https___www.spotlightnepal.com_2018_05_25_pm-modis-nepal-visit-faithfully-yours_.xml
https___todaysnepal.com_archives_22548_1.xml
1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 5.1 5.2 5.3 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 7.1 7.2 7.3 8.1 8.2 9.1 9.2 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 11.1 11.2 12.1 12.2 13.1 13.2 13.3 14.1 15.1 16.1 16.2 17.1 18.1 18.2 19.1 19.2 20.1 21.1 22.1 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 24.1 24.2 25.1 26.1 26.2 26.3 27.1 27.2 27.3 28.1 29.1 29.2 29.3 30.1 30.2 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 32.1 32.2 33.1 34.1 34.2 35.1 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 37.1
Although Narendra Modi is a politician and prime minister of India, he is a person with strong inner faith as a Hindu. This is the reason he made his two days’ visit to Nepal more religious. Showing a great respect to Janakpurdham, home of Sita, he offered a special puja to Janaki Temple. Then, Prime Minister Modi worshipped at Muktinath Temple, one of the most sacred temples of Hindus at the northern Himalaya. Before leaving, he concluded his religious trip offering a special puja to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. After visiting three most important Hindu shrines of Nepal, Prime Minister Modi has made a record as the first Indian Prime Minster of India to perform this. Modi’s personal belief on Hindu religion also served to fulfill broader political and diplomatic interests of India. Visiting and worshiping the temples and shrines of Hindus and Buddhists, Indian Prime Minister Modi has also shown the centuries old close religious and culture relations between Nepal and India. He has also given the message how Hindu religion has connected Nepal’s three regions, plains, hills and mountains, without any ethnic discrimination. At Janakpur, Modi said that he was a ‘prime pilgrim’ in his third visit to Nepal and not just a prime minister. Addressing a function organized after offering special prayer to Goddess Janaki, Indian Prime Minister Modi said he was happy to step in Janakpur as the first sitting Indian prime minister to do so. Recalling that the people in Uttar Pradesh in general and Banaras in particular had made him the prime minister of India, Modi said the relations between Nepal and India are deep-rooted. PM Modi and KP Oli have distinct political philosophies, one a religious spiritual leader and other a communist without any religious faith. However, PM Modi, a spiritual person, visited Nepal when Oli, a staunch communist who claims himself to be a non-believer of any religion, was prime minister leading a communist government. They do hold different ideologies as well. As Modi has high respect and regard on Gita, Ramayana and Ved, Oli prefers to preach Mao’s red book and Marx’s Das Capital. PM Oli and PM Modi have made all possible efforts to avoid any confrontation. PM Oli even hailed efforts connecting all places associated with Lord Ram and Mother Sita. He also underscored the need for including other places associated with Ram and Sita, including the place where Sage Balmiki lived and Sita ended her life in Nepal. PM Modi echoed Oli. “Without Nepal, even Lord Ram would have been incomplete,” said Modi, lauding historical and religious ties with Nepal. Modi gave a clear message to all the Hindus that they share similar faith wherever they live, including in plains, hills or mountains. In Nepal, a lot of efforts have been made from different quarters to divide the Hindus of the hills, plains and mountains. As Janakpur is home of Sita, Muktichhetra has also a very close connection with Ramayana or Kagbeni. For Vaishnav, Mukti Chhetra is a place for salvation where river Gandak originated. Just above Muktichhetra, there is Damodarkunda, from where one of Stream of Gandak River originates. The temple Pashupatinath remains a sacred place, as well. The message of Indian Prime Minister Modi was that religion teaches harmony. However, it remains to be seen how Modi’s message will be taken. Indian Prime Minister Modi has used religious and cultural soft power to show to the world that relations between Nepal and India are indeed unique. However, Nepal has seen a gradual decay of Hinduism with abolition of Hindu Monarchy and Hindu religion. Nepal’s current government even cancelled the national holiday on Ramnavami and Krshnajanmasthami, two important days of Hindus in a Hindu majority state. After abolition of Hindu monarchy, which used to be a symbol of religious and civilization continuity with India, India’s soft power influence has drastically reduced in Nepal and there is a rise of radicals hostile to Nepal’s tradition and culture. Given this situation, how Modi’s soft power diplomacy will work remains to be seen. With Modi visiting religious sites, tourism entrepreneurs are hopeful that the Prime Minister’s stint would entice Indian tourists to reach religious sites in Nepal and boost the country’s tourism industry. Modi’s Opposition As Modi came to Nepal with religious message, radicals from all fronts including Madhesh, who even marched to border to block the border, felt a threat of existence. They united to oppose Modi’s recent religious visit to Nepal. His Indian and Nepali critics said Modi’s whirlwind tour of Nepal was largely aimed at shoring up the support of Hindu voters at home. Aljazeera’s commentator termed the visit 'High on style and low on substance.’ Geja Sharma Wagle, a geostrategic analyst based in the capital, Kathmandu, said “the visit was high on style and low on substance,” writes Aljazeera. "The visit helped publicize Nepal's religious sites, which were not widely known outside the country. Aside from that, I don't see any significant achievement for Nepal," he said. Political Importance Modi’s recent visit was projected as a pilgrimage but it has made many successful political and diplomatic ventures. Modi’s visit came ahead of Oil’s trip to China, with whom he had signed a major framework agreement regarding trade and transit in March 2016. “Modi’s choice of Janakpur as the first step also seemed to be an indication that India has not yet given up on the Terai issue, though it withdrew support to a party that boycotted the constitution over the matter,” writes Yubaraj Ghimire in his article in Indian Express. “Also, Modi ought to know that the European Union, India’s ally in promoting democracy in Nepal, has a much larger presence in the Tarai and that India is viewed with suspicion for the secessionist trends in some pockets here. “PM Modi wants to explore the symbolism in visiting Hindu shrines and use government-sponsored public felicitations, instead of government channels, for outreach. There is a distinct realization that India has lost its influence in Nepal,” writes Ghimire. Upon receiving civic felicitation, Modi said that he was extremely honored in the city that always lured him. “Kathmandu has always lured me by its diversity, depth and progressive attitude,” he said adding that he’d soon visit Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha. Strength to Strength There are contradictions in the personality between Modi and Oli in terms of their views and faith. Yet Modi and Oli have achieved a certain level of political and diplomatic success. As it is said an individual’s personal faith has little to do with state affairs, Modi seems to have been able to influence Oli on India’s core interests. “I am very much fascinated by Prime Minister Modiji’s idea of HIT – highway, information and transmission. I want to add two more on that – inland waterways and airways,” Oli said at a press meet jointly addressed by him and Indian Prime Minister Modi at Dwarika’s Hotel. The two prime ministers addressed the press after their one-on-one meeting and bilateral meeting of the delegations of the two countries. Prime Minister KP Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have agreed to strengthen air, waterways and rail connectivity of Nepal so as to transform Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked and water-linked country. Modi in his address applauded Nepal for successfully holding three tiers of elections within a year. “This period will be remembered as a golden period in Nepal’s history,” he said. “India is ready to support Nepal in its efforts toward inclusive development and economic prosperity.” Oli sought Indian permission for four additional air routes for Nepal. Nepal wants air routes via Janakpur, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar. Oli also stressed the need for reducing Nepal’s trade deficit with India. “India is our largest trading partner. However, the growing trade deficit [of Nepal] has been a serious matter of concern for Nepal,” said Oli. “I believe that India has both the capacity and willingness to address our genuine concerns.” The two prime ministers also expressed their commitments to address various other serious issues such as inundation and cross-border crimes. “We will further strengthen our joint efforts on defense and security to control cross-border crimes that have been taking place by misusing our open-borders that are quite important for people on both the sides,” said Modi. China Factor Domestic and international media analyzed Modi’s visit in another context as well. “Though it had religious overtones, some analysts saw the visit, a month after Oli's trip to India, as New Delhi's strategic move to undermine China's increasing footprint in Nepal,” writes Aljazeera in its commentary. As views and analyses were flooding, Indian Prime Minister Modi said all misunderstandings with Nepal are over and the bilateral ties are heading to a new high. In a tweet, Modi said "My Nepal visit was historic. It gave me a great opportunity to connect with the wonderful people of Nepal. Talks with PM Oli were productive. New vigor has been added to India-Nepal relations through this visit. Gratitude to the people and Government of Nepal for their warmth." As there are jubilations on both the sides, the outcome is still awaited.
