#605 18 - 24 May 2012 16 pages Rs 30

Damage control mode Fooling some Our leaders don’t seem to realise how absurd After a people’s war people all the time it looks that 11 Brahmin men sit on sofas A new constitution may in Baluwatar to design a new future for the We can have federalism if we eventually be declared on nation. is the most unequal country must, but it is guaranteed to 27 May but the compromised in Asia, and there has to be a system of keep Nepal poor. document will leave many governance that spreads opportunity, removes dissatisfied. discrimination and sets right historical wrongs. Guest Column page 3 by Bihari Krishna Shrestha By the way page 11 Editorial page 2 by Anurag Acharya

BIG SKY: The great Himalayan traverse has helped spread the word about trekking tourism to lift living standards in neglected remote regions of Nepal, like this village below Mt Machapuchre where farmers get ready to sow maize.

TILLED EARTH SAMIR JUNG THAPA

t took them 99 days to they finished recently, the four- overwhelming desire among the wanted this message to go to the traverse 1,555 horizontal member team led by 21-time Mt people they met along the way rulers in Kathmandu. Ikilometres and possibly Everest summiteer, , for peaceful coexistence among see page 6-7 a couple of hundred vertical said he came to appreciate communities and better living nepalitimes.com kilometres from one end of Nepal’s unity in its diversity. standards for their children. Apa Sherpa speaks Nepal to the other. But when Nepalis all along the route The trekkers magnified the about GHT 2 EDITORIAL 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 DAMAGE CONTROL MODE hen things are as polarised and army continue to be dominated as they are in the current by mainly men belonging to the Wconstitution debate, and when traditionally privileged caste groups. Many all sides want all or nothing, any political of them may have got there through dint compromise was sure to be unpalatable to of hard work, but no one can argue against many. And so it was. the need to have more gender, ethnic and The street protests by Madhesi and caste balance in officialdom. And it’s not Janajati groups that followed the deal struck just the numbers, one has to be a Nepali on Tuesday among the four main political woman, Dalit, Madhesi or Janajati to forces were necessary muscle-flexing. know the daily discrimination, arrogance The political leadership maybe narrow- and ethnocentrism with which the ruling BIKASH DWARE minded, near-sighted, and greedy for class groups treat them. Our leaders don’t power and money but they have worked out the best give- Despite the deal on the constitution seem to realise how absurd it looks to have 11 Brahmin and-take arrangement possible under the circumstances. men and a Newar sit on sofas in Baluwatar to design a They have even averaged out the number of provinces we face the twin dangers of new future for Nepal. between the demand for 14 and 6. a demagogue president presiding These are genuine grievances, even if some leaders of However, the names and boundaries of future over a country disintegrating marginalised groups may be using it for political ends. They provinces were too divisive and volatile to be addressed at into inter-ethnic squabbles are just articulating the anger that is there. The indigenous present. Doing that would have delayed the constitution and Madhesi groups argue that only ethnicity-based and opened up a can of worms. By deferring the most federalism will redress those grievances. Disregarding contentious issues to the parliaments of the future if the debate over state structure becomes a part of the the opinion of a majority of Nepalis who don’t want to provinces themselves, the party leaderships passed the deal-making over power, and the constitution is drafted correct a historical mistake by making an even bigger one, buck on to those who wanted such provinces. This buys to suit the ego of one man. It can’t be swayed by a vocal the political parties buckled under pressure and have now everyone some time, but it makes future negotiations minority of sloganeering activists who hold the silent agreed to carve up the country. over carving up the country even more fraught because majority ransom with the threat of unleashing an ethnic Among the many dangers we face, the two main ones of the potential for pitting Janajati against Janajati and holocaust. The extreme hate speech on social media and now are the demolition of democracy by a demagogue Madhesi against Madhesi over what they should call sections of the press is already having a corrosive effect. president, and the country disintegrating into inter-ethnic their provinces, what their territorial outlines should be, There are serious problems with Nepali society. squabbles. or worse: raise questions all over again about the 11-state It remains the most unequal in Asia, and there are The thing to do now is to go into damage control mode model. But, the leaders must have reasoned, we will cross historically marginalised groups that continue to live to make sure that the new federalism model does not lead that bridge when we get there. in near-slavery. Despite signs of greater inclusivity, the to the country’s disintegration, doesn’t keep us poor, and It doesn’t bode well for the future of the country civil service, the top leadership of all parties, the police doesn’t turn us into a dictatorship.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

MORE THINGS CHANGE politics not because of their integrity Two national unity governments Nepalis who fi nd it hard to make ends successful motorcycle tour across We really don’t care who is in or performance, but through the 12- and two prime ministers in three meet. Nepal and India and thank you for power as long as there is economic point deal signed in India, and both weeks? Is this some kind of joke? We Dinesh showing us how ordinary Nepalis feel prosperity and hope for a better support a political system where should not tolerate such drama and about social harmony and national future (‘More things change more corruption and crime are rampant. nonsense anymore. The politicians Who cares about statistics that integrity. they stay the same’, editorial, #604). The only reason why the Nepali press need to be told enough is enough. can easily be manipulated? If we Kiran L But sadly, Nepali leaders don’t seem is more favourable towards Bhattarai Suresh really want to know how Nepalis feel to care about public opinion and is because, unlike Dahal who is rigid about the state of their country or Going on a cross-country are busy with their own personal in his beliefs, he is a smart player I wish the Himalmedia survey had their leaders, we should go talk to motorbike ride is on my bucket list, but agendas. and knows how to be fl exible to gain asked people if they preferred the people protesting on the streets. I just haven’t had the opportunity or Asdf maximum political leverage. 1990 constitution over the new one Bhoj courage. I am happy I was able to live Nirmal or whether they would still support one of my life-long dreams through this The succession of variable-point a ceremonial monarchy rather MAKE-OR-BREAK article. agreements brokered between It does not matter whether it’s than an out of control republican Since the Nepali media relies so Eastern girl leading politicians (and enabled by Dahal or Bhattarai, trusting communists state. As these past six years have heavily on political parties for fi nancial New Delhi’s solicitous hands) proves is a bad idea to begin with. Besides, clearly demonstrated, promises of support, it has to forgo integrity This is a brilliant piece. I prefer that public opinion means less than it there is very little difference between ‘naya’ Nepal and ‘naya’ constitution and follow the party line (‘Make- reading stories like these, rather than ever has before in Nepal. If the latest the two comrades in terms of their are nothing more than dishonest or-break-media’, #604). We need ‘radical’ articles written by journalists Himalmedia poll numbers mean characters and moral standards. It’s reassurances made by greedy, short- more publications like NT, who are on behalf of their parent parties. anything at all, it is that mainstream unfortunate that we have to pin our sighted politicians who are desperate rich, independent and free to speak Biker ‘democratic’ parties have sabotaged hopes on ‘leaders’ who are responsible to get their share of the pie. their minds. their own legitimacy so badly that for the deaths of thousands of Nepalis. Budabaaje Sarah Shrestha GOBBLEMENT an unreformed terrorist organisation I hope we don’t elect Bhattarai as our A communist whose net worth is one headed by volatile mavericks future president. TERRAIN SHIFTS VROOM VROOM billion dollars - are you serious Ass enjoys greater public credibility than Kedar Sharma I would like to thank Himalmedia, data Thank you Naresh Newar for sharing (‘Gobblement of Nepal’, backside, the parties who have long since collectors as well as the respondents your cross-country biking experience #604)? Do the Maoist cadres know abdicated their responsibility as the Dahal is a true chameleon who (‘The terrain shifts’, Kunda Dixit, #604). with us (‘Vroom, vroom’, #604). I how rich their boss is? Maybe Dahal stewards of multiparty democracy. keeps changing colours. When he is Nepali Times has done a great service also drove from Kathmandu to my could teach us poor Nepalis how to John Kelleher with Newars he turns into a Newar, to the people by publishing the survey hometown in Surkhet last winter and make this kind of money, that way we when he is with Limbus he becomes results at an important juncture when it was one of the most memorable could all be wealthy and he would be Not all leaders in Nepal are a Limbu and when he is among we are trying to instill democracy, rides of my life. And you are spot doing the country a social service. bad, I think some of them are even Magars he pretends to be a Magar. freedom and equality. For the fi rst time on with your observation of how Badri Shrestha genuinely concerned about the His popularity might have fallen, but he since jana andolan 2006, I feel good Nepalis are living together peacefully welfare of the country, but such knows how to please everyone and I about my country because common regardless of the caste or ethnic people are not allowed to work. have a feeling he has some tricks up sense seems to have prevailed among group they belong to. It’s actually But we ordinary citizens are ready his sleeves. Nepalis and as the poll shows they are the politicians who are desperate to Weekly Internet Poll #605 to support anyone from any party Channakya more worried about economics than break our nation into pieces in the Q. If there was an election for directly-elected executive, who who can ensure peace, stability and politics. name of federalism. would you vote for: progress. Bombs have exploded in Gaury Adhikary Bikram GC Chiranjibi Nepal Janakpur and Birgunj, the far-west is Total votes: 5,319 crippled by indefi nite strikes, various This is another brilliant work by Naresh, you are one of the few Bhattarai’s popularity may be groups are declaring Nepal bandas Himalmedia which I hope will set a journalists who remains committed to at its peak and public opinion about whenever they please and ordinary precedence for our political elites to exploring Nepal beyond Kathmandu Dahal might be waning, but there are Nepalis are suffering as usual. There start listening to what the people are and your article reminds me of the striking similarities between these is a disturbing sense of déjà vu, as if saying. I now look forward to similar time I lived in Nepal, when the air two. Both are responsible for the we have gone back 10 years. The only statistics in other areas of health, outside the capital always seemed deaths of 17,000 Nepalis, both have difference is that today the Maoists are education, and economy so that fresher - in more ways than one. not renounced violence as a political at the receiving end. proper policies can be developed to Marty Weekly Internet Poll # 606. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. The 11 State model agreed upon by the parties on tool, both entered mainstream Danny Shrestha support the needs of 90 per cent of Congratulations on your Tuesday is:

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Chief Operating Offi cer: Sunim Tamang | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Desk Editor: Trishna Rana | Design: Kiran Maharjan [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 OP-ED 3

GUEST COLUMN Bihari K Shrestha

e now have a fait accompli that Nepal will be carved up into 11 Wprovinces. In any other country this would be called gerrymandering, but here it was just politicians who found appeasement too tempting to resist. Even though the political leadership knows that ethnicity-based federalism would be a disaster, they were too weak- kneed to oppose it. The only benefit proponents have been able to cite is that it would ‘bring government closer to the people’. But existing evidence shows this argument to be flawed. Nepal has had elected local councils for nearly half a century now, first called District and Village Panchayats and now known as VDCs and DDCs. After the mid- 1990s, these councils had elected officials NEPALI TIMES ARCHIVE till 2002, and since then have been run by state-appointed secretaries. But local politicians still play a decisive role in the distribution of pork-barrel funds and state allocations. These local bodies, in whatever After a people’s war form, have all along been bastions of corruption in which all party officials carve up the pie and collectively partake We can have federalism if we must, but it is guaranteed to keep Nepal poor of it, irrespective of whichever party is at the helm in Kathmandu. The problem Committee of parliament, West Seti will pay for downstream benefits of water respected around the world for two is that the feudalistic order continues be developed as a multipurpose project, regulation would be between states within achievements at least: the rejuvenation to reign supreme, and most political which would mean that the 290 m high the country. The three-week shutdown of our denuded forests through leaders belong to local elites who have dam would submerge 2,166 hectares of far-western Nepal by opposing sides community forestry user groups, and always derived their power ascriptively of land (619 hectares of that prime this month just presages what such inter- the projected meeting of MDG targets without having to be accountable to the farmland) and displace 16,221 people in province conflict over natural resources on child and maternal survival through community members in its exercise. Doti, Dandeldhura, Baitadi and Bajhang. would look like in the future. our nationwide network of mothers’ This is why most politicians are It would release 90 cubic metres of With the division of the country into groups and female community health corrupt in Nepal, and they get away regulated water per second, sufficient several autonomous entities, the question volunteers. Both happened because of with it with impunity under the cover of to irrigate 270,000 hectares for non- would be why the upstream provinces local empowerment. mutual protection. With such a feudal paddy cultivation and 90,000 hectares should not settle for a lower dam just The lesson is that we need order remaining intact, Nepal’s imminent for paddy cultivation in the downstream to generate power if the downstream devolution of authority to communities federalisation would only mean dividing districts of Kanchanpur, Kailali and districts are not ready to compensate them themselves, and well beyond the feudal up the country into new feudal fiefdoms, Bardia. by paying for irrigation benefits? The local elites. Devolving power to local and we will effectively be jumping from The project’s multiple benefits in same thing would happen on the Budi ethnic warlords will keep Nepal poor in the frying pan into the fire. terms of power and irrigation could Gandaki project for which Kuwaiti funds the name of redressing the grievances of Wait, it gets worse. Take the example fundamentally transform the life and have lately been secured. Our pro-federal marginalised ethnic groups. of the West Seti project, which the economy of the impoverished Karnali politicians do not seem to realise that Maoist government has just awarded region. However, a federalised Nepal there is a sanctity to the unique geography Bihari K Shrestha is a veteran civil to China’s Three Gorges after 15 years would resurrect the same argument that of Nepal whose integrity must not be servant who served with the National of deadlock, but which may never be has stalled Nepal-India cooperation in tampered with in the name of populism. Planning Commission, and the built if we continue with federalism. power projects like West Seti. Only this Despite our continued poverty and ministries of health and physical As directed by the Natural Resources time the disagreements over who should bad governance, Nepal is known and planning and local development. 4 OPINION 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605

discontent of ethnic pressure groups. Members of the Janajati caucus in parliament are recipients of foreign The losing game funding and the caucus has now become a parallel power centres beyond the control of We are too busy fighting amongst ourselves to notice what we have lost parent parties. Will the donors take responsibility when, instead of giving a political voice to Nepal’s marginalised, their money directly contributed to taking Nepal back to the days of squabbling fiefdoms? To be sure, there are lots of things that need fixing. Caste, gender and ethnic discrimination are rife despite laws against them. The civil service and security agencies have a disproportionate number of people from the traditionally dominant groups. But there are ways to deal with social injustice, and they don’t include weakening our national unity and shredding our social

