While the leaders and we—the writers, analysts, scholars and elites or what have you—are obsessed with our relations with neighbors (which I too am guilty of), and promoting and institutionalizing democracy in the country (which I am not guilty of), the common citizens of Nepal have different priorities altogether. They rightly believe that both of our neighbors will keep on doing what they are doing and we will be doing whatever we are doing until now, so except for the occasional beer or local brew sessions with friends, foreign policy is not a priority for most of them. (Once the drinking session is over, the obsession with the foreigners and their activities is also over—well, until the next booze fest). Similarly, when it comes to democracy, most of the country is baffled that the same set of leaders the whole country seems to loathe gets miraculously elected all the time. So much for the argument that the Maoist insurgency led to heightened political awareness.Rather, the violent insurgency and the political-criminal nexus, corruption, nepotism and we-can-do-anything attitude of the leaders have further enfeebled the country. The people and the elites alike are too meek to ask the questions that really matter. In a way, the rift between the government and the public has widened even more. People have no interest in what the leaders have to say, because they know it’s just empty talk. While the leaders live in a different world where everything is provided for, the majority of Nepalis live in a world full of wants. And we, the self-proclaimed intellectuals, are busy connecting the geopolitical and geostrategic dots and are focused on abstract ideas and ideals.
No wonder, people use all sorts of colorful adjectives to describe and address the leaders and view us, the so called elites, as a weird bunch on some shady foreign agency’s payroll. Many spend Rs 12 to buy a cigarette and Rs 20 for a cup of tea, but are unwilling to spend Rs 10 to buy a daily newspaper. The circulation of major national dailies proves it. There are not many readers in our “politically aware” country, and rightly so, because all you get is bombarded with news and views that have hardly anything to do with the real issues and problems.
For example, how many editorial and op-ed pieces are penned asking the government what it does with the tax money or suggesting it to use the tax money on upgrading infrastructure? Where does all that money go because we seem to rely on foreign aid even for ambulances and fire trucks? Again, how many editorials and expert views do you, the readers, get to read on the importance of urgent and concrete action on road and food safety and alarming pollution? Similarly, hardly anyone is suggesting the leaders to act on their election pledges, and to internalize the importance of decriminalizing politics and controlling inflation, corruption and misuse of government vehicles.
Contrast these with the number of pieces advising the government on what it ought to do with India and China or on the need to institutionalize democracy and freedom of expression and human rights. Not that these abstract ideals, which our leaders and writers talk ad nauseam about, do not matter, but in our context, effective utilization of tax money, and access to safe roads, food, clean air, healthcare and education are also equally or even more important.
But we seldom write on these issues because they are not sexy enough.
The politicians are in a different tangent and we can only hope that one day we will be blessed with a responsible leadership. But what about us? We too are guilty of being either timid, unconnected or unconcerned with the real issues and problems. We, the misguided elites, have knowingly or unknowingly hijacked the real agenda and the shameless politicians are having a field day.
Perhaps it’s about time we asked the right questions and made the right noises so that there’s some semblance of morality and accountability in the country—or at least to get people to read what we write.
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