Right the course

The state of the country and the political deadlock that is so evidently impacting severely on the people was not expected when the two people’s movement, namely Jana Andolan I and II, were

completed. The first one was able to usher in multi-party democracy, while the second led to the end

of the monarchical system. While the first one was stepping into a freer era, the second established

the sovereignty of the people for sure. Chaitra 24 (April 6) happened to be the date that comes into reckoning of the glorious struggle of the people

with, of course, the political parties led by the Nepali Congress (NC) spearheading the mission on both the occasions. The day must be remembered for all that it stands for in the struggle for leading the country to its democratic republican status as of now. To remember the sacrifices of the people in the historic people’s movements of 1990 and 2006, the day is commemorated and is also an opportune moment to reflect

on the gains made and the slips and falls along

the way. The people’s uprising, which falls in the month of April, did have its own heat to scorch all the detractors in the form of anti-democratic liaisons. It proved beyond doubt that when the people are stirred up, no amount of force can stop the upsurge. The political parties realized it then and solicited the people on the plank of reviving democracy, and that has been achieved.

The post-2006 scenario has had its resplendent moments along the way like the Constituent Assembly (CA) election, declaration of the republic, abolition of the monarchy, move for drafting the constitution and some success in the peace process. However, what the people abhorred was taking shape in the meanwhile, that is the deliberate shunning of the consensual thrust. It came to categorise a power struggle the like of which is the hallmark of competitive politics, the date for which is yet to arrive. What should have materialized after the promulgation of the constitution and the general elections is being usurped by the political parties in the name of their vested interests. Even now, when all focus should have gone into completing the constitution drafting task it is being used to rev up hostility among the political contenders. At this juncture, thoughts go out to the fifty or so days left to meet the deadline, but the UCPN (M) has its sole agenda for the ouster of the UML-led government and replaced with one led by it. It is a tall order when more than a change of the government, rounding off the work at hand counts. The Maoists could do better to successfully conclude the mandate given to it, as well as the other parties, rather than coming up with its own priorities sidelining the people.

The tens of thousands of people who surged into the streets during the April revolution are now feeling frustrated with the political parties and leaders going astray so soon after success was notched up. Such can only invite regressive forces to raise their heads which cannot be allowed to happen. This is what calls for a stronger dealing by the democratic forces led by the NC to institutionalize democracy. It is now or, perhaps, never.

Sheer negligence

Usually at this time of the year, when the weather is hot, dry and windy, fire takes a heavy toll

of human lives and destroys property worth

millions. Some of the fires are started because of negligence such as throwing away lighted cigarette

stubs or allowing children to play with matches, while others take place from lit firewood that have not been extinguished properly after cooking. Fires this year have taken many lives and some of them have wrecked havoc in a massive scale burning houses and forests. Since the majority of fires can be prevented were precautions taken, it behooves on the authorities to inform the common man as to what they can do to prevent fires from raging like never leaving fires unattended.

The number of fire fighting personnel and

equipment are far below that required to handle blazes. As a result, help, if any, in case of fire is late in arriving if ever. So as to minimize casualties due

to fires, the authorities could consider holding

fire drills, besides ensuring all the logistics as contingency strategy. This is necessary for action as soon

as information about fires raging is relayed, thereby minimizing the possible losses.