Nepalilogists mull over the idea of Nepal based on the matrix of society, culture and religion. Nepal as a nation-state is not of remote origin. It dates back to the current configuration since the project of unification commenced in 1768 A. D. A trajectory of state and politics in Nepal are checkered with active monarchy, assertive prime ministers cum military chieftains, limited democracy, monocracy, constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy into socialist, secular, democratic, federal Nepal. Ideas keep churning to run the state of affairs giving impetus to Darwinian principles of struggle for existence and survival of the best in the life world. Politics certainly preoccupies the center of talk, and the everyday public conversation turns into a vortex of personal criticisms of resultant national crises. News sources run the mill covering the end of Nepal or degeneration of utopia or towards a dystopia of utter mess and chaos in the maze of bureaucracy and state apparatus. Only after the restoration of democracy, it had been easier to pursue excellence and happiness in liberal democratic norms and values.
While new ideas of Nepal are enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal 2015. It defines what Nepal upholds, who we are and where we go from the current situation. When we try to triangulate facts and figures, and information and statistics, the fundamental law of the land prevails towards the growth, development and progress of our society and state. Traditional, modern and postmodern norms and values contest and conquer our thought patterns. Concepts over float political and economic discourses, and a genuine dignity, esteem and integrity of civic culture are stormed and normed on these ventures.
The notion of people has to transform into civic citizens even though the power of civil society has to democratize democracy and promote liberty, justice and truth. To rise higher, principles and convictions in democracy can only lift us from the bottom level and we have to keep checking on its perversion to secure its voyage and its jeopardy from totalitarian or tyrannical forces. Ideas when put into action enrich power and synergy towards a strategy of excellence in the disciplinary field of work. A critic would say the technocratic element does not include politicking vocation whereas a middle approach of principles and professionalism certainly relieves the burden of mess and stagnant stupor of prevailing political and economic disorder.
Three positions are to be ascertained for ideas of Nepal to flourish – philosophical, political and economic. Philosophical covers epistemological, ontological and axiological understandings of the citizens in any area of work or non-work. This gist is firstly about knowledge, social being or world outlook and determined conviction at personal, national and international levels. Secondly, the political creed does not contravene the constitution or the rule of democratic law or social consensus. Whereas thirdly, economic theory professes the logic of free market doctrine with capitalism’s perpetual development, reform and progress. These three domains are the bedrock of the principles and practices of liberalism albeit its strength and resilience to withstand challenges and threats, to do and achieve constantly, persistently and diligently services and goods – private or public.
A question fields when ideas unfold – the old charms and spells – its innovation to beckon the currents. It is inevitable when old and new exist in the course of the dialectical process. There is no absolute old or new in contemporary human society. The classics still have a benchmark to emulate in the present. Either Sanskrit Letters or Greek or Roman glories, from politics to statecraft, its verses in ancient times are unmatchable that invoke to execute high excellence and tall order even today.
A fundamental issue is governance and trials and tribulations of democracy in a country that has no history of a republican or democratic polity. As an oriental state and society with a religious tinge in the organization of state and society, the initial political reorder after 2007 A. D. shows it otherwise. This is a relatively new dispensation of political society believed to represent or reflect the aspirations of the people of Nepal. Politicians even said it was an epic fight between monarchy and democracy and not only the republican spirit. Politics are changing contours and dimensions at a personal level too when gender equality, sexes and individual preferences shape the outlook. It is concomitant with political fallouts and upshots we experience in a democracy that purports to be liberal and is getting illiberal. Another case is of comfort at criticisms and balking at immediate responsibility to follow duty or job assigned in a country where officialdom pilfered a lot. This might change over time when competition and scarce resources – economic and technological impinge to enhance the living standard.
There is a beacon of hope that local knowledge, indigenous traditions, cuisine, music, dance, literature and fine arts would enrich the trove of the cultural wealth of Nepal. This would in turn entice quality tourism and increase soft power indexes in international relations. As the educational standard goes up, we can hope that children will make a garden of this country beautiful, creative, emotionally strong and vibrant against the age of fury and a whirlpool of violent criticisms. The only hope for a bright future is in the investment of children who would raise the benchmark of human capital and recreate sanguine epochs to build a strong nation-state with global aspirations.
