#747 27 February - 5 March 2015 20 page Rs 50

TABLES TURNED RED GUARDS Outnumbered in the CA and lacking numbers on the streets, The opposition may have to go through with its show of force on Saturday, IN AN the opposition is waiting for a face- but should try to get it over with minimum fuss to resume negotiations on the saving way to return to the table. constitution. The Maoists revived their Young Communist League and paraded AGITATED them with sticks in a rehearsal for the big march on Monday (pic, below) STATE BY THE WAY blocking traffic and stranding commuters in the centre of Kathmandu. EDITORIAL PAGE 2 BY ANURAG ACHARYA PAGE 3

DEVAKI BISTA NOT YET BOILING POINT Waiting for a EMPTY The people of the Tarai are angry, but Nepali Kejriwal not angry enough to join another protest EVEREST movement led by Madhesi politicians GUEST COLUMN BY BIHARI K SHRESTHA Big drop in mountaineering this spring leaves Nepali guides high and dry. BY NAVIN JHA PAGE 6 IN NAWALPARASI PAGE 4 PAGE 10-11 2 EDITORIAL 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 IN AN AGITATED STATE aturday’s show of force at the centre of Kathmandu will prompt many to ask who are behind it, and why. The opposition may have to go through with SLet’s try to simplify it for you: The NC-UML formed a its show of force on Saturday, but should try coalition government after winning the 2013 elections. After trying in vain to come to an agreement on disputed issues to get it over with minimum fuss to resume in the constitution, the Constituent Assembly missed its 22 negotiations on the constitution. January deadline. The NC-UML led government then tried to use its numerical strength in the CA to push the agenda to a vote. and Simara to try to foment unrest. This is playing with The UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi parties, still smarting fire. They are warning Kathmandu that they are willing to from their election defeat, tried to make a distinction unleash ethnic discord as a political pressure tactic. between their ‘revolutionary mandate’ and the ‘election From what we can tell, instead of galvanising public mandate’. This is their way of saying, “we lost but we still anger, the call to the streets has frightened the people about want to have our say." the possibility of anarchy. It has convinced even those who The CA has been in limbo for over a month now, there were pro-federalism that the whole formula is fraught. If a have been no negotiations on the constitution draft. The national trade artery can be blocked for a week on a political Maoist-Madhesi opposition alliance is determined to go pretext, imagine the kind of blockades we will see in future through with its self-described ‘make or break’ protest on disputes between provinces. This public mood must have Saturday. It’s a risky thing to do, to make public turnout seeped into the consciousness of opposition leaders who the only indicator of its future existence as a force to be have been touring the districts to prepare for the agitation. reckoned with. The Maoists have issued a threat to their They must have also seen that the fire they light could easily own cadre that those who don’t show up on the streets will spread across the Tarai and spiral out of control. be punished. They must be pretty desperate if one political To be sure, the last 12 months of the Koirala-led rally is going to be a life-or-death issue. government has not exactly been a scintillating success. In the run-up to Saturday, the Maoists have threatened Despite the list of ‘achievements’ he presented this week, to go on warpath, unleash another bloodbath, and warned of the prime minister has fumbled and not shown enough an Armageddon. "Prachanda, give us the order, we will pull statesmanship to bridge the gap on the constitution with DEVAKI BISTA the trigger," the newly-revived YCL shouted on the streets the opposition. Its governance record has been patchy, and this week. They have used insurgency-era terminology to even the improvement of the investment climate, for which them to reciprocate the gesture. designate their top leaders to head the Eastern, Central and Koirala tried to take credit, happened mainly because of the The opposition has positioned itself into a corner, Western ‘Commands’ to prepare logistics for the protests. proactive role played by Indian Prime Minister Narendra they cannot backtrack from the streets without losing Their message to the people is: “We lost the election, but if Modi. face, so they must go ahead and try to paint the streets the NC-UML don’t agree to our demands and give us a share However, the NC-UML have backtracked from their red for a day. Our advice to the Maoist-Madhesi of power we will kill a whole lot of you again.” It is like demand for a CA vote, and they have put the process on combine would be to go through with their protest if brandishing a gun and holding the Nepali people hostage. hold. This was the demand of the Maoist-Madhesi alliance they must, get it over with minimum fuss, and get back As a warning, the opposition has used the excuse of the on 22 January, so we see no discernible reason why they to the negotiation table. If there is one option left, that location of the land revenue and mapping offices in Kaliya should push through with their agitation now. It is time for is it.

YOUR SAY www.nepalitimes.com

CLEAN AIR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION Cynthia Choo, #745). This is such an I can only hope that the upcoming THIS WEEK Don’t pass a building permit without The perpetrators should not be allowed important work by Teach for Nepal. But generation is fl exible enough to a chimney, set up neighbourhood to evade justice under any pretext our education also needs a structural agree on something that they have in Most liked on Facebook watches who report on houses (‘Who doesn’t want a TRC?’ Om Astha overhaul. common. We couldn’t! Back to the village campaign by Cynthia Choo (67 likes) being built without chimneys: those Rai, #745). RT @madhukaru reports which are true - reward them Bibek Bhatta (‘Clearing the air’, Editorial, #747). Do Time for a one year compulsory Nepal remains, for all the something similar for factories. Nobody apart from the murderers national (community) service in Nepal superfi cial changes, deeply Neighbours, area residents, colony on either side or their cronies have faith which will reduce unemployment and patriarchal and authoritarian - real and community leaders need to on the new TRC. contribute hugely. need for progressive transformation stand up. Copy the ‘community fi rst’ Prem Dhakal DS @pigreen practices, which made Chitwan poaching free and built (one could The TRC’s role is to fi nd facts and THE HOLY ECONOMY KING say rebuilt) our forests and jungles. reconcile. But victims should have the The fact that those going abroad are I would rather give the King the The more I read Nepali Times, the right to either forgive or not. considered the ‘villain’, ‘bad guy’ is benefi t of the doubt any day than more convinced I am that community Man Bdr Rai symptomatic of Nepali society (‘The holy believe the thugs who have been GOPEN RAI participation is the only way to go for economy’, Gunaraj Luitel, #745). I have lying and cheating us for years (‘Ex- Most shared on Facebook Nepal. Forgiveness follows penance. met exchange students in the US from King speaks’, 18 February). The Maha Shivaratri Nam Where is the penance? Have Japan, Germany, Chile, Korea. Which of king had asked for just three years perpetrators of violence publicly these nations were/are Third World? to solve the problems, but these Most popular on Twitter PLAN C Getting rid of soot by Helena Molin Valdes renounced their past path? Have There’s nothing wrong with leaving monkeys denied him that, and they and Arnico Panday (69 retweets, 31 favourites) Yes, Plan C = referendums on key they committed their wealth to their home, forging your own destiny, learning have taken 10 years to accomplish issues, is the best solution (‘Go for victims? Have they renounced active new habits, about new customs. absolutely nothing. Most visited online page Plan C’, Damakant Jayshi, #745). participation in public life? Have they The real question is: what can the Bairagi Khukuri Back to the village campaign by Cynthia Choo (634 views) I’d much rather trust the Nepali abdicated any offi cial posts which they present government/civil society, etc. do people themselves to make these big might be holding today? to call these people back? They bring What a creep! He would do Most commented decisions than the political leaders. It’s N experience, money, know how. Many will anything to ensure political chaos Go for Plan C by Damakant Jayshi clear that the netas make decisions form companies, hire Nepalis continues for an indefi nite time to based on their own selfi sh interests RE-EDUCATION (and some foreigners as well - sure, why present his ‘democratic’ credentials. rather than thinking about long-term Exams test the lowest level of not?) Mr G, you are history, accept it. Weekly Internet Poll #747 learning, memorisation (‘Learning from good of the country and the people. I do wonder, especially when Enjoy retirement in Nepal at GoN’s Q. Will the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Guest experience’, Beth Norford, #745). the super rich like Upendra Mahato expense. deliver justice for the conflict victims? Sixit Bhatta comment on their countries of origin N Total votes: 96 Finally, ex-king Gyanendra and with blanket statements like the one in ex-army chief Katuwal have come Problem is lack of qualifi ed and the article - So what have you done to ASS forward to support the Nepali people. committed teachers, and decent ensure class egalitarianism? This is so hilarious it actually brought Both Gyanendra and Katuwal are very salaries and prospects, and low Namah tears to my eyes (‘Great Leap relevant players in Nepali politics. government expenditure on education. Forward Year’, Ass, #745). The sad My appeal to both these men is to David Seddon One of the factors could be our thing is that this is not satire at all, save Nepal from the clutches of the socio-cultural setup that limits critical those are actual words from Comrade Weekly Internet Poll #748 Communists. Great job Babita and all the other thought process to surface in the society. Awesome Possum’s speeches. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Sabita Shrestha fellows (‘Back to the village campaign’, Nirmal Ghimire Sean Q. How soon will the new constitution be promulgated?

Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 OPINION 3 Tables turned Outnumbered in the CA and lacking numbers on the streets, the opposition is waiting for a face-saving way to return to the table

yet another ugly showdown on the is your friend, after all. about deteriorating political streets of Kathmandu. Losing the party presidency environment, and have in all However, the public mood by a narrow margin last time, good faith urged the government across the country remains Deuba will be a favourite to to act in consensus. Although, the uncharacteristically cynical. win unless Koirala regains his Prime Minister remains positive “People are not going to come out stature in the party by delivering about their concerns, the Foreign onto the streets just because the the statute. This will mean Ministry headed by his coalition parties want to parade them for extending a compromise offer to partner UML has been warning the show of their strength,” I Dahal, which seems unlikely at the diplomatic missions against overheard a group of students the moment given opposition’s ‘interference in the internal chatting over a cup of tea near continuing protest. However, affairs’. Patan Multiple campus earlier this Dahal’s recent one-on-one Whether KP Oli and UML week. meetings with Koirala leaves that are more worried about national If this is the general mood, it possibility open. sovereignty or only trying their will be a blow to opposition’s plan Another likely scenario is best to undermine Koirala’s of intimidating the ruling parties that there will be an internal efforts to get the opposition back with their bamboo stick-wielding arrangement between the leaders into negotiation, is a matter of YCLs on the streets this Saturday. to hand over parliamentary and perspective. An NC leader loyal But Pushpa Kamal Dahal government leadership to Deuba, to Koirala seemed very sure: may be looking just a little allowing Koirala to retain party “Oli wants to bring down this ahead into the future than most leadership. The opposition will government by locking horns with of his opposition comrades. still fancy its chances negotiating the opposition and antagonising ore than a month has With NC’s party convention due with Deuba, who has come forth the international community, so passed since the parties in September, Dahal knows, as more flexible and willing in that he can become the next PM.” Mmissed their self- pressure is building on Prime the top leadership meetings. The Cornered within his own party imposed constitutional deadline, Minister Sushil Koirala from only problem with this option is, and troubled by the coalition and yet there is no end to the within his own party. KP Oli and UML are eying the partner, Koirala will be eager to political arm-twisting that has In the NC central committee next government leadership as get the statute drafting process deadlocked the CA proceedings. meeting this week, a majority of well, as per their ‘gentleman’s started again. But can he reclaim The ruling NC-UML remains the leaders, especially those from agreement’ with NC. the leadership of the dialogue adamant, while the opposition the rival Sher Bahadur Deuba In any case, it’s a tough call process from Oli, who has been Maoist-Madhesis have decided faction criticised Koirala and for Koirala, who, like his cousin dominating the past negotiations to snub the Prime Minister’s advised him to get the opposition GP, wants to have his cake and with his rabble-rousing idioms call for talks. Both sides seem on board, even if it is to initiate eat it too. Sushil Koirala has also against the opposition? Let’s BY THE WAY determined to test the other the majority voting on statute. received unsolicited advice from see how Saturday’s showdown Anurag Acharya one last time, which is why the This should be reassuring for international community, who pans out. coming weekend could witness Dahal. The enemy of your enemy are understandably concerned @AnuragAcharya 4 NATION 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747

