#608 8 - 14 June 2012 16 pages Rs 30 Hot spot

here are two types of carbon that cause Himalayan snows to Tmelt. One is carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning that heats up the atmosphere through the greenhouse- effect. The other is tiny particles of solid carbon given off by smokestacks and diesel exhausts that are deposited on snow and ice and cause them to melt faster. Both contribute to the accelerated meltdown of the Himalaya. Yak herders below Ama Dablam (right) now cross grassy meadows where there used to be a glacier 40 years ago. Nepal’s delegation at the Rio+20 Summit in Brazil later this month will be arguing that the country cannot sacrifi ce economic growth to save the environment. Increasingly, that is looking like an excuse to not address pollution in our own backyard.

Full story by Bhrikuti Rai page 12-13

NO WATER? NO POWER? NO PROBLEM How to live without electricity and water page 5

Mother country Federalism and governance were not the only contentious issues in the draft constitution that was not passed on 27 May. Provisions on citizenship were even more regressive than in the interim constitution. There is now time to set it right.

EDITORIAL page 2

OP-ED by George Varughese and Pema Abrahams page 3 BIKRAM RAI 2 EDITORIAL 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 MOTHER COUNTRY Only the Taliban treats women worse

hen the Constituent Assembly expired two 27 May. Our “progressive” politicians were too busy weeks ago, there was disappointment but haggling over state structure and forms of governance to Walso relief at having put off a decision on notice. ethno-federalism that was sure to leave everyone Far from solving the citizenship crisis, the draft unhappy. constitution would have created more stateless people: But federalism, governance and the proposal of children who can’t prove both parents are Nepali, a constitutional court were not the only contentious children whose either parent fails or refuses to get issues in the draft. There was also the pending problem Nepali citizenship, children who cannot identify of citizenship rights which has now been pushed back either of their parents, children whose fathers refuse to again. sign papers, adopted children. The pain of becoming Ten per cent of Nepal’s population doesn’t have stateless in one’s own country is not limited to the citizenship, and it now looks like they will remain denial of personal identity. Without a citizenship indefinitely stateless. Worse, without the requisite laws certificate, people cannot own property, run businesses, in place, the number of Nepalis deemed not to be Nepali travel abroad, get higher education, or take jobs. will continue to grow. The state can’t bring itself to accept matrilineal lineage to Nepal’s political leaders wanted a “revolutionary also be a basis for citizenship, and therefore punishes its constitution”, and they had no qualms about supporting own people. Our leaders may have been revolutionary, provisions that would have effectively torn the they may have mobilised women to fight and die for country apart. They have also been ultra-progressive in liberation, but it is clear that their notions of gender rights espousing secularism, gay rights, and legislating against are medieval. Only the Taliban treats women worse. caste-based discrimination. But sadly, when it comes Politicians and bureaucrats are opposed to equal to ensuring something as fundamental and universal as citizenship rights mainly because of a fear that millions equal citizenship rights for women, the attitude of our of Indian men will cross the open border to marry our male-dominated politicians has been - to put it mildly - women en masse and become Nepali citizens. While primitive, patriarchal and chauvinistic. such things may have happened and citizenship fraud There are many levels of discrimination entrenched is still rife, the way to control it is by greater vigilance, in Nepali society, but women of all castes and creeds not by barring millions of genuine Nepalis from being face double ostracisation. Our citizenship laws have accepted in their own country. Is our nationalism so always been backward, but the draft provision in the new non-Nepali fathers from becoming Nepali citizens. paranoid, our sense of nationhood so insecure and fickle constitution was even more regressive than the interim A foreigner woman marrying a Nepali man gets that we punish our own children? constitution. Only children of a Nepali mother and a citizenship almost immediately, and their children Given the open border with India and a bureaucracy Nepali father would have been eligible to citizenship. get citizenship by descent. But the process is endlessly not known for honesty, Nepal has to be sensitive about What’s wrong with that, you may ask, because it puts the complicated for a foreigner man marrying a Nepali citizenship procedures. But this can, and should, be done father and mother on an equal footing. But it is clear that woman. Such a blatantly unfair clause was very nearly without including openly discriminatory provisions in these new laws have been proposed to deter children of enshrined in our constitution had it been passed on the new constitution, if it is ever written.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

WE HAVE A SITUATION models of federalism than the red and start thinking about the structure Kanak Dixit says ‘a national the name of justice. For now, the best All of us (ordinary Nepalis, 601 CA elite’. Is she saying the two proposals and feasibility of future federal states. unity government made up of a few alternative is for ordinary Nepalis to members, leaders, civil society) are drafted by the CA, the most Rita trusted politicians’ is the need of the come out on the streets to support equally responsible for the mess the representative body in Nepal, were moment. But our current leaders are these families. country fi nds itself in today (‘We have not ‘workable’? Not workable for who: Hopefully federalism as an neither trustworthy nor capable and Abhinav a situation here’, editorial, #607). the marginalised groups that make idea is not tarnished from being we have seen their ineptness too People just accepted the lies of the up the majority of the population, dragged through the mud of ethno- many times in the past six years. Impunity, injustice, prejudice and politicians and did not use their power. or for the 320 CA members who federalism. Properly implemented, a Dahal harbours dreams of becoming poverty have become a way of life Civil society also failed to protect the voted against the 11-state model or federal republic composed of strong the next king of Nepal. Bhattarai has in Nepal. I’m afraid Purnimaya and rights of the people. The question is for the Brahmin dominated NC and multi-ethnic states could move lost all credibility and good will by a Arjun’s plea for justice will remain will we let Dahal, Bhattarai and gang UML who can’t stomach the idea of attention and development away from unilateral declaration of elections. unheard. keep lying to us or do we have the reducing high-caste monopoly? Also Kathmandu to rest of the country. So where are we going to fi nd these GG courage to say enough is enough and those campaigning for progressive Ethno-federalism, on the other hand, is trusted politicians, Mr Dixit? fi x what is broken. change know very well that identity- a prescription for Nepal to join the ranks Sanjay Thapa DOOM AND GLOOM Raghav Pandey based federalism is just a crucial of Somalia as a violence-wracked failed By highlighting why pegging the starting point to make Nepal a state. Well argued, Rubeena Mahato. The CA didn’t die, it was Nepali rupee to the Indian currency We cannot go on living with more inclusive society. They have Thomas murdered in cold-blood. The only is detrimental to our economy, the constant disappointment and repeatedly emphasised that ethnic thing we can do right now is to hope writer presents only one side of the must fi nd alternatives to the failed states are not going to solve all the Thank you Rubeena for telling this will be a turning point in our story (‘Not all doom and gloom’, policies of our political parties. But problems and the process is going to it like it is and not swallowing the history and set Nepal in the right Paavan Mathema, #607). Nepal fi rst we need to stop believing the be complex and challenging. Maoist propaganda that the NC and direction. has enjoyed plenty of benefi ts by lies that the leaders keep feeding us. AS UML prevented the constitution from Gita Sherchan pegging its currency like cheaper The last 20 years have shown how being declared. The NC and UML basic commodities (grains, seeds, incompetent, corrupt and unreliable Rubeena Mahato says Nepalis never tried to hide they were against I agree with Kanak Mani Dixit vegetables, fl owers, meat, medicine, Nepal’s political class is. Another have ‘moved on’, but it’s only the ethnic federalism, but they agreed when he says that our only option agricultural products, automobiles, election is not going to change them. Brahmins and Chettris who have on a compromise formula with the is to work towards adopting a draft books, entertainment, oil and gas), Rekha Khatiwada moved on, the rest of the people are Janajatis at 4 pm on Sunday. It was constitution within six months to a travel and transportation fees. still being ignored. The best option at the Maoists who balked, because they year. But I wish he had gone a step Anonymous CONVENIENTLY LEFT the moment is to hold a referendum were worried of losing the Madhesis further and said that any constitution Rubeena Mahato’s writings used to be and let the people vote for what they and scared of what the Baidya faction that our leaders come up with must good, because she could analyse any think is best for them. would do. be endorsed through a referendum. issue while maintaining a completely Sherpa Jati Samjhana Weekly Internet Poll #608 neutral stance (‘Conveniently left’, #607). But as this article suggests, Bravo Rubeena Mahato, you have DEATH OF AN INSTITUTION TRUTH WITHOUT JUSTICE Q. Who is to blame for the failure to declare statute on 27 May? those days are over and like many of hit where it hurts the most. It takes I don’t understand why Kanak Mani Six years after signing the her fellow journalists she is now part a lot of courage to say things like Dixit is lamenting the demise of the CA comprehensive peace accord, Total votes: 4,367 of the ‘blame game’ rat race. this. Others in your profession have (‘Death of an institution’, #607). He and victims of war and their families are Santosh sold their souls, but you need to keep his friends portrayed the seven-party still seeking justice and the state has up the brave journalism. alliance (especially the Maoists) as failed to fulfi l its duty (‘Truth without Rubeena Mahato’s column this Kuire Nepal’s saviours and when Gyanendra justice is an insult’, Robert Godden, week was nothing more than lazy was dethroned, he couldn’t stop #607). Our leaders will take action ranting and lacked the rigour of her Great article Rubeena Mahato. gushing about the advent of a New only if they can use the truth and earlier pieces. She argues that ‘the Dividing the country along ethnic lines Nepal. Look where those great leaders reconciliation process for political so-called status quoists have more is the worst thing that can happen to have got us. leverage or if they fi nd people who Weekly Internet Poll # 608. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com constructive ideas about workable us. People need to stop the rhetoric Aarmugam can be turned into scapegoats in Q. Should the CA be revived?

