#388 22 - 28 February 2008 16 pages Rs 30

Weekly Internet Poll # 388

Q. How would you describe the Madhes general strike? Total votes: 4,735 Dark Ages

hronic shortages of electricity, fuel, water and now food have brought about a serious dislocation of Weekly Internet Poll # 389. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com C businesses, trade and livelihoods throughout the country. Q. Given the crisis in the Madhes should the elections be: The shortages come at a time of deepening political crisis in the Madhes in the run-up to elections. They feed the public’s perception of government incompetence. What is surprising is that people are still queuing up for fuel, gas and water without complaining. But public patience is running thin, and relatively minor incidents can spiral out of control as seen last week in Bhaktapur. Photo essay: p 8-9.

SAM KANG LI 2 EDITORIAL 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit Design: Kiran Maharjan Director Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah marketing(at)himalmedia.com Circulation Manager: Samir Maharjan sales(at)himalmedia.com Subscription: subscription(at)himalmedia.com,5542525/535

Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur editors(at)nepalitimes.com GPO Box 7251, 5250333/845, Fax: 5251013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5250017-19 A War on Tolerance When the people feel abandoned... AMSTERDAM — When ‘tolerance’ He thinks that Europe is in peril hostile to capital cities. Brussels, becomes a term of abuse in a place of being ‘Islamized’. “There will the capital of the European Union, POWER TO THE PEOPLE like the Netherlands, you know soon be more mosques than stands for everything that Not even if someone wanted to deliberately sabotage the country that something has gone seriously churches,” he says, if true populists, whether left or right, would they be as successful as the Seven Minus One party wrong. The Dutch always took Europeans don’t have the guts to hate. And Muslim immigrants live alliance running this country. We have given them credit where it pride in being the most tolerant stand up and save Western in Amsterdam, London, or is due in this space. We have tried to look at the glass as half full people on earth. In less feverish civilisation. Marseilles, not in the kind of and tried to convince ourselves (and you) that we should cut the times than these, no one could Some commentators suggest small towns where right-wing politicians some slack. After all they have brought us this far possibly have taken exception to that Wilders, born and raised as a populists find most of their since April 2006. Yes, it has taken longer than it should. Yes, our rulers have Queen Beatrix’s speech last Catholic in a provincial Dutch support. behaved as if there is no tomorrow. But the country is now finally Christmas, when she pleaded for town, is, like his Muslim Still, the politics of coming to the grand finale of this messy transition. What has tolerance and “respect for enemies, a true believer, driven by resentment works best when it can happened in this country is an extraordinary makeover of our minorities.” But Geert Wilders, the goal of keeping Europe ‘Judeo- tap into real fears. There are state structure with relatively little violence. The reason it is Christian’. Perhaps, but this is reasons for people to feel anxious taking longer than expected is also because of the conspiracies of GUEST COLUMN probably a red herring. His war on about economic globalisation, pan- status quoists and those extremists who still haven’t given up Ian Buruma Islam is also, and perhaps even European bureaucracy, the huge their futile dream of a communist utopia. mainly, a war on the cultural and and not always effectively But the main reason for the current instability is because of political elites, the Dutch controlled influx of immigrants, the individual short-sightedness of our political leaders and their leader of the right-wing, anti- intellectual establishment, the and the aggression of radical collective fecklessness. They have achieved what we all thought Muslim Freedom Party, was so Eurocrats of Brussels, and the political Islam. These anxieties was impossible: to fritter away the gains of the pro-democracy uprising of April 2006, let the people down once again and be a disgusted by the Dutch queen’s liberal-minded queen. Indeed, his have too often been ignored. There total failure in governance. Compared to this, at least where it “multi-cultural rubbish” that he speeches are studded with is a sense among many Europeans concerns service delivery, the dictatorial monarchy is beginning wanted her to be stripped of her references to arrogant elites who that they have been abandoned in a to look like the golden years. It takes breath-taking incompetence constitutional role in the are out of touch with the feelings fast-changing world, that multi- and a complete lack of accountability to succeed in being so government. of the common man. ‘Tolerance’ is national corporations are more unsuccessful. Wilders, a popular rabble- seen as weak and elitist, typical of powerful than nation-states, that The breakdown of law and order is so complete that a rouser whose party occupies nine people who live far removed from the urban rich and highly educated paramilitary police force armed with automatic weapons cannot seats in the Dutch parliament, the harsh realities of the street. do fine and ordinary folks in the open a major highway artery when it is blocked by a couple of compares the Koran to Hitler’s This notion of the elitist provinces languish, while tyre-burning hooligans because one of them was arrested for Mein Kampf, wants to stop appeaser is not confined to the democratically elected politicians robbery. Muslims from moving to the Netherlands. In Israel, the are not only powerless, but have It doesn’t surprise us one bit that the Madhes has been allowed to burn. At press time on Thursday afternoon, the prime Netherlands, and thunders that educated Jewish activists who abjectly surrendered to these larger minister had suddenly woken up from deep slumber and was in those who are already in the criticise Israeli abuses against forces that threaten the common meetings with Madhesi leaders. Going by past experience, country should tear up half the Palestinians, the peaceniks who man. whatever is agreed on will be too little too late. Koran if they wish to stay. believe that negotiation is better Wilders, and others like him, The people’s disgust at the crippling shortages of fuel, power Tolerance towards Islam is than violence and that even Arabs are not just attacking Islamic and water is now turning into outrage. Yet, even at a time of deep cowardly appeasement in his eyes. have rights, are called, with a extremists. His success is based on crisis like this all our rulers can do is sling knowing sneer, ‘beautiful souls’. that sense of tolerance as betrayal. mud at each other, blame everyone but The common man, rooted in the And, as so often happens, the themselves and warn of dark conspiracies real world, supposedly knows loathing of elites has found an afoot. better: uncompromising outlet in the loathing of outsiders, The public’s opinion of politicians in toughness, the hard line, is the who look different and whose Kathmandu is mud. They have stopped expecting any statesmanship from this only way to get results. ways are strange. We must fight bunch, and are getting on with their lives The association of elites with Islamic extremism, but not by despite unprecedented hardships. foreignness, tolerance, and tapping into the darkest gut It is precisely because the people now metropolitan cities is nothing feelings of the unthinking mob. have a chance to throw out this class of new. Elites often can speak Nothing good ever came from failed politicians that they are so scared of foreign languages, and big cities that. (Project Syndicate) elections. Time to give power (both political are traditionally more tolerant and and electric) back to the people. open to mixed populations. Ian Buruma is professor of human Modern populism is invariably rights at Bard College. SUBODH SINGH

