In the aftermath of the earthquake tragedy, Nepal has been taken advantage of. The sovereignty of Nepal has been compromised by powerful forces in the name of providing assistance. Even its most sensitive protected security air space was flouted. Nepal in a way was being invaded.
Nepal tried in vain to politely control the flow of foreign forces/Teams. It declared several times that the Kathmandu airport could not handle the sudden influx. This did not work. And worse, foreign forces increased their strength on the pretext that Nepal lacked the distribution network to cover all affected Areas. Some Agencies went to the extent that they did not trust the Nepal Government to actually reach the material assistance to affected populace.
On top of that many Relief Teams came with super strong media houses to blow up their relief works. In the process, the national dignity and the immense responsibilities that the Government, the Nepal Armed Forces and Nepal Relief Teams shouldered were buried under the deluge of foreign media coverage of their own efforts. Finally Nepal had had enough !
All 34 Nations' Relief Teams have been ordered to leave Nepal. This includes both India and China. I applaud the Nepali Armed Forces for standing up for Nepal dignity and sovereignty. It was most shameful of Relief Agencies especially from powerful Nations to push aside the Nepal Authorities and in fact forcefully take charge of the national affairs. And even after a direct order of Nepal to foreign forces to withdraw, powerful Countries are negotiating the withdrawal of their forces/Teams.
This resistance to withdrawal, highlights the danger that Nepal faces. The 7.8 scale earthquake has been reduced to secondary national tragedy in the face of foreign forces refusing to comply with clear cut order of Nepal to all Nations to withdraw all their Relief Forces and Teams. Would it be necessary for a UN Security Council to endorse Nepal Government directive to compel the withdrawal of all non Nepalese Relief Forces and Teams from Nepal.
Nepal is down but not out. And definitely Nepal has no intention of being under anyone's thumb. I fully respect the national sentiment of Nepal. It is a very hard and difficult choice but it is a proud national reason. Nepal is prepared to suffer but not from shame of submitting to foreign domination in this hour of deep national tragedy.
If there are genuine international agencies and countries who want to assist Nepal to overcome the after effects of the earth quake tragedy, such helps should be rendered within the realm of Nepal sovereignty and dignity. That's what true friends would do.
well thought articel la...
ReplyDeleteBut does that 34 nations include Bhutan also ??? You have not mentioned la.
ReplyDeleteI request our Bhutanese relief team to work with respect to Nepal government's instruction. With respect to Nepal's dignity, soverignity, culture and integrity. Please do not advertise yourself to much on social media that you are doing this and that. We are seeing some of our relief team members posting too much on facebook and almost like boasting. This is not the time to show off la. We should understand their sentiment and emotion la. .
ReplyDeleteAs far as I see, the media houses were mostly private independent ones who report without favoritism to their governments. If Nepal chases out relief teams, I just hope the relief fund and effort from Govt. of Nepal reaches the ones it was meant for.
ReplyDeletewith all due respect, from what i heard and read, nepali govt doesnt care about the poor ppl. the fund they received never reached the people. infact most of the politicians are of high cast and theres a long history of nepotism.
ReplyDeleteGoing by the Bhutanese media coverage, I think we are trying to show that we are doing so much. Nepal is suffering so much and if we want to help..help with whole heartedly. There is no need to advertise how our desups are doing these and that to help Nepal.
ReplyDeletethe underpinning theme in this effort is the 'publicity'. (Though it cannot be defined whether people are really concerned at heart). I like your write-up!
ReplyDeleteReally nice article is all i can sayBhutan doesnot come into picture here,,iwe are too small to play a political role anyway,,,its these big countries who need to be more sensible in the way they portray their support.
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