#238 11 - 17 March 2005 16 pages Rs 30 Free Pun JB Pun Magar, staff reporter of Himal Khabarpatrika and contributor to Nepali Times was abducted Wednesday by Maoists while covering the anti- rebel uprising in Kapilbastu. The investigative journalist had covered the recruitment of child soldiers by the Maoists (see ‘Giving children a fighting chance’, #227) but was also harrassed by the army in November. “He is a very professional journalist who is objective and fair even in the most challenging assignment, we demand his immediate release," said Himal editor, Rajendra Dahal, "it is unfortunate that the Maoists have detained him at a time when the state has also been harassing the media.”

Weekly Internet Poll # 175 Q. Should mobile phones now be restored?

Total votes:960 Weekly Internet Poll # 176. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q... How would you characterise everyday situation in in the past month? TEACHING A DOG NEW TRICKS: Nine-year-old German Shepherd, Sabbu, jumps through a flaming hoop for the benefit of spectators during Army Day on 8 March at Tundikhel as his minders look on.

KUMAR SHRESTHA/NEPALNEWS.COM Terrorised students across Nepal prepare for final exams Fleeing school RAMESWOR BOHARA aimed at maximum disruption of retaliation by the rebels. in the villages. Teachers from in NEPALGANJ normal life. Meanwhile, Nepal’s donors districts across Nepal say “After the bombings, children who have been involved in hundreds of thousands of ven by the insane standards are still terrorised and distracted. supporting education have students haven’t been able to of Nepal’s conflict, They cannot concentrate on their reacted with outrage at sustained prepare E Nepalganj had not seen studies,” says a teacher from and deliberate attacks on the for their Editorial p2 anything like it: the bombing of Mahendra High School here. A school system. “It is unacceptable exams Something to hide? six schools last month to force high school student who doesn’t for conflict to enter the and it them to close. want to be named says: “I am classroom,” UNICEF’s Nepal looks like exams can only be held With the SLC exams due on afraid, what if they bomb us representative, Suomi Sakai, told in district headquarters for 27 March, more than 2,000 again?” us, “children, their families and security reasons. schools in the far west have begun Although the schools have teachers need to feel confident “We have not yet been able to to reopen after nearly a month. opened, they have done so in that schools are a safe haven, free finalise the exam centres due to More than 500,000 students had defiance of the Maoist call for a from violence and threats.” this situation,” explains Bishnu been affected by the Maoist strike and school authorities But if this is the situation in Prasad Thaiba, Banke DEO. threats, which seemed to be throughout the region fear Nepalganj, things are much worse More p4 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 3 Kingdom Nepal’s ‘other’ half in shining armour is Pluralism is a prerequisite for peace and justice ‘regime change.’ Alternatively, the empire he Nepal tarai as an area of some madhesis found a place at nationalism. based around the five symbols of could allow the kingdom to solve study is still a virgin their feet. But even they Patriotism during the first Nepalipan. the crisis and arrive at a T territory. Even though it is remained less than subjects, decade of the Panchayat regime Even today, while women, sustainable internal equilibrium. home to over half of all Nepalis with almost no contact with consisted of unconditional dalit, the poor, gays, janjatis, and These are stark but the only the region is little studied and their rulers in distant loyalty to ‘one language, one even foreigners married to pragmatic options for a speedy even less understood. Valley. Madhesis dress, one religion, and one Nepalis seek due recognition, end to the current suffering. What The tarai and madhes are needed visas to travel to their people under the all-powerful tarai-basis are still left out. The the majority of the Nepali people mistakenly used synonymously. own capital. monarchy’. But even when dominant Nepalipan model still desire is a quick liberation from Actually the tarai is a The imagination of Nepal as politics became a little more prevails over the concept of an violence and fear, it does not a nation is a relatively new open after the 1980 referen- egalitarian ‘Nepaliyata’. matter at this stage who is the STATE OF THE STATE phenomenon. It began as an dum, there was no let-up in The Maoists for their part are hero inside the shining armor is. CK Lal offshoot of the Indian the attempts of ‘Nepalising’ obsessed with the notion of class Diplomatic thumb-twiddling or independence struggle when madhesis. Those who couldn’t and are inherently incapable of the fancy to play the morally geographical area with different some articulate Gorkhalis in or refused to be assimilated in producing a blueprint of an blind killing-field umpire whose communities as its residents, Darjeeling and Kasi came up the mainstream were vilified as inclusive and democratic Nepali sole goal is to keep the macabre while madhesh is a cultural with the notion of Nepal as the anti-national or worse. Right identity. Their creation of game going will only prolong the space with madhesis as its fatherland of Nepalis up to the 1990s madhesi regional autonomous regions is a horrors for real people in the inhabitants. Ignorance alone, everywhere. Markers of this de- remained a derogatory term in PR exercise since totalitarianism name of abstract, discretionary however, doesn’t fully explain territorialised Nepali identity elite circles. is antithetical to the aspirations ideals. the apathy towards the tarai in were based on the monoculture The 1990 People’s of the left out. As currently deployed, the general and madhes in Movement raised hopes of an There can be no harmony Western human rights discourse - particular. Partly, it is a product of the Cold War - is because of the way aimed at undermining the powers the Nepali identity of the erstwhile Soviet and other has evolved over disaffected states to regulate the the centuries. lives of their citizens living in King Prithbi conditions of relative order. Narayan Shah In the context of Nepal’s total built modern breakdown of law and order, what Nepal upon the is needed at this point is a strength of his genuine concern for human life in determination and its physical sense—universalised that of his Gorkhali human rights will have meaning army. He later imagined his only when the state can ensure kingdom as a garden of ‘four the basic condition for the castes and 36 races’ that popu- concept of one language, one inclusive identity, but without the acceptance of material and biological integrity lated the hills and valleys of religion and one people. The couldn’t fulfil the aspirations multiple identities. Pluralism is of the human subject. Even Mahabharat range. Readings of , , a of the main externalised a prerequisite to peace and though these states are often his Dibya Upadesh reveal that martial tradition, an anti- population group of Nepal. The justice. The two-day interna- portrayed as antithetical to madhesis figured in his Indian self-description, and new constitution cites the tional conference on ‘Nepal human rights, the irony is that formulation primarily as the kingship are five symbols of upliftment of the marginalised Tarai: Context and Possibilities’ only stable, well-functioning ‘other’, the group to be feared. this new Nepalipan. When the through legal guarantees and that began Thursday is a pioneer- states can ensure the rights - After the transformation of Shah Restoration accepted this remedies, but it refuses to even ing effort to clear conceptual whether they be civil, human, or Kunwars into Ranas, Nepal’s formulation, even madhesis recognise that madhesis have confusions and lay the ground- economic—of their citizens. hereditary premiers ran the who were beneficiaries of the been systematically excluded work for more substantive tarai If it was any other way, the country as a family fiefdom. feudal state were pushed away. for centuries and gives studies in future. It is a time to stateless societies in Somalia and They needed madhesis to exploit After 1960, the promotion continuity to the assimilation end persistent externalisation of Congo would have been the forest and agricultural of a unified mainstream culture model of constructing a nearly half of the country’s considered utopias by now. resources of the tarai. Hence, became the kingpin of homogeneous Nepali identity population.

New York Times last month that she got a like the ‘stated objective of to I was shocked to read of the brief and work to bring spiritual growth to diplomat to escort her to the plane while strengthen the RNA’s capacity’ and detention of Himal Khabarpatrika’s Kanak everyone we influence, we can start to she fled Nepal into self-imposed exile? She ‘pressures that (India) can bring to bear to Mani Dixit. I wonder what advantage to enjoy peace in Nepal. A government does have a high opinion of the threat she get the parties on board’? The questions Nepal comes from the detention of editors appropriate to Nepal will naturally poses to Nepal’s national security. to the Indian ambassador should have and social workers who are loyally and follow. Anis Rayamajhi, email been ‘when are you handing over seriously working to find better ways to Rev G William Robins, SJ, Prachanda and Baburam to Nepal’, or ‘why help Nepal towards peace. How has Nepal St Xavier’s Social Service Centre, RAW DEAL do you think that your job in Nepal is to reached this state? It would seem that Jawalakhel I read the interview of Indian ambassador take position on matters internal to the years, if not centuries, of rule and devel- Shiv Shankar Mukherji (‘There was another Nepali people’? opment centred on the , GOOD COP road map’, #236) and was struck by the Dibya B Gurung, New York has left the rural poor in despair. All want Lovely Nepali Pan article by Jiggy questions your interviewer posed to him. TRUE GRIT peace throughout Nepal. That peace will Gaton (‘Kathmandu’s finest’, #237). Asking him the ‘gist’ of the message he I want you to know that I admire the grit come only when the poor receive justice. Maybe he should thank his karma before was carrying to His Majesty, the ‘Indian and spirit shown by you and your col- That justice will come only when we put he thanks Nepali public service stand for constitutional monarchy and leagues thus far in such extremely the past behind us so as to live in the officials. Having said that please convey multiparty democracy’, the ‘military adverse circumstances. I wish all of you present and work for a just future for all to Mr. Gaton that I'm willing to match his assistance to the Royal Nepali Army’ and the best possible outcome, both for our Nepalese. We cannot expect this or that Rs 500 reward to the honest cop if he so on. Are you a RAW agent? As a Nepali profession and your country. form of government to bring peace. When manages to find him. don’t you feel ashamed to ask questions C Theophilus, Kuala Lumpur we all stop fighting, forgive one another, Kush Mainali, Kathmandu 2 EDITORIAL 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Abha Eli Phoboo, Aarti Basnyat Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur Hyper Empire and Hindu GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 Nepalis need quick liberation from violence and fear, it doesn’t matter who the knight

