IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER

My mother had passed away three decades ago when I was a school boy. The memory and love of my mother is still fresh in me. Her absence is felt everyday and night. Like other loving mother, her love was really incomparable. She was very much worried about everything for us. Her deep devotion for our study was remarkable. I still remember that she used to tell us to read Durga and Chandi every day early in the morning so I  used to read by heart, and that became everyday activity of my life for many years- even after the death of my mother. Though I read those religious scriptures by heart, I did not understand the meaning- the essence of those text. Despite this, it helped me to learn about Sanskrit and it was useful to learn English in my later life. It also helped me to be very sensitive to the feelings of people specially to those of downtrodden - living in extreme difficulties. 

Most importantly, the insistence of my mother to study well, to have the feeling to others and to have pity and sympathy to people always encouraged me to be in that path forever. Like any sensible mother,  my mother taught me " help others if you can, if you cannot  then do not do any harm to others." That mantra given to me by  my mother is always with me as a philosophy of my life which I promise to keep it intact throughout my life.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of passing away of my mother. I have the memory of her passing away while getting treatment in a mission hospital in Nepal. Though I was not with her when she died, my father and sister were with her. When people returned after the cremation of her body in Ramdi, in the bank of river Kaligandaki, the first word of people I remember is " take out your cap." It is the custom not to wear cap after the death of parents. I wept and became almost unconscious for sometimes. Time passes quickly - it is more than three decades. My mother could not see our wedding, could not see her grand children which is the dream of every parents and grandparents. Above all, she could not see how we studied and how we are doing in our professional life.  Whatever, her dream was about our future, she must be happy that we have not done what she told us: " help others if you can, do not harm others."

Every year, we do Śrāddha ( श्राद्ध) on the day of her passing away. Śrāddha is remembering the ancestors.  "Sat" means truth, "Adhar" means basis.  Lliterally Shraddha means anything or 'any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith.'  In the Hindu religion,it is a way for people to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks towards their parents and ancestors, for having helped them to be what they are and praying for their eternal  peace. Our heartfelt tribute to our mother Ganga Devi. 

" GIVE YOU GAIN, GRAB YOU LOSE"

I am emotionally inspired by the great religious, cultural and social tradition of Hinduism. The great scriptures of the Hinduism, the great saints and personalities of the Hinduism and the great tradition of helping others in Hinduism inspires me greatly. Born in a traditional ( religious) Brahmin family, I came to know the social and cultural tradition of Hinduism since my childhood- even before I knew or heard the word Hindu or Hinduism. My maternal grand mother, aunts and some others were devout Vaishnava. So my mother always insisted me to read Durga, Chandi, Vedas and other religious scriptures since my childhood. So I had read them by heart - I reckon that I could read Durga and Chandi when I was 10 year old and fortunately I was the fastest reader of these book in my village at that time.

My mother always used to say "never hurt others" "never do anything wrong to others" and most importantly "never do anything bad that affects others." " Do good to each and everyone if you can if not never ever do anything bad to anyone" was the mantra of my mother and that was the most important lesson I learnt so far in my life.  That remains the basic philosophy of my life and the source of inspiration and Dharma of my life.

In this connection, the talk programme on "Inspired Living", we - the Nepalese Hindus organised in the Ram Mandir Southall, the holy place of Hindus, inspired me a lot. The words of Mrs Jaya Row were so sweet, inspiring and motivational for me as I fully agree with her philosophy of giving not taking. Though I am not rich financially- I am rich in this I think and I have never been greedy in taking. Even if I have to take  something from others- gifts or other things without paying the price- I feel guilty. I think I have taken something that should not have taken. 

"GIVE YOU GAIN, GRAB YOU LOSE." I feel this way, do the same way and will remain so the same way in this life and beyond my life.  Being a student of Literature, I am emotional and feel emotively and sometimes it can be wrong as we are living in the materialistic world and materialistic time. But I do not think that way. May be I am rigid, I may not be practical, I may not have understood the reality but my philosophy of life is that which my mother, my guru and first teacher, taught me in my childhood and that has rooted firmly which cannot be uprooted so easily.

