The PM’s Dilemma

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Jointly inaugurated a heritage in Kathmandu with the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of the United States of America (USA) recently. The headlines, visual footage and photos on the day of event in the television and online news portals and in newspapers the next day surprised only a few. Many of us took it granted as it was the news of the restoration of the GaddiBaithak, one of the major attractions at Hanumandhoka palace complex, it was a good news anyway.

The historic GaddiBaithak at the Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, damaged in the devastating 2015 earthquake, is restored to its original shape with the support from the US government’s Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) in partnership with Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief and the Department of Archaeology (DoA). But, the dignitaries that inaugurated the heritage told another story. What forced the chief executive of the country to cut ribbon with an official even below the rank of the ambassador of a foreign mission in Nepal? Have any political, economic or geo-political aspects to play any role in this?

Whatever the reason, the prime minister’s participation was more than expected in the inauguration of a programme of mere Rs. 70 million (700,000 US$) while some of the heritage reconstruction projects being executed with foreign support are of Rs. 600 million to more than Rs. 1 billion such as the Durbar High School and NuwakotDurbar Square. 

The event became more interesting when you came to know that Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Director General of the DoA, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and numerous high officials from the ministry were present on the occasion as the spectators. If it was necessary to inaugurate the event jointly, DG of DoA and CEO of the reconstruction body were available on the spot.

It’s true that the country was in need to reconstruct the heritage at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the major tourist destinations in the country, at the earliest in order to show the world that Nepal’s touristic attractions are restored. 

Likewise, the GaddiBaithak is the magnificent face of Basantapur. But, PM’s participation in GaddiBaithak inauguration has raised a question – will he be available to inaugurate other heritages being restored with foreign assistance such as the Nine-Storey palace and other monuments at Basantapur, Durbar High School, and Nuwakot Durbar?

The quake has damaged approximately 753 historic and religious heritages in the quake-hit districts across the country, of which, only more than 100 structure have been restored so far.

Since the PM has pleased the USA, he might have the obligations to please China, which has taken up the responsibility of rebuilding the mammoth Durbar School, Japan, the United Kingdom, India and other countries.

If the attraction was money, there are larger projects being executed. If it was geopolitical power, even more important and powerful countries – in terms of trade, investment and socio-economic relations – are involved. And, if it was diplomacy, Nepal always exercised the policy of equidistance and mutual equality.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 7 July 2018.