Nepali Times Has Had the Same Opinion Poll Gives Insight Into Mass Graciously Leaving Some for the the Pen and Paper Have Become Inferior Experience

#355 29 June - 5 July 2007 16 pages Rs 30

Weekly Internet Poll # 355

Q. Should Hridayendra be named king soon? Total votes: 5,131 Cruise control

Weekly Internet Poll # 356. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Which is the most urgent priority in the run-up to the elections?

READY TO GO: UNMIN is sending 40 District Electoral Officers out to the field in two weeks’ time to prepare for a November election. The mission currently has 200 staff, mostly arms monitors and electoral advisors, in its five regional offices.

MIN BAJRACHARYA A November election depends on better law and order

KIRAN NEPAL and JB PUN MJF central working homework by end-September: security forces to conduct the committee member Upendra Jha laying down rules and elections to 480 seats here’s good news and bad is also upbeat about a deal with regulations, and the code of simultaneously across the about the 22 November date the government. “Sure, the conduct; staff and monitor country in this Rs 6 billion T for elections to the government can talk to the armed selection and training; exercise. EC officials will come constituent assembly. groups first, but the threat of preparation of voter education among civil servants, teachers, On the upside, a deal looks secession is just a bargaining and other election-related and semi-governmental imminent with both the janajatis chip,” he says.” Eventually we’ll materials. organisations. and madhesis. The Nepalese get exactly what we want in terms Then comes the final push: Law and order remains bad Federation of Indigenous of proportional representation.” voter registration, getting officials news. The EC is stipulating a Nationalities is now flexible on The resolution of the janajati out to the 240 election areas, ‘peaceful’ environment for the its demand for full-proportional demands is being seen as another fulfilling even part of the EC’s elections. Election commissioner representation, the government is factor in defusing the madhes ambitious plan to visit every Nilkantha Uprety says it would be listening, and a consensus looks crisis. “Once they agree on household in the country, one in which “there are no set: a combination of proportional representation, the Tharus and printing the ballots, and so on. obstacles to the election process voting and the first-past-the-post most tarai communities will Some conditions are fixed. and the workings of the EC, the ballot system. Some janajati come over, except the Yadavs and The voter list of about 13.6 parties, and voters.” groups with tiny populations the Muslims” says an analyst. million prepared for the proposed Chief Election Commissioner could be accommodated in the 17 The Election Commission June election stands, as does the Bhoj Raj Pokhrel is keeping his seats set aside for nominated meanwhile is gearing up to work number of registered parties (62). eyes peeled. “We will install our members to the CA. long days to complete its There’s a general agreement that own monitoring mechanism to party registration could be ensure that the security provided reopened if, say, an armed group by the government matches our in the tarai decided to enter expectations in run-up to the mainstream politics. elections,” he said at a press meet The EC will need 120,000 staff shortly after the announcement of and 70,000 members of the the date. 2 EDITORIAL 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit Executive Editor: Anagha Neelakantan Design: Kiran Maharjan Director Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Circulation Manager: Samir Maharjan [email protected] Subscription: [email protected],5542525/535 Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur [email protected] GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 All in the mind Looking beyond just the physical scars of conflict

adri Chapagain, the district 30 psychiatrists in Nepal are all depressed patients return to his FULL SPEED AHEAD health officer of Jumla, in major cities. Few health post clinic smiling, laughing, and Prime Minister Girijababu wanted the polls to be held on Monday, Breceived a phone call as we workers have training in mental interacting with their family after 26 November. Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Rajji thought finished dinner in his quarters illness. Psychiatric medications starting treatment. Friday the 23rd would be more appropriate. Ignoring both last month. The hospital was are rare outside urban centres. Health post staff need mental suggestions, the cabinet picked Thursday, 22 November. summoning him to confirm the Most psychiatric patients in the health knowledge as well. The Superstition may have had something to do with the date. cause of death of a suspected Jumla health camp will need to previous Institute of Medicine Thursday is dedicated to Brihaspati, a sage worshipped for his suicide. get their medications from and United Mission to Nepal sagacity towards rebels. What better day to let Maoists test their Nepalganj. Community Mental Health strength in free and fair elections? GUEST COLUMN The tremendous burden of Program served this purpose, but The hue and cry over YCL excesses has been largely justified. mental illness in rural Nepal the government now needs to But it requires more than media rebukes to counter the Red Guard Brandon Kohrt menace in the coming months. The district administration needs to makes the lack of services more increase funding for the training be energised and the morale of Nepal Police boosted. This may worrying. Even before the of community health workers. necessitate a change of leadership in the Home Ministry right Next day, reports on Radio conflict, rates of mental illness Psychosocial counsellors are away. Creating faith in the machinery of the government is the best Karnali and bajar talk revealed were high. In 2000, 38 percent of also needed. Jumla is fortunate to antidote to Maoist vigilante prosecution and kangaroo justice. that an ex-Maoist, Sagar, had women and 24 percent of men in have two of them who, a recent Engaging rebellious groups in meaningful negotiations, through hanged himself in the room Jumla suffered from depression. study shows, reduced children’s intermediaries if necessary, needs top priority of the political where his wife was sleeping. Conflict has only exacerbated the depression by 21 percent and leadership. It will be difficult to conduct peaceful polls without at Sagar’s suicide echoed the mental health crises. Eighty PTSD by 31 percent. Sadly, with least the passive acquiescence of armed groups creating mayhem distress of the many mental percent of internally displaced money running out, their in the madhes. patients we saw at a three-day people in the midwest suffer counselling program is in It’s getting late for the political parties to launch a full-scale health camp in Jumla organised from depression, while jeopardy. political mobilisation. Political training for party officials, voter education and consensus-building are all fine and dandy but there by the district health office and 55 percent have PTSD. Recent Quality control is also crucial. is no substitute to a door-to-door electoral campaign. The monsoon World Vision at the request of research by Transcultural Some NGO staff refer to isn’t the best time to venture into Nepali countryside, but urban- CPN-M leaders to coincide with Psychosocial Organisation Nepal themselves as psychosocial dwellers have no rice planting to do. We can’t put this forcefully their Karnali exhibition. With has found that 60 percent of counsellors after only a weeklong enough: parties have to go back to their voters, ask their the flag of the Maoist Republican child soldiers have high levels of orientation. Government and forgiveness, promise to mend their ways, and show that they are People’s Health Movement PTSD symptoms, while professional organisations serious about building the future. fluttering above us, we examined 33 percent of children never should develop a certification The Nepali people have been duped so often in the past that cadres and locals suffering from associated with armed groups system for the range of personnel they will need some convincing to accept that the November polls anxiety, depression, post- have elevated symptoms. acting in the mental health field. are for real. While the election juggernaut moves full speed ahead, traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), There is hope for addressing The health camp in Jumla a perceptible improvement in service delivery is necessary. It and other psychiatric problems. both conflict related and other represents a step toward shouldn’t be too difficult to augment water supply, reduce blackout hours, repair roads, or crackdown on crime. Reducing the As in the rest of the country, mental health problems. The first collaborative and beneficial care. petroleum shortage is urgent to restore faith in the system. Jumla lacks a basic mental health step is raising awareness. Non- Continued local activities are In the countryside, the people don’t expect change overnight. infrastructure. The approximately governmental psychosocial necessary. In addition, the donor But they want to see a experts are training local staff in and NGO community need to sign that there is a mental health issues but there is view mental health as a human change in attitude among a worrying gap in awareness right for which all persons Kathmandu-based among professionals and should have access to services. politicos. Mainstreaming Kathmandu-based staff. The We should be able to tell the the Maoists and stigma travels up to the level of families of Sagar and other addressing the concerns donors; a colleague recently women, men, and children with of the marginalised is advised me not use the term psychological distress that in the essential, as is law and order. ‘mental health’ in a proposal or new Nepal suicide prevention, But what the people the project would not be funded. and other mental health services need the most is at least A hospital administrator told a are priorities. the perception that the colleague, “It is worse to be a elections will mean an crazy doctor (a psychiatrist) than Brandon Kohrt is an MD-PhD improvement in their lives a crazy patient.” candidate at Emory University and the lives of their Chapagain in Jumla is an and a research technical advisor children. exception. The doctor says his to Transcultural Psychosocial most rewarding clinical Organisation Nepal experience is to see very (www.tponepal.org). KIRAN PANDAY

