Social media sites and public debate have been rampant with criticisms for the government. I agree – our government lacks efficiency. However, the fact of the matter is that we did not need a 7.8 Richter scale shake to make us realize that our government is incapable. We knew this all along.
Our nation’s second Constituent Assembly has 601 members. And the day these 601 decided to throw chairs at one another in the National Parliament on the 22nd of January, instead of constructively provide the nation with the much needed Constitution, we knew with certainty that we had made a bad decision by placing our trust in them.
For a government that fails to deliver even in the best of times, why were we expecting them to deliver in the worst of times? Given the inefficiency level of our government, I personally feel that this might have been their zenith at “inefficient efficiency” – I genuinely feel like they are trying the best they can in their endeavors for I cannot imagine that the Government of Nepal could be so inherently inhumane and apathetic. However, they are pitifully struggling to respond to this earthquake that Nepal had always anticipated but never appropriately prepared for.
‘Sensitive Difficult Reflections’ concludes
This points to a broader problem within our governance structure and indicates that it needs to be reformed – we need change. One of the most important steps in this much-needed reform must introspection on our part as citizens of the country. We must ponder over how all of us Nepalis are equally liable to blame. We have been so accustomed to our ineffective government that more often than not, we do nothing more than complain about it. We have been so habituated to criticizing the government and blaming them at every juncture that we have perhaps forgotten that it is we Nepalis who created this system in the first place. This system that is doomed to fail.
As we are rebuilding Nepal, we need to ask ourselves what kind of a governance system we have been living in if no one is satisfied with it. And more importantly, how can we change this system to emerge out of it – anew, afresh, a naya Nepal in every form?
As Nepal reawakens from this massive 7.8 blow, and regains consciousness, it will do well for all of us to bear a few things in mind.
The silver lining of this devastation has been that it has allowed us to see how much strength we have together as a nation. Every individual (Nepali or foreign), every organization (at home and abroad), the government (yes, even the government), foreign governments, Nepal Army, Nepal Police among others, have been genuine in their efforts to help Nepal recover. We must applaud their work. Everyone has been doing absolutely everything that is possible to help those around, and everyone who has helped Nepal and is helping Nepal has proven that they are the real heroes of the country.
Ordinary people have risen to the occasion and demonstrated incredible leadership and courage in coming up with creative ways to cope with the challenges the earthquake has left us with. We must allow this opportunity to teach us that there are real visionaries and exemplary leaders within Nepal.
The role of the youth in Nepal in mobilizing themselves and shouldering this responsibility of reshaping Nepal, in particular, has been commendable and revolutionary. Whether they are inside Nepal or abroad, the Nepali youth has demonstrated that there is hope for Nepal. I am proud to say I belong to this generation that believes in selflessness, believes in team effort, and believes in the power of optimism and faith. It is tremendous to see the capacity a naya Nepal may hold if we continue to work together like this as a nation, and come through for one another.
This earthquake has showed us the strength we can find if we work together. It has taught us to be grateful to be alive. Life has never seemed more precious. As tremors continue to shake us, the unfaltering courage among Nepalis, that these tremors will not break us, is inspiring. Let’s charge ahead with this same spirit and conviction, andnot get bogged down by vague rumors, negativity and pessimism.
The relief effort will take time. We know it will be a gradual process; however, we will get through this by working together and emerge a stronger and better Nepal for it.
The writer is a post-graduate student at the University of Oxford. Her research interests include transitional justice, development, state-building.
basnyat.ayushma@gmail.com