PICS: SUNIL POKHAREL fabric. A constitution is not just To let him do that we have academics and experts. But like TO EACH ITS OWN: Tharu about content, but also about closed our eyes to all sorts of the form of governance, it was community in Attariya demanding process. What is the point of THIS IS IT complications that can arise just a part of the package deal on Kailali and Kanchanpur to be split having a CA if the constitution from dual power centres of power-sharing. from the Far West (left). People of was going to be written by a Rubeena Mahato Dadeldhura demanding a united Far having the parliament elect a The parties cut themselves dozen priests behind closed West. They want Dadeldhura to be prime minister, and the people a political deal, and voila the capital (right). doors? Far from reflecting elect a president. And this all contentious issues on the the aspirations of the Nepali f anyone still had any doubt is supposed to put an end to constitution were suddenly people, it seems our CA that the delays in finishing political instability caused by a resolved. This has always been and beyond. It is pointless to members and leaders will Ithe constitution was never parliamentary system? how decisions have been made lament foreign interference stand for the interests of donors about ideological differences The number of states, in this country. Not, as we when our leaders are so hapless. and pressure groups to which between the parties, and more their boundaries and what naïvely believed, because the If we don’t clean up our mess, they have sold their loyalties. about give-and-take over power to call them have always parties had woken up to the our neighbours will do it for us. Last week’s Himalmedia poll sharing, Tuesday’s agreement eluded consensus. But this urgency of meeting the But Tuesday’s agreement sets a shows that the caucus and should have put those doubts week we suddenly have an constitution deadline, or bad precedence: the ambassador other proponents of ethnic to rest. agreement on a 11-state model because they were concerned of a foreign country midwifing a federalism are out of sync with We have decided on a with names and territories of about the country’s future. new government in the parlour public opinion even among mixed form of governance not the provinces to be decided It is becoming clear that if of the chairman of the largest their own communities. because that is what the country later. We would have liked the Indian ambassador had not political party. Where else on And this is why federalism, needs, but just so Pushpa to believe that the decision speeded up the power sharing earth does this happen? when it is finally instituted, Kamal Dahal can become the on 11 states was an outcome deal among the parties, they And so it is with the will not improve things. We next directly-elected president. of serious discussion among would be squabbling till D-day Europeans and their stoking the are going to remain a country that will have top-down governance, except that instead of having one centre we are sfd ;fgf] 7'nf] eGg] x'“b}g . kl;gfsf] s'g} now going to have 11. /ª / hft klg x'“b}g . sfd u/]/ vfg nhfpg' klg x'“b}g . rf]/]/, A strong, united and 9f“6]/, 5n]/, n'6]/ vfg kf] nhfpg'k5{ . hf] hxf“ /x]/ h'g sfd u5{ pm independent Nepal seems To;}df /dfpg'k5{ uf}/a ug'{k5{ / ;dlk{t eP/ ug{'k5{ . sfd g} zlQm hardly to be on anyone’s xf], elQm xf] / d'lQm xf] . sfdsf] OHht u/f}+, priority list. We are too busy kl;gfsf] ;Ddfg u/f}+ . fighting amongst ourselves to notice what we have lost. This g]kfn ;/sf/ is exactly the kind of situation ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno demagogues hope to get us into ;"rgf ljefu so they can benefit from the chaos and anarchy. 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 BUSINESS 5

that it was an institution that strictly adhered to anti-money BIZ BRIEFS laundering policies, and now WashigtonFirst has given Last chance on FATF similar reasons. Experts fear Cleaning up Xpress Money, that such action could spread an international rapidly to banks in Europe, In our obsession with the constitution, let’s money transfer Canada and countries that are company, has not forget the other deadline Nepal has to meet the core members of FATF. joined hands Worse, it could extend to private with Asian body of FATF, asked for the blacklisted countries, and trade sector operations which would Trekking to launch ‘Xpress Money country’s progress report last will suffer. Nepal’s reputation be devastating for our financial Eco-Everest Expedition 2012’. The week, Nepal had nothing new to and its economy will be hit. sector. MY TWO PAISA clean-up trek will be led by Apa show except for new directives It will also strain inflow of In February, the endorsement Paavan Mathema Sherpa and Dawa Steven Sherpa. issued by NRB in March to track foreign investments and ties of the bills was stalled by the the flow of dirty money. Three with multinationals: not good hardline faction of the Maoists, ur lawmakers and months since the saying that the bills are against Say cheese Syakar Trading politicians are extension, the the national interest and are Company, the sole notoriously bad at three bills are being imposed on the direction O distributor of Honda multi-tasking and they don’t collecting dust in of ‘imperialist forces’. The Motorcycle in Nepal, has launched work well with deadlines. They the parliament. hardline faction still opposes ‘Me and my Dio’, a Facebook- have stayed up past midnight Nepal is yet to the bills even though these based photo competition for Honda to extend the CA’s mandate on fully comply compliances will help Nepal Dio owners. The competition will be four occasions. There is an 11th with the 49 develop a healthy financial from 8 May to 8 June for a grand hour attitude about everything. recommendations system, create a positive prize of Rs 100,000. In February, Nepal narrowly laid down by the investment environment and escaped being blacklisted by FATF. Asia Pacific boost international trade. Financial Action Task Force Group (APG), the The FATF deadline Happy beerday Gorkha Brewery celebrates (FATF), the global anti-money regional wing of coinciding with the constitution Tuborg’s 132th anniversary with laundering watchdog for not FATF, now rates deadline has been unfortunate, the launch of Tuborg Big Can (500 endorsing three bills against Nepal as one of the but there is still time. Nepal’s ml). The can is available at an money laundering: Bill on poor performers in inability to endorse the bills introductory price of Rs 150. Controlling Organised Crime, the region. and failure to deliver on other Bill on Extradition and Bill on If blacklisted, commitments will be tabled Mutual Legal Assistance, as Nepal’s financial in the next FATF meeting, Power shots Canon has released eight new well as other recommendations. system will lose scheduled for June in Italy. The digital compact cameras including The commitment was made two its credibility as lawmakers should understand Powershot SX-260 and SX-240. years ago. FATF has warned that the cost of non-compliance However, the extension until its member nations is high for the country’s June granted through some arm- to take strict reputation and economy. FATF Charity deal Hamro Deal, an online-based twisting by European embassies measures against blacklisted news for Nepal Investment has already shown leniency company, has collected over in Kathmandu and strong countries that pose substantial Year 2012-13. Already, we once, we cannot use the excuse pressure from PM Baburam money laundering and terrorism are seeing effects. In the last of ‘political transition’ to buy Bhattarai in February has been financing. The letters of credit two months two institutions, time again and again. Rs 25,200 for Seti fl ood victims. wasted. When the International issued by local banks may or Citibank and WashigtonFirst The amount was handed over to Cooperation Review Group may not be honoured. Local Bank have denied to service nepalitimes.com Nepal Red Cross Society last week. (ICRG), an analysis wing of the businessmen will not be able accounts of the Nepal Embassy Get on with it, #593 global anti-money laundering survive the charges placed on in Washington. Citibank cited 6 LIFE TIMES 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605

Apa Sherpa rests on a high pass in Dhorpatan with Gurja Himal and behind him.

At the start of the trek in Ghunsa near , Apa Sherpa pays tribute to Nepal’s top conservationists who died in a helicopter crash there in November 2008. The greatest

At the snowed in Tso Rolpa glacial lake in Rolwaling, the trek team inspected the dam built to regulate the level of water in the lake and reduce the risk of its bursting. Himalayan trail

t took them 99 days, 1,555 “I have climbed Mt Everest Dhakal took four months horizontal kilometres many times by going up and off from his job at Kantipur Iand possibly a couple of down, but this time I was going Television, and says he learnt hundred vertical kilometres sideways, through the villages, more from this trip than earning to get from one end of Nepal forests, glaciers and along degrees at university: “I realised to the other. But when they rivers and lakes of Nepal,” Apa just how interdependent Nepal’s finished it, the four-member Sherpa told Nepali Times, “and different regions are on each team led by 21-time Mt Everest I realised just how rich our other, and how we live in summiteers, Apa Sherpa, said country is.” perfect social harmony.” they got an unparalleled lesson Other members of the team, As for people’s reactions to in Nepal’s natural and human all bearded by the end of it, the debate on federalism and the diversity. concurred. Journalist Saurav new constitution, Dhakal said,

Everywhere the trekkers went, they saw bulldozers, and roads being built into areas of Nepal that used to be remote.

