Dreaming of a New Nepal

Pawan Aalok

Cable cars slithering across hills
escalators, helipads and highways
bedecked by resorts on mountain sides
spas, schools and colleges
and trains sneaking out of highland tunnels
air-conditioned out of highland tunnels
air-conditioned trains
connecting Mechi with Mahakali,
express trains joining Tarai and the Mountains,
innumerable power plants
panoramic lakes, and woods
and spas that lure the tourists with awe;
crops swaying in breeze
blossoming fruit trees
hills enriched with rhododendrons
enthralling songs and dances
boasting of a musical haven
smiling and robust faces of Nepalese
Shyam B.K makes his way
to school with a laptop
Pasang Lama of Taplejung
commutes to her college in her personal car
Thuli Kanchhi from Rasuwa
chats with her friends in New York and London
Rita Dhimal from Morang
teaches at the Humla University
a premier one in Asia
where thousands of brilliant aspirants
throng for admission every year.

In my Nepal
that richly abounds in literature
art, culture and doctrines
nurtured by people with compassionate hearts,
no one will starve to death,
no one shall abscond for work
nor shall anyone serve others
or be the subject of any rulers.
People shall be on top of power
people’s say shall pervade all over.

This is the Nepal I dream of
a new Nepal of tomorrow-
beautiful, tranquil and great  !!

[Pawan Aalok is a poet, novelist and essayist. His works have been published in Nepali, English and Bengali. He is the former chairperson of Nepal Shrasta Samaj, a premier literary organization in Nepal.