#84 8 - 14 March 2002 16 pages Rs 20

Children of a Blue AZZ God J 15 8-9 15 EXCLUSIVE HEMLATA RAI IN LAMJUNG ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ ven at noon, Besisahar, Lamjung’s Foreign aid policy dusty district headquarters, wears a deserted look. By evening, there are a For once, a deadline in E has been met. On 4 March, thefew people hurrying home before the seven government and a team of o’clock curfew. donors actually agreed on and After the Maoists booby-trapped an Lull in Lamjung finalised the Foreign Aid Policy,army convoy two months ago, all vehicles which still needs the endorse- are stopped at the district border after 5.30 But is it a calm before the storm? ment of the Cabinet to be an PM. There is an undercurrent of fear official document. On 7 Februarybordering on panic here. The locals hesitate the government promised to have the policy ready within a month.to A talk to strangers, and if they do, there are government source told us the no smiles, no welcomes. Besisahar’s most contentious section govern-traditional hospitality and friendliness is ing aid from INGOs and NGOs gone. There is fear here of the Maoists and has now been “fine-tuned” to the security forces. Too many have had everybody’s liking. Donor repre-friends and relatives taken in by both sides. sentatives from the World Bank, Not surprisingly, business is badly hurt. NARENDRA SHRESTHA Asian Development Bank and As the gateway to , the town used UNDP and major bilaterals participated in the two meetingsto get 100 trekkers a day moving up the held to finalise the document. Marsyangdi valley. These days there are barely ten. The town’s only colour lab used to process 30 rolls of films every day, these days it gets a third of that. Bal Prasad Parajuli lost his business because his lodge is situated atare doing just that. A villager from Nalma Lamjung’s population is literate, much the northern end of Besisahar, away from the told us there is hardly anyone left in his They are afraid of being taken in by bothbetter than the national average. But protective range of the barracks. Saraswoti village except children and women. sides,” Nepal told us. education has been badly affected by the Cosmopolitan capital Khaniya’s clients don’t come anymore for just This isn’t new for Lamjung, people The local people are of little help—Maoist threats against schools. Some the opposite reason—her tea stall is too close from here have traditionally migrated to they’re so afraid of Maoist retribution, they10,000 students in 30 private schools, Musicians, to the army post. culture serve in the Indian or British armies or to do not disclose the identity or whereaboutsincluding the Himalchuli Boarding School, Lekhnath Adhikari, president of the work in India. But this exodus is on a much of Maoists who have extorted money fromwhich has a record for best SLC results, vultures, Besisahar Town Development Committee, businesses bigger scale. Lamjung’s young left in the them. “Even the elected representativeshave are nowhere to go. Work on the German- says the present calm is deceptive. “Unless and even janathousands sarkar when the Maoists started forced reluctant to inform the police about thefunded 39 km Karaputar-Samle Bhanjyang- the Nepal an environment is created for people’s recruitment after the declaration of the whereabouts and identities of the Maoists,”Singdi road is suspended. Tourism representatives to return to the district, the jilla said Pitamber Adhikari, who heads the Security sources say about 100 sus- Board are coming together to people’s desire for development will not be (“district people’s government”) Police Office. pected Maoists have been interrogated, and make Nepal an even more restored, and there will be no peace,” he last August. Many of those who stayed The main casualty of this atmosphereboth of the army attractive tourist destination. Ontold us. So far, the Maoists have not Tuesday, 12 March, the first-ever joined the militia during the three-month fear and panic is development. Lamjung’sand the local attacked hotels, but lodge owners are ceasefire. Those who resisted, or quit the development budget was Rs 5 million. Thisadministration Festival kicks victimsoff of Maoist extortion. “You can call it with a 12-hour-long show at the insurgency disillusioned, are vulnerable to was slashed by ten percent after the claim the Editorial p2 Gokarna Forest Golf Reserve. protection money,” said a hotelier who didthe Maoists and the security forces. Security government diverted money for security.Maoists are on Learning from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Sponsors of the 10-day long not want to be named. “If the situation sources in Lamjung told us that most of the The Middle Marsyangdi hydropower the run. But even DSP Adhikari admits the festival tell us they’re investing does not improve this season I’ll just pack Maoists put in the district jail are teenagers, project will bring a Rs 20 million bonanza,peace can’t last unless there is rehabilitation despite the recession, hoping up my bags and leave.” A lot of Lamjungis or in their early 20s. Lamjung Chief District but not for another five years. “Develop-and development. He says: “We have to this will be an annual event that step in and fill the vacuum after the Maoists can draw more high-spending Oficer Shiva Prasad Nepal admits the youth ment work in this district has come to a tourists to Nepal. feel trapped. “Maoist dissidents are secretly halt,” says Jamindra Man Ghale, DDC are chased away.” See also ìThe hills are alive,î migrating to Kathmandu and other towns. chairman. Nearly three-quarters of p 8-9.

road building has been badly hit. Immunisation has been affected by overall uncertainty, and every time a rural powerhouse is hit, vaccines are ruined. “It’s getting more and more difficult to help people when they need it Target: Developmentthe most,” one donor representative in Kathmandu told us. Development agencies are now exchanging notes and trying to find new, effective ways of delivering services to people who need them the BINOD BHATTARAI ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ most, while ensuring safety of staff. Rebels used to ask aid agency workers Weekly Internet Poll # 24 for “donations”, but let them do their work. Now even those lines of commu- Q. Does the constitution need tinkering, or should it wo days after the Maoists hit Accham on 16 February, a helicopter be left alone? flew into Mangalsen with a special mission: evacuate 25 develop-nication are cut. ment workers who had survived the night of carnage. In anotherThe far- only way may be to communicate directly with the people. When westernT district, development moved out last week after the rebelsMaoists locked looted development supplies in a mid-western district, they were up the District Development Committee chairman in his office andopposed threat- by locals. In another district in the east, a micro-finance NGO ened to attack the headquarters. Said one NGO worker from the far-west:threatened by Maoists was asked to return by villagers. “We don’t want to “Everyone is scared about what could happen next.” pull out completely because we know we have people’s support,” one In Kathmandu, project personnel and donors are worried who, workerif any- said. “But it is getting difficult to even retain a minimal presence.” one, is in charge. Most are involved in grassroots development buildingEarly this week rebel supporters forced schools to shut down for two drinking water projects, mobilising communities for forestry and sanitation,days, and the Maoists have called for another five-day strike next month. If or setting up savings schemes. And now they are caught in the crossfirethe last strike was any indication, most Nepalis will stay home, not and development work is grinding to a halt. because they support Maoists but because the government can’t Many of them have fled the fighting (some temporarily) and areprotect in them. Kathmandu. In interviews, they told us that three months ago the MaoistsAnother exasperated donor rep told us: “At times like these I wonder used to shake their hands, saying: “We both want to help the poor,where so you Nepal’s real leaders are. We can do little unless Nepalis decide to needn’t worry.” Those doing genuine work thought they were safe.help themselves.” But after Magalsen no one is sure that agreement holds anymore. Rural Total votes: 701

Weekly Internet Poll # 25. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Do you think the government was right to agree to Indian demands on export quotas and value addition? 2 EDITORIAL 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES NATION 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES 3 Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Editor: Anagha Neelakantan Design: Kiran Maharjan COMMENTARY by MADHUKAR SJB RANA [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki [email protected] Sales: Sudan Bista [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-543333-7, Fax: 01-521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press: 01-521393 Why do we need constitutional reforms?

