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#118 8 - 14 November 2002 16 pages Rs 25

BHAGIRATH YOGI EXCLUSIVE ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ rime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Hardline Baburam Chand has been so busy launching CDs and giving speeches about the Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai hasP hurled another broadside at the monar-importance of art and literature for national chy just as analysts were saying theupliftment, that he doesn’t seem to have rebels were softening their approach.time In for much else. Divided they fall what appears to be an effort to drive To be fair, Chand has been doing the another wedge between the political One month into office, Chand government is parties and the king, and exploit the rounds lobbying hard to cajole party current strained relations between them,stalwarts to lend support to his administra-getting little help from squabbling politicos. Bhattarai calls for unity among “demo-tion. But Dasain and Tihar have slowed cratic forces” to build on the gains ofthings the down, and no “untainted” 1990 People’s Movement. Bhattarai politician seems eager to join his argues that significant changes weretechnocrat-dominated nine- taking place at the geopolitical level that affected the strategic balance of powermember cabinet. in Nepal. He directs the leaders of the The public’s perception is political parties not to be spellbound thatby the interim administration is the monarchy. “We never gave up ouroff to a slow start. program for a republican state,” said the architect-turned-revolutionary. “In fact, The health and finance ministers the constituent did announce plans for reform: further SUBHAS RAI assembly is not belt-tightening on expenditure and a new an alternative to health insurance scheme. But the public is a republic, but skeptical about more plans, and wants to see immediate and dramatic improvements only a method- in service delivery. The one thing that has ology to received widespread acclaim is the strong institutionalise However, Baburam Bhattarai this week action by the anti-corruption body to send that republic.” He published an uncompromising republic-or- former Home Minister Khum Bahadur confrontation, even though we want to Sources close to Baluwatar told us says next week’s avoid it,” UML leader Madhav Kumar nothing statement that dashed all hopes that Khadka, information minister Jayaprakash Chand is wooing some big-name Congressthe Maoists were bending. (See box) three-day bandh Prasad Gupta and others, including the Nepal told his party paper. and UML as well as more RPP and NSP marks the launch of chairman of Royal Nepal Airlines, to jail. Despite their tough talk, the political leaders. He may also add technocrats and While there are no signs of direct talks a joint struggle to The main focus of the government’s leadership realises that public opinion is “politically savvy” figures to help him between the government and the rebels, this end. The sources say secret contacts have been work is: a) lure political parties into the fold,still cautiously supportive of the king’s negotiate with Maoists, the source said. Maoists have been established “at the highest level”. India’s and b) bring Maoists in to talk. On both, action. And Chand’s lobbying has partly And that is Chand’s biggest challenge. blowing hot and cold paid off: he finally secured official blessings role is said to be pivotal here, since the lately, and analysts the results so far have been discouraging. The Maoists have been playing good-cop- Maoists use Indian territory for training, of his own party, the RPP. While he takes bad-cop, alternating seemingly conciliatory say this latest The two major political parties, Nepali supplies and shelter. New Delhi says it the softly-softly approach, Chand seems to statements with hardline ones to divide statement shows thatCongress and CPN (UML) are still vocally wants the king to take the political parties defiant about the king’s decision, and have be letting his deputy, Badri Prasad Mandal political parties and the king. Prachanda has the rebels are in of the Sadbhavana Party, carry the big stick. on board while negotiating with the rebels, refused point-blank to join the Chand renewed his call for a roundtable between but disunity among political parties and their no mood for Mandal is hammering political parties for the king, political parties and the Maoists compromise. cabinet. Both are mobilising the party mistrust of the king’s machinery for mass meetings in the comingnot joining the government. He told a to debate a constituent assembly and have meeting in Kathmandu last week: “The intentions is prevent- weeks. “The situation is forcing us towards hinted that they may accept the constitu- ing this approach. government will march on even if the majortional monarchy if the king agreed to parties don’t join us.” relinquish control over the army. Editorial p2 Un-united nation

Weekly Internet Poll # 58 Q. Do you think Maoist leader Prachanda is serious in his latest offer for talks? Chandra Kumari is happy now RAMYATA LIMBU ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ she was Nepali, not Korean, and said “I don’t know” in Korean to every “Miam hamnida.Very, very sorry.” Choi Sung Kak, a well-known South Koreanquestion they asked,” said Lee Seong-gyou, a journalist working on a writer, stood in front of Chandra Kumari Gurung in Kimche village neardocumentary Pokhara about Nepali migrant workers. With her Gurung looks she last month, head bowed and palms together. Choi wasn’t fumbling forcould words have to mistaken for a Korean. “But there’s no excuse for such a express guilt for any action of his own, he was apologising for his country.devastating mistake,” Lee told us. Chandra Kumari went to Korea to work as a labourer in 1992, a healthyThroughout and her stay in the psychiatric hospital, Chandra Kumari excited woman nearing 40. In 1993, she disappeared. was kept alone in a room. A doctor there familiar with Nepal met her, and contacted Lee Geun Hoo, a member of Nature Trail and founder A meal Chandra Kumari couldn’t pay for was the start of the nightmarish six of the Yeti Café in Seoul. Lee, a professor who has been coming to years and four months that this normal, balanced Nepali woman spentNepal in regularly for 15 years, visited the hospital. The story was Total votes: 2,077 Korea’s national psychiatric hospital. After her release, Chandra Kumari,publicised with by Nature Trail, and created an uproar in Korea. the help of angry South Koreans, sued the Republic of Korea and Dong-san Soon after her release from the hospital in April 2000 Korean Weekly Internet Poll # 59. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.comJang, director of the Chung-ryang-ri mental hospital. “Because of the careless- Q. Which of the following offers the best solution to ness of the Korean police and state, she ended up in the hospital, lawyerwhere sheSuk-tae Lee helped Chandra file a lawsuit demanding compen- the present political impasse: had no business being,” said Choi, who is also vice-president of Naturesation Trail, for her incarceration, and a formal apology from the South - an interim all party government the Korean NGO that helped Chandra return home on 14 June, 2000.Korean state. The court arrived at a ruling 5 November, and awarded Chandra just over $23,500. Choi says the amount is insulting, and - constituent assembly elections Of the nearly 2,000 Nepalis working in Korea, 99 percent are illegal. Many - reinstatement of parliament none of the above that NGOs and Chandra’s lawyer are preparing to appeal. “Still, no have been there since they went to South Korea legally since 1991,amount under ofa money can ever right the wrong that the Korean state “trainee program”. Since that program expired, there has been no committedformal against Chandra,” Choi told us when in Nepal last month to labour agreement between the two governments. Activists like Choihand and Nepalisover money that the Korean public has donated to Chandra. considering working in South Korea hope that Chandra’s case will set a “She’s a totally different woman today from the one we met in precedent for better labour laws for migrant workers. Korea,” says Choi. Chandra Kumari is now taking care of her When Korean police arrested Chandra Kumari she couldn’t explain to them elderly father.(See also ìSeven years with my Korean fathersî, that she had lost her wallet. She had no valid papers, and couldn’t communi- p. 4-5.) cate to the police her contact address and phone number. “She just insisted Chandra Kumari, left, with family and friends in Kimche. 222 EDITORIAL 8 - 14 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES NATION 8 - 14 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 333

Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, COMMENT by ALOK BOHARA Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit Editor:Anagha Neelakantan Design:Kiran Maharjan [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com ion. There’s a rule, you agree to disagree but with a point Advertising:Sunaina Shah [email protected] and not a person,” sociologist Krishna Bhattachan ex- Subscription:Anil Karki [email protected] Sales:Sudan Bista [email protected] plained to us. “In Nepal, people tend to disagree with the Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur person.” And because we take things so personally, we GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-543333-7, Fax: 01-521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press: 01-521393 that we can’t work together. Just look at our track record.haven’t as a nation been able to transform our genuine and Communist parties the world over are known for theirdeeply-felt divi- sense of national pride into a unity of purpose. We siveness, but even by internationalU standards,N-UNITED our comradescan, and must, override NATION our ingrained cultural individualism to have set world records in disunity. Replicating throughachieve binary a sense of collective destiny. Otherwise we will just fission like amoeba, we have more communist factionskeep per Shock therapy here is something in the Nepali character that capita than any other nation on earth. Doctoral candidates have makes us more divisive and prone to disunity than done their PhDs trying to unravel the sequence, and keep track any other people. Perhaps our shared history is so iven the current economic and political Nepal can also be expanded to include the T of the splits. turmoil, it is our moral responsibility members of the Upper House to make the faint, its symbols so ephemeral, our future so abstract, And it’s not just politics. We have two ANFAs, two PABSONs, to try to break the impasse by looking process more inclusive and if necessary the that it breeds individualism. The “patriotic songs” every G A Beautiful Mess morning on radio extol the virtues of the impeyan pheasant,two mountaineering associations, two film artists’ associations, at solution. What compromise will result in chamber may be reformed through fresh Mt Everest and Lumbini. But they sound like parodies.and at last count there were three rival political science associa- the greatest public good? election. An all-party interim government may Nobel Prize winning mathematical genius John Nash, Ain Beautifulthe movie Mind , tions. One of Nepal’s most professional and successful domes- be needed to ensure fairness during the Individually, we are proud to be Nepalis, but we can’t Given the near-consensus on a commit- goes to a bar with his friends, and upon seeing four women including a blonde he tic airlines split in two because of sibling rivalry (the smaller ment to constitutional monarchy and the election process. observes the following: “If every one were to go after the blonde, the chances are that seem to be collectively proud to be Nepalis. We likeairline went by the nickname “Brother Air”). everyone would all go home without the pleasure of female company. The best solution Nepal, but can’t seem to stand other Nepalis. Especially multiparty system, a compromise strategy can An exercise in forming a constituent We don’t know how bad it is in other countries, but it could on fightingbe each other until there is nothing left to fight over. is to reduce this non-cooperative competitive situation into a cooperation game by if they are Nepalis who are doing well for themselves. It emerge around the notion of the Constitu- assembly must take advantage of this changing the strategy by agreeing to ignore the blonde, thereby increasing the chance is this frog-in-the-well psyche that has kept us fromthat this is a mentality common to poor countries, where the ent Assembly. Such an assembly of elected opportunity to set the following agenda: of going home with the other lesser beauties.” people are left to quarrel over such small pickings. They end up

