Election Day

Cloudy but warm, today is dull yet a beautiful day. And with good music to complement it I feel blessed indeed. The songs being played on the radio are exceptionally wonderful, fast and peppy numbers increasing my typing speed, making me jump out of my chair to dance in some and relaxed that is what I am feeling. It is Magh 26,2062 (Feb 9) the much-hyped controversial Municipal Elections is finally here. I have been keeping myself updated on the development through Nepal FM 91.8, they are really fast, bringing in the news every one-hour and News flash anytime something unexpected occurs. And the elections saga till now seems to be the most eventful among all the elections ever held here. A voter in Biratnagar, Bhanu Koirala, tore his vote and threw away the ballot box; the security then opened fire in the air and has taken hold of protestors there. I salute the man’s guts. News from Kausaltar election area, the nearest to my place says that the number of security personnel exceeded the number of voters.

Elections began from eight with a minimal human presence; no one wants to exercise their adult franchise (DUH!). Therefore the parties participating in the election are transporting voters to the areas where election are held. The seven parties are still protesting in various areas, the security forces busy arresting them and the journalists haven’t been allowed to enter the election area. And the funny thing is the one who is supposed to be monitoring elections in various areas seems to be staying at one place only, the news reader in 91.8 just stated that. The most ludicrous of all is the election chief saying the presence of the voters has been overwhelming when so few turned up. This is what the ones in power here seem to do best, lie right on your face expecting you to believe them!!!

The “We want no bloodshed” interview of Prachanda and Bhattarai, that made Kantipur sell like hot cakes raising our hopes of peace have once again faded. Yesterday the Maoists launched attacks in Bara, Syangja and Dhankuta. Six people were killed in Dhankuta; the rebels attacked more that a dozen government offices there and have taken fifteen people as hostages.

Two women from Dolakha died, as they could not be brought to the capital for treatment. One died due to complications in childbirth while the other died of excessive loss of blood caused by a wound in the intestine. In Parbat a boy died while he was being transferred from one ambulance to another. A UML party worker Umesh Thapa was shot dead by a security personnel while he was returning back from a protest rally. The Nepali Congress has announced a massive protest programme for tomorrow against this act of the government. I hope the government is heavily condemned for his shameful act from all national and international sectors, so much so that it brings down the government on its knees. We cannot let our country turn into another Afghanistan. Some 12 people have been shot dead there in a protest held against the cartoons of Mohammed published in French, Dutch newspapers.. And I wonder what are the count required for everyone to realize that too many people have been killed, too many children orphaned and too many lives shattered. Does brotherhood of men exist anymore? Do all humans feel the same, I wonder. Why do we pretend to be complicated when everything about us is so simple? Lives are precious, is it so hard to understand? Why can’t the ones with the gun put themselves on the other side of the barrel and think? Is the hunger for power so great that it bars you from responding to the call of your heart?

What am I supposed to feel with so much happening around? Mourn the death of the innocent victims of the Banda, be out in the protest of the seven parties? What am I supposed to do, just sit and keep pouring my mind? Questions, so many of them and yes don’t attempt to answer if it is this: Wake up that is what really matters. Acknowledging a problem is the first step towards solving it..blah ..Blah..Blah. Why does this happen? You are here safe and sound while someone you love out there is gone tonight. You are happy but somebody else is crying her heart out. Is my happiness built on the ruins of someone else’s dreams? Why does it have to be so hard to live?

(I start writing with a cool mind but by the time I reach the end I am totally distraught, so tensed that even music doesn’t help calm my senses…everything making me ask why, why and so many whys until I go crazy, not that I am normal anytime else too..it just makes me want to shut all my doors of perception and vanish into thin air..somewhere far..far from this madding crowd. I wish I could be indifferent, apathetic.)

I cannot take this anymore
I’m saying everything I’ve said before

All these words they make no sense

I find bliss in ignorance

Less I hear the less you’ll say

But you’ll find that out anyway

Just like before…
Everything you say to me

Takes me one step closer to the edge

And I’m about to break

I need a little room to breathe

Cause I am one step closer to the edge

I find the answers aren’t so clear

Wish I could find a way to disappear

All these thoughts they make no sense

I find bliss in ignorance

Nothing seems to go away

Over and over again

Shut up when I’m talking to you

Shut up, shut up, shut up
I’m about to break!

One Step Closer
-Linkin Park