#606 25 - 31 May 2012 16 pages Rs 30 Us Nepali fter four postponements in four years, the political parties got together and once more tried to buy more time by extending the CA’s term by A another three months. But the Supreme Court’s stay order on Thursday has abruptly and dramatically changed the scenario. Now, there is no alternative but to pass a new constitution by the existing deadline of Sunday midnight. Across the country, across all social strata, across ethnic and caste groups, citizens when asked, have serious misgivings about federalism by identity. The silent majority wants peace, justice and democracy, and is against stoking ethnic tensions for political gain. If our current crop of leaders had half the common sense that ordinary Nepalis show,

we would not be in the mess we are in today. Sunir Pandey of Nepali Times approached a Division according to It’s wrong. We must live

cross section of Nepalis to ask them what they thought of federalism: “ ethnicity will create new high- “ together with unity“ in an low categories“ of people. It undivided Nepal, not in will segregate us all and that’s ethnic states. “Instead of ethnic, the states should be “There are so many ethnicities that the not good. country will fragment into tiny named after temples, cultures etc and Kabita Poudel, Jenisha Maharjan, only then would these confl icts and countries.” Tanahu, Student Kathmandu, Student struggles end.” Devesh Pokhrel, Palpa, Kitchen worker Sumita Joshi, Darchula, Student “It is wrong, it will bring ethnic wars.” “I don’t agree with it. It’s not good for us.” Sagar Shrestha, Nuwakot, Cook Aishwarya Rayamajhi,Sarlahi, Student “I don’t like it.” “Ethnic federalism will fracture the Sagar Lama, Nuwakot, Rickshaw puller country and invite confl ict and civil war. Who knows, we may need passports to “Federal states are all right, but they travel from one state to another.” should not be on the basis of ethnicity.” Samir Shrestha, Sarlahi, Armed Police Force Sudhir Karki, Kathmandu, Student

“I hope it doesn’t happen like that. Every “It might be the only way: the struggle for group has different demands - they won’t equality is long and hard.” be satisfi ed and confl ict will arise.” Laldhoj Lama, Kabhre, Goat-herder Jeni Ojha, Pokhara, Nurse

“It will create misunderstanding, ALL PICS: SUNIR PANDEY “We need stage-wise development for there will be little to agree about and “ minorities, but this is the wrong way to do plenty to fi ght – not good for the country.” It will bring confl icts between ethnic groups. It may turn it and will only bring violence.” Abu Bakar, Kathmandu, Trader “ out like India-Pakistan partition. Susmita Limbu, Kathmandu, Nurse “Right, wrong, good, bad, none of it will Puja Gurung and Prabina Limbu, Dharan, Students “Talking about ethnicity will only bring bring anything good for people like us violence, and confl icts of all sorts.There working on daily wages.” are only two types of people: male and Rudra Magar, Dolakha – Labourer female.” Rajendra Sahi, Kathmandu, Butcher “Ethnic federalism will segregate the population and create tension among “There are so many ethnicities that don’t Nepalis who have lived in harmony for have a majority population, our priority ages and spread distrust.” must be to include minorities.” Drona Koirala, Jhapa, Student Lalan Bachhar, Sarlahi, Civil service aspirant “It will create confl ict, and put Nepal back “There are over 100 ethnicities in Nepal hundreds of years.” and I also don’t even agree with the One Niraj Magar, Jhapa, +2 Student Madhes demand.” Rupesh Shah, Bara, Jobless “Making ethnic divisions and confl ict

feels wrong.”

“Ethnic division is not a good thing, one Apsara Acharya, Kabhre, Tailor undivided country is better.” “

Nandakishor Shah, Rautahat, Jobless “If ethnic divisions take place, everyone Because of ethnic division, I think division on the basis will live separately, there will be “ each group will be the enemy“ “ of ethnicities is wrong. “We must do federalism according infi ghting.” of the other, meaning more to geography and not according to Bikram Shrestha, Banepa, Electronics shop violence and confl ict. Sunil BK, Pokhara, Student ethnicities.” Khina Dhakal, Jhapa, Student More on page 13 Rohit Magar, Hetauda, Trader 2 EDITORIAL 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 HARM REDUCTION fter four postponements in four years, the political Early British residents posted by the East India parties got together and once more tried to buy more Company in Kathmandu in the 19th century marvelled Atime by extending the CA’s term by another three at the inability of Nepal’s rulers to see what was in their months. But the Supreme Court's stay order on Thursday own self-interest. Not much has changed. Both sides of has abruptly and dramatically changed the scenario. the ethnic federalism debate are in a state of denial. Now, there is no alternative but to come up with a new The post 1990 neo-elite ruling class refuses to see just constitution by the existing deadline of Sunday midnight. how ethno-centric and caste-dominated the composition If there is no more politicking, no more wheeling of the current leadership of their parties is. Why are they dealing, and no more short-term bargaining for power surprised that even moderate Janajati leaders have united in exchange for provisions of the new constitution, it across party lines to form a caucus to protest exclusion? will still be possible to meet the deadline. But the party Any attempt to point out this lopsidedness is taken as an leadership will have to work night and day, fine-tuning attempt to divide up the country. And on the other side a draft constitution along the lines of agreements already are activists who have no qualms about using identity made and give it a finishing touch as they go along. The politics and taking the country to the brink by carrying BIKRAM RAI 2 May pact between the four main political forces where out a dangerous experiment in slicing up Nepal into they agreed on compromises on the two contentious The Supreme Court deadline has left no choice ethnic bantustans. issues of state structure and form of governance lays the for the parties but to work night and day, fine- Neither side is listening to the people. In this edition groundwork for the constitution, tuning the draft along the lines of agreements of Nepali Times we have talked to people across the However flawed, the 11-state model and a mixed and declaring the constitution on 27 May. country, across social strata, across ethnic and caste system of governance were the best compromises the divides, and they all have deep misgivings about parties could reach. It is unlikely that they can come up structural damage to the nation’s body politic. federalism by identity. The silent majority wants peace, with anything better in the next two days. It is not the But if mindsets don’t change, having a relatively good justice and democracy, and is against stoking ethnic best way to do it, but it could be worse. Constitutional constitution or a relatively bad constitution will make tensions for political gain. But in this country when was law experts say that there is now a legal imperative to no difference at all. As we know from the previous 1992 it ever about what the people want? If our current crop of have closure on the constitution by the stipulated date. exercise, the constitution is only as good as the people leaders had half the common sense that ordinary Nepalis The alternative is a referendum, an immediate election, who implement them. show, we would not be in the mess we are in today. or the declaration of a state of emergency to fill the void. No matter which side of the divide you are on, it The brinkmanship of the past month must now yield There are challenges, but also opportunities now has been clear for some time now that issues like state to saner politics. The only thing we can do is to put to leapfrog on the constitution. This is not to minimise structure and form of governance cannot be decided at some harm reduction measures in place: come up with a the dangers of extreme identity-laced politics that has a time of volatile politics. In the past months we have workable constitution on 27 May, work towards patching characterised the last year. There is still the danger witnessed politicians negotiating long-term provisions in up the country’s frayed social fabric, keep channels of that we will be passing a faulty constitution that will the new constitution on the basis of immediate gain in communications open and protect open society and make everyone violently unhappy and create long-term the power dynamics of government. ethnic harmony in the coming days.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

