Red Everywhere

May 4, 2010 Shailesh No Comments

As Nepal teeters on the brink of collapse. News reports are bleak:

Nepal started evacuating scores of tourists stranded Tuesday by a general strike called by Maoist former rebels in a political standoff with the government.

The Maoists have not threatened tourists, but their supporters have blocked roads and stopped vehicles, stranding many visitors in the western resort town of Pokhara. A local government official, Shankar Koirala, said that 218 tourists, mostly Indians, had been moved in 10 buses escorted by armed police officers.

The peace process is about to collapse:

Talks between the Maoist party, which has the largest number of seats in parliament, and the ruling coalition have failed to secure a breakthrough after opposition supporters massed in the capital Kathmandu at the weekend.

Much of the country has been shut down as the Maoists, who are demanding the government stands down, stage mass rallies and threaten anyone defying the general strike.

“We are heading towards victory. We will not quit until we reach our goal,” Agni Sapkota, a senior Maoist, told the crowds. “We want this to be over soon, but the incumbent government does not care what the wishes of the people are.”

Maoist guerrillas fought a bloody civil war against the Nepalese state for 10 years before a peace agreement was signed in 2006, and the left-wing rebels then won elections in 2008 and held power for eight months.

Facebook groups are expressing frustration:

But despite it all, some bloggers are trying to see the good side of it all (even though its painful to think):

What to expect? Expect dances, songs, traditional (and non-traditional) musical instruments, chants, hymns, march past and runs at every nook and corner of the main streets. Meet people of every walks, race and dresses – brought in especially for you.

And, the Great Red Roadshow is happening just a few months shy of 2011 – the year of tourism for Nepal and the hopes are high the event will ‘really’ help to bring the country in news headlines thus affecting the tourist flow during the year.

Nepali people are so ‘enthusiastic’ about the event that they will close down all their business outlets, shops, schools and offices to ‘support’ the event.

So, what are you waiting for? Welcome to the Great Red Roadshow!