eforms to the 1990 Constitution are the constitution will be to innovate at the LEARNING FROM SRI LANKA AND AFGHANISTAN being called for from all political Reform not for reform’s sake, but for the nation’s. Village Development Committee and Ward Peace is breaking out all over the region. A shaky calm has returned Rdirections. The Maoists want a levels such that the poor have equitable access to Afghanistan after 30 years, the deaths of 500,000 people, and the Constituent Assembly to be set up for this to development. The VDC and Ward displacement of an entire generation of five million Afghans. Out in purpose. Some want a referendum on the chairperson and vice-chairperson could be Sri Lanka, 20 years and 65,000 lives later, there is an indefinite question “Constitutional Reforms or elected on the basis of open voting for ceasefire and hopes of peace at last. Constituent Assembly?” Still others wish a individuals in the Panchayats, based on their This may be a good time to ask what the wars in Sri Lanka and re-negotiation by and between the king, leadership ability. Afghanistan actually achieved. What was the sense in all that car- parliamentary parties and the Maoists, An Upper House that replicates the nage? Did the freedom fighters achieve what they set out to? What- representing the dominant ideologies and Lower House is a waste of national resources, ever the cause, can mass misery on such a scale for such a long centres of power. especially when it is a repository of candi- time ever be justified? What is an acceptable price to pay for freedom And then there are those who wish that dates who have lost their elections or are and self-determination? Who really benefited besides the arms reforms be undertaken by the ruling party unfit to be elected. A bicameral parliament merchants? while negotiating with the Maoists for and should be designed to provide adequate We ask these questions as Nepal itself lunges towards a similar on behalf of all other parties, without checks and balances to the Lower House by abyss. Even in Jaffna or the Panjshir Valley, it would be rare to see the kind of casualty levels we saw last month in Achham and Salyan. altering the fundamentals of the present representing the plurality of society. This If this is the prevalent kill rate at the beginning of our own conflict, system, namely constitutional monarchy, way, lawmaking and review, as well as we shudder to think how it will all end. Have the architects of this multi-party parliamentary democracy with national policies, would have the voice of the revolution pondered where this is taking us? Who gave them the right sovereignty residing in the people. most non-partisan interests, and be geared to to determine our destiny? Is violence really the shortcut to power that The demands for change are wide and longer-term considerations than is possible they think it is? varied: representative democracy must protect and in the debates of the Lower House. Excessive After 65,000 people are killed, Prabhakaran is willing to compro- the state should be secular, albeit with a promote human rights and minority rights; lobbying by organised vested interests would mise on the single most important goal of his struggle: an independ- Hindu monarch and duly recognising the the body politic must be cleansed of also be controlled. ent Tamil homeland. Will it take twenty years and 100,000 dead multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-lingual corruption; A National Security Council (NSC) is a Nepalis for our comrades to say, oops, it looks like armed struggle fabric of society; the prime minister needs more executive strategic must and should be built into the was a dead-end street, now let’s talk. It may be safe to say that by that an electoral democracy be founded on freeprivileges as he is otherwise hostage to constitution as an independent organ of state. time there may be no Nepal, and nothing left to talk about. and fair elections by forming an interim parliamentary politics; jumbo cabinets. Parliamentarians are also constitutionally from being ministers. Let An autonomous secretariat occupied by It is so much easier to wallow in cynicism and despair, and to look erudite while taking on a hopeless pose. It is hard to sound confident government to oversee elections; electoral democracy has been weakened by found to be disinterested in or unqualified the prime minister, elected by the Lower independent scholars must be available to the and harder still to be credible standing amid the carnage to say: all is the prime minister can go to test the muscle-power, money-power and the to delve into the intricacies of lawmaking, as House, have the freedom to appoint anyone NSC. The council should have a broader not lost, we must pull ourselves together. To take an existentialist people’s will whenever he deems it necessary; invisible hand of the mafia. well as monitoring the implementation of from inside or outside his party—other than representation in the manner of King-in- perspective amidst all this, we remind ourselves that in the end there political parties be bound by due process existing laws. an MP—to the position of minister. The Council to deliberate openly on national is no choice but to assert our humanity amid so much inhumanity. of the rule of law and not function as extra- In addition to the core principles laid The simplest measure of reform is, it is main duty of an MP must be to govern, not security policies, strategies and issues. What is worrisome is the desperation of those who will benefitSTATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL constitutional bodies; down by the constitution, there are others that believed, to have parliament enact a law to play party politics. Leaders of all national political parties too from the coming anarchy. And there is a danger of society becoming the system of castes, outcastes and genderneed to be enunciated: that Nepal is “nations- govern limits on funding for political parties It would also be a relatively simple should be present at its proceedings, and all irreversibly brutalised, our instinctive humanity smothered by blind inequality imbibed in the traditional law of within-the-state” and not just a “nation-state”. and call for audits, accountability, and good matter to accept constitutional changes that plenary sessions should be chaired by His anger and bad blood. It gets debilitating writing and thinking about the land (Muluki Ain) be re-engineered; This means that our structure of governance party governance. Another would be to have provide for an interim government to Majesty the King. these things day after day. There is a sense that we are collectively must be unitary, with federal features. parliament require that all constitutional organs manage the affairs of state, led by the king, The challenge is to create a society that is dragging each other down, and we will all end up in the muck of Our constitution is based on the of state, as well as the chiefs of central security, with a few ministerial advisers nominated by democratic, just, free, fair and progressive. violence, corruption and greed. Every day, good people are beingFatal attraction Westminster model, giving rise to the the judiciary, and the civil service, be empow- the parliamentary parties. The way ahead is to push for participatory brought down by the wealth, audacity and sheer persistence of those phenomenon of majority, minority and ered to play their executive leadership roles. If constitutional reforms are needed after democracy where the state mobilises the poor who benefit from a system that has lost morality and purpose. The inner Maobadi circle needs to be penetrated, and dramatically. coalition governments, with the attendant The state desperately needs an autonomous all this, then they need to be part of a quest socially to harness their creativity, resilience ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ political instability that contributed to the public service that is beholden to the rule of to re-structure the democratic system and re- and wisdom in a new social contract between rise of the Maoists. There is also a proposal law, not committed to the rulers, as in the past. engineer the democratic process. For the poor and the elite. he evening news bulletin of Radio Nepalcommunist party. Come evening, and the members of this hardcore group are said to be for a ‘national’ government” to collectively All heads of constitutional organs should be democracy to be meaningful to the people at We can get out of this morass if we begin begins these days with the latest body ferocious face behind the innocent mask comesskilful organisers and doughty fighters. Like deal with the demands of the state of subject to impeachment by parliament. Equally the grassroots, decentralisation is the key. to trust each other, care for the T count of ‘terrorists’, a deadpan voice out to attack the first security personnel in Maoist guerrillas elsewhere, they do not expose emergency and its prolongation. simple, as it can be done within the present Principles governing ‘devolution’, ‘de- poor, and have hope and project a vision reading out a press release detailing the sight. themselves easily, and do not fight the security The Anglo-Saxon winner-take-all system constitution, is to reduce the number of concentration’, ‘deregulation’ and ‘delega- of ourselves living peacefully and in arithmetic of encounters between the Maobadi Occasionally, a part-time terrorist is caughtforces unless they have an apparent advantage of voting has not gone down well, as the ministries. The creation of new departments tion’ should be well spelt out to promote harmony with one another in a and the defence forces. Occasionally, there is a in the dragnet of the armed forces, and then alland are fairly certain of winning. Since in the parties in opposition resort to bandhs and should not be allowed unless it is mandated by modern concepts of ‘community sover- progressive Nepali society. separate press release from the Home Ministry hell breaks loose in the relative safety of urban long run insurgents acquire legitimacy from walkouts to exact compliance or concessions an act of parliament. eignty’, and enshrined in the reformed adding more impersonal numbers. areas. Human right activists, political leaders, their victories, rather than ideology or votes, from the executive. Then there is the unique And how about requiring the effective Constitution. This can be enhanced through (Madhukar SJB Rana is with the These announcements are now so custom- and sundry other do-gooders make a hue and this group needs to be smashed to contain phenomenon of party factionalism where, for separation of the powers of the executive and the incorporation of the principle of local Institute of Development Studies in VALUING VALUES ary that we mentally switch off when they cry over the excesses of the security forces. Theinsurgency. Unfortunately, these people are want of a common ideology parliamentar- legislature and, to promote party unity referenda, so the local people can decide on Kathmandu.) begin. We hear the news of death and best way to avoid this trap is to minimise the near-invisible and the intelligence network of ians, rally around personalities and have no centred around its ideology and its parlia- all critical subjects related to local self- It looks bad, but maybe the country needs to be brought to thedevastation brink towithout actually listening. There is casualty in this category of Maobadi. In any security forces has proven fatally flawed, unable qualms about splitting parties, hence the mentary leader, MPs should be disallowed governance. The real challenge to remaking peer into the chasm before it can pull back. This is why soberan analogyvoices with the so-called credibility gap of case, these ‘terrorists’ aren’t beyond redemp- to penetrate the movement to this level. They are needed, voices that rise above the din, statesmanship thatthe Vietnam-era keeps five o’clock follies run by the tion, and as the experiences in Bihar and have acquired an image of invincibility because these voices clear and pure. That is the only way we can pullCOMUSMACV, through, the Commander of the US Andhra Pradesh in India have shown, many ofnot one has been apprehended till date. by not allowing events to overwhelm us as individuals and as a Military Assistance Command. The underlyingthem can prove helpful in isolating the ‘full- It is hard to gauge their strength—there is society. The lesson of Sri Lanka is never to let the grievances of minorityassumptions of all such spin are similar: those time’ insurgents. an impenetrable veil of secrecy over their communities and the disenfranchised pile up. And if they alreadykilled on the other side must have been training camps—but educated guesses put the exist, to begin to redress them. The oppressed have nothingterrorists, to lose, everyone held is inevitably a suspect. strength of this group at about 2,000, and and if their aspirations are subdued for long enough they willIn risethe face up, of the enemy fire, the possibility of their weapons are only as advanced as those LETTERS with or without an ideology. And they will not need to call themselveshuman error is considered too insignificant to they looted from army barracks of Dang and STANDING UP… population. But it is physically terribly. We need a newer was a taxi driver, I think a Maoists, or Zapatistas, or Naxalites. matter. Mangalsen. Many of their camps could well On 1 March, my college was and mentally debilitating to go system devised by our people writer of his stature, intelli- The lesson of Afghanistan is that it is bad enough addressingBut unimportantthe it is not. The death of exist on Indian soil, but there have to be at least attacked by Maoist students. through your routine with a and for our people. If that too gence and standard should other Indian paper, but does virtually no experience in concerns of domestic militancy, but interference from regional and The so-called revolutionar- certainty that nothing you do doesn’t work, we shouldn’t have closed the issue by even one innocent is morally reprehensible as some in Nepal. What is most glaring is the not give the name of the paper. fighting an insurgency was global superpowers takes the war to a whole new dimension. One ies burnt down several will help, at least not until the hesitate to throw it out. That apologising for hurting the well as strategically disastrous. Just as every complete failure of security forces in exposing I do not understand why. If the doing so in a terrain designed power’s freedom fighter then becomes another power’s terrorist as computers and destroyed country undergoes through for me is the definition of feelings of Pemela drop of blood from the body of the demon such centres. newspapers were identified, to favour guerrillas.” Who did they all just become proxies in the great games of outsiders. many more. Police arrived enormous reforms. We are at democracy. Guruwacharya, instead of Raktabeej gave birth to hundreds of other Nepali Maobadi have been mercilessly any interested person could he expect to bring to fight— Defusing uprisings necessarily means taking away the reason for but not in time. The com- a stage where the general Arun Khadka adamantly insisting that he is demons in the story of Durga in Hindu feeding the outer ring to security forces, read the basis of Mr Nepal’s Indians? Americans? Most of revolt: providing health care, education and jobs to those in desperate rades were gone, the public cannot do anything but By email right. A bit of humility and mythology, every innocent victim breeds many selectively using their middle ring to create article himself and make his our army’s training is done in need of them, giving hope to those without it. In post-1990 Nepal we officers were left evaluating anticipate. sympathy, Mr Lal, instead of own decision. such terrain. A less informed saw that just giving an impatient people freedom and a right moreto elect recruits for the insurgents. confusion and inflict damage in places as far the destruction and we were Perhaps a wave of opinion- NARAYAN GOPAL arrogance. After all, taxi Sambhu Pant person might imagine from Mr their leaders is not enough. Democracy must deliver developmentUnlike so in a conventional war, inflicting apart as Salleri and Sitalpati, and successfully witnessing the utter failure of ated citizens will incite some With regard to Mrs Pemela drivers don’t like to be called USA Lal’s article that the Nepali people can value freedom. maximum casualty is not a desirable goal in employing their innermost ring for decisive law and order in this country. efficient response from the Guruwacharya’s letter (Letters, taxi drivers, sweepers don’t army trains in farmlands in the fighting insurgency, mainly because it’s almost victories like Dunai, Dang and Mangalsen. If The leaders of the Maoist government, which has more #82), I am sure Narayan like to be called sweepers, Pradeep Nepalís piece was a tarai. Mr Lal seems to be the impossible to differentiate between a friend and all war is propaganda, the Maobadi sure know should understand that or less utterly failed in its Gopal’s having once been a madheses don’t like to be translation featured in our one expecting quick results. a foe while fighting an elusive enemy. Insur- how to wage one with skill and determination. though there are thousands attempts to reconcile this taxi driver does not detract called madheses, etc, etc. From the Nepali Press Does Mr Lal try to please who are afraid of their guns problem. No credit goes to the from his greatness as a The list is never-ending. gents have a tactical advantage—they can create In comparison, the technically superior forces section. - all political parties by repeat- and bombs, there are a few Maoists either—talk about crooner. Quite the contrary. If Dr Amrit KC terror by targeting practically anyone. Security The inner ring contains the politically of the state come across as bungling novices. Ed ing in every column that the who are not. And they can brains going to waste! How a our good old CK Lal’s memory Bishalnagar forces can’t, because even one misfired shot canmotivated and highly mobile cadres who attack The news of muskets and socket bombs elite have hindered democ- stand up against their terror civil war will improve the state is to be trusted, Narayan alienate the entire population of an area and isolated police posts and poorly-guarded state seized, explosives found, or Maobadi literature CK LAL racy? Twelve years of multi- and unjust actions. of our nation is beyond my Gopal is a shining example of This matter is now closed. irreparably damage their credibility. In every installations, loot banks, and spread terror in confiscated fail to reassure an edgy population I read your paper every week party democracy, and we Bharati Ghimire comprehension. With the a person rising above adverse - Ed insurgency, security forces have to fight with populated areas. Some may eschew camouflage,exposed to more direct threats like the forced but try to avoid reading Mr haven’t yet seen development. Maharajgung tactics being used we are circumstances to fashion a one hand tied behind their back, unable to but most don’t, blending easily into the closure of educational institutions. When even Lal’s column. I can’t figure out How many more getting nowhere and will gain magnificent life. Mrs COURAGE TO BATHE what he is writing or years before distinguish between insurgents and the people.countryside when pursued. Despite the rural the daily body count has apparently little nothing. Guruwacharya should not try to Reading “Back at Sundarijal,” for whom, and it we have This is an unfortunate but inevitable part of nature of the Maobadi assault, a significant impact, the security forces risk losing their …OR NOT Sipee Kaphle cloak her late lamented (#82, apparently, it took our is impossible land, liberty fighting a section of one’s own population. section of these fighters probably come from ancredibility even further in a drawn-out conflict. In the past few months I By email spouse in the false garb of great leader 12 days to to reach any and the As with the Vietcong or the Khmer Rouge, urban bourgeois background, originally In the long run, feeding the news-hounds have listened intently for a Babu Sahebs and deny his decide to have a bath mainly conclusions right to Nepali Maobadi are also composed of cadres indoctrinated by aboveground communist with faxed news releases may turn out to be sign that would suggest NEPAL IN NEPALI greatness in the process. Is because “morally, the opera- from his live? Mr Lal that form three concentric circles. The outer parties. Disillusioned by the shenanigans of counter-productive. The info-war against even a slight step toward the The article “Black clouds over driving a taxi shameful? tion involves a courageous writing. In his may not be end of the atrocities being Nepali nationalism” by Saradchandrika Sharma decision and action.” No ring consists of the people who have perfectly leaders of these parties, their more idealistic insurgency badly needs something dramatic, last column aware but committed by the Maoists. Pradeep Nepal, UML MP, is PK Campus, Kathmandu wonder Nepali politics stinks legitimate occupations by day, but turn into members perhaps strayed into the lethal arms something like the parading of the Nepali (“No time for time is the Being away from home, it is interesting. It argues on the today. Leaders of today, take a deadly fighters by night. In the day, your of Maobadi. If the political climate of the counterparts of Gonzalo, Guzman or Charu games,” #83) one thing our difficult to contemplate the basis of an editorial in “a I thoroughly enjoy Mr Lal’s bath. Be courageous. friendly neighbour could be a simple peasant country were to improve, many of these youngMazumdar in front of television cameras. The he makes the country does emotions that have a strong- prominent Indian paper in columns. However, instead of Sonny Shrestha eking out a living on his unproductive people could easily be weaned over to the illusion of invincibility around these elusive vague statement: not have. Democ- hold over the general New Delhi” and also some insisting that the late singer By email mainstream. leaders needs to be shattered. Only then will “An army that had racy has failed us The innermost circle is the tough one. the insurgency cease to exert its fatal attraction Consisting of romantics with suicidal instincts,on desperate people.

pakho land. He could be a teacher, a shopkeeper, or an NGO worker. He could even be a village council member representing a legitimate 4 NATION 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES NATION 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES 5

No help for self help ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ A national park comes Thuli Maya Tamang never imagined she’d see a school up close. Now she is helping run one for the children of her village. Everyone in Pipara Simara in Bara, Thuli Maya’s village of 70 households makes their living crushing stone. It’s a hard life, but they’ve made some real sacrifices so their children have a brighter future. Wanting a better life for their children, they to the capital have decided that though they don’t have much, they would do their best to get a school in their village. They raised enough funds to establish a primary school, and now each one of them contributes Rs 100 a month to keep it going. Before the neighbourhood school was started, children from Pipara Simara had to trudge 7 km away to Pathlaiya village, and only a handful of children went to school. Now all that is changing, and virtually all school-age children—enough What does the new Shivapuri National to keep two teachers busy all day—have the opportunity to learn. Park mean for Kathmandu? The only problem is the district’s education administration, which is far from encouraging of such efforts. Children in Pipara Simara village are already half way into their first academic year, ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ but the Bara District Education Office is still hemming and hawing about giving the school a formal license.

