On/Off the Record
By P.R. Pradhan
Last week, we witnessed our leaders—President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal, and other leaders—were seen running behind the king of Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Emir Al-Thani arrived here for a two-day state visit on Tuesday, April 23 and returned home on Wednesday, April 24.
President Paudel, PM Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha, among others, reached the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to welcome and also to see off the king of Qatar. Normally, according to diplomatic practice, one minister could receive and see off the foreign head of state. Nepal wanted to exhibit a special gesture of hospitality for the Qatari king. Moreover, upon the arrival of the Qatari king, the government announced a national holiday along with a special guard of honor.
Nepal had a high expectation from the visit, however, due to the lack of necessary homework, only some minor agreements were inked during the king’s stay here.
Qatar is a small Gulf country and this is the first high-level visit from the Arab country. Under the active leadership of the king, Qatar has achieved tremendous economic development and emerged as a strategic country in the globe. The political stability, dynamic, and visionary leadership of the king transformed a tiny country Qatar into a prosperous nation. Infrastructural development is obvious for economic prosperity, we can learn from the development of Qatar. Importantly, when Saudi Arabia and its ally countries imposed a blockade on Qatar even by stopping essential food, the government supplied food and all necessary goods to its people by airlifting such items from the international market. In the meantime, the Qatar government gave priority to farming and producing dairy products within the country, which helped to make Qatar self-reliant on such items. Despite the economic blockade from the neighbouring country, the Qatar government was able to host the world cup football. Its national flag carrier, Qatar Airways, established by the Qatar government in 1993, has been a oneworld member since 2013, and is one of the most frequent recipients of Airline of the Year awards, has maintained a Skytrax five-star ranking since 2004. This is an example that how a government undertaking can become a successful venture under the active monarchy!
Qatar is one of the main destinations for the Nepali working force as around five hundred Nepalis are getting employment there. A nation can become economically vibrant and can achieve all sector progress even under the leadership of an active monarchy.
Nepal is a republican country. Those leaders running behind the Qatari king, were involved in making Nepal a republic. Unfortunately, since the adoption of republicanism, Nepal has been economically ruined; the partisan politics and anarchy performed by the supreme leaders of the political parties destroyed all the essential organs including the judicial body. Those self-centered political leaders could be able to change their personal and family lifestyles but the country has been ruined.
We could hear those republican leaders addressing a foreign monarch as “Your Majesty” by disposing of their own institution of monarchy in the vested interests of the foreign powers.
The Nepali monarchs have made remarkable contributions to nation-building. Moreover, the monarchs played significant roles in protecting the nation’s sovereignty, and independence and safeguarding Nepali nationals. Since the abolishment of the institution of monarchy, the nation has been facing serious threats to the Nepali identity, sovereignty, and independence. Today, the Nepali tradition, culture, religion, language, and harmony among the people are under threat. Foreign powers having vested interests have become active in destroying this historical nation. Those leaders of the day are in a race to please their foreign bosses. Viewing all these negative scenarios, we believe that to save the nation, we need an institution of monarchy as a guardian.
Many of the political leaders have also concluded that the present constitution is not favorable for the country and even for political stability. Therefore, they are talking about an amendment to the constitution. The leaders should realize that in the absence of the institution of monarchy, the amendment process cannot be completed. Therefore, if the leaders want a peaceful solution to the situation, they should accept the presence of the king.
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