SHYAM GUPTA Not yet boiling point The people of the Tarai are angry, but not angry enough to join another protest movement led by Madhesi politicians

NAVIN JHA in NAWALPARASI

fter the CA Chair Subhas opposition Maoist-Madhesi disagree Nembang, apparently under over whether five Tarai districts (Jhapa, Apressure from the ruling Morang, Sunsari in the east and Kailali coalition, initiated a vote on the new and Kanchanpur in the west) should constitution last month, the Maoist- be part of the Madhes or the hill Madhesi opposition alliance has been on provinces in the new federal set up. warpath — not withdrawing their protest The ruling parties want these districts programs even after Nembang halted the to be clubbed with hill provinces, voting process. the opposition parties want all five UCPN(M) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal to remain as part of the southern has declared Kathmandu, Madhes and provinces. ethnic strongholds of the hills as three Chakradhar Pandey, a local MJF- ‘fronts’ of the alliance’s protests. But he Nepal leader in Kapilvastu who played knows that the real test of the success a key role in the Madhes movement, of his agitation will be the Madhes if it says if there is another movement in is to have any effect in pressuring the the Madhes, it will be directed not only government. against the ruling coalition but also Reduced to third party status after the Madhesi parties who, according to the second CA elections, the Maoists are him have failed to fight for Madhesi trying to regain some strength through autonomy and self-rule. street protests. The Madhes-based parties, This is not the first time the Madhesi on the other hand, want to restore their people are demanding autonomy. In foothold in the Madhes by trying to ignite fact, it was first raised in the 1950s by a political movement. Nepal Terai Congress. In the 1980s, In remote villages of the Tarai the Gajendra Narayan Singh-led however, the people are in no mood Sadbhawana Party demanded autonomy for another stir. “It is not easy to make of Madhes from hill administration but people hit the streets,” says Kaushalendra was snubbed by Kathmandu for being Srivastav of this district in the central ‘separatist’ and ‘pro-Indian’. Tarai. He is disillusioned by the divisions Srivastav, who was a long time aide among political parties, and the lack of to Singh, believes the attitude of the hill progress in jobs and development. people towards the Madhesi people has The Maoist-Madhesi parties, however, not changed, and is at the root of the are not the only political players in the demand for Madhes autonomy. Madhes. CK Raut, who was repeatedly ‘The people of Madhes want to be detained on charges of treason for citizens of this country on their own his separatist pronouncements, and terms, and if Kathmandu does not later freed, has increased his political respect their desire, they will never be activities. Matrika Yadav, who formed his emotionally integrated in the national own party when CPN (M) became UCPN mainstream,” he says. (M), is also active in the Madhes. After Across the Tarai, ordinary people serving a one-year jail term on charges of see the leaders using their grievances corruption, JP Gupta is spearheading his for their own political gain. The recent Tarai-Madhes National Campaign. There unrest in Simara (pictured, above) and has also been a surge in the activities of Kalaiya were also seen as such. They shadowy armed groups. are not angry enough to join any major The political landscape of the Madhes reenactment of the Madhes Movement is rapidly changing, but the parties that of 2007. claim to be champions of the cause of the But if the leaders in Kathmandu Madhesi people seem oblivious to this. over-read their electoral mandate and For them, it is politics as usual. disregard Madhesi sentiments, the The people of Madhes are frustrated people of the Tarai could rise up again. with the prolonged deadlock and And no one knows how far they will go politically incorrect statements by ruling the next time. party leaders, particularly UML Chief KP Oli who antagonised locals by equating Madhesis with Indians. Separatists like CK Raut have made the best out of this nepalitimes.com political fallout.  Cracks in the Madhesi Front, #744  A stir within, #745 The ruling NC-UML and the 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 BUSINESS 5

projects in the Valley since it established its presence here, and is moving aggressively to BIZ BRIEFS Lifting modern Nepal expand its market share. During a recent visit Vishnani said Nepal was poised to show a spurt in economic Seat sale ith Kathmandu’s real- growth and a surge in investment in Etihad Airways has announced a global seat sale estate prices soaring, infrastructure. This is expected to translate with discounts up to 30 per cent. Customers Wdevelopers are investing into a growth in demand for elevator travelling between 3 March and 12 December can in taller apartments, office blocks products, escalators and moving walkways. book their tickets at a discounted price till 3 March. and shopping complexes. This ThyssenKrupp says its German- means Nepal has suddenly engineered lifts are rugged and designed become a booming market for for countries like Nepal with power-cuts. E-visa elevators and escalators. Its lifts consume 40 per cent less electricity Turkish Airlines has announced the possibility for Nepali passport holders to Till a decade ago, there and have an automatic rescue device that apply for e-visa for Turkey so they can enjoy a stopover in Istanbul on the way to were hardly any high rises in ensures orderly evacuation of passengers in Europe or North America. Kathmandu and there were case of unexpected power outage. almost no representatives here Thyssenkrupp elevators and escalators for companies manufacturing and are equipped with governors -- a safety installing lifts. and moving walkways in the Nepali market. mechanism for detecting over-speed and The Duisberg-based multinational “Nepal is a growing market with a other malfunctions. ThyssenKrupp specialising in elevators is lot of potential and we hope to tap into Infratech says maintenance and one of the first to realise the huge potential that,” says Bharat Vishnani, managing equipment safety are of paramount for growth in Nepal and has appointed director of ThyssenKrupp Elevator (India). concern, and it will be carrying this out Profit shares Infratech as its authorised dealer to sell The company has already sold 20 units of periodically with customers through trained The 20th annual general meeting (AGM) of Bank of Kathmandu approved 10.41 passenger and freight elevators, escalators elevators from ThyssenKrupp to housing technicians. per cent bonus share to its shareholders. The bank earned operating profi t of Rs 363 million and net profi t of Rs 254 million in the last fi scal year. Cricket mania CG has announced its ‘Catch the Match’ off er. Customers buying CG LED TV will Istanbul stopover now easier for Nepalis receive gifts signed by Nepali cricket captain Paras Khadka and an opportunity to play cricket with him. This visa should be applied online and passengers should have their onward OECD or Schengen visas with them when travelling. New GM The visa will now make it easier for Nepalis flying on Turkish Radisson Hotel Kathmandu has appointed Airlines to spend the transit time in Istanbul instead of simply Janet Fitzner as its new General Manager. waiting at the airport. Tours, with English speaking guides, provide Fitzner has 26 years of international three timing options every day to see the city while in transit. experience in hospitality. “We distinguish ourselves from other airlines by transforming a long wait into a delightful discovery of Istanbul, one of the world’s premier destinations,” said Celal Baykal, manager of Turkish Airlines in Kathmandu. urkish Airlines has announced the possibility for Nepali passport Passengers wishing to join the tours need to present themselves Tholders to apply for e-visa for Turkey so they can enjoy a stopover at the hotel desk in the arrivals hall of Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul on the way to Europe or North America. at least 30 minutes prior to the departure of the tour. No advance Earlier, passengers had to send their passports to the reservation or booking is required and the tours are free to all Turkish Embassy in New Delhi for processing. From this month, eligible passengers. Nepalis travelling via Istanbul having a valid Schengen or OECD However, passengers must have adequate transfer time to country visa or residence permit can now get a single-entry e-visa for complete the tour. up to 30 days. www.istanbulinhours.com. 6 NATION 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 Waiting for a Nepali Kejriwal Nepal’s grassroot communities also have anti-corruption crusaders waiting to come out and clean things up

n social media and on electricity. remaining preoccupied with listservs like NNSD, 3. The voters of the Delhi Union corruption among junior officials, Oall the talk this past Territory are overwhelmingly while he let the big fish free. week was about what effect urban, working in predominantly The CIAA itself has Arvind Kejriwal’s surprise non-agrarian pursuits and living its hands full with a huge landslide victory in New Delhi in sprawling slums or vast estates backlog of corruption cases elections would have on Nepal. in the suburbs. They have no against politicians, the most feudalistic loyalties to power prominent of them being the centres. one against Pushpa Kamal Having won the election, Dahal on the alleged siphoning Kejriwal’s challenge will be to off of billions of rupees paid deliver on his populist promises. by the government to non- That is where most opposition existent Maoists fighters in the GUEST COLUMN parties, particularly the BJP, are cantonments. Nepal’s paradox Bihari K Shrestha hoping the Aam Admi Party will is that the top politicians who falter. Kejriwal’s challenge is to are most corrupt seem to enjoy prove that this win was no fluke immunity from the CIAA. It rained in Delhi, and we are of history. While corruption remains unfurling our umbrellas in Most factors that propelled endemic, the citizens grapple Kathmandu. Kejriwal to power in Delhi are with daily shortages of Most commentators hope that, abundantly present in Nepal. everything: no cooking gas, one day, we will get our own For one thing, corruption is now no power, no water, and no Kejriwal in a Dhaka topi, and that standard operating procedure jobs, no security, no health, no in elections and that provides altogether new architecture under may not be so far-fetched because seemingly condoned by the education. There should have a perfect alibi for a feudal elite which concerned citizens are Nepali voters are sufficiently highest executive authority in been a thousand Kejriwals masquerading as politicians empowered to make their own mature and such changes will the land. For instance, in the on the streets of Kathmandu to remain deeply enmeshed in decisions. Our success in forestry emerge in their own time. But we recent annual day celebration of already. Unlike Delhi, Nepal corruption. As things stand, a through forest user groups and must not forget the three main the anti-corruption watchdog, remains rural. In addition, a successful politician in Nepal is in primary healthcare through factors that made this anti- the CIAA, Prime Minister convergence of high caste status necessarily a corrupt man. mothers’ groups are based on the corruption crusader win big: Sushil Koirala had no qualms and economic power give rulers To be sure, there are a same approach. Potentially, our in publicly admitting that he the license to extract resources few Kejriwals in the political grassroot communities are full 1. He was able to put together received complaints about his from society. Since the parties, but are pressed down of Kejriwals. So, the Gokarna a critical mass of a dedicated own ministers having been feudalistic order is invariably by the deadweight of corrupt Bistas in all the parties have to political team with vision, involved in corruption. But he attended by the chronic aparatchiks. Take Gokarna Bista redefine their role and mission commitment and visible integrity. did not mention any action he persistence of widespread of the UML who performed in life. The sooner they come out 2. Kejriwal addressed concerns of took or intended to take against poverty and all-pervasive lack superbly as an energy minster but of their party cocoons, the faster Delhiwalas for clean government, them. Instead, in the same breath, of functional literacy, money was punished for his integrity. our country can mass-produce free drinking water and cheaper he accused the CIAA chief of effectively plays a major role Nepal’s democracy needs an Kejriwals. They say that if a butterfl y fl aps its wings in Brazil, there will be a typhoon in Taiwan. Well, it's not as bad as that, but this westerly that has brought rain and overcast skies this week comes all the way from the Mediterranean, and is the aftermath of the snowstorms that caused havoc from Turkey to Israel. We will see continued cloud cover with the sun peeping out from time to time. This will bring down the maximum temperature, and there may be drizzles on Sunday. So, don't bid winter good bye just yet. KATHMANDU FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 24° 24° 21° #747 27 February - 5 March 2015 9° 11° 11°

