(This report was published in a magazine on Constituent Assembly election day)
CA polls may be so many things to so many of us, but there are people who do not know what it is all about. To many it is a fuss for nothing, while some are of the fear that it is the continuation of those movements that left the roads fuming some years back with burning tyres and slogans. Gathering of so many people at a location reminds many of the violent mobs and demonstration. On the date of the CA polls, we took the opinion of some children across the country and wanted to know that they knew of the CA polls and what they expected it to bring home for them.
"CA polls with bring curfew," says Rahul Kumar, a ten year old student from Kalaiya, studying in the fourth grade at Sishu Niketan. He has no idea of the CA polls or the New Nepal people are talking about. "I don’t like polls," he says, adding that his parents too did not turn up for casting votes. "It is a holiday, that is all I know," he concludes.
Ten year old Amir Tamang from Bhojpur, a fourth grader at Ratna Rajya School doesn’t know anything about the CA election. He has heard people talking about Sambidhan Sabha, but doesn’t know what it is. He is hopeful that the CA is being held for good, though he does not have the faintest idea as to what is really is.
Sreyesh Poudel (10), studying at Alok Vidyarshram has heard of the CA polls but doesn’t know that it is either. He is however optimistic about the 'New Nepal' after the polls. "New Nepal will see new buildings, and people will not fight," says he, when asked what New Nepal means to him.
For Sujata Aryal (14) of Shanti Vidya Mandir (class VI) from Chitawan, New Nepal implies "Ramro Naya Nepal," [a better new Nepal]. When asked what she meant by that, she says," Am….. I don’t know." For Prakrit Neupane (14) of Baneshwor, studying in New Summit School, CA polls means "Desh chalaune election," or an election to run the nation. "It will create New Nepal," he hopes, but cannot say what New Nepal is.
Sahanewaj (9) a student of grade three from Siraha, studying at Shri Guyeshwori High School opines that CA election is a "Shanti Election." He further adds that the election will bring "security to all," as against the Old Nepal which was full of "robbery, murder, crime, riots, and insecurity etc." But when asked whether he is sure of it, he says, "No!"
Rashmi Aryal (11), a fifth grader at St. Xaviers School, and a resident of Mid Baneshwor is of the view that the faint traffic on Chaitra 28 was for the CA polls. "It will bring new rules," she claims, and "build New Nepal." She expects overall development in the New Nepal, as she opines that development has no limitation. Prashant Baral (12) an eighth grader at the Gargi Memorial School, Janakpur opines that the CA election is a "constitution making election." It would "develop New Nepal," which means, "riot-less, mob-less, crimeless peaceful Nepal," as against the earlier Nepal. For Rabin Dhungel (14) of class VIII at Mishu Sama Foundation School, Kandaghari, CA polls mean "law-making bodies." He is also optimistic that it would bring "peace and prosperity," unlike in earlier Nepal which was full of conflicts and riots. But he says, he is only "70 to 80% percent sure of it."
For Saroj Khanal (9), a resident of New Baneshwor studying in class IV at Kathmandu Xaviers Public School, CA poll is a "nation-making authority." It would "form New Nepal" that means, "a better nation." When asked how the earlier Nepal was, he answers, "Not good. There was scarcity of gas, kerosene, petrol etc. "
Arun Khanal (10) of New Baneshwor, attending class three classes at Kathmandu Xaviers thinks that New Nepal means "Construction of new buildings, roads etc. " For him, earlier Nepal was "full of criminal activities." He is 90% sure of New Nepal.
This is what the law-makers of tomorrow know about the law-making process of today. Their ignorance should in no way be an excuse for the law-makers of today to by-pass their interests and rights. They are very young and hence they need care. The Constitution that is being 'invented' should guarantee them a safe heaven in the "New Nepal" they are dreaming of, without knowing what it will exactly look like.