getting ahead—if one frog tries to take a leap, another SUBHAS RAI representatives to draft a new constitution empowerment, separation of powers, and a The lesson for Nepal is that competitive non-cooperation with a potentially fighting each other instead of those who are cheating them. will drag it down. In fact, there are many examples of can, if properly handled, serve as a code of conduct. disastrous outcome can be avoided by following a cooperative game that results in a Nepalis who have excelled in societies where there Congressare vs Congress vs Congress, UML vs Congress, common denominator to bring all the The grassroots must be empowered by better outcome for all concerned. no other Nepalis to pull UML vs ML, ML vs ML, RPP vs RPP, ironically, even the leftist parties together. devolving decision-making powers through a them back. party that called itself “Unity Centre” eventually split. Usually There, they can address the anomalies system of decentralized regional govern- members, with approval of the House, this It’s not for lack of ability that we lag behind. It isthe not reasons are not ideological, but personal envy, jealousy would reduce conflicts of interest. that have contributed to this country’s ments. The new constitution should even because we have low self-esteem. A prime andminister pride. Somehow, the Maoists have not split yet. But give woes: institutional corruption, regional There also needs to be an agreed code of them time. They are Nepalis after all. then clearly define the tasks of the three increase in resources to crush the rebellion, who has just been sacked told the youth wing of his imbalances, lack of separation of power, conduct: the nation, government, and but not without a sizeable human toll. The faction, in all modesty, that he was “the best prime “In the west, democracy celebrates differences of opin- layers: village, region, and center. A unstable governments, centralised proportional representation system would government resources belong to the people. Maoists will remain relatively elusive but will minister Nepal ever had, and will ever have”. Well, some decision making, lack of transparency in Through elections, political parties are only prime ministers are born great, others attain greatness, also allow a higher level of representation not be able to overrun the country to governments and politicos, ignored temporary custodians. We must therefore establish the one-party communist state, and still others just think they’re great. from the smaller parties and provide a voice voices of political and ethnic minorities demand from them internal democracy and especially since India is now on their trail. With misplaced pride on that scale, it is no wonder in public policy debates, and missed to the minorities, and force dominating transparency. Irresponsible behaviour by the The political parties, because of their own opportunity to exploit our vast natural parties to be more inclusive. rank and file can lead to nominations of shortcomings, are not likely to muster much resources for the benefit of the millions. Most genuine democracies have given people of questionable characters, and the people’s support to repeat 1990 Part Two. An election for a constituent assembly up the first-past-the-post Westminster whole nation suffers. But they will remain vocal, increasingly is based on an election just like a parliamen- model for proportional representation. The current rift between the king and united, and influential. tary election. Recently, countries like South Put simply, this system puts half its democratic forces has turned what was once a The country has thus been stagnant for Africa, Namibia, and East Timor have representatives based on the current two-party game into a three-way contest. the last seven years, with a deadly outcome successfully used this democratic process to single-constituency winner-take-all Even the Maoist leadership has now that has decimated the economy and resulted STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL form constituent assemblies to write (or re- method, and the other half are elected based onacknowledged this tripartite power struggle. in more than 5,000 deaths. What will be write) their constitutions. After ratifying the percentage of the popular votes that each The king has the backing of the Royal Nepal the next best move that will bring everyone the document, the constituent assemblies party receives nationally or regionally. Army. The Maoists command a sizeable closer to a solution acceptable to everyone have then been converted into parliamen- The ambiguity of royal powers and cadre base. The political parties may be so that the nation can be spared from this floundering at times, but they do have a tary assemblies. responsibilities need to be clarified to avoid mindless carnage? grassroot base and can claim to bear the These constituent assemblies used a more future conflict between the constitutional The current stalemate in Nepal can be banner of democracy. This position may The four wheels of democracy inclusive electoral method—proportional monarch and parliamentary forces. This broken with shock therapy, and that could seem stable, but it is a static equilibrium came back from political exile representation, where seats are allocated based separation of powers would not completely very well be a constituent assembly. It will because there is no incentive for anyone to announcing that he and the king on the percentage of the popular party votes. remove a royal role, especiallyinto people during thepower grave in the first require a cooperative approach, but that may ropelled by the rumours of change their conduct. We could linger in this was almost a constituent assem- were “joined at the neck”, the Our current method of election is the winner- national crisis. Similarly,place. a direct They election have of tolerated rot in be the only way. an impending settlement Everything a constituent assembly can do, a sovereign parliament can do better. limbo for a long time. bly—it could amend all the constitutional monarchy became take-all Westminster model. the Prime Minister, as intheir Israel, air, would water, make and streets: between Maoist rebels and “desire○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and decision”, however, P provisions of the constitution save an article of faith with the Nepali What is perhaps needed Going from historical experience the executive head responsiblewhat reasonto the entire on earthThe was army there will require a significant never got implemented. After a to suppose that they would not the palace, the trial balloon of a its fundamental principles. Congress. acolytes of BP Koirala have begun more urgently is a sincere elsewhere, a future constituent assembly in nation rather than to his or her party bosses. constituent assembly is once again decade of uncertainty, political also tolerate it in their govern- Alarmed by that possibility, King Some fringe groups on the left, to propose after 4 October, may attempt to bring the four- By allowing the premier to pick cabinet up in the air. But will such an parties accepted King Mahendra’s ment? The hard truth is that the (Alok K Bohara, PhD, is professor of Mahendra dismissed parliament lie in the formation of a constitu- wheeled vehicle of the demo- Nepali people, whom I love economics at the University of New assembly create more problems, proposal to go directly for particularly the Nepal Communist and put the first elected prime ent assembly empowered to cratic train back on track. We all dearly, have deserved every fool Mexico, USA.) rather than solving our existing parliamentary polls. Party (Marxist-Leninist) then minister of the country in jail debate the future of monarchy know what those wheels are: parties have utterly and ruthlesslyand crook they’ve kept in power Perhaps King Mahendra had running a violent campaign in The solution will not be painless. I ones, remains to be answered within 18 months of the general itself. legislative assembly constituted failed. The confrontational in Singha Durbar. In the king they Jhapa, did espouse the dictator- just say it is not too late. satisfactorily. expected that a hung parliament approach, using language loadedhave neither, consequently, the elections and reneged on ship of the proletariat, but most However, in a country in the by adult franchise, an executive hope. Controversy over the would give him some room for the solemn promise made by body formed by multiparty T Sherpa, Seattle, USAwith thinly veiled threats against mainstream political forces had violent grips of insurgency and Lal is contemptuous of the constituent assembly dates back political manoeuvring. The his father. elections, an independent the king being adopted by the their problems with absolute counter-insurgency, the idea of a political parties and their refusal“sanctimonious to judgments” of to 1951, when King Tribhuvan electorate, as is its wont, threw The demand for an elected judiciary to ensure rule of law, LETTERS cold water over the ambitions of monarchy, not with the monarchy constituent assembly has its own join the government have demon-donors (the writer in his familiar proclaimed: “It being our desire constituent assembly remained as such. After the referendum pitfalls. First, free and fair polls and a constitutional monarchy as strated how completely vacuous,xenophobic mode), but that begs and decision that our people, the king. Voters sprang a surprise a symbol of unity of all Nepalis. out-of-touch and morally bankruptthe question why it is not the dormant all through the years of verdict, BP Koirala told Bhola aren’t possible when armed COMMON SENSE MOHAN KHATRI brutal and senseless murder of henceforth, be governed by a and gave the Nepali Congress a they have become. The real threatbusiness of donors to see their struggle for restoration of Chatterji of Calcutta’s insurgents terrorise the country- Given the history of Major Mohan Khatri. Sadly, we two-thirds majority. In effect, this And so it goes on. The seem- to the security, dignity and largesse safely to its destina- Thanks to Kunda Dixit for his democratic constitution framed must remember that he is just democracy. When BP Koirala side with impunity. Second, there animosity between democratic ingly endless spiral of murder sovereignty of the Nepali peopletions, or pass judgement on theappreciation piece on Major by the Constituent Assembly, meant that the new parliament one of many innocent people is nothing to stop an engineered forces and the king, the and mayhem. Amidst all this we does not emanate from success or failure of its arrival.Khatri, despite the unnecessary whose lives have been lost and elected by them...”. The royal assembly from initiating a process restlessness among the rank have to bear witness to the Narayanhiti, but as the past 12Doesn’t his resentment spell theunderhanded jab at the RNA. What political parties’ re- whose family must suffer such inexorable extinction of all that years have demonstrated, it larger problem of Nepal’s failed(“The villagers’ support kept me of republicanism eventually and file of the Nepali Congress pain in the ongoing conflict. I we hold good: faith, basic sponses to King Gyanendra’s comes from the likes of Girija democracy: its aversion to going”, #116) Major Khatri, by all leading to Sikkimisation. The is perhaps understandable. But pray that Nepal, which I have human decency,wisdom and move has shown is what NepalisKoirala, Madhav Nepal, Baburamaccountability? The contradictionaccounts, lived a life of chal- political elite in Kathmandu a confrontation between the grown to love very much, might compassion. have known all too well all along:Bhattarai and their ilk. in Lal’s thought mirrors the lenges—translating his rugged Sunday Valley may not be aware of it, but two at this juncture is the last find peace and I pray for Major The sickening squabbles that the parties have neither the Bishwa Basnet, by emailparadox of Nepal’s commitmentdreams into reality with money magazine in 1979 that the Nepali people in the countryside have thing that we need. In any political will nor the stomach to saved from his army days. He Khatri’sis family and others who amongst these pariahs of to democracy. Both support Congress was not for monarchy, confront the myriad crises that one of many unsung Nepali are grieving the loss of their already started debating whether case, it was Prime Minister politics hold the entire nation democracy and lament its failure have beset the nation. As you CK LALLALCK heroes: an entrepreneur that loved ones. I pray that his life, but “kingship”. Kingship, accord- the fate of a protectorate like Sher Bahadur Deuba who badly hostage. They brandish the even as they reject adherence to have pointed out in your editorialIf Mahakal is dancing, it’s CK Lal helps himself and others though tragically taken, will be ing to Hindu scriptures, is power constitution as a fig leaf to the transparency and rule of law Bhutan can be any worse than wounded the constitution by (“Common sense in uncommonwho’s keeping the beat. How through productive activity andan inspiration to others like him held by a ruler in trust—on behalf explain away all their shenani- central to its functioning. Indeed, prolonged violence and insur- his midnight recommendation times”, #116), political parties disappointing to see Lal’s moving then extends his benevolence whoto truly wish to work for the gans and in the meantime some homegrown sanctimony, of the ruled, and with their gency. The third risk is that of for the dissolution of parlia- were given a free hand for 12tribute to Major Khatri (“The purity the community. He was a good of the people, to relieve everyone lives in abject terror. as well as the rectitude which consent. Such a concept has no years, they had the chance to of pure despair”, #117) degener- capitalist caught between suffering, to care for those in conservatives holding sway in ment. All political parties then The countless deaths become underpins it, might have helped place for absolute monarchy or attempt to solve the problem ofate into lugubrious pontifications politicians with the mentality ofneed, who do not wish to take an unfair election leading to the took theirturn to rub salt over nothing more than “collateral the struggling experiment to its Maoist insurrection, the rampanton the death of this and that. He hyenas (no offence to hyenas)political sides or work just for executive kings. curtailment of existing rights. damage”, the citizens suffer feet. And more cynicism, not the wound. Under the circum- corruption in the highest echelonsmourns the death of hope in the and individuals pursuing a profit, but who truly want Perhaps King Gyanendra from viewer fatigue and readers less, dear editor, might have Then there is the ever-present stances, the worst thing thatKing of government, rampaging country, but all I’ve heard since 4 pathetic and defunct ideology what’s best for their country. In like us, who enjoy the relative helped too. Real democracies alluded to this distinction when he question: will the promise to Gyanendra can be blamed for is lawlessness and a languishingOctober is that now there is that has unleashed an incredibletribute to Major Khatri’s life and luxury of life in the US, can are run by laws, not by men. told me earlier this year that the hold elections for the constitu- refugee crisis screaming for some. And there seems little evil on this land. His work work and others like him, mercy killing the constitution. safely take angry, bombastic pot Thomas Duddy, Thamel attention. Instead what the sense getting misty-eyed about seems to have ended far too please, don’t give up the fight constitution of the kingdom of ent assembly once again It is incumbent upon all shots at the Maoists and the become an excuse to keep the country got was an intensifiedthe passing of “the sovereignty of soon. How many others like him(not necessarily armed fight) for Nepal 1990 was a document of stakeholders of democracy to politicians from this distance. good and justice and love. I pray country in a political limbo? insurgency. Politicians treated thethe people” when the pretend- have been wasted by this compromise between three ensure the re-birth of the Meanwhile heroes like national treasury as their own democracy at play in Nepal for the mess? I hope people rememberthat out of tragedy might live political forces of the By declaring that the state constitution without being Mohan Khatri and Krishna piggy bank, the once-healthy last 12 years clearly gave birth to this man someday because hope. What a precious word, hope. May it never be taken... country—democrats authority