# 16 10 - 16 November 2000 20 pages Rs 20

CURRENT NEPALI TIMES READERSHIP 9 BANARAS Navel gazing in 10 CK Lal 2 E-commerce 12 From the Nepali Press 6 Nepali cricket 17 Mobile auction 8 Under My Hat 20

EXCLUSIVE Congress SWOT Has grip on party and he is prime minister. His protégé and cousin, , SHOWDOWN holds the party organisation. Aloof, and perception that he is dictatorial, and has ruled party and country longest with iffy results. PHOTOS MIN BAJRACHARYA/COMPUTER ENHANCED Deuba Has sheltered Koirala refu- gees. Easy-going personality, has Bhattarai’s blessings, links to elite Never worked in party organisation, may not be able to control ambitious new allies, few new ideas. Economic suicide Tourism was just coming out of the hijack fallout, now there is the threat of bandhs and a hotel strike smack in the middle of the peak tourist season. The strikes will cripple tourism and the economy. If hotels are shut down, there will be fewer Khum Bahadur Khadka Chiranjibi Wagle Bijay Kumar Gachhedar Sushil Koirala Nona Koirala Govinda Raj Joshi tourists in Basantapur, Bhaktapur and Pokhara; trinket-sellers and taxi BINOD BHATTARAI ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ party’s election committee stating that drivers will suffer; farmers can’t sell t 78, , still A hopelessly divided ruling party, an the other three in it voted down their to hotels; mountain flights will be thinks he has the muscle to be the aggressive opposition cashing in on a request to scan memberships. Narayan grounded. Last year tourists brought next president of the Nepali Khadka, a Bhattarai aide told us: “This Rs 12 billion to Nepal, if you add the A disenfranchised citizenry. Neither have time Congress And he is telling his old friend was wrong. Members had a right to see multiplier, it is much more. This is and present foe, Krishna Prasad to see which way the country is headed. the lists.” Bhattarai: come-and-get-me-if-you-can. We asked Congress spokesman, The other Congress 78-year-old, is not , if this was true. His contesting, so Koirala is now preparing being cleaner and more business-like. already evident as in the bizarre sight reply: there was just no time to re- for a showdown with Bhattarai protégé Sensing the disarray, the leftist last week when both the opposition examine the memberships and it would Sher Bahadur Deuba. opposition has smelt blood, and is left parties (against fuel prices) and the be done when the time came for the On Tuesday, Koirala put speculation cashing in on the fuel price hike to launch Deuba faction (haggling over the vote--even predicting that this would be to rest by announcing that he was a season of strikes that threatens to nitty-gritty of party membership) were the most organised convention the party contesting the position of party president cripple tourism. In this melee, no one out picketing. has had. one more time. Control over the party seems to have time to address this Congress insiders say both sides know Sher Bahadur thinks he, a former can be even more important than the country’s urgent problems—not even to very well that the fight over active prime minister, should be next in line prime ministership. Koirala says it is try and revive the stalled talks with the membership is immaterial since the 2,000 of succession. Koirala and his supporters going to be “one man, two jobs”. Maoists. memberships in question will not affect have got used to power, and Deuba showed his nervousness at his We’ll find out who’s boss in two the outcome in Pokhara, where only done nicely for themselves, Editorial own press meet later the same day. He months when the delegates chosen by over 107,000 will and don’t want to let go. sat surrounded by his trusted generals, holds its general convention in vote. The outline of a possible future Koirala had no choice but to page 2 who, we were told, had advised him to Pokhara. But even then there may be leadership will emerge after the 1,450 contest himself because he obviously the best way to cripple the declare his challenge. He did that in no clues to why the Nepalis have to delegates are picked. has not yet picked a successor. The country. Politicians who control the on Wednesday. suffer this endless Congress The Deuba-Bhattarai camp is winning side will have a full three years to unions hold the answer...... p 15 Koirala and Deuba are now officially cockfight, and why the party cannot now suggesting that the old electoral build its own fiefdoms, till the next at war that will be more cut-throat than function as a cohesive political list be used. But the Koirala side says general elections in 2003. In the end it is Who is a Hindu? a national election. Now, the focus will organisation. OK, all political parties that list does not include new money politics pure and simple: the be on serious electioneering, which is also fight. But what is serious here is that memberships Koirala had approved. chance to earn the money to buy The gatekeepers at Pashupatinath time for horse-trading. To increasingly- every time they clash, the dust chokes The numbers that are indeed crucial themselves to power so they can earn seem to have devised a unique test disgusted Nepalis, it does not matter if it the entire government machinery. for control of the party in the post- more money. The tragedy for Nepal is to tell if you’re a Hindu. Find out. is Koirala or Deuba who is leading this Now that Koirala is in the fray he Koirala, post-Bhattarai Congress. that regardless of which side wins, it is ...... p 4-5 feckless party. And we all had high hopes will have to also get down to serious Then there was the resignation of almost certain that the Congress about the younger generation of leaders campaigning. Signs of campaigning were two Deuba-Bhattarai supporters from the infighting will begin the day after. t

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KP and GP In all our collective careers as observers of Nepali politics, we have not seen anything quite like it: a majority party, with everything going for it is bent on committing political hara-kiri. With brains gone into hibernation, senior leaders of the Nepali Congress are to busy fighting each other to be bothered that talks with the Maoists are off, that the country’s tourism industry is teetering on the edge threatened by a two- day bandh and a hotel workers’ strike. The ruling party has become its own worst enemy. With enemies like that the opposition lefties needn’t bother with their nation-wide shutdowns. If you feel a bit confused about exactly what these common sense-challenged clowns in the Congress are haggling about, don’t worry, so are we. Whatever it is, it certainly isn’t about the country’s most-pressing problems. In fact, instead of trying to get the Maoists to agree to more informal talks maybe our master mediator Padma Ratna Tuladhar should get KP and GP to sit down and hammer out a truce! In the end, there is only one conclusion: the Nepali Congress may be the most senile political party in the country, but the mental age of its leaders hasn’t progressed beyond single digits. And that is an insult to the children of this country. If this doddering duo can’t pull in their stooges, can’t they at least agree to disagree and go their separate ways? Their quarrel is not confined to the leadership of the party machinery anymore, it is STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL damaging the nation’s body politic. Do we have to suffer the agony of tolerating a ruling party that is incapable of governing its own divided house, let alone a fractious country? We’re getting pretty sick of writing editorials about this, but the tragedy is that the fighting is not about issues, but as usual about personalities. Those from the KP Camp can’t stand the smell of Koiralas, who, we must admit, do give off a whiff. Well, with the The bluff stops here company of sidekicks Bhattarai keeps around him these days—Khum Bahadur Khadka, Bijay Gachhedar, Sharad Singh Bhandari—the odour is pretty overpowering at Bhaisepati, too. Let us remember that barely The paradox of the present stalemate is that the government and Maoists a year or so ago, all the stars of the Bhattarai camp were die-hard Koirala loyalists and they were hauling manure for him. These so- are both under pressure to talk, but neither side really gains from talking. called Young Turks from both sides all have lean and hungry looks and they’re all up to their necks in the stuff. Which doesn’t give us much he Maoists wanted to know the demand was clear: the government would be and assembled them in his office at Singha hope for the second-generation of leaders once the two T whereabouts of their comrade, forced to release them the moment it Durbar. From there, they were herded into septuagenarians are out of the picture. But at least younger leaders Dinesh Sharma, as a precondition to accepted that they were under its custody. a van and taken to the International have sharper claws and deadly fangs, and after the dust has settled a talks. Dinesh was released. There was a bit The second pre-condition was even simpler: Convention Centre. A few minutes before clear victor will emerge. of a drama that accompanied his freedom, the next round of official talks had to be the three o’clock deadline, the government but the Comrade is back underground and, with a designated government representative. popped young Dinesh out of the hat along for all intents and purposes, free. So what is This was a clever ploy to fish in the troubled with this brother-in-law and comrade-in- Al and W the problem, why are the Maoists sulking, waters of chronic infighting in the Nepali arms, Dinanath Gautam. why is Padma Ratna Tuladhar throwing Congress, and the sting was an ultimatum to With a rather nervous demeanour, The messy photo-finish of the US presidential election had the world tantrums? meet the demands by 3 in the afternoon of 3 Dinesh dutifully denounced the violent watching the scores as if it was the Superbowl. For Nepal, it didn’t For some murky and seemingly November, or else. ways of Maoism. He vowed to renounce really matter who won. But for Planet Earth, a lot hung in the balance. intractable reason, serious talks (even On D-Day (‘D’ for drama here) it was a arms, and adopt peaceful means in The global environment is threatened as in no time in history by informal) between the Maoists and the cloak-and-dagger show right from the word mobilising the masses for Marxist politics. prosperity and poverty. Such is the economic might and the ecological government are unlikely to resume in a go. Communication Minister Jai Prakash Those present there said that although footprint of the most powerful nation on earth that who the president of hurry. Both sides and their mediator will Gupta personally called leading journalists Dinesh had shifty eyes, there was not a hint the United States is has an impact on the future existence of the need to lick their wounds and mend egos of coercion. No, I wasn’t tortured, he said. Maldives, and the health of Himalayan glaciers. Alarm bells are going bruised by the antics of Comrade Sharma The government appeared to have scored a off all over the world about a planetary climate crisis, and this is when who defected and then undefected himself propaganda coup. the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases needed a leader who within a two-hour period on 4 November. But, as we all know by now, within an can start reversing its wanton and wasteful energy consumption. The After the Dunai and Bhorletar hour and a half Dinesh sent a fax message United States has only two percent of the world’s population but burns massacres of policemen in September, retracting every statement he had just made up a quarter of its energy. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala stuck and declared that he had made them under Everyone made fun of how there was his neck out to get the palace and army duress. Even for the intrigue-laden politics really no difference between Al Gore and brass to agree to partially deploy soldiers in of Kathmandu, this was dramatic stuff. In George W Bush. They said both had the insurgency-affected districts. It could have one fell swoop, Dinesh had plastered eggs same corporate sponsors. True. But the been the distinct possibility of having to on the faces of Jai Prakash Gupta, Deputy two differed on one key issue: what to do fight the army that made the Maoist Prime Minister Poudel, mediator Padma about the global environment. Bush is an leadership realise the importance of peace Ratna and even his boss, Prachanda. oil man, and has said he couldn’t care talks. The government was also under Rabindra Shrestha was so livid he less. Gore is committed to an America that pressure from public opinion to explore wrote an op-ed article the very next day in burns less fuel because it makes peaceful means to end the five-year-old Kantipur charging the government with economic sense. Why does America still CWS conflict. double-dealing, threatening Koirala with use twice as much energy as to And that is the paradox: both sides were dire consequences. Prachanda followed it make the same can of Coke? Europeans, under pressure to talk, but they didn’t gain up with another fax declaring that the reacting to public opinion shaped by better media coverage, have anything by talking. Enter: Padma Ratna chances of talks were “nearly over”. Nearly embarked on a committed drive to cut emissions. Unfortunately, the Tuladhar, Deputy Prime Minister and over also means almost open: and presum- world’s most-powerful nation has public opinion shaped by a media Home Minister , and ably he still hopes that the government will that is becoming more insular. Under-informed Americans are electing the Maoist Kathmandu commander, pick the ball. The lesson from the farce is leaders whose actions will impact powerfully on the rest of the world, Rabindra Shrestha. Date: 27 October. After this: the Maoists and the government are even on the very survival of the biosphere. the tete-e-tete, there were smiles all around. not serious about talks. It was a PR They’re not going to like it, but we’ll say it anyway: the world has too Poudel thought it went well, Padma Ratna exercise to assuage war-weary Nepalis. much at stake to let only Americans decide who becomes their was happy, and we have his word that In a way, Dinesh Sharma’s left-right president. Rabindra Shrestha was also enthusiastic. acrobatics may turn out to be a blessing in The feeling everyone had was that all disguise. Now that the government and the this sounded too good to be true: the DIPENDRA BAJRACHARYA Maoists have succeeded in calling each Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd Maoists put forward such easy pre- other’s bluff, they may finally realise that Mailing address: GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nepal conditions to stop shooting and start such diversionary tactics can backfire. Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk editors: Deepak Thapa, Samuel Thomas talking. All they wanted was that the Another lesson: future talks will have to be [email protected] Marketing, circulation and subscriptions: (01) 543333-7 Fax: (01) 521013 whereabouts of Dinesh Sharma be made in secret so that posturing will not derail it. [email protected] www.nepalitimes.com public (not even his release) along with But first, the government and the Maoists Printed at Jagadamba Press (01) 521393 several others of their comrades being held Mediator Padma Ratna Tuladhar raising the must be made to feel the public pressure for by the government. The implication of this red lantern. peace once again. t VIEWPOINT 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES 3 “Gender equity may be one of the best ways of saving the environment and

countering the dangers of overcrowding”

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ childbirth and the been falling in , much gender-based correlates of gender predicament of women, but the rate of de- inequality and persis- inequality. Signifi- there are reasons to cline has been ex- tent male preference cance is sometimes expect that an in- tremely uneven. Speedy in the treatment of attached to the fact crease of gender fertility declines in children. As a whole, that has a equity, particularly the states of Kerala, China has done far much higher fertility world. in the decisional Tamil Nadu or Himachal more than India to rate than India This power of young women, Pradesh can be closely give women educational (around five, in reassuring would tend to lower linked to the rapid and economic opportu- contrast to three), overall fertility rates. Since enhancement of female nities. However, there but that divergence picture hides women’s interests are education and empower- are parts of India corresponds closely to the fact that very badly served by ment of young women. (which is much more the difference between population high fertility rates Indeed, as a number diverse than China) the two countries in growth rates are imposed on them, they of studies demon- that have done more terms of women’s falling very fast in can be expected to strate, the two prin- than China in this empowerment. some regions and correct this adversity cipal variables that respect. Kerala, for Also, the Muslim population in very slowly— if they have more explain the bulk of example—a sizeable India is itself very large—around 120 sometimes not at power. the interdistrict Indian state with million—the third-largest among all all—in others. Why, then, do women have little variations in fertil- about 30 million countries in the world. As it happens, It is, in fact, decisional power in some societies, ity rates in India are people—has a higher the most successful state in India in extremely important to and how can that be remedied? There female literacy and rate of female lit- reducing fertility, Kerala, also has the avoid complacency and to are various distinct influences to be female employment eracy than every highest percentage of Muslims among understand that it raises other serious considered here. (I discuss this opportunity. These province of China. all states, with the exception of issues not captured by the old question more fully in my book achievements not only Kerala’s rate of Kashmir. In general, the fertility rates Malthusian perspective. One such Development as Freedom.) First, social enhance women’s voice expansion of female of Indian Muslims are much closer to issue is the environment—global as and economic handicaps contribute in family decisions, literacy has also been those of other communities in the well as local. It is true that environ- greatly to muffling women’s voices in they also have other faster than China’s. same region in India, including the mental adversities such as global society and within the family. Second, favourable social Correspondingly, , than to Muslims in Pakistan. warming are influenced by total the absence of knowledge or facilities effects. For example, Kerala has experienced Insofar as there are intercommunity consumption rather than the total size of family planning can also be an female literacy has a a substantially faster contrasts in fertility within India, they of the population (poor people important source of helplessness. strong impact in decline in fertility too relate to such social and economic consume Third, there are cultural, even reducing child mortal- rates. Also, thanks to variables as education, employment much less religious, factors that place young ity rates, which also the process of fertil- and property rights. and pollute far less). But one women in a subservient position, contributes, indi- ity decline being It is also significant that