A deal on the Madhes needs Can’t wait to be struck, and quickly he prime minister and his NC fierce state response in places. slight changes in the electoral system, is as much to do with the influence of colleagues are primarily responsible The deadlock stems from a complete some concrete steps regarding inclusion, royalists and the Hindu right on the MJF. T for the present mess the country is trust deficit. Madhesi groups see any and behind the scenes electoral Madhesi groups need to be careful not in. And it’s not just the shortages, overture by the state as a trap. Government assurances. to overplay their card. Their tactics have Baluwatar never saw the writing on the wall negotiators think that demands of protesting To be sure, Madhesi groups also have generated a lot of resentment in Kathmandu, in the Tarai. groups are excessive, and engineered from their multiple insecurities. They are and could fuel further anti-Madhesi It ignored the resentment that was elsewhere. privately quite happy with state brutality, sentiment. They have a strong bargaining building up and under-estimated the The government is also incapable of which gives their movement more position with Koirala on the back-foot, and Madhesi groups. Instead of reaching out, grasping the angst of Madhesis. The people momentum. But it also complicates things should use it to win concessions. As long national leaders made provocative on the streets are angry because of real by enhancing expectations on the ground. as they remain united and select candidates and perceived discrimination. This requires Madhesi groups are terrified of striking smartly, they can hope to capitalise on a TARAI EYE apologies for past actions and respectful a deal in Kathmandu perceived as pro-Madhesi wave in polls. The government gestures. Instead, the state response dishonorable in the Tarai. This is possible, is responsible for the current situation, but Prashant Jha includes killings and even attacks on given the radical sentiment on the ground moderate Madhesi groups must not allow protestors inside hospitals. Politicians are and the fact that demands hover around radicals within to derail the national statements. A relatively manageable issue also unwilling to go the extra mile to intangible and abstract notions of justice process. was allowed to escalate into a seemingly accommodate moderate Madhesi groups, and dignity. People of different political There is Indian pressure on all sides. At intractable problem. give them a face-saver, and allow them to hues, including anti-democratic elements, press time, talks were going on in This week has been a roller-coaster look like winners. are on the streets. The Madhesi groups do Lainchaur to work out the contours of both a with attitudes towards talks changing every In a Kantipur article this week, not have the mechanism to pull things back public agreement and a behind-the-scenes few hours. There were informal negotiations researcher Tula Narayan Sah showed how the day they want, and the presence of electoral deal. But whether an agreement one day, then Koirala made his the demands of Madhesi groups can be armed groups complicates things further. happens or not in the next few days will unnecessarily intransigent statement in flexibly interpreted. Kathmandu Their other fear is that of facing depend on several variables: the nature of and that hardened attitudes. A understands self-determination as the right elections. None of these groups have a Indian manipulation, concessions by the day after Monday’s belligerent press of Madhes to secede, but Madhesi groups strong organisation. Their nascent alliance government, and confidence level of conference where Madhesi groups put up claim it is the right of people to determine has weak coordination. They also fear a Madhesi groups. additional preconditions, there were their own cultural, economic and political split. Upendra Yadav is more resistant to preliminary talks. Radical public rhetoric affairs and is a part of UN treaties which the idea of negotiations than the other two and hectic back-channel communication Nepal has signed. There are ways to bridge Madhesi leaders. At best, this may stem CK Lal’s column will not appear in this co-exist, but uneasily, because of the this divide: setting up a state restructuring from his bitter experience of striking a deal week’s or next week’s issues. However, it escalation of protests on the ground and the commission, guarantees on autonomy, in the past. But insiders say the resistance will back as usual on 7 March. 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388 3

LLL ETTERS

DAY OF PRETENDERS HEALTHCARE I laughed when I read in ‘The day of the It is very sad to know that the TEAM hospital has pretenders’ (State of the state, #387) that the been closed down under pressure from the YCL cadres think that Prachanda is going to be Maoists (‘In god’s hands,’ #387). How can they president, which is of course unacceptable to meddle like that when people’s lives are at anyone other than the Maoists and their stake? It is very inhumane of them not to supporters. To be a president you should know recognise that people should not be deprived of what democracy means and respect other fundamental rights. This one is about the right to people’s opinions. I don’t think he is fit to be live. I hope the article will raise concern among president without any improvements in his party the responsible authorities and help reopen the and his own politics. hospital. Suraj, email Prerana M, email

Mr Dahal wants to be the president of Nepal Dear Mr Dixit, I was rather disappointed after but he is not aware of the problems of lower reading your article about the TEAM hospital. class Nepali people, and he is doing nothing to The subject matter itself is saddening, but you help them. He just wants the seat of power and also failed to look into some of the deeper is playing the nationalist card to try and get it. I underlying reasons for the closure of the had to leave my home because of the Maoists hospital. Why did the Maoist leader say the three years ago and I am currently struggling to doctors were “agents of American imperialism”? make my livelihood in India. They need to know What were the assumptions on which he based that the Nepali people want them to help the his allegations but was unable to explain due to poor, not just intimidate people. his own lack of intellectual capacity? What have Ishwor Aryal, email been the cultural, religious and social implications in the surrounding villages after half You are claiming that the existence of the a century’s presence of an evangelical mission Nepali monarchy and the successful holding of in one of the remotest part of the country? elections depends on the wishes of the Indians. The article would have been more informative if it Do you really believe that is true? had tried to address these bigger questions. Name withheld, email Filing a field report on a ‘blame-the-Maoists’ pretext does no more good than communists ranting about ‘imperialism’ as the root of all the nation’s problems. However, I must admit that the title was apt: often in Nepal the government has left us in god’s hands! AK Adhikari, email

That was a good article from Aruna Uprety (‘Free drugs’, #387) Regarding corruption, strict monitoring–better decentralised monitoring–is a key to controlling it. Involving young local people in the local monitoring committee can be very effective, and it should be supported through public auditing on a regular basis. However, we live in a country where there is one security person for every 20 people, but 300 people have to depend upon one health person. Obviously, there is an overload of work for health workers–can we do anything to change this imbalance? We should also try and promote alternative and traditional health systems–that would make a POLITICAL GAMES real difference. Prashant Jha’s article ‘Plan A’ (#387) seems Prakash Shrestha, Kathmandu quite convincing. The Indian government really doesn’t have a clear plan for Nepal if the CA ORPHANAGES election isn’t held in April. It seems to be under Many thanks to Wilko Verbakel and Susan tremendous pressure from both right and left to Van Klaveren for their great article about the get a resolution this time, and so is being more uselessness of children’s homes in Nepal helpful than it has been in the past, but I wonder (‘Mushrooming orphanages’, #387). The article how long we have to expect something to be raises many serious questions which I think both done from the other side of border. Our political Nepalis and foreigners alike may not have dependence on India has made most of our considered: whether children homes should be leaders look like clowns. They seem to forget allowed to open so easily or not, the self- that the April Uprising gave them a clear sustainability issue, criminal activities related to children homes, and whether donor money mandate to be followed–instead of doing that should be used for development in rural areas they run round in circles. I still believe a rather than opening children’s homes. I only hope sincere engagement from the government can that this article will generate some response from change the scenario in the Tarai. Instead of the related authorities and the donors. helping to calm it, the PM’s insensitive Avani D, email utterances have fuelled the issue time and again. The other parties play a waiting game, but they should realise they will be the eventual CORRECTION losers. Due to an editing error, the Norwegian prime Uday Adhikary, minister was misidentified in Happennings (#387). He should have been Jens Stoltenberg. GOVERNANCE ‘Pre-poll poll’ (#386) has shown the deepening frustrations among the general public. The LETTERS political parties have proved that core Nepali Times welcomes feedback. Letters should be brief and may be edited for space. While pseudonyms development issues are not their concerns. can be accepted, writers who provide their real names Development will not be possible unless they and contact details will be given preference. Email reinstate the local government and authorities. I letters should be in text format without attachments totally understand that the constituent assembly with ‘letter to the editor’ in the subject line. election is a dire necessity at the moment, but the local bodies’ reinstatement is also a Email: letters(at)nepalitimes.com necessity and the mainstream political parties Fax: 977-1-5521013 Mail: Letters, Nepali Times, have to understand this. GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal. Sanam Chitrakar, Kathmandu 4 NATION 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388

