#69 23 - 29 November 2001 20 pages Rs 20 Champadevi sunrise Kathmandu valley’s best-kept secret19

UNDER MY HAT Bijuli ko tar, tar, tar ... 20

BINOD BHATTARAI COMMENT ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ he Royal Nepal Army is embarking on Resumefire? its largest-ever purchase of weapons: T 50,000 assault rifles over the next five Maoist leader Prachanda’s statementyears, two Russian Mi-17 helicopters to be Wednesday that there was no point delivered in January, and new German guns anymore carrying on with peace talks shows that the group is under a lot of already ordered. More purchases are being internal pressure. The government eitherdiscussed: a Super Puma helicopter, even $70,000,000 doesn’t know this, or has chosen to ignoreRussian Mi-24s. The total price tag: $70 it. Result: the Maoist leadership is notmillion. Add to this the logistical support shortlist are the Daewoo K2, the Heckler and getting a face-saving way to enter needed for the paramilitary Armed Police That’s how much the army is spendingKoch G36, over the Colt the M16, and next rifles made five mainstream politics. After all, they down- Force, and you wonder, how are we going to purchase of the two Mi-17s has been the mostby FN Herstal and Galil. “This is not like graded from a people’s republic to a years on weaponstransparent upgrades. defence purchase Who to date, having is going to pay for it? bourgeois republic, and then droppedpay the for all this? improve mobility.” Kandel was quoted by buying a new CD,” one army source told us. demand for a republic altogether. They Five arms suppliers from Korea, Germany,media○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ recently saying security forces would being approved by both the government and○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “The new weapon needs to be rugged, suited climbed down on interim government,Israel, and the United States and Belgium are soon be getting 10 transport helicopters from the PAC, the parliament’s spending to our conditions and cheap.” were sticking to a constitutional assemblyhoping to win the contract to replace the the United States as a gift. He told us he was watchdog. The very fact that the military is If that is true, then the weapon as the minimum acceptable demand. The army’s ageing self-loading rifles (SLR). Themisquoted. However, sources told us the complaining bitterly that procedures are too government rejected it outright. cumbersome means that the PAC is doing conspicuous by its absence from the Trapped, there was no other way thanbidding process began in September, but Americans have made an offer of Bell UH-1 shortlist is the Russian Kalashnikov, the no decision yet. Huey helicopters for the APF. its job, even though it is hobbled by rules for Baburam Bhattarai to warn this week of that prevent it from investigating anything famous AK-47 which cost under $500. The And then there are reports that the army is a “Mahabharat War”, and for Prachanda to Still, with the money the army is about to with a “security” tag. army wants to standardise its arsenal, and is says the ceasefire didn’t make sense also thinking about second-hand reconditioned trying to switch from 7.76mm to 5.56mm spend on guns and helicopters, we could build That is why little is known about the other anymore. For Prime Minister Sher Mi-24 helicopter gunships of the type seen in thousands of primary schools, 50 new district calibre weapons. The 5.56mm give a soldier Bahadur Deuba, who has staked all onthe film hospitals and 5,000 bridges all over the deals in the pipeline, and information for this more fire-power, while the 7.76mm has achieving peace, there may be a sense article had to be gathered from local agents of that he pushed the Maoist leaders too far country. But the government, rattled by the longer range. Rambo II. The army’s earlier effort to Maoist insurgency and a stalled peace process, prospective suppliers. The army is currently With the ceasefire in danger of being too fast. But he was under pressure himself evaluating five suppliers for the 50,000 from rivals within his own party who feltbuy he a French Super Puma helicopter AS 332 has endorsed the army’s plan to upgrade. This rifles, which it says it needs to replace its broken, the $70 million question is: can this was too soft on the Maoists. L2 with a price tag of $10.8 million for VIP being Nepal, a lot of eyes are on who wins the country to afford to splurge on weapons, or Prachanda has left one small transport remains stuck in the parliament’s deals and who runs off with the kickbacks. SLRs. The offers quoted by suppliers for the rifles range from $600-970 apiece. On the is it going to buy only what is appropriate opening: he says he is still committedPublic to Accounts Committee (PAC). A defence To be sure, parliamentary and necessary? peace but under a “new process”. Deubaanalyst told us the offer was to trade in an oversight is working. The can grasp that olive branch and agreeexisting to Super Puma (valued at $5 million) for discuss a constitutional assembly, or four Soviet Afghan vintage Mi-24 gunships at organise an all-party conference, including the Maoists, to thrash things$1 million each. out. The alternative is a resumption of theThe Nepali tax-payer will be footing bill war, this time with deadlier weapons. Thefor the army’s $70 million shopping list, and only winners will be the arms merchants.has the right to ask: who are we defending ourselves against? Will the moneydiverted be from vital development programmes? And, most of all, can we afford it? “Security is a national priority, but we have to redefine security,” argues Dr Chaitanya Mishra, sociologist and former member of the National Planning Commission. “Weapons don’t make a country like ours more secure, our security comes from better health, better Weekly Internet Poll # 9 education, guaranteed civil liberties.” Q. Should Nepal change its official Assistant Home Minister Devendra Raj calendar to “Nepal Sambat”? Kandel is exasperated by all this dove talk. “We need transport helicopters, the police needs at least two,” he told us. “If we cannot find donors, we may even have to buy them, to

Selected responses on p. 8 Total votes: 1554 Poles Apart... The Indo-Nepal treaty is deadlocked as deadline percent cap on imported material content nears, only a last-minuteon our miracleexports to India, can or save a 50 percent it. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ local value○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ addition threshold. At present there is a roughly 20 percent value change the rules of origin: either cappingaddition requirement for goods seeking

imported material content, or fixing localduty-refunds on exports to Indian markets. SUBHAS RAI value addition. Nepali officials who had initially India also wants a safeguard clauseopposed a formula on value addition giving it the power to suspend and proposed by Nepal’s Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and ince the 1996 Indo-Nepal tradeeventually cancel preferential treatment country content, and there has been Industry (FNCCI) and India's Confedera- treaty, Nepal’s exports to India for the product in question. an explosion in the entry of these items tion of Indian Industry (CII), are now said have grown five-fold to about Rs Nepali negotiators seem undecided on into India. S to have decided that could be the way to 25 billion. But renewal of the treaty,how to respond, and also about the go. But India now wants value-addition The Indians had been complaining which expires at midnight on 5 Decem-nature of the technicality we want incalculation done differently. about this for about a year, but it appears ber, appears to be in jeopardy. place. Commerce Minister Purna Bahadur Indian officials are under pressurethat Nepal failed to gauge the extent of Officials from the two countries Khadka even took the same flight back to Indian anger about the 1996 treaty. “Now New Delhi from Doha with his Indianfrom their manufacturers of vegetable have met four times to iron out the main we are trapped,” says industrialist Binod counterpart Murasoli Maran to see if he sticking point: India’s worry that there Chaudhary. “If the government accepts could untie the knot. Officials say that has been an unnatural increase in the Indian proposal, trade will regress to unless there was a political breakthrough exports of certain items, suggesting that pre-1996 and our exports will be at the Khadka-Maran talks, it is unlikely these are third-country goods pretend- doomed.” that the treaty can be salvaged. ing to be Nepali products. “There has Others argue that a few exporters Meanwhile, the Indians have been been absolutely no progress on the two who benefit from questionable “exports” main issues: rules of origin and safe-turning on the heat. They nearly walkedghiu, acrylic yarn, copper wires and steelare holding Nepal’s trade with India guards against surge,” one negotiatorout of the last round of joint secretary pipes, who say a surge in Nepali exportshostage, and told us. level talks “because nothing was moving”. of these items since 1996 has destroyedsabotaging the Here's where the negotiations are stuck:Nepal apparently had no response at the their business. They’ve already lobbiedcountry’s for industriali- talks to the Indian proposal for a 50 anti-dumping duties on acrylic and zincsation. oxide and local taxes in some states. They Interviewp3 say the Nepali products have high third- Deb Mukharji India has proposed two formulae to seen to be solved at a given moment of euphoria. What are the real reasons preventing the automatic renewal of the 1996 trade treaty. Does it signify that the Gujral Doctrine is finally dead? we are both trying to do, it would be difficult other. There are few with the clarity of thought of Indian to give any credible assurance on something As you know the 1996 protocol to the Indo- EDITORIAL 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES INTERVIEW 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 222 analyst K Subrahmanyam, who argue that after the Taliban over which one does not have total control. Nepal trade treaty was quite unique in333 some Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, is defeated, everyone’s (the US’s, India’s, Russia’s, Paki- respects. Now the fact is that in the operation Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit Editor:Anagha Neelakantan stan’s) common goal should be a moderate Pakistan. of the treaty in the past five years, India feels Design:Swosti Rajbhandari, Kiran Maharjan Is there a way out of the impasse on [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com So what lessons for us? Nepali history and geography have that some shortcomings have been evidenced Advertising:Sunaina Shah, Anup Adhikary Equally, I think that while our views may joint water and river projects? [email protected] parallels with Afghanistan. We are also multi-ethnic, we are which need to be rectified. There are, I think, Subscription:Anil Karki [email protected] “Nepal and India haveI think we need so to firstly, primarily,much dissociate in common not converge on everything, there is no issue— Sales:Sudan Bista [email protected] strategically located, we also have a historydomestic of politics from such economic decisions. Nepal essentially two areas where some modifications Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur none—on which we have a conflict of interest. may be necessary. One is with regard to value GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-543333-7,It was, and is, Afghanistan’s great misfortune that it intrigueis so and outside meddling, and we are as fiercely has to decide whether collaboration with Fax: 01-521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press: 01- We should not impute negative motives to the 521393 ROXYindependentFREE as the Afghans.ONE Our strength can come from addition made to products manufactured in AP - Z India in the development of water resources strategic, straddling the crossroads between civilisations. Ever we tend to take each other for granted...” visionary leadership that can show integrity and commit- other person in every instance. We should Nepal with goods imported from third since the Moghuls rode over the Khyber Pass, all through the for energy is beneficial to Nepal. And I think ment to economic progress that makes us more self-reliant accept people at face value. Neighbours have Russo-British Great Game, the disastrous Soviet occupation, have been witness to some tragic events in once such a decision is taken, the rest must beparties—the foreign material content in goods epal should not be turned into another Afghani- and in control of our own destiny. to understand each other’s problems and exported from Nepal. stan.” It has become irresistible for politiciansand of finally to the present day when the country became a haven Nepal, as also certain other developments in allowed to move ahead without hindrance. I Our squabbling politicians may want to learn the les- perceptions to ensure that they don’t every hue to proclaim those words from pulpitsfor extremists from all over the Islamic world, no one has ever the internal scene, which have wide ramifica- think it is necessary to have a political The other issue is with regard to a very “N left Afghanistan alone. This hostile land peopled by fiercesons of Afghanistan and resolve not be proxies for anyone transgress each other’s interests in any way. across the land. tions. I’ve seen the resilience and the consensus in Nepal on this subject. Having sudden explosion in exports which could tribes became the graveyard for many invaders who hadfor to short-term gain. Proxies are expendable, and they are determination of the Nepali people, the damage selected Indian industries. Let me also They mouth the words, but it is doubtful if they haveslink away with tails between their legs. abandoned first by their mentors. Has something changed after 11 said that, we seem finally to be making some Nepali polity, in dealing with these tragic progress towards the detailed project report say that if you look at the totality of the Indian studied the history of how multi-ethnic Afghanistan enteredThis month, the Taleban political structure finally collapsedThe forthcoming and much-delayed SAARC Summit in September? Your Foreign Minister such a hopeless vortex of violence and destruction. A lot had and momentous events. on Pancheswor. The government of India market, it is possibly quite true that Nepali under the weight of American firepower. Something happenedKathmandu in January will be largely symbolic photo-op. came out and called the Tamil Tigers to do with failed governance within Afghanistan, its fickle offered as assistance to Nepal the setting up ofexports are not of a magnitude which would in Afghanistan in the first week of November 2001 that Anythingprobably can happen during December. Still, it could be an and our Maoists “terrorists”. You have alliances and frequent back-stabbing. Sound familiar? Are there lessons we can draw from cause damage to industry as a whole in India. opportunity to forge a “Kathmandu alliance” to declare Nepal tightened security along the Indo- a small-to-medium hydroelectric plant for marked a turning point in the history of military campaigns. As the Hrithik Roshan riots? But it could cause damage in significant areas Lest we forget, these intractable internal rivalries werea response to suicidal terror, we saw the application of anda new the smaller South Asians a proxy-free zone. Nepal border, there have been raids which some sites have been visited. I trust I think it would be appropriate both in Nepal in a manner which causes distress. largely stoked and fomented by Afghanistan’s neighboursdoctrine for of high-tech distance warfare a la Tom Clancy. Twelve on Maoist safe-houses in Siliguri. that if those are allowed to move ahead, as well as in India if we draw the appropriate their own short-term advantage. The Afghans were proxiesyears afterof the Gulf War, we have seen the awesome advances I think globally there is a heightened awarenessthey will create the level of confidence Now, with regard to the first issue which I conclusions or lessons from the unfortunate regional powers who in turn were the proxies of the super-in military hardware and technology which now obviate the of the different forms terrorism can take, and needed for much more extensive collabora-cited, I would also suggest that you may wish powers. Bin Laden used to be an American proxy, Mullahneed for full frontal