elections conditional upon it. Creating faith in the future is much more important. Advisers prosper when they can predict a catastrophe and convince their clients Surviving donor dross that they posses the ability to avert it. They have a vested interest in fanning doom. In this they are dutifully aided by DINGOs Expect DINGOs to run amok in the run-up to elections during trainings for political leaders, civil society, NGO entrepreneurs, and the social fter dismissing the Maoists as ‘anti- alarmed by an invasion of western star venues? innovation vanguard. government guerrillas’ for a decade, advisors, busybodies, consultants, and do- The 12-point deal between the seven- Some of the political nonsense these the Chinese seem to have decided to gooders than any Indian domination. party alliance and Maoists in November pricey professionals spout has to be heard establishA fraternal ties with a party that This fear is probably shared by New 2005 happened without inputs from foreign to be believed. Presumably on their advice, swears by their Great Helmsman. Delhi which looks at how the goras and conflict experts here. That should have a consortium of donors is planning to fund a With characteristic flair they are hosting their DINGOs (donor-inspired ngos) are stopped do-gooder donors in their tracks. massive voter’s education campaign. What uncrowned prince Prakash and Ananta. running the show in Nepal. Rakesh Sood, And for a while they kept a low-profile, and we need instead is an intensive political One is Comrade Awesome’s son, the other the possible successor to Shiv Shanker hired talented locals. Some of the most mobilisation to reassure voters, raise their his aide-de-camp. Ultra-nationalists of both Mukherjee, is currently Indian envoy in promising Nepali journalists writing in hopes, and build confidence. This is the extreme right and left in Nepal believe Kabul. He has seen the mess that DINGOs, English deserted the media en masse and something that only political parties can do, that kowtowing to China is an effective way often working at cross purposes, can create became overnight analysts, program despite all their deficiencies. of countering Indian influence. during political transitions. officers, project managers, and inclusion The class of intellectual comprador The expansion of foreign-funded ngos advocates. They are doing fine as liaison created by short-term consultants will have begun to worry the political class as officers, but it is the impending invasion perhaps push for more opinion polls, wider STATE OF THE STATE well. Addressing the convention of the of foreign parachutists that we have to consultations, fresh hearings. These C K Lal Democratic NGO Federation that has been beware of. activities provide a convenient alibi for created by NC sympathisers to counter Unsurprisingly, most foreign advisers laidback politicians to shirk from doing existing outfits of similar nature this week, are cynical and find fault with law and what they are supposed to do at a time like The guarded observations of Koirala asked our social entrepreneurs to order. What they don’t realise is there this: go back to the people. Ambassador Zheng Xianglin (‘China won’t be more transparent in their activities. never has been rule of law in this country. Donors will spend their money in the tolerate foreign intervention in Nepal’, From But who will bell the big cats: ingos that The law has been the king’s command and way they like. But at least till the polls the the Nepali Press, #353) are being stretched spend astronomical sums to bring order administrative fiats to fulfil the political parties must ask their cadre to to mean things that we wish to be true. But, personalities like Jimmy Carter to Nepal wishes of Kathmandu’s power elite. Law desist from attending donor binges and alas, our northern neighbour may have and FLAMINGOs (fly-by-night ingos) that and order won’t prevail just because DINGO jamborees. It’s not just a waste of different priorities. Perhaps Beijing is more sponsor daily consultations at various five- donors make constituent assembly time, it is counterproductive. 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 3

LLL ETTERS

STOP PRESS that Nepali Times has had the same opinion poll gives insight into mass graciously leaving some for the The pen and paper have become inferior experience. King G’s goons could not opinion, which might be different from a government to build better roads. to swords and bullets, and the press has infiltrate media houses, but the Maoists personal one. As an effective means of If the government wants to make fallen prey to politicians who have have done so. Makes sense, given that they gauging public opinion, polls are carried Kathmandu better, I think it needs to raze sold their souls for easy money (‘Stop want ultimate totalitarian control over Nepal out in many democratic countries to the city and rebuild it. I’m okay with my Press’, ‘Pressure on the press,’ #354). and Nepalis. provide policymakers valuable feedback. house being a casualty. That’s extreme, This should concern first and G Pokharel, West Virginia, USA Public opinions polls are even more yes, and I realise destroying everything foremost the moderate Maoist leaders relevant for Nepal in the current is unfeasible. But the government can who many people, like me, sincerely situation because the leaders and take other steps—resettle people believe can and want to contribute to the parties who are running the state do not elsewhere to make certain improvements making of a New Nepal through have a recent mandate through in some other places. Ban the mainstream politics (sans feudalism, elections. Their claim that they construction of concrete houses in the monarchy, and so on). If they do not represent the aspirations of all Valley’s historic choks and bahas that speak up and influence the hardliners sections of Nepalis has not been form the essence of Kathmandu’s now, it will be too late for them later. tested at the polls. Those who were identity. People like the writer of this Their faces have given the Maoists the elected, were out into power in 1998— article Pranaya Rana can make a benefit of the doubt so far and could their mandate expired in 2003. The difference and help wake up the people, attract middle and lower middle class Maoists cannot claim to have been and the government. city-based voters in the upcoming elected even once, except perhaps S Tuladhar, email elections to the constituent assembly. Mr Mahara in 1991. But if it turns out that most of the Under such conditions, opinion leaders do not believe in the people’s polls conducted rigorously using CORRECTIONS mandate, that is a different ballgame proven scientific methods help The photograph in ‘Long way home’ altogether. In that case, this is a wake- register mass opinion on political (#353) should have been credited to up call for every freedom loving citizen parties, leaders, and various issues. Kumar Luitel. who stood firm against the king’s Argue with the methodology, sample Proceeds from Bijaya Baidya’s autocratic rule and his efforts to gag the representativeness, and shows often go to charity, but no independent media. conclusions of the polls—that’s tickets are on sale for the concert on Sandesh Hamal, Lalitpur more appropriate than blithely 29 June (‘East-meets-west is back dismissing scientific surveys. Mr east’, #354). I was very surprised to see the Lal of all the people should know that numbers you reported as well as the without the backing of such quantitative tactics used by Maoists in infiltrating In times like these, when even reputed numbers, ‘opinion’ pieces remain just so different business houses (‘Stop press’, media houses will not come clean about much ‘hot air’. LETTERS ‘Messy gamble’, #354). But more precisely how their editorial freedom is Shiva Bisangkhe, email Nepali Times welcomes feedback. alarming was that business houses also being gagged, your last issue was the kind Letters should be brief and may be request the Maoists to help resolve or of hard-hitting, in-depth, no-holds-barred BREATHING ROOM edited for space. While pseudonyms settle rivalries. If this continues one day journalism we’ve come to expect from Kathmandu can be a ‘green’ city if the can be accepted, writers who all the NCs, UMLs, Rajabadis, and No- Nepali Times—sometimes. At other times government stops the construction of ugly provide their real names and contact badis will be out, and there will be only you seem a little somnambulistic. For the concrete houses everywhere (‘Breathing details will be given preference. Maoists everywhere. This trick will sake of the country, if not your readers, room’, #353). People only build these Email letters should be in text format clearly work as long as the NC and UML please keep this up. thinking they will make money by renting without attachments with ‘letter to the continue their fighting-as-usual for posts Name withheld, email out the rooms. Who cares about how you editor’ in the subject line. and bhagbanda for government get to your house—or, more importantly, positions. OPINIONATED other peoples’? As long as you can get Email: [email protected] The Maoists are entering our CK Lal’s snobbish dismissal of quantitative there, don’t bother about keeping the back Fax: 977-1-5521013 kitchens, telling us what we should eat, social sciences (‘Footnotes to history’, lanes clean for pedestrians who need to Mail: Letters, Nepali Times, and when we can do so. I am very State of the State, #353) diminishes the pass by. Squeeze every bit of land you can GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal. frightened. I hope we never have to hear weight of his own ‘opinion pieces’. An in your neighbourhood instead of 4 NATION 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 general secretary Gagan Thapa says there have been four attacks on NSU members in Kathmandu in recent days and accuses the Maoists of provoking his group. The Maoist leadership has denied involvement in Ghimire’s beating. Youthful rivalry The NSU’s just-elected president Pradip Tension between the YCL and the student Poudel warns of retaliation, while other senior members we spoke with say they are wings of other parties are intensifying starting a “peaceful” offensive against YCL excesses. They understand the sensitive nature of transitional phase, they say, but echo Ghimire’s caveat that, they “will not be silent spectators for too long”. Some of this posturing is the result of tensions between the Tarun Dal and the NSU after former Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka proposed that the two NC-affiliated groups be merged to form a ‘Peace Army’. The NSU is scheduled to hold a gathering at Basantapur on Friday and NC president and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is to address the meeting. In the early days of the peace process, the YCL and Maoist militia were attacking workers of the UML-affiliated All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU). But now the UML’s union seems to have made peace with the YCL. Former ANNFSU general secretary Thakur Gaire says his group and the YCL have been meeting to