DAMAGE CONTROL on political parties and as our elected and men. leaders. Also if the Nepali people elect POVERTY TO PLENTY This is an extremely well-balanced and representatives they have to care about Salil Dahal as the next president, then we The story of Begum Bahadur Shahi sensible editorial (‘Damage control our needs and forgo their narrow self- will have to simply accept it. Yes, 50 is very touching and provides an mode’, #605). The country can’t afford interests and egos for the greater good of Thank you Rubeena for conveying per cent of Nepalis are illiterate and inspiration for young Nepalis who to go down the path of dictatorship the nation. Otherwise, we will show them the thoughts trapped in many Nepali they might not understand that Dahal believe they have to migrate to and fragmentation. But we won’t see their rightful place in the next election. hearts so brilliantly on paper. Your is not the best candidate, but they are foreign countries if they want to earn any meaningful change until the top Chiranjibi Nepal columns are always a pleasure to read. citizens nonetheless and they deserve a decent income or be successful male leaders are held accountable for Kale Kisna to be heard as much as the educated, (‘From poverty to plenty’, Anurag their actions and made to pay for their Not only is there an immense trust more politically aware class. Moreover, Acharya, #605). Agriculture is still mistakes either through impeachment defi cit between Nepalis and their leaders, I like reading Rubeena’s articles this system would give us a chance the back bone of Nepali economy or a few years behind bars. but we are not sure if the current lot of because she writes with great conviction. to practice a bottom-up approach in and Shahi shows that if a person is Kiran L politicians is even capable of resolving But I wish she had written on behalf selecting leaders which I think will work committed and willing to work hard, the multitude of problems the country of voiceless minorities rather than much better than the top-down method it’s possible to live off a farm even This editorial is a refreshing faces today. Unless we get rid of leaders supporting those who want to maintain we have followed for centuries, fi rst with in a drought affected region like departure from previous ones who are so desperate to hang on to the the status quo. the kings and then with prime ministers Kalikot. and looks at the current crisis status quo, the future of Nepal looks Abhishek Gurung ( who were elected by a select few in Bishesh Aryal from all angles. I agree with the bleak. parliament). editor wholeheartedly: we must Sita Ghimire Giving states to marginalised Anup LAST CHANCE save the country from dictatorship communities is not going to This is a great article by Paavan and disintegration. But we also need Our dear leaders claim bandas automatically right historical wrongs and AFTER A PEOPLE’S WAR Mathema (‘Last chance on FAFT’, to save Nepal from high-handed and strikes are necessary to secure a columnists like Rubeena who oppose Rather than carving out new districts or #605). The last thing we need in Indian interference and learn to make more prosperous and peaceful future. ethnic federalism understand this reality. provinces, we should set up 500 rural Nepal is an economic crisis. decisions on our own. But nothing could be further from the They are not against justice, democracy, and 100 urban local governments which Sparrow JK truth. Bandas disrupt the day-to-day life decentralisation or local management, means that even people from the most of common Nepalis, stunt our children’s but they know that in order for Nepalis neglected communities like Thamis and It’s good to see someone The Maoists claim they waged a education, ruin the tourism industry, from all corners of the country to truly Chepangs can become leaders at the talking about Nepal’s fi nancial status decade long civil war to bring about cripple the economy, and make investors prosper, we must fi rst dismantle our local level and preserve their culture and and raising the issue of FAFT. It social equality and give voice to wary. How are we supposed to build a hierarchical and feudalistic political identity (‘After a people’s war’, Bihari K seems most Nepalis only care about Nepal’s marginalised communities. naya Nepal if the country shuts down culture. Otherwise how can we expect Shrestha, #605). This way we will only politics and pay little attention to But the dangerous identity politics once every week? people’s lives to change, if the same need around seven ministries at the economics which plays an equally game they are playing is harmful to Sangita Rai old men with the same old mentality are central level: foreign, fi nance, defense/ important role in the progress of any all Nepalis regardless of their class, going to run the show in the new ‘ethnic’ home, law and justice, aviation, roads country. caste, ethnic or religious backgrounds, LOSING GAME provinces? and transport infrastructure, energy and Anonymous because now more than ever before, Thank you Rubeena Mahato for your Tara natural resources and everything else we will treat each other on the basis of unbiased reporting and no nonsense can be handled by local governments narrowly defi ned identities rather than approach to debating (‘The losing game’, Although populist leaders who will have complete authority. on merit or achievements. #605). Please continue examining clamouring on the streets of Kathmandu Neeranjan Rajbandari Vija Shrestha Nepal’s complex social and political claim that caste or ethnic based federal Weekly Internet Poll #606 issues in a manner practiced by few of FOOLING SOME PEOPLE states will solve the problems facing their Q. The 11 state model agreed upon by the parties on While our leaders make grand your peers. And I really hope younger communities and help them overcome I don’t agree with Anurag Acharya’s Tuesday is: journalists follow your footsteps. views (‘Fooling some people all the time’, promises of identity-based federal oppression, I doubt they have any Total votes: 3,659 states where people from all ethnic, Indraraj serious, long-term political, economical #605). For the fi rst time in six years, the caste, religious backgrounds are and social vision. leaders have fi nally agreed on a draft treated fairly and given equal Rubeena is a great fi nd for Nepali Nirmal constitution and if nothing else it will at opportunities, they forget that this Times. Her columns are always bold, least be tabled in the CA. Also the 11 ‘naya’ Nepal will come at a great cost. accurate and remarkably well written. I agree that a directly-elected state model is the best option for Nepal, And it is us, ordinary Nepalis who will Naresh Newar presidential system has its drawbacks, because it ensures that our multi-ethnic have to suffer and pay for their ego but we must look at the positive aspects population is well-represented and given trips. Thank you Rubeena for a well as well. A directly-elected president is equal opportunities. Subeedy argued piece, your thoughts echo the likely to provide more political stability Sriram Singh Weekly Internet Poll # 607. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com The future of Nepal depends sentiments of common Nepali women Q. What do you think of the Supreme Court’s stay order since there will be less rotation of against the CA extension bill?

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Chief Operating Offi cer: Sunim Tamang | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Desk Editor: Trishna Rana | Design: Kiran Maharjan [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 OP-ED 3 Gurung used to be widely spoken in my home town of Pokhara not only by us Gurungs, but by others as well. Similarly, Newari was spoken widely by all inhabitants of Kathmandu, not just Newars. If we want Nepal to be a strong and prosperous country, we need to spread the unifying message of the Nepali language and Nepali nationhood. Whenever I speak on these issues during concerts from Syangja to Sydney, from Fikkal to Finland the forceful feedback from the audience gives me confidence that the silent majority of Nepalis feel the same way. It’s just that these voices have been sidelined by divisive slogans magnified by the media. All Nepalis I have met, irrespective of their place of domicile, have one thing in common: their common Nepali identity and the pride in being a Nepali first. Of course, there has been discrimination and exclusion throughout Nepal’s history. Some have done better than others. But that does not BIKRAM RAI mean all people from all marginalised groups were franca that allows Nepalis completely suppressed. My everywhere to communicate identity today is based on with each other. In between all people of Nepali origin songs, I ask audiences: “I am liking my music, not just the a Nepali and proud to be one. Gurungs. I am Amrit Nepali Are you?” There is a collective My friend Nabin Subba and deafening roar: “Yes!” became a filmmaker because From Syangja to Sydney, from Fikkal to Finland, the silent When I am not on concert Nepalis everywhere appreciate tours, I travel across Nepal on his craft, not just because majority of Nepalis don’t agree with the division of Nepal foot. From the villages of the he was liked only by his far-west to the east, from the ethnic group. Madhav Prasad Himals to the Tarai, wherever Ghimire, Ambar Gurung, audience of thousands, but eyes, others have round ones. I go, I find food and shelter Gopal Yonzon, Bairagi Kainla it was loud enough for me to But that does not stop us from through my Nepali language. and Narayan Gopal did not hear on stage. working together as a team. In Let us not debate the origin become national figures GUEST COLUMN I had to respond. “Subin fact, it helps us create better of this language, the reality is because they were Bahun, Amrit Gurung SHAKYA on bass,” I said with music. Let us all say we are that it is one of the few things Gurung, Tamang, Limbu or an emphasis on the surname, members of one big Nepali that weaves our national fabric Newar. “Dhurba LAMA on drums, family.” The entire hall burst together, and unites all Nepalis The CA can decide to carve et me introduce my Niraj GURUNG on guitars, into sustained applause I everywhere. up the country in however band members … to Suraj THAPA on keyboards, hadn’t heard anywhere else. All of us came from many pieces it wants, but “Lmy left is Subin on Shanti RAYAMAJHI on I couldn’t see the person who somewhere else to live in my appeal is: don’t confine bass, Dhurba on drums …” percussion and I am Amrit had shouted out for surnames, what is now Nepal, it is futile me to one part of Nepal. I do In every one of my concerts, GURUNG.” his voice had been drowned to debate who settled here not want to be a first class I introduce my band members But I went on: “We are out. first. Time has moved on, but citizen of just one province to enormous applause. And as a all Nepali even though some I communicate with one thing is for sure: none of and feel second class in the matter of principle I do not use are trying to divide us by Nepalis through music on my the other languages, Gurung, rest of the country. I want to their surnames. During one of ethnicity, that is why I don’t concert tours. For the past Newar, Magar, Bhojpuri, feel I am standing on my soil, the shows of my Peace Concert take the surnames of band decade my band has been Maithali, Tamang can be wherever I stand, from Mechi Tour of Nepal earlier this members. Look at the six of crisscrossing Nepal with the a common language. They to Mahakali. year, someone in the audience us here on stage, we are Nepal message of peace, justice won’t even serve as common shouted out: in a microcosm. Some of us and national unity. I do this languages within the provinces Amrit Gurung is the founder “Dhurba ... who?” have flat noses, others have through the cementing role of that ethnic groups want to of the Nepali folk rock band, This was one voice in an pointed ones. Some have slit the Nepali language, the lingua name after their own. Nepathya. 4 NATION 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606