hatever the ultimate monarch. The tripartite league irrespective of whether it was SOMETHING TO HIDE? outcome of the current not only portends the future, but hurting the voiceless peasants, t is difficult for us in the media to look for a light at the end of the W conflict in Nepal, the also sheds critical light on South political cadres, capital interests, tunnel when that light could very well be another train. royal takeover is beginning to ’s past. There is perhaps a or the articulate ‘civil’ classes. I There are many things that puzzle us about the past month, bring the end closer by forcing good reason why the hyper Is there a compensatory but none more so than the crude way that the media has been the major protagonists in the empire and its powerful overdrive to buffer an boutique bludgeoned. A counter-insurgency war is no picnic, we grant that, and decade-long conflict to come out ideological instruments such as revolution in the Himalayan it would be foolish to seek subtlety and sophistication in these times. in the open and put their money the BBC, Amnesty, the UN and hemp fields to make up for all But such a broad swipe at civil liberties risks endangering the very where their mouth has been. the various Human Rights the moral bankruptcy in Saudi institutions you are trying to preserve. The treatment is more damaging than the disease. Watches continue to make much Arabia, Iraq, Rwanda, Palestine, After all, what are we up against here? An underground group GUEST COLUMN righteous noises on even as Guantanamo, Zimbabwe, Darfur that doesn’t believe in democracy, freedom, pluralism, a free press Saubhagya Shah they maintained a complicit and such other locations of or non-violence. How does it help to fight it by undermining the silence over much more egregious human suffering and political institutions which believe in those very same values? Political The moral majority led by annexations and human abuses duplicity? In other words, an parties which have been the worst victims of Maoist atrocities and Denmark, Switzerland and other in Kashmir, Sikkim and Bhutan. exotic utopia here that could be believe in non-violence are supposed to be on your side. Civil donors have already cut off aid to Whether out of fear or favor, voyeuristically indulge, but never society is a bulwark against extremism. A free press, besides being a force a return back to the 31 moral ambiguity characterized personally suffered, the same way fundamental right, allows people to vent off steam so pressures don’t January status quo. Since the most of the actors, both internal we engage with the artistic build up. king shows no signs of standing and external, during the most productions of Quentin How then does it help to weaken those who down, there are strong vicious atrocities of the last Tarantino. are on your side? Imprisoning parliamentary leaders helps only those who have no use for indications that the Europeans decade. While the hyper empire Universalised values of parliaments. Harassing civil society strengthens will start taking the next morally (principally structured around human rights, justice, equality, only those who believe power comes out of the logical step of shutting their US arms, Anglo-Saxon body, sovereignty and democracy are barrel of a gun. Gagging the press emboldens missions en masse in. Besides Judeo-Christian soul, and a not worth the paper they are those who abhor freedom. sending serious geopolitical global network of client states) written on if their application is These are not western concepts being tremors, white flight on such a and its ideological tools sought selective to serve self interests. rammed down our throats by outsiders. The scale is bound to further blight to make cause celebre out of a few Hypocrisy and double- Nepali people have by now been accustomed to this country, or what remains of events such as the Doromba standards are the graveyard of all political choice, to think and speak freely. They it. The February fuss has a killings, there was by and large a high ideals, and offer no moral have come to rely on a vibrant and independent telling revelation: the studied silence on the general high-ground even to the ‘best’ or media to inform them of events and interpret them projects of process of forced displacements, the ‘biggest’ democratic regimes. from a wide range of perspectives and opinion. Turning the clock back may buy time, but the people development and coerced recruitments, mass Like the cheap cannabis of the won’t take it for long. democracy are abductions, torture, cultural 1960s down in Freak Street, Hitting the mute button has silenced not just the less about cleansing, maiming, killings and Nepal continues to be a budget media, but the people as well. It’s not just journalists helping the the wanton degradation of destination for all those in search who miss press freedom, the people want it too. poor people and human dignity among the of quick nirvana and a bully Some won’t like us saying it, but we’ll say it more about peasantry and rural folks. The pulpit at a steep discount. In anyway: the people don’t trust the official version of shaping the empire expressed its righteous ire Shangri-la, one is free to preach a events even if it is the truth. Even as a counter- ideological and only when the conflict adversely brand of morality that one does insurgency strategy the press needs to be kept free strategic behaviour impacted the fortunes of a special not practice at home or anywhere and credible. The information gap across Nepal is of recipient states. class that echoes and reaffirms else in the world. Therefore, if it now being filled by clandestine rebel broadcasts, or Meanwhile, on the sponsoring ideology and is the considered judgment of the by the BBC in Nepali (see p 8-9). Gagging FM means outlandish rumours run rife. How does all this the right flank, India, authority of the hyper empire at interlocutors that the Nepali state help fight terrorism? America, and Britain the local level, but maintains a does not enjoy the sovereign The only reason we can see is that someone have admitted to rewarded silence on the rights to defend itself and its somewhere has something to hide. But even that is being a coalition of contradictions of the same citizens with adequate means, the wrong reason because the harder you try to hide the willing with clientalist regime at the then all they have to do is paint the more obvious the deception becomes. India as the international level. What was this as a rogue state in league lead agent to absent was an unequivocal with the axis of evil and the challenge the critique of violence and coercion marines will do a quick job of

LLL ETTERS

ANTI-VIOLENCE contradicts the very same principles and to Mr Scissorhands to applaud his postmodern democracy’, #237). The review In your editorial ‘ Right here right now’ ( # values of democracy that is endowed by an dedication to the thankless job that he is is full of impenetrable academic terms such 236) you repeat the oft-repeated refrain inherent power to heal itself and does not performing for king and country. Censors as ‘deconstruction’, ‘postmodernism’, on the need for the Maoists to ‘join the need a violent external force to solve its have been given a bad name in some ‘diversified, collective, anonymous mainstream’. One wonders if those who problems, and on the other shows the sorry quarters by the ham-handedness of a few, experience’ etc. This sort of high-sounding repeat this slogan have ever asked state of our ‘democratic’ culture and our but a really good censor can serve as a academic analysis has hardly any themselves what it really means. Do they perception of the Rule of Law. Through goad to creativity and even a sort of covert pertinence to the great majority of Nepali mean a totalitarian violent ideology can these years we have witnessed destruction editor who encourages concision and Times readers. The style of the review is in co-exist and work with a democratic and and death on a daily basis yet the very eloquence—witness the output of Antonio stark contrast to Ms Thapa’s beautifully pluralistic set up? Even a child can see same mainstream newspapers that Gramsci from Mussolini’s prisons. Since clear prose style and the way she deals the contradiction in that. So what it published the news and photos of wiped out you have been on the job, I must say I have with her subject matter in such an seems to mean is that the rebels should police posts in western Nepal also noticed a marked uptick in the allusiveness intelligent, stimulating, and honest way. abandon violence and their main aim to published articles hailing the Maoists as and suppleness of the prose of the Stephen Keeling, Dholahiti, Lalitpur establish a communist totalitarian state in heros and publicized writings of their publication in your care. You have the rare Nepal. In short, they should abandon their ideologues calling for class and ethnic opportunity of working in the office of a very The only piece of writing that is worse basic revolutionary ideology, yet we hatred. Unfortunately, ten years of mayhem fine writer and editor and on the premises of than Manjushree Thapa’s self-indulgent, know that the Maoist leadership will have done nothing to change this attitude the preeminent English-language weekly in preachy and exhibitionist new book is the never do that. In the same issue the and there are still some who are ready to Nepal. What a chance to improve your review of it in your online edition weekly Nepali Times/nepalnews.com give the Maoists a blank cheque. In the skills. But will it really light the afterburners (www.nepalitimes.com) of your paper which internet poll asks if the blockade hurts same issue you have translated a column of your career? Even internationally, since was so obtuse that none of me and my the ‘Maoists cause’. Which cause? The by Samaya editor Yubaraj Ghimire, (From the fall of the Soviet bloc and the Latin friends could decide whether the reviewer establishment of a communist republic? the Nepali Press, #236) that again American military juntas, the job market for was trashing the book or praising it to high We have to realise that if the CPN(M ) reiterates this contradiction: exhorting the your specialty is restricted mainly to Burma heavens. It deserved to be trashed. had chosen a democratic and peaceful Maoists to give up violence on the one hand and North Korea. Only wimps who know Manjushree Thapa is so obsessed with path many of the 40-something points of while asking them to ‘stand firm in their that they can’t win political debates silence guilt about being born to privilege that she their manifesto could have been achieved statement’ on the other. Such pathetic their opposition. The clash of opinions is repeatedly takes recourse in unconvincing through reforms. If we find ourselves in journalism and ambiguity gives reason to the internal-combustion engine of ‘progressivism’, self-hate and air-brushing the present sorry state it is because we the Maoists to go on fighting as they see it democracy. That’s why freedom of speech of history. That much is clear from the as a civil society have not been able to as a form of support. is precious. And, dear censor, it’s in your book. But why inflict her psychiatric refuse and resolutely oppose violence as Unless and until a full and hands. problems on the rest of us? It was painful a means to achieve political objectives. uncompromising refusal of violence in Peter Constantini, Seattle enough to read the ignorant reviews here Some intellectuals, journalists, and even politics prevails our country will know no in India. And now you, too? some ‘democracy’ and ‘human rights’ peace. ELEGY FOR DEMOCRACY Parbat Giri, New Delhi activists have seen in the Maoists SK Aryal, Northampton, UK I was very disappointed with the review of movement an instrument to redress the Majushree Thapa’s excellent new book Asthi Sakhwa’s review of Manjushree wrongs of Nepali society, be it corruption After reading Under My Hat (‘Learning Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democ- Thapa made me laugh out loud. Is this the or inequality. This attitude on one side to live with sensors’, #236) I wanted to write racy by Asthi Sakhwa (‘Post-February First same Manjushree Thapa who wrote in the 4 NATION 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 When you’re a poor country You don’t get to have a Patriot Act, you have a Vitamin A Act

