Today will remain memorable.
The time I reached Maitighar Mandala, thousands of energetic youths had gathered in support of Dr Govinda KC, who has been staging a fast-unto-death since last 14 days, demanding reforms in the medical education.
I had been there just to witness the rally and see how it unfolds.
But, seeing the mass, I couldn’t stop myself from being part of the movement which was participated by people from all walks of life, including celebrities/actors, students and youths involved in different sectors.
Coordinated by Solidarity for Prof. Govinda KC Alliance, the medical students donned in white coats had themselves led the rally.
The rally showed the power entailed in the youths and how they can come forward for a good cause.
Today, I felt like even the weather wanted the movement to proceed. There was neither the presence of the scorching sun, nor did it rain while the rally was proceeding ahead to New Baneswor.
As part of the rally, people sang national songs like “Gaun Gaun Bata Utha, Basti Basti Bata Utha,†among others and danced together.
The large mass gathered gave me the feeling of the second people’s uprising in the year 2006. And, as I saw, it was probably the most peaceful protest in Nepal ever.
Dr. KC himself addressed the rally via telephone. In the speech, he said that his hunger strike is just for the quality health education and service. “In Nepal almost 2/3rd to 3/4th of people are lacking the basic health services,†he said.
“Politicians now are working just for their personal selfishness than the public welfare. The time is ripe for us to fight against the problems in our society and bring about good governance. It’s only us who can speak to our welfare,†he said addressing the mass.
Participants in the rally chanted slogans and carried the placards that read ‘#IamPagal #IamwithDrKC’, ‘Address demands of Dr KC immediately’, ‘Beware medical mafia’ and ‘#Loktantra #NotLokmantantra #IamwithGKC’ among others.
Dr. KC, a senior orthopedic surgeon at the TUTH, has put forth his four-point demands, including the impeachment of Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Lokman Singh Karki.
Photos Courtesy: Prabin Koirala/NagarikNews
By Basanta Kumar Dhakal