PICS: KIRAN PANDAY sort out problems as they arise. He dismisses chances of unity with the NSU FACE OFF: Members of the NC-affiliated Nepal Student Union march through Kathmandu to JOHN NARAYAN PARAJULI against the Maoist YCL. shore up support for their 29 June mass meeting at Basantapur (above), while Young But though most party leaders speak Communist League members go on one of their periodic anti-government chants (below). out against the YCL in public, we are told ith election dates announced that in eight-party meetings this does not and as turf wars begin, clashes translate into pressure on the Maoists to Wbetween the youth wings of the rein in their cadre as no one wants to Maoists and other political parties are alienate the Maoists or weaken the alliance. intensifying across the country. Before leaving Nepal last week, the UN’s The mainstream political parties and Office of the High Commmission on their student unions say they fear the Human Rights, Lena Sundh, handed a YCL’s systematic intimidation will damning report on the YCL to Maoist increase in the run-up to the elections. chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. "The Deployment of student unions by their human rights abuses committed by the YCL parent parties could spur violence in the are contributing to a climate of fear and run-up to the elections. intimidation," the report said, expressing Already, run-ins between the league worries that the threat of violence would and the NC-affiliated Nepal Student poison the atmosphere for elections. Union (NSU), in particular, are escalating. As a November date starts to look On 15 June the NSU’s former president, possible and parties plan their return to the Guru Raj Ghimire, was assaulted by the districts, everyone agrees the threats have to YCL. “I just spoke out against the YCL’s stop. And the frontline of the campaign anti-political anarchy,” says Ghimire. might well be skirmishes between the YCL Popular NSU leader and former and the party-affiliated students. z BUSINESS 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 5

Water wheel winner ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Centre for Renewable Energy Nepal has won second prize at the international Ashden Award for sustainable energy for its A dubious high work improving 2,400 water mills (‘Wheels of change’, #354). Lumin Shrestha, director of CRTN received the Enterprise Award from former US Vice President Al Gore in the Royal We really don’t want to have the highest Geographical Society in London last Friday. The four-year-old water mills program has already helped improve the livelihoods per capita planning documents of almost 100,000 households. The centre plans to use the £10,000 prize money to develop a low cost means of generating electricity with a simple magnet nother fortnight, another alternator using a short shaft water mill to charges batteries that flurry of announcements. can be used for household lighting purposes. CRTN is supported AIn Kathmandu, it’s party by the Alternate Energy Promotion Centre and SNV-Nepal. time for planners. There are workshops and seminars galore,

Bigger Machhapuchchhre the ultimate high for our cut-and- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ paste thinkers. Machhapuchchhre Bank has opened an extension counter at Thapathali. The bank provides include any branch banking, internet and mobile ECONOMIC SENSE banking, telephone and Artha Beed mobile bill payment, and locker facilities. Machhapuchchhre has 12 branches around the country, and will shortly open one in Itahari. The National Planning Commission unveiled its three- year planning approach paper, the

Shoes made for winning Minister for Physical Planning ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Shikhar Shoes’ new Malamal Offer gives and Works announced her 20-year customers scratch cards that entitle them either to perspective in a vision document. discounts ranging from 10-50 percent or cash At the National Development prizes of Rs 100-200,000. The offer is only valid Council it was same old same old for purchases of over Rs 425. Shikhar Shoes with the usual suspects offers casual, party, executive, and school shoes mouthing the usual platitudes. and sandals, and has showrooms in Butwal, The Finance Ministry is making KIRAN PANDAY Narayanghat, Dhangadi, Dang, Mahendranagar, Itahari, and noises about making ends meet in Kathmandu. the coming fiscal year. TALK IS CHEAP: Speaker Subash Nembang, Prime Minister Girija Prasad We have been always good at Koirala and Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission Jagadish Sony showroom talking in the present Pokhrel release the NPC's three year concept paper on peace, poverty

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ continuous—just look at the alleviation, and rehabilitation on Monday. Nepa Hima Trade Link, the only authorised dealer of Sony proclamations of the monarchs products in Nepal, has added one more showroom at Kumaripati. The showroom carries the full range of Sony products but is over the last 250 years, Rana-era over the tasks of a number of to raise the price of petroleum especially designed for the documents, Panchayat plans, the ministries as well as the planning products to reduce losses, but Bravia, Cybershot, and post-1990 whatevers. It’s all more commission. that everyone has somehow agreed Handycam ranges. Other of the same, bagsful of wishes. At In line ministries we need that it is a good idea to borrow Sony showrooms are located in Kantipath, New Road, and least the consultants keep their people who understand how to from all sorts of funds, even Chabahil in Kathmandu, and Narayanghat and Pokhara. careers going. use the resources available, and employee savings. For all the Jagadish Pokhrel, the current harness new ones, to implement grand plans we have, we need a

Romping Rumpum vice-chair of the Planning plans. The government is all gung combination of these two ○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Commission, is going to be a ho about increasing pay and not elements. A government that Rumpum Noodles has been awarded the NS frustrated man. For all his novel cutting security personnel. The cannot sensibly manage the Quality Certificate by the Nepal Bureau of planning, he has no control over wage bill is going to rise Valley’s water supply, or face Standards and Metrology. Rumpum is now implementation, and in three meteorically. These civil servants head-on the licensing issue for fortified with vitamins A and D3, calcium, and years’ time, things will look very and security personnel will also hydropower projects cannot protein. Rumpum is manufactured by Asian Thai different. Foods, an ISO 9001:2000 certified company. have to be paid pensions in the negotiate with India on water To allow a market economy to years to come. Militant unions rights or projects. It all makes one run efficiently, we need to retool and local politicking are deterring fearful of the kind of legislation NEW PRODUCTS the planning process. The annual private investors. One wonders we are to get on complex finance budgets never dovetail with the where the surplus needed for instruments. SAMSUNG AUDIO: Him Electronics, manufacturer and five-year plans and, when the development work will come One thing is clear—when you distributor of Samsung electronic products, has launched a new commission’s targets fall by the from. make planners also responsible range of audio Samsung products. wayside, there is no mechanism We need two things and we for implementation, or line These include the Max-DT55, Max- to analyse what went wrong. It’s need them fast. First, a agencies also responsible for DC650, Max-DT95 and Max-DT99 obvious that if the economy is government that understands planning, you finally have a level audio systems, and the HT-X100 going to develop in any holistic finance, business, and industry. of accountability. Without this, and HT-TQ35 home theatre way, planning and execution systems. The products support Dolby Surround Pro Logic, DivX, Second, a government with the all we can look forward to is and Progressive Scan, and offer USB hosting. need to be the mandate of the guts to do what is needed, no becoming the country with the same agency. The Beed generally matter how unpopular. highest per capita planning NAZA CARS: Alpine Motors has proposes this: a Ministry of It’s a telling sign of what the documents. z started importing the Malaysian Naza Finance and Economic Beed must regretfully call cars. Three Naza models, the 206 Development that would take stupidity that no minister wants www.arthabeed.com Bestari, the Sutera, and the Sporty. are currently available at the brand’s Lazimpat showroom.The cars are under warranty for 50,000km or two years, whichever comes first. Naza is the Malaysian subsidiary of French auto major Peugeot.