The story of Leopard was so fantastic that really touches the heart of many people present at the programme. There are millions of people like us, millions of people with open heart, millions of people with the feeling of doing something for others. And really they are working for the welfare of animals. What they would get from animals? Will they expect "thank you sir/madame" from animals? Will they get any personal benefits from the animals? If you are doing dollar business of .. GOs, then you may provide lip service - otherwise no. Leopard would definitely kill even if we save. But we save the leopard. Why?

The reason is obvious. We have the feeling to the animals. We love animals. We feel pity in their condition. Then why not we feel the same to other human being. We consider them to be better than animals, though all living beings are equal in our religion. So why not we treat our fellow human being in the same way as we treat to the trap leopard. At least there is no fear of being killed. There is no immediate danger like that of leopard from human being.

I also like the idea always happiness, smile and excitement of a child. Child smiles without any reason- not like the unnatural smile of a customer service employees. There is glow and happiness in his face. There is always in excitement. But we - the adults pass our depression, anger, sadness and make unhappy and sad. When can we stop that- may be only we do our treatment through Vedic knowledge or spiritual enlightenment.  

It was really an inspiring , thought provoking and spiritual awakening programme that has recharged my battery. " Change your thoughts, change the world."  "Powerful input of spiritual knowledge>to get rid of negativity."  


The participation was also in accordance with our expectation and social worker Ravindra Jung Lamichhane, who is also one of the founders like us, sponsored vegetarian meal. Our thank goes to him. Mrs Row, despite being the first programme by the Nepalese Hindu Forum UK, accepted our invitation and made a remarkable speech inspiring all of us. For that we are really grateful to her and Vedant Vision organisation.


No response from Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise, Nepalese ambassador to the UK, was a matter of great concern to all of us. We sent at least three official invitation letters requesting him to be the chief guest at the programme. Phone call was also made. There was no response from him. It was quite disappointing. We had expected him to be the representative of our country- Nepal. Nepalese Hindu Forum UK is not an organisation formed just to grab power or post. It was formed with a view to promoting and protecting our rich cultural heritage and inculcate that tradition to our youths and children so that we can continue those great positive values of our forefathers even living in the western world. But our ambassador did not realise that depth- took it in the surface. He misunderstood it. This is against my philosophy but I have to mention it here. We were not less qualified and less socially recognised people than our His Excellency but he did not recognise us and ignored our request. I know him personally for many years as I was in senior level position in media. He is a son of a dedicated and selfless democrat but he did not show that greatness of his father.  Once I had invited Christopher Warren, then president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in Nepal. I was the coordinator of International Relations Committee of Journalists Union. Dr Chalise was also there when we went to meet late Girija Prasad Koirala. Christopher was so impressed with the commitment of Koirala for press freedom in Nepal. So was his and our impression with Chalise. I had not thought that our ambassador would ignore like this but he did. That was fine. We had a brilliant speaker of the Nepalese embassy- Defence Attache Col Bishwanath Ghimire, who made a remarkable speech about Hinduism with reference to Mahatma Gandhi. That was excellent and well received. Col Ghimire showed his full support accepting our invitation and being present with all his family members. That was very positive and appreciative.


This is the news of the day:

Nepalese Hindu Forum UK (NHFUK) held a spiritual talk programme on “Inspired Living” by Mrs. Jaya Row, founder of Vedanta vision, and renowned Vedanta scholar of the modern day world, at Ram Mandir, Southall London on Saturday.  She said that Vedanta is the source of spiritual and emotional inspiration where you can find higher level of source of energy, there is no obstacle and you can discover infinite resources and power and things are done for you. 