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Desk Editor: Trishna Rana | Design: Kiran Maharjan [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 OP-ED 3

GEORGE VARUGHESE and 2.1 million. A large number PEMA ABRAHAMS of these did not vote in 2008, Stateless in and unless the restrictive provisions on citizenship are n May, CA members changed, this number will drafted citizenship only increase. Under proposed Iprovisions in the country’s New Nepal constitutional provisions, the long-awaited constitution, children of these stateless almost guaranteeing that parents could also be excluded approximately 2.1 million out from access to citizenship, and of nearly 30 million Nepalis as generations unfold, Nepal will remain stateless. will see sharp increases in an The specific draft provision undocumented, uneducated that is deeply problematic population that could lead to and regressive refers to how a significant and costly political child may obtain citizenship and administrative hurdles. by descent in New Nepal: a The denial of citizenship and child would be granted Nepali participation in political process citizenship if both mother BIKRAM RAI for a significant portion of and father prove they are the population will severely Nepali citizens. In contrast, undermine democracy in Nepal. the Interim Constitution Inclusion without citizenship is impossible As Nepal looks to finalise a (2007), the Citizenship Act of new constitution, it is critical 2006, and a Supreme Court that its leaders examine the directive of 2011 all provide avoided. In fact, even under if ‘or’ were chosen, Nepal would key has been to naturalise those issue of citizenship outside the for citizenship if a child is born the relatively liberal provisions transform from a patriarchy to that are born on your soil context of individual interest to a Nepali mother or a Nepali of the Interim Constitution, a matriarchy. This dangerous (jus soli) and/or whose birth groups and power centres in father. bureaucrats had used their conflation of patriarchy with giver (mother or father) are its polity. If Nepal’s lawmakers The ‘and’ provision discretion to avoid providing patrilineal, and individual citizens of that country do not lead by example, will increase the number of citizenship through the Nepali value and independence (or (jus sanguinis). The logic being the entrenched patriarchy stateless children in Nepal mother if the father was an absence of patriarchy) that if you keep them stateless and xenophobia of their as it requires the presence of identified as a foreigner. with matriarchy, should be on your soil, you create a constituencies will lead the both parents at the time of The debate between ‘and’ immediately addressed and community of people without country towards a looming crisis registration. The absence of and ‘or’ has characterised clarified in order to ensure a allegiance – political, social, or of statelessness and a potential either parent would be enough the current discourse on fair, well-informed debate and moral – to your country. regeneration of political to disqualify the child. It also citizenship with strong outcome. For Nepali women, securing instability and violence. means that children with and competing notions of Critical to the citizenship legal proof of citizenship can one Nepali and one foreign gender: proponents of the discourse is that it should be difficult, especially when George Varughese is country parent would be ineligible for former favour a stricter law to not be positioned solely a male family member refuses representative and Pema Abrahams is a program associate for The Asia citizenship if the foreign parent deter land ownership issues as a gender empowering to assist them (for example, Foundation in Nepal. Views and cannot (due to conflicting resulting from cross-border or disempowering debate. if he does not accept that opinions expressed here are those of provisions) or does not wish to marriages of Indians with Nepal today is a fledgling the child is his) or is simply the individual author and not of The take on Nepali citizenship. Nepalis and to preserve what democracy at a crossroads, unavailable to do so because Asia Foundation. A compromise suggested they see as gender equality and is struggling to achieve he’s away working in another [email protected] by some CA members is (both parents’ names will a common understanding of country, like millions of Nepali [email protected] that the ‘and’ provision be be written on the child’s the process of nation-building migrant workers. Statelessness accompanied by language citizenship certificate). and of a national identity. The also has a particularly permitting exceptions to be Proponents of the latter added complexity of millions pernicious impact on children, nepalitimes.com made in ‘special situations’. advocate for individual of stateless people can pose which often impinges on But vague language permitting identity and value, equal serious threats to internal peace, their rights to education, State of limbo, by Rubeena Mahato #590 exceptions abandons the access to rights for all Nepalis, stability, and security. affordable healthcare, and land crucial matter of citizenship and protection against future Most countries that have ownership. In the name of the father, to bureaucratic discretion generations of stateless faced ethnic and class-based The Election Commission by Rubeena Mahato #590 and does not provide any persons. conflicts have struggled to indicates that the number of Stateless in their motherland, assurance that statelessness Some of those in favour of redefine nationality laws and people without citizenship by Kunda Dixit, #563 in Nepal will be reduced or ‘and’ have expressed fear that citizenship after conflict. The papers is higher than 4 NATION 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 “Cooperation in earthquake preparedness and eco-tourism”

The New Zealand government supports activities run by New Zealand New Zealand’s established the Sir Edmund Hillary organisations with their partners in ambassador to Nepal, Fellowship in 2008 to facilitate visits Nepal. Priority is given to sustainable to New Zealand by young leaders economic development activities, but Jan Henderson, spoke to from India and Nepal. We also have we also consider applications that Nepali Times about her some valuable education connections: focus on basic human needs, human currently we have about a dozen development and disaster risk reduction country’s relations with postgraduate students from Nepal activities. Nepal and her visit next studying in New Zealand under the New Zealand Development Scholarship What is your assessment of the on-going week for the opening of Scheme. There is potential for still constitution process in Nepal? a new consulate office in closer cooperation, and some of the The New Zealand government priority areas we are interested to welcomes the process of reconciliation Kathmandu. develop include: in Nepal and we encourage continued progress towards agreement on a new Nepali Times: Given the long history of Earthquake preparedness. Our constitution. bilateral ties, why has it taken so long countries share a vulnerability to for New Zealand to open a consulate in earthquakes. This is an area where we What are some of New Zealand’s own Kathmandu? could share experiences and expertise experiences with Maori rights that you Jan Henderson: Indeed, New Zealand around building technology and think would be relevant for Nepal? has had a consulate in Kathmandu since disaster response. The Treaty of Waitangi [in 1840] is 1980, reflecting the warm, positive and New Zealand’s founding document long standing relations between New Eco-tourism. Our two countries are and provides Maori with a particular Zealand and Nepal. The event on 12 both welcoming to visitors. We share status as co-partners with the Crown. June is to mark the shift of the New a strong interest in sustainable and The Maori name for New Zealand is Zealand consulate to its new premises in environmentally sound development Aotearoa (meaning ‘the land of the Kathmandu, which should enable easier our history. Sir Edmund Hillary was and in promoting and protecting our long white cloud’). We are proud access and functionality. I am delighted appointed as the New Zealand High great natural scenery. We could explore of our bicultural heritage in New to participate in the celebration of the Commissioner to Nepal from what more we can do together to learn Zealand. Maori language schools and move to the new office. 1985-1989. The development work of from each other on making our natural innovative community-based business his Himalayan Trust organisation forms beauty easily accessible for visitors in a initiatives are two areas which may be Which areas do you see the most an enduring legacy. And 2011 marked eco-friendly way. of interest to Nepal. We place a great potential to build on cooperation given the 50th anniversary of Khumjung deal of importance on inclusion: for the goodwill in New Zealand towards School which was the first school built Are there any other areas of Maori but also for other ethnic groups. Nepal? by the Himalayan Trust in 1961. I was development in Nepal that the New Our parliament overall is increasingly The 1953 ascent of Mt Everest by Sir delighted to visit Nepal last year to Zealand government would like to diverse with growing representation by Edmund Hillary and Mr Tenzing Norgay participate in the Trust’s anniversary focus more on in the future? New Zealanders of Maori, Asian and was a tremendously proud moment in celebrations. The New Zealand government also Pacific Island origin. A leadership program with a difference