o the World Bank has decided to suspend aid to oppose the February First move and bring the ‘bad guys’ to their knees. S International human rights groups, in a joint draft report, suggest suspending all aid to Nepal. Items include toothbrushes, soap, Vitamin A, Pan Parag, pani puris, along with all military supplies. The Pan Parag ban is really going to hurt. For some odd reason, the report doesn’t suggest banning Belgian chocolates, truffles, foie gras, beer or any kind of fricassee. Hey, when you’re one of the poorest countries, you get to be the guinea pig. When you’re a poor country you get to have countries like the United States tell India “Hey fellas, here’s a good opportunity for you to take the lead. I know you’re trying to get into the Security Council so why not use this as a tune-up opportunity.” (Based on a secret poll by Wolfensohn and Associates, 50 percent of the World Bank RAMESWOR BOHARA staff thought poverty meant NEPALI PAN Children at morning assembly in Nepalganj’s Mahendra High School as flying Business Class instead classes resumed this week after the Maoists bombed it and other schools. Pravin Rana of First. The remaining 50 percent thought subsidised from p1 Even in Nepalganj, school food in the World Bank Cafeteria was one of the most successful disruptions have meant that poverty reduction moves by the Bank in the last 50 years.) hundreds of children cross the When you’re one of the poorest countries, even Donald Private schools in the towns Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney and Condoleeza Rice tell you to use the have announced that they will be border to Rupedia every morning Gandhian approach to fight terrorists. holding two exams in one day and to go to schools that have When you’re one of the poorest countries, you don’t get to government schools have arranged mushroomed there to cater to have the Patriot Act – you get the Vitamin A Act. to hold exams at night also to Nepali children. When you’re a poor country, you don’t get to send terrorists to cope with students coming for A border policeman sees the Guantanamo, you put garlands on them and hope they leave you exams from outlying areas. children go back and forth and alone. Because education has been shakes his head: “What can they one of the main targets of the do, schools here are forced to close rebels, enrollment is down and half the time.” Kusendra Mahato dropout rates have soared because of the Karnali Integrated Rural parents fear their children will be Development Project says there abducted. Most parents have sent has been a flight of school their boys to India or to the cities children from the villages in for schooling and in many schools Kalikot and Jumla in the past RUPA JOSHI there are only girls left. Nepal’s months. peacetime dropout rate of 70 The conflict threatens to erase “It is vital that adults percent of children below 10 years the dramatic gains made in involved in fighting this is now estimated to be much literacy rates in the past 30 years. conflict recognise their higher. School enrollment of children common interest in “I can’t tell you how bad from grades 1-10 should have ensuring that the next things are in the districts it makes reached nearly six million last generation of Nepalis you want to weep,” says a human year from just two million in rights activist here, “in many 1981. It is clear the figure this year can read, write and villages there are just no young will be much lower but no one count. boys and very few girls left.” has an estimate of how much. z - Suomi Sakai, UNICEF

When you’re a poor country, all terrorists are called ‘Maoists’, ‘Insurgents’, ‘Revolutionaries’ or ‘JNU Gold Medalists’. Hey, I kid because I love. But seriously, this might be a great opportunity for Nepal to begin shaking that foreign aid syndrome. My grades in school started improving only after my Dad said he was going to stop paying tuition. (Ok, they went from failing to just barely passing “The real issue is but lets not get caught up in details here.) It’s a simplistic paradigm but people can get very creative when there are limited options. Take the great Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding Fathers of the Oldest Democracy. He started out as a printer but he was also an athlete, inventor, writer, statesman, diplomat and a ladies’ man (our politicians have that one covered) yet always humble. Even at the pinnacle of his career he continued to introduce himself to others as a printer. (Note to all political handlers in Nepal: please make Ben Franklin required reading for everyone in the political class.). Ben Franklin found the notion of a government without arms a very peculiar notion. Surrounded by pacifist Quakers (kind of like some ‘intellectuals’ in Nepal) in Pennsylvania in the mid-18th century, he used, get this – a lottery as a ‘work-around’ to purchase arms. Now I am not suggesting that there’s anyone currently in the political class in Nepal that can match the intellectual firepower of Ben Franklin. But we know how to do this lottery/gambling thing. Or how about a tax on the national card game of Marriage, Cabin Restaurants or Massage Parlours? All we have to lose is our dependence on aid. When you’re a poor country, you have to put up with columnists like me. BUSINESS 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 5

World Bank warning

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ WASINGTON—The World Bank said Wednesday it is considering stopping its projects and programs in the country if the current Rocking stocks political tension continued and constitutional freedoms are not respected. In a carefully worded statement issued in Washington, the Bank said it was monitoring events in Nepal closely and could When the chips are down, the stock market soars take further action in two months. Bank staff from Kathmandu had hile Kathmandu’s companies should be the SCT, depositories can surely reportedly written to its Board saying that more time would be glitterati, literati and professionally managed and share facilitate multiple companies’ needed to make a ‘ground-level assessment’ of whether ongoing W twitterati focused on the booty with the public. registry function. projects can be implemented. The Board expressed concerns about prophesying doomsday, cash- Many would be forgiven for This would bring the security situation in Nepal and whether projects could actually be carried out. The Board also raised questions about the rich investors just made it to wondering if we even had a stock transparency, ensuring that the government’s ability to continue implementing difficult economic the stock exchange and gave it a exchange but as the bull run stock market growth is reforms ‘in the absence of representative mechanisms to build bull-run that has not been seen advances the regulators have come sustainable. At the end of the broad-based consensus’. The Bank, however, still broadly for quite a while. into focus. This Beed has been day, you provide comfort to your supported the cautious approach proposed by management to Even though the NEPSE harping on about reforming this investor and the investor will consult closely with other development partners in assessing the index soared 20 percent post- sector for a while now. The stock provide you with money. There progress that the government makes in reform implementation as February First, we are yet to hear exchange should be in the private could be a lesson from India, well as issues related to the broader governance environment of the domain and the government where investors large and small country, including the rule of law and protection of human rights. ECONOMIC SENSE remain a regulator. Thereafter, we are lining up to get a biometric Sources said World Bank Country Director Ken Ohashi gave the should stop injecting socialist identity that has been made government a window of one to two months to show renewed Artha Beed concepts into capitalist products mandatory by the regulators to commitment to reform and governance issues. (IPS) like the stock exchange (see invest. Interestingly, private from our self-proclaimed ‘Shareholder Scare’, #74 or companies that are designated by

Everest is once-in-a-lifetime economist intelligentsia or www.arthabeed.com). More the regulator are provided this

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The annual iExplore list of Top 10 Once-in-a-Lifetime Trips has put advice-bag donors. This bull- instruments have to be allowed identity. a trek to Mt Everest Base Camp in seventh position in its Top 10 run is not pushed by insider such as non-voting shares, The starting point could be ranking. Nepal is the only South Asian country on the list. Last year, traders who like to see their debenture linked variants and making the Nepal Stock The Observer ranked the Everest Base Camp in seventh position shares soar at financial year mutual funds owned by banks. Exchange operations transparent. in its 20 Journeys of a ends to make their annual Finally, trading of stocks on If they ask everyone to submit Lifetime. Champagne flight reports look good. It isn’t the paper now belong to museum audited accounts of the to the North Pole has been result of a few diaspora Nepalis showcases. We need to get into investing public for the same, registered as number one investing in the bourse either. de-mat or paperless trading can we see the NSE financials in the ranking, followed by Why is there significant volume through the process of published? Travel to Timbujtu (Mali) changing hands now? depositories. If multiple banks and back and Sea kayak Firstly, the insulated can share one institution such as www.arthabeed.com the Panama Canal. iExplore founder and CEO, inhabitants of the Valley are George Deeb said “People experiencing a ‘feel good’ factor are more interested in and investment in stocks is a accumulating life changing definite indication of this experiences. This list security. Second, there is a lot shows you how far consumers are willing to go to get as unique an of money in the market. Real experience as possible.” Founded in 1999, iExplore is the leading estate transactions tumbled as online seller of adventure and experiential travel. Here’s this year’s regulations became strict so the Top 10 Once-in-a-lifetime list: returns-hungry punters put 1 Champagne flight to the North Pole their money in stock. 2 Travel to Timbuktu and back Surely, this bull-run is not 3 Sea kayak the Panama Canal 4 Stay with a Mongolian family in the Gobi Desert good money chasing bad stocks 5 Cage dive with great white sharks in South Africa as the only place the money is 6 Camel caravan across the Sahara Desert going is into commercial bank 7 Trek to Base Camp shares. The Nepali investor 8 Take a hot springs bath in Iceland knows that banks are 9 Balloon safari over the Serengeti professionally managed 10 Walk rainforest tree canopies in the Amazon. companies better regulated than other industries. They have also