1.1 2.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 6.1 7.1 8.1 9.1 10.1 11.1 12.1 13.1 14.1 15.1 16.1 17.1 18.1 19.1 20.1 21.1
तीन वर्षअघिसम्म भारतीय प्रधानमन्त्री मोदी सबै नेपालीका मित्र थिए । अहिले उनी नेपालको प्रदेश नं. २ का विशिष्ट मित्र भएका छन् भने धेरै नेपालीका लागि छिमेकको ठालु मात्र भएका छन् । नेपालको संविधान आफू अनुकुल बनाउन दिएको दबाब, त्यसपछिको नाकाबन्दी र भुुइँचालोपछिको कहरमा भारतको रुखो व्यवहार ! धेरै नेपालीले मोदीलाई दुःख दिने ठालु ठान्ने कारणहरु पर्याप्त छन् । भारतका उनै प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदी देशका विशिष्ट पाहुना बनेर नेपाल आउँदैछन् । उनलाई भव्य स्वागत र सम्मान गर्न सरकारले कुनै कञ्जुस्याँई देखाएको छैन । मोदीलाई जनकपुरमा चार–चार वटा भाषामा वाचन गरेर नागरिक अभिनन्दन गरिनेछ । नागरिकलाई दुई पैसाको सेवा र सुविधा दिन कञ्जुस मेयरहरु मोदीलाई अभिनन्दन गर्ने प्रतिस्पर्धामा छन् । नागरिक अभिनन्दनको पक्ष र विपक्षमा नेपालका संसद, चियापसल, चोकबजार, सरकारी कार्यालय, मन्त्रालय सबै मोदीमय भएका छन् । बाटाघाटा त मोदीकै लागि टालिदैँछ, कालोपत्रे गरिदैछ । यो तयारी हेर्दा सरकार मोदीका पाउमा मात्र हैन, उनी चढेको कारमा पनि धुलो र हिलो नलागोस् भन्ने भक्तिभावका साथ काम गरिरहेको छ । एकथरी भन्छन् – नेपालमा नाकाबन्दी लगाएर दुःख दिने मोदीलाई सरकारले स्वागत र सम्मान गरोस्, तर यसलाई नागरिक अभिनन्दन नभनोस् । अर्काथरीको भनाईमा नाकाबन्दीपछि बिग्रिएको दुई देशको सम्बन्ध नागरिक अभिनन्दन गरेर भए पनि सुधार गर्नुपर्छ । मोदीलाई दिने भनिएको नागरिक अभिनन्दनको पक्ष र विपक्षमा बहस बढ्दै जाँदा मोदीको भ्रमणमा नेपालले उठाउनुपर्ने विषय ओझेलमा परेको छ । मोदी नेपाल आउँदा नेपाललाई के फाइदा हुन्छ भन्नेबारे सरकारले स्पष्ट बुझाउन नसक्दा सामाजिक सञ्जालमा नकारात्मक टिप्पणी मात्र बढेको छ । जानकी र मुक्तिनाथ मन्दिरको कुटनीतिक सन्देश मोदीले नाकाबन्दी लगाए, खोले । तर किन लगाए र किन खोले त्यो भनेका छैनन् । त्यसैले नाकाबन्दी गलत थियो पनि भनेका छैनन् । सोझो भाषामा मात्र होइन, घुमाउरो तरिकाले पनि भनेका छैनन् । अहिलेसम्म यस विषयमा केही नबोल्नुको अर्थ हो उनलाई अहिलेसम्म पनि आफूले गरेको नाकाबन्दी ठिक थियो भन्ने लागेको छ । उनी त नाकाबन्दीका कारण आफ्नो बिग्रिएको छवि बनाउन मात्र नेपाल आउँदैछन् । मोदीको असफल छिमेक नीतिकै कारण नेपालसहितका देशहरु चीनतर्फ धकेलिए भनेर भारतमा समेत उनको आलोचना भैरहेको छ । अर्को वर्ष हुन लागेको लोकसभा चुनावमा असर पर्ने देखिएपछि भारतमा बिग्रेको छवि उनी नेपालमै आएर प्रतिस्थापित गर्ने प्रयासमा छन् । नाकाबन्दीको विपक्षमा दह्रो रुपमा उभिएका ओली नेपालको शक्तिशाली प्रधानमन्त्रीमा निर्वाचित भएपछि उनलाई नेपालसँगको सम्बन्ध बढाउन झनै दबाब पर्यो । ओली प्रधानमन्त्रीमा निर्वाचित नहुँदै मोदीले नेपालसँग सम्बन्धको हात बढाए । भारतीय परराष्ट्र मन्त्री सुश्मा स्वराजलाई काठमाडौंमा पठाएर अनि प्रधानमन्त्री हुनासाथ ओलीलाई नयाँदिल्लीमा बोलाएर स्वागत गरे । ओली चीन जाने तयारीमा लागेपछि मोदीले एकाएक नेपाल आउने योजना बनाए । कर्णाटकको चुनावको अन्तिम भाषण त्यागेर मोदीले नेपालमा जानकी पूजा गर्ने हतारो गरे । त्यसैले, मोदीको यो भ्रमण सामान्य