n January 2008, Lisa rights activist Sunil Babu sessions made him think about was “carrying the burden of the Choegyal was in Auckland Pant, NC leader Gagan Thapa, himself, analyse his motives world on his shoulders” and Ito attend the state funeral of and CEO of Mercantile Office and re-evaluate personal was under constant pressure Sir Edmund Hillary with several Systems, Sanjib Raj Bhandari. targets. “I could relate it very to solve the problems of his of her Sherpa friends. It was a Choegyal, who is now the well with my own committee group, Astrek, single-handedly. grand affair that was televised honorary New Zealand consul in parliament where there “What the program helped throughout the world. general in Kathmandu, says: are members from various me realise was that these There, Choegyal met “The feedback from all Nepali political parties with different expectations were mostly self- Geoffrey Lorigan, founder and participants over the years of the one week course, but backgrounds,” Thapa told imposed, unrealistic, and very CEO of the Institute of Strategic has been that it was a life participants have to find their Nepali Times, “I learnt to unhealthy,” Dawa Sherpa told Leadership (ISL) who offered a changing event, and it is also an travel and accommodation accept differences, and make us, “ISL helped me find a clear scholarship to a Nepali Sherpa example of the unusually strong expenses. There are now over them work for an inclusive path from where I stood to in memory of Edmund Hillary. relationship forged between 1,100 ISL alumni all over the outcome.” where I wanted to be.” Ang Phuri Sherpa of the Nepal and New Zealand, Asia Pacific, including six from CA member Sunil Babu Sanjib Raj Bhandari of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) originally inspired by Sir Nepal. Pant agrees, saying the Strategic Mercantile expected the was selected as the first Nepali Edmund Hillary’s achievements Says ISL’s founder Leadership Program in program to be about leadership, candidate to attend ISL’s and work.” Geoff Lorigan: “All Nepali Queenstown gave him a chance but found out it was more Strategic Leadership Program ISL supports participants participants have been to reflect, reaffirm his vision about “self-management” and (SLP) in Queenstown on the to build their organisation’s standouts: intelligent, gracious, and think about how to make using those skills in the office South Island of New Zealand. leadership capabilities, wise and it’s been an honour his personal goals gel with what environment. He says: “I have Since then, ISL has taken encourage development and to have their involvement and his society needed. “It was a been to a lot of leadership people like two-time Everest innovation, and assist with contribution to the class.” way to find out where I want to programs, but content-wise this summiteer, Dawa Steven change initiatives. The ISL Last year’s attendee, Gagan lead next,” Pant said. was the best.” Sherpa, CA member and gay scholarship includes fees Thapa says the ISL training Dawa Sherpa felt like he www.leadership.ac.nz 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 ENVIRONMENT 5 Investing in rain State of sunshine

ver-exploited ground water, growing demand ince demand has far outstripped supply, there will and bad management have led to severe water be power cuts this time even during the monsoon. Oshortage in Kathmandu, which is only bound to SIt may be the right time to invest in solar panels on get worse. Melamchi is a mirage, so collecting falling your roof for 24-hour electricity for lights and running rain is the only way out. computers in your homes and offices. The idea is simple: just collect rain that falls on your What has deterred most Nepalis is the cost. But the roof, channel it through to a coarse mesh to filter debris, prices of photo-voltaic cells are coming down and there through a sand bed and store it. Excess water can be is a way to make solar affordable. Jagannath Shrestha, channelled to recharge the water table. president of the Nepal Solar Energy Society says: “It’s Tyler McMahon and his team at Smart Paani have possible to keep costs at a minimum by using CFL and installed 40 rainwater harvesting systems in Kathmandu appliances with low wattage.” offices, hotels, schools and households this year alone. Shrestha practices what he preaches and uses solar “The Valley receives most of its rain from June to cells to run kitchen appliances to reduce his dependence September, but most of it is wasted and goes down the on LPG, kerosene and firewood. Even the rice cooker in drains, what we do is collect for our customer’s daily his house is powered by two 85 watt solar panels, two needs,” explains McMahon.

BIKRAM RAI Pretty plastic

e throw away used Wai Wai and Lay’s packets, chocolate wrappers, rice sacks, and tyres. But at WJeevan Kala, people earn their livelihood recycling them into useful products. Jeevan Kala is a part of Himalayan Health Care (HHC) and collects plastic waste and sends them to artisans in northern Dhading who use them to create beautiful eco-friendly handicrafts. With outlets in Thamel and New York, BIKRAM RAI Jeevan Kala has generated Rs 50 million in the past 11 years batteries of 100 ampere and an inverter. Shrestha now ONE SOLUTION selling bowls, waste paper baskets, purse, bags, camera plans to order low-power refrigerators which can also Despite the system’s potential to revolutionise the holders and trinkets. The money goes for the upkeep of 18 run on solar. schools and stipends for 40 orphans and underprivileged way we acquire water, people are deterred by the initial Shrestha doesn’t see any reason why families that children in northern Dhading. HHC also trains health workers cost as well as unfounded fears about pollution. Raju splurge on furniture and decoration should complain and nurses and organises regular health camps. Dangol, a rainwater harvesting technician, is puzzled by Explains Sony Parajuli of HHC: “Making money is not our about the cost of solar panels. “It’s not a luxury, solar the resistance. He says: “I don’t understand why Nepalis goal, we want to impart income-earning skills so that poor has become a necessity,” he explains, “these systems who spend thousands for tanker water are hesitant to families can become fi nancially independent.” are very durable and once installed, customers can live invest on a long-lasting and effective system that will Stuti Sharma hassle-free lives without worrying about load shedding, save them money. After all it’s not that they have a Smart Paani: 01-5528139 diesel or inverters.” choice.” Bhrikuti Rai Bhrikuti Rai Smart Paani: 01-5521906 nepalitimes.com A model hospital, #582 nepalitimes.com nepalitimes.com Out of sight is not out of mind, #574 Here comes the sun, #584 Sky Water, #607 Papier-mache initiative, #574 Bring home the sunshine, #530 Collecting rain, #518 Rabi rocks, #499 6 LIFE TIMES 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608

LIGHTS, $%&*@

CAMERA, New Nepali movies struggle to pass the censor board’s obsolete CENSOR moral standards

SUNIR PANDEY it to be censored, rated and tool of social control. In fact, the cleared. If the board finds ideals sought to be protected by ‘immoral’ or ‘objectionable’ our own censors have hardly material, it asks filmmakers changed since the Panchayat icture this scene to delete these scenes. If the days. National interest, social from the film Loot. producers don’t comply, the harmony, libel and morality PThe innovative Haku board doesn’t issue a rating and are ambiguous terms open to Kale has been working for the movie can’t be released. the interpretation of the ones months on his ingenuous Nishcal Basnet, who wrote in power. The censorship plan to rob a bank. On the and directed Loot, says, “The of Dasgaja, Aago, Dasdhunga, eve of the big day, when profanities were situational and Loot proves that such every detail should fall in and completely in line with ambiguity remains only to serve place, Haku Kale arrives the characters. Even young political purposes. at headquarters to find the children use these words Censorship of all creative band of misfits he carefully frequently in their everyday work finds its way into recruited and trained, lives. I don’t think the board is legislation in the name of a hoarding board advertises of film as a mass medium. The fighting like a bunch of really concerned. It just doesn’t maintaining social norms an emulsion by depicting a need to adopt strict age-based schoolboys. In a fit of rage, want to get into a bureaucratic and preventing ‘untoward’ woman’s posterior remains ratings does not fall among any intensified by wild camera mess.” activities. But the censors’ undisturbed for months. of the draft’s 16 points. movements, he spews forth a Currently the board is tendency to focus exclusively on This lack of understanding is Filmmaker Bhusan Dahal selection of words that can’t made up of seven members, ‘sex scenes’ while overlooking also echoed in the draft version says, “Why do censors get to be printed here. out of whom four are ministry depictions of graphic violence of the Ministry of Information determine social evils? Films are Loot got away without employees and the other three suggests that none of them have and Communications’ Media essentially a mode of expression much cuts, but with the are ‘experts’ nominated by an understanding of media. Policy 2012 that was made in and a reflection of society. I censor board becoming the government. All explicit It is the same hypocrisy sole consultation with JICA, think Nepali society has become stricter, other films might not content is at the mercy of their that removes a film-poster of a the Japanese aid agency. The more violent. We are also be as lucky. Before a movie scissors. bare-backed woman to prevent draft shows that censorship still increasingly liberal and open can be released in theatres, History tells us that accidents, while right in the remains, and is likely to remain about sex and use swear words producers have to send their oppressive regimes have middle of Purano Bus Park, the for years, an ideological base in on a regular basis. Considering reels to the board requesting always regarded cinema as a city’s central transport hub, the government’s understanding sex a taboo and censoring films Selling Quality seems to be the last priority for Nepali filmmakers

