By Ravi Nitesh:
Borders are always an issue of conflict. Sometimes, due to the desire of a state to expand its territory, they are important to keep a check and maintain one’s sovereignty and being. Everywhere, we find thick physical lines. But in spite of these forced (forced because the human nature, the human “spirit” does not like such boundaries) boundaries imposed upon us, these boundaries are unable to separate us completely. Still it is true that rivers flow from one to another by crossing boundaries, mountains spread over one to another and so are the emotions of human. No land locked boundary in this world can be in existence in such a way that no body can cross it.
In fact, these political boundaries are in a broader view violation of human rights too. It is because, Nature has made no boundaries. ‘We all are born equal and free’Â (stated Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and thus any such restrictions are against human nature and thus human dignity. In the contrast, Human always breaks the man made rules and tends to move towards its natural movement. People cross boundaries legally and illegally, sometimes in search of employment, a better education, sometimes in search of a safe haven, in hope of a better life and sometimes just for the leisure of travelling. This reflects the basic nature of humans and thus the right it should have. Boundaries are against the rights of human, boundaries also create differences. Though, like all other debates, there will be a certain group of people who will favor the boundary and restriction, however, for a common human being, it is not important and is in fact, illogical to be confined.
But there is a border of exception. In the South Asian Region there lies a boundary between two countries, but it gives the message of love, peace and mutual development rather than hate, and restrictions. It is more towards freedom rather than binding a person in a confined political boundary. It is like a bond of trust. This is the border between India and Nepal. India and Nepal are similar in many ways. There is a deep cultural bond that binds people. But the best part of our mutual relation lies in our borders that are free to citizens of both countries. On the other side, Nepal has restricted border with China. Similarly, India too has restricted borders with all other neighbors.
When it comes to movement, it is also observed that movements to/from Nepal/India is quite frequent among the citizens. This free border is not only helpful in trade and economical growth by getting benefit of two different market, but also become helpful in establishing a theme of love and understanding among each other.
At the time when all countries of SAARC are facing the same challenge of development, hunger, poverty, unemployment, illegal migration and others , we have made our borders more restricted for our people. Though, this restriction may act positively for some reasons but this positive effect is limited and affects only one country and certainly will not benefit the whole region. On the other side, if all SAARC countries can join each other towards the path of growth, together, it can definitely benefit all the countries.
It is also known to us that mostly all those who live in nearby range on both sides of borders , shares similar language, traditions and culture, and then the border divides them and restrict their freedom.
Nepal and India border, in these terms, present an example that can not only bring the attention of SAARC region on any such concept but also present a live and successful example of sharing fluid boundaries.
We hope that the day will come when we, the people of SAARC region, will be able to enjoy such freedom towards our movement, to meet with each other, to share and to experience each other’s culture (our culture), to be mutually benefitting and in the same way as Indo Nepal border set an example for SAARC, SAARC will be able to present the example for demolishing the political boundaries of this world that restrict human movement on the land of Nature.