Setting sites been cautious in keeping banks ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ promoted by people of dubious Advertising Avenues Nepal has launched its website distinction at bay. So here’s an www.avenues.com.np. It is one of the first online advertising opportunity for people to services in the country. ponder upon why more MIN BAJRACHARYA about security vs terrorism”

akistani ambassador Zamir Akram for the monarchy and the political parties to son can be taken too far because in for the common good but if the attitude is served two terms in Washington DC cooperate to address the larger problem of Nepal’s case, there is a lot of “wriggle going to remain that of a big brother then P before being sent to Nepal and the insurgency. But he has misgivings about room” within the constitution for the king the chances of regional cooperation are doesn’t agree that Kathmandu is R&R the strong rhetoric coming from the to act even though some political leaders non-existent.” posting. international community. “This level of don’t agree with that role. Post 9/11 there is a new strategic Nepal is an important country for comment has taken place in other countries “What helped us in Pakistan was that dimension to US-Pakistan relations Pakistan, the SAARC Secretariat is but they should be unacceptable for any people were fed up with corruption and which is reminiscent of the 1980s when located in Kathmandu and the two sovereign country,” he says, “Pakistan’s mismanagement and lack of governance the Americans saw Pakistan as an ally countries share similar challenges like own view is that this is Nepal’s internal and when President Musharaff took over against the Soviets in Afghanistan. But having large and powerful neighbours, he affair.” the reigns of power there was an expecta- Akram would like to see US-Pakistan says. Akram adds this doesn’t mean Pakistan tion that things would improve which relations moving beyond being just a Still, it hasn’t been all work for Akram is indifferent to Nepal’s problems: “The real fortunately they have,” he says. “fair-weather friend”. since he arrived here in early 2002. He is issue is not so much democracy as one of Akram has pushed hard to foster “The Americans now accept that an outdoor person and has done the security versus terrorism and His Majesty bilateral trade, culture and tourism with there has to be more investment in Chomolungma Base Camp as well as the has himself reiterated his commitment to frequent exchanges of delegations. PIA bilateral relations and not cooperating Lo Manthang treks. The scenery in democracy.” This debate has a familiar ring restarted its flights to Karachi during his only when Washington needs it,” adds Mustang is similar to Skardu in northern to Pakistani ears, especially since the tenure and the airline wants to begin a Akram, who will be heading the foreign Pakistan but Akram is impressed with the justification used for King Gyanendra’s third flight to Islamabad. policy desk at the prime minister’s office facilities for organised trekking in Nepal. February First move is similar to those Asked about the thaw in India- in Islamabad. His wife, Sadia, has been involved in used by General Musharaff when he Pakistan relations, Akram admits there We asked Akram what he regrets the fundraising for army widows and charities seized power in 1999: that the political has been an improvement in atmospherics most about his stay in Nepal. “Not being like Maiti Nepal. parties had made a mess of things and but there is still a long way to go on able to trek to Langtang,” he says, “but Workwise, it has never been a dull someone had to step in to set things right. issues like Kashmir. On SAARC, he that always gives me an excuse to come moment. He feels there is no way out but But Akram doesn’t think that compari- says: “Everyone must give up something back.” FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 7 “Politicians pushed out democracy”

Sanghu, 7 March Interview with Krishna Prasad a new leadership. For the palace to weaken parties Bhandari, senior advocate and divide and rule is to work against the good of the nation. Where is Nepali politics headed? To evaluate the situation now, democracy will not How are the people to perceive the royal exist until corruption is rooted out. The country will step? not develop and monarchy can’t survive until We need to leave behind the lust for power within the democracy is restored. We have not had an honest parties. Some politicians and so-called intellectuals and visionary leader. No constitution or law has have a big hand in pushing democracy into the palace been made with the people in mind. Even this gates. If it hadn’t been for their weaknesses, constitution wasn’t much help. On one side we have democracy wouldn’t be crippled today. But just the Maoists using violence and on the other the because they were to blame doesn’t mean the palace Royal Nepali Army waging war in the name of can label democracy defective. There is something peace. Caught in between are the people. seriously amiss. The king’s speech doesn’t match his actions. One gets the sense he is moving towards What gave rise to the culture of corruption? active monarchy instead of multiparty democracy. It all started during the Panchayat. But it flourished during post-1990 democracy because politicians But the king has time and again expressed could be bought out. That is why the country is now his commitment to constitutional monarchy facing violence and poverty and its citizens are and multiparty democracy. living in terror. The corrupted, from party workers to The country leaders, have bled the country dry.

cannot develop without democracy and democracy can’t survive without political parties. If a leader leads the people with honest vision towards Who invited this situation in the country? development, freedom and prosperity, nobody needs Until now, the king, NC and UML have been the to be imprisoned or arrested. It is wrong to imprison main rulers. Lack of vision and action on their part or punish someone for anything other than a crime. led to this situation. The king is also a Nepali and The country is in a state of emergency and laws we must acknowledge his good work and criticise have been made accordingly. Some people have not bad ones. We can’t say that right is wrong and been allowed to leave the Valley although they are wrong is right. The palace is as much to blame as not Maoists. If the emergency is to bring the Maoists the political parties and so-called intellectuals for under control, why are others being punished? This is this mess. just an excuse to weaken the democratic forces.

So what’s the way out? How should the political parties move ahead Though the past led to this accident, the climax was in future? the king’s February First proclamation. The parties We have lost our democratic rights and freedom to much recognise their weaknesses. Until they the selfishness of a few corrupt people. Still, a acknowledge it, there can be no improvement. country needs political parties. They must now strive That’s why what the king said was based on truth. to earn back the people’s respect and start again.

If that’s so, why did the parties protest? Should the emergency have been imposed? Each party has factions. The UML and the NC The government says that this was done to quell the know they do have honest, patriotic, intelligent party Maoists. But it needn’t be imposed on the innocent workers but they are duped time and again. Those and those protesting peacefully. To do so is who were in power destroyed the country. We need authoritarian.

Politician: I still can’t say how we have taken the February First move. First we have to see what will be given. Samay, 11 March QUOTES OF THE WEEK The monarch in Nepal is like an emergency light. When normal power supply is disturbed, the emergency light comes on automatically

Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey in Times of India, 8 March

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238

Village schools political demands. The government member Nebalal Rai ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ prisoners have threatened to Yadab, area members Binod Defining democracy Nepal Samacharpatra, 7 March schedule protest marches, Tiwari, Laxmi Yadab and 30 Nispakshya, 1 March meetings and slogans in the jail others issued a joint statement MYAGDI—Villagers of if the demands are not fulfilled. and left the rebel party. The Parliaments are not necessarily the best Jhyamrukot, Kuhu and Takam increasing violence among the medium for democracy. There are examples of VDCs are running Radha Krishna Maoists and their extortion citizens enjoying freedom in countries that Home coming

Primary School with money ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ prompted these party workers to have not adopted accepted democratic norms. collected by selling fodder grass. Post, 8 March quit, according to the statement. Though it might look like democracy is in jeopardy at the moment, it is not so. Instead of relying on the Workers from the tarai are taken to Democracy is defined differently in different government, they sell fodder to NEPALGANJ—The fact that the hills for training in warfare countries and in different situations. Communist cover the cost of running the many Nepalis who had fled the and forced to learn a new culture and military regimes define democracy school. Of five teachers conflict to India are starting to and language. This has caused a differently from developed and developing employed, three are paid return may be an indication that rift between the Maoists of the nations. If the USA, UK, India and EU consider government salaries, the other things are returning to relative north and the south. The themselves guardians of democracy, they two are paid by local donations. normalcy in their home statement also mentions cultural should inculcate their pattern of democracy in every nation. They can’t pressure Nepal just The trend is spreading to districts. According to the police discord and differential because she is a small, poor nation. surrounding villages. at the Nepalganj-Rupedia border treatments as reasons for leaving Democracy is not practiced in many checkpoint, the number of the Maoists to join the movement powerful developed countries. It has been people leaving Nepal used to be in tarai.

misused in others, ruining nations. To allow powerful countries to act Jailhouse rock ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ in the hundreds every day but according to their will while pressuring small countries with issues of Jana Aastha, 2 March that traffic has slowed. “Now, human rights and democracy is unfair. Truth is, no nation today can they are coming back,” says deceive its citizens. Nepalis have understood the meaning of real democracy. Our friends must realise that political leaders and The prisoners of Lalitpur’s Police Inspector Chabilal Rana at members of main parties aren’t the only Nepalis. There are millions Nakhu jail have presented a list the border, citing that 563 living in violence, surviving on meagre incomes. Some countries have of demands to the Home Nepalis came back last Friday raised the human rights issue after the king’s move on February First. Ministry. If fulfilled, these and only 101 crossed over into Nepal welcomes support from the international community but will not demands will make living in India. Last month the numbers tolerate unnecessary foreign interference. We must be allowed to prison so much easier that the were reversed and about 500 make independent decisions for national security and development. people from Bheri, Rapti and These same nations have said the Bhutani refugee problem is an unemployed might actually internal affair. Why don’t they say the same now? prefer it. The 29 prisoners have Karnali left for India everyday. There were gross violations of human rights during the street requested a high school, The people leaving are seasonal demonstrations. Political leaders were openly involved in hospital, gym, library, computer migrants who go to pick grapes unconstitutional activities. Why didn’t the international community training and facilities, better or apples in Himachal Pradesh. speak up then? Foreign aid was abused and subject to corruption. food and visiting hours. They Now that the country is heading toward peace and development, these have also asked that the guards same countries threaten to stop aid in democracy’s name. Switching sides

The king has asked for three years to maintain peace. It’s absurd and other staff in the jail be paid ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ that Nepal’s so-called friends can’t wait that long. Democracy for as much as the prison officers Nepal Samacharpatra, 9 March Nepal will be achieved only when its impoverished and starving and special allowances given to citizens have food, employment, health care, land and security, can prisoners on public holidays. More than two-dozen Maoists travel within their own country without fear. True democracy means all The jail must be better from Rautahat have deserted the How can I give you a property children have access to proper education and people can live in peace maintained and the prisoners be Maoist party to join the people’s description? I have just been and security. This is something that the political parties and their taught technical skills said the freedom movement. The Maoists leaders never realised. For them, gaining power in the government minister for a month. was what democracy was all about. list titled Prisoners’ Hopes. It Area-in-Charge Arjun Yadab, also included some strong Rautahat district people’s Rajdhani, 3 March

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>L % sf ] ;/sf/ ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno ;"rgf ljefu 8 RADIO The sounds of silence Across Nepal, there is an information vacuum as radio stations are gagged