PAINI: Home Furnishers have launched an exclusive range of Paini brand sanitary fittings from Italy. The company has been producing sanitary fittings since 1954. Home Furnishers also imports various taps, mixers, and shower products from Morgana, Jolly, Cooper, First, Pilot, and Cox.

DISCOVER 135: The Bajaj Discover now comes with a 135cc engine, with Nitrox suspensions, front disc brakes, and ExhausTEC mileage technology. Customers get a two- year warranty and five years of free servicing. Financing is handled by the Teku branch of Everest Bank. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 Airworthy not be available to attend the Some members want to change

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ reception. This year, the form of the party’s leadership by holding Abhiyan, 25 June address on the card is no longer its general convention before the Lone crusader ‘Honourable Minister’, but ‘Sri constituent assembly election. Cosmic Air is gearing-up to Minister’. Among the 900 VIPs Former general secretary Jhalanath Interview with Nepali Congress MP Jaya Prakash Gupta in resume international flights after Ghatana Ra Bichar, 27 June invited for the celebrations are Khanal is to table a proposal to two of its Fokker jets were senior political party leaders, create a left-party alliance with What are the major issues in the tarai? grounded last year. This follows ministers, King Gyanendra’s the Maoists, which Oli and Nepal The biggest one is that madhesi people do not have the right to the the decision of International former teachers, Nepal Army are expected to oppose. tarai’s resources. The government should let go of its colonial Civil Aviation Organisation to generals, diplomats, and royal policies and let the people in the tarai decide. A federal structure can extend the Fokkers’ relatives. The following day,

address these issues and search for Child soldiers airworthiness by another two ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ solutions. So madhesis must be well King Gyanendra will receive represented in the constituent years. Cosmic has applied to the members of the public who want Nayapatrika, June 22 assembly elections. Civil Aviation Authority of to wish him. Last year the Nepal for a flight schedule, but government announced that the As the second round of combatant Why did you quit Madhesi CAAN will not provide that until king’s birthday will not be a verification takes place in Ilam’s Janadhikar Forum? the technical and financial public holiday. This year 7 July Chulachuli camp, those new The MJF was a group of likeminded assessments of the company are falls on a Saturday, which is recruits who are below 18 are individuals concerned about the completed. Cosmic wants to fly returning to their schools to get tarai. After the Madhes Uprsing, the perhaps why the government Forum registered itself as a party. I to New Delhi, Varanasi, and hasn’t said anything yet. certificates saying they are over felt it needed to mature in a different Dhaka, in addition to its 18. In the latest incident, four

way. I plan to push the madhesi domestic routes. Messy UML fighters returned to Akkhebhui ○○○○○○○○○○○

agenda and find solutions to madhesi The short-lived Air Nepal is ○○○○○ VDC to get altered documents. problems differently, which is why I also likely to resume service Tarun, 25 June One rebel fighter who has quit. under Japanese investment and ‘revised’ his date of birth from management. The UML’s central committee 1991 to 1987 says that some 150 What will your political career look meeting is likely to be extended like now? fighters in Chulachuli have We need a powerful group, which will Birthday bash for a few more days, as the row similarly changed their year of

relentlessly raise madhesi issues in KIRAN PANDAY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ over the party’s leadership and birth. The headmaster of the the streets and in parliament. The Jana Aastha, 27 June its working unity with the school refuses to speak for fear of future of Nepal is in federalism and people in the tarai want a Maoists intensifies. Maoist intimidation. regional party focussing on their issues and grievances. We are For the first time in the history The meeting is deliberating working towards forming such a party. of Nepal the palace has invited on general secretary Madhab Maoist leaders for a reception to Nepal’s 22-page report which People say that the CA elections cannot be held in the tarai. th It’s not enough to talk to just the armed groups or just the MJF. The celebrate King Gyanendra’s 60 concludes that the UML’s role in eight parties must understand that all the agitating groups, armed birthday at Narayanhiti palace on the government has become and unarmed, need to be brought to the table if the government really 6 July. This black tie affair will ineffective. The UML recalled its wants to solve the tarai’s problems and avoid trouble there during begin in the palace’s Kaski room previous team in the government, the elections. at 7PM. Maoist leaders received led by KP Oli, following a their invitations ten days ahead similar report by Nepal. That What is your relationship with the NC like? of the party, but UML general Legally, I’m a Congress MP, but it’s up to the party to decide how time around the party said it was close it thinks I am to it. Neither the NC nor the MJF have ever secretary Madhab Nepal and satisfied with the overall asked me to clarify my relationship with the other. I am an MP only Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan performance of the government, because I feel close to the madhesi issue. have not yet got theirs. CPN-M but now the UML feels the and UML leaders say they will government has failed. KIRAN PANDAY FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 7 Kalikot connects

Nepal, 24 June

Until just a year ago the only working phones in Kalikot were the VSAT phones in the barracks in Manma. The two public phones with long distance were out. Manma never got the 150 phone lines it was meant to in 2002, before the first emergency, because the administration felt the phones would be misused. Then the Maoists blew up the repeater tower at Bharta and Kalikot was disconnected from the rest of Nepal. Things have changed. The tower was repaired this past winter. Over 500 mobile CDOT lines have been distributed in the It is so difficult to understand what he is saying in English. We still district and also in haven’t deciphered what he meant when he said ‘grand design’, Dailekh’s Khadki Bajar. A so how are we to understand ‘ceremonial king’, ‘space’, ‘baby king’, mobile CDMA tower has ‘minor king’, and so on? TULARAM PANDEY been put up to support Nepal, 24 June

another 300 lines, for which subscribers pay an initial fee of

Rs 8,000. The phones, which were distributed in 20 VDCs, are all mobile and Nepal Telecom officers tell us that each VDC has been QUOTE OF THE WEEK issued 10 lines. Solar panels have been set up to charge them. “ Locals say they save a lot of time now that they don’t have to In the past political parties have duped us, but this time around we are hopeful that queue up for the phone in Manma. The CDO works more efficiently they will learn from their mistakes and hold elections on time. now that people can fax their letters through, instead of having to “ send out letter after letter by post. Although still expensive, the district has email and internet access. Nepal Telecom earned barely Rs 50,000 a month during the conflict. Now it earns a Film star Rajesh Hamal, in an interview with Naya Patrika, 25 June whopping one million rupees.