invasions, supposedly minimise “collateral” series of events. While one need not dwell on how this affects us. John Donne wrote 400 tion in water resources. to consider as to how much the interest of Omar was a Pakistani proxy. Ahmed Shah Masood wasand a “friendly” casualties, and allows the conduct of virtual this for ever and ever, I think for thinking years ago: “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, for Nepal, Nepali labour, or your foreign Russian proxy. remote control warfare. people and for decision-makers there are it tolls for thee…” You cannot After the prime minister’s visit to exchange reserves are served by large dollar As Michael Ignatieff warns in this issue (p 13) proxy warsSo far so good. But however euphoric the talking heads on lessons that would need to be drawn for future compartmentalise terrorism. It is a hydra- Delhi last year things looked rosy. imports and selling the goods with marginal are easy to fight, but the danger is that proxies run awayCNN with may sound, America’s war on terror is not over. In fact, it relationships. Only time will tell if we have headed monster that has its linkages, ramifica-There were no problems at the value addition to India. their own agenda, and then mess up the agenda of thosemay just be beginning. The Taleban could just dig in and keep learnt those lessons. tions all over. I don’t want to go into the linksleadership level, but later things As to what I believe to be the essence of who think they are controlling the proxies. History showsfighting us a guerrilla war, Afghanistan may be partitioned be- seemed to get stuck in the bureauc- that in geo-politics, short-term advantage is almost alwaystween anorth and south. But how is this new high-tech war going the Maoists have with external organisations, the Gujral Doctrine, that Indian has a special One of the things that the riots and racy. Is it a problem ofbabudomon duty towards her neighbours, I think this long-term disadvantage. to fare in the next phase when it can’t be fought by remote the aftermath showed is that India andwho, in turn, might have other links. These control anymore? things cannot be seen in isolation. both sides? certainly holds. This does not mean a one- Nepal just cannot seem to get any- I will speak primarily of India. I will say sided relationship, for no relationship can be And the most frightening part: al-Qaeda is still loose and it thing started because of our mutual India has been a direct victim of interna- is more enraged than ever before. Is America more secure tional terrorism for a long time. With regard tocategorically that when a political decision is sustainable on that basis. MIN BAJRACHARYA hang-ups. Little problems get in the made, bureaucracy does not obstruct. But, in than it was before the Afghan bombing began. They’d be way of bigger things that need to be your specific query, I don’t think there is fooling themselves if they thought so. Indian ambssador to Nepal, anything very new that has happened. We haveall fairness to my breed, I should go a little What memories will you take back done. further. Sometimes promises can be made andfrom Nepal? Despite all this, if there was a worthy outcome from the Deb Mukharji, is completing A very crucial aspect of this relationship is thatsimilar problems in India, though in our larger deaths of innocents in New York and the misery of millions in his tenure in Nepal and geographical context it may not have the sameassurances given without a full analysis of the I have enjoyed myself greatly. Hopefully, I the problem is not only on one side. I think implications. Now, while I do not claim the have made some friends. I have had some Afghanistan, then it must be that one of the most repressive, retiring from diplomatic that because we have so much in common, weimpact as in Nepal. Our support has always intolerant and obscurantist regimes on earth has been un- Indian bureaucracy to be the sole guardian of occasion to see some of your very, very service at the end of tend to take each other for granted. We been with the government of Nepal, in seated. Also, the world’s only superpower seems to have November. He spoke to Nepali combating any movement that seeks to national interest, it is our duty to look at all beautiful country. realised that multilateralism is the way to go and there may be assume we know all there is to know, when in aspects of a question so that any final decision some use for the United Nations after all. (Now maybe Wash- Times about his brief posting fact in our own ways we are both growing up. overthrow existing legal institutions by in tumultous Kathmandu, means of the gun. that is taken is taken on the basis of full ington will finally pay up its UN dues.) I think like any relationship, ties between knowledge of facts. I think political wisdom Yet, in our own region, India and Pakistan continue to see addressing issues such as nations need to be worked at and I think both Indo-Nepal trade, cross- Have there been any special moves toand statesmanship are essential in resolving the unfolding drama in the Hindu Kush from their own narrow of us have fallen short of the desirable levels of issues which can only be resolved with prisms. For them, it’s still about Kashmir. Numerous pundits border Maoism, bilateral understanding. sever the links between our Maoists relations and water sharing. and yours? political involvement. But I must emphasise on satellite talk shows continue to rant about how India or that the majority of issues require in-depth Pakistan can earn brownie points from the misfortune of the So what kind of confidence-building I have to honestly answer that given the kinds of movements that take place across the analysis by experts. By-passing this process measures should be taken? How about eventually causes more problems than are cultural exchanges? border, say between your Maoists and Indian Nepali Times:By all accounts you have I think at the highest level there is no absence Maoists, in Jharkhand, in Andhra Pradesh, been the least controversial Indian of understanding. Cultural exchanges would that would be an empty statement. We don’t ambassador posted in Nepal. And yet,help. I am really looking at greater interactionknow if they have interactions, and if so, what the last two years have been among and understanding, particularly between kind of interactions they have. Within the the most challenging for our bilateraljournalists and academics, so both can see thelimitations of managing this open border that relations. How did you do it? other chap’s point of view. We mustn’t expect Deb Mukharji: Thanks. That is for my friendsthat all points of view will always converge. Kabul New Yorknever budged from his ideals. in Nepal to judge. We each have our national priorities and Dr Shashank Koirala is an interests. It should not be expected that we These have been very eventful times agree on everything. erudite eye specialist, he talks loftily for Nepal. How has it been for you? STATE OF THE STATE aboutby Koirala CK legacy,LAL and likes to repeated calls for her presence in Indo-Nepal relations have had some ups and quote Kant to clarify a complex downs in the past year-and-a-half. But most the ward. She doesn’t even have thetheory of vision. Supatra may be his time to look at the faces of those obviously the basic strength and resilience of wife, but she has no such preten- our relations have continued to assert who come to her more for reassur- sions. Instead, she is much more (A selection of black-and-white photo- themselves. It has also been a period when I graphs taken by Deb Mukharji in Nepal are ance than anything else. Supatra compelling with her natural for the western media, but his loyalty remains with his subject— reproduced on page 10-11.) A nation in hard labourhasn’t changed, it’s just that now simplicity, sincere smile, and earthy she has become a victim of her own furthering western interests in wisdom. In the labour-room of Om, developing countries. Lak should professionalism. But that is a attendants aver that Supatra knows read his fellow columnist CK Lalis a guy who is incompetent and Ganga and Jamuna return to their homeland, where more different story. best how to make babies cry as they (“Oh, say, can you see Osama On one of those earlier leisurely LETTERS completely clueless, who is enter the world. Her touch makes and Omar”, #68) to understandhungry for power and whose attitude towards the BP Koirala DUBYA AND DEUBA mothers die at childbirth than anywhere else in the world. days, she once cared to ask a the little ones rend the room with why US policies in these parts greedof exceeds his ego, going Institute of Health Sciences Jamuna, and the generous liberating the Afghan people, andthe world are despised so much. (BPKIHS) we always felt ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ altruism falls flat in front of the would-be father: what would he the music of a new human life. CK Lal’s pathological hatred for around asking people to rise donations made by the citizens of ridding the world of terror. If the United States practiced insecure to work there. There is compelling argument that when youlike his son or daughter to be. The What her colleagues probably don’t Americans is difficult to against the Maoists when there is that affluent city-state. understand (“Oh, say, can you Roughly fifty years ago, an what it preaches, there woulda peace process being under- this alarming trend of “ he day Siamese twins Ganga of utter neglect in the hinterland cannot provide clean water to man pretended to be witty and know is that she is equally capable have been no Taliban, no al- As long as specialised medical see Osama and Omar?”, #68). evil not unlike the al-Qaeda and taken by his own party member. and Jamuna arrived as two and national attention given to the drink, a caesarean surgery is no intoned in mock-seriousness, if it’s Qaeda, and no bin Laden, and 9- daktar of making grown men cry too. Why does he not realise that the Taleban was visited upon this When will he finally accept his services aren’t being provided at thesocial service. If their urge was a son, he would want him to be a 11 would not have taken place at kutne” in the whole of Nepal, Tindependent babies in extraordinary in the metropolis, Koiralas are something akin to Nepal gets nothing by support- world in the name of Nazism. failure and let Nepal move cost of general health care for every all. America needs to correct itself Kathmandu, one in every ten there is an expanding middle professional excellence, they could BP, and if it were a daughter he ing countries like Afghanistan, Their leader was Hitler. There forward? but especially in the tarai region. royal commoners in Nepal, much rather than keep bombing Iraq, ground where the definition of one, public investment in advanced have chosen the company of equallywould want her to be another Iraq or Sudan? But if we were people then, like Neville As a result, doctors in Hetauda children born in their homeland like the political dynasty of the Sudan or Afghanistan at its medical facilities need not be competent professionals at state-of- support the US, Nepal can Chamberlain, who thought that a have stopped doing forensic died before completing their first ‘minimum level of service’ is slowly Supatra. Between the moment the whims and fancies. Instead of questioned. It is a grim reality of Nehru-Gandhis in India. Supatra benefit—look how Pakistan has civilised dialogue mixed with a examinations, there are no able birthday. It may look inopportune changing. the-art facilities in more developed sentence was uttered and when writing western propaganda in his could have easily chosen to bask in benefited. It is possible that gentle dose of appeasement doctors in most district hospi- Sutkeri Samagri(a packet this country that a poor countries. There must be somethingSupatra gathered her composure, a apologetic Bill Clinton and Noam widely read column, it would be to talk about this silent catastrophe the glory of her surname alone, Sher Bahadur Deuba has some would be enough to melt Hitler’s tals, most doctors wants to of bare necessities to helpsudenis more, something personal, that world of emotions passed through Chomsky, he is more than happy better for Mr Lak to expose the amidst the celebration of a glorious particularly after 1990. Or she understanding with the Ameri-once again to ride the jet-streamheart and save civilisation from D Karmacharyaremain in Kathmandu or in the do their job) and training of women motivates them to do what they do her face. “Don’t ever wish BP’s fate cans, who after all were his hypocrisy of Britain and America. big regional hospitals where at medical achievement but it is in could have gone into social service of anti-American hatred. The ruin. But in the end, it took force New Jersey, USA paramedics at the village level are sudeniin day after day, against seemingly on any one, much less on an whole point of his article can beto defeat this evil. Already in least security is a bit better. times of joy that we must not forget mode. Instead, she chose to remain PRACHANDA slowly improving the services insurmountable odds. Supatra once unborn,” she said slowly, her summarized in two words: Kabul, with the initial success of Whose responsibility is it to the sorrows of the less fortunate. Achham or an illiteratechamainin what she trained to be—a consult- provide security to doctors in available to the newborn and revealed her fount of inspiration eyes welling up. “Nobody “America... Bad”. the allied forces, the Taleban are Thanks to Puskar Bhusal The maternal mortality rate in Mushaharniya cannot even buy a ing gynaecologist for the urban (“Prachanda comes alive”, #68)the district hospitals? This is not mothers alike. While it is true that quite unintentionally about nine deserves to endure the pain BP lami (matchmaker). Maybe we If CK Lal were to tune out ofon the run, there is music on the Nepal is also one of the highest in subsidised packet of Sutkeri middle class. There is only one streets, the women have started for exposing Comrade Prachandajust a small local issue it will most health posts in the country years ago. will get American help to fightAl Jazeera for a moment or two, the world. More than one quarter Samagri, either because she is went through.” lament however: her dedication has to unveil their burkhas in defi- for what he is: a failed, phoneyultimately make the already lack enough trained personnel and the Maoists in Nepal. CK Lal maybe he would not be making sorry state of our health system (27 percent) of all deaths of women unaware of it or because it isn’t In those days, Om Nursing Whenever I think of Dr bred a popularity that has turned a ance, men are lining up outside revolutionary who has brought essential supplies, their role in should be happy that Deuba such a ridiculous statement asbarber shops to get rid of their untold suffering to the Nepali even sorrier. between the ages of 15 and 45 are available there at all. Even so, this Home was a modest establishment, Supatra Koirala, these are the counsellor of human souls into just supported the USA immediatelyAmerica is responsible for the delivering basic health care quite unlike the huge private Taleban-mandated beards, and people, and set in motion an the result of childbirth complica- does not mean that famous first two sentences that come to another famous physician with a in its war with Afghanistan. TheTaleban and the al-Qaeda. If CK irreversible brutalisation of our cannot be denied. hospital that it has grown into children are flying kites again, and tions. In most families, pregnancy is gynaecologists like Dr Jun Thapa my mind. In the economy of high market value. Wonder if BP fundamentalists are helping setLal’s point is that America onlypeople are shouting “America society and nation. The fellow Then there are medical up managed according to practices and Dr Supatra Koirala should stop today. Supatra’s consultations were those few words lie hidden the would have approved. Or, whether acts in her own self-interest—America” in utter expression of hasn’t learnt his lesson. He wants then the natural question, is which practitioners in urban areas who examining expecting mothers in often more like counselling sessions sum of the physical pain, emo- madrasas in Nepal, spread- gratitude. And CK Lal has either to take on the Indian Army. Then Dr Amrit Rai, passed down from generation to Supatra still remembers what she country doesn’t? The solutions to render valuable service, even though for nervous couples. Sometimes she missed