AMARTYA SEN ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ hopes that in the future the poorer making them accept the burden of rectly, to reducing freely chosen without Bangladesh, with a predominantly he magnitude of the nations of today will be rich as well, constantly bearing and rearing fertility (since the any coercion, the Muslim population, has had a sharp population problem is and the compound effect of a larger children. These inequities may not desire for a large infant mortality rate reduction in fertility rates, which can T frequently exaggerated. That population and increased consump- even have to be physically enforced, family is often re- has continued to fall be associated with the gains that roaring tradition goes back 200 years, tion could be devastating for the since women’s subservient role as well lated to insuring fast in Kerala while Bangladeshi women have recently when Thomas Robert Malthus global environment. There is also the as frequent childbearing may appear support in one’s old it has not in China. made through the expansion of family- declared that the world was overpopu- important challenge of overcrowding “natural” when these practices have age). The states in The female infant- planning opportunities, greater lated already and that the growth of in a limited habitat. Children, too, been sanctified by a long history that India with high fer- mortality rate now in involvement of women in economic food supply was losing the race with have to be raised, not just food crops. generates uncritical acceptance. tility (for example, China is, in fact, activities (through microcredit the growth of population. However, But perhaps the most immediate Indeed, there is much evidence now, Uttar Pradesh, , more than twice that programmes) and much activism as in Malthus’s time, food production adversity caused by a high rate of based on intercountry comparisons as Rajasthan) are pre- in Kerala. against the prevailing pattern of gender now continues to grow significantly population growth lies in the loss of well as interregional contrasts within a cisely those that give Variations within India also bring disparity. The bottom line, then, is faster than world population, with the freedom that women suffer when they large country, that women’s em- few economic and out the important fact that even this: While cultural and religious fastest expansion of food output per are shackled by persistent bearing and powerment can have a very strong educational opportuni- cultural and religious influences on influences on fertility rates cannot be head occurring in relatively poor rearing of children. Global warming is effect in reducing the fertility rate. ties to young women. fertility can be ignored, they are neither immutable countries such as China and India. a distant effect compared with what India is a statistician’s paradise It is also interesting in this context swayed. For example, nor independent of the social and But there is a danger of compla- population explosion does to the lives because of tremendous variations to note that while China’s sharp it has been argued economic factors through which the cency here. The fact that population and well being of mothers. Indeed, the among its distinct regions. While the fertility decline is often attributed to that Muslim popula- cultural connections work. growth is much slower than the most important—and perhaps the total fertility rate for India as a whole coercive policies, one could have tions tend to have a There are many influences that growth of world output (of food and most neglected—aspect of the is higher than the replacement level of expected a roughly similar decline higher fertility rate. operate on fertility rates, and it would other commodities) often generates population debate is the adverse two per couple, many districts in India because of China’s excellent achieve- Insofar as there is be a mistake to look for one “magic undue placidity, reinforced by the impact of high fertility imposed on have below-replacement fertility rates ments in raising female education and any truth to this, the variable” that would work uniformly further recognition that fertility rates women in societies where their voices and substantially lower fertility rates employment. The contrast between linkage seems to well in reducing high fertility rates. and population growth are falling as a don’t count for much. Given the than, for example, the United States, China and India is a useful one to operate in an indirect What is needed instead is a unified whole and also in most regions of the connection between over-frequent Britain and China. Fertility rates have examine, since both countries have way, through various approach that places different variables within a general framework of family decisions on fertil- LETTERS ity. The advantage of NON-ISSUE RAGS asphalted, but the two ends are bringingsubjects. gender Making equity fun ofand the women’s Your expose of the public issue I read your newspaper regularly by the question. If he is offended, so, that would be a pity and an still unpaved. Vehicles leave empowermentattire, accents, to centre or food stage habits is that of of Oriental Hotel three months with interest and enthusiasm. But then his prestige is brittle, and indication that we still don’t have a behind a trail of dust, thus they“natives” provide has a broad always perspective exposed that ago (“Buyers beware” #15) was it is sad though that you did not even a simple question like that free press. Let’s just hope he’s jeopardising the health of all and canthis accommodategenre of Western-centric many of the major insightful. But the question that consider giving a thought to the would break him. If he is not just on holiday and will be back sundry. Will the Department of influencesworldviews. on fertility decisions. The came to my mind as I was real story behind the army court offended, then it would presum- after the Dasain-Tihar break. Roads kindly explain what on expansionA Nepali of family journalist planning going may to reading the article was: so what martial reprinted from Jana ably mean that he is a real dalal. Janak Prasad earth prevents them from paving appearBritain to and be observingjust a demographic that British else is new? The earlier public Aastha (From the Nepali Press, Dalal or not, Via Internet the remaining sections? Or shall intervention,judges looked but like the “lost real ramsopportunity on issue of the Hyatt was the same #14). You seem to support that is the we ask the Thai ambassador to toa cliff”practice would family be planning the classic can also be story: share offerings here are anything written against the army question. SOS, intervene again? seenantidote in the to broader this. The light problem of enhancing not accompanied by transpar- without any considerations of Som Aryal AMBASSADOR Shyamal K Shrestha thewith decisional parachutists freedom is of that families they in Arkansas, USA Kathmandu never stay around long enough ency or information to investors. your own. It is indeed sad to see After reading general and of vulnerable women in SAVAGES to understand the nuances of In fact, the concept of providing such a popular paper as yours Under My Hat particular. Where is CK Lal? local life, and show sensitivity adequate information to the unthinkingly reprinting stories (#12) on the Thai I haven’t yet read Jonathan It is important to bring together, Have you dropped towards the subject. public has never been an issue from rags like Jana Aastha. ambassador being Gregson’s book, but from your under a unified framework of him? Has his They are in fact no different here. If anything, Oriental Hotel Ram Gopal Sharma the most powerful review (“Kingdoms in cloud- understanding, the diverse influences via Internet brilliantly crafted, than early explorers who wrote provided more information than man in Nepal because cuckooland”, #15) it is apparent on fertility reduction that have been non-conformist disparagingly about forest- normal public offerings in Nepal. he got the Maharajgunj that Gregson exhibits the same identified in the empirical and CK LAL edge, and hard- dwelling savages who walked And the public was so Road rebuilt, I must draw pretentiousness of authors who statistical research. A variety of hitting around naked, as if wearing desperate to invest, that they This is in response to “A state of your attention to the road have not overgrown the institutions have constructive roles in analysis got trousers and ties would have willingly allowed themselves to paranoia” (#12). After reading the connecting New Orientalist traditions of their this crucial social transformation, too hot for made them ‘civilised’. be hoodwinked. column, my deep question is: CK Baneswor to Battisputali. anthropologist forebears while including family-planning centres, you to Dr E Ehrlich S Singh Lal a dalal? Is he an agent? Bits of the middle were dealing with Third World elementary schools, land-reform Kathmandu Wonder if he would be offended handle? If facilities, microcredit organisationsvia Internet and free newspapers and other media for unrestrained public discussion. These institutions have their 4 NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES Who is a Hindu? The chief priest of Pashupati has once again banned a group of Indonesian Hindus from worshipping at the temple, igniting renewed debate on why bona fide Hindus cannot enter Nepal’s holiest of holies.

HEMLATA RAI ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ nose. While this arbitrary able discrimination at the gate. planned activities and left the ashupati is one of the religious apartheid goes on at the Security personnel deployed at country without ever stepping out holiest Hindu shrines in P gate, tourists with digital cameras the temple gate blocked the way, of their hotel for the rest of the the subcontinent, and can be seen video-filming declaring that the ‘Hindu’ status time that they were here.” houses Nepal’s patron deity. A cremations on the banks of the on their travelling documents was In September, another group stern sign at the gate, enforced Bagmati: turning the private last insufficient proof of their faith. of 11 Indonesian Hindus were by a policeman bearing a stick, rites of Nepali families into Bali is the predominantly-Hindu denied entrance to the temple by warns all non-Hindus that they cultural entertainment. One island east of Java and the the office of the Mul Bhatta, the cannot enter. But two recent devout Nepali Hindu, who does pilgrims were in Nepal as part of a South Indian chief priest at incidents have begged the not want to be named, told us: tour of holy Pashupati, with the explanation questions: Hindu sites in that one has to be born either in • Who is Hindu enough India where they Nepal or India to be able to to enter the temple? had no problems enter. The office of the Mul • Who decides who is a entering Bhatta refused to recognise the Hindu and who is not? temples. The endorsement of the World Hindu At present, any Indonesians Federation (WHF) that brown-skinned Caucasoid, were here for recommended entrance to the even if he is a Muslim three days on a Indonesians.

from Aligarh, can easily planned trip to Having faced the problem KEVIN BUBRISKI slip in. A Syrian Christian pray at earlier, Shrestha this time from Kerala can get in Pashupatinath, requested permission from the without problems. But a and do some Pashupati Development Trust Hare Krishna devotee from sightseeing. (PDT). The PDT declined to Italy with a shaven head and After they were not allowed in, provide it in writing, assuring him The PDT office was closed on saffron dhoti, cannot enter “Where does dharma end and the Indonesians sat on the asphalt that the Indonesians would have 29 October, the day the 41 the temple. Tall, fair Nepalis sacrilege begin?” outside the gate and finished their “no problem” entering the Indonesians were denied entrance, with goatees have sometimes Last week, for the second prayers (see picture). temple. “The incident would not as it was both a Sunday and the been stopped. It seems the only time in a month, Hindu pilgrims Bishwesh Shrestha, the Nepali have happened, if the tour day of Bhai Tika. But Pathak criteria that the gatekeepers of from Bali were denied entry into tour operator who was handling operator had informed us about sought to assure us that such Pashupati have to judge Hindu Pashupati. Not only was the the pilgrims’ group, is livid. He the problem with the security,” incidents would not occur again if or non-Hindu is the colour of group of 41 turned back, but they told us: “After this incident at PDT treasurer Shankar Raj Hindus “from abroad” request an the skin and the length of the suffered humiliation and unbear- Pashupati, they cancelled all their Pathak said. entrance to the shrine of their AlmostFEEDBACK Heaven If we continue to ignore change, and furthermore show that we are incapable of coping with it, we risk turning many more Edens

into hell on earth

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he two stories in “Paradise? Lost?” printed in to the moon but emotionally we are still rooting around this space (#14) about change in the Khumbu in caves. This does not bode well for our characters in T are certainly emotive, but the implied direct your Khumbu story. We may have learnt how to install causality between the introduction of the water pump, and prime the pumps of progress but we have not yet and the resulting devastated landscape may be a bit learned how to harness these changes to make us stretched. The two scenarios paint a contrasting picture happier. between the serene idyllic rural life of a village prior to So, where should we intervene? Should we just stop development and the raw crude consequences of flapping our wings and hope that somewhere in that creeping urbanisation and materialism after develop- pantheon of gods, one of them will bestow enough grace ment. on the situation to make us happy? Not likely! Your two Of course, one has to ask whether the perception of stories point out that in spite of our ability to create and this change, as observed by the Doigs and Hillarys of stimulate change we are incredibly inept at managing this world, is one that is shared by the villagers of that change. region. Many people would gladly give up a good view Where do we start? My simple answer is: Education. of the mountains in return for eliminating the daily Not the 2+2=4 type of education, this is just more change for drudgery of fetching water several kilometres away. its own sake. What is needed is rather education on how to Perhaps, however, this is missing the point. Lurking in manage change. This is essential because, as you say in the there, I suspect, is disenchantment with development Gita, change is the only constant thing in our lives. Some and our collective inability to mitigate the changes that may try to avoid it, some may try to deny it, and some may inevitably result. even try to go back to the way things were before changes The question you pose to all of us in the world of happened. Why do our public education institutions not INGOs, NGOs, and indeed government is, “Will the teach us how to play with change, how to use it creatively, flapping of our butterfly-like wings bring a breath of how to harness diversity and how to forestall needless fresh air, or another billion-dollar typhoon”. I wish I conflict? If we continue to ignore change, and furthermore had a clever answer to this question. There are plenty of are unable to handle it we do so at our own peril, and risk examples of disasters but at the same time many have turning many more Edens into hell on earth. Herein lies the also benefitted from progress brought about by challenge of our modern leadership. technology and its constructive application. I would, Jim Tomecko however, agree that our ability to create technologies Team Leader has, for the most part, far outstripped our capacity to GTZ Private Sector Promotion Project use them in a fulfilling way. Technologically we can get Kathmandu NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES 5

faith. settlers from the east coast of authority to decide on Pashupati traditions are unbending about Nepal-Bhutan talks stalled, again ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The small PDT unit and the India 2,000 years ago. They later affairs. All bona fide Hindus, allowing non-Nepali and non- ○○○○ police at the main gate are not ruled the Hindu Sri Vijaya regardless of their nationality, Indian pilgrims. Sociologist Bhutan is once again delaying on what seemed like some given the authority to determine Maritime Empire that stretched should be allowed to enter the Sudhindra Sharma says the Mul progress in the refugee repatriation talks. Nepali foreign who enters the temple. But, from Sumatra to the edge of the temple. The Indonesians were Bhatta is just a priest, and he is ministry sources say the talks have effectively come to a according to the police officer on Pacific Ocean. regretfully denied their rights to exceeding his authority by “standstill” since Bhutan has not been acting on a compro- duty on 29 October, his unit had Most observers, including the worship at the shrine. I have giving himself the power to mise verification formula suggested by the United Nations earlier that day received strict PDT itself, blame the all- already sent a personal apology for define who is Hindu and who is High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In late May, orders from the office of the Mul powerful and conservative Mul what happened.” not. In Nepal it should be the Bhutan had agreed to name a verification team that was to Bhatta that the Indonesians were Bhatta for being the main Travel documents attested by premier Hindu institutions like visit the Bhutanese refugee camps in eastern Nepal “very not to be allowed in. “We were obstacle. Says PDT member- the World Hindu Federation and the Hindu monarch who soon.” But Thimpu has so far been ignoring Nepali re- only carrying out an order from secretary and industrialist, Basant Pashupati Development Trust should have the jurisdiction, quests to get on with it. The UN compromise formula the Mul Bhatta that was delivered Kumar Chaudhary: “After the proving the Hindu status of says Sharma, adding: “At a time suggested that both sides use a family as a unit of verifica- to us by a junior bhatta. We have establishment of the PDT, the pilgrims should be enough to when should be tion, and that the family should include all unmarried no authority to determine if Mul Bhatta is no longer the allow pilgrims in, but the temple’s opening its doors wide, we are members under the age 25. Bhutan has insisted on anyone is to be allowed in or being parochial and myopic by individual verification, while Nepal has maintained that it be not,” the policeman said. not letting genuine Hindus in.” done on a family basis. When approached, the Mul The temple authorities are Bhatta’s office refused comment. even more rigid and unsympa-

However, the Kathmandu liaison thetic to those who have “Package” for Maoist areas

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ officer for the Rangoon-based converted to Hinduism from The government has unveiled an integrated development Indonesian embassy that is other religions. They say one is fund of Rs 190 million to be used to fund development accredited to Nepal, Shiva Sharan born a Hindu, and that the activities in five mid-western districts where the Maoist Rajbhandari, believes the tour sashtras do not recognise insurgency is most intense. The development “package”— operator is at fault. “If the conversion. As a Pashupati with contributions from the Finance Ministry, the Prime pilgrims had informed their bhatta puts it: “Anyone can Minister’s relief fund, the budgets of local governance units embassy in Rangoon, I would follow the Hindu dharma but and the MPs’ fund—became effective on 4 November. have known of their tour and I cannot become a Hindu unless Rukum district is to get about Rs 38.8 million, Rolpa Rs could have taken them to he is born one.” 40 million, Jajarkot Rs 42 million, Kalikot Rs 35.5 million Pashupati, as I have done many President of WHF Nepal and Salyan Rs 35.8 million, according to Deputy Prime times earlier,” he said. National Unit, Narayan Prasad Minister Ram Chandra Poudel. The money from the Fund is He may have a point there Pokhrel, says conversions into to be used on prioritised programmes that benefit the but the fact remains that the Hinduism should be encour- largest number of people, and spending would be moni- Indonesian Hindus were not aged, but converts should pass tored by all-party committees at both the central and local allowed into Pashupati. And all religious tests to attain any levels. because the Mul Bhatta decreed it higher status in the religion. so. There are one billion Hindus He says: “Not every converted

in the world, and the World Hindu can be allowed to SAARC resolution on trafficking

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Hindu Federation has a worship at Pashupati, or made The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against membership of 57 countries, with a priest.” But that still does not Women, Radhika Coomaraswamy, has said that the Indonesia having an advisory solve the problem of what happens proposed SAARC document on trafficking in girls and status with the present executive MIN BAJRACHARYA to the next batch of Hindu pilgrims women needs to be re-examined once more before it body of the WHF. Hinduism from Indonesia, Mauritius, South t becomes official. “The declaration fails to differentiate predates both Buddhism and Africa or Trinidad. trafficking from prostitution, concentrating singularly on Islam in Indonesia, having been trafficking of girls and women for commercial sexual taken to the archipelago by exploitation,” she said. The aspects of trafficking that have been left out include crimes such as smuggling children to work in sweatshops and even as seasonal labourers. The Kathmandu-based South Asian Association for Regional “There’s no alternative to socialism, no Cooperation (SAARC) has been working on the document for approval by the seven member-states, before it is alternative to Marxism Socialism never fails.” signed in Kathmandu in a few months. Coomaraswamy said that the document also needed regimes to protect the rights of women and children and was critical of some politics as a method of class Nepali government measures, which restrict the mobility of struggle. According to him, women in the name of fighting girl trafficking. Nepal’s communists, unlike their comrades elsewhere, have a large mass following which was made possible by the party’s adoption ICIMOD downsizes of the home-grown people’s multi-party democracy (PMPD). The Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated He explained that PMPD had a Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has cut eight senior strategy against possible posts citing budgetary constraints. Eight senior staff isolationism—a policy of positions, including those held by Indian and Nepali compensating co-operative officials and divisional heads are affected. landowners for the smoother The research institute specialising in the Himalaya and implementation of revolutionary Hindu Kush regions has been in Kathmandu for the past land reforms. for 15 years. ICIMOD’s international board, which met last “Different countries have week, decided not to renew the contracts of the staffers different objective conditions and because of a $400,000 hole have different roads to socialism,” in the budget caused by the devaluation of the Euro vis- said China’s Yu. India’s Raja à-vis the US dollar. According to insiders, making its agreed, extolling “undaunted” decision the board declared that ICIMOD is “not a long- Cuba’s stand against US imperial- term employment agency”. Some board members were ism, and the achievements of said to be unhappy with the decision, and maintained that “victorious Vietnam” led by Ho the termination should have been done with greater participation and transparency. Others welcomed the ommunists and socialists communists; D. Raja, member of waving uniformed cadres, General decision, and told us “the clearing of deadwood was long from 19 countries and 28 the national council of Commu- Secretary Nepal denounced forces Nepal’s communists, overdue”. organisations met in nist Party of India; and Madhav backed by the “imperialist unlike their comrades Among those whose contracts have not been renewed C are: Indians Anup Bhatia, Tej Pratap, NS Jodha, Nepalis Kathmandu 5-10 November in a Kumar Nepal, general secretary of forces”—the World Bank, elsewhere, have a large post-Soviet Union soul searching Communist Party of Nepal International Monetary Fund and mass following which was Pradeep Man Tulachan, Pitamber Sharma and Suresh Raj exercise that began in Pyongyang (Unified Marxist-Leninist). the World Trade Organisation. made possible by the Chalise, and Canadian-Pakistani Shahid Akhtar. All of in 1992. The goal was to share Conference convenor, Pradip Another highlight was a six- them are reported to be very unhappy with the manner in party’s adoption of the which the board terminated their services. experiences and try to devise ways Nepal, explained what the page speech by Nepal which home-grown people’s to take carry socialism forward. meeting was all about: to unify traced the history of the Nepali In an internal letter to ICIMOD staff, Director General Luminaries at the opening socialists the world over, to pull communists, and after a multi-party democracy.- Gabriel Campbell explained that there were two reasons included Sukomal Sen, represent- down the walls built by capital- meandering analysis of national Madhav Nepal for the staff cuts—budgetary, and ICIMOD’s philosophy that ing the Communist Party of India ism and “to achieveglobalisation and global developments came to the organisation should build regional capacity. The (Marxist); Yu Honhuan, chief of in the real sense—of the people, the conclusion that “the validity organisation has long been criticised for being top-heavy the research division of the by the people”. At the well- of Marxism and Leninism has not Chi Minh. Raja said: “There’s no and spending too much on staff salaries and overheads. International Department of the attended opening, keyed off by diminished at all”. He also alternative to socialism, no “There is just no way to balance the budget, it was either t Communist Party of China; Betty the singing of the “The explained the rationale behind alternative to Marxism…socialism this or letting off 50 Nepali staff,” Campbell told us. F. Carlsson, leader of the Danish Internationale” and amidst flag- UML’s adoption of parliamentary never fails.” t 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES

“We have left the Maoist party” Stupid move by voters lists. He has now resigned and provide these pilots board and lodging at a ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ according to his resignation letter it seems four-star hotel. The Himalaya Times, 4 November government

