An Elegy for Democracy - Forget Kathmanu By Manjushree Thapa.

I have just read this book. It costs Rs 350. In this book, author examines what has gone wrong and why in Nepali politics. She starts with an account of the Narayanhiti massacre and its aftermath, and goes back to give some flavour of Nepali history and of course, of the present struggle for 'true' democracy.

A paragraph from this book runs like this: '...........A revolution is underway in Nepal. Not the Maoists revolution, but the democratic revolution that began back in the 1940s. The unfinished revolution brought us two short lived democracies in 1950 and 1990. And now, if only the extremes right and the extreme left can be disarmed and brought into the political centre, we would re-establish democracy again, a democracy that doesn't look like a democracy, but that acts like one as well, that doesn't fight off but instead embraces the current women's rights and Dalits movements, movements for local rights over batural resources, labour movements...........Whereas in the earlier spell of democracy, Nepalis were asked to be content with a few freedoms (assembly, speech), we now want social and economic equality as well. Which is simply to say, we want democracy................'

Though this book is a collectable item, I am happy to lend this to friends of Shaja and pass on to other interested friends. I am based in England but I am happy to post it to anywhere in the world. If interested, please let me know.

Kusum

Are you serious? For real?
IFF (Strongly conditioning on your offer "as is" hai) you are then I am interested. :)

Now being the first one to say ' I am interested'; in the name of fair play, I shall be the one to realize the offer.

Hope you would keep your words Kusum.
IndisGuise:)

Kusum baba:
That could prove a pricy commitment. Is there an easy way to buy that book around DC ? Who's the publisher? Thanks.

Pricey or not; a commitment is a commitment. Now all that's left for me/us to see is, whether or not s/he keeps his/her word. ;)

Is s/he as genuine as s/he sounds? Or it is a hoax? My sixth sense says s/he is for real; unless s/he proves otherwise :).

I am waiting.

IndisGuise:)

Guys, thanks for your response.

I can post it to one of you. And s/he can pass it on to next. Please give me your full postal address. I am gong to Ktm for a job soon; so I can get more if you guys really want to read it. I am serious; I can post it to one of you only from here (UK). This book is worth reading if you are interested in Nepali politics.

For those who want to look it elsewhere, here is more info abou the book and author:

ISBN: 0-67-005812-2
Publisher Viking Penguine www.penguinebooksindia.com

About the auther:
She is the author of the widely acclaimed novel The Tutor of History. Her other published works include a travelogue, Mustang Bhot in Fragments, and translations of Nepali litreture. Her essays and short stories have appeared in several anthologies, journals and magazines in Nepal, India and USA.

Manjushree Thapa lives in Kathmandu, where she helps to manage Martin Chautari, a centre for public interest and advocacy.

Thanks Kusum.

Next conversation in this subject shall be in e-mails :)

Please allow me a day to respond hai. Yestai cha kyarne. Naya sahar ma janu ateko chu. :)

IndisGuise:)