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#167 24 - 30 October 2003 20 pages Rs 25

“Our children are being robbed of their childhood, we can’t steal their future as well.” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ NARESH○○○○○ NEWAR eshma Singkhawal was studying in her room when she heard gunshots. Family members started screaming. When she got there, the 16-year-old RAMYATA LIMBU RAMYATA Keep kids out of it found her father lying in a pool of blood. RTwo Maoist assassins had killed Hari Ratna Singkhawal, a police officer at Gahiti Tol in Bhaktapur two weeks ago. Hari Ratna, 38, was the sole supporter of

a 15-member clan, including his wife and ○○○○○○○○○○○ NAVIN○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ SINGH KHADKA six children. Which way?th n theory, the outcome of the Nepal-Bhutan 15 ministerial meeting on Bhutani Maoist leader Prachanda’s statement refugees this week was a major breakthrough. It marked the first time in 10 this week that the group will no longer years that Thimpu agreed to repatriate refugees under three categories— target ‘low-ranking’ security personnel bonafide Bhutanis, Bhutanis who have emigrated and Bhutanis who have may bring a halt to killings like these, but NARESH NEWAR committed crimes. The fourth, non-Bhutani category, will not be Bhutan’s concern. it is already too late for many. There are I But will Bhutan commit to action what it has inked on paper? Based on the thousands of Nepali children who have Bhutani “nod” this time, Ambassador-at-large, Bhek Bahadur Thapa believes that witnessed horrific murders of their loved the first trucks carrying refugees will start moving from eastern Nepal to the ones, forced to watch torture, survived Children performing at a Moaist cultural program in Rukum. Dragon Kingdom by mid-February 2004. “We asked them to include all three gun battles inside their classrooms or categories in each lot they take back, and they agreed,” Thapa clarified. suffered bereavement. If the conflict does shock after witnessing her father’s murder of revenge. “When I grow up, I will th That won’t be an easy task. Consider the crux of the 15 ministerial not wind down, these numbers will grow, and for a week her mind segued into avenge my father’s death,” she says. agreement: “the people in the three categories who voluntarily apply to return to and child rights activists say there is temporary amnesia, unable to recognise Her younger sister Nilima, 12, is more Bhutan will be repatriated as per the harmonised position on these categories.” almost nothing being done to address the even close family. Her four younger controlled. “I want to be a police That position, decided at the 14th round of ministerial meetings in May this year, psychological trauma the children sisters don’t sleep well, and are plagued officer like my father and serve my centres on the second category of those who have emigrated—a majority of the around 100,000 refugees. continue to suffer. by nightmares. Nilu, 14, once the most country,” she says. Voluntary immigrants will have to reapply for Reshma went into post-traumatic soft-spoken among her sisters, now talks continued ð p5 citizenship and stay in Bhutan for a two-year probationary period. It won’t come with A hurdle in the guarantees because Bhutan’s law denies citizenship to those who emigrated without prior much-lauded approval of the government. “Remember, the repatriation has to be voluntary and the Druk breakthrough. goverment will interpret the legal provisions liberally as agreed between Bhutan and Nepal,” Khandu Wangchuk, the Bhutani Foreign Minister told Nepali Times. Should the refugees choose to return home, Thimpu can deny them citizenship based on their laws. Given the provision in the 14th round of talks that refugees unwilling to leave can apply for Nepali citizenship, the Bhutani government has a loophole. Bureaucratic hurdles are one thing, there are added fears about the kind of reception the refugees could receive once they reach home. “Do you think the refugees are fools to tread the minefield back home when they have an option to be safe in Nepal?” asks Rakesh Chhetri, a Bhutani human rights leader in exile. NGOs have reported that people from northern Bhutan have been resettled in the homesteads the refugees left. There are no simple solutions, and diplomatese has too many ifs and buts. The fate of the refugees languishing in the camps still hangs in the balance. t

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Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hattiban: 01-5547018/17 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The○○○○○○○○○○○○○No one is Octobergoing to save us, weResolution have to save ourselves. TOP IT here is something in the air at Tihar needless arbitrariness to state violence: and counter-insurgency. S t last count, there have been 38 conflict resolution seminars in various five-star that makes you see the glass half- forces in civvies rounding up innocent There is one factor we must be wary establishments in Kathmandu this year. To be cynical about it, we suppose full. The Maoist violence and army villagers presuming everyone is a Maoist of: no foreign government, imperial or these workshops do have some use in filling airline seats and hotel rooms when crackdowns are intensifying, but there until proven otherwise, entering schools otherwise, is coming to our rescue at the tourism is in a slump. One such seminar last week was an attempt to do a comparative are the stirrings of a peace backlash. full of children under covering fire. Using cost of antagonising our friendly study of the Sri Lankan situation vis-à-vis Nepal. TNepalis are getting restive, and there is a hammer when a scalpel will do. There neighbour down south. Most outside The twin civil wars in Sri Lanka were on a different dimension of savagery. If a A growing weariness with the daily has been an unprecedented militarisation powers have their own hidden axes to comparison were to be made with Nepal, it would be like having a full-scale separatist war going on in the tarai, with suicide bombers blowing up fully-loaded buses, setting scorecard of death and devastation. of society, but the security forces are grind in civil wars that aren’t their own. off truck bombs in the middle of New Road at rush hour, destroying the entire Royal When Maoist warriors burn passenger organs of the state and are governed by But this one has a regional gatekeeper. Nepal Airlines fleet at Kathmandu airport, and launching major assaults on army bases buses or hack septuagenarians to death, its primary mandate of protecting The performance of special British with hundreds of casualties. It would also mean having foreign peacekeeping troops arrive in Nepali territory to disarm the separatists, but being sucked into a war from it doesn’t show strength, it shows citizens. envoy, Sir Jeffery James, proves the which they are ultimately forced to retreat. desperation. For the first time in the Sooner or later, the true horror of limited role. Globally, London is too And all this would be happening while a parallel insurgency is wracking the hills, seven years of insurgency, Prachanda’s Doramba and Mudbhara will force the aligned with the Washington neocons to with waves of assassinations and reprisal killings by death squads that raze villages and storm troopers are on the defensive, Royal Nepali Army to do some soul- pursue an independent foreign policy. send hundreds of bodies floating down the Trisuli every day. shooting soft targets and scooting. The searching. It is a disciplined army Britain discharges the same duty for the That is what Nepal would be like if the violence that engulfed Sri Lanka since 1984 were to happen here. We know that things in Nepal aren’t as bad. Sri Lanka’s two tactics of terror have always been renowned for its bravery and valour, and United States that the Gurkhas once did simultaneous civil wars cost 85,000 lives in 17 years, in Nepal there have been 9,000 counterproductive. It alienates people it can’t hope to keep its image intact if it for the British: supplying specialised killed in eight years. So far, ours is a homegrown class war, not ethno-separatist and from the ‘cause’, assuming there is one. doesn’t reform itself. One of the possible troops to defend imperial possessions. religio-patriotic uprisings. The level of weaponry is not as lethal in Nepal, and this has But who is going to tell that to a group corrections could be a decision to King Gyanendra knew what Sir Jeffrey kept casualty levels relatively lower in our case. that will ‘physically eliminate’ anyone subject itself to civilian control. If the had to say, and didn’t want to waste time But Sri Lanka offers us a warning of how badly things can spiral out of control. It shows us that ignoring genuine grievances of the people, and trying to give the other who disagrees with the partyline? defence forces in Turkey with its long on an orderly, when he has direct access side a bloody nose to improve your bargaining position at the negotiation table can The nervousness in the other camp is martial legacy can do it, why can’t we? to his boss. soon escalate into a war that takes on a lethal no less counterproductive. There is a During Tihar, to hope is permitted. Moreover, provoking both our ethno-separatist tint. Most Nepalis never agreed with the immediate neighbours is too high a price Sri Lanka also offers lessons. If Sri Lanka can war being waged for their liberation, but to pay for the dubious service of military turn back from the brink, so can we. If political will their opinion didn’t matter to those who advisers whose job seems to be to can stop such deadly wars, there is no reason why we can’t muster it. If prosecuted it. Now, civil society has recommend that fundamental rights are minimum trust can restrain so much started voicing this popular yearning for dispensable luxuries when a country is at bad blood, we can build it too. If such peace. An internet poll on war. Baburam Bhattarai’s loathing for the polarised sides can begin the process of finding Kantipuronline this week shows more Americans comes from his belief that a compromise so can ours. than two-thirds of respondents they are a part of the problem, hence To be sure, as we heard from the Sri Lankan participants at the seminar, their peace process think the situation in the country they can’t be dispensers of solutions. is still fragile. But it seems to have two things has either worsened (56.37 percent) That leaves Beijing. There are people, ours didn’t: political will on both sides for a or remained the same (16.62 percent) eminent constitutional lawyer Ganesh negotiated solution, and an international team since the royal takeover. What the Raj Sharma is one of them, who believe of professional facilitators and monitors to keep people need now is to be able to take that the Chinese are active behind the the peace process on track. Our last round of peace talks failed matters in their own hands, and exercise scenes to help Nepal resolve an ostensibly because of a disagreement over the their rights through political insurgency that carries the name of the constituent assembly demand, which took us to representatives: the mainstream parties Great Helmsman. The Chinese have the core of the structural problems that need to agitating for the restoration of the great clout in international diplomacy, be fixed in our polity even if there was no war constitutional process. and if Beijing truly fears a fire in its going on: the power of the monarchy and who A challenge such as the Maoist backyard, it will wield an extinguisher. controls the army. But that bottom line is non-negotiable for insurgency is a crisis only when it is But so far, it seems to be banking on both sides. Someone needs to tell the Nepali transient. Once it is protracted, it ceases New Delhi to take care of firefighting people how many of us need to be killed to be a crisis—it becomes a hardship that south of the Himalaya. before a compromise can be found: people learn to live with. In seven There are no saviours on the horizon, 15,000? 25,000? 85,000? And whether years, Nepali society has learnt to we have to grow up and learn to solve our at the end of it we will still have a Nepal. live with the terror of insurgency own problems. t

L ETTERS

decade occurred in Doramba, times, war is waged often under very Nepalis with rationalism, and not resources were used to identify a Foreigners like Daniel Lak are LAK It was heartrending to read in yourRNA Mudhbara or Jogimara. And were it tough circumstances and violations nationalism". The Nepali diaspora good site that was kept secret, responsible for creating divisions editorial about the slaughter of not for RNA being “independent” of human rights do occur. It is right includes students, asylum seekers, NEA employees built the power among Nepalis by distorting and four innocent children in Doti from civilian rule, civil society to point these out, provided it is refugees, professionals, illegal project and then had an exaggerating the implications of (‘Daughter slaughter, #166). There would be blossoming this very done fairly. This isn’t a Berkeley immigrants, labourers, maids, agreement with the national events. ‘Lak in Lukla’ (Here and is no doubt that this is the result of minute in Nepal. But facts within a debate session. The RNA is employees of INGOs, etc. They authority to sell power at a there, #166) was a striking the sheer lack of conscience shown broader context of this conflict do learning this lesson while fighting have been driven out of Nepal higher price than other such example. True, police atrocities by both the army and the Maoists not lie. The RNA is not the insurgents who show little regard to because of social, economic and projects. Whose best interests and excesses are to be in this nonsensical war. As you Burmese Army nor is it a Latin any international norms, and political misfortunes, or to seek a are being served here, NEA or condemned, and I join Lak in rightly point out, we don’t care American military that slaughtered will not relent until they achieve better living abroad. Lal’s view that the nation? Your story also denouncing the the way the about who is to blame anymore, we tens of thousands of its own people. their goals. "those who have taken the made it obvious that NEA, which porters in Lukla were beaten, but I just want our children to be left The RNA has shown restraint P Rana, email citizenship of other countries aren’t supplies the most expensive cannot be so quick to conclude alone. I plead (because that is all throughout Nepal’s history and it our responsibility" is therefore not electricity in the world, is the that only the man subjected to we peace-loving citizen of Nepal has shown little interest in right. The Nepali state must take real obstacle in the the lash was a janjati and the can do right now) to both the Musharrafizing Nepal and is Isn’t it ironic that CK Lal becameNRN a full responsibility for driving out development of hydropower in policeman belonged to non- Maoist and the army: please spare relatively benign as armies go. Are businessman overnight when it thousands of its citizens because Nepal. This resource is too janjati ethnic group. Is Lak dead our children. they suspicious of being under came to giving NRNs advice of its irresponsible governance and important for it to be held sure that the incident he Sajju Khatiwada, email “civilian” control right away? Of (‘Homecoming’, #165)? Nepal inability to provide basic needs hostage by one organisation. witnessed at Lukla involved a course they are (lives are at stake should welcome anyone who wants like peace, freedom and security. If Learning lessons from the case of calculated discrimination l From reading Manjushree here) and they are probably to contribute in whatever way they want to return, it should recent great power outage in the by a non-janjati on a janjati ? Thapa’s ‘Storm over Doramba’ justified given the incredible bad possible. We should even welcome welcome them back irrespective of US, Nepal should open Would the policeman have (#165) and your periodic pieces on management during civilian rule. non-Nepalis to Nepal if they want to whether or not they hold citizen- development and distribution of behaved less violently had the the insurgency, one gets the In time, they have to come under a make Nepal home. We should open ship of another country. electricity to competition and porter been a non-janjati fellow impression that it is the security more democratic fold (as all armies our arms and say please come. Kiran Chalise, Australia permit independent players in (belonging to the ethnic group forces that need to be contained: under democracies should) but the Nepal needs more enlightened the field. This will benefit us all. the cop belonged to)? that it is them that forcibly recruit fact that they did not immediately beings, not just those with cash. We Rajendra Khadga, My suspicion is that since the children and use them as cannon do so after 1990 with open arms probably shouldn’t take Lal Your story ‘People power’ and theNEA Lazimpat policeman there was looking for fodder, that the Royal Nepali Army under 'leaders' like Koirala, Deuba seriously since he writes to whip up profile of Damber Nepali (Nepali bribe money, his behaviour would is comprised of rapists, and it was or Nepal now appears a godsend controversy. I have not read a Times, #166) highlighted the way not have been different. Lak they who attacked a nascent but it doesn’t offer redemption to single article by him where he forward for power projects in Nepal. CORRECTION based his comments on an democracy (albeit a massively those who ravaged the country supports something. I get the sense Due to a translation error, an We need people like Nepali in extra zero crept into the figure exception. Exceptions don’t make corrupt one)and are hell-bent on during 12 years of crack-pot that he is always anti everything, every arena of our national life. for the total annual remittance the rule. He should be careful not destroying everything in Nepal democratic rule. It also does not except his beloved kangresis. Although your story was all praises from Nepalis abroad in the to instigate one group of Nepalis while lining their pockets through cast the Maoist atrocities in a Prakash Bhandari, email for Chilime—and it is praiseworthy interview with Damber Nepali against another. extortion, torture and killing. One different light. In case our liberals in many aspects—I felt the project (‘Yes, the Nepali can’, #166). Praveen Karki, might even get the impression that haven’t noticed, we are in the l CK Lal has it wrong when he was undermined by many conflict The actual figure is Rs 70 billion. Solukhumbu, now in Kathmandu the only outrages over the past middle of a brutal war and, in such writes "we should deal with overseas of interest situations: NEA Here comes the SOI sunshine GROUP introducing the new