is inherent in the king entangled in the never-ending Sapkota die everyday, and all nationalI flag carrier teetering onno such thing. Their indifference when and if the dust settles, it can think of is what can I do tobankruptcy, endless scandals,to political thought and action and will be on the backs of thou- Sarah Olson Seattle, USA represented by the rather than the people, King debate over a constituent Gyanendra has virtually show my respect and gratitudecorruption and mismanagementtheir quite invincible complacency, sands of people with his Nepali Congress, assembly. Everything a constitu- for these selfless martyrs whocareening out of control, and themoreover, hardly qualified the character and dreams that the brought out the square wheel ent assembly can do, a sovereign have laid down their lives to theall-talk no-action approach to theNepali people for an adventure country will pick up the pieces. communists from the Narayanhiti attic. But represented by the parliament can do better, and at greater cause of life and liberty.refugee crisis. God bless his family. that should not give an excuse less cost to society. For a country So is it any surprise that the P Rana, by email Left Front, and the Right from day one, your to a galaxy of constitutional already in violent convulsion, paper has always espoused people have stood with cautious rest of the people experts and political scientists debating the future of kingship is decency and common sense inand guarded optimism now that represented by the like Bishwanath Upadhayay, hardly an issue of priority. these difficult times. But who Kingis Gyanendra has asserted king. There is only Daman Nath Dhungana, Restoration of the democratic listening? himself, within the framework of Narhari Acharya, Lok Raj Irrespective of his motives,the constitution, to address the one problem with process is much more urgently grievances of long-suffering this interpretation of Baral, Krishna Khanal and needed, to face the twin the king’s gambit was the onlyNepalis? They know the political last ditch option we really had. the People’s Move- Krishna Hathechhu to get challenges of a leftist insurgency engaged in the pointlesstask of ment of 1990: how do and a rightist resurgence. reinventing the circular wheel. we know whether the As someone who has been rest of us want the king to fortunate enough to have had the chance to visit your lovely be our representative? The country, I was deeply saddened answer, as many self-professed and shocked to read about the improved. But October passed. By April, the money still hadn’t arrived. When I called his house, I got a recording saying that the number was country. We started saying goodbye no longer in service. After that, I NATION 8 - 14 NOVEMBER NEPALI2002 TIMES NATION to the people who seemed8 - 14 like NOVEMBERcalled the business NEPALI 2002 department TIMES of 00 444 experience a parent’s love in that far Steel Company. I got the same555 away land, so we were able to forget family to us. Everyone was melan- choly, and we couldn’t help crying message that time, too. the difficulties of living such a hard life Meanwhile, two Koreans had Taejeon, and three 8-ton trucks, and the last time we met. there. started to frequent my aunt’s put their contents in the warehouse, We referred to the men in our We worked until five days before and then load more than ten 2.5-ton our departure on 1 April, 1998. The restaurant before I returned to Nepal. but to call him father. We did just village as “cousin”. We especially liked trucks and more than twenty 1.5 ton company president owed us back pay After getting to know this couple, I that. We worked for “father” Yoo for one of them, a taxi driver whose house truck loads of goods. I really worked from January 1997 to April 1998. Thetold them what had happened, and over three years. We went to his house wasn’t far from us. There was also a hard. We also completely changed the day before we left, he told us that he they agreed to help. Thanks to the in Uijongbu for rest and relaxation lady at the Tae Ung supermarket, work methods. Instead of moving had no money then, but he would efforts of Mrs Jeong, the woman, I got every Saturday. We played cards, ate where we were regular customers, who goods on a wagon, we carried them on soon bring it to us in Nepal. We felt a phone call from the company truck spoke a little English. Jae Gil barbecued pork, drank soju (clear, we cannot forget. She prepared a table Seven yearsour backs, shoulders, or heads. We with my Koreanas if the whole sky had just collapsed president.fathers You have no idea how Kim was about my age. Thanks to hard Korean liquor), and went to full of food for us when we returned cut down the unloading time of a on top of us. He gave us 2 million happy I was. He asked me to return him, I learnt to speak Korean quickly.karaoke. His wife really treated us from Seoul and told her that we were large container of goods from three won ($1,100). We went shopping andto Korea. He said that first, he’d send He taught me the work too. When- well, preparing delicious food for us, hungry. We lived in Taesangli like this the hospital and was treated, I never hours to one hour. got one suit, one mini CD, a small money for a plane ticket through Mrs ever we had time, we sat on the even giving us clothes to wear. for six years, and developed strong got any better. According to the automatic camera, an airplane Jeong, and to come quickly. A few A first-person account of packing boxes and studied. I am still Since we didn’t even spare our bonds with our neighbours. It became doctor, my vertebra and body frame But the first year I was lonely and ticket, three pairs of pants, a travel days later, she received about $600 for grateful to him. Employees of Mr own bodies in order to do the work, just like our hometown. had become twisted. cold every day. The fear of deportation bag, a backpack, three pairs of me. The company president called five Pasang Sherpa’s quest to Yoo’s personal service company, we everyone from the outlet and the Father Kang also did construction One day, we saw an article in the or six times a day to tell me to buy a provided services such as loading, was the biggest fear for foreign workerscompany as well as the main company slippers, four fashion watches, and who were staying in Korea illegally. work and we worked on projects with morning newspaper about a demon- 10 T-shirts on sale. plane ticket with the money and support his family, tracking unloading, and transporting metal praised us. Mr Yoon Kwan Ho, an him over the weekends. After our first return quickly. furniture such as file boxes, clothes Once, a policeman entered our assistant manager consoled us by stration by foreign workers in It felt like we had fallen from a workplace. Sri Ram hid in a container project, Mr Yoo congratulated us and Myoungdong. The company president I wanted to go back. However, I cabinets, lockers, desks, chairs, etc for buying alcohol for us when we were great height. The son in the family, years of backbreaking work in of styrofoam, and I, with my small gave each of us 10,000 won, about said, “Those sons of bitches! If they go 00 Steel’s sales outlet. sad or when times were difficult for us, who had gone away to earn money, was not in good health, and had no frame, hid in the closet. It’s funny $11. If we used that money to bathe to another country to earn money, and also slept with us at the hotel. I’ll was returning for the first time in way to get a visa. I told him that, South Korea, his deep My name is Pasang Sherpa. I was now, but at that time it made my hair at the public bath house/sauna and why don’t they just earn it and never forget him. to deliver goods to each of them. seven years, penniless. I felt depressed and never heard from him again. born in the village of Lungtung, stand on end. have Chinese noodles at a cheap Most of the people there were kind.leave? What are they demonstrating When I rang him, I heard, “This I respected my many fathers in thinking about what my relatives friendships, and deception. eastern Nepal, at 1,500 m in the For a while, I could only think of restaurant, we would be left penniless. per month, for 27 months from I feel grateful to those who treated for? And that goes for you too, if number is no longer in service”. foothills of Kangchenjunga in 1971, Korea, but Father Kang was the only would say. And I hadn’t been able to If Korean labourers did that kind of February 1992. Only for the last five us so warmly. you do that you’ll end up with I’ve been studying Korean hard the oldest of three sons and two my home and family. Sometimes I one of them who really treated us like have even been able to receive even send money home for a long time. I hard work, they would receive several months did he give us 500,000 won Our work was difficult, but we nothing. Understand?” daughters. I attended high school in cried. Soon thereafter I learned to his own children. We ate and slept that much. We continued to do had already called my family and told for several months. I had already n 28 January, 1992, I left subway to Uijongbu, Raju said that speak a little Korean, how to do the tens of thousands of won. However, if per month. And he withheld 1 millionwere able to see a lot of Korea. One We replied, “Oh no, we don’t learned to read and write while I was Lelep town, about an hour-and-half’s with father for five years. I can still I had worked in Nepal, I wouldn’t construction work on each of our dayswon of my salary. I was dumbfounded. them that I would bring some money Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan we must never stare at young women work, the names of the products, and time, our driver was tired and drove byplan to live here for the rest of our back with me. Of course, my parents in Korea, but the reason I was walk away. I was the only one in my hear his voice calling, “Wake up kids! off for five months, increasingly We talked to Mr Yoo. “We International Airport to go on the train, as it would cause a big high school class to pass the universitymy skills in loading and unloading It’s time to eat!” Sometimes he dreading the weekends. mistake until we arrived at the army lives. If we want to demand our rights,would just be happy to have me back, studying so hard now was because I to Korea to work. My problem. So for two hours we stared goods increased, and the work trusted you like a father, and checkpost. We had to submit to we’ll go back to our country.” But we with or without money. But I had wanted to write about the seven years O entrance exam. My mom slaughtered insulted us too, but he enabled us to After we had worked for three continued to work, thinking that you family shed tears as they placed a out of the darkened windows, like gradually became fun. questioning and a body search by the couldn’t be indifferent to their plight. I spent there, from the age of 20 to and prepared a large goat and held a months, Mr Yoo indicated to us, earned that money with my blood and khada around my neck. As I walked idiots. I was really worried about We had to unload 27-ton had been saving our money for us. military police. They said they had no I had read articles about other foreign 27. As I continue to write, vivid party for the whole village. It was using hand gestures, that our salary sweat, it was very precious to me. toward the aircraft, I looked back andwhether or not I would be able to You told us many times that our way of knowing whether we were fromworkers who had come to Korea to memories of Korea come to mind and natural for my mother, who only has acontainers from the 00 Steel factory in would increase by a certain amount, My mother and cousins were saw my mother and aunt crying and make a living in this country. salary would increase, so why did it Nepal or North Korea. After half-an- earn money like me, but who ended my eyes become moist with tears. And third grade education, to be elated and would do so every six months. waiting for me at Tribhuvan Interna- waving to me from the balcony of the Raju took us to the home of the remain the same as it was in the hour of wrangling, we were released. up losing their hands or feet in I still believe in our company about the fact that her son could enter We didn’t know by how much it tional Airport. We took a taxi to our airport. I shed no tears. beginning?” He only replied, “Shut accidents, or didn’t receive their president, who I called “father”. company’s owner, Mr Yoo, in the university. would increase, but we worked even After seven years of hard labour, house in Kathmandu, where my When we landed at Kimpo Uijongbu. His family had never up!” and “Be quiet!” We were in the my body was worn down. I have bonepay, or were deported from the In 1990, I entered the People’s harder. Mr Yoo didn’t pay us our country illegally, and so couldn’t mother said, “This is the house we airport, I walked quickly to the known foreigners before, and were BACK HOME: Pasang Sherpa with his friend, Sri Ram, after both returnedaches to Kathmandu. and other internal Pasang withbody Korean aches. friendscountry, or even worse, who Campus college in Kathmandu. I lived salaries every month. “If I give you complain. We had worked with Mr. built through your suffering. How do immigration counter. The broker had curious about all sorts of things. We (left, centre) and his aunt, who he now helps run a small momo and tongba shopBoils in appeared Kathmandu. here and there all over committed suicide. We spent one in Chhetrapati with my aunt, who your salaries, you’ll spend it all at Yoo for three years like this. The 00 you like it?”. The next day, it was with told us to stand in line behind didn’t have much of an appetite for my body, but even though I went to or two months like this. made tongba. My aunt and I worked once. I’ll save it for you and then give Steel company had about 20 agencies great difficulty that I informed my westerners, if possible, so that the Korean food, so we ate bread and One-and-a-half years passed busily from 4PM to midnight. We it to you in one lump sum in the in Kyongi province alone and we went mother that I had returned with only inspection would not be very milk. Raju told us Mr Yoo would givemade tongba from more than 100 kg future when you need it,” he said. But without us receiving our salaries, then $100. She didn’t get upset about it. thorough. But everyone in the line us $400 per month, and that our of millet every day. It wasn’t easy. You he only gave us $400, or 375,000 won the IMF crisis struck. The cost of I believed in the company living rose, the number of people out was South Asian. My legs were salaries would gradually increase. We have no idea how cold our hands and president. I believed that he’d bring us of work skyrocketed, factories went trembling and my heart was pounding.didn’t even think to check that. The feet were when they got wet. I went the money when his situation If I couldn’t get a visa, I would have today that we arrived at 00 Steel’s sales to school at 6AM and took classes for bankrupt, and the government was return to Nepal. I had borrowed Rs outlet in the town of Taesangli, three hours. I continued this for two looking unstable. It was a heavy blow 70,000 to try to get a job in Korea. Kwangju, in the province of Kyonggi, years, and during that time I kept to everyone, including foreign After the interview, which was easier it was snowing. I had suddenly come hearing about college friends going labourers like us. It seemed that it was than I thought, I received a visa for a to this snowy country and was really overseas to earn money. I too began time for us to go home to our (Translated by Kim Hong Sung 15-day stay. It seemed that what the worried about living here. thinking about working overseas. I and Millicent Thapa from the broker was right, it was better to give The first day was really hard then met the broker and left my Korean original by Pasang short answers. Almost everyone because of the language barrier. I used native land. Sherpa, aka Phinzo Lama.) received the visa without problems. body language, my hands and feet. Soon after, I was joined by We took a taxi from the airport Outside, the snow was piling up and another Nepali, Sri Ram. Mr Yoo told to Itaewon Street, which is similar to it was very cold—ten degrees below us not to refer to him as the owner, Thamel. There were many Nepalis zero. For the first time in my life I was among the swarms of foreigners there, so far from home. How was I going to and we felt at ease. There we met a live there? Fortunately, one of the man called Raju Thapa, who was labourers who worked with me responsible for finding us jobs. On theloading and unloading goods from the

HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK Last stand

o non-Maoists, perhaps the most famous words ever spoken by Chairman Mao Zedong were in 1949, after his forces had chased the TKuomintang of Marshall Chiang Kai Shek from Beijing and almost all Time for our politicians to stop of mainland China. “The Chinese people,” he said, “have stood up.” It was the most stirring line ever by a successful revolutionary leader, simple, just sitting around. powerful and truthful. The Chinese people, for hundreds of years bent realised instinctively that it was essential to get out of Kathmandu and into under the yoke of both domestic and foreign oppression, had stood up. No the neediest and potentially most dangerous areas; not just with guns, night one could deny them their moment of triumph—those tens of millions who vision goggles and helicopters, but also armed with spades, sacks of rice and had followed Mao through a generation of war and the Long March. job creation programs. The sheer novelty of a major political party leader Countless others died opposing Mao, and during various Great Leaps wielding a shovel will probably have a discernible impact on the situation. Forward and Cultural Revolutions but those are other stories. This is a Hindu kingdom, so I suggest a foray into Bhagvad Gita as well I have a simple suggestion for Nepal’s current non-Maoist leaders. Take as the speeches of Chairman Mao. The ancient texts of Hinduism advised a lesson from Chairman Mao and the Chinese people and stand up. Stop that the path of action should always be chosen over inaction. When there’s lounging in comfortable chairs, being chauffeured to endless all-party a choice between doing something, or just waiting for things to happen, just meetings, endlessly splitting hairs about political semantics or plans of do it. Long before Nike, the wise ones who wrote the Gitas understand that (in)action. Stand up and lead the people you claim to represent. At the very importance of standing up. How Hinduism has since got a reputation for least, stop being photographed while flopping in those chairs at meetings. inaction is a debate for historians or theologians. I’m more concerned with Call the photographers in when you’re on your hind legs and talking areas where people are suffering. When did any of them last go to a distant applying the eternal wisdom of the past to the agony of the present. animatedly to each other about the problems of the country. And for Village Development Committee office, either one that was blown up by the If the Nepali people are fed up with politicians, even with democracy, goodness sake, stop taking huge long holidays for Dasain, Tihar, or Maoists or displaced by the political folly of the late Deuba government? To it’shis because they see little of the benefits getting beyond Kathmandu. It’s the whatever. The country is burning. There’s no time for its leaders to sleepcredit, the UML leader, Madhav Kumar Nepal, has made a few speeches outside late, drink too much and enjoy the festival. behaviour of political leaders that’s causing the problem, not politics on its the capital. But not nearly enough, comrade, not nearly enough. own. It’s the implementation of democracy, or the lack of it, that’s spread- It begins with image. As Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and George W Bush The prime minister told me in an interview two weeks ago that the ing cynicism and encouraging Maoism, not democracy itself. Time to learn know very well, modern political leadership is all about conveying a country’s problems can be solved if the political leaders and the governmentfrom Chairman Mao, who also said that if the people aren’t on your side, coherent, attractive message so that the people themselves take an active“sit down together”. With respect sir, it’s only when you stand up togethernothing matters. So let’s go, let’s.....stand up. role in their own development. The message sent by endless front-page that you can appreciate and begin to alleviate the suffering of the vast All together now, flex those knees, arms on armrests, 1,2,3...push photos, as in this newspaper last week, of politicians addressing a crisis bymajority of population. Action is required, and almost any action will do. sitting down is doom-filled and dreadful. What about a photo of a politi- upwards … be careful, don’t get dizzy. I know it’s an unfamiliar position. British Foreign Office Minister Mike O’Brien—on his recent visit here—There, that wasn’t so hard was it? cian leading a drive to raise money for victims of violence, visiting frontlinespoke of the need for “quick fix development”. It raised more than a few hackles in the aid community but the minister is an able politician. He 666 BOOKS 8 - 14 NOVEMBERNEPALI 2002 TIMES 777 Thenand