to the cities even for altitude sickness, can now be treated here,” says Sherpa. “The income we earn is used to pay the operating costs.” Locals who come to the clinic are Healthy charged a nominal fee. “A patient needs to pay only Rs 50 and we provide free services to those who transformation cannot afford the standard rate,” says Ang Gelu, the sole doctor at the A community driven health health post. Its extended pharmacy is post in Namche is setting the pace now equipped with more medicines which are sold at the same price as in Kathmandu. A large number of people visit the post complaining of Nursing Namche respiratory diseases and the managing committee plans to add a fully functional operation theatre in the to health near future. Sushila Pariyar (see box), the ushila Pariyar has single- longest serving staff, says the health Shandedly run the clinic post has undergone notable changes, for many years and played an “With better facilities there has been a instrumental role in establishing significant rise in the number of locals the Namche health post as the seeking basic healthcare in the past leading healthcare provider in the one year.” community. She was assigned to Forty-year-old Sangye Sherpa, a Namche as an ANM after clearing PICS: BIKRAM RAI cook for a mountaineering expedition her civil service exams in 2002. team, is at the health post for “There were two other staff who whooping cough. “Earlier I had to started out with me, but they left BHRIKUTI RAI in NAMCHE BAZAAR medicines like paracetamols and travel to Kunde hospital for even in less than a year,” recalls Pariyar painkillers,” says Lama Kazi Sherpa, minor illnesses since the health post who lives Salleri in Solu Khumbu chairman of the post’s management had no doctors and limited medicine,” district. She worked relentlessly ine years ago, it was rare to committee. recalls Sherpa. “This has been a in the rundown building, without see a patient at Namche Area Continued government apathy blessing for us locals”. According to a doctor or proper equipment and Health Post. Despite being the towards the health post prompted the staff, patients from as far as Monju showed great dedication towards N her patients. “Since we could not only health post in Namche Bazaar, its the local community to take charge and Phakding come to Namche for cabinets had only few medicines and alongisde Himalayan Environment treatment. deliver babies at our health post, I supplies. It was difficult for the only Sustainable Services. According to However, the health post is unable would go from home to home and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at Sherpa, locals raised about Rs 4 million to perform medical evacuations for help women with their deliveries,” the post to provide even basic health to upgrade the facility at the clinic critical cases or provide complicated says Pariyar. After working at services to the few patients that came in. which now boasts of a doctor, nurse emergency services due to the lack of Namche for nine years she considers Few years ago, the post shifted to its own and health assistant. infrastructure. Gelu laments: “Things the clinic her second home and is building from a rented one. However, Today the health post serves over have improved significantly, but we pleased to see the transformation. the changes in infrastructure did not two dozen patients in a day and offers still cannot provide certain crucial Says Pariyar: “Although we are far translate to better services. services to locally treatable diseases services. The only thing we can from being a full-fledged hospital, I “Although a new building had been along with emergency services related do is refer patients to hospitals in feel like our perseverance and hard set up, all we received in the name to altitude sickness. “Tourists who had Kathmandu, and not all of them have work has paid off.” of support from the government were to be airlifted from Namche and taken the means to make it there”. 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 NATION 5

BIZ BRIEFS

Easy investment Hulas Investment formally started its operation on 11 May from its branch offi ce in Teku, Kathmandu. Promoted ROBIN GIRI in DANG by Golchha Organisation, the company has been established to provide fi nancing facilities to the customers who buy products orty-two year old Rewati dealt by the different units of the Chaudhary has completed organisation. Fonly primary school, but she has probably saved more lives than a doctor in the city in Quality counts Parsia, a village in Dang. Chaudhary is a Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) and a member of the local Watch Group, who has had basic training in obstetric care conducted by Dang’s District Public Health Office (DPHO) with support from UNICEF. She had called in to see Samjhana and her 18-month daughter, Prerana, whom Himalayan Distillery has received she helped deliver. Prerana’s ROBIN GIRI the International Arch of Europe airways were clogged with award for its strong commitment amniotic fluid at birth. “I laid to quality, leadership, technology the baby across my lap and SUPERWOMEN: Watch Group and innovation at the International Quality Convention in Frankfurt. followed the procedures to members Pima Khadka (left) and Parbata Khadka (extreme right) with suck out dirt from her nose Born to live Basanti Chaudhary and her one and mouth. Then she began to month old baby in Saruwa Danda Midnight shop cry,” says Chaudhary pointing Housewives help save village in Dang district Ford’s Mid Night Sale received to Prerana, now sitting on positive response from customers. her mother’s lap.This simple thousands of lives in rural Nepal Ford dealerships across Nepal procedure can help save remained thousands of lives. attendant. In Dang, over 1,050 meals and supplement them infants and toddlers. The most open from “If Prerana hadn’t cried even female volunteers have been with iron pills and vitamins,” unique aspect of the job is that 8am to after I used the Delee suction trained and equipped, with says FCHV Pima Khadka of the volunteers are not paid to midnight. tube, I would have used the Bag Watch Groups in 39 VDCs. Saruwa Danda in Dang. do this, although they receive Besides cash discounts and exciting offers, customers also received free and Mask method and pumped Maternal and neonatal The Watch Groups ensure nominal stipends for birth gifts on every purchase. air into her lungs,” explains mortality, including that all pregnant women referrals. Chaudhary confidently, pulling complications at birth have have health cards which are “This is the true meaning of out an Ambu Bag from her dropped steadily in Dang, as it marked after each visit to the community-based healthcare,” Better banking FCHV kit. has across Nepal. The country’s primary or sub health posts. says Hanaa Singer, country Kailash Bikas Bank, which was Initiated about seven years average maternal mortality rate This guarantees treatment at representative for UNICEF. previously known as Annapurna ago, Watch Groups are made up has dropped from 880 twenty government health facilities, “When women are taught basic Finance, has now been upgraded to of three women members for years ago to 300 today, mainly and are later used as proof skills, they bring lasting changes each ward in every VDC in Dang because of the work of FCHVs to claim the government in the lives of their neighbours and other districts. The primary like Chaudhary. stipend for women who seek and communities.” member is a female health “Our job is to keep an eye institutional delivery. a national level development bank. It was formally inaugurated by the volunteer, the other members on all pregnant women in The Watch Groups also nepalitimes.com honorable Governor of Nepal Rastra can include a community our village, to make sure they provide small loans for No home delivery, #561 Bank, Yubraj Khatiwada on 13 May. mobiliser, an educator, another undergo the four mandatory pregnancy related expenses. Nepal’s real heroines, #371 FCHV or a traditional birth prenatal checkups, eat nutritious They monitor vaccinations for 6 LIFE TIMES 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606

MONETISING NATURE An international study to calculate dollars and cents that locals can earn from conservation of Nepal’s parks

MUGU - An international team Nepal (BCN) and the indigenous migratory birds. that assesses and quantifies measuring how much carbon is of experts this month completed Cambridge-based BirdLife “Rara provides refuge for the resources provided from being stored in the vegetation, a survey of 27 important bird Secretariat, and they used a the globally threatened chir nature by areas with rich the provision of clean water, areas in Nepal to see how concept known as “eco-system pheasant,” explains Rara’s birdlife. Field surveys are harvesting of wild and conserving them doesn’t just service” to quantify the impact warden, Durga Poudel, “and being carried out by the cultivated products, and eco- save nature, but can also of conservation on local its pine and mixed forests are project at four sites: Shivapuri- tourism. provide income to local people. development. populated by red panda, musk Nagarjun National Park and Two years ago Nepal The team included staff The last of the selected deer and Himalayan thar.” Phulchoki Community Forest signed the ambitious Nagoya from the Department of sites to be surveyed was Rara BCN is working on a in Kathmandu, Kosi Tappu Convention on Biological National Parks and Wildlife National Park, where the lake UK Government-funded Wildlife Reserve and Rara Diversity that agreed on targets Conservation, Bird Conservation is an important habitat for Darwin Initiative project National Park. The team is for 2020 and achieving them can The vultures are

HUM GURUNG in NEW DELHI 2004 decided to ban the use of diclofenac, vulture populations South Asia registers progress in saving vultures have begun to rebound. In New he governments of Delhi last week, vultures range from extinction, but more needs to be done Bangladesh, India, countries and conservationists TPakistan and Nepal discussed further action to along with conservationists save the scavenger birds and and scientists gathered in reintroduce them in the wild. New Delhi last week to assess Even though the production efforts to save their vulture of diclofenac has been banned populations from extinction. since 2006, there is still a large Twenty years ago, there stockpile of the medicine in the was a widespread decline in market. three Gyps vulture species “The most recent available (oriental white-backed information indicates that vulture, long-billed vulture elimination of diclofenac from and slender-billed vulture) the vultures’ food supply across South Asia, and they is incomplete, so further were subsequently classified efforts are required to fully as Critically Endangered in the implement the ban,” says Chris IUCN Red List. The vulture Bowden of the IUCN’s SAVE population crashed and was (Saving Asia’s Vultures from nearly wiped out, and the cause Extinction). Homi Khusrokhan was the use of the veterinary of the Bombay Natural History steroid, diclofenac, which Society says human diclofenac the birds ingested after eating is another threat because carcasses of dead livestock. of the large number of drug Since an international manufacturers, many of them vulture conservation in the informal sector. conference in Kathmandu in The encouraging news is JYOTENDRA JYU THAKURI / BCN 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 LIFE TIMES 7