“To be inspired you must have a vision beyond your individual needs and aspirations and encompass the well-being of the world. This vision then translates into a goal that is pursued with relentless focus, deep devotion and outstanding work. Then you will be so fulfilled at work that you will no longer need a weekend. The annual vacation will become redundant as your vocation becomes a source of joy and excitement.”

According to Mrs Row “Inspiration gives ordinary people the courage to make life better for themselves and for future generations. It enables them to transform into extraordinary achievers.”

Shedding light on spiritual inspiration, quoting the verses of the Bhagwat Gita and presenting examples of  great works of  born blind musician of India Surdas and great poet John Milton and many other renowned persons she said nothing even poison, fire and anything cannot harm you.“Spiritual Inspiration makes a mute speak eloquently, a lame person climb mountains,” she added. 

Intellectual conviction finds still higher level of energy sources and rise above the body and personal benefit where you can achieve tremendous success even without money and any resources, she said and presented the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who had less than a dollar wealth when he died but became one of the most influential people of the world. We should rise above everything to be successful. Chanting the verses from the Upanishad she said: “Those are sunless worlds enveloped in blinding darkness to which the slayers of atman go after death.” One man’s intellectual conviction can change the world if we decide to work for the welfare of the world. But if there is no that inspiration then we can be like “gold in donkey’s back.”

To rise above your body, personal benefit you should expand your mind, she said: Give you gain, grab you lose.” Only think of giving – no need to give anything, only think “how can I help you”- not how do you help me?

Stating that we should work for something beyond pay check and we should look forward to Monday morning – not Friday evening so that we are always doing something beyond ourselves, she said always set higher goal, love others, think beyond universe, feel for others, and recharge your battery with positive, powerful and strong Vedanta knowledge.

Mrs Row said: Wealth of spiritual knowledge (Vedanta) can give us smile, happiness and excitement like the child has but we should not pass our depression and sadness to the child. Knowledge of Vedanta and listening inspiring powerful music lifts the spirits and can inspire and motivate us. She added if you overcome hatred then you can conquer all the negativity. We should our talent and add spirituality and fix Dharma is that then we forget the selfishness.

Shedding light on the great rich Hindu tradition since the time of Harappa civilization, Mrs Row said there was harmony, there was peace, there was knowledge, and there were no locks in the houses as none used to take the property of others and there was no crime but we have lost that glory. We can still enrich our spiritual wealth through the knowledge of Vedanta, she said. 

She suggested powerful input of spiritual knowledge to get rid of negativity and said “change your thoughts, change the world.”  In reply to a question about the animal sacrifice in Nepal, she said        “My appeal to you is to follow your conscience,” can we make God happy killing innocent animals? “I am a born vegetarian because of my conviction, so follow your conscience. A host of speakers including school children Grishma Kandel and Shaishab Sharma, Bandana Upadhya, Bhagirath Yogi, Pundit Durga Pokhrel among others put forward their questions on various aspects of Hinduism, spirituality and inspired living on the occasion.

Mrs Row She has spent over 40 years in the study and research of Vedanta. She has a first class academic record in Microbiology and has had a distinguished management career which she renounced to devote herself full time to the interpretation and re-presentation of Vedanta for the modern generation. Mrs. Row has helped change people's concept of Indian scriptures. From that of obsolete texts of bygone ages only to be revered, to that of a living, vibrant prescription for success, happiness and personal growth.  

Speaking as a chief guest, representative of the Nepalese embassy in London Col. Bishwanath Ghimire said Hinduism is the greatest religion of the world which always relates to God and connects to the Humanitarian values.  Col. Ghimire also shed light in detail about his impression, concept and great contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Hindu philosophy in the promotion of values in the modern day world.