etween 1962 and 1987, Fritz Berger Soma, now 60 years old and Lal Bahadur 30, in the now square of Berna village. Lal Bahadur is married and worked on rural development projects Soma and Lal Bahadur Tamang, Bernahas a daughter. He manages the family’s small farming business. “When the Kharidhunga mines are in Nepal for what is now Swiss Soma and Lal Bahadur, 1973. The mother andopen, child I can earn something additional.” Soma values Development Cooperation (SDC). In his are on their way home after shopping in a the new road, and also the water and electricity neighbouring village. Soma remembers: “Wesupply. were “They make my life easier, especially now, book always hungry, and so my husband went towhen work I am older.” Gespiegelte Zeit: Wie Menschen in India.” And after a long pause: “In the early sich wandlen. Begegnungen in years, he would still send me money. But he’s B never returned.” Griechenland, Nepal und Pakistan (Mirrored Time: How people change. Encounters in Greece, Nepal and Pakistan), Berger writes: “In the villages and on the farms, I always carried my camera. What interested me most was the people, their work, their festivals, their clothes and, most of all, how they lived. I discussed it with people before I photographed them. In Greece and EASY TIMES Nepal, they were always happy to be photographed, and loved to It’s never been easier to subscribe to choose their poses. … They were Nepali Times. always pleased when I showed Just dial this number and leave them a picture of themselves or ran your address. Fritz Berger in 543333 a film in which they saw 1959, and in themselves. 1998 (below). In 1996 and 1997 I returned to my project sites to further research this book, which provided me my focus earlier. Before I Bhakta Bahadur, 57-years-old now, with his second wife. He has photographed them anew, I showed them a picture I Bhakta Bahadur Shrestha, Kharidhunga ten sons, six daughters, and so far, 32 grandchildren. Bhakta Bahadur loves to sit in front of his house and watch the traffic go had taken of them a decade or so earlier. As soon as Bhakta Bahadur in Dandapakhar, 1975. Bhakta Bahadur by.is the “This first road has changed our lives,” he says. In the last ten they remembered, memories came tumbling out, and farmer to plant the new vegetables under a farmer’s trainingyears schools and a police post have been built. Many traders program. But no one in Lamosangu wants to buy his largehave opened shops, and there is also work in the magnesite mine. they spoke spontaneously of their work then, where radishes. Later Bhakta Bahadur will fell wood in the high forests Kharka Bahadur is now 45, and Maya 39. Both manage, and transport it to the project’s building sites. together with Kharka Bahadur’s father, the largest they lived, how they lived, and also about illnesses, Kharka Bahadur Karki and Maya, Petkubusiness in the area. Many different kinds of vegetables their material difficulties, the project, their grow in Maya’s garden. Even the fruit trees are unusu- Kharka Bahadur and Maya on their weddingally day well in cared-for. On the way to the young cardamom colleagues.” Sanopakhar, in 1976. The bridegroom put hisplantations, bride Kharka Bahadur narrates a dream in which The book cover (above) is a remarkable in a closed palanquin to take her to Patku. TheChrist came to him. On the second floor of his large author captured the procession and the accompa-house, he has rigged up an assembly room richly picture of Thuli Tamang in Dandapakhar, in 1975. It nying musicians in the documentaryHami film Haru . decorated with Christian posters. “We are already eight This film, about the lives of the farmers there,families was who gather here for services.” shows Thuli harvesting wheat. The inset shows Thuli repeatedly screened in Dandapakhar, to the great at 45, with her grandchild. “I gave my three children delight of the viewers when they saw themselves only the breast. I certainly couldn’t afford baby on the screen. food,” she told Berger on meeting him again. He also learns that Thuli’s husband served in the army for seven years, and has since then received a small pension, which the couple used to build a new house with a corrugated iron roof.