A scenic snow panorama of and Himalchuli from a settlement in Gorkha 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 LIFE TIMES 7

“While politicians in Kathmandu are busy hashing out last minute agreements, the people we met during our trek told us they still don’t understand what federalism means or how the new constitution is going to affect them. But regardless of the and domestic attention to the some of the world’s highest changes that might take place effect of climate change in the mountains. Tourism income post-27 May, they are determined Himalaya, and to strengthen the will then help lift living to maintain the harmony resilience of Nepalis to deal with standards in the neglected which exists between different the changes it will bring. remote regions of Nepal. communities. Even groups who “Our aim was to spread Says Apa: “Every one are more aware of their ethnic awareness, and in this we knows Nepal is a scenic identities are adamant about not have succeeded beyond our country, but what I learnt letting group interests overide expectations, the trek got from this trip is that the the nation’s unity.” worldwide publicity and Nepalis Nepali people are kind, Dawa Steven Sherpa, who has came out in overwhelming generous and friendly.” also climbed Mt Everest twice, to raise living standards so the will be turned one day into numbers to support Apa and has become somewhat of an poorest Nepalis can cope with a visual chronicle of this his team as they walked across environmental expert. He says the disruptions that climate epic trek. Some of Thapa’s Nepal,” Prashant Singh of HCI nepalitimes.com the effects of climate change can change will bring,” he says. photographs are printed here. said. be seen all over Nepal: in the Photographer Samir Jung The Climate-smart Celebrity HCI hopes that the trek will The state of the Himalaya, #592 receding glaciers, the dry springs, Thapa is a man of few words, Trek was organised by the also help spread the word about Making Nepal (climate) resilient, #601 the forest fires, erratic rains. but he took thousands of Himalayan Climate Initiative the beauty of the Himalayas and A trekker’s best friend, #601 “The only way to deal with it is stunning photographs which (HCI) to help draw global the adventure of trekking across

ALL PICS: SAMIR JUNG THAPA 8 LIFE TIMES 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605

poems, Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Rs 800 Tonic Restaurant, amazing food fi t EVENTS (including tea), every Friday, Saturday for family dinners or a night out with and Sunday from 4 May to 20 May, 7.15 friends. Pokhara Exhibition on Everest, a photography pm, Hotel Vajra, 4271545, vajra@mos. exhibition by Jeff Botz which com.np Lhasa Bar, enjoy a showcases in its true beer or a splash of cocktail at this glory. 26 April to 26 May, 9.30 am to The New Faces of Tibet, Spanish springboard for excellent young 5pm, Image Ark Studio, Kulimha Tole, artist Andrea Lopez Iglesias’ presents musicians starting out on the Thamel Patan a brave new look on Tibet. 11 May to circuit. Thamel, 985101043 24 May, 11am to 5pm, Siddhartha Art World Fair Trade Day, exhibition of Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, Babar MIKE’S BREAKFAST, huge breakfasts handicraft and agro food products by Mahal JAPANESE CREPE STATION, try the and a never-ending supply of 40 FTG Nepal members. Visit food uniquely Nepali khuwa crêpe for a quick coffee amidst a lush garden setting stalls serving typical Newari cuisine. MUSIC fi x. Kichapaokhari and Basantapur. Call characterise this café, popular among 19 May, 10am to 5pm, Baithak Event 4256655 tourists and locals alike. Naxal, Venue, Tripureshwor 4424303 Manny’s Eatery and Bar, special lunch Master Harold and the Boys, explore packages for a quick snack or fi lling Bistro Caroline, a highly a beautiful play by Athol Fugard lunch. Jawalakhel, Shaligram Complex, recommended place to eat and relax, set in the apartheid era of South 5536919 their chocolate mousse and fi sh dishes Africa. Rs 200 (students) and Rs 500 are a must for foodies. Lakeside, (adults),Tickets can be purchased Live Band at The Corner Bar, LORRY’S, a newly opened restaurant Pokhara from Dhokaima Cafe (Patan Dhoka), Radisson Hotel Kathmandu every with great ambience and good food, Bookworm (Jhamsikhel or Radisson DEGAA SATURDAY MUSIC NIGHTS, evening except Saturdays and their Bistecca Al Funghi is a must try. Alfresco, for homemade pastas and Hotel (Lazimpat), 25 to 26 May and 1 to enjoy live performances every Saturday Tuesdays. 4411818 ext. 1330 Jamsikhel other lip-smacking delights. Soaltee 3 June, 5.30 pm, Moksh, Jhamsikhel, with bands like Upendra and Friends Crowne Plaza, 4273999 9808554122 who will serenade you while you relish Yellow Chili, enjoy renowned chef Degaa’s special Newari food. 28 April Sanjeev Kapoor’s dishes as this Sal’s Pizza, almost round, almost BUDDHISM IN to 19 May, 7pm to 10pm, Degaa Restro restaurant serves mouthwatering Indian cheap, always delicious, try out the RUSSIA, an Lounge, 5008679 delicacies. Thapathali cheesiest pizzas in town. Lazimpat, exhibition by the behind Jazz Upstairs Russian Centre Rewind at Trishara, take a break this of Science and Friday with a revamped menu, cocktails Chopstix, savoury Asian food cooked Culture and and great music. 18 May, 6.45 pm, in true Chinese fashion sure to charm Lumbini Buddist Trishara Restaurant, Lazimpat and impress. Try the famous drums of University. 27 April heaven. Kumaripati, 5551118 to 27 May, 10am Karaoke Night, a karaoke night to BLACK AND WHITE CAFÉ, a great to 5pm, Russian support Alay Nepal’s fund raiser along place to spend a quiet afternoon Centre of Science with Filipino Community Nepal for surfi ng the net with some bakery items and Culture underprivileged, adopted children in like the Swiss Apple Pie and chocolate Budhanilkantha. Rs 400, 19 May, 3pm crepe with homemade icecream. Sattya in Pokhari, If you fi nd yourself onwards, 8 degrees, Jhamsikhel Lakeside, Pokhara in Pokhara in the coming weeks, PASTO VOSTRO, a pretty place be sure to visit Sattya and take part DINING which serves great pasta. Their bacon Café Du Temple, famous for its in their numerous workshops and wrapped sausages are a must. Thamel delicious food, warm ambience and a fi lm screenings. 16 May to 30 May, beautiful roof top view. Patan Durbar Freedom Café, Lakeside, Pokhara Irish Pub, for the simple reason that Fuji Bakery, tucked in Chakupat this Square, 5527127 PERI PERI, home of legendary the place actually feels like a bar. Don’t bakery offers homemade goodies like Portugese fl amed grilled chicken, enjoy Modern Metamorphoses, a modern miss out on their Irish coffee. Lazimpat, apple pie, pain du chocolat and banana Saigon Pho, spacious interior with dishes served with the trademark Piri take on one of the most renowned Latin Ananda Bhawan, 4416027 cake. Chakupat authentic Vietnamese dishes. Lazimpat Piri sauce. Jhamsikhel, 9808563803 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 LIFE TIMES 9

