July 10th, 2013
I have participated in three major political movements in my short life time. Each time, I had jumped into the movement accepting all repression without regret, cultivating within a dream of a shiny destiny. In 1979, I followed my father and my uncles into the movement. In 1990, I was in the middle of the movement with my comrades, which ended absolute monarchy and established liberal democracy. In 2006, my father and uncles watched closely as we were drove a fierce movement. This movement fulfilled twin responsibilities – ending many centuries long hereditary system of rule and bringing violent force to peaceful reconciliation. In my capacity as Member of the Constituent Assembly, I personally am proud of the day when I got to say that Nepal was finally declared a Republic!
1 My ideal, my source of inspiration
There are two types of people in our world- one who have’s none, thus are decaying their life in absence of basic things to consume the day by day! This category of people has larger presence in our society and often has been ignored! And some, who have’s all- thus are destroying themselves by consuming much, larger than the basic level! It has made our entire society sick. In economic term, it is inequality; and in socio political term- it is injustice! Thinking on it and assimilating myself in a fight to make society ‘healthier’ became my ideal! Every incident in my childhood which I experienced from my way such as a move to challenge ‘norms’ of my traditional Brahmin family to feel sorry on agony of domestic maid in feudal families of that time was source of my inspiration to come in this front!
2 The inequality that encourages me being involved
In the age of 16 when I joined Institute of Engineering for the higher education, I was already embraced by the great message of Change! Unknowingly, I let myself to be a part of ongoing ‘chaos’ inside the Campuses! Soon, together with unknown seniors, I dare to challenge almighty regime of the time demanding such demands on which I have had hardly any knowledge. My track was to learn state of two category of class in the society; chiefly to classify- the Haves and the Haves Not! The word ‘Inequality’ and ‘fight against it’ was the Mantra that I had swallowed in! I didn’t have much knowledge on various ways to define equity & equality such as – the ‘unequal equality’, ‘absolute equality’ and ‘relative equality’! I had a fallacy- ‘why not put everything in a pot and distribute it equally to all?!’ Later I knew it was an absolute equality, which generally distributes the poverty not prosperity! Some were uttering word a ‘trickle-down’; my seniors remind me it was an ideology of ‘unequal equality’. This philosophy paves way to the rich to be much richer and the pushes down the poor making further poorer! And a phrase-to each according to his/(her) work from the great thinker of previous century- Karl Marx, I had heard again and again. It was, no doubt, associated with ‘relative equality!’ Rich & poor both pay the State; but rich contributes more, state compensates to the poor! This was my departure point and get in into the today’s my world. This background, time and again reminds me what for I am active on!
3 It’s the movement, in which I could trust
Trekking to the world of work I got involved with the working poor. Besides sycophants of the then regime, there was none of the institution allowed to raise collective voice of the commoner- the working people. I had lessoned that transformation of the society is one-point task to end all ‘sins’ of our time! Workers are the dynamic force, where as the work was manifestation of economic activities and economy was the foundation! Politics was the driving engine and freedom of organisation was the means! Such a means to develop productive forces, building up of workers power! This schooling hammered my zeal to launch a trade union movement, which was materialised before the 1990 popular movement. “Get involved, organise, educate and agitate” became daily routine! Having the common cause, not in hundred but in many thousands toiling masses clubbed around together! Be it in the world of work inside country or it in the aboard- fighting for the rights and lending solidarity to needy one became part of my life!
4- The Team is the mystery of behind our success
Many people perhaps have misconception that once you entrusted in top job, it goes as usual! The post directs subordinates and work follows the persons automatically! It’s not accurate, my experience says- whoever is in the team if you fail to drive them collectively, there will no or nominal result. Each and every institution is based on the team work, such team work which is assigned in mutual understanding! There shouldn’t be left out any room that your team-mate may point you- hey, what’s the logic to make such assignments? As in the assembly-line of production, the continuous flow of work of the team approves expected results. Throughout my career in my organisation, it is the Team of leaders which facilitated our every success!
5 The Dream yet to materialise
“I have a Dream!” This famous statement of Martin Luther King was the vision for many; alike, I have also a dream- a dream of transformed Nepali society! The ideals, the movement, the zeal, the organisation and the team; all were to materialise the dream, which continuously effecting my work and life!
“Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. … A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.”
I am still waiting such a wonderful moment as described by Indian prime minster Jawaharlal Nehru through his famous address- Tryst with Destiny!
To bid farewell to the injustice, inequality, and state of underdevelopment of the country, I have participated in three major political movements in my short life time. Each time, I had jumped into the movement accepting all repression without any regrets, cultivating within a dream of a shiny Destiny. In 1979, I followed my dad and, our uncles in the movement, which was just successful to question the almighty power at a time. In1990, together with uncles, I was middle of the movement with my comrades, which ended the absolute monarchy and the liberal democracy prevailed. In 2006, our dad & uncles were closely watching us; we were driving the fierce movement. We were proud on the movement which fulfilled twin responsibilities- ending many centuries long hereditary system of rule and bringing violent force to the peaceful domain. In my capacity of member of Constituent Assembly, I personally was so proud on the day when I get chance to say (cast) YES (vote) to the Republic! I was assuming, look here- ‘the moment has come, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends…”. However, what we did was a job to be continued, an incomplete victory! Thus, my dream is still far from destiny; and I am waiting the moment to celebrate! This has sufficiently impact my work and life!
13.06.2013/ Full text of Edited version published at Hi5, of the Media Nine’s publication Business 360, July 2013 Issue
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