customers seem to like it when they know local Nepali farmers are the ones growing the vegetables.” Beans, lentils and salad greens are the best sellers, says Cynthia. She is also trying to introduce green garlic, yacon and leek — vegetables not commonly found in Singapore. Real Food, a Singaporean café chain that imports Organic Himalaya Greens, attested to the quality of Nepali greens. “One main item we import is lentils. We use it to make our lentil soup which is amazing,” said Jee Yang, co- founder of Real Food. Besides supplying produce to individuals and restaurants directly, Cynthia also sells the farm’s produce in a weekend farmers market called Loewen Gardens in Singapore. However, everything was not always smooth sailing. The seasoned traveller had once thought of ending the business venture when her wanderlust struck. “Having a booth at the farmers market is a commitment and it doesn’t allow me to take any weekends off,” she said. Her dilemma was also between growing the business and keeping it a boutique venture. CYNTHIA WEE “There are times when a certain vegetable is not in season and we cannot deliver as promised. But as a small business, customers are understanding because we interact with them personally,” said Cynthia. This personal touch to her From Sanga Singapore business has also made her grow a fond attachment to the farmers CYNTHIA CHOO organic Nepali greens. and customers, which was why she “Although the farm was ultimately continued the business. thrown to me, I enjoy running it “Whenever I consider closing as a business,” said Cynthia who shop, I think about the farmers hen German publisher Hans oversees the entire production losing their jobs, and disappointing Hoefer decided to pursue process single-handedly. my customers,” she said. Whis interest in organic The self-taught businesswoman The satisfaction she gets greens by buying a farm in Kavre in swiftly established a marketing from personal interactions with 1993, he ended up growing more arm for the business by spreading her customers is what keeps her vegetables than he could ever eat. the benefits of the healthy greens going. The 63-year-old said: “I love His wife – Cynthia Wee Hoefer through word of mouth and social it when they tell me how much (pictured) however had a plan and media, amassing close to 1,700 they loved the fresh vegetables or set up a business to export the people on her mailing list since give me feedback to improve my farm’s vegetables to her home Organic Himalaya first started. service.” country, Singapore. She attributes the success of Jee Yang said that Real Food Organic Himalaya was born. Fast her venture to the allure of the Singapore will continue to order forward 21 years and more than Himalayan brand. “When I tell supplies from Cynthia, because 200 kg of organic salad vegetables people that the greens are from they prefer small and ethical and jams are air freighted from Nepal, they immediately associate it suppliers. Sanga to Singapore every week. The with the purity and freshness of the Cynthia said: “By remaining vegetables are hand-packed as per Himalaya,” she said. small, I’m confident of the products order and delivered to Singaporean Employing and training local that we produce because I know the families and kitchens that wait farmers was also a good decision, customers, the workers, and most eagerly for their weekly supply of as it gave the brand a face. “My importantly, I know the farm.” KENJI KWOK 8 EVENTS Lady luck , Story Telling, Send a photo of you and the special lady Movement, rhythm and music come in your life, with a brief description to together in this performance featuring [email protected]. Must ‘like’ Kathak, Baratnatyam, and Nepali dances. Club Himalaya on Facebook to qualify. Rs 250 for students, Rs 500, 1 March, Winner gets free accommodation for a 5.30pm to 6.45pm, Army’s Offi cers Club, night at Club Himalaya, Nagarkot. Bhadrakali, (01)4015643, Deadline 5 March, (01)4442726/27 [email protected] [email protected] Journeying for art, Birdwatch, Conservation Painting exhibition by a promising young A bird watching event organised by Bird Screening of Pavilion of the Eight Corners: artist-Dhwoj Gurung. Conservation Nepal. Reconstructing the Chyasilin Mandap in Till 12 April, Park Gallery, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, 28 February, 7.30 am, Jalvinayak Parking Spot, Bhaktapur, Nepal, 1987-1990 by Goetz The Laramie www.parkgallery.com.np Chobhar, 9841330576, 9801024777, Hagmuler and Niels Gutschow. Masculism, [email protected] , www.birdlifenepal.org Rs 400, 27 February, 9.30am, Hotel Shanker, Project An exhibition by Gopal Das Shrestha Lajimpat, (01) 4410151, Directors Deborah Merola and Kalapremi. Photography grant, [email protected] Divya Dev bring to stage the famous Till 15 March, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Applications open for a Rs 100,000 grant docudrama about the story of Mahal Revisited, (01)4218048 to produce in-depth photographic work Tangal Wood Estate, American Matthew Shepard who was on social, political, and climate change The offi cial opening of Tangal Wood beaten to death in 1998 because of Call for artists, issues. Estate. Performances by Circus his homosexuality. The play raises Local visual artists, sound artists and Deadline 28 February, (01)5013501, Kathmandu, DJ Tshering Sherpa and important questions about prejudice, writers are invited to an open call for photocircle.com.np, [email protected] more. hate, exclusion and draws relevance residency at Gallery MCube. 27 February to 1 March, 5pm to 9pm, Tangal, of the incident to modern Nepal. Going digital, Deadline 7 March, Gallery Mcube, Online realm, 9851178070, [email protected] Produced by One World Theater, the A crash course on digital fi lmmaking. Mitra Marg, Patan (01)5260110, An interactive workshop with UK Curator, play stars celebrated Nepali theatre 1 to 6 March, Bikalpa Art Center, Pulchowk, [email protected], Rachel Entwistle to explore curatorial artists Rajkumar Pudasaini, Divya Dev, (01)5013524, [email protected], www.gallerymcube.blogspot.com practice online. Shanti Giri and Sulakchyan Bharati. www.bikalpaartcenter.org 28 February, 10am to 1.30pm, Premiere show on 27 February, Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka, Rs 2000, proceeds go towards funding the Video collective, Physical theatre, 9849519933, [email protected] play. Artists Anil Subba and Ritesh Maharjan Learn to use your body as an instrument Rs 500, 28 February to 15 March, put on a collective performance. to tell stories without words in a Trash-free Tundikhel, Theatre Village, Lazimpat, 9808041124, 7 March, 4pm, Gallery Mcube, Mitra Marg, workshop by theatre director, Nikki Say no to littering in public, join the [email protected] (01)5260110, [email protected], Manuputty. movement. www.gallerymcube.blogspot.com Rs 750, from 7 March, 11am to 4pm, SPAK, 28 February, 8am to 10am, Tundikhel, Ekantakuna, (01)5000101, 9813930688, (01)4226471, [email protected], Nippon cinema, Why volunteer, www.spaknepal.com www.cleanupnepal.org.np A two-day Japanese fi lm fest organised by Video challenge, Shailendra Raj Giri of Mero Job talks the Embassy of Japan in association with A short video contest on ‘Gender Equality about the benefi ts of having volunteering Numafung, Sports movies, Japanese Language Teachers’ Association in Nepal’ by UNDP and UNFPA. Videos experience on your resume. Screening of the acclaimed Nepali fi lm by A fi lm festival dedicated to sports fi lms. of Nepal. should be no longer than 4 minutes and 7 March, 11am to 1pm, Café & Shop Mitini, Nabin Subba. 27 and 28 February, 11am to 5pm, 27 and 28 February, Tribhuvan Army Offi cer’s can be in any language spoken in Nepal. Lajimpat, (01)4226471, 27 February, Nepal-Bharat Library, Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road, Club, Tundikhel, (01)4426680, Deadline 1 March, (01)5523200, (01)5523880, [email protected], Nepal Airlines Building, New Road Gate, (01)4256909, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected], [email protected] www.cleanupnepal.org.np Free entry. 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 9 DINING MUSIC GETAWAYS Promo gig, Progressive rock metal band, Kamero Manny’s pre-launch their debut album The Absence Paradox with friends, Tumbleweed Inc, coffee Vomiting Snake, Social Nerve and Try delicious coff ee blends at Horny Monks. Manny’s coff ee lounge. 28 March, 1pm onwards, Manny’s Eatery and Tapas Purple Haze Rock Bar, Thamel, 9803719781 Bar, Jawalakhel, (01)5536919, [email protected] Barahi Jungle Lodge, Eco-café, Bhojan authentic, The fi rst eco-jungle lodge of Chitwan Opening of Leela’s Eco Cafe, an Bhojan – Authentic Nepali cuisine for the directly overlooks the Chitwan National undertaking of the Kevin Rohan Memorial satisfi ed travelers with wholesome Park. Spa, boutique guest rooms, Eco-Foundation. Live concerts by Rudra 100 % Nepali farm fresh vegetarian and individual and two-in-one private villas, Band and Sakchyyam. non-vegetarian dishes in Radisson’s new Album launch, including a suite with a private swimming 28 February, 3pm, Chalnakhel-5, Khahare, wing. Nepali rock band, Monkey Temple pool on off er. 985043710, [email protected], Rs 850 and Rs 950 plus taxes, launches its third self-titled album. Andrauli, West Chitwan, (01)4411113, www. krmef.org The Coff ee Shop, Radisson Hotel, Lajimpat, 27 February, 7pm, La Grange, Thamel, [email protected], www.barahijunglelodge.com (01)4411818, [email protected] 9818258855 Social café, Shangri-La Village Resort, An afternoon of music for the opening of Black history, Spend your weekend under the shadow of Sisters Café & Beauty, a social enterprise The fi nal night of Black History Month Outallectuals collective, breathtaking mountain views, landscaped promoting equality and dignity to where Jazz musicians from Kathmandu A night of electronic bliss with Amin gardens, water bodies and a relaxing Nepali women through training and will pay tribute to Jazz legends like John Payne’s hip-hop, Баxтак’s ethnofusion, ambience. employment. Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and GnirehsT’s chillwave, and Cultivation’s Gharipatan, Pokhara,(61)462222, 7 March, 3.30pm, Sanepa, Patan, Nepal Charlie Parker. dub. (01)4410051, [email protected], [email protected] Rs 250, 27 February, 8pm, House of Music, 28 February, 7pm, Places Restaurant & Bar, www.hotelshangrila.com Thamel, 9851075172, [email protected] Thamel, (01)4700413, [email protected] Jhule mountain resort, Mike’s breakfast, Resting 2050m above sea level, the eco- Huge breakfast and an endless supply resort boasts a farmhouse that stretches of coff ee amidst a lush garden setting across a hill covered in fresh pine. Enjoy characterise this cafe, popular among Improvise, an organic home stay experience. tourists and locals alike. Improvisation lessons for various Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Jhule, Lakeside, Pokhara, (61)520151 instruments facilitated by Manoj (01)6212399, www.jhuleresort.com.np, Kumar KC and Rajat Rai. www.jhuleresort.com Holi buffet, Rs 499 pre-registration, Rs 699, Rangoli, a Holi special lunch buff et, to 28 February, 11am, Mango Tree Lodge, Lal Durbar Restaurant, celebrate the festival of colours. Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Culture walks, rafting in the Karnali, Authentic Nepali dinner with Rs 1400 plus tax per person, 5 March, Jhamsikhel, wildlife exploration, and jungle safari at cultural shows. 12pm to 2.30pm, The Fun Café, [email protected], the Bardia National Park. Hotel Yak & Yeti, Darbar Marg, (01)4248999, Radisson Hotel, Lajimpat, (01)4411818, www.foreducationfoundation.com.np Bhetani, Bardia, (084)402008, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 10 Aftershocks of Big drop in Everest bookings this spring affects the livelihood of high-altitude Nepali guides

