Nepali Politics and Youth. Forgive my impudence but, YUCK!
Foreign media loves portraying the youth as a bunch of zealous college student who don't know death and can dare to do anything. They describe scenes of the recent peoples movement , vividly portraying youths as bold and fearless fighters for democracy and freedom. I am a Nepali youth, and I see things differently.
'We will herald development and peace in this country. We will burn the crown,' a just-popular student leader Gagan Thapa was quoted in the major papers that reported the mass movement in Kathmandu and youth involvement in it. Ask any nepali youth who is not affiliated to a student union, and Gagan Thapa is the only name you will get. Some can't even do that.
'Gagan Thapa. He is a government official, isn't it?,' asks one of my juniors as I write this. For those who don't know who Mr. Thapa is, he is a student leader whose parents live in the USA. The fact that his family is rich but he still is in politics stuns all the Nepali beyond comprehension. And that is what gives him his much-revered position. Having a rich family in the USA can do wonders for you in Nepal.
'Gagan Thapa. He is a government official, isn't it?,' asks one of my juniors as I write this. For those who don't know who Mr. Thapa is, he is a student leader whose parents live in the USA. The fact that his family is rich but he still is in politics stuns all the Nepali beyond comprehension. And that is what gives him his much-revered position. Having a rich family in the USA can do wonders for you in Nepal.
Student politics in Nepal means opposing the ruling party at whatever it does, no matter the party may be opposition or your on mother party. Having skills of oratory could be an advantage but you need the talent of acting out at an impulse without thinking of the consequences to reach to higher positions. A big gang considerably increases you chances of being seen as a youth leader as you can mobilize to strike and vandalize. Oh yes, vandalizing and going to prison are mandatory. If you have not earned either of these qualities, start thinking of some other job.
Call me a cynic if you want to, but I do see a silver lining here.
When things are as they currently are, no one is can possibly be unemployed. Joining politics is the panacea for all problems here. Got low marks? Politicize the issue, saying that the education system is too old. If your headmaster expels you, politicize, the education system is still mired by feudal ideas and needs 'revolutionary' changes.
Also, it provides employment to security forces, that are at the tune of 2,00,000. If there were no violent protests, what would the riot police and the armed police do. They would probably start revolting like they have done twice in recent days. We need more violence to quench their thirst for work.
Hospitals. If there were no policemen to get severely hurt or protesters to get wounded then most of the new Private Hospitals would probably close down and the doctors and nurses would go to 'Amreeka'. No, we would not want that.
What Can Be Done?
The hard part. I would not blame you if you were thinking,'OK you pessimist, so what do you want it to be?' That's the hard part.
First, make those student unions responsible and accountable. They don't have to report to anything so they do whatever they want. College authorities might seem a terrible suggestion but it should be thought. Give them work so that they have no spare time. Mobilize them for the improvement of their own colleges, engage them in social works, enrich them with literature and logic and philosophy. Make them think before they act.
Second, give them some powers inside their colleges. Restrained power should give a sense of responsibility. Make them feel that if someone spoils their exam because of their strike, it is their fault. Let them feel that if their college succeeds, it is their victory; if it fails, it is their failure.
Lastly, leave no place for complain. Understood, the resources are limited and the demands unlimited, but then, that's the human condition. If others are coping with it, then so should Nepal. Reduce nepotism and corruption in education. Understand that everyone is talented and make sure that the talented students get what they are talented in. Cultivate the feeling of mutual trust. Make them understand what co-operating and disagreeing non-violently means.
Of course, if the problem is solved, a lot of police, doctors and students would be unemployed but ...what the heck! Life would be better...