No Name Restaurant, friendly ambience with palatable dishes- try GETAWAYS their delicious momochas. Putalisadak DINING IN THE DARK ave you ever wondered how it would Manny’s Eatery and Tapas Bar, enjoy Hfeel dining without seeing what you Latin tunes with special discounts on are eating? The Israeli Embassy and great food and drinks. Shaligram Hotel Nepal Association of the Blind are offering Complex, 5536919 guests a unique dining experience where they are served food and drinks by blind HOTEL LANDMARK, made entirely waiters in a dark room. from traditional Nepali brick and Set up within the premises of Imago woodcraft, this hotel is rich not only Dei restaurant in Nag Pokhari, Nepal's in heritage, but also offers great fi rst blind restaurant aims to promote the services and boasts an award winning integration of differently-abled people restaurant, The Hungry Eye. 00977- into the community. Israeli Ambassador CHONGQING FAST FOOD, gear up for 061-462908/463096/464897, Hanan Goder-Goldberg revealed that some mouth watering Chinese dishes www.landmarkpokhara.com feedback from customers has been like Sour and Spicy Pork and Kung Pao remarkable and he personally enjoyed Chicken. Thamel Grand Norling, holiday at Grand the experience. While the restaurant is Norling Hotel, Gokarna. One night open until 24 May, Goder-Goldberg hints and two days at Rs 4500 and two that if the turnout is good they might be nights and three days at Rs 7000. Call in business for longer. 447948 A standard meal of salad, pasta and cake is priced at Rs 1100, out of which Rs 100 is donated towards the welfare of blind people. Meditiron HANKOOK SARANG, from Bibimbab to Samgyeopsal, Hankook offers a wide range of Korean delicacies at affordable WATER FRONT RESORT, this prices. Thamel eco-friendly resort has it all whether it be birdwatching, paragliding, horse New Orleans, offers a great variety of riding, mountain biking or boating in western dishes that are scrumptious yet this. Sedi Height, Lakeside, healthy. Try the rosemary chicken and 977-61-466370, hamburgers. Jhamsikhel, 5522708 www.waterfronthotelnepal.com

MOKSH

SOMEPLACE ELSE and syrup; a piquant marriage of flavours. Kiran sat down to have a little chat and informed us about how all the meat is imported from Thailand and the green have been to Moksh countless times- produce sourced fresh from organic farms to enjoy the music, watch plays, visit in Bhaktapur, that the Duck Breast with the yoga studio, buy books, at photo Mushroom Sauce and Beer Batterfish I PICS: RUBY TUESDAY shoots and never have I had a meal there. are the most ordered items from the Don’t get me wrong- I had sampled the go so wrong in so many ways turned continental menu. He talked about the snacks to accompany the beer, but that out to be unfounded. Yes, it is lamb food he prepares and listening to him was the extent of it. I didn’t really think and therefore has a sharp rank taste to it you realise that cooking is more than of Moksh as a place one went to dine and that many Nepali palates accustomed to just a job for him- it’s his passion and I can’t stop beating myself up about all our emasculated khasis will take a little the dishes are all the better for it. He those lost eating opportunities. time getting used to. But Kiran Thapa, also told me about customers who keep Moksh was one of the first the head chef at Moksh, treats the ribs coming back just for the fish and prawn establishments in that stretch of Patan tenderly using dulcet tones so the meat specialties he conjures up using Indian which has now been dubbed, to the is so soft, it falls off the bones. Moist, spices that he serves with naans and great despair of local residents, Jhamel. succulent and seasoned with just the rotis. Moksh, you know I will be back. Popular with both Nepalis and expats, propitiously to Moksh. I walked in with right amount of rosemary- discernable Ruby Tuesday it has been a favourite haunt for many. no expectations and came out satiated but not overpowering- each bite is a The compound offers not only good food and satisfied. The Bacon Wrapped Potato gustatory extravagance. Enter Jhamsikhel road from the (which I didn’t know about) and excellent Sticks (Rs 250) and the Greek Salad (Rs The Banana Crêpes were not the Pulchowk Fire music- being the home base of 1974 AD- 275) were adequate but nothing to write most appetising to look at and I turned Brigade, cross St but has evolved into a hub for artistic, home to mama about. my nose dismissively at the gratuitous Mary’s School wall cultural and musical pursuits. My eloquence waits to describe the amounts of freshly made white cream and look for a large A lazy afternoon found me with Rack of Lamb (Rs 800) - perfect cuts of sauce that covered the crêpes for being signboard on the nothing to do and time to kill- in my book Australian lamb served with steamed savoury and not appropriate for the right. Enter the the perfect reason to go eat. And am I vegetables and rosemary sauce. My initial dessert, but the sauce actually provides a alley and go down glad that the powers that be guided me trepidation at ordering a dish that could very nice foil to the sweetness of the fruit the driveway. 10 HAPPENINGS 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605

WEEKEND WEATHER

The pre-monsoon showers will W.E. hold sway over Friday and most decided to juxtapose Wallis’ story with that of of the weekend, and is proof that KATHMANDU a modern couple based in 1998 in Manhattan the rising moisture content in the where Wally Winthrop, played by the very Himalayan updrafts brought in both from the westerlies as well as talented but under-used Abbie Cornish, lives a circulations from the Bay. Whatever seemingly glamorous life with her famous and the source, the precipitation is still lauded psychiatrist husband, William, in the a result of localised condensation aforementioned Manhattan apartment. along the midhills. The greater FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Wally, named after Wallis herself, is cloud cover will keep the maximum obsessed with the idea that the story of Simpson temperature within 30 Celsius, while and the former King of England is the ultimate the minimum will hover in the 16-17 love story; the story of a King who gave up his range. Expect the mornings to be country for the love of a woman. Previously clear with afternoon buildup. 29-16 28-17 30-16 a researcher at Sotheby’s, Wally haunts the about to open Sotheby’s auction of Wallis and Edward’s prized possessions: jewelry, silver engraved cigarette cases, Wallis’s elegant gloves etc. Increasingly isolated by her seemingly perfect husband, who insisted when they got married that she stop working, Wally MUST SEE struggles to understand the reality behind the much speculated Sophia Pande about relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Wallis and Edward were given this title after Edward’s abdication of the throne, though they were never allowed to return to .E. a fi lm about Wallis Simpson, the twice divorced England). American woman who stole the heart of King Edward The story jumps back and forth between Wallis and Wally’s WVIII, who in turn abdicated his throne to marry her, lives, introducing each character and their backgrounds, love is directed by Madonna, born Madonna Louise Ciccone, and stories, and doing a credible job of making each woman seem who now, of course, is simply known by her first name. A real, yet vulnerable. Slowly, the central question of the film fi lm with such infamous subject matter, directed by a world comes to the forefront. Both Wally (and Madonna) seek to know, famous pop star certainly begs the question, “Is it any good?” contrary to most people’s inclinations, what, if anything, did Wallis - especially considering Madonna’s previous attempts at being Simpson, the most reviled woman of the 20th century, give up for in front of the camera have been mostly disastrous, a case in Edward, her third husband, and a former King of England? point being the fi lm Swept Away (2002) in which she played Every director needs a wonderful cast to pull off ambitious the lead role directed by her then husband Guy Ritchie. stories with questions like these at their heart. Madonna has, BIKRAM RAI W.E. – the initials stand for “Wallis” and “Edward”, an with an unerring eye, picked an excellent cast of characters, and PERFECT CLICK: A tourist stops to take a picture of the mountain in the abbreviation the couple used privately between themselves while her story is sometimes disjointed and occasionally self- Khumbu region, last week. mostly when Edward was giving Wallis extravagantly beautiful indulgent, the very real and important question, the one that few jewelry, is a surprising fi lm. Even if one can separate oneself have bothered to ask, is what carries the fi lm along. No one can from the famous name behind the camera, it is always diffi cult yet satisfactorily explain Wallis’s allure to Edward, yet, in W.E., to stop from wondering how much of the directorial impetus is Madonna, an oft misunderstood, controversial, and boundary the person itself, and whether or not, if the fi lm is decent, the breaking icon herself, has sensitively portrayed, with clearly director had a lot of “help”. a great amount of research, a woman who was very much The fi lm is surprising, therefore, because it is much more misunderstood through one of the greatest and most mysterious than its beautifully made surface of glittering period costumes love stories of her century. (Wallis, played by the ethereal and fi ercely intelligent Andrea Riseborough is often stunningly dressed in recreated pieces All DVDs reviewed in this column are available at: by Schiaparelli, Dior, and Vionnet) and wonderfully detailed Music and Expression, Thamel, Phone # 014700092 and stylish sets, which in this 15 million dollar fi lm, jump from Buckingham Palace to the Bois de Bologne, Portofi no, and a stunning Manhattan apartment (to name just a few). nepalitimes.com Not wanting to stick to a conventional bio-pic type structure, Watch trailer Madonna, who co-wrote the script with Alek Keshishian, has

