‘Nepalis have strong democratic spirit’

By A Staff Reporter Kathmandu, June 22: Nepali people have strong democratic spirit that has enabled the nation to consolidate democracy despite all odds against it, said participants while launching a book ‘Rooting Nepal’s Democratic Spirit’ in Kathmandu the other day.

Published by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nepal Office, the book consists of altogether 15 articles penned by the authors of diverse backgrounds. Its contributors include Kashi Raj Dahal, Krishna Hachhethu, Chandra Dev Bhatta, Uddhab Pyakurel, Meena Poudel, Pitambar Bhandari, Ritu Raj Subedi, Santosh Pariyar, Hari Bansh Jha, Amit Gautam and Jeevan Baniya, Arjun Bahadur Ayadi, Rajib Timalsina and Roshan Pokharel.  

The book takes stock of Nepal’s current state of political affairs and explores internal and external dynamics that might have an impact on consolidation of democracy. It intends to enrich socio-political debate among common people, political parties and power holders.

“I understand the book as an invitation to look back and mind the past while we are moving towards the future. It revisits some long-held convictions and approaches and think afresh about what we can do to support democracy in Nepal,” said Jonathan Menge, Resident Representative, Nepal FES office.

Highlighting various aspects of book, CD Bhatta, programme coordinator at the FES, said that Nepal has been facing at least three types of crisis - executive, legislative, and constitutional but it was imperative to build economic base to institutionalise the democratic system.

The book launch was followed by panel discussion on ‘Democratic Consolidation in Nepal.’ Political scientist professor Krishna Khanal said that political culture is the key to sustaining democracy but Nepalis have become the victims of incompetent leaders.

Senior journalist Yubaraj Ghimire said that politics had become power-oriented, with political parties and leaders losing their credibility. It is imperative that all segments of population should own up the system. National Assembly lawmaker Bimala Rai Poudel said that Nepalis struggle for democracy with a hope of living a dignified and prosperous life.

Researcher Dr Sohan Sah said that election had become a normal way of life, which marked positive sign for the democratic consolidation. Woman activist Binita Kumari Yadav said that state organs and political parties had yet to fully implement provisions related to inclusion and representation.

Political leaders, experts, civil society members and media representatives, among others attended the programme.