OM ASTHA RAI With just over a month left for the climbing season to start, Pasang still hasn’t been contacted by any expedition team, and n previous years, Pasang Sherpa he is now worried that he will not be able to (pictured, left) would now be packing make any money this year. up his gear, getting ready to receive Not a single expedition group has applied his expedition and fly off to Lukla for for permits so far this season. And even another Everest climb. This spring, those who abandoned their expeditions Ithe 38-year-old is out of a job because most last season have yet to confirm if they are Everest expeditions have been cancelled climbing this year. Only 10 of 35 climbers after last year’s avalanche that killed 16 who went to the Everest through Shangrila high-altitude guides. Treks Nepal last year, for example, are Many of those killed were his friends, coming this year, says Jeevan Ghimire of and Pasang had decided that this profession Shangrila Treks. was just too dangerous. But with no other “I am just praying that the situation jobs available, he changed his mind and will improve,” says Pasang, who summited was ready to join an expedition. However, Everest in 2013. negative international publicity of the More than 300 Sherpas are directly avalanche and confusion about government employed during the average Everest policy has prompted most companies to season as so-called ‘icefall doctors’, guides, cancel their expeditions this year. porters and support staff. For most of them,

BIKRAM RAI The Present in 1983 to climb Manaslu, and a ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a lot has changed since then. It is a fact that things change, not always mystery, but today is a gift and that’s for the better. Perhaps the major change I have seen in Nepal is that why we call it the Present’. it is now a Republic. The King is gone, just like in the west where don’t know who wrote these we have no ‘ruling Monarchs’. clever words, I wish they were ‘Tomorrow is a mystery’ but Imine. This one fits my theme you may see it need not be so. of a present or gift. Imagine if I Not so in Nepal because whatever gave you the gift of foresight, that happens here has happened in the OUTSIDE IN you would know what was going ‘West’ previously: the spread of Ted Atkins to happen tomorrow, next week, the mobile phones, power taken next year. How wealthy you could from kings. Political regimes, some be. Imagine if I said ten years back good and many bad have come that every Nepali I know would and gone. Russia: the home of own a smart phone. I think I might communism has abandoned it as have been laughed at. a ‘bad job’, a system that never ‘Yesterday is history’ is a good benefitted anyone in a voteless, place to start. I first came to Nepal powerless society. 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 11 the Everest avalanche members of expeditions who Minister Bhim Acharya promised to sort year.” cancelled last year have to this out, but was soon replaced by Deepak Krishna Aryal, secretary of Expedition travel in the same group, or Chandra Amatya. Both are from the UML, a Operators’ Association (EOA), says the delay can climb individually. partner in the ruling coalition. has already affected tourism with cancelled This is a continuation Ministry officials realise that it needs to hotel bookings, flights and porter hiring. of the mishandling of the revise Mountaineering Expedition Regulation “The longer the government takes to decide, immediate aftermath of (2002) to allow individual members of the the more expeditions we lose. No one is the avalanche last year, abandoned expeditions to climb Everest prepared to wait, they will just go and climb when it gave confusing individually, or as parts of other groups. Everest from the north side,” he told Nepali statements about whether Bureaucratic red tape has delayed a decision, Times. expeditions would be allowed which is being reviewed by the Law Ministry Expedition companies say they are also or not. The government before it is forwarded to the Cabinet. receiving queries from clients in the US and also botched the strike at “Realising that it would not be practical Europe to seek assurances that they will not Base Camp by distraught for members of the abandoned expeditions be abandoned by their high-altitude guides friends and relatives to meet to be in the same groups, we recommended like they were last year after the avalanche. their demands for higher revision of this regulation,” Gyanendra Pemba Gyalje Sherpa, president of Nepal insurance and compensation. Shrestha of the ministry confirmed to us. National Mountain Guides Association, All expeditions were then In January, the Canada-based Peaks admits that the Sherpas’ behaviour in the Everest season from April-June is an cancelled, but despite this some climbers Freaks cancelled all its Everest expeditions the aftermath of the avalanche was not opportunity to earn enough to take care reportedly took helicopters to Camp I and for spring 2015 citing ‘fickle posturing of the ‘professional’ but says it would be wrong to of their families for a year. Every climbing actually summitted Everest. government’. Although no other company only blame them. client employs at least five high-altitude The government had then assured those has followed suit, they have not confirmed “It was our collective failure, even foreign workers on Everest, so if there are no who had to abandon their expeditions that their expeditions, either. climbers did not contribute to managing expeditions hundreds will be out of jobs. they could climb Everest anytime up to Ghimire of Sangrila Treks says, “I would human crisis that ensued the avalanche,” Industry insiders say the main reason 2019. However, it was never clear whether have received a list of clients from my agent says Pemba, a six-time Everest climber. “And for the mass cancellations is the Ministry members could climb individually or by by January in previous years. Not a single they did not try to diffuse tensions later, of Tourism’s inability to decide whether forming or joining other groups. Tourism one has confirmed their expedition this they just acted like onlookers.”

So where does this take around, after 0100hrs. So here is is the first impression anyone us? There will be a day when another clue: what I would not do. arriving will get. Will it still smell Kathmandu has clean air when I I would not build an underground of urine, will I still have to queue may be able to bring my son here. car park in the centre of Thamel. for an hour for the privilege of If you can think of a way to either: I could be tempted to invest in a a visa that actually gives me make it happen or benefit when bicycle rack though. nothing? I will give though. I will it does, then you will be ahead I wrote in a previous column bring work and I will spend money. of the game. Remember the long about the terrible situation with More to follow in future game, and start playing now. Everest permits, and writing to columns in this space. I am not Imagine if you could walk the ministers concerned. I did not expecting to see an improvement. through Thamel without motor get an answer, did I expect one? Someone is responsible for the bike exhaust being sprayed in I wrote to the Nepal Embassy in airport, come on surprise me, your face or how every season London, no reply. I also wrote to surprise us all. It’s your job. I get hit by one while walking. the British Embassy in Kathmandu It’s an interesting concept and You might think it is strange, but because the interests of both Nepal may fit with my ‘future theme’. tourists don’t like this. Tourists and British tourists are involved. Usually managers and others who often choose to visit pleasant, The British Embassy arranged fail in their duties, who do not clean and safe places. If you are a meeting with the authorities perform as expected for the salary being poisoned by the very air, if involved who made positive they receive actually get fired. you see the police wearing smog noises, but too late, I fear. An They are sent home, no more pay, masks then you might not feel open thank you to the British no job, no perks; no chance. safe. Embassy for trying to help Nepal’s Imagine if you could sit on tourist industry and the people Ted Atkins is a former RAF Chief a street in Thamel and drink who use it. Engineering Officer and now coffee under a tree, next to I will be arriving in Kathmandu a partner in four international pedestrianised cobble stone again next month. Let us see how companies. He writes this streets. The vehicles needed to The Gate is then – the international exclusive column, Outside In, for bring supplies when no one is airport, the gateway to Nepal. This Nepali Times. KENJI KWOK

