Organization: Hamro Nepal

This is very much in the discussion phase, and so far the talk has been in a few meetings, a few phone calls, a few emails. I figured why not take it online.

Narayan Singh Pun, I Want Your Number
Your Many Identities
Blogalaxy For Global Democracy

Right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right, like free speech. You exercise that right when you join this organization.

Several names came up. One was Alliance For A Democratic Republic Of Nepal, another was Nepal Democracy Network. The name Hamro Nepal has gained currency. It is short, it has a Nepali flavor, it effuses a sense of community.

The primary reason for launching this organization is to send some major logistical support to the democracy movement in Nepal. Most Nepali organizations in the US are social, cultural organizations. The few that are political mostly do event organizing, and press statements. Most organizations claim their charters do not allow for them to extend logistical help. And hence the need for a new organization.

There is much emphasis on making this an organization of those who are for a democratic republic. This has not been decided upon yet. But I wonder if we should stick to the one word, democracy, while being very open to the idea of a democratic republic. That way we will get more people. Even if a democratic republic is what we want, we will only get it if we manage to convince a whole bunch of people to the idea. So we convince them before we let them join us. Or we let them be part of our organization and we convince them. I'd rather we do the work in-house. I am a little wary of political purity that might exclude many.

The organization will not go away once the goal of democracy has been achieved for Nepal. It will stick around to help the process of institution building, and help usher rapid economic growth in the aftermath, for democracy has to deliver. The organization will also be dedicated to the theme of empowering the Nepali diaspora in the host countries. For example, the issue of voting rights for non-citizens in cities like New York.

The methods are of course to be strictly non-violent. But we take it one step further: non-violent militancy: using words like they were bullets. Screen time, face time, phone time. Major, coordinated logistical support to the ongoing movement conducted with a business efficiency and acumen. Membership and work, open as well as clandestine. Outorganize the opponents. Money, message, organization. Creative group dynamics.

Membership fee. $100 per person or equivalent/similar amount in US, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia. Each country chapter to decide on the amount. The US chapter might do a second $100 round should an emergency situation arise.

Guest members. A country chapter like the US chapter may have guest members from Nepal. These members will have to be sponsored by existing members of the US chapter.

There are to be 10 City Coordinators for each of the major cities in the US. These are people who have the option to meet in person. They are to reflect gender, ethnic and caste diversities. No president, vice president, and so on, to go with the egalitarian theme.

Chapter in India, membership fee more like Rs. 100 or 200.

Membership fees to be revised after the goal of democracy is achieved.

Chapter in Nepal: membership free. But you got to deliver out in the streets. A 10 strong committee of coordinators, one each from the 8 student groups, plus two others.

Members may stay open or stay clandestine: personal choice for the duration of the movement.

Legal details are to be looked into to get the organization registered, for the safe and secure movement of money, to keep the book keeping sound.

There will also be an Executive Committee of the most active members and the leaders of each city chapter. It will have a private Google Group.

Virtual parliament. All members will be invited to join a virtual parliament. Real or assumed names may be used. All members may talk. Anyone may participate in the comments sections. Anyone may read.

Committees will be organized for specific projects. They might have private Google Groups or open spaces like that of the parliament, depending on the need.

For lack of something better, free online polls will be used for voting purposes, to be sent out over email, and not displayed online until after the polls are closed. One IP address will not be able to vote more than once, and there would be a time limit on each such poll. Members could still technically forward around the polls and get sham voters to jack up the results. It is hoped the honor system will be followed. And any poll that has more votes than the size of the voter pool will be automatically invalid.

Maximal use to be made of text, audio and video online.

Those who donate less than $100 are donors. $100 is Member. A Member who finds at least 9 other Members is a Leader. A Leader who finds at least 9 other Leaders is a Senior Leader. The Senior Leaders are members of the Central Committee.

For Kathmandu, the concept is for the decisive street demonstration to surround the Narayanhiti.

1. Someone willing to go out in the street for the decisive street demonstration is a Member.
2. If a Member can get at least 9 others to come along, that person is a Leader.
3. A Leader who can get at least 9 Leaders is a Senior Leader.
4. A Senior Leader who can get at least 9 Senior Leaders is a Commander.
5. A Commander who can get at least 9 Commanders is a Senior Commander.

The seven party alliance sits atop this structure.

Method: non-violence. Do not throw bricks. Win over the police. Surround the Narayanhiti with a crowd that is at least 100,000 strong, and do not leave until the goal of a democracy is achieved. The crowd to grow from 100,000 and on. No upper limit. The street demonstration should be the most sophisticated ever carried out in world history. A lot of logistical details will have to be looked into. All possible scenarios will be thought of. To lead to a unilateral declaration of a parallel government of the seven parties and/or House revival.

1. The first draft. There is too much emphasis on screen time, the online world. There has to be a fundamental shift to face time. To target the 20,000 Nepalis in New York City. We should work on this model, report the work online, and hope to get replicated in the other cities.
2. Fundraising. Organize house parties. Fundraisers in people's apartments. People come and eat and donate. There is some speech making. There are politial discussions.
3. Screen time should be secondary to face time. Can we get 500 out of 20,000?
4. Compile lists of names, phone numbers and email addresses to prepare a mega list for each city starting with New York. Most of the early work could happen over the phone.
   

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