TRISHNA RANA

epali filmmakers have uncovered a Nhit formula for creating trailers and designing posters: display as much kissing, sex and skin as possible in less than two minutes or on 81 by 81 inch sheets. Under this formula, story line, central characters and quality are irrelevant. The motto seems to be to sell sleaze and lure audiences to theatres at any cost. Chapali Heights tried it and now the producers of The Last Kiss: A Unique Love Story have applied the same technique. But a film promising to be a ‘love story’ replete with steamy bedroom scenes is BIKRAM RAI 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 LIFE TIMES 7

for their sexual content seem still show that viewers are outdated.” not gullible and won’t be However, there is a impressed by crassness alone. downside to this trend of Such tasteless, loud and making ‘real and gritty’ vulgar films reveal how little cinema. In an attempt to cash these filmmakers, like their in the supposed popularity censor board counterparts, of obscenities, the latest understand cinema, or the Nepali film, The Last Kiss: A audience. Unique Love Story is littered with profanities and lurid depictions of sex even after nepalitimes.com censorship (see below). While Loot, Must See # 592 comments made on its Youtube See trailer and videos: page are hardly cerebral, they sleaze

actually a psychological thriller frequent Guna Cinema, Gopi with relatively few sexually Krishna and Pushpanjali as explicit moments, barring the well as the multiplex crowd. introductory song and the Kollywood insiders don’t occasional use of the ‘m’ word realise that growing access (which have been bleeped out at to Hindi, English as well as the request of the censor board). Korean, Tamil, and European However, once viewers get cinema has made movie buffs over their disappointment at more sophisticated and they being misled by promotional can distinguish between good materials, they find out the films and films where script, producers are using another acting, and editing are mere marketing tactic: senseless afterthoughts. and gory violence. Perhaps Lack of finances and the increasing aggression and technical knowhow is not the brutality we see in our movies problem. Our filmmakers are today reflect the volatile state of already shooting in foreign Nepal. locations, building elaborate When audiences are made sets and experimenting with to sit through two hours computerised fight sequences. of continuous bloodshed, Lack of original story ideas fighting and a never-ending cannot be blamed either. If chase sequence in a forest, writers looked in the right then something is seriously places, they would unearth wrong with the film. It doesn’t a lot of stories that need to help that The Last Kiss also be told in a country that has has a very weak plot, poorly undergone a decade long war executed climax, clumsy (almost and finds itself in transition. It’s clownish) actors and plagarised the ‘anything works’ attitude of background music. In the end industry people and disregard all the characters are killed and of the public that have stalled the audience is left to wonder Kollywood’s progress. why they were put through the Sex, violence and melodrama charade. might sell tickets, but intelligent Makers of films like The and honestly made films Last Kiss underestimate Nepali wouldn’t hurt the box office moviegoers, both the ones who either. 8 LIFE TIMES 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608

Poolside Party, cool off this summer Bronco Billy, a new restaurant in town EVENTS by the pool; you can also enjoy MUSIC offering Tex-Mex and Indian dishes. magic shows, concerts and b-boying They make their own corn tortillas, on the side. 9 June, 1pm onwards, SIGN, Live music by SIGN band which gets a big thumbs-up. But really, International Swimming Complex, every week except Tuesdays and make sure to also try their margaritas. 9849108101 Wednesdays. 7.30 pm onwards, Corner Pulchowk, opposite Namaste Bar, Radisson Hotel, Lazimpat. Call Supermarket VocaBOOM, enroll your children in 4411818 English classes to improve their writing skills, grammar and confi dence. For Live Music Night, Shabnam and ages fi ve to 15, every Saturday starting Cannabiz band playing every from 9 June, 9am to 1pm, Bridgewater Wednesday. Absolute Bar, Hotel THIK THAK RESTAURANT, this ODISSI DANCE, the Indian Cultural International School, Jwagal, Narayani Complex restaurant allows you to pick the fi sh Centre presents a dance performance [email protected], of your choice from their well-stocked by a highly acclaimed Odissi dance www.vocaboom.com, 9851023188 Live music at Jazzabella Café, Every tanks for a fresh and delicious meal. troupe led by Madhavi Mudgal. 8 to 9 Wednesday and Friday 6pm onwards. Lakeside, Pokhara June, 5.30 pm, Moksh Live Restaurant Jazzabella café, Jhamsikhel, Patan, call and Bar, Jhamsikhel (8 June) and Army 2114075 Offi cers’ Club, Sundhara (9 June) Nepfest IV, Nepfest will be back for all CHA CHA CAFÉ, this Japanese Collision, artist Binod Pradhan music enthusiasts with Decapitated this restaurant is popular for its spaghettis presents a series of paintings which September. 8 September, 12.45 pm, and burger steaks. Thamel depict nature fused into urban Fun Park, Bhrikuti Mandap landscapes. 5 June to 30 June, 5.30 pm, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, Babar Mahal DINING Haiku Hangout, explore unconventional ways of writing haikus Kotetsu, high quality Japanese dishes BOOMERANG RESTAURANT & while you sip tea and hangout. 9 June, that cater to your needs and taste buds. GERMAN BAKERY, offers a large 9am to 3pm, Sarvanam Theatre, Lazimpat selection of cuisine for those who Kalikasthan want to enjoy a full meal and desserts, Lakeside, Pokhara, 065-461412 CIBO, a sandwich bar at heart, this cafe serves one of the best sandwiches in town. Lazimpat NATURE SPEAKS, an art exhibition by renowned artist Ragini Upadhyay Grela about the need to protect nature and the neglect it suffers. 19 May to 18 June, 11am to 7pm (closed NEW DISH, grab fi lling meals like pork on Saturdays), Solace International momos, spring rolls and chop seuys Designs, Lazimpat with excellent value for money. New Road DECHENLING, the place to head for EURO CUP 2012, Bhutanese and Tibetan cuisine, their IN SEARCH OF PEACE, Bhairaj kick off the Euro Kakori at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, pleasant and spacious garden is ideal Maharjan depicts various forms of Cup with music and kebabs, curries and more, enjoy Indian for big gatherings. Thamel Buddha in his art exhibition. 5 to 30 drinks to keep you food at its best. Everyday 7pm to June, 5.30 pm, Siddhartha Art Gallery, pumped up. 8 June, 10.45pm for dinner, Soaltee Crowne The Heritage, escape the hodgepodge CAFE U, a homely ambiance with Baber Mahal Revisited, Babar Mahal 7pm to 12am, Cube, Plaza, Tahachal. Call 4273999 for of the tourist hub as you relish delights a fusion of Japanese and Filipino Kamaladi reservations like paella and panna cotta. Thamel delights. Closed on Tuesdays, Sanepa 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 LIFE TIMES 9

GETAWAYS

Hotel Barahi, enjoy a great view Euro 2012 kicks off of the lake, cultural shows, splash around in their big swimming pool he much awaited UEFA Euro 2012 kicks off on Friday with this summer or savour scrumptious Thosts Poland up against 2004 Euro Cup winner Greece. The pastries from the German Bakery match, is scheduled to take place at 9.45 pm and will be preceded in the hotel premises. Lakeside, by the opening ceremony. The tournament is co-hosted by Poland Pokhara, 061-460617/463526 and Ukraine with 16 countries vying for the trophy. A total of 51 nations participated in the MAGIC BEANS, coffee, cakes and qualifying round to join the two sandwiches with a magical touch and taste. Sherpa Mall, Durbar Marg, host countries in the tournament. 4230914 THE ORIENTAL TEAROOM AT The final will be held on 2 July PIPALBOT, has rather complicated at 1.30 pm. Football remains a opening hours but a mouth-watering popular sport in Nepal and venues spring menu. Try their sake-cured around town are expected to salmon for lunch and twice-cooked screen some highly anticipated caramelised pork belly for dinner. Baber matches. Mahal Revisited, Babar Mahal

SUMMER RAFTING, beat the heat this summer with one-day rafting, BBQ, cocktails and DJ sessions. Rs 2500, 9 June, 10am to 6pm, Sukute Beach Camp, 9841270354, CHIKUSA, enjoy a cup of freshly 98413325589 ground coffee with syrupy pancakes, waffl es and crêpes. Thamel Temple Tree Resort and Spa, a peaceful place to stay complete with a TUKUCHE, the place to be if you TRISARA, with dishes like Flambeed swimming pool, massage parlour and crave authentic Thakali cuisine. The Prawns, Crispy Chicken and Khau Soi, sauna. It also hosts three restaurants restaurant offers both indoor and it would be a folly to pass this eatery. to cater to your hungry tummy. outdoor sittings. Tukuche, Uttar Dhoka Lazimpat Gaurighat, Lakeside, 977-61-465819 Moondance Restaurant

SOMEPLACE ELSE

ne of the longest standing Indian dishes along with Nepali favourites and heat. The enchilada was topped with try the Lemon Meringue Pie, highly establishments on the Lakeside and its own ingenious creations. cheese and served with rice and salad, recommended by the patrons as well the Orestaurant lane in Pokhara, We’d been told that the pizzas at perfect companions to the spiciness of Lonely Planet. Moondance Restaurant is recommended Moondance are must, which come in the dish. Also, available in vegetarian Moondance has an air of a place that in several guidebooks, including the basic or feta cheese in nine and 12 inches. variety. has been around for a while, and its Lonely Planet. So it was only fair to them, Mushrooms, salami, olives, green peppers, From the Thai kitchen we picked the waiters treat all patrons, Nepalis and and us, that we took time to sample their smoked chicken- you can fill your pizza Chicken Red Thai Curry foreigners, with the same hospitality. menu during our trip. with a wide selection of vegetarian and (Rs 390). The creamy texture of the curry Moondance’s owner believes that Even if you aren’t aware about non-vegetarian toppings. However, our went perfectly with the chicken and customer is the king, and if you aren’t Moondance’s reputation, its cosy, inviting Feta Cheese and Tomato with Tuna pizza vegetables, cooked just right to bring out satisfied with your order, they’ll make it ambiance is likely to attract you. It’s (Rs 340) didn’t exactly blow our minds. the flavour. The distinct coconut milk again for you, even twice. romantic character is quite appealing The crust was fine but the sauce lacked essence was well-balanced with spices PM to honeymooners that flock to Pokhara. the sumptuousness one usually expects. and a spoon of the rich curry with rice Pick your seat in the candle-lit patio, the Perhaps our expectations were too high. was just heavenly. Just a few steps warm indoors or the veranda upstairs, The Chicken Enchilada (Rs 290) was The Crispy Rainbow Trout away from Barahi which also has a pool table. the star of our meal. The oven baked (Rs 890) seemed tempting, but we chok. Walk along the Like most restaurants in Pokhara, tortillas wrapped around tender chicken were too full to order more. The Indian Lakeside, you will Moondance is not a specialty restaurant, and soft vegetables sautéed in a spicy dishes at Moondance are also quite find Moondance next boasting a selection of Thai, Italian and sauce, was delicately balanced in flavour popular. For dessert, we ask you to to Hotel Landmark. 10 HAPPENINGS 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608

