrust upon to lead and guide the nation are now elected to build the new Nepal. They are lucky that the mother Nepal has given them this opportunity to make their names written in gold. They will have to be bold and face elements that want to divide us and destroy the Nepalese and the Nepali nation, now or in the future. They will have to live a life that is undivided. They can not have duality in their belief or in real life. They have to be one in the parliament. With one accord, they have to stand together. Running a government is completely one thing, while writing a constitution is completely a different thing. They may have differences on governance, but they can not have differences on the oneness of new Nepal.
Due to so much repression and exploitation in the past, there is deep fear and mistrust among individuals and ethnic groups in the country. How can fear and mistrust be erased? This is the question all the Nepalese should be asking themselves and seek to explore the answers. Rather than indulging in all sorts of negativities, people should be indulging in the discussions and debates on this question and its answers. There is enough number of countries around the world who have solved much more complex issues than ours. Did one ever think possible to have blacks and whites live together in South Africa after apartheid? The leaders there showed the way to people that they can live together as one people and one nation
It is always easier said than done. How do we do it in Nepal? The answer may not be a straight line. But there has to be an answer that works for all. The simple proposition that appeared at the beginning of this article could be the basis. Can we all agree that we are one people and one nation? If the answer is yes, then I do not see any subsequent question that will be any more difficult to answer. Now how do we get this question across to people? There could be many medium. There is now a plethora of media – FM radio stations, local and national newspapers, political, social and cultural events, activities throughout the country, festivals, etc., etc.
During the process of finding answers, there has to be governance in the country that would allow maintenance of law, order and peace. Again the issue is how to carry out the governance? The political parties and leaders will have to demonstrate their faith in the rule of law, basic human values and their allegiance to the nation Nepal that is one and undivided. The judiciary, legislative and executive arms of the nation must live up to the universal principles that they have taken oath of. When one violates, the others should stand up and take necessary action to ensure that the allegiance to the nation is not broken. When individuals are found guilty, enforce the law to take its action. No one should be above law. Here is the boldness of individuals at the apex action matters.
Nepal are carrying their broken hearts. They have been constantly supporting their political leaders since 1990 for a new Nepal. They have voted people to govern only to be found that their trust was breached. Now they have voted to craft a new constitution. Again they are disheartened as the leaders have not lived up to their expectations. What they have seen is only misery one after another. There is more mistrust and divisions among the people than ever before. This is very scary for them. They see no future for them. The youngsters are leaving the country by the thousands every day. Intellectuals have been numbed. Financial capital is in flight. The people who govern takes pride that our migrant workers are feeding the economy. People are desperate to put an end to this cycle of misery in the country.
Often times, one hears such expressions coming out of the lips of ordinary people – we have not seen any leader born to save the nation. The people in politics claim themselves as leaders. Is it not high time that they respond to such expressions? If they chose to, they can be the leaders people are looking for. This is the chance history has given to them to immortalize them in this land. What is there to lose but rather gain in upholding Nepal and uniting its people so that once again Nepal can shine in the world? We are already a celebrity nation among nations because of Mt. Everest. We are also a highly regarded nation because it is the birth place of Siddhartha, the one so much revered by all across the globe, irrespective of any religion.
Leaders, wake up! With one accord, make a new Nepal, undivided, unified Nepal!
(Megha Ratna Shakya, educated in economics at Princeton University, USA, and an MBA from Nepal, is a trainer of non judgmental communication, commonly known as on nonviolent communication (NVC). Megha combines NVC with meditation technique to calm our mind and eliminate thoughts so that we can speak our feelings rather than thoughts. Megha is also a Vipassana meditation practioner, Tibetan singing bowl and Reiki healer. He is residing in Vancouver. He can be contacted at 778-279-1004, email- megha.shakya@gmail.com)