Two Worlds

Jared Diamond, in his book Guns, Germs and Steel talks about the roots of inequalities in the world. Human beings have been continuously developing their capabilities to achieve more food, good shelter, long life, wealth and prosperity. For instance, 13,000 year ago, hunters and gatherers had to travel from one place to another looking for new food sources. Later, human beings discovered that these food sources could be controlled. They domesticated both plants and animals, and brought the food sources back home. However, this transformation was not as easy as expected, because their close interaction with animals invited diseases. With diseases came more challenges, and innovation began to flourish to overcome the challenges. With innovation came technology, with technology came power, and power led to wealth and prosperity.  Therefore, power in today’s age of globalization has been defined in terms of economy, and economy is determined in terms of growth. In the process of growing, developed countries have continuously been engaged in expanding their wants, desires and necessities, while poor countries are still struggling with basic needs. Prosperity became uneven, and consequently, some parts of the world (say North) are richer than others (say South) at present. KITERUNNERGROUP6.BLOGSPOT.COM In recent years, poverty has become the favorite word, both globally and regionally. Huge global fund has been invested in least developed regions and impoverished societies to fight poverty. World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank are some of the major caretakers of the process. But is it possible to get rid of poverty?

Youth Stay Independent

The Interim Election Council in Nepal is calling on ‘fresh’ Constituent Assembly (CA) election soon this year while the minor parties outcry over four parties-led CA proposition. Whatever the outcome of the power talk may be, the reality stands in its place that both the major and minor parties combined, are responsible for the unconstitutional landing of our country and the demise of the previous CA.

While one group impels people to go for election, others demand the opposite. Where does the problem actually lie? And what are we, the people, suppose to do about it? Also, can fresh CA election alone guarantee a new constitution? 

In my opinion, the problem lies in the very understanding of democracy. Democracy in Nepal has been guided by power-centric politics rather than the people. The unhealthy tussle within and between parties have turned people as mere voting objects. Hence, the need to reinstate the essence of democratic norms and values into societies is very much needed. Conducting elections and chanting democratic slogans would mean nothing if the people are not the ones who are on the deciding front.

In such a scenario, youth have a major responsibility and their participation can bring about a change to the whole movement.