it all, or has selective Satyendra Shakyahe has the cheek to wax eloquent Copenhagen generation. Almost all deliveries in Kathmandu, and fly away to some tional turmoil, intellectual told a would-be father about her ing Islam in a Hindu country. the struggle in Afghanistan is “so only to those who can afford their faraway land where they can would call expecting mothers and hunger, political frustrations and amnesia. Bhanimandalabout Karisma Manandhar. She rural areas are attended by illustrious father-in-law. Naresh Adhikaryelementary” to him that he gets should immediately disown him. fees. It limits the reach of some practice their profession with a their husbands together and talk social rejection that BP Koirala Anamnagarfrustrated that the folks at Langley sudenis outstanding physicians, but that clear conscience. calmly about the challenges of went through in the last years of “don’t get it”. But what does our GIRIJA still doesn’t reduce the importance parenthood. Sadly, all that is boy wonder have to offer... well, CORRECTION in the hills andchamainsin the But what is it that makes his life. Like others bornnever to Re: “Deuba’s gamble”, # 67. Looks of their services. After all, every one history now. These days, she rushes C K Lal has done it again. Henothing, of course! He would An editing error in a sentence tarai—women who have learnt their people like Dr Thapa and Dr die, BP lived through all that, but criticises the Taleban and al- rather wallow in guilt, self-pity, like Nepal is seeing some rays of P Shrestha life saved, or every moment of from one patient on the examina- hope amidst chaos with the about the 1967 banquet for King craft of midwifery by apprentice- Koirala get up in the morning and Qaeda, but unleashes his fullintrospection and soul-searching by email Mahendra in the Netherlands agony reduced, is an important face another gruelling day, often fulltion table, another standing on the wrath, with no stones left than provide concrete ways of government and Maoists talking ship, and have no knowledge of Bishwa Basnetagain and the Maoists giving up at incorrectly identified Queen service. Each human being is uniqueof frustrations? Money can’t be weighing machine, one more in a unturned, upon his favorite Juliana as being absent as she modernmedicine or tools. The by email least some of their demands. I DAKTAR KUTNE and deserves the best treatment. their sole motivation, because they chair, and manages to ward off target—the Big Bad Wolf of the was giving birth to future crown use of rusted razorblades to cut This justifies the tortuous hours of planet, in his view, the United seriously hope that something I agree fully with Dr Milan Piya can make more of it almost positive will come out of this. But I prince Willem-Alexander. It was umbilical cords, and the applica- surgery by an international team of States of America. Buoyed by Finally Daniel Lak has shown his (“How much is too much?”, #68).the I present Queen, Her Majesty tion of cow-dung to treat birth- anywhere else. Serving society is a hot air from such Blame true colours (“Two months after”,am really aggravated and vexedhad worked in Inaruwa Hospital, doctors in Singapore on Ganga- by Mr Girija Koirala’s attitude. Here Queen Beatrix. -Ed wounds are not uncommon. high-sounding motive, but such America icons as the ever- #68). He pretends to sympathise and even though most people in But between the bleak picture with the objects that he covers Inaruwa have a very positive 444 NATION 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES NATION 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 555 Foundation of Australia. The laboratory is now run by an all- Unnoticed, Nepal has emergedNepali as team a to modelproduce world for standard intraocular lenses to be Fear of flying ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ low cost, reliable world-classused blindness within Nepal and to be The crew of a private airline narrowly escaped an accident in blindness. The survey was a exported to southeast Asia. Jumla this week when a bird hit the windscreen, shattering it prevention carelandmark inthe exercise world.in the develop- The Fred Hollows Founda- and spattering the pilot in blood. Feathered creatures have long ing world, and clearly identified tion was set up to carry on the been a menace at Tribhuvan International Airport. But it appears the inaccessibility of eye care work of Australian visionary Prof that another kind of four-footed trouble is causing concern in Nepal’s airports in other parts of the country. In Tumlingtaar, services as a major problem in the HEMLATA RAI Fred Hollows who thought it Sankhuwasabha, in east Nepal, airport authorities and the local ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ Third World. To improve was appalling that people in the municipality have got together in a campaign against canines wenty years ago, if Nepalis accessibility to eye-care, zonal eyedeveloping world go blind from straying onto the runway. Officials say the stray dogs are developed cataracts most hospitals were set up in the 1980scataracts because they didn’t dangerous to domestic flights to and from Kathmandu and T either went blind or went to first establish the necessary have access to affordable Biratnagar. They don’t want to take chances, so they have taken visionary to India for treatment. Today, to poisoning them. More than fifty have been killed so far and infrastructure. It was only after treatment. He set out to provide the scene is reversed: thousands animal lovers will agree—it isn’t the most humane way of 1990 that attention was given to local doctors in these countries, aviation management. of Indian patients with cataracts enhancing the quality of services. with the skills and tools they and other eye disease come to Now, the government has needed to give people back specialised centres in Nepal launched an ambitious Vision their sight. eye care for treatment. 2020 programme-part of a global One such doctor, Sanduk It is one of those little- drive against avoidable blindness. Ruit, Medical Director of the known success stories of Nepal’s Under the programme, Nepal is Nepal Eye Program (synonymous Also in civil aviation news… ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ development in the past 20 years obliged to train ophthalmologists with Tilganga Eye Centre) and provide surgical supplies to Nepal’s civil aviation sector is getting some money to brush up its that the country is now a pioneered the modern cataract awareness about European industry practices concerning regional leader in eye care. In eliminate leading eye diseases likesurgery: removing only the airworthiness, safety and standards. With air connections 1981, there was only one eye cataract, trachoma, childhood clouded lens and implanting an between Nepal and Europe expanding, the industry definitely hospital in Nepal, today there blindness and other eye diseases. intraocular lens into the needs to know how Europeans manage and control their air are 17 hospitals and 32 other But to meet that goal, we natural capsule. traffic, as well as their take on product maintenance and eye care centres. In addition, six customer support practices. The European Commission has need to produce 400 more “With this method the sight signed six new financing agreements with Nepal, Bhutan, government hospitals have full- ophthalmologists and four times of an eye can be restored near to Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, and Thailand for the EU-Asian Civil fledged ophthalmologic depart- more supporting staff and the normal level,” says Ruit Aviation Co-operation project. The total pie is Euro 30 million. The ments. While doctors are still in technicians in the next 15 years. whose team proved that modern EU press statement does not say how much each country will get. short supply, there are 85 eye Today, Nepal produces only an cataract surgery can be done doctors for Nepal’s 23 million average of five eye specialists a safely and hygienically in population, there are 175 year. The national drive against developing countries like Nepal, trained ophthalmic assistants, cataract, the leading cause of Eritrea, Vietnam, China and Dr Sanduk Ruit of the Nepal Eye Program pioneered modern cataract surgery: removing only the 335 specialised eye care blindness in Nepal and the world,Myanmar with results equal to clouded lens and implanting an intraocular lens into the natural capsule (seen being done at left). paramedics. paid attention to the number of those obtained in Australia and Muna Madan in Tibetan This technique is now used by Nepali doctorsan to unofficial restore evaluation, sight to the thousands of blind patients from○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ While impressive, these surgical procedures and over- throughout the world. looked the quality. The same number of cataract surgeries Late poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota would be happy. His master- numbers still do not meet the Ruit is driven by a dream to Eritrea to Cambodia. Here, Dr Ruit (second from right) speaks to a Tibetan cataract patient in piece national survey found that the performed by an ophthalmologist Muna Madan, long considered a Nepali classic, is likely to colossal need for eye care in have a self-sustaining eye care Lhasa through an interpreter. Nepal. Like most developing conventional type of cataract remarkable success story? Dr per year in Nepal is 1,062, while be translated into Tibetan. That’s what Han Shuli, vice chairman program throughout Nepal. TEC of the Literary Federation of the Tibet Autonomous Region of countries in the region, the surgery where the cataract was Ram Prasad Pokharel, pioneer it is about 300 in India and 150 stresses a strict pricing tier, cross at the ophthalmologic depart- China told dignitaries and artists attending a reception marking prevalence of blindness is quite removed and patients were given eye care activist in Nepal, has no the 93 subsidies and high quality care. rd very thick glasses—half were not of blindness. doubt about the reason: “Non- ment at the government-run TU Hospital, centres of excellence, birth anniversary of Devkota.Muna Madan is a tragic high. (Nepal .8 percent, India .7 “A barefoot patient coming from actually wearing their glasses and “Opthalmology is a high tech interference from the government Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.serve locals as well as Indian tale of a young couple, the husband Madan who travels to percent, Myanmar .9 percent, Sindhupalchowk and a member were thereby functionally blind. branch of medicine, advancing allowed the sector to explore the Impressive as these achieve- patients from Bihar and UP. Data Lhasa to trade, only to return to Nepal to find that the wealth he Bangladesh 1, Sri Lanka .5 of Parliament get the same percent): children often suffer Owing to the lack of proper very quickly. At the Centre, we development potentiality to the ments are, the distribution of eye show that of the 80,000 cataract has earned has no meaning because his beloved wife Muna is treatment,” says Ruit who as a dead. One of modern equipment cataract try to adapt the latest technology fullest.” Pokharel’s Nepal Netra care centres in Nepal is still operations conducted in Nepali eye infections which can easily general medical doctor attending Muna Madan’s best remembered insights is in the surgical related complications but still keep our feet on the Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) is now also uneven. The Central Develop- eye hospitals last year, 70 be cured but due to lack of an eye camp in western Nepal line:Maanis thulo dila le hunccha, jaata le huundaina (Man were very high.. ground, keeping Nepali condi- offering its eye care expertise to ment Region where Kathmandu ispercent were on Indian patients. antibiotics many children go was intrigued by the problem becomes great by his deeds not by his birth). blind. Cataract is still common, As an answer to the problem, tions in mind.” patients outside Nepal. situated has seven full-fledged eyeThis trend has over-burdened and despite impressive strides to Tilganga Eye Centre (TEC) Today, TEC runs a grief- Major eye-care institutions in hospitals, while rest of the hospitals near the Indian border. control it blindness due to started an intraocular lens counselling centre and an eye the country like Til Ganga and country is left with ten hospitals. Last year, Lahan Eye Hospital, Positive news vitamin A deficiency still exists. production lab in 1994 with bank for cornea donations. Netra Jyoti are non-governmen- Similarly out of the 17 hospitals, one of the most popular with ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ A National Blindness Survey assistance from the Fred Hollows About 30 percent of patients tal entities and run 16 zonal more than half are in the tarai, Indian patients conducted 28,835 Nepali documentary filmmakers are coming. Four of ageYears in cataract operations with its five in 1981 found that 80 percent of receive free treatment, 50 hospitals. These institutions have while the high mountain belt does Hell, a documentary about a young girl infected with HIV and her ophthalmologists. the blind suffered from prevent- percent are paying patients, and been successful in maximising not have a single hospital. contribution to the promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness raising, has won the UNICEF Prize atth the 28 able or curable blindness, the rest are subsidised. It has cost effectiveness of donors funds The high concentration of “Unless all the hospitals run Japan Prize International cataract, trachoma and glaucoma started outreach centres in and instead of depending on sale eye-care institutions in the tarai outreach programmes, poorer Education Program Contest in Tokyo. Says producer Anil Rijal of as the three leading causes of Ramechap and Dhading of expensive services to richer have put Nepalis at a disadvan- Nepalis are not going to benefit the Kathmandu-based Young Asia Television Nepal, “I hope the clients they have targeted tage because the hospitals are much,” said Nabin Kumar Rai, film informs people that HIV-infected people have a right to work, where eye health care facilities live normal and happy lives.” are lacking. attracting a large turnover to swamped with patients from Medical Coordinator of Tilganga The production of reduce the price for eye northern Bihar and Uttar PradeshEye Centre. TEC conducted half intraocular lenses was a turning treatment. across the border. In a country of its 7,300 cataract surgeries at BOTH PHOTOS: COURTESY TILGANGA EYE CENTRE TILGANGA EYE COURTESY BOTH PHOTOS: point for Nepal’s fight against The economy of scale means where health awareness and the mobile eye camps last year. Nepal Barring children concept of consulting doctors are Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) sources ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ cataract blindness. TEC pro- that corrective eye-surgery in Nepal has decided to relocate duces 100,000 one-piece lenses a Nepal can cost between Rs unfamiliar, Indian patients are said that only 40 percent of the HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK people who get care are served by all children living in the country’s year for just Rs 450 (about $6) 2,000-Rs 6,000, whereas a usually taking advantage of the jails in a commitment made each, whereas the same quality similar surgery in New Delhi can inexpensive and high quality hospitals at present, while the Tuesday, the 12 th International lens costs $150 in Australia. cost between Rs 20,000-Rs services available in Nepal. Lahan rest are treated at free mobile eye 40,000. The reason the treat- Eye Hospital and Lumbini Eye camps conducted by various Child Rights Day. The children Presently, 95 percent of cataract will be taken to different operations are completed with ment is better and cheaper here organisations. The researchers also found that word of mouth centres of the Nepal Children’s Death in the family implantation of intraocular lens. is the efficiency of Nepali Organisation, five have already was the main source of informa- In neighbouring India and ophthalmologists. According to been brought to the organisa- Bangladesh, the percentage is tion for 80 percent of these tion’s Kathmandu office. A Child KANDAHAR- For any of us doing potentially dangerous work, the death fades from the maps of Afghanistan. So in a chaotic frenzy, journalists only 50 and 35 respectively. patients who eventually got Reform Home has also been set We all rushed here to