MIN BAJRACHARYA

NARESH NEWAR Within a decade there were more their heads high at international journalists have been laid off. information for farmers and than 50 FM stations across the media seminars and show others Ironically, people addicted to traders. ig things have small country. And contrary to the how to do it. Indeed, even Sri news on FM are turning to A new design of dokos with beginnings. When a group government’s worst fears, the Lanka which has a long tradition underground rebel broadcasts a small wicker pocket where Bof Nepali media activists stations didn’t spread anarchy of broadcasting, sent journalists which have filled the gap. women gathering fodder could and journalists finally got the and chaos. In fact, radio became a to Nepal to learn how to operate Shortwave radios that were put their radios became the license to launch the country’s vital source of information and community stations. extinct are suddenly in great vogue across Nepal. In Jumla, (and the region’s) first expanded the public space for Ten years of effort, training demand and even second-hand shepherds on pastures listened community radio station in 1996, debate and consensus. They and investment has now been ones are selling at a premium as to studio discussions on Radio the shabby one-room studio in didn’t undermine our culture dismantled in one fell swoop by people switch to the BBC Nepali Karnali and felt empowered. Bus Kathmandu didn’t look like with Hindi pop, in fact Nepali the government’s ban on news Service which has increased its drivers along the highways in much. folk and dohori got a big boost. and current affairs on FM for program duration to fill demand Chitwan got important But Radio Sagarmatha did not Nepal became recognised the security reasons. Even (see interview). information live on the status of just launch itself, it unleashed a world over as a pioneer in public educational and farming programs “It’s a very sad situation. the roads through their radios. wave of public broadcasting in service broadcasting in can’t be aired. Some FMs have Independent radio broadcasters Maithili and Bhojpuri Nepal bringing an unprecedented developing societies and young closed, others are broadcasting were serving the nation so well broadcasts from Nepal became deregulation in the FM spectrum. democracies. Nepalis could hold music all day long. Thousands of and better than any form of instant hits across the border in media. How can they be accused of boosting the morale of Maoists and undermining the state?” says Bharat Koirala, the architect of Nepal’s public broadcasting success story. It was largely in recognition for his tireless lobbying for Radio Sagarmatha that Koirala was conferred the Magsaysay Award for media in 2002. Radio Sagarmatha’s license paved the way for Nepal’s FM boom: community radios, public RADIO CONTROL: broadcasters and commercial (Clockwise from top) stations. The FM wave unleashed Radio Sagarmatha’s Durga a music revolution in Karki interviews a woman recruit and spurred the growth of folk into the Royal Nepali Army at Chhauni music. But for the most part, A radio anchor at Radio radio fulfilled the Nepali thirst Madanpokhara in Palpa for freedom. Rural stations like FM pioneer Bharat Koirala Radio Madanpokhara in Palpa A samosa cook at the Radio started with a studio in a Sagarmatha canteen listens to cowshed. Radio Swargadwari in music on his station this week Dang used to broadcast vital since the ban on news still stays KIRAN PANDAY 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 9 India. This was the nation talking to itself through a network of decentralised, This is the BBC localised and vibrant radio stations. After February First, there in Kathmandu has been a vast silence. The new information minister shocked In an interview listeners when he told BBC last month that FM stations all over with Nepali the world only broadcast music, Times, the BBC’s not news. “It was an absurd statement and blatantly false,” Rabindra Mishra says Raghu Mainali president of the Community Broadcasters’ spoke from Association. In the absence of London about the clear instructions on what’s ok and what’s not, most role BBC Nepali broadcasters are playing it safe. “We don’t even know if it all is playing in the right to broadcast news about current situation lost and abducted children, their health or about immunisation Nepali Times:What kind of response are you getting from campaigns,” says Mainali. listeners? Radio journalists say this is they can go and let them resume collapse as advertisers pull out Rabindra Mishra: The response has been extremely positive. the time radio can play an news and discussions sponsorship for popular news People are snapping up shortwave radios: from villagers to high effective role in supporting the immediately.” programs. level officials within Nepal and in the surrounding countries, the government’s development Most FM investors from “The major setback is the Nepali Service from the BBC World Service is currently one of the efforts. With the ban on news, outside Kathmandu have been so revenue loss and the people who few sources of accurate and independent news about Nepal. In there is already a backlash. In the frightened about losing their have lost their jobs,” says Prabhat addition to our daily 30-minute Nepali language program on shortwave, the English programs are on 103 FM 23 hours a day in absence of news there are wild licenses that they haven’t Rimal, Kantipur FM, “We are Kathmandu. rumours and even news of challenged the ban. “There is no trying our best to redeploy radio Maoist atrocities and brutality organised lobbying by FM groups staff into our newspaper and BBC Nepali Service has its own studio in Kathmandu. Will we see are not getting to the public. and associations to get news television units.” Outside an expansion in services? With news allowed only on the reinstated,” says Gopal Guragain Kathmandu, the situation is As a result of the recent developments in Nepal, we have started credibility-challenged state from Communications Corner much worse. Synergy FM of an additional 15-minute transmission from1 March 2005 at 0100 radio, even when the government which provided radio content to a Chitwan was forced to lay off GMT (6.45 AM local time). tells the truth people take it network of stations all over the seven journalists in one day right with a pinch of salt. country via satellite. after the royal proclamation was What do you attribute the people’s trust in the BBC’s content to? Bharat Koirala says if the “Why are FM radios being made. z The BBC has always been a trusted source of impartial and government is so concerned, it targetted? All we are asking for factual reporting in Nepal. We believe it is important for www..co.uk/nepali consumers to have choices and a plurality of views on offer but at can always give FM stations are clear instructions about the Nepali Service on 25, 31 and 41 this time we are the only Nepali language station offering guidelines like it has for the news format,” says Bharat Sakya, metre bands shortwave at: independent news and analysis on Nepal and as such we are print media. “If there are certain president of Kathmandu Valley 8:45-9:15 PM striving to report the news as quickly, accurately and impartially norms radios should observe, Broadcasters’ Forum. Most of the 6:45-7:15 AM as possible. why not tell them this is how far radio stations are on the verge of World Service English on 103 FM 10 INTERNATIONAL 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238

China’s beanstalk

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BEIJING--If per capita income in China grows at eight percent per year—a reduction from the red-hot pace of 9.5 percent it has grown since 1978—it will overtake the current per capita US income in just over 25 years, according to the latest analysis by the Earth Policy Institute (EPI). And if those increased incomes translate into the kind of lifestyle currently enjoyed by most US citizens, Chinese demands will overwhelm what the planet can offer, according to the analysis Learning from China: Why the Western Economic Model Will Not Work for the World. While geo-politicians worry whether China will integrate itself into the current western-dominated international system, Lester Brown, EPI’s founder, is far more worried about the impact of a wealthy China on the earth’s diminishing resource base. “If it does not work for China,” he notes, “it will not work for India, which has an economy growing at seven percent per year and a population projected to surpass China’s by 2030.” China’s demands on the basic raw materials to feed its galloping economy have become increasingly clear here in just the past few months as successive trade delegations, including one headed by President Hu Jintao himself, have made their way to Latin America to sign long-term supply contracts for the production of commodities from agriculture to mining. In a 12-day, four-country trip in November, Hu announced more than $ 30 billion in new Chinese investments in Latin America in basic industries and infrastructure designed to facilitate the export of raw materials from the region across the Pacific over the next generation. China’s economic boom is the biggest single factor in the steady rise of commodity prices worldwide over the past years, a factor that, coupled with its investments and shrewd diplomacy, is buying it considerable goodwill in much of the developing world but Behind Dubai’s dazzle especially in South and Southeast Asia, as well as Latin America. Indeed, a survey of 22 countries commissioned by the BBC and The hidden costs of being west Asia’s commercial capital released earlier this week found that China is now viewed as playing a significantly more positive role in the world than either the NICK MEO in DUBAI world’s second-biggest building exhausted men in filthy blue United States or Russia and that majorities or significant pluralities site after Shanghai and a magnet overalls wait patiently for their in 17 of the countries were particularly positive about China’s wenty storeys above the for those hoping to make money buses home to distant work growing economic clout. The poll, of nearly 23,000 people, was streets of Dubai tiny figures by buying property here, ranging camps on the city outskirts. conducted by GlobeScan and the University of Maryland’s Program T of workmen hammer steel from Afghan warlords to the These men have no voice and on International Policy Attitudes in late 2004. But Brown, a founder and former director of the Worldwatch Institute who has long into place day and night in west English football team. no rights. Trades unions are warned about limits to the earth’s ability to sustain wealthy Asia’s biggest construction boom. The sheikhs who run Dubai banned. Workers have staged lifestyles, at least as they exist in the United States, now argues Labourers from south Asia plan to make it the commercial protests about their poor that – to the extent China’s growth is aimed at replicating such man the forest of cranes along the capital of the Middle East, so conditions before and that draws lifestyles, its efforts will ultimately prove futile. (IPS) half-built tower blocks south and dozens of skyscrapers and swift crackdowns by the police. west of Jumeira Beach, the thousands of apartment blocks are ‘Troublemakers’ are rapidly shooting up. The boom has deported. The UAE is no sucked in an army of workers democracy and guest workers are from India, Pakistan and expected to do as told and when Bangladesh, unskilled men who their usefulness is finished, go toil for years, away from families home with their earnings. to save $50 a month. In 2003, when the World Bank Unlike Dubai’s 100,000 met in Dubai, Human Rights pampered British expatriates in Watch appealed to it to argue air-conditioned luxury, the Asian the case with the UAE labourers are banned from the government for better treatment of glitzy shopping malls, new golf migrant workers. courses and smart restaurants. Some do well in Dubai’s free- Instead they squeeze six in a wheeling economy. But those dormitory room, enduring who cannot stand the conditions temperatures of 50 degree C in run away. Thousands live in summer and allowed to return massive slums full of illegal home to see their families immigrants in the neighbouring only once every two years. Emirate of Sharjah. Even those Accident rates on construction who prosper in Dubai and settle sites are high. permanently are denied rights Westerners barely notice them, although they now make up the only perhaps at the end of the bulk of the Emirate’s population. working day when queues of (The Independent) SOUTH ASIA 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 11 Kiss and tell In trying to build bridges, could Lollywood’s Meera have burnt them instead