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS Spirit mountain TEXT and PICTURES by KIRAN PANDAY Sherpa setting foot on the summit . The Japanese kept coming back, with an all-woman team climbing the mountain in 1974. Besides being a strikingly beautiful mountain, Manaslu is also the ver since a Japanese expedition first made a reconnaissance of only peak in the world from the summit of which one can see seven the eastern slopes of Mt Manaslu, the eight-thousand metre peak other 8,000ers in Nepal, all except Kangchenjunga. E in central Nepal has been as good as adopted by the Japanese. Manaslu can be circumambulated on the Budi Gandaki trek that With the pre-monsoon clouds snapping at our heels, we raced up begins in Aru Ghat, past Larke Pass (above) into Manang and down the the Budi Gandaki valley trying to outrace the rains. In village after Marsyangdi to Besisahar. This is probably the wildest and most natural impoverished village in this remote region, children would run up to treks in Nepal. their parents as we approached to announce: “Japanese are coming, Along the way you see slices of a very different kind of life, from Japanese are coming”. All outsiders here are known as “Japanese”. communal carving up of yaks, to Tibetan-medium schools, and In 1956 when the Japanese expedition arrived to make a serious influences from the outside world that would not be amusing push on the mountain from the northeast ridge, the rimpoche in the elsewhere, but here just underscore the remoteness of this valley. The town of Loh actually tried to stop them saying it was a holy porter sporting the bin Laden t-shirt knew only that it was "someone mountain and shouldn’t be climbed—the mountain is in fact named very famous". after the spirit, or manasa. The Japanese went ahead anyway, and The landscape is spectacular, and the walk challenging. The only climbed the mountain with Tashio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu hikers you see might be your own group. ROGER DE GROEN/GREEN LOTUS TREKKING 10 NATION 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 Obscenity Weak laws create two kinds of victims

MALLIKA ARYAL with exposing the body, and pornography, in various places in ne night some months the 1959 Defamation Act, the ago, 20-year-old Bhumika 1970 Public Offence and OShrestha was walking Punishment Act, the 1992 home from work when she was Children Act, in the civil code arrested and imprisoned in a dark under Intention to Sexual cell for almost a fortnight. Intercourse, in last year’s Police told Shrestha, who Electronic Transactions Act 2006, works with the Blue Diamond and in Nepal Press Council’s code Society, that they had orders to of conduct. arrest metis or transgendered But if you’ve been at the people for involvement in receiving end of obscene “obscene activities” and spreading behaviour, legal experts say there “immoral behaviour”. is scant precedent of people using Nepal’s legal system does not any of these provisions to seek KIRAN PANDAY define obscenity and there is no justice. “First of all it is hard to EASY TARGET: Members of specific law that addresses it. As a get evidence, and privacy of the Kathmandu's transgendered In the future result, says advocate Sabin victims is hard to maintain,” says community, such as the metis in Shrestha of the Forum for Kishor Silwal, associate professor Thamel are regularly arrested and Our children might be able to fix Women, Law and Development, of criminology at Nepal Law charged with obscenity. the ethical mess we've made vulnerable sections of the society Campus. And even if a perpetrator are persecuted and the is found guilty, explains Socially, individuals need to t’s often hard to believe that this is the 21st century, yet so little perpetrators get away. Shrestha, “the laws are see that their right to expression have many of our human traits and attitudes evolved. We have 'Obscenity’ is often used as a punishment-centred, none of does not offend,” she explains. I technology, communications, and transport that make our legal catch-all in the moral them talk about victim’s Nepal should perhaps look world tiny and connected. We have medicines to slay or tame policing of vulnerable groups like compensation, physical or mental to legal definitions of obscenity ferocious pandemics. Many of us pay lip service to variations of sex workers, metis, and women in state. in other countries, says Malla, communitarian values and compassion. general. There is no protection of The flawed laws related to since most of them accept that Yet war, violence, pestilence, and poverty persist and become the rights of victims of obscenity- obscenity are perhaps not closely obscenity is perceived ever more pernicious. Western societies that could be using their scrutinised because they differently across cultures, vast wealth and influence for good instead use coercion and related offences, usually sexual military might to get their way. They sell arms and wasteful harassment. “Legally this is an constitute a fluid idea of what is countries, religions, generations, consumer goods to foreign elites and guerrilla groups with access issue of exploitation and deemed socially acceptable. The and ethnicities. Side by side, to natural resources. Corruption is deplored abroad and violence,” says Sapana Pradhan issue comes down to striking a there need to be stronger encouraged at home. Human Malla of FWLD. balance between legal norms and mechanisms to protect victims rights, equality, and social Obscenity is vaguely and social mores, says Malla. “Legally, of sexual harassment, or HERE AND THERE justice are empty mantras to partially parsed as having to do sexual expression is a right. ‘obscene behaviour’. Daniel Lak be disregarded at the first opportunity for power or profit. Fundamentalism is on the march across religions and economics. Obscurantists hold undue sway in Washington and Riyadh, Islamabad and Jerusalem. They push false civilisational values that obscure our commonalities and emphasise our differences. They flourish when we’re fearful, afraid of them, afraid of death, frightened even of our sexuality. Free market fire-breathers dominate international institutions, despite decades of proof that unleashing capitalism without checks and balances does more harm than good. Corporate interests have captured so much public space that governing is often little more than making as much room as possible for them. What the World Bank and its ilk refer to as 'good governance' means stepping aside and letting established private interests have unaccountable access to local resources. What is most saddening about this is not that some promised utopia hasn’t materialised—we’re all aware of the ravages wrought by communism and its variants that are themselves little more than religions requiring faith and unbending adherence to overlords. No, it’s the missed opportunities, the unrealised potential for good. All it would take is a little imagination and a modicum of defiance. Imagine a world where the main thrust of pharmaceutical research was to save and enhance lives regardless of ability to pay. What if our drug companies poured their resources into finding cures for cancer, AIDS, malaria, and diseases of poverty, rather than magic pills that make fat people thin and enable erections in middle class beds? What if communications were all about connecting problems with solutions, irrespective of profit potential, so computer giants in Bangalore could enable the spread of literacy in Africa rather than accounting systems for tobacco firms? What if media told us how we were similar, how many of our problems could be addressed through common approaches, rather than providing a platform for divisiveness, greed and hatred. What if we used television and the internet to truly hold our elites to account, rather than making pornography and soap operas? Why not tackle global hunger, thirst and injustice with same zeal and financial commitment as the 'war on terror'. That’s admittedly a bad example, though, as the whole endeavour has been a profit-driven, power-enhancing farce. As a father of teenage offspring, I despair that the world my children will inherit is not significantly better than the one I took over a few decades back. It is worse. There is much more money around. Mobile phones are everywhere. The web reaches into places we didn’t know existed. Many of our cities are awash with new construction and air travel has eliminated remoteness. But for much of the planet, relentless toil, illness, and conflict remain daily realities and there’s damn all that many of us rich westerners, or developing world elites, have done about it. I hope my kids do a better job of imaging their futures. NATION 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 11

replacing the Kathmandu Drinking Water Supply Corporation,” minister Yami told us. “Since global bidding might Patching up Melamchi take almost a year, we can for now hire a financial or management expert from among The ADB and the Maoists bury the hatchet on Kathmandu’s water supply overseas Nepalis or foreign experts.” NAVIN SINGH KHADKA But the ADB official who spoke to us said Yami had not elaborated on those plans in her fter last month’s bruising recent letter to the bank. “The confrontation with a new devil is always in the details and A Maoist minister over a that is what the upcoming mammoth project to augment mission will look into.” That Kathmandu’s water supply mission should go smoothly ('Troubled water,' #350), the because the bank also seems keen Manila-based Asian Development on not making the Severn Trent Bank (ADB) is sending a team to contract an issue. Kathmandu in July to study how Bank officials were heartened to revive the scheme. by Yami’s conciliatory tone and The ADB had threatened to her commitment to institutional walk out of the Melamchi Water reforms in distribution that it Supply Project (MWSP) that it is has backed. Said the ADB funding by an end-June deadline, official: “This provides an but Maoist Minister of Physical opening, and we can see the light Planning and Infrastructure at the end of the tunnel. Now Hisila Yami has bought time by what remains to be seen is if writing to the bank and backing Minister Yami tangos or not.”