catch the last of sought and fought over visas to come here. All thoughts of safety and treatment. up at Sano Thimi Bhaktapur. The government has not said how of a colleague is a sobering and tragic experience. Whether you deliver life What is the reason for this many children are currently living in prison around the country. saving food and shelter to the innocent victims of violence, or provide the Taleban. Life seems to go on, the security were secondary to getting here. The nature of the beast, but not a information to the comfortable classes of the west, you don’t expect murder of colleagues notwithstanding. very encouraging sign of our maturity. The deaths elsewhere in the country to die. gave us all a reality check, but it didn’t last long. In Spin If you’re lucky, you have been formally trained to Boldak, amid sprawling refugee camps and smugglers bazaars the world’s press is gathered to cover the cope with what are known as hostile environments. On Taleban’s last stand. It’s an alluring story and many here the long list of inadequate euphemisms dreamt up by have waited a long time for the merest glimpse inside the bureaucrats, that one sits near the top. Taking such a minds of the militia that has ruled Afghanistan for the past course means—for most of us in the media—going to five years. The turbaned men and boys with Kalashnikovs the English countryside for a weekend of war stories, too have a disarming simplicity and sense of humour. They much alcohol and a staged kidnapping by ex special laugh and joke when you take their photograph. They forces soldiers. clutch their rifles fiercely on demand. They talk wistfully It’s not the sort of thing that prepares you for much, of how the dreariness and violence of this life will soon let alone life threatening situations. give way to the pleasures and seductions of the next. I doubt that such training was much help to the late Meanwhile, their leaders shout into walkie-talkies and Henry Burton of Reuters news agency, who along with generally behave like part of a regime that’s on its last legs. three colleagues are the latest media victims of this In the market, contraband dealers and truck drivers tell wretched war in Afghanistan. Henry, his cameraman and you they’re used to authority rising and collapsing on a two others were dragged from a car as it drove through a fairly regular basis. Eventually, nasty bit of territory east of Kabul. It was always a bad they say, each new government stretch of road, we old Afghan hands said when we heard makes its deal with the the news. That’s small comfort to anyone, but it was smugglers and life goes on. something we had to say. Today the Taleban, tomorrow some other group, Frighteningly, it seems as if the four victims of this atrocityTaleban were fighter lies dead on road to Kabul, and (right) Henry Burton of Reuters. that has as many drawbacks for the people of singled out because they were journalists, representatives of a western Afghanistan. And here we are covering it all. country, or anywhere else, of people willing to resort to murder to settle media that has few friends in Afghanistan at the moment. We’ll probably Is this what being a journalist is all about? never know who killed them, it could have been rogue Taleban or scores, real or imagined. It seems as if the Reuters people fell victim to that. We got the chilling news from the east here in Taleban-controlled It’s a question we can no longer ask Henry Northern Alliance fighters, bandits, or al-Qaeda supporters from the Burton. Middle East—it really doesn’t matter. There’s no shortage in this southern Afghanistan as it happened. Along with 120 other journalists, I’m a slightly unwilling guest of the retreating Islamic militia at the moment. Belatedly, it seems as if the Taleban wanted to get its message out before it 666 NATION 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES NATION 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 777 person who dies in a traffic SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL accident should receive compen- It is an enduringsation myth equivalent that to Rs it 17,500, is cheaper to kill, than just injure a personthe general in apublic, traffic and authori- accident. But is that what actually happens?ties and professionals concerned nowhere does the act mention labour under this misconcep- tion. “It is a misinterpretation of that○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ drivers can get away with ○○○○○○○ the law,” says SSP Keshav this insurance.” just paying the oft-quoted Rs According to the Act, it is Hit and run17,500. “It does mention third Prasad Baral of the Valley Political alert Traffic Police. He finds it hard largely vehicle owners and party insurance, which many managers who are required to pay In these are fluid, unpredictable times, the upcoming local to believe that drivers intention- Maoists tossed a lifeline to Prime police, lawyers, and concerned the fines and fees in case of an professionals are not aware of,” ally kill people to avoid paying Ministerelections Sher Bahadur might Deuba hold some surprises. Then again, they might not. accident, not the driver. Acci- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ larger amounts of money. precisely at a time when his says advocate Lav Kumar Mainali. dents may occur owing to Investigations by the MIN BAJRACHARYA predecessor—and possible succes- Article 163 of the Act, which negligence, but intentionally department have never come sor—Girija Prasad Koirala had only to be tricked by party rivals into automatically trigger a thunderous deals with the Payment of running down someone is across evidence that this proceeded to unleash the full force seeking an unnecessary vote of international outcry. It may be Medical and Obsequies Expenses equivalent to murder and would happens and Baral does not of his arsenal to turn Nepal into a confidence he was doomed to lose. instructive to recall that Nepal was and Compensation, says: “If any be tried under the stricter civil their ideological affiliation down to know of any case of a driver uring the Dasain/Tihar tea With political currents flowing more active participant in the Deuba is too hardened by experience not alone in witnessing the loss or damage is caused to any Codes. “Who would want to risk the party suffix. Democrats will intentionally running over a parties they took turns in all conceivable directions, international anti-terrorism not to realise that the margin of error abolition of multiparty democracy person from vehicle accident, the life imprisonment or eventually have to act on their in protean political calculations can beduring the turbulent 1960s or in driver or owner or manager of person filed in court. “To my Lav Kumar Mainali Dorganising, our politicians Nepalis might end up voting for a affirmation that power comes out ofcampaign. Since key Deuba allies— harsher punishment?” asks a knowledge,” adds Mainali, must have shaken enough hands and new parliament under an all-party who in the Nepali Congress are barelyprohibitively high at a time when welcoming its return three decades vehicle shall be ordered to pay to police officer. the ballot box even if they don’t some Maoist activists have started later. If the end of the Cold War “cases of negligence, and reckless felt enough pulses to prepare their government including the Maoists believe that’s exactly true. With distinguishable from rivals—are too the victim the following amount The Vehicles and Transporta- shouting slogans against Prachanda could hasten the fall of the Berlin driving do occur. But in my strategies for Nepal Sambat 1122. before they get to know who’s on local and national politics living off busy fending off allegations of holding as medical expenses and compen- tion Act itself has provisions for and others are barely more polite in Wall, the beginning of George W sation: In case of death of a career as a public prosecutor and Among the urgent items of business the ticket for their ward commit- each other, politicians and the foreign bank accounts linked to defence lawyer dealing with such homicide—driving with the are the upcoming local elections. For tee. But national leaders can ignore Global Terror, Inc, the prime ministersaying they no longer recognise him asBush’s New Kind of War could person, the heir of the deceased people would do well to start their comrade-in-chief. surely help raise new fortresses in cases, I’ve never known anyone intention of killing, reckless all the top parties, keeping the folks at the pleas and pressures of local preparing for two elections. might find cabinet meetings a little person shall be paid with ten driving with no intention to kill, Nepalis today find themselves informs and fervour that cannot be thousand rupees as obsequies being charged with running over the bottom firmly within the fold is of functionaries only at the risk of While mainstream politicians less discomforting for a while. But and accidents not the result of the unusual position of having to fully comprehended today. expenses and as compensation, someone intentionally.” fundamental concern during these imperilling their own careers at the Deuba is certainly not about to take rash driving. The penalty ranges were immersed in the flow of the amalgamate the aspirations of a There are palpable shifts in the amount equivalent to Third Granted, says SSP Baral, the fluid times. Remember how fast the centre. Since the last local polls, off any of those astrologically from life imprisonment and festivities, the Maoists displayed violent campaign to overthrow theirregional dynamics as well. Indian Party Insurance payable for such current law is largely in the 400,000 panchas many thought were Maoists strategists have worked sanctioned rings. He vividly remem- confiscation of property to a tactical shrewdness by using the hard-won multiparty polity with newspapers are offering insightful death according to this Act, if no interest of powerful transport resolutely perched on the lower rungs towards reinforcing their rural base bers how he defeated a no-confidence Rs 500 fine and two years interregnum between Dasain and increasingly sombre musings from analyses on how an imminent gush Third Party Insurance has lobby and not in the interest of of the polity went underground in by, among other things, coercing motion in parliament four years ago imprisonment. Tihar to withhold their demand for within the system on the need to of visitors from China could help been procured. the public. But that in itself is a 1990, only to resurface in local bodies members of rival parties to quit a republic. The real substance of Still, almost every time there ponder alternative forms of Nepal revive its economy. At the reason why drivers don’t have to two years later as elected representa- their elected positions. A bullet-for-the shift lies in its timing. The MIN BAJRACHARYA is determined to file a case of According to Clause 55 of the run over people to avoid paying is an accident the local media tives of the newly emancipated a-bullet strategy can only go so far democracy. The framers of the same time, we’re told that security RAMYATA LIMBU murder. “Several eyewitnesses newer Vehicles and Transport ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ Baneswor and turned myself in at dutifully reports that it was a case political parties? where hamlets are identified with constitution are split between thoseanalysts in New Delhi are caution- have confirmed with the police Regulations 2055 (1998), the expensive medical bills. “The awaraj Timsina, from Siseri the police station in Gaushala,” of drivers intentionally running seeking a radical reconstruction anding their government not to that my nephew was run over owner or manager of the vehicle present Vehicles and Transport in Okhaldhunga had just Pudasaini told us at the over wounded victims. It hap- those with a stubborn predilection overlook foreign policy and defence intentionally,” says Hem Prasad shall procure Third Party Act (amended in 2049 after the paid his fare and was Hanuman Dhoka District pened to Timisina in Koteswor, for preserving the status quo at all considerations while twisting N Timsina, Nawaraj’s uncle who Insurance equivalent to Rs transport lobby went on strike) in Tulsipur two months ago, to a costs. Amid this snarl, politicians Nepal’s arm over the surge of GI alighting from a microbus at the Police Office. like many Nepalis believes that offers plenty of immunity to 300,000. “The law does make woman scooter driver earlier may be forgiven for seeking refuge pipe exports to India as the trade bustling Koteswor junction on Several eyewitness accounts indrivers intentionally kill wounded drivers, who are also protected by provision for compensation this year. in the rhetoric of ambiguity and treaty comes up for renewal. morning a month ago. He the next day's papers accused the people they have run over so they beyond Rs 17,500 and the kin of influential welfare associations and “There may be some incom- ambivalence. But there are some We’ve already had the christen- climbed back on to say some- driver of intentionally backing thedon't have to pay hefty hospital the deceased has a legal right to organisations,” says Baral. thing to his aunt and uncle bus to run over the wounded The Vehicles and Transport petence on our part during things they can do right away with ing of a new Rayamajhi on the left bills and get away with only Rs claim it, but many people are not dignified resolve. Since Paush 1 is who were also on board. He Timsina. Pudasini and other eye- Act 2049 requires vehicle investigations, but I just don’t see and remain to identify today’s Giris 17,500 in funeral expenses and aware of this,” says Mainali. just around the corner, our leaders alighted again. witnesses say it was an accident. owners to procure third party it happening. It is more a com- and Biswabandhus in the ruling compensation. So ,if Rs 10,000 is for might want to welcome the winter Bus driver Umanath “I don’t think it was intentional. posite effect of a lack of educa- party. Maybe we should take a However, the Vehicles and obsequies expenses, where did theinsurance. But, says Mainali, The man fell. The driver pan- tion, enforcement, and engineer- by issuing their annual alert against closer look over the next three Pudasaini, a Nuwakot resident, Transportation Act 2049 (1993) additional figure of Rs 7500 come“Apart“A“A from long haul passenger icked, backed agitatedly, running ing,” says another police officer. He the weeks. This rule of thumb straight felt a bump beneath the wheels, does not give any immunity to from? “From what I understand,” vehicles, like night buses, who over the man by accident,” says thinks lack of sidewalks, jay- out of and heard people shouting that drivers who run over and kill says Mainali, “this became an have begun to do so, most Raj Bikram Kathayan, who was walking, speeding, dark streets are someone had been run over. “I people on the street. In fact, accepted practice after the courts,vehicle owners don’t.” The at the site. what cause deaths on the streets, then drove off, dropped the rest in the absence of the Vehicles andproblem with implementation pratigamiconspiracy. Given the of the passengers at Naya But the deceased man’s family and deciding what the letter and and 90 percent of traffic deaths in symmetry of national and interna- satra salmight work: Count Transport Regulations (which Nepal involve pedestrians. appeared almost six years after spirit of the law mean goes tional realities this year, the threat the number of influential Kangresis the Act), sought the advice of further, explains the lawyer. from the reactionary right is the who you feel have extracted the insurance companies regarding “The Department of Transport most serious since the spring of most concessions from their leaders Third Party Insurance. They doesn’t withhold a road permit 1990. With the military ruler of but still can’t quit complaining. made a rough estimate and came to vehicles that do not have Pakistan and the Soviet-era The list may become too unwieldy up with the figure of Rs 7,500. strongman ruling independent because politics has become a more That’s been the practice so far.” Uzbekistan having emerged as the enriching pursuit today, but do Although it is not mentioned new darlings of the West, rightist keep it handy. Even if this Paush 1 attempts to fine-tune Nepal’s anywhere in the Act or the passes off quietly, there will always political institutions may no longer Regulations that the family of a be another one coming our way.