SANTOSH SHERCHAN FORTUNATE: Agni Air crash survivor Andreas Rasch from Denmark, receives fi rst aid near the crash site on a mountainside west of Jomsom on Monday. Rasch Dengue fever was one of the six survivors of the crash, 15 were killed. enjoys a blood meal from these dweller, unlike the malaria infected patients and transmits mosquito which prefers a rural DHANVANTARI the disease to a healthy person environment. Buddha Basnyat, MD after a bite. In most patients, dengue Importantly, different species illness, which comprises of of mosquitoes transmit different fever, headache, eye pain and diseases. So the mosquito that joint aches, subsides in about a ow that summer is here, transmits malaria will not week’s time. Doctors will treat it may be useful to look transmit dengue. Mosquitoes only the symptoms in dengue Nat what our unfriendly that transmit dengue are called as there is no specific antidote. mosquitoes are up to, especially aedes, whereas it is the female There is, however, good in spreading dengue fever. anopheles which transmits news. It was believed that a Dengue emerged from Africa second dengue infection during the slave trade from predisposes patients to the 15th through 19th century dengue haemorrhagic ANURAG ACHARYA and spread into Asia through fever, the dreaded form of commercial exchanges in the dengue; but this does not ADMIT CARD PLEASE: A member of the Joint Struggle Committee of organisations representing Bahun, Chhetris and Dalits checks the examination admit card of 18th and 19th centuries. With seem to be true. a student to let him through Thursday’s banda at Satdobato, Kathmandu. the advent of increased travel For prevention, use and trade in the past 50 years, mosquito repellents like the global presence of dengue (odomas or DEET) and is now clear. wear full length clothing In recent years, dengue even during the day as has been widespread in the dengue mosquito is a day Tarai regions especially during time insect unlike the summers. Even in Kathmandu malaria mosquito which dengue has been seen in the is active at night. In occasional patient. malaria. The other important addition, turn over watering This spread is not surprising vector (culex mosquito) cans and pails after use so that because of two reasons: a transmits Japanese encephalitis. the dengue mosquito does not migrant population with the The diagnosis of dengue breed in them. disease and an abundant supply should be strongly considered As with many viral of the particular vector (carrier) in any patient presenting fever illnesses, it is hard to predict mosquitoes. Due to our porous that has developed within 14 how severely the population border with India, many migrant days of even a brief trip to will be affected this summer. labourers (both Nepalis and dengue-endemic places like However, it is clearly a good BIKASH DUWARE Indians) with the disease enter Bangkok and Delhi. The dengue idea to take precautions and PRETTY MAIDS IN A ROW: Kirat girls perform Sakela dance to celebrate Ubhauli Nepal. The vector mosquito mosquito is generally a city avoid mosquito bites. festival on Sunday at Tudikhel. 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 OPINION 11 Fooling some people all the time

become second-class citizens in future ethnic enclaves. “This has been one of the weaknesses BY THE WAY of our movement, we just Anurag Acharya could not convince our fellow non-Janajati brothers and sisters that we are only claiming our he ghosts of past failures own rights, not trying to take finally disappeared and theirs away. We would never Tthe three parties struck a want anybody to undergo what deal that had been eluding them A new constitution may eventually be declared on 27 May but we ourselves have suffered for four years. On Tuesday, the for so long,” Gurung told parties removed a final hurdle to the compromised document will leave many dissatisfied me. He blames the media for broadly agree on all outstanding demonising the indigenous issues. But this agreement is directly-elected president or Gurung who heads a cross-party of influential leaders, and not movement. driven by the sole purpose of prime minister and make them caucus of Janajati lawmakers, really about saving Nepal. The It was actually the parties avoiding a void on 27 May, accountable to parliament and thinks this is a ploy to three Tarai districts in the east who used the media to polarise nothing more. through strong checks and divide the Janajatis. He warned, have traditionally been the public opinion to increase their In the name of a compromise, balances. This was not about “The leadership must not force stronghold of the Koirala family. own bargaining positions in the parties have left gaping holes stability, but rather about us into an action that is going Chitwan is home to Maoist negotiations, and when that in the form of governance and securing the ambitions of a few to leave everybody bitter.” Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, failed they took the dangerous state restructuring that have men at the top. In a country like Even the Madhesi Front which while Kailali and Kanchanpur gamble of polarising the been the sticking points during Nepal, where rulers have yet to was part of the agreement has are the constituencies of streets, provoking each side to negotiations. On governance, learn how to play by the rules, now protested the inclusion influential leaders from three neutralise the other. These are there is a fundamental divide the ‘mixed’ model will only lead of Jhapa, Sunsari and Morang parties, like Sher Bahadur the seeds of social unrest that between those who believe to a de facto and de jure power in an eastern Tarai province, Deuba, Ramesh Lekhak, could plunge the nation into traditional parliamentary struggle. the exclusion of Chitwan from Lokendra Bahadur Chand and another conflict, the one with no system did not work in Nepal On state restructuring, the central Tarai and consolidation Lekh Raj Bhatta. Needless to say, ideological or political basis and because it led to instability, compromise looks even more of Kailali and Kanchanpur into all are non-Madhesis. The tacit driven only by deep hatred and and those who think a directly- ominous. After poring over the proposed Seti-Mahakali support these leaders gave to intolerance. elected executive will solve maps, the leaders arrived at region. the Brahmin and Chhetri samaj After Tuesday’s agreement, that problem. The compromise a 11-state model based on Overnight after the during the agitations proves this. one side has vacated the streets, agreed is a ‘mixed model’ which multi-ethnic identity, but the agreement, the ‘Akhanda’ To be sure, besides concerns but what happened in Dhangadi is going to cost this nation even entire exercise seems futile movements throughout the about ethnic confrontation, last week shows how far the more dearly in the near future. because they do not have the country against large ethnic ordinary Bahuns and Chhetris leaders are prepared to go to If stability was the concern numbers to back their decision enclaves fizzled out, leading took to the streets across the fulfil their personal and partisan it would have made more sense in the CA. to speculation that this was all country because they had interests. Nepal’s problems are to give executive powers to a I spoke to Prithvi Subba about saving electoral bastions reasons to fear they would far from over. 12 NATION 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605

Comparing your local body with and without elected In comparision to last three-four years, representatives, when do you think local elections should be what is the state of basic services in your area? conducted?

