Nationalism in the present context of national crisis and prolonged political transition is in peril. People are deprived of local government. The promise of present government to conduct the local elections is over-shadowed by the promise to promulgate the new constitution. The centralized government without local bodies has drawn flak for manipulation on the distribution of relief materials in the districts. If the situation remains the same, the controversy is further likely to gain momentum in reconstruction of infrastructures, monuments and buildings that are damaged by the quake.The rescue operations after the quake were effective mainly due to the selfless service of the security bodies and international organizations. The failure of the government to gain confidence of international community was due to its own image which may affect reconstruction as well. International community has questioned the integrity of the present government in its accountability, responsiveness and transparency.
We are on the verge of becoming a failed state given the protracted transition. We announced our country a republic but could not imbibe its norms and values. We never allowed people to become powerful. The power remained at the hands of a few politicians. We tamed the monarch and threw his regime but gave birth to several monarchs to rule us. We are imprisoned in the name of self-defined democracy. Unless we understand what we want and move accordingly at the right direction to strengthen our nationalism we will remain fragile.
Geo-political factor determines our nationalism. It is said that our fate is decided by our two neighbors—India and China. Both these countries jostled for space in relief delivery. Later, they bypassed us in agreeing to open the disputed Lipulekh pass as the trade route. The quake has showed us our reality. When the entire nation was in crisis the plan for rebuilding and reconstruction was being made far from our border as per the foreigners' model. They did not deem it necessary to consult with our authority in this respect. At this critical juncture we must be united to protect our nationalism more than ever before.
The author is Ex-Brigadier General of Nepal Army and Visiting Faculty for Master's Program in International Relations and Diplomacy at Tribhuvan University
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