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Kathmandu Office: Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal G.P.O. 1044, Fax: 419237, Tel.: 258492 E-mail: [email protected], www.nepalwildlife.com.np Japan Office: Tokyo to Sumida Ku 3-40-6 Kyoujima. Japan E-mail: [email protected] Tel/Fax: 03-52473585 888 NEPALI ECONOMY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES ECONOMY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 999 BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED Chinese tourists ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal hopes to get a large number of Chinese tourists starting next year after the two countries sign an agreement to that effect, most likely later this month, the Nepal Tourism Board says. The NTB led a group of Nepali tourism operators to the China International Travel Mart at Kunming earlier this monthSweets to do some and the world “The notion that multinationals are preliminary marketing. The number of China’s outbound tourists in 2000 exceeded 10 million, of which about 5.6 million travelled abroad for leisure and holiday. China’s State Council last year approved 17 outbound destinations for Chinese travellers: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, Nepal, HongWhat Kong and does globalisation have to do with Tihar? Plenty. which have made it economically more viable in some of our product Macau. Three more countries, Germany, Egypt and Malta, were added to the list in June 2001. he Doha ministerial meet building economies of scale to harmful is outdated…”categories to source from India, and therefore you’ve seen exports Nepal has direct air connections with China, but the service is far short of meeting the demandconcluded for when we support advertising expenses. come down. I think the important question for us is how can we seats should the Chinese actually decide to visit. The situation is compounded by severe aircraftNepalis shortage were busy The same goes for many other develop the domestic market faster. Rather than worry too much faced by the Royal Nepal Airlines. Chinese tourists can, however, come via Hong Kong—thereT are two about what Indian fiscal policies are, I think we should be spendingeconomic reform. Trade can go hand in hand in resolving tensions. celebrating Tihar. The way that products. Think of how Dragon Air flights each week—or direct from Lhasa, on the thrice-weekly China Southwest flights. As chairman of more time thinking about what can be done proactively here toWould trade liberalisation after WTO be conducive to busi- meeting went, it became clear agricultural products are being positively drive sourcing, for example by setting up special eco-ness? that developed nations will have packaged, branded and sold or Hindustan Lever and nomic zones. I think so. Joining the global world is a foregone phenomenon. The their way in dictating the world the way in which instant only question is that we should prepare ourselves for that. It is very trade order. If the initiatives noodles have changed dietary Nepal Lever Vindi Whenever a big company like yours enters the marketimportant of a for everybody to ensure that they are competitive. You through the WTO were to fail, habits in Nepal. small country like ours there is fear that you will over-cannot be competitive at everything. So I think you have to, as a CNI Update country, pick and choose areas where you can be competitive. ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Banga looks after whelm local businesses. they would force on other The Beed would like to share Countries have to play to their natural strengths. The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), a rival to the existing Federation of Nepalesearrangements Chambers like regionalof trade some of his millenarian insights: Our philosophy at Unilever is that we believe that Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), says it has moved one step forward towards formalising the organisa- Unilever’s South Asia our prosperity as a company lies in the prosperity blocs and new rules and agreements, there are in the world today large of the country. We start with that, and then take Where could Nepal start? tion. The CNI, whose most powerful proponent is former FNCCI chairman Binod Kumar Chaudhary,and thus relentlessly says it pursue their orders in broken Hindi. People companies that have more economic One of the big opportunities for Nepal is to harness hydropower and has finalised its constitution and is ready to complete the registration processes. In a recent press state- operations. Nepali steps to match the country’s priorities. You can agenda of charting out the future of seem to think that like English to powers than even the colonial see that in every step we have taken in India leverage that. That is the core capability, which is sitting here, ment, the group says failure to renew the Nepal-India trade treaty before it expires on 5 Decemberglobal trade. could After all, the WTO is have serious consequences. order burgers at McDonald’s or superpowers of yore. The total Times spoke to him over the past 50-60 years, and today we are which no one can replicate. Look at Bhutan one of the largest companies. We’ve been in more about politics than economy. ForWimpys, Hindi is essential to deal business that a company like Coke or and look at the enormous progress it has Nepal only for 8-9 years and even during the Nepal, where even normal diplomacy with foreign sweets. Citibank does is more than many last week in made by harnessing hydropower. is a far cry, it is too much to expect time we have provided direct employment to This Beed wonders where, larger economies of the world. No Kathmandu. 200 people, indirect employment to more than Hydropower and tourism are the best for that we would come out winners in precisely is the anti-Indian sentiment surprise, then that the future will be Greenline to Lumbini MIN BAJRACHARYA 2,000, and if you count the number of people Nepal, and you can even combine the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ international trade diplomacy. that causes Indian political thinkers dictated by these companies and they associated with the company—the stockists, synergies of the two. If you are able to do Greenline Tours, a tourist transport operator from Kathmandu, has Globalisation is a buzzword to will influence the economic policies of Nepali Times: How did you find the business mood intheir Nepal manpower and traders—it runs into and media so much heartburn? away with the passport requirement between introduced luxury bus services to Lumbini, birthplace of the stay. What is in store for Nepal in Perhaps it is simply wishful—or countries. Countries like Nepal will during this trip? several multiples. We pay a very large sum Vindi Banga: The mood is quite positive. Our company is strongly Nepal and India, you can increase tourism. But Buddha. Its fully air-conditioned luxury buses already service future can be witnessed by the surge delusional—thinking on the part of be silent spectators to this change if to the national exchequer, we contribute to Pokhara and Chitwan, the two destinations most frequented by focussed on growth in domestic business, we are seeing thattraining with of people who work for us. If you tourism will require law and order, stability, in the consumption of “Indian sweets” some misguided souls. Or might it they do not react now. proper channelisation of strategy and effort that growth can be visitors to Nepal. The fares range from $8-15 depending on the destination. in Kathmandu. A new shop has just go to Hetauda you will see what it was 10 infrastructure, flights. not simply be dead political rhetoric? The next step in the world realised. I am looking at an even more aggressive plan for localyears sales. ago and what it is today. It is opened on New Road, with millions Economic boundaries are certainly economic order would probably be As far as the general mood is concerned, I sense one of cautiousvibrant and the contribution is visible. The invested in it, and others have also becoming more important than the linking of trade with investments. optimism. There is a hope that the political stability and law notionand order that multinationals are harmful is Nepal and other countries in the region Peugeot vehicles sprung up in the Valley. What these political ones. We will never be able to change the issue will be resolved. an absolutely outdated one. have a crisis of governance. What lessons ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ outlets are pushing is the concept of One lesson that we need to learn world order, but it would be a much does the private sector have for govern- What are the main challenges and opportunities inWhat Nepal possibilities do you see for developing intra-South Euro Gears P Ltd (Autoland P Ltd) has begun marketing three models of Peugeot vehicles inbranded Nepal. sweets. The Despite a couple of from globalisation is the importance ofwiser idea to predict it, be pro-active ment? 406HDI comes with a common rain diesel engine, on board computer, front and side airbagsbusiness and ABS groups supporting the cause for Lever? Asian trade? branding a product and reinforcing and think of how to regulate it. We have enough manufacturing capacity for our current portfolio, You have to undertake the journey with a coalition brakes. The 206 is a rally-winning model and the Partner is a multi-utility van. The vehicles’ emissionof indigenous and Foreign investment and management Immense! There is a lot of potential. I am a great believer and think safety features meet Euro III standards, an Euro Gears statement says. that with relentless advertising to our concentration will be on investing in market and brandwe must exploit our own proximity with each other to achieve that of interests. You have to build consensus with other in media will come, so will foreign ensure continuous brand recall. The development, in communication, education, in distributioneven systems though most countries are at a reasonably early stage of political parties, local and global industry, and traditional sweetmeat shops in the travel agencies and consulting and we will continuemake to significant investments over the next judiciary and with the people. The real challenge for lakhamari, the lanes of Maru in Kathmandu or companies. I’m right. Just consider several years. leaders today is to learn how to build this consensus, Jogbani rail traditional Newari sweetmeat, by behind Patan’s Darbar Square will the Tihar sweets this year. There is immense opportunity to really build markets for many of ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ sending that out rather than Indian choose the path very carefully and use each step to succumb to the onslaught of these our product categories. The potential exists because the level of The residents of Biratnagar are finally to get something they’ve wanted for a long time—a broadmithai, gauge thejerris arerail in general are trans-regional companies if local cement and make the consensus stronger. Give link to the neighbouring Indian town of Jogbani. The project, which was inaugurated by India’s rail minister consumption of our products is very low. The basic challenge is in everybody a little bit to win so that they feel confident about taking last week, is expected upon completion in 18 months to facilitate trade between the two countriesbecoming through passe. The crowds in the reaching people. Television reach in Nepal is not good enough so we the next step, and the next step and the next step. Sometimes all the direct link it would provide to the Kolkata port. sweet shops are generally Nepali, but have to rely much more on unconventional media. As you are aware the Indian government has initiated several incentives for investment you need is one person who has vision. And leaders can make that it is amusing at first and then a little sahujisdo not innovate by automating Readers can post their views at difference, because they can make the vision happen. disturbing to watch them place their and branding their production, and [email protected]

Weekly Internet Poll #9 www.nepalnews.com Should Nepal change its official calendar to “Nepal Sambat”? Lever leverages local salesNOVEMBERISSUEOUTNOW!! ON STANDS NOW Nepal should use its own calendar as an official calendar becauseoriginated our where is out-dated and so typical of the closed mind setsSome of people misinterpret Nepal Sambat as the calendar of only BINOD BHATTARAI present one is based on an Indian emperor. some people in Kathmandu. Whether you like it or not, Nepal is Newarsa diverse and this is not true at all. As all our social activities from lots of ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ country of Bahuns, Chettris, Rais, Limbus, Gurungs, magars, Tamangs,ethnic groups are carried out based on tithi (days in Nepal Sambat). It An export slump forces Nepal Lever Sanoj Shakya andip Ghose, Nepal Madhesis and Tibetans. I see no reason to be so puritanical whenis ita comescalander that gives us identity as Nepalis. We must use it and Lever’s Managing Director to focus more on domesticstockists within a given markets. periphery. The Bikram calendar has flaws which makes it difficult for planningto culture. fiscal This brand of cultural conservatism stems from insecureimprove minds relations between various ethnic communities. Let’s start this ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The smaller stockholders then do the years. As for the English calendar, the date cycle repeats predictablywho are and dead scared of diversity and pluralism. good effort to improve our nationalism further. Ssat down to do his so is efficient and easy to use. arithmetic recently and realised the domestic Nepal market. Still, year-local distribution instead of the company trying to sell directly to “Whoever” Balaram Shrestha, Tokyo that it had stopped making end sales up to mid-July 2001 showed Manjil Joshi wholesalers and consumers. The Nepal Sambat has a cultural history but is impractical for modernI see no use. point in discussing things which are pretty irrelevant to today’sIs Nepal state Sambat the only alternative? What about the calendars business sense to continue that Nepal Lever still managed a exporting toothpaste to India. Examples of some newly Joju of the country. You people at Nepali Times should think of morefollowed pertinent by other ethnic communities like Tharus or the Kiratis? Does reasonably tidy profit. Domestic issues, which really matter to the country. These debates will get itus mean that by just being the calendar of a privileged community we The loss on every ton of export introduced products, targeted to the Use the international calendar. Think forward not backward. And it doesn’t growth was up 21 percent over the nowhere. have to accept Nepal Sambat as the only alternative? The best way added up to Rs 20,000 after new Nepali market, are the Wheel mean we are losing or culture. Culture is never rigid. out could be following the Gregorian calendar. previous year, which offset the drop in Maria K Indian excise on manufacturer’s export earnings. detergent sachet priced at Rs 2 and a Basil Panta end price. The CEN-VAT new variant of its hand-wash Lifebuoy Don’t mix politics, ethnicity, economy, globalisation into this debate. This Bibek Koirala “We could have had even higher Newars, Bahuns, Magars, Tharus...are all brothers and sisters, like a family. differential made producing a ton (Rs 10). Lifebuoy’s launch is If one member of the family is feeling cheated, it is wise to see whypoll theyis about our calendar only. There is no choice but to go for I’mthe very proud that we have fellow Nepalis who can look on Nepali domestic