BABBLES

By Babbler

The government announced a sudden holiday paying tribute to ex-Speaker the late Damannath Dhungana, at around 11 am on Monday. All the government service holders had already reached their offices and later returned home after they received the government notice.

There are many ways to pay tribute to the departed souls. However, in Nepal, announcing a public holiday is considered the greatest tribute to those who die.

Maybe, Nepal is listed in the last row among the countries in international records, yet, it is the No 1 country enjoying public holidays. The number of holidays has increased enormously after the country was declared a federal secular republic. Perhaps, this is an indication that Nepal under the present political system cannot become prosperous.

Paying tax for why?

On every footstep, we are compelled to pay tax. Taxation in Nepal after the introduction of the federal structures has become very high. Due to the heavy taxation, the country is witnessing a unique recession.

In other countries, people pay taxes and the government provides different facilities to the citizens. However, in Nepal, we pay taxes just to manage salaries and allowances for the people’s representatives. Moreover, the people’s representatives and bureaucrats make additional money through corruption. In such a way, the taxpayer’s money is being misused. The political leaders becoming rich overnight, whereas, the general public is becoming poor day by day.

Why we are paying tax if it is misused, is a burning question raised by some experts, nevertheless, many of them have remained silent as they are associated with different political parties. This Babbler believes the time has come to protest against heavy taxation. Do you also agree?

K.P. Oli and Smart Axiata

Some documents of the Smart Axiata in Cambodia have become viral on social networks. It is reported that Oli has invested 32.5 billion Nepali rupees in this company. Durga Prasain has challenged that Oli has illegally invested such a big amount in a company in Cambodia.

Personally, Oli is a strong critic of corruption but from where he got such a big amount to invest in a foreign company, it is a serious question. To remain silent on such a serious issue is not ethical for a sitting Prime Minister of the country. Oli must clarify against such blame.

Prasain has been arrested on the charge of producing fake document against the sitting Prime Minister. Details about the investigation should be made public by the Central Bureau of Investigation under the Nepal Police.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

King Mahendra encouraged the justice who gave verdict against his father-in-law saying that to perform justice without fear by inviting the judge to the palace and rewarding him. Now, those republicans impeached Chief Justice Sushila Karki when they felt uncomfortable in doing illegal work. The republicans were unable to justify the impeachment against her but didn’t say sorry!

Rabindra Mishra

Chinese Card? That is also an Indian card “B”. All cards being played in Nepal are made in India. Instead of blaming others for playing other countries’ cards, we suggest playing the Indian card directly to curb the development and progress of the country!

Keshav P Bhattarai

The announcement of a public holiday is not a true honor to the departed soul. Paying honor is also an art but those politicos are unaware of it.

Sharad Raj Pathak

When I was in the government service, there was one dedicated senior officer. He called me to his chamber for a cup of coffee, however, I refused to go to his chamber saying that the DG had called me. He said to forget the DG’s works explaining that they all are to destroy the nation. It would be better for the nation if they didn’t work. This also relates to Monday’s public holiday!

Surya Raj Acharya

A heartfelt tribute to the departed soul! He took foreign funds and ran an office at Bhojangriha in Dillibazar, and under the instruction of the INGO, he was used to adopting federalism in the constitution, which invited a big financial crisis and decentralization of corruption in the country.

Ratna Sansar Shrestha

This sudden public holiday was not necessary. The NC and UML could give him (the late Damannath Dhungana) appropriate state responsibility when he was alive. It would have been better if his advice were listened to by the leaders.

Debvendra Raj Panday

One Nepali youth is crying and explaining his troubles. This is just an example. Thousands of youths are going abroad and villages have become vacant. Borders are encroached. In the absence of the King for 18 to 20 years, the nation has reached this worst situation, yet, we are saying that the present system is okay!

Nabin

Public holidays should not have been made such cheap. Unfortunately, it is not surprising that a guard of honor from the Nepal Army was given during the death of Prachanda’s wife!

Dipak Gyawali

We have the magic number of 32 and we are going to form the next government again.

Pushpakamal Dahal

Today again, I recall those patriotic, clean and capable leaders, former prime ministers Marichman Singh Shrestha, Kirtinidhi Bista and Dr Tulsi Giri. The then arrogant and prejudized governments didn’t pay state honor during their demise, although, they are always alive in the mindset of patriotic Nepalis.

Kamal Thapa

Excerpted and translated by Sushma Shrestha

Source : https://www.peoplesreview.com.np/2024/11/20/a-country-of-holidays/