It has now been hundred days that Southern Nepal - Terai
has been protesting showing their dissatisfaction over the constitution. The
latest meeting on 18th November once again ended without conclusion.
It has already been around dozen of times protesting groups sat for discussion
with Government bodies, but always ended 'without conclusion'. Death of
80 people, and ongoing protests are the issues there. Ethnic group, who had
been marginalized since the history, Madhesi, Tharus believe that the
constitution is not for them, and state did not address their issue. Hence,
they boycotted the Constitution Drafting process in the end, and sat down for
protests.
Making obstacles in Southern Nepal 'reason', India has been
restricting its supply towards Nepal to large extent. Earthquake few months
back had already brought huge economic downturn in Nepalese context, and the
recent 'economic blockade' has made significant contribution in taking to worst
phase of Nepal's economy with 2.3 growth rate. This is the worst recorded in
Nepal's history after 35 years. Restriction in fuel supplies can be regarded as
major reason for this downturn. On normal days, 200 takers used to enter Nepal
via India, but on an average 3-4 takers enter everyday today. 2200 industries
have been closed since three months. Daily loss has been estimated worth 20
million USD, making 400 thousand labors jobless.
Mother can't feed her 6 year kid good diet, because she
lacks cooking gas to cook. She has to cut off normal cooking, and limit the
entire dining table with limited foods as she now has to use firewood to
prepare entire meal. Husband, or the working member in the house has no longer
holds petrol in his bike, to reach office. He therefore has to hang on 'crowded
bus', as those buses lack petrol as well, or walk long distance. School going
kids have to walk long distance to be there, because school buses are no longer
in operation.
Several regions of Nepal still lack good roadway access.
Lack of medicines has already started hitting those regions, and there is huge
fear of 'medicine shortage' in various hospitals of city areas too. Agitating
parties have agreed upon allowing medicinal supplies, but this absence of
petrol will certainly hit the supplies. Few deaths have already been recorded
because of lack of medicinal supplies.
Not unless both the parties come with compromise, the water
would be clear. Agitating parties must understand that 'Constitution' is paper
draft, made by people, which can be edited, modified and changed in pace of
time. Government bodies must also turn out to be serious upon their demands,
and sit in the talk showing seriousness.
But since, both parties seem to be rigid upon their issues,
there seems huge pessimism within people living in Nepal at present.
Communities from agitating ethnic group as well as non agitating ethnic group
have been severally affected. Youths are losing their hopes, and have been
diverting their mind to fly abroad, Australia, America or European countries,
in the name of studies, but with ultimate aim of settling abroad itself. Parents have been motivating them to stay, as
if birth in Nepal itself was a curse.
The entire scenario has made 'normal life' in Nepal a dream!
'Fear of Brain Drain' is now a dream, because people have
now regarded flying abroad, 'opportunity' more than 'threat'. Getting good employment in Nepal, making the
academic degree a worth indeed is a dream because, the shutting down of
industries not only provokes new entrepreneurs, but also discourages existing
entrepreneurs to promote their business. Foreign investors already seem to be
afraid with the present context anyway. Multinational company, TeliaSonera has
already removed its hand from Nepal. Lack of raw materials and disturbing
political scenario is certainly a threat for them. Welcoming MNCs, and securing
good job there already is a dream for Nepalese.
Access to proper infrastructure is next dream for Nepalese.
Movement through metros, or trains in Nepal is a dream. It had been a dream,
however, two decades of time in Nepal was useless loss for Nepal, and this
project has been all away. Having 24-hours access to electricity is again next
dream. Nepal requires around 1300 MW of electricity, and not even half of them
is produced within the country. Nepal is somehow maintaining with purchase from
India. Hence, life without inverter is already a dream.
Access to proper roadway is next dream in Nepal. Life
survives in Nepal in those portion, where we have to walk for days to reach
home. Roadway indeed is dream in those places. Despite being second largest
country in water resources, we have to battle up morning to evening to ensure
enough drinking water is stored. Sometimes, we barely get them. Hence, supplies
of regular drinking water is next dream here.
There is lot of dream that one possesses, being Nepalese.
And, the country is headed towards that direction, where uncertainty exists. We
already are decades back, and we are being pushed much more backward. After
all, living a life in such a scenario, where ambulances fails to come in time,
medicines or food supply is not regular. No fuels for normal life. That could
be imagination for those who have not faced it. However, Nepalese have been surviving with
'hope'!
Hope to live a normal life.
Published in Sikkim Express of 7th January 2016, page 4.
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