tender that it is impossible to be unmoved. The film is often WEEKEND WEATHER punctuated by Keats’s ravishing poetry - recited in the fi lm by most of the characters without an ounce of pretention, which is astounding given the heavy nature of the poems and their Bright Star The southwest monsoon is running subject matter. 4-5 days behind schedule, and hit Fanny, played by the often under-rated Abbie Cornish, is the Kerala coast on Tuesday. During KATHMANDU wonderful as the witty, independent girl who is not ashamed to normal years, the monsoon arrives in defend her own art (she is an extremely talented seamstress Kathmandu about 10 days after that, so this gives us an ETA of 15 June or so. and needlewoman) against Keats’s friend and benefactor The low pressure troughs are itching MUST SEE Mr Brown (played to unctuous perfection by Paul Schneider) to ride up the mountains, but are being who is obviously possessive about Keats and fears Fanny might blown back by a jet stream that is still Sophia Pande dallying south of the Himalaya. It’s when lead him astray (from his poetry). this stratospheric non-weather wind Ben Whishaw plays Keats with brightness in his eyes and a migrates northwards that the monsoon FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY ane Campion astonished the world with her sublime frailty to his physique that is both captivating and painful to watch. fi nally makes a break for it. However, fi lm The Piano – in 1993, a fi lm that won her the Palme This wonderful cast is rounded off by Kerry Fox as Mrs Brawne, precursor moisture is building up over Fanny’s warm-hearted mother; Edie Martin and Thomas Brodie- the southern fl aks of the Himalaya Jd’Or that year at Cannes, and got her nominated in the and this should produce some noisy ‘Best Director’ category for the Oscars. She was, at that point Sangster complete the Brawne family as Fanny’s adorable little thunderstorms and short, sharp bursts in time, only the second woman who had been nominated. red-haired sister ‘Toots’ and loyal, sensitive, violin playing brother of rain in the midhills over the weekend. 31-19 31-18 32-17 Campion’s exquisite sensibility is unique and her fi lms are all Samuel. singularly original. All of them resonate with her hallmarks- It is with a wrench that one leaves this little world of gorgeous cinematography, and a certain kind of mystery Campion’s making where there is tragedy and death, yes, but and romance that is hard to pinpoint. Some directors are also beauty and love, where people speak in full sentences and instinctively able to create an indelible atmosphere within their with wit and sincerity. When Mr Brown sends a valentine card to fi lms - Campion is one of them. Fanny to belittle her, Keats is beside himself when he learns of it. It was only in 2009, with a few fi lms in between and then While confronting his friend who continues to disparage Fanny, a bit of a hiatus in fi lmmaking that Bright Star was released. Keats utters, “There is a holiness to the heart’s affections. Know It was fi rst shown at Cannes that year, and while it was liked, you nothing of that?”. it did not win any awards. This is indeed a shame because In any other fi lm, the audience might have burst out laughing the fi lm is one of the best of that year, and as some years at the line. In Bright Star we rejoice at the sentiment instead. are good, and others lamentable, let me qualify by saying that This fi lm is a love story in the truest sense of the word, there Bright Star is an incredibly fi ne fi lm for any year. are no glib happy endings and no one miraculously comes back The film centers on the poignant love story between to life. Keats’s love letters to Fanny Brawne are easily available the romantic poet John Keats and the love of his life Fanny online. They haunted Campion for so many years that she Brawne. As most people know, Keats, now revered as one of made a film about them. For their readers today they are an the most talented of the Romantic Poets, died at 25, destitute, unforgettable reminder of the ability of words to live on in the his talent under-appreciated by mind even after death. critics but worshipped by his friends and fellow poets. All DVDs reviewed in this column are available at: Even as one goes into Music and Expression, Thamel, Phone # 014700092 the film knowing there will be a tragic end, the story is BIKRAM RAI nepalitimes.com so beautifully filmed, the ASTRONOMICAL TRANSIT: Venus passes across the face of the sun, as seen from characters so engaging, Watch trailer Ramkot, Kathmandu, on Wednesday morning. The next such transit will take and the love story so very place in 2117.

ANURAG ACHARYA MUD BY MUD: Children transport mud to rebuild their fi re-gutted house in Siraha’s Aurhi village. The fi re spread over an area of 3 km, destroying over Amazing stem cells 470 houses.

excitement regarding the use of in American science today. stem cells for a wide range of Despite his strong faith and DHANVANTARI medical conditions including Christian roots, Collins is a Buddha Basnyat, MD the above examples. Because fervent advocate of stem cell these cells are derived from research. Unlike other people human embryos which have to of his stature and background be destroyed, there is an ethical like Richard Dawkins and riting about stem issue involved that has not been Stephen Hawking, Collins is cell research and properly resolved and may drag an example of how reason and Wits benefits appears on. These ethical issues border faith are compatible. He has unrealistic in one of the least- on grey areas and are subject to even written a best-selling book developed countries like called The Language of Nepal, but clearly this God. area of research is very Even among his fellow intriguing. workers at NIH, Collins What are stem cells? is an oddity because only All the cells in the seven per cent believe in BIKRAM RAI blood and many tissue god. Hence Obama was TEMPERATURE RISING: A student holds a paper globe to show the effects of cells are derived from probably delighted to global warming during a program organised to mark World Environment Day in stem cells. Because appoint this brilliant man Kathmandu on Tuesday. these cells have the as the head NIH, thereby ability to change or bringing together two ‘morph’ into any cell disparate groups: science type in the body, they and faith. Let’s hope are potentially very that in the years to come useful. For example, in stem cell research with diabetes, heart disease, spinal one’s religious background and the help of people like Collins cord injury, and Parkinson’s interpretation of the law in the will advance the understanding disease, stem cells can replace countries where such research of diseases like diabetes and the damaged or injured cells and is conducted. heart disease which are now help the organ function properly As the head of United States’ rampant in Nepal. Subsequent again. National Institute of Health treatment that may result from These potential benefits (NIH), Francis Collins is one this research could be ground- are the basis for the growing of the most powerful men breaking. 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 OPINION 11

NOTNOT BREAKINGBREAKING NEWSNEWS The ‘national’ media has no time for the personal tragedy of the poorest villages of Nepal’s poorest districts

PICS: ANURAG ACHARYA

our village, some with dish antennas devastation wasn’t big enough, and the world. The periphery doesn’t sell, on their roofs,” recalled excited tenth because neither the prime minister nor so the periphery isn’t covered. Nepali grader, Prabhu Yadav. But when I any high-profile public figure visited journalists have struggled for press BY THE WAY visited the village this week, there were afterwards. Peasant families sold oxen freedom, and for people’s right to know, Anurag Acharya no outsiders except a few relief workers and borrowed money to rebuild their but who really decides what is news, distributing construction materials, homes, but none of that made it to the who should get priority in coverage, and mosquito nets and plastic buckets to the news. what influences these decisions? SIRAHA -- While the media in families. The national media gave us a The reason Aurhi and Shivanagar Kathmandu can’t get enough of Scrabbling in the ashes was a family blow-by-blow account of the month-long did not grab headlines for long could behind-the-scenes intrigue about cooking half burnt grains of wheat protest in the Far West last month, and be that there was only one death. The elections after the demise of the CA, here salvaged from their charred home. the smallest of political demonstrations media has moved on and will probably in dirt poor eastern Tarai, people don’t Mehrun Khatun is living in the open in Kathmandu are classified as ‘Breaking ignore the disease and deaths that will have the luxury of discussing politics. with her five children, she asked me to News’, but it has no time for the personal stalk survivors for years. Aurhi in Siraha was ravaged by a relay this message to Kathmandu: “Can tragedy of the poorest villages of Nepal’s A fire in Siraha, or an epidemic in devastating fire last month that rendered you tell the prime minister we need the poorest districts. Dailekh, do not make it to ‘Breaking 600 families in two VDCs homeless. The money he promised now so that we can “The prime minister’s helicopter flew News’. To make it to the headlines, the prime minister visited the village while survive and rebuild our homes. When right over us and Miss Nepal probably event has to be in or close to the capital, it was still smouldering and promised the rain comes there will be disease, and does not even know the name of our relatively well-off people should be immediate relief and cash compensation the children will be sick.” village,” Bishnu Dev Yadav, whose affected, the number of victims should for the victims. The media followed him In nearby Shivanagar VDC, 137 12-member family is homeless and cross a certain threshold. And the around, and tv channels reported the homes were destroyed in another fire destitute after the fire, told me. prime minister or Miss Nepal should visit live. two weeks before Aurhi. That fire didn’t Media is centred on the centre. This pay a visit, that will always get you a “I had never seen so many cars in get much media attention because the is true not just in Nepal, but all over headline.

