It is no doubt a delicate moment which could easily degenerate into crisis, but then such are also the times when momentous beginnings are made. [break]
In a way it presents an opportunity to all enthusiasts and leading figures and activists in politics, law, governance, arts, literature, sports and education to reform their respective fields and become architects of the future.
The challenge before the leaders is that they not only have to look for inspiration for themselves in these troubled times, but also through their work inspire a generation that grew up with the chaos born of political instability in the country.
One of the biggest hindrances before societies that brace for change are forces that want to cling to the past.
Those who don’t want change are either nervous, therefore not courageous enough, or guided by interests of their own, therefore selfish.
But the new generation, whose aspirations the leaders hope to address, is not only keeping its eyes focused on the crisis that is holding our country back, but also watching the exciting developments happening around the world.
In such a situation, leaders would do well to bear in mind that aversion to reform would be like throwing cold water on the aspirations of many who are rearing for change.
On this note, we wish one and all a happy and happening new year.
About the poster
Whenever a nation is gripped by a challenge—be it economic turmoil, an epidemic, or a civil war—the nature of its response is a measure of its maturity.
When former King Gyanendra Shah suddenly declared a coup in 2005, the drastic move gave the country—long stifled by a Maoist insurgency and demoralized by an incompetent government—an opportunity to respond.
The events that followed in protest were a refreshing indicator of how the country had changed since its first attempt at democracy in 1990.
For one thing, the lot of us who witnessed that revolution as pre-teens stuck in a school bus had grown into adults. For another, our neighbors, India and China, had somehow managed to effectively compete for global leadership, whereas the world itself had undergone several technological revolutions.
Accounting for that, what was most evident in the response was the desire for a sane government, a just democracy, and a functioning infrastructure that would allow Nepal a footing in the contemporary world, and its citizens a chance to participate in the workings of this contemporary world.
Samudaya.org’s “Naya Nepal Sambhav Chha” graphic, which translates to “A New Nepal Is Possible”, was conceived in 2005 as part of this response, to be worn on a t-shirt. The distinctly Nepali woman assumes the pose of “Liberty”, the iconic French woman we see in Eugène Delacroix’s painting, “Liberty Leading the People”.
That painting depicts the French Revolution of 1830, in which King Charles X of France was overthrown. The message of a new Nepal (lettered in Nepali) is based on World Social Forum’s slogan, “Another World Is Possible”.
Essentially, the motive behind this graphic was to add a Nepali voice to the global and historical fight for liberty and justice.
- Sarahana Shrestha
The Week, with the view that the poster designed by Sarahana Shrestha still makes much sense and wants to give hope to the next tumultuous year we have ahead of us.
Shrestha is a graphic designer currently based in New York City.
Related story
EU looking into new possible side-effects of mRNA COVID-19 shot...