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t is easy to see where the Enough is enoughdeclare a timetable for general and responsible nor accountable. problems of our national crisis How to stop a war that no one wants before no one can stop it. local elections. Their mal-governance has pushed lie: in the three power centres l The king must now take the many Nepalis to blame not just the Iunwilling to give an inch. We know major political parties into parties, but democracy itself. The what needs to be done: we need a confidence before nominating an parties need to earn back the triangular negotiating table so the interim government, and not expect peoples’ trust. three can sit together till they find everyone to join the government l All political parties advocating a way out. The riddle wrapped in once he nominates the prime constitutional monarchy must an enigma is: how do we do it? minister. Such a government should unite with the king to form a Such is the mistrust, the lack of then be given authority to induce united front to draw the Maoists political will, the refusal to peace, and hold elections within a to the negotiating table as quickly compromise, that even if we got timeframe. as possible, ensuring lasting peace. the three political forces to sit l The king should agree on a l The unity of the five-party around a table it will not guarantee referendum on some of the main alliance must not be allowed to a solution. In fact, what we may demands like the constitutional collapse at the first sign of a tussle get is a full-fledged fistfight. Each monarchy, and the crown’s powers for ministerial positions. It has of the three power centres is bent over the army. gone beyond cabinet positions, on enforcing its wish through brute l Appointing ministers, key now it is about the survival of the force or agitational tactics. The constitutional posts and local body nation. Once the country comes people of Nepal are left out of a administrators make a mockery of back on track, they can go back to tussle that everyone is fighting in multiparty democracy. It is playing petty politics, but, please, their name. The long-suffering spreading distrust, and it should this time without paralysing the citizens of this country are bearing stop. The Nepali people know their whole country. the brunt of the mayhem and fundamental rights and want to murder, the displacement, the decide who is going to rule over Part of the reason there isn’t joblessness and dislocation caused them and how. enough pressure on these three by a collapsed economy. masses through peace, doesn’t help the Maoist cause. l Tempting as it may be in such forces to patch up is because civil No one believes there is a understanding and cooperation. Social disruption, instead of turbulent times, the king must keep society in Nepal has been so military solution, yet they fight. lThe Parts ofMaoists Nepal may be feudal, Coercion, threats and violence may hastening the revolution, will himself above politics and power dormant and has been divided Everyone knows political but the Nepali people are now alert look like they are a shortcut, but complicate matters beyond control. and let the forces elected by the along partisan lines. That is why disagreements are taking the citizens of a democratic country they breed an all-consuming l An armed struggle may have people play the game of politics. there is no one on behalf of the country down, yet they refuse to who are used to their freedoms. counterviolence. been justified if there was a l The government must urgently people saying: enough is enough. st agree on anything. They know This is the 21 century and l Nepal’s geopolitical reality is totalitarian regime. Democracy has create conditions for the Maoists to In times of war, armed what needs to be done, and don’t political power doesn’t come out that sustained governance is only been sidelined, but it’s not dead. lay down their arms and disband belligerents tend to ignore the even take the first step towards from the barrel of a gun anymore. possible by taking up an unbiased, Changes in the constitution, even their militia in exchange for the voice of civil society. Here too, it. Even though rationality You don’t pit citizens against each neutral and peaceful path. Our the preamble, can be done through army returning to the barracks. This neither the army nor the Maoists doesn’t seem to work anymore, other to reduce economic, ethnic, giant neighbours will not tolerate future referendums. You don’t have would be the first step in the want to hear the calls for peace. here are some logical points caste or religious disparity. instability beyond a certain point. to kill Nepalis and destroy Nepal to process of restarting the electoral But if civil society unites and all three parties need to bear l True longterm revolution will l Destruction of national achieve that goal. process. genuinely speaks on behalf of the in mind: only come by emancipating the infrastructure or private property overwhelming majority of Nepalis who want to have no part in this war, that voice will be hard to lThe We need king to see more evidence lPolitical The major political parties parties must ignore. that the palace and the government own up that they are partly And there will be enough are honest about upholding responsible for the mess this nation people who have the courage to democracy. Make a genuine effort is in, and undertake a commitment stand up and be heard. t to bring the Maoists to the to the people that they will mend mainstream, their ways. During the last 12 years, Dhawal Shumshere JB Rana is the an offer the parties can’t refuse, and the parties have neither been former UML mayor of Nepalganj. 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 NATION NEPALI TIMES #167 5 COMMENT

Vis-à-visA young Nepali ruminates on whylife he may ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○have been refused a US visa. A crying need did not realise being considered a potential threat to the US national security and a possible illegal alien would be so thrilling, especially since most of my family, friends and colleagues think of me as goody- two-shoes. I no longer am a boring young man, at least not according to Uncle Sam. IUnlike the Buddha, who was initially unsure of his path to nirvana, I was absolutely confident of my (temporary) path to the US. Armed with an ALL PICS:NARESH NEWAR From l-r: Reshma Singkhawal (front row, second from right) at home with her family in Bhaktapur. Four-year old Shanti waits for her father (a invitation letter from a Washington DC-based global financial agency, a support letter from my current employer (another global agency) plus porter killed in an encounter) to come home in Rukum. A grieving widow of a policeman with her children, also in Rukum. confidence from visiting multiple countries, including a past visit to the US, I had surveyed other visa applicants at the US Embassy with some pity. from p1 moody, not interested in studies, or Dipak, a 17-year-old boy from Salyan CVICT says the most important way to I walked into that interview with a swagger I didn’t know I possessed. ðIn the last seven years of the ‘people’s sometimes more prone to violence. was taken in for interrogation by the deal with children’s trauma is to allow After a brief interview, the white gentleman behind the glass window war’, more than 7,000 children have A seven-year-old student of St security forces. He was tortured for them to continue with their regular said politely and firmly, “I cannot issue you a visa”. He explained that I had been affected. Human rights groups Xavier’s School was so traumatised by almost two days and was finally let go routine like going to school, playing not adequately proven my “ties to Nepal”. He advised me to apply after a have kept track of the statistics— the images he saw of a row of Maoist after his interrogaters decided he really with friends and providing care. month with full details of property owned, bank statements etc. numbers of children killed, abducted dead on television, he stopped going didn’t know why his father was The most tragic case in recent “Ties to Nepal”? That began my mini-angst. What defines my tied-ness and tortured—but little is reported or for classes. When he finally mustered missing from the village. months has been the gunbattle at to Nepal? My legal tie as a citizen and as an employee in a “legal” Nepali the courage to go back to school, he Perhaps the most traumatised are Sharada Higher Secondary School in institution were clearly stated in that application. Obviously both were done about the most serious problem inadequate for the US government. facing young survivors: their trauma. would cry in fear. It took long sessions Maoist child soldiers who are subjected Mudbhara in Doti two weeks ago. The Material ownership (house, land, money) was a major thread to this Despite the crying need, no of counselling from his teachers and to propaganda, physical hardships and school is now closed because no one answer. Marriage was, apparently, another criterion of tied-ness according to organisation has investigated the constant support from friends and the horror of surviving when so many dares to move the rotting bodies of a colleague. I was clearly very, very un-tied-y. My colleague’s pragmatic psycho-social effect of the conflict on family before he felt secure again. of their young friends die in battle. Maoists from the classrooms. Many suggestions were, “Buy a house and marry someone with two kids children. Some groups are working The Maoist targetting of schools, “Even if they want to escape, they children have moved to Silgadi or to immediately”. Other explanations ranged from a global geo-politico- with orphans, internally displaced attacks on school teachers, closing can’t,” says Hima Pradhan, a the tarai to escape. economic situation analysis to a critical observation of my personal self. children, but the need is far greater down of schools all over the country psychologist at the anti-torture group, Psychologists say if the school “They just do it to make you reapply and get more money,” a friend said. than these isolated and uncoordinated have also given children the CVICT. The children are trapped: continues to be closed, the parents, So that’s how the US economy and the Iraq war are being funded. efforts. Child psychologists have impression that schools are war zones. they fear getting arrested or being killed children and teachers will not get a noted two traits in children suffering This has spread fear and panic among by security forces as much as the chance to collectively come to terms post-traumatic shock: intense fear or young children who see themselves as communal stigma should they desert with the tragedy and it will worsen the obsession with revenge. Four-year-old targets of violence. It remains to be and go home. Child soldier Rabi and psychological risk for those who saw Rabina Regmi, who survived a seen if Prachanda’s promise will mean his friend joined the Maoists out of their friends being killed and injured. firebomb attack on a bus last year in that the schools will reopen and the curiosity. After helping the rebels attack “If the school and community give which her mother died (‘Why the children will get a chance to study some villagers, Rabi started having enough emotional support and care, it children?’, Nepali Times, # 121) still normally. Bhola Mahat, a human doubts. When he tried to quit, his own will help the students,” says Jordan. talks of killing Maoists. rights activist based in Nepalganj says friend threatened to kill him. Now, But such emotional support from

“If such children do not get children in the rural mid-west are even if he tries to escape, he feels his the community is exactly what is MIN BAJRACHARYA enough support or counselling, the especially badly affected. “I have met community will not accept him back. missing in many parts of the country. level of trauma will get severe and many children who live in constant Child psychologists say that Village schools are closing down, impede their mental development,” fear that they might get killed at although there have been no studies, children are estranged from parents says Gauri Pradhan of CWIN (Child anytime, while walking to school or they don’t want to rush into the subject who are on the run from the Maoists Workers In Nepal). This Tihar, playing outside,” he says. because they fear it will end up making and the army, and many are migrating many children are cowering in fear The Maoists threaten and use too many generalised assumptions. “It to cities where they end up on the An American friend emailed her government’s attitude dismissively: when they hear firecrackers going abusive language on children when could stigmatise an entire age-group or streets, to begin another cycle as street “They view all brown skinned single men as a threat”. That explains why my off—it reminds them of gun battles they come to force them to join mass population as being psychologically children or day labourers. CWIN is cousin got a visa, he is naturally lighter skinned than I, although he, too, is they have witnessed. meetings or take adolescents away for damaged,” says Marc Jordan of sounding alarm bells. Says Gauri single. Perhaps my recent trips to Malaysia and Sri Lanka looked Even away from the war-zone, forced recruitment and training. On CVICT, who is preparing a training Pradhan: “This is an urgent crisis. Our suspicious. Lesson: all travel should be planned keeping in mind one may children who watch gory images on the other hand, the security forces manual for psychosocial counselling for children are being robbed of their need to get a US visa some day, ie avoid all other countries. My least liked television of corpses piled high after patrols are unnecessarily rough with children affected by armed conflict. He childhood, we can’t steal their future as hypothesis came from a conflict expert, who said, “Sometimes they refuse a bloody battled are psychologically children and teachers who refuse to tell and his fellow psychologists believe well.” visa because they don’t like the way a person looks”. Visually challenged them where the Maoists are. They keep that before anything else, it’s critical to applicants should use a veil or opt for plastic surgery. affected. “Images such as these not That fateful evening, charged with anti-American sentiment, I consoled only re-traumatise children who lost quiet out of fear of reprisal from the mobilise the community first. Some names of children in this piece myself by watching Bad Boys II at Jai Nepal Cinema first, followed by parents, but also increase the Maoists, but the security forces take the “When the problem goes straight have been changed to protect their Friends on TV, comforted by burgers and Coke for dinner. I plan to boycott psychological stress levels of children silence to mean sympathy or support up to the psychologists, it might end identity. CNN, C-span and all American horror movies in protest next. living in non-combat areas,” says for the rebels. “The children are caught up over-medicalised and too CWIN: 4278064 Pradhan. It makes children distracted, in the middle,” adds Mahat. psychologised,” Jordan told us. CVICT: 4373902 Name withheld on request. The author may reapply for a US visa. 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003