sent to the scene of another fi re in Shivanagar had to withdraw because a fi ght broke out among desperate locals. “We don’t have enough for Up in flames everybody because Shivanagar only gets surplus relief from Aurhi,” said Dhakal who has been asking ife has not been kind to screaming and cannot sleep,” recalls the prime minister’s offi ce that both Mohammad Salim, 37, and his Mehrun Khatun who lost everything, but villages get compensation. Lfamily. If the daily struggle for managed to gather her fi ve children and Besides people, there are cattle survival in this hard scrabble part of run for safety. that survived but with severe burns. eastern Tarai was not enough, Salim’s The Red Cross has been working Many livestock have died because of family was among 477 households who with the government to distribute food the lack of treatment. Dhakal said a lost everything in a devastating fi re that grain, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, veterinary team had been deployed, ravaged the village of Aurhi on 15 May. utensils and donated clothes. Habitat but there was no sign of it. Salim had gone to Qatar two years for Humanity is providing temporary After the fi re in Aurhi, the police ago, but got arrested for overstaying shelter and basic construction material. and the army were here, and Maoist and had to be rescued from jail. He was Habitat’s Rashmi Manandhar said she cadres cooked and fed families for a still repaying Rs 200,000 to a recruiter was working to set up to 50 temporary week. The media was here in force, in Kathmandu for a job that did not shelters a day in a race against the and even Miss Nepal came with exist, when the fi re hit. monsoon. boxes of instant noodles. Now that the It took 36 hours for fi re fi ghters from CDO Dhruba Prasad Dhakal has rains have come, everybody is gone. Siraha and nearby districts to put out been trying to get the government in There are no cameras anymore, just the wind-fanned blaze that reduced Kathmandu to release the Rs 25,000 a handful of relief workers with limited six wards of the VDC to cinders. “Tube compensation for each family that supplies and long lines of people wells exploded like bombs, cattle the prime minister promised after desperate for food. were burnt alive, I still hear them his inspection. A relief truck that was Anurag Acharya in Siraha 12 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 Backtracking in Brazil Dirty snow MARTIN KHOR in GENEVA is melting our ith only a few days to go before the start of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, there Ware signs that developed countries are attempting to backtrack from the commitments they made at the original Earth Summit of 1992 to assist developing countries to move towards the path of sustainable development. mountains faster There are also fears that the conference, dubbed Rio+ 20, may not fully reaffi rm the political commitments made 20 years ago. Some progress on the summit’s declaration was made during the fi nal preparatory meeting last week BHRIKUTI RAI in KHUMBU in New York. But only 70 paragraphs out of a total of 329 have been agreed on, leaving negotiators with the daunting task of coming up with an agreed text by the time the political leaders meet on 20-23 June. Differences are evident in the three new issues being addressed by the Conference: a) the concept of the green economy, b) how to define sustainable development goals, c) and what new institutional framework to create to house future activities on sustainable development. But more worrying is the attempt by developed countries to dilute the principles agreed to in Rio 20 years ago, and to backtrack on pledges to assist developing countries. Thus the North-South divide affects the principle of common but differentiated Rich countries want responsibilities (CBDR), and commitments on technology transfer to abandon promises and fi nance. The CBDR was one of made 20 years ago the Rio Principles adopted in 1992. It to help developing was agreed that all countries have a common responsibility to protect the countries protect the environment, but also differentiated global environment responsibilities because the rich countries should shoulder the main part of environmental action due to their greater contribution to the ecological crisis and their greater economic resources. In recent negotiations, the United States has made it clear it cannot accept references to CBDR. This is a cause of great concern to developing countries, grouped in the G77 and China. For them, the clear reaffi rmation of the CBDR principle in particular and the Rio principles in general is politically crucial. Otherwise Rio+20 would be retreating from the goals of the original Earth Summit. The US, EU, Canada and Australia do not even want any reference to technology transfer in the title. Wherever the words ‘technology transfer’ appear, there is an attempt to change it to voluntary transfer on mutually agreed terms and conditions. This is backtracking from the previous commitment by developed countries – in the 1992 Rio Summit, the 2002 Johannesburg Summit and others – to transfer technology on concessional and preferential Instead of whining terms, or on fair and most favourable terms. On the issue of fi nance, developed countries are resisting renewal of the about emissions traditional commitment to providing new and additional funds. The draft also by rich countries, urges developed countries to make additional concrete efforts towards the target of allocating 0.7 per cent of their GNP to development aid, which had we should stop been in the original Rio action plan. But Canada and the US want to delete this, claiming they never agreed to this target. our own pollution The G7 and China proposed that developed countries provide new funds that is accelerating exceeding $30 billion a year from 2013-17 and $100 billion a year from 2018 onwards, and to set up a sustainable development fund. But most developed Himalayan countries objected to the mention of fi gures and the fund. Many offi cials from developing nations are worried their countries are being asked to take on more meltdown obligations, without corresponding new commitments to support them. As negotiations resume in Rio on 13 June, it is hoped that there will be a change of heart by the developed countries on these issues. That is needed to very morning Agostino collaboration between the Italian is predominantly due to global enable rapid progress on other issues to improve the capability of developing Da Polenza walks up Research National Council and temperature rise, the deposition countries to protect biodiversity, convert to cleaner energy and ensure sustainable development. (IPS) Ethe lateral moraine of the Nepal Academy of Science of pollutant particles like black Martin Khor is executive-director of the South Centre, an inter- the Khumbu Glacier to take and Technology, at an altitude carbon can enhance this effect,” governmental organisation of developing countries based in Geneva. measurements as the wind of 5,050 m in Lobuje. says Paulo Bonsani of the makes colourful prayer flags The EvK2Cnr has been Italy-based Institute of flutter noisily. That same wind researching the effect of global Atmospheric Sciences and carries soot particles that is warming on the Himalaya, and Climate (ISAC). Wind-blown melting the mountains faster. recently turned its attention ash from huge pre-monsoon Getting real in Rio The Italian scientist and to the impact of ‘black carbon’ forest fires and their deposit on mountaineer has been working on accelerating the melting of glaciers may reduce the albedo ver 172 countries are taking part in the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable at the Pyramid International ice and snow. Black carbon is effect (reflectivity) of the snows ODevelopment to mark 20 years since the fi rst Earth Summit held in the Brazilian city. Nepal’s offi cial delegation headed by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai will take Observatory below Mt Everest essentially fine soot and ash by about five per cent, and part in the conference and raise issues relating to converting Nepal into a ‘green since 1987, and has seen the produced by diesel exhausts, deposits have grown three-fold economy’. He will also speak on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and rapid retreat of the glaciers thermal powerplants, brick kiln in the past 40 years, researchers highlight Nepal’s fragile mountain ecosystem and the Clean Development Mechanism around him even in the last 25 smokestacks and forest fires, and say. (CDM) to mobilise resources for forest conservation and carbon cutbacks. “We do not have equal footing with the developed countries so the issues of years. should not be confused with Arnico Panday, lead sustainability raised at the conference need to go hand in hand with development,” “The ice used to come right gaseous carbon dioxide. atmospheric scientist at explains Krishna Gyawali, secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Science and up to there,” he says, pointing The United Nations ICIMOD, says: “It has been Technology. The delegation will also seek support from the international community towards the jumble of boulders Environment Programme says accepted that black carbon for the progress made in Nepal in community forestry, micro-hydro, biogas and solar and gravel in the Khumbu there is evidence increased contributes to accelerated glacial energy. Nepal will also seek support to preserve the biodiversity in the Himalaya which glacier, “now it has retreated up black carbon deposits on melt, what remains is only the is vulnerable to climate change. Says Gyawali: “We will press for a separate window beyond base camp.” Himalayan glaciers make quantification of the effect for in the Green Climate Fund to support conservation efforts in developing mountain Da Polenza and the late them absorb more sunlight, concrete analysis.” countries.” professor Ardito Desio set up accelerating glacial and snow Historical emissions www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/ the Nepal Climate Observatory melt. of greenhouse gases by Pyramid (EvK2Cnr) in a unique “Although glacier melting industrialised nations have 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 13

