Editorial»
Here’s a least romantic story of border
JAN 18 - The book received deals with border management and thus sheds light on many agreements entered with India and less so with China as and when the need arose. In his wake to raise issues related to border dispute at so many places along the long border to the south, the writer has also suggested the regulation of the same down south.
The importance of the book meanwhile also lies in the fact that it contains previously unpublished document ~ ~ and papers, which serve as evidence of the fact that much of the communication takes place without informing the people something which has stirred many controversies.
It may be recalled that the previous books by the same author on the same author have dealt with the issue within a limited parameter of border disputes. But it is not the case with this book since it very comfortably straddles border issues and potential crime control measures.
Moreover, the writer has this time around tried to assess the social and law and order-related impact of the open border between India and Nepal. Add to it the stress laid on the need for regulating the border with India as part of the measures, which could evolve the relations between the two countries on harmonious footing for a long time to come.
In fact, the book under review certainly has the potential to attract the scholars in the field inasmuch as the author has put in tremendous efforts. It certainly cannot be done without conducting enough research. The writer, who has three-decade-long experience in the border management, certainly is an authority in his own right. The book shows why.
Leafing through the book, which runs just over 350 pages with good mix of suitable and sometime rare maps of a particular stretch along the border, is enough to vindicate the authority enjoyed by the writer on the issues involved.
In fact, he has revealed certain startling facts going back to various times in the past and which unfolded during the visit to India as a member of the delegation. Certainly the book is likely to prove to be a ready reckoner as well as the guiding star for future researchers on the issue.
Meanwhile, as to how comprehensive the book is becomes evident from what former Commander-In-Chief of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) Gen Satchit Shumshere Rana says in the prefatory remarks. In fact, Gen Rana has suggested that anyone who looked forward to rebuild Nepal-India along actual lines would do well to go by what the book says.
“This (going by what the book says) will bring the relation to even keel,” Gen Rana claims. He has also referred to the possibility of the crime rate coming down in the border areas should the government implement what has been duly recommended.
As may be expected, the author has come up with some historical facts which shed new light on the issue involved even as he presents enough evidence to support the cause chases by the Nepalese side on very many contentious stretch of the disputed border.
However, it may be said that since there have been no border dispute with China ever since 1970, the whole book is dedicated to problems coming up between Nepal and the southern neighbor.
Assuredly enough, the book received could be only book which can be assuredly considered as an authoritative one and complete in every aspect. Inter alia, the book enumerates nearly 54 instances of border encroachment along the 1808 km Nepal-India border.
Reviewed by Yuvraj AcharyaPosted on: 2004-01-19 04:34
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