6 NATION NEPALI TIMES #167 ○○○○○○○○○○○○

SRADDHA○○○○ BASNYAT ig city nights are not what lures 60-year-old Sonam In our doctors Aswe medicare improvestrust in Nepal, Tshering to Bangkok

regularly. He is a patient at the the haemorrhage of referrals ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Thai capital’s Bumrungrad abroad○○○○○○○○○○○○ is abating. BHospital where he checks-in for his annual check-up. “Here in risk cases, or if the family prefers. is the only justifiable reason for Nepal it’s difficult to even make Lab facilities are generally referrals according to Bharat an appointment with a doctor, not Nepali medical care’s Rawat, Executive Director at and when I do, I get shoddy strongest suit, although places Norvic in Kathmandu. But he treatment. I wont’ accept like Manipal Teaching Hospital admits it is an uphill battle to anything mediocre when it comes in Pokhara guarantee a reliable convince patients they can trust to my health,” says the diagnosis. local treatment. He refers less than businessman. And although he Since the private educational five percent of his cases, and only knows Nepal has many good facility opened in 1994, Suresh those that entail risky procedures. doctors, Sonam distrusts the Ramachandran, medical Other than updating facilities and calibre of Nepal’s medical superintendent at Manipal, skills, Rawat believes Nepal’s facilities. estimates the number of patients medical profession could do with Sonam’s lack of faith in going to India has decreased by a communication skills makeover: Nepal’s medical system is neither 20 percent, especially with “Talk to patients, give them new nor unique. For decades, concessions for poor patients. respect, let them call you on your Nepalis with even simple medical Up to 40 percent, depending phone and don’t hide the truth conditions have gone abroad for done locally. Although medical Procedurally, a doctor makes a has exceptional doctors and on the case, are given free beds from them.” He has noted a turn treatment. It used to be the treatment in Nepal is not cheap, it medical referral after consulting facilities, especially in cardiology, and fulltime residential doctors in the tide of Nepali heart missionary hospitals across the is still less expensive than the patient and family, and neurology and opthalmology. regularly waive fees. patients going abroad and border in Bihar, or in Vellore in roundtrip air tickets and a lengthy concluding the required facility or Cardiac care has improved Ramachandran told us, “As a estimates it’s down to 25 percent the south, or AIIMS in New stay at hospitals in New Delhi or procedure is not available in significantly both in the public teaching hospital, Manipal’s from 80 percent three years ago. Delhi. Lately, it is Thailand’s Bangkok. Nepal. Sometimes things don’t and private spheres. already very competent staff will “I try and convince Nepalis that unique brand of ‘medical At A&M Marketing, Amod even get that far. Buddha At Shahid Gangalal National only improve as post graduate we can provide services that are as tourism’. Fed with horror stories Pyakuryal represents Bangkok’s Basnyat, medical director at The Heart Centre, executive director students stay to develop more good, if not better, than some of misdiagnosis and malpractice Bumrungrad Hospital in Nepal International Clinic, which Bhagawan Koirala (pic top, at the departments and our South hospitals abroad. The next step is back home, the exodus of patients Kathmandu, and says it offers treats mainly expats, says: “There operating table) has provided Indian nurses are replaced with to convince insurance companies abroad has slowed but not world class care for costs that are are two things patients consider: quality care for the past two years, Nepali nurses trained here.” that travellers and expats living in abated. “not much higher” than Delhi or whether they get a definitive and recently, the government Manipal has modern Nepal can get quality care at But things are changing. Bombay. A standard coronary diagnosis and the treatment hospital began charging laboratories with a total analyser. cheaper rates, avoiding the risk of There are even indications that artery by-pass with an eight night prescribed. But reliability of lab subsidised rates. “We’ve made It can run 100-150 tests transportation,” says Rawat. Indians are coming to Nepal for stay at Bumrungrad costs $5,763. testing in Kathmandu often poses cardiac care accessible, so Nepalis automatically from a small “Someday, I’d even like treatment in Nepali facilities: Bumrungrad gets 200,000 a limiting factor. Without proper don’t have to go to India or sample of blood. The lab also to see foreigners considering especially for eye problems, heart international patients a year, and diagnosis, treatment becomes Thailand for treatment anymore,” produces accurate investigations Nepal as a medical destination.” or cancer. As the quality of Nepali there has been criticism in the difficult.” says Koirala. The hospital in of thyroid hormone levels, That may take some time, but hospitals grow, and specialist past that it is too big to give While the trend of medical Bansbari already sees 25,000 goitres, HIV through the oncologist Sudip Shrestha at the doctors return to Nepal from individualised care. Still, referrals abroad by doctors is now cardiac patients come through Western Blot test, cervical cancer Bhaktapur Cancer Care Centre abroad, Nepalis are finding that a approximately 500 referrals were limited to special cases, the good every year, and many of them get using Pap Smears, skin biopsies says, “We must improve the lot of the operations that used to made from Nepal last year for news is there has also been a subsidised care. But Koirala is to detect leprosy, all of which diagnostic capabilities of facilities require medical evacuation to everything from gastro-enteritis to recent decline in Nepalis going open to referring patients to meet international standards. in Nepal, which is the major India or Thailand can now be cardiac surgery. abroad for treatment. Nepal now facilities abroad if they are high- The lack of proper facilities reason for referrals abroad.” t

HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK

here are many questions to be answered in these troubling, mysterious days. Prime among them is whether the government and the security forces are trying to win the war against the Maoists by military means? If not win, then put increasing pressure on the rebels to abandon the path of violence and return to the peace process that collapsed PlainspeakingWhat’s more important: inT August. An examination of what ministers and occasionally, members of peace or supremacy of arms? the forces are saying points to this whatever might be said to visiting even human rights problems as the recent incidents in Doramba and Doti dignitaries and diplomats about being ready for negotiations at any time. seem to indicate. If so, then it’s time for someone in authority to say it plainly. The This, in the end, is why the Nepali state, in whatever form it chooses to Nepali people deserve no less than to know that their country is going to present itself, should now be honest with the Nepali people about its become more violent, that soldiers and the police will be fighting more, not military aims in the fight against the Maoists. Because if this is all out war, less, in the weeks to come. Yes of course, the Maoists too should make as it seems to be, then war has rules and those rules must be respected. their intentions plain but to be fair, they have long rejected the existing Even more, those who investigate the conduct of war need respect and order, and are fighting for its overthrow. Their web sites and press releases support from both sides, but especially from the government and the over the years have said no less. I think we know where they are coming by the world sits suspended because IRA hardliners won’t give up arms and security forces. War cannot be won by those who treat civilian security and from. ‘Peoples’ War’ is pretty plain speaking. explosives. “Decommissioning” it’s called, in an attempt to make rights as disposable quantities. This is the international standard to which No, it’s the government, the monarchy and the security forces who need disarmament seem less than surrender. International players from America, conflicts are now held, especially if international support is to be proffered to come clean about their intentions. There are hints galore, and not just Canada and Europe are quietly trying to put the two sides back on track, to one side over the other, as is the case right now in Nepal. Donor from Nepali sources. The New York Times quotes US officials as saying the and find forms of words that ease them into peaceful conflict resolution, governments, those accused of interfering in the country’s internal affairs, Maoists must be “bent back to the bargaining table”. This from the country rather than angry rhetoric and more violence. So far, that, at least has been are increasingly uneasy about the potential for a spiral of violence here that that is supplying the security forces with weapons and counterinsurgency the case. could turn the place into another Afghanistan, another Cambodia. training. Government ministers who negotiated with the Maoists in the last Here in Nepal, there’s a sense of limbo at the moment. While the level If this is not war, then what is it? Is there a strategy other than fighting round of the peace talks are frank: they didn’t like the tone or substance of of violence has been alarming in recent weeks, there’s not been the steady the Maoists? Is anyone out there winning hearts and minds, or even trying their interlocutors’ submissions to the process, didn’t believe that they only stream of body count press releases from the Defence Ministry that there to develop the country beyond the Kathmandu Valley and the richer wanted peace and democracy and now think that they must disarm if there was before the ceasefire earlier this year. Perhaps that’s because, as one sections of the tarai? Is there a role for the political parties and other parts is to be a meaningful peace process in the country. Nepali newspaper reported a ministry spokesman as saying, the army of civil society in any of this? Will proven human rights abuses ever be That last point makes some sense. Looking at Northern Ireland, where doesn’t tell the Ministry what it’s doing anymore. Or perhaps it’s a properly and publicly handled, to the satisfaction of survivors, victims and the British government and the IRA have been doing a danse macabre for deliberate strategy of keeping public expectations low. Or perhaps, more others? What’s more important? Peace? Or supremacy of arms? Tough years around the notion of peace and autonomy. A peace process acclaimed ominously, it’s an attempt to minimise the impact of civilian casualties or questions, but the answers are probably even tougher. t 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 NATION NEPALI TIMES #167 7 DOMESTIC BRIEFS

drive for the British Gurkha regiments when

○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ he was abducted by the Maoists last Sunday. LongCase before closed the Supreme The first foreign national to have this Court of Japan sentenced dubious honour, Griffith was taken hostage Govinda P Mainali to life with four Nepali officials in a village near imprisonment this week, his Baglung. Forty hours after their ordeal, the case was already making entire team was released. Griffith is now headlines in Japan and back in Kathmandu and the British Embassy here in Nepali Times (‘Here comes the story has stated it is investigating the matter. of Govinda Mainali,’ #39, ‘Radha visits

Govinda in jail’, #77). In 2000, Mainali was ○○○○○○○○○

acquitted by Tokyo District Court but the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ verdict was reversed eight months later by LilyFellowship Thapa and Mandira Sharma have been Tokyo High Court. His retrial and unnecessary selected for this year’s prestigious Ashoka detention sparked protests from human rights fellowship. The Washington-based groups. After a protracted battle in court and fellowship comes with monthly stipend to several attempts at extradition to Nepal, support individuals working for social Mainali was found guilty of murdering a changes in their country. The fellowship is Japanese woman from Tokyo Electric Power run by the Ashoka Foundation in 44 Co in 1997. “Unless Govinda Prasad Mainali countries. Since 1987, the fellowship has lodges another appeal, the Tokyo High selected more than 31 fellows working in Court’s ruling that he be imprisoned for life various social issues. Thapa, a women’s will be final,” reports Japan’s Mainichi News. activist, is involved in empowering the widows to become economically independent and fight social stigma.

Mandira Sharma is actively involved in

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BritishAbductee Army Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Griffith making Nepal’s justice system more was with his team on a regular recruitment accountable.

Due to the rare quality of the image, the museum Dipankara comesstaff was immediately suspicious,home and scholars in Nepal identified the gilded copper image as one of the 108 Buddhas that are paraded through Patan at the annual Samyak festival. The art dealer relinquished claim to the figure, allowing the Austrian government to secure the Buddha in police custody. It was kept in the lobby of the Vienna museum, where it was worshipped regularly by Austrian Buddhists (see pic), while legal wranglings between the Austrian and German authorities delayed repatriation. Experts say the Dipankara case illustrates the global trend that stolen artifacts are no longer

acceptable for sale on the international art market. ○○○○ SUMNIMA○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ UDAS, NATALI SANDERSON Still, less than ten of the countless religious objects A Dipankara Buddha stolen from Patan’s Nag stolen from Nepal have ever been returned. Bahal nearly two years ago finally flew home from “What upsets me most was that this image was Vienna on Thursday night just in time for the stolen out of a living tradition,” says Buddhist scholar, Newari New Year. The Buddha’s odyssey began Alexander Rospatt. “It shouldn’t go back to a museum when a German art dealer tried to sell it for here, that would defeat the whole purpose of the $180,000 to the Ethnographic Museum in Vienna exercise.” At Nag Bahal this week, local guthiyas said three months after it was stolen (See Nepali Times, their Buddha had gone on a ‘little vacation’ and they ‘Lost-and-found Buddha’, #94). heard rumours that he was coming back soon. t 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 8 NATION NEPALI TIMES #167

“I see hope inNepali Timesreforms: You have been very vocal and about But grassroots the Bank’s conditionalities for lending haveparticipation.”When the area involves business that provides the high level of corruption in Nepal. received a lot of flak for being impractical. goods and services to the people, then in comes Mieko Nishimizu: While every country is prone to a Frankly, I have also seen the World Bank’s advice privatisation. We need private operators to run certain degree of corruption, in Nepal, for many, many turn out to be impractical not just in Nepal. But at the such businesses smoothly. We feel governments years the procurement process has been a same time, if Nepal didn’t learn from best practices in should not be involved in business. They can play nightmare. The government has a project for which it other parts of the world, it will be trapped in its status roles in starting up a business that demands huge wants to recruit a consultant to do some analysis and quo. I see the role of the World Bank as fundamental investment where the private sector is not willing it wants the World Bank to pay for the consultant. in helping Nepal take lessons from outside. The to come in. The bank has a strict rule on how to bid for a choice in the end is that of the people and the consultancy and the government has to follow our government of Nepal. In their latest statement, the Maoists have rules. But all too often the government refuses to said they would allow international accept the consultant who has won the bid clearly When we talked to you three years ago (see agencies that do not have direct links with under the World Bank provisions. The government Nepali Times, # 67) you were quite positive the US to operate. Is the Bank going to be comes up with a fuzzy reason for the rejection and about Nepal. What about now? I see two reasons affected? some political authority gives it to someone else either to hope. First, the very important reforms, which will There are182 member countries who own the because that person is a political favourite or there is enable detailed technical measures to bring back World Bank as shareholders. The US and Japan a deal between them. This is a generic situation but I good governance. The reforms mean many powerful are the two biggest shareholders. Our will challenge you to investigate the cost of building and rich people are getting hurt but there are constitution says that the bank’s headquarters government schools in Nepal. We had to investigate a increasing numbers of reformers fighting those must be in the capital city of the largest school in eastern Nepal that collapsed even before it powerful vested interests. A serious process has shareholder, therefore, the headquarters is in was inaugurated. Contractors used substandard begun. The other reason that makes me hopeful is Washington DC. But, if for some reason Japan materials because they had to pay off politicians. If grassroots participation. As of now, 310 schools becomes the largest shareholder, the office will things do not get better, the Bank will do a study on have been handed over to the management by the move to Tokyo. The role of the management, board corruption like it did in Bangladesh. communities and so it is with the health posts. and shareholder countries have been articulated in the constitution. No single country has the veto Mieko Nishimizu, Vice President of Bank officials have said things have improved Development money is being diverted to right. We are not an instrument of the US. the South Asia Region at the World after King Gyanendra took over last year. What security. Does the Bank support this? Bank will be retiring this year. She are your views? No. We are prohibited by our constitution to help in Some US investors in Nepal actually It has nothing to do with political change. Our country security fronts. We do not finance military activities threatened to stop World Bank assistance if has travelled extensively through strategy specified concrete triggers that give us more even indirectly. But in the end money is fungible and a local contract dispute was not settled in South Asia to find out firsthand confidence and hope about this country’s policies. In so the one dollar that goes to the education project their favour. about problems in the region. In an our judgement, the developments here were met and could be saved and spent in defence. We are aware This happens all the time. Do American so we upgraded the lending. What it means, of this and in countries where the defence businessmen know how the World Bank works? exclusive interview with Nepali Times essentially, is that there is a small group of people in expenditure is just too high by any common sense or No, they don’t. Yes, very often businessmen go this week, she spoke frankly on Kathmandu who are reforming different sectors, by international standards, we raise concerns. We through their politicians to pressurise us. This is corruption, real world politics and fighting battles for years before the king took over. are analysing Nepal’s defence expenditure. the real world, let’s face it. We take each of these For instance, with the banking sector reforms, the interventions as an opportunity to sit with ignorant the Bank’s commitment to Nepal. financial practice of Nepal’s government is well The World Bank is pushing for privatisation of people to explain how we are and what we do. Excerpts: ahead of many developing countries. many areas including public utilities... Once they understand, they go away.

