By Babbler

Last Sunday, Paus 14 (December 29) was the birth anniversary of King Birendra. His admirers in the Kathmandu Valley reached King Birendra’s statue at Jawlakhel Square and paid tribute by offering garlands. Different groups organized symposiums shedding light on the late King’s multi-dimensional personality.

Simplicity was the main characteristic of the King. He used to ask his tailor master to alter the collar of his shirts after they became old. He used to tell his aides not to misuse the poor taxpayers’ money unnecessarily.

We extend heartfelt tribute to the late King Birendra.

By the way, let's observe those republican leaders' lifestyles!

Democracy, yet, no freedom

The UML sacked its ex-vice chairman Bhim Rawal on the charge of criticizing the party leadership for accepting a grant from a businessman – a valuable land with a newly constructed building.

The two other central committee members were suspended for six months on the same charge.

The leaders say loktantra is a super democracy and freedom but party leaders enjoy performing themselves as anarchists and dictator. The party workers are like slaves, who cannot speak a single word against their leaders.

This is “new” Nepal      

Within a week, we enjoyed two public holidays besides from the weekly holiday on Saturday. One holiday we observed on Christmas day on December 25 and another holiday we observed on Tamu Lhosar on December 30.

Nepal has already been declared a “holiday country” as the country observes maximum public holidays every year. Okay, such holidays can be granted to the communities who observe their festivals but why do other people stay ideal in their homes? Before this loknantrik era, such holidays were granted to the communities associated with the occasion. For example, on the Teej festival, only women used to enjoy the holiday and others had to go to work. Have we given special honor to the communities by announcing public holidays in festivals of different communities? Is this an effort to build the nation? We have two economically vibrant and giant nations. In the middle, Nepal is the poorest country dependent on debts and known as a foreign products consumer country. There is a high demand for infrastructural investment but the political leaders say that they don’t accept loans from a particular country.

In conclusion, if we rely on the present group of political leaders, they are preparing to hand over the sovereignty and independence of this country to foreign countries.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Excerpted and translated by Sushma Shrestha

If we look at the data of the last 14 years, the government spent more than 15 billion for the president and vice president, but the 250-year-old monarchy spent only 90 million. The president is elected in every four years. If a king lives for at least 30 years, we will have 7 presidents, 7 vice presidents. Not only that, the families of seven presidents and vice presidents also abuse the facilities.

In 2018-19, Nepal's federal budget allocated Rs 845 billion in general sector expenditure and Rs 314.28 billion in capital expenditure. The second federal budget in 2019-20 had a general sector expenditure of Rs 957 billion and a capital expenditure of Rs 408 billion. The way the federal budget indicates an economic risk. The seven provinces and their expenses are not in Nepal's capacity to bear. It seems that there is no other way to save and build the country rather than to restore the constitutional monarchy by managing only three provinces in Nepal.

Deepak Raj Joshi

I felt that what is patriotism, that should be learnt from the role of the Shah kings. They exhibited true patriotism. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the late King Birendra on his 80th birth anniversary.

Dahal Chhetri Basu

With the threat of Nepal being the playground of different power nations, it is true that the two big neighboring countries could not trust these corrupt leaders even in terms of their security interests.

For balanced foreign policy and addressing security concerns of the giant nighbors there is no other option but the institution of monarchy should be restored.

Kamal Thapa

We have seen Gagan Thapa eating Tilauris and Pakodas while he was in the Student Union. How did he manage to ride a car?

P. Kharel

Yesterday, during the monarchy era, there was no written about the independent judiciary in books, but it was 100% independent in action, and the separation of powers was also maintained. Today everything is written in the constitution but in action, it is very reverse.

Bhimarjun Acharya

During the Panchayat era, those smugglers and criminals were subjected to be punished. In Republicanism, the very smugglers and corrupts have become great leaders. The bases of present republicanism are smuggling and crime. First of all, those corrupts and smugglers should be punished to end this republicanism.

Bhim Rawal