down from her opposition to SAGAR SHRESTHA With STWI no more an privatising water supply. obstacle the two sides might “The silver lining is that she Melamchi came in. The bank had process was transparent and work could begin only after agree on one or the other is not annoyed about private warned that it would pull out if according to procedures, and private sector management takes modality of water supply sector participation,” said a senior the management contract for threatened to pull out of the over Kathmandu water supply. management. But the bank is less ADB official, speaking about Kathmandu’s water supply was project if the $165 million Yami’s plan was to worried about who gets the Yami. “It was positive to hear not awarded to Severn Trent Water contract was cancelled. temporarily hand over the management contract than about from her that she would comply International (STWI), a British Nepal’s biggest infrastructure management of Kathmandu’s which government it will have to with the reforms we have company selected for the job by undertaking aims to pipe in water supply to an individual deal with in the future after introduced.” the previous government ('Private 170 million litres of water a day from the private sector before patching up with the Maoists. But the bank official who water, public debate,' from Melamchi in Sindhupalchok bringing in an international Said the ADB official: “We spoke on condition of anonymity #335). district through a 27km tunnel. company through global bidding. may finally reach an agreement said Yami’s recent letter was not Yami had accused the previous Yami finally wrote to Manila “In line with ADB’s reform with the Maoist minister, but clear enough on how administration of doing the indicating she wanted to move policy, the Kathmandu Upatyaka what if a minister from a Kathmandu ’s water supply selection in a hush-hush manner. ahead. But the bank set the Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has different party does not like the would be managed before The ADB had argued that the condition that the tunnelling already been established, idea tomorrow?”

USHA TITIKCHU Making waves

n recognition for its outstanding contribution in defence of free speech and democracy, Radio Sagarmatha has been awarded the AMARC International ISolidarity Prize 2006, the One World Broadcasting Trust’s special award for an outstanding community media project. The ten-year-old station ('10 years on air,' #339), Nepal’s first community radio, defied the ban on free news and political shows after the 1 February 2005 royal takeover in innovative ways. First, it decided to defy the ban and began broadcasting news as ‘haalchal’, rather than ‘samachar’. Threatened with closure if it did not stop ('Nepali radio, Nepali awaj,' Editorial, #275), Sagarmatha changed tactics and broadcast news items through songs and comedy. Radio stations around the country followed suit. “The award was helpful in getting us recognised internationally,” says station manager Mohan Bista. “This increases our responsibility to work for the freedom of press while continuing our community-oriented coverage.” 12 INTERNATIONAL 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355

brutal crackdown on dissent since the massacre of hundreds of unarmed protesters in May 2005, has been in power since 1991. Egyptian President Hosni A state of failure Mubarak, has been at the helm for a quarter century, and is now States that are weak for any reason affect those around them orchestrating his own succession, with his son as the heir apparent. he Fund for Peace, an Likewise, effective leadership independent research can pull a state back from the T organisation, and Foreign brink. Indonesia’s first directly Policy recently released the third elected president, Susilo Bambang annual Failed States Index. Using Yudhoyono, has helped steer the 12 social, economic, political, and country toward greater stability. military indicators, 177 states were His efforts haven’t necessarily ranked in order of their made him popular, but such vulnerability to violent internal leadership is exactly what more conflict and societal deterioration. failing states need: a head of state For the second year in a row, who chooses continued reforms Sudan tops the rankings as the over his own power and state most at risk of failure. This recognition. year, eight of the world’s 10 most The environment and global vulnerable states are in sub- warming too are factors. As the Saharan Africa, up from six last world warms, states at risk face year and seven in 2005. Iraq, severe threats to their Afghanistan, East Timor, and groundwater, agriculture, and Somalia all had a lousy year. An ecosystems, factors that can ever-worsening spiral of violence rapidly undo political and and bloody conflicts in the regions economic gains. This year’s index have left little to look forward in found a strong correlation between the coming years. stability and environmental Some failing states, such as sustainability, a country’s ability Indonesia’s Aceh Province, and The threats of weak states the repressive North Korean main fronts in the global war on to avoid environmental disaster the Democratic Republic of the ripple far beyond their borders regime stormed its way into the terror, both suffered over the past and deterioration. That means that Congo, made impressive gains. The and endanger the development world’s nuclear club. year. Both show that billions of in poorly performing states on the states’ legitimacy also improved in and security of nations that are The origins of these alarming dollars in development and edge, including Bangladesh, the eyes of the impoverished their political and economic headlines lie in weak and failing security aid may be futile unless Egypt, and Indonesia, the risks of populace, in large part due to opposites. states. World leaders and the accompanied by a functioning flooding, drought, and multiparty elections. Liberia was Few encouraging signs emerged heads of multilateral institutions government. By contrast, 2006 was deforestation have little chance of the year’s most improved, gaining in 2006 to suggest the world is on routinely take to lecterns to a good year for China and Russia— being properly managed. That six points over last year’s index a path to greater peace and reiterate their commitment to with rapidly growing economies, suggests that storms are brewing score. There, too, a November 2005 stability. The year began with pulling vulnerable states back both improved their scores on the horizon for the world’s election, held after more than a violent protests that erupted from from the brink. Reforms are too sufficiently to move out of the 60 most vulnerable. decade of civil war, can be credited Indonesia to Nigeria over the many or too few. Security needs worst states. (Foreign Policy) with bringing much-needed publication of cartoons depicting overwhelm international Leadership is often largely to stability to the country and laying the Prophet Mohammed. In July peacekeepers, or chaos reigns in blame for the failing of states. Full results are available at the ground for last year’s notable southern Lebanon was bombarded their absence. Uzbekistan’s President Islam www.ForeignPolicy.com and progress. for a month by Israeli air strikes, Iraq and Afghanistan, the two Karimov, who has continued a www.fundforpeace.org. The green paradox Positive policies on reducing emissions have unfortunate negative effects

Kyoto -Protocol participation map will decline by the sum of these global warming will increase over time. countries’ reductions. They will therefore speed up rather than Unfortunately, this view is too good to reduce production, to avoid selling their be true, because one country’s oil when prices are at their lowest. Green emissions are not independent from policies will, paradoxically, accelerate those of another. If countries decide to rather than mitigate global warming. cut their emissions, they will have to Two lessons arise from these reduce their consumption of fossil fuels, considerations. First, all polluters must in particular oil. If oil producers continue negotiate and be forced or induced to to extract as per allotted without the G8’s participate in reducing pollution. The restraint, the price of fuels will fall commitments of single countries like sufficiently to induce extra consumption Germany to over-fulfil their duties are among the non-participating countries useless. Germany has already contributed three-quarters of the total that the net effect on aggregate CO2 emissions will be nil. The countries that EU-wide reductions of CO2 emission cut their emissions would, in effect, be from 1990 to 2008-2012 to which the EU subsidising their competitors’ growth. committed in the Kyoto protocol. Will the oil producers reduce output? Second, and more difficult, the oil erman Chancellor Angela Merkel achievement. The United States, in Most suppliers do reduce production barons and other producers of fossil achieved a substantial diplomatic particular, shifted its stance significantly when the price falls, but the producers fuels must be talked into postponing their Gsuccess. With charm and since its rejection of the Kyoto Protocol, are sitting on fixed stocks of oil. If they extraction plans or, better yet, not to unassuming clear-headedness, she wrought even accepting that the United Nations do not extract it today, they will have to extract some of their resources at all. a compromise from the G8 countries that will have to organise the future do it in the future if they want to make a The good news from Heiligendamm may help save the world from the most negotiations. profit. At best, it seems that the time path is that the UN will now have to organise But several important countries did of extractions can be tilted toward the a common solution. The bad news is that this is unlikely to happen in the not sign on. China, India, Brazil, South future. This would not solve the CO2 COMMENT Africa, and Mexico did, but the oil sheiks problem in the long run, but it would foreseeable future, and that the owners of Hans-Werner Sinn and other producers of fossil fuels—those postpone the catastrophe. natural resources will therefore make who ultimately control the amount of The oil producers would be inclined every attempt to extract their resources carbon released in the atmosphere—were to postpone extraction if they could and thus pump the fossil carbon into the severe devastations caused by global not part of the deal. reasonably assume that the demand atmosphere before the UN finds a way warming. The world’s eight richest Sure, it would be better if all countries reductions of the signing countries and out of this impasse. (Project Syndicate) countries promised to “seriously consider” curtailed their emissions, but it is already the comparative price reduction this