NEPAL IN THE FOREIGN PRESS Britain must act to stop all-out war in Nepal Ian Porter army twice, with five killed in one attack and since the war began and 30 since the end of Saturday, 18 October, 2003 12 in the other. The UN has now called for an August. The Guardian independent official inquiry. Although no one is suggesting that they are

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/ Escalating conflict between Maoists Amnesty International has long reported being used in the current offensive, Britain ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and○○○○○○○○○○○ the army threatens catastrophe. on the impunity which the Nepalese security provided two military helicopters to Nepal last hile world attention is focused on US forces have traditionally enjoyed, and the year, reportedly another nail in the coffin of and British military operations in to none in Nepal. US is massively increasing its support, and senior army official in charge of human Clare Short’s difficult relationship with the Iraq and Afghanistan, just along the Nepal is far from a normal civilian US special forces have trained a quarter of the rights issues has made it clear that Foreign Office and Downing Street, as she Himalaya, a low-intensity conflict in Nepal is democracy. A year ago, the king dismissed the army in counter-insurgency operations. In an prosecutions for human rights violations fiercely opposed the move. on the verge of becoming a disastrous all-out elected government, he has now appointed two arms escalation which India fears could lead are out of the question during the conflict With the Nepali army more and more Wwar. The Maoist insurgency, which started in prime ministers from the pro-monarchy party, to new weapons ending up with its own in order to maintain troop morale. obviously beyond any civilian control, British 1996, has led to a conflict that is likely to be which enjoys little popular support. The aid Maoist insurgents, the US has provided This bodes ill for the looming war. While policy appears to be increasingly in disarray. unwinnable—or, as Tony Blair’s special community, which supplies more than half 5,000 new M16s, with the same number the security forces seem to have greatly Sir Jeffrey James was appointed to coordinate envoy, Sir Jeffrey James, put it, there is no the government’s income, is increasingly reportedly in the pipeline. This is done in improved their capacity, due mainly to US British policy with its three competing “acceptable military solution”. alarmed at the inability of the king’s cabinets the name of combating international support and Indian training (and probably strands—the Foreign Office, the Department The British envoy’s analysis cannot be to take decisions. terrorism, though the Maoists have never the extensive use of landmines), the Maoists for International Development (DfID) and the lightly dismissed. Nepal’s relationship with The main reason for the government’s been accused of operating outside Nepal and have amply demonstrated over the past month Ministry of Defence—and then to provide a the UK goes back nearly two centuries and paralysis is that all meaningful decision-making few doubt that there are plenty of genuine that they can carry out bank robberies, lead to the international community. The centres on the recruitment of Nepalis from power lies with the army and the king. The social grievances to fuel a popular insurgency. assassinations and destruction of government British ambassador and the senior DfID marginalised ethnic groups as Gurkhas. Its army’s role in politics has grown in step with For much of this year, the British buildings at will throughout the country. official in Kathmandu have now been longstanding cooperation with the royal Nepal increasing foreign military assistance. While government has appeared comfortable with Their activities have forced the government to recalled to London to try to sort out the army means that British intelligence is second Britain is withholding lethal military aid, the these developments, happy to play the good withdraw nearly all rural police, giving the mess. It seems Sir Jeffrey needs some help cop to the bad cop role that the current US Maoists even more freedom of movement as after the king refused him an audience ambassador clearly relishes. But this they raise funds by a mixture of extortion during his recent visit. diplomatic complacency was shattered by the and “taxes” (everyone, including employees Apart from anything else, the Ramechhap killing of 21 people in the isolated eastern of aid agencies, is obliged to cough up 5 massacre has demonstrated that the UK’s policy district of Ramechhap, attributed to the army, percent of their salary if they want to work of gaining leverage though military cooperation on 17 August, just as much-delayed peace in Maoist areas). and human rights training has been an abject talks were resuming after a three-month There is every indication that Ramechhap failure. A new, clear and independent British break. The seven-month ceasefire collapsed is not a one-off incident. In its 2003 report, policy emphasising negotiations over the one- just 10 days later. Amnesty International pointed out that “the dimensional military track could be the only Nepal’s human rights commission security forces continued to carry out unlawful initiative now able to halt the slide to war. published its inquiry into the killings last killings. It was estimated that of the more that The main difference between the British month, and placed responsibility firmly with 4,000 ‘Maoists’ officially declared as killed and US positions seems to be that the US the army. Its report stated that the villagers, since November 2001, nearly half may have believes that one last military push could bring mostly Maoist sympathisers, were detained been unlawfully killed”. In normal English the Maoists back to the table in a weakened by 80 soldiers dressed as civilians. After a that means that they were either murdered as position. But most analysts agree that any three-hour march they were lined up and non-combatants or that they were simply military escalation now will send the conflict executed; almost all the bodies examined innocent bystanders shot down to make the into an unstoppable spiral. As one Nepali showed signs of being shot in the head at army’s figures look a little better. If 2,000 journalist put it, the country will be so short range. innocents were killed during the last round of destroyed that it won’t matter who won. t During the two months since the fighting, prospects for this current round are RAMESHWAR BOHARA Royal Nepali Army ML-17 of the type donated by Britain landing troops at Bhawang in incident, the army has doggedly maintained not good. This week, Amnesty released a Ian Porter is a pseudonym for an official Rolpa recently. the cover story it released within minutes of report on ‘disappearances’ carried out by working with an international development the killings—that Maoists had ambushed the government forces, documenting 250 cases organisation in Nepal. 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 ECONOMY NEPALI TIMES #167 9 BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED

Fashion in Putali Sadak. Yogen Stapit, the director

○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of the company, says the collection is ideal for hip JapanBridging has decided the to extend gap a grant of $24,200 to young things and upwardly mobile executives. build a 22m steel truss bridge over Changchung Khola at Charka Village in Dolpa. Charka is on the T-SHIRT STATION: From simple trade route between Upper Dolpa, Jomsom and mono-colour text to bright graphics, Tibet, and is also on an intersection for commuting Graphic Station’s new showroom Whose loan is it anyway? to and from the district headquarter at Dunai. In at Kupondol is the perfect place for spite of the importance of this village, all it had professional results. They are ideal Banks blacklist defaulting borrowers. for brand t-shirts but are quite blacklist of people who Like the poplars on the Arniko intentional defaulters end up in was a temporary wooden bridge that was often have defaulted on loan highway, we uproot the whole action that often puts the brakes swept away during the monsoons. The area is happy to collaborate on special familiar to the Japanese because of Ekai one-off personalised pieces too. All payments was made public tree when pruning a few branches on economic activities. It is also Kawaguchi, the first Japanese to visit Nepal in t-shirts are 100 percent cotton, through the media recently. The will do. Banks must be able to important to note, as some 1899, who stopped there on his way to Tibet. colour fast and designs are guaranteed not to peel newspapers took a keen interest, make a distinction between business people pointed out, that off or fade. A Makoto Nebuka, a Japanese writer who visited the although some quarters turned a businesses that failed despite bigger defaulters manage to area frequently, has studied Kawaguchi and blind eye. Rastriya Banijya Bank genuine efforts and those that square up their cases and escape FURNITURE SOLUTIONS: reintroduced Dolpa to the Japanese people has listed several businesses were made to fail by promoters, getting outed. The other through his writings. Nebuka and his friend in Corporate, educational and service oriented owned by prominent Nepali who in turn cash in through the question is, what effect, if any, Japan have donated construction material. The business people for what they does a defaulter’s name labour and other locally available construction furniture never looked so materials will be contributed by CBCC. The modern. The Fusion term ‘punitive action in made public have? It Japanese government will bear transportation Furniture Solution future’. The Beed feels this happens far too many times, costs of major construction materials. showroom, a Golchha smacks of half-baked work and frankly, no one really Organisation enterprise, recently opened its doors that not only fails to cares. There are lists of in Tinkune. They offer a wide range of practical, understand business issues,

affordable and modern solutions for your interiors. corrupt politicians, businesses

○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ but also leave many questions that squeeze money out of ForInstant fast loans uptosolutions Rs 400,0000, Everest Bank ROADWORTHY: To prmote their cars as better than unanswered. capital markets and Limited’s new joint venture with Punjab National merely serviceable, Arun Intercontinental Traders Businesses formed as joint promoters of banks that milk Bank sanctions schemes against mortgage of began an innovative Suzuki Road Show from 18 stock companies under the their own institutions. It’s immovable property in Kathmandu and other October. A carnival of Companies Act worldwide enough to make most selected urban centres. The term loan is Suzuki cars will have the fundamental Nepalis throw their hands up repayable in convenient monthly installments in a make stops at principle of limited liability, and ask, “Why bother?” period of 60 months and the overdraft is reviewed various points every year. around the so if the business goes bust, This time the Central Valley, the liability of the Bank faces the challenge of

encouraging shareholders are limited to the proving it will take action on ○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ potential customers to see, test drive and perhaps stock they bought into. You real defaulters. It will also be NepalKollywood Lever, an active night supporter of the Nepali even exchange their old ride for a brand new car cannot drag the shareholder, interesting to see what the music industry through various sponsorships and through the True Value offer. The cars in focus are his past and the future into other banks will do, as they events, is now giving the film industry a much the Suzuki Ignis and Grand Vitara. the deal. To pull a veil over have defaults on the same needed boost through the Lux Film Awards 2060 the inefficient review processes, banks. It is a global banking account or the same promoter presented by Hits FM 91.2 on 29 November this MAKEOVER: This week, Johnnie year. Organisers say the event will have stringent Walker Red Label revealed a banks are attempting sweeping principle that the former merits group(s). Needless to say, proper fairness and transparency as it is being instituted stunning new 21st century measures to clean up business consideration and the latter, policing of banks and their by entities independent of the film industry. incarnation of the world famous activities. Remember when the punitive legal action. Banks also portfolios by the Central Bank as Scottish whisky. The main label has stock exchange in Nepal was must understand that they are well as other regulatory a radiant red ‘hot-spot’ in the centre picking up in the mid-90s and partners in the ventures and are authorities are indispensable, but NEW PRODUCTS and the Striding Man figure has been the government could not deal responsible for its failure. If the their processes must be ‘liberated’ from the label at the efficiently with insider trading? It promoters request foreclosure, the acceptable, have public support LONDON TO KATHMANDU: Pepe Jeans, London, bottom. The bottle is much more open slapped up an investor-unfriendly banks cannot consider them and result in action. Otherwise it are now available at Mark Clothing, Kathmandu. and less cluttered too. Happily, the This new readymade outlet has opened at company hasn’t tampered with the Company Act that practically defaulters. just becomes fodder for the Dharmapath and stocks a wide range of shirts, taste, ensuring that while our old friend may look killed the national stock market. It isn’t the Beed’s intention to cocktail circuit. t t-shirts and pants, that are also available at Roots spiffier, it still goes down easy. Now this new list could be an target banks. In Nepal, good unfortunate repetition of the past. policy intentions of punishing [email protected]. 10 TRAVEL MILAP DIXIT Despite a tourism slump, the people of Manang are upbeat about the future.