PICS: DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA Flight cancelled Government bureaucracy grounds the first light aircraft made in Nepal

engineering student Parajuli put forth his fully-fledged aircrafts. With an average ideas to childhood friend Ganeshram construction cost of around Rs 2 million, Sinkeman and together, they drafted a aircraft like these could be a boon for plan. For two years, they researched those living in remote hilly areas and DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA the government is holding the project aeroplanes and after graduating, asked for could also be a major tourist attraction. back. “The students have attempted technical help and manpower from the Bikash says that he has fulfilled all ast December, Nepal was abuzz something new and the government isn’t campus. Avia Club, which conducts the legal requirements for permission. with news of the first Nepali made even giving them permission to test it,” commercial flights and is a pilot training Although Nepal’s air code on aviation L aeroplane. In a country where most says Sapkota. “If the test succeeds, all school, provided them with an engine, sports is quite simple, so as to better of the population has not even boarded Nepalis will benefit. The government prolevers and various other old aircraft accommodate micro light flights, hang an aeroplane, it was no wonder the news should be facilitating the test.” parts. NAST, the Nepal Tourism Board gliding, heliskiing and hot air caused such sensation. But after the Civil Minister Prithbi Gurung claims that and Nepal Airlines all provided the ballooning, CAAN says that the Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN) despite all his efforts, CAAN inspected funding required. “Through various International Civil Aviation Board refused the aircraft permission to make a the parts and their workings and refused organisations we raised Rs 600,000 but restricts test flights. Parajuli, on the other test flight, the buzz about the Danfe has permission for a test flight. He told we came up with Rs 400,000 ourselves,” hand, claims that ICAB has a provision died down. Nepali Times, “I took a risk and gave says Parajuli. that allows the government to issue Built by eight mechanical engineering them the authority to make a test flight The rest of the eight member team permission. students from the Institute of but it was CAAN that stopped them.” Ramesh Ranabhat, Rabindra Shrestha, There’s even a senior Russian captain, Engineering at Pulchok Campus, the CAAN’s chief director Yagya Prasad Dinesh Poudyal, Baburam Kharel, Anil Alexander Maximo, on call to fly the Danfe was unveiled in front of the Gautam refused to comment and through Maharjan and Prashant Malla, all gave aeroplane. Maximo has been flying planes Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil his personal assistant said that all their services voluntarily. Aeronautical for the past twenty years and upon seeing Aviation, Prithbi Subba Gurung. Team queries were to be addressed to the engineer Uday Krishna Shrestha helped the aircraft, gave his word that he would leader Bikash Parajuli says that although ministry and not to CAAN. Even so, an the students with the technical and fly in from Russia at any moment. the test flight was scheduled for mid- official at CAAN said that the problem mechanical aspects. They named the With the aircraft gathering dust, the December, CAAN brought up various legal was with the process and not the aircraft. aircraft Danfe, after our national bird. students are disappointed and feel issues and refused to allow it to fly. The official claimed that unless either a Danfe can hold two people, fly up to incomplete that they haven’t been “Even though this was purely an minister, secretary or the cabinet sent a 200km in the air at 100km per hour, allowed a test flight. Danfe’s future is educational venture and our university statement in writing giving permission theoretically. hazy at the moment as only a test flight project, CAAN’s refusal to grant us for the flight, CAAN would not allow the Faced at first with incredulity at the would tell if it was capable of long permission has put all our hard work to flight to take place. idea of building an aircraft in Nepal, distance flight or not. Says Parajuli, waste.” Pulchok Campus’s IOE chief Ram Even though it only took a year to Bikash says that if the testing went “Danfe is an aircraft. How can we feel Chandra Sapkota says that although the build the plane, there were three years of through then with a few more years of proud of our achievement when it hasn’t campus has already gavin the green light, planning behind it. Mechanical research, Nepali hands could be building even flown?” BUSINESS 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388 5

Proportional interest ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ No transparency please Siddhartha Bank’s novel new Siddhartha Mega Savings account provides interest on the basis of how much deposit customers put We only have time for murky deals in. The account can be opened for Rs 50,000 t is useless now to devote cancelled and a valiant attempt to their money. How do they manage and the higher the column inches to the supply bring about transparency ended in to spend large amounts on budget amount deposited, the crisis, as our predictions of a failure. The Beed definitely urges heads without actually doing higher the interest. Interest starts at 4.5 percent and goes up to six. I khattam Nepal are finally taking people to recognise such attempts anything on the project? How do Perks include free debit cards, inward remittance and internet shape (and, as usual, in the time at improving our working NGOs which are run by self- banking. of the crisis our great ability practices. Maybe one day, after so declared intellectuals and activists emerges of finding ways to scrape many failed attempts, one will still manage to get away without

Everest in profit through any situation, however have some success in changing their accounts being audited? How ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ dismal). This Beed was told that the basic rules of the game. Everest Bank operating profits showed a 29 percent increase from do people manage to go on jaunts the last fiscal year, amounting to Rs during the Indian embargo in Lack of transparency is a without the organisation to which 337 million in the first six months of Nepali problem that never seems the invitation was actually this fiscal year alone. The bank’s ECONOMIC SENSE to go away. It was at its worst addressed knowing anything about during the Panchayat era, but it? credit has grown by 20.35 percent Artha Beed reaching Rs 16,969 million. The bank currently has 23 branches even with democracy, Of course, the private sector is throughout the country. transparency has been more a an equally strong believer of non- 1989, oil prices shot up five times word to play with than a practice transparency. Reputed schools do

Gold for Prime on the black market, but that is yet to implement. Everyone knows not give a breakdown of the school ○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to happen this time. In fact, the the government is not fees and still get away with it. Prime Commercial Bank has started a new Tarai crisis and oil crisis are just transparent, from the way they They perhaps forget that in savings account, Prime Gold. Prime Gold keeping the real story away from allocate licenses to the way they business terms parents are their comes with six percent interest, debit card, the public at large. hand over criminals to customers. Cable companies get SMS service and E-banking, all free. Prime The Nepal Stock away without providing the Commercial Bank started operations on 28 September 2007. Exchange began a process number of channels they are to issue licenses to new supposed to provide, and brokers and, for the first having advert scrolls all over time in Nepali history, the the screen without the process was designed to be knowledge of the principal. transparent, using the Evasion of taxes in Nepal is internet to call for not considered anything to do applications which would with transparency. Publishing both maximize houses get away without This week parties field candidates in closed lists. transparency and allow the having their circulation results to be available in verified by an audit bureau. real time. neighbouring police. Members of And as for the political parties, The computer-aided tests parliament do not have to the word is little more than a would have determined the results disclose where they spend the painful joke. If we want Nepal to instantaneously, and therefore funds they receive from change, a small beginning would were unacceptable to people who government, nor local government be for the political parties to fight always want their own way. disclose to the people how much to transparency of political Apparently a sitting minister income they actually receive from contributions. The transparency in called the person concerned with power plants. This Beed has political funding and adequate the message that either their non- written before about the non- disclosure of party financials qualifier candidate would be disclosure of funds that get into would hopefully signal an end to added to the list, or there would the PM’s relief fund and its the rampant corruption to which be dire consequences. application. we are accustomed. We need a Despite the fact that the It is not only the government Young Clean League to bring minister made a public statement that does not believe in about this transformation. Any saying that it was not him but transparency. We do not know takers? z someone posing as him, the where and how the donors who selection process had to be are so important in Nepal spend www.arthabeed.com “Suitcases are like cars, only you’re the engine. Our brand makes it as easy for the engine as possible.”