Consolidated data Improved Remained same Worsened Don’t want to say Don’t know 22.8 41.1 Local schools 68.0% 20.0% 9.8% 0.1% 2.1%

Health centres 58.1% 30.7% 8.5% 0.2% 2.5%

Drinking water 44.2% 33.7% 19.9% 0.1% 2.1%

Electricity 27.6% 28.5% 42.2% 0.1% 1.6%

Waste management 42.3% 34.0% 21.3% 0.3% 2.1% 10.1

Roads 52.0% 30.4% 16.3% 0.1% 1.1% 0.0 26.0 Services provided by VDCs and Municipalities 33.5% 43.8% 19.1% 0.4% 3.2% Immediately A er cons tu on, before na onal elec ons A er cons tu on and na onal elec ons Don't want to say Don't know Think nationally, act locally The Nepali people seem to know which way they want to go, but do their leaders?

hopeful they would improve. How can basic services at the local level be improved? Interestingly, more people in eastern Nepal and in the Tarai felt things were getting worse, and that they wouldn’t improve. Disaggregated data shows that more men than women felt things were getting worse as did city-dwellers, educated, hill ‘upper’ caste, KUNDA DIXIT Newars and Madhesis. When those who felt things were getting worse were asked who he results of this year’s was responsible, nearly one- Himalmedia Public third blamed the Maoists and TOpinion Survey 2012 27% felt ‘the government’ that were released last week was responsible. Various proved once more that the ethnic groups, it was felt, were main concern of most Nepalis responsible for strikes and are mundane day-to-day issues shutdowns in the poll which like jobs, education, health, was conducted in the third or roads. Politics figures way week of April. down on their list, and when In all three regions and it does, there is widespread from east to west, most people disillusionment with thought political violence, politicians at the national and extortion, property seizures, What should be Nepal’s priorities after the local levels. and crime have gone down in new constitution is written? But what is even more the past two years. surprising is that compared When asked to name the to the cynicism and three main problems the disenchantment in the capital country faced, more than with the state of the country, three-fourths of the 3,210 most Nepalis are upbeat about respondents cited inflation, the future and think there have and more women (81%) were been marked improvements worried about price rises than in development. This is borne men (71%). More among the out by statistics that show illiterate (82.3%) felt inflation dramatic improvements in was a problem, whereas the Nepal’s literacy rate, child educated ranked corruption and maternal survival and the higher. In fact, the corruption spread of roads over the past perception index rose from decade. 56% in the Himalmedia Poll The 3,210 respondents in last year to 75% this year. 38 districts across Nepal were Asked which institutions asked in which areas they have they trusted the most, seen improvements. More than respondents still held the 61% ticked roads, showing media in high regard both at that most Nepalis equate the national and local level ‘development’ with road and felt journalists were doing access. Of these, more people an even better job than before. across the board in health, local budgets (21.2%) and parties with most equating in the Himal (85%) than in the However, the police and civil education, roads and drinking remove political interference them with discredited national Pahad (50%) and Tarai (41%) service were not held in such water, but there was frustration (18.8%). Asked when there leaders. felt there had been progress in high regard. At the local level over the lack of progress in should be new local elections, These results, together roads. more than half the respondents electricity and garbage disposal. 41% said ‘right away’ and 26% with the popularity surge In response to another said their trust in local People in the west and mid- said after the new constitution of Baburam Bhattarai, the question about the state of the politicians had dropped in the western districts were most but before the general election. plummeting support for country compared to last year, past four years. Surprisingly, positive about improvements in There seems to be an obvious Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the there was a dramatic decrease the erosion of trust of the VDC road access. correlation in the minds of negligible endorsement for the in the number of don’t know/ and municipalities was not as If that is the case, people between accountable leaders of the NC, UML and can’t say answers. People seem marked, with 29% thinking respondents were asked, elected officials and service Madhesi Front, provide one big more outspoken, not afraid they were doing a better job what should be done to delivery. message to our leaders: work to voice their opinions, but and half saying they were the improve basic services? The Alas, at the rate things are on integrity and performance, not always to complain. Sixty same. top three answers were: hand going the people seem to have listen to the people and maybe per cent of respondents felt There is a feeling that local over management to local less and less respect for local they will vote for you in the things were improving, or were service delivery has improved communities (21.5%), increase leadership of the political next election. 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 NATION 13 From poverty to plenty A farmer in Kalikot leads the )way into a future full of opportunities

ANURAG ACHARYA in KALIKOT

t 28, Begum Bahadur and jam. These methods allowed Shahi (pic, above) is him to store products for a longer Aalready a renowned time, and doubled his profits. “If farmer and entrepreneur there was better connectivity to in Kalikot. His hard work other towns and villages, I could and determination have not triple my profit,” claims Shahi, only made him rich, but also who earned a national award for inspired other residents to begin exceptional farm management in commercial apple farming. 2007. Shahi’s remote village in Phoi Shahi’s achievement is even Mahadev VDC is quickly more remarkable given that becoming an organic farming Kalikot’s arid climate barely hub. allows farmers to grow enough Spread across 5 hectares, food for a few months. The Shahi’s farm earns him district suffers chronic food Rs 300,000 annually. “When I deficit and families are forced was a kid, my father grew apples to find alternative means of in our backyard,” recalls Shahi sustenance. Thousands of men and adds, “so I knew that the flock to Indian towns few months soil quality and rainfall pattern every year in search of jobs, but around the area was ideal for only the lucky ones manage to apple farming.” At a time when earn enough to bring back home, locals were fleeing the conflict while many others are deceived and seeking jobs in nearby cities by their employees. “After like Nepalgunj and border towns months of back breaking labour, in India, Shahi left his school in my contractor refused to pay me. Surkhet and moved back to his I was heartbroken,” recounts Man village in 2001. Bahadur Buda who was cheated Shahi began with 700 three months worth of wage. saplings brought from India’s The onset of peace and Himachal Pradesh under the construction of Karnali highway district agricultural program. have given people a reason to Three years later he added hope. In recent years, farmers in another 500 saplings and the district have made healthy was selling apples in district incomes by growing apples, headquarter Manma and mushrooms, herbs and tea neighbouring Jumla. Back then organically. Agriculture expert there were no road networks Chuman Singh Giri believes that and the nearest market town in with practical irrigation schemes Surkhet was two or three days like rain water harvesting, most walk away. Shahi’s profits were farmlands in Kalikot can be limited, but he did not give up. irrigated even in drought. And In 2004 he hired three locals if more farmers can replicate from the village and opened Shahi’s example, it could even up Begum Nursery and Fruits reverse the economic dynamics of Processing Centre. Besides the region. selling apples, he started Kalikot is overcoming its grafting saplings and training past, and although its journey villagers in apple farming. In from pitiful to plenty may have order to increase the value of just begun, with pioneering his product, Shahi also taught entrepreneurs like Shahi, himself how to make and the prospects will only get package apple candies, juice brighter.

