Alliance Gathering At Queens Bridge Park

The Alliance For Democracy And Human Rights In Nepal organized a gathering from 11 AM to 7 PM. Other organizations were also represented. Two that come to mind are the Nepal Democratic Youth Council and the Nepal Students Union, the North America chapter. There were relentless political discussions, but the gathering did not have an overtly political feel. To families it must have felt like a grand family gathering. There were a lot of children fooling around. Numerous teams competed at the volleyball court. So it was also a tournament. A dohori and a poetry recital were also held. Prizes were awarded.

But for me it was primarily political, also a little social. (GDF, To: ADHRN, ADHRN, $100,000) I went to meet local Nepalis in person. And I went to forge political alliances for the project I have in mind to work to provide maximal logistical support to the movement for democracy in Nepal.

Curiously I was pinpointed individuals at the gathering from a distance who might have presonal contacts within the regime in Kathmandu. I did not make any immediate move though I wanted to. There were lots of non-political people I did not get to meet due to time constraints. And all I did was meet, meet, meet people. But I am open to establishing channels of communication as might become available. My personal goal is not to rub noses in the dust. I seek the most peaceful, efficient way to bring democracy to Nepal, and I am all for dialogue, especially with opponents.

And I mean that from a position of strength. I keep my options open. If the regime takes to acting repressive towards peaceful demonstrators and retaliatory towards democratic activists, there will arise a need for a Truth And Reconciliation Commission once the democrats come into power. The commisssion would investigate and punish all the culprits that might have thus participated. Or elements of the regime can behave, and we can all end up getting along just fine.

I am neutral on the monarchy question, personally. But I have personal friends and allies who are staunchly, uncompromisingly republican, and they have every right to be so, and if they are targeted for that, then I see it a democratic imperative to do all I can to protect them. Ultimately it is for the Nepali people to decide for themselves if they want a ceremonial monarchy or not. I really don't spend a lot of time thinking about the monarchy. My time is for democracy. The concept is very much work in progress. And my next bit of focus is to do with the logistics of the movement.

Although I must say I feel the ground shifting from beneath the king's feet. Attitudes are morphing. He is the chief executive and is directly responsible for all the excesses of the current regime. There is no escaping responsibility.

The public actions of the regime leave room only for confrontation. Grounds for a massive, peaceful movement have to be laid.

I met Somnath Ghimire. He is the Vice President of ADHRN. More important to me, he is a personal friend of Gagan Thapa. I mean, I am a Gagan Thapa fan. Ghimire is impressive in his own right, and we had a lot to talk about.

I noticed I was the only Madhesi at the gathering. Lone wolf.

107 Photos

She was asked to reach into the bag and pick the winner for the second prize. Her mother ended up the winner. So another lady dragged along a random child to do the picking for the first prize. That "drag" lady won the first prize. That was a minor miracle. What do you think?

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