Marcello Bottoli (CEO of Samsonite) mentioned in 2005 during an Samsonite is kind of a victim of its own success because it interview with Forbes that he would like the brand to stop relying is an innovator in its category. You can walk into a luggage on suitcase sales, and by 2010 reduce them to only 50% of its stall and easily pull out one product that is inspired by business. Does that mean that Samsonite thinks the luggage Samsonite, but you just can’t find where these things (pirated business has limited growth? goods) are made. We have started patenting innovations and Quentin Mackay: No. When 9/11 happened, one of the second any new ideas we come up with. For example, we filed 75 things to be hit after travel was luggage. Then, it was 90 percent of patents on our X’Lite product, from mechanical to process, our business. What we are doing is basically damage limitation, not just the looks. by directing a bigger fraction of our sales to other products. Also, prior to Marcello joining, Samsonite had 65 percent reliance on As the Global Creative Director, how do you convince people the US market and 30 percent on Europe. For the well-being of the to spend, say for example, $775 on an SBL Alexander brand in terms of financial outlook, we are also trying to bring McQueen? down our reliance on the market in America, so if an event like I’m not a dictator to tell people to spend that sort of money. 9/11 happens there again, we can keep up our sales in Europe and We know there are people out there who want it. They are the Asia. top 10 percent who move the consumer market forward. They love lifestyle magazines, innovations and gadgets, and are How is the demand of the Asian market different from the rest of more than happy to splurge on certain things. What we’re the world? trying to do is make them think about luggage the same way While most brands talk about being global, there are still regional they think about a handbag or a pair of shoes. We achieve and country differences. For various reasons Samsonite is this through design and innovation, adding emotion and perceived as a lower-range brand in the US, a middle-range brand sensuality to our products. in Europe, and a higher-range brand in Asia. Asians prefer MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA smaller, lighter carriers and are bigger users of the hard side Samsonite's Global Creative How do you improve your company’s sales and brand products (hard shell luggage). It is also interesting to observe that Director, Quentin Mackay talks to awareness? Asians favour quality, in terms of style, over durability while it’s Nepali Times on the similarities We intend to globalise the brand by consolidating the the other way for the Americans. between cars and luggage. He also products and reducing the styles that we carry, basically shares the brand’s business outlook creating a more latitude image. Also right now the brand has Piracy is particularly rampant in developing countries. Does piracy combating plans, and 17 different logos in different regions and 20 different colours Samsonite have any plans, or precautions to protect the explains why their luggage is so associated with the logos. Our idea is to get one logo, one intellectual property of your company? expensive. colour, to build a stronger brand identity. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388

S Chandrashekharan, former senior RAW official who was with the Indian mission in Kathmandu until the early 80s.

There have been allegations that the Indian intelligence Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is active in the Tarai. Spook speak Is there an allegation that the RAW is providing the groups with arms? They wouldn’t need it, as they can buy arms anywhere, from the north and Bihar. The Indian government is not involved in this matter. What the Indian Interviews on the BBC Nepali Service by Navin Singh Khadka, 12-15 February government is not willing to do is hand over the insurgent leaders to Kathmandu, as the Nepal government wants. So long as they abide by Hu Shisheng, Director of South Asia Study Centre under government’s own work, but some local elements, for the local laws, they can stay in India and hold meetings. But the the China Institute of Contemporary Relations. various reasons, may have played some games with Indian government also wants elections to take place in the Tarai, therefore various local political or religious groups in the Tarai. supporting the armed groups would be counterproductive to its own How does China view the peace process and the objective. atmosphere for upcoming constituent assembly But can you really make these kind of elections in Nepal? assumptions based purely on media allegations? But they appear to be operating from Indian soil and the Indian The objective of our government’s Nepal policy is to If the reports are true, then the Chinese government will government does not seem to mind that. ensure the prosperity, stability and integrity of Nepal. We be very much concerned. There are a lot of people who have sympathies for what is happening there (in would like to support any force that can make Nepal the Tarai). In this situation, if you arrest someone in India, say Jwala Singh, more stable and developed. The Chinese government Is it concerned already? it’s not going to work (laughs). You have to see the situation in India too. After strongly supports the current peace process. We would Our ambassador in Nepal has already told the Nepali the Lahan incident nothing was done (by the Nepali government), so this was like to see that the upcoming constituent assembly government that China will strongly support Nepal’s a problem. The mindset of the politicians in Kathmandu has to change. election is held on time and that the future government is efforts to maintain its integrity. We would be against any able to manage the entire situation smoothly. activity aimed at disintegrating Nepal in a covert or open way. We are very clear on our position. But while developing our relations with Nepal, we also tend to “China will be watching what respect and be sensitive about India’s concerns. We India does in the Tarai” “We would be against would do our very best to avoid giving an impression to any activity aimed at India that China would use Nepal to harm Indian interest, as we know that Nepal is more influenced by Indian There are also allegations that there is overlapping between disintegrating Nepal” policies than by China. different Indian agencies, for example between the Indian foreign ministry and RAW while dealing with issues across the border. But many believe that the tensions between Actually, RAW has nothing to do with that, this side of the border. It is the The Tarai situation is seen as a major challenge China and India would affect Nepal as well. Intelligence Bureau (IB) which is handling…..talking and all. for the election. What do you think is the Chinese Of course, because Nepal is located between these two government’s view on the issue? powers. You must make a balance between them. Any Handling what? We know that the situation in the Tarai is not good. There improvement in the bilateral relations between China and The IB is responsible for law and order situations like this, people coming may be some elements who want to take further India will also benefit the development and stability of from one side to the other. But it has no hand in the Tarai unrest. advantage of the current fragile government for their own Nepal. political benefits, like the Maoists did. Why are we hearing blame games between the different agencies? China is also said to be quite uncomfortable with I am sure if you ask the RAW people, they will say it’s not our job, it’s the What elements do you mean? the US role in Nepal. IB’s. The IB in turn would say that the RAW is responsible for the other side According to some Nepali scholars and intellectuals, the Our attitude has been quite negative towards the US (of the border). This is typical of the many agencies in India and it has been porous border means there may be some foreign presence in Nepal. We have noticed that the Americans happening for many years. But it has nothing specifically to do with Nepal. I elements with ulterior motives involved in causing the want to play some role in the current situation in Nepal. understand in border areas it sometimes overlaps. volatile situation. Some have even alleged that US or Ever since 1990 and especially after the king’s direct rule, Indian intelligence agencies have played some role behind their role has been quite ambiguous. They want to What about the US role? the scenes. There was an article in the mass media prevent the Maoists from coming to power. Even after They are also interested, we are interested and so are the Chinese, as these some months ago which alleged that the Indian the Indian government tried to encourage the Maoists to are the major foreign powers in Nepal. China will also be watching what India intelligence agency the Research and Analysis Wing join mainstream politics, the US played a very negative does in the Tarai. Ask the Peasants and Workers Party in Bhaktapur, the (RAW) had played some role in this. It may not be the role in this regard. Chinese government is in touch with them. FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388 7 No ethnic politics