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ that a lot of irregularities and malpractice RNAC had earlier leased a Boeing 757 (Excerpts from the interview given to the press by CPN-Maoist central committee member, Dinesh Sharma, CPN (Maoist) Kathmandu commander, are taking place in publishing the voters’ from China South-West Airlines and in before his release.) Rabindra Shrestha, in Kantipur, 5 lists against the decisions taken by the party. that agreement all costs—the cost of Q. Where and when were both of you [i.e. him and Dinanath Gautam] arrested? November Similarly, it was agreed that the election leasing and hiring pilots—were bundled A. I was arrested on 18 Mangsir 2056 at the Dhunge Dhara bus stop between Banasthali committee would work in consensus, but together. In the present agreement with and Swoyambhu. My friend was arrested on 25 Srawan 2056 on a road in Dallu. The drama that took place when Comrade again we find that this was not done and Lauda Air, these two have been presented Q. Where were you kept? Dinesh Sharma was released was a farce. He and Gyan Bahadur Karki separately. Additionally, the cost of A. In police custody in Kathmandu. was tortured and kept in solitary have had to resign from the election spares, landing and takeoff fees, ground Q. What were your positions in the Maoist party? confinement for 11 months. The committee. Party leaders like Deuba, Khum services and other expenditure are not A. I am a central committee member and Gautam was an ordinary member. government, in order to fulfil its narrow Bahadur, Wagle and Gachhedar have held mentioned in the agreement, indicating

Q. Where are you from? MIN BAJRACHARYA that RNAC will probably be paying for all A. Both of us are from Kavre district. My house is in Majikheda VDC and his is in Dinesh Sharma these. This is going to increase the lease Pokhrichowhi VDC. cost drastically. Q. You all have different names. Are these your actual names or do you have different ones in It is reported that certain people are the party? going to earn a commission of up to $400 A. These are our actual names. Party matters are a different thing. per flying hour. For a period of 18 months Q. Your party had set a deadline for your release. You say that you have given up violence. this works out to Rs 160 million. Of the Have you really left the party? $400 per hour, half is expected to go to a A. For a party carrying out a people’s war setting deadlines is no big deal. We have left political fund, $100 to the Lauda Air agent the party. There is no question of going underground now. in Nepal and some businessmen, $50 to Q. Why this political change in you? high officials in RNAC and the remaining A. A political reason is one of them. Events, happenings and changes, national and $50 to middlemen who helped clinch international, and how we relate to them and move ahead are others. the deal. Q. After leaving the party, do you believe that you can work independently? A. More important than that, after we decide on a peaceful political agenda and after “Koirala’s dictatorship having open discussions maybe we can come together. will not last”

Q. When you were a central committee member, what would the reaction of the party have ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ been towards a step like this? Chhalphal, 5 November A. I cannot say for certain. I was in police custody for 11 months and have not been able to understand their thinking. Therefore I cannot make anything of their call for a (Excerpts from an interview with Harinath dialogue. Bastola, Nepali Congress member who recently Q. Surely you haven’t reached this decision under the carrot-or-stick policy of the government? resigned from the party’s ‘active membership A. No. We reached this decision on our own. We felt that an open and free dialogue was verification committee’.) the political need of the time. goals, put him under tremendous pressure the present leadership responsible for the Q. When you were a central committee member, did you ever push for an open political and made him state that he had changed his crisis and have stated that this has led to Q. Does this mean, to get leadership in their environment? beliefs and line of thinking. genuine and hardworking party members hands, irregularities and malpractice have A. At that time we did not. In the process, the government violated being sidelined. They have mentioned this taken place? Q. What is your programme from tomorrow? the Constitution. Clause 5 of Article 14 of in a statement released by them. The A. We have been forced to state that A. We are free. We are going to talk between ourselves and then decide. the Constitution states that, “Any person president should take notice of this irregularities and malpractice have taken Q. Has the government really released you? who has been arrested will be allowed to statement, understand it and take corrective place. If, without going into the details, A. If not, how do you think we are here? They have released us. consult any lawyer of his choice and act action and see to it that the party is not voters’ lists are published, then Q. Have you really been released or has this been staged only for us? according to that.” Recent events show that harmed in any way. I humbly want to irregularities have taken place. Irregularities A. The government has the intention of releasing us. this too was not followed. When our party petition the president and state that the have mainly taken in the lists from Q. Have you got the papers for your release? had stated that the minimum ground work responsibility of holding the 10th party Kathmandu and Solu. The committee A. Nothing like that has happened. We had discussions in police custody and they told for dialogue be prepared, we did not want convention in a free and fair manner lies sending the voters lists must have a us that we were being released. that only these two be released. We want with you. I would also request the president meeting. Without calling for a meeting and Q. How many others are being released? all our arrested members to be presented to to remain neutral and hold the 10th party without letting members know, voters lists A. We don’t know. the public. They should all be released and convention in Pokhara as agreed upon were sent on the sly. This proves that Q. Were discussions held at the prime ministerial or ministerial level before your release? state terrorism stopped. Instead, the earlier and then only move to the elections irregularities have taken place. A. We informed the police about our decision to leave the party and on that basis we government is using force to coerce our to be held for the VDC, district, towns and were released. colleagues into making statements to its regional bodies. If the party elections are Q. Party workers allege that old and honest Q. Where are you going from here? benefit. This is cheating, injustice and not perceived to be free and fair, then no workers have been sidelined and new and A. To meet our friends in Kathmandu. criminal. party worker is going to accept those crooked people have been made members. Do Q. Do you feel safe after your release? Comrade Sharma was presented to the results. In fact party workers are not going you agree with that? A. Security depends on the circumstances. public, but why not Comrades Dandapani to accept the results of any election even if A. New and crooked people are now active Q. You have taken this step without informing the party. How is the party going to react? Neupane and Matrika Yadav? Why aren’t irregularities or malpractice take place in in the party. Smugglers, the Mafia and A. Not the same as before. Comrades Ishwori Dahal, Chitranarayan, any one election. As a founding member of corrupt people are now prominent in the Q. What type of politics are you going to get into now? Rajendra Dahal, Milan Nepali, Navin the party, I too, have to fulfill my duties. party. Not only that, people who have got A. We haven’t thought of that. After we go out, we will hold discussions and only then Gautam, Ajablal and Bikash Sharma There is still time for the president, in the Koirala’s support and who wear the cloak can we decide. brought out in the open too? Is it because interests of the party, democracy and the of democracy are now prominent in the Q. Do you think that the massacres you committed earlier happened on the spur of the moment? they refused to change their beliefs? Or have country, to rectify and solve all problems in party. This is the reason why the Congress A. No, they were political. Now we are sure that was wrong. they already been killed by the government? the party, honestly and with justice, and to is turning into a dictatorial party. The Q. Is this due to differences with the party? get the party together and move ahead. In controversy started because honest and old A. No. This is the result of a new thinking that occurred to us only 15 or 20 days ago. Bhattarai’s letter to doing this everyone’s future lies secure. If party members are being sidelined and new Q. You are being released today. Where shall we meet tomorrow? Koirala the president so wishes, I am prepared to members are being inducted into the party.

A. Don’t know where, but it will be an ordinary place. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ meet him anywhere. This is against the central leadership Deshanter, 5 November directive which had stated that new QUOTE OF THE WEEK Former President members should not be inducted. This Respected Chairman, Nepali Congress shows that these new members are all On the eve of the 10th party convention, powerful. If the directives of the centre are When talks reach a deadlock, the only way forward is to talk some more. the central committee has dissolved some of RNAC-Lauda Air deal not followed, then where are the old —Padma Ratna Tuladhar, in Nepal Samacharpatra, 8 November.

the elected district committees and scam members going to look for justice?

○○○○○○○○○○○○ nominated members who toe their line to ○○○○○○○○ the now vacant positions. This raises Space Time Dainik, 5 November Q. How has this controversy affected the unity questions and is against the democratic of the party? principles of the party. Since then, party Irregularities to the tune of Rs 160 million A. This has brought about grave problems members and followers have raised have been detected in the leasing of a for party unity. It has shaken the party questions expressing concern over whether Boeing 767 from Lauda Air for 18 months. unity, and to solve this we have dragged the elections are going to be free and fair. Political figures, businessmen, government Kishunji into this. This is the outcome. We, in our many central committee employees and higher officials of RNAC are Because of our own problems, the country meetings, had agreed to tackle these all party to this deal. is in a bad state. We have raised our voice problems once and for all and hold free and According to RNAC sources, Lauda Air stating that this should not happen again. fair elections. But every time we come to an will be providing a 12-year-old jet, at the We are not going to forget about it, till we agreement, that agreement is immediately rate of $3,500 per flying hour on a ‘wet are successful. broken. Breaking agreements seems to be lease’. This was done without calling for any the new trend in the party. This is a matter tenders. Taking other “hidden costs” into Q What will you do if something like a of grave concern for the party. In the last consideration, the cost of leasing the jet is Godavari Agreement takes place between the committee meeting, we had come to an actually going to shoot up to $3,900 per leaders? understanding agreement and agreed to flying hour. A. The situation is now different. None of work on it, but it seems that nothing that According to the agreement signed, a the past agreements were followed upon. was mentioned was carried out and the minimum of five sets of Austrian pilots are Kishunji himself has said that he will never agreement has been broken. Harinath going to be hired and this will mean an again believe Koirala. If he himself does not Talks...Talks...Talks Bastola was asked by the party to study and additional expenditure of $350 per flying believe Koirala, then the question of an Himalaya Times, 5 November solve the problems concerning the party hour. In addition to this RNAC will have to agreement does not arise.

THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI-LANGUAGE PRESS. NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES 7 TheVILLAGE VOICE struggle for dignityby PREM SINGH NAYAK AND RUPA JOSHI A caste struggle is on in the village of Melauli, and the Dalits are pitting their collective strength against an oppressive

social order.

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he old social order has not are Hindus, they are not allowed changed much in the entry into temples. Arjun Dayal, a T village of Melauli. Nearly recent graduate of the School a third of the inhabitants of this Leaving Certificate examination, hamlet, which lies some 40 km says, “We are forbidden to enter south of the headquarters of places of worship. Since we Baitadi district in Nepal’s cannot enter the temples, we keep northwestern extremity, remain small pictures of deities in our “untouchable”. The Dalits, as houses and worship them.” they now call themselves, do not Dalits are not allowed to share space with the “upper participate in any religious castes”; they don’t sit or eat function, and since they are not together. The upper castes allowed to recite mantras, their sprinkle water over themselves in marriages too are performed

an act of “purification” before without the attendant recitation ALL PHOTOS PREM SINGH NAYAK entering their home if a Dalit from the scriptures. Neither are touches them—even by mistake. they allowed access to books and Dalits cannot enter the homes of other learning material, since the upper castes. Neither can they books represent Saraswati, the use the wells, taps and other goddess of learning. This is borne water sources that are reserved for out by the literacy levels of the The village of Melauli (above); members the high-caste people. Dalits—of 100 children of school- of the Jai Durga Social Organisation at a To this day, people in this going age in Melauli only 23 weekly meeting (right); and Suna area do not even sell milk in the attend school, and most of the Damai with her poultry. markets, fearing that a Dalit might consume the milk. Some people actually stopped selling “We are made to sit and eat milk to restaurants that began outside in dishes kept apart for us. serving tea to the Dalits. Al- though Dalits are now served at a Most humiliating is that we have to few eateries, they are still hurt by the treatment they receive. “The wash the dishes after we have higher castes pay the same finished eating.” amount of money as us. But while they eat and move away, we are made to sit and eat outside in youth and elders are illiterate. Madan Ram Damai as its dishes kept apart for us. Most If matters were not bad chairman and Rukuwa Dayal as humiliating is that we have to enough, even among the Dalits director, has initiated a boycott wash the dishes after we have there exists a stratified pecking of restaurants where Dalits are finished eating. Restaurants are a order. A Lohar will not eat discriminated against. Ishwori marginalisation they face. Dalit to tell us anything. We remained don’t need the upper castes. We business, and they ought to hire something that has been touched Lohar, a member of Jai Durga, women are now following the unaware of programmes that were can take care of ourselves.” t people to wash dishes,” says by a Damai, who in turn will not says, “We want to put up posters example of their men and are supposedly being conducted for Ishwori Dayal of Melauli. eat anything touched by a Rana. A in every restaurant stating that slowly asserting themselves. Shova our benefit. Now that we are (Adapted from Himal Khabar- In theory, the country’s laws Sarki still considers a Bhard an Dalits will not have to sit outside Dayal was a timid woman when organised and self sufficient, we patrika, 17 September-1 October) have guaranteed all Nepalis equal untouchable. But this system is and eat, nor wash the dishes, will she began attending community rights since 1962, but the reality undergoing changes faster than be able to eat openly in the meetings, but within a period of is a different story altogether. the larger upper caste-dalit divide marketplace and will not be four months, she was elected Bhani Lohar complains, “Since we is narrowing. As Madan Damai discriminated against.” member of the Aawaj De Samaj are cut off from the mainstream, puts it, “Change for the better The socially fractured groups Sewa Yuba Club. Similarly, Dalit we remain weak and poor. Even can come only if we try and attack among them have begun interact- women affiliated to other now, when we participate at the very root of this problem. ing with each other. They have organisations in Melauli have also realised that there will be no constructed their own office improvement in their status buildings, are helping their men in without education and have their work and are also engaged in started community literacy employment schemes that will programmes. They also conduct ultimately give them greater regular community meetings. economic independence. Being organised has helped them The focus of most of their become more aware of their activities has been to secure situation and also of the world economic independence. Since outside. Lohar says that earlier they hardly own any agricultural they could not even carry on a land, they have had to rely on the conversation properly, but now upper castes for everything—for they are capable of doing that loans, for food, to lease land or to with confidence. work in their fields. But now the Members of Jai Durga have Dalits have pooled together their constructed village roads, built a savings and are offering loans to house to hold meetings, and members without collateral. village meetings or attend Nothing will change if we only try because they were denied entry to Other income generation trainings, we sit with upper caste to remove the system practised by temples, even built their own activities like animal husbandry, people. But as soon as refresh- the upper castes, but continue to temple during Shiva Ratri last poultry rearing and small retail ments are served, some of them follow it ourselves.” year. “Now even upper caste business, have helped them slowly move outdoors to eat. As a step towards that Dalits people come and worship at this improve their financial status. This attitude hurts us. What have begun organising themselves temple,” says Arjun Dayal. Jai Durga’s chairman, Madan further insult can anyone suffer with assistance from external The condition of women in Ram, sums it up: “Earlier when than this?” agencies. The Jai Durga Social the Dalit communities is even Dalits used to go to a gathering, Although all the Dalits here Organisation, which elected worse due to the double upper castes never made an effort 8 NEPALI ECONOMY 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES

uncertainties ahead, such as new laws and policies.” The Khetans and Modi will now have to incorporate a joint venture and meet certain licensing Licence to call requirements before actually getting their permits. One is the need to submit a detailed business plan. The With Khetan-Modi Telestra having won the private mobile phone group says it plans to sell 75,000 cell phones in 10 years. licence, maybe the backlog of 269,000 fixed lines in Nepal will The question then is: Can businesses the size of Khetan and finally be met. Modi afford to default on renewal of licence without

BINOD BHATTARAI ○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○ ten years without paying the Rs offered by Khetan and Modi (for there will be laws to take care of tarnishing their image? The he auction for a private 24.1 billion licence renewal fee. years 11-15) does not make contingencies. “We have acted in winning bidder now has to pay T mobile phone licence on 1 Nepal’s Khetan Group and business sense,” said a source in a good faith and expect businesses 30 percent of the quoted November was hailed as an India’s Modi Telestra Ltd outbid consortium that lost the bid. to do the same.” licence fee before actually unusually clean process, but five other business consortiums by “They have managed to use a And that is precisely the getting a licence. The questions are being asked about offering to pay a total of Rs 9.08 loophole to their advantage. I question, are the parties acting in remainder has to be paid not whether the winner of the bid billion ($122.6 million) as licence don’t think it is possible to pay good faith? When we put it to later than the third year of used a loophole in the auction fees, royalty and the discounted the high renewal fees.” The Rajendra Khetan of the winning licensing, while the royalty is process to get away with the renewal charges (Rs 20 billion in understanding is that renewal is team, he said: “Ten years is too far payable every year. license. ten years). The licence fee was Rs optional, and comes 10 years away even to think about it right Six companies were short-listed partners are required to own at least The Nepal Telecommunica- 210 million and royalty Rs 3.9 down the road. It apparently only now. We’re optimistic we’ll run for the financial bidding, which 20 percent of the equity in the new tion Authority (NTA) was praised billion. The unusually high third- occurred to Khetan and partners this business as a proper included joint ventures between company to be set up to run the by all bidders for its transparency round offer by Khetan and that there would be little to lose commercial venture. But we also Nepali and Indian, Singaporean and service. t in pulling off what is perhaps Modi—in the three-stage auction by quoting high now, and keeping have to remember there are many Turkish companies. The Nepali Nepal’s most transparent licensing process—caught other bidders on open the option of quitting after auction ever. “I am envious, this the wrong foot. It was almost ten years. is a totally open and honest nine times the winning bids in But that is not what the NTA process. I wish we had auctions both Round One, quoted by thinks. “I cannot imagine an Sanchar Muhan like this,” said one foreign bidder. Turkey’s Rumelli (Rs 1.32 investor quitting after putting in (Books/Newspaper and magazine Distributor) However, the euphoria was short- billion), and Round Two winners so much money and time in a lived as it became apparent that India’s United Telecom (Rs 1.34 project,” Bhup Raj Pandey, NTC Sole Distributor for HimalMedia Publications the winning bidder could have billion). chairman told us. He dismisses been gambling on opting out after “The licence renewal charge concerns, and maintains that Himal Khabarpatrika, Himal South Asia, Wave, Nepali Times

...and also contact for Nepali magazines like BIZ NEWS Bimochan, Young Herald, Business Age, Haka Haki,

Economic health and other ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Indian and foreign publications. The central bank reports that the National Urban Consumer Price Index (NUCPI) declined on a point-to-point scale in mid-September compared to mid-September 1999, mainly due to the decline in the prices of food and beverages. The NUCPI, which indicates national Ward no. 23, Bhugol Park, Dharmapath, Kathmandu. inflation rates, rose by only 0.3 percent compared to a corresponding rise of 5.6 percent a Tel: 231113, emial: [email protected] year ago, the Nepal Rastra Bank stated in its economic report for the second month of the fiscal year. The numbers, however, have not taken into account the increase in fuel prices in early October, which is likely to give the overall index a push. Grindlays Gazette On the trade front there has been a decline in the export of readymade garments, carpets and silver jewellery, while export of tanned hide, niger seeds and pulses is picking up. INTEREST RATE UPDATE CURRENCY UPDATE Exports during the second month of the fiscal year grew faster than imports, leading to a 10.2 percent drop in the trade deficit of Rs 8.54 billion. NEPALI RUPEE CURRENT% PREVIOUS% AG/USD CURRENT * WK/AGO %CHG The bank said the balance of payments (BoP) position, based on figures up to mid-July Call Money Avg. 5.20 5.25 2000 was a favourable Rs 14.28 billion, while the current account reported a deficit of Rs OIL(Barrel ) 33.10 32.60 + 1.53 5.62 billion—due mainly to a decline in service income and a huge trade deficit. 84 Days t/bill 5.02 5.03 GOLD(Ounce) 264.65 265.85 - 0.45 91 Days t/bill 5.27 5.28 GOLD ( NPR *) 7050 7055 - 0.07

Auto Show 2000 365 Days t/bill 6.18 6.16

○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ EUR 0.8636 0.8507 + 1.52 Global Exposition and Management Services is organising Nepal’s second auto show 22-26 Repo rate 5.77 5.78 November, which, organisers say, will showcase the latest models from about 50 companies GBP 1.4299 1.4637 + 2.31 in the business. Organisers say they expect 75,000 visitors to visit the five-day exposition. The average rate of 91 days T. Bill rate remained almost JPY 107.26 108.60 + 1.23 unchanged at 5.2702 pct compared to 5.2805 pct in the The Nepal Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Federation of the Nepalese previous week. However, with the gradual return of the CHF 1.7637 1.7936 + 1.67 Chambers of Commerce and Industry are backing the event. In addition to motor vehicles, funds withdrawn during the festivals, the market liquidity the event will also display vehicle accessories and safety equipment and financing is expected to improve in the coming weeks which will put AUD 0.5261 0.5255 + 0.11 schemes. some pressure on the 91 days T. Bill rate. Expected Among the top names that will be participating in the show are Tata, Maruti, Nissan, range for coming weeks 5.15 to 5.35. INR 46.65 46.62 - 0.06 *Currency bid prices at 1.30 p.m. on 07/11 - Source Reuters Mahindra & Mahindra, Daihatsu, Suzuki, Daewoo, Toyota, TVS-Suzuki, Hero Honda, Escorts, FOREIGN CURRENCY : Interest rates Tempo Trax, Kawasaki, Mazda, Hyundai, Fiat, Kymco and Sanyang. Currencies : The euro soared after a second day of USD EUR GBP JPY CHF intervention by the European Central Bank (ECB) on Monday, but quickly tumbled off its peaks, hurt by weak euro zone LENDING 9.50 6.25 6.00 1.50 5.13 economic data and growing concern about the bank’s action.

