What one may see as conflict may be the mode for attaining peace to the other or the other way round. Just like there is no one definition of God, there cannot be a singular explanation of what peace is and conflict is, because different people perceive things in different light. The Information Unit tried to read some minds from different walks of life regarding their view on what they see major problems or conflicts in Nepal and what solution they prescribe for resolution.

There are conflicts in every society and their nature is as different as the faces of people. The main conflict of Nepal I see as cronic poverty that has not been sincerely addressed either by the governmental or non govermental bodies, because despite the fact that Nepal has received very good cooperation from the donor countries, the money has been disappearing like the water vapour before reaching down to the people at the grass roots level. Similarly Maoist insurgency, and corrupt politics are serving like nutrients to fuel further conflicts in Nepal. If conflicts are to be resolved, seriousness and determination on the part of the government, political parties, civil society, intellectuals and the people at large is required to work for the well being of the nation.

-Neela Choudhary,

In the past decade Bhutanese refugee problem and the socio-economic impact brought about by it stood as the diplomatic conflict for Nepal with its smaller neighbour. The Bhutanese refugee problem is still far from over and will have its impact for some years in the country. But the conflict of larger magnitude within the country is the Maoist insurgency that emerged out of sheer negligience of the empoverished masses representing different castes and ethnic groups by the state. Racial, social, and economic discriminations coupled with poverty and unemployment has generated enough ire and disenchantment amidst the poor people to rise against the state. Lack of sincerity and honesty on the part of the political parties has made the people less optimistic and even the people are trying to improve their lives by whatever means possible. The solution to all the problems lies in educating the people and alleviating poverty.

The major conflict in Nepal is between the oppressed and those oppressing the poor, uneducated and disadvantaged masses. The Maoist in reality are guiding the so called oppressed people giving them hopes that their movement will get rid of their poverty. The dangerous gap between the rich and the poor has created an air of unhealthy competition in various sectors that has ultimately helped the spread of Maoist activities. The whole system in Nepal seems to have gone haywire and big remforms are the need of the hour. To begin with, plundering of the nation by those in commandable position has to be ended and corrupts have to be brought to book to end the tradition of the wrongdoers going scotfree. First of all, the existing anomalies have to be corrected and whoever is in the helm of power has to act in the interest of the people and the country always bearing in mind how poor the poor are in Nepal.

-Chitra Bahadur Thapa Magar, Food Engineer

Poverty and unemployment emanating from the economic disparity, unproportional development of different regions and impracticable education system have become the fertile ground for the growth of problems in the country, not to mention the disparities brought about by the Hinduism. The unequal distribution of resources is leading to the situation where the gulf between the rich and the poor is increasing and fueling a sense of dejection or rebellion within the people's minds. Discriminations and inequalities so pervasive in the Nepali society have to be brought to an end. A proper 'system' has to be developed in the country where the rules work and the voice of the poor and the disadvantaged is heard and efforts made accordingly to improve their situation. When the people can trust that there is a rule of law and justice, and that the government is working for their welbeing, the Maoist insurgency will itself subside. Be they rich or poor, men or women, urban or rural dwellers or the people from whichever backgroud, all have to be brought to the mainstream of development.

The state of security is the main problem of the country. The regular bandhs usually being called by the political parties are subject to conflicts. What we need to improve the situation is the strong leadership that can incorporate the feelings of all the policital parties and the people to defend democracy and prove that democracy works well in Nepal. Sad to say, I don't see any party or an individual with the vision of statesmanship in Nepal.

Nepal is an underdeveloped country where a majority of the people lives below the poverty line. The major conflict for the Nepalese is the gulf between the poor and the rich. The welloff have become rich due to fraud means and turmoil in politics. The politicians have failed to inculcate a proper system where the laws and the rules work, where justice prevails. Corruption has been institutionalised in all the institutions of the country and justice appears only to those who have power and money. The people's representatives are not living by the promises they made to the people during the election. The other main source of conflict in Nepal is the hierarchical division brought about by the Hindu religion that divides people into different castes, generating the feeling of superiority and inferiority complex among the people. But with people becoming more and more educated, they have begun to understand that class division is wrong and a sense of equality between the people of different castes is prevailing with the educated masses. I see poverty and illetracy as the major sources for conflicts and addressing these two problems can solve most of the conflicts we have today in Nepal.

- Abhinav Kasaju,
IT Professional

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