Excerpts from an interview with a free Nepal. The Tarai violence is Ram Baran Yadav of the NC in Bishal definitely supported by Hindu Nepal, 15 February extremists and criminal dividers. All Nepalis need to join hands to save this Can elections be held without nation. solving the Madhes crisis? How do you view The agitators in the the people who Tarai need to come to have turned into the table. The revolutionaries in uprising in the Tarai the name of is for the sake of an Madhes after uprising only. It is being in power not going to free the for years? Madhesis, it is only All the leaders going to make them including JP Gupta poor. Madhesis need who are involved in to retaliate against the Tarai politics the forces that are have been defamed burning the Tarai. for their corruption. Now they are talking What will satisfy about ethnic politics. the Madhesi I am a socialist. I do people? not want to be We have moved involved in either towards federalism. Self-governance ethnic or religious politics, democracy is Robin Sayami in Himal Khabarpatrika, 13 - 27 February comes with federalism. The my ethnicity. constitution made by 25 million

Nepalis will be their self- Why are the leaders who talk QUOTE OF THE WEEK determination. There cannot be ethnic about ‘one Madhes one region’ politics. I am strictly against it. In a silent about nationalism? No person or group can make stubborn demands and say they will“ obstruct the polls. It is country that is taking its first steps as a Those revolting in the Tarai should be “ not only haughty but treacherous. If the government consents to the demand for one region, republic, anyone who talks about ethnic brought to the table. The uprising in the it will start afresh an unimaginable rebellion in the country. politics is a fool. Madhes will lead to more corruption. Representatives and area allocation in Central Committee member UML, Ramchandra Jha quoted in Who do you think is responsible terms of population, and proportional himalkhabar.com, 21 February for uniting the Madhesi leaders representation have been written in for regional politics? the constitution. What is there to give Some rulers in India do not want to see now? SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS A woman collects water at a public well at Patan Dhoka. ALL PICS: SAM KANG LI Running out…

Chronic shortages are beginning to take their toll both in the capital and throughout the country A man scrambles to board a full microbus.

With nothing else left to do, microbus drivers play cards The Kumaripati petrol inside their vehicle while waiting pump shuts early. for diesel at Kumaripati. A shop assistant counts empty gas cylinders.

A World Food Programme storage at A girl carries water Jhota in Bhajang. Here too supplies from a public tap. are running low.

Empty water cylinders are loaded to be taken away. 10 NATION 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388

UMA KHANAL Women are still in NAWALPARASI ast month, four women highly vulnerable to in Rupandehi and L Nawalparasi districts lost domestic violence their lives due to domestic No safer violence in the same week. In all these cases the husband and his family were involved. Human rights activists and various organisations had declared Nawalparasi and Rupandehi domestic violence- free districts in the first week of December but a recent spate of wife murders suggests otherwise. On 22 January, 23-year old Manauti Saru was killed with a sharp weapon by her husband, Sher Bahadur Saru, a police constable who was still on duty at the time. He disposed of Manauti’s body in the Giruwari River, 3km away, with the help of his family. After Manauti’s family filed charges against Sher Bahadur and his family, the police took them into custody. In Pragatinagar (Nawalparasi), Ganesh Sapkota hanged his wife, Chandrakala Sapkota to death. On hearing about Chandra Kala’s murder, her family too filed charges at the police station in Kawasoti. Police have arrested Ganesh and according to DSP Keshavraj Bhattarai, both cases are under DESPERATE MEASURES: Nawalparasi investigation. women protest police inaction at the In another incident, 37-year recent spate of domestic murders. old Resham Thapa beat his wife Krishna Thapa to death in the UMA KHANAL

The government’s failure to enforce justice is rapidly eroding its grip and may be contributing to Nepal becoming a failed state. Intensive

JOHN NARAYAN PARAJULI in BELBARI, MORANG narrative of new Nepal to have time to do anything about it. Firoz Khan, an Indian national who sold bangles, s the transitional period drags on, spiraling had his wedding planned for just twelve days later in lawlessness and impunity continue to erode the Bihar. Not only did he lose mobility in one of his legs Astate’s authority and capacity to get things done. after the incident, but his fiancée left him. While the seven parties are considering a truth and A day after king Gyanendra conceded power to the reconciliation bill, there are many who feel that the parties, a group of locals went to thank the local army government has denied them justice by delaying it. officials for avoiding any untoward incidents during On 28 April 2006, indiscriminate army firing in the 19 days of uprising. The same night a local hotelier, Belbari, Morang, killed 6 people and 43 others, most of Sapana Gurung, was gang-raped (a fact confirmed after them innocent bystanders, sustained serious injuries. Two DNA tests conducted by the parliamentary probe years on, no one has been punished or held to account. committee) by army personnel and later shot dead. Hem Sagar Dhakal, a young dentist who was standing The next morning irate locals surrounded the joint just outside his clinic after seeing a patient, got hit in the security camp demanding action against the culprits. head. He still has a piece of the shrapnel lodged in his The army under the command of Captain Prahlad Thapa skull. Doctors have warned that complications may arise if Magar resorted to firing indiscriminately at the crowd. he tries to remove it here in Nepal. The parliamentary probe committee headed by Pari The government gave him Rs 10,000 for treatment. But Thapa has just submitted a report indicting 28 officials he has already spent more than Rs 200,000 from his own including then chief district officer of Morang Narendra pocket. A neurologist in Kathmandu has advised him to go Dahal, police Superintendent Jagat Bahadur Bista, head and see an expert in India and get the piece of the metal of the -based army division Major General removed. “But it costs a lot and I can’t afford it,” says Om Bahadur Pun, head of the Bishnu Dal Battalion Dhakal. “It is very condescending. All the government has Sanu Tamang and Captain Prahlad Thapa Magar of done so far is barely keep us alive,” he laments. Bishnu Dal. In the same incident, a bullet whizzed through Gopal Although the army says that captain Magar was Chandra Gautam’s cheek and popped out of his ear – suspended in the wake of the tragedy, locals claim that knocking off his jaw and bursting his ear drum. He was in no action was taken against him and that he recently fact trying to hide in a safe place with some human rights took a girl from Belbari as his wife. activists, but that didn’t help. A soldier deployed at the Local political leaders say that the army was too village bank started spraying bullets and one of them trigger-happy. “The government’s failure to act swiftly found its way to him. He continues to have problems just adds to the growing culture of impunity in the opening his mouth. country,” said Iran Rai, a UML leader in the area. LIVES REMEMBERED: Photographs of the As one meets more of the victims, the magnitude of At this rate, the government’s actions or rather lack LIVES REMEMBERED: Photographs of the seven people killed by the army in April this tragedy grows. There is real grief and pain here, but thereof may already be contributing to Nepal becoming a 2006 hang in a bus shelter in Belbari. those at the helm seem too occupied with the grand failed state. NATION 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #38811