NSLMB Bank to upgrade capital LIBOR (1M) 6.62 4.94 6.05 0.33 3.26 Europe’s central bank intervened on Friday and then again on

○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Monday, citing concern about the global and domestic The Nepal Sri Lanka Merchant Bank (NSLMB) is increasing its paid-up capital to Rs 100 repercussions, sending the euro sharply higher against major BANK RATES(DEPO/LENDING) Mkt Hi/Lo Mkt Avg million, a move that is to be soon followed by a public issue to raise Rs 40 million. The currencies. The dollar meanwhile recovered from Friday’s six- S/A NPR 6.0/3.5 5.23 week lows against the yen around 106.75 yen, which dealers bank—with a paid up capital of Rs 45 million—reported a Rs 18.8 million profit in 1999/00. attributed to a spike in euro/yen in the wake of intervention. Its assets include deposits of Rs 360 million and loans amounting to Rs 320 million. F/D 1 YR 7.5/6.0 6.73 OVERDRAFT 15.5/12.5 13.54 INDIAN RUPEE OUTLOOK : The Indian currency rebounded to 46.56 against the dollar as sentiment on the rupee has

More Indian rice TERM LOAN 14.5/13.0 13.37 improved slightly on reports of good collections through an ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ overseas deposit offering by the State Bank of India (SBI). Basket Traders, authorised distributors of Khushi Ram Behari Lal of India has begun IMPORT LN 13.0/10.5 11.52 SBI’s India Millennium Deposit Scheme, which opened on marketing five brands of its Basmati rice in Nepal. The company is among India’s largest EXPORT LN 13.0/10.0 10.63 October 21 and closed on Monday, has raised more than $4.5 exporters of Basmati rice and some of its brands—Doon, India Gate, Bemisal, Nur Jahan billion. The foreign exchange market is unlikely to receive and Lotus—are exported to 20 countries. Nepali imported rice worth Rs 2.7 billion from India MISC LOAN 17.5/13.5 15.03 direct inflows from the scheme, but the country’s foreign in 1999/2000, which is a 43.6 percent increase over 1998/1999. exchange reserve will be boosted and analysts expect this to Oil : Oil prices moved back above $33 on Tuesday with relieve some pressure on the rupee. The rupee closed at

NEA partnership export disruptions in Nigeria. 46.62 on Monday.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Nepal Electricity Authority has entered into a partnership valued roughly at an annual INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES FOR NEPALI TIMES $100,000 with two utilities from the United States, Tacoma Power and Wisconsin Electric. The overall focus of the partnership is to find ways to improve NEA’s efficiency by reducing 6 months 1 year distribution losses, improving management and co-operation with Independent Power Producers and tariff restructuring. The USAID-supported partnership could later also result in SAARC countries US$25 US$48 technology transfer, and even possible investment in hydropower generation—something Other countries US$40 US$75 hinted at by the US president early this year during his visit to India and Bangladesh. [email protected] 9 Kathmandu’sTOURISM Kashi connection 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES Over the years, Nepal’s spiritual and educational links with Banaras have

been overshadowed by other destinations. But the bonds are still there.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and cows that seem to feel very much the professor-priest has been given the at home on the streets. In a lane coveted Magsaysay award and even named Chaukhamba is the house of featured in Time magazine earlier this the famous Hindi poet Bharatendu, year as one of the seven environmental 4 the “Moon of India”. Nearby, heroes of the planet. adjoining the city’s red light district Everyone talks about how it is a stands the shop where the famous sacrilege that the holiest river in India Hindi poet Jaya Shankar Prasad should also be one of its most polluted. wrote his masterpiece Kamayani. Mishra thought there was enough talk, Then there is the village of Lamahi, and decided to do something about it. home of Prem Chand, perhaps the The Ganga-Jamuna drains one of the

ALL PHOTOS: greatest novelists in Hindi and Urdu. most densely populated regions of the At Tulsi Ghat is the house where world, flowing past large cities like

PRAKASH A RAJ IN BANARAS ○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○ Padma Prasad Bhattarai all studied Tulsi Das lived in the sixteenth New Delhi and Allahabad, where f Calcutta used to be Nepal’s in Banaras. century and composed his famous untreated urban sewage and industrial commercial connection to India The city also played an important epic Ram Charit Manas. wastes are dumped into the river. I The Nepali temple at the ghats along the Ganga (top); the priest of the temple during the 20th century, then role as a base for Nepal’s fledgling No visit to Banaras is complete Perhaps the only stretch of river where (below, left); and tourists observing pilgrims (left). Banaras was our spiritual link. No democratically-minded leaders. without a meeting with Bir Bhadra the pollution levels are still “accept- other city in India has closer historical Nepal’s first elected prime minister, Mishra, the environmentalist and able” for taking a holy dip is at the even Bangalore. Banaras’ importance And Kathmandu has also changed, it is and cultural ties to Nepal than this BP Koirala, was born here and was teacher who launched the “Clean the southernmost stretch of the ghats, as a hotbed for Nepali politicians has no longer a Himalayan boondock in holy city on the banks of Ganges. actually named after the city’s Ganges Campaign”. Mishra is before sewage from the city enters the also diminished. And elderly Nepalis comparison to Banaras. But there are During the middle of the monsoon, presiding deity, Bisweshwar. BP spent actually professor of Civil Engineering river. don’t head down to Banaras for now new air links between Banaras the river is brown and swollen, and many years of his life in the city at Banaras Hindu University and also Times are changing, Nepal’s Kashibaas anymore, preferring the and Kath-mandu with daily flights by flows swiftly past the temples and including his years in exile in the chief priest of the famous Sankat Banaras connection is being overshad- Nepal tarai where malaria has been Indian Airlines and Necon Air. It may ghats. These are waters so holy that 1970s after his release from prison in Mochan temple. His can-do attitude owed by our links to bigger centres in eradicated and where there is now be premature to say goodbye yet to one dip will cleanse your soul, and so Nepal. Veteran Nepali communists, has helped clean up the Ganga, and India like New Delhi, Bombay and electricity and good transportation. the Kathmandu-Kashi Connection. t precious that pilgrims take it in tiny like and Madan bottles to their homes and keep the Bhandari lived here, either during their holy water to sprinkle on special college days and/or in exile. The occasions. Banaras Hindu University was where I was back in Banaras, contem- many Nepalis of the day studied, and plating a river that is the cradle of the the city also was for many years the north Indian civilisation and one that major centre for books published in is a spiritual umbilical for nearly 800 the . million Hindus from India, Nepal and Interestingly, all the water from beyond. Having stayed there 40 years Nepal flows down to the Ganga. But ago, I am familiar with this crowded, at Banaras, not a drop of it is from frenzied town. But this visit wasn’t a Nepal. All the major rivers from the pilgrimage, it was a trip to re-know Nepal Himalaya—Mahakali, Karnali, the city and research a new guidebook Gandaki, Bagmati and Kosi, meet up for an Indian publisher. with the Ganges downstream from Lord Buddha, born in Lumbini in Banaras. Yet, the city has remained what is now Nepal, chose Sarnath on sacred for the Hindus of Nepal as they the outskirts of Banaras to preach his have for Hindus elsewhere. Banaras’ first sermon. Sarnath is a serene famous cremation ghats are listed in enclave of Buddhist shrines, monaster- UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites (as ies and archaeological sites. are seven sites in Kathmandu Valley). Almost all of the ghats were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries by princely families from what are now the states of Maharashtra and Rajasthan in India. There is one named after a Nepali queen called Lalita Ghat, which also has the familiar silhouette of a Nepali pagoda-style temple dedicated to Kashi, as Banaras is also known, Shiva, complete with erotic eaves. has close historical links with the kings What is striking is that despite the of Nepal. King , materialism and consumerism that is visited the city before he embarked on sweeping India, the numbers of the his conquests of Himalayan devout from all over India and beyond principalities to amalgamate them into who come to Banaras to take their the nation of Nepal. Ranjit Malla, the holy dip have not diminished. defeated king of Bhaktapur went to At the famous Vishwanath Kashi to spend the last days of his life. Temple—one of the twelve jyotirlingas In fact, Kashibas, became a sort of of Shiva demolished by Moghul tradition for dispossessed monarchs, or emperor Aurangzeb in 1669 and re- exiled Nepali leaders to be banished to constructed by Rani Ahilya Bai of Banaras so they could not create Indore a century later, is a mosque mischief back home. King Rana that Aurangazeb built. Ever since the Bahadur Shah spent four years in demolition of a similar mosque in Banaras in the beginning of the Ayodhya, communal tensions have nineteenth century. The infamous risen and this mosque now has a posse queen Rajyalakshmi was exiled here of policemen guarding it. Even though after the Kot massacre and Banaras is a holy city for Hindus, a Bhandarkal episodes in 1847, which quarter of its population is made up of saw the emergence of Jang Bahadur Muslims who are concentrated in and the Rana . Poet their own neighbourhoods. Banaras is Bhanubhakta studied in Banaras. indeed a cosmopolitan city, an Indian Another Nepali poet, Motiram melting pot where Bengalis, Bhatta, spent much of his short life Maharashtrians, Punjabis and south here and went on to play a Indians live in their traditional significant role in developing the quarters. Dudh Binayak is the locality Nepali language, inspired perhaps where Nepalis have congregated to by what Bharatendu Harischandra, permanently settle down, or to rent a native of Banaras did for the rooms from where they commute to Hindi language, at the end of the the university. nineteenth century. Such renowned The narrow alleys and by-lanes Nepali Sanskrit scholars as Hemraj, are fascinating to explore on foot or Somnath, Kulchandra Gautam and rickshaw, if you can negotiate the bulls 10 LIFESTYLE NEPALI TIMES Navel-gazing in Nepal10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000

Kathmandu is becoming a world hub for meditation—a refuge for the burnt-out, stressed and troubled masses.

by far the most popular is the Nepal Award-winner Kiran Bedi at New donations given by people who take criticised for being vulgar by those Vipassana Kendra started by Delhi’s Tihar jail, where die-hard the course. Some give Rs 100, others who haven’t understood it. In fact, industrialist Mani Harsha Jyoti in convicts, terrorists and murders give Rs 10,000. “If they benefitted, it’s as powerful as any other. It’s 1992 under the guidance of guru went through Vipassana. The twice- they hope others will also benefit, enlivening, it uses a lot of music, Satyanarayan Goenka, who now monthly courses are now getting up and they donate money. So far, it chanting and encourages openness in appears on the Indian Zee TV to 60 foreigners and 200 Nepalis for has been enough to run it.” the expression of thoughts and channel every Monday at 8:15. the course at Shivapuri. Participants Many Nepali luminaries have emotions. One might find Mani Harsha’s son, Roop Jyoti have to cut all ties to family, work taken the courses, including the techniques like the dynamic now oversees the centre and and community. Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank meditation quite absurd, but once recalls how his father’s death They cannot take their mobiles, Dipendra Purush Dhakal, leftist you master it, the positive vibes start convinced him of the important cannot receive phone calls, it is a leader Mohan Bikram Adhikari, coming your way,” says Swami benefits of meditation. “As human process of diving off the deep end to senior army generals, politicians and Ananda. beings, we grow old, we fall ill, we discover your soul. People ask civil servants. Some have even There are a number of Buddhist die. That is certain. My father meditation centres in town starting had lung cancer, and he faced from the Himalayan Buddhist death calmly, till the last Meditation Centre where mandala moment of his life Meditation helps people find teachings through meditation and he was at peace audiovisual presentations are with himself.” conducted regularly. The other MIN BAJRACHARYA a clear direction in life. You Roop himself has popular spots are the Kopan taken the don’t have to give up trying to Monastery, Pharping Monastery, meditation course the Red Shechen Gompa and the and now regularly get rich, or doing politics. If you White Ka-ning Shedrup-ling practises dhyan. “This is the Gompa in Baudha where the art of living, the art of dying, it are making money, meditation rimpoches themselves conduct teaches you that if you have just makes you ask yourself, classes. continuously,” he adds. The idea is to negativity in you, you are bound Spiritualism is clearly back in integrate the body, speech and mind to be miserable.” what is it all for? a big way, and Kathmandu is like the wheels of a well-oiled Although the practice of becoming a sort of world hub for

SALIL SUBEDI machine. dhamma was initiatied by the the disenchanted, burnt-out, ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ Swami Ananda Mastana is a guru Buddha, the Vippasana centre does Roop: how can I find ten days to go returned to conduct courses for the stressed and troubled masses. An n the canopied silence of of the Osho Rajneesh school of not have traditional religious and do nothing? What I tell them junior batches. Even King Birendra increasing number of people from the Shivapuri forest’s mediation. He also warns against rituals. In fact, Catholic nuns, is: “If a doctor says you are sick and visited the Centre when North America, Europe, I ashram for Vipassana shortcuts: “You have to make it a Muslims, Hindus, all come here need to spend ten days in hospital, Satyanarayan Goenka came to Australia and even Japan are meditation north of Kathmandu, part of your life. It’s not like aspirin for courses. A group of nuns from would you do it? It is the same conduct courses last year. coming to Nepal, specifically for 85 disciples sit cross-legged, eyes that one takes to relieve pain in Patna who had just done a course thing. Here it is your mind that Another well-known retreat is meditation. It is just a bit ironic closed and minds shut off. It is a minutes. It’s an effort from within said: “The meditation helped us needs healing, and it could very well Osho Tapoban in the Nagarjun that Nepal’s tourism industry is mixed group—men and women in yourself for which you might be become better Christians.” be the biggest change in your life.” forest which holds regular medita- cashing in on the very activity nearly equal numbers, both rewarded with inner peace and Meditation can also have The Vippasana Centre (phone: tion camps and other special courses which preaches that money isn’t Nepalis and Westerners from all compassion.” medical benefits, since even modern 223968) is all run by volunteers, that sometimes last for weeks. everything. t walks of life. When they emerge In the silent alleys north of medicine has now discovered the and there is no fee. It runs on “Osho’s meditation has been from the 10-day retreat, many of Baudhanath stupa, French link between mind and body. But them will have learnt about the photographer Raphaele walks about Roop warns against taking a art of living free from anger, with a beatific smile. She almost has meditation course with the DigitalDigital SymphonicSymphonic RecordingRecording PvtPvt Ltd.Ltd. greed, ignorance and negative a halo around her head, such is the expectation that a physical ailment thoughts. This is where your soul immense positive drive she carries will be cured. “Meditation The only trustworthy destination for digital quality recording gets a spring cleaning, and the about. “We have to avoid being a strenghthens you spiritually, any & mind is renewed. slave to our thoughts. We have to medical benefit is a side-effect.” computerised CD premastering. It used to be that young find a way to liberate ourselves and Most importantly, meditation refugees fleeing the materialism meditation is the only way,” she says helps people find a clear direction in and consumerism of the West with the conviction of a true life. You don’t have to give up flocked to Kathmandu for convert. trying to get rich, or doing politics. spiritual cleansing. But It’s not just Europeans and “If you are making money, surprisingly, the ills of modern North Americans who are coming to meditation just makes you ask living and stressful lifestyles seems Kathmandu to find peace. Vera yourself, what is it all for?” to be pushing an increasing Lucia is from Brazil, and she has The Vipassana Centre warns Anil Bhawan, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, Nepal, Phone: 00977-1-243649, Fax: 00977-1-220161 number of Nepalis to meditation been working in Kathmandu helping people not to try meditation by E-mail: [email protected] as well. “I have changed so much needy children. She calls herself a themselves. Says Roop: “It can be from the past. I have become “holistic therapist and peace dangerous. Mediation is like a deep calm, patient, and full of inner educator” and says meditation is just surgery of the mind to take the pus happiness,” says Kishor Bhai a fancy word which teaches you to out. That is why you need a guide.” Pradhan, a sadhak (disciple) of be aware of living. “Meditation does The enthusiasm among Nepalis Vipassana meditation since 1989. not require much effort once you feel can be gauged at the reservation “It’s all about mental purification that you really want to do it,” says desk in the basement of the Jyoti through total silence so you are Vera in that soothing, relaxed and Bhawan at Kantipath where young free of fear, anger and jealousy. ” almost hypnotic voice that is and old, Nepalis and foreigners Amdo Lama of another therapeutic just to listen to. “You alike, queue up for their confirma- ARE YOU AN EXCELLENT STUDENT ? meditation centre, the Seto Gompa can watch your mind while you tion slips for the forthcoming ten- DO YOU HAVE STRONG ENGLISH SKILLS ? in Kathmandu, has been teaching cook, while you ride a tempo, while day Vipassana meditation retreat ARE YOU INTERESTED TO STUDY ABROAD ? meditation and says it helps cut the you walk and while you just sit back which is conducted twice a month. flow of negative thoughts coming and listen to music.” Vera uses a lot Neer Kumar Chettri sits behind the IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ALL THREE QUESTIONS THEN CONSIDER into the mind. “Evil and wisdom of meditation in her healing desk and cautions youngsters in PURSUING YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF both reside in our minds. When therapies, and says it is also good to their 20s as he writes out the slips: WINDSOR, CANADA. thoughts are calmed down through calm the mind. “If you think you cannot remain meditation then we can feel a Nepalis are joining meditation silent and follow the teachers for WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE AN EXCELLENT STUDENT ? positive aura rising that will help centres in increasing numbers, the next 10 days, you’d better pull spread love, peace and harmony,” rediscovering the calming techniques out now.” The Centre prefers OUR COMPUTER SCIENCE, BUSINESS AND says the monk. However, the guru that our culture gave to the West middle-aged people since younger ENGINEERING AND ARTS PROGRAMS ARE AMONG Qualified students may contact : warns against taking shortcuts. and which have now come back a apprentices tend to take more THE BEST IN NORTH AMERICA. THESE PROGRAMS UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR LIAISON OFFICE Meditation is a life-long exercise it will full circle. There are now meditation CANADIAN COOPERATION OFFICE handling. ARE VERY CHALLENGING. YOU HAVE TO BE GOOD TEL : 415193 not give immediate gratification. farms and spiritual rejuvenation The Centre is now also AT THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE YOU WILL BE GREAT EMAIL : [email protected] “Many want this blissful state fast, centres popping up on the hills conducting meditation for inmates WEB : WWW.UWINDSOR.CA which is very wrong. Meditation has surrounding Kathmandu Valley, in at the Nakkhu Jail, learning from WHEN YOU GRADUATE ! to be done every day, slowly but Pokhara and even in Chitwan. But the great success by the Magsaysay LIFESTYLE 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES11

