Dismantling India’s Colonial Past

Re: # 1Yes, you are right about the spelling.

Interesting read .... I am from Kumaon. Didn`t know we were left to the mercies of British by the Thapas :P

Dear Dutta

(It is good that we are adapting to the changing geo political realities in the world and are beginning to abandon the Raj approach to our neighbors)

I keep visiting both Nepal & Bhutan frequently. Your statement is not 100% right.

Although the tone of the Indian Leadership and the bureacracy has become milders and more accommodating in the recent years towards these small neighbours - but that is about all.

These countries have to tread a very careful path when working on their relationship with other countries of the world. A slight transgression immediatly gets a rap on the knucles from India. These are both land-locked and are quite dependent on India for their survival.

Having said that, I think both these these countries made a wise choice to link their destiny with India. A democratic India is still a far better and a safer option than the other neighbour - China.

So the bottom line still is that India is very much the Raja over these two countries - if not the Raj.

Sri Lanka can and does exercise more freedom because it is not contiguous to India and is in the open Seas.

NHK

Yo Shantanu,

Getting rid of the colonial legacy would also mean getting Jesus out of your system.

Ever thought about THAT?

I don`t think so.

shantanu -- the name is Sugauli not Sagauli -- it is not an `obscure` town -- it is an important historical town for Indo-Nepal wars, trade, tourism by Bus or by Railway.

Now the town is directly connected to Katmandu. The town boasts of a Sugar Mill that is owned by a Muslim family since before partition and is doing well. Bihar is now the Train Robbery capital of the world and in Sugauli are its headquarters -- very easy for criminals to enter Terai area of Nepal -- which is an extension of India in Nepal -- out of reach from the hands of Indian Law -- now Terai is also a headache for the new Nepal government in Katmandu and for the Maoist as well.

The relations between India and the current set up of Nepal government are very cordial -- India helped both the Maoists and the democratic parties to shake hands and come together -- (ironic that India can`t do the same with Indian Maoists) the fate of the stupid king is in doubt but he will probably survive as the figurehead because he has the support of Terai people and the Koiralas.

It is incumbent upon India to treat Nepal as an equal with gloved hand diplomacy -- it is doubtful the Nepalese will demand the return of Garhwal and Kumaon but they are very sensitive about how they are treated by Delhi -- Bihar is their lifeline to the outside world – most of the current leaders of various parties including the Maoists had their schooling and college in Bihar -- with Bihar now shaping up a little every day -- the relations will get only better not worse.