in MANANG ○○○○○○

KUNDA○○○○○○○○○○ DIXIT snowline. High above all this are from below the shirt. Receipts for here. “People are least concerned because there are few tourists in his his time of year, the the knife-edge ridges, fluted crests Rs 1,000 bearing portraits of about politics, they just want things Hotel New Yak. With Manang valley is a and teetering blue seracs of the Marx, Lenin and Mao and to get back to normal so the his John Lennon T patchwork quilt of yellow hanging glaciers on Annapurna. denouncing American imperialism tourists start coming again,” says spectacles and film-star and brown. The village elders have Along the flat and wide trail have become the new take-home Phunjo, who runs one of Manang’s good looks, Sonam has no met to inspect the ripening from Humde airfield to Manang, souvenirs of a trek in Nepal. Most classiest restaurants, specialising in regrets about leaving buckwheat and millet, and decreed there are a few trekkers this season take the encounters in their stride, Mexican and Italian cuisine. Kathmandu. “Why live that harvests will begin tomorrow. to take in this view. On a normal it is the khaobadi they are more Phunjo is impatient to get back anywhere else when your The scenic autumn colours hide October, there would be 300 worried about. to the work the people elected him home village is so beautiful, the a serious social dislocation. tourists a day, walking up towards Many Manangis who returned for, but says his party bosses in air and water is clean?” he asks Decades of depopulation, the Thorung La and Jomsom. This to their home villages after the Kathmandu wouldn’t understand with a wide grin. migration of Manangis to season, there haven’t been more trekking bonanza of the 1990s are this. When he was DDC chairman, For Sonam, tourism has been Michung has also served as Kathmandu and beyond, has taken than 80 daily doing the traverse. now in gloom. “We struggled a lot Phunjo worked closely with the the impetus to farm vegetables, sell DDC chairman and has long its toll. Many of the fields are The end of the ceasefire on 27 to make tourism work here, if it Annapurna Area Conservation a tasty health drink made from stopped expecting anything from fallow, there just isn’t enough August and the security situation goes on like this all our investment Project to upgrade the trekking high-altitude wild seabuckthorn Kathmandu. “They don’t care for manpower for the harvest, so down valley in Lamjung will be wasted,” says the ex-DDC trails, build and repair bridges. berries, and run roadside shops. All us, whatever needs to be done we hundreds of villagers have moved discouraged many. The adventurous chairman Michung Gurung (pic, Today, every VDC in Manang is this will suffer if the tourism slump must do ourselves,” he says. up from Barpak in Upper Gorkha came nevertheless, but were below). “And if tourism goes down, connected by new suspension continues. “We have cabbages here Indeed, most recent development for the harvest season. Even before blocked by the Marsyangdi bridge we go down.” bridges, trekkers who want to go that are 10 kg, carrots of three kg, in Manang has been because of the sun rises from behind Pisang’s below Dharapani that was damaged on side trips have safe and well- if there are no trekkers we have to local initiative. The airfield at towering cone, the workers are on by a rockfall in mid-September. marked trails and the community feed them to the horses,” says 75- Humde was carved out from a the terraces. The fields rise up like Information and rumours travel forestry program has revived much year-old Tashi Tsering. hillside by local people 15 years a staircase from the frothing quickly up and down the trails, and of woods around Pisang. Manang returnees like Tashi ago, the two power plants that Marsyangdi up to the base of the now reports are rife of rampant Revival of tourism would also say the real problem is that city supply electricity were set up cliffs that form the northern Maoist extortion in Ghorepani at reverse the trend for outmigration Manangis are not helping their locally but demand has ramparts of the Annapurnas. the other end of the Annapurna as more Manangis come back. village, and they don’t want to outstripped supply and the It is back-breaking work and circuit. Many who can afford it are Even though what happens in “There is a perception in come back. Michung Gurung, who turbines need repairs so there is they are at it all day, cutting, planning to fly out from Jomsom Kathmandu has such direct impact Kathmandu that Managis are all returned to Manang in 1977 after power in Manang only on gathering, threshing with no time instead of walking to Pokhara. In on the economy and development rich,” says Phunjo, “but the reality trading between Bangkok, Penang alternate nights. to admire some of the most the lodges at night over dinner, of Manang, its politics and horse- is different. Here you have to and Singapore, agrees that the Tripple Gurung (pic, below) is spectacular scenery on earth. Thick trekkers exchange experiences of trading feels remote here. Even the struggle, but if you work hard it has Manang diaspora only donates to a Manangi who flies for Yeti forests of fir and spruce serrate the their encounters with Maoists: the Nepali Congress chairman of rewards.” monasteries and rites. “With the Airlines, and has been trying to ridges, with the trees clinging to the courteous requests to donate to the Manang DDC, Phunjo Gurung, Karma Tsering (pic, below) money they give gompas, we could promote tourism to his home steep slopes right up to the revolution with a grenade peeking says there are no partisan causes started the first bakery in Manang upgrade schools and healthposts in valley. He flies regularly into in Braga, and says he and his family all VDCs here,” Michung tells us. Humde from Kathmandu, and can survive from farming even if Most of those who have agrees that visitor numbers would tourism completely dries up. “You returned to Manang have had to grow if the flights could be made don’t need as much money here as leave behind their children in more regular. He has set up the you do in Kathmandu, you have to expensive boarding schools in work hard, but you can make a Kathmandu or India. They are living from the land,” says Karma. worried their children are alienated But even he admits that he doesn’t from Managi culture, language and have to get up at three every festivals and act like foreigners morning to start baking bread like when they come home for holidays. he used to five years ago. Because of the tourist slump, it is Sonam Tapkey is rushing off to also getting difficult to pay the Manang Youth Club to carry out his field on the slopes above Braga, school fees. conservation work, and is the carrying lunch for his Barpak With an average per capita prime mover behind the Destina- harvesters. He has time to do this income four times the national tion Manang Year 2004 campaign. average, there seems to be no He sums it all up: “People reason why quality schools can’t be don’t know that 30 minutes from set up in Manang. But that may Kathmandu you have this unspoilt have to wait for the return for the mountain paradise, and it is next generation of wealthy income from tourism that will Annapurna III seen from Kecho Lake (top) and the Marsyandi flows past Pisang with Swarga Dwar international Manangis who want ultimately help us preserve our rockface as backdrop (above). to get back to their roots. culture and our way of life.” t 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 NEPALI TIMES #167 11 Meet me in Manang he Destination Manang 2004 campaign is trying to bring in cluster of houses that is Ghyaru at 3,800m. The trek from Ghyaru via tourists to this trans-Himalayan valley with the slogan: ‘See you Ngawal to Manang is the high road that offers a grand panorama of the T in Manang’. It has a calendar of festivals throughout next year, entire north wall of the Annapurnas. Take side trips to the numerous and is promoting the valley’s accessibility, its superb scenery and its pastures on the north side of the valley, including the holy Kecho Lake comfortable lodges. at 4,800 m where the Annapurnas are reflected on the waters. For most trekkers, Manang is just a transit point for acclimatisation Descend into Manang and Braga, and eat at the numerous before climbing up to Thorung La on restaurants, bakeries, just lie in the sun, the Annapurna Circuit. They rush or go see a movie at the video parlour through Manang and have no time to (currently showing: Into Thin Air and take in the serene ambience of this Caravan). Another day trek from Braga uniquely picturesque region. The is to climb as far as you can up a spur Destination Manang Campaign is out to of Annapurna III to Mila Repa’s cave and change all that. “We want to show that see if you can spot the bow that the Manang is worth going to even if you Buddhist saint is said to have left aren’t doing Thorung La, there is behind. The road up from Manang, past enough to see and do in Manang the bulldozed remains of the lateral itself,” says Tripple Gurung, an moraine of the Gangapurna Glacier, has airline pilot. spectacular views of a turquoise Humde airport is only 30 minutes green lake. from Kathmandu, and Yeti Airlines All this will acclimatise you for the currently operates a scheduled flight tough trek to Tilicho, one of the world’s every Saturday, with charter highest lakes at 5,100m. It is a three-day roundtrips during the week. Royal roundtrip from Manang via Kangshar, Nepal is set to resume its Pokhara- and only for the well-acclimatised. We Manang flights soon, but don’t bet on it. have it on good authority that the view The flight skirts Himalchuli, flies up the of the lake and the Grand Barrier on a narrow gorge of the Marsyangdi full-moon night is a spiritual experience before the valley opens out in Upper that will cleanse your soul for the rest of Manang. The airfield at 3,200m is an your life. Tilicho Lake has become a ideal place to start a week-long trans- pilgrimage spot for Indians who regard it Himalayan holiday. as the famous body of water mentioned It is a pleasant two-hour walk in the Ramayana where the crow gave down to Pisang along meadows and Garuda a piece of his mind. pine forests. There are great views of The Destination Manang 2004 the north face of Annapurna II which campaign hopes to capitalise on the is directly above the village, and is a variety of pilgrimage, trekking, nature good place to acclimatise if you have just flown in. There is a and festival attractions of Manang to bring in at least 20,000 visitors to grandstand view of Swarga Dwar (literally: ‘door to heaven’) a the valley next year. Manang can be a destination not just for overseas geological oddity that has turned a 1,300m high mountain into a visitors, but also Kathmandu-based expats and Nepali tourists for whom near-perfect hemisphere. Swarga Dwar would probably work very this can be an ideal quick and scenic one-week getaway. There is well as a parabolic antenna to scan the universe for radio transmission something for every season: archery contests, harvest festivals, from extraterrestrials. monsoon pilgrimages, trekking and mountaineering all year round, and Next day, walk to the monastery in Upper Pisang, have lunch at one even heli-skiing in winter. of the numerous restaurants facing Annapurna II, and then on to a After this, if you still want to go to Thorung La, be our guest. t 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 12 WORLD NEPALI TIMES #167

TUSCON, Arizona, USA - The Gandaki Valley. The Himalaya are like taking a blanket off of the Earth,” Himalaya were, till now, thought to An American soldier stands guard considered the best place on the planet Gehrels said. “It causes the entire have been formed 55 million years ago The Himalaya sits on top of another mountain range inthat an Iraqi is market.10 times older. for studying what happens when Earth to get a whole lot cooler.” whenThe the Indian subcontinent ancestors of the Earth’sHimalaya continents collide, but more Though it may not feel cool, the fact is ploughed into the Asian landmass, but research is needed to determine the that during most of Earth’s history new discoveries show that the relative proportions of faulting, burial, there were no polar ice caps. The mountain range is part of a 500 metamorphism, generation of granites, eroded sediment that is swept away by million-year-old mountain system uplift and erosion that occurred during systems like the Indus and Ganga American geologists say the mountain-building. flows into the ocean, changing its Himalayan mountains reached their “This really leads to the question composition. present heights by piggybacking on of what the world looked like 500 “This definitely may have played another mountain system even older million years ago,” says Gehrels, who a role into what is in the ocean,” than the range that includes Mt Everest thinks that rocks in the Himalaya were Gehrels said. “We might have found and eight of the world’s peaks more pushed down below Earth’s crust 500 the answer for why earth’s climate and than 8,000m high. million years ago and were changed by sea composition changed drastically at A group of University of Arizona the heat and pressure. The deeply this point in time.” geoscientists made the discovery after imbedded rocks were brought back to The bewildered scientists pieced field visits to Nepal and Indian the surface by processes such as erosion together the mystery of these aged Himalaya. The findings are published caused from weathering and the rocks when results from samples in the September issue of GSA Today, formation of fault lines. began coming in last year, showing a scientific journal of the Geological FERRAZ LUIS PAULO “What we are seeing is the roots of that the mountains were in fact a part Society of America. million years ago, Gehrels said. ago. The plates move as a result of a depth and metamorphosed,” Gehrels this earlier mountain formation,” says of an older mountain chain. Samples (www.geosociety.org) It’s important to the scientific convection current in the 10,000- said. V-shaped patterns on boulders Gehrel’s colleague, Peter DeCelles. were gathered over the years and then “Not only are the Himalaya community to understand the link degree magma deep within the Earth. along river beds in the higher “The new mountain range is still being tested at the University of Arizona’s Mountains atop another range, they are between mountain building, which The mountains on which the Himalaya suggest that they are 460 pushed up even today.” one-of-a-kind mass spectrometer. still moving up,” said George Gehrels, causes carbon dioxide loss and changes Himalaya piggyback were formed million years old. The material The ancient findings are UA scientists would like to a geosciences professor studying the in climate, to changes in seawater some 500 million years ago when the contained garnets and zircon crystals significant not only because of their return to the site to gather more phenomenon. “But erosion keeps the chemistry, which is believed to be India Plate collided with an yet- that Gehrels dated to around 500 age, but also because it causes scientists evidence to determine if the old peaks from getting much higher.” caused by erosion from the unknown land mass, said Gehrels, million years using the uranium- to rethink the global climate change mountain range is still largely The findings of the UA scientists mountains spewing into the sea. who has been working on the project lead technique. and the shift in seawater composition. present or isolated. “There are still a fly in the face of conventional theories “We live on a very dynamic for 10 years. The age of the rock is The scientists studied The Himalaya Mountains shed lot of unanswered questions because and force scientists to revise ideas on planet,” Gehrels said. “And it’s not determined by plotting the decay of conglomerates and sandstones found enormous amounts of sediment that we are looking at half a mountain the region’s tectonic history. The only dynamic now, but it’s always been uranium into lead. in these “ancestral Himalaya” flow from the river systems into the range right now and we would love revised geologic history also challenges dynamic.” There are 12 major tectonic “Our model is based on sediments in different areas of the oceans, which causes carbon dioxide to find the other half,” Geherls said. Earth scientists to rethink ideas on plates on Earth and many smaller observations that, between 450-500 Annapurnas which is an ideal place for loss in the atmosphere and in return “There are two pieces of a jigsaw global climate change and the global plates. India, a tectonic plate itself, million years ago, rocks in the geological studies because it has the cools Earth’s climate. puzzle and our goal is to put shift in seawater chemistry of about 55 collided with Asia 55 million years Himalaya were pushed down to great world’s deepest gorge: the Kali “Taking away carbon dioxide is this together.” t 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 ASIA NEPALI TIMES #167 13

REPORT ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ HOExorbitant CHI MINH CITY –Rx Vietnam is finding out that there is no easy cure for the problem of rising drug prices. On 1 October, the health ministry was to implement a circular requiring all medicine products, whether local or imported, carry stickers showing their retail prices. But the implementation of this new rule has been moved to 1 January 2004, after eminent doctors and drug experts voiced their concerns about whether the health ministry’s scheme MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR Fromthreaten the APECtrade economies”. talks They to terrorism. was pragmatic and feasible. in BANGKOK – Leaders of 21 Pacific APECcommitted to establishing “a regional agenda The circular was aimed at addressing a situation where Rim economies succeeded in salvaging trade and financial security initiative “prices have increased by 17.4 percent so far this year, 10 times some relevance in their gathering, the with the Asian Development Bank, to the rate of most goods,” said Vu Cong Chinh, a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation support projects that enhance port group of health ministry experts in charge of drafting the circular (APEC) summit, by coming to the security, combat terrorist finance, and on medicine price management. It also classifies medicines into rescue of the World Trade achieve other counter-terrorism three categories: drugs for national programs, essential medicine Organisation (WTO) and by laying objectives”. and popular drugs. The government will put a cap the prices of out a blueprint to take on In keeping with the focus on essential drugs and leave the prices of those in the final category “transnational terrorist groups”. security, the APEC members also to the drug vendors. However, leading pharmacists and doctors At the end of the two-day summit expressed concern, although say a wider program is needed to address the problem, and that at Bangkok on Tuesday, the leaders implicitly, about security threats to the controlling prices is only part of this effort. (IPS) affirmed that they wanted to breathe region posed by North Korea. They

life into the WTO, after its last round committed to “eliminate the severe and ○○○○○○○○○○ of ministerial talks collapsed in growing danger posed by the countries to gain a secure foothold in Lagos Escobar told the media. ○○○○○○○ Cancun last month. The declaration proliferation of weapons of mass the world economy. However, Malaysian Prime Minister NEWDwindling DELHI – Indian females families, also cemented APEC becoming destruction”. Such an overwhelming That included APEC backing Mahathir Mohamad was more trapped between the traditional bias another launching pad to back the US- stress on security meant a continuation attempts to abolish “all forms of circumspect, stressing a point he has toward male offspring and the need led ‘war against terror’. of a trend that first occurred at the agricultural export subsidies, come to be known for—that what the to limit family size, end up aborting In fact, the language in the four- 2001 APEC forum hosted by China, unjustifiable export prohibitions and world needs is more fair trade, not free female foetuses after getting illegal page declaration revealed how marked followed by last year’s meeting in restrictions, and commit ourselves to trade. “Free trade may not be fair but sex-determination tests. The Pre- this shift has been. The Asia-Pacific Mexico. work in the negotiating group on rules fair trade can be free,” he told the conception and Pre-natal leaders’ commitments on the security This pattern, which emerged in in accordance with the Doha press. “We need to insist on an Diagnostics Techniques (Prohibition front were more detailed and entailed the wake of the 11 September terrorist mandate”. equitable system.” of Sex Selection) Act came into concrete measures, while the pledges attacks in the United States, indicates a The significance of APEC’s views Among APEC’s members are force on 14 February this year, but about the WTO were rich in rhetoric further shift away from the free-trade on the WTO was not lost on the developing countries, such as China, doctors and private clinics still but short on specifics. To combat vision of APEC, affirmed in Bogor, leaders of Thailand and Chile in the and developed countries, such as the disclose the sex of an unborn child for a fat fee. At present, transnational terrorism, for instance, Indonesia, in 1994. At that summit, wake of the fact that this week’s United States, who lined up on either anyone who seeks help for sex selection faces conviction and the Bangkok Declaration stated that the the developed member economies meeting was the first major side of the bitter debate in Cancun imprisonment for a three-year period. The state-level medical APEC member economies had agreed committed to opening up to free trade international gathering after the that led to the WTO talks’ collapse. councilcan debar the medical practitioner, if convicted. to adopt strict domestic export and investment by 2010, while the WTO’s dramatic failure in Mexico. The fact that the animosity from According to “Mapping the Adverse Sex Ratio in India”, the controls, to secure stockpiles and to developing economies were given until “The message from us is important: Cancun is not reflected in APEC’s new UNFPA booklet, India’s child sex ratio—the number of girls per take domestic action to “regulate the 2020 to achieve this goal. that the WTO talks should continue,” declaration “has to be welcomed,” says 1,000 boys in 0-6 years of age group—declined from 945 per production, transfer and brokering” of On the WTO, the declaration Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Asvin Dayal of the British 1,000 in the 1991 census to 927 per 1,000 in the 2001 census in a man-portable missiles, such as stated that APEC “reaffirmed the Shinawatra told a press conference at development agency Oxfam. “If there downward trend continuing since 1961. In an attempt to strike a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles primacy of the multilateral trading the close of the APEC summit. is a commitment to support the balance, last week Haryana’s Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala (known as SAMs). system” and agreed to support free- “All of us are committed to free multilateral trading arrangement that announced a new family planning scheme. Couples get paid $10 a The leaders also agreed to trade talks shaped by the Doha trade. We feel there is some room to genuinely addresses developing month to support one female child and half that amount to support “dismantle, fully and without delay, Development Agenda, which was open the doors that were closed in country concerns, it is good.” t a male child if they opt for sterilisation afterwards. (IPS) transnational terrorist groups that supposed to enable developing Cancun,” Chilean President Ricardo (IPS) 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS NEPALI TIMES #167