halving their CO2 emissions by 2050. a great help if at least some countries do implies are both stronger today than they Hans-Werner Sinn is professor of Given the positions the countries held at so. If a group of countries decides to will be in the future. This is not plausible. economics and finance, University of the outset, the outcome was an important lower emissions, worldwide emissions Producers know that concerns about Munich and president of the Ifo Institute. REVIEW 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 13 Hazy gazing Weather permitting, July offers up interesting summer stars he monsoon is not a particularly good time for stargazing. But, when there is a cloudless night sky, you see sharper T images of stars and planets due to increased humidity in the atmosphere. In July, you have a chance to observe Saturn and Venus in the western sky, while the giant planet Jupiter will be high above in the east. It’s a good time for stars too, with the Great Summer Triangle (Vega-Deneb and Altair) in the east dominating the night skies for several more months. This will become a familiar sight to the stargazer. The bright star Archuturus will be just overhead in the constellation of Bootes the Herdsman. A highlight for July is the Great Hercules Star Cluster STARGAZING (also called M-13) in the Do you dare to care? Kedar S Badu constellation of Hercules. Located at a distance of 25,000 light years, this object Individual histories and empathy are complicated affairs is, without a doubt, one of the finest deep sky objects you’ll ever come across. It is extremely accessible using amateur telescopes as it has close to naked eye visibility. (See picture). hen Paradise Now hit beliefs are. The two stories Most people are surprised to learn this, but our world is the theatres in 2005 to represent a harrowing struggle for farthest from the Sun in mid-summer. The earth reaches that W a lot of hype, went on reason amidst the pervasive position in its orbit, the aphelion, on 7 July. to win the Golden Globe, and was paranoia of Palestine. nominated for an Oscar, Paradise Now is not a defence controversy was inevitable. Israeli of terrorism. The strong-willed, novelist Irit Linor called it a truth-seeking disposition of its ‘quality Nazi film,’ and uncommon heroes stands firmly complained that terrorists just had against the skittish ways of the to be played by bewitching terrorist cell, whose plotters may hotties. Major Israeli distributors preach about martyrdom but are eschewed the film. conveniently far from death themselves. In fact, director Abu- REEL REVIEW Assad and co-writer Bero Beyer seem hopeful that a more Diwas Kc Paradise Now Director: Hany Abu-Assad. forbearing kind of resistance is Cast: Kais Nashef, Ali Suliman. possible in Palestine, even if the Meanwhile in the US, the 2005. PG-13. 90 min. In Arabic, character that embodies this glowing reviews it received may with English Subtitles. hope—Said’s love interest Suha Highlights: have admitted the film’s (Lubna Azabal)—appears The Sun is in the constellation of Gemini at the start of July, moving into Cancer on Saturday, 21 July. humanising aspect, but focussed unsatisfactorily utopian and out- Mercury reaches its greatest distance west of the Sun on 20 July. mainly on its success as a have grown up angry, witnessing of-touch. It may just be visible in the north-eastern sky at dawn during the psychological thriller, as art. The the havoc wreaked upon their The film places its viewers in last week of July. ‘Palestinian question’ was left as families by Israeli occupation. an uncomfortable zone where Venus is still a brilliant Evening Star, visible in the west as soon an unhappy aside. They volunteer for a terrorist they are in danger of relating to as the Sun has set. By the end of the month, it starts disappearing Directed by Hany Abu-Assad, mission. They aren’t fanatics as and even loving the ‘unlovable’. in the glare of the Sun before the Sun itself has set. Paradise Now is, more than we would imagine suicide It is a brilliant irony, then, that a Mars is rising in the east around midnight this month, and is well anything else, a genuine testimony bombers to be, but simple, film about suicide bombers up in the eastern sky at dawn. to the power of empathy. What thinking individuals craving for teaches us so much about love The giant planet Jupiter is low in the southern sky at dusk, and happens when even the most some meaning, control, and and respect. Kudos to Abu-Assad sets after midnight. horrifying and uncanny acts of dignity in their lives. Once called for capturing larger historical Saturn is low in the west at sunset at the start of July. On 1 July Saturn and Venus appear close to each other. suicide bombers are understood in upon, the two have different contexts in small, concrete terms of ordinary human responses to their prospective images of reality. He can portray Meteors fallibility? And what is possible, martyrdom. Khaled is totally through the briefest gazes of his There are various minor meteor-showers which are active in July, politically and otherwise, when enamoured of the heroism of his characters the inner turmoil of mainly with radiants in the Capricornus-Aquarius area. Towards the lives of others are no more just death. Said is more perturbed. On shame and humiliation in the end of the month, weather permitting, we may also start to see abstractions for a terrorist? the one hand, he is afraid of being Palestine. the first of the Perseids, which peak in mid-August. Said (Nashef) and Khaled branded as a traitor, like his father Paradise Now is a rare (Suliman) are two young was, but on the other hand, he is exploration of life and death, and [email protected] Palestinian auto mechanics who not certain quite how sound his of human body and soul. 14 CITY 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355

ABOUT TOWN Working class cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is back in fine form for the fourth instalment of the Die Hard EXHIBITIONS series in Live Free or Die Hard. When the FBI realizes Heart Beat 07 – Series 5 an art exhibition by a group of young its computers have been hacked into, McClane is artists, 2 July-2 August, 10.30 AM-6PM, at Baryo Fiesta, Naxal. assigned to haul in Matt Farrell (Justin Long), a techie. 9851050299 The ultra-efficient culprits, led by ice-cold, black-clad Solo art exhibits by Sushma Rajbhandari Joshi, 1 July onwards tech genius Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant) have at NAFA, Naxal. a three-step plan to shut down everything in the country Art-as-Object a functional art exhibition by Nutan Singh, until that’s run by computer, and it's up to McClane to stop 7 July, 11AM-6PM, at GTZ/DED Neer Bhawan, Sanepa. Entertainment them! 4700835 Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal

Quest www.jainepal.com EVENTS Scoop the latest film by Woody Allen, 6.45 PM, 29 June at the Lazimpat Gallery Café. 4428549 ;xeflutfdns" ;ljwfg+ lgdf0fsf{ nflu ;ljwfg;efsf+ ] Paleti with lyricist Ratna Shumsher Thapa g]kfn ;/sf/ † (right), 6PM, 29 June at R shala, lgjfrgdf{ ;xefuL eO { cfkm}+n] 5fgsf] kltlglw| dfkm{t ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno nepa~laya, Kalikasthan. 4437893 gof F ;ljwfg+ lgdf0f{ u/f }+ . ;"rgf ljefu Yuva Chalfal Shrinkhala on the international criminal court and campaigning in Nepal, 29 June, 3-5PM at Martin Chautari. 4107599 Shastrartha on sexual identities, starting with the showing of Your Mom's a Lesbian, 30 July, 4-6PM at Martin Chautari. 4238050 Workshop on non-violent communications a practical method of peace building, 30 June at Tewa building, 9AM-5PM. 4434220 School Bullying a talk program by Niti Rana, 30 June and 1 July at The New Era, Battisputali. 9851023958 Film South Asia 2007 Festival of South Asian documentaries, 11-14 October, call for entries deadline 30 June. www.filmsouthasia.org Media Discussion Series a linguistic analysis of headlines in Nepali newspapers, 5 July, 3PM at Martin Chautari. 4238050 Screening of Water a fund raising program at the Radisson Hotel, followed by dinner and live music, 12 July. 4411818 Pottery classes one month course in coil and slab methods and two month course in wheel work, starting 1 August. 9851101837