Earlier welcoming the guests, chairman of the NHFUK Maj. (Retd.) Surya Upadhya said  the main objectives of the Nepalese Hindu Forum UK is to present, preserve, protect and promote Hinduism and its rich religious tradition, culture and values in a rational and scientific manner to highlight its significance and relevance in the modern day world, familiarize Hindu values, culture and deep-rooted scriptures to the Nepalese youths transcending caste, creed,  language and ethnic origin and initiate interfaith dialogue to create peace, harmony and sense of brotherhood among different faiths and communities  and build a strong, cohesive and integrated society in the UK.

The programme was sponsored by Ravindra Jung lamichhane, one of the founding members of the NHFUK. Mrs Row felicitated him on the occasion.  Over 100 people from different parts of the United Kingdom attended the programme where delicious vegetarian food was also served sponsored by Mr Lamichhane. Mrs Row, Trustee of Ram Mandir Mahant Shrestha and Col Ghimire were felicitated on the occasion. The Forum has organised a number of activities including pilgrimage to Balaji, Bhajans and Sankirtan, visit to Oxford to Children and youths and initiating interfaith dialogues with other religious and ethnic communities since its formation in 2010.

"GIVE YOU GAIN, GRAB YOU LOSE" MRS ROW

Nepalese Hindu Forum UK (NHFUK) held a spiritual talk programme on “Inspired Living” by Mrs. Jaya Row, founder of Vedanta vision, and renowned Vedanta scholar of the modern day world, at Ram Mandir, Southall London on Saturday.  She said that Vedanta is the source of spiritual and emotional inspiration where you can find higher level of source of energy, there is no obstacle and you can discover infinite resources and power and things are done for you. 

“To be inspired you must have a vision beyond your individual needs and aspirations and encompass the well-being of the world. This vision then translates into a goal that is pursued with relentless focus, deep devotion and outstanding work. Then you will be so fulfilled at work that you will no longer need a weekend. The annual vacation will become redundant as your vocation becomes a source of joy and excitement.”

According to Mrs Row “Inspiration gives ordinary people the courage to make life better for themselves and for future generations. It enables them to transform into extraordinary achievers.”

Shedding light on spiritual inspiration, quoting the verses of the Bhagwat Gita and presenting examples of  great works of  born blind musician of India Surdas and great poet John Milton and many other renowned persons she said nothing even poison, fire and anything cannot harm you.“Spiritual Inspiration makes a mute speak eloquently, a lame person climb mountains,” she added. 

Intellectual conviction finds still higher level of energy sources and rise above the body and personal benefit where you can achieve tremendous success even without money and any resources, she said and presented the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who had less than a dollar wealth when he died but became one of the most influential people of the world. We should rise above everything to be successful. Chanting the verses from the Upanishad she said: “Those are sunless worlds enveloped in blinding darkness to which the slayers of atman go after death.” One man’s intellectual conviction can change the world if we decide to work for the welfare of the world. But if there is no that inspiration then we can be like “gold in donkey’s back.”

To rise above your body, personal benefit you should expand your mind, she said: Give you gain, grab you lose.” Only think of giving – no need to give anything, only think “how can I help you”- not how do you help me?

Stating that we should work for something beyond pay check and we should look forward to Monday morning – not Friday evening so that we are always doing something beyond ourselves, she said always set higher goal, love others, think beyond universe, feel for others, and recharge your battery with positive, powerful and strong Vedanta knowledge.

Mrs Row said: Wealth of spiritual knowledge (Vedanta) can give us smile, happiness and excitement like the child has but we should not pass our depression and sadness to the child. Knowledge of Vedanta and listening inspiring powerful music lifts the spirits and can inspire and motivate us. She added if you overcome hatred then you can conquer all the negativity. We should our talent and add spirituality and fix Dharma is that then we forget the selfishness.

Shedding light on the great rich Hindu tradition since the time of Harappa civilization, Mrs Row said there was harmony, there was peace, there was knowledge, and there were no locks in the houses as none used to take the property of others and there was no crime but we have lost that glory. We can still enrich our spiritual wealth through the knowledge of Vedanta, she said. 

