News, Views From Nepal

Yuba Nath Lamsal Nepalma Samantbad: Hatya, Himsa Ra Sadyantrako Itihas (Feudalism in Nepal: History of Killing, Violence and Conspiracy) Authored by Professor Dr Gopal Shiwakoti Published by Pairavi Prakashan Page: 857 Price: NRs 575 This is a new book that goes to Dr Gopal Shiwakoti’s credit. A renowned professor in political science, who taught more than three decades in campuses under the Tribhuvan University, the pioneer university of Nepal, Shiwakoti always carries twin hats— teacher as well as journalist. As a journalist he has served more than three decades on different capacities—as a reporter, editor and columnist. Even now he is active in media sector and edits a journal and writes column for different newspapers, magazines and journals. Apart from journalistic writing, Dr Siwakoti’s additional feat is his academic and scholarly writing. He has written many books on different areas of political science and history, which have been proved highly useful and v...

Yuba Nath Lamsal Checks and balances are necessary in politics to create accountability, maintain transparency and fairness and ensure good delivery of services to the people. The term checks and balance is referred to the separation of powers, which is fundamental component of a genuine democratic system. Under the principle of separation of powers, three branches of governments are created to maintain checks and balances. They are Legislative, Executive and Judiciary. These branches act independently to limit the work of one another so that any particular branch of government may not exceed its limit. These checks and balances do not necessarily clash but complement one another and work in coordination. All these three organs are so interlinked and interdependent on each other that one in the absence of other becomes almost ineffective if not defunct. Nepal is, at present, in the unique situation in terms of checks and balances. Now one branch—the Legislative—does not exis...

Yuba Nath Lamsal It may be worthwhile to quote Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi to better understand China’s foreign policy and its approach to relations with other countries. With focus and emphasis on collective work for collective and common security and development, Yang, in the 67 th UN General Assembly, made a passionate appeal to the international community to make a break from the outdated Cold War era’s mentality and think in a more innovative and humanitarian manner for the humanity’s better and secure future. “We should act like passengers who stick together in a boat when crossing a torrential river and seek win-win progress through cooperation,” Yang said. On security he made China’s position clear saying that while ensuring one’s own security a country must respect and accommodate the security of others.   Yang further said: To realize one’s own development, a country must actively promote common development; and in pursuing one’s own interests, a countr...

Yuba Nath Lamsal The agreement reached between four major political forces had instilled optimism among the people that the country would be rid of protracted crisis and deadlock. These forces namely, the UCPN-Maoist, the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madhesi Front, had unanimously arrived at a conclusion that the fresh election as the only solution to the present political crisis and they collectively agreed to go for the polls. But it soon fizzled out as different parties started interpreting the agreement differently in a narrow partisan perspective. In a democracy, elections are said to be the best democratic practices. It is through election, people articulate their opinion and verdict on the national issues. If we go by the general practice, political parties and candidates, prior to the election, make their stance on certain national issues clear and present their overall policies and programmes. Eligible citizens vote to certain candidate or parties based on their v...