ANITA CHAUDHURI IN LONDON

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ olumn inches devoted to Meg Ryan’s split with C husband Dennis Quaid often included the delicious detail that they had squabbled, in very NEW AGE GURUS spiritually suspect style, over which of them had rights to their guru. The lady in question, one Gurumayi Whereas once the goal was to be Eastern spirituality and mysticism Chidvilasananda, dispenses Siddha rich and successful, now it is only all is omnipresent and seriously chic in yoga from her ashram in upstate right to brag about those achieve- New York, and a bitter custody ments if we also appear to be the West. But psychologists suggest battle was only averted at the spiritually evolved human beings as

eleventh hour, when Ryan and well. seeing a shrink instead.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Quaid decided to get back together. Once a guru gets a celebrity ○○○○○○○○○ Other celebrity worshippers must endorsement, the rest of us are right have exhaled serenely; knowing that behind buying the books or the “Maybe they feel that the level of beings have always put their faith in no further bad karma would beauty regime. Right now, spiritual- commitment demanded by authority figures to help them work surround their Chosen One. ity is omnipresent and seriously chic. conventional religion is too high, out what to do. Generally, we all The likes of Isabella Rossellini, Donna Karan gave out Deepak yet they’ve got to do something to want certainty. But in the past 50 Diana Ross, Lisa Kudrow and Lulu, Chopra cassettes instead of fill the spiritual void. This is where years, we’ve moved from a collectiv- (the British 1960s pop singer) all programmes at a catwalk show, the guru comes in. You pay them, ist society to an individualist make regular pilgrimages to receive while ex-supermodel Christy they tell you something deep and society. Our identity is no longer official blessings from the forty- Turlington was so inspired by her incomprehensible, and you feel determined on the basis of family something leader, a procedure yoga teacher that she has launched you’ve had your money’s worth. position or social role.” which involves being tapped on the Sundari, a skincare range based on But while people may believe that “It’s no longer so clear who the head with a wand of peacock Eastern philosophy. And who can this equals commitment, it doesn’t. authority figures are, which is why feathers. It is rumoured that some forget how, a few years ago, the You can’t buy spiritual we’re seeking consolation in self- of her servants hold her in such Dalai Lama edited a special edition development; money is no appointed gurus, be they involved in Yahoo. Frenzied and free Rajneesh devotees obeisance that they anoint of that deeply spiritual journal, Paris substitute for faith, time and love. alternative medicine, herbalism, themselves with her dirty bath Vogue? It’s a quick fix.” psychotherapy or religion,” says James. His scepticism seems well on their family. Alas, even the water. It’ll come as no surprise then So it is that the world suddenly Psychologist Oliver James, He believes followers would be better placed. A few years back, two of blessing of a top guru could not save to learn that although gurus seems to be swarming with deities to author of Britain on the Couch, off spending their money on therapy. Gurumayi’s most ardent followers Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson traditionally frown upon worldly address every conceivable dilemma; believes there are other reasons “Shrinks are the opposite of gurus— gave their baby the middle name of from getting divorced for the second goods, Gurumayi’s ashram is from how do I wash my face (with people are going to gurus. “Human they’re going to be your disciple.” Mayi to bestow spiritual wellbeing time. t (Observer) apparently worth a cool $21million. The rise of the career guru really began in earnest back in 1967 when Once a guru gets a The Beatles pledged their faith in celebrity endorsement, the Hindu swami, Maharishi the rest of us are right Mahesh Yogi, the man who introduced Transcendental behind buying the books Meditation to the West. During or the beauty regime. that period, a rival guru also attracted famous disciples, a sacked Ivy League psychology professor your saliva, suggests Deepak named Richard Alpert, who went to Chopra, ayurvedic spiritual maestro India and returned as Ram Dass, and adviser to the likes of Demi servant of God. Moore), to how do I survive mid-life SURYA

Did Mahesh contribute to this bliss?

These days, laying claim to a pregnancy (ask Bharti Vyas, the guru is an instant signifier of power, spiritual beauty guru who helped wealth and status. For some prepare Cherie Blair for baby Leo)? peculiar reason, entrusting a “Right now there is a tendency complete stranger with the to turn to gurus because organised wellbeing of one’s mind, body and religion is increasingly not meeting spirit is not only accepted as people’s needs,” says the Rev Dr sensible behaviour, it is positively Geoff Scobie, who has researched essential if you want to get ahead. the psychology of belief systems at In some cases, it’s a guilt thing. Glasgow University, Scotland. 12 MULTIMEDIA 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES

The e-United Nations θωεδ The United Nations is pushing a new standard language for e-commerce that it hopes will boost e-business and help small enterprises, especially in the Third World. qwedbtp

JACK SCHOFIELD ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○IN LONDON their electronic trading cheaply “over and Spencer], but we should he United Nations wants to do the Internet in a secure way. That’s distinguish between the internal qwedbzltop T for e-commerce what the web the most important part,” said implementation and what it takes to has done for information: Naujok. exchange information. At that level create a global standard that will allow XML, which first emerged in there is more commonality than anyone and everyone to join in. If it 1996, is rapidly becoming an people like to admit.” θωεδ succeeds, it should boost e-business important open standard. Its leading Obviously not every company can everywhere—especially between small backers include three major rivals, be involved with defining ebXML, but qwedbtp companies, and in the Third World. IBM, Microsoft, and Sun UN CEFACT is working in Through UN CEFACT the UN Microsystems. Indeed, Microsoft is partnership with Oasis, the θωεδ qwedbzltop has been the major force behind the basing its whole future strategy, called Organisation for the Advancement of Edifact (Electronic data interchange Net, on XML. But the problem with Structured Information Standards, qwedbtp for administration, commerce and XML, quipped Ray Walker, “is that and numerous Industry bodies. θωεδ qwedbzltop transport) standard. But while UN it’s extensible. There are three or four These include Acord, for the qwedbtp Edifact has been successful, it has not hundred different purchase orders out insurance industry, the Automotive qwedbzltop taken over in the American market— there in XML format. Businesses Industry Action Group (AIAG), many US companies still use their don’t want that: they want one way of footwear manufacturers in the own X12 standard—and it has been going forward.” So for global Confederation European de la too expensive for small and medium- electronic trading, businesses must not Chaussure (CEC), the Open sized enterprises (SMEs). Klaus- only use a common language, they Healthcare Group, and the Open Dieter Naujok, chairman of UN must also standardise their data sets Travel Alliance. Last month, members CEFACT, is keen to redress this with and interfaces to provide of the Global Commercial Initiative a new standard called ebXML. interoperability. If ebXML takes off, (GCI) adopted ebXML, and On a visit to London last week there could be a single XML standard membership includes 40 leading May 2001. Naujok thinks off-the-shelf Naujok, from San Francisco, was for business, instead of hundreds. manufacturers and eight trade ebXML software could be available by accompanied by Ray Walker, Britain’s Traditionally, big businesses wrote organisations representing a grand total the beginning of 2002, if not earlier. e-trade guru, DTI (Department of or customised their own software to of 850,000 companies. Peter Jordan, a Walker expects prices to start at Trade and Industry) advisor, and chair handle what they perceived as their GCI board director and European around $150. of the UN CEFACT steering group. unique business needs. Wal-Mart systems director for Kraft Foods, said: Companies that intend to trade They had contrasting styles—Naujok (store chain) would neither know nor “It is clear to us that ebXML will soon with other companies over the web, or jokey and outgoing, Walker more care about how Marks & Spencer become the standard for all global have already started trading quietly-spoken—but the same generated purchase orders. That is trade.” electronically, can start asking their message, and the tendency to finish why the UN project is using business All the draft specifications have software suppliers about their plans to one another’s points that comes from processes as building blocks, rather now been drawn up, and should be add ebXML compatibility. Especially working in tandem. than terminology, which vary between finalised at meetings in Tokyo next Microsoft, which has so far remained “We did something for the big firms. “It’s a big thing for Wal-Mart to month, in Vancouver, Canada, in strangely silent about the whole companies with Edifact, and that goes use the same data set as M&S [Marks February, and in Vienna, Austria, in affair. t (The Guardian) on. But it’s vitally important that we get the SMEs involved, and that’s much more appreciated in the developing countries than it is here. By getting interoperability, you’ll be able to do business with anyone anywhere in the world at any time,” they said. “It’s trade facilitation, basically.” This was important for countries such as Bulgaria, Iran and Pakistan, “which have been a bit out of the mainstream. It’s a huge step forward in opening those markets up and enabling those countries to participate in world PREMIUM AD C trade,” added Walker. The UN’s initiative is based on XML, the eXtensible Markup Language backed by Tim Berners- Lee’s World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). When Berners-Lee invented the web, the aim was to provide a simple way of sharing texts and pictures across many different types of computers: HTML (HyperText Markup Language) did that. Now companies need to move structured data around—the kind stored in spreadsheets, databases, and accounts packages. XML does that. For real electronic trading, the data also has to be identified and presented so that a machine can read it, and process it. This is not the same as, for example, phoning in a purchase order, or putting the details in an email message. That may be e- commerce, but it usually depends on having a person to accept and probably retype the data at the other end. In an electronic trading system, a computer could place a purchase order with the supplier’s computer (perhaps when prompted by a stock control system) and make the payment without a person being involved at either end. That is already possible using Edifact, but it is used mainly by large companies across dedicated networks or Vans (value- added network services). With XML, small companies will be able to do WORLD 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES13 Gore, Bush and the Third World GUMISAI MUTUME IN WASHINGTON The battle beyond Gaza ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ t the time of going to press, the US elections are looking like any other Third World election: delays and recounting. The The Palestinian insurrection has unified the chronically fractured and factional Israeli political front Adifferences between the candidates may not be much, but it into a massive chauvinistic and nationalistic propaganda machine. But there are voices of dissent. will matter for developing countries which of them, Vice President Al Gore or Texas Governor George W. Bush, becomes the next US president. first one in 1987, he would lose if continue to speak publicly and Bush is more leery of the current role of the International Monetary elections were to be held now. A comment in the press, although Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. This may lead his administration to push poll taken last week revealed that they receive short shrift on for a scaling down of the institutions’ roles in developing countries, Sharon would win 41 per cent of television, the main medium for especially if he obtains a Republican majority in both houses of Con- the vote while Barak would get 31 news. gress. “The Bank and IMF have increasingly become unpopular, it is per cent. Although Barak’s approval The main vehicle for the taxpayers who finance these organisations, but activists hope they will rating has been dropping over the expression of moderate and left have more powers to clip the past few months, this was the first wing opinion is the quality daily, institutions’ influence, especially poll that gave Sharon a clear Haaretz, read by about six per cent under a Republican administration,” advantage. of the Israeli public. Peace says Robert Naiman of the Centre for Ordinary Israelis believe that it campaigners writing in Haaretz Economic and Policy Research was Barak’s “concessionary express views that are viewed as (CEPR). The 2001 foreign-aid bill attitude” towards the Palestinians, heresy by the mass of Israelis. For freed $435 million to pay for US rather than his refusal to implement example, veteran peace activist, Uri obligations under the IMF and World the Oslo Accords, that brought Avnery, laid the blame for the Bank’s Heavily Indebted Poor about the Intifada. In the opinion of present crisis on the Israeli side. He Countries Initiative (HIPC). Congress the Israeli right, Barak encouraged reminded his readers that the peace also increased funding for HIV/AIDS the Palestinians to demand more camp had been warning the public prevention programmes to about than Israel is prepared to ‘give’— and the government that there $300 million, a 50 percent rise. Bush that is, the return of the land Israel would be a conflagration if Israel has said that the IMF must not be occupied in 1967. Clearly, Israelis failed to seriously pursue the peace viewed “as a way to say to world bankers, ‘If you make a bad loan, we’ll have reverted to the clichéd notion process. “We have a partner for a bail you out.’ It needs to be available for emergency situations”. that “the Arabs only understand just peace in the Palestinian Gore has been less clear on how his administration will relate to the force”. While 140 Palestinians have Authority. We do not have a Bretton Woods institutions, but it appears he will continue the current been killed and more than 3,000 partner for a peace that is dictated relationship. He said during one of the presidential debates, however, wounded since the uprising began, by Israeli colonialism.” that he would look at curbing corruption in the agencies. Gore says he eight Israelis have died. Sharon and Shulamit Aloni, a human rights will seek greater efforts, through the Bank and the other multilateral the right wing have ably exploited activist and founder of the Meretz development banks, to provide adequate social safety nets for econo- the ‘siege mentality’ cultivated by party, is even sharper in her mies facing turmoil. Gore also supports calls by the Group of Seven the Israeli politico-military criticism of Israel. “There would industrialised nations for stronger IMF efforts to contain financial crises. establishment. have been no unrest,” she says, if

MICHAEL JANSEN IN JERUSALEM The vice president has come out in support of the Asian Growth and ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ Arab neighbours. “Israelis are united Although Israel is the regional Sharon, guarded by more than Recovery Initiative, a multilateral initiative involving the World Bank and hen Yossi Beilin, the because they feel threatened by super-power and the Israeli army 1,000 troops and police, “had not Asian Development Bank to promote financial restructuring in the region. Israeli Justice Minister, Muslims—not just Arabs. There is a has far greater firepower than any gone into the mosque compound on But how the developing world will fare during the next US presi- W launched negotiations religious dimension now,” Shahak combination of Arab armed forces, 28 September. Our insensitivity and dency does not depend only on who occupies the White House, with the Palestinians, he had the says. ordinary Israelis consider them- arrogance and the assumption that according to Barry Bosworth of the influential Washington think-tank the backing of a large section of Israeli The result of an opinion poll of selves to be under continual siege. justice is on the side of the strong, is Brookings Institute. What matters most for developing countries is public opinion. Today he has little members of the secular leftist Israeli fears have been heightened the cause of what happe-ned. The whether the president has a Republican or Democratic Congress, he influence over the decisions Prime Meretz party backs up the view. during this Intifada by the rising of Palestinians are demeaned and says. “Perhaps the worst-case scenario for developing countries would Minister Ehud Barak takes. “The Ninety per cent want the party to the oppressed and underprivileged persecuted, and their rage is just.” be Gore as president, with a Democratic majority in Congress,” says Jews are against Oslo; it is dead,” join a “national emergency Palestinian citizens of Israel. However, the so-called Bosworth. A Gore/Democrat administration would likely have to says Dr Israel Shahak, a well-known government” which would include Consequently, Israelis see them- ‘national consensus’ in Israel is accommodate its powerful trade union constituency and the green lobby, maverick political commentator, religious parties and Meretz’s arch selves as being besieged on four temporary. The Palestinian rising analysts say. Gore has said in trade he will push for “standards to end referring to the so-called Oslo enemy, Ariel Sharon, leader of the fronts now: in Gaza, the West will, ultimately, sharpen the child labour, to prevent the exploitation of workers and the poisoning of Accords designed to achieve peace right-wing Likud and the man who Bank, the Arab-inhabited areas fundamental divisions in Israeli the environment”. This could lead to less favourable trading arrange- between the Arabs and Israel. For sparked off the current uprising within the country and by the society, widening the gulf between ments for a number of major emerging economies that rely on cheap the vast majority of Israelis have with a provocative visit to the Al Lebanese Hizbollah, an enemy they secular and religious, Westerner labour and use under-age workers to compete in the global market. rallied once again behind the Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. By respect on the northern border. and Easterner, rich and poor, t Bush too would be under pressure to accommodate conservative hardline right-wing ‘national camp’ comparison, public opinion was The Israeli ‘peace camp’ is in hawk and dove. (Gemini News) Republicans some of whom welcomed the Meltzer Commission’s and the army. And public opinion is divided during the first few months disarray, but its stalwarts are not recommendation for a reduced role for the Bretton Woods institutions. expected to stay that way for some of the Intifada in 1987. intimidated by the rise of the Veteran reporter Michael Jansen The Commission said the Bank should pull out of developing countries time. There are some immediate rightist ‘national camp’. During has covered the Middle East for and abdicate its role to regional banks such as the Asian Development In many ways, the present political implications. Although previous conflicts, Israeli leftists years. Her books include The Bank. It noted that the failure rate of Bank projects was 65-70 percent in political atmosphere in Israel can be Barak has taken a tougher stance and liberals were silenced once United States and the Pale- the poorest countries and concluded that the institutions were not compared to the mood of 1967, against this Intifada than the Likud the guns began to sound. Today, stinian People, The Battle of efficiently executing their roles. t when Israel fought a war with its government adopted against the opponents of Barak’s policies Beirut and Dissonance in Zion.