NATURE’S BOUNTY: The resplendent scenery of Rara National Park can be a source of eco-tourism revenue, but it already provides local communities with fuel like the pine needles these women from Murma are allowed to harvest. Not just

the regulations to control the for the birds use of resources, how the environment is changing, and NAIROBI -- Migratory birds undertake some of the most what people see as the main daring journeys in the animal kingdom, often covering threats to its biodiversity and thousands of kilometres, and the growing fan base of natural resources,” explains these winged adventurers is now presenting economic David Thomas of BirdLife opportunities through sustainable tourism. International. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The Park issues permits highlighted the economic benefits of supporting the for harvesting forest resource world’s bird species by marking World Migratory Bird from Rara’s Core Zone, but Day on 10 May under the slogan, ‘Migratory birds and it was clear to the team that people -together through time’. unregulated harvesting of Many regions are now recognising the economic timber from the buffer zone potential of bird-related tourism in response to an is growing and there is increasing interest from the wider public. There is also encroachment of farmland into the forest. The team a growing trend among bird tour operators to practice also studied household use sustainable and socially responsible eco-tourism, while of firewood and other forest relying on local goods and services or supporting local products. conservation projects. The fieldwork in Rara Indeed, the UNEP Green Economy Report shows that National Park will also yield global spending on all areas of eco-tourism is increasing an estimate of how much by about six times the industry-wide rate of growth. carbon is ‘locked up’ in its A survey by trees. Payments for stored the United States carbon by rich to poor Fish & Wildlife countries can provide future Service puts the income for communities and annual economic government agencies that value generated protect forests. “Within five by bird watchers years we can re-measure the (or ‘birders’) and trees to see how much they other wildlife have grown, and calculate how watchers at around much extra carbon is being $32 billion per stored in parks like Rara,” says year in the US assistant warden, Bhogendra alone. in Scotland, Rayamajhi. PICS: HUM GURUNG the Royal Society The results of the study for the Protection make a significant contribution Gurung of BCN. will be presented by BCN at of Birds found that not just to wildlife conservation Gurung accompanied the a conference in India later tourists spent up but also poverty reduction international team to Rara this year. Says Gurung: “We to $12 million in and providing sustainable and met park staff and buffer believe this research will livelihoods to locals. zone communities in Mugu. provide new data to guide 2011 to see White- “Most poor people in Nepal The aim was to understand decisions on forest and park tailed Eagles on live in rural areas, hence there how local people viewed the management. And will reveal the Isle of Mull is a high dependence on the national park and the buffer how conservation can have alone. ecosystem services delivered zone, and which resources they wide ramifications for poverty- Birding plays to them by nature like timber, considered important. “We reduction, local development a significant and water, food,” explains Hum wanted to see how they regard and the economy.” growing part in the tourism industry, and creates direct and indirect economic benefits for many countries and communities, circling again and wildlife watching is increasingly a factor in tourists’ holiday LUNCH TIME: Vultures feeding on provisional vulture safe zone Parsi community in Mumbai choices today,” said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema of the a safe carcass at the Vulture Safe (PVSZ) in 18 districts covering which relies on vulture for Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Feeding Site in Gaidatal, Rupendehi. more than 32,657 square corpse cleaning was estimated Wild Animals (CMS). kilometres. to be $ 1.6 million during the The African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement Satellite tracking of same period. (AEWA) is monitored by BirdLife International, that there are now vulture vultures by Bird Conservation Vultures are sharply Wetlands International and the Secretariat of the breeding centres in India, Nepal shows that at least declining and local people Partnership for the East Asian Australasian Flyway Pakistan and Nepal where 252 100 km radius is required for across Nepal have already (EAAFP). vultures are under captive vultures to be safe and the area started to report the negative “The scale of the problems and the actions required breeding. But the critical should be declared Vulture impacts of drop in vulture to reverse the fortunes of our migrant birds are daunting, question is will there be a safe Safe Zones. population in their villages, but international collaboration offers the best chance of environment for the new chicks Vultures are not according to Maheshwar Dhakal, achieving effective conservation for these species,” said when they are ready to be charismatic species like ecologist at Nepal’s Department BirdLife’s CEO, Marco Lambertini. released in the wild? celebrity mammals, but they of National Parks and Wildlife Conserving migratory birds is highly challenging Two immediate actions perform vital ecosystem Conservation. because their annual migration often spans several are required to secure a safe services. They are professional At the end of the Delhi countries, each governed by its own jurisdiction and environment for vultures in the scavengers which add to conference, South Asian national conservation strategies. Which is why AEWA wild: nature’s sanitation processes countries passed a declaration tries to protect migratory birds for whom national by consuming dead carcasses to set up trans-boundary Vulture South Asian vulture range boundaries don’t exist. countries must enforce the and thereby prevent the spread Safe Zones. This makes sense monitoring of the already of disease that may be harmful since the birds do not recognise www.unep-aewa.org banned diclofenac to human beings. man-made boundaries. www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb/spotFlyway Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs) For example, the cost of need to be set up managing disease in humans Hum Gurung, PhD, and domestic livestock is CEO of Bird nepalitimes.com India has made significant caused by an increase in the Conservation Nepal progress in setting up vulture population of feral dogs was and a member of Circling back, #484 breeding centres in four states. estimated to be $ 34 billion in the IUCN’s Saving Soaring again, #286 Nepal has led the establishment India alone from 1993-2006. Asia’s Vultures from of community managed Additional cultural cost to the Extinction (SAVE). 8 LIFE TIMES 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606

Sattya in Pokhara, if you fi nd yourself Hankook Sarang, from Bibimbab EVENTS in Pokhara in the coming weeks, be DINING to Samgyeopsal, Hankook offers a sure to visit Sattya's events. Take wide range of Korean delicacies at part in their numerous workshops and affordable prices. Thamel (opposite fi lm screenings. 16 May to 30 May, Road house café) Freedom Café, Lakeside, Pokhara Ghangri Café, a quiet and relaxing place with delicious food. Although known for their open momos, their Chef's Salad is equally mouthwatering. Pulchowk, 5528703

IMAGO DEI, be it casual hangouts or business meetings, Imago Dei is the EXHIBITION ON EVEREST, place for you. Nag Pokhari a photography exhibition by Jeff Botz which showcases Mount Everest in OLIVE GARDEN, one of the fi nest its true glory. 26 April to 26 May, 9.30 restaurants in town serving fusion am to 5pm, Image Ark Studio, Kulimha cuisine from the mediterranean. Every Tole, Patan Friday, 12 pm to 2.30 pm and 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm, Olive Garden, Radisson Master Harold and the Boys, explore Hotel, Lazimpat, 4411818, outlets@ a beautiful play by Athol Fugard radkat.com.np ALCHEMY, an authentic Italian set in the apartheid era of South NEPAL APPRECIATION, an art restaurant which serves dishes like Africa. Rs 200 (students) and Rs 500 exhibition by Miriam E Krantz. 24 May Pizza Quatro Stagioni and Spaghetti (adults),Tickets can be purchased to 5 June, 10.30 am to 6pm, closed alla Puttanseca. Thamel from Dhokaima Cafe (Patan Dhoka), on Saturdays, Park Gallery, Pulchowk, Bookworm (Jhamsikhel or Radisson 5522307, www.parkgallery.com.np Comfort Zone, expensive restobar Hotel (Lazimpat), 31 May, 5.30 pm, with a decent range of cocktails and Moksh, Jhamsikhel, 9808554122 barbeque meals. Thamel SOL DELICATESSEN, a range of MUSIC gourmet food that will satiate the most refi ned palates. 10am to 6pm (closed Live Band at The Corner Bar, on Mondays), Babar Mahal Revisited, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu every 4216433, [email protected] evening except Saturdays and MOKSH, it may be well know for it’s Tuesdays. 4411818 ext. 1330 cultural events but the food in Moksh is mighty fi ne. Jhamsikhel