ZOFEEN T EBRAHIM in KARACHI things happen in our society but we are loathe to see them depicted either on s it really just ‘a storm in a tea-cup’ and screen or in literature. Our men would a ‘non-issue’ that some people seem so like ‘our’ women to at least pretend to be I ready to dismiss? Why such a hue and virtuous even as they enjoy themselves cry, after Meera—known as the queen of elsewhere. But in this particular case, I Pakistan cinema—locked lips with her don’t even think kissing was the issue— Indian co-star. this was a purely manufactured media Does it really boil down to religion or circus with ulterior motives.” as someone put it a ‘cultural baggage’ that According to Zaidi, there have been Pakistani moviegoers carry. Ironically, kissing scenes before in Pakistani films Pakistanis watch foreign movies with that have been cut out by the censor baring-daring scenes without batting an board. “And if you have ever seen a eyelid. Nonetheless when a Pakistani Pushto film (regional language), there is a actress enacts the same scene, all hell lot worse going on sometimes,” he adds. breaks loose. Local media reports indicate Will Meera, Pakistani tinsel town’s Pakistan’s Ministry of Culture has number one sultry siren, who caused all decided to take action by imposing a the brouhaha by kissing, her co-star Ashmit heavy fine on the actress because of her Patel, in an Indian film Nazar pay a heavy ‘bold scenes’. Stumped by the reaction, price for that lone kiss? Will all the other Meera—who is still in India with Pakistani actors have to bear the rumours that she plans to stay on—is government’s wrath for her acting ‘against reported to have said that all she wanted “childish and quite ridiculous”. camaraderie has often helped generate Islamic ethics and moral values’? And was to “bring the two countries together”. “This is the first India-Pakistan film funds for the underprivileged, the most while the Meera episode is still hot, ask “If I have kissed Ashmit, it’s like that also dares to cement relations recent being aid for the Asian tsunami others—why have they never protested to Pakistan kissing India. If I have hugged between the two countries. Hence, it victims. Various co-productions, star- the vulgar fare churned out by the film him, it’s as if every Pakistani has hugged would be tragic if anyone wanted to spoil studded events and concerts—unthinkable industry in general and all the conceivable every Indian. I don’t understand why this relationship,” he says. But in no a couple of years back—have now become explicit scenes Meera has enacted in there’s so much hue and cry. I am here as mood to stir the hornet’s nest as he has common. Adding to that is a growing Pakistan all these years in particular? an ambassador of peace and whatever I plans for a launch in Pakistan also, he population of Indian soap opera addicts on “Given her lack of reputation at home, am doing is part of the process of adds: “Anything that upsets their this side of the border. we should not worry too much about her building bridges,” she says. (Pakistan’s) sensibilities, I wouldn’t be a “I think this whole issue is nothing but lack of ethics in Bollywood,” shoots Aijaz “Haven’t these people kissed anyone party to. I didn’t know there would be so a storm in a tea cup,” points out Hoori Gul, a film critic, cinema analyst and film in their lives?” asks an equally much of hullabaloo that has prompted me Noorani, an avid cinemagoer and a leading exhibitor. However, there are others like nonplussed Patel, who shared the kiss to write to the Pakistan president.” publisher. “The so called ‘defenders of our Hasan Zaidi, a young Pakistani filmmaker with Meera, which he incidentally calls a The recent thaw in relations between culture’ use Islam and terms such as ‘moral who feels otherwise. Pointing fingers at a ‘peck on the cheek’ and ‘not even a proper Pakistan and India has seen many Indian values’ when it is convenient for them. The ‘culture of hypocrisy’ that has permeated kiss’. Mahesh Bhatt, the writer and co- Bollywood stars visit their neighbouring film is yet to be released and it isn’t fair to Pakistan, he says: “We know all kinds of producer of Nazar terms the whole thing country to interact with local actors. This comment on it.” z (IPS) Lhotshampa chargesheet here was once a fairy tale kingdom in the Himalaya. It Bhutan’s Gross National Sadness will undermine its future happiness T had a king who played migrants of different castes and But nothing could justify the policy basketball and promoted Gross ethnicities to their unproductive of intimidation and violence National Happiness. But then the southern hills, for there was against a people that till then were king decided to redress what he revenue to be generated. considered Bhutani citizens. Proud considered a demographic Cut off from the developments subsistence hill farmers were imbalance. A bhumiputra policy of the rest of the Subcontinent, turned stateless, to live on the dole was evolved and implemented including the great changes that and suffering all the indignities of a harshly. Some 100,000 of the overtook Nepal after the fall of the refugee population in the hot and kingdom’s population of 700,000 Ranas in 1950, the Nepali- humid plains of eastern Nepal. were forced to leave. speakers of Bhutan retained much They are still there. Over of their old habits, customs and 120,000 refugees, 15,000 families SOUTHASIA BEAT diets which had disappeared from packed into seven refugee camps their country of origin. I found this, and supported reluctantly by the Kanak Mani Dixit for example, in the extreme UNHCR. It has been nearly 15 humility displayed by the refugee years since the terrible exodus, The fairy tale kingdom has villagers in front of figures of and the Lhotshampa hope against done well over the years. But it authority. These were hardly the hope for their king in Thimphu to Lhotshampa straight out of Chirang arrive at Jhapa camp in July 1992. also won for itself a place in the politicised militants that the have a change of heart. They wait hall of infamy for being the country Thimphu aristocracy claimed was in the refugee camps, mistreated in the modern era to have evicted out to destroy the Bhutanese idyll. by their own feeble leaders and the tragic saga has been New verification exercise in one of the the largest proportion of its What I saw at Kakarbhitta 13 ignored by everyone else. Delhi’s disregard for the refugee camps, and it became population. No other state has years ago were hapless villagers Enmeshed in its own escalating humanitarian aspects of the clear that nearly everyone counted quite managed to create this level who had been uprooted from their political crises, Nepal has been Lhotshampa casefile. South Block would be regarded as a Bhutani of Gross National Sadness. There homes and property only days unable to take up the matter has not lifted a finger to help one of citizen under international law, is a skeleton in the Bhutani closet earlier by dzongdag administrators effectively with Thimphu, nor with the largest groups of refugees in Thimphu exaggerated an incident that will drag down its history. from district like Chirang, New Delhi and the international Southasia, and what tragic irony of stone-throwing two years ago to It was the monsoon of 1992 Sarbhang and Samdrup Jongkhar. community. There was a time when that they come from the smallest withdraw its team. The exercise that I went down to Jhapa to meet They came as peasants who have the Bhutani refugee issue was country in the mainland. has yet to resume. and interview Lhotshampa been violently uprooted would, with Kathmandu’s primary foreign Prevarication has been Bhutan is known to be run evictees as they streamed in from wooden trunks, stools, cloth policy concern, not any more. Thimphu’s tool over the years in a efficiently by its Ngalong elite. Siliguri on trucks conveniently bundles, beddings, kitchen utensils Western governments who policy meant to prolong the Everything it does, it does ‘well’: made available by Indian and wickerwork dokos. assist in Bhutan’s development uncertainty so the refugees will even the eviction of its own authorities. These were Nepali- This was depopulation. The have been bowled over by the give up and disperse into the citizens. But the fact is that when speakers from a different era, fears of cultural inundation felt by latter’s shangri la status, and are Subcontinent’s sea of humanity. you hit ‘Bhutanese refugees’ in whose ancestors had entered the upcountry Ngalong community willing to turn a blind eye to the Stalling tactics have been used Google, you come away with Bhutan a century earlier as part of was of course real, for the Nepali- inhumanity against a lakh plus every step of the way, and the 340,000 entries. History the great migration eastward. The speaking Lhotshampa represented Nepali-speakers if that will help distraction of Kathmandu’s leaders remembers an injustice done, rulers of Bhutan were happy to the dominant and expanding Thimphu maintain its image of exploited to the fullest. When even if it can’t do anything to right welcome the hardworking culture of the central Himalaya. Himalayan purity. More shocking in international pressure forced a the wrong immediately. z 12 REVIEW 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 it upon themselves to form a Friends of Gurukul fraternity of theatre aficionados. Popular demand has time and again resurrected Agni Ko Katha, a Real life drama poignant play written by condemning the Reaching out from a space where theatre is lived destruction of places of learning. Kachahari Natak or Theatre of the Oppressed has gained a platform here. Like street plays, Kachahari Natak can be performed anywhere but unlike street plays, it does not advocate a solution and asks the audience to offer theirs instead. Gurukul teaches Kachahari to community theatre groups. “The people know the issues they face better than we do, we can never tell for sure what the solution is. Through interaction and improvisation, we help the audience explore and find it,” says Pokharel. Gurukul is using this technique to help school students deal with their problems. This year, Gurukul has also invited a Norwegian director to direct a Nepali play through its exchange program, members will A scene from Jat Sodhnu Jogi Ko on opening night. participate in the lights and sets KIRAN PANDAY workshop at Delhi’s National heir world’s a stage. Nepal’s affiliate with Kathmandu Festival last year. “The number of hardly anyone turns up, even School of Drama this summer first theatre school has University for an academic degree people that turned up was though that is becoming rarer and there is Satya Mohan Joshi’s T started teaching students in the next two years is amazing,” recalls Pokharel of the these days as word of the quality Bagh Bhairab to be rehearsed for acting, directing, writing, underway. Norway tour. “Even here, high of its productions spreads. “We’ll the coming season. But for now, improvising and creating on stage. Experimenting new school students came in droves perform even if only two people Gurukul is busy staging Jat They are taught that life is theatre techniques and adapting plays because it was in their course of show up,” says Pokharel. Sodhnu Jogi Ko at the Sama and to act is not to play a part but for the Nepali audience is a study.” Gurukul members seem too busy Theatre every evening (see box). to live. Gurukul specialty. Putali Ko Because it relies mostly on trying to stage the productions to “It’s going to be a busy year,” got a few Ghar, the Nepali adapted version word-of-mouth, Gurukul is spread the word. says Pokharel, “a lot of work enthusiasts together in 1982 and of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House leading a hand-to-mouth Students and teachers of but that is just the way we started out at the Alliance was a hit even in Norway’s Ibsen existence. There are plays where Tribhuban University have taken want it.”