She suggested powerful input of spiritual knowledge to get rid of negativity and said “change your thoughts, change the world.”  In reply to a question about the animal sacrifice in Nepal, she said        “My appeal to you is to follow your conscience,” can we make God happy killing innocent animals? “I am a born vegetarian because of my conviction, so follow your conscience.

A host of speakers including school children Grishma Kandel and Shaishab Sharma, Bandana Upadhya, Bhagirath Yogi, Pundit Durga Pokhrel among others put forward their questions on various aspects of Hinduism, spirituality and inspired living on the occasion. 

Mrs Row has spent over 40 years in the study and research of Vedanta. She has a first class academic record in Microbiology and has had a distinguished management career which she renounced to devote herself full time to the interpretation and re-presentation of Vedanta for the modern generation. Mrs. Row has helped change people's concept of Indian scriptures. From that of obsolete texts of bygone ages only to be revered, to that of a living, vibrant prescription for success, happiness and personal growth.

  

Speaking as a chief guest, representative of the Nepalese embassy in London Col. Bishwanath Ghimire said Hinduism is the greatest religion of the world which always relates to God and connects to the Humanitarian values.  Col. Ghimire also shed light in detail about his impression, concept and great contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Hindu philosophy in the promotion of values in the modern day world.

Earlier welcoming the guests, chairman of the NHFUK Maj. (Retd.) Surya Upadhya said  the main objectives of the Nepalese Hindu Forum UK is to present, preserve, protect and promote Hinduism and its rich religious tradition, culture and values in a rational and scientific manner to highlight its significance and relevance in the modern day world, familiarize Hindu values, culture and deep-rooted scriptures to the Nepalese youths transcending caste, creed,  language and ethnic origin and initiate interfaith dialogue to create peace, harmony and sense of brotherhood among different faiths and communities  and build a strong, cohesive and integrated society in the UK.

The programme was sponsored by Ravindra Jung lamichhane, one of the founding members of the NHFUK. Mrs Row felicitated him on the occasion.  Over 100 people from different parts of the United Kingdom attended the programme where delicious vegetarian food was also served sponsored by Mr Lamichhane. Mrs Row, Trusty of Ram Mandir Mahant Shrestha and Col Ghimire were felicitated on the occasion. The Forum has organised a number of activities including pilgrimage to Balaji, Bhajans and Sankirtan, visit to Oxford to Children and youths and initiating interfaith dialogues with other religious and ethnic communities since its formation in 2010.

KOIRALA FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Barack Obama, Martti Ahtisaari, Al Gore, Muhammad Yunus, Mohamed ElBaradei and the list goes on. A total of 97 individuals and 20 Organisations have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize since 1901. Among the Nobel Prize recipients, some have made remarkable contributions to restore peace in the world and some have created the environment to check direct confrontations leading to serious conflicts. Dalai Lama and Aung San Suu Kyi got the peace prize for their non violence approach while Al Gore received the prize for his initiative for climate change and Yunus for improving the lives of poor people of Bangladesh. So the Peace Prize is awarded on varied reasons.

Nepal’s government has recommended the name of Girija Prasad Koirala for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the bloody conflicts of the Maoists that claimed the lives of more than 14,000 people in Nepal, and peaceful exit of the monarchy that ruled the Himalayan nation for over 240 years.

Why does he deserve the Peace Prize?

Peaceful End of Monarchy & Insurgency

The most significant achievements of Koirala in Nepal’s political history is abolishing monarchy peacefully and bringing the Maoists to the mainstream politics ending the decade long insurgency which claimed the lives of more than 14,000, injured thousands of people and nearly collapsed the economy of the country.
The monarchy of Nepal exit out of the political scene despite its strong grip in the Nepal army. Koirala played the game for this peaceful departure of the 240 year old institution, which was the source of instability of Nepal and enemy to democracy. First, he insisted the revival of the parliament then cut the links of the Nepal army with the palace and created rosy road for democracy.