Summit Hotel, savour the succulent Buddhism in Russia, an exhibition ribs basket, and add the fi nishing touch by the Russian Centre of Science and with a hot Dutch apple pie. Jhamsikhel, Culture and Lumbini Buddist University. 5521810 BENCH BURGER, be it fi sh or 27 April to 27 May, 10am to 5pm, steak burgers, Bench Burger offers Russian Centre of Science and Culture Bhojan Griha, traditional Nepali varieties that will satisfy your palate. ROX RESTAURANT, enjoy Sunday restaurant that serves great local food Krishnagalli, Patan Pranzo at Rox Restaurant. 12pm to Haiku Hangout, be creative this with folk music and dance. Dillibajar 3.30pm, Hyattt Regency, 4491234 summer as you share your haikus and NEPFEST IV, Nepfest will be back for Dhokaima Cafe, exquisite ambience, sip green tea. Rs 100 (apply before all music enthusiasts with Decapitated Rum Doodle, a hodgepodge of friendly service, cozy bar, place to see THE FACTORY, a trendy restrobar 26 May), 9 June, 9.30 am to 3pm, this September. 8 September, 12.45 fl avors and a must for trekkers and and be seen at. Patan Dhoka, Yala perfect for a refreshing stopover in the Sarwanam Theatre, Kaliksthan pm, Fun Park, Bhrikuti Mandap mountaineers. Thamel Maya Kendra, 5522113 chaos that is Thamel. Great food and Let's go to Namche region. The event will also provide a platform to raise public awareness on the adverse impacts of climate change. The organisers say that they want to encourage BARDAAN RAI domestic tourism in the Khumbu region through the One stop for adventure sports festival. Lama Kazi Sherpa, he Himalayan Outdoor Festival is run competitions member of the organising Tcommemorates the spirit of adventure 2pm to 4pm Dual race competition committee explains, “There sports, taking adventure buffs through the (downhill) is wrong message going out trails and treads of Hattiban. The event will 17:00 to 19:00 –dyno competition to Nepalis that Namche area be held from 1 to 3 June in the Hattiban 5pm to 7pm Dyno competition Resort. Tickets range from Rs 200 to 8pm Dinner with bands (Lyrics Indy and is far too expensive for the Rs 8000, depending on room Joint Family) locals which is not true and we accommodation and competition entries. hope to change that through Sunday, 3 June the festival,” This is the first Friday, 1 June 6.30 am Yoga session time such an event is being 11am to 1pm Buses leave from Kathmandu 9.30 am to 12pm Pull-up, slackline, muddy BIKRAM RAI 3pm Opening ceremony heaven, rope climb, sack run competitions organised to promote domestic 5.30 pm Adventure sports documentary 1pm closing ceremony and certifi cate amche Festival 2012 will coincide with theTenzing Hillary tourism in Namche Bazaar. screening distribution Nbe held from 27 to Everest Marathon . Namche In the last few years, similar 7pm Marmot Night Uphill Challenge 29 May at Namche Bajar Festival will feature cultural initiatives have been taken 7.15 pm to 9pm Dinner with live musical (Activities like cycling, rock climbing, programs including folk dances, performances bouldering, rope work and slackline will be in Everest Region. The festival's by people in neighbouring open throughout the festival) inauguration coincides with the songs and will showcase the VDCs of Namche including Saturday, 2 June Fifth International Sagarmatha rich cultural heritage of Sherpas Chaurikharga and Khumjung to 6.30 Yoga session For more information call 9841386652, Day and the last day will living in the Solu Khumbu promote domestic tourism . 9am to 12pm Cross country cyling and trail 9841470186 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 LIFE TIMES 9

Fire and Ice, home to some of the most delicious pizzas in town. Thamel, GETAWAYS 4250210 Riverside Grind II, an annual pool Night Bazaar to end Grill Me, a restaurant with a warm party organised by Partynepal ambience and delicious grilled delights. Outdoors and Vootoo Entertainment he Night Bazaar, initiated by Change Fusion Nepal, is coming Jhamsikhel, 5535294 with beach volleyball and water polo. to an end for this season. It will resume as the monsoon ends Prices range from 1700 to 15000 T depending on accommodation (20 per after two months in operation. drinks, with zesty music. Don’t miss cent discount if tickets are purchased The Night Bazaar, which started from 29 March, was being out on their cheesecake, it’s a must. by the end of May), 15 June, Riverside held in the last Thursday of each month. The monthly night Mandala Street, Thamel Springs Resort, Kurintar market was held inside Baber Mahal Revisited premises with small businesses and ventures setting up stalls to promote their Picnic, enjoy this Korean restaurant products. The main aim of the Night Bazaar is to give small with affordable prices and heaping BLACK PEPPER CAFÉ & PUB, firms a platform to share their products with organisations portions. Thamel cosmopolitan dining and drinking in a like Newa Décor, traditional style courtyard, try the apple Quixote’s Cove Cafe Hessed, for those with a sweet sauce pork chops and enjoy the good FULBARI RESORT, enjoy the scenic and Ekadeshma tooth, the cafe offers a delicious range service. Kopundole Height, Lalitpur, view of Pokhara as you pamper participating. of cupcakes and doughnuts. Jhamsikhel 5521897, 5536926 yourself with tennis, golf, drinks and dinners. Rs 6500 per person for 2 Apart from Pasto Vostro, a pretty place with some nights and 3 days, Call 4461918, 19 exhibitors great pasta. Their bacon wrapped 4462248 showcasing their sausages are a must. Thamel handicrafts, the Hotel Barahi, enjoy a great view of the Bazaar has also lake, cultural shows, a big swimming featured portrait pool to beat the heat this summer or artists, musicians, tarot card readers. scrumptious pastries from the German A highlight of the Night Bazaar has been the recent launch of KAISER CAFE RESTAURANT & BAR, Bakery in the hotel premises. Lakeside, the audio book version of Chaitanya Mishra's Badlindo Nepali have a BBQ lunch and a glass of wine Pokhara, 977-61-460617/463526 Samaj’ by a voluntary youth organisation, Youth Participation or beer inside the peaceful Garden of Nepal. An energy audit venture by Prakash Acharya, supported Dreams. Thamel, 4425341 Temple Tree Resort and Spa, a peaceful place to stay complete with by Change Fusion Nepal has also been featured. CHONGQING FAST FOOD, gear up for Byanjan, enjoy great food at an a swimming pool, massage parlour some mouth watering Chinese dishes affordable price. Shrimp cocktails, and sauna- it also hosts three different 31 May, 5pm to 9pm like Sour and Spicy Pork and Kung Pao Grilled Fish and desserts are favourites restaurants to cater to your needs. Venue: Baber Mahal Revisited Courtyard Chicken. Thamel among guests. Lakeside, Pokhara Gaurighat, Lakeside, 977-61-465819 Night Bazaar

textures and a favourite for all age groups. The Chili Chicken was a pleasant surprise, being completely ketchup free, with the outsides slightly charred and packing a punch of flavours. The noodles NEW DISH in the Mixed Chop Suey were delightfully crisp and there was an entire nest of it. know will provide comfort However, the sauce was thin, drizzly and and succour in its destroyed by too much soya sauce, a pity constancy. The menu really because the vegetables and meat clearly displays this were delectable. ethos. It’s got soup, This completely family run business SOMEPLACE ELSE momos, fried rice, is confident about the quality of the food noodles, a few they serve and this allows them to be well-loved Nepali almost blasé about everything else. The snacks and not waiters could be more efficient and they ew Dish (ND) has been around for much else. could do hire a few more. The toilet, for almost 25 years. In all this time, it Momos are that is what it is, not a ‘restroom’, needs Nhas never advertised or organised what New Dish is to be cleaner. But why do I complain for events to promote itself. The restaurant famous for and the I know the next time I am in New Road has the most basic décor and doesn't only options available and am looking to grab a bite, I will in pamper its customers. ND serves no tea or are - steamed pork momos all likelihood head to New Dish. For coffee. Lingering about is frowned upon or fried pork momos. Anything the food is fuss free, unsophisticated, and if you question the time it takes for else is considered sacrilegious. And straightforward and yet good, filling and the food to arrive or speak to the waiters heart, as there are people waiting outside, what momos they are. Thin translucent satisfying. Plus it is excellent value for rudely, you are asked to leave. Also, there peering in through the door, reminding skins encase a masala-free mixture of the money, the entire meal, accompanied are only 14 tables and there is always a you that the least you could do is gobble aforementioned meat with finely diced by cold drinks, cost me less than a 1000 rush. You either have to share the table up your food and leave so that they can onions and a hint of ginger. In its fried rupees. with other hungry souls, not the most come in and do the same. You go to New avatar, they are crisp on the outside and RUBY TUESDAY conducive environment to have a heart to Dish to eat, eat good food quickly and meltingly soft on the inside. Both come leave. accompanied by a runny chilly sauce and In New Road, enter the road leading to The food is basic, nothing to excite what is described as clear soup but in Khichapokhari and look out for a little or confuse a repressed taste bud with truth is the stock garnished with shallots. Shiva Linga. In front of it is a little dark flavours novel or bold. But it is good The spring rolls here are entrance, the food. The menu now lists just about quite wonderful though they are shops surrounding twenty items after its latest culling that quintessentially New Dish’s own. Bits it sell musical has done away with favourites like the of steamed meat are rolled in a thin instruments and mixed grill sizzler and various Chinese omelette which is then folded into a cheap lingerie. curries. flour wrapper, generously coated in Enter, walk up the This is not a place you walk into bread crumbs and deeply fried. It is flight of stairs and expecting to be surprised but a place you a wonderful mixture of flavours and you are there. PICS: RUBY TUESDAY 10 HAPPENINGS 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606

