There is a Ceausescu/Marcos
moment happening in Nepal. Youth of Nepal have reminded the world crony
capitalism is no progress. Clearly a feudal society doesn’t really have democracy
entrenched hence the so-called leaders -without any redeeming quality whatsoever,
turned into kleptocracy and blatant corruption. Recently we saw this in Bangladesh.
The Arab spring was on similar lines
that used social media effectively. Thankfully Nepal doesn’t have organized religion
to misuse this opportunity to severely diminish aspirations of common people. An
impoverished scenic nation with enterprising people, sandwiched between two giant neighbors China and India, Nepal doesn’t really have strong democratic institutions
and active civil society -the reason why there was an outburst from youngsters.
It is very likely that this space will be taken by the army, or most likely another
corrupt defunct institution called monarchy -south Asian version of amazing mediocre
inbred corrupt parasitic feudals, who will take the country further down. Army would be better choice
so as to calm things down, arrange and oversee democratic elections with youth
actively participating into the parliament. Unless there is a vibrant democratic
institutions and participation this will fizzle out and devious feudal forces
will take control. What is admirable is that protest is targeted only at the corrupt
politicians and seat of power and has not slipped into mayhem damaging property or
looting. Youth in Nepal have shown uncommon sense of responsibility and restrain.
They have become a lesson for youths around the world. They deserve better.
**Meanwhile corrupt politicians
and officials beware there is Nepal treatment on the horizon! Here in India, we
have contractor showcasing house made of gold to salivating despicable media
-who pose it as India’s progress, while common people die in accidents regularly
due to low quality roads. We had uprising against corruption that removed Congress,
their entrenched sense of entitlement and arrogance (ofcourse MNREGA and RTI were great initiatives). If BJP is not careful, particularly
in the interface between common people and governance, they may find it difficult. The urgency of initiatives like toilets for everyone (campaign against open defecation) could only be shown by people with
grassroot understanding, to sense the need for dignity among common people. The reason why BJP is quite favorably evaluated by common people even after a decade despite immense challenges. Meanwhile
communists in Kerala have built low-cost flats for fisherfolks -who face continuous
onslaught of ocean that left them frequently stranded -this is happening for decades. Such specific targeted small
measures have big impact unlike garibi hatao abyaan get together photo ups in starch white khadi.
