Every body in Nepal, whenever they are trying to show the imminent dangers of growing neigbourly interest in the country, never forget to bring up Sikkimization. It is the ultimate threat to the nation's sovereignty, they say. Perhaps, they are reminding how the threat is still very real. The annexation of the once independent Himalayan kingdom, Sikkim to the Indian Union happened not very long ago. So, it is natural for the analysts to get a little suspicious at times. I don't like to make political predictions but my take on this is that its very unlikely. I mean at this age imperialism does not come in the form of forceful conquest. Gone are the days of colonization. Economic and cultural imperialism have given new ways of establishing dominance over countries. ANd when this is happening so smoothly in Nepal, why would India stake its repute in the international arena once again? I mean when the four and a half century Portugese rule in Goa was finally brought to end by the Indian Army in 1961, Jawaharlal Nehru had a hard time recovering his tarnished repute and credibility.
Anyway, when I was in Sikkim last month for our college tour, the rhetoric of Sikkimization constantly played on my mind. I looked at the well managed city of Gangtok, the denizens' almost ferocious adherence to the rules and regulations, cleaner air, cleaner sky. It was a big joke amongst us that gazing to the rare sight of a clean blue sky would have our neck permanently bent by the time we return. A well perfected tourism system. Hydro power plants being constructed everywhere. The look of content on people's faces. I am not exaggerating. Every Sikkimise we met were all too eager to tell us how things were changing, how their lifestyles were changing for the good. Topographically, nepal is not much different from Sikkim. There are similar potentials in the fields of tourism and hydro power development. But may be we don't have some one like Pawan Chamling as they have in Sikkim. Someone who can dream big, and translate visions into reality. May be we don't have a stricter legal system or the respect for rule of law or the culture of accountability ingrained onto us at all.
I couldn't help thinking that Nepal can learn quite a bit from Sikkims experience with advancing the country. Of course, I wouldn't want a political Sikkimization of my country. But if this is what Sikkimization looks like, I am on for it.