opening speech at the fi rst South African democratic WEEKEND WEATHER parliament on 24 May, 1994. (On a side note, watching film after film trying to fi nd something worthy to write about during three interminable days of bandas, I couldn’t help but think With a month to go for the normal breaking of the monsoon, long-term about the importance of words, poetry or prose, in the forecasts are predicting a slightly KATHMANDU fi ght for civil rights. Call it what you may, our current delayed onset. But these predictions struggle for ethnic parity is just as much a civil rights have been wrong before. The issue now as apartheid was then). monsoon has yet to break over Kerala, The main drama of the film starts with Ingrid’s and when it does, it takes about a early adulthood at which point she had already been month to reach us here in Nepal. But married, with one daughter, Simone, and separated from in the meantime, we will be seeing an increase in the frequency and her husband Pieter Venter. Jonker is impatient, impulsive FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY and straightforward about her relationships with men, intensity of pre-monsoon showers, discarding Pieter, and starting an affair with another writer, Jack usually in the late afternoon and night accompanied by thunder and lightning. Cope, who is much older, and who is to become an important The maximum temperature will creep person in her life. into the low 30s and a signifi cant rise As the fi lm develops we are confronted with a woman battling in minimum temperature touching 20. 33-19 32-18 32-20 her many demons: her father, from whom she always seeks approval (another similarity to Plath, whose father, however, died while she was eight years old), and her struggles with the men with whom she is intimate. On one hand, Jonker is fi ercely independent, a forward thinking activist who is unafraid to speak out against the horrifying status quo, and on the other hand, she is a messy alcoholic - always afraid of being abandoned. Yet Jonker’s talent never deserts her – it is clear that she has an amazing facility with poetry, able to channel her emotions and observations into her art, always using new, striking, resonant turns of phrase. That is, until she is admitted to a Paris sanatorium on a trip to Europe for electro-shock therapy brought on by a nervous breakdown. Upon returning home she tells Jack, “I can’t write any more”. Shortly after, she takes her own life. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Black Butterfl ies is its unfl inching portrayal of Ingrid’s character and her tendency towards instability. There is a fascinating and disturbing link MUST SEE between genius and madness, or a certain mental fragility. A surplus of creativity so often goes hand in hand with periods of Sophia Pande manic depression - there are any number of examples, from Van ASHESH SHAKYA Gogh to Rothko and Plath, that one might quote. While not in RIGHT WALK: Locals in Pokhara join a rally coordinated by the Pokhara Chamber any way a scientifi c fact, it is undeniably unsettling to think of of Commerce and Industries on Thursday, calling for social harmony and an ngrid Jonker is often called the South African “Sylvia Plath”. the scores of legendary fi gures through the centuries who have end to strikes. The similarities are obvious; the two were precocious, been affl icted by this very distinctive malaise. Iheadstrong women poets, both of whom committed suicide Ingrid struggled with her weaknesses, yet it is clear from at a young age. Jonker, born in 1933 in South Africa, wrote the film and with the help of Carice van Houten’s brave and in the Afrikaans language and lived a turbulent life often on vulnerable performance as Yonker, that despite being dealt a the brink of poverty. After publishing a series of critically losing hand, this singular woman struggled to create her art, acclaimed poetry collections, she walked into the ocean and speak the truth, fi ght against Apartheid, and remained indelibly in drowned herself in 1965 at the age of 31. the hearts and minds of her friends and lovers as a brilliant and The fi lm Black Butterfl ies, directed by Paula van der Oest, ground-breaking poet. is titled after a fragment of one of Jonker’s earlier poems, and is a heart-wrenching fi lm chronicling the life of this troubled All DVDs reviewed in this column are available at: and brilliant poet. Few people have heard of her today, poetry Music and Expression, Thamel, Phone # 014700092 being the fastest waning art of the 21st century, yet Jonker’s legacy is treasured in her home country: an example being nepalitimes.com that Nelson Mandela quoted from her poem The child (who Watch trailer was shot dead by soldiers at Nyanga), in Afrikaans, during his

MUKESH POKHAREL ROAD TRIP: A French family arrives in Lumbini from Butwal on Thursday, travel- ling over 50km in a rickshaw. A banda by Tharuhat Struggle Committee in Everest Stampede Butwal had halted transportation in the area.

The second problem has 2:30 pm. been excessively dry weather Many of these climbers at DHANVANTARI conditions leading to more rock altitudes near 8,000m try to save Buddha Basnyat, MD falls in the Lhotse-face area. up on their supplemental oxygen The congestion in the mountain to use it for the final summit bid. probably enhances the chances With long waits and devoid of of rock falls and avalanches. In adequate supplemental oxygen verest summit fever is addition, weather conditions at such altitudes, the vital organs raging dangerously. From have been so poor near the of the body are compromised Ethe second week in May to summit that it will encourage a setting the stage for tragedy to the first week in June, climbers climbers’ stampede when there unfold. who have taken about six to is a window period of good Clearly there are a multitude eight weeks to acclimatise at weather. of factors that may influence a high altitude are now successful ascent on attempting to scale Everest. Travel and SOHAN SHRESTHA the summit. However trekking companies this has been a very need to raise the level FLAG BEARER: A fl ag of the Federal Limbuwan State Council planted on the statue of poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya in Sunsari on Wednesday along with a hostile season with an of awareness in their banner announcing a three-day banda demanding a Limbuwan state. “active” icefall and clients of the potential the precarious rock- medical (and other) fall ridden Lhotse face dangers of attempting which the climbers to climb the world’s have to pass by. highest peak and other Noting the dangersthis 8000m peaks as many season, well-respected of these new climbers mountain guide, are just novices without Russell Brice, has recently Furthermore, climbers are a notion of what goes on up abandoned attempting to put so determined to reach the there. This awareness campaign any of his sixty clients on the top that they forget about the may seem counterproductive for summit. Perhaps others planning “turnaround time”. Because business; but just like Russell to climb Everest need to take descent in the dark from the Brice, if you have a reputation for note. summit of Everest can be more safety first, it may actually help Indeed just this weekend, treacherous than the ascent, business. Perhaps the Nepali three climbers have died and climbers are cautioned to turn government could also consider two are missing. The problems around and not go for the decreasing congestion and BIKRAM RAI this season are two-fold. summit after 11 am. But some of avoiding tragedy while climbing SIDE EFFECTS: Garbage remains unpicked at Mangal Bajar, Patan, on Wednesday The first problem, crowded the climbers last weekend were Everest by limiting the number after three days of banda, called by Nepal Federation of Indigenous conditions, is an old issue. heading for the summit even at of climbers. Nationalities (NEFIN). 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 OPINION 11

BY THE WAY Anurag Acharya

epal’s political parties painted themselves into a corner, and Nare now trying to buy three more months to be rescued. A citizenry increasingly worried about ethnic radicalism on the streets would have played along in panic, had the Supreme Court not issued an interim order on Thursday. The NC and UML point fingers at the Maoists and Madhesis, but their ANURAG ACHARYA willingness to trade CA extension for power while simultaneously mouthing the light of the 2009 report has opened ‘consensus’ has already exposed their up a window of opportunity and if the bankrupt politics. parties can work on State Restructuring There are still three days remaining May or may not Commission’s report by taking in which, if there is broad agreement, into consideration the committee’s the parties can bring out a preliminary guidelines, things could still be worked draft that could accommodate a There is still enough time to forge an out. But if parties begin by setting provision of giving continuity to the pre-conditions, they will not only existing house in a new form. That is agreement if the parties can find room for it. disappoint the people, but also erode the only way to constitutionally avoid their faith in the institution of politics. the void, but if parties seem resigned Whether rival Far-West movements them what they thought about the Travelling length and breadth of to setting a bad precedent it will not were orchestrated by a Brahmin- nation going into ethnic federalism the valley on foot during the strike, I only lower the stature of Prime Minister dominated leadership, or protests and whether they felt it could upset met men and women, young and old, Baburam Bhattarai and his government, by Janajatis and Tharus fuelled by Nepal’s social harmony. One of them dressed in their traditional attire singing but delegitimise their political agency the Maoists, is now moot. And if the replied, “Can you please print in bold and dancing to folk music. At a time which will be an even bigger blot on parties had hoped to gain an upper letters that we are not asking for ethnic when hate speech peppers social and Nepali politics. hand by unleashing the ethnic genie, federalism. We are only demanding mainstream media, I must confess I have Behind the façade of consensus the they haven’t succeeded. that our identities be recognised in never seen such a diverse celebration of parties spent precious months trying Amid reports of hooliganism and the states where we have lived for Nepali nationhood. We keep extolling to outwit one another to get a better vandalism, call from the streets for a generations. How would that upset this country’s ‘unity in diversity’, maybe foothold ahead of the elections. The political solution acceptable to all went social harmony?” it’s time we appreciate the beauty of constitution was never their bottom line unreported. The media got sucked into The conceptual report prepared this diversity instead of constantly because if it was, things would never the debate with fracas at the Reporters’ by the CA’s State Restructuring and demonising it. After all, we are all have come to this. After four years of Club, and the focus turned on the caste Power Devolution Committee in 2009 Nepalis trying to be Nepalis in our own bargaining, they have used the media to domination of the media itself. By has clearly set five bases for defining terms. take the country to a dangerous level of exaggerating the statements of a few identity, of which ethnic identity was The parties must work round the ethnic street polarisation. The Maoists loud hate-mongers, the media became a only one. The debate on identity has clock in the next three days to ensure are guilty of stoking the flames, but the part of the problem. until now been so misconstrued and that the statute, even in its draft state, other parties have added fuel to the fire On the final day of the three day misunderstood that it has left little is declared on 27 May. It is an evolving with their status quo ideology. Janajati strike this week, I met three room for negotiation. document that can be worked on as we It may be irrelevant to assess what young Rai women who had Kirat The nine-point agreement between go along. There will be few angry fists happened in the past weeks because Pradesh tattooed on their faces, dancing Janajatis and the government on on the streets again, but it is now time damage has already been done. at a demonstration in Koteswor. I asked Tuesday which defines identity in for a closure. 12 NATION 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606