“If for an instant God were to forget that I am a rag doll and gifted me Chronicle of a farewell foretold with a piece of life, possibly I wouldn’t say all that I think, but rather I would think of all that I say. I would value things, not for their worth but for what they mean. I would sleep little, dream more, understanding that for each A puppeteer-ventriloquist scripts a purported “farewell” letter by Nobel minute we close our eyes we lose sixty seconds of light. I would walk when laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez and creates a flutter. others hold back, I would wake when others sleep. I would listen when others

talk, and how I would enjoy a good chocolate ice cream! If God were to give ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○ me a piece of life, I would dress simply, throw myself face first into the sun, poem published in several Latin American newspapers last week to tears. When they baring not only my body but also my soul. My God, if I had a heart, I would and said to be a farewell ode by Colombia’s ailing Nobel laureate heard that it was hoax, write my hate on ice, and wait for the sun to show. Over the stars I would Gabriel Garcia Marquez turned out to be the work of a little- they said it was good paint with a Van Gogh dream a Benedetti poem, and a Serrat song would be A known ventriloquist. The poem titled “La Marioneta”—“The enough to have been the serenade I’d offer to the moon. With my tears I would water roses, to feel Puppet”—appeared under Garcia Marquez’s name in the Peruvian daily La written by the master. the pain of their thorns, and the red kiss of their petals... Republica. Mexico City dailies reproduced it the next day and it was read on Garcia Marquez My god, if I had a piece of life... I wouldn’t let a single day pass without local radio stations. “Gabriel Garcia Marquez sings a song to life,” read a won the Nobel prize for telling the people I love that I love them. I would convince each woman and headline in Mexico City’s La Cronica, which published the poem superim- literature in 1982. His each man that they are my favourites, and I would live in love with love. I posed on a photo of the novelist on its front page. seminal work, 100 Years would show men how very wrong they are to think that they cease to be in “My God, if I had a bit of life I would not let one instant go by without of Solitude, has been love when they grow old, not knowing that they grow old when they cease to telling the people I love that I love them,” read the sentimental poem that translated into 36 be in love! To a child I shall give wings, but I shall let him learn to fly on his was also widely circulated on the Internet (reproduced alongside). But like languages and sold own. I would teach the old that death does not come with old age, but with the speech supposed to have been delivered by American novelist Kurt millions of copies forgetting. So much have I learned from you, oh men... I have learned that Vonnegut in 1997, urging graduates at the Massachusetts Institute of worldwide. In an everyone wants to live on the peak of the mountain, without knowing that Technology (MIT) to use sunscreen, the author of “La Marioneta” turned October 1999 interview real happiness is in how it is scaled. I have learned that when a newborn out not nearly as famous as advertised. with New Yorker child squeezes for the first time with his tiny fist his father’s finger, he has him “I’m feeling the disappointment of someone who has written something magazine, the 73-year-old author acknowledged having been treated for trapped forever. I have learned that a man has the right to look down on and is not getting credit,” ventriloquist Johnny Welch told Mexico’s lymphatic cancer in the summer of 1999 in Los Angeles. Rumors of his another only when he has to help the other get to his feet. From you I have InfoRed radio. Welch, who has worked for 15 years as a ventriloquist in failing health have surfaced several times in Latin America in recent months. learned so many things, but in truth they won’t be of much use, for when I t Mexico and other parts of Latin America, said he wrote the poem for his Garcia Marquez has not commented publicly on the apocryphal poem, but keep them within this suitcase, unhappily shall I be dying.” puppet sidekick “Mofles”. Across Latin America, the poem moved readers several close associates denied he had anything to do with it. t 14 ASIA 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES

meeting with visiting British Home BYLINE by MJ AKBAR Secretary Jack Straw, opposition Dithering over gas chief Zia told him that her party The man who did not would not object to gas exports if the present and future domestic While Bangladesh determines its reserves and debates whether to demand is taken care of, and it become Prime Minister export or not, investors ask the government to step on the gas. proves profitable to the nation. Gas-based industries would have to yoti Basu should have been Prime Minister of India. Jyoti at least 50 years. country has been divided into 23 be set up in the country, before the Basu could have been Prime Minister of India. Unusually, Some econo- blocks for exploration of gas and oil. natural resource can be exported, Jopportunity came to his door twice. On the first occasion mists have advised Nine blocks have been leased to she told the British official. his comrades stopped him; on the second an alleged ally the government to foreign oil companies, seven of these Hasina too favours natural gas- betrayed him. If Jyoti Basu had become Prime Minister on either rely not only on the being US-based. Major US oil based industrial development in occasion, he would have changed history. US survey, but to companies are bidding for the Bangladesh by setting up power This is not an exercise in adulation, although if any contempo- invite experts from remaining blocks. generation plants, fertiliser factories rary politician deserved it, then it is only Jyoti Basu. This is other nations to Donor nations, Western oil and petrochemical industries. recognition of fact. The first opportunity came after the collapse make doubly sure. companies and multilateral lenders However, John C. Holzman, former of the Deve Gowda Government in 1997. The BJP and its allies Meanwhile, the United like the World Bank and the Asian US ambassador to Bangladesh, who did not have the numbers to form a majority Government, and the Congress had neither the numbers nor the moral and psychologi- States has stepped up Development Bank are advising lobbied hard to persuade the cal authority. The dreams of that uncertain cause called the Third diplomatic pressure on export of the surplus gas to India. country’s leaders to permit gas Front survived; the only question now was getting the right man Bangladesh to permit They argue that Bangladesh has far exports, argues that domestic use to lead. Fringe politicians once again began to float on hope, but export of the surplus more than it can use and sale of the alone will not bring economic gains. there was only one leader whose name brooked no dispute gas. US deputy assistant natural gas will not only generate Holzman told a seminar in Dhaka when it was suggested. That of Jyoti Basu. secretary for interna- valuable foreign exchange, but that without any prospect of gas In an astonishing display of masochism, a self-important tional affairs in the attract large amounts of foreign exports, foreign oil companies would majority within the CPI(M) Politburo stopped Jyoti Basu from taking Department of Energy, investment. lose interest in Bangladesh, because the oath of office. Apparently this would have interfered with Calvin Humphrey, But opposition political leaders, local consumption alone could not some revolution they had been planning for six or seven visited Dhaka twice in a section of geologists, and ensure quick return for their “high- decades. I have too much respect for the political maturity of the October when he met academics in the country, caution risk investment”. “Gas in the ground CPI(M) to call this stupidity, but in the history of political suicide the prime minister and that a decision should not be taken is not wealth. It is only a potential this will merit a very long and detailed chapter. Jyoti Basu, being main opposition leader Khaleda Zia. in haste. The prime minister insists asset,” he said. The country could the calm personality he is, accepted his party’s decision without a Humphrey told reporters that that gas exports will be allowed only earn at least $450 million annually by demur. Bangladesh should take a decision after ascertaining the extent of the exporting three trillion cubic feet T h e strangest thing about this

TABIBUL ISLAM IN DHAKA ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ immediately if the country wants to reserves and after meeting national (tcf) of gas over the next 20 years, he decision was that the CPI(M) should aught between pressure be in a position to profit from the demand. “(Natural) gas is our added. h a v e rejected the idea that a from Western oil compa- gas export in the next five to seven national resource. We have to According to junior energy political party can use power to nies backed by the US years. He added that buyers like preserve it for at least 50 years for minister Rafiqul Islam, Bangladesh expand its base. After all, the C party had in Bengal done this government, to export part of its neighbouring India would not wait posterity,” Hasina told reporters in has about 10 tcf of recoverable huge natural gas reserves, and for Bangladesh to take a decision Dhaka on her return from a four- natural gas reserves. Of this, three v e r y same thing brilliantly domestic political opposition to and was already negotiating deals day official visit to the US late trillion cubic feet has already been a l l through the second this, the government of Bangladesh with other nations to meet their October. However, she added: “We utilised. The present gas reserves half of the Sixties and from 1977 onwards. The CPI(M) was not the most important compo- is finding it hard to satisfy both. energy needs. will think about its diverse use could meet national demand till the nent of the United Front that replaced the Congress in Bengal in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s In recent years, the issue of when the quantum of its reserve is year 2015, he said. However, the 1967. Yet, within a few years the Bangla Congress had become administration has till December to export of Bangladesh’s natural gas determined after an on-going survey president of the American Chamber irrelevant and the communists under Basu had become the pre- make up its mind when a team of reserves, variously estimated at by the United States geological of Commerce in Bangladesh, Forest eminent opposition to the Congress. American experts is due to submit between 10 and 50 trillion cubic survey team.” E. Cookson claims that new It was preposterous of the politburo to conclude that Jyoti the findings of its survey of the feet, has stirred a major political Though the main opposition discoveries would boost the reserves Basu as Prime Minister would actually hurt the party in Bengal. natural gas reserves in the country. controversy, with opposition parties party is totally opposed to export of to 50 tcf. “With this level of reserve, The consequences of that decision three years ago have not Political observers expect the accusing the government of the gas at once, its top leaders say there is sufficient basis for limited been fully realised. The communists could pay a very heavy government to permit the export of buckling under foreign pressure. they are not against this if it is export to India,” he says. “You don’t price—as heavy as the price the Congress is paying for having natural gas if the survey reveals that The US has a big stake in proven that there are sufficient need 50 years of reserves to go for denied Jyoti Basu the chance to become Prime Minister of India in Bangladesh’s gas reserves can last for Bangladeshi natural gas. The reserves. During a September export.”t (IPS) 1999. Once again, Jyoti Basu did nothing to either create or further that chance; it flew into his lap because it really had nowhere else to go. It came about after Jayalalitha withdrew from the When global goes local Vajpayee Government forcing a confidence vote in the Lok Sabha, which the Prime Minister famously lost, by a single vote.

RANJIT DEVRAJ IN NEW DELHI He received 271 votes when he needed 272: a number that ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○ with slight variations in flavour to take care of regional preferences on the here was a time when popular American fast food global companies vast sub-continent. “We realised that India is not a homogenous country would soon become famous in both Hindi and Italian. took pride in the strict uniformity of fare served at their outlets but is actually made up of many smaller ‘countries’ and so we even have The Congress sought to become the successor Government around the world. But when McDonald’s added the ‘McKebab different marketing strategies for different regions,” said Apurvi Seth, with Sonia Gandhi as candidate for Prime Minister, a situation so T heavy with irony it could barely walk. The merits of the reserva- Marketing Manager for Coca-Cola in India. Burger’ and the vegetarian ‘McAloo Tikki Burger’ to its menu in India, it tions about Sonia Gandhi can be argued elsewhere, but many was a sure sign that Indian tastes were asserting themselves. It also did not take long for the parties found it deeply unacceptable that a person of Italian It also showed the growing clout of India’s huge consumer class, global entertainment and information origin, still green in her understanding of India’s polity, politics and estimated by some to be about 200 million people. If McDonald’s industry eyeing the huge Indian market, people, should be made PM. The one group that wanted the BJP could pander to Japanese and Israeli palates with ‘teriyaki’ burgers to realise the need to be sensitive to out so anxiously that they were ready to vote her in, was the and kosher meat, it was only a question of time before the global Indian and even regional tastes. For Left. Sonia Gandhi herself revealed levels of ambition that she food giant was forced to cater to Indian taste buds. Likewise, those who despaired at the assault on had effectively disguised—she made her own elevation to power it was Indian consumers who scored where anti- Indian culture and values by that most a non-negotiable condition of Congress participation in govern- globalisation activists could not against Kentucky Fried visible phenomenon of globalisation— ment. Chicken (KFC). The unbending KFC, which satellite television—a new crop of At this point, someone began to speak some sense. The only shrugged off violent attacks on its outlets by channels in the vernacular languages person who could lead and sustain a non-BJP Government was radical anti-globalisation protestors some years must be reassuring. Channels like Jyoti Basu. He was perfectly acceptable to everyone—except ago when foreign fast food chains were first Discovery and National Geographic for Sonia Gandhi. Basu had no problems about Sonia Gandhi allowed to open in India, finally folded up have now switched from simply dubbing when she had her chance. When the time came to reciprocate, because Indian patrons rejected its bland programmes in the Hindi language to a Sonia Gandhi actually went on television to sabotage his offerings suited to Western tastes. Pizza completely Indian content. chances. He looked imperturbable while Sonia Gandhi wielded Hut and Domino’s, that quickly stepped in The trend of finding the global in the knife. Sonia Gandhi hurt Jyoti Basu, true; but the person she to fill up the space vacated by KFC, are the local is working with literature as really destroyed was herself. In the elections the BJP showed scoring because their pizzas use a variety of well, as evident in the international her precisely how popular she was. toppings customised to Indian palates. success of Indians writing in the English Appreciate the scenario if Jyoti Basu had become Prime New Delhi housewife Tara, who language. Arundhati Roy’s close Minister of India then. Kargil had already started; it would have regularly orders home-delivered food—a descriptions of small town snobbery been discovered under his watch. The BJP’s negligence would fast-growing phenomenon in India’s big and politics in India’s southern Kerala have crushed its reputation, Jyoti Basu would have won the war Indians gobble up 50,000 pizzas a day, for India, and been in power till today. Instead, he heads towards State in God of Small Things earned her cities—says pizzas are popular because compared to 10,000 two years ago. retirement. Within a short while, one of the greatest Indians of our they are closer to the staple north Indian, the prestigious British Booker Prize. - Sandeep Kohli, Pizza Hut times, and perhaps the finest politician of the post-Nehru age, will wheat flour-based ‘roti’ and ‘naan’. Salman Rushdie brought the highly voluntarily leave the office from which he could not be defeated. “Pizzas are here to stay and grow,” says Pizza Hut chief Sandeep Kohli esoteric world of post-colonial Bombay to Western readers with Midnight’s This itself is unusual, Indian politicians retire only once, when (above), quoting statistics that Indians now gobble up 50,000 pizzas a day, Children. Both Roy and Rushdie, as well as other contemporary Indian God intervenes. Jyoti Basu does not wait for God, or being an compared to a mere 10,000 just two years ago. The pizza market in India is writers in English, liberally sprinkle their works with the vernacular and atheist, for nature to take the decision out of his will. Power did estimated to be growing by a steady 40 percent annually. The pizza chain extensive use of Indian idiom. not come to him for long decades of his political life. When he runs exclusively vegetarian outlets for strict Hindus. It even offers a ‘Jain Indian usage has been creeping into the English language since the became a communist, and then remained one (unlike many of his Pizza’ for orthodox members of the Jain religious sect who cannot eat roots days of the colonial British Raj, which even produced Hobson Jobson, an leftish contemporaries) he knew that public life demanded service and bulbs growing below the ground, like onions, potatoes and garlic. extensive glossary of Indian words and terms for the then colonial whether it offered power or not. He did not enter politics merely Coca Cola, which bought out the locally popular Thums Up because it rulers. But globalisation has revived the process. The millennium for power, so it is easy for him to relinquish. t (The Asian Age) stood in the way of the ‘all-American drink’, finally decided that it was more edition of Webster’s New College Dictionary has a whole new lot of profitable to keep the Indian brand name going. Coca-Cola itself is bottled Indian words. t (IPS) NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES 15 Tourism up in smoke HOTEL STRIKE The Nepal Independent Hotel Workers’ Union is threatening Tourism is good for the country. Strikes are bad for tourism. Ergo, to go on strike from 19 November onwards unless the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) adds an extra ten percent service strikes are bad for the country. charge on all bills—later to be passed on to them. Having staged motorcycle rallies, workers are planning to wear parties on 16-17 November to protest give and take, the Unions are just not black bands to work to put pressure on hotel-owners this the recent fuel price hike. But even prepared to listen.” week. more worrisome is the threatened A thoroughly disgusted Bishnu HAN says the service charge would bring the total tax to strike by hotel workers, it has the Prasai, proprietor of Natraj Travels, 22 percent: 10 percent VAT+ 2 percent Tourism Service Fee potential to wreck the tourism says: “These bandhs are going to ruin + 10 percent the proposed service charge. They could pass industry and the economy. Said one our business, ruin our people and ruin this cost on to their clients, but say they cannot cope with exasperated hotelier: “We are facing a our country. A single-day bandh costs escalating demands in future. HAN has turned to the total collapse, and the negotiations are us up to four lakhs, and now like government, which is presently acting as the mediator. “The going nowhere.” It is all in the hands Bangladesh they are talking of two-day government has taken the initiative to solve this problem, of the political leaders who control the bandhs. This is crazy.” Others, like and is doing its best,” says Shankar Koirala, Joint Secretary Unions. Padam Ghaley of Mandala Treks have at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. But top The strikes will happen smack in learnt to live with strikes. “Sometimes government leaders are distracted by infighting within the the middle of a major gathering of we take the risk. Tourists arriving have ruling party, and with the stalled talks with the Maoists. HAN foreign dignitaries (including Britain’s to be received anyway, so we get extra has written a strongly-worded letter to the prime minister, Prince Philip) and more than 700 big people to get our clients safely to the warning him that unless the government mediation goes names in the global environmental hotels in thelagadas (push carts) or into high gear, the country’s economy could collapse. If the conservation movement attending the rickshaws.” Unless he has adventurous strike threat is not resolved, the result would be disastrous annual meeting of the World Wildlife clients who don’t mind beginning for the country’s tourism industry during its peak season. Fund. This is a meeting that has used their Nepal trek right at the airport, Charter airlines have already stopped flights, and others Kathmandu as a venue to showcase there are a lot of frayed tempers and it may follow suit. The strike could in fact be much more Nepal’s conservation efforts over the can get quite embarrassing, says devastating than the bandhs. Already, tour operators and past four decades that have shown Padam. trekking agents have sent out warnings to their clients that dramatic results in saving endangered More than the direct economic they cannot guarantee hotel rooms after 19 November; and animals and habitats. The WWF loss, it is the long-lasting negative they expect many tourists to cancel their trips. event will also put the spotlight on impression of the nation on incoming The strike threat has obviously been timed for the peak Bhaktapur with a gathering of religious tourists that is worrying. Tourists season to maximise their bargaining power. Hotel workers heads and representatives on 15 arrive at the airport, are hassled by disagree that the compulsory service charge will do irrepa- November. touts and beggars, and find themselves rable damage to the tourism industry. “We are ready to sign MIN BAJRACHARYA The mayor of Bhaktapur, Ramesh herded to “Tourist Only” vans with a written document saying that in case this service charge Suwal, is looking forward to the event. armed guards and kept under hotel- shows any undesirable effect, we shall withdraw the