set free after paying Rs 600,000 in bribes. Ek Narayan has even managed to flee the country. Sabitri’s family blame the carelessness of the police and the administration in letting Ek Narayan off scot-free. The area police office in Nawalpur stated that the investigation into Chandrakala’s murder took longer because her post- mortem report was inconclusive. Her body has Sabitri Gaudel, who was killed by been sent to Kathmandu for her brother-in-law two years ago. further investigation after Bharatpur Hospital failed to ascertain whether her death Laligurans Hotel in at was a murder or not. 1AM. Krishna had taken her Police sub-inspector Yam husband to Butwal for a Bahadur Bohara, who is medical check up. He was investigating the two cases of arrested on the spot and domestic violence in Kawasoti charges have been levelled says: “the recent rise in the against him. number of domestic violence After the series of domestic cases is because people believe violence cases , women in that during this time of Nawalparasi blocked the insurgency, any crime can be highway and demanded that easily hidden.” the police and the “Inadequate laws, family administration take strong background, social outlook action against those towards women and lack of responsible. awareness amongst women are Legal advocate and responsible for the increasing journalist Hari Narayan Regmi number of domestic violence,” says, “The increasing violence says Parvati Tiwari, a human against women is the result of rights worker and the chairman widespread poverty and lack of of Himwanti Nepal. awareness amongst the Gita Khanal, the sister of people.” the deceased Chandrakala Two year s ago, Ek Narayan Sapkota says, “Men still think Gaudel murdered his sister-in- of women as subordinate to law Sabitri Gaudel and was them.” Gita fears that her recently released from prison. sister’s murderer will get away Family sources claim he was scot-free. z impunity

JOHN NAYARAN PARAJULI 12 INTERNATIONAL 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388

After raising $300,000 from their colleagues, Karnofsky and Hassenfeld left their jobs and began working full-time for GiveWell and its associated grant- making body, The Clear Fund. They invited charities to apply for grants of $25,000 in five broad humanitarian Lifting the veil categories, with the application process demanding the kind of information that they had been seeking. In this way, a How to check charities actually do what they say they do substantial part of the money they had raised would go to the most effective uppose you are concerned about charity in each category, while children in Africa dying from simultaneously encouraging S preventable diseases. You want to transparency and rigorous evaluation. donate money to a charity that is working The first report on which to reduce the toll. But there are many organisations are most effective at charities doing that. How do you choose? saving or transforming lives in Africa is The first thing that many people ask now available on GiveWell’s website, about charities is, “How much of my www.givewell.net. Population Services donation is spent on administration?” In International, which promotes and sells the United States, that figure is readily items like condoms, to prevent HIV available from Charity Navigator, a Web infection, and bed nets, to prevent site that has five million users. But the malaria, came out on top, followed by information is taken from forms that the Partners in Health, an organisation that charities themselves complete and send provides health care to poor rural to the tax authorities. No one checks the populations. The third-ranked forms, and the proportions allocated to organisation was Interplast, which is administration and program expenses are more narrowly focused on correcting easily massaged with a little creative deformities like cleft palate. accounting. Evaluating charities can be more difficult than making investment decisions. Investors are interested in ANALYSIS financial returns, so there is no problem Peter Singer about measuring distinct values – in the end it all comes down to money. It is more difficult to compare the reduction of Worse still, that figure, even if suffering brought about by correcting a accurate, tells you nothing about the facial deformity with saving a life. There charity’s impact. The pressure to keep is no single unit of value. administrative expenses low can make an In other ways, too, evaluating organisation less effective. If, for charities takes time, and can be example, an agency working to reduce expensive. Perhaps for this reason, poverty in Africa cuts staff with expert many organisations, including some of knowledge, it is more likely to end up the best-known anti-poverty funding projects that fail. It may not even organisations working in Africa, did not know which of its projects fail, because respond to GiveWell’s request for evaluating them, and learning from information. No doubt they calculated that mistakes, requires staff–and that adds to a chance to get a $25,000 grant wasn’t administrative costs. worth it. But if donors start to follow In 2006, Holden Karnofsky and Elie GiveWell’s recommendations, then a Hassenfeld faced the question of which high ranking from GiveWell could be charity would make the best use of their worth far more than the value of the grant. money. They were in their mid-twenties, This is why the potential of GiveWell earning six-figure incomes at an is revolutionary. In the US, individual investment company–more than they effective. They contacted organisations information about how to help people be donors give about $200 billion to needed–and were thinking about donating and received lots of attractive marketing secret? The fact that charities were charities each year. No one knows how money to help make the world a better material, but nothing that answered basic unprepared for such questions indicated to effective that vast sum is in achieving the place. As investment advisers, they would questions: what do the charities do with Karnofsky and Hassenfeld that other goals that donors intend to support. By never recommend investing in a company their money, and what evidence do they donors and foundations give more or less giving charities an incentive to become without detailed information about how have that their activities help? They called blindly, without the information needed to more transparent and more focused on well it was achieving its goals. They many charities, but eventually realized make sound decisions about whom to being demonstrably effective, GiveWell wanted to make similarly well-informed something that seemed extraordinary: the support. could make our charitable donations do choices about the charities to which they information was just not there. Karnofsky and Hassenfeld now had a much more good than ever before. z contributed. Some foundations said that information new goal: to obtain and publicise the (Project Syndicate) So Karnofsky and Hassenfeld got on their work’s effectiveness was information. To that end, they founded an together with six friends who also worked confidential. This, Karnofsky and organisation called GiveWell so that other Peter Singer is professor of bioethics at in finance and divided up the field to find Hassenfeld thought, is not a good way to donors would not have as hard a time Princeton University and the author of out which charities could be shown to be go about charitable work. Why should extracting it as they had had. several books on the subject. CULTURE 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388 13

