Stability Essential For Rapid Growth

While the whole nation was still grieving over the loss of many lives and much destruction caused by the floods and landslides that occurred due to heavy rains, another tragic incident jolted the Nepali people, when it was reported that an aircraft of Sourya Air, crashed while taking off from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) about a week back. There is no doubt that air crashes make big news all over the world and when it happens in your own country, it overlaps many other concerns that the people may be facing at the moment. This is exactly what has happened now as well. When more than one hundred people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced or affected due to the monsoon rains, the air accident has dominated the attention of the people and the government, too.

This is also completely understandable, as the media highlights these events and the people too are shocked out of their wits in hearing such news. They take other accidents which take place frequently on the roads as 'normal' incidents and the media too does not focus on the tragedy suffered by the families and close ones of the victims. This author has written for the umpteenth time how travelling either by air or by road could be safer with more stringent regulations and close monitoring by the authorities concerned, but such suggestions have been ignored and one is compelled to write about the same thing again, but only after a tragic incident has taken place. 

Allegation 

There was also an investigative report in a mainstream media, which unveiled the conversation among the pilots of the ill-fated Yeti Airline plane just as it was about to land in Pokhara, killing all passengers and crew members on board. It has been alleged that the mishap took place due to the carelessness of the pilots. This is a serious allegation, though the official report of the government commission is yet to come to public notice. Here, one expert pointed out in a talk programme, how most developed countries had separate wings to look after air safety, maintenance of aircraft, condition of roads, safe driving and such things which make travelling in those places safer. "They are ready 24/7 and they can respond quickly to prevent accidents and also minimise damage after such incidents", he said.

If one is to believe the allegations that are being made now, mostly spread by different media outlets, then it seems as if when such accidents happen in Nepal, it is because of the 'carelessness' of the authorities. This may be true or not, but this has become an easy way out for those who really are responsible, to escape blame for their own mistakes. This sort of diversion policy, is resorted to by the much hyped Western media as well. They always talk about media freedom and ethical values, which our own people blindly support for their own reasons, but they forget such values when they have their own axes to grind.

The people had been highly positive when the government had made a prudent decision to form a 'unified' task force to deal with such events not that long ago. We had enough time when experts had already warned of a bigger season of monsoon this year. As the floods and landslides are still taking place and many people are at risk now as well, it is too early to say how effective the government has been in its task, but we can yet say that it would be very reassuring to feel that the authorities are prepared for all sorts of emergencies and they will not be able to escape by just blaming others.

This holds true in all sectors and not only in the government's response to difficult situations like the people have seen and are experiencing right now, but in all situations. The people then can feel the presence of a government standing by to help them when they need any type of support from it. This is not asking for too much, especially, when the people have fully supported the political parties and all they want now is a secure life with health care, job opportunities, good higher education and such things all within the country. Much hope bloomed in the hearts of the people when the two biggest parties in the parliament, unified to form a stable government, and provide some succor for the citizens who had witnessed many weak governments in the past.

Commitment 

A stable government is very important for the nation right now. The people believe political stability will not only make the country stronger in different ways, but it will bring positive changes in their lives as well. They are definitely right in thinking this way, as the unstable and jittery politics we have seen, have not brought any solutions to the problems of the majority of citizens. The political leaders seem to be busy only in blaming each other and not concentrating on serious matters that really are important for the entire country. Such an attitude of our top leaders has not been contributing to increase the respect that these very individuals had for ushering in democracy and other political changes in the nation.

The Prime Minister has already made a firm commitment to work for the welfare of the people and he has also instructed all high level government officials to provide service to the citizens who have high expectations from this government. It will be proof that this government will be stable and look after the welfare of the citizens besides fulfilling other goals set by it, when what the leaders say at public functions, turns into reality and thus win the confidence of the entire people, even the skeptical ones.

 (The author is former chief editor of this daily.)