People’s Power

A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities. – Thomas Jefferson

A man can never be good of anything unless he gives us all the selfishness and begins to think about serving the God that sent him and the humanity. We must purify ourselves from the bottom of our heart before we begin exercising our power. Otherwise, it will destroy ourselves and hurt others.

Today Nepalese are all over the world like Jews after the World War II. Nepalese lead major industries in many countries. Only time will tell whether that is good or bad, but this is a time when Nepal is looking for a strong leader. Many of the citizens inside and outside are looking up to America, India or China as a role model for future Nepal. Even many Nepalese politicians are trying their best to imitate Indian or American politicians. Besides, several Nepalese journalists outside America are trying to spread the language of federalism in Nepal.

Whatever be the future political system in Nepal, the duty of statesmanship is the welfare and protection of its citizens. Major problem of Nepalese politics is that politicians have forgotten this mission. Politics is not meant for the fulfillment of selfish aims and greed, but its sole purpose is selfless service. Unless we have at least one person who can stand beyond his personal motives and act for the sake of humanity, none of the political systems are going to work in Nepal.

Rather than trying to copy the political system of Washington, Gandhi or Lenin, Nepalese political might consider their own history. Our recent history had greatest politician of all times, Thomas Jefferson, who played a very important role in the contemporary geopolitics. Thomas Jefferson is one of the most underrated presidents ever. Thomas Jefferson was a hero, visionary, revolutionary thinker, as well as architect and all around genius. Jefferson also invented the moldboard plow, which was a great improvement on the already standard farming plow; the wheel cipher, and developed his own design on the concept of the spherical sundial.

An ancient examples of democracy, Lord Krishna, who played a very important role in the contemporary geopolitics and orchestrated Mahabharata war. Krishna’s politics was one of absolute performance of duty without expecting anything. Krishna was not of this world and he didn’t want anything on Earth, neither Kingdom nor power or pleasure. He fought thousands of battles, dethroned/killed one King and installed another, but he never wanted to be a King himself. Even after Mahabharata war, he installed Yudhistira as the King of the world who was the epitome of piety and virtue.

Such leadership is the need of current Nepal and the whole world. Today, leaders in Nepal and elsewhere are busy in increasing their power and securing more of wealth/pleasure. That’s what Civil war killed thousands of people for. Such politics, never last long. It is a game that is defeated from the start, but people still keep playing it.

We must understand that we do not remain on earth forever and whatever we have with us is given only for a short duration. We are supposed to make use of what we have to serve God and for the benefit of humanity. Politics is a weapon where huge changes can be brought about not only in a country but in the entire world.
On the other hand, it is very stupid on the part of Nepalese citizens to hand the power and treasury to untested leaders full of lust, anger and greed. Persons full of hypocrisy and egotism can never serve the humanity. They are busy trying to fulfill their own bellies, however much they talk about the welfare of people. If Nepalese citizens make the same mistakes again, they deserve to be cheated, used and dumped again.

Politicians need to understand that selfishness on their part is against their own self-interest. They need to find out how they can drop their own agendas and devote themselves in serving in all possible ways. Only true service will cleanse and purify us from all our karmas. There is no other way for those involved in politics. Pursuit of power and pleasure is the path of destruction. It destroys life and peace of mind. Only that prospers that is gotten by honesty and service. Great American actor Groucho Marx says, Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies. While it has been predicted since antiquities in the scriptures that the situation of the world will be worse in the coming days.

In family, in society, in the country and in the world only a leadership by example is going to be effective in coming days. We cannot expect our associates to be honest when we – ourselves are dishonest. This is the major problem in Nepalese politics today. Trying to lead others in your direction without examining yourself is very stupid. Personally, I always remember quotes of Mahatma Gandhi, He said about the seven deadly sins, Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience. Science without humanity. Knowledge without character. Politics without principle, Commerce without morality. Worship without sacrifice.”

People’s Power by Rajan Thapaliya rajanthapaliya@gmail.com