The first time Rashmi tried dancing, she couldn’t even balance herself. She fell, she One left foot cried. But fear got her back on her feet again. “I imagined my life Mughal-e- without my parents to take care of me, which I knew would eventually happen,” she said. At that point, dancing wasn’t simply an interest. It was a test of her Hindustani independence. A regal romance, an epic bore She would secretly memorise the steps whenever her friends irector Ashutosh Gowariker keeps great interest in history danced, and lock herself in her but has no qualms about flouting historical accuracy. The room to practice. At 18, she Dwiles of his filmmaking were already evident in the charming Lagaan (2001), relating rural India’s espousal of cricket as a signed up for a dance competition patriot’s wet dream. With Jodhaa , however, mired in organised by Patan Campus. “My controversy even before the release, he is finally learning the grim brother cried when he saw me responsibility of historical representation. dancing,” she said. Her younger was witness to protests against the film last week, brother, who was a student at the claiming that Jodhaa is the wife not of Akbar but his son . campus at that time, closed his But let us not fuss – like the modern day progenies of the virile eyes throughout the performance. and their VHP cohorts – about who Queen Jodhaa really He was afraid that she would fall. was. Gowariker’s researchers may not care that the misnomer comes mainly from the spurious source of the 1960 film Mughal-e- Azam, but suffice it to say that Akbar had a Hindu queen, daughter A young of , Bharmal, who CRITICAL CINEMA we will temporarily call dancer proves Diwas Kc Jodhaa. Gowariker depicts this that one leg strategic marriage as an epic love story, perhaps to evoke the distant amiability of Hindus and is enough Muslims in India. To find a ‘good Muslim’, acceptable to Hindus, it is as if the film had to hark back all the way to the Mughal Akbar Today, when Rashmi dances, (played by hunky Hrithik Roshan), whose good-heartedness is to not only eyes will be wide open, be evinced by his love for Hindu Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai). Akbar jaws will also follow suit. Her defies Islamic mores and the baddie Imams of his court to husband fell in love with her accommodate Jodhaa, even marrying her Hindu-style. The queen, SAM KANG LI after he saw her performing on who was in reality rechristened Mariam-uz-Zamani, does not even give up her name in the film. The only concession she makes to stage. “It’s a love marriage,” she Islam is to write Akbar’s name in Urdu, which neither of them can SHEERE NG be amputated. said proudly. enunciate – Akbar because he is illiterate and Jodhaa because It was an ironic blessing that The 23-year-old does not feel Hindu wives are not allowed to utter their husbands names. nder the orange spot Rashmi was very young when that the accident made her lights, Rashmi Kharel the accident happened. She got different from others, but instead, Usways her body gracefully over the crying and grieving very she thinks it had brought her like a flickering candle flame, and quickly, even though adults closer to experiencing life. “Life is her arms curve like ocean swells. were still lamenting her a struggle” she said, adding that It is only when she starts misfortune. everyone encounters their own set spinning, with her red skirt After the accident, she had to of challenges, and the pain she flaring like a lotus flower, that learn to walk all over again, with went through probably isn’t you realise the stunning crutches made by her father. But unique to her. performance has been executed she sees the walking aid as a She hopes to set up an arts with only one leg. hindrance rather than a help: school for the disabled in the near When she was seven years old, “my friends would be playing future, so that they too will be a public bus hit her while she was kabaddi and it was impossible given a chance to showcase their on the way home from school. for me to play with crutches.” talent. The dancer has not only After being thrown several metres, Our second meeting, which convinced others to see her she collapsed. The driver was at Bhrikuti Mandap, came without being reminded of her immediately reversed his vehicle; one week after her performance. disability, but has also proven the not to save, but to kill her. When I arrived outside the power of her will. Just like she Medical bills could build up to National Disabled Rehabilitation said, there is nothing she cannot an exorbitant amount that a Centre, she grinned at me and do – her perseverance and normal salaried worker can’t hugged me like she had known eventual success should stand as afford. If an accident happens, it me all her life. Dressed in a an example to anyone. costs much less to compensate for colourful white and yellow kurta Rashmi has gone to Cambodia death than for injury. In other surwal, Rashmi sat cross-legged as one of the two representatives words, it is cheaper to kill. on a white plastic chair during from Nepal to participate in a What really went wrong for Gowariker is that, coming from an Although the driver did not the interview. Whenever she’s dance competition for the age of extreme Hindu-Muslim animosity, he was looking for drama succeed, he ran over her right leg, not dancing, she puts on her disabled in the Asian region. We where there was none. Akbar is an empire-builder, commander of injuring it so badly that it had to prosthetic. wish her all the best! innumerable brutal wars. But he is really a kind, liberal sort of person. Jodhaa is a fierce, assertive kind of princess, deft enough in swordplay to almost beat Akbar. She may protest being betrothed to a Muslim, but like a good Hindu girl, a champion of willful submission, she gives in without much drama. Her most outrageous demand is to be allowed to build a Krishna temple inside the Mughal palace, which is no ado for tolerant Akbar. Our main villain is Maham Anga (Ila Arun), a gross diminution of the actual figure, but even she is disposed half way through. At the end (at which point you should congratulate yourself for having sat through), you will be left wondering how Gowariker even managed to fill the tedious length of three and half hours. The sets look opulent, but despite the monstrous budget of IRs 40 billion, the film stands as a dull imitation of the real court of Akbar. You may ask, where is Birbal and the navaratnas of Akbar’s court? Where is the bustle of artists, architects and poets? Where are the courtesans and the populous harem? Where, in fact, are the numerous other wives of Akbar? To criticise these distortions is not to sanctify history. Accurate depiction can hardly be a basis to judge a work mostly meant as fiction and entertainment. But really, having taken the artist’s license, Gowariker still manages to be dull.

JODHAA AKBAR Director: Ashutosh Gowariker Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ila Arun, Kulbhushan Kharbanda. 2008. 200 min. 14 CITY 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388

ABOUT TOWN is a sixteenth century love story between the great Mughal emperor Akbar EXHIBITIONS (Hritik Roshan) and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa ™ Remains of a smile sculptures and prints by Jamal Alafaghani, (Aishwarya Rai Bachhan). Akbar marries 11AM-5PM, until 28 February, at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Jodhaa to strengthen his relation with the Mahal Revisited. Rajputs but gets more than he bargained for ™ Metamorphosis paintings by Christian Salzgeber, until 9 March, when he starts to fall in love with her. The at the Indigo Gallery. daughter of King Bharmal, Jodhaa is a fiery ™ Design show with Kripa Joshi and others at the Pulchok Bakery Rajput and Akbar’s biggest challenge will now Café, curated by photo.circle, until 29 February. Entertainment be winning her love. ™ Tibetan Lhosar photographs by Daniel Collins at the Saturday Café, Boudhanath stupa, until 31 March. Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal

Quest www.jainepal.com EVENTS ™ Taare Zameen Par a film by Aamir Khan, 15 February, 5.30 PM at the Lazimpat Gallery Café. 4428549 School Bullying a talk program by Niti Rana, 29 Feb at The New ;xeflutfdns" ;ljwfg+ lgdf0fsf{ nflu ;ljwfg;efsf+ ] g]kfn ;/sf/ Era, Battisputali. 9851023958 lgjfrgdf{ ;xefuL eO { cfkm}+n] 5fgsf] kltlglw| dfkm{t ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno ™ ANFA politics and the future of football in Nepal discussion with ;"rgf ljefu Lalit Krishna Shrestha, Indra Man Tuladhar, Niranjan Rajbhansi gof F ;ljwfg+ lgdf0f{ u/f }+ . and Hari Khadka at Martin Chautari, 3-5PM, 22 February. 4238050 ™ Bingo Nights at the Welcome Food Plaza, Darbar Marg, starts 6PM every Monday. 2337201 ™ Play and Learn German at the German Info and Culture Centre, Thamel. 4700832 ™ Toastmasters a communication and leadership program, organised by Kathmandu Toastmasters Club every Wednesday 6PM at Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) building, Tripureswor. 4288847

MUSIC ™ Rob Garza with Jerry Julian and the Power of Joy performing at 1905 Restaurant, fund raising program sponsored by WFP, 7PM on 23 February, Rs 1,000. ™ Jeremy Borthwick with Trouble Clef live at Moksh ™ Anil Shahi every Wednesday and Rashmi Singh every Friday, live at the Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex, 8PM. 5521408

