The inevitable critical mass of change

A modified version of this published in nepalnews.com on 28 March 2013 (http://rajmaharjan1.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/the-inevitable-critical-mass-of.html)

The Definition

According to Wikipedia, critical mass is a socio-dynamic term to describe the existence of sufficient momentum in a social system such that the momentum becomes self-sustaining and creates further growth.

It has already begun – our critical mass – we are, sooner or later, on our way to witness a change that will enable every citizen of Nepal and every child to be born in the future to realize their full potential in life.

Look around you. You will see, feel and taste it!

The Wind of Change

The wind of change has already started to take momentum. This change is inevitable; it is only a matter of time. It is going to be different from the political changes we have seen so far since 2007 BS. Those political changes were merely on the surface; did not do much other than changing the guards.

This time it is profound for the change is being led and implemented by the individuals themselves. It is impossible to stop this change. No one can suppress it because this change needs no street demonstrations. No one can betray this time for one can’t betray the self.

This change is powerful for it is natural. It stands on the core values of life such as human rights, dignity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, compassion and fairness. These principles of life will remain unchanged despite changes in time, situation and context.

Things happen for a reason. The reason for this change is based on facts – the facts of life. These are the facts of life Nepali people like you and I face daily. The facts tell us that our socio-political system should have delivered some vision we all could aspire to; our democracy could have helped us live a life of dignity and prosperity.

The seeds of this change were sown when the politicians repeatedly ravaged the very oath they pledged to serve the nation and its citizens. The rock of momentum for the change had already begun to gather moss from the very first day when this betrayal was hatched. It has now become so colossal in proportion that it has now become inevitable and unstoppable.

This gradually momentum gathering wind of change is the critical mass of change.

The Agents of the Critical Mass

Anuradha Koirala, Mahabir Pun and Sanduk Ruit are some examples of the change agents who are leading by example and making a positive difference. There are at least 25 other torchbearers of the change as reported in the website whynepal.com. I am sure there are more in our local and wider community who are doing excellent job but have not seen the limelight of the media. Such larger than life figures have not only given some hope amidst the despair but also have shared the difficult burden of spearheading the torch of the critical mass.

Enough has already been said and is being said about the state of affairs of our politics. We have time and again seen cyclical trends repeat despite the change of the guards. At one hand we, as a nation, have suffered from the failure of political leadership. On the other hand, ironically this failure itself has been steadily contributing towards building the critical mass.

Some countrymen have had enough of our politicians. We have lately seen examples of them taking matters in their own hands. The sound of the slap on their face should have reverberated in the ears of our politicians. This seems only the beginning of people starting to act against the pain of dishonesty, betrayal and unaccountability. While the means is condemnable the incidences themselves are hardly any surprise. Critical masses of such citizens who have now become fearless of the consequences of their action against the long ongoing political injustice have been brewing for a long time. The repetitive nature of the injustice has only made the brew more potent.

The young generation has recently made it loud and clear that they want to have their say. They have refused to silently hop on the fatalistic train of delaying the constitution promulgation without any valid explanation. The ongoing Nepal Unites movement and similar other in the social media are a good sample of how the new generation wants to be taken – seriously!

What Next?

The fire of critical mass for the inevitable change is already gaining momentum. It can’t be extinguished; its course can’t be altered. That is because the fuel that burns this fire is the universal law of nature. Universe and nature itself may decay some day; the universal principles of nature prevails.

The challenge we have in front of us now is - how to guide the collective of critical masses towards a positive outcome and a meaningful conclusion?

The critical mass will explode when the wick is torched. Nothing will escape the wave of positive energy radiated from the coming big bang. The resulting winds of change will chain react events that will give us opportunity to rebuild a great nation and live a meaningful life. Whether we will seize that opportunity or not, time will tell. For now, the million-dollar question is, “who is going to be that brave change agent to light the wick? When and where?”

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The author may be reached at rajmaharjan@hotmail.com