Gunja, middle, is now 40. For a few years, Gunja has occasion- Gunja Master Nepali, Megachaur ally worked part-time in Kathmandu. “In the village customers pay us with goods, in Kathmandu, with money,” he says. Gunja, front right, 1980. Together with three fellow tailors,“Although Gunja we are still poor, things are somewhat better for us (Gespiegelte Zeit: wie Menschen sich wandeln. Begegnungen in Griechenland, regularly visits the weekly market in Kavre. Tailors, like black-than before.” Nepal und Pakistan, Fritz Berger Die Lösen Blätter, Bern, 1999.) smiths, are at the lowest rung of the social hierarchy in Nepal. Laxmi, now 52, holds up a photo of Laxman, who is a bus conductor. Bango, who sits next to her, has two children and helps her mother. Laxmi Devi Lama, Kalichaur Laxmi now runs a restaurant on the Laxmi, with her twins, Bango and new Sun Kosi bridge. Bango’s Laxman (left), 1975. Laxmi tells us: husband drowned in the Sun Kosi “We were very poor and I opened in a tragic accident on 1995. The the teashop in Piple, as my husband, large flood, which destroyed a labourer, earned too little.” Most of everything in the restaurant a year Laxmi’s clients are porters and after it was opened, was a great blow. “In order to buy new plates, Bachman, now 73-years-old, braiding bamboo. “After others who work on the project democracy we divided the use of slate slabs to all Thamis. [nearby]. After the opening of the pots and tables, I had to sell off my Bachman Thami, Alampu old gold jewellery.” In the 1991 revolution, Lal Bahadur fled to Kathmandu due street, the customers stay here too, to the oppression of the people. Bachman’s wife died ten and Laxmi has to keep tabs on her Bachman, 1978. Bachman lives in Alampu village, where the famous stones from yearsBigu ago. He has two sons and a daughter. “The time to teashop in the Lamosangu bazar. Her die is here, as I can’t walk anymore since I fell while husband recently left her. are broken. “We work for Lal Bahadur. He was the big man of Alampu, and got herding sheep.” wealthy by selling the stones to the project.” 888 8 - 14 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 - 14 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 999 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL 7,000 and counting Protesting 4 Oct Children and the insurgency ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Space Time,1 November Bimarsha, 1 November As with most conflicts around the world, children have suffered the South Korea: 15, most in Nepal’s insurgency. More than 3,000 children have been The nearly seven-year-old Maoist Political parties have declared protest displaced from their homes in the past seven years, and the war has Nepal: 3 insurgency has claimed over 7,000 programmes against the king’s 4 left another 1,500 orphaned. At least 100 children have been killed in the fighting, and all these lives. According to the Royal Nepal October move. If the monarch does In the end, it all boils down to Army and the Home Ministry, this not correct his mistake, they promise Critical mass numbers are probably higher. That is just the the domestic front. And it’s nice to count tallied by the government and Himal Khabarpatrika, 1 November breaks down into: 6,011 Maoist that they will react even more see the debate simmering. What human rights organisations. Lately, rebels, 873 policemen, 219 soldiers, strongly. The Nepali Congress is rom the anger, banality, Two wrongs don’t make a right.the constituentNeither assembly do Kangresis there is also the worrying phenomenon Fifteen members of the 50-strong Nepali contin-97 armed policemen and 773 going to organise nation-wide calumny and disdain that have and comrades are toying with is of the forced recruitment of child gent to the Asian Games in (left)Busan failed to civilians including political workers. programs to strengthen the party and soldiers by the Maoists. Fgripped political deliberations, three. Four might be just the ticket.not a bad idea, considering the return home. Nepal won three silver medalsOf in these, 4,050 Maoists have been raise people’s awareness to protect the you can easily diagnose Nepal’s sizeable number of Nepalis— The child-welfare group, Child the games, so it wasn’t a complete loss. Thekilled since the proclamation of the achievements of the 1990 people’s immediate ailment: infectious ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ infraction because they wanted to Maoists and○○○○○○○○○○○○ absolute monar- Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre disappearance of the Nepali athletes was widelystate of emergency last November. movement and democratic system ranting. Blame mainstream shield their own transgressions. If (CWIN) and PLAN Nepal have teamed up covered in the Korean and international press, starting from 8 November with mass carefully weighed the consequences chists—who feel excluded by this to publish a book documenting the impact politicians for the ills of the last 12 the palace has come centrestage constitution. Not to mention that and was a source of acute embarrassment for meetings on 26 November in different of its conduct. Royal advisers who with a readiness to take full of the conflict on Nepali children, and the the country. There were fears that something like years, and you’re told how two Chand and his deputy, Badri contents are a tragic reminder of the Condoms parts of the country. had the acumen to insert two this would happen, but no one had imagined○○○○○○ so ○○○○○○○○○○ wrongs cannot make a right. If the responsibility for its actions, that Prasad Mandal, represent parties seriousness of the situation.Children Similarly, the CPN-UML will paragraphs from thesatra sal doesn’t sound like a bad bargain. many would stay behind. Some didn’t even waitNepal Samacharpatra, 1 November palace has violated the constitu- that weren’t even remotely Caught in the Spiral of documents War the direct impact of violence, to appear in the game they went for, others took organise a public awareness campaign tion, comes the refrain from the proclamation into the 4 October We know Prime Minister involved in drawing up this but also looks at indirect effects such as migration, lack of education part in the first rounds and then vanished. across the country for a month An estimated 30 million condoms are other end, it’s because the politicos address for added effect couldn’t Lokendra Bahadur Chand and his statute. There’s a lot we have to and health care, and the psycho-social fallout of violence. starting 19 November. It will also While athletes from other countries wereused annually in Nepal, of which provided the pretext. A third have ignored the rest of history. ministers are answerable to no one do in terms of the legal, political “The book describes the turmoil of the conflict situation in Nepal organise 13 zone-level mass meetings. winning medal after medal, our athletes startedSocial Marketing Distribution wrong—the revival of the spirit of Consider the situation from the but the king. The palace secre- and procedural imponderables and how it affects innocent children,” says author Gauri Pradhan who The People’s Front will organise a disappearing one after another. The highest(SMD) and Nepal CRS together sell the defunct Article 128 of the other end. When the palace didn’t tariat must have finalised a involved, though. We don’t want compiled field reports and research to bring out the book. attrition rate was in the boxing team—all but one month-long protest programme nearly 10 million units. Other constitution—is not going to help. have a direct political role these panchayat-style division of to see another mob of malcontents The book suggests that child welfare be declared a “zone of of the eight boxers did not return. Two of those starting 11 November. It will also government agencies distribute nearly Maybe a fourth—the restoration of past 12 years, it still faced criticism.portfolios within the premises long go on the warpath just because of peace” for both sides—children should not at any cost be targeted who disappeared, Ramchandra Thapa Magar organise mass meetings in all 75 14 million condoms free of cost, the House of Representatives— And, worse, for the wrong reasons. before the king stepped in. a technical flaw in the creation of directly or indirectly in war, and their right to peace and survival and Ramesh Das Shrestha, had won gold and districts on 16 December, and a bronze medals in the South Asian Games inunder USAID assistance, while the would. Buried in this din is the real Nominations to the Upper House Whatever goes on—and doesn’t— such an assembly, do we? should be restored. “It is a crime to make children victims of any kind greater mass meeting in Kathmandu of violence and armed conflict. From whichever side it takes place, no Kathmandu. All three members of the judo teamFamily Planning Association of Nepal blunder our mainstream politicians and ambassadorial appointments in Singha Darbar will leave a While we work out those on 22 December. made. When it eventually came lasting mark on Narayanhity. violence targeted towards children can be justified,” writes Pradhan. disappeared. Weightlifting Nepal record holder,distributes around seven million independent of the prime minister’s details, let’s remain focused on an Roshan Nakarmi, and shooting participants down to contravening the constitu- The 80-page book also gives documentation of some 94 cases, condoms. recommendation warranted Mainstream parties can do much important feature of this constitu- Maya Sunwar, Birendra BK and Shyam Bista also tion either way, how could have where children have been brutally killed, and official attempts made to Only 3.7 percent of married reproach. But the political class more than indulge in rhetorical tion: the consecration of the disappeared. they expected the palace to step in suppress information. persisted with the generic “democ- flourishes over how the cushion jurisdiction of the street. Since Seven Nepali athletes had disappeared aftercouples in Nepal use condoms as a at their convenience? between the monarchists and the means of family planning. According racy-is-in-danger” chorus. Like political fortunes will continue to the 1999 Hiroshima Asiad, and earlier this year Maoists has been ripped apart. Reds and the king A month later, Kangresis and some of the architects of the fluctuate with turbulence and three women footballers sought political asylumto Narayan Babu Shrestha, SMD’s ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ comrades are still reminding us thatconstitution say, the parties didn’t By refusing to join the Chand tranquillity on the thorough- in Norway. And it is not just sports people. Somecentral region manager, the demand Excerpts from an interview with the core of the 1990 compro- criticise specific instances of royal government, Kangresis and fares, I’ll be keeping an eye on members of the Nepali delegation to Japan forand female condoms is very low due Madhav Kumar Nepal, general mise was the principle that comrades have demonstrated how the New Road Gate-Indrachowk Korea who went for the football World Cup into Julyapplication difficulties and high secretary CPN (UML), never returned. the king can do no wrong. tainted leaders are still capable of stretch. costs. The number of abortions in Bigger army Kumar Adhikari advanced to the quarterfinals Nepal Samacharpatra, 3 November (The reactionary right upholding the torch of freedom. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal is estimated at 70,000 a year. obviously believes that It’s the arrogance of powerlessness The Royal Nepal Army will recruit 5,000 more soldiers in the next in boxing, but disappeared after that. No one should directly answer the that’s troubling. True, most of the three months. RNA spokesperson Colonel Dipak Gurung told media from the shooting team got the minimum score … Our party has decided not to critics.) The people are a parties that welcomed the royal more force would help create pressure on the Maoists to think required for participation in the Olympics, so participate in the government led by step ahead. They realise intervention have little more than seriously about dialogue. The RNA has intensified its search and there will be no Nepali representation in shoot- Lokendra Bahadur Chand as it cordon operations—Gorakh I and Gorakh II—in Rukum and Rolpa, the ing in Athens. Palace on Shrisha doesn’t have any authority. The the palace must have telephone sets and tawny station- ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ hotbeds of the insurgency. Gurung said that there had been no It was only the medals won by Renuka Magar, executive authority is vested in the ery to prove their presence. It’s change in the army’s tactics, and that if the government declares a Kantipur, 1 November also true that big-party pride drove ceasefire it would “act accordingly”. Dipak Bista and Ritujimibelow Rai )( that saved king. This government is 100 percent Baburam Bhattarai and his Busan from being a total loss, and we managed dependent on the king and palace. It to rank 33 among 44 countries. The big ques-King Gyanendra, who assumed is neither accountable to the people battalion into the jungle. They executive powers last month, has probably couldn’t ever have won a tion, though, is: was that worth the Rs 30 million nor responsible towards the political that Nepal spent on sending our team to Korea?directed Prime Minister Lokendra parties. Participating in such a parliamentary majority, but we Lean and mean civil service Bahadur Chand to take the necessary ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ government would besmirch the were wrong to underestimate their steps to amend existing rules and ability to nullify those There will be fewer jobs going in the civil service sector. The govern- image of UML. ment has started the process of cutting down 7,518 civil service jobs regulations to check yellow … Despite having reservations who could. journalism. The royal directive following a decision taken by the cabinet of dismissed Prime Minister about the process of formation of When newsrooms have more comes in response to a petition Deuba. the government, we acknowledge to fear from a fuming film industry submitted to His Majesty by There are 10,600 positions in Nepal’s civil service sector, but that it is a government, and will than from finicky palace censors, it members of the filmmaking about 19,000 are vacant. The scratched positions are among those laud all its good accomplishments. can only mean we’re cruising in community a week ago. They that have been unfilled for the last two years, mostly in the Health We want the government to hold uncharted waters. The interna- Ministry. The recent move might also bring a smile to donors, who demanded action against the dialogue with the Maoists and open tional environment is not condu- have been pushing for a leaner and meaner civil service here. weekly newspaper, cive to a return to authoritarian- the doors for a political way out of ism. Officially, it never was. Jana Aastha, this situation. (Remember how BP Koirala which published a nude photo- … The government should also refused to believe he could be More climbing this autumn season graph of actress Shrisha Karki who fix a date for elections and conduct deposed in between King ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ later hanged herself. The king them in a free and fair manner. The Mahendra’s state visits to the According to data from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil asked the government to take UML is not in a hurry and we are United States and Britain and Aviation, 71 teams from 20 action as soon as possible, in not saying that elections should be countries will be climbing in accordance with the existing laws. Queen Elizabeth’s scheduled Nepal this season. France held immediately, but we can’t arrival in Kathmandu?) The super and Japan are sending the withhold elections for ten years if and regional powers that mattered highest number of expedi- the problem of insurgency is not tions, ten each, while the were more willing to tolerate QUOTE OF THE WEEK resolved by then. exceptions to the freedom-first Australians and Germans … We believe that Nepal needs have received permits for rule. The war on terrorism has eight and six teams respec- Feelings of political revenge have motivated the arrest of our friends [Jai Prakash Prasad Gupta and Khumthe monarchy in order to protect rewritten the post-Cold War rules tively. A total of 199 climbers Bahadur Khadka]. This is unacceptable to us. its sovereignty. The ethnic to the detriment of our lives and are in Nepal for the autumn — Former prime minister Sher Bahadur DeubaKantipur in , 1 November communities need to be unified, liberties. This doesn’t mean the mountaineering season. but the king should rise above daily free world is going to greet every Three teams are here for politics and simply remain a symbol tightening of the political screws on Everest (8,848 m), three of national unity. He should be with public displays of gratifica- for Lhotse (8,516 m), two for committed to democracy and to the tion. Dhaulagiri (8,164 m), and just interests of the people. Although one team will try to climb Annapurna I (8,091 m). The rest will attempt lesser peaks. The issue we are a communist party, we want of these permits has earned the Ministry Rs 28.8 million in fees. Last to move ahead with a constitu- autumn, Nepal earned Rs 17.8 million in fees from 55 teams. tional monarchy. We believe that multiparty democracy, together BBBANYANANYANANYAN CONVENTION CENTERENTERENTER WITH 5 MEETING with the constitutional monarchy, BB C can address the problems facing the HALLS, 48 SUITES, 2 RESTAURANTS, SWIMMING country at the moment. POOL AND HEALTH CLUB, 6 ACRES OF ARBORETUM, OPEN AMPHITHEATER, AND NATURE UNLIMITED

“If you are a politician, you have to sometimes go to jail. Wasn’t Mahatma Gandhi imprisoned? Wasn’t BP Koirala?”