university. Other factors that play men in the village have either left

○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ an important part are social or they don’t come out of their YumeshNo threat Sherpa, Rajdhani, discrimination and lack of houses. Senior students from the 19 October confidence. At Iswori Kanya, an all- school have either reached the girl hostel, there is only one dalit in district headquarters at Silgadi Rumors of Maoist extortion and the 250-strong student body. Rita and other towns like Dipayal and search operations by security forces Ghimire (Biswokarma) managed to Dhangadi. The rest have dispersed Sushil Koirala, Nepali Congress general secretary in forcing trekkers to return from the get a spot only after a bitter to other villages. Saptahik Janasatta, 18-24 October “We will continue.” Annapurna Conservation Area struggle and help from a student Doors of homes are locked by Project (ACAP) are unfounded. union leader. sundown. Children are encouraged People may have the impression that the political parties of Neither trekking operators nor Student union leaders explain to get indoors when they see any the dissolved parliament have slowed down their movement. trekkers have faced such difficulties that unlike India, Nepal does not strangers. Those who witnessed We have not. We chose not publicise our protest program on the Annapurna trails. have a quota system for students their friends die when security during the Dasai and Tihar festivals. We will finalise the Locals at Ghandruk and from low castes. “The problem can forces opened fire on a Maoist- future direction of our movement before Tihar. We will Birethanti say tourists are carrying be solved if the government held cultural program last week continue. on with their treks. They confirmed introduces reservations for dalits,” are showing symptoms of extreme We toned down our protest because of several reasons: Maoist rebels in the region have says Anjan Lama, a member of the psychological and emotional Maoist rebels returned to jungles and resumed violence just dispersed after the army arrived. Independent Student’s Union. He trauma. They neither eat nor when our movement was gaining momentum. The The locals also added that the says the university already has a speak properly. “When I speak to government imposed curfews in many districts and Maoists did not terrorise tourists quota for athletes and the anyone, I feel I will be hit by a prevented people from arriving in the capital. Since there while collecting donations. Most physically disabled. Lama’s union is bullet,” says seventh grader Madan were restrictions on travel, people could not participate in the rebels are satisfied with what they working towards something similar Bhandari. “When I was hiding in movement. Despite that, tens of thousands of people turned receive. There are, however, cases for dalits as well. Meanwhile, one of the classes, I felt I was shot up on the streets during our week-long protest. We did it

MIN BAJRACHARYA of opportunists posing as Maoists Krishna Prasad Acharya, the every time there were gunshots.” peacefully and in a disciplined way. who harass tourists for donations. university’s management committee Madan survived, but four of his Have the two governments directly formed by the king These people have reportedly rector, says a seat reservation fellow students died in that been able to solve problems in the country? They couldn’t manhandled locals, and they have system will be possible to incident. even establish their legitimacy. In the meantime, the security fled the area. The Trekking Agents implement if the union and the situation has deteriorated. There are no signs of peace Association of Nepal (TAAN) said a dalit students raise the issue.

anywhere. I see no positive results from this government. ○○○○○○○○○○○

Spanish tourist confirmed security ○○○○○ As long as there is violence, murder and terrorism, we cannot imagine going to the forces had indeed conducted search AbdullahThe rot Miya,

ballot. How can the government say it can hold elections? One must understand that the ○○○○○○

operations at Pun Hill, but only for ○○○○○○○○○○ government had to make nominations for leaders at local bodies because it could not hold Rajdhani, 21 October a day. The association’s regional DilStench Bahadur Chhanyal, in Doti elections, and furthermore, they won’t be able to if the present situation persists. If that’s chapter in Pokhara says no tourists Kantipur, 20 October the case with local elections, how can we think about general elections? Hunting trophies confiscated from have returned from the Annapurna The arrest of our co-general secretary Govinda Raj Joshi by the Commission for the different places in the country are region because of the army or the More than a week has passed since Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has everything to do with political vendetta. The decaying in a government store at Maoists. 11 Maoists were gunned down in a Supreme Court is going through the writ petition Joshi filed, challenging the commission’s Tikauli in Chitwan. The reason: school at Mudbhara village in Doti. move and we are continuing our movement. Under such circumstances, the arrest of Joshi bad management. All of them have Their bodies haven’t been removed

by the commission can be viewed in no other way. been tucked into two rooms of a

○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ and locals are subjected to the foul We would like to hold talks with Maoist rebels but we know the situation is just not training camp at the forestry Room for more smell of decomposing bodies. “We favourable. The rebels have been killing our activists mercilessly in different districts. They Charcha, 20 Oct department’s office. Even the staff could have buried the dead, but the have abducted senior leader and former home minister Mahendra Ray Yadav and our are ignorant about the treasures Maoists may come back and political workers like Ram Mani Gyawali. We condemn their activities. If the rebels are real Dalits make up the lowest number inside. Visitors are discouraged, question us,” says a Mudbhara patriots, they must give up arms and sit down for talks. of students in Nepal’s biggest specifically because things are in resident. Everyone avoids the If they carry on their campaign of terror with the help of guns, the people will suffer university. Out of 7,086 students absolute shambles. school and people fear the bodies because the rebels will use them as shields. How can the people believe them when they admitted to Tribhuban University Most of the contraband has could spread disease. They do their have been killing on the scale of Hitler and the Nazis? in 2002-2003, there are only 36 fallen to pieces, many have been best to keep their cattle from Under the present circumstances, the House of Representatives has to be restored so dalits, out which only 10 attend smuggled out. The hides of tigers, drinking from the pond near the that all the parties will have a forum to initiate a dialogue process with the rebels. The regular classes. The rest come to leopards, elephants, antelopes, school but they can’t control stray Maoists have been seesawing on their demands. Sometimes they say they want a the university only during rhinos lie in tatters. Officials say dogs that are scavenging on the republican state, but we also hear of their support for a constituent assembly with the king. examinations. Out of this number, rhino horns were handed over to dead bodies, sometimes carrying They need to be clear about their stand. there is only a single female dalit security agencies. The office does body parts into the village. The The present crisis in the country is already a threat to our existence. The more careless student. Durga Sob who graduated not even have an inventory of the health post that used to treat an we become in handling this situation, the more foreign hands will be at play here. The only recently says things are improving confiscated contraband. In average of 50 people a day has also way out is the restoration of the House where we can discuss viable solutions. for her community although “the keeping with the Convention on been shut down because of its Since its inception, the Nepali Congress has been committed to the monarchy. The low turnout of students paints a International Trade of Endangered proximity to the school. Patients regression will continue unabated as long as the king fails to understand that even parties dismal picture”. Species (CITES), the government have nowhere to go. who believe in the republican system have come under the democratic umbrella that Khagendra Bareilli, a dalit had made provisions for storage in “Some dead bodies are in my subscribes to monarchy. Problems cannot be solved by suppressing the people. student, attends classes regularly. a special museum. No one knows paddy field,” says Sharada Joshi. He says poverty keeps most people what happened to that plan. from his community out of “But I daren’t go there.” All the

OutSanghu, 20 October of control The Maoists have gained notoriety around the world for their violent activities in non-military zones—destroying infrastructure, forcing children to attend cultural programs, burning Red Cross ambulances, attacking social workers, looting banks and extorting from even poor people. These activities have been going on for a long time, since their ‘people’s war’ began, and worsened after they broke the truce with the Deuba government. After series of protests from the international community and human rights activists, the Maoist leaders announced they would abstain from excessive extortion and killing. But the militants remain virtually uncontrollable, saying change is not possible without destroying the old regime. They sidestep responsibility by saying all they do is follow orders. This begs the question whether Prachanda was just pretending when he talked of peace. He could have easily controlled his people by categorically stating his commitment to a peaceful resolution. The Maoists, who always talk about achieving their dreams about a perfect Nepal, are set on destroying Balloon: Election the nation and its citizens. Prime Minister: Wow! Initially the Maoists did have popular support, but Kantipur, 19 October the people are dominated, not motivated by the Maoist guns. Once they are disarmed, the public will QUOTE OF THE WEEK pour out into the streets against them. How long will The ambassadors seem to lead our leaders. the Maoists intimidate us? If their leaders do not rein in their cadre, the Maoist party will self-desruct. -Industrialist Basanta Chaudhary in Jandharana, 23 October 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 HISTORY AND CULTURE NEPALI TIMES #167 15 Back at Sundarijal >46

was being interrogated by the police on charges that had already been submitted to the court + that too when I was a prisoner under the “I am fightingTuesdaySundarijal for 26 April, the 1977 dignitySecurity Act—malafide of detention, Nepalis” etc etc. He was expecting Supreme After all, they took me to a specially constituted court set up specifically to Court’s ruling on this writ application today itself. He also told me that try my case on camera. In the morning immediately after breakfast the foreign legal experts, including Palkiwala, were interested in my case + Major came inside to inform me that as I had been arranged to be taken to might attend the court as observers. the court the lunch would be served before 11AM. I was in the bathroom All this had an effect: because when I was brought back to the doing laundry work when the information was conveyed to me. I had very detention camp the Major told me that he had just received order to little time to arrange my things and thoughts. But they came after 2PM, hand over the camp to the police and that the police party was which I thought was time past for myself to be taken to the court + hence I expected any moment to take charge of me. The sudden withdrawal of was preparing to press my washed clothes. Ass. Anchaladhish 1st came detention order under Security Act, the withdrawal of the army as my along with the Major + told me that his order of my detention under the jailer, my presentation to the court – all were suddenly decided with a Security Act had been withdrawn and asked me to certify the withdrawal. view of the writ petition and the realisation on the part of the govt that When I asked him for a written order of withdrawal, he said his verbal what they had been doing with me was not legal + was definitely high- statement was enough. I signed the typed certification, tho I was not wholly handed. If the court were as concerned as they should be for the satisfied by his statement. I agreed with him that since a written order of citizens’ rights under law it should take this development too in detention had been served, its withdrawal order should also be in writing. consideration. After all, the compliance of the letters of law without But he wouldn’t listen. Immediately after I signed the certification of meeting the demand of it in spirit is typically known as jalphareb and jali withdrawal I was taken out of the camp + brought to the court (at Singha phataha. A jaliphataha keeps his legal document in order but violates Durbar) in a police jeep escorted by another jeepload of armed police. My the law in spirit. 1st outing in 4 months. The outside of the camp appeared to be a small I was given a glass of lemon tea in the court room when the court fort with sinister looking tangle of barbed wires, which reminded me of … was not in session. The court atmosphere was relaxed. I told the judge in Camp of war prisoners (Italians). The jeep was wholly covered so that I the very beginning that when I am brought here, I became (see 24.3.77) couldn’t see much of the roadside views + scenes—whatever I could see was through the small openings in the flaps of the covering and the keep was [entry on page for 24 March] being driven at 80km speed. They didn’t take me through the main road which is the direct route—but adopted a circuitous route to avoid notice by (From 21.4.77) the people. Everything in the court seemed to be improvised and hurriedly relaxed and relieved, that I had been kept in solitary confinement put up. The court is constituted of one judge, with two office clerks—the under Security Act detention order, etc etc. judge is the district judge of the Narayani Zone—seemed to be a little I was brought back to the detention camp at 6:15 PM. This outing nervous and self-conscious also and anxious to be judicially fair. On the had been too exciting and I felt a little tired. I was hungry also. whole a good normal person, but lacks personality + may not be legally Immediately after food at 7PM I wanted to go to bed but I was too clever—and softspoken, but may not be strong enough to withstand the excited to sleep. At about 9:30 the Major came with DIG Chemjong and pressure from the govt. When the court sat, at the very outset I told it that I bade goodbye to me. At dinnertime the Capt + Subedar + others had Four months after his was unable to particiapte in the legal proceedings as long as I didn’t get come to say goodbye. I told them that they had been good to me + I the services of a lawyer. He promptly said that I would get all legal facilities thanked them all. I thanked the army cook + told him that I would always detention and a month in provided by the constitution—and a man was immediately dispatched to remember his solicitous care of us + for the good food he served. To the solitary confinement, BP fetch Ganeshrajji. In the meantime I pleaded with the court that I should major I said—“Major, I am very glad as I hope you will also be that the get all the normal facilities of an undertrial, including regular interviews army is being relieved from police duty. The army is always used by the Koirala is summoned before with members of my family + also pleaded for the permission to them to govt against their political opponent, and is made to perform the police a specially constituted court attend this court. As regards interviews he said that he sould see what he duty—which is not what the army is for.” I further told him—“I am fighting could do about it afterwards, but as far as their attendance in the court was for the dignity of the people of Nepal, for you, Major, for your brothers + at Singha Darbar. His lawyer, concerned the special court by govt order had to hold its sessions in secret, for the future generation too. I wish you the best of luck. Goodbye, so outsiders wouldn’t be permitted according to the very order of the Major.” He brought a writing table for me and said—“I know you had Ganesh Raj Sharma tells him constitution (See 21.4.77) been wanting a writing table, and the army HQ was preparing to send he has filed a habeus corpus one. But now that the police has taken over, I don’t know how long they [entry on page for 21 April] will take to get a table. This is my table which I had been using here. It writ in the Supreme Court. is a field table. I hope it will serve your purpose.” I thanked him. I saw On his return to Sundarijal, (from 26.4.77) Subedar was tearful. I also felt sad when they left. I seem to have grown of the court. On this my argument was that family members were not a fondness for the men of the army. BP finds that he is no longer outsiders and the secret session was not meant to be a session in purdah. The DIG who has taken over charge also seems to be a good man— under detention under the The intention was to avoid press and the public. I further argued that since bespectacled, thin, totally devoid of a personality which is associated there was no specific order preventing the attendance of family members, with a police officer—an atmosphere of cold authority is lacking in his Security Act, the army has the judge was free to interpret the order of the govt in such a liberal demeanor. been replaced by police. BP manner as per my interpretation of the order. The judge said nothing The atmosphere of the camp has suddenly changed. I took a tablet clearly on this point. As we were waiting the arrival of my lawyer the judge of valium 5 + went to bed, a little overwhelmed with the events of the is too excited to sleep, and went to his chamber, permitting some kind of recess. In the meantime day and a little sad at the departure of the army from the establishment. takes a sedative. Ganeshrajji came. He told me that he had moved the Supreme Court for I had started liking them, and they too had developed a regard for me + habeus corpus on my behalf starting that I was in military detention, that I an understanding of our cause.

