As the Vikram Sambat 2082 dawns, a calendar rooted in Chandra Shamsher’s era, it’s time to question its relevance. With no scientific or historical backing, this relic feels like a dusty heirloom we’re too stubborn to let go. Here’s a bold wish for our leaders: may they muster the courage to embrace the globally accepted Gregorian calendar and step into the modern age. For the self-declared intellectuals and historians among us, a humble suggestion—pick up Basanta Thapa’s thought-provoking piece (Vikrami or Gregorian, Which Calendar Now? Kantipur, Chaitra 30, 2081). It might just spark the reflection we desperately need.

The ‘Tandav’ That Shook the Valley

On Chaitra 15, a grim spectacle unfolded in the Kathmandu Valley—a staged “Tandav” that claimed two unarmed lives. Enter Gyanendra Shah, the former king, who seized the moment to deliver a hollow “goodwill” message. With a straight face, he preached, “No system or ideology trumps civil liberty. True democracy thrives where good and bad, complaints and praises, are heard.” Oh, the irony! This is the same Gyanendra who, on Ashoj 18, 2059, branded Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba incompetent, kicking off a bizarre game of musical chairs with Nepal’s leadership.

Let’s rewind: Gyanendra handpicked Lokendra Bahadur Chand as PM, only to swap him for Surya Bahadur Thapa when results fizzled. Unsatisfied, he dragged Deuba back, only to oust him again on Magh 19, 2061, seizing power himself. What followed was a masterclass in autocracy—phones went dead, internet vanished, and armed soldiers stormed newsrooms, stomping out free speech while chanting the monarchy’s glory. Lest we forget, the royal palace funneled cash for “espionage,” propping up a party-less system. Yet, here he is today, waxing poetic about the “beautiful feature of democracy” where all can voice their beliefs (Kantipur, Chaitra 31). No need to swoon over his selective amnesia.

The Dangerous Mirage of a Golden Past

Gyanendra’s latest act aligns him with a global plague—far-right dreamweavers peddling a mythical “golden era” to mask today’s struggles. For one-and-a-half decades of Nepal’s republic, he’s lived off taxpayer-funded comforts, only to choreograph the Chaitra 15 Tandav. Let’s be clear: he’s no longer a player in Nepal’s political or economic debates. His message, though, has struck a chord with a slice of Gen-Z, still chasing faded royal fantasies. The solution? Let Pashupatinath handle his fate. But don’t hold your breath—the days of divine protection for Shah-Rana rulers are long gone.

Middlemen: The Real Puppet Masters

Shift the spotlight to KP Sharma Oli, who took the government’s reins amid swirling crises. His cabinet, perhaps sensing the storm, formed a high-level committee led by Rameshwar Khanal—a man even the then PM Dr. Baburam Bhattarai once hailed as a savior. Just before the Nepali New Year, this team dropped a more than 400-page bombshell, exposing a chilling truth: “Regulatory bodies’ decisions seem tailored to benefit specific groups, fueling perceptions that they’re captured—or about to be—by vested interests.” it mean ‘Nepal’s political elite are dancing to the tunes of a handful of middlemen.’

From streets to parliament, media to (anti-)social media, it’s gone viral: the top brass of major parties—especially prime ministers—are ensnared by fewer than six shadowy brokers. This isn’t gossip; it’s now a public and official fact. If Nepalis resolve anything this New Year, let it be this: unshackle our leaders from these puppeteers.

A Political Scene Strangled by Silence

In the Nepali Congress, voices like Gagan Thapa are busy polishing the tarnished leadership hijacked by middlemen. The UML hasn’t heard a dissenting note in nearly a decade. Amid this, former President and UML Vice-President Bidya Devi Bhandari dropped a tantalizing hint in an interview: “I’m ‘ready’ as per the workers’ respect.” A flicker of hope? Maybe. But one can only imagine the ripples it sent through Oli’s mind—hardly a cause for instant cheer. Meanwhile, Maoist chief Prachanda, spinning on parliament’s carousel, returned to Chitwan with his tired talk of regime change. No seismic shifts there.

Yet, with “Mission 2084” on everyone’s lips, the next two years could be pivotal. If party workers hungry for a fresh future can champion inclusive democracy, freeing Oli, Deuba, and Prachanda from middlemen’s grip isn’t a pipe dream.

Lessons from Neighbors, Eyes on the Globe

Global democratic history—and our neighbors’ recent tales—offer clear lessons. Sri Lanka’s vibrant political revival is a beacon of hope. For a cautionary tale, look no further than Bangladesh. To break free, parties must root out internal democracy from the ground up. A primary system, starting at the village level, could ensure policies and leaders aren’t handpicked by cronies. This would end the era of top dogs groveling to middlemen while bullying grassroots workers.

Globally, President Trump will likely keep the world spinning around him for four years, sowing chaos. Nepal needn’t panic but should learn wisely. With China and India inevitably tightening commercial ties, we might find opportunities, not obstacles. But beware the social media plague gripping small, geopolitically sensitive nations like ours. We must stem its toxic tide before it sweeps us away.

A New Year’s Rallying Cry

If the media can thrust these issues into the heart of political discourse, Nepal could owe them a historic debt. Our generation’s habit of cursing leaders while doing nothing must end. Let’s ignite a new awakening, fueled by resolve and clarity. Here’s to a New Year where we rise, rethink, and reclaim our future. Warmest wishes for Vikram Sambat 2082—or whatever calendar we choose next!

The original Nepali version of this piece is published on www.abcnepal.tv.