ANURAG ACHARYA National identity crisis At a time when we should be valuing our multiple, intersecting identities, we are being told to choose a single, overarching definition of ourselves

or interfere. I believe first surfaced six years ago, I abortion is a woman’s wholeheartedly supported the idea of COMMENT right and prostitution new federal states, because it no longer Rubeena D Shrestha should be legalised. made sense for Kathmandu to withhold And most importantly, all power. I assumed handing power I believe we should to local officials who have a better hen I was 16, my sociology all be allowed to live understanding of their areas, bringing teacher, a Brahmin man, asked our lives on our own leaders closer to the people and letting Wme, “What are you?” I did terms, as long as we the public have greater control of state not understand his question and asked don’t harm others affairs would mean we would not have him to explain. He wanted to know my intentionally. to live through another civil war. But ethnicity. However, I also the uproar of the past three weeks on the I said I am a Tamang who had been understand that as a streets of the capital, the far-west and raised as a Buddhist (though I studied middle class, educated the districts of Tarai suggest we might in a Catholic school which is a whole and employed be headed down slippery slopes again. different story in itself). But he told me woman, I speak from Powerful male (mostly Brahmin) very matter-of-factly that my surname a position of extreme politicians and leaders who no longer clearly indicated my ‘Hinduness’ and privilege and am wield the same power and influence advised me to tell everyone I am a Hindu, not representative they once enjoyed, have played the because then people would think highly of millions of other dirtiest hand they could by inciting of me. I failed sociology class and have Nepali men and Nepalis into communalism. And now identified as ‘just Nepali’ from that day women. My perception that Pandora’s Box has been forced open onward. of identity, my beliefs, by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Upendra Yadav Twenty five years have passed since and my needs are and Ang Kaji Sherpa et al, I want to ask that awkward question was asked and I vastly different from them a few questions. am once again forced to think about my that of an HIV positive Where does a Muslim girl from identity. I am told my caste, ethnicity and Dalit woman in Mahottari married to a Gurung from religion define who I am as an individual. Accham or a Tamang Pokhara belong? Where does the My personal beliefs, aspirations, girl in Nuwakot fifth generation of a Chettri family in accomplishments, and the battles I have who is sold off to a Biratnagar belong? Where does a doctor won are insignificant in front of the holy brothel in India by her Pradhan who has lived and practiced identity trinity. uncle or a woman in in Ilam all his life belong? Where does I am a woman, born to a Tamang Chitwan who is beaten my Mishra friend who escaped to mother and a Hindu father and married BIKRAM RAI every day for being a Kathmandu many years ago to avoid into a Newar family. I believe everyone ‘witch’. Despite my being a victim of dowry belong? Where should have enough to eat and a safe are equal. I believe homosexuality, background, I feel my voice is equally do I belong? shelter. I believe all children should have bisexuality and heterosexuality are important as we try to sort out our access to free and quality education. I natural human desires and the state national identity crisis. Rubeena D Shrestha is the editor of believe men, women and third genders and community have no right to judge When discussions about federalism Wave magazine. 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 NATION 13 “Too much politics… too many politicians”

SITA MADEMBA IN DHARAN

he national newspapers, evening news on Ttelevision and local FM stations are full of debate about the new constitution, and The leaders promised us a better future, but we feel cheated. especially the movement by

“ I don’t think they love the Nepali people. Social harmony still groups lobbying for and against

exists between different groups in Nepal, but our politicians federalism with identity. are trying to break this unity which is wrong. Although ethnic“ However, here in eastern identities should be recognised and respected, I am scared that Nepal, where there are we might be heading down the path of ethnic confl ict. conflicting territorial claims for ethnic autonomy, ordinary Bishnu Tamang of Dharan people are apprehensive that

traditional social harmony will

be irreversibly disturbed. SUNIR PANDEY However, some like dairy This is a small country, we have“ many ethnicities but can’t give farmer Lokendra Subedi say the “ states to all, the ones who are getting ethnic states are the ones ties across ethnic lines here are with strong political say. too strong to be broken by a few politicians. “We haven’t been Devendra Adhikari, restaurant worker/student affected at all,” Subedi says, “my neighbours are Newars, is too much politics and there a problem they themselves and they don’t bother me and I are too many politicians,” he created, while we ordinary don’t bother them.” adds ruefully. people struggle to survive.” Subedi delivers 150 litres In Dharan, Bishnu Maya Rai She says she hears on the of milk early every morning runs a small tea shop near the radio that there is tension to Rai, Limbu and Madhesi BP Memorial Hospital called between ethnicities in other customers in Dharan, but the ‘New aunty’. Her customers parts of Nepal, but says she only thing that worries him are are a microcosm of Nepal’s hasn’t seen any tension in her shutdowns and transportation ethnicities. “I wish people town. “We are living peacefully strikes which affect his would stop talking about this together, and I am sure we can business. “All I want is for ethnic group and that ethnic live like this in the future as People from many different ethnicities and backgrounds live the strikes to stop, and the group,” she says, pouring long as politicians don’t mess it

together in this area. And we haven’t heard of any mistreatment.

“ tea, “they are fighting over up,” says Rai. No matter which party is in power, the government gives rights constitution to be passed. There to wealthy people and makes life“ harder for poor people. All I am asking from the leadership is to let us live in peace so that we can earn our day’s meal.

Sita Bhujel lives in a squatter settlement in Bagarkot, Dharan.

PICS: SITA MADEMBA

It’s hard to fi nd work during bandas and I am struggling to feed “ my family. I neither understand nor support the disputes on ethnic identities. Political groups will keep making assurances,

but I don’t trust them. Even the Maoists made promises to

decrease the gap between the poor and the rich and failed to deliver. I have realised nobody cares about poor people like“ myself. I don’t expect much, I will be happy if I can live without fear in my country and if I am allowed to work for a living.

Tek Bahadur Shanker of Panchakanya works as a daily wage labourer at construction sites and has a family of seven to look after. 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606

BIKRAM RAI Pushing the finishing line

Editorial in Annapurna Post, 23 May deal with volatile identity politics which Editorial in NepalSamacharpatra, May 24 Editorial in Nagarik, 24 May has not only divided political circles but also baffled ordinary Nepalis. The t a time when Nepalis should public has come to believe that only a ix months after the Supreme Court verdict arties are at loggerheads on extending the CA’s term. The Maoists and Madhesi have been congratulating each single ethnic community will be allowed Sabout the fi nal extension, Deputy Prime P A Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has tried to alliance have made it clear that the constitution other and celebrating an important to live in each of the future ethnic defend the government’s proposal to extend can’t be drafted within 27 May and extension is milestone, we are in a limbo once provinces. And none of the leaders have the CA deadline once again by arguing that inevitable. The NC and UML, on the other hand, again. The CA deadline is less bothered to explain to the people that the SC verdict must be understood in its have opposed the extension proposal saying it than hundred hours away, and we are not building countries within essence which means drafting of the statute transgresses the Supreme Court’s verdict. But we are uncertain whether the new the country, but rather states within the must happen. Shrestha and others who toe both the NC and UML are willing to support the constitution will be drafted or if country. similar line may sound convincing, but the extension if Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai there will be another extension. And It is vital to understand that government’s proposal has failed to impress resigns from his post. It is clear that their looking at the events of the past different ethnic groups are not actually the public in the wake of the apex court’s objection to CA’s extension has nothing to do with few weeks, the country’s unity and demanding ethnic states. All they rejection of extension appeal. constitutional correctness and they are simply ethnic harmony are now in danger. want is greater recognition and equal The rule of law and principle of judicial bargaining for political power. We are standing at a critical juncture and The major parties have been rights which the old system of districts and constitutional supremacy require that judicial rulings be upheld and respected. parties should work to forge consensus instead running away from sensitive and regions failed to deliver. These In this regard, Prime Minister Baburam of engaging in petty power play. If the parties debates of state restructuring, sentiments were also echoed during Bhattarai must heed to President Ram Baran are serious, we can still have an agreement on and focusing more on the forms Janandolan of 2006, but today the Yadav’s advice and act in accordance with main issues of the constitution before 27 May. Of of governance. The truth is that debate is tinged with deep communal the SC verdict. It is important to maintain course it will take some time to draft the statute state restructuring is one of the overtones. However, Nepalis must the balance of power between the three once there is an understanding are which is why core reasons for formulating a new keep in mind that regardless of the state organs to ensure that we do not set we need an extension. In three months we can constitution. The constitution was name, future federal states will have to the wrong precedent which might lead to a declare a constitution that will address the valid supposed to address issues of ethnic, accommodate the country’s political, power struggle among the three. Even though demands of minorities. If the Supreme Court does regional and gender inequality. social and cultural structure. the extension seems both unavoidable and not want us to be constitution-less, it should have But even in four long years, the Federalism and communalism necessary, it must be done in a way that does no problem supporting the extension if agreements on contentious issues can be reached before 27 parties have been unable to find a cannot coexist, but at the same time it is not lower the stature of judiciary. One way of doing this, as some have May. common ground on how to go about not enough to just say we are all equal. suggested is for the president to untie the There is no point declaring a new constitution restructuring the country. Although We must turn our words into actions deadlock using his prerogative powers. This in haste just to meet the deadline. Politicians are it seemed like the parties had and start respecting ethnic identities, move will help diffuse the present crisis, now talking about due process and legalities when finally come to an understanding providing full rights to minorities and but is a risky move nonetheless and raises all this time they fl outed it. A constitution is not just on carving out federal states based ending all forms of discrimination. suspicion. The sensible choice would be to a legal document. It should refl ect the aspirations on ethnic identities, they once again The parties too have a critical role to make the most of the next 100 hours to thresh of people and instill a sense of ownership. And it failed to stand their ground. play during this difficult transition and out the remaining issues and declare the will be foolish and immature to issue a constitution In addition to our leaders’ they must not let the opportunity pass constitution on 27 May. If the intent is there, that does not accommodate the demands of ethnic indecisiveness, we are having to because of their egos. 100 hours are more than enough. minorities.

