By Narayan Prasad Mishra
We all say democracy is the best government system though it also has some flaws. If the leaders are honest and loyal to the nation, in that case, they can efficiently serve the nation without any hindrance to the country’s development and welfare of the people enjoying democratic rights and avoiding the system’s flaws. That is sure. No system can be the best system in the world if the government is in the hands of dishonest leaders and their followers. Similarly, an honest, good, capable leader with statesmanship can undoubtedly efficiently work for the betterment of the people in any system. That is also undoubtedly true. It is said that a good leader must have twelve virtues – Honesty, Patriotism, Accountability, Transparency, Availability, and Integrity. Discipline, Trustworthiness, Courage, Compassion, Humaneness, and Intelligence.
People say now that our country was better off during the Panchayat Period than now though the system was called despotic. One can hardly deny this if someone has a pure conscience, though there were also many flaws. I was not surprised to see even the communist leaders like C. P. Mainali become against the present democratic system functioning and openly asking to topple the present government and throw out the present system even with the cooperation and help of the Royal followers. He spoke about it at the protest against the recently passed citizenship bill by the parliament. That was on YouTube.
We Nepalese are naive and simple. The majority do not know the tricks and political conspiracy of self-centred leaders. We all were happily attracted to democratic slogans and thought of having a better life with democratic rights. We got the first multi-party democracy and then the republic system with the political movements and revolutions. But we all are being exploited by our political leaders in the name of democracy. In this context, when everything went wrong and I experienced it, I wrote a poem titled Prajatantrako Namamaa (In the name of democracy). It was published in Samakaleen Weekly on 23 January 2000 (Marga 9, 2056). The poem, with its English translation, is as follows.
The published poem in Nepali
Published poem translated into English
In the name of Democracy
In the name of democracy
Who fed themselves and their relatives?
In the name of communism
Who became rich themselves
In the name of nationalism
Who became termites to destroy the nation?
Preaching the people
(They) stand to deliver speeches
In the broadcasting program of Nepal Television
They present as heroes and heroines
To them, all the people
are mentally retarded
Who listens to whatever is said
Here are only the people, like a lifeless statue
In the name of democracy
The brokers who sold the nation (prestige and respect)
In the name of communism
the cheaters who distribute dreams
In the name of nationalism
Who exploited the nation?
Teaching and preaching
They stand in seminars and conferences
In the broadcasting program of Nepal Television
They come as great men
To them, all the people are
Without brain and thoughts
Who believes what is said
Here are only two-legged animals.
In the name of democracy
The business people who sold our rivers
In the name of democracy
The devils who released smugglers
In the name of democracy
The devil Tarakasurs who gave retirement to employees
In the name of democracy
The devil Bhasmasurs who destroyed all industries
Giving lessons about socialism and nationalism
They stand in the talk programs and speeches
To them, all people
as if they are mentally disabled
They observe with closed eyes
without reactions
Here are only living dead people.
In the name of democracy
Who politicized education?
In the name of democracy
Who mixed politics into the health services?
In the name of democracy
Who destroyed the administrative structure?
In the name of democracy
Who demoralized the police force and army?
Preaching the lesson that all should be above the politics
They jump into the discussion program
To them, all the people of the country are
as if without brain and sense.
In the name of democracy
Who promoted nepotism and favouritism?
In the name of democracy
Who took all offices like their wife’s dowry?
In the name of democracy
Who created job fulfillment centers everywhere?
In the name of democracy
Who made and controlled the judiciary their own?.
Giving the lesson on the development of the country
They stand in the speech program on democracy day
Preaching about the welfare of the people
They roar with a speech on Constitutional Day
To them, all the people
as if only are mentally disabled
To them all are
as if only dead though living.
I wrote the poem mentioned above 25 years ago. But corruption, wrongdoings, and malpractices are more prevalent in the country. We hear and think that democracy gives great importance to people’s voices. People are writing and voicing against the malpractices in the country. We see people’s voices in the newspapers, radio and tv broadcasting, YouTube, etc. But the people in power do not give any attention to it. It seems they have no ears to hear or eyes to see. Our people seem mentally retarded, without brains, ears, and eyes, though living like they are dead. Our people are like statues, just as the people in power think. People have not been able to bring change and punish wrongdoers. That is sad to watch. I feel melancholy to see the condition of our country so dilapidated. I am much sadder to see that our prominent party leaders see it just the opposite. But the general election is near. I hope our people have enough experience now about who is not good and sound in the parties and government. So I hope with correct evaluation and using pure conscience, they will be able to make the party and candidates win. We will have a good government that works for the country and people without malpractices and corruption.
narayanshanti70@gmail.com
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