THEATRE Abha Eli Phoboo Amazing grace Francaise teaching young Nepalis drama. But the group soon With easy grace, he stretches lankily on the step centre stage as the play Jat expanded and in 2002 set up Sodhnu Jogi Ko opens. The flow of his speech, body language and the sets Gurukul, a residential drama comfortably adapt Indian playwright Vijay Tendulkar’s Marathi drama into Nepali. Sunil Pokharel is Mahinarayan Gharti whose lifelong ambition for an MA degree centre. has taken him from his village to the city. What he does not expect is to lose his In the three years Gurukul has job in a newspaper for being overqualified. Then begins his search for produced brilliant actors and professorship, landing in a remote village college whose building houses the technicians, and its productions chairman’s cow. Funny and relaxed, the audience warms up to the story and are already recognised as the best Anup Baral’s direction enlivens the act with steady rhythm. A satire on the educational system, the theme is relevant and strikes a chord in the audience. It in Nepali theatre. “It is intense. is the serious bits that seem to be a bit incongruous in places, trying to slip in We learn the basics, techniques the message in between the quips and social satire. You just have to see this and things we never knew,” says play. student Ghanashyam Mishra of . The course goes beyond Jat Sodhnu Jogi Ko is staged every evening at 5PM at Gurukul’s Sama Theatre in Baneswor till 10 April. Tickets: Rs100, Rs 50 and for students, Rs 25. just drama, students learn yoga, martial arts, dance, painting and www.aarohantheatre.org 4466956 personal growth skills. Plans to SPORTS 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 13 The whole 90 yards There is a way out of these awkward spots, practice!

nce you start hitting the ball reasonably well, you begin to really enjoy the game. At any level though, golfers still dream O of improving their game. For instance, if they shoot 80, their target will be to break that number the very next time they step on the golf course. The desire to keep playing better never ends. From my experience, seasoned golfers often ruin their score by getting into trouble from shots inside 90 yards. In most cases, they are more likely to fail when they have to control their swing. All TEE BREAK these golfers usually hit great with Deepak Acharya a full swing yet when it comes to a quarter, half or ¾ shot, the results are way below average. Inconsistent shot making from this range MIN BAJRACHARYA affects their scoring. Ever looked back after a round of golf knowing you could done better if the shots within 90 yards had been well executed? I’m sure you’ve done that plenty of times. Apart from the very best players, Sticks and stones golfers rarely practice shots of this range and are unaware of good technique. They lack confidence and suffer the consequences. I bet that when you’re on the practice range, you just hit those full Are all you need for Nepal’s unofficial national sport shots. Well, grow smart and get into the habit of trying out controlled shots as well. Feel free to use the tips given below as a guide: AARTI BASNYAT

epal has no national game. Mohenjodaro. But more dandi length units. The closest we come to an importantly for us, Chandra 1. If the biyo is hit only once in N indigenous sport is dandi knew ‘The Rules’. midair, the distance is measured biyo. But due to the popularity of But Rameshji warned us: “It’s according to the length of the football, cricket and even chungi, not our national game you know, dandi dandi biyo is in danger of going a game has to have specific rules 2. If the biyo is hit twice, it is the way of the dodo. So in the and regulations for it to be measured according to the length larger national interest we declared a national sport. It must of the biyo decided to find out more about be played at various levels– 3. If the biyo is hit thrice, Nepal’s unofficial official sport. district, national, international. measuring is done according to In rural areas, children still Dandi biyo is played by village the distance between the To sharpen your skills and get the feel from inside 90 yards, use play it and it is known as guli boys and cowherds who make up forefinger and the tiny finger. a pitching or sand wedge, take a quarter back swing and see how far danda in the tarai. And all you rules as they go. It can’t be called Once the measuring is over, the ball pitches. Continue to practice this until you are comfortable need is a big stick and a small our national sport, it’s more of a the first player calls out the and get reasonably consistent results. Then switch to a half swing. stick to play. But no one in traditional game.” approximate distance his or her Notice the difference in distance. Repeat this drill as well before Kathmandu seemed to know Ouch. So we prodded biyo travelled. The second player moving on to the three-quarter swing. During all this practice, the anything more than that. So we Chandra Rai. The game involves tries to outdo this and the third speed on your downswing must remain as identical as possible. As a trotted off to the National Sports two primary objects—dandi (long tries to outdo the second and so guide, I hit my sand wedge to about 30, 55 and 75 yards on these Council hoping to find someone stick) and biyo (a stump one- on. three different swing lengths. However remember, I am a professional who did. fourth the size of the bigger one Sometimes, other players try so don’t expect the same distances yourself! Chief of the Sports with pointy ends). You hit the to block the biyo with branches The key point is to get the feel of how much back swing to take Development Division, Ramesh biyo with the dandi, flipping it and bushes they might have for a given distance. It’s very similar to how you practice putting. A five-footer might need just a four inch back swing but a 30-footer Khanal, seemed just as clueless. up by striking the end. picked, making the game more would need closer to a 10-inch back swing. “I’m sure you’ll find someone First, the players must bounce interesting. Other players try to Vary the back swing during practice sessions until you are who knows the rules,” he said, the biyo from his dandi. Whoever block the one lifting the biyo out comfortable. Observe how far the ball flies with less than full swings. sticking his head out the door bounces it the most number of of the hole with his dandi. If they Though they are capable of producing good results, even top and yelling, “Eh Chandra, do you times gets to play first. either catch the biyo or hit his professionals don’t like it when they are inside this range and have to know how to play dandi biyo?” You must flick the biyo as far dandi with it, the player is out. hit less than full swings. They are confident and accurate with their “Yes, sir,” came Chandra’s as possible from the base, which From the looks of things, distances but still use good course management on par 4s and 5s to voice followed by the man is a small groove on the ground. dandi biyo needs some try and leave themselves full shots to the green of at least a 100 himself. Chandra Rai, the Player then goes to where the standardisation and the rules yards. beaming saviour of our quest is a biyo is and taps the edge so it seem a bit too improvised for the Amateurs are not capable of hitting accurate distances off the tee “non-graduate first class staff” at leaps up into the air at which the game to qualify for the Beijing or even from the fairway, often ending up in those awkward positions inside 90 yards. Practice makes perfect and can save you from the Sports Council. It is player strikes it with all his Olympics. The good news is that these otherwise difficult positions. Once you gain confidence and Chandra’s thesis that dandi biyo might. Players then measure how for now you can make the rules as feel comfortable inside 90 yards, your scores will improve originated in ancient far the biyo is from the base in you go along. dramatically.

Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] Teaming up The Nepal Under-14 tennis team is back in Kathmandu from Ho Chi Minh City where it participated in the International Tennis Federation’s 14 and Under Asian Championships- Zone 2. The Nepali team led by coach Hem Bahadur Lama had five players: Gaurav Shah, Ramesh Karki, Jimmy Sherpa, Priti Rijal and Saloni Pandey. Endorsed by the All Nepal Lawn Tennis Association, the team worked hard to establish a ranking for Nepal with their combined points. They competed in singles and doubles matches during the two tournaments lasting four days each. In the first tournament, Vietnam won in the boys’ category and Sri Lanka won the same in the second tournament. Malaysia won both tournaments in the girls’ category. The Sri Lankan boy’s determination was inspiring. His home had been swept away in the tsunami but his family was safe. 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 15 Kevin’seye n the early 1980s when Nepal was still roadless and I undiscovered, Kevin Bubriski (below) went off the beaten trek to record the lives of people in Nepal’s remotest regions. Twenty years later, Kevin is MIN BAJRACHARYA exhibiting his stunning black and HAPPY TOGETHER: His Majesty King Gyanendra and COAS Pyar Jung white images at the Indigo Thapa share a joke during the Army Day parade during Shivaratri at Gallery and what immediately Tudhikhel on Tuesday. strikes viewers is that the more things change the more they remain the same. Boys framed by modular concrete pillars in a Patan bahal, pigeons taking flight in the morning fog at Mangal Bajar, Gurung school boys in Barpak who must now be in their 30s. “I realise that Nepal will always be a part of me and the photographs I take,” says Bubriski who spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Karnali. Bubriski’s photographs points without hesitation at the reflect the traditional aspects of one of monks at Tsurphu Nepali life with his use of black, Monastery in Tibet carrying food white and shadows. Why this offerings. NEPALNEWS.COM preference for black and white? “I Bubriski has won accolades LENDING A HELPFUL HAND: Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, like the expressive quality of for his photographs including the Tsutomu Hiraoka and founder chairman of Nepalganj Medical black and white which allow the recent 2004 Hasselblad Masters College, Mukunda Bhakta Shrestha, shaking hands after signing a viewer to concentrate on the Award. His books Portrait of design and structure of the Nepal (1993) Power Places of Rs 6 million grant for conflict victims on Wednesday. image. Each print is a handmade Kathmandu Valley (1995) and object.” Indeed, the black and Pilgrimage: Looking at Ground Reflections from white images of Nepal from the Zero (2002) reveal a photographer Tibet. past 30 years reflect the strong with a keen eye for social Photographs by enduring integrity of the Nepali responsibility. Here is someone Kevin Bubriski people and our cultures. who uses the images he creates till 31 March at Asked about his favourite as a bridge between people. z Indigo Gallery, print at the Indigo, Bubriski Aarti Basnyat 4413580

MIN BAJRACHARYA ARRESTING GALS IN KATHMANDU: Bhim Kumari Budha, former tourism minister, being interviewd by the international press at Asan during the Women’s Day protest rally on Tuesday. Budha and several others were arested soon after.

KIRAN PANDAY MY NEW JET: Capt RP Pradhan, president of SOI group points at a poster showing the third Fokker 100 jet that joined the Cosmic Air’s fleet at a press conference on Monday.

