Wrong track

EDITORIAL

The decision taken by the CPN-Maoist to ban the movement of Indian vehicles and the screening of Indian movies is indeed deplorable and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The Maoist party is going a bit too far by imposing such a ban mindless of the immense harm it would be doing to the age-old cordial ties between the two countries. The ultra-leftist outfit has imposed such a ban ostensibly citing that it would promote a self-reliant national economy, protect employment opportunities for the citizens and encourage domestic investment. This is indeed ridiculous and even childish. Nepal and India are neighbouring countries with ties that go back to ancient times, and India has always helped Nepal in its development endeavours, and as a close neighbour always has the well-being and welfare of Nepal and the Nepalese people close to its heart. The Nepali people have similar feelings for India and its people. This ban that is being imposed will no doubt be unpopular, and it is unbecoming for the leaders of the CPN-Maoist to take such drastic, irresponsible measures.

Furthermore, Nepal and India share similar culture and the argument that Hindi movies are portraying Nepalis in bad light and promoting obscenity and cultural deviation does not hold water. It is difficult to fathom how the ultra-leftist party has taken this view when it is apparent to all right-thinking people that this is not so, and, in fact, the Hindi movies screening here have rather contributed to the close bond so happily subsisting between the peoples of the two countries. Apart from further consolidating the people to people tie between the two countries, HIndu movies have served to entertain the people leading to the strengthening of bonds and understanding. The relationship between Nepal and India and its peoples are unique and the bond is cherished by them. The ban by this outfit clearly has ulterior motives to harm irreparably this friendship.

Thus, it behooves on all to oppose the ban on Indian vehicles and movies from their respective places. The CPN-Maoist should, on the other hand, relent and take back the ban for what it is doing is attempting to harm the relationships between the two neighbouring countries. After all, the movement of Indian and Nepali vehicles across the border has to be taken as a natural phenomenon. The ban will also cause immense hardships to the people of the two countries. This move can be described as hasty and imprudent and is also unprecedented. Those to be blamed for the consequences are particularly the leaders of CPN-Maoist. The ultra-leftist outfit has begun to show its true colours by taking unpopular decisions to the detriment of Nepal and the Nepali people. Let us hope that better sense will prevail in the leaders in the larger interest of the deep ties between Nepal and India. Again, the ban will only be counter-productive for it could have many ramifications including that related to culture and economy of the two countries. It should be realized that the Nepal-India relation is valued very much and moves such as the ridiculous ban will not help the cause.

Grim reminder

It is a grim reminder of the bad management practice of the government when remote areas like north Gorkha is going through hunger pangs. The reason is that the Food Corporation could not transport the allotted rice to the 14 village development committees because the selected contractor has not come to sign the agreement. That would mean that rice for residents of the said VDCs for celebrating Dashain will not be available. It is fit here to point out that it is customary in many areas, where paddy is not planted, to buy the rice supplied by the Food Corporation for feasts during Dashain.

It is an unfortunate matter that things go wrong at the last moment. And, the ways of the government corporations is such that it is not very serious from the beginning itself. When contractors default, it is not easy to immediately appoint new contractors. In all this jumble, it is the people who depend on the subsidised rice that the corporation supplies who eventually suffer. There should have been a fool proof plan to supply rice to food-deficit areas well in advance of the festivals, so that the people can celebrate the festival with jubilation.