Do boundaries really exist? Or are they just imaginary peripheries created by us to stay close to our so-called community, well-wishers and friends?

I am miffed by the term “boundary” and I hate it from my heart. The recent people’s movement in Nepal that took lives of more than 13,000 people in the last 10 years has not just gifted a new-found democracy to Nepali people but it has brought with it the many groups and sub-groups. Once we used to walk together hand in hand irrespective of our castes and groups, but now we are adamant in getting our own autonomous regions. Limbuwan, Khumbuwan, Tharuwan, Magarant, Madhesh (similarly Newars, Dalits, and all others are demanding their own lands) and the list goes on - the fraction of the limited land on the basis of castes and ethnicity will only narrow our vision to build a new Nepal.

I agree that autonomy to the regions will strengthen the caste and ethnicity issues, give them chance to raise their voices at the national level and hand them their long awaited rights. However, if we peek through another hole, the national unity can be at stake. The recent events that sprout up in the terai region as a result of the grudges of splinter groups Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) led by Jai Krishna Goit and Jwala Singh, have shown us what might happen in the coming future, not to mention the misdeeds of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF). And now the Chure Bhawar Pradesh Ekta Samaj has jumped in to create havoc on the highways. Seeing all the rising voices from each and every ethnic group it seems that the country’s identity is being led towards jeopardy. If the problem persists and the issue is not solved, then disintegration is on the near horizon. And at the end only Nepal and the Nepalis will be the losers.

To respond to all the rising voices I would like to quote the famous quote by Sunita Williams when she reached the International Space Station (ISS). When she saw the earth from the ISS she said, “I see no boundaries from here.”

Can’t we think like her? Or do we need to travel to ISS to get that cosmopolitan feeling? I wonder how many of us will be able to get on board of a chartered rocket like Charles Simonyi. Can’t we think alike and live together like we did in the past?

Let’s make a commitment this year – let’s erase the boundaries between us!

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Posted by sanjib in Politics on April 26th, 2007  |      526 Views     Share This     Print This Post