Prior to it, Koirala had held talks with the Maoists when he was not in power and the rebels were declared terrorist. He did not care his political life while holding talks with this “terrorist” declared group. Even holding talks with them could be considered aligning with the terrorists. India, USA and other countries had also declared them terrorist so there was the possibility of serious threat to any political party leaders to be accused of being a terrorist and face the consequences. But Koirala did not care.

Koirala also convinced the UML and other major political parties on his agenda of bringing the Maoists to the peace process and signed a peace deal ending ten year long conflict- the biggest conflict in the history of Nepal. Koirala had held talks through intermediaries when he was in power. His assessment was that one of the groups of the Maoists was ready to hold talks for the sake of democracy with the government while the other which was closed to the Palace was against.

This was not the first time that Koirala had initiated talks with the Maoists. Speaking from a public programme in Kathmandu just a few days before the dissolution of the parliament, Koirala made an open request to the Maoists to hold talks with the political parties represented in the parliament. Immediately after his request, Maoists said that they were ready to hold talks with the parties- not with the government. But now ousted King Gyanendra dissolved the parliament ending the resolution of the conflicts forever and invited his own destruction. However, Koirala fulfilled his goal. He brought the Maoists to the parliament, he led the government including the Maoists and he held election peacefully. Once elected to the parliament, the Maoists are obliged to follow peaceful democratic process. This is a great achievement.


Adherence to Democracy

Girija Prasad Koirala always adhered to the principles of democratic values and norms despite the difficulties he himself, his family and his party- the Nepali Congress- faced since his childhood. His unwavering struggle for democracy and its values makes him the fitting candidate for the prize. He has struggled for the sake of democracy since his childhood. Though he is the brother of BP Koirala, the first elected prime minister of Nepal, Girija has made history himself even without connecting his name to his family or friends. He was behind the movement of the labourers of the first factory of Nepal- Jute mills. He struggled since the dictatorial regime of the Ranas and then kings. Koirala struggled to end Rana regime, then his struggled continued with the Kings- Tribhuvan, Mahendra, Birendra and Gyanendra. He never compromised against democracy. Koirala is perhaps the first person in the democratic history of the world where he has struggled with four kings for democracy. He never compromised for anything for the cause of democracy. He held talks with the Kings. He bargained and threatened but never compromised. His sole goal of struggle was- full- fledged democracy.

Commitment to Peace and Non-violence

His zeal for peace and non violence is never questioned. When security personnel resorted to Lathi charge and fired some rounds of bullets to control the crowds of democrats in Kathmandu during the anti Gyanendra demonstration, the octogenarian leader was injured. He fainted. People saw him bleeding in the nose. His supporters wanted to take revenge and continue the protest even taking weapons if need be. He did not allow them to continue protest saying the situation could be violent. Thousands of people came down to the streets across the country during the climax of popular movement demanding the end of monarchy, Koirala cancelled the demonstrations fearing the demonstrations could be violent and uncontrollable. He cancelled the Satyagraha programme after the mysterious bomb explosions killed some people in Kathmandu.

Despite the harsh measure adopted by the dictatorial regimes of the Kings, he always adopted the policy of non violence. The struggle for democracy remained peaceful in most of the cases of Nepal. Nepali Congress waged armed rebellions to end the authoritarian rule of Mahendra, who not only massacred the nascent democracy of the Himalayan nation and plunged the nation into the crisis but also dissolved the first elected parliament, sacked the popularly elected prime minister and imposed autocratic rules closing the doors of freedom of the people. Despite his harsh and cruel suppression of the democratic movement, the Congress party adopted peaceful struggles to end his rule.

When there was armed struggled against the monarchy, it was directly targeted to the king- not to the general public. Not a single innocent person was killed by the Nepali Congress. The armed rebellion was to end the monarchy rule in Nepal. The confrontation was directly with the king and his army, who supported the king. The 30 year of struggle against the King during the Panchayat system remained peaceful. It was not like the killing of mostly innocent people during the 1996- 2006 Maoists insurgency.

