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Politics of Confusion: Propaganda and Reality

By Shashi PBB Malla

Because of the bandh, or in spite of it, this writer decided to personally escort a group of German tourists through Patan. Leaving the security of the delightfully located Greenich Village Resort in Kupundol Heights, this hardy band of ten entered the city of fine arts through Patan Dhoka. It was indeed a sobering experience.

There were, of course, men and women about the streets, but the usually busy shops were all shut down, Only the children had a field day, enjoyed the streets all for themselves and were playing and cycling to their heart's content. It made one feel happy for them, but extremely sad about the state of our affairs. What had basically gone wrong since the vaunted 'Spring Awakening' of 1990? Since then, thousands and thousands of pages have been expended in explaining and justifying the march of events. But life has been reflected in nature and much filthy water has flowed down in the ostensible 'sacred' Baghmati river. Even the heavens fail us: there has been no rain for two-and-a-half months and the earth is dry and parched - a mirror of the state of the nation.

The monuments were, of course, open and there were proud moments expounding the past glory established by the versatile and exclusive Lichchivi and Newar Malla dynasties and the great emperor Ashoka. However, the message of love and religious tolerance propounded by Nepal's greatest son, Gautama Siddhartha of the distinguished Sakya clan, seems to have blown in the wind in the arena of politics. We could only hope and pray and seek the benign blessings of the Enlightened One in the fabulous Golden Temple and awe-inspiring terracotta Mahaboudha.

In the secluded courtyard of the latter, a courageous shopkeeper had opened the shutters to offer his fantastic collection of bronze statues, created uniquely by the master-craftsmen of this serene city. Sometime back, this writer had the privilege of purchasing an exquisite specimen of the Green Tara - Bhrikuti of the Thakuri dynasty and probably Nepal's most famous daughter and queen of the great Tibetan king, Srong-song Gampo. 'Master Saab" (a title of respect bestowed on tour-guides) Sauji said: " I have just the statue of the White Tara - (originally the Chinese princess Wen-chen and daughter of the son of heaven and co-queen of the said Tibetan king) - you have long been looking for." However, Heiner, a German tourist was equally fascinated with the piece and as a valued guest, he had the first choice. A petite East-Asian lady from a group had been closely observing the proceedings and this writer asked: "Are you Chinese?", which apparently was politically incorrect, because she promptly replied: "No, Taiwanese!" The young lady relented, however, opened her bag and showed us her own statue of the White Tara. "It was love at first sight," she said and "I had to have it and I cried with happiness! It will always remind me of Nepal!"

Such people to people contacts will probably soon be a thing of the past to judge by recent events and the intractable attitude of our leaders on all sides. The terrible bad habit of calling bandhs cripples life completely. And the government of the day seems powerless to offer the long-suffering people any hope or succour.

(The writer can be reached at: shashipbmalla@hotmail.com)