Nepalese Citizen in Dismal State

-an open letter from frustrated youth for national/international media support

 I, ..............................., Nepalese citizen urge you to read the following lines of frustration from ongoing scenario and expect a support from national/international media.

I Believe you are well aware about Nepal the landlocked country, sandwiched in-between India and China (two financially rapidly rising countries). Nepal is an independent country since ages. We live with a pride, we never were under any outside force or country throughout our existence. We live with a pride, belonging to culturally, traditionally, naturally, emotionally inclusive country.  We live with the fact, we got the natural resources more than enough to generate 84000 MW electricity, 8 of the top 10 mountain with highest peak, birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, etc. 

Also, I believe, you are well aware about the disastrous earthquake which occurred on 25th April, 2015. During the disastrous earthquake, 9000+ died, 25000+ injured and millions of people are directly or indirectly related whereas Nepal lost the cultural and national properties worthy of billions. While Nepal was slowly trying to recover from the disaster, Nepal got historic moment on 20th of September 2015 by passing the long stalled most awaited Constitution of Nepal with acceptance from 90+% Constituent Assembly members. The CA members, against the Constitution of Nepal were 66 out of 598 CA members, all belonging to Madhesh based political parties.

Number of countries across the globe congratulated and wished for the success of this historic moment. Unfortunately, India our neighboring country, big brother, was dissatisfied with Constitution of Nepal and issued a press release showing their dissatisfaction that too twice in succession. Those press release were kind a surprise for us Nepalese as we expected India to support us in our historic moment. Surprisingly, they were firm on their statement and were against the Constitution of Nepal. 

From that day onward, we needed to face the terrible situation i.e. BLOCKADE. The blockade and all started from 23rd September 2015 and now it's already been more than 100 days of struggle for Nepalese citizen. As Nepal is a landlocked country, it doesn't have any direct linkage with 3rd countries other than that of India and China thus Nepal imports all of its fuel supplies from India. From several reports, it's been stated that, roughly 300 fuel trucks enter from India on a normal day which has drastically reduced to a 5-10 fuel trucks that too in alternative days. From centuries, Nepal established the strong relationship with India as we share open border policy and share similar lifestyle, culture and traditions i.e. Hindu culture and traditions (majority of the population). From the day we had constitution, Nepalese lifestyle started moving backward as Government of India controlled the border and limited the accessibility of vehicles. For weeks, they dint allowed a single vehicle to pass-by. Because of this, we had shortage of fuel creating a havoc situation for traveling. The same situation is been continuous till date. Because of which, basic materials (food, medicine, shelter, etc.) are shortage in Nepalese market. Nepalese lifestyle is completely opposite to that of the previous months. In short, Nepalese citizen are in misery situation. 

In-line with the Constitution draft and pass, we had to face a numerous strikes from unsatisfied parties. There were several internal political conflicts in several parts of the country. During these tenure, more than 40 people including 8 police officers had been killed in clashes between the protesters and the police whereas 1000 people have been injured and lost millions of rupees. In-between, there occurred one incident where one citizen was killed by Nepalese Force who was initially claimed as Indian citizen who came to Nepal to meet his relatives. It was claimed by Government of India. But, one CCTV footage showed the claim being false, as the guy who was shot dead was taking part in strike and continuously throwing stones and bricks and was engaged in violent activities throughout the footage. As Indian claim was falsified, they remained silent in that case.

Financial loss: As it is well known, of Nepal’s 75 districts 20 districts are in the Terai bordering Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Though this region occupies only 23 per cent of Nepal’s total geographical area, it inhibits 51 per cent of the country’s population of 28 million. The Terai region is important as it is still the Grain Basket of the country. It accounts for 59 per cent of GDP, 76 per cent of government’s revenue, 66 per cent of total cultivable land, 57 per cent of cereal crops production and two-thirds of industrial production. Potentiality for economic development of this region is high mainly on account of higher Internal Rate of Return (IRR) in roads, irrigation and other development sectors.  With this connection and statistics, you can simply assume the loss to be 100s of million by this blockade. 

Now, our concern is, both Nepal and India are part of several bilateral agreements, treaties, conventions related with trans-boundary movement, landlocked countries, etc which provided numerous benefits for Nepal but are not getting at the moment. We, Nepalese citizen are not that much of technically incapacitated so that we can go to International Court of Justice and fight against the Indian Government. But what we have is power of mass media like yours. Now, being a Nepalese citizen "constantly living with frustration, traveling with suffocation, eating food with the use of woods, living with psychological fear that one day, my country will be involved in internal war", I would like to request your media to highlight the current scenario of our country and take a stand from our side to raise our voice into UN. We want our voice to be raised at UN level, but as we lagged behind from technical as well as legal perspective, we are now voiceless, frustrated and suffocated with Indian Government's behavior towards our country. We want to live with peace, breath fresh air, die with fresh mind. But if we look at the current scenario, we will die with starvation or being engaged in internal war.

Thanking you with the anticipation of media coverage about our current sociopolitical scenario and Indian blockade. We require high number of media coverage, and media pressure to political groups (government as well as opposing parties) and continuous support from national/international media. This is the time, Nepalese citizen needs you and your support. 

Time is running!!!

Please do help us!!!

Please let us live without psychological fear!!!

WE HOLD RIGHT TO LIVE, LET IT BE WITH US!!!