LIQUEFACTION: The Imja Glacier below Mt Lhotse has melted to form a lake where there was only ice 30 years ago (left). Italian researcher Agostino Da Polenza at the Nepal Climate Observatory in Lobuje, Laxman Adhikari with the black carbon measuring equipment and a trekking lodge spews smoke in Chhubung (above). PICS: BIKRAM RAI traditionally been blamed countries in the region should for melting of the world’s immediately start working permafrost, leading to sea on reducing solid pollutants level rise. Today, India and caused by their increased use of Dirty bricks China have overtaken the rich fossil fuels. This would not just countries in total greenhouse slow the melting of Himalayan here are two types of carbon that cause Himalayan snows to melt. One Tis gaseous carbon from fossil fuel burning that has been heating up the gas emissions, and there has permafrost, but also save them atmosphere through the greenhouse-effect. The other is tiny particles of solid been a big increase in their black money from more efficient carbon given off by incomplete burning of diesel and coal. carbon generation. fuel-burning. India burns 25 million tons of coal annually just to fire its brick kilns. Nepal’s delegation at the While it might take some Kathmandu brick kilns are responsible for half the air pollution, and in winter it Rio+20 Summit in Brazil later time to cut emission from sits at ground level due to temperature inversion. The soot particles from the this month will be arguing Everest in real time industries, simple lifestyle smokestacks mix with diesel exhaust to form a layer of soot over southern the country cannot sacrifice changes like switching to Asia that is thousands of kilometres long and up to 4,000 m thick. Prevailing Want to see what the weather is winds waft them over Himalayan glaciers, melting them faster. economic growth to save the like on Mt Everest in real time? improved cooking stoves in the environment, and will demand Thanks to the SHARE Everest 2011 mountains would also help. compensation to adapt to the project, EvK2Cnr, Nepal Academy “Promoting clean air impact of climate change. of Science and Technology and initiatives would address CHINA Increasingly, however, that is the Department of Hydrology and glacial melting as well as indoor looking like an excuse to not Meteorology have installed a solar- pollution,” says Raju Laudari address pollution in our own powered webcam at Kala Pathar of the Alternative Energy backyard that is contributing to (5,675 m). The camera has broken Promotion Centre in Kathmandu the melting of the Himalaya. the previous record for the highest which promotes clean cooking NEPAL Scientists discount anecdotal camera on Mount Aconcagua in stoves that reduce firewood use Argentina. The webcam is resistant BHUTAN evidence of freakish weather, by a third. to high wind and low temperatures INDIA but say evidence of glacial and transmits images via wireless Back at the Pyramid in retreat, receding snowlines are to the Pyramid at Lobuje during Lobuje, Laxman Adhikari NASA rapid and undeniable. They daylight hours, which are then helps monitor the instruments There are cleaner brick kiln technologies available, but cost and lack of are trying to find which of the uploaded live onto the internet. measuring black carbon. He has government enforcement in Nepal and India have kept the old stacks belching root causes are most to blame: www.evk2cnr.org/WebCams/ noticed the Khumbu Glacier away smoke. Greentech in India has tried out improved kilns that ensure natural warming after the Little PyramidOne/everest-webcam.html below him recede further and more complete burning of coal, saving fuel and cutting soot emission. Similar projects have been tried out in Kathmandu, and the BrickClean Network has Ice Age 600 years ago, global further up the valley, and says: been encouraging kilns to clean up their act. Baking hollow bricks would also warming caused by carbon “If it keeps on melting at this save money. dioxide emissions, and more aerosol and soot particles result rate, I don’t think my children The best alternative may be to do away with kilns altogether and work recently, deposits of black in surface dimming of sunlight will know what glaciers are.” with Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB) in which clay is mixed carbon soot on the snows. and solar heating, decreasing with cement in a 96:4 ratio and compressed with a manual compactor. The Pollution from rapid the intensity of the southwest nepalitimes.com resulting bricks are even stronger than kiln-baked bricks, and do not pollute. industrialisation of India and monsoon over India and a Defrosted, #479 China are carried by prevailing north-south shift in rainfall nepalitimes.com The melting Himalaya #427 winds to be suspended patterns in eastern China. Global warning for the Green bricks, #539 permanently over the Indian Scientists say that instead Himalaya, #276 Better climate for education, #425 Ocean in what UNEP calls the of using global emissions Hazy future, #563 ‘Asian Brown Cloud’. These as an excuse to do nothing, 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 Big Three to become Big Six?

Kantipur, 2 June that the leadership completely ignored their views. Their conclusion is that senior leaders of the parties are responsible for the failure of Unified Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist the CA. Gurung said that even when his group GANGA BC

Only if something miraculous happens will the Maoists remain one party. Otherwise the party is on course for a split. The miracle needed is for Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to eKANTIPUR abandon his alignment with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and join the dissident Mohan Baidya group. The Baidya faction has Questionable silence already declared that it cannot trust Prachanda because he says one thing and does another. Nepal, 3 June While the Bhattarai faction was holding its central committee meeting in Paris Danda last week, the Baidya faction was having its own decided to step back from the demand for a Journalists were widely targeted during the recent banda called by the Janjatis. 67 parallel meeting in Kupundole in which it was unitary ethnic province and agree to mixed cases of violence against media personnels were reported during the three day period, going through the process of formally declaring identity, and other parties had agreed, his whereas in the Far West, 89 attacks were carried out in 15 days. This is probably the a new party. After the constitution deadline own party had decided not to go along. UML biggest attack on the Nepali press after April 2006. expired on 27 May, matters have come to a leaders haven’t given up on trying to save Surprisingly, the international community who used to speak out vocally against cases of aggression against the press, has preferred to remain silent. Except for the head as bad blood between the two factions the party, there are hectic behind-the-scenes Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters San Frontiers, no one has grew irreparably. Both sides have now nearly negotiations going on to save the party. The formally condemned the attacks. Chairperson of Freedom Forum Taranath Dahal said, given up on trying to save the party’s unity, dissident Janajati members say that if the party “The donor community would dispatch missions when similar events happened earlier, leadership responds to their demands, the party bu they didn’t even issue a press release this time.” So what should we make of this can be saved. An extended meeting of cadres is silence when the Nepali press is being openly attacked? scheduled for later in June.

Nepali Congress KULCHANDRA NEUPANE The root of the problem within the Congress is Please return the keys the deep-seated rivalry between party president, Sushil Koirala, and Sher Bahadur Deuba. The quarrel has paralysed party decision-making and Nepal Samacharpatra, 5 June has percolated down to 40 district committees as but Prachanda has said he is willing to give it well. Party leaders aren’t even able to go to their It’s been more than a week since the CA and parliament expired, but most CA members one last chance by stepping down as Chairman constituencies because the dispute has halted have not returned the government vehicles yet. Even after the parliament secretariat if that helps save the party. The Bhattarai- the formation of 32 departments and affiliated sent out letters, only 20 vehicles have been handed back. According to the law, all Prachanda faction says it will keep talking to organisations including the student union. state vehicles must be returned within one week of the CA’s conclusion. the Baidya group till the last moment and go for There is also dispute over the composition of Ram Chandra Poudel of the NC and chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum an extended politburo meeting on 29 June. the parliamentary board, the unit that decides Nepal, Upendra Yadav are among the leaders who are still using government cars. Similarly, heads of various CA committees including Ramesh Rijal, Sushila Kandanwa, Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Padmalal Bishwakarma, Gurung Subedi, Kulbahadur Gurung, Sandhya Dev haven’t Marxist Leninist handed over their vehicles either. The UML’s Bhim Acharya, and Dalit Janajati party’s DURGA KHANAL Bishwendra Paswan who had been ordered by the Supreme Court to return the vehicles even before the CA’s dissolution are also holding onto government property. Ashok Rai is a veteran UML leader and has been minister three times. Currently he is the vice chairman of the party. But he is at the crossroads: whether to stay with the NC or split off with his Janajati and Madhesi colleagues. Rai’s comrade-at-arms, Prithvi Subba Gurung is facing a similar dilemma. Politburo member Gurung has become minister once, and is also on the verge of deciding whether to stay on on party tickets for the next election. The NC in the UML or launch a Janajati party. Former leaders designated to mediate have themselves CA member Pasang Sherpa has already left been polarised. Arjun Narsingh KC says ego, the party. Some Madhesi and Janajati UML personality clash and mutual mistrust among members are carrying resignation letters in leaders are the main problems. Youth leader their pockets and may decide to quit at any Gagan Thapa says party heads should hand over time. The indigenous and Madhesi members mediation to his generation. He says: “This is are dissatisfied with the party’s stance on not a big problem, us young leaders can resolve federalism based on identity, and complained it if they gave us the responsibility.” Left turn

Sanghu, 4 June pro-democracy to hero- Mahendra Bista and most worshipping Dahal and other chiefs of television Cliff: Constituent Dahal: Where are you blaming the NC and UML channels are left leaning. Assembly election II going? That’s a dead The Maoist party continued its for the CA’s demise. And Similarly, The Kathmandu end. long tradition of neutralising now that the paper is Pushpa Post’s Akhilesh Upadhyay, The opposing voices through money Kamal Dahal’s mouthpiece, Himalayan Times’ Ajay Bhadra Batsyayan in Kantipur, 4 June or force by buying off Nagarik, it has started boycotting all Khanal, Republica’s Kosmos one of Nepal’s major dailies. news related to Mohan Baidya. Bishwokarma, Rajdhani’s Rajan