Giving lives

Ramji Dahal, Himal Khabarpatrika, 14-28 May people to seek treatment in India where such a rule does not apply. Six months ago the organ First day: Why didn’t you Second day: Why did you transplantation co-ordination committee advised report our protest strikes? report our striking? Hemraj Shrestha’s wife Gyani saved his life by the state to reform the law to ease the process. donating her kidneys to him in 2009. He was However, the government has not responded the first patient to undergo successful kidney yet. Another problem which plagues patients is Rajesh KC in Nagarik, 23 May transplantation in Nepal. Three years since kidney the unsually long waiting list. Both Tribhuwan

transplantation started in Nepal, 211 patients have University Teaching Hospital and Bir Hospital

undergone the operation. 80 per cent of kidney have already been booked for months in advance. QUOTE OF THE WEEK donors in Nepal are females while 90 per cent of the Taking into consideration the problems faced by “ recipients are males. Before kidney transplantation patients and families, the government set up a was allowed in Nepal, patients travelled to India for transplantation centre with 100 beds in Bhaktapur The other name of conspiracy is the procedure which was very costly. last February. According to Dr Pukar Shrestha, “ Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Although kidney transplantation has become the centre will begin dialysis services, and more popular, the organ transplantation act of 1998 kidney transplantations from next month, while Madhav Kumar Nepal quoted in stipulates that patients can only take organs from transplantation of other organs like liver, pancreas, Kantipur, May 24 their blood relatives, which in turn forces many heart, lungs will start in the next few months. 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 15 Identity minus extremism

ANURAG ACHARYA

Hari Roka, UCPN-M lawmaker in Kantipur, May 21

Identity politics has taken centre stage in Nepal, and the debate is getting increasingly polarised. There are those who are suspicious and think it’s blasphemous to raise the identity debate and those who will settle for nothing less than ethnically demarcated provinces. However, both sides seem to have missed the point. The only way to resolve the growing hostility is by engaging in healthy debate. We all have multiple, intersecting identities, of which region, language, religion, and culture are important elements. While language, culture and customs are at the centre of the indigenous movement, in Madhes regional and linguistic identities are of major concern. Hence, any federal model must take these nuances into consideration. Names of future federal units are secondary; the discussion should instead be focused on whether the new states can ensure equal rights and opportunities for people living within the boundaries and how to promote equal cultural and social relations among the residents. However, in order for this conversation to take place, people standing on the opposite sides of the identity debate must come to a compromise. Banda blues

ANURAG ACHARYA

Mohan Bhattarai, Naya Patrika, 23 May

The three day nation-wide banda called by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities severely disrupted the day-to-day life of common Nepalis across the country. In Morang district alone, 57 government and 312 private schools were forced to shut down. BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan had to stop all surgeries because there was a shortage of oxygen cylinders and vital medicines. Similarly, the district hospital in Tamghas, Gulmi also remained closed. There were also numerous instances of violence and attacks during the banda. Several vehicles were vandalised throughout the capital. A businessman in Dolakha was manhandled by banda enforcers which led to tension in Charikot, the district headquarter and a protestor was injured in Makwanpur while setting a car on fire. Police had to use force and fire tear gases to control the crowds in major cities. The banda enforcers were particularly hostile towards media houses and journalists. Sagarmatha Television’s Nepalgunj correspondent Deepa Ale Magar was beaten by members of the Joint Tharu Struggle Committee in Chitranagar on Monday night. Similarly journalists in Bardiya, Palpa, Kaski, Kathmandu and other districts also found themselves under attack. All newspapers from Kaski published blank editorials and local FM and TV stations halted the broadcast of their morning news bulletin in protest of the assaults. Likewise, newspapers from Nawalparasi stopped publication for a day. 16 BACK SIDE 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

New constipation by August

t was Marx (Groucho, want the forests of northern not Karl) who once said: Chitwan declared Rauteland, I“If you come to a fork on Remember the fracas over the gold digging Sonahas the road, take it”. And being the minister in the JN Khanal want rivers to be declared a true blue Marxist, Prime cabinet who had to step down their zone, Marwaris want a Minister Baburam Bhattarai after it was found out he was a non-territorial Mewar state. has done just that. Ignoring the free-Tibet activist and had three Also, Nepali Sikhs do not Supreme Court’s stipulation nationalities? Well, there may want to be lumped with that there would be no more be a similar scandal over the Madhesis. Why not declare extensions, he got his attorney, appointment of one Ek Dhakal, Kopundole a Sikh Autonomous General Mukti, to advise him the sole CA member from the Province? And the people on how the cabinet could Family Party. Yes, there is such of Okharpauwa in Nuwakot pass another teensy weensy a thing, if you don’t believe me which happens to lie in the little postponement of the CA google him. This is the same future Tamsaling Province deadline. Comrade Godawful, Mr Ek-Dui-Tin who organised have refused to let KMC dump of course, helped by egging that controversial visit by the the Valley’s garbage in its NEFIN to create mayhem on vice-prez Paramanand to go landfill site anymore, despite the streets. Now, the Supreme to South Korea on a junket past agreements. They sent the Court has told the Supremo sponsored by the Unification entire stinking fleet of trash to finish the constitution by Church. Well, it turns out the trucks back to the ‘Newa Rajya’ Sunday, or else... new minister, who hasn’t been and said, “We don’t want your assigned a portfolio till press do-do.” time, is a Moonie himself. He The folks down in Sindhuli is a follower of Sun Myung, not have the right idea. With no Ban Ki, and should be made Queen Liz the Second invited jobs going around, there was Minister for Proselytisation a whole lot of kings, queens intense competition among Affairs. and emperors for her diamond the political parties to fill minister to replace BRB. That aeroplanes fly unhindered, jubilee lunch at Windsor a vacancy at the district would rule out anyone whose except if you are stranded Castle recently. All the world’s post office. The local party name has the word ‘Ram’ in it. in Dhangadi, rickshaws are One of the hardest questions monarchs were there, including leaders started putting so allowed to ply, but cars and the judges asked Miss Nepal ex-kings of Greece and Bulgaria much pressure on the post motorcycles are not. And these contestants at the Annapurna and Yugoslavia. We have it office chief that last week he Bunds are not what they used days bunds are strictly 9-5, Hotel during the recent pageant on good authority that KingG announced a race, and whoever to be. There was a time when probably because the hired was: “What makes a person a waited till the last mom for the came first would get the job. hartals were hardcore, nothing goons demand overtime to genius?” It is a sign of the times invite, which never came. Even Well, it’s not an original idea, moved. There was no time burn tyres after office hours. that the lass who answered the Crown Prince of Yugoslavia that is how the ancient kings limit, and even bicycles were Saturday, being a day of rest, “You have to be indigenius” got was invited though that of Gorkha were chosen by not spared. These days there is also exempt from bunds. the most applause. country ceased to exist making potential candidates are all kinds of exceptions, and How are we ever going to attain 10 years ago, and was run a marathon at Liglig. Why the rule of thumb seems to be ethnic federalism if we are so a republic for 60 years not revive this grand tradition “three wheels good, four wheels lazy and lax about enforcing It was bound to happen before that. Ouch, that to also chose the next prime (and two) bad”. Which is why bunds? sooner or later. The Rautes must have hurt. ISSN 1814-2613

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