Rewind 10 years back: I am in my school compound in Birgunj with all my classmates, my juniors, my seniors, and my teachers. The teachers are trying hard to get us all organized for the rally. The occasion is the National Unity Day, a day which was then celebrated with much fanfare, to mark the birthday of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the man responsible for "uniting" the nation.All the schools in my city would come together to celebrate the power of unity.
Today, 10 years later: I am getting late for work, and i zoom off on my bike (oh!my new found source of freedom). As i pass through Singh Durbar's Western Gate, i notice something new...the statue that has many a times been demolished by different groups stands erect, and guess what, the fresh paint was very obvious. It was decorated with garlands, and i kept wondering the reason, and then it struck me..its 27th of Poush (11th of January). There is no any big deal about the day anymore.How sad!
Ever since the country was declared a federal republic, the government has stopped commemorating the day. I don't understand the reason behind the government's decision to do so. Just because the nation's a republic, does it mean that we should not be celebrating unity? To me, the cancellation is just to do with downplaying the royal paraphernalia.
But maybe, the day holds no significance anymore. Just yesterday we had a strike called by the Janamorcha Nepal against federalism. I presume they believe in keeping the nation in its old form since they were protesting against federalism. They probably are the once who still believe in the day,(and are the once who decorated Prithvi Narayan Shah's statue with garlands) but again what is the point of calling a strike and protesting over something thats already done? One group wants a Newa Rajya, and the other group wants a Limbuwan rajya..when the hearts have been divided, whats the point of talking of unity? "Unity In Diversity" is an ideal situation, but I dont see it attainable in the current state.
The government says that in "changed context", the day holds no significance, and that unity can be celebrated in other ways. What are other ways is unfathomable for me, because I hardly see any effort towards integration and with every passing day, the idea of unity in our country is getting bleak.
While returning from office, I once again looked at the statue, and paid my homage to the man who dreamt of a united nation, that's all i can do in the "Changed Contexts!"