Firm in Purpose

After Gyanendra dissolved parliament and declared direct rule, Koirala relentlessly advocated and push forward the one point demand: “revival of the parliament.” Not a single political figure neither from his own party- the Nepali Congress- nor CPN, UML had said so. The parliament should get full-fledged time to complete its tenure and parliament should have the rights to take decision on important issues, was his logic. He succeeded. The revival of the parliament to end the conflict peacefully being within the constitutional framework was very important. He did.
Koirala has never deviated from his struggle to restore democracy in Nepal. He was firm to the purpose of democracy and came to the streets immediately after the massacre of democracy in 1960s. His struggle continued until democracy was restored in 1990. Even after the restoration of democracy he always warned saying there was threat of the King, who could end democracy at any time.

No to Monarchy

He never compromised with monarchy on the issue of democracy. Though he was humiliated, he was made isolated; he did not cease the struggle to end monarchy.
His uncompromising policy for the sake of democracy was also clearly revealed when CPN, UML decided to support the king saying the “regression of the king has been half rectified.” His party was split. A sizeable number of his party cadres had joined Sher Bahadur Deuba led party and government and the main party the UML also joined with Deuba and formed the government giving up the street protest. Koirala and his party was left alone in the street in the fight against then King Gyanendra. There were only smaller parties: Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party and United Peoples Front. These were also very small parties with less than a dozen MPs and all were Communist parties. There was the support of a few people. Only a handful of people could be seen in the demonstration. But he continued never being deviated from his declared goal of democracy. Koirala continued the struggle. Other UML and Deuba led Congress party came again to join his struggle only when the king sacked their government.

Able Leader

Koirala was the consensus candidate when parliament was restored. He was the unanimous candidate for prime minister for Maoists, UML and other parties. He led the first government including the Maoists after the parliament was restored. He is the first prime minister to take over the role of head of state because of his able leadership.
When Koirala said that the victory for democracy is the victory of all. There was hooting and sloganeering against Koirala but he was firm in his statement. That came to be true later when royalists became prime ministers one after another. After the revival of the parliament and success of the popular movement, Koirala went to the palace to take oath with then King Gyanendra , there was protest, but he was firm and followed the constitutional provision. There could be confrontation with the palace and nation could plunge again into the mires of conflicts. But he sensed that possibility and followed constitutional procedures and following that he drowned monarchy into the pages of history.
Leaders with ability do not make statement according to the slogans of the crowds, but they do what their declared policy is, otherwise it becomes anarchical party like some other party leaders, who say or agree on some point and change their statement when they are in crowds. Koirala is the only strong leader in Nepal’s modern history who translated his words into action. He challenged the king and threatened not to weaken democracy. There is no need to explain why Koirala is the only strong leader as we have seen at least the modern time prime ministers of Nepal and their abilities and leadership. He did what he said. His actions were supported by his statement. So he is an able leader.

Nepal’s Face

Koirala is the most trusted and honoured leader even outside the country. India, China and other countries trust him as the most reliable and able leader. Though he is blamed to be very close to India, he has been able to maintain balanced relations with both the neighbours. Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh came to welcome him to the airport when he visited India two years ago. Indian Prime Minister does not go to airport to welcome any leader except US president. It is due to the high regards for Koirala.
When Non Aligned Movement summit was held in Durban, South Africa, Nelson Mandela as a president was the chairman of NAM. He had to greet 114 member countries representatives. So it was just hand shake for those leaders. But he gave some time and held talks with Koirala for some minutes. Mandela had held talks with only Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Cuban President Fidel Castro and Colombia’s president, who was the outgoing chairman of NAM. Nepal’s image enhanced with such event.

