Recently the PDP ( People's Democratic Party) shared an article " Looking Out "by Sujeev Shakya in Kathmandu Post on 26th September with the Party's comment " What could other leaders learn from the Bhutanese Prime Minister".
This article is about the author's perception of Bhutanese Prime Minister possessing a better " global mind-set" than Nepalese Prime Minister. He felt that Nepal is more inward looking whilst Bhutan was outward looking.
Bhutan is fortunate that we always had and have few fantastic national leaders under the benevolent guidance of their Majesties the Kings of Bhutan. And I was probably an earlier recogniser of these facts. In fact I wrote about it in 2013 after India intervened in the General Election. A small nation with limitted resources somehow have been compensated by presence of outstanding individuals in every era who served the Kings and the people to steer the nation to secure path. I, therefore, can comprehend why the author Sujeev Shakya is impressed by our capable Prime Minister His Excellency Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. So were many impressed by former Prime Minister His Excellency Jigmi Yoeser Thinley. Therefore I am not confused by the perception of the author. I do not think any Nepal Prime Minister has much to learn from Bhutanese Prime Ministers as eloquent and socially gregarious as our PMs are.
What worried me was possible misunderstanding and therefore the under estimation of the depth of Nepalese political Leaderships acumen by our ruling political party leaders and other political parties' leaders who may direct Bhutanese destiny hereafter. We are yet to move away from the sole political orbit of India. But Nepal is on another political Plateau. Nepal's outlook is for Nepal as a nation. Bhutan's outlook till now seems to be pleasing India no matter what.
I want to share few real life facts about Nepal from recent historical events.
1. Nepal became a multi- party Democracy. Some would say through popular unrest. What I heard was that the King had actually said that he would abdicate if people so wanted. The King refused to use the Army to fight off foreign manipulated or encouraged so called democratic forces. His Majesty was only standing up against India only for the Nepalese people and Nepali sovereignty. Later the great King and his whole ruling Royal Family was massacred. The blame was put on the Crown Prince but public of Nepal was wiser. They mourned for the Royal Family including the Crown Prince.
The King died but his political legacy remains true and strong. Today Nepal is wooed by both India and China. The King's vision to have both economic and political relationships with China and India has strengthened Nepal and improved the hereafter national prospects for the people and the country. The Royal Family paid the ultimate sacrifice in Royal Blood but saved a nation and her people from foreign subjugation.
2. At one time, Bhutanese Ministers used to gloat over how Bhutan got India to invest in hydropower projects in Bhutan whilst Nepalese Leaders " foolishly " rejected Indian offer. Now one wonders who were the wise guys?
3. During the last big earthquake that Nepal suffered, so many nations and agencies came forward to assist. However, when few nations and Agencies demonstrated ulterior motives that posed security and political dangers, the Nepali Government and Army High Command ordered all to get out of Nepal. Even India and America had to get out. The courage and will of the people and Nepali leadership in preserving their sovereignty and national policies is beyond self survival of a King or a Prime Minister. Historical events stand testimony to such personal sacrifices.
4. Nepal have had so many change of elected Governments. Such frequency in change of Governments is damaging to socia- economic development and sense of peace and stability. And yet none of these Government changes caused a political crisis similar to 2013 of Bhutan. Bhutan had in democratic governance sense and description a proper formal change of government. A political party completed its term of 5 years and election was held which elected another political party to resume the reign of Governance. And yet the wounds of political grievances are still festering. Far worse than that of Nepal. Signs of utmost political immaturity in Bhutan I would say.
5. The Government and people of Nepal went through the excruciating economic pains for several months due to blockade imposed by India and unrest in the southern belt of the nation. Neither the major earth quake nor the economic blockade defeated the indomitable national spirit of Nepal. Whilst a gas cylinder cost hike by India had Bhutanese Political leaders in total disharmony. Thus in reality, Bhutan has a long way to catch up in political maturity and sense of national entity. Let alone looking down upon the Nepal scene.
I think the trails of political processes show that Nepalese political parties have used foreign resources to achieve recognition and gain power in Nepal. However, apart from Prime Minister Koirala ( I could never comprehend Koirela's closeness to India almost like that of Kazi Lhendup of Sikkim ), all Prime Ministers of Nepal ultimately stood for Nepal. They know to whom they originally owe their status. Their source of power and legitimacy is Nepal and Nepalese, not foreign agencies or Governments.
For these reasons , I would never belittle Nepal and the Nepalese. I fully respect the political Leaderships of Nepal for their wisdom and dedication to Nepal and Nepali sovereignty that goes beyond self political survival.
May the two Himalayan nations remain friends and support each other at crucial times. So far the records of affection and trust between Bhutan and Nepal is very admirable.
Great, wangcha sangayla. Another thought provoking write up. Keep it up. Indeed, our politicians are only hypocrates and chamcha giri. God knows when they will mature.
ReplyDeleteAnother great write up from Wangcha Sangay. Your blog provides a better alternative to your readers which otherwise are fed with the official narratives through our so called free press, tv or radio. Thanks. Keep up your good work in the interest of our nation.
ReplyDeleteNice reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat write up except the very last sentence which may not be true.
ReplyDeleteDear anonymous when Nepal suffered the huge earthquake,King of Bhutan sent his own physician heading the medical team. Bhutan's medical team was the only team which even took its own water supply. Nothing was asked from Nepal. The Dollar one million assistance was delivered in cash cheque not in material. On part of Nepal, whenever Bhutan requested immediate positive response and assistance was granted like handing over financial criminals who absconded and went to Nepal. So true affection and trust prevails.
DeleteGreat article sir, I found you never waver from the truth. That is why you are fearless. The truth always prevails. It is also easy to refute any false claims and defend what you write with valid reasoning unlike Tenzin lamsang. You also have the genuine respect for the kings and the true national spirit. To tell the truth, an honest national spirited leader doesn't need either to act chamcha giri or puppet to Indian leaders. Being chamcha is definitely not showing respect. Those chamcha giris always have hidden selfish motives ( hunger for power). If being chamcha is showing respect, why deliberately ignoring 2007 treaty revised by the 4th king.
ReplyDeleteOur elected leaders lack knowledge beyond the knowledge they acquired from their classes. Our prime minister is so versed in Shakespeare's play but has no knowledge on certain topics like foreign policy, national spirit, sovereignty of the nation and so on. So all our politicians needs briefing on these topics so that later if they get elected they don't have to briefing from the ambassador of India.
ReplyDeleteDear Au Sangey,
ReplyDeleteExactly my sentiments. I am all admiration for Nepal.
During an international meeting last year, I stood up to publicly give the Nepalese people a thumbs up and to say that I am in awe of their resilience, in the face of months and months of economic blockade they suffered.
Unfortunately I doubt if we Bhutanese will ever be able to exhibit such indomitable spirit and uprightness. Like you say, it took merely a gas price increase to alter the course of our elections.
Dasho, your articles are always inspiring with logical reasons. Today, little i know about the "political" issues are mostly because of your write-ups la. You are a "polyhistor". I also respect and admire your courage. Kadinchoe la.
ReplyDeleteSir, I have learnt more from your blog than from our media about our country's relation with India. Until now I have been reading in our media that Bhutan-India friendship is growing from "strength to strength". With a submissive friend like Bhutan, Indian leaders will be too glad to say good things about the Bhutanese government while they make sure that RGOB continue to bend to New Delhi's diktat. Nepal on the other hand stood up to the bully, India. They did suffer for the better future and that my fellow citizens is called sacrifice for the sovereignty of their country.
ReplyDelete