Today Nepal Blog discusses over the kind of role Media has been playing in the Kingdom of Nepal. When I say "Kingdom", you may feel that Nepal Blog is just another Royal propaganda disseminator. But we support none. In fact, there is no need for any other group to play such role as long as there is Nepal Television (NTV). Being the only official media of the government, NTV has well concealed the flaws of governments and raved its achievements. It can be justified that the largest broadcasting body of Nepal should not publicize the illogical and undignified remarks and actions, such as those of few political leaders. But the way NTV is not addressing the important views and activities of political parties and foreign bodies against the government is almost shocking. So, what they show in NTV is half-true and at times even false. At times, they have censored the parts of speech made by important as well as general people such that the portion in favor of the government was only broadcasted. And how often do we see the faces of Tanka Dhakal and Sachit Shumsher JB Rana, on our TV sets, delivering their vehement pro-King speeches. So Nepal Blog feels that NTV is an epitome of media fiasco.

South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) constitutes the developing and underdeveloped countries namely - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The western world hardly gives any attention to the SAARC activities except for Indo-Pak interactions. India and Pakistan are the two power poles in the South Asian community and all the other countries, including Nepal, fall between them. India has had some bad patches in its diplomatic relation with almost all other SAARC nations so the country is viewed as a bully within this association. Bhutan has no opinion of its own as its security and foreign affairs matters are under the command of Indian government, due to a treaty. Maldives generally tries to remain indifferent. Remaining four countries have many serious issues to be resolved with India, as India at times tries to imitate the American interference policy.
After the advent of democracy in Nepal, the Nepalese politics had been much dependent on the Indian government (as people once truly said, "Rain in Delhi and need of an umbrella in Kathmandu"). Almost all the older generation politicians of Nepal acquired their academic qualifications in India and they got lots of help during their period of revolution. Even after the success of the revolution, those politicians continued getting aid from India so on many occasions they turned blind to national interest as long as it was proving beneficial to the Indian government. The politicians have passed many treaties to India that was not in the best interest of Nepal.

SAARC 2005 was not similar to those of previous years, for Nepal. Now the government was in the hands of the King, one who did not yield quite as easily as his predecessors. There were lots of protests that the King should not represent Nepal in SAARC but the king was used to all the resistance. Then what happened in the SAARC 2005 is history...

India and Pakistan, the two polar forces had agreed on including Afghanistan in SAARC so it was almost sure that Afghanistan was going to be the eighth SAARC nation but Nepal had some other plans. It also proposed to delegate the role of observer to China. Now, how would India agree so easily to invite a nation, which would endanger its power play within SAARC? So it used its veto to dismiss the proposal made by Nepal. Now this is the best part. Nepal responded stating "Proposals regarding Afghanistan and China should be dealt together. Since the Nepalese suggestion has been dismissed, the issue relating Afghanistan would also not be considered this time." This was certainly a shock to India and many other nations. Furthermore, the King in his aggressive speech stated that "War on terrorism" is not just for powerful and economically stronger nations. All the countries in the world should be benefited from it. This argument by the King was appropriately pointed towards India and its foreign policy. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India in his speech said the there should be Zero tolerance when it comes to terrorism. But it sounds rather self-contradictory as Babu Ram and Prachanda, the Maoist heads are hiding in India and Nepal Blog does not believe that they are in Indian without the consent of the Indian government.
Just after a day of SAARC summit, it was in the news that both the proposals regarding Afghanistan and China were accepted and will be further discussed in the upcoming minister lever meeting. In addition, Japan as well has been accepted in the role of observer.

A very special Tihar and a wonderful year ahead

Each day of Tihar has its own significances and own demands. Nepalese people worship animals like dogs, crows, cows and bulls during Tihar. These sacred animals are venerated for their mythological import. But it's not just the animals; Nepali people also pray to the god of wealth - the Laxmi. They try to please her and attract her to their houses by kindling lots of candles all around their houses. And why not, after all, she is the divine one who could prove to be the most useful to our mundane existence.

Oh... Nepal Blog almost forgot about the crackers. In fact, Tihar 'was' also well known for its firworks. But due to current situation of the country, use of such items are banned. The government for many years in a row now has banned the use of crackers. And who needs one ... after those real lethal crackers fired through out the country all over the year. Due to all this, people, who once used to decorate the night sky with amazing display of fireworks, did not blast a single firecracker this year.

'Deusi' and 'Bhaili' are also the prominent features of Tihar, former one for male and latter for female. People form groups and visit their relatives, friends or neighbors, where they sing a common traditional song describing why they have visited and what short of trouble they had to go through to reach their kinfolks. The hosts then provide them with food, money and other hospitalities and finally the group moves towards another destination, wishing good fortune to the hosts. Thus, the actual tradition is really beautiful but these days, people tend to play 'Deusi' and 'Bhaili' more for money rather than for enjoying its essence. There are hardly few people that have still preserved the tradition. Anyway, it is always good to hear the jumbled up noise of same song sung by many groups at different houses in the neighborhood.

The final day of Tihar holds a special event for brothers and sisters. On this day called 'Bhai Tika', sisters worship their brothers and brothers give gifts to their sisters. The day brings long departed brothers and sisters together and strengthens their relation.

Today was Laxmi puja (the day to worship the goddess of wealth). In contrary, today is also the birthday anniversary of a man who never gave any importance to wealth and dedicated his whole life for serving the Nepali literature. The man is none other than Mahakabi Laxmi Prasad Devkota, one of the greatest poets of Nepal and the beginner of Romanticism in Nepali poetry. Nepal Blog Discovery salutes to the great patron of Nepali Literature and generous being who once said "People should be judged by their heart, not by their caste".

Finally, here is something about political events that occurred during the two great festivals. The current government formed by the potentate of Nepal - King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has promulgated various restrictions over the non-government media and press bodies. Important ones are as follows:

Such constraints over media bodies have infuriated them and they are getting complete support from the political parties that are already on the road against the government. Many foreign bodies have also warned the government to rescind their restrictions over media but the government doesn't seem to respond. Nepal Blog Discovery feels the first three on the above list can be justified but the last one seems to bee too general as it provides an undue liberty to all the members of the Royal family.