area have seen so many programs Troubled by marauding fail, they are divided on this. animals bent on destroying crops Some are worried they will be grown on 20 hectares of largely forcefully relocated, and others infertile land, and caught Opposition’s proposition aren’t certain that the benefits, between the strict rules of the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ when they come, will help them protected areas and the necessity The main opposition UML has made public its proposal to amend the constitution. In an eight- directly. “Quite a few programs to make ends meet, some are point proposal, the UML recommends the creation of an all-party election government for free have come and gone. The people even not averse to shifting. and fair elections, and a national government during times of economic crisis and natural have benefited a little, but the “Given adequate compensation, disasters. It also recommends forming a cabinet from 10 percent of the members of parliament, benefits are negligible compared we would be willing to move strengthening local government and clearing the confusion about the prime minister’s power to ALL PICS:RAMYATA LIMBU PICS:RAMYATA ALL with local needs. There are few away, resettle in more fertile Villagers living inside the park head home after a day of shopping. 45,000 people depend on the park directlydissolve or parliament. A view of the Valley from Sundarijal. indirectly for their livelihood. The country’s largest left party has also proposed strengthening the Commission for the signs remaining of all that areas in the tarai,” says a local, Investigation of the Abuse of Authority and creating an effective system to regularly investigate activity,” says Nima Sherpa, Narayan Shrestha. NowNima that Sherpa, the chairman of the RAMYATA LIMBU and monitor the assets of high-ranking public figures. In its other seven-point proposal on ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Shivapuri are tapped from numer- of them that people live in are chairman of the Sundarijal Village reserve has been designatedSundarijal a VDC. social and economic issues, the UML seeks to empower dalits, minorities and women, tern-looking sentries check ous streams, including the Bagmati used cautiously, rather than Development Committee. national park, he’s concerned strengthen social justice, improve education and health, increase employment end the visitors’ bags at the gate, a and Bishnumati, which originate in exploited as they have been in the Pointing to a peach tree in that regulations willcommunity. be stricter “Sure, they might politicisation of security forces, and resolve the problems of citizenship in the national interest. Scurious monkey peers down the Shivapuri hills. The water is past. But all programs were bloom—the result of a project to and fines will be higherhave and built that some resthouses and The long and short of ShivapuriNow if only words became deeds so easily. from a tree, and a couple of collected into reservoirs and fed discontinued when donors and help locals grow fruit—he adds, it will be harder forsuch, villagers but what’sto the use of maroon-robed nuns wind their way into pipelines to Kathmandu, and it the government couldn’t decide “What can one expect when you make ends meet. Andbuilding even if unnecessary infrastructure up a dirt road to a nunnery on a hill is usually good, clean water who should have control of try distributing 50 apple saplings relocation is back onwhen the peopleagenda, Shivapuri is large and diverse—nine km north to south and 20-24 km east to west, ranging in the heart of the Shivapuri compared with some of what passes them—donors wanted to decen- to 25 VDCs?” it is a matter of some debate from an elevation of 1,000 m at the Likhu river in the northern valley, to 2,732 m high Shivapuri need health care and education,” peak. Spread over 12 Village Development Committees of Kathmandu, nine VDCs of Nuwakot National Park. Other than that it is for potable water in the capital. tralise, government wanted to Six of Sundarijal VDC’s nine whether the governmenthe asks. can district, and two Sindhupalchowk VDCs, the Shivapuri National Park covers approximatelyCurbing 144 corruption all quiet, as always. The only But that is starting to change, retain its authority. wards fall inside the protected afford it. “At one time, Dhakalthe shrugs off rumours of square km of land. It is the country’s only park that lies entirely within Nepal’s○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ middle○○○○ hills and indication that the protected just as it did about 25 years ago. There will be stricter rules area, and Sherpa’s own house is Shivapuri Developmentimminent Com- relocation and that the there are plans to extend it towards Chandragiri and Pulchowki. The government appears to be intent on curbing corruption. It has decided to form a three- area—until three weeks ago “Most of the water originating from now that the area is a national one of approximately 400 mittee worked out thatgovernment it would will take over the land The a 111 km boundary wall around the park, and Royal Nepal army guards protectmember the judicial commission chaired by a Supreme Court judge to investigate the assets of all officially known as the Shivapuri the headwaters in the Shivapuri park, and it will be easier to households of Okhrepani and cost Rs 120 millionimmediately to shift the surrounding the area, mixed hardwood forests of oak, pine, birch, rhododendron. The park area’s rich biodiversityindividuals—and their families—who have been in public office since 1990. It expects over 1,000 Watershed and Wildlife Reserve— watershed is clean and unpolluted, implement them firmly. If things Mulkharka villages that were not settlements over threewhich years. was But designated a national consists of endangered species like the sloth bear, black panther and the cloudedindividuals leopard, to be investigated, including six prime ministers, four deputy prime ministers, a large has just been designated Nepal’s certain areas inhabited by villagers go the way they should, people relocated outside the watershed the Finance Ministry didn’t have 177 species of birds, including nine threatened species (including the paradise flycatcher)number of ministers, parliamentarians, and elected representatives of District Development park by an official notice published Committees and . Government servants above grade three and their families will ninth national park is the in Sundarijal are polluting the water will be relocated to areas where area when Shivapuri was declared the money—today, it would and 102 species of butterflies, even the rare Kaiser-i-Hind, and 129 species of mushrooms. in the Royal Gazette on 18 Park brochures advise visitors not to hike alone on the fair weather road and foot alsotrails be inside under investigation. yellow board being repainted by source,” says a park official. Back in the impact of their settlements on a reserve. There have been plans, probably cost Rs 150February. million.” “Of course now that this the park, for fear of leopards and boars. A fog-free area because of the mountain windsGovernment spokesman and Minister for Information and Communication Jaya Prakash park officials. the mid-1970s, Shivapuri was the fragile ecosystem and the on and off, to relocate the Given that money isis being a national park, there is some blowing in from the Trisuli, Shivapuri was deemed in the Panchayat era a good placePrasad for aGupta also told a press gathering last Monday that the authorities expected a report in Shivapuri isn’t ‘just another increasingly affected by urban watershed will be minimised and settlements that remain inside the diverted from developmentpublic concern that between 500 domestic airport, but that didn’t materialise owing to a shortage of land. six months and that they also planned to introduce a bill aimed at empowering the Commission national park’. “In terms of tourism sprawl and the degradation of its there will be more tourists park boundaries, because human anyway, it seems unlikelym and this 1 km of land around the For the culturally-minded, too, there’s plenty here. Shivapuri has several religiousfor thesites Investigation for of Abuse of Authority and curbing widespread corruption. If that is the case, the area has great potential,” says forests. Landslides and slips became enlarging the local economy. “It and agricultural waste (chemical will happen any timepark soon. will come under conservation Hindus and Buddhists. On Nepali New Year, crowds from Kathmandu flock to Baghdwarmaybe theyand should take former Nepali Congress Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his tourism entrepreneur and former common and the quality of drinking will take time, but once the park fertilisers, insecticides etc) The effects of theprotocol. alternative, That’s in keeping with Bishnudwar, where the holy Hindu rivers Bagmati and Bishnumati originate. A two-hourword. Investigationshike should begin at home. forester Karna Shakya. “It’s water deteriorated. From the mid- regulations come into force, we generated by the villages have stricter enforcement nationaland harsher park regulations. But brings you to Shivapuri peak, which offers a panoramic view of the Himalaya, and the main probably the only protected area in 1970s to the early 1990s, all kinds expect to increase park fees, polluted the water source in penalties, could be offset by an trekking route to Helambu passes through various Sherpa and Tamang villages in Shivapuri nowhere in the regulations does it via Sundarijal. the world less than a dozen of things have been tried for promote eco-tourism, and start Sundarijal. Some reports even cite increase in revenue fromsay that tourism. land ownership will be Last fiscal year, the reserve collected about Rs 30 lakhs, 60 percent of which the govern- kilometres from a teeming me- Shivapuri—it was first declared a community projects, ” says Bed the presence of faecal matter in “But,” says Sherpa, whoaffected. runs aIt’s basically gossip spread ment is entitled to. Nearly 24,000 people, mostly Nepalis, visited the park last year, almost tropolis and international airport. protected watershed area, then a Kumar Dhakal, assistant warden the water, and recommended that lodge inside the park,by “the estate local brokers,” says Dhakal. double the number of people that visited seven years ago. Saving Sajha And the biodiversity in there is protected watershed and wildlife of this forest just 13 km north the local populace be relocated. people should be allowedMore to run probable in the future, ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ remarkable by any standards.” reserve. There were programs to of the teeming Kathmandu “Nothing’s happened so far. We the lodges and hotels,says not the some assistant warden, is that a The government shouldn’t liquidate a corporation that And, of course, a quarter of the encourage conservation farming, metropolis. are aware that Kathmandu’s big company from Kathmandu.”buffer zone will be formed and has provided essential public transport services to Valley’s drinking water supply create alternative sources of The trouble is, about 45,000 residents are drinking water that The VDC chairman theresays he will has be integrated community Nepalis for 36 years, say employees at Sajha Yatayat. comes from here. About 30 million livelihood, and raise awareness people depend directly or is polluted by waste generated reason to be sceptical—he hasn’t They argue the corporation should be revived and development programs, with local restructured as an enterprise under the Company Act, of the 200 million litres of water among local residents so the indirectly on Shivapuri for their here. But where else can we go,” seen any of the incomepeople collected voicing their opinions and which will also help fight off the growing influence of that flows out everyday from products of the forest, and the parts livelihood, and residents of the says Sherpa. by the reserve go backconcerns to the through user groups. private transport syndicates. They say the cabinet’s decision to liquidate Sajha Yatayat, taken threeThe months Sajha bus ago depot in in the Pulchowk. face of the corporation’s increasing financial liability, contravenes the Co-operative Act. Analysts say the corporation has enough assets to run 60 buses that would be operational with minor repairs, and run with a downsized staff and improved management. For the past couple of years, the corporation has operated eight buses with over 700 employees—most of whom allegedly got their jobs through political pressure and government intervention. HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK

Human rights Wonderin’ where the lions are ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ Despite recognising that the Nepali government “generally” respects human rights, the US State ynchronicity is a strange thing. One recent bandh morning, I found Department’s 2001 human rights report on Nepal sharply criticises both the police and the Asian ways, Asian values, Asian Maoists. The report, which was released on 4 March, notes that though police forces are subject myself discussing the merits and demerits of Singapore with someone to “effective civilian control”, since the declaration of the emergency on 26 November, “the police Swho thought the island state’s style of governance held lessons for democracy. Singapore might just have symbols rules the day. Only 24 opposition candidates ran for 84 committed a number of serious human rights abuses.” The report says that these include, at Nepal. The next weekend, I was walking through Changi Airport on an lessons for Nepal. parliamentary seats in the last election. Few succeeded. Some dissi- times, the use of unwarranted lethal force and torture as punishment to extract confessions, and unexpected and unplanned foray southeast, towards the equator. dents have been sent to prison in the past, according to international arbitrary arrests and detentions. The report also points to the disappearance of persons in The sheer efficiency and comfort of the airport alone is enough to sway human rights group. A cosy elite of business people and highly skilled custody as a problem and says prison conditions remain poor. The Maoists have come in for a most Asia-weary westerners. My temporary travelling companion was a bureaucrats run the economy, yet few Singaporeans are bothered. fair share of criticism too. The report criticises the insurgents for waging an insurrection “through torture, killings, bombings, extortion, and intimidation against civilians and public medical veteran of the United Mission to Nepal, on his way back home This is why so many working with governance issues in Asia after a trip to Kathmandu. He told me that he always flew home through officials.” The annual human rights report is required by US law so the State Department can wonder if former Prime Minister Lee wasn’t right when he spoke determine if countries receiving financial assistance meet the human rights standards set by Changi because “the alternative is Delhi and that’s no alternative at all.” I of Asian ways, Asian values, Asian versions of democracy. the US Congress. pointed out that while Changi was certainly a good taste of Singapore, Put simply, Singaporeans are proud of their status as a fully Indira Gandhi International was by no means representative of Delhi. But developed country—fifth in per capita income, ahead of Canada, he wouldn’t be swayed. Sweden and Australia. They’re proud of their airline, easily one of the Out into the gentle streets of eastern Singapore, the taxi driver friendly world’s best, and their diverse economy based on hard work, educa- and—yes—efficient, suggesting tourist activities and recommending tion and brain power. Singapore is smaller than all but four Nepali restaurants. No, I don’t think his brother had any hospitality business districts and its three million people are almost entirely refugees and interests. At my midrange hotel, a sign read “no tipping please, our staff are immigrants—the hardest-working people in the world. well paid to look after you”. In the shops, bazaars and endless restaurants, Where then are the lessons for Nepal? The two countries share a everything is immaculate, reasonably priced and of superb quality. Food is a continent—Asia. Both also had turbulent births as modern states, glorious thing in Singapore, eating many times a day is a local obsession. Nepal in 1950-51 and Singapore later in the 50s and 60s. Big neigh- You never see a local drunk although there are bars and evidence of beer Bugis Street may now be kitschy, but Singapore is doing all right. bours lurk over the horizon in both lands although Singapore’s culture everywhere. Public transport is among the best in the world and the economic success keeps it punching above its weight with Malaysia authorities wisely try to restrict the use of cars through swingeing fees forgreen parkland is surrounded by flowing traffic as local affluence easily and Indonesia. In the end, I wonder if that’s the only real thing of note daytime use of the city streets. It is often too hot or wet to walk very far overcomesbut the cost of driving. Arab Street, Little India, Chinatown and for Nepal about the Lion City. Size doesn’t matter, or can be miti- surely only California has more air conditioning units per capita. other neighbourhoods are architecturally present but have a feel of theme gated, if you make a success of yourself. The price of failure, by Of course, much that was colourful, exotic and interesting has disap-park about them, tourists outnumbering residents; restaurants and boutique contrast, is devastating, and believe me, they’re aware of that in peared from Singapore. Bugis street, once home to Asia’s craziest transves-hotels everywhere. New buildings are almost all Chicago style glass-steel Singapore. tite scene, is now an ersatz Chinese village-cum-shopping mall. The lush towers. The tropical colonialist ethic of tile roofs and pillared verandas is The advantages of geography, a refugee population and relative still there, but dwarfed by brash skyscrapers. political unity are simply not to be downplayed by those in search of a As for local politics, benign authoritarianism overlaid with democratic magic formula for Nepal. 6 NATION 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES NEPALI ECONOMY 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES 7 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED Nepal-India treaty ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal and India have agreed to renew the preferential trade treaty, but it now comes with new definitions for manufacturing, as well as quantitative restrictions on the four problem products of whichAt there is said it again to have been a “surge” in exports to India to the detriment of industry there—vegetable ghiu, acrylic yarn, Governing counsel copper wires and zinc oxide. In general, Nepali industry is happy that the treaty row is over and it can get back to business without worrying for another five years. But it is unhappy that it took so long, when it was already clear last August last year that India wanted specific rules of origin and otherThe safeguards renewed in trade treaty will only make sense if you look at the larger picture. place before it would sign the extension. Sensing that, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Com- merce and Industry (FNCCI) and its Indian counterpart the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)he had Beed’s written plenty about proposed a way out months before India actually sought the changes on 14 August. But the governmentthe Nepal and India trade sat on the FNCCI idea, rather than acting on the proposal. the Finance Minister says, it doesn’t Ttreaty, and would like to linger seem to have anything that would Under the new provisions, Nepali ghiu makers will now only be able to sell 100,000 tons of the product awhile on the future of the trade especially affect Nepal. The unstated in India duty-free. (Last fiscal year Nepal exported roughly 125,000 tons of ghiu). Any salesrelationship, over this now new that the troublesome limit will take place under the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) regime. Likewise, the quota fixed for duty free intention to continue with reforms acrylic yarn export is 10,000 tons (against the roughly 11,000 exported last year), copperagreement wires 7,500 has been renewed. The by rolling back subsidies and tax tons and zinc oxide 2,500 tons. This could mean short-term problems for all four industries—whichrenewal of the involve treaty was, cynical as it sops to middle income taxpayers a total investment of over Rs 10 billion—but industry sources say that the decision could bemay helpful sound, atto the behest of geo- will have to be first agreed upon by Nepal in the long-run, since it would direct investment into other industries that involve morepolitics value rather addition. than socio-economics. the political parties in the ruling This could be a problem because it is uncertain who would issue and monitor the quotas. More to the point for our common alliance. The cut in customs duty “The new protocol is more restrictive but we knew it was coming,” said Rajendra Khetan,future, vice if we are willing to share one, president and spokesman of FNCCI. “We now have to be more competitive and not rely only on duty indicates that the right moves are will be analysing the Indian federal being made to comply with the differentials and prepare better for joining the World Trade Organisation.” budget recently tabled in parliament, Under the new agreement, which came into effect 6 March, Nepali products seeking duty-free access WTO on tariff rationalisation, but to Indian markets—except tobacco, alcohol and cosmetics—will be required to have at leastand 25 asking percent what the oh-so-subtle from the Nepali perspective, the local value addition this year. From 2003, the foreign content in finished products crossingunveiling the border of Reforms II in India with quantitative restrictions? And if lowering of customs duties in India should not be over 70 percent. The updated protocol also requires that exports be accompaniedmeans for by us. origin that is done, who will be responsible means fewer opportunities of certificates in a new format, but Nepal has a “transition period” for this until mid-April. The revisedBut on protocol that subject, your for the licensing procedure and for informal trade. The impact of higher requires that the ex-factory price of the export product be stated, as well the CIF (the cost cost, freight existential oracle of all things economic enforcing the restrictions? Is there a LPG and other petroleum product and insurance at the customs point) value of the imported raw materials and parts, and theis willingvalue toadded bet the in streets of Chandni Nepal. In addition, the treaty now specifies what cannot be considered sufficient to pass as “manufactur- chance that the creative import prices will, of course go through a Chowk and Ason came alive in documentation so commonly used to 1.6 spiral on reaching Nepal. What proportion of democracy and decency should a polity deliver? Post 11-September this ising” or “processing”—for example, cost of operations to ensure safe storage of materials,whatever breaking draughty up South Block room ? and assembly, slicing, cutting, slitting, re-packaging and labelling, etc. undervalue quantity and rates will be This is why the renewal of the Finally, there are very stringent safeguards: the affected country can take unilateral actionthe negotiations where were taking place in. matched by similarly creative export trade treaty should also be viewed from changing, but that’s nothing new for Nepal. exports cause “injury” to local production if joint consultations between the two countries Anddo not that yieldboth parties a walked away documentation? Without someone to the perspective of the changes that the result within 60 days. Should this clause be activated then the entire industry, and not onlysmugly the erring satisfied with their haggling enforce all these restrictions, the treaty Indian economy is adopting. A fair producer, could be penalised. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on 2 March. Nepal’sskills, exports with the to question of value is worth less than the paper it’s written railway budget and now a rational he national clamour for good nium to a beacon of national rebirth deliver has been accentuated in the encourage national checks and the criminal underworld.Singaporean As Third lustre? India have grown five-fold after the December 1996 treaty, from Rs 5.2 billion in 1996/97 to Rs 27.2 billion addition, the main feature of the on. And given the shenanigans of the federal budget are the backdrop against governance, buttressed by is attributed to the leadership of aftermath of the 11 September balances in a way that would World debt, the AIDS pandemic,False promises inevitably brought in 2000/01. Imports from India have also doubled, from about Rs 25 billion to Rs new, dubiously improved treaty, border customs police already in which import-export as well as endorsements from a bevy of President Yoweri Museveni. Prime terrorist attacks. But its foundation ultimately advance international and environmental degradationtheir moments of truth. If some 47 billion during the same period. T resolved through that age-old tool of evidence, it is hard to imagine how monetary policy will follow. What the important foreign visitors, has brought Minister Mahathir Mohamed, who goes back to the monumental security held true for a while. But widened the fault lines betweenNepalis are today equating democ- economic policy-making. they will deal with the various altered treaty does is bring a semblance Nepalis closer to some unconven- kept Malaysia out of the hottest misreading of what the breaching of when micronationalism fuelled by North and South, votersracy in donor with death, bondage and the The adventures of the famous provisions in place or if they will make of the notion that Nepal and India tional role models. Consider the moments of the 1997 Asian financial the Berlin Wall signified. The collapse ancient grievances stepped into the nations became more interestedpursuit ofin sorrow, it’s probably an five—vanaspati ghiu, copper twine, more than a rudimentary effort at might now be trading partners, a following three leaders international meltdown, has exemplified how of communism in Eastern Europe and political space freed by liberal how the foreign-aid programmesoverreaction to the pranks fate has acrylic yarn, zinc oxide and steel enforcement. definite step up from the impression development organisations like to cite criticism and emulation of Western dissolution of the Soviet Union democracy, the peace dividend the their taxes funded were faringbeen playing on them with agonis- pipes—have been cut sadly short and The little coverage in the Indian the earlier treaty gave of one partner as exemplars of excellence today: capitalism need not be mutually provided an opportunity for architects former cold warriors were expected abroad. In a global atmosphereing regularity. Even in the midst of the option of calling foul using the press on the treaty comes as a given blanket benefits. For Nepal, this Museveni, Mahathir, Musharraf. exclusive pursuits. In Pakistan, Gen of all moulds to craft a new world to lavish on the world’s neediest where political discussionsthis came despondency, however, some export surge catch-all phrase has been surprise—where is all the news about is a chance to revisit the critical issue These politicians, who invariably Pervez Musharraf has shown how order in their own image. Since was spent on confronting a new set packaged in such themespoliticians as the have been quick to institutionalised. The wording of the how India’s protected domestic of core competencies, and what used to be in the news for their an army chief could become modern-day mercantilists hurtled far of challenges. “clash of civilisations”, “illiberalidentify opportunities inherent in treaty was agreed upon, but have the industries are reacting to the treaty? It industries and businesses these can authoritarian proclivities, have now president without imposing martial ahead of everybody else, they used Multinational corporations, too, democracy” and “culturalthe relativ- invocation of good governance. modalities been set out to define would be nice—and forewarned—to sustain. The Beed challenges the Glen chimneys ‘export surge’, and is there a quantita- edged out the likes of Yeltsin, law, muzzling the press or madden- their ardour and candour to redirect saw much of their optimism go up in ism”, the ability of Yugoslavia’sThis group of leaders, which ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ know whether they are happy, or still powers that be to do so. Walesa and Havel as credible ing the middle class. the new wave of democracy towards smoke. Big Tobacco discovered that Josip Broz Tito and Indonesia’srepresents almost all mainstream tive mechanism to cap exports? Will lobbying their government to have The B&B Trading Concern has begun marketing a new range of household the licenses issued to producers come agents of political change as well. This alteration in the perception expanding the global marketplace. overseas markets weren’t expanding Suharto to hold their countriespolitical groups, has concluded that appliances manufactured by Glen India Limited. The company says the their way in the implementation phase. Readers can post their views at Uganda’s transformation from an of what proportion of democracy and The traditional political assump- fast enough to make up for the decline together became more thanno single a party can solve Nepal’s chimney hoods it markets bring to Nepal the Italian way of keeping kitchens On the Indian budget, going by what [email protected] emblem of state-sanctioned pandemo- decency a polity should be able to tions that a league of liberal democra- in sales in the West and rise of class- subject of academic inquiry.problems. Coming out with such free of cooking smells and fumes. It also says it has chimneys to fit any cies would advance peace and action suits. The checks and balances To be sure, those marginalisedsteely conviction by requires great kitchen space. progress, create a middle class capable that came to the forefront were ones globalisation weren’t partcourage, of the anti- especially considering the of defending society from the that had purely commercial connota- capitalism protests in Seattlevengeance and with which the Maoists depredations of fanaticism, and tions in corporate conglomerates and Genoa, but they did providecontinue the to insist only their party by MADHUKAR UPADHYA INTERVIEW rioters their cause. The post-11can save the nation. But Nepal’s September stare into the rootneeds causes are more complicated. of terrorism has identifiedActually, good no single polity may be governance as an instrumentable of to meet the people’s expecta- clearing the deadly swampstions. of Instead of becoming too desperation in the developingenamoured world. of what Museveni, The economic and politicalMahathir impera- and Musharraf may “We need trade, not aid.” tives of building national institutionshave achieved, we should start that work have crystallisedthinking into locally. today’s guiding global philosophy.Perhaps we can start by paddle machines. India still does manual sewing except in some large fashion trends don’t wait for us to sort things out. The business I was This recapitulation ofgathering post-cold all the constitutions we’ve cities, but manages to get business because they have skilled, cheap, expecting in November or December may have gone to other countries. war history is central to recognisinghad since Padma Sumshere’s ill- readily-available labour, and fewer work and supply disruptions And the almost daily news on the insurgency may have begun to divert how demands for good governancefated draft to create a charter that compared to us, and their workers are more disciplined. So they can go potential orders elsewhere. Our customers have gone through delays for labour-intensive items such as embroidery etc, and also high- caused by bandhs, hold-ups caused by changing rules. We have major in Nepal are rooted in theblends domestic the Ranas’ ruthless adminis- quantity bidding. They also have very good cotton and fabrics. image problems, which affect customers’ perception of our ability to compulsions of donor governmentstrative and judicial efficacy, the pre- In Nepal our governments have failed to realise that this is an deliver. Our competitors get the business we lose. as well. Nepal’s multipartypanchayat crusad- modernisers’ willingness industry that could have employed thousands of people—with the right ers didn’t expect to gain topower co-exist with the forces of incentives. Even good policies are rarely implemented. Investors have What are the chances of a revival? within 60 days of launchingtradition, their the panchas’ follow-the- lost confidence in government promises. Our competitors get new The good old days are gone forever. The only way we can shore up “people’s movement”. Forleader politi- regimentation and today’s facilities almost every two months. Bangladesh does not allow strikes, business now would be major, government-backed support like soft- here even political parties and educated people encourage striking. loans, deferred LoCs (Letters of Credit), more banking facilities, less cians once willing to settlecivil for society’s a robustness. As we red-tape. We have to make this industry competitive and sustainable. We waiver of the class-organisation-struggle to evolve a structure of How many do you employ? How much have you invested? need to tell the US government immediately: if you want to help us, we affiliation provision of thegovernance that could best suit our The garment industry is Nepal’s largest, in terms of foreign currency need trade, not aid. This industry can generate the employment needed panchayat elections, overseeinginnate Nepaliness, and we might even start earnings and employment. I have been the highest exporter for the past to re-activate economic transactions. adapting to a wholesale transferenjoying of the plunge into this reservoir four years running. My initial investment was $5 million; with upgrades to power from the palace secretariatof self-discovery. to But there’s an equal Chandi Raj Dhakal, Third Vice-president of the provide customers new stitching and finishing, the total investment is Has there been a follow-up to US Secretary of State Colin Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce about $6 million. There are 2,000-3,000 people working there, 99 percent Powellís promise to look into textile quotas? the prime minister’s officerisk was of being caught in a bottomless Nepalis, 90 percent women. We use the assembly-line approach and I think we need to continuously lobby to follow up on that assurance. undoubtedly overwhelming.pit. Many In their Nepalis, after all, have spent and Industry (FNCCI) also runs Momento have strict quality controls to meet international standards. My turnover Our embassy in Washington should be doing that on a daily basis. We stupor, what else could thea lifetime new complaining how each Garments, one of Nepal’s largest exporters of in 2001 was $13.9 million. have continued to campaign, but things aren’t moving. leaders have done apart frompolity has turned out to be worse than readymade garments. Momento supplies to making pledges radiatingthe with one it replaced. famous international brands such as Gap and How can we do business afer the quotas are gone? How many industries have shut down? Nepalis are losing interest in garments because of the recession and the More than 85 percent. Central bank data shows exports are declining by large US retail outlets such as Walmart and JC upcoming WTO regime. Other countries are taking measures to adapt— over 30 percent compared with last year. This would have been the Penney. Dhakal discussed his business with the Bangladesh has reduced interest rates, India and China have raised right time to increase production, but this year production is already Nepali Times. incentives. In Nepal we don’t expect cash incentives, but we want down by 50 percent compared to last year. appropriate policies and their implementation. In our case, export industries are supposed to be tax-free. But we pay 0.75 percent tax, How bad will the situation be after the WTO rules take effect? and 0.5 percent service charge, above the disadvantages we already We will have more competition, our survival will depend on our ability to Nepali Times: Weíre told you are running a sinking business,face being landlocked and having high industrial factor costs. Meanwhile enhance productivity, quality and the overall business environment. We just how bad are things? China, for example, is dumping anything anywhere, which it can do, lie between two giants, India and China, which have everything The industry is going through the worst times, not only becausebecause of its production is efficient and there’s a climate where people businesses need, from production to shipping lines. Without commensu- internal problems. 11 September was a major setback, but wecan had work undisrupted day and night. In this industry if you don’t meet rate facilities here we can do little at the industry end. We work with problems even before—our competitive edge was gone whendeadlines the US you’re gone. Our strikes prevent us from meeting the vessels quotas, which will not be there after WTO. There are possibilities within allowed duty-free, and quota free garment imports from sub-Saharansailing from Calcutta, but politicians don’t realise that. the WTO so least developed countries can get customs exemptions. The and Caribbean countries. Besides, our inefficiencies, production and government should be working on that now, before the trading rules transport costs always made our goods more expensive by 25-30How bad were post 11-September cancellations? take effect. With those things in place, some industries may stay around, percent. This is a sensitive industry, but we’ve never receivedPersonally recogni- I didn’t have cancellations of ready orders, but business we and they’ll be able to help Nepal by generating employment and earning tion from the government and political parties. were expecting has been put on hold, which means it’s gone—seasons, foreign currency.