Resignation

Despite being in majority, he resigned from the prime minister’s post on moral ground. He resigned when then King Birendra refused to deploy army to quell the Maoists insurgency which had spiralled throughout the country. There was clear conspiracy from the king. The police were not given weapon when the Maoists were attacking police station in many districts of western Nepal. Maoists were getting modern arms and ammunition. Maoists were raising war to end monarchy but the monarchy was being the wall to stop any measures targeted to defeat them. So he resigned on moral ground.

When his own party MPs were absent and defeated the government’s programme in the first elected parliament, Koirala called the meeting of the parliamentary party. He had the support of the majority of the MPs of his party. At least 74 MPs expressed their support and 36 were against him. He resigned from the post of prime minister and called election to maintain the norms of democracy. Koirala had the largest number of MPs’ support than the main opposition party UML with 69 MPs. And still he was the parliamentary party leader. So his decision was constitutional and valid in democracy.

Exposure of Palace Conspiracy

In the view of Koirala, Maoist rebellion was a conspiracy initiated to end democracy by the palace. Close aides of Koirala say: he had expressed his views even during the meeting with then King Birendra. Maoist’s movement was launched when Koirala was not in power. When he became prime minister, he started the policy of dialogue with the Maoists but the Maoists refused to hold talks with Koirala saying him the “Fascist.” Maoists wanted to hold talks with the government if Koirala was not in power- so was the desire of the palace. It was a clear indication of palace’s motive. Palace wanted some other prime minister instead of Koirala because he was not ready to compromise anything regarding democracy. The palace was playing double role to end democracy in Nepal. It was encouraging the Maoists on the one hand and inciting the government to suppress the Maoists movement on the other.

Koirala neither said Maoists are terrorists nor them to be democrats but he brought them to the peace process. Koirala was accused of being Fascist by Maoists. Maoists refused to hold talks with him. He resigned. Talks failed. Maoists needed him to bring them from the forest. He extended his hands again. He convinced them. Brought them and led them. And became their leader too.

Koirala's Weaknesses

On the contrary, Koirala has many weaknesses too. He could not expose the palace conspiracy against democracy though he became prime minister for many years in Nepal. In private, time and again he said that there was conspiracy of the palace to brandish Maoists but he did not reveal it publicly.

He became too liberal to the Maoists as he could not understand their strategies. His party lost the election despite his role in the peace process.
Koirala was the prime minister when the royal palace massacre happened but he could not bring out the truth to the public. He said that he would expose palace massacre but he never did. Koirala knew the incident only after 3 hours when the physical distance of his residence and the palace is less than 5 minutes. He was in a state of arrest at the army hospital and all the fingers were pointed to the relatives of Birendra but Koirala turned deaf and did not do anything. He could at least form a parliamentary committee, bring foreign independent investigators, properly investigate the incident and bring the truth to the public. He failed to do so due to his feel of affection for the post.

There is accusation to Koirala running the party like a private family. He has compelled the Prime Minister to appoint his daughter as deputy prime minister despite being so many able leaders in his party and in his Koirala clan too. He takes the decision on his own without consulting the senior leaders of the party and the most serious blame is: Koirala was too liberal toward Maoists. It became true too. After the election, Maoists deceived him. However, some political observers say it was the compulsion of the time.

Despite these weaknesses, any of the contemporary political leaders has not been able to do what Koirala did despite his age and all other adverse circumstances. There was the need of able leadership for the party; there was only Koirala who could fulfil all these responsibilities effectively. Some were tested and failed. Some could not take the responsibility. Then such accusation does not have any foundation. And all political party leaders cannot be Mandela. Nepal’s situation was different. There was monarchy creating instability and there are many parties with various interests and affiliation in this country between India and China.
In view of Koirala’s contribution to Nepal’s democratic movement, abolition of monarchy, bringing Maoists to the peace process and ending conflict, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

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http://www.dcnepal.me/press_release_english.php?nid=802