Robin Sayami in Himal Khabarpatrika, 2-16 November, 2002 Tel: 375280, Email: [email protected] SUBHAS RAI 101010 CITY 8 - 14 NOVEMBERNEPALI 2002 TIMES 161616 8 - 14 NOVEMBER NEPALI2002 TIMES Under My Hat NEPALI SOCIETY hen the 30-year-old Puskar Shah set out on by Kunda Dixit his bicycle to see the worldPedalling in 1998, his mother gave for peace himPedalling a 100-rupee note. He didn’t for peace have any sponsors, or big-name backers. All he had was the determination to take his the world and make Nepal better message of peace to all cornersknown,” recalls Shah. But in the of the world on a bicycle. past four years that he has been on Jello Journalism W the road, it is Puskar’s own mother- Today, after crossing 88,000land that has been wracked by km, Puskar’s journey is only a thirdviolence, conflict and the head- CLASSIFIED ver the holiday period the reading public has know where to start,” said a visibly elated Phanindra complete and he is back home line-grabbingfor massacre of royals.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○ a rest and to take part in a Instead of talking about world Give yourself the gift of Reflexology!email: and 5.30-8 PM Tel: 521128/546857 been deprived of information of vital impor- Nepal at the Department of Rest and Recreation. tance to their daily lives because some of us in “Now we can relax, and not worry about getting any peace rally being organised bypeace, he has been busy explain- buddhasfeet or ring 425-931 O the World Cyclist Foundation ingin events back home to journalists Nagarkot Special at NakedBed Chef and the media business were just too lazy to bring out work done for another two months.” Kathmandu in January. who interview him. Wanted urgentlyfully furnished with utilities, a breakfast, three-course gourmet dinner, Rs 800 per newspapers. Born in the tiny village of Everywhere he has gone, with house or apartment with two/ three bedrooms, person. Room Rs 300 only. For Nepalis and Serves the reading public right. Don’t they have “Grand Design,” says Koirala Makaibari in Dolakha, Puskar lostthe red double triangle Nepali flag kitchen, living, dining, with adequate supply of expatriates. 680006, 969107153 By Our Staff Humorist his father at the age of 17. He fluttering proudly from the anything better to do? Anyway, as a result of this served in the Indian army, and washandlebars, he has been wel- water and telephone. Good view, quiet area. serious deprivation much that has happened in our BIRATNAGAR: Former prime minister and Nepali At home in Dolakha Preferred location: Rabi Bhawan/ Thahachal/ Visit Ground ZeroFine wines, designer candles, killed by militants in Assam. comed. “I have been overwhelmed Congress (G) chairman, Girija Prasad Koirala has During the pro-democracy Teku/ Kalimati. Contact Shrihar 521128/ 546857cards, or exclusive Nepali paper products, silver country has fallen between the cracks and been lost by the generosity and warmth opined that the carpet industry is Nepal’s past, presentmovement in Nepal in 1991, shown by complete strangers,” hepedalled through South Asia, Vinay 981024192. No brokers. jewellery, wooden items, perfumes and more. forever. As a journal of record, therefore, it is our duty and future. Inspecting a carpet factory in Biratnagar Puskar was among many studenttold us. The only places whereSouth-east Asia, Australia, New Darbar Marg, opposite Hotel de l’Annapurna and responsibility to bring to public notice events activists who were arrested and help has not been as forthcom-Zealand, Japan and China and on Contact www.kopilaclinic.com ○○○○○○○○○○○○ which would otherwise have been consigned to the Thursday, Koirala peered at the art work on a new rugtortured by police. ing, unfortunately, have been toin Central America and the Terrace flat available on short-term lease. dustbin of history and geography. The fact that none ofbeing readied for export, and told the weaver: “This is a “Nobody really inspired me tosome Royal Nepal Embassies Caribbean.in By January 2003, he’ll House for rent in Jawalakhelcentrally located, One bedroom, one living room, spacious kitchen, these items below are actually based on fact is besides really grand design. Keep up the good work.” go around the world on a bicycle.foreign capitals. be on the road again to begin the spacious old Rana bungalow (9386.61sq.ft) withtoilet/ bathroom, hot water on tap and a wide beer It just came out of my own Last year, his bicycle was stolenfourth leg of his trip in Mexico the point, the point is that as journalists it is our and go down to South America. big garden, ample parking space. Total land area-terrace. Lots of greenery, great view of sunset, conviction, that I should take thein New Zealand, and he had to beg Nepal To Have Navy After that, there will only be 30690.23 sq.ft. Suitable for offices. Serious good price and some chill people around. Call Mani solemn obligation to publish and be damned. The Buddha’s message of peace outto to feed himself. Luckily, Sir By A Reporter Who Requests Anonymity Europe and Russia. enquiries: Contact S Rana between 7-8.30 AM Rai 424877 or Dinesh 425677. public in a democracy has the right to know, and we Edmund Hillary strode to his rescue have the right to break every rule in the book. POKHARA: As a part of the national plan to augment and bought him a new bike and An amateur singer and lyricist, the strength of the security forces, the government has paid for logistics. And wherever Shahhe pens verse whenever he’s decided to set up a navy, informed sources in the joint has run into the Nepali diaspora,lonely and homesick on some dark they have taken him in and desert highway on the other side of forces HQ said. “At the moment we are just naval- treated him like a hero. the planet. Back home, his mother, For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36. Commercial Break: Today’s News Bulletin is gazing, but very soon we should have a flotilla of high- So far, Puskar has wife and four-year-old son are fully speed submarines deployed on Ghoda Ghodi Tal, supportive, if sometimes a bit brought to you by Kangchendzonga Steel Rods: “So worried when they don’t hear from strong, no one can take your house away from you, notBegnas, Tin Kune and other water bodies throughout him for a while. And for good luck, the kingdom,” said Admiral Bhim Sen. even the Judicial Commission to Investigate Ill-gotten Puskar still carries in his pocket the Wealth; by Fishtail Condoms: “Nepal’s first branded Rs 100 note his mother gave him prophylactic, mix your business with pleasure”; and by four years ago. 24-Carrot Noodles: “Switch to new gold-plated noodles and instantly improve your credit-worthiness.”

And now, the news in brief:

Country Closed Till Xmas By Our Staff Reporter KATHMANDU – The Ministry of Inertia and Lethargy has finally announced that, since Christmas is around the corner, the current holidays will be extended till December. The news was received with much jubilation at government offices which had reluctantly opened after the holidays. “Work was piled up so high, we didn’t Puskar in St Kitts

A charismatic (and tattooed) extreme sports performance artists-of-sorts (he videotapes himself pulling dangerous and sometimes illegal stunts, then sells them on the black market), Xander Cage (the new heartthrob Vin Diesel) is a James Bond-like hero with the personality ofXXX a rock star. Cage is recruited by a government agent, Gibbons (Jackson) to infiltrate a Russian crime ring, Anarchy 99, led by a mysteriousJAI NEPAL CINEMA figure called Yorgi (Csokas), which plans on unleashing a lethal substance in the rivers of Europe, which sends him racing through a series of adventures. Also noteworthy are Samuel L 12 noon, 3PM, 6PM Jackson and the smoking Asia Argento. Telephone booking: 442220 Online booking www.jainepal.com

on FM 102.4

Mon-Fri 0615-0645orld BBC Today W NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

DSES-07-11-2002 04:00 GMT Sat 0615-0645BBC Reporting Religion The first westerlies of the season are here. This satellite picture on Thursday morning shows the fist Sun 0615-0645BBC Agenda wisps of cirrus already over central Nepal. But these clouds have been wrung dry as they travel all the way Daily 2045-2115g] BBCkfnL ; ]]]]]jf from the Mediterranean over the middle east to the subcontinent. So not much rain there. But there are Daily 2245-2300g] BBCkfnL ; ]]]]]jf others where this one came from, and the next frontal system is already over Iran. These are fast-moving Sun-Fri 0740- 0800ltg6f s'''''/f systems so they will not linger. The winter haze from Daily 0800-08308jnL8jnL8jnL the Indo-Gangetic plains will stick around because the winds are still from the southwest. Daily 2000-2030cfhsf s'''/f

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