MUSIC Jazz at Jatra every Saturday 7PM onwards, at Jatra Café and Bar, Thamel. Soul of Raga live classical and fusion music, every Friday night at Nhuchhe’s Kitchen, The Organic Bistro. 4429903. Open mic night at Via Via Café, every Friday, 8PM onwards. Live music at the Red Onion Bar, Wednesdays from 8PM with Yanki and Zigme Lepcha. 4416071 Ciney Gurung every Wednesday and Rashmi Singh every Friday, live at the Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex, 7PM. 5521408 DJ Raju and the Cloudwalkers live at the Rox Bar, Hyatt Regency, every Friday and Saturday. 4491234

DINING 5th Annual Monsoon Wine Festival 16 wines at Rs 150 a glass and Rs 600 a bottle, at Kilroy’s of Kathmandu, Thamel. 4250440 WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Friday evening BBQ with live music, at the Hotel Himalaya, 7PM, Rs 499 net. 5523900 Usually, huge flood-causing rains Walk and lunch every Saturday at the Shivapuri Heights in one area pretty much means a Cottage. 9841371927 severe drought in a neighbouring KATHMANDU Kebabs and curries at the Dhaba, Thapathali. 9841290619 area. But this is not what Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel, happened earlier this week. Krishnarpan Although there were devastating six to 22 course ceremonial lunch and dinner. 4479488 floods in Pakistan, Thursday Weekend special with sekuwa, bara, barbeque, Fridays at afternoon’s satellite picture Ambassador Garden House, Lazimpat, 5.30 PM onwards. shows that the rest of South Asia 4411706 will get plenty of moisture too. Mongolian BBQ Wednesdays and Fridays, 6.30 PM on at the Only Nepal is a little under its Splash Bar and Grill, Radisson Hotel. Rs 1,000 for unlimited monthly quota so far. The fresh barbeque and beer. 4422828 cyclones over the Bay of Bengal Flavours of the Middle East every Friday and the taste of next week will mean more rain in Thailand every Wednesday at The Café, Hyatt Regency, the Indo-Gangetic plains and the Boudha. 4491234 lower Himalaya. The midhills will KATHMANDU VALLEY receive frequent showers due to Light nouvelle snacks and elaborate cordon bleu meals at convective clouds that split off Fri Sat Sun La’Soon, Pulchok, behind the Egyptian embassy. 5537166 from the southern front. We’ll have Continental cuisine and wine by the fire place at Kilroy’s, some mild monsoon madness this Thamel. 4250440. weekend, as showers alternate Smorgasbord lunch at Park Village Resort, every Saturday. with occasional scorching 4375280 28-19 29-20 28-19 6 intervals. Gyakok at the Shambala Garden Café, Hotel Shangri-La, minimum four diners at Rs 450 per person, two hours’ notice. Retro brunch barbecue with Crossfire Band at Le Meridien, Gokarna from 12-4PM, Rs 1,000 including swimming. 4451212 Calcutta’s rolls, biryani, kebabs Indian cuisine at Bawarchi, Bluebird Mall Food Court. 9741000735 Woodfired pizzas at the Roadhouse Café, Thamel 4262768, Bhatbhateni 4426587 and Pulchok 5521755 Pizza from the woodfired oven at Java, Thamel. 4422519 Jazzabell café enjoy great food, exotic cocktails and music, Chakupat, Patan. 2114075

GETAWAYS Weekend package at Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa, two nights three days at Rs 8,888 and one night two days at Rs 4,444. 4451212 Wet and wild package at Godavari Village Resort, every Saturday and Sunday, unlimited swimming, buffet lunch with a bottle of beer or a softdrink, Rs 690 net. 5560675

For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] HAPPENINGS 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 15

KIRAN PANDAY HOW SHOULD WE DO THIS?: Representatives from the parties in the interim parliament discussing the proposed code of conduct and constituent assembly election procedure with Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel and members of the EC at the commission's Kantipath headquarters on Thursday.

SAGAR SHRESTHA PAPER TRAIL: Baburam Bhattarai spends time with his daughter Manushee at Tribhuban International Airport's VIP Lounge on Monday before leaving for Europe to talk about his peace process experience.

TOP BAHADUR GC AGE NO BAR: 36-year-old Khima Nepali became the first adult student at the Karjahi Primary School, a kilometre away from Ghorahi, on 5 June. Khima’s daughter is in class four at the same school. After Khima enrolled, six other housewives have joined this school: Obi Khatri, 35, Sita Chaudhari, 36, Suryakala Kumal, 36, Manu Kumal, 21, Champa Chaudhary, 21, and Parvati Gharti, 36.

KIRAN PANDAY FISHING: Fisherwomen try their luck in a pond overrun with water hyacinth outside Bhairahawa last Monday. 16 BACKSIDE 29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2007 #355 Ich bin ein UNMINer arlier this year the Ass had in-wool republicans. This shouldn’t exuberance of Nepali youth is going guesstimated that the UN’s be a surprise since the person who to take this country. The trend was E deployment in Nepal would has made the biggest contribution to started during the Panchayat absolute increase Nepal’s GDP growth rate by the republican cause in this country monarchy days when the rulers tried one percentage point. It turns out is none other than Kingji himself. to channel adolescent energy through www.nepalitimes.com that was a gross understatement. the Mandalay network as a vanguard Given the number of UN SUVs, FG force. If history has taught us pickups, planes, and helicopters Unlike Comrade Fearsome, it seems anything, it is that Mandalays finally (and you wonder why we have a fuel that the YCL is not waiting for brought about the downfall of the shortage?) that have been brought in parliament or the first session of the absolute monarchy and when they together with the personnel to ride constituent assembly to be declared a grew older this residual group of them, Nepal’s GDP is easily going to republic. The young commies are on hardcore royalists helped demolish grow by four percent more than it a billboard painting spree at most what was left of the monarchy. would normally. If one adds to that tarai border points with prominent FG the salaries of new Nepali staff, red signs that proclaim: ‘Welcome to house rentals in the Sanepa/ the People’s Republic of Nepal’. But Chairman Prach has been trying to Jhamsikhel/ Pulchok area, the extra they have forgotten Kathmandu defend his boys by telling CNN-IBN food consumed, the beer quaffed, airport and the fact that it is named in an excruciating interview that the and other downstream benefits, it after the grandfather of the nation. YCL isn’t all bad, that they even could even cross five. “clean the streets and plant trees”. The ass doesn’t know about FG But we sympathise with Comrade peace, but our macroeconomic Looks like every other party is taking Dahal. He must know that if anyone prospects sure look good. But there its cue from the Maoists and setting will hurt his party’s chances at the is one thing UN people sitting in up their own adolescent units polls it will be the YCL. In fact, the their retrofitted cubicles at the BICC patterned after the YCL. The Maoists don’t need any enemies as should now turn their attention to: a Madhesi Janadhikar Forum has just long as they have these youngsters logo. How come UNMIN doesn’t yet set up the Madhes Youth Forum. running loose. Just as Daddy packed sport one? An operation of this The UML has activated its Akhilays, off his son Prakash on a junket to the magnitude needs an easily- the NC-D has its Taruns and now the People’s Republic of China, he recognisable emblem. NC is also making a major should also send YCL honchos to FG deployment of its NSU youth wing visit the Red Guard Café (age bracket 40-50, since that is in Beijing. On second So is His Awesomeness going to considered 'young' by kangresis). thought, maybe not. attend Kingji’s 60th birthday bash on With 40 percent of the population They may decide to 7 July at the Kaski Baithak in below 18, it is heartening to note that escape to Hong Kong. Narayanhiti or not is the question on our political parties have made everyone’s mind. Invitations have moves to keep our youngsters gone out to just about everyone, the gainfully employed. But the Ass Ass has been told, including dyed- wonders where all the combined [email protected] ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 04/058/59