By Narayan Prasad Mishra A few days ago, when I was scrolling the Google search for something else, I saw my article - Democracy, election, and politics of boycott dated 13 January 2006 in Scoop Independent News Media of New Zealand. I was surprised to see it. I could not believe that the article was mine as I had never given my writing to them and had no idea about the existence of that media, not only that I had forgotten about my that writing. So with much curiosity and doubt, I started reading it to know whether that was really my article or the item written by someone of my name, not me. After reading, I became sure that was my piece which I wrote first in Nepali and published in some Nepali newspaper, and later on, I think that was published in People's Review. Then I became more curious to know about Scoop Media and found from the google search that Scoop is a champion of independent journalism. It stands for informing New Zealanders through straight-talking independent journalism and publishing news from politics and a vast range of sectors. It seemed they picked up my piece thinking worthy of their independent journalism ethics as a guest opinion. I am happy and inspired by it. Because I take pride in writing from my conscience, always thinking about the welfare of the people and country without any bias to any political doctrine. I am an independent person. It means in Nepal, the person who does not belong to anyone, no person, no party. No one owns him. In other words, a helpless person who enjoys only truth nothing else. In some way, my independence and free thoughts are certified by Scoop. I remembered my late beloved wife, Shanti Mishra, whom I miss every moment of my life, and thought how happy she would be knowing my recognition by the independent international media if she was alive. SHE WAS MY FIRST READER whenever I wrote anything - a poem or article, letter for office, or the plan and programs. She enjoyed anything or everything I wrote with joy and happiness. She was so proud of me as I was proud of her. She was my admirer as well as an inspirer. I am glad about it and would like to thank Scoop. I wish we had media like that, which could be the backbone of our democracy. The independent press inspires the people like me. I have an excellent appreciation for the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Afro-known American activist and civil rights leader of the USA, a good human being, a good politician, a good orator, and a good leader. He faced unlimited, painful challenges in his lifelong struggle. We know even when he was humiliated, insulted, tortured, he did not forget his convictions, ethics, and idealism. He always said, "in the process of gaining our rightful place, we should not be guilty of wrongful deeds." That was his mantra which he followed throughout his life. He taught his followers to be strict to that ideal. He did not move an inch from it. That is why he is great. He is remembered all over the world. The USA has a holiday for his memorial where there is no system of giving many holidays like in Nepal. I love him and admire his thoughts and philosophy. I always wish all the world countries have leaders like him.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I actually wrote the article mentioned above carried by Scoop based on the spirit of his saying remembering him with great respect - in the process of gaining our rightful place, one should not be guilty of wrongful deeds. That was when the parliament had been dissolved because of the feud among the political parties, personal rivalry, conflict, accusations, and counter-accusations among the parties' leaders. That was done according to the constitution by the King. But the seven political parties under the leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala were protesting for reviving the defunct parliament. On the other hand, the Maoist movement was in a pick, and our country had no peace. People were killed, gun-downed, and bombed. Our country was in a big problem. I thought seeking restoration of the dissolved parliament without election had no constitutional and democratic rationale if we really loved democracy. Therefore, it would be wiser if they wanted democratic demand fulfilled through wisdom and logic instead of resorting to unconstitutional and undemocratic means based on threat, agitation, and protests when the country was rugged. Only that would help develop a civilized society and correct political practices. My writing did not work as we did not have any leader like Dr. King. Everybody and every party were for themselves, not for the country and people. So they had no conviction of right or wrong, democratic or undemocratic. Their main aim was to grab state power by any means and enjoy its treasury. The seven parties had 12 points of agreement with the Maoists with the substantial help of India. Now the protest, agitation, and movement turned to a revolution. The King had no alternative except to accept the revolutionary's demand - right or wrong. He revived the parliament demanded by revolutionaries undemocratically—our parliament was established undemocratically. That undemocratically originated parliament formed the new parliament with the interim constitution nominating 84 Maoist leaders and followers as the parliamentarians. They became the parliamentarians without facing the election, and we did not have to vote. So our parliament became the parliament of designated people, not the elected people. That parliament took many steps, even making the country a republic. Whether good or bad, we had a king respected traditionally, culturally, and socially owned by all, not like the present President owned by a handful of parties and leaders. He was only one, a symbol of unity, and we lost him. We did not know we would have hundreds of kings disguised in a new democracy called "loktantra" and exploit us in multiple ways. From these points, it is clear that our present system came into existence by not democratic conventions but undemocratic means. It is a democratic system established in an undemocratic way. It is a system achieved by wrongful deeds. I firmly believe that that was the reason our democracy in practice is not running in the country with democratic culture because our democracy itself was established with undemocratic means. Our leaders taught the people to do anything right or wrong, being themselves exemplary. That is the reason our democracy is being a system of bad governance, nepotism, corruption, exploitation instead of being the system of equality, justice, and responsibility. We witness that all the major political parties, whoever was in the government, never showed democratic culture, neither towards the people nor other parties. All the parties realized and spoke this truth, but only after being out of power. They became despotic like Rana prime ministers Shree Teen Maharajas of the Rana period. So we have a democracy in name but not in practice. A true democracy lover like Dr. King would never do it. I hope one day we also will have a leader like Dr. King and establish true democracy with all democratic values sticking to his philosophy. - In the process of gaining our rightful place, we should not be guilty of wrongful deeds." narayanshanti70@gmail.com