By Subindra Bogati in Bern,
Switzerland

Nepal offers far better breathtaking vistas than the most of the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland. But again, the influx of tourists from Europe and East Asia to Switzerland has helped the tourism to be its mainstay industry, along with banking. Our majestically scenic and culturally diverse Nepal can learn so many things from this country.

Despite being similar geographically, these two countries share vast apparent differences. Switzerland is surrounded by democratic and benevolent neighbors but Nepal is contained by a neighbor with colonial mindset and squeezed in between two rising powers of Asia. Its geography defines its importance geopolitically. Most importantly, unlike Nepal, Switzerland has been politically stable for nearly 300 years.

Lately, Nepal has become a social laboratory in which the good, the bad and the ugly coexist and contrast sharply, a country of paradoxes that defies conventional habits of thought. Worse, King and political parties are making wrong choices, politically and diplomatically while trying to outsmart each other. They even seem to have forgotten the basic fact that playing short term tactics for vested interests will be catastrophic for the country. In their games for power, majority of Nepali’s unflinching desire for peace has gone unnoticed in practice.

Political parties are trying to give a message to the masses that Nepal needs to get rid of monarchy if we are ever to develop into stability. Even an unaware can comprehend that the monarchy as an institution came about at one point of history and at some point it will disappear, sooner or later. In times like this, politicians have to come forward with creative ideas that help this beleaguered nation get rid of the mess we are in. By playing short term tactics against the King, they are making themselves weaker.

Likewise, incapable of reform, Nepal’s monarchy as an institution is being used by different social actors for latter’s vested interests. It is worth remembering Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister of 18th century who is best remembered for bringing the India and Suez Canal under the control of then England’s crown. Disraeli famously said that palace would not be safe if the cottages are not happy. The King has to grasp the nature of message this orgy of violence and dissent voices are sending before it is too late.

As we are facing unpalatable difficulties which have left us with no clear path to bring a lasting peace to our besieged nation, it seems that Nepal is no longer in control of its destiny. Like Sri Lanka, Nepal will depend upon the benevolence of more powerful and dynamic world actors, who have no particular strategic interest.

Entire Nepali political class has got Nepali people wrong all the time. Political events after 1990s have made us believe as if this country belongs to just Shahs, Koiralas, Nepals and Thapas. Perhaps things would not have gone this much worse if their activities had revealed that Nepal is a country of 27 million people.

Switzerland of Europe became one of the havens in the earth because of continuous political stability. This Switzerland of the east can no longer afford to be politically unstable. By mustering a necessary political will, Nepalis still can revive the greatness and glory that once were ours.