POETIC LICENSE by WAYNE AMTZIS Himal Association presents tolled by ministering hands. In Pashupati, DomainNight after night searching one no longer mistakes the moving among eye-sockets and whispers river The 15 best films of the just-concluded Film South Asia ’03 in Persisting, invoking a kingdom for the murmur of prayer from rabid stares and shattered Travelling Film South Asia bones, Friday, 31 October-2 Sunday, November 2003, at Baggikhana, Patan Dhoka they say in this the capital, this the country ZoneThe crowd, of as itPeace shivers, draws itself As the city sinks into its grave, in Friday, 31st October 2003 The Unconscious (19') Naata (The Bond) (45') 4:15 pm (across the low roofs of Kathmandu like a single clenched fist A different kind of sexual identity Crisis of identity in modern India Shei Rater Kotha Bolte Eshechi the view from Sundhara blurs) into In full gear, against a busted wall, sleep, (Tale of the Darkest Night) (43') 3:00 Resilient Rhythms (64') 3:00 pm Godhra Tak: The police lean on each other pmPakistani army begins attack on East Dalits and the odds Terror Trail (60') 5:00 pm seeps the stink of death. Those Pakistan Reconstruction of the train incident who set themselves and hold hands Sand and Water (105') 4:15 pm above it all, speak (from their Rain. A welcome gesture Vikas Bandook Ki Naal Se Life along the Jamuna The 18th Elephant – spangled crypts) (Development Flows from 3 Monologues (62') 6:00 pm The cement where Shoba spent the the Barrel of the Gun) (54') 3:45 pm Bheda Ko Oon Jasto – Elephants speak up against human with spurned lips and stolen night through phrases, For the sake of a larger good In Search of a Song ... (55') 6:00 pm atrocities seems as clean as wounds tended to Following a tune to the mountains of domain reclaimed. From fertile A Night of Prophecy (77') 4:40 pm Tickets Though all vehicles that enter and nd valley, Poets in times and places of conflict Sunday, 2 November 2003 (Rs 20 per screening) not seasonal bounty, but bricks leave the valley are available at stacked and counted pass through a zone of peace, Itihass Jitneharuka Laagi Hunting Down Water (32') 2:00 pm Himal Association (History for Winners) (47') 6:00 pm The shortage and surplus of water Patan Dhoka (5537408) Beyond field and river, not sky vast, there are no seats to be found A singer who refuses to fight but a fist closing upon itself. from No tickets to be had Made in India (39') Monday, 28 October, 2003 Somewhere, Saturday, 1st November 2003 Visual culture in contemporary India strung between ruins of the past Those that depart tend to their and the future in ruins, this place crimes Swara – A Bridge over Buru Sengal Those that remain Troubled Water (40') 2:00 pm (The Fire Within) (57') 3:15 pm without a present ‘Girl sacrifice’ in tribal Pakistan Extracting coal, but at what cost? stands: 108 excuses & lies, fate to the punishment that comes 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 16 CITY NEPALI TIMES #167 ABOUT TOWN BOOKWORM

FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS v Personal Encounters on the Journey of Life Paintings by Prakaash Chandwadkar till Himalayan Echoes: a Septuagenarian’s Traverse of Mustang and Inner Dolpo 31 October at Siddhartha Art Gallery. Baber Mahal Revisited. 4218048 Phillip Sturgeon with Judith Forrestal Book Faith India, 1998 v Exploration of the Magical Realm Etchings by Seema Sharma at Café Mitra, Thamel. 4259015 Rs 480 Known as the “Oldest Old Man in Trekking”, Sturgeon gives an interesting account of his v Lalit Deepawali Utsav 2060 at Jawalakhel Football Maidan, 23-25 October. adventures through the remote Inner Dolpo, an inner sanctum of the Himalaya that was v Tihar: 23 October: Kaag Tihar, 24 October: Kukur Tihar, 25 October: Laxmi Puja, 26 October: Gobardhan Puja, 27 October: Bhai Tika. opened to Westerners only in 1992. The septuagenarian reveals the pleasures and pains of traversing this difficult terrain in an appealing easy and conversational style. EVENTS v The God’s Dance of Kathmandu Valley 7PM on Tuesdays. Tea+Ticket: Rs 400 at Hotel Vajra. Kingdom Beyond the Clouds: Journeys in Search of the Himalayan Kings v Lazimpat Film Shows: Land and Freedom (Ken Loach) 28 October; Brazil (Terry Gilliam) Jonathan Gregson 30 October. 7.30 PM at Lazimpat Gallery Cafe. 4428549 Pan Books, 2000 v House of Cards with McDowells at Rox Bar, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. Blind Faith, Rs 490 Jems Pradhan and Sanjeev Pradhan. 4491234 This is a travel narrative that both transports its readers to little-visited places and v Social Science Baha Library at the Patan Dhoka, opens 31 October. 5548142 demystifies what they find there. Gregson journeys through Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Mustang and Dharamsala in search of the region’s often elusive leaders. Through his MUSIC v Catch 22 back at the Rum Doodle. interviews, he learns that while there is a world of difference between their rules, they face v Cadenza live 7.30PM Wednesday, Saturday at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lazimpat. many of the same challenges. v Abhaya & The Steam Injuns every Friday at Fusion, Dwarika’s. 4479488 v Fusion music by Bobbin and friends at Jatra restaurant & bar. 6PM onwards, 17 October. Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 4227711, [email protected] v Latino night Tequila promo, special cocktails 7PM, 24 October at Via Via Café, Paknajol.

DRINK v Winter Warmers at the Sumeru Bar with 25 percent discount between 6-8PM at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 v Festival of tropical black rum drinks and great steaks at K-too! Beer & Steakhouse, Thamel. 4433043 v Cosmic Cocktails and chic home furnishings at Mitra Lounge Bar and Mausam homestyle boutique. Above Cafe Mitra, Thamel. 4259015 Wake Up ! FOOD Get ready for a brand new day with v The Grand Dosa Festival at The Café, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, 28 October-6 November. 4491234 BBC World Today. v BBQ in the Shambala Garden everyday at 7PM. 4412999 v Sekuwa Saanjh Friday BBQ from 7:30PM at Rs 555 at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 Every morning on 102.4 FM from 5:45-6:15 AM v Café U Japanese home-cooking, cakes and coffee. Opp British School, Sanepa. 5523263 v Roadhouse Cafe for wood fired pizzas and more. Opp St Mary’s School, Pulchowk. 5521755 /]l8of] ;u/dfyf v Traditional Nepali Thali lunch at Patan Museum Café inside Patan Museum. 11AM-2.30 PM. Radio Sagarmatha Cocktails and snacks 2-7.30 PM. 5526271 P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Saturday BBQ Lunch at Club Himalaya Nagarkot. Rs 500 per person. 468008 Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 v on FM 102.4 E-mail: [email protected], www.radiosagarmatha.org v Traditional Newari Thali at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4431632 v Weekend Ban Bhoj at the Godavari Village Resort. Reservation recommended. 5560675. v Krishnarpan ceremonial Nepali cuisine fit for a king. Reservation recommended. 4479488 v Smoked salmon soufflé, Crispy Duck Breast, Shrimp Newburg and fine wines at Kilroy’s of Chutki (Antara Mali) wants to be Madhuri Dixit, Raja (Rajpal Kathmandu, Thamel. 4250440 Yadav) wants to be with Chutki. This is not a formula triangle, but a bitter-sweet tale of Bollywood clichés. It’s a no-frills story GETAWAYS v Microlight flying adventures with the Avia Club, Pokhara. told without any gimmicks. First-time director, Chandan Arora, v Shivapuri Heights Cottage 30 minutes from Kathmandu, at the edge of the Shivapuri tells it like it is, without much song and dance. Short and Reserve. Email: [email protected] slick, the film has a simple narrative and very convincing reality v Weekend Special for Rs 3,000 per couple, Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 4375280 about it. Anjana does a decent job of a Madhuri hopeful, but v TGIF overnight package at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 Rajpal as the artless villager, sparkles. Star-maker and v Bardia tiger madness Jungle Base camp has extra special deals 061-32112 producer, Ram Gopal Varma, has just made his latest hero— Email: [email protected] the editor-turned-director Chandan Arora. His hero, Rajpal v Back to Nature overnight package for resident expatriates at Godavari Village Resort. Yadav, is already a star. 5560675 JAI NEPAL CINEMA Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge special Tihar offers! 4361500 v Mein Madhuri Banna Chahti Hoon: 12PM, 3PM Call 4442220 for bookings. www.jainepal.com v Shivapuri Cottage, Dadagaon nature, peace and luxury. 4354331 Email: [email protected]

CLASSIFIED KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY Visit Ground Zero Fine wines, Kathmandu’s air quality has now started to take on winter qualities with the end of the rains. designer candles, cards, gifts, Putali Sadak, one of the most polluted areas in Kathmandu, recorded the concentration of PM stationery, wooden items, perfumes 10 (particulate matter having diameter less than 10 microns) way above 120 micrograms per and more. Darbar Marg, opposite cubic meter every day last week. These are particles are so small they can remain in the Hotel de l’Annapurna lungs and cause damage, and are derived mainly from vehcile emissions. Air quality in 91.2 residential areas is better, but even Thamel is starting to get close to the national standard. Visit Femilines, the Exclusive What you burn is Lingerie Store for ladies what you breathe. Average PM10 levels at selected points undergarments, nightwear, in Kathmandu 12-19 October in bathrobes and more. Ladies staff. micrograms per cubic meter. Opposite Sajha Yatayat, Harihar Good < 60 Source: www. mope.gov.np Bhawan, Pulchowk. Tel: 547428 Ok 61 to 120 To Let: Rabibhawan area two Unhealthy 121 to 350 storey house 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms large kitchen dining living Harmful 351 to 425 terrace lobby and porch and telephone. Contact: Roshani Hazardous >425 Putalisadak Matsyagaun TU Bhaktapur Patan H Thamel 4275180

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State of Prosperity More than any other state in not possible without integration Today, Sikkim is geared to India, Sikkim has taken the quest into the broader development develop its rich potential in the of sustainable human process of the northeast states and agro-industry, horticulture, development seriously. The the rest of India. medicinal plants, food concept is not a buzzword here, Since coming to power, the processing, tea, animal it means building on traditions, Sikkim Democratic Front husbandry, handlooms and rich cultural heritage and natural government has turned the negative textiles, forest resources, resources. Landlocked Sikkim economic growth rate into a ecotourism, information also knows that development is positive and vibrant growth regime. technology and education.

“Almost 85 percent of the population of Sikkim lives in rural areas and only an improvement in agriculture can better their lot.”

An enthusiastic crowd watches a helicopter lift off from a new helipad at Dodak, west Sikkim. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling

Ready to take-off Spreading well-being Farming roots As a land-locked, mountainous state, Sikkim has to After 1995-96, both the net state domestic product Sikkim has only 64,000 hectares of arable land, yet total focus on developing high-value, low-volume products. (NSDP) and per capita income have recorded a steady food production has increased steadily from over 58,560 The development of handloom and textiles has growth. Sikkim’s per capita almost doubled from IRs tons in 1981 to 103,000 tons in 2001. significant potential for preserving its rich cultural 8,905 to IRs 16,143 during the same period, a To enhance productivity of farmers and to regulate legacy. Sikkim has turned itself into an ‘investor-friendly commendable 13.55 percent growth per year. The state purchase and sale of farmer’s products, the government state’ and attracted investments from both within and also recorded the highest economic growth rate in India has established a regulated market in the state. It has outside. For this the Sikkim government has made a during the Ninth Plan. In the 10th Five Year Plan (2002- also provided facilities for sale of farmer’s produce number of far reaching policy changes including liberal 2007) draft document, Sikkim’s economic growth rate of within the state at regulated prices. Sikkim has also been investment climate and diverse fiscal incentives. 8.3 percent is second only to Pondicherry, Chandigarh declared an Agricultural Export Zone enabling it to sell Sikkim’s geographical location in the eastern and Delhi. The state has the 10th highest per capita cardamom, ginger and flowers in national and Himalaya has endowed it with great bio-diversity, this income among Indian states, and the 5th highest growth international markets. is why it is researching medicinal uses of plant varieties rate in the per capita net state domestic product during The state has paid attention to plant protection within the state. Besides generating knowledge and 1993-2000. measures through available organic alternatives in employment, this helps increase livelihood patterns and policies adopted by the Departments of Agriculture and aid conservation. The organic production of medicinal Horticulture. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is deeply plants, oranges, lime, ginger, large cardamoms and commited to environmental protection and feels that other agriculture produce have increased agricultural Sikkim’s mixed farming system and low comsumption of production and enhanced income. Floriculture and the chemical fertilisers could make an easy transition to non-timber sector offer strong possibilities for providing organic farming. Whether it’s commercial large alternative sources of income and employment. Sikkim cardamom, exquisite orchids,sweet orange or trenchant is now reemphasising the more efficient use of cane cherry pepper, typical buckwheat or unique pulses, they and bamboo resources that can be used for low-cost, all are 100 percent organic Sikkimese produce. And with earthquake resistant housing and a host of other the initiative made by the chief minister, the state products. became among the first in India to encourage organic The unparalleled beauty and friendly, hospitable farming. Dairy production is also going up, thanks to people are this Indian state’s competitive and help from the Swiss Development Agency. comparative advantages. These factors are especially A part of the reason for this is the structural shift in the Agriculture is the backbone of the Sikkimese conducive for ecotourism. Sikkim is systematically Sikkimese economy with the service industry (transport, economy, and it has shown a robust performance. The promoting ecotourism as its core competence with a communications, banking, trade, insurance and tourism) SDF government is now aiming for a much higher new concept of ‘village tourism’ where tourists and contributing the largest share to the state domestic growth rate in all areas of agricultural production in the trekkers stay in the rural homes of Sikkimese who have coffers. This shows Sikkim is moving from a ‘developing’ next few years with the aid of technological and been trained in tourism services. To promote village to ‘developed’ status. The primary sector consists of marketing intervention. tourism, 30 model villages with modern facilities are agriculture, mining and forests, the secondary sector being constructed in different parts of Sikkim. The mainly consists of manufacturing, construction and government ensures these model villages are in every electricity. tourist itinerary. It also proposes to support at least one At the national level, close cooperation with the union tourist centre in each Gram Panchayat Unit because government has led to positive results in Sikkim’s ecotourism can promote handicrafts, textiles, carpets economic development. Internationally, the state has and timber products, and the conservation of both been identified and actively considered for development natural and cultural heritage. projects by multilateral and other donor organisations. SPONSORED SECTION

