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As we celebrate this week as martyr’s week, it’s crucial to reflect on the forgotten heroes and their families. Historically, a martyr is someone who sacrifices their life for a sacred cause. Martyrs are our heroes. As Benjamin Disraeli eloquently stated, “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.”

Deserving more than words

On 21 Sept 2023, during a program organized by the Martyrs’ and Disappeared Warriors Children’s Foundation in Sindhuli, I encountered the families of martyrs—vulnerable, elderly, illiterate, with no income, deprived of information, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and grappling with medical conditions. Despite these challenges, the children displayed exceptional natural intellect, particularly in the fields of law, engineering, agriculture and journalism—key positions that hold the potential to reform the country. It is crucial for the government to recognize and harness their potential through placements or further grooming, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to society.

In 2020, BMC International Health and Human Rights published a journal on the quality of life (QOL) of women from families of martyred individuals in Iraq. The study underscored the significance of QOL for the conflict-affected. The families of martyrs may carry an inner sense of pride for the supreme sacrifices made by their sons, husbands, and parents, but their QOL remains below par. They deserve more.

For CNN and the Times, the concept of ‘heroes’ might vary—they declare heroes annually. However, for Nepalis, our heroes are the families who continue to walk with pride, fully aware that their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Yet, their QOL needs improvement; some are oblivious to a government led by the ‘Maoist’ party. A prevailing concern is that these families do not sense a connection to government ministers led by the same leaders for whom their children and parents gave their lives.

International practices

International practices provide noteworthy examples. India not only compensates them financially but also offers jobs for their next of kin. On 26 July 2023, “The Times of India” reported that the next of kin of 19 martyrs were appointed to different government jobs on the grounds of compassion.  Azerbaijan went further, providing separate housing for about 9,200 families of martyrs and distributing more than 7,200 cars to war-disabled individuals.  Even conflict-torn countries like Afghanistan and Libya have passed bills honoring the martyrs and their family members. Afghanistan has a dedicated ministry overseeing the welfare of the martyrs’ families.

Nepal’s peace process

The recent visit of the UN Secretary-General to Nepal accentuates the urgency of bringing the peace process to a logical conclusion, an outcome incomplete without acknowledging the martyrs’ contributions. All leaders and dignitaries pledged support during his visit, and the time is now to translate those commitments into tangible action.

Article 42 (5) of Nepal’s Constitution guarantees the families of martyrs essential rights in education, health, employment, housing, and social security, accompanied by justice and respect. While martyrs receive commendable recognition at remembrance events, such as shawls and certificates, the focus must shift from being a platform for political speeches. These families, who are more than just affiliated with any political party, represent the nation’s heroes. Their sacrifices have granted us the freedom of expression and the ability to openly critique authorities. It is crucial that their status remains a national issue rather than being exploited for political gain.

The government must guarantee that the next of kin are not only honored as national martyrs but also provided benefits such as tax exemption, housing, placement in public services, employment, and, most importantly, free access to health and education. This is the minimum the nation can do to honor those martyrs who sacrificed their lives, bequeathing us the freedom and democracy we cherish today.

Political and constitutional changes have been a long-drawn-out affair, in the case of Nepal. 

For instance, the Constituent Assembly (CA) materialized 55 long years (in 2008) after its germination as an idea in 1951 following the advent of democracy. This delay can be attributed to manipulation on the part of our political parties.

One school of thought, though, assumes that the historic charter (the Constitution of 2015) promulgated through a CA does not have much to do with popular aspirations of Nepali citizens, whereas the other argues that it does. 

Sovereign Nepali citizens and their representatives—leaders of political parties—presumably have a central role in determining the kind of political systems they want and the roadmap for the future, with the Constitution acting as a point of reference. 

But our political parties are not acting in line with their very own manifestos and ideologies, giving rise to a state of impunity. First and foremost, these forces need to become clean, clear and accountable toward their political manifestos and ideologies. If this happens, we will have a drastic transformation in our views and visions. 

The derivatives

We encounter a lot of confusion while trying to trace the roots of our parliamentary democracy. Discourses tend to show that external diplomatic influences played a pivotal role in the establishment of democracy in Nepal rather than the domestic forces. This couriers a miserable deal with our preamble of sovereign state and somehow paves a depraved way out. 

What shall we do in such a scenario? Opt for a diplomatic transformation?