KIRAN PANDAY SING-ALONG NOW: Girls practicing outside St Xavier’s College on Sunday for the ‘Father Watrin Memorial Music Tribute’. 14 CITY 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238

ABOUT TOWN Karam is the story of one man’s retribution dealt to him by life, retribution born out of his dark past. John (John Abraham) is an assassin who FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS works for mob boss Captain (Bharat Dhabolkar). One fateful day, John ™ Fundraising for cyclist Pushkar Shah Artworks by Govinda Azad, ends up killing an entire family. As he stares into the eyes of the little Temba Chhiri Sherpa and Pushkar Shah at Nepal Art Council, Baber Mahal. girl whose life is slowly ebbing away from her, realisation hits John. He Until 13 March. 4264710 decides to quit and start a life without bloodshed with his wife Shalini ™ Celebrating Line Exhibition of selected drawings at Siddhartha Art Gallery, (Priyanka Chopra). But as per the Karmic laws of life, John’s plan and fate are in direct opposition. Captain is facing a major threat from a Baber Mahal Revisited, 15 March-13 April. 4411122 rival don Yunus (Vishwajeet Pradhan). When he is nearly killed by an AL CINEMAAL CINEMA CINEMA AL CINEMAAL AL CINEMAAL ™ Kathmandu & Kali Gandaki Exhibition of photographs by Anagarika AL CINEMA assassin, Captain decides to teach the city a lesson. His plan is so big Sugata at GAA, Thamel, until 18 March. Proceeds go to the Chairo Gumba that it’s never been dreamed of. Karam is the quest for one man’s Restoration Fund. 4414785, [email protected] redemption set in a high-octane emotional thriller. ™ Uttishtha Art workshop at Osho Tapoban, 11-20 March. 4242106 ™ Festive Images Paintings by Pradip K Bajracharya at Buddha Gallery, Call 4442220 for show timings www.jainepal.com Thamel. 13-27 March. 4441689 ™ Reflections from Tibet Photos by Kevin Bubriski at Indigo Gallery, Naxal. Now Showing: Karam JAI NEPJAI NEP NEP JAI NEPJAI JAI NEPJAI Until 31 March.4413580 JAI NEP ™ Magic Pencil Artworks by Britain’s best children’s illustrators at the British KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY Council, Lainchor. Until 6 May. 4410798 PREMIUM OFFICE The mercury may be rising but the pollution levels do not show any signs of EVENTS SPACE FOR RENT dropping. The concentration of particles that are small enough to enter the human ™ World Water Day on 22 March. body in Kathmandu’s air last week was about six percent higher than the previous Whole top floor of office block ™ Jat Sodhnu Jogi Ko Play directed by Anup Baral at Gurukul, Dhobikhola, week and in the urban areas of Kathmandu and Patan, pollution levels were twice in Pulchok overlooking Setopool, 5PM. Till 10 April. 4466956 the national standards. These average levels would have been even higher had it Kathmandu Valley and offering ™ Art workshop for kids at Buddha Gallery. 4441689 not been for the fresh afternoon breeze that cleared the air. grand panorama of the ™ Rugby Practice Every Saturday for both experienced and beginners. Himalaya Contact Gopal Chhetri at 4435939, [email protected] 27 February - 4 March 2005 in micrograms per cubic meter. Modern portioning, meeting ™ Sanibaar Mela Every Saturday at the Dharahara Bakery Café, 12AM-5PM. Source: www. mope.gov.np room, spacious offices, cubicles, ™ The God Dance of Kathmandu Valley Tuesdays at Hotel Vajra. dining area, lobby and Good < 60 reception, lift, fire escape. MUSIC Ok 61 to 120 2,700 sq ft @ Rs 30 per sq ft ™ Night for Tsunami Kishor Gurung live at (below market rate) Shankar Hotel, Lajimpat on 18 March, 6.30 PM, Unhealthy 121 to 350 Contact Mr Anil tickets Rs 1000. 4261831, 4410151, 55221113 Harmful 351 to 425 immediately: ™ Live Jazz by JCS trio and Peter McTwister, [email protected] Thursdays at Full Moon Bar, Mondays at New Hazardous >425 Orleans Café, Thamel. 4700736 Putalisadak Patan H Thamel Kirtipur Bhaktapur Matsyagaun ™ Live with Abhaya and the Steam Injuns at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED ™ Fusion Time Mondays at Jalan Jalan Restaurant, Lajimpat, 7PM. 4410438 ™ Live Music Everyday at Juneli Bar, Hotel de The mercury surged four degrees l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. this week to the upper 20s, ™ Good Time Blues Band at Rum Doodle, indicating that spring is finally here. Fridays, 7PM onwards. 4701208, 4701107, The minimum temperatures also [email protected] climbed firmly into the double digits, ™ Classical music, 7PM onwards, Fridays at Hotel Vajra. 4271545 bringing down the daily temperature ™ Saturday nights with Looza, 6.30 PM onwards. 4256622 variation to 15 degrees from nearly ™ Jukebox experience at Rox Bar. 4491234 20 last month. This satellite picture ™ Jazz at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lajimpat. Every Wednesday and Saturday. taken on Thursday morning shows a fresh westerly front that will bring FOOD cloud cover along the western ™ Arniko Special Lunch at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 Himalaya over the weekend. The ™ Krishnarpan Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 existing high-pressure pattern over ™ Barbecue Dinner Every Friday at the Summit Hotel. 5521810 Kathmandu will keep this system ™ Exotic Seafood at Rox Restaurant, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 at bay, so even if things get ™ Delicacies Pastas and snacks at Roadhouse Café, Jawalakhel. 5521755 overcast there won’t be much by ™ Sizzling Weekend at Garden Terrace, Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999 way of rain. ™ Genuine Thai cuisine at Royal Lotus, Bakhundole. 5521231 KATHMANDU VALLEY ™ Farm House Café Delicious meals at Park Village Hotel. 4375280 ™ Café Bahal Newari cuisine at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4700632 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ™ Barbecue-Ban Bhoj at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ™ Vegetarian Creations at Stupa View Restaurant. 4480262 ™ The Beer Garden at Vaijayantha, Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ™ Dwarika’s Thali Lunch at the Heritage courtyard. 4479488 24-12 25-12 26-13 27-13 27-14 ™ The Tharu Kitchen at Jungle Base Camp. [email protected]

GETAWAYS ™ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Celebrate spring. 4361500 ™ Shivapuri Cottage Nature, peace and bird watching at 6,000ft. 4354331 ™ Chiso Chiso Hawama Package for Rs 1,700 at Club Himalaya. 4411706 ™ Jungle Base Camp Lodge, Bardia, special package and prices. [email protected] ™ Malaysia Dream Holidays Packages starting from Rs 45,500 per person. 4247215 extn 013-14, [email protected] ™ Getaway package Night’s stay at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ™ AAA Organic Farm Guesthouse Rs 950 with three meals. 6631734 ™ Temple Tiger One night package $250. 4263480 ™ Machan Wildlife Jungle Resort special packages available. 4225001 ™ Weekend Special at Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 4375280 ™ Jomsom Mountain Resort Two nights-three days at Rs 5,999 for Nepalis, $199 for expats including airfare and food. 4496110, [email protected] 16 11 - 17 MARCH 2005 #238 Hint hint, wink wink

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING (READ THIS adequate rest to prepare for a new week of idle FIRST BEFORE SNEAKING OFF TO READ THE worship. “If we work Sundays, we will be forced PUNCHLINE): This column has been pre-tested on to become our old inefficient and lazy selves,” lab rats and has been found to contain no inflam- said one bureaucrat who agreed to be interviewed mable material and is not a firehazard as far as we only in silhouette while taking a post-prandial ISSN 1814-2613 www.nepalitimes.com can tell from cursory inspection. Consumers are nap. warned that if symptoms such as nausea, Outside the Outer Ring Road, however, it will vomiting, dizziness and a loss of the sense of be business as unusual on Sundays, the Bureau balance should, god forbid, persist they should said. immediately consult the nearest member of the intelligent agencies and lodge a complaint. For Test-tube tourists born best results, it The test-tube baby boom showed no signs of should be abating this week as more and more experimental UNDER MY HAT consumed human beings entered the kingdom, boosting Kunda Dixit with a slice of hopes that this would impact favourably on lemon and a sagging domestic tourism figures for the season. pinch of salt within 100 days of manufacture. Among those born this week was a test-tube Management welcomes suggestions and journalist who, unaware of prevailing laws of the complaints via email and they will be immedi- land, hasn’t stopped bawling ever since he was ately deleted. Anyone found to be taking any of born four days ago. Now that Nepal is a signatory this stuff seriously should go and get his and/or of the International Anti-Biopiracy Convention it her head examined free of charge by a member of retains the copyright for the new babies so they the Head Hunting Department of the Ministry of can’t be cloned by anyone else. Not that anybody Infotainment and Commotion, if you get my drift. would want to. And after that word of caution, which is mandatory under current regulations to protect our “I kid you not”: Minister asses from being hauled over the coals, we can The Minister of Innuendo and Insinuation has plunge right into this morning’s main headlines urged the media to disseminate only news based to find out what is not really happening around on facts that are stranger than fiction. the nation even as we speak. Addressing a gathering of journalists-turned- pan wallas in this week, he said: “It is Sundays on again not untrue to deny that there is hardly no After thorough deliberation and much agonising censorship, but I can’t confirm that those days are indecision, the Bureau of Sloth and Lethargy has not here to stay.” finally decided to restore the Sunday holiday He added that unlike in the old days of inside the Outer Ring Road. unbelievable freedom, the public can now trust The on-again-off-again decision came after the every word in the papers since they have all been Bureau announced last week that Sunday would fact-checked by the concerned authoritarians. He be a working day in Kathmandu Valley but irate added: “You can be sure that nothing is made up, civilian servants said this would deprive them of unless it’s an emergency.”

CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59