sales had it not been for are saying so, instead of lambasting them with insults. To proveinternational to them calendar. issues apart of their ethnicity/religion. I’m very proud to be a Nepali of toothpaste here Rs 6,000 more internal disturbances in the last two accompanied by a nationwide ad- that they are not being mariginalised as they are claiming would make and very glad that Nepal has multiple ethnic groups and religions, but expensive than doing it in India. campaign encouraging people to wash Harka Gurung, Tanahu fiscal years,” says Ghose. “Because our more sense to me. To turn a deaf ear to it would bring crises in future. would like to conserve this Bikram Sambat as it is because its not Toothpaste sales—Nepal’s hands, a commercial that has a public Since Nepal Sambat is based on lunar calendar on which most of our primary focus is on growing domestic about Newar/Gorkha/Tamang/Gurung. It has been the culture of all second largest export to India and advocacy role in a country where poor Ravi festivals along with birthdays are based, it may be useful and easyNepalis. if our sales and maintain a thrust on official calendar is changed to Nepal Sambat. Nepal Lever’s second largest sustainable value added exports side- hygiene leads to serious infections, Our country is rich in cultural diversity, and we should keep it alive. But export after soaps—took a major especially among children. changing something like the calendar or the language may just divide Suresh Maharjan Pradeep by-side, we are still doing well.” hit after New Delhi levied tariffs “We realised people in Nepal people. Should Nepal change its national animal to buffalo? Should NepalThough I am Newar, I think myself as Nepali first. Just because it has a Even so, the export drop hit the word “Nepal”, Nepal Sambat does not mean it has to be a national in the last budget based on the washed clothes at one go at the Hemanta Shresthachange its national bird to crow? Ridiculous questions aren’t they? The bottom line. Nepal Lever’s net profits main reason why Nepal will most likely not change for the better calendar.over the Moreover the calendar has not been followed by a wide manufacturers end price or MRP in the year ending mid-July 2001 Why do we need to change something which is working perfectlynext fine? fifty If ityears is precisely this attitude among Nepalis. range of people in Nepal, but just limited to the vallley. and not the transaction cost. isn’t broken don’t fix it. Simple as that. dropped by half, from Rs 120.5 million The second whammy was a year ago to Rs 68 million. Duty Bishnu Bichar Nepali Rajesh Shrestha India’s new policy of extending drawback payments due from dhara WinEveryWeek Even though I am a Newar, I am a Nepali first. The developmentIs ofthe a type of calander we have now a hurdle in our development?What If not, is going let on in Nepal? Are you mad to raise such an issue at this credits on central Value Added @ time? If you guys in Nepal have nothing to do then do nothing, but government also contributed to lowand what they needed was a one-time nation does not depend on its calendar. We can follow the Nepalus Sambattry and focus our attention to make our nation economically sound Tax to local businesses on raw rather than just creating an environment which is not healthy for pleaseour nation. don’t destroy the country’s harmony. Do something productive, profits. Nepal Lever says it is use, affordable pack,” saysGhose, for our festivals and traditions. But for official use, neither Nepal Sambat and packagingmaterials. or Bikram Sambat are suitable. Do you want to see another Afghanistan in our beautiful land? Letdon’t us fightrid over unnecessary things. responding by targeting products towho personally goes around the www.wavemag.com.np ourselves of such divisive discussion. There was nothing else for country exploring opportunities to Karuna Sharma the local market and finding A Newar Ghose to do: stop exporting to innovative ways to take the productsinnovate products. That is how he What now? Nepalis have nothing to do? Is this the only thing remaining to Govinda PandeyI would like to request all those fellows who are ignorant of the history India and concentrate on got the idea for the two-rupee be done in Nepal? There are so many other urgent matters besidesIf one is free of prejudice one must agree to discard Bikram Sambatof our from country to read its history and understand the truth about the to the people. Nepal Sambat. It is not a Newar calendar, but a Nepali one. When it One such experi- sachet. Eighty percent of Nepal changing calendars. Nepal and replace it with Nepal Sambat which should be used for festivals Lever is owned by Hindustan Lever celebrated according to lunar calendar. And then we can use thestarted Gregorian 1,122 years ago there were no people called Newar. ment is its “Hub and Rajak Sundar, Minnesotacalendar for day-to-day administrative work. Ltd, and its chariman Vindi Banga Gyanmani Nepal Spoke” distribution was in Kathmandu last week. He There is nothing wrong if Nepal Sambat is introduced as national calendar Tashi Chiring SherpaNepal Sambat must be introduced as soon as possible. Nepal Sambat model where there is a told us in an interview (see above) to indicate all our feasts and festivities celebrated according to Thislunar is very controversial and dangerous for the unity of multi-ethnicis not Nepal. just Newar it belongs to all Nepalis. secondary hub, say, in that the company’s philosophy is calendar. And we can use the Gregorian calendar for solar-basedThe dates. question of changing a calendar is not of any importance before the Dhananjaya Subba, Washington Baglung, which is an that its prosperity lies in the Then we don’t need the Bikram calendar. question of changing the economic status of the country. Let us talk about I am not Newar but I think Nepal is a country of diverse nationalities how we can develop our country economically, technologically and morally. offshoot of a larger prosperity of the country it works and everyone has the freedom to celebrate their ethnic origins, but If we have to change our calendar then let’s change to the international in. Banga’s success in turning Puran Bahadur KC when we talk about the nation, we all are Nepalis. We have already distribution point in calendar. Otherwise let us stick with the Bikram calendar. It is working ok. A very unnecessary issue. It’s idiotic to change our calendar. We have wasted decades and if we still get lost on useless things like this, we will Pokhara. From Hindustan Lever around in the past been used to it for generations and let us keep on rolling as we are. never get better. Baglung its year has put him on the cover of Shailesh Thapa Kishore Manandhar products are distributed to smaller Since the founder of Nepal Sambat has already been recognised as a K Silwal I don’t understand why we are so upset because something is Indian. Business Today, and featured Hinduism too originated in India, so should we stop practicing ournational faith? hero I of Nepal it is not an important question whether one accepts Nepal Sambat as national era or not. think we should stop defining our identity by what we are not (Indians) and What exactly is Nepal Sambat. Never heard of it. prominently in Indian media. should instead define ourselves by what we are. All this ethinic talk of who Ramhari Joshi Curious 101010 PHOTOGRAPHY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES PHOTOGRAPHY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 111111 “All these will not be destroyed…”

Outgoing Indian ambassador, Deb Mukharji, is sometimes better known as an accomplished photographer with a keen eye for the splendours of nature. It was perhaps fitting that his last posting before retirement from the foreign service is in Nepal, a country where he had all along wanted to be assigned. In the past year-and-half, he has trekked across Nepal taking pictures and rediscovering the challenge and charm of black-and- white photography. “It is a very exacting medium. There is some- thing about black-and-white that brings out purity, strength and expression,” he says, adding with a laugh: “My colours aren’t bad either.” We asked Deb Mukharji to pick out his bestack-and-whites bl from Nepal for this farewell exhibition in Nepali Times. (See also: Mountains and water,

Machhapuchhre from Annapurna Base Camp NT 23- 29 August 2000, #6 for his pictures from India and Tibet) Mukharji also likes to recite his favourite lines which is part of an old Bönpo saying about the holy mountain, Kailash:

All these will not be destroyed by fire, water, earth, or wind. Without becoming extinguished, they will pass into ethereal peace. En route Gokyo from Machhermo. A glimpse of Machhapuchhre above Modi Khola

Nature’s weave Autumn morning above Dudh Kosi

Forever untiring Early spring en route Annapurna Base Camp 121212 TECHNOLOGY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES WORLD 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 131313 DIGITAL NATION by GARY CHAPMAN Fuming over diesel ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ LONDON– TSmall particles found in diesel exhaust fumes can penetrate into the lungs of children, research indicates. The study is Closer to whom?the first offering what is said to be conclusive evidence that PM10, plane incident near Hainan Island in April this year. particles from diesel exhaust, reach, and are taken up by, cells that Will interactive The US is feeling ratherJia believes warmly the September attacks reside on the deepest part of the lung. PM10 are tiny particles—less than 10 micrometers in diameter—and their small size allows them to and China’s willingness to cooperate Cooperationtowards (APEC) China. in October, But this may be penetrate deep into the lung, where they can aggravate respiratory in the fight against terrorism showed disease. Dr Jonathan Grigg and his team at the Institute for Lung whichchallenged Bush attended, to as further the the the focus Bush administration on Asia that the blurs. real Health at the University of Leicester looked for particles in cells anti-terrorist cause. threats against US security came not sampled from the lungs of 22 healthy children—and found evidence ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Internet television The Bush administration from China but from terrorist groups of diesel particles in them all. The level of particles was significantly responded by dropping references to such as al-Qaeda. The Bush adminis- higher in children living on a main road, although there was no China as a “strategic competitor”. At tration appears to have dropped its difference in the proportion of these particles in children of different the APEC meeting, where Bush met ages. The government has estimated that there are 24,000 deaths view of Beijing as an implacable future of adults a year, which can be attributed to the inhalation of PM10. Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Bush enemy, he said. But the new attitude Dr Grigg said: “This research, which shows particles in cells that turn into a two- referred to China as a “great power” toward China will only last if the US are known to cause lung injury, supports epidemiological studies and emphasised the US desire to shapestops trying to force internal change in which demonstrate an adverse effect of particles on the respiratory a constructive relationship with China, Jia asserted. Campbell agreed health of children. PM10 are one of the most damaging pollutants Beijing. “This was a contrast with his with Jia’s thesis, adding, “There was a and can penetrate far into the lungs—causing inflammation, former statements,” said Jia. “US- real sense in the foreign policy coughing, respiratory symptoms and even permanent damage. This headed monster? biological evidence is very important in furthering our understanding China relations are far better since 11 community that rising powers (such of air pollution and its effects.” September. But the important as China) was where the action was, question is, will it last?” that inevitably China and the United It should come as no surprise that the Internet is headed Over the past decade, as China States were destined to come to Jiang Zemin’s government has executed a record number of people in the has moved from a centrally planned loggerheads and be absolutely to a very familiar technology: your television. past year, and the suppression of the Falunwhat Gong US (above) policymakers continues. like to call at odds.” files. The Independent Media economy to one dominated by market ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “asymmetric threats” coincides with a forces, US policymakers have grown The shift in perception and policy Center, whose Los Angeles branch TIM SHORROCK ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ major shift in US-Chinese relations, uncomfortable, as they perceived little has immediate implications for Aid, but no blue helemts photographs and Flash animations. was created during the Democratic ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ run a modified version of the open WASHINGTON - US-China ties have away from the deep tensions of recent accompanying change on the political Taiwan, Campbell said. “One hopes All of these things become more Convention last year, allows people years over Taiwan, human rights, BRUSSELS – The United Nations has ruled out creating a traditional source operating system, Linux. improved dramatically since 11 front, said Jia. With US China- Taiwan will not do something in this accessible with a fast broadband to post video and audio files (under weapons proliferation and other blue-helmet peacekeeping force in Afghanistan and is instead September, but Washington’s single- watchers in government and the timeframe that is inappropriate or Ch.1 is using Linux in the hope it connection to the Internet. 