What kind of recognition? Look how Bangladesh treats its garment industry. We began in garments at almost the same time, the late 1970s. Bangladesh took the industry very seriously from day one, attracting Korean and Japanese investors and setting up assembly lines. In Nepal the Indians came with their old 8 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES 9 Who’s playing Where to hear what

From 12 to 23 March, Jazzmandu will feature bands and Gokarna Forest Golf Resort, 12 March, Rs 880. From 12 noon to midnight all the bands except soloists from the UK, Australia, Dubai and India, along with and Kevin Hunt take turns playing Nepal’s own jazz quartet and co-organisers, Cadenza. at a Woodstock-style show. A free shuttle bus runs every half hour between Gokarna and The hills Thamel. The Brisbane-based Afro Dizzi Act, almost every member of which has formal, university-level music training, meld in their performances their wide range of musical interests—,Jazz by the Lake, Shangri-La Village, , 15 orchestra set-pieces, the gamut of jazz styles, electronic/ dance music, hip hop, soulMarch, and Rs 990.* are traditions of music from around the globe. With their expertise in , saxophone,Dinner bass,and jazz under the stars at the Shangri-La percussion and new music-making machines, Afro Dizzi Act is among the most interestingVillage. outfits in Australia today, and every one its five members is in demand for performances with other artists as well. Jazz by the Lake, Lakeside, Pokhara, 16 March,The Shangri-La ticket Jazzprices Bar willnot confirmed.* Another musician peers and listeners alike are “glad to have in any group” Jamsis Kevin in small bars around Lakeside. host the All-Stars Supper Club alive…Hunt, one of Australia’s top jazz pianists. Acknowledged as a splendid and skilful live performer with a nuanced grasp of technique and order, and an unabashed senseJazz ofFusion, fun, Patan Museum Square, 20 March, Rs 990. Hunt has been known to play around with the sounds of the synthesiser and beltJazz out fused with Nepali wind, strings and skins, a follow-up to Cadenza’s sold-out show in innovative and imaginative solos. October 2001. If you’ve ever imagined making the rounds of the jazz bars of London or the international Faith doesn’t move mountains. Jazz does.festival, Bernie’s London Jazz Groove is the outfit to watch out for. Every name in it hasJazzmandu a long Shangri-La All-Stars Supper Club, 22 March, Rs 1,980. history—Mike Cotton, a trumpeter forty years into the game who’s played with The KinksDon as Burrowswell as and the all-stars of the festival backed by Cadenza, with a five-course meal at jazz legends Aker Bilk, Bud Freeman and Harry Allen, among many others; Mike Hogh,the a trombone Shangri-La Shambala Garden. veteran who founded the London Jazz and has played with the likes of Max Kaminski, Bill Coleman, and the Charlie Watts Orchestra; Bernie Holden, clarinettist and saxophonist who is a regular fixture on the London and New York jazz scenes and the international festival circuit; Max Brittain, a guitarist who’s played at every major UK concert venue and toured extensively throughout Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand, and worked with such diverse musical talents as Georgie Fame, Marian Montgomery, Terry Lightfoot, Ronnie Scott, and Charlie Byrd; and Peter Goodwin, a bass guitarist and veteran of London jazz since the 1970s who has a long-time association with, among others, the Soweto township* The jazz Shangri-La Village, Pokhara has a package offer for both nights. For details, ring band. 412999. The biggest draw of the festival for those who know their jazz history will be Australian Don Burrows. A multi-instrumentalist who plays flute, clarinet and all saxophones from alto to baritone, Burrows is a household name in Australia and has performed and recorded cuts with everyone from , , Nat King Cole, Mel Torme and Stephane Grappelli to Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and the Symphony Orchestra. Burrows ran into Cadenza at the Palmer Street Jazz Festival in 2000, and was so impressed with them that he agreed to come and play here for nothing more than a nominal fee and airfare. Closer home, a combination that promises progressive and virtuoso jazz includes“Music South African is the message.” jazz pianist and composer for theater Donovan Rossouw, who is influenced by jazz, blues, southern obsessive about its music. Says African music and “Cape-style” goema, Bostonian saxophonist Carl Clements whose heroes Chi Thapa, bass guitarist of include and John Coltrane, and renowned Goan drummer Giles PerryThough, who gradu-the band itself needs no introduction, Cadenza, the band that inspiredCadenza jams at the Palmer Street Jazz Festival, Australia, 2000 ated from the Berkeley School of Music, and after a stint in the Hindi film music industry,here moved they are,on the men who gave Nepal its first all this, “It’s been a long journey to play professionally in the United States. taste of high-altitude jazz: Mumbai-based Groove Suppa has its own collection of talented pros. Shyam Raaj,Navin who Chhettri, plays vocalist and drummer. for me, this introduction to jazz. about the same time next year Bomzan, Cadenza’s manager and tenor and soprano sax and flute, has played with Louis Banks, among others, and touredNow 29,Europe Navin started early, singing at four and This festival will give the younger well as a place to promotethere will be another one, and owner of Upstairs Jazz Bar, and and the US. Drummer Lindsay Demello isstarting a regular guitar at six. In college in Darjeeling, generation a quicker avenue to business. It is difficult to the year after, and so on, until it Susan Sellars, assistant coordina- session player and is behind Bombay Black,under which the influence of heavy metal, he started this genre of music.” In addition overstate the potential of theis an annual fixture not just on tor of the Palmer Street Jazz recently opened for Aerosmith at an LA concert.the band Dwight that played acid rock, classic rock and to the international acts, there coming two weeks to alterNepal’s tourism calendar, but on Festival, is astonishing given the Pattison has played bass with drummer reggae—andRanjit Barot eventually metamorphosed into will be performances by well- international perception ofthe Asian music schedule. general decline in industry and bands such as Indigo and Crosswinds.Cadenza. Benay After Rai, arriving in Kathmandu, Navin originally from Darjeeling, is a session guitaristturned toinflu- the drums, and Cadenza began to Australian jazz great Don Burrows established Nepali classical and Nepal. As the events of theThere’s last no telling how many confidence and spending,. folk musicians, as well as younger 18 months have shown, suddenly enced by the blues and Hindustani classicalexplore music. the more complex chord structures people will come here specifi- Sponsors have put up offers of air Nationalists will be pleased to note thatassociated Kathmandu’s with jazz. In 2000, Navin and his few years from now it will anxious not to miss out on what artists, and a few sessions of it isn’t enough to have onlycally for it, or stay on longer to tickets (Singapore Airlines are musicians are also well represented. Thebrother now-legen- Pravin were invited to Australia’s Palmer Street Jazz Festival, which spurred Navin’s be hard to remember a many see as “a once-in-a-lifetime jamming that shall happen as and mountains, or architecture,attend, or or simply come to flying in seven musicians from dary tabla player Homnath Upadayayadetermination will play with to bring jazz to Kathmandu to encourage cultural exchange, musical inventiveness Atime when Kathmandu and opportunity” to hear top class where the fancy takes the perform- Buddhism, every tourist destina-explore the modern, cosmopoli- Australia), hotel rooms (Shangri- Cadenza and other Nepali classicaland musicians, to give other musicians the chance to share the sheer excitement of playing at a jazz festival. “I Nepal weren’t magnets for jazz musicians play all kinds of jazz at ers. “My hope is,” says Cadenza’s tion needs more and bettertan things environment that nurtures La Hotel are putting up 18 demonstrating his versatility, andlove his playing commit- jazz and fusion, the immediate exuberance of creating and improvising. I chose this aficionados. Starting next a variety of venues in Kathmandu Pravin Chhetri, “that the festival on offer. What Nepal offerssuch needs efforts. musicians in Kathmandu and ment to convincing a wider audiencepath, this that is what I want to do the rest of my life, make music.” Pravin Chhettri, guitar. Tuesday, Maha Shivaratri, and Pokhara. That the festival is will expose fresh talent in Nepal. In to be upgraded every so often,Businesses seem to recognise Pokhara), media support (includ- classical needn’t be stuffy. A group of Gandharbas will play the arbajPravin, and sarangi also influenced to by heavy metal when younger, got into jazz after moving to Kathmandu in entertainment and culture take spread over ten days gives the these troubled times I can’t think of and no one will deny that theright long-term possibilities and ing this newspaper), and every- on a whole new meaning in musicians—and their sounds—a a better way to promote harmony now the tourism industry badly add a stunning new sound to thejazz mid-1990s. paradigms, Pravin learnt to experiment with the genre and now switches from rhythm to lead to goodwill an initiative like this thing else musicians might mainly to reinforce their belief bassthat musicwith equal dexterity. The 24-year-old also worked at a recording studio learning to record and Nepal, at the first Kathmandu chance to seep into public than making music.” needs an overhaul. generates, and the display of require, from alcohol and tobacco needs both traditions and the mix.space to ne Jazz Festival. consciousness and, hopefully, He could’ve added confidence Should the festival go well—support that has inundated to sightseeing, T-shirts and even innovative. The Elite’s Co-Ed LaxmiSchool Raj (Chi) Thapa, bass guitar. Already there are people widen the musical horizons of a to that—confidence in the and preliminary enthusiasmfestival and promoters, Chhedup insurance. Marching Band adds a light-heartedAt 32, Chi and is the oldest band member. Chi grew up on the classic rock staple, and formed his first buying tickets for every show, nation that already verges on the country as a tourist destination as reactions suggest it will—then youthful touch, bagpipes and bandall. at 14. Then came a seven-year stint living and making music, blues and soul, in Pokhara. In 2000, seven years after he got hooked on jazz, Chi joined Cadenza. Jigme Sherpa, guitar. The baby of the band, 23-year-old Jigme started playing guitar in his early teens, focusing on, again, heavy metal. He too met the brothers in 2000 while doing studio work in Darjeeling. “It’s been an amazing road. I had to travel back to listen to and play earlier rock before progressing to jazz,” he laughs. In the last year he has moved from playing rhythm guitar in the background to producing some pretty sweet sounds on lead. “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to play with international musicians. I think it’s a plus for tourism in Nepal. Music is the message.”