SUJATA TULADHAR ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ leadership. Tourism contributes 20 Ironically, the Nepal Workers’ and arrest for the rest of their stay. The so- demand,” said Bishnu Lamsal, Secretary of the Hotel t’s taken decades, but Nepal’s percent to Nepal’s total foreign Peasants’ Party that Suwal represents called tourist vans were given Workers’ Union. tourism has finally outgrown its exchange earnings, and has a multiplier is part of the nine-party alliance conspicuous green plates and were Samir Khanna, General Manager of the Hotel de l’ Iimage of being an appendage to effect employing 700,000 people. behind the bandh call. But when we supposed to be immune from attacks Annapurna says there is already a tipping system, and this the India circuit. Kathmandu has Tourism is a fragile industry, sensitive asked Suwal whether such shutdowns during bandhs, but no one is willing to is the way hotel guests mark their appreciation of service. “If emerged as a regional tourist hub for to even a hint of turmoil. would hurt tourism prospects, he gave take the risk of having the there is a service charge, tourists will have to tip hotel visitors going on to Bhutan, Tibet and As if news of the Maoist us the party line: “It is up to the windows smashed. employees irrespective of what they think of the service,” he even India. The average number of insurgency beamed all over the world parties to think about and consider The resident manager of Everest said. It is the employees in the food and beverage depart- days a tourist stays in Nepal has by the international media wasn’t bad the effect. I am fully in support of their Hotel, Raju Shah, says tourists visiting ment that get tipped. The extra service charge means that increased dramatically. New enough, Nepali tour operators now decision.” Nepal at this time of the year are even those employees who never come in direct contact international airlines have started have to grapple with cancellations, lost There are reports of frantic usually “culture” tourists who don’t with guests will be receiving the service charge. . services, others have increased their bookings and irreparable damage to behind-the-scenes negotiations with trek, but want to go sightseeing at the HAN has asked the Union not to have a 19 November frequencies. the country’s reputation caused by the the group of nine to either postpone durbar squares or take mountain deadline since negotiations could be protracted. But Union Just when Nepal had recovered bandh and the hotel strike. “It’s a the two-day strike or cut it down to flights. “Their main purpose of visiting officials said the deadline was non-negotiatble. t from the hijack crisis, we are in the Nepali problem, Nepalis have to solve one day. Whatever the decision, the Nepal is defeated because they can’t process of shooting ourselves in the it,” says Stan Armington, of Malla damage has already been done. There leave the hotel,” says Raju. foot once more with a two-day Treks and author of the Lonely Planet has also been a flurry of cancellations But if there is anyone in his rickshaw between the airport and along the pollution-free streets to national shutdown and a paralysing guidebooks on Nepal. “The politics of for arrivals because of the threatened Kathmandu who just can’t get enough Thamel on bandh days, earning the valley’s historic towns. After all, hotel strike called by unions (see box). bandhs and strikes is only an outward hotel strike. Negotiations are bandhs, they are the rickshaw pullers about Rs 5,000 in about five to Kathmandu was never meant to be a This time we can’t blame the Indians. manifestation of the mess the country deadlocked, and appear to be who are allowed to pedal around. and fro trips. car town, so this forced pedestriani- The strikes are symptoms of larger is in.” politically-motivated. Said a Hotel “This is the day I can earn more than I Many Kathmandu residents also sation is actually a boon—or would problems of this country’s The unprecedented two-day Association of Nepal (HAN) source: earn in two months,” says Bhim find the traffic-less streets ideal to have been if, like Bangladesh, Nepal malgovernance and a failure of bandh has been called by nine leftist “In any negotiations, there should be Bahadur, who shuttles passengers in take walks, or go on bicycle tours did not have a tourism industry. t

HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK

influence hairless mammals on an I know, I know. That’s more or less open to constant insignificant watery planet near the edge what happens. I can hear the astrologers debate, revision and of the Milky Way? telling me that as I write. But it isn’t change. There is no A friend with an astrological bent true. Gravity doesn’t influence personal- dogma. Physicists Star crossed once suggested to me that gravity was ity, destiny or politics. Nor do the other admit that they are somehow behind the phenomenon. I forces that physicists believe shape the simply human beings “Honest, officer, I only drove my car into the think not. If gravity shaped our person- universe—all measurable and pondered with theories that alities, our own Earth must surely be the over by men and women of immense could be wildly off road sign because of the influence of Mercury biggest influence on us. The moon, the intellect. There is a certain haunting base. Astrologers, by contrast, predict and seven large asteroids.” sun and the other planets of solar system mysticism to theoretical physics. The late events and give personality profiles that

would make us happy, sad and indifferent great Carl Sagan used to talk about the depend on what they perceive to be ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ by turns. We’d each have multiple fundamental harmony of the universe and position of stars and planets. Some are so long time ago, my mother bought that emphasised her feelings about personalities that chopped and changed its component parts—matter and energy. far away that they may have blown up A me a poster with my astrological astrology. She didn’t like it and she as Venus passed by, and the moon was in Sagan was demonised by the religious millions of years ago and the light from sign at the top. The text read passed that dislike on to me. It drives me the seventh house (what does that mean? right in the United States for appearing the explosion has yet to reach the Earth. “Capricorn: You are a lazy, practically crazy when I’m told, “You’re a typical Are there “houses” in space?). When to question the existence of God, but The astrologer still gets paid, whether or worthless individual who has to be forced Capricorn/Leo/Gemini, whatever”. My Jupiter and Mars are lined up, we’d all what he was actually saying was that the not the star exists. It’s all the same to to undertake any activity more strenuous response was to point to the poster. crave cheeseburgers or go to war with a universe was perfect. It could not have him. than sleeping. You must avoid standing What astrologer, with his thoughts on nearby country. Think of the great come about in any other form, and that Yes, yes, it is just a (largely) harmless still for too long or a dog might mistake the wad of cash he was about to be paid excuses we’d have. “I’d love to come and was something to marvel at. pastime that most people don’t take you a for a tree and...” You get the drift. for his predictions, would tell me that I see you but, Neptune is pulling me Such lofty science can seem cold, particularly seriously. But don’t But before waves of sympathetic readers was a lazy sod, and that it was because of towards the pub.” “Honest officer, I only distant and irrelevant to daily life. But expect me to take an interest in my start commiserating with me about a the stars? No one has ever been able to drove my car into the road sign because theoretical physics is almost like religion. fate as ordained by the stars. I’m just One long party in Ladakh cruel parent, let me explain. explain to me how celestial objects of the influence of Mercury and seven It tries to explain why things are the way too lazy to care. And watching out for My mother was giving me something billions if not trillions of kilometres away large asteroids.” they are. And it is necessarily democratic, dogs. t \^]_`ebadfgc 16 SPORTS 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES

Kramnik, new world champion

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Vladimir Kramnik of Russia ended Gary Kasparov’s 15 Sharjah, here year reign as world chess champion with an 8.5 to 6.5 victory in a 15 match Brain Games world championship

MUKUL HUMAGAIN staged in London. Kasparov, 37, has dominated the game ○○○○○○○○○○ or years, Nepali like no other since winning his first world title in 1985. 25 cricketers have watched year old Kramnik won the 2nd and 10th games while the international cricket at Sharjah comes Nepal other games were drawn. For the first time in his career, F Kasparov looked out of form and showed little of his and dreamt of playing there some day. Their dream has finally come true. The famous fighting spirit stage is set for the 3rd Asian Cricket “There is not much difference Earlier in 1995, Kasparov successfully defended his Council trophy to take place in the among Nepal, UAE, Malaysia and title against Viswanathan Anand after losing early games. capital of the United Arab Emirates Hong Kong. But UAE will have an At that time, Kramnik was Kasparov’s second (advisor). 15-24 November. This particular ACC edge over the others playing on Kramnik came into the limelight after he became world tourney is special because the two their home ground,” says he. junior champion. In 1986, he was one of Kasparov’s finalists will qualify for the next Asia In the bowling department, the pupils in Moscow. Cup, involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan, selectors have chosen three spinners

India and Bangladesh. And the hope is MIN BAJRACHARYA and two pacemen. “Since the pitch Foreign coach for English soccer ○○○○○ Nepal will be one of them. at Sharjah is a flat one, we thought ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The ACC Trophy is also special it would be better to have more When Sven-Goran Eriksson of Sweden arrives to take for Nepali cricketers since it is the only spinners,” says Rashid. The bowling charge of the English international event in which cricketing is going to be spearheaded by 19- soccer team, he will be babes like Nepal can take part. (Only ultimately achieved the much- don’t play enough tournaments, our year-old left-arm fast bowler making history. For the first those countries with full membership coveted Test status. boys struggle when playing at the Mehoob Alam. The team also has time in their soccer history, of the International Cricket Council/ The national cricket team has highest level,” says the former seven specialist batsmen and two England will have a foreign ICC are allowed to play one-day been participating in the ACC national player. wicket-keepers, but there are no coach. internationals/ODI. Nepal is still only Trophy for the last five years, but The Nepali team now has the genuine all-rounders. Opener Kiran After the dramatic an associate member of the ICC.) A the performance so far has been services of former Pakistani all- Agrawal will be expected to provide resignation of Kevin good performance at this eight- nothing to write home about. Even rounder Haroon Rashid, who as the a good start since he has it in him to Keegan, the English nation tournament would take the semi-finals have eluded them, country’s chief cricket coach play the anchorman. Providing Football Association Nepali cricket to new heights. For and it has always the batting that worked with the under-19 team for support will be Dipendra decided to hire a foreign after all, it was through the ACC let them down. Coach Arun Aryal the World Cup earlier this year. Choudhary and Paras Lohani, both coach to regain the status of tourney that Bangladesh got says that Nepali batsmen don’t Rashid is confident that his team is of whom have been among the runs Europe’s foremost soccer international recognition, and have the temperament. “Since we going to make it to the ACC final. of late. t country. The last few years have been disastrous for England as they failed to make any impact on the world soccer scene. But for Eriksson, it won’t be an easy task. Some key Cricket in Nepal players may retire when Eriksson joins next July. The most obvious problem the stylish Swede will face is the no-

passport-no-passion card that will naively and unfairly be ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ thrown at him if England struggle even for a game or two. When cricket was allowed to play for the Babar

introduced in Nepal in Mahal cricket team, the cricket- MIN BAJRACHARYA

1928 it was a contest crazy youngster went to Calcutta Kathmandu in the late 1930s to Khetan group wins Super Sixes ○○○○○ W ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ between two Rana generals—Gen and trained under the then famous coach his team, and helping in The Khetan Group emerged as victors in the finals of the Brahma SJB Rana of Babar Mahal coach, Kartik Bose. After a couple laying the turf at his Sri Durbar second Soaltee Super Six cricket tournament beating the and Gen Nara SJB Rana of of seasons, Madan found himself in estate at Pulchowk. By 1935, Surya Tobacco team by 41 runs. Batting first, Khetan Jawalakhel. Each patronised a team the playing eleven of the Sporting Madan had his own cricket team, Group scored 63 without losing any wickets with openers that played one another regularly. Union club. Madan’s offside the Sri Durbar Eleven. Monir Shrestha and Sandeep Shrestha scoring 22 and 29 There was nothing spectacular strokeplay was exemplary—he was After his death in 1950, his wife not out respectively. about the games they played then even compared to the legendary donated a shield to a cricket Now, the ACC except that, in 1934, Brahma Lala Amarnath of India. competition and thus was born the Development Commit- became the first Nepali to score a After his stint at Calcutta, Madan Memorial Shield. By 1952, tee has identified Nepal, century. Madan began actively promoting there were two tournaments in along with Malaysia, But perhaps the foremost father cricket in Kathmandu. He hired Kathmandu. One was the Bishnu UAE and Singapore, as figure of Nepali cricket was Gen coaches from Calcutta, with the Trophy that was played on a league the four ‘fast track’ Madan SJB Rana. Madan’s is an likes of S. Banerji and Tara basis, and the other was the countries. With the interesting story. After not being Bhattarcharya coming to knockout Madan Memorial Shield. objective to upgrade two The generals’ teams had by then more nations to one-day vanished with the end of the Rana sta- tus in 2005 and Test status regime, but two new teams had in 2010, the fast track system has come up—the Cricket Association been designed to achieve this in MIN BAJRACHARYA of Nepal Team and Kathmandu countries that have the potential for Khel Mandal. These two, along rapid growth in terms of interest, with a team from the Indian participation and performance in Presents Embassy, battled it out for the cricket. The countries also get honours in the early days. special financial assistance from the The asking rate of more than 21 runs an over proved Two more tournaments were ACC. too much for the STC batsmen as they only managed 22 THE HOT 1 JJ ’S started by 1960, and about the same So far, the Cricket Association runs losing five wickets. Inspired by Hong Kong’s super time B division tournaments also of Nepal (CAN) has done remark- sixes tourney of the mid-nineties, this tourney was started began. But it was only after 1980 that ably well despite limited support last year. Altogether 16 teams from different corporate NITE cricket finally spread across the from the National Sports Council houses took part this time. NO REQUESTS country with the establishment of the and the very little sponsorship NO FOOLIN AROUND Jai Trophy. Designed after the Ranji money available for the sport. But

Trophy in India, Jai Trophy is the only cricket in Nepal has all been about Both ANFAs to host Birthday Cup

○○○○○ JUST SERIOUS KICKASS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ TOP 100 TUNES OF ALL TIME national level cricket tournament in one-day limited-overs cricket. The ongoing battle between the Geeta Rana and Ganesh Nepal and every year 12 zonal teams Three-dayers and the regular first Thapa led ANFA factions regarding the legitimacy of their RULES: compete to become the national class matches have yet to be respective organisations is far from over. Early this week, DANCIN AND PRANCIN champion. But perhaps the most introduced, although plans are on Ganesh Thapa in a press conference showed a letter from DRINKIN AND DROWNIN important factor in making the game to redesign domestic cricket to the FIFA and AFC, which recognized his organisation as FEEL THE BASS popular in Nepal was the introduction include two-dayers to begin with. the official one. The battle took a new turn this week, when HEAL THE SOUL of satellite television in the early 90s There is only one pitch of both the ANFA factions announced their intention to hold SHAME IT LASTS ONE NIGHT which brought world-class cricket international standard in the the Birthday Cup Football Tournament. ONLY ! directly into Nepali homes. country and the infrastructure is The Ganesh Thapa led ANFA has announced that the By far, the most important event minimal. But it is more than made tournament will kick off from Dec 16 while the other ANFA DRESS CODE: THE TIGHTER-THE BETTER for Nepali cricket was its being up by the enthusiasm of Nepal’s has plans to start from Nov 23. All the ‘A’ division teams DATE: 10TH NOVEMBER 2000 granted associate membership of cricket administrators. Buoyed by from the country along with Mahendra Police Club, TIME: 9 PM. ONWARDS International Cricket Council (ICC) Bangladesh’s rather amazing success Tribhuwan Club and teams from Eastern and Western in 1996. This recognition from ICC they believe Nepal too can achieve region, and from Bangladesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling and not only put Nepal on the cricketing ODI status. As things look, there is Bhutan will participate, says the press release of the map but also helped get much needed reason for optimism, and if Geeta Rana led ANFA. Meanwhile, ANFA led by Thapa has financial assistance from the ICC. everything goes Nepal’s way, Kathmandu, Nepal announced that they will give away the ‘Rupak Best Player Tel: 488100 From 1997 onward, Nepal has Nepal and UAE could well be the Award’ on Dec 30. COME TO THE ALL NEW EVEREST. WE LOOK AFTER YOU BETTER been receiving £40,000 annually next two teams from Asia to play from ICC. one-dayers. t CITY 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES 17