Dahal is believed to have bought While journalists at Nagarik Sharma, Nepal Samacharpatra’s QUOTE OF THE WEEK

48 per cent of Nagarik’s shares have criticised these moves, Kapil Kafle are all anti-Congress. and has already paid Binodraj the NC and UML leaders are Annapurna Post’s Jiwendra They are trying to“ pit Nepalis against Gyawali Rs 40.6 million out of unhappy that all major media Simkhada, on the other hand, “ one another and turn this country into the promised houses like Nagarik and supports Ram Raja Prasad Afghanistan. 60 million. Kantipur are turning leftist. Singh’s Nawa Janabadi Morcha. After Kishor Nepal Kantipur Daily’s Sudhir The NC is fearful of losing was appointed the chief- Sharma is a Maoist supporter its influence over the media and Sushil Koirala quoted in Nepal, 3 June editor, the paper suddenly while Kantipur Television’s is planning a comprehensive changed its stance from being Tirtha Koirala, Image’s media policy to reclaim control. 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 NATION 15

Shanti Lama from Lalitpur (left) was raped by a recruiter who promised “Even slaves are her a good job in Kuwait if she kept quiet. Nine months later, she was sent back by her employers when she gave birth to a baby girl. treated better” Prema Rana of Surkhet was locked up for five years in her employer’s recruitment agencies. Poor, illiterate women are the most house in Lebanon, she returned without vulnerable because they have no idea “They are all bad” being paid. She says she was tricked by about the ‘Kafala’ system practiced a recruiter named Sher Bahadur Lama. I am from Damauli. I do not know in most Gulf countries according to how to read or write, so when my which workers cannot quit or choose sister called from Saudi Arabia Ganga Sunar of Baglung was sent their employers. Passports and and said the job was easy and to Saudi Arabia by her recruiter on a legal documents are deposited with paid her well, I decided to go. I forged passport. She committed suicide employers, leaving them at their mercy. asked the local agent in my village while there. Manju Gurung of Pourakhi, an and with the help of her brother organisation set up by returned women in India, I went to Saudi Arabia. I Binita Thapa of Chitwan returned migrant workers themselves, says the was promised $500 per month, but mentally disturbed from Lebanon. Her lack of transparency and accountability after working for nine months, they of the contract system are responsible only gave me four months salary. husband is in debt trying to get her for the exploitation of domestic workers. treatment. They tortured me and wouldn’t “When a woman directly enters into a give me food for days. Often, the contract with her foreign employer, it BIKRAM RAI wife would tell her husband to beat becomes diffi cult to legally identify or me but luckily he did not listen to SUSHILA BUDATHOKI individual contracts for domestic workers, after which 1,300 Nepali implicate the Nepali recruiters,” she her. I advise Nepali women not to and MINA SHARMA workers after growing pressure from domestic workers contacted the explains. go to Saudi Arabia. There are no the media and civil society. But sending Nepal Embassy there, requesting to According to a UN report, at least good or bad households in Saudi workers abroad without legal protection be rescued. At least 15 women had 111 Nepali women are trapped in Arabia, they are all bad. hese are only some of the and proper verifi cation of employers, children born after they were raped by various jails across the Middle East, 88 Lila Pariyar was rescued by many heart-wrenching stories of exposes the women to exploitation and employers. have committed suicide, and 31 remain Paurakhi in February 2012. Tthousands of Nepali women who abuse in Nepal itself. The risk for Nepali women working unaccounted for. Out of the 2,820 are sexually abused, physically tortured “Making sure that your citizens in Gulf countries is so serious that migrants rescued from these countries, Maids in the Gulf and even murdered by their Nepali are safe and well protected should only a handful manage to get out alive 415 suffer psychological trauma, 86 recruiters and employers in the Gulf. be a priority for any country, but the and without being abused. Last year, were raped, and 32 have returned with Qatar 669 Last month, six women were Nepali government legalised individual Durga Chunar of Gorkha was beaten babies. Saudi Arabia 133 rescued from a building in Kathmandu contracts, without putting in necessary to near death by her employer in Unless the government is serious UAE 3,236 where an agent had kept them locked safeguards,” says Bal Bahadur Tamang, Kuwait. She was rescued by the police about enforcing the provisions of the up after the husband of one of the chairman of Nepal Association of and sent back to Nepal after receiving Foreign Employment Act and creates Bahrain 357 victims reported her as missing. Foreign Employment Agencies. The treatment for a month at the embassy. a safety net for migrant workers, these Kuwait 8,646 Until 2007, Nepali women were multi-million dollar migrant labour “I am lucky to be alive. But I want statistics and the lives of countless Oman 273 being traffi cked in large numbers sector, the largest contributor to the to tell my Nepali sisters and brothers to Nepali women will only get worse. Lebanon 205 because going to the Gulf for country’s GDP, however, seems more not go to that country,” Chunar told us, employment was banned by the important to the government than its weeping. Israel 472 government. Purna Chandra Bhattarai, expendable population. Others are not so lucky. Between nepalitimes.com the director general of the Foreign In June last year, the Kuwait 2008 and 2010, 18 Nepali women (There are an additional 1,311 in To hell and back, by Malaysia and 4,000 in Hong Kong) Employment Department, admits that government decided to drop committed suicide in Lebanon of which Rubeena Mahato #598 the state lifted the ban and legalised immigration charges against all illegal 12 had gone through recognised 16 BACK SIDE 8 - 14 JUNE 2012 #608 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

Washing dirty Lenin in public

athmandu’s finest are Now you govt. The constitution was so conferences, without informing now looking even more can have an controversial that the country the Foreign Ministry. And stylish with snazzy new even bigger has been at peace ever since we they come uninvited even K austerity eyewear donated by the Govt decided not to have one. The when the Farang Ministry says of Oz. But as breathalysers drive... government should ban the diplomatically the time may malfunction and our traffic cops government and let the people not be right. Guess it’s not go back to getting drivers to get on with their lives. just Nepali ministers who like say “Aah”, what Kathmandu’s FG junkets to exotic places. Ever bravest really need are since our Ministry of Firanghi industrial strength gas masks to What’s with our political party Affairs moved to the former protect them from halitosis and leaders and their obsessions royal palace, it doesn’t have multi-drug resistant tubercle with resorts? Even when there much to do except maintain bacilli. And with the news that was an elected Constituent mobile toilets on its premises a policeman was beaten up this Assembly and Parliament, good for the long queues waiting to week by a drunk driver who facilities, air-conditioned rooms apply for MRPs. didn’t like the idea of breathing and a canteen at the BICC, they into the tube, it looks like the insisted on meeting in Hatiban, FG traffic police also needs to be Gokarna, Radisson or Godavari. And talking about whining, equipped with a couple of The Finance Ministry, which the Baddies have apparently hand grenades. However, if the has been keeping track of bills censured Kaji Naran Kamred international community really says the four parties spent 4 for weeping in public, and have wanted to show its concern for karods in the past six months henceforth banned all such Nepal’s long-term welfare, it wining and dining in resorts. un-communistic public displays would give the top leaders of all And now that the CA has died, of emotion with immediate 36 political parties correctional the parties are still inviting effect. This will probably mean glasses to compensate for their supply in India’s license raj. which there is a huge demand in Kathmandu-based diplomats Chairman Maximus has to pull astigmatism, short-sightedness These days, with global trade China: iPhones, stealth drones to various resorts and five-star himself together since he often and myopia. and China’s rise, Nepal is a and shark fins. establishments to explain their chokes up whenever the subject FG frontline state for the transit FG side of the story. And usually turns to his involvement in of contraband in the other it is for one party to whine and various extra-judicial killings There used to be a time when direction, items like yarsagumba The last two weeks after the lay all the blame on the other by his cadre during the war. people used to smuggle into and tiger pelts. More and more, dissolution of the CA hasn’t parties. This must be the only FG Nepal commodities that what is being smuggled through seen a single bund, chukka country in the world where Nepalis needed for their daily Nepal is not even found in jam or hurt-all in Nepal. This instead of keeping domestic Now we understand why the household use like VCRs and Nepal, like red sandalwood, has reaffirmed the belief of quarrels to themselves, our Kangresis and the Eh-maleys VAT69s. Then smugglers ivory, pangolins and, most most Nepalis that having no leaders insist on washing their are so insistent on the prime found out there was a huge recently, dried sea horses. And government at all is much better dirty Lenin in public. minister stepping down: they market across the open border, therein lies Nepal’s economic than having one. In fact, the And this must also be the want the job so they can lead so Nepal became the trans- salvation: to specialise in being chances of a government making only country where random the Nepal delegation to shipment point for digestive a backdoor transit point for the major boo-boo’s is so great, the ministers from foreign countries the Rio+20 Environment biscuits and gold biscuits, steel trade in all commodities that chances of them plundering can just waltz in, meet the Summit and loll around utensils and Chinese thermos are banned by CITES and other the exchequer so real, that we prime minister and other Copacabana Beach in flasks: whatever was in short international treaties and for are much better off without a political actors, throw press thongs and stuff. ISSN 1814-2613

CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67