Bernie Holden blows his horn 10 TECHNOLOGY 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES WORLD 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES 11 ANALYSIS by JIM LOBE Old war, new fight ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ PRAGUE - An annual summit called on 1 March by the Visegrad Group (the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary and Poland) on One, two, many Afghanistanssubsidies for farmers and financing in an enlarged EU was can- Porn police celled after an old dispute was revived. Hungarian Prime Minister What’s in your food? Viktor Orban demanded cancellation of the Benes decrees, issued in and now I find we’re sending 200 military advisers to some place called August 1945 by then Czechoslovak President Edvard Benes, which STEPHEN LEAHY Are cybercafe owners service providers Within the US there is now fear that stripped about 2.5 million ethnic Germans, or Sudeten Germans, who ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ food labels this month. Mandatory President Bush and his military might be the Pankisi Gorge, on the border with were settled along the northern, western and southern borders of BROOKLINE – Canada’s health labels could violate WTO and or Internet police? Chechnya!” what is now the Czech Republic, and about 30,000 Hungarians of department has launched a North American Free Trade overplaying their hand. “We need debate in this country, Czechoslovak citizenship. They are alleged to have welcomed programme to monitor the health Agreement rules and “would almost MANU JOSEPH because there’s a real possibility we’re Hitler’s forces in 1938, and Hungary supported Germany, both of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ really overplaying our hands,” Ivo which led to their expulsion from what was then Czechoslovakia impacts of foods containing certainly be strongly rejected by the MUMBAI - Those wishing to ban Internet pornography are Daalder, an analyst at the Brookings after the end of the WW II. Thousands were killed in a mass exodus. genetically modified (GM) United States,” Presley said. waging an improbable battle, but it’s not for lack of effort. If Institution and formerly with the Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman is under fire from Germany ingredients, but experts and critics Washington opposes labelling and a special committee set up by the Mumbai High Court gets National Security Council under and Austria for a recent interview with the Austrian magazine Profil say sorting out the impacts, if any, has threatened to challenge an EU its way, proprietors of cybercafes will be forced to police in which he described the Sudeten Germans as “Hitler’s fifth column” AngelesPresident Times Bill Clinton, told the will be extremely difficult unless theproposal for mandatory labelling at their premises in the name of protecting minors from and “traitors” lucky to have escaped death. Orban has told the Los products are labelled. An estimated the WTO. The EU has been “unsuitable Internet material” and cyberstalkers. foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament that the The six-member committee wants the High Court to expulsion decrees, which still stand, are “incompatible with Euro- 70 percent of foods on Canada’s working on an identification last week. These quick issue a binding “direction that would make all cafes in the new commitments appear to violate pean legislation” and that the Czech Republic and Slovakia should store shelves contain GM ingredi- scheme requiring food manufactur- state of Maharashtra (of which Mumbai is capital) responsi- repeal them before joining the EU. The two countries boycotted the 1 ers to label their products and keep virtually every tenet of the basic creed ents. Yet, despite widespread public ble for requiring customers to show photo-identity cards, Republicans have urged since the US March meeting in protest, and Hungary was obliged to cancel it. It records to monitor their movement was a critical meeting as the Visegrad Group states hope to join the support, the federal government recording their personal details, maintaining logs of all the military misadventures in Vietnam, from the farm to the supermarket. sites the users have visited, and restricting minors to EU in 2004. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen opposes labelling GM foods. Lebanon and Somalia. Legislation “We have no way to monitor orUS exporters say the labelling could machines that do not have cubicles. said the Benes decrees were a “bilateral” matter, but centre-right passed by the Republican-dominated politicians in Germany and Austria have threatened to block track whether GM foods are cost them $4 billion per year. “This will prevent easy access of pornography to minors WASHINGTON - As the United States kind of pressure on our Treasury?” The administration also and help police trace those who e-mail inappropriate Congress in the mid-1990s, and Czech efforts to join the EU and Germany’s Federation of causing a problem or not without Canada is a major food waded deeper into Indochina in the Byrd asked, pointing to the $48 reaffirmed its request for $98 millionseemingly endorsed by Bush during Expellees insists the Czech Republic be admitted to the EU only material to minors from cafes,” committee member Gautam1960s, the Argentine revolutionary, billion increase the administration to train, equip, and provide surveil- labelling,” says Ellen Desjardins of exporter, accounting for four Patel said. Advocates believe that once this direction is his election campaign, called for if the decrees are repealed. Several modern-day commentators the Ontario Public Health percent of the world’s food trade, issued, other states are likely to follow. Che Guevara, called for “one, two, wants in military spending next year. lance for new battalions in Colombiapresidents to deploy US forces only say the Benes decrees give sanction to ethnic cleansing and a Association (OPHA). The valued at $15.6 billion per year. The recommendation has angered many cafe owners, many Vietnams” to bog down the Last Thursday, a week after ten US to protect an 800 km oil pipelinewhen a vital national interest was at notion of collective guilt. association includes public health The US is Canada’s biggest who say the direction would be costly to comply with and superpower in hopeless conflicts all soldiers died in a helicopter crash in owned by California-based stake, the objectives were clear and epidemiologists, nutrition profes- customer, buying 60 percent of its detrimental to business. Viewing pornography in the privacyover the Third World. the southern Philippines after ferrying Occidental Petroleum Company,achievable, and there was an sionals, and inspectors from food exports. Other major Labelling GM food in Canada isn’t of one’s home doesn’t come under the purview of the law, While Guevara’s contribution— the first of at least 150 Special despite the collapse of a three-yearidentifiable “exit strategy” so Canada’s most populous province. purchasers include Japan, China, good for the country’s economic but to do so in a cafe, which is legally defined as “public his futile attempt to launch an Operations Forces (SOF) troops to peace process there. Washington Washington could withdraw its and Mexico. Among those space,” is illegal. Illegal but rampant. One cafe owner in insurgency in Bolivia—was quickly advise Philippine soldiers in promised to increase and expediteforces aid at little cost in US blood, The OPHA is not opposed to uptown Mumbai said “about 50 percent of my customers biotechnology, Desjardins says, but products, foods with canola health,anything, saysargue Janet Lambert, trade the groups. put down at the cost of his own life, subduing a small Muslim insurgency, and intelligence to Bogota in treasure, or pride. Even Secretary of come to access pornography.” almost 40 years later his dream may the Pentagon confirmed plans to send anticipation of an intensified civil war (IPS) it is a “powerful technology that (rapeseed oil), maize, or soy are ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ group’s president. As well, “there Another, Seshagiri Shanbhag, said, “Even those who State and former Chairman of the likely to contain GM ingredients are major considerations for any be soon becoming a reality due to 100 to 200 military advisers to the there. Meanwhile, it is believed thatJoint to Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, should be tightly controlled, and want to just check their mails will think twice before enteringPresident George W Bush’s “war faction-ridden former Soviet state of persuade the region of the seriousness labelling would serve the public because there is little segregation labelling scheme because of theprotect public health, they should my cafe. Nobody wants to share his personal details or who, as much as any single military How far does democracy go? against terrorism.” The Bush Georgia and several hundred more to and long-term nature of Washing- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ label products so Canadians can telephone numbers with some stranger in a cafe. Also, man, has been identified with this health of Ontario citizens.” An of GM from conventional crops. volume of trade with the United administration is committing US Yemen to help those governments root ton’s commitment, Vice President avoid them in the first place.” visiting a cafe is an impulsive decision. What if you don’t argument, seems to have surren- BANGKOK - With words like “shameful” and “acts of oppression,” independent panel of scientists at GM crops have been grown in States,” she adds. military forces and advisers to global out “terrorism” on their territory. This Dick Cheney, on his upcoming tour The government’s monitoring have an identity card on you? I lose a customer? And, dered. Asked by Congress to define critics are assailing Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for the Royal Society of Canada Canada for six years. Public interest groups say hotspots with which it has virtually no news came days after Washington’s of US allies in the Middle East, the besmirching his country’s current status as one of the most demo- examining the regulation of food Canadian industry groups also Canada is making a mistake. “Eatproject is designed to find long- maintaining IP logs is a drain on my resources. I have to victory in the war, Powell said last invest a lot of time, or buy software that will do the job. history or experience at a dizzying chief envoy to Afghanistan announced Gulf, and Turkey, will pledge month “…reaching a state where cratic in South-east Asia. Last Friday, the prime minister drew fire biotechnology also advocated oppose labelling. It makes no first, ask questions later is a term harm from GM foods, which following revelations that the government had intimidated one of Keeping track of the sites a user has visited is the same aspace. Even perennially deferential that some of the 4,000 US troops and 250,000 US ground troops, as wellpeople are no longer afraid of terrorist sense because there are no proven dangerous public health policy,”confirms critics’ worst fears, says Thailand’s respected pollsters after the results of its recent poll mandatory labelling. monitoring his activities, which will put him off. Also I have Democrats have begun to ask military advisers in the country to as its formidable firepower, to oustactivities, where they can go about health or safety issues with GM Pat Venditti of Greenpeace CanadaVenditti. “We can’t put GM portrayed government figures in poor But a mandatory labelling law to invest in tearing off the cubicles to accommodate special questions. “I think there is expansion hunt al-Qaeda and Taleban remnants President Saddam Hussain and their lives not concerned about the “could place agricultural trade at foods, according to said in a statement. “If the back in the box once it’s eaten or seats for minors. The whole thing is very unfair.” light. “It is shameful. The prime minister without clear direction,” noted Senate might be sent to areas where tensions prevent civil war or the break-up kindsof of things that happened on the is using executive authority beyond released into the environment, The committee obviously believes otherwise. “The risk,” Michael Presley, director BIOTECanada, a 108-member government doesn’t know the risks, Majority Leader Tom Daschle in quiet between rival warlords have boiled Iraq in the aftermath. 11 anyone’s comprehension,” a general of the Canadian agriculture industry and research institution it shouldn’t be allowing GM cropsbut we won’t know the harm committee’s job is to focus on protecting minors from understatement. “If we expect to kill over into fighting. Meanwhile, a US “I only just learned five months Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the ministry’s food bureau, told a association. A ‘May contain GM into our food supply and into theuntil it’s too late.” Internet pornography,” Patel said. “That our recommenda- every terrorist in the world, that’s general with a contingent of advisers ago that there were Uzbeks, Tajiks, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Canada’s health officials have tions will discourage even adults from accessing such told IPS. Local newspapers were as health ministry hearing on GM ingredients’ label would not mean environment. If they truly want to going to keep us going beyond arrived in Kabul to begin a two-year and Pashtuns in Afghanistan,” a th gone to great lengths to persuade sites in a cafe is purely incidental.” The committee had Doomsday,” exclaimed, somewhat less process of building, training, and Congressional aide who works on of September or the kinds of car harsh in condemning the manner in earlier rejected the proposal to block pornographic sites bombings that take place in Jerusalem which military officers, members of the Canadians of the safety of GM because it was, according to its report, “technically and politely, Senator Robert Byrd last equipping a 30,000-strong multi- foreign policy told IPS. “I hadn’t foods but now the same department week. “How long can we stand this ethnic national army. given a moment’s thought to Georgia,or the kinds of terrorism meted out by special branch of the police and legally unsound.” But there is a move to get Indian Internet (left-wing guerrillas) in Colombia. It officials from the ministry of university is studying their health effects, service providers to invest in software that will filter out affairs, repeatedly visited the office of the Bangkok-based Assump- observed Nadege Adam of the non- will take us a long time to reach that pornographic sites. That probably would spark the same state.” tion Business Administration College (Abac) Poll, at Assumption governmental Council of Canadi- kind of anger from ISP providers that has been voiced by (IPS) University. The poll that prompted this intimidation was conducted ans. “This is tacit admission there’s cybercafe owners. between 5-9 February, where Abac researchers queried 1,302 cause to be concerned about what The cafe controversy shouldn’t be understated. Since people about the public image of the Thaksin administration and we’re eating.” The health ministry, PC penetration in Indian towns is less than 12 percent, COMMENT by SHLOMO AVINERI political issues in the news of late. While the results of this Vacancy Announcement cybercafes have done brisk business over the last few survey were particularly severe on the public image of the formally known as Health Canada, years. They are far more popular than they are in the country’s powerful defence minister and public health minister, An international organization in Kathmandu is seeking an experienced and highly self-motivated must explain exactly how it can United States. No official count exists of the cafes in they also faulted the Thaksin regime for conflicts of interest individual to fill a Computer Systems Administrator position. This is a full time position with a study health effects of GM foods Maharashtra, as they are a highly unregulated segment. involving government members. 40 - hours per week work schedule. when, without labels, it is impossi- So the committee has also recommended issuing ble to link the impact to the food special licenses to cafes. Since the cafes do not have Land of paradoxes source, says Adam. an association, they have not united yet to officially Position Title : Computer Systems Administrator oppose the recommendations. ran is marking its Islamic Revolution’srd 23anniversary with nostalgic blasts families.” Iran, as a consequence, has one of the lowest birth rates in the region. But in an unprecedented move, the Court asked that the at “America, the Great Satan,” thanks, partly, to President George Bush The shades of grey have real consequences for policy towards Iran: as an Remuneration : Salary and benefits package commensurate with skills and experience. committee’s report be put up on a website. Suggestions (IPS) (IPS) and objections have been solicited. The Court will scruti- includingI naming Iran in the “Axis of Evil” involved in terrorism and the Iranian political scientist recently said at a seminar in Germany, younger people in nise them in April before issuing the order. production of weapons of mass destruction. But beneath the surface Iran is no Iran do feel they are Muslims, and Iran will never be a secular society. But they Duties : The incumbent is responsible for day to day operation of PCs and LAN longer Ayatollah Khomeini’s sharia state. view their Islam as part of their Iranian identity, whereas the older clerics viewed systems. The incumbent installs various software, performs regular Iran does deserve to be classified as a regional and, perhaps, global promoter Islam as a universal revolutionary identity. These younger people—the Iranian backups, and carries out regular maintenance of servers and a number of instability—its support for the fundamentalist Islamic terrorism of the scholar claimed—are first Iranian nationalists, and would like to dissociate of workstations. The incumbent troubleshoots computer networking Hizbollah in Lebanon is aimed at undermining the diminishing chances for an themselves from Middle Eastern politics, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict. Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation. But internal developments in Iran are complex, Iran presents a complex, sometimes confusing picture. But anyone who knows issues as well as physical infrastructure of networking which involves European history can identify a parallel: the Calvinist, Puritan revolution. The running of cables, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and neither demonising the Islamic Republic, nor drawing a simple dichotomy between “conservatives” and “reformers”—led by President Khattami, is helpful. Calvinists of Geneva, or Cromwell’s Puritans, were—like the mullahs of Tehe- maintaining computer electrical accessories including UPS, changing Iran is perhaps the most interesting ran—biblio-centric, with a Holy Book as their hard drives, CD-ROM drives, network cards, computer memory, etc. country in the region, with the greatest model for an ideal society—puritanical, frugal, The incumbent establishes contacts with the local technological potential for development leading to—not non-permissive, with laws against conspicuous communities and keeps abreast of any software updates and puts to Western-style democracy—but greater consumption and luxuries, and anti-feminist, anchored in patriarchal family structures. good use of the organization. opening and liberalisation. Paradoxically, Iran’s potential is embedded in its ideology as Because the Calvinists did not accept a Church hierarchy, they—like the Iranian Shi’ites who Education : College degree in computer science preferred. MCSE or other types of an Islamic state. After the first turbulent and murderous years of the Iranian revolution, aren’t part of the Sunni majoritarian certification a plus, as well as training courses in PC Operations, EASY TIMES there have been remarkable developments in universalism—based their legitimacy on a systems applications and programming. the last few years. Elections are confined to an community of believers, and introduced It’s never been easier to subscribe to elections. Once you hold real elections, different Nepali Times. Islamic discourse, and all candidates and parties must secure the imprimatur of the ways of interpreting the Holy Book become Experience : Two or more years of successful computer systems operations with Just dial this number and leave possible and legitimate. Suddenly, there exists a your address. country’s highest Islamic authority before they experience in LAN administration preferably Windows NT with Microsoft mechanism for participation, control, dissent Exchange. can be listed on a ballot. Yet, there is a fierce contest between various groups and interpreta- (limited though it is) and the introduction of tions. Because elections to the Majlis (parlia- innovative strategies to legitimise change within Knowledge : Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook 98, Windows NT, and ment) and the residency are contested, they are In its Islamic ideology Iran has the a traditional context. In Europe, Calvin’s Microsoft Exchange. meaningful. President Khattami was elected with the supportpotential of women for and greaterGeneva—an liberalisation. autocratic theocracy, more similar to Khomeini’s Teheran than to any younger people, and the “establishment” candidate was not. In other Arab other regime—eventually developed, through English Puritanism, towards modern parliamentary government. In Britain until the l820’s only members of Language : Fluent in both written and spoken English. countries—Egypt, Syria, Belarus—there is virtually only one candidate, and he receives 97-98 percent of the vote. Parliamentary debates in Iran are real, unlike the Church of England could vote in parliament or be elected to it. the rubber-stamp sham parliaments of countries like Egypt and Syria. Will Shi’ite Iran follow a road similar to the European Calvinists’? Nothing is Skills & Abilities: Ability to install and troubleshoot various third-party software as well Women can vote and participate actively and publicly in political life. The pre-determined, but the parallel is striking. For all of today’s involvement of some as hardware. Ability to configure a Cisco router a plus point. Ability to image of Iranian women suppressed behind black Iranian leaders in terrorism, the picture is more complex, more interesting—and communicate effectively with both expatriate and Nepali personnel and perhaps more promising than President Bush’s speech suggests. be able in explaining computer problems patiently. chadors is complicated. For Application Procedures: Interested candidates who meet the above qualification criteria example, because male doctors are prevented by strict Islamic law from treating may apply with a resume along with a photograph by close-of-business March 25, 2002 to women, the government has encouraged the training of female doctors. Today, (Project Syndicate) the Human Resources Office, GPO Box: 295, Kathmandu, Nepal. there are more women doctors in Iran than under the Shah, and the number of women dying at childbirth is among the lowest in the region. The government (Shlomo Avineri is professor of political science at the Hebrew has also instituted a pro-active birth control program, and legitimised it within an Women candidates are encouraged to apply 543333 University of Jerusalem and a former Director-General of Israel’s Islamic context, saying “we want educated Islamic families, not just large Islamic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.) 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES CULTURE 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES 13 “Nepal is an unsuccessful nation.”Deuba and corruptionBack at Sundarijal >6

