National Security

Every country requires security. Security is one prime concern that the state is obliged to provide as it has been mentioned even in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under Article 3. A country spends a large sum of money in the name of security. Security is concerned with creating a safe environment for the people to live in. When we hear the term ”national security”, an image of soldiers or police officers come to our mind. They do have a huge role to play in providing national security, of course. But besides that, there are other entities that have to be taken note of too.



A truck is speeding down the road carrying a bundle of long iron rods with its tail gate open. It is uncertain, but the rods may fall out of the truck at anytime on the road causing an accident. There is a decayed branch on a tree that can fall on the road at any time and cause an accident. The roads are not rebuilt, and they are in such a condition that accidents can happen at any time. These are issues that are equally important as defense. Are they not concerns of national security?


Now, while the government is concentrating its efforts on the defence sector, it is sure that there are chances of its failing to check every truck’s tail gate or the branches of roadside trees. Thus, it is the responsibility of citizens to be careful on their part and make the concerned government departments aware about the things that they need to do on their part. It is not that everything can be expected from the government, and it is something unwise to call the government for every thing that affects security. The massive earthquake again provided a distinct image regarding how an individual’s effect can mean a lot for security. Had the government been the only body working during that period, the scale of losses could certainly have been expected to be much higher.

National security is not just the concern of the government or state agencies: Every single individual has to play a role in this regard. How can the government take care of your cooking gas in your home? It is you who has to stay alert and be careful in the maintenance of the gas cylinder and stove. There are accidents taking place because of our personal ignorance. Should we not become responsible for this now? Rights and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin. You have to be responsible for removing the large stone on the road in front of your house, and be responsible for demanding your right to security from the state. If you feel that the country is not a safe place to live in, you should be responsible for doing something about it too.






Published in The Kathmandu Post dated 7th August 2015.
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