Amid all this, the to and fro of the former king has political parties, the old guard in particular, panicked along with the Hindutva factor. However, the new forces are quite upbeat and have already begun preparing for 2027, when general elections will take place. 

Hindutva does not necessarily mean an absolute religious rule. Rather, it can lay the foundation for good governance. Caught in a crossroads, Nepal has a gigantic opportunity to put its development agenda on the front-burner by going for collective bargaining with external forces like India, China, the US and the UK instead of focusing on the trivial issues.  

Parliamentary democracy constitutes a robust foundation in the countries with a laissez-faire governing system, where power is vested in the public or citizens. However, laissez-faire may result in despotism in the long run. This very idea of political shift may lead to an imbalance of power between the government bodies as seen now in Nepal between federal and local governments. A clear example of this imbalance is the relation between Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the federal government of Nepal. Potential tyranny, lack of trust between coalition partners and tyranny by majority can also be a clumsy manner for political derivation maintained through parliamentary democracy.

The way forward

The literacy rate has gone up in Nepal, as indicated by the 2021 census, possibly pointing toward rising public awareness, among others. Thanks to growing factionalism within their ranks, political forces are losing their cadres and followers, prompting new generations to seek alternatives of the old guard. 

All this is likely to deal the status-quoists a huge blow in the next general elections, with the scholar and well-versed political marcher possibly fielding their candidacies. 

To minimize the damage, the old guard needs to minimize social, developmental and inclusive gaps via politically collaborative foundations. Their focus should be on maintaining the rule of law, ending impunity, striving for economic reforms through diplomatic dialogues, and development of politically collaborative environments.

A university is a center for brainstorming, exploration and processing of knowledge. Data from around the world have confirmed that quality university education plays a major role in laying the foundation for the development of economic and strategic might of countries. 

Of late, Nepal's higher education and universities have emerged as a topic for a discourse, thanks to a declining state of these institutions and a subsequent surge in the number of students heading abroad for higher education.

University education started in Nepal in 1959 with the establishment of the Tribhuvan University (TU). Sixty-five years later, we continue to lag behind in almost all sectors because of our inability to utilize our universities in the interest of the country, an inability which has a role in rendering the state dysfunctional. This article mainly seeks to explore the reasons behind a sorry state of affairs in our universities by looking into the advent of university education in brief.  

The legacy

Modern university education dates back to the 11th century. At the end of the 11th century, the University of Bologna ‘Studium’ took shape in Italy, followed by the University of Paris in France (1150) and a number of universities across European countries. These centers of higher learning began focusing on scientific research, heralding a new dawn in the development of science and technology and strengthening as well as expanding the state. Through the technological prowess that flowed through these universities that propagated university education globally, Europe established its empires around the world over the centuries. 

Western varsity in Asia 

The Western model university came into being in Asia with the establishment of the University of Calcutta in 1857 under British rule. In its early days, the varsity showed a lot of promise, producing world-renowned scientists and economists such as CV Raman, Chandrasekhar, Ramakrishnan, Hargobind Khorana and Amartya Sen. But the varsity failed to pave the way for diversified research, a predicament no different from that of the TU.

However, Japan, another country in Asia, started its educational cooperation with Europe in 1877 with the establishment of the Tokyo University. Japan has not only become an economic superpower in a short period of time on the strength of new science and technological development, but is also competing with the West in the field of creative intelligence and producing dozens of Nobel Prize winners. 

This university has established itself as an institute capable of solving problems of a fast-changing world. Interestingly, Nepal was under the rule of Jung Bahadur at the time of establishment of universities in Calcutta and Tokyo. The Rana ruler had a cordial relationship with the British Empire, but did not bother to use this leverage for introducing university education in Nepal. Thanks to this myopia, university education got delayed in Nepal by about a century. 

A decisive push for reforms

A review of world history shows a number of countries shifting focus on university reforms after overcoming internal/external conflict and achieving a level of national prosperity. 

In the case of Nepal, even decades after the establishment of its first university and several other universities, no meaningful effort has been made to transform them into centers of knowledge and innovation. Political interference, measly investments from the state, weak standards for faculty selection and incentives are mainly to blame for this. 

Unchecked political interference has been taking a toll on university education for decades and institutionalizing mismanagement. Here, professors accused of serious academic charges like intellectual theft get appointed as vice-chancellors, thanks to their political clout and a chauvinist professor gets beaten by chauvinist students on the university premises! It’s obvious that those who landed leadership roles through political connections do not count. Our universities need to undergo reforms for which they need a non-political academic leadership with a credible ground action plan. The state should immediately take concrete steps toward this end by keeping politics away from universities.