Prabhakar Sumshere Rana Deshantar, 24 February Aircraft ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ “Life is settling down to a pattern” From a service-based industry like the Soaltee Hotel to a produc- Jana Aastha, 27 February would be extended, awarded the tion-based one like Surya Tobacco, Prabhakar Sumshere JB Rana contract on payment of Rs 40 million. is an industrialist who, once involved in a venture, is completely Our sources tell us the money was dedicated to it and ensures that it will be a success. Rana, who is Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba also involved in an industry linked to the royal family, is being forced the cabinet to approve the paid out of their accounts at the Nepali Times continues with BP Koirala’s talked about as a possible diplomatic appointee. decision to purchase a new aircraft for Himalayan Bank and the Standard English diary from inside his prison at Deshantar spoke to him about Nepal’s politics and the army on 21 February, which has Chartered Bank. economy. created a stir in the ranks. Officials say The director general of the Sundarijal in 1977. The diary is written What do you think of Nepalís current financial the cabinet has decided to buy an Department of Roads told us he’d meticulously in neat handwriting with a state? aircraft called the Sky Truck. The heard the technical evaluation for the fountain pen. He writes that his initial There are internal and external reasons the prime minister himself proposed— contract was done in a hotel room. cado, if it has any sense, will be meaningless if economy is in trouble. The 11 September terrorist and pressured—the cabinet to Our source tells us the decision to period of anxiety is being replaced with th interviews are granted. Political purpose of our attacks in the US had a global impact. We have approve the deal involving the Polish- bump Louis Berger up the list was 9 January,detention 1977 in Sundarijalstrict isolation could be that the numerous internal reasons as well—instability, bad growing monotony and boredom. Even made 18-19 seat aircraft. Just 26 of taken at the Sunset View Hotel. In the morningking wouldI got up talk as to usual, us. We took have tea notwith been given governance, political fighting. There has been too much of all this in the 12 years since thethe restoration craft have been of produced so far, jail-mate Ganesh Man Singh (GM) isn’t newspapers—and no written communication of democracy, and this has directly affected the economy. There is a problem in the tourism sector, industries GM. Did routine exercise but I felt a little out of and only some former Soviet states The other side much of a help. focus. For anysometime, kind from I get home. buzzing sensations are full of problems, and many have already closed down. Even service-oriented industries such as banking ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ have bought them. The European in my head and also feel as if I am putting on a and the financial sector are in trouble. Nepal’s financial state is in tatters. Tarun, 4 March On another point, Nepal’s budget is based on aid and help. At the recent Development Forum,Commission donor does not approve the cap that tightly grips the head. I have some- weep openly and cry out long moans of nations were not satisfied with Nepal’s performance. Even if the government is spreading aircraft.the rumour The proposal that was made soon times felt for the non-existent cap on my head. I depression while he was with us in the The establishment of the Nepali donors have pledged cash as evidence of their commitment to Nepal, how is this possible?after So Deuba much took money office, coming th Hindu Philosopher, and moreover the importantalso get pulse throbs at the roots of my ears. Nakkhu Detention Camp. It was, perhaps, is being channeled to shore up the state of emergency, which has hurt development activities.through The Ms bottom Arzoo Deuba and her Congress has been after Prime 8 January, 1977 essays in the collection are pragmatory andToday during exercise, I felt a sensation of necessary that I should have gone through the could fall out of Nepal’s economy. We hear overdrafts have been needed to pay civil servants’brother, salaries. who runs a finance company. Roads Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for were initially meant as rough drafts for longernausea too. I don’t know what it may be due present distressing period and felt so weak so ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ It was a cloudy day, with sharp cold wind Without political stability development is impossible. quite some time. To embarrass him to—low blood pressure. High colour in my urine that I could put myself in the position of the [On Sunday Ms Deuba categorically blowing. I kept myself most indoors. Lifecomposition. Predicament of Democratic Man Deshantar,3 March they sometimes go to parliament is however, disappearing. I have sent for my large number of our comrades who are rotting denied the association, asserting that here is settling down to a pattern. Now isthe just readable. I need books which can titillate What is the main hurdle? regular medicines for stomach trouble and in various prisons, both in India and Nepal. I she had no say in the decision-making without their badges and IDs, or cook initial period of anxiety will be replaced myby ainterest in studies to begin with. Novels The people have repeatedly given the Nepali Congress, considered the oldest party, a majority vote. We say Prime Minister Sher Bahadur colitis and also for a doctor. am drawn closer to them. up false stories about corruption and period of growing monotony. The secondperhaps, history, biography—to serve as the constitution has made the people sovereign. But parliamentarians have ignored the sentimentsprocess and and that she was ready to be Deuba who came to power promis- The day was cloudy. I put on the heater and As I lay lazily in my bed, I began to think make the world laugh. One news stage has started. GM looks after me withappetisers. They can raise me, in the process, wishes of the sovereign people, and devoted themselves instead to infighting. When can the“hanged people in public” really if there was any ing law and order and good lay indoors. Couldn’t concentrate in reading. about Nepal and my people. What is their fate? outlet was recently caught in a similar ease, but he is not such a company to fromme the trough of despondency. I cannot exercise their power in an underdeveloped country? The Nepali Congress has dishonouredtruth the in people. the allegations.] The army’s Spent most of the day in bed. Nothing interest- I have hitched my wagon to their destiny. If it governance is proving corrupt. design. Our source tells us the prime that can enliven the monotonous hourscontact of home for books. I didn’t bring any airborne unit (the 11 ing. I wanted to do some washing; but the day has a future, I too have one. This identification Fearing he’d lose power over his minister himself was unhappy with the prison. His interests are very practical,with me. So there have been mistakes at the political level. being cloudy and the water being ice-cold, and with the fate of the country (bombastic pre- failure to control the Maoists and and he brings this practical sense to bearThe camp commander is under the impres- Our political leaders lack vision and direction. We could learn about civil service, education or business from, the working of the Ministry of my mood being what it is, I just threw dirty sumptuousness?) sustains me. After all, I say, Sri Lanka. If the political leadership there missteps, the people, who are educated, vote them out. The manage the emergency, he seems to upon the political subject which is the onlysion that we will get the facilities of interviews th Battalion) is Physical Planning and Works. When clothes into the corner. came voluntarily to Kathmandu to place myself current president and the government are from different parties. Despite dealing with a civil war for years, be trying to stay in power using common subject between us. He is notand correspondence as before which means he learnt of the games the employees I used to be impatient with those who, the at the disposal of a dictator. This was a their economy remains strong. In the last two months, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has donesaid very to have well. earlier ruled that the money. People had barely forgotten interested in theories and abstract thoughts.we can send letters on the last day of the and other powerful politicians were moment they are thrown into prison, would be voluntary risk I took in the interest of the The British ruled in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and though it left behind administrativeaircraft rules is unsuited in all three, to conditions in My tastes are opposite to his. Thereforemonth, he and on the 2 the flurry of construction before playing in the tendering for the Asian panicky or extremely anxious. I can now sympa- country according to my light. and India and Pakistan have more resources, Sri Lanka is better off today because of education.Nepal. After Educated Deuba, who is also can’t provide company of the kind that I need. SAARC, supposedly under the Development Bank-funded Fourth thise with them. Sushila has a dread for prison. From GM’s home, a toaster, a bottle of people look for appropriate leaders and also serve their country. defence minister, managed to get the We don’t have books to take up my direction of the prime minister’s Road Improvement Project, he It is a healthy dread. I am today full of warmth achar and a pair of shoes and Mailpos- cabinet to approve the decision, he interest. By chance, GM brought some nd residence, when two new scandals day of the month our for Sushila and others who are in Indian jail, Suruwal for him came. Learnt that PL is in Can we say that in underdeveloped Nepal, the current political system is a failure?put pressure on the 11 instructed the ministry’s secretary not books, mostly unreadable. One of the books th associated with the prime minister people can interview us, i.e. today isth 25 Bhim Bahadur and others in Nepal’s jails. I can prison. He had come to Kathmandu after Democracy means a people’s government, the political parties belong to the people. If the people do not Battalion, to yield to any pressure and decide in is a collection of essays by Santayana and have emerged. now understand the psychological trauma that seeing us at Patna a day earlier, i.e. on the direct them right, or if the parties work outside the people’s interests, democracy has failed.which After then that,retracted the its earlier accordance with the rules. Some another is by Cahn Predicament of Demo-Paus—five days hence, we can send our letters Our source tells us that a day Chakra suffered during the short period he was 29 administration or the army might rule, but that is different. For multi-party democracy to work,conclusion civil societyand has apparently department heads were also present in cratic Man. They aren’t the stuff that canand seven days hence, people will come to in Purnea and Bhagalpur. In 1947, Biku used to must play a strong role in controlling the leaders, but they have failed. After 40 years of publicsubmitted life, a recommendationI can say before the prime minister promised to the room when he made that call. One rouse me from present psychological meet us. But there is a snag. In the old times we are only intellectuals in name. We sit in our rooms, playing cards and debating. We don’t stand up and end corruption and provide good departmental head had actually asked depression. Santayana is woolly, like somewe got letters, any number of them, on any day, say this is not right, or we do not want this. approving the aircraft. The aircraft allegedly costs $3.5 million (Rs 273 governance in parliament, his the prime minister, the secretary and with proper and careful censor. Since we For example, the income tax declaration scheme everyone was talking about recently. If taxpayers don’t residence was trying to raise Rs 40 pay up, where will the government get money to run the country? Are we to beg forever?million), Paying and taxes on adding is a various other departmental heads to give the haven’t received any, the major impression may responsibility, an obligation. But I have my suspicions about the means by which the governmentoptions, this tried goes to up to $4 million, a million by asking the Department of contract to a party he “favoured.” This ultimately prove wrong. raise income tax. I hear the middle class was totally against this scheme. And without theprice middle believed class, to be noabout a million Roads to change a decision on a did not happen, and so he sought the GM thinks that our being kept in incommuni- th of December. He was arrested at the government can run. dollars higher than the craft’s real cost. tender. The Asian Development help of the NC establishment in a airport itself. We lack leadership in government, in civil society, and in the commercial and industrial sectors.( Leader- Bank-supported Fourth Roads character assassination campaign. The ship requires clarity of vision—this is what I want, this is how I will operate. The government today offers no Improvement Project was awarded to a prime minister’s wife and her brother vision, which limits its administrative efficacy. Civilians have concluded that political leaders cannotDeshanter work. also carried a report, saying: “The cabinet approved the firm that came fourth in the technical Bhushan Rana were also said to have The common people have no hidden personal agenda, which is why such a large section of society has felt evaluation. The firm’s fee for the Rs 7 compelled to point out the flaws in the government’s attitude. Nepal is an unsuccessful nation.purchase of two Sky Truck aircraft last influenced the proposed purchase of Thursday [21 February]. The aircraft billion project is said to be Rs 450- the Sky Truck by the Royal Nepal Is this a result of the restoration of democracy? is to be purchased at $4 million, but 500 million. Nineteen companies Army. But the people who concocted CDs at the price of tapes! I don’t think it is only that. Surely there were failures even prior to the last 12 years. But rectifyingaviation experts them say it does not cost applied for pre-qualification, seven the news didn’t realise that if kickbacks needs uncommon effort. And right now, people do not have the slightest hope that their leaders can do this. were selected, among them British, more than $3 million. …Security were involved, neither Arzoo Deuba On the occasion of the Platinum issue of Wave, we are giving away CDs at Because of not just education, but the information revolution, even the poorest know what is going on, and American, Japanese and Canadian sources said the aircraft cannot land nor her brother would be made the Voices for peace dirt cheap prices!! that this kind of leadership cannot run the country. The emergency was passed with a two-thirds majority, companies. Japan’s Nippon Koei is agents for this aircraft. The defence but look at how irresponsible our leaders are. Even now, they are going to cut a cake here,on a any tea airstrip ceremony suitable even for a said to have got the highest points in ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY secretary himself denied this news. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ there, sometimes the opening of a film. Even the nation’s capital, with the army and policeTwin walking Otter, down and is too narrow to A NEVER BEFORE AND NEVER AFTER OFFER!! transport goods. The aircraft in the technical evaluation. US firm Since the people involved couldn’t every street, could be shut down. How are people to feel safe? Some even supported the bandh, saying Louis Berger was fourth. Louis he’s been blacklisted in organised the first World Freedom 1 CD - Rs. 110 Just select the CDs and ring up!! that if the government cannot work, why should they support it? question has not been approved by make charges against Prime Minister Burma, he was recently Festival in Sarangkot near Pokhara Berger’s local partner Suraj Vaidya— Deuba directly, they dragged in the 2 CDs - Rs. 200 either the US or the British regulators. labelled a supporter of the to promote world peace and Wave CD - Instant Grip Highlights What is the solution? who also got the SAARC road S names of Dr Arzoo and Bhushan, to Our sources tell us the government “People’s War” for speaking with a harmony. The festival featured 3 CDs - Rs. 280 If we don’t find one, we will sink. We’re already on our way down. To solve it we need a leadership with maintenance contracts—was able to malign the prime minister’s character. Vol. 2 decided soon after the emergency that rebel. Together their efforts saved a international artists dedicated to vision. More than that, we need commitment. Uganda was in a far worse situation 30 yearsthe ago. army We could got immediately hire any convince the power centres through The people behind this incident need 4 CDs - Rs. 340 Nima Rumba - Suna Suna democracy at about the same time, but today Uganda is a success story and Nepal is not. We need to realise his other partners in Honey Enter- remote hill tribe in the Thailand- human rights, anti-racism and Om Bikram - Smajhanako Byatha fixed wing aircraft it needed. The to know that Bhushan Rana isn’t the Sanjeep Pradhan - Samjhera Ti Dinharu that too many cooks spoilt the broth. Burma border from forceful army has more pressing needs now: prises, Dinesh Prasad Shrestha and local agent for the aircraft the army equality, but it was the exhibitions of 5 CDs - Rs. 400 Nalina Chitrakar - Chanchale Bani Jitendra Lal Shrestha. The prime displacement from what had been local community groups enhancing Deepak Bajracharya - Sunsaan How should Nepal go forward? night vision binoculars and other wants to buy, it is Avaya Shrestha. 6 CDs - Rs. 460 Jems Pradhan - Chulbule minister, uncertain if the emergency their land for centuries. and hypnotic rituals, traces the has been performing internationallygrassroots awareness and encouraging Saroj Dutta - Chiso Panima We’re in a globally competitive market. We need to concentrate on things where we might logistics.have an For advan- three months the They say they’re nothing more stories of nine lives across borders. and producing shows which cultural exchange with foreign visitors tage. Like Nepal, Uganda is agriculture-based. Even the soil is similar, they can grow anything.soldiers They on the used ground have not even Addressing issues of women- communicate human concerns to Vol. 3 Vol. 5 this advantage systematically, and are today successful African nation and a global example.had a We change have of boots.”) than ordinary tourists, but what that had the greatest impact. Manoj Shrestha - Chari Bharara Nima Rumba - Anjan Mayalu around us powerful nations such as India and China. That isn’t a disadvantage—it means we have large makes performers Julia and Tony so trafficking, human rights and mainstream audiences. Her anthem This time around they’ve Nabin Bhattarai - Raat Bityo Joheb Manandhar - Manko Khusi humanity’s urgent need to believe in Sanjeev Pradhan - Malai Birsera Deepesh Bhattarai - Kaile Lekai markets that we just haven’t been able to exploit. special is that political borders do Free Burma brought her to sing at chosen Kathmandu as the venue for Sanjay Shrestha - Sunana Sunana Mukti & Revival - Newari Song not stop them from spreading the all things good, this solo action- the Hague Appeal for Peace and the two days of music (including Robin Rock Yogis - Jaba Sandhya Huncha Robin N Looza - Mero maya Are only political leaders to blame? cabaret aims at stimulating con- Mohan Bhusal - Maya Gare Jasto Bobin Bajracharya - Song of love message of universal humanity. International Peace Asia Concert in ‘n Looza), performance and film Kalind - Lajalu Muskan We have this habit of blaming each other. We cannot just blame the political leaders. Leaders from other Dhiraj Rai - Himal Najhuke Samma Vol. 6 Politics and ideologies do not sciences and raising awareness about Bobin Bajracharya - Be Happy sectors have not been able to pressure the political leaders. After all, we live in the same country.QUOTE People OF THE WEEK Bangkok. Tony is a human rights screenings in honour of Interna- Jems Pradhan - Dhe Dhe Chela ‘Third World’ issues. So what else Nabin Bhattarai - Tyahim Bihan outside politics must understand this. matter to them, what does is the campaigner, event organiser, and an tional Women’s Day. Alongside the Cobweb - Jeevan is new, you ask. Unlike similar Robin N Looza - Higher Love Dhiraj Rai - Kina We have developed two negative aspects. One is this habit of begging—from everyone andThere anywhere. has always beenI corruption in this country. It was here during Prithvi Narayan Shah’s time, it’s here now. suffering of the people and the original member of the Peace Asia show, organisations such as KEEP, 1974 A.D. - Pahilo Junima think corruption started with this. After one could not beg and get more, corruption was the last resort. I shows, TrYbe doesn’t just preach Vol. 4 Pramod Upadhyaya - Yo Junima unity of all people, whether from committee, which draws different Gift for Aid and Maiti Nepal will Nirnaya and da all stars - Bring da house down Nalina Chitrakar - Kale Krishna doubt there are any honest political leaders. We hear that not even lower-level workers do their job without about things, it sends out a —Senior advocate Ramanandaprasad Chaudhary, the consumer-driven North or the cultures together through music put up stalls for exhibition. “We Deepesh Bhattarai - Hosh harayepani Manoj Shrestha - Shirko Topi asking the boss for money, because they know how much money their bosses makes. Sanghu, 4 March message—that the power of one is Saroj Dutta - Auna Nima Rumba - Jaandaichhu Ma Ha i poverty-ridden South. programs and exhibitions to inspire hope we can raise some money for Nabin Bhattarai - Jau na Jau Videshma sometimes all it takes to influence Sanjeev Pradhan - Ja Bidhan Shrestha - Kalapanima Do you see any administrative system that can bring the Maoists to political mainstream? They are in Kathmandu now, racial harmony. charities, but this is also about the future of humanity. Om Bikram Bista - Jaha gaye pani Cobweb - Yo Mero Jivan What the army is doing is temporarily defeating them and telling them join mainstream. It is not possible to kill with their creative outfit Maitreya Julia and Tony have been in stirring the general public here into Raju Gurung - Ramra ramra Raiko Ris - Cicada every last one of them. They took the wrong step in taking up arms to make their voices heard. But it is still Productions and Julia’s one-woman For the past 12 years Julia, onceNepal for six months—they came as action,” says Julia. 14 - 17 songs in each CD. possible for them to give up arms and come to the table for talks. show TrYbe, a fusion of provoca- an original Phantom of the Opera tourists and stayed on to lobby for Best of Nepali modern music. Free home delivery!! tive, original songs, film projections cast member and a former Young the rights of the poor and under- (For more information, see Australian of the Year semi-finalist,privileged. Last December they About Town.) Call 543333, 523845 in Kathmandu; 32387 in Biratnagar 32705 in Pokhara; 23848 in Nepalgunj

