Rabindra Shahi
Every so often, a fiery discussion erupts among us teachers on whether to be nationalistic at heart is unfair and anachronistic at all at the present juncture when the nation is sliding towards underdevelopment and anarchy. They advance several reasons in favor of Nepal either being merged into India like Sikkim or slipping into the state of Bhutanization. Until this scenario prevails in Nepal, Nepal will always suffer its extreme backwardness and deprivation even in the distant future, too, or, so to say, will remain so perennially: no economic prosperity, no fair politics, no good governance, no employment opportunities, no national prestige in the international forum; only impunity ,only nepotism and favoritism and capital cronyism, thus only brain drain and brawn drain. There is no where any jot of satisfaction and happiness.
For rulers and elites, there are no laws; in point of fact they are considered above law instead. They are wallowing in the ocean of pelf, power and position. They are kleptocrats, robbers and marauders donning the apparel of democracy with zero thinking of wellbeing of the common run of masses and the nation. They are duping and hoodwinking and manipulating the hoi polloi to their selfish end and advantage.
These are some of the reasons they produce regarding why Nepal mustn’t stay independent and sovereign, and in lieu of it, remain a vassal state. They even go to the length of mindlessly sneering and jeering at the idea of being a good and capable and visionary nationalist as a hollow nationalist. Undoubtedly, the nation is plagued by political bickering, strategies to secure power for selfish gains,, frequently forming and toppling governments, mafia rule, while on the other hand getting dogged by broad daylight thuggery and robbery, and ever soaring inflation . As per their argument,, the nation is weeping, the nation is burning . The poor citizens find themselves caught in the dilemma of bare minimum survival- torn between life and death while political leaders lead the lives of royal comfort and luxury. Internationally, Nepal’s dignity, honor, respect and reputation have all been torn apart, torn asunder.
I , however , get irritated and lose my temper inwardly. Of course, I do agree with their line of arguments, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to forsake the independence of our nation just on all this flimsy grounds. Why did our forefathers wage fierce battles at various war-fronts against the gigantic and vast forces of British India? Was it only for the sake of the vested interests of the then rulers? Definitely not. Actually, they had fought with the tremendously mighty British forces for safeguarding and protecting the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-respect of the nation.
Yes, our nation is poor, or by implication, much poorer than other nations in the world. But then, being poor is alright if we can enjoy and exercise our rights within the nation as free citizens. We can’t afford to lose out on our nation and live humiliatingly slavish lives swallowing the bitter pills of painful shame and embarrassment all through our lives. It is for this exclusive reason that several countries are at war with imperialists and expansionists. Vietnamese nationals fought against Yankees unremittingly in the decades of 1970s sacrificing well over two lakhs people in the bloody war. The question is : why did they battle against American forces that were equipped with ultra-sophisticated modern weapons? Doubtlessly, it was for the independence of their beloved country, for their own freedom and free will- to live at peace and develop at their own pace.
I admit, the present crop of our leaders is sorely bereft of nationalistic stand but at public level, it runs very high. The people are really brimful of the nationalistic sentiments but ironically helpless and powerless. We should not belittle and ignore patriotism. It is on its strength alone that any nations can survive and thrive. Look at Indian populace: they have extraordinary sense of nationalism, so do Americans, so do Chinese even though the entire world is swamped and submerged under all-pervasive globalization.
Hence, the burning question is, nourish and nurture this pious feeling of nationality for our independence and sovereignty because national liberty is nearer and dearer to our heart than any other stuff. Every citizen of the nation – big or small, rich or poor, powerful or powerless, – has right to think about his nation, speak and fight if necessary in favor of the nation. For me, Nepal is my native land, my entire world,; it is the reality, my truth, and only one solid existence where I keep on experiencing life. Nothing is greater than one’s motherland on this earth. The affection within our heart grows intensely. I learn the love for the universe in my motherland, Nepal. I die for the nation. I love my land and lie down and cuddle up on her lap so long as I remain alive and kicking. Every citizen of any sovereign nations must have this right in guaranteed and secured form. I respect the freedom of any nation and its people. We want our prosperity in peace. We do not harbor any sinister design to disturb others, either. We should converge on common ground to solve and resolve our problems if any then.
Even Lord Ram Chandra had on his return journey from Lanka to his kingdom, Ayodhya, told his brother Lakshman not to stay on in Lanka even though it is a country of gold and silver , rich and highly prosperous, preaching him: ”Mother and motherland are far dearer than even the heaven.” Let’s embrace it as a Gayatri mantra! Let our nation be a fertile ground for true nationalists who genuinely care and work for the nation in its best interests.
Loving one’s country does not at all mean being narrow- minded or hating others or demeaning other cultures and countries. Similar was the remark uttered by Devakota in his most celebrated lyrical essay” Is Nepal Small?” I do not hum and croon any of jingoistic jingles nor tune in to any of trackless xenophobic jangles, but when it comes to the sense and stand of patriotism and nationalism, I do not budge even an inch from my being nationalistic to the core of my heart. Only a person who loves himself, his community and his country can love others. And, philanthropy and charity develops in one’s native land.. In no land could I ever find emotional purity and simplicity, the natural beauty and spiritual tranquility, full of novelty, somewhere elevation, somewhere depth, the magic of ascent, the charm of the look and the sweetness of hearing, laugh with a golden smile, a close relationship between the heart of poetry and music! If there is any land on this earth where my native heart pulsates and is elated with joy to see God’s will and sport in the nature, it is Nepal which is like the Omkara, like a diamond, like the pupil of an eye to me.
So, love your motherland and do not hate other countries, either .I do not care a damn if other people share my ideas or not. This is my insistence and persistence – preferring to be the nationalist rather than to be a Universalist!
