Not known to many is the fact that Walling in Syangja district became the first place where a bullet was fired during the movement. It’s a different matter however that it was an accidental discharge from an LMG of an inexperienced young policeman who had not locked the safety mechanism and the local leader who had fainted immediately, we realized later, hadn’t been hit by the bullet at all.
This might sound interesting but it has nothing to do with the pestering issues I am referring to.
During those days of long protest marches, once, I found a young leader of a political party bunking it after giving a really motivating speech that had me too charged up. When I requested him to join, he confessed privately, “The leader’s job is not to get tired in this hot afternoon but to motivate people.”
I walked on, confused a bit and tensed much more.
This was one issue that troubled me then and still does.
Just two or three days before the final announcement, the protests were dedicated to different ethnic groups showcasing their solidarity and support for the movement. But, seeing the milieu I commented in spontaneity to a friend, “This difference will trouble us for years to come.”
Can these scenes in the day-to-day politics of a small town give us a general insight into the holistic purview? Aren’t all these the central issues of today’s Nepal – leadership and unity?
Looking at the events we have gone through and the times we are living in, I feel the young generation of Nepal of today is lucky in many aspects. We are witnessing a transformation that is rare in the history of a nation. And we are at a time where the hopes to a bright future can take shape if the courage to be united by a promise is shown by us.
But, I must say, the leaders of today are luckier. They have the reins in their hands when such a change can be brought into effect and they can leave a mark in history. With the rapidly growing influence of technology, impact of globalization and empowerment of individuals the nation will definitely move toward a united and prosperous future sooner or later. But the leaders are in a situation where they can take credit for this self-created momentum of the nation only if they show some maturity. And if they happen to navigate us to the right direction early on, they can create an impact too.
Without a moral pedestal, claiming leadership is worthless. By cleverness, shrewdness and opportunism, one can be a good player of real politick but a leader has to be an epitome of sacrifice. The difference is what we are suffering as a nation today. That is what is making us loose our future.
But neither unity nor moral leadership comes easy. And one without the other is unimaginable.
Unity requires all to leave aside their short-term interests of individual ego and pride and to believe in the idea of togetherness. Disintegration will only serve some selfish interests of the regional leaders and will do nothing more than create new elites from the commons. Some will become more equal again than others.
And a good leadership means a moral courage to confront ideas not in common interest wherever they might have originated from. There are plenty of examples in history: Nelson Mandela had to force his own African National Party to change its beliefs and recently Aung San Suu Kyi has gone against the expectations of her followers to take a moderate accommodative line. Both these leaders have sacrificed for the greater good rising above narrow and emotive choices.
This leadership deficit in political scenario is costing the nation a lot. We are lacking a political foundation in the country and we are losing reputation outside. In the economic sense, we aren’t able to build credibility because of this uncertainty. And, most importantly, in the fast-paced race, we are losing time.
The real leaders, if there are any in Nepal, must realize that individually every leader is in prominence but for a brief moment in time. The question is whether he spends his time focused on self-interest and thus what pushes us apart or whether he commits himself to an effort – a sustained effort – to find a common ground for unity, to focus on the future we seek for our children and to honor the dignity of the nation.
Without a moral pedestal, claiming leadership is worthless. By cleverness, shrewdness and opportunism, one can be a good player of real politick but a leader has to be an epitome of sacrifice. The difference is what we are suffering as a nation today. That is what is making us loose our future.
What a Canadian school girl had said to the world leader’s summit needs to be reminded to our leaders, “Losing my future is not like losing a few points in the stock market or losing an election…… I am here to fight for my future. I am here to speak for all generations to come.”
Related story
Great Leadership: A Road Less Traveled