Crocodile: Terrorist Balloon: It is imperative to finish this first. This way, please.... Arrow: Constitutional amendment Jana Bhawana, 4 March 14 CITY 8 - 14 MARCH 2002NEPALI TIMES CITY 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES 15

ABOUT TOWN YAK YETI YAK by MIKU HAPPENINGS yagya, a sacred fire ceremony, and EXHIBITION raised Rs 1.6 million for temple Inside out Selection of images portraying life on the streets of Nepal, its hardships adn pleasures, development, which sounds a little taken by ten Pokhara street youths. Presented by the Child Welfare Scheme Nepal at the Fewa Park scary, but there is nothing to Restaurant, Lakeside, Pokhara until end-March. 61-20793 fear—no luridly painted sub- EVENTS shrines or souvenir stalls playing Voices for Peace A live music & multi-media experience featuring Australian tinny music and selling religious show Julia & TrYbe on both days and Robin ‘n Looza on 9 March. Includes kitsch. A goodeasier. deal Theyof the recentlymoney organised a

screenings of Dinesh Deokota’s film A Rough Cut on the Life & Times of Children of Shivawas spent on building the gravel ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY Lachuman Magar, and Nomads of the Himalayas. Rs 200 per show, dinner and road that leads to the base of the show Rs 400, available at the Bamboo Club and The Last Resort. 8 and 9 March, temple, some to establish a trust 5PM on at the new Hot Pot Restaurant & Bar, Thamel. 425111 and the rest to build a community Shangri-La Open Golf Tournament 150 golfers from every walk of life hall in the temple complex. And play for prizes including round trip tickets for two to Vienna and Mumbai. 9 March 2002, Gokarna Forest Golf Resort. Krishna Bahadur KC, a teacher at Nepali classical dance and folk music at Hotel Vajra. Dances of Hindu and Buddhist gods Kitini Higher Secondary School Tuesdays and Fridays, 7PM onwards, the Great Pagoda Hall. Ticket and tea Rs 400. Nepali folk tunes BOOKWORM and long-time patron and philan- Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6.30PM onwards, hotel restaurant. Hotel Vajra. 271545 thropist loyal to the temple, hopes BIR GANESH MAN: A movie about the life and times of late Congress leader An Unexpected Light: Travels in Afghanistan Jason Elliot this will serve as an example to MUSIC Ganesh Man Singh being shot in Basantpur on Monday, 25 February. Picador, London, 1999 other religious monuments. “We Live music by Catch 22, Tuesday and Friday nights at the 40,000 ½ ft Bar, Rum Doodle Restaurant, can account for every rupee donated Thamel. 414336 Rs 600 Winner of the Thomas Cook/ Daily Telegraph travel Book Award, this already classic book is a tour de The view from the top to the temple. We hope this will be an example to the entire nation,” he

