Blog · Literatureनेपाली चाडपर्व तथा विशेष दिनहरू
The need for national unity this year is much crucial than in any other year, for Nepali geography and political turmoil. In today's special article, I would like to discuss this year's inadequate national unity and lack of Nepaliness in parliament and beyond.
Nepali society and economy, plagued by Corona terror and infection, had hoped for a policy and leadership remedy, but this year it did not. Nepal has never needed national unity as much as this year.
Be it the issue of opening a restaurant on the historic Narayanhiti Palace or the excitement of establishing former King Birendra's statue at Birendranagar, Surkhet, the Royal love in Nepal still undergoes several dichotomies and paradoxes. The fact is that Nepal needs an umbrella of absolute patriotism.
The definitions of political poles could be different but all poles should be under the same umbrella in the national interest. But it didn't happen here in Nepal. Sometimes, I think, how wonderful will it be to implement the Dibyopadesh's line to line in Nepali parliament and policies?
Nepal again needs a leader like Prithivi Narayan Shah, maybe not as a king or could be, but definitely as a strong and nationalist leader.
About 300 years ago, Nepal was divided into small kingdoms of Baisey and chaubisey Rajyas. An average state then, Gorkha, where Prithvi Narayan Shah was born in the royal family. This great king is considered to be the exponent of the structure, dream, the realization of the Greater Nepal, and Gorkhali Bir doctrine.
This king is seen as a visionary and symbolic leader not only in Nepal but also in South Asia and across the globe. Prithvi Narayan Shah's birth anniversary is celebrated every year on the 27th of Poush. On this day, National Unity Day is celebrated not only as the birthday of a king but also as the day when the trumpet of Nepaliness is blown as an alarm to every Nepali.
In the time of Prithvi Narayan Shah, there was Nepali territory from the then Punjab which is now under India to Sikkim and Nepal was much bigger than today's Nepal.
If we look at the international politics of the 18th and 19th centuries, it seems that the various countries of the present giant have been united at the same time. Wars were fought all over the world at that time to bring everyone from small states, rulers, tribes, and communities under one roof.
The unification stories of countries including China, Germany, and Italy are no different from our Nepal. So perhaps DR Regmi, a historian in modern Nepal, writes in his exploration book that the nature of Prithvi Narayan Shah's conquest is no different from that of the then emperor of Wessex in the conquest of the small British Isles.
In this regard, comparing Nepal, Germany, Italy, and China, which started the race for development and national unity together, today Nepal is facing a big gap in development, prosperity, and governance. Before the people's movement of 2062/ 63 BS, during the reign of the monarchy, it was customary for people to gather and celebrate at the statue of Prithvi Narayan Shah at the west gate of Kathmandu Singha Durbar. With the beginning of the republic system in the post monarch reign, the sudden disillusionment with the monarchy washed away some very important and historic customs.
Prithivi N Shah's story is incomplete without his brave soldiers and chiefs. These soldiers were mobilized under the smart and tactical leadership of Kalu Pandey. In the Kirtipur war, Kalu Pandey, who was considered to be the right hand of Prithvi Narayan Shah, achieved heroic death.
His mausoleum is still standing at Indradaha near Thankot, Kathmandu. It is the same king Prithivi, who drew the blueprint of modern Nepal, translating the dream of Kathmandu as the capital of entire Nepal. And gave a new dimension to the history of the Shah Dynasty in Nepal.
Prithivi N Shah died in Bikram Samvat 1831 BS, and the rulers of the Shah dynasty respectively came into power. Later after 235 years, the Shah dynasty was removed from power by the demands of the people's movement of Bikram Samvat 2063 BS, and a republican Nepal was established.
Statues of Prithvi Narayan Shah are found in many cities and squares of Nepal. Standing with his index finger raised has always been and will continue to teach unity to Nepalis.
The people of Kirtipur still tell the stories of the cruelty of Prithvi Narayan Shah who ordered to cut off the noses and ears of the people of Kirtipur out of anger over the victory after many defeats during the war. War and unification have their side effects but this king was largely determined to build a better and big Nepal.
One thing is clear that if Prithvi Narayan Shah had given up or failed in the exercise of Nepal unification at that time, there would not have been an independent and sovereign Nepal today.
The history of the country is not like a ship sailing on the water, the steps are not erased here. Prithvi Narayan's voices and visions are still watching us all in Divyapadesh and from the hill of Chandragiri.
Best wishes on Prithivi Jayanti and Rastriya Ekata Diwas.
Suyog Dhakal