100 megabytes) on the Web for free sensitive issues, and toward a new era considering a multinational force, Francesc Vendrell, UN deputy minded focus on the ‘war against private sector concerned about China trigger something not in our inter- will lure designers to write (http://la.indymedia.org). of cooperation and diplomatic special representative to Afghanistan said recently. But the EU, in The Web site Yack.com (http:/ terrorism’ and its new emphasis on challenging US supremacy, pushing ests,” he said. David Shambaugh, a cooperation with UN bodies, hopes to resume humanitarian aid to applications for example to engagement, said Jia Qingguo, a /www.yack.com), for example, lists It’s obvious that a battle is “homeland defence” is likely to draw for internal change in China became a professor of political science at George Afghanistan. The EU Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) is finalising transfer data to Palms and other professor at the School of International hundreds of live and recorded Web shaping up about whether the the Bush administration away from top policy priority for conservative Washington University, said 11 $13.5 million in aid for needy Afghans. This includes significant Studies at Beijing University who is a hand-held computers, and events in video or audio formats, Internet will quickly become key issues in Asia, say analysts here. Republicans and liberal groups, such September has strengthened the hands assistance for the area around Mazar-I-Sharif, a town captured by embedding certain kinds of video everything from talking pundits at dominated by giant companies that visiting fellow at the Brookings as US organised labour, alike. This of the moderate internationalists versus the anti-Taliban forces that should allow the establishment of a vital “There’s a very real prospect of the corridor to send food aid via Uzbekistan. and audio formats in the system. the Cato Institute in Washington will mimic the programming and Institution. threatened to undermine the political the hawkish unilateralists in the Bush United States spending much less time After the attacks, Chinese leaders There are an “We don’t see our product as a to an interview with a Belgian advertising models of TV today, or thinking and worrying and strategi- legitimacy of the Chinese government, administration. But he noted that acted forcefully to condemn the acts of estimated one million replacement to the PC but as a dominatrix. There’s every reason to an explosion of creative and diverse cally minding the store when it comes which strongly resisted and insisted many problems remain in US-China terrorism and make clear their internally displaced supplement to it,” says Rey Roque, believe that people will watch a content gradually will replace mass- to Asia,” said Kurt Campbell, the that Washington respect its sover- relations, including Taiwan, missile determination to work with Washing- people (IDP) in wide variety of web content online market programming. Whichever former deputy assistant secretary of eignty, Jia said. Tensions were defence, the role of Japan in East Asian vice president of Ch.1. Today, ton to prevent future incidents. The Afghanistan and nearly through their TV sets, sharing the model wins will have an immense defence for Asian and Pacific Affairs in exacerbated by the Bush administra- security, and human rights. four times that who there’s a lot of content Chinese response included a $1.6 experience with others. effect on society for years to come. the Clinton administration. tion’s support for a missile defence fled the violence and emerging on the web that billion purchase of Boeing aircraft Campbell, now senior vice president system designed to counter China’s drought and remain There also are growing when Boeing’s prospects were very can be viewed or at the Centre for Strategic and small arsenal of ballistic missiles and outside the country. In opportunities for creating audio and bad, the sharing of intelligence about northern Afghanistan, heard, such as International Studies in Washington, finally came to a head over the spy video content for others to see. Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network the country’s so-called streaming video, said “there really is a sense already of Apple Computer’s user-friendly suspected of masterminding the “hunger belt”, about three million people will have to rely on aid Internet radio, not very much high-level attention (and free) iMovie software is being (LAT) attacks, and the use of the Shanghai agencies to feed them through the winter. ECHO will support three Among longtime Internet users MP3 music, used by thousands of people to being paid to Asia,” adding, “that will NGOs (Action Contre la Faim-France, SCF-UK and Aide M,dicale meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Internationale-FR) in Mazar-I-Sharif that are implementing relief and weather maps, create quick and interesting video likely be a much more significant there is a widespread contempt for Gary Chapman is director of The development than people realise.” aid programmes. Measures for this region include therapeutic and commercial TV and its “lowest- sports scores, 21st Century Project at the But the focus on terrorism and supplementary feeding centres, special food rations for children, replaced by the company’s new common-denominator” marketing online games, large graphics such as University of Texas. and support for hospital and clinics. The UN High Commissioner for UltimateTV platform. And giant and programming, and thus Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have (IPS) AOL Time Warner is rolling out irritation that the Internet might be already begun assistance, with help from ECHO. But the WFP is he idea of merging TV and concerned for the safety of its local staff, problems with communi- the web typically has been AOLTV at the same time. Both of pulled in this direction by the likes these services will feature Internet cations, and the coming winter. Doubts also remain over whether T greeted with scorn, scepticism of Microsoft and AOL. COMMENT by JEFFREY SACHS the food is being distributed to the most needy, or whether rival access on TV as well as the features There are some emerging fighters are commandeering the supplies to feed their armies. NATO and disbelief among heavy Internet found in products such as TiVo or users. Critics of the concept have alternatives for interactive, is reportedly considering offering logistical support to ensure the ReplayTV, which let TV viewers delivery of humanitarian aid. pointed out that the Internet is a record programs on a hard drive or Internet-based TV that might “lean-forward” technology of active stop and replay live TV broadcasts. appeal even to the critics. A engagement, whereas TV is a “lean- Both UltimateTV and AOLTV alsocompany in Santa Ana called Ch.1 back” technology of passive will provide unique content to (http://www.ch1.com) is working Freedom from want absorption. subscribers, a step toward both with TV set producers such as However, market studies have services becoming new, national Princeton Graphics and Sylvania to hen Franklin Roosevelt and Winston billion. The WHO Commission estimated that shown that at least one in four TV networks. hook high-definition, digital TVs Churchill set forth the Allies’ World eight million people each year could be saved by directly to the Internet. The Ch.1 War II aims in the Atlantic Charter, they a properly funded effort. America has been the (IPS) Internet users watches TV while But AOLTV and UltimateTV W system, which is both the hardware talked about securing “economic advancement and developed world’s stingiest donor, a fact online, and companies are keen on still have the constraints that hard- catching the interest of these inside a digital TV and a subscrip- social security” for the entire world. In his 1941 unrecognised by Americans. In recent opinion core Internet users disdain: the low tion service, allows full access to the Inaugural Address, Roosevelt said that the world surveys, Americans believe they are the most “multi-taskers”. There are also new resolution of current TV screens, kinds of content on the web that Internet through any Internet should be founded on four freedoms, including generous of all, and estimatethat America which makes web pages look Service Provider, even high-speed “freedom from want.” He called for global spends around 20 percent of its federal might be better suited to TV than cartoonish and often unreadable; to the PC monitor, and at least one cable and DSL services, and the economic arrangements to secure for every nation “a budget on foreign aid. The real figure is less the “dumbed-down” look and feel high-definition sets display web healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants.” than one half of 1 percent! When aid is of these innovative, interactive web of services oriented to people who TV systems is Linux-based. pages and e-mail the same way they President George Bush recently echoed them measured as a share of GNP, the US is last feel intimidated by a personal among all rich countries. Many European But plainly, some of these new appear on computer screens. by declaring that “we will also defeat terrorists by computer; and the overwhelming The Ch.1 TV sets offered now building an enduring prosperity that promises countries contribute ten times more on a Internet-based interactive TVs are sense that interactive TV is aimed more opportunity and better lives for all the relative basis. not likely to convert critics. For primarily at vacuuming users’ world’s people.” This is a worthy and urgent goal, President Bush further demonstrated example, Microsoft’s WebTV—a wallets. but it requires significant changes in rich-country American attitudes on economic development set-top box and subscription service policies, particularly in the US itself. when he said “trade can conquer poverty and that allow limited Web and e-mail Over one billion people struggle each day for despair.” Many Americans believe market forces access on a TV screen—is being mere survival, and many do not succeed. During alone, including international trade, can solve the past two years I have been Chairman of the Defeating terrorism through the problems of poverty. As a trade economist I Commission on Macroeconomics and Health of the know this is only half-right. Trade doesbenefit WHO. Our Commission received detailed prosperity is a fine concept. Butthe poor if rich-country markets are opened, evidence that millions of impoverished people die who will foot the bill? but trade by itself is not enough. Targeted each year because they lack the barest means to stay alive. The most shocking financial assistance, not trade policy, can help the millions who die of disease. losses are those resulting from preventable and treatable diseases, such as measles,Besides, where disease rages, export-led growth is nearly impossible to achieve. respiratory infections, malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS. American stinginess results in high costs to US security. The US intelli- The problem is that prevention and treatment costs money—not a lot, butgence community has long understood that disease and impoverishment much more than is available to the world’s impoverished. In the poorest contribute to “state failure,” the technical term for political collapse, revolutions, countries, annual health spending is around $11 per person per year, while atcivil wars, state-sponsored terrorism, and military coups. When “state failures” least $33 per person per year is needed to provide minimal health services. Richoccur, they are often followed by costly military interventions by the US and its countries must provide roughly $20 per person to close the gap. Instead they allies. Rich countries seem only to intervene when it is too late, rather than provide just $2 per person and believe they are meeting the needs of the poor.working to head off crises and collapse in the first place. When millions of people die as a result of the lack of financial help, the US and It is time for the rich to promote real economic development through other rich countries act as if this outcome is a “natural” occurrence, not the result foreign assistance commensurate with the needs of the poor and through of political neglect. open markets that allow the poor to export their way to prosperity. Until If every rich country contributed one-tenth of 1 percent of its national then, the poor will suffer and die unnecessarily, and instability and income—roughly 1 cent for every $10 dollars earned—the result would be $25political upheaval will reign. billion a year, a sum that would make it possible to extend essential health services to the hundreds of millions of people who lack medical attention, including treatment for AIDS, immunisations of children, and the distribution (Project Syndicate) of bed-nets to prevent malaria. Rich countries actually contribute around $6 Jeffrey D. Sachs is Galen L Stone Professor of Economics, and Director of the Center for International Development, Harvard University. tional peacekeeping force. (The UN has ruled out a blue-helmet force.) Indonesia, the largest Muslim country 141414 ASIA centre of political gravity, in the23 form- 29 inNOVEMBER the world, is ready NEPALI 2001 to join TIMES the FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 23 - 29 NOVEMBERNEPALI 2001 TIMES 151515 of a Supreme Council. A political peacekeeping mission. But Egypt— system will have to evolve around thisWashington’s biggest Middle Eastern Committee in Solukhumbu. Lama later. That too was overturned. Last organisations claim that this After the elections and that can be done under UN ally—has ruled out sending troops to The rise of had refused to feed the Maoists and year, I held two press conferences, amendment will destroy the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ supervision,” said Saikal. That centre Stand up for your Afghanistan as part of a US-proposed was beaten up so badly that he is now nothing came out of them. education sector, which is already in CALCUTTA - Thousands of Hindus and many Muslims who of gravity is possible if Shah returns. “Muslim peacekeeping force”, fearing Comrade Badal ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ fighting for his life at the Teaching Human rights activists have tried shambles, and they are both now support the Awami League party, defeated in the BangladeshiThe big testThough most factions have vowed the soldiers might return to Egypt as elections, have crossed into India, with tales of rape, torture and community’s rights Hospital in Kathmandu. Lama is a to locate him, and the party is preparing to start an agitation against allegiance to the 84-year-old former “terrorists”, alluding to Egyptians who Jana Bhawana,12 November murder, as well extortion and destruction of property. As former former chairperson of the VDC and also looking for him. the bill. On 20 October, the two king, he appears reluctant to take up went to Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Awami League Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over powerThe UN believes the former king and the Durga Bahadur Darji, Dalit Jan Samaj, Parbat also an active member of the Why do you think the organisations presented a protest to a caretaker administration last July, the first of the attacks the shambles, promising to return as aoccupation in the 1980s and returned It is becoming public that differences Cambodia model may be vital to “worker” rather than a “ruler”. to Egypt in the 1990s to wage a violent Communist Party of Nepal (United government wants to hide letter to the Ministry of Education began against Hindus, who form 10 percent of Bangaldesh’s Jana Ekata,12 November on policy and means of action are Marxist-Leninist). Similarly, the him? and Sports. population. The caretaker chief, former Justice Latifur Rehman,Afghanistan’s future. Northern Alliance leaders have also campaign against the government. growing within the Maoist party. who has been accused of favouring the fundamentalist anti- poured cold water on the suggestion Cairo advises that it is better to look to Maoists also kidnapped Bhujung Maybe the government wanted him Many teachers formerly aligned Dalits are barred from entering the very places that haveThere been are differences among its leaders Awami League coalition overlooked reports of the attacks by that the former king return from exile,Muslim countries from East Asia. Lama from Nawalpur VDC in to surrender. It would be its way of with Nepali Congress-supported N JANARDHANIN DUBAI built using their skills and labour. They, too, are Hindus,and supportersbut even on the issue of alleged supporters of the now ruling coalition. Bangladesh’s○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ anti- communist rule and overbearing Sindhupalchok on 7 November. Hegettingback at the party. Leaders except as a private citizen. Commenting on the enormity of the doors of most places of worship are closed to them.dialogue Why with the government. It is NTO are now slowly leaving the fundamentalist leaders say Hindus were targeted because they external influence are the common has not yet been freed. The UML ith an ominous political For now, the UN Security the task for the UN, Soderberg said if is this? Dalits must unite to break the barriers in theirunderstandable way. that the party will never want to do anything that party. Already 350 members of the were seen as a huge Awami League vote bank. The size of the denominators for the