12

strong female leads (well, almost leads), and no real sappy love story to bog it down with. The characters in Flash sometimes, and to their advantage, overlap with those of Arrow, another comic book based show that is now in its third season and was terrible in the beginning but has started to move towards becoming watchable – having finally decided to concentrate on character development. This year there were also a few strong stand alone mini- series’, one of them being The Oscar snubs Affair – a 10-part show that chronicles, in a ‘He says/She says’ manner, the torrid affair between HAPPENINGS and good TV a married man and a waitress, and set in the lush Hamptons. nce again the Oscars of uproar over Selma not being The series is a study of have come and gone, selected and a dearth of women psychological complexity, family Odisappointing many in the and diversity in the nominations), ties, and human motivations wake of the seemingly arbitrary I would like to draw attention which while sometimes a bit decisions that the Academy voters to the increasing number of slow paced, is, nevertheless, tend to make in say, awarding television shows that have started very compelling. It has just been Alejandro Gonzalez (pic, above in to captivate audiences with their announced that the show will green coat) Innaritu’s Birdman the excellent writing, inclusive casting, return for a second season – also and range in subject matter. in 10 parts. Let me start with the most There are a number of other frivolous of the lot: Gotham, which ongoing shows that I can only just started this season and is a mention in passing but which throwback to the days when Bruce should not go unwatched. Namely The Newsroom which now in its Wayne was a little boy dealing with DEVAKI BISTA MUST SEE the aftermath of witnessing the third season has finally settled Sophia Pande into Aaron Sorkin’s insanely fast BIZ WOMEN: Chief Secretary Leela Mani Poudyal with entrepreneur Ambica brutal shooting of his parents. This Shrestha at the first South Asia Sub-Regional Meeting organised by Federation of series succeeds primarily because paced dialogue. Finally, The Good Business and Professional Women in Nepal (BPW). Best Picture award over Richard of its stellar ensemble cast and the Wife in its sixth season continues Linklater (pic) for Boyhood – a inclusion of clever origin stories to delight, becoming more and heroic 12-year cinematic journey regarding most of the villains we more complex both in character that deserves recognition for its now know from the Batman comics psychology as well as in the legal bravery. and films, including Catwoman, and ethical questions it raises. While I was disappointed with Poison Ivy, and Penguin. the selection of films this year, Flash too, which just began, nepalitimes.com especially in the Best Picture has saved itself from banality by  Trailer category (there was a great deal its range of characters, including

KUNDA DIXIT AIR TALK: ICIMOD’s Arnico Panday and David Molden (middle) at an international conference on pollution in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

BIKRAM RAI STOP VAW: Protestors demand action against the culprit of the recent acid attack on two teenage girls at Basantapur in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

DEVAKI BISTA INDIGENOUS BEAUTY: Limbu women pose in their traditional attire at the Industrial Goods and Technology fair in Kathmandu on Sunday. 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 13

Kurchi Dasgupta practice,” says Hasle. at a rehearsal of Manisha Dhakal of Blue Diamond Society The Laramie Project points out the importance of The Laramie he Laramie Project tells the true story Project in Nepal as the Ministry of Law and of 21-year-old gay student Matthew Justice has proposed a new civil and criminal TShepard, who was beaten and left to die code containing discriminatory clause against in Laramie, Wyoming in October 1998. LGBTI people. The One World Theatre (OWT) group “We invite policy makers at the special will stage the play at the Theatre Village in performance on 2 March for the ‘Zero Kathmandu from 28 February to 15 March. Discrimination Day’,” says Dhakal. “We hope The docudrama raises questions about they will understand the intolerance that intolerance and hatred. LGBTI people face from their own family and “It’s not reserved to the gay issue,” says even from the state.” Deborah Merola, who co-directs the play with Because The Laramie Project is in English, Divya Dev, “hatred can be related to caste, questions have been raised about the limited class and nationality.” audience targeted. The OWT responded The text of The Laramie Project comes that this production gives an opportunity to from 200 interviews conducted over 18 explore how statements could be written into months by the Tectonic Theater Project with INTOLERANCE docudramas related to Nepal. the locals of Laramie. The play tells the story “Our next step is to stage plays about of how the company collected information to issues relevant in Nepal that reach deep in create it. Nepali societies,” says Divya Dev. The Laramie Project doesn’t push a single FOR HATE Stéphane Huët BIKRAM RAI point of view. The docudrama format is powerful as it calls out to the audience who Kurchi Dasgupta (pic) says her presence on The Laramie Project,” says Marissa Polnerow, The Laramie Project become an engaged part of the reflexion. stage is her small contribution as an attempt Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy. The Theatre Village, Lajimpat This reflexion started among the OWT to make advancement on social rights in the “It has a role in contemporary discussions 28 February to 15 March at 5pm; except on during rehearsals. Some actors admitted region. around the importance of education and Mondays and on 5 March. they had preconceived notions about The Laramie Project has received an social justice in Nepal.” Rs 500 per adult, Rs 200 per student homosexuality due to ignorance. But most of unprecedented support from local and Lena Hasle, counsellor at the Embassy 7 and 14 March at 1pm them strongly believe the play can change the foreign organisations in Nepal. UNAIDS of Norway says that Norway works Rs 200 per adult, Rs 100 per student mindset of the Nepali society. brought together UNDP, delegation of the internationally on the protection of LGBTI 2 March at 5pm: special Zero Discrimination Amrit Dahal is proud to be part of The European Union, British Council, embassies rights. “The Laramie Project can contribute Day performance (invitations only) followed Laramie Project. “This play has the power to of Norway, France, USA and the Blue to start ongoing discussions about what the by a discussion with the audience. break prejudices on homosexuality in Nepal,” Diamond Society for the play. 2007 Supreme Court verdict, establishing 9808041124 he says with determination. Indian actress “It’s fantastic to see broad support on the right to non-discrimination, means in [email protected]

business meeting in the brightly lit price. The glass noodles were fried restaurant space ‘Empress Dining’ well, every strand was coated with adjacent to the lounge. a distinct Thai fish sauce making While you’re at it, don’t forget the dish very aromatic. to order up an array of delectable Though fragrant, a little kick dishes that Tamarind has to offer. of chilli could make the dish For starters, go with the more savoury and perhaps more Chicken Wings (Rs 350). The fried palatable to most Nepalis. pieces of chicken marinated in a Wash down the hearty meal sauce, similar to a Korean red hot with your beer of choice or pepper paste dip, made for the a Tamarind cocktail. Happy perfect blend of sweet and spicy. hours last from 4pm to 7pm on Appetisers like this are good for weekdays, with special promotions two or three, but the snacks platter for Ladies’ Night on Wednesdays. (Rs 680) would be a better fit for a My advice is to go on Tuesdays, family. where you can watch salsa dancers It is easy to get spoilt take the dance floor. given the array of options Despite so much going OPEN FROM from Intercontinental to 8AM on, the restaurant still feels Thai and Mexican: Tamarind TO spacious. You won’t get the 10:30PM can do no wrong. feeling of other diners at

PICS: KENJI KWOK The Pork Chop (Rs 600) the other table encroaching was well-seasoned and grilled till on your space or eavesdropping perfectly charred. Although it was on your conversation. The whole slightly overcooked, the layers of restaurant has a relaxed vibe – fat left to render on the slab of waiters don’t rush you to order, Tamarind Restro and Bar pork balanced out the toughness diners are mostly young adults or hat used to be a car of the meat. Though the dish families having a casual dinner, dealership nestled at the was served beautifully on a bed or groups of men catching their Wend of Jhamsikhel is now of mashed potatoes and baked favourite football team while a lively eatery for food, drinks and vegetables, Rs 600 seemed like a chugging beers. entertainment. hefty price to pay for a dish that If you’re looking for a chilled Sit under the verandas in was relatively small in serving size. night out, Tamarind is the perfect the patio to catch up with old If you’re looking for something place to be. friends, cheer on your favourite delicious yet filling, opt for the Pad Cynthia Choo football team as they screen live Thai or Chinese rice dishes. The matches, sway along with jazz Chicken Pad Thai (Rs 375) was a How to get there: Tamarind Restro music in the indoor lounge called big serving with generous slices of and Bar is located on Jhamsikhel ‘The Oath Room’, or set up a chicken that made it well worth the Road, opposite Southern Comfort. 14 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747

typical murmur. Students are exacerbate the heart condition extensively tested on their ability of a patient with rheumatic heart to pick up this murmur on disease. Monthly injections will Detecting heart murmurs examination of patients. hence be useful in preventing The skill of carefully listening further valvular damage which to heart sounds with the sometimes requires surgery. rishna Kumari, 24, from echocardiogram (pic, right) or an stethoscope and determining the Thanks to the immense Palpa arrived at the hospital ultrasound of the heart. Findings kind of murmur and which heart and exemplary work of cardiac Kcomplaining of palpitations. from the echocardiogram valve it may be originating from surgeon Bhagwan Koirala, who She felt her heart was racing. When revealed the patient was suffering is gradually disappearing. This initially headed the Shahid she was 12, Krishna had fever and from rheumatic heart disease, is because it is so much easier to Gangalal National Heart Centre in developed uncontrolled movement one of the most common heart do an echocardiographic study Bansbari, many Nepali patients of her limbs and tongue for a problems in the country. and generally come up with a now have access to proper Like many diseases in precise diagnosis. It would be heart surgery necessitated by Nepal, Krishna’s illness has ideal if doctors today carried complications of rheumatic heart an infectious etiology. It movements that Krishna endured) out physical examinations disease. Prevention is better generally starts out with fever is much rarer, experienced by only with the same rigour as than cure, so proper, judicious called acute rheumatic fever 20 to 30 per cent of patients. their predecessors and used treatment of sore throat with (ARF), which is almost universally Around 60 per cent of those echocardiogram to confirm the appropriate antibiotics will help DHANVANTARI caused by a well-known with ARF develop rheumatic heart diagnosis. But the good news avoid the problem in the first Buddha Basnyat, MD bacteria called streptococcus, disease. ARF is prevalent largely is that ultrasound technology place. more precisely group A in developing countries because is developing so rapidly that month although she never lost streptococcus that leads to of poverty and over-crowded small, portable, and user-friendly consciousness. In her adolescence pharyngitis or sore throat. settlements. echocardiogram machines are This is the last of Dhanvantari she also had painful joints and the Approximately three weeks In medical schools in Nepal, available for use even in remote column by Buddha Basnyat. pain migrated from one large joint after an episode of sore throat, listening to heart murmurs caused corners of Nepal. Next week, we introduce a new to the next, such as her knees. But rheumatic fever with joint pain by rheumatic heart disease is an What is most important in column Ask Anjana Anything this too subsided over time with may begin. important part of training. The the treatment of rheumatic heart by Anjana Rajbhandary who will answer your aspirin. In about 70 per cent of most commonly affected heart disease is monthly injections of questions on everything from careers to raising Upon examination at the patients who suffer from valve by rheumatic heart disease penicillin. A sore throat caused adolescents. Send your questions to hospital, the doctor detected the fever, joint pains are the is called the mitral valve and by streptococcus bacteria [email protected] or abnormal heart murmurs and predominant symptoms. narrowing in the region of this is a very common cause of tweet them to @AnjyRajy asked Krishna to undergo an Chorea (uncontrolled flailing limb valve (mitral stenosis) causes a pharyngitis, which can easily