ABOUT TOWN QUICKWORD 6 by Cross Eyes FILMS v Nepali 100 WIN A Basanti - Plaza I Dhodhar - Plaza II, Bishwo Jyoti (221837), Goon Ga (520668) HOUR INFOCOM MILLENNIUMCD Choro - Plaza II (from Monday) Dhukdhuki - Radha (470090), Aago - Goon kha (520668), Ranjana (221191), Padma (522354), v Hindi Mohabattein - Gopi (470090) from Sunday The most convenient and economic way to surf the internet Kaho Na Pyar Hai - Krishna (470090) Terms and conditions Mission Kashmir - Manakamana (225284), Gopi 1 The contest is open to everyone, except employees of Himalmedia Pvt Ltd and Infocom Pvt (470090), Krishna (470090) from Sunday, Tara (476092) Ltd. 2 In case of more than one correct entry, the winner will be decided by lucky draw. Kurukshetra - Goon (Ka) 3 Entries have to reach Himalmedia, by 5 pm, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega - Kumari (414932) 7 Nov, Tuesday. Besharmee Ratein - Ashok 4 The winner will be announced in the coming issue. v 5 The prize has to be collected from Himalmedia within a week of the announcement. Please Citizen Kane. Orson Welles’ classic. Presented by the come with an ID. newly-formed Kathmandu Film Archives, in association QUICKWORD ANSWER 4 (27OCT-3 NOV) with the Godavari Alumni Association and Martin Chautari. Venue, GAA hall, Thamel, 5:30 pm, Friday 10 November. Fee not exceeding Rs 50. v Queen Margot (La Reine Margot) 1993. August 1572 – is torn apart in bitter religious wars. Marguetire, known as Margot, catholic sister of King Charles IX, is forced to marry the Protestant Henri de Navarre in an effort to reconcile her native France. After the 8. Sylvester, the artful dodger (3) wedding, the infamous St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre takes Across 28. Relent, concerning Ann 9. Sick from the oil spill (3) place.Thousands of Protestants are brutally murdered, but one of them, La 1. Look, for the seer (4) perhaps (5) Mole, is badly wounded and, in desperation, knocks on Margot’s door. She 5. Tata and Freddy Mercury 29. Cart track scars on Trial runs (4) 15. Conceited bunch (7) takes him in, and falls in love… with the enemy. Directed by Patrice were (5) 30. Risks cutting many a platinum (5) 18. Warns the stealer (6) Chereau with Isabelle Adjani, Jean-Hugues Anglade and Daniel Auteuil. 5 10. Wields a lawn tool (4) 31. Cream of Latin Essence (4) 19. Morose gypsy loses head in QUICKWORD ANSWER 5 November, Sunday. 2:00 pm, Alliance Francaise auditorium, Thapathali. 11. Early Everest climber (5) turning (6) French with English subtitles. Entry Free. Next (12 September) - Cyrano de Bergerac. 12. So long, Norway (4) Down 22. Indefinite article stages entry (5) EXHIBITIONS 13. Mrs Fawlty Towers (5) 1. Push with the muck raking tool (6) 24. Quirky trait in kick-boxer (4) v Tribal Village Rugs and Flatweaves. This exhibition cum sale 14. Little vine, sketch at book 2. Theo brings soluble dye with Greek 25. …ones go to heaven (3) features woven items from Iran, Turkey, the Caucasus, and Central opening (8) angle (6) 26. Then, in Nepali…(3) Asia, including rugs, kilims, cushion covers, bags and other small 16. Provoke to fury (6) 3. Snaky, aquatic plants on stream woollen artifacts. 17. Keep up the rear, perhaps (3) bed (3, 7) These pieces were collected to study, so each one has been researched and written up for the purchaser. The sale will be 20. The original Miss Saigon (3) 4. Swedish money drops Abruptly (5) on from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Slide shows on the craft of 21. Passed unwritten (6) 5. Monica comes in through the back 23. Less fat (8) door (7) weaving and dyeing at 11.00 am and 3.00 pm. A few Out of 12 entries, the lucky representative items will be discussed in detail about their 25. Resting on this (5) 6. Approach the editor, you had it (4) winners are Silvie Walraven make. These shows will be at 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm. 27. Trimmed torso of bull (4) 7. Showing tendency to reorder (10) & Celia Alldridge Entry free. Tea and coffee served all day. Organised by Sue Vokes. Venue: Dipankar and Dharmakar Hall, The Blue Star Hotel, Tripureshwor, Sunday 12 November. To send in your entries, please fill in the details below and fax to 977-1-521013, or email to [email protected]. Entries can be dropped off at v Architect and Farmer. Exhibition of wood and stone carvings with Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur. demonstration and a model of a temple to give insight to visitors on the Name...... interior of a temple, accompanied by continued film projection in French, Ph...... email...... Nepali and English. Exhibition jointly presented by the Kavre Integrated Project, the Alliance Francaise and the French Embassy. Aims at present- ing aspects of French cooperation in Nepal and work done by Nepali artists. 14-23 November, Alliance Francaise, Thapathali. ART REVIEW by AJIT BARAL CLASSICAL MUSIC Musicians from Nepal and abroad perform on 11 November at Kirateswor Temple, North of Pashupatinath. 4-8 pm. Free entrance, but a nominal fee the direct application of colour may apply for guest performances. Kirateswor Sangeet Ashram. 492139 Abstract aberration without formal conceptualisation, FUN AND FROLICK an over formalistic approach. v Fun Fair. The Royal Nepal Army Officers Wives Committee Open Fair This exhibition highlights But action painting entails a on the occasion of HM Queen Aishwarya’s birthday. 7-12 November. Fun, the aberration so spontaneous use of strokes or of any food, and games including horserides, bingo and the like. 11:00 am to other colour application technique 8:00 pm. Tundikhel ground (Shahid Gate). Entry Rs 5. common in Nepali and generally precludes any thought v Dance and Ballads abstract art. In the name Classical Nepali Dances--Buddhist and Hindu--every Tuesday at The Great or concept. So, if my reading isn’t Pagoda. Also ‘Ballads and Dances of Old Tibet’ by Tshering Gurmey and of abstraction, the wrong: How could paintings done Tshering Paljor every Thursday, Naga Theatre. Hotel Vajra. Time: 7:00 unimaginable is passed in the manner of action paintings be pm. Rs 400 per individual. 271545 off as art. based on stories of BP Koirala? v Eating out Besides, most of Khanal’s paintings Barbecue. Lavish barbecue nights for the season with a Thai theme in immickry in art is not a new are miniatures—unlike the large Kathmandu. Venue: Shangri-La Hotel’s prize-winning Shambala Garden. A Gthing. Even renowned artists spaces that action painters prefer to relaxed and filling evening. Lazimpat, 7 minutes ride North from Thamel. like MF Hussain resort to play on till the desired composition 412999 publicity stunts. Why then can’t is attained. For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] Nepali artists resort to some Since the paintings are subterfuge? Especially since the level putatively based on BP Koirala’s NEPALI WEATHER of artistic and aesthetic appreciation stories, the search is for among Nepalis is low, a little characters, emotions, and themes gimmick here or there is always of BP’s stories in these paintings. desirable for this helps draw people Do these paintings provide a to art. glimpse into BP’s work? No. Kiran Manandhar is the one Forget the postscripts below the who brought gimmickry into Nepali painting, even the thematic DSES- 08-11-2000 0400 GMT art, the most well-known one being aspects of BP’s stories are lost in his action painting—painting while the abstraction. others are writing and reciting This exhibition highlights the poems. But I for one, have tended aberration so common in Nepali to look upon such attempts with abstract art. In the name of A westerly disturbance, the first of the post-monsoon season, is making an suspicion for the simple reason that abstraction, the unimaginable is approach riding the jet stream. By Friday it should be over central Nepal, this often turns out to be nothing passed off as art. While the genre resulting in high-altitude cloud cover, chances of rain, and the first snows of but a ruse to lifts one’s own art into the artist of the process that led to I dare say, content. So no visible does allow for loose the season down to 12,500 ft in western Nepal. The system will also bring the highbrow category. It was the creation. Often one can’t judge form emerges from the melange of interpretation, the tendency of temperatures down and set off thicker morning fog. The disturbance itself will therefore with a fair amount of or interpret—especially when it predominantly primary colours our so-called art critics is to take quickly pass, and bright afternoon sunshine will be back by midweek next week. Small patches of local clouds lifted by daytime heating will continue to caution, if not scepticism, that I comes to abstract or non-figurative rendered in swift and easy strokes. what artists say at face value, appear. Contrary to popular belief, much of the thick daytime haze seen over went through the ongoing exhibi- paintings. Yet I endeavour to Or in the black that is splattered or together with the post-modernist the mid-hills has nothing to do with inversion-driven valley smog, but with tion of Ramesh Khanal’s paintings, critique Khanal’s collection based allowed to flow over the paper. definition of art, has contributed to southwesterly winds carrying in dust-laden air from the Ganga plains. Arupan. In the end, my suspicions on BP Koirala’s stories that are on There is a certain similarity in the this aberration. These apart, any KATHMANDU seem confirmed. show at the J Art Gallery at Durbar application of colours in almost all painting has to show fond Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue I have attempted to be Marg. the paintings, and below the indulgence of the artist. Khanal’s thoroughly objective and detached As the title of this exhibition transparency of the colour no paintings lack even this in my assessment of the works of itself suggests, all the paintings— preliminary sketches are visible. It indulgence—they appear to be just 22-09 23-09 24-08 25-07 24-07 the artist—I make no overtures to most of them are miniature points to an artistic preference for some strokes delivered in a few the artist, or attempt to know from paintings—are abstract in form and, action paintings, characterised by minutes. t 18 CULTURE 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES

SAVING FAITH by DESMOND DOIG In this story lies Kathmandu once imported a large force of mercenaries from the the moral: those Punjab for defence against the encroaching Gurkhas. He settled who taste of the them at Nagarkot where these delights of the staunch and valiant fighters soon Valley villages succumbed to the local air, local Kathmandu wine and local beauty. So much so that when the Gurkhas invaded Valley are and were at the city gates, the forever blissfully imported stalwarts were merrily useless. The years have reduced enslaved. their shame and identity. They now pass as Nepalis but to this outside the Valley, its name; it day are known as Nagarkotis. seems that in the dawn of time In this story lies the moral; three princes were out hunting those who taste of the delights of near the spot when they hap- the Kathmandu Valley are forever t pened upon a tigress and her cubs blissfully enslaved. that were so starved they were (Excerpted with permission from My Kind near death. The youngest prince of Kathmandu, HarperCollins, 1994) fed them his own flesh until he himself died, an act of such grace that the Buddha himself recognised the prince as a Bodhisattava. One of my favourite hamlets, distinguished by a small Rana palace, is Nagarkot from where one can see Everest and almost forever. Apart from being the retreat of an he countryside is still built him a shrine. A Malla king of to the goddess to sate her great wonder whether he particularly endearing Rana Prime Minister, To get a clear view of Ganesh Himal these Nagarkot has a connotation of days, you have to go outside the city (above). T a few minutes outside Bhaktapur, while out hunting, met hunger. She obligingly ate him and liked his forbear or not. Only then are the mountains as brilliant as Kathmandu but imperil- and loved a girl of Pyangaon who later one of his sons built Sankhu in Self-sacrifice gave Namo happy indolence one cannot help Desmond Doig saw it in the 1970s in this led as the city races to expand. The bore him several children. To them her honour which makes one Buddha, a beautiful spot actually appreciating. It seems a ruler of magnificient water colour (left). Ring Road, only a few years old, has in time he gave exclusive rights to encouraged a rash of new buildings manufacture the bamboo measuring so that what is now a roller-coaster pots called hapa. To this day drive through fields and hamlets Pyangaon goes on making hapa about the city shows signs of which are used throughout the becoming a highway through busy Valley. suburbs. For centuries Thankot has A drive along the Chinese guarded the trade route to India road past Bhaktapur to Dolalghat where it enters the Valley. Its on the river Sunkosi, or to the ancient name is Shonitapur, Chinese frontier beyond, carries which commemorates a battle one through some of the most fought between the son of Krishna enchanting scenery I have ever and the demon brother of a cuore ad seen. Before it leaves the Valley, legendarily beautiful woman who it climbs and dips and snakes lived here. Much was the blood through fields so luminously spilled and Shonitapur means the emerald in summer, so vividly place of blood. The Gurkha King mustard yellow in spring that the Prithvi Narayan Shah realising the colours almost hurt. Willows strategic importance of the village weep beside meandering streams posted a military garrison there across which old bridges arch, and and changed its name to bottlebrush bleed. Thankot—a place of garrison. Huts and hamlets glow white The quiet beauty of Lubhu and ochre and terracotta red, attracted a Malla queen so draped in season with scarlet powerfully that she abandoned chillies and green garlands of her palace in Patan and settled in drying vegetables. Golden the village. There she sold a corncobs are piled against trees or golden dish to raise the money sprout like fungus below over- necessary to expand the village. hanging eaves. There are gerani- Her endowment is remembered in ums and marigolds in tins on the name Lubhu which means window ledges. In the hedgerows dish of gold. Royal passion of are pink and white roses, another kind gave the village of bouquets of Lantana and wild Sanagaon its popular name Thasi. flowers I cannot name. Above this The settlement was infamous for profusion of loveliness the its destructive malaria: so much mountains rise ridge upon ridge to so that political prisoners of the meet the snows and there are no Malla era were sent there to two hours of the day when they perish. When a king once visited look the same. Often they wear Sanagaon the inmates of this blossoms of clouds or are penal colony begged him to settle truncated by brewing storms. And them elsewhere to which the king though one may have seen them a said “Sisa thasi” which translates thousand times, the great snow more or less, “I do not care if you die peaks when bright with day or or not”. The word Thasi stuck but flushed with dawn or sunset are happily, the malaria disappeared. breathtaking, humbling, unforget- I remember Sankhu on a rich table. northern trade route as a handsome Hardly a village in the Valley is village of five houses and four gates. without a history of a hundred It is greatly changed but the story of legends. They sat across trade its origins remains. Above the village routes, faced invaders, were on a wooded hillside and ap- commissioned by kings or inspired proached by a long flight of stone by gods. So Sanga owes its stairs is a temple to Goddess Bajra legendary origins to the God Bhim Yogini. She once lived there and Sen, who, when the Valley was a legend has her inspiring the Saint lake, used to moor his boat where Manjusri to visit the holy the village is now. Bhim Sen is the Kathmandu lake and drain the patron saint of traders and so Sanga, water from the Valley. An early king straddling the trade route to Tibet, of the Valley humbly offered himself 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES 19 HAPPENINGS SaunteringOFF THE BEATEN TREK from Sanga to Sankhuby SALIL SUBEDI

here’s a misconception that a advise against it. You never know who more or less north you’re ok. reach there. If you want to avoid trek has to be a long, hard has done what upstream. After an hour or so, you will pass Nagarkot bazaar, walk along the Tjourney into a rugged and The trail from Sanga first leads scattered Tamang settlements, where ridge to Changu Narayan, the most remote Himalayan valley. Nothing through the cobblestone streets of the the children come out to sell fruits, or ancient temple complex in could be farther from the truth. In village. It carries a whiff of what the rhododendron flowers when they are Kathmandu. Or walk right through fact, there are excellent trails for short Newari towns of the Valley probably in season. By now, you are nearing Nagarkot and the touts selling treks right on the Valley rim. Here is were like before the roads came. At 7,000 ft, the air is fresh, the views postcards, before plunging straight Keep walking: Johnnie Walker and Soaltee Crown Plaza launched the Black Label Club on one which is off the main trails: the the centre of the town is a little pond fantastic and the forests near the down to Kartike Bhanjyang. 3 November with a well-attended performance by leading Indian singers, Sharon Prabhakar, short, sweet walk from Sanga to flanked by old Newari houses with summit of Nagarkot alive with Sankhu is another two hours’ Gary Lawyer, Joes Alvares and their troupe which rendered Broadway musical hits. Sankhu on the Valley’s eastern rim. The hike starts from the mediaeval Newari town of Sanga (30 km east of Kathmandu where the Chinese road leaves Kathmandu Valley and enters Banepa) and climbs north to Nagarkot before meandering down to Sankhu (14 km from Kathmandu) via Kartike Bhanjyang. Take a bus ride to Sanga from Kathmandu on one of the local buses bound to Banepa, or Dhulikhel. They depart every 15 minutes or so from the city bus terminal at Ratna Park. Save the world: Sixth graders from Lincoln School in Kathmandu after a Kathmandu slumbers in performance of “The Elegant Escalator”. Gandhi was played by Shrish who said the foggy depths of the valley SALIL SUBEDI from the stage: “The world needs a leader like me who will give more than take.” below, while beyond and above is the entire range of the central and eastern Himalaya: Gauri Shankar, Sisha Pangma, Langtang, garlands of red chilli peppers hanging birdlife. With the winter rains in early downhill, and this is a beautiful part of Ganesh Himal and the Manaslu out of the windows to dry. Beside the January, the snow will be ankle deep the trail. By late afternoon the paddy family. In about an hour, you are at pond is a small statue of Lord Ganesh, at this altitude. fields are bathed in the golden sun, Sanga, now famous for the Dipendra to whom you can pay your respects as The summit of Nagarkot has small rivulets reflect light that is Police School. There are chiya pasals all you strike off across the terraced fields an ugly steel view tower -- momentarily blinding, the scenic along the trail, but you may need of freshly harvested rice. someone’s idea of a tourist landscape with solitary dogs barking tough guts to try out the local alu Keep asking the locals for the attraction. The arrow showing out of nowhere. From Sankhu, you tarkari or chiura for the hiker’s Nagarkot ko bato. There are Mt Everest at the top is always can take the bus to Kathmandu. If breakfast. Carry sufficient safe drinking many trails, and not all roads here pointing in the wrong direction. you want to be picked up there and water, and although you may be lead to Nagarkot. But if you Besides, Everest is a tiny speck dropped off at Sanga by a private tempted to quench your thirst at the generally follow the one that is from here and usually obscured by vehicle, call Dhakal Baje at Kantipur Scary Dinner: Shangrila Hotel turned into a haunted house , complete with skeletons and many springs along the trail we would parallel to the ridgeline and goes clouds or haze by the time you Vehicle Service - 258129, 241477. t skulls, for an invitees-only Halloween night on 3 November.

tuborg 20 LAST WORD 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2000 NEPALI TIMES

but it is a bold and courageous move and at the rate we NEPALI SOCIETY Under My Hat are going the bans could be extended to weeks, and then months. In a few years’ time, the idea is to shut this by Kunda Dixit country down completely. Nothing will move, and we won’t need to import anymore fuel from anywhere ever Butterfly man he cabal of nine left parties and another alliance of again. four left parties (that makes a total of 13 left The question now is, given our open border, how parties in Nepal—more communist parties per are we going to enforce this ban? Our 13 left parties ew people know that specimens for Toshirop Haruta’s headt than any other need to think up creative new F Nepal is a butterfly Moths of Nepal, and the unpub- country on earth) have ways to sabotage the internal paradise. It is a lished Butterflies of Nepal. called for a two-day combustion engine. Here are lepidopterist’s dream-come-true. Toshiro Haruta of Japan who ban on fossil fuels next Fossil fools some quick do-able things we The kingdom is a Moth Super- helped found the Japan week. All 13 parties can implement immediately power. Heterocerists Society, was deserve to be nominated collectively for the Right to enforce a fossil fuel ban: Mahendra Singh Limbu is too considered to be one of the Livelihood Award, also known as the Alternative Nobel • Turn sparkplugs into cigarette lighters modest to say it himself, but he is leading experts in the world on Prize. No other political party in the planetary system • Adulterate petrol and diesel with “thirst-pee” mineral one of the few Nepali authorities lepidopterology, the science of has shown the gonads to take such a progressive step to water on Nepali butterflies. “I was butterflies and moths. Five curb the emission of greenhouse gases as has the • Stick corks into the exhaust pipes of all four-wheelers, interested in the outdoors since volumes of Moths of Nepal Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist-Stalinist- including ox carts early childhood, but my schooling were published between Titoist-Trotskyite-Liu Shaoqi-Chou Enlai-Deng • Turn petrol pumps into dairy outlets furthered this interest even 1992-98, the only books on Xiaoping-Kim Il Sung). By the way, what’s it with our • Distribute easy-to-assemble kits to all Nepalis so they more,” says Limbu, who has been the nocturnal moths found comrades that their role models are either hirsute can convert motorcycles into hair dryers working diligently since high in Nepal. The second part unsmiling fellows from Central Europe, or follicular- • Cannibalise Pajeros to make sofa sets and garbage school graduation to be a of their venture, Butterflies of challenged men from Manchuria? pick-ups butterfly expert. Mahendra Nepal never made it to the • Turn micro-buses into solar-powered microwave received from the duo. Butterfly Be that as it may, in the final analysis it is not who Yellow Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) their mentors are, but what their actions amount to. ovens collection started out as an Once we do that, the CPN (MLSTTLCDK) will be economic venture just like collec- And on this score our comrades have shown a t commitment to the world environment that goes way better placed to build a socialist paradise in Shangrila. ting a Picasso or a Rembrandt, beyond petty national interests. In the but Mahendra says that today International Panel on Climate Change in these beautiful and fragile insects Kyoto, the rich countries agreed to cut back are indicators of the health of the greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels, but environment. Mahe-ndra comes no country is going as far as Nepal is: originally from the hills of banning fossil fuels altogether. Granted, Taplejung district, but has been this is still only a token two-day bandh, living in Godavari since the early 1970s—mainly because Nepal’s MAHENDRA LIMBU treasure house of butter-flies and birds on Phulchoki is right in his backyard! Mahendra leads groups on bird and butterfly-watching expeditions as a nature guide. It is doesn’t have a fancy foreign press—Haruta passed away in in these walks that Mahendra is in university degree, and he doesn’t September 1996. his element. He says: “The forest need it. He is a self-taught Mahendra’s research stopped of Phulchoki is a paradise not lepidopterist, he has travelled for a while, and Nepal’s 670 only for butterflies, but also for extensively across Nepal in the species and subspecies of butter- birds.” And also, it seems, for past ten years to collect flies lost the attention they had those who admire them. t

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