PICS:DAO/KALIKOT 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 Never to return Durga Prasad Sharma, contacted Rupa yet. Nepal Samacharpatra, 11 May BK’s body has been lying in a morgue at a local hospital in Saudi Arabia’s Taif city for the last three weeks. Since his family did not Rupa had just called her husband Dil Bahadur have money to bring back the body for last BK who worked in Saudi Arabia as a carpenter rites, they approached the Ministry of Foreign for a construction company. Dil Bahadur had Affairs and the manpower company which promised to call her back in a few hours, but sent BK to Saudi Arabia for help. But so far that conversation turned out to be their last one. neither the government nor the agency has BK whose home is in Parbat district died in a responded. Already buried in debt, the death workplace accident on 23 April. He had been of the sole bread earner has made the family’s working as a labourer in Qatar and Saudi Arabia life more difficult. “He was our only hope. for the last eight years. Although his fellow How are we supposed to send his children to RSS workers contacted his family and informed school and take care of them?” lamented BK’s them about the tragedy, the company has not elderly mother, Nanda Kali. Driving the economy

Yogesh Khatiwada, Kantipur, 12 May

Heart of gold Nepal’s transportation sector has been hit hard by frequent strikes, fuel shortages and lack of security and business owners Doctors had prescribed Gharti, a long time are being forced to seek out alternatives. FNCCI, the umbrella heart patient, a monthly dose of Benthazin organisation of business houses in Nepal said in a recent press injection, but she was unable to take the drug release that the country is losing over a billion rupees due to because of her financial status. On Saturday, bandas. Night buses have suffered the most, because people not only did she get a free dose, but the district are wary of travelling long distances when they are not sure health office also promised to pay for her if they will reach their destination or return on time. monthly treatment. Sometimes passengers even cancel tickets if they hear rumours Along with 44 health personnel, eight about band. doctors specialising in heart conditions, Businessmen are bitter at parties and other groups for using ENT, skin diseases, gynaecology, paediatrics, the streets as battle ground and targeting vehicles. Head of ophthalmology and dental problems were Transport Association, Yogendra Nath Karmacharya says banks Dilip Poudel, Nagarik, 14 May involved in the camp. have started blacklisting transportation companies because they According to senior public health specialist have not been able to pay regular instalments on bank loans. Sagar Dahal, around 300 types of medicines “How do we pay back our loans when there is a band every Khungaki Devi Gharti of Baglung was happy were distributed to hundreds of women and day? People avoid travelling in public transport and business is to undergo heart treatment at the first ever free children. The camp was especially beneficial down,” says Karmacharya. health camp in Burtiwang VDC. 2,952 people for women suffering from uterine prolapse from 18 VDCs received free treatment and for a long time. The doctors operated on 38 medicines at the event jointly organised by women at the camp, while five patients who the district health administration, Dhulikhel needed further medical attention were taken to Hospital and Swan Nepal . Dhulikhel Hospital.

“If only the land I call home would shelter me”

Devendra Bhattarai and Dinesh night I dream about my village, countries. Regmi, Kantipur, 13 May the green forests and the day Basiuddin Musalman of when the constitution will Lumbini says he left Nepal be drafted,” says Dhakal who because he was not recognised Devendra Dhakal is a farmer believes there will be more jobs as a citizen and is currently and he ploughs fields all day once the statute is written and living and working in Jamelia long in a remote border town is hopeful people like him can as an illegal immigrant. He Go ahead, strike What are you waiting for? between Qatar and Bahrain. return back to earn a decent laments, “If only the place I Strike back. Every time he meets a recent living. call home would shelter me, I arrival from Nepal he asks Like Dhakal, Bir Bahadur would not spend another day Rajesh KC in Nagarik, 15 May the same question, “Will the Buda of Dang who has been here.” constitution be drafted this herding sheep for the last nine Many other workers like QUOTE OF THE WEEK time?” years is also confident that Chetman Rai of Dharan, Ram

Cheated by manpower things will change for them Balak Mandal of Mahottari, The executive powers will remain with agents, Dhakal who hails from soon.“We have heard that Chhaya Chandra Ghimire of “ Gorkha has been forced to work monarchy was abolished and Syangja and Madan Shiris of “ the cabinet, but if they make a mistake, illegally for the last five years. the nation is now a democratic Baglung who are toiling in the ceremonial president may exercise But the 39-year-old worries republic. If we go back, our various cities across the Middle direct control. more about his country than lives will be much better,” East are eagerly waiting for the the pain he endures in this says the 58-year-old who has new constitution to be written Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Sitaula distant land. “No matter how spent 24 years away from so that they can come home to quoted in Kantipur, 16 May. much I toil in this desert, every home working in various Gulf their families. 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 15 16 BACK SIDE 18 - 24 MAY 2012 #605 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

and from the looks of it they have misnomer because as far as I know it just rearranged the jig saw pieces a is made up solely of non-Janai wearing little bit from the current Anchals. And non-Caucasians. they fought a war for this? On top of The “F” word it, no one is happy. Brahmins are on t was bound to come to this. The not to blabber away. The latest was his the consensus on directly-elected warpath even though the deal was done The Supreme Court has cleared Baidya Kaka faction of the Baddies exhortation to the Janajati Caucus “to executive president, so he doesn’t really between the all-Brahmin leadership Ex-Minister for Abduction and Extortion, Ihas fi nally decided to take the plunge take to the streets” to put pressure on care what happens to the rest of the of the parties, the Madhesis are up in Shyam Sunder Gupta, to vote in the and use the “F” word against the the NC-UML to agree to their demands constitution. arms about getting a Tarai chopped CA. For the fi rst time in the history of Gang of Three Baburam-Prachanda- on federalismo. He is supposed to up into little pieces, the Janajatis don’t this nation, a legally certifi ed criminal Prakash Clique. It has called them have told the activists: agree with the names and boundaries, will be legislating from behind bars. “fascist” for the fi rst time. Not only Awesome has often compared himself the Tharus feel cheated. The Newars Can’t wait for the day when Chakre that, it urged Jhusil Koirala to head a “I tried my best, but I just couldn’t get to the Buddha and Gandhi, both of are about to organise a motorcycle rally. Milan will be running the PMO from kangresi-led coalition post-27 May, and the kangresis to agree.” And a few whom he has described as “peaceful So they have all called for indefi nite Nakhhu Jail. accused Chairman Awesome of having hours later he was back at the three- revolutionaries” like himself. We will and overlapping bunds. There are days “dictatorial tendencies”. Hey, isn’t this party meeting in Balu Water where let the Buddha decide what PKD can in the next two weeks where there supposed to be the hardcore faction? he said that under no circumstances do to attain nirvana, but a keen Nepal are multiple bunds simultaneously When ex-mayor Ketchup Sthapit says should the far-west be divided, or the watcher told the Ass he thought the happening on the same day. And this he wants to turn Kathmandu into a three districts in the east made a part Great Leader may think he is like just in: even jailbirds want to be freed “sexy city” in fi ve years, we hope he Chairman Awesome has always been of Limbuwan. Comrade Chhabilal Bapu because he considers himself a after 27 May and if their demands doesn’t want to make Thamel even well known for speaking through both Baje is showing that he is as clever a “Gun-dhian”? are not met, they have announced a more like Patpong, sides of his mouth, depending on who politician as he was a guerrilla leader: phasewise protest. Pokhara like Pattaya, his audience is. He has been caught on he doesn’t want to alienate the Bahun or turn Surkhet into candid camera doing this so often, one Chhetri vote bank. By now, he has The parties came up with a deal to Phuket? would think he’d have learnt his lesson got pretty much what he wants with carve the country into 11 provinces, The Janajati Caucus is a bit of a ISSN 1814-2613

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