GIZMO by YANTRICK

music from any Bluetooth device, and it easily connects with all your Bluetooth-enabled devices so you can enjoy music without the ALL ABOUT THAT BASS hassle of wires, from a distance of 30-feet. With NFC (Near Field Communication) he days of the gigantic music system with connection just a tap away, you can instantly 5-CD or 7-CD changer may be gone, but connect and start streaming your music in Tthere is always a place for a decent stereo seconds. A conveniently placed front USB port is system in Yantrick’s living room. Sony has always also extremely handy and can be used to record delivered quality audio products, ranging from CD, as well as connect, control, charge from earphones to Bluetooth speakers and and playback a wide range of compatible audio full-surround sound systems. The Sony MHC- devices. A 3.5 mm audio input on the front ECL77BT is made with the same commitment. of the music system allows for connectivity Sporting a bold black angular design and playback of music from a range of audio and weighing a solid 10 kg, the new compact devices. Furthermore, the MHC-ECL77BT also stereo music system with wireless capabilities plays audio (music and MP3) via the CD slot, is something you would want to show off to and gives you the option to tune in to your local your friends. An LCD display displaying source FM stations. playback information, volume level, sound settings and time, and an array of buttons sit Yantrick’s Verdict: The Sony MHC- on the front of the system, while the back of the watts of bass sounds. For those of us that the preset EQ settings: R&B, Pop, Rock, Salsa, ECL77BT has all your audio needs system makes room for speaker connections. crave some extra bass, the MHC-ECL77BT‘s Electronic, Country, Hip-Hop and Jazz. covered. Retailing at the Sony store for More than just the aesthetics, the MHC- Bass Boost is more than well-equipped to Convenience is the name of the game around Rs 25,000, this compact stereo ECL77BT’s sound system is what you will want satisfy. Its music enhancement settings also with Sony’s MHC-ECL77BT, and the system’s system promises to deliver a rich your friends to be jealous of, with the system allow users to dial in the sound by setting wireless streaming capability leads the way. The sound, thumping bass, and a myriad of capable of thumping out a maximum of 470 their own EQ curve or to choose from one of MHC-ECL77BT allows you to wirelessly stream connectivity options. 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 REAL BEAUTY 15 HAIRHAIR CONDITIONERCONDITIONER 5 FACTSFACTS

INVEST IN SILK OR 1 SATIN PILLOWCASES TLC FOR Cotton pillowcases can cause more breakage while silk and satin are more gentle on YOUR the hair. USEUSE COCONDITIONERNDI BEFORE YOU 2 SHAMPOO FOR THIN, FINE HAIR As conditionerconditione doesn’t completely wash out, leavingleaving cconditioner in after shower may weigh dodown your hair, leaving your hair ‘flatter’. Reversing this habit is a smart trick to create extra bounce and body.

KEEP A CCLARIFYINGLA SHAMPOO EveryEvery two weweeks wash your hair with a 3 clarifyingclarifying shashampoo to clean the residue HAIR leftleft bbyy conditionercondit or other hair products. YOU DON’T NEED TO SHAMPOO 4 BEFOREBEFORE CONDITIONINGCO DailyDaily shamshampooingpo will make your hair dry,dry, but skiskippingpp frequent conditioning can leave your you hair dry, frizzy and prone to breakage. you shower and after you rinse gets a coating. Feel free to spread your shampoo out. This type it all the way to the roots. Wait for of conditioner works to repair it to set by putting a shower cap SNEH RANA the damage done to your hair for 20 - 30 minutes for it to work by chemicals and heat styling its magic. Use cold water to rinse et’s talk about hair damages. it out thoroughly. conditioners and how For long hair apply the Always choose the type of important they are for conditioner from the middle to conditioner that is advised for your hair. Conditioners the tips of your hair and try to your hair type whether you have 5 made with natural, apply it to every strand. Your curly, straight, frizzy, damaged or ‘NATURAL’ CONDITIONER nutritious ingredients conditioner should be applied limp hair. You can use eggs (all hair types), plain that add moisture to your hair, mostly to the ends of your hair, If your hair is frizzy, dry and yogurt (dull hair), honey (dry-sun Lmake it smooth and protect it as this is the part that is most damaged choose a conditioner damaged hair), beer (fine hair) or from breakage, and even repair damaged and oldest. Do not put that is rich and thick, labeled for avocado (frizzy hair) as DIY conditioners split ends. Conditioners contain conditioner near your scalp and dry and damaged hair. every two weeks. ingredients that have the potential roots as it can clog your hair If your hair is limp, straight to cleanse your hair and help rinse follicles, slow hair growth and and fine then look for a away dirt and bacteria. increase oil production. conditioner for fine, thin hair as Don’t use just any conditioner Depending on your needs, these conditioners will make your available in the market: while there are many varieties of hair bouncy and look thicker. they might make your hair look leave-in-conditioners. There If your hair is healthy shiny and well-maintained, they is the spray on and the cream with shine and body look for could also be coating your hair kind. Leave-in-conditioner does a conditioner which says for with harmful chemicals. Using the not need to be rinsed out but ‘Normal Hair’. right conditioner can make your it needs to be applied to damp hair look more natural, prevent hair. For normal hair, leave it in breakage, and help seal and lock for a couple of minutes and if it’s in colour. dry you can leave a little of it all There are three types of day. It helps your hair remove conditioners – the normal buildup and help limp hair get conditioner, the leave-in- back to normal. conditioner and the deep Deep conditioner repairs conditioner: each of them dry damaged hair. Scoop some targeting to soften your hair. conditioner and apply a thick Always choose the right coating to your entire head conditioner for your hair focusing on the ends of your SNEH RANA IS A PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP type. The normal traditional hair, by separating large chunks ARTIST BASED IN KATHMANDU. conditioner is applied every time of your hair so that each strand 16 NATION 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747

RUPEES FROM RUBBISH Private companies are stepping in to manage and make money from Kathmandu’s garbage

SAHINA SHRESTHA

ix years after announcing a tender to sub-contract the management Sof Kathmandu’s waste to private companies, the government finally gave its nod to two firms this month, the first time garbage disposal has been given to private firms. Nepwaste and Clean Valley Company are preparing a feasibility plan to collect, recycle and dispose the nearly 1,000 tons of trash that Kathmandu Valley residents KENJI KWOK throw away every day. The rubbish can be turned into a viable business because The 2011 Solid Waste Management Act Companies like Nepwaste and Clean collect and dump is not going to work 60 per cent of it is organic, which the sets regulations and fines for transgressors Valley know there is cash to be made for long. The only functioning landfill in companies can turn into commercial and requires every household to sort waste, from trash, and the Finnish group has Sisdole is almost full, and the long-term fertiliser, and recycle the rest of the plastic but enforcement has been weak largely due experience in managing waste profitably disposal site in nearby Banchare Danda and metal. to unclear guidelines. in countries including Germany and has not been completed even a decade “Kathmandu’s garbage situation has Lasse Laaksonen of Compunication Sweden. after it was started. reached a crisis stage and we now need says, “The most common problem in Glass and metals like aluminum and “The general trend seems to be to to start planning for the long term, and Kathmandu is segregation of waste. Very iron can be reused and recycled while 90 dump everything into the landfill and involving the private sector is key to few households do it themselves, but per cent of plastic and paper can even be forget about it,” says Sanjaya Nath Khanal achieving that goal,” says Sumitra Amatya with our technology waste can be sorted converted to diesel. The organic waste can of Kathmandu University’s Department of of the Ministry of Urban Development’s mechanically.” At present, only half of the be turned into compost. Environmental Science. “Proper handling Solid Waste Management Technical Valley’s biodegradable waste is turned into Without a mechanism to segregate of the waste is necessary and maintaining Support Center. compost. waste at source, most of the organic, and upgrading landfill is important.” Nepwaste, a joint venture of Finland- Once the companies finish their recyclable wastes at present ends up in However, the only long-term based Compunication, Poyry, Bioste and feasibility, they hope to show that the cost landfills. The only form of segregation is solution is the public’s attitude must the Dutch-Nepali enterprise The Organic of garbage collection and disposal can done by scavengers who collect plastics change, he adds: “Individuals must take Village will be involved in Kathmandu. be reduced, and the amount of garbage and other resalable materials from the site. responsibility for the waste they generate The Nepali-Indian joint venture Clean that ends up at the landfill site will also “Maximum material reusability is the by following the 3R’s: reduce, reuse, Valley Company will focus on Lalitpur, be lessened. At present the Kathmandu key. Everything will be used optimally recycle.” Kirtipur and Bhaktapur. If the Detailed Metropolitan City (KMC) spends 10 per and turned to electricity, fertilisers, oil Project Report shows that the firms are cent of its annual budget (Rs 500 million through environment-friendly processes,” technically and financially feasible, project this year) in transporting waste from its explains Laaksonen. nepalitimes.com development agreements will be signed to collection centre at Teku to the landfill site With increasing per capita waste  Recycle, reuse, reduce, #702  Waste should not be wasted, #710 manage solid waste. in Sisdole (see box). production, the current mechanism of 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 NATION 17

SISDOLE

DEVAKI BISTA Refusing the refuse ou can smell the stench even Sisdole is just 29 km from Teku Ybefore you crest the ridge and drive Transfer Station in Kathmandu, and down the other side to Sisdole, the over the years the 600 tons of garbage little hamlet in Nuwakot that has now that lands here daily has nearly filled become synonymous with garbage. up the deep ravine. Environmentalists Sisdole is Kathmandu’s landfill site, have warned of contamination of the where everything we throw away ground water, and locals fear disease eventually lands up. from the rotting trash. All along the dirt road, there are “The smell is unbearable during bits and pieces of plastic, an odd sock the summer,” says Thuli Maya Balami, or old jacket where they fell off the 50, who lives nearby. “Sometimes it is trash truck. Along the way, a group of hard to breathe and I have a dull ache children have blocked the road with a in my chest.” bamboo stick balanced on old suitcases, Climbing up the landfill with his asking for money for Shivaratri. goats, 20-year-old Gopal Shrestha They have learnt well from remembers a different Sisdole from his Sisdole elders, who this week have childhood. “There used to be terrace once again closed down the landfill farms here, now it is all waste and site demanding more compensation there are flies everywhere,” he says. from Kathmandu for the privilege Livestock often die grazing among the Kathmandu University. of throwing its trash in their refuse because the landfill area is not E-waste should only be disposed in the landfill neighbourhood. Garbage is once again fenced in. after they have been dismantled and the reusable piling high on the streets of Kathmandu On the dusty road, Tanka Nath and recyclable parts have been separated. Metal this week. Neupane and Madhav Neupane recall and plastic scavengers do go through Kathmandu’s E-waste “We got the suitcases from the the agreement the village made with garbage extracting silver, gold and aluminium dumping site,” says 11-year-old Amit the Kathmandu Municipality. “When before it is taken to the landfill site, but they usually ave you ever wondered what happens when Balami, playing with his cousin Ramit. they came to us, they said it was for leave behind the parts with the toxic material. Hyou dump your used broken laptop into the The boys plan to take the suitcases they only three years, they never kept their Most electronics contain toxic substances neighbourhood garbage pile? Or toss an old salvaged home to play with the other word, and they dump it haphazardly,” including lead, mercury, beryllium and arsenic. mobile into the trash can? ‘toys’ they found in the dumpsite. he adds. Exposure to these substances can cause damage to Computers, televisions, stereos and phones Sunita Tamang, 25, rummages The municipality also promised to both human health and environment. are electronic products that are not like any other through the trash heap, sorting bottles build 3 km roads every year, and that According to Rabin Man Shrestha of the waste because so much of it can be reused, and other recyclable material as her promise hasn’t been kept either. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City, people still do not refurbished, or recycled, and if it is not disposed of sick five-month-old son sleeps under household near the landfill receives a throw their old electronics with other household properly, it can contaminate the environment with an umbrella beside her( pic, above). Her small compensation from Kathmandu, waste. “People usually tend to keep it at home heavy metals and toxic substances. three-year-old son Ashish is playing but locals complain that it is not or sell it to the recyclists because these things are “With every individual now owning two to nearby. distributed equally. valuable,” he says. three electronic devices, e-waste is emerging “I suffer from a cold now and then, I Neupane tells us: “All I know Dumping has become controversial because of as a problem. Without a proper mechanism for don’t know if it is the garbage that does is that the landfill has to be moved some e-waste being ‘exported’ to African and Asian disposal, they can be hazardous,” says Sanjaya it,” says Tamang. “We need the money elsewhere,” A yellow garbage lorry countries as ‘second hand computers’ that are Nath Khanal, professor at the Department of from recycling, we’ll move once we comes up the road, he flags it down actually being dumped for disposal. Environmental Science and Engineering at earn enough.” She earns Rs 4 per kg of and hitches a ride into the city. everything that is sent for recycling. Sahina Shrestha in Nuwakot 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747