अवस्थामा अलि असामान्य तरिकाले भैरहेको छ । नाकाबन्दीपछि चिसिएको नेपाल र भारतबीचको सम्बन्ध सामान्य स्थितिमा फर्किएको सन्देश दिने मोदीको लक्ष्य हुनसक्छ । तर, सम्बन्ध सुधारको सन्देश दिन नेपाल आउँदा मोदीले मधेसप्रतिको आफ्नो सहानुभूति र चीनलाई नेपालमा आफ्नो प्रभाव कायमै छ भन्ने देखाउन खोजेका छन् । मोदीले जनकपुरमा गर्ने जानकी पूजा उनको आस्था मात्रै हो । भारतको प्रधानमन्त्रीका रुपमा उनले तराईको मुद्दामा भारतको अडान यथावत छ भन्ने सन्देश दिन चाहेका छन् । मोटरबाटोबाट सहज रुपमा चीनसित जोडिएको कोरला नाका नजिकको मुक्तिनाथमा उनले गर्ने पूजा पनि देखाउनका लागि मात्रै हो । मुक्तिनाथ मन्दिरमा पुगेर उनले चीनलाई दिन खोजको त नेपालमा आफ्नो प्रभाव कायमै छ भन्ने सन्देश हो । मोदीले नाकाबन्दीप्रति आत्मालोचना गर्लान् त ? तीन वर्षअघि भारतले लगाएको नाकाबन्दीको पीडा नेपालीको मनमा अझै ताजा छ । नाकाबन्दीपछि मोदी पहिलोपटक नेपाल आउँदैछन् । उनले अहिलेसम्म नाकाबन्दी लगाएर नेपाल र नेपालीलाई दुःख दिएँ भनेर एक शब्द बोलेका छैनन् । नाकाबन्दी सकिएपछि लगत्तै तत्कालीन प्रधानमन्त्रीका रुपमा ओली भारत पुगे । त्यसपछि प्रधानमन्त्री बनेका पुष्पकमल दाहाल प्रचण्ड र शेरबहादुर देउवाले पनि भारत भ्रमण गरे । भर्खरै ओली प्रधानमन्त्रीको रुपमा दोस्रोपटक भारत पुगे । नाकाबन्दीपछि चारपटक नेपालका प्रधानमन्त्रीसँग दिल्लीमा भारतका प्रधानमन्त्री मोदीले ‘वान टु वान’ कुरा गरे । तर, अहिलेसम्म कतै पनि कसैले पनि नेपाल र भारतका प्रधानमन्त्रीले नाकाबन्दीको प्रसँग निकाले भन्ने पढ्न र सुन्न पाइएन । यसपटक भारतका प्रधानमन्त्री नेपाल आउन लाग्दा नेपालीले नाकाबन्दीको पीडालाई चर्को रुपमा उठाएका छन् । नाकाबन्दी गर्नेलाई नागरिक अभिनन्दन गर्न सकिंदैन भनेका छन् । आफू भ्रमणमा निस्कनुअघि नेपालमा के भैरहेको छ भन्ने मोदीलाई पनि राम्रोसँग थाहा भैसकेको होला । नेपालीले नाकाबन्दीको कुरा झिकेर विरोध गर्दैछन् भन्ने खबर पाइसकेका होलान् । मोदीलाई नागरिक अभिनन्दन गर्दा पनि हुन्छ, नगर्दा पनि केही बिग्रँदैन । एक रात बास बस्न आउँछु भनेर शत्रुले भन्दा पनि नेपाली संस्कार र संस्कृतिले नआइज भन्दैन । बरु अमिलो मनलाई हँसिलो मुखले छोपेर हाँसीखुसी स्वागत गर्ने नेपालीको परम्परा हो । भारत छुद्र भयो भन्दैमा हामी झन् छुद्र भैरहनु आवश्यक छैन, बरु उसको छुद्रता हाम्रो मान मनितोले घट्छ कि बढ्छ भन्ने मात्र निगरानी गरे पुग्छ । राजनीति गर्ने केपी हुन वा मोदी उनीहरु कहिले नायकका रुपमा पुजिन्छन् । कहिले खलनायकका रुपमा दुत्कारिन्छन् । चार वर्षअघि नेपाल आउँदा मोदी आम नेपालीको मनमा नायकको छवि बनाएर गए । भारतले नाकाबन्दी लगाएपछि नेपालमा उनको छवि खलनायकको भयो र कुनै बेला भारतपरस्त भनिएका केपी ओली नेपालीका नायक भएर उदाए । अहिलेको मोदीको भ्रमणले यो छवि बदलिन सक्छ । तर, त्यसका लागि अभिननदन ग्रहण गरेपछि शीर निहुराएर मोदीले भन्नुपर्छ, ‘नेपाल के मेरे मित्रों ! भूल किसी से भी हो जाती है, भारत से भी हुई ! ईस भूल के लिये, वो नाकाबन्दी के लिये मै शर्मिन्दा हूँ ।’ तर मोदीका मुखारबिन्दबाट यस्ता शब्दको अपेक्षा गर्नु सम्भवतः हाम्रो गल्ती हो । तर कहिलेकाहीँ गलत आशा गर्दा पनि निराश भैहाल्नु पर्दैन । त्यसैले मोदीलाई स्वागत गरौँ, तर नाकाबन्दी चाहिँ माफी मागे पनि नभुलौँ ।