Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Chakari, an Identity

By Dipendra Adhikari

(Dipendra Adhikari is Ph.D. Scholar and Lecturer at Patan Multiple Campus.) Till recently, one would have been correct to hold the view that knowledge competes and collaborates at a stratospheric level, but radically this view is now a mistaken effort. Not so anymore, it seems. It is clear than crystal that sycophancy has been ‘upgraded’ by Nepali’s from benign amity to strategic friendship. Sycophancy, commonly known as Chakari in Nepali is a fatal culture, which is obstructing country’s development endeavor. In this country’s transitional political context, sycophancy is treated as a social activity, which is simply being close to and/or in the presence of the person whose favor is desired. With an interaction with people from various walks of life, I have come to a conclusion- accountability of political parties is frustrating, the corruption is increasing, and the Chakari is scaling the himals. Political parties are now turned out to be a major chunk of sycophants; with powers being diverted to two neighboring countries, we are left surrendered as natural sycophants. In Nepali society, we are being guided by the Chakari system where merit is considered less important than personal relations. One of the most crucial manifestations of the system is taken-for-granted culture that is seen in almost all institutions (politics, NGO’s, INGO’s, schools and universities). We see that most of present political leaders from the big parties are not ideologically indoctrinated with their perspective political camps; rather they have sympathy from the top leadership. There are very few leaders who have developed themselves by raising critical issues against their party leadership. As the cadres are always afraid of being penalized by the leadership; they do not speak up. Another form of Chakari is chukli, the way one plays the double role. Generally, Nepali’s spend most of their time talking about others. They do not really discuss a particular agenda or issue, but gossip about other’s peoples personal matters for hours. In order to please the leadership of any institution, an employee or cadre reports to his boss what other people (from the same institution or outside) are saying about him. This chukli system not only weakens leadership skills but also ruin integrity of an institution. There are many cases of increased enmity among people including family break-ups to severe fatal cases due to chukli. This is also applicable to political parties as well. Those leaders who do not have a vision or leadership skills spend most of their time criticizing each other. Rather than talking about issue related to national development, our leaders are perpetually grumbling. This tradition has not only promoted the Chakari system but also weakened their political spirit. Rather than promoting a fair and free democratic system, our leaders are involved in fostering ‘nepotism’ promoted by Chakari and chukli. For them, the best person is the one who can be around them every moment than one who is critical of them. Also, being a student of literature, I conjure up to a good analysis I find. Chakari is among the very few traits in literature needed to make a giant leap overnight. Of course, you can build Rome in a day- just you need to soothe some booze hounds critics and publishers with all your incessant Chakari. No doubts, most of the writers will be barricaded with little or no experience in disseminating Chakari, especially to a large group; else you end up being alienated. And, we know that Chakari will live or die depending upon how it is used. What follows, and then are a few pointers about the oral recitation of Chakari. The Chakari should not be cold; they should practice, may be under the surveillance of a veteran teacher. Today, we seek an identity in this vast devoutness.  Out of emptiness, we fight against for fragmentation; in midst of this vast avidness we opine for eternal wholeness. What a jest it is! Rare rendezvous that lurks beneath our system, gripped by many brains and followed by everyone, Chakari now seeks a place rest and build its own empire, lest it shall start invading all the goddamn territory. In Chakari, you dress up like the person you fancy; you speak his words in his dialect. Eventually, you would be phony fondling all around the master to gain something lofty and cheesy. You pamper the master; be it with your always oozing words or by caressing him or even singing a lullaby! To sum up, Chakari-produced leaders/writers have very little leadership or negotiation skills. They cannot contribute to strengthening democracy and do not even think of national development. Chakari not only makes a leader averse to diverse ideas and workforce but it also increases dependency. Lack of our leaders productivity at critical moments is the result of their mindset grounded in the Chakari. What is urgent for our political leaders, at this moment is to put Chakari and chukli aside and discuss the agenda of national development. They must promote a critical dialogue in their own parties that will help us to build a free, fair and harmonious Nepali society. The same process follows in literature too.