DRINK force of travel and memory: vividly evocative, courageous, empathetic and self-aware. Elliot, who has KUNDA DIXIT Hit the Roof Live band at the Splash Bar & Grill every Friday. Radisson Hotel. been compared to TE Lawrence, travelled in some of the world’s most extreme circumstances and writes says. There’s more to be done. The Tantra Nite Tantric cocktails and live music, prizes for psychedelic costumes. 11 March, 6 PM about it by decorously arranging history, politics, his own experiences and intelligent analysis. ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY community is trying to raise onwards, Rox Bar, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. 491234 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Be careful what crosses your mindmoney at to build steps leading to the t is hard to keep up with a half- Classic teas Thirty teas including all Dilmah Tea’s herbals, greens, blacks and Oolongs. Also Ilam, Reflections on Exile and other literary and cultural essays Edward W Said temple, as the steep trail can be Darjeeling, Makaibari and more. The Coffee Shop, Hotel de l’Annapurna. man, half-woman protector, Santaneswor Mahadev. Penguin Books India, New Delhi, 2001 dangerous when it rains. If this destroyer, and a manifestation○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of ○○○○ Rs 792 I wonderfully benign manifestation FOOD the energy that rules the world. Written over three decades, these essays give rare insight into the formation of a critic and development of Shiva appeals to you, you can Celebrating women with guitar tunes and 50 percent discount for women. Stupa View Restaurant Given that there are 108 important whose blessings were sometimes of an intellectual vocation. They cover a wide range of topics—from the heroics of Tarzan and the donate Rs 650 to build one step, & Terrace, Boudha. 480262 Shiva shrines (and probably half-a- rumoured to take rather carnal Swims, Salads & Siesta Includes lavish buffet, complimentary shuttle to lakeside, freemachismo use of Ernest Hemingway to the shades of difference that divide Alexandria and Cairo. Said also and have your name engraved on it million secondary ones), it’s no forms. People came regardless, and different places. Just as jacuzzi, swimming pool, pool table, table tennis, big screen movies. Saturdays and Sunday,reconsiders Rs 550 per writers and artists such as Giambattista Vico, Raymond Williams, Antonio Gramsci and in the deal. surprise that people often miss out they continue to do so, even though Guhyeswori in Kathmandu and person, 50 percent off for children at the Shangri-La Village. 61-22122/23700. Herman Melville. Kamakhya in Assam, India, are Charcoalz Buffet with grilled delicacies from around the world, glass of lager, live music and on one of the most interesting of he isn’t around anymore to act as strawberries with cream. Non-vegetarians Rs 595 and vegetarians Rs 495, tax included. Poolside, Yak & them, right here in the Valley. the go-between between them and said to be formed from rather more Why Men Don’t Listen & Women Can’t Read Maps Allan and Barbara Pease Yeti. 248999 It might be the bumpy half- the good lord. “I have seen hun- intimate parts of Sati, Santaneswor Manjul Publishing House, Bhopal, 2001 Singaporean and Malaysian food Satay, rice, soymilk dishes, curry puffs and more. Between hour ride, followed by the steep 15- dreds of couples coming and asking Mahadev is the temple that arose Rs 312 Jawalakhel fire station and St Mary’s School. Sing Ma, the Food Court. [email protected]. minute climb that deters people for a child in my lifetime. They when her upper lip fell to the The controversial book that suggests that though of the same species, men and women live in different 520004 from visiting the Santaneswor always come back with their six ground here. San Miguel Brunch Lavish Saturday buffet at The Fun Café, Radisson Hotel. 411818 worlds, in part because their brains perceive things in different ways and their chemical make-up is Mahadev, which is second in month child for the Others talk of how Oriental lunchtime Special lunch menu, Rs 350 per head everyday 12 noon-3PM, China Garden, radically different. The authors say they focus on different things, talk and listen differently and have Kamadhenu, the cow that fulfils all importance only to Pashupatinath, paasni, the rice- Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 273999 very varied abilities with understanding space—all of which has an impact on love, sexuality and wishes, made Jharuwarasi and International Women’s Day Women get 30 percent off on all a la carte menus only on 8 March. the official protector of the nation.feeding ceremony, because it is relationships. Godavari her regular haunts to Dwarika’s Hotel Call 479488 But those who make the effort to getimportant that they thank dispense free milk—after all, the Thai festival 11AM onwards at the Summit Hotel 11AM-4.30PM at the Patan Museum Café. Until 10 to the tiny red-drenched temple inSantaneswor,” says 67-year-old Friends Colony: A Modern Fable from the Himalayan Kingdom Mani Dixit supreme lord can only bathe in March. 521810 Jharuwarasi, near Thaiba Lalitpur Shiva Shrestha, the The Big Breakfast A hearty farmer’s breakfast, plain, nutritious food, all-time favourites. Daily until Rupa & Co, New Delhi, 2002 come away feeling peaceful and truly bhajan master of pure milk. The eternal milk source 11AM, the Café, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. 491234 Rs 130 blessed. Of course, you have to the temple, who, after he recorded is represented here by a small Lunch, tea and dinner European and American cuisine with fine wines. La’Soon RestaurantA tale of animals and living with humans who, with their petty foibles and political culture, are on a path to watch the thoughts that cross yourhis devotional songs, now spends stream of water below the boulder Vinotheque, Pulchowk. 535290 destruction. The animals in their turn show that taking turns to be master of the jungle can be his entire day in the temple. in the sanctum sanctorum. Locals Newari Bhoj Traditional snacks, drinks and meals, outdoors or indoor, in a restaurant designed by mind when you’re there, because beneficial to all. The seven-year cycle in which the elephant, hare, monkey, boar, stag, rhino and tiger Santaneswor is the deity that watches The stories explaining how the swear the cow is responsible for Bhaktapur artisans. Lajana Restaurant. Lazimpat. 413874 are Lords of the Jungle one after the earth leads to an eco-friendly world. temple came into being are as Authentic Thai food Everyday at Yin Yang Restaurant. 425510 over people who cannot have this little rivulet that never dries Tukche Thakali Kitchen Buckwheat, barley, bean, and dried meat specialties. Also brunch with ○○○○○○○○○○○○ children. So if you aren’t ready yetnumerous as the names of Shiva up. porridge and pancakes, all raw material from Tukche village. Darbar Marg. for a small, squalling, prune-facedhimself. Hindu holy texts such as Santaneswor sits atop a hillock Barbecue lunch with complementary wine or beer for adults, soft drink for children. Saturdays at human in your life, go strictly as athe Swasthani talk of how Shiva was flanked by two similar, smaller the Godavari Village Resort, Rs 650 per head. 560675 tourist. On a clear day, this is Nepalcarrying the body of his dear, dead hills and the entire area is the stuff wife Sati around the world, when of legends, temples and pilgrim- GETAWAYS Courtesy Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] Inside the shrine, parts of her started to fall on age. The name of the place, Shivaratri Package Overnight on 12 February at Dwarika’s Hotel, right by the celebrations. $125 petitioning Shiva for a child Jharuwarasi, for instance, comes per couple, includes dinner and a guided tour of Pashupatinath. 479488 Rhododendron Getaway at the Horseshoe Resort in Mude, three hours from Kathmandu. Two from the story of the Jhara people days of rhododendron walks in forests, package tours at $30 per day, all meals and sauna included. CLASSIFIED who once lived here. No one Email [email protected] knows where they went, or if the present-day locals are their Destination Bardia All-inclusive package to Jungle BASe Camp, Royal Bardia National Park, with ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ four days and three nights, one-way Kathmandu/Bardia flight, $195 per head. Email Semi-furnished spacious house in quiet descendants. Some disagree with [email protected] or ring Going Places Travels, 251400. www.geocities.com/junglebasecampresidential area near UN complex suitable for this version, saying that the Muktinath Darshan Two nights/three days on B&B basis with Pokhara/Jomsom/Pokharaforeign flights family. and Contact 521024. mighty Pandava Bhimsen, followed airport, resort transfers. Indian nationals Rs 6,999 per head, expats $250 per head. Jomsom Mountain relaxed, easy-going bar and restaurant with by his army, was chasing the evil Resort, [email protected] or [email protected]. 496110 For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36. Taste the difference Cosy Nepali-style house on an organic farm in Gamcha, south Reflexology!of Thimi. Up to The therapist applies alternating the coldest beer and juiciest steaks this side of Kitchak. Given Bhimsen’s Rs 1,200 per person per night including meals. [email protected]. pressure to the feet. It reduces stress, promotesHMB Mountainthe moon. Biking By Have the Kathmandu your bike Guest House. enormous appetite and incredible relaxation and good health. Email serviced or 433043repaired by HMB’s Professional strength, his ‘army’ was more an [email protected] or ring 410735 Mechanics at the HMB Workshop. Riding gear, army of porters carrying food, accessories and parts available. Second hand some of which they lost along the bikes bought/sold/hired. New and recondi- way. The grain they spilt here gave Stupa iewV and Restauranterrace & T at tioned mountain bikes for sale. Himalayan rise to the three hillocks. There are Baudhanath Stupa. Well-appointed restaurant and Mountain Bikes—Tours and Expeditions. many stories about the numerous terraces with views of stupa and Himalayas. 437437. International vegetarian specialties, pizza from temples near by, from the clay oven, ice cream, soft guitar tunes on Fridays, Naudhara, the shrine of the Saturdays, Sundays from 5PM on. Special events goddess Pulchowki in Godavari, to on full moon. Open daily 11AM-8.30PM. 480262. Donate old refrigerators and air-condi- Bajrabarahi in Chapagaun to the west, and Nawadurga in Thecho. tioners to start-up entrepreneurs who want But this homage to the God of K-Too! Beer and Steakhouse not the “longest”,to use them to teach repair and maintenance

ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY Unborn Children is more “highest”, “first” or any other superlative. Just a skills to students. Page 9682-415 charming at its best. Why go trekking, when about their future without childrenthan most, for the stories and the from this vantage point you can one find that coming here gives them vistas it offers. moment look up to views of some measure of solace. Sure, it is hard to get to, but mountains from the Annapurna to For as long back as the oldest the pure and pious locals are doing the Jugal, and the next, direct your Valley residents can remember, thisall they can to make the pilgrimage For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] gaze down to the little villages and pilgrimage has been made by terraces dotting this idyllic part of people from near and far, usually on FM 102.4the Valley. And perhaps this is twice. Until a few years ago, a major another reason couples anxious draw was the Santaneswor Baba, NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL DSES-06-03-2002 09:00 GMT Spring really is here. The satellite image showsMon-Fri 0615-0645 BBC World Today a moderately strong high-pressure system over the Himalaya and the north Ganga plain, but it Sat 0615-0645 BBC Science in Action will disappear early next week, giving way to the westerly fronts over Iran and Afghanistan. This Sun 0615-0645 BBC Agenda will mean a few instances of light rain including Daily 2045-2115 BBC on Shivaratri day, in keeping with tradition. The afternoons will be warm, breezy and sunny, and g]]kfnL]]] ;]]jf]]] finally the night time temperatures will move into the double digits. Daily 2245-2300g]]kfnL]]] ;]]jf]]] BBC

KATHMANDU VALLEY Radio Sagarmatha

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681 Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 E-mail: [email protected] 26-08 25-09 25-10 25-11 24-11 /l8of] ] ;u/dfyf www.radiosagarmatha.org 16 8 - 14 MARCH 2002 NEPALI TIMES Under My Hat NEPALI SOCIETY n some Saturdays in a Kathmandu bar that by Kunda Dixit shall remain unnamed,into frenetic a dance and often tall, glamorous woman singsthrows Nepali words in. O At a time most female singers heart-stopping jazz like she’s been doing it all her life.aspire She to Mariah Carey-style diva- hood, Vidhea is refreshing for Jazz singer hasn’t. After a 25-year has travelled extensively not sabbatical, Vidhea Shresthataking on a musical form that may here is nothing like an all-expenses paid horriday to get to know not have instant appeal. But then, only in Nepal and Tibet, but also returned to her lifelong passion that question is easier. And if Europe and the United States, your fellow travellers in the great journey of life. I am, of course,in 2000, when she sangjazz in a is in her blood, as she grew you’ve heard her perform, it is referring to people who sit next to you on planes. This is one of up under the influence of a which makes it easy for her to T local music festival on the also not surprising: “Two relate to the perspectives of her the aspects of our ongoing sojourn here on Planet Earth that passengersprodding of Kathmandugrandfather who loved the old women—though I sing nothing like school performers. Vidhea herself western students. And it have absolutely no control over. It is fated. jazzman Chris Masand. Vidhea them,” she laughs modestly. She’s shows—a number of Sojourn says she got involved becausewill listen to any period, any talking about the late, great Billie You can request a window seat on the left side so you catch a view composer or singer, but she does students decide to stay on “this is such a unique musical Holliday, and contemporary longer, come back, or devote of Mt Everest, you can book a bulkhead aisle seat a month before yourgenre, I felt it could contributehave her favourites and most vocalist Cassandra Wilson. flight so you can slip unnoticed into the First Class toilet to splash days wakes up to John Coltrane’s themselves to research in Nepal. to Kathmandu’s culture.” Vidhea’s best rendition is always Vidhea calls herself an some cologne, but you can’t tell the airline that you don’t want to sit “Pop rock already hastenor a sax and going on to Miles of Strange Fruit, the Lady Day Davis’ trumpet. As for who her “incorrigible optimist” who wants next to anyone whose armpit can be detected from the cockpit. large following here,” she classic that Cassandra Wilson to get the most out of life—she’s explains. “Jazz is new. vocalIt’s influ- brought back to life a decade ago. In fact body odour on airliners is emerging in recent years as the ences are, also a bookworm, intrepid single most hazardous aspect of air travel to and from Tribhuvan more akin to eastern classical While she brings a Western trekker, art and photography music, with it’s improvisational musical tradition to Kathmandu enthusiast, and has, to top it all, International Aerodrome (Mission Statement: “Taking of the photogra-quality.” Improvisation is through her sizzling perform- phy in, above, or under TIA is strictly prohibited Monday-Friday from an encyclopaedic knowledge of Vidhea’s forte. While ances, Vidhea is also committed the culture, architecture and 10AM-5PM and national holidays”). There are now stern security performing, she bursts to introducing Nepali culture to religion of the region. Her measures in force at TIA which require about 670 passengers to stand westerners through her optimism doesn’t hurt either. in a room measuring 3 m x 4 m for two work at Sojourn Nepal, an Although the Sojourn Nepal hours while waiting for flights so that only experiential program program was suspended last designed to immerse year due to the royal massacre the most determined travelers will young Western students get to board. and the increasingly devastating in Nepali life. Students live Maoist attacks, Vidhea is still As a result of all this beefed up with a Nepali family, take helping individual students come security, an average of 3,500 language classes, and delve to Nepal. “Now more than ever into the possibilities cross-cultural and experiential Kathmandu holds through learning is essential,” she says. apprenticeships or volunteer And she’s still singing, bringing work. There couldn’t be a more east and west a little bit closer. suitable person to be someone’s first introduction to Nepal. Vidhea Fellow travellers incendiary devices like lighters and 26,800 sharp objects like tooth- picks are confiscated daily from potential terrorists just before they get on the plane. However, it is my duty to draw to the attention of the Ministry of Uncivil Aviation that no one is keeping track of malodorous passengers wearing socks in advanced stages of fermentation posing a hazard to sensitive on board avionics. (Flight Attendant: “Ladies and gentlemen, the use of laptop computers, mobile phones, CD players and taking off one’s shoes during takeoff and landing is strictly prohib- ited. Anyone found violating this rule will be defenestrated after the plane reaches its cruising altitude of 35,000 ft). People sitting next to you on planes can be divided into several taxonomical categories:

Heavy-weight lifters. These passengers have more carry-on luggage than checked-in luggage and will occupy the over-head lockers (known in some airlines as “oval-head rockers”) all the way from seat 31-38 so that there is absolutely no room for your orchids (known in some airlines as “all kids”). The thing to remember if you are seated next to a Heavy-weight Lifter is to wear a helmet while seated so that an item dropping out of the oval-head rocker doesn’t give you a skull fracture.

Recliners. This is a passenger sitting in the seat in front of you who will insist on reclining his seat so that his head lies on your lap for the duration of the flight. An effective antidote to recliners is to carry out a flanking manoeuvre by carefully pouring some Bloody Mary into his ear canal. Movers and Shakers. You are on the aisle and the mover and shaker next to you begins to display symptoms of what at first glance looks like an advanced case of dropsy. But all is not lost, sitting next to this guy all you have to do is lean on him to get a Thompson free thigh massage. Alcoholics Synonymous. Also known in some airline circles as “imbibers” they will guzzle beer, singing gazals on the morning shuttle to Delhi after taking two straight ones with their breakfast. Babes. No such luck. No one even remotely eligible for being shortlisted as Miss Photogenic will ever sit next to me. Babes are miniature versions of Movers and Shakers whose sole purpose on the fright is to wail non-stop while over the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Yakkers. That’s me. Never sit next to me on a flight. I’ll talk to you nonstop until you ask the flight attendant to give you another seat. Which was the idea, anyway.

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Essays on Q Enron Q The Sri Lankan ceasefire Q India’s “New political alignment” and much more... CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59