Loudspeaker: negotiations, negotiations

Close your ears, comrade! It’s a conspiracy to sabotage our agitation

Abin Shrestha in

Kantipur, 23 February QUOTE OF THE WEEK “ “ Are our lives worth only 8000 rupees? nearly a dozen financial institutes Maiti Nepal Founder Anuradha Koirala at a protest were declared ‘problematic’. program demanding stricter action against the Challenges for Khatiwada had also stopped culprit of an acid attack in Basantapur, 25 February issuing licenses to new banks and financial institutes. But, there are many development banks and new governor financial companies still sailing through rough water. Will the new government introduce stringent Ashish Gyawali in money which is currently withheld policies to save problematic Annapurna Post, 25 February by NRB. After news that Sumargi’s financial institutes? company has not been registered CEOs of some private banks with the Department of Industry are already lobbying for issuance With Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB)’s came to light, the NRB withheld of new licenses. It will be a governor Yubaraj Khatiwada’s around Rs 3.5 billion, which challenge for the new governor to five-year tenure coming to an end was deposited in Sumargi’s bank withstand this pressure, apart from next month, the government has accounts by unknown sources in continuing with the NRB’s bank announced its search for a new the British Virgin Islands. merger policy. Bankers will also candidate. On Tuesday, the cabinet How the new governor deals exert pressure on the new governor formed a three-member panel led with Sumargi’s case will be an to withdraw his predecessor’s by Finance Minister Ram Sharan early indicator of his political decision to restrict chiefs of banks Mahat to recommend two names alignment. and financial institutes from for the post. Another decision that the new serving more than a certain period Many aspirants, from bank governor needs to make is whether The NRB is now in the process CEOs to former finance secretaries, to allow Ncell from repatriating of revising some key acts, including have begun lobbying for their Rs 8 billion in dividends to its NRB Act-2002, but, bankers are candidacy. A host of challenges foreign promoters which has so far opposed to some provisions in however awaits the new governor. been barred by the NRB. How the the revised acts. Whether the new Immediately after assuming new governor acts on this issue governor will defend revisions office, the new governor will will partly determine the future of of acts or give in to pressure by have to decide whether to release foreign investment in Nepal. bankers will define Nepal’s future Pension woes businessman Ajaya Raj Sumargi’s During Khatiwada’s tenure, financial policies. Tufan Neupane in Himal Khabarpatrika, 22-28 February

In 1958, Indra Bahadur Thapa from Palpa joined the Indian army like hundreds of other Nepalis. In the army’s records, instead of his wife’s given name Dil Maya, he put down her nickname Krishna Maya Thapa. In those days, documents proving identity or Somea gets educational background were not considered as important when one was physically capable. Back in Nepal, Indra Bahadur’s wife got her citizenship under her given name Dil Maya. The discrepancy in her names has been 1 million views the cause of her woes for 25 years. After the death of her husband in 1998, she has not been able to collect pension of IRS 4500 due to the popular, and by this week had nearly 1 million difference in name in the citizenship versus army records. views. Surprisingly, the official video of the song Tirtha Shrestha from the same district had changed his last name hasn’t even been released yet. to Rana to join the Indian army. He registered his wife Jham Kala Baraili landed the gig when producer and actor Shrestha’s name as Chandra Kumari Rana. After Shrestha passed of the movie, Vinay Shrestha, heard her singing away in 2003, the pension camp in Pokhara asked Jham Kala to at a restaurant. She loved singing since she was a ‘correct’ her name and surname. “My mother collected the pension little girl and has not taken any professional music when my father was sick, but she was refused the money after his lessons. It shows talent can be appreciated with or death as the name in citizenship and the records don’t match,” says without formal training. her son Bishnu Shrestha. “We don’t know where to go or whom to While Baraili is ecstatic about her new-found talk to,” he adds. fame, the overnight popularity has also put her in According to Kul Bahadur KC, secretary general of a committee a dilemma. A first year undergraduate student, she for the welfare of Ex-Indian Army Servicemen, there are around had plans to go abroad to study before she became 13,000 people who have not been able to collect the pension due to an overnight singing sensation. “Now that I am difference in name in the records and ID. getting good offers for songs, I don’t know whether Under the Indian government’s regulations, the pension of an to go or not,” says Baraili. ex-serviceman transfers to his widow upon his death. But many Apart from Jaalma, other songs from the movie families are facing problems as the name in the army’s official including the title song Resham Filili and Let’s get records and their citizenship do not match. Himal Khabarpatrika, 22-28 February lucky tonight have gathered much accolade. The In a meeting between the foreign ministers if India and Nepal on audience is eagerly waiting for the movie to be 25-26 July 2014, a consensus was reached to aid the collection of released 24 April only based on the popularity of pensions for the pensioners whose names, date of birth and address Somea Baraili is only 19 but was thrust into cyber the songs. were different on the record. For this the district administration celebrityhood last month when her duet Jaalma, with office will have to provide the proof along with the photo. But the Kali Prasad Baskota for the upcoming movie Resham nepalitimes.com Government of Nepal is yet to issue any instructions regarding the Filili, went viral on YouTube. The catchy lyrics matter. Says KC, “The problem would be solved if the government  Watch music video of Jaalma and colloquial singing style made the song hugely issues a circular for the matter but that hasn’t been done yet.” 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 NATION 19 Political geography of Nepal’s Twittersphere