DINING ™ Greek food festival with chef Georios Vagionas, 7-10.30 PM, until 29 February at The Café, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 ™ Full moon night with BBQ dinner and a short hike at the Shivapuri Heights Cottage, 22 February, Rs 1,550. 9851012245 ™ Continental and Chinese cuisine and complimentary fresh brewed coffee after every meal a Zest Restaurant and Bar, Pulchok. ™ Illy espresso coffee at the Galleria cafe, every Friday espresso cocktails. ™ International four course buffet at the Sunrise Café with a range WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL of Boris’ signature dishes at The Chimney, Hotel Yak and Yeti. 4248999 Thursday morning satellites pictures show a strong westerly front appearing in ™ Wine and Cheese every Friday and Saturday at the Rox Bar, the western Himalaya, indicating a gradual break in the current dry weather. Hyatt Regency, 5-8PM. 4491234 Although there have been sporadic rains in parts of eastern and western Nepal ™ Jazz in Patan with coffee, food, drinks and dessert at the New as results of collisions between the warm southerly and cold northerly winds, Orleans Cafe, Jawalakhel. 11.30 AM-10PM. 5522708 the Valley has remained completely dry for over a month but may now get part of its monthly quota early next week. Expect colder weekends as clouds emerge ™ Saturday special barbeque, sekuwa, momos, dal-bhat at The Tea and a cold afternoon breeze brings down daytime temperature. House Inn, Windy Hills, Nagarkot every Saturday. 9841250848. ™ Dice-licious brunch at Kakori, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, roll the dice to the number of the day and get 50% discount on an individual meal, Saturdays and Sundays, 12.30-3.30 PM. 4273999 ™ Scrumptious wood fired pizzas, cocktails and specialty coffees at Roadhouse, Bhatbateni 4426587, Pulchok 5521755 and Thamel 4260187. KATHMANDU ™ Cocktails and jazz with the JCS Quartet and a choice of cocktails at Fusion – the Bar at Dwarika’s. 4479448 ™ Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-la with Live performance KATHMANDU VALLEY by Ciney Gurung, Rs. 666.00 nett. per person, at the Shambala Garden, every Friday 6.30 PM onwards. 4412999 Fri Sat Sun ™ Kebabs and curries at the Dhaba, Thapathali. 9841290619 ™ Calcutta’s rolls, biryani, kebabs Indian cuisine at Bawarchi, Bluebird Mall Food Court. 9741000735 6 ™ Lavazza coffee Italy’s favourite coffee at La Dolce Vita, Thamel. 20-4 19-4 18-6 4700612 ™ Little Britain coffee shop fresh organic coffee, homemade cakes, WiFi internet, open all day, everyday. 4496207 ™ Pizza from the woodfired oven at Java, Thamel. 4422519

GETAWAYS ™ Relax Package with a one night stay, full buffet breakfast at The Café and access to Club Oasis at Hyatt Regency, until 29 February, Rs 5,000 plus taxes, valid only for Nepalis and local residents. 4489800 ™ Fulbari Resort and Spa, Rs 10,999 for Nepali double, $219 for expat double, two days and three nights package, with transportation from the airport, drinks, tennis and swimming, discounts on food and beverages. ™ Weekend getaways at Le Meridien, Kathmandu, Resident Night Rs 4,999 and two nights package Rs 9,998. Also includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, spa facilities, swimming pool, steam sauna, Jacuzzi and gym facilities.

For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com HAPPENINGS 22 - 28 FEBRUARY 2008 #388 15

KIRAN PANDAY IF ONLY: No rest for motorcyclists queuing for hours to get petrol.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA OVERLOADED: The few buses running this week were packed to bursting.

TAXI STANDSTILL ta

KIRAN PANDAY A GOOD SHOW: Nepal Army soldiers on parade at Democracy Day on Tuesday.

KIRAN PANDAY MASQUERADE: Masked dancers represent Bhaktapur District at the Democracy Day celebrations. N 16 shortage, butthat’snotbecause don’t care. as itispoorMadhesis,leaders more thananyoneelse.Aslong Madhesis havesufferedalot able toselltheirproduce,and down theTarai.Farmersaren’t on theirownpeopleandshut fulfilled, sotheydeclareawar parties wanttheirsixdemands they arebehavingnow.Madhesi always behavedandthatishow That ishowourpoliticianshave up. of thecrowdandbasheshim with alsopullsasmallkidout chap I’mhavinganargument on thenose.Seeingthat, smaller thanmeandsmackhim hitting youIchooseapasserby argument withyou.Insteadof them. PretendI’mhavingan to thepeople.Andpunishes challenge political partywantsto tradition thatwheneverone It isatime-honouredNepali government. diesel isbecausethereno diesel, thereasonthereisno petrol isbecausethereno queue: thereasonthereisno working. Heardonthegas the government for theirpetrolbombs.Hurrah, Kathmandu alsohasagas BACKSIDE running outofpetrol in theTaraiare ews justin:protesters anotherone,itgoes FG FG strategy is Prachanda Bonaparte hands but when hishostnotjustshook looked mightyuncomfortable North Koreanbirthdaybashand GONE, Maharababuwenttothe relations betweentheDPRKand behind onthefraternal For thoseofyouwhoareabit can’t saysoinpublic. President LotusFlower,but cult beingbuiltaround pleased withthepersonality Jit Bahadurisreportedlynot Leader KimIl-Sung.Comrade would actuallylooklikeGreat shave his if ComradeChairmanwould Joseph (UncleJoe)Stalin?But Prachanda Bonaparte,and our EternalPresident, growing resemblancebetween you outtherealsonoticethe Is itjusttheAssordomanyof unsolicited gossip,mostof crackpot fanswhosendin The Assmailboxisfullof Juche Idea. must bewhattheycallthe go formostoftheevening.This Minister andwouldn’tlethim Honourable Informatics fingers inthoseofour job. Assfor Even anAsswoulddoabetter idiots runningthiscountry. have suchabunchofbungling of theMadhes.It’sbecausewe moustache entwined president FG FG FG his he . comrades couldgetsome before. Thisway,theyoung hadn’t thoughtofthatone electricity?’ away andgeneratesome dynamo sothattheycanpedal stationary bicyclewitha Maoists inthecantonmentsa ‘giving everyoneofthe writes thecorrespondent, implement it?‘Howabout,’ do wehavethepoliticalwillto overnight. Theonlyproblemis: solve ourelectricitycrisis which ifimplementedwould you hassentinabrainwave, can’t bepublished.Butoneof which issolibelousthatit Wonder whytheNEA 18,954 Whether itgoestotheparty UNMIN pickthehoteltab. their inspectionvisitsandlets don’t spendacentofitduring $300 aday,butapparently UN’s subsistenceallowanceof Joint MonitoringTeamgetthe The Maoistmembersofthe billboards onBagmatiBridge. to lightalltheliquor generated inthisway,enough at least5megawattscanbe the envelopecalculationshows up tothegrid.TheAss’backof cantonments couldbehooked accumulating flabandthe exercise andshedsomeofthat CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 04/058/59 FG the restofus. from ‘Dhoom’like have thehitsong mobiles. Nowthey ringtones revolutionary changed their JMT comradeshavenow computer classes.Also,the go toMalaysiaandattend the manpowercompaniesto to makethedownpayment relatives aregettingthedough clear, butonewonderswhere member’s ownpocketisnot coffers orintotheJMT ass(at)nepalitimes.com 22 -28FEBRUARY2008 ontheir #388

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