Hetauda, a once-sleepy town in Nepal, has recently seen a significant transformation. Its recent elevation to the status of a provincial capital has brought rapid population growth and development to this region. While this transformation is promising, it has also presented a pressing need for smart mobility solutions. The city’s streets, especially the main roads, are struggling to accommodate the growing number of cars, bikes, auto rickshaws, and electric rickshaws. Furthermore, the rising number of private vehicles, especially cars, has intensified issues related to congestion and parking. To ensure Hetauda remains livable for all its residents and visitors, it is essential to address these mobility challenges. In this article, we will explore the significance of smart mobility for Hetauda, highlighting why it is necessary and how it can be adapted to suit the city’s unique needs.

Balancing accessibility for all classes

Hetauda’s recent transformation into a provincial capital brings with it the potential for significant disparities in terms of mobility. It is crucial that the city’s development doesn’t result in a divide between those who own private vehicles and those who do not. Smart mobility solutions can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the city remains accessible and convenient for all social classes. This is not only an issue of convenience but also one of social equity. A city that prioritizes smart mobility ensures that people with cars can move safely while those without private transport can move comfortably and safely as well.

Addressing the parking challenge

One of the immediate problems Hetauda faces with the rising number of vehicles is the issue of parking. The city’s streets, many of which are already quite narrow, struggle to accommodate both moving traffic and parked vehicles. Expanding road infrastructure might not always be a feasible solution due to space constraints and the need to preserve the city’s character. Therefore, implementing smart parking solutions is essential. This includes the development of efficient parking structures, the introduction of time-based parking zones and so on.

Promoting sustainable transportation modes

To alleviate congestion and reduce the environmental impact of the growing number of vehicles, Hetauda can learn valuable lessons from Terai small towns that have successfully integrated sustainable transportation modes. Encouraging cycling as a mode of daily commute is not only eco-friendly but also promotes healthier living. Designing dedicated bike lanes, providing affordable bike-sharing programs, and ensuring bicycle safety measures can make cycling an attractive option for the city’s residents. Public transportation should also be revamped, focusing on making it accessible, reliable, and environmentally friendly. 

Encouraging the use of electric rickshaws

Electric rickshaws have gained popularity in Hetauda due to their energy efficiency and affordability. However, their numbers have grown significantly, contributing to the city’s traffic challenges. To manage this growth effectively, the city can introduce regulations to ensure a sustainable number of electric rickshaws on the road. 

Implementing traffic management solutions

Smart mobility is not just about introducing new modes of transportation; it also involves implementing intelligent traffic management solutions. Utilizing technology to optimize traffic flow, synchronize traffic signals, and provide real-time traffic information to commuters can significantly reduce congestion. Furthermore, intelligent transportation systems can help reduce accidents, making the streets safer for all.

Promoting walkability and urban planning

As Hetauda grows, urban planning becomes increasingly critical. Smart mobility strategies should integrate urban planning that prioritizes walkability. Pedestrians should be provided with safe and well-maintained sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian zones. Enhancing the city’s aesthetics and creating pleasant public spaces can also contribute to a more vibrant and livable Hetauda.

Investing in education and awareness

The successful implementation of smart mobility solutions in Hetauda also relies on educating the public about the benefits of these changes. Raising awareness about the environmental and social advantages of sustainable transportation modes, as well as the efficient use of personal vehicles, can encourage residents to make more responsible mobility choices.

Collaboration and funding

The transition to smart mobility requires collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and the community. Public-private partnerships can help in funding and implementing these solutions effectively. Access to grants and subsidies for adopting electric vehicles, developing cycling infrastructure, and improving public transportation can be instrumental in making smart mobility a reality.

In conclusion, Hetauda’s transformation into a bustling city with rapid population growth and development presents both opportunities and challenges. Smart mobility solutions are not only necessary but also a crucial component of ensuring that the city remains livable for all its residents, irrespective of their transportation choices and socio-economic backgrounds. By addressing the issues of accessibility, parking, sustainable transportation, traffic management, urban planning, education, and collaboration, Hetauda can create a model for smart mobility that other cities in Nepal and beyond can emulate. The journey to smart mobility may not be without its hurdles, but the benefits it promises in terms of sustainability, quality of life, and economic development make it a path worth pursuing.