BIBEK PAUDEL Nepal’s major he political crisis in January caused by the failure of the communities Tparties to meet a deadline on the constitution widened fissures Community 1 (Red): 54 members between ideological groups in Nepali social media. Main retweets of: Basanta Basnet, Devendraraj Pandey, Dewan Rai, Aditya Adhikari, The deadlock is likely to be a Ujwal Prasain, Prashant Jha, Manjushree Thapa, result, rather than the cause of the Anurag Acharya, Thomas Bell, etc. acrimony between deeply divided Main retweeters: Sudheer Sharma, Basanta groups of public intellectuals, Basnet, Dewan Rai, Prashant Jha, Aditya Adhikari, media and civil society. There Ujjwal Prasain, etc. Main links tweeted: Pitamber Sharma are cliques in the public sphere interview, The Kathmandu Post editorials, English and social networks, as they are op-eds by Akhilesh Upadhyay, Ajay Bhadra Khanal in politics. Members of a clique and CK Lal, Kantipur editorials, Ek utpidit ko share interests, and hold common bakpatra, op-ed on citizenship by Bharat Mohan beliefs, forming groups of people Adhikari, op-ed on royal takeover by Hari B Thapa. having more interactions among Breakdown of retweets: themselves than with others. 83.8% within the community Network scientists have studied 6.4 % by Community 2 the nature of communities in 4.7 % by Community 4 online environments. Communities with a healthy share of intra- and Community 2 (Pink): 17 members inter-community interactions Active members: Indradhoj Chhetri, Rajendra are more innovative, dynamic, Maharjan, Uttam Babu Shrestha, Anil Bhattarai, and more likely to find and solve Mallika Shakya, Jhalak Subedi, etc. problems. Main links shared: Similar to Community 1 Twitter has grown to be and those related to cooking gas shortage, and articles from a new website esamata.com. an active platform of public links might have been retweeted position of the ruling coalition is limited to itself? Why are Breakdown of retweets: discussion in a section of Nepali dozens of times, they were not a to go for a vote in the CA. This other communities not giving 38% within the community society. Politicians, journalists, part of this analysis, neither were community also shared news importance to them? 32.4 % by Community 1 writers, professionals, intellectuals, tweets not containing links from about the government’s warning Does this social and intellectual 12.7 % by Community 4 major Nepali news websites. to foreign ambassadors, while deficit play a role in the country’s 9.8 % by Community 3 and students use twitter to discuss 4.2 % by Community 5 general events, share news stories, Elsewhere in the world, there Community 1 shared links that political deadlock? Politics is and share political positions. are online community structures criticised the Prime Minister’s often influenced, even led by Community 3 (Green): 35 members Twitter is used similarly all over that are very deeply divided and diplomacy. social realities, and divisions the world and studies of users not even talking to each other. An op-ed by columnist CK in the public sphere could spill Main retweets of: Jhyal (Nepali Journalists), Lal that was very popular in Sushil Sharma, Suman Khadka, Ameet Dhakal, during important events are This is not the case in Nepal over to the general population. Kedar Sharma, Kiran Bhandari, common. where there are some communities Red and Pink (Communities 1 The tendency to wallow in self- Kanak Mani Dixit, etc. Network analysis is an that at least interact with other and 2) was all but ignored by promotion and not engage with Main retweeters: ushaft, npPoet (Nepali opportunity to study how new communities, which means ideas other communities. Similarly, others warrants introspection by Poet), Siromani Dhungana, Anamolmani, social norms are spread and of one side are reaching and being Communities 1 and 2 largely all communities and individuals. Kiran Nepal, Jainendra Jeevan, etc. Main links shared: Baburam Bhattarai’s established, the way influential heard by another side. Editors of ignored news about the burning Are civil society leaders and article in Republica, Anamolmani Paudel’s story users shape their neighborhoods, major news-outlets are located of taxis and vehicles by organisers intellectuals presented by the mass in Kantipur, Kanak Mani Dixit’s Setopati op-ed and whether a network has at community boundaries or in of an opposition banda, while it media as ‘national intellectuals’ on Doramba, Himalmedia Survey, news about healthy amount of interaction communities that lie between was popular in the other three actually accepted and trusted by government’s warning to foreign diplomats, among communities or if they’re others. Such people may be well communities. Pitamber Sharma’s the public? It is not dishonest to Gagan Thapa’s op-ed, Setopati editorials, etc. Breakdown of retweets by conversing within enclosed suited to bridge the division article on federalism that was support an ideology or political communities: systems. Studies like this one have between opposite communities hugely popular in Community 1, school of thought without 66.4% within the community been done in the Israel-Palestine and they may also be the ones that however, was also shared by some providing context and disclosure. 16 % by Community 4 and Afghan conflicts, most notably are more trusted. other communities. Questions like these are 9.5 % by Community 1 by Gilad Lotan. The biggest community in Despite heavy activity in important to citizens and those in 4.4 % by Community 6 Community 1, only less than a About 30,000 tweets (16-24 this study, Community 1 (Red) the media, and analysing them may Community 4 (Yellow): 35 members Jan and 29 Jan-5 Feb) that shared is also the most active (its size is quarter were used in retweeting help correct biases and improve links from popular Nepali news about a third of the total network the links of other communities, balance in views. This could be Main retweets of: Kunda Dixit, Gunaraj Luitel, websites were mined for this and its activities amounted for mostly that of Pink (Community done by presenting both sides Sudeep Shrestha, Post Bahadur Basnet, Rajesh KC, analysis. A user is considered to more than 40 per cent of the 2). The Green (Community 3), of the story together and letting Binita Dahal, Manoj Dahal, Narayan Wagle, etc. have a connection (or a link, or total interactions in the whole which is diametrically opposite to the readers decide, or through Main retweeters: Kunda Dixit, Gunaraj Luitel, Tika Dhakal, Binita Dahal, Sudeep Shrestha, Post interaction) with another user network). But an overwhelming Community 1, used close to a third mediators positioned between Bahadur Basnet, Roshan Sanwa, if either has retweeted the link amount of this activity happens of its activity retweeting the links communities. Dinkar Nepal, etc. shared by others. Generally, people within the community, in fact, of other communities. Equally important is to ask why Main links shared: surrogate mother story retweet links they like or agree disproportionately more than The Red Community received such polarisations are present in in Nepali Times, Binita Dahal’s story in Nagarik, the least amount of retweets from Semanta Dahal’s op-ed, Nepali Times feature with. any other community. Barring the first place. Could a tendency on daughter-father relation, news of banda Very popular users like major exceptions, most members also users outside the network of these of rejecting differing views, or vandalism, Himalmedia Public Opinion Survey, etc. newspapers and politicians seem to only interact with fellow six communites. This ‘outside using ad hominem attacks to deter Breakdown of retweets: were removed. Similarly, users community members. Community network’ can be thought of as the criticism be responsible? Or is 61.6% within the community who had not retweeted any link 2 (Pink) is the only one close group of average Nepali twitter there a fundamental flaw in the 13% by Community 1 11.6 % by Community 3 or none of whose tweets were to Community 1, whereas users who are not bloggers, civil assumptions and ideas that others 5.5% by Community 2 retweeted by others were also not Communities 3 (Green), 4 (Yellow) society members, journalists, or find it impossible to agree with. included. The resulting network and 5 (Light Blue) do not have with links to them. In other words, Discussing these issues in future Community 5 (Light Blue): 16 members with its major communities is such strict boundaries. the average Nepali social media could narrow existing divisions, shown in the diagram. Each circle Community 1 shared links user ignored links shared by the inject new ideas and keep Active users: Sanjeev Pokharel, Girish Giri, Arun Baral, Govinda Bhattarai, Jitendra Harlalka, denotes an individual twitter supporting the stance of the Red community the most. opposing sides engaged. Rajendra078, Shova Sharma, Manish Acharya, account, and each colour denotes a Maoist-Madhesi alliance in the Community 1 has civil Bishnu Sapkota, etc. ‘community’. The size of the circle constitution, retweeted links society leaders, English writers, Bibek Poudel is a graduate Main links shared: news stories from is proportional to the number of and editorials criticising the CA foreign correspondents, editors student who likes studying large OnlineKhabar.com, Pitamber Sharma’s interview, times that user’s links have been Chairman. In comparison, the of major newspapers and some networks. A longer Nepali vesion Narayan Wagle’s Setopati op-eds, etc Breakdown of retweets by communities: retweeted. Green Community 4 shared links columnists. But why is it that most of this article appeared in Nepal 50% within the community While tweets not containing and editorials supporting the of the activity of this community magazine. 18.4% by Community 4 15.7 % by Community 3 10.5 % by Community 1 Polarised reaction to analysis of political polarisation Community 6 (Blue): 14 members Active members: Prashanta Aryal, Brajesh ast week, after the findings of this analysis was published in the Nepali language weekly homogenous and cohesive clique, even as the findings were sporadically discussed by Khanal, Sujit Mahat, KP Dhungana, Binod Nepal, the link to the story itself became the most shared on Nepali Twittersphere. various members of other communities, including some active Pink (Community 2) and Pandey, etc. L Main links shared: CA members chair lifting, Reaction to the results of a research on the political polarisation on social media was itself Yellow (Community 4) members. The Red community appears strongly united not just fake-followers on Twitter, Gagan Thapa’s op-ed highly polarised. The way the link to the article was shared, retweeted and favourited gave us in what opinions it shares, but also in what it ignores. Could this suggest a groupthink on governance, Brajesh Khanal’s articles, cooking a glimpse of precisely the conclusion of the study itself: that the Nepali social web is acutely phenomenon? Or are community-members afraid of airing dissenting views that could gas shortage, sports, etc. fragmented and ghettoised. Which was a validation of the observations of the analysis. be unpopular in the community because of negative incentives to disagreement, Breakdown of retweets by communities: 61% within the community The bulk of Red (Community 1), for instance, maintained a conspicuous silence abut possibly due to fear of rejection by fellow members who are intolerant of contradictory 22.6% by Community 1 the article even as it was being shared widely on Twitter. Community 1 behaved like one big or opposing ideas? 6.5 % each by Community 2 and Community 5 20 BACK SIDE 27 FEBRUARY - 5 MARCH 2015 #747 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

PAST PRESENT FUTURE Show of farce DIWAKAR CHETTRI

aturday’s rally is supposed to be opposition sabre- geography and are now cricket fans. This is an imperialist rattling to scare the sheets out of the unruling plot and a grave conspiracy to undermine Nepal’s coalition, but it looks like all our Young Commies are sovereignty and independence. Why else would the ICC, S under the influence of Indian expansionists and running going to be doing is some bamboo-rattling. The party has ordered 100,000 batons and many bamboo groves on the dog comprador of international capitalism, time its matches city outskirts have sacrificed their existence in recent days to exactly coincide with the UCPN-(M)’s glorious show of to further the glorious proletarian revolution. farce? Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior Design has acted In large parts of Nepal people would rather eat cricket promptly and effectively by classifying bamboo sticks as than play it. And there are still patriots among us who can’t lethal weapons under the rules of warfare of the Geneva make head or tail of the game. But, we have to move with Conventions, and declared that anyone found carrying the times, and if Nepal is going to make it to the next World them on Saturday will be arrested on Cup we better brush up on cricket. And the spot. However, burning buses, the YCL can start by weilding cricket bats vandalising shops and beating up instead of bamboo sticks. After clocking motorcyclists are all ok, and police an average of 12 hours a day carefully will not intervene because those watching the ongoing ICC Cricket World are deemed legitimate forms of Cup I have become somewhat of a pro, if free expressionism in our democracy. I may say so myself, and can now explain Comrade Awesome Possum’s the nuances of this complicated game to intention is to give one of his fiery fellow Nepalis: 2-hour speeches, promise fire and brimstone and threaten to turn 1. Cricket is actually a very simple K-Town into Soddom and Gonorrhea game: a bowler throws the ball at about if he is not taken more seriously 550 mph at a guy holding a bat to try henceforth and heretofore. He has to knock off both his tentacles from a chosen Saturday because it is a distance of 50 ft. holiday so there will be a bigger attendance of people watching and 2. Like in all sports, there are some waiting from the overhead bridges to simple precautions that need to be taken see if he will once more break into tears while remembering so no one gets hurt. Therefore all cricketers who value their the ultimate sacrifice of his comrade-at-arms. Baddies have crown jewels wear groin guards to prevent themselves from threatened fellow-Baddies of unspecified punishment if being inadvertently castrated by a beamer. they don’t join the long march, and Chairman Lotus Flower is showing his own commitment to take the revolution to 3. Cricket players take food and drinks seriously, and every its logical conclusion by not staying home over a bottle of game has a Luncheon Break of a 40 minutes and two Tea Blue Label to watch the England vs Sri Lanka cricket match Breaks with Samosas of 10 minutes each. at the ICC World Cup on Saturday. In fact, it will be Nepali patriotism and our historic 4. Under Section E, Chapter VII, Verse 235 of ICC Rules: aversion to cricket that will make the rally a grand success. Where an innings concludes within 10 minutes of the We in Nepal have to thank our patron deity that we fiercely scheduled or rescheduled time of the Tea Interval, or it falls resisted all attempts by the East India Company 200 years at, or after that time, or when less than two minutes remain, ago to get us to learn to play cricket, which is why we were play will continue but only if it doesn’t start raining, in never colonised by leg spinners and were never under the which case play will be suspended until the sun comes out imperialist yolk. From Nalapani to Kalapani the English tomorrow, which is only a day away. tried to catch us out in deep square leg with two wickets and nine balls to spare in the final round-robin match, 5. As in Nepali politics, Fair Play and a Level but to no avail. Over the last two centuries, we Nepalis Playing Field are the hallmarks of cricket. steadfastly refused to get hooked to cricket as a matter of Players can hurl racist epithets at each national pride. We stuck with our national game: other, throw tantrums and chairs from deep Leg Pulling. square leg and/or silly point and even kick But things are changing. It is an indication of how much the umpire in the gonads. Which is why the our sense of ultra-nationalism and pseudo-patriotism has umpire should also wear proper cricket attire, eroded that we Nepalis have forgotten our history and including groin guards. The Ass

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