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VOL. 28, NO. 23, March 06, 2009 (Falgun 23 2065)
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President Obama: Will You Deliver?
MADHAV KUMAR RIMAL
Barrack Obama's election as the President of the United States of America, it seems, has opened the floodgates of hopes and expectations for many small, poor and beleaguered nations of the world. And, indeed, Nepal is one such nation. Since Nepal failed to produce patriotic and benevolent rulers, she was forced to remain a poor and backward nation despite the endless bounties of generous nature. Their vile and unreasonable ambition to keep on ruling till millennium has only brought disaster to them and the people as well. Sandwiched between two virtual giants, Nepal could have evolved as a strong nation, both politically and economically, under an honest, patriotic and efficient leadership. The end of colonial rule in the south and the emergence of an authoritarian communist regime in the north did sound the death knell of despotic century old family oligarchy in Nepal but also pushed her into the center stage of regional politics. Unfortunately, the utter failure of the Nepali politicians and statesmen to cash on those opportunities for her development into an affluent and strong nation turned her into a puppet nation. The constraints of her geo-politics combined with the imbecility of her rulers and severe physical handicaps, have forced her to become a kind of vassal of her big and strong friendly neighbor in the south. The social, religious and cultural commonalities between Nepal and India should have knit them into an unbreakable link but the erroneous concept of inheriting the role of their colonial master has only contributed to dig deep and wide gulf between big India and her smaller neighbors. As far Nepal is concerned, she has no option but to avoid all kinds of confrontations with her, at all costs. This has been fully substantiated on various occasions. It is very strange that the most powerful South Block in India has failed to realize that it has a certain lacuna in its foreign policy structure that is depriving it to achieve the desired results. It is an established fact that India's political leadership has to tow the line her South Block dictates. Even the great leader like Jawaharlal Nehru was, at times, snubbed by veterans like Sir Grija Shanker Bajpai. And that tradition still continues without any change. Strange enough, Nepali politicians and others too are being patronized by South Block even after six decades. How can they overlook the plain truth that a person who does not bat his eyelids to trade his country's interests for personal gains can ever be a dependable friend? That India has, all along, influenced the course of Nepali politics and even manipulated Nepal's relations with other world powers is the irrefutable open secret. The decade long civil war the Maoists waged against Nepal from the sanctuary of India too had their blessings. It seems, on second thoughts, India has realized that she was too precipitate. Wisdom dawned after the damage was done. Disintegration or Balkanization of Nepal can never be in India's interests. Consequently, it would be wise and advisable to repair the damage as much as possible so that Nepal can steer back to the democratic path without any more damage or destruction. Since President Obama has started a new age with new ideas, new direction and new objectives, other smaller leaders of the world too should not lag behind. Even though the whole world is looking up to Obama, that Obama is wearing a crown of thorns is clearly visible. He has to withstand so many pressures and to avoid so many dangers and threats. Obama must know well that the age of bloodshed and killings, revenge and recriminations must be buried behind. Let us start the age of " Vausdhaiva Kutumbakam" (The world Family) as our seers have taught. Since the world belongs to smaller and poorer nations also, they too must be given the opportunities to contribute their mite in bringing peace to the world. Big and powerful countries have not succeeded so far. Why not try smaller countries? If Nepal could produce Siddhartha – the prince of Peace- (The Buddha) may be, she could also play a positive role in bringing peace to the world. With your wealth and our wisdom, your size and strength and our smallness and humility, let us join hands and work for world peace. Who knows where success and peace is hiding?
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