Strength of learning Affirmative action

The state government aims to make Sikkim totally After persistent demands made by the present literate by 2015. The progress made in the arena of government, the Limbu and Tamang communities have literacy so far has made the goal of zero illiteracy been included in the national List of Scheduled Tribes. plausible. The literacy rate, which stood at 17.7 Concerted efforts are being made to include all those percent in 1971 is now already over 70 percent. left out in the list of OBCs and provide them with facilities. A decision has also been taken to grant a quota of seats for students belonging to communities Literate population other than OBCs for higher education and the government has expanded its reservation policy. In the crucial arena of education, primary school enrolment has dramatically increased due to a range of moral and physical support and incentives extended by the state. These include awareness Tech-savvy campaigns, free schooling, textbooks and school Chief Minister Pawan Chamling believes that lunches. Higher education and technical training limitations imposed by Sikkim’s topographical and opportunities are also being developed. geographical location can be changed by technology. There has been a steady increase in the numbers Appropriate technological interventions will not only of educational institutions, teachers, pupils in primary inject a major shift in the efficiency and productivity schools, students in secondary schools and trainees performance, but could also bring about a visible in technical institutes. Today Sikkim has possibly the transformation in the quality of life. The SDF best teacher-student ratio at all levels in the schools. government has zeroed in on information technology The number of girls at schools has gone up wih the creation of a new Information Technology significantly too. Department and has prepared extensive projects to give highest priority to this field. The new department Some educational milestones: is now aiming for e-governance to make use of information tools for improved administration. l A midday meal program for school children. l Three state languages—Lepcha, Limbu and Bhutia—are now being taught at the University level. l Adoption of the “Smart School” concept that emphasises quality education. l Sikkim State Assembly passed a bill in March 2003 for the first university. l Sikkim had only one college when the SDF Investor friendly government assumed office. Now there are more than half a dozen, including Advanced Today, Sikkim is looking forward to a gradual but Technical Training Centre at Bardang (East steady dose of investment from both within and Sikkim) and Centre of Computers and outside the state. This is based on the introduction of Communication Technology at Chisopani various longterm policy interventions including fiscal (South Sikkim). concessions, promotion of private investment, l Computer education is being made compulsory attracting new investment, entrepreneurship develop- in all schools from secondary level. ment and disinvestment-privatisation of existing l School-going children are given stipends to public sector units. encourage academics. The Union Government has extended its new The Tashiling Secretariat in Gangtok is already industrial policy for Sikkim on the lines of the existing computerised and the rest are being connected on a North-East Industrial Policy. This includes excise and Wide Area Network. Government personnel are being income tax exemption to all new industries as well as trained to make them computer literate within three expansion of existing units for a period of ten years years. The Centre for Research and Training in from the date of commencement of commercial Informatics (CRTI), an autonomous body under the production. Department of IT, also conducts career-oriented In addition, the policy also entails granting Computer Multimedia courses. The website ‘CM-on- financial concessions to 12 identified thrust areas in line’ was designed and launched for people to commu- industries irrespective of where they are located in the nicate directly with the chief minister (http:// state. They include ecotourism, handicraft and sikkim.nic.in/cmonline/). handloom, floriculture, mineral based industry, Fourty CICs have been set up across the remotest of agrobased industry and pharmaceutal products. regions of Sikkim to take IT to the grassroots where However, cigarette, manufactured tobacco and its For the people training programs are conducted. The department aims substitute, and brewing of alcoholic drinks and at evolving CIC’s manufacture of branded soft drink and its concentrate Impressive strides have also been made in health, into a single have been excluded from these concessions. women’s welfare, cultural and intellectual spheres window delivery A survey carried out by Business Today showed under the SDF government. Women have been facility for various parameters like the quality of electric power, assisted in training for employment or self- cititzens to pay social infrastructure and state government support in employment. They are given special loans for small taxes, electricity Sikkim have improved in the perception of investors ventures, old age pensios and widow remarriage and water bills, after 1995. Sikkim has set up a Board of Investment schemes among others. In health, the emphasis is on and even get under the chairmanship of the chief minister to prevention rather than cure. There are health clinics births and deaths implement a Single Window Policy, an apex body in every village. Physically challenged persons registered online. that examines investment proposals and give receive subsistence allowance from the government. In line with the government’s decision to devolve clearance at the highest level. The objective is to The religious, cultural and intellectual dimensions powers to the Panchayati Raj Institution, IT has handed provide efficient services to the prospective investors of Sikkimese society are promoted with secularism at over day to day running of the CIC to local committees by providing speedy project approvals, grant of its core. Sikkim’s culture has found new expression in since November last year. A Software Cell has been facilities and coordination among government its literature, folklore, music, dance and drama, and a setup to assist other departments in computerisation. agencies. In addition, some areas have been declared range of national honours have been bestowed on Sikkim will soon have its own software technology Industrial Belts to facilitate the single window system. eminent Sikkimese. park. 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 FESTIVAL NEPALI TIMES #167 19

Shining a little light on Nepal’s unique celebration of life. yearTihar are worshipped as the vehicle of Farmers worship their tools and their the God of Death. If unplacated, these bull to keep the working animal healthy messengers of Yama Raj are believed to and safe. Most households perform be harbingers of bad news. gobardhan puja on a mound of cow Friday, Kathmandu’s dogs have dung which symbolises the mountains, their day. It is Kukur Tihar, the day and farmers pray for rain, fertile fields dogs are gods. Even street mongrels and an abundant harvest. sport elaborate marigold necklaces and Sunday is also the Newari New vermilion on their heads. As Yama Year, which began in 880AD, and the

SUBHAS RAI Raj’s gatekeepers, they ensure the day of Mha Puja when we worship soul’s journey to judgement. oursleves because each individual is Goddess Laxmi, guardian of believed to be an embodiment of the wealth, is venerated on Saturday. divine. Bhaktapur resident Janak

Cows, worshipped as her earthly Kakshyapati describes the scene in at ○○○○○○○○○○○○○

SRADDHA○○○○ BASNYAT manifestation, are bathed, blessed and home on Mha Puja. “My immediate scant two weeks after Dasai the sacred thread of protection is tied family members sit in a room, each winds down, Nepalis are to the tail. “On our farms, a cow that with their individual mandap in front gathering second wind for the gives milk and manure brings wealth, of them for a ceremony which can last nextA big festival: Tihar. This harvest which is probably why they became for hours. We offer auspicious foods festival is a celebration of life—animals symbols for Laxmi,” explains Saraswati like boiled eggs and fish, fruit and are worshipped instead of slaughtered. Jirel a self-proclaimed expert on Tihar. decorations, first to the mandap, then to Though many of the rituals remain Women devote Laxmi Puja to cleaning ourselves.” This ritual of self- intact, the origins of Tihar are murky. house and replastering walls and floors purification is performed in the same Theories abound that it is most likely with a mixture of rato mato and gobar. room as other family members, rooted in animism associated with Tradition has it that the goddess becoming a ritual that celebrates ancient harvest festivals. deigns to visit only the cleanest homes individualism, while strengthening As the story goes, there was once a and come evening, its time for oil kinship within families. king whose demise had been foretold. lamps and leaving the doors open for On Monday is Bhai Tika, the day Following the advice of court the goddess and wealth to glide in. sisters and brothers bless each other astrologers, the king lit oil lamps Saturday is also the night of with long life and happiness through the night. Death, arriving in women’s bhailo songs for blessings, symbolised by long multicolour tikas the form of a venomous snake, money and sweets. The men have their and chrysanthemum garlands. It is also extinguished the flickering light. When deosi on Sunday. In the old days a time for siblings to offer each other the queen went out to appease the perfect strangers would call in at all the presents. snake, he was so flattered, he decided to big, well-known families but in these In the past decade or so, Nepali grant the king a longer life. Humbled, troubled times, both bhailo and deosi Tihars have begun to take on shades of the king decreed a annual festival of are restricted to families and close India’s Dipawali. While purists frown lights. Today, the festivities are an friends. Word has it that groups have on the old ways not remaining elaborate five-day affair. to formally register with the police and sacrosanct, the kernel will survive and Yama Panchak, as Tihar is also send out notices to the houses that they continue because Nepalis are resilient called, began with Kag Tihar on intend to visit. and hopeful. This Tihar, all over the Thursday when crows, who are Sunday is celebrated by various country, the lamps that are lit will also considered pesky scavengers 364 days a communities in their own way. be for peace. t 24 - 30 OCTOBER 2003 20 NEPALI TIMES #167 NEPALI SOCIETY Under My Hat years this has made it possible for by Kunda Dixit him to come home to Nepal to have a tearful reunion with his mother in Gulmi. life managing an Indian restaurant and his 16-year-old son Ram is sad to see the violence restaurantThe on the Philippinelife helpsof out. Ram and killings in his motherland, but resort island of Boracay. Today, The restaurant is popular thinks the country will come out of Ram is part owner and executive among politicians, actors and it. “It is just like the story of my chef at a fancy Indian restaurant Fedex pilots from the nearby life,” says Ram, his eyes glistening called Rama Mahal at the former airport. Ram has even trained a with emotion. “Just when things US naval base at Subic Bay, his Filipino cook to do subctontinental look hopeless and dark, a tiny First, the wife is the manager at the food, and for the first time in 15 light shines through.” t

t has been a slow news day: there have been no major outbreaks of mysterious diseases, not a whole lot of people have been killed, the mainEgyptian conjoined twins are sittingpoints up, and Dear Leader Kim Jong Il looks like he is having another bad hair day. Sorry folks, there isn’t much to report from the world-at-large today, we’re scraping the bottom of the ere is an NRN story with a Ibarrel here. Still, a newspaper has to come out, and a newspaper, by its difference. Ram Sharma was a very definition, has to contain news. So, as a filler, we present below top student in his school in a what is not happening, as far as we know: Hsmall village in Gulmi. But his father died, and his mother could no longer take care of him. So, like a lot of other No Peace Without End To Violence: Minister KATHMANDU (RSS) – The government is of the firm opinion that there underprivileged children in that poverty-stricken part of Nepal, 11-year- can be no peace without an end to violence and vice versa, a senior old Ram left for Bombay to find work. minister has said. Speaking at an interactive program organised on the “There were no opportunities, I suspicious occasion of Kaag Tihar in Kathmandu yesterday, the had to go where fate took me,” Ram Minister for What is Left Of The Physical Infrastructure And Social recalls, tracing the extraordinary Welfare said His Majesty’s Government will present a conceptual drama of his life. He worked as a child whitepaper on whether or not we will ever get out of the current domestic for a Sindhi family. Luckily, mess (fingers crossed) by early next year. unlike many other Nepali children, they treated him well and encouraged him to study. He earned Rs 50 a Envoys To Interfere Again month cooking, cleaning and selling BY A CORRESPONDENT WHO REQUESTS ANONYMITY newspapers, but sent all his savings KAKANI – Kathmandu-based ambassadors met Thursday to formulate a home to his mother. Nine years later, concrete plan of action on how to interfere some more in Nepal’s at 20, Ram took up an offer to go to internal affairs. The British have decided to increase the Nepali prime the Philippines to work as a cook for an minister’s take-home salary after taxes, and bring it at par with a retired Indian businessman. That is when his luck ran out. Gurkha soldier. Political party leaders immediately denounced the move His new employers had promised as a gross Rs 1,000 a month, but after five interference in Nepal’s territorial imperative. “How about us?” asked one nightmarish years in Manila, not only disgruntled politico. News of more interference by foreign powers are did he not get any money, he was pouring in. The Thais say they want to have another go at filling beaten, locked up and treated like a Kathmandu’s pot holes, China wants to build another Concentric Road slave. “I thought of suicide, but I and the Japanese will set up synchronised traffic lights in Lukla to ease thought of my mother, and decided against it,” Ram says. Unable to take congestion on the trekking trail. the torture any longer, he escaped on new year’s day 1990 with just five No Shobraj News Today pesos (Rs 10) in his pocket. He BY OUR CHARLES struggled another few years at odd WATCHER jobs, and found out that to regularise KATHMANDU – Notorious his immigration papers he needs to international alleged marry a Filipina. He went to the only woman he knew well who worked for the criminal, Charles Shobraj, International Committee of the Red was not sighted today, Cross, and asked: “I don’t have any raising speculation that he money, you are the only friend I have, may have again escaped will you marry me?” She was taken from jail in Tihar. This is aback, but moved by his sincerity, she the first time in a month- agreed. Together, Ram began a new and-half since the alleged Shobraj was allegedly apprehended after undercover detective footwork by Kathmandu-based newshounds that there is nothing to add on the case. “We’ve even sent in some fresh handkerchiefs, but he refuses to come out wearing them,” said a distraught international photojournalist keeping vigil outside the jailhouse. “What will I tell my editor in Paris?”

Mayor Unveils Plans FROM THE SUB-METROPOLITAN DESK Kathmandu’s new mayor, Keshab Sthapit, unveiled the First Phase of his plan to turn Nepal’s capital into a Garden of Eden with his Zero Investment Concept. “I will open a Peace University, an IT University, an Art Village in Kirtipur, Homes for the Homeless, Voice for the Voiceless, a Cricket Stadium, a 24-Hour Bar for Journalists, a Bullet Train Service to Hetauda through a 50km Tunnel, a Cement Factory in Tundikhel and turn Bhugol Park into a National Park,” he said, adding, “nothing is impossible if I have my way.” However, on the question of the city’s growing garbage problem, the mayor admitted defeat. Raising both hands, he said: “On garbage, I give up.”

Ministers Come and Go BY A TRAVEL WRITER The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs will, on the recommendation of the prime minister, will also look after the Ministry of Population, Environment, Physical Planning and Works and General Administration in the absence of the Minister for Population and Environment, and Physical Planning and World and General Administration who today left for Dhaka to attend an international conference on water and sanitation. The Minister will also take over the portfolio of the Ministry of Water Resources, Defence, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Social Welfare and Family Planning, according to a statement from the principal press secretariat since other ministers will be on holiday. “It is understandable that during Tihar they want to put all their cards on the table,” the statement said. CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59