two countries. has publicly condemned these would bring shame to their party. Hindu electorate, whose enrollment the Awami League was vacuum in war-ravaged Council has unanimously endorsed anone compares the Cambodian They entered the Baglung Kalika Mandir on 15 October.leadership is trying very hard to organisation have left the party in Afghanistan, the only clear But, says Amin Saikal, Professor at activities and has demanded that That is why theymight have just encouraging, jumped to 8.2 million this time—almost one-sixthW of Afghan political plan envisaging a two-operation, which cost about $1.6 But the question arises, “Why do Dalits have to enter concealtemples, this. Nawalparasi, 147 in Surkhet, 129 in the total voters. “If they had all voted, there was no way thesign yet of the shape of things to come the Centre for Arab and Islamic year interim government bringing all the captives be freed immediately. billion over two years, the likely UN and what do they gain by doing so?” Thinking that by enteringPrachanda is the most important locked him up. Bara, 32 in Dang and 1,200 in Awami League would have lost. But not more than 10 percentis the role that the United Nations Studies at the Australian National ethnic groups under one umbrella role in Afghanistan, would probably In light of all these incidents, one is Kavre. This is happening in other the temples they have broken all barriers, is a very shallowleader in the Maoist party. After him could vote,” says Kabir Choudhury of the South Asian Coalitionmust and will play in establishing a University: “It’s possible but wrought with a multinational security force to require $45 billion worth of support way of thinking and one that will prove detrimental to them in forced to ask if Prachanda is districts too. According to the against Fundamentalism. consensual and working government. with difficulties, going by the deep protect them. The UN has also over a period of time, including the the long run. come Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai, Ram actually leading the party. seventh amendment, teachers will be divisions along ethnic, tribal and Bahadur Thapa, Mohan Vaidya and Diplomats say the manner Kabul was proposed a five-point plan to establishcost of peace-keeping and also Dalits are in the state they are in today largely because of UML central committee member asked to retire if they indulge in linguistic lines.” others. Even though the differences Girija’s other, taken over—against the US an inclusive post-Taliban governmentrehabilitation and reconstruction. the Hindu religion and the reactionaries who use it as a and secretary Yuvraj Karki recently politics, are members of any political Some analysts predict another are not out in the open, there are gameplan—represents an important in Afghanistan, which it said should shield for their own selfish purposes. This religion is a curse said that UML leader Madhav Nepal party, canvass for political parties or (IPS) opening for the UN, whose repre- round of prolonged civil war in the be backed by an all-Afghan security unofficial reports that differences have dangerous side on us—they use our skills to erect places of worship, but bar and Maoist leader Prachanda had ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ start publicly expressing their sentative Lakhdar Brahimi has been shattered country if the Northern force rather than a UN or multina- us from entering them. Temples are public places, soin we fact crept in. recently agreed (in a telephone Jana Ekata,12 November political affiliations. It is because of negotiating the formation of a new Alliance used the Kabul takeover to tional peacekeeping operation. must also have the right to enter and utilise them. Entry Theinto differences are mainly on the conversation) that violence between these clauses that many teachers India’s Vitamin A tragedy government. Among the formulas block a major role for majority ethnic As those plans are operationalised, such places is our right and we need to oppose moves to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ issue of dialogue with the their two parties would stop have now started deserting the being thrown up as solutions for Pashtuns in a post-Taliban adminis- stop us. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba NEW DELHI - The deaths of 15 children and the hospitalisation of another factor bound to delay progress government—a faction within the immediately. This attack came right Nepali Congress, says NTO Afghanistan are the UN-sponsored tration. Between 1930s and the In our country today, our enemies are very active and they recently said that he is open to the hundreds more following a Vitamin A supplementation drive in will be the composition of a multina- party is opposed to the talks. Ram plans in Cambodia, Kosovo and 1970s, Afghan ethnic groups— after this agreement was reached. idea of forming an interim President Bhattarai. India’s north-eastern Assam state last week may be a classic are inciting people against us. It is necessary for all DalitsBahadur to Thapa, alias Badal, seems Either the Maoists are not honest in East Timor. majority Pashtun, Tajiks, Uzbeks (IPS) be aware of this. We will be our own greatest enemies if we government. As soon as he had made But both the major teachers’ case of too much of a good thing. Internationally-known nutrition- more inclined to support the military their commitments or anti-social ists, such as C Gopalan of the Nutrition Foundation of India (NFI),The Cambodian peace agreement, and Turkmens—were a cohesive do not unite and make an effort to bring down social barriers. the announcement, Girija Prasad associations claim that this is not the thrust of the revolution, its military elements and hooligans have hijacked say it was a case of toxic overdoses. Gopalan said the tragedysigned a decade ago with the UN in force, thanks largely to Mohammed Our enemies will gain greatly from this. But some of our Dalit Koirala, president of the Nepali only reason they are starting an underscores the need for India to have “a food-based approach Zahir Shah, the ex-king who has brothers are singing the praises of our enemies, theycampaign, are than dialogue. The party the Maoist party. Whatever the Congress stated that the Maoists agitation. The new amendment charge until elections were held, is organisation has been trying to rather than a medicinal one to Vitamin A deficiency.” He addedbeing that touted as the best model for been in exile in Rome after being prepared to sacrifice our community for their own personal reasons, this is detrimental to the should be classified as terrorists, clearly states that all aspects of “these massive doses should be reserved only for emergencies.” overthrown in 1973. benefit. We need to remove such characters from ourdownplay ranks. the fact that most of the progress of the nation, the people, adding that even the king was in running schools—especially those He hinted that the “commercial exploitation of malnutrition” wastransition in the present circum- militia support Badal. stances. “There is a lot of talk about “What is needed is to create a The liberation of all Dalits is a political question. Dalits democracy and the communist forces. favour of mobilising the army against concerned with salaries, allowances, linked to a mishandling of the approach to Vitamin A deficiency. A source tells us that Badal does UNICEF, which is responsible for a prophylactic programmewhat to do in a post-Taliban Afghani- should be active in the political arena and Dalit struggles Although the Maoists claim that they them so they could be dealt with in a pensions and provident funds—will directed against deficiency diseases, especially childhood stan, and Cambodia is the first model should become political struggles. The Dalit problemnot is wanta compromise on any issue theuse arms for defence, the recent proper manner. This shows that he is be handed over to public school blindness, sees no link between the programme and the tragedy.that comes to everybody’s mind,” political problem. If our struggle does not turn politicalMaoists then haveit put forward for attacks prove that is no longer true. in favour of a military solution. This management committees. The will not be very effective, it may even just fizzle out. So it is Maria Calivis, UNICEF representative in India, said: “I see noNanvy Soderberg, a former American dialogue, even less giving any of them also clearly shows that Koirala wants teachers have made this the main correlation between these most regrettable deaths and the incumbent on our struggle to become politicised. Weup. have The sourceto further states that ambassador to the UN Security be politically active, but in such a way that it helps our to be in power again, and that the agenda of their protest. programme. We are still trying to find out what happened.” Council, said. Decades of war, most of the party cadre disagree with Although the reports are not yet released, the central government struggle. We have to organise ourselves, form platforms and only way he sees of getting Deuba They say they are also protesting has issued a circular directing all states to stop mass Vitamin A participate in politics. the flexibility the party has shown on out is by claiming there has been a the proposed system of licenses, drives. Soon after the deaths were reported, Union Health Minister We know that many political changes have taken placethe issue in of a republic. And Badal, breakdown in the law and order which permanent teachers will have who was never in favour of dialogue, is CP Thakur, himself a doctor, said that the federal government was the past. Many different people have attained positions of situation. If the dialogue with the to take exams to obtain if they want opposed to the Vitamin A campaigns and that the states were “The government power and prestige. They said all kinds of things, andconvinced we that the talks won’t Maoists is successful, then it will to keep their jobs. They feel that carrying them out on their own with UNICEF support. Calivis, who Dalits have believed them and voted for them. They promisedproduce a solution. Since he was in a toured the affected districts, said a Vitamin A overdose could not definitely give a major boost to asking teachers to take exams is an us the sky. We believed them. But, as you can see, thereminority has in the party, he never raised is lying” have produced such disastrous results. UNICEF experts said ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ Deuba and his camp. The very insult and that it is detrimental to been no change in our lives. We Dalits have been exploited Vitamin A supplementation was being carried out in 40 countries this issue earlier. But now he has Sanghu,12 November existence of Koirala and his followers those who have been teaching for and that it was absolutely essential in states like Assam, where on all fronts, political, social, economic, cultural, evendeveloped in the a very good rapport with will be at stake. field of education. Despite all this, we still vote for the same over 30 years and are now close to coverage has actually dropped over the years. “It is all very well the armed cadre. He has won them retirement age. Many teachers say for nutritionists like C Gopalan to talk about leafy vegetables and parties. This will only make our situation worse. Fromover now and on, begun letting other party Excerpts from an interview with papayas, but how many people in this country can afford these?” if anyone speaks in our favour, we should make sure that they Shanta Neupane such a move is against the law. really want to help us and will not make fools of us again.leaders know his views. Sources say a UNICEF expert, who asked not to be named, said. that most party cadre now support Shanta Neupane lives in Gitanagar, The teachers state that the Many organisations are using our cause to reap economic Thapa’s views, which has created Chitwan with her two daughters and examination is not necessary for benefits for themselves. They are collecting donationsproblems in our for the top leadership. one son. She was married to teachers who have passed the Public name and not giving us anything. It is time we took this Dandapani Neupane in 1969 at the Service Commission examinations. seriously. This does not mean that we should not accept any Earlier the NTO and the NNTA help that is extended to us. But we should do so only if those age of 13. Dandapani lived in who come to help us come as equals and with respect. In Chipchipe Village Development had asked that teachers be provided (IPS) fact, we were assisted by human rights organisations when Committee in Tanahun and joined with teaching permits. To clear the we entered the temple in Baglung. We must work for the student politics in the 1970s. In 1973 mess in the education system the liberation of Dalits with an open mind and not fight to take the couple migrated to Chitwan. government has taken the easy way credit for the work done. Raising slogans will not help,Who is Prachanda Dandapani, member of the Maoist out. To weed out teachers who have ANALYSIS by MICHAEL IGNATIEFF actions will. If we keep jostling for individual glory, we will Party, was arrested on and off at acquired fake certificates, the never be free. We must fight to liberate all Dalits. That will regular intervals. He was last arrested government will now require all mean freedom for all of us. leading? teachers to take an examination ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ in 1999 and his whereabouts are not within five years of being hired. If Sanghu,12 November yet known. Even lawsuits that require his presence in court have failed to they do not, they will be The problem with proxy wars produce results. His wife has not given dismissed. Teachers think that this Maoist leader Prachanda recently said is an insult to them. up hope; she is still looking for him. Girija Koirala, Sushil Koirala and in a press statement that his party The teachers also believe that does not have a policy of harming Following are excerpts from an their faithful are trying to create the amendment will increase Fighting a war might be possible by proxy from appearing the stooge of the principal agent. The legitimacy of the members of other parties. But on the interview with Shanta Neupane. problems for Deuba, but Krishna When was your husband politicisation of the education sector. proxies to their own people—the Afghanis—depends on their appearing to night of 10 November, a group of Prasad Bhattarai has stepped in to remote control. Rebuilding a country arrested? Were there any People on the managing committees be independent of the Americans. The legitimacy of the principal agent also Maoists manhandled Pemba Ringhi defend him and asked everyone in the depends on not looking like an imperialist. America fought most of its wars witnesses? of schools feel that education should after that is not so easy. Lama of Junbesi Village Development party to support Deuba in every against Communism through proxies. It funded Jonas Savimbi in Angola He was arrested in the third week of not be held completely in the hands ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ possible way. when it looked like he would be helpful in overthrowing the Marxist regime April 1999 at around 7.00 PM by of the government but should be the in the capital, Luanda. Unfortunately, all that the principal agent achieved The major opposition party, the QUOTE OF THE WEEK police in Tehbahal near Sundhara. My responsibility of the community, and rincipal agents rely on proxies to carry out their plans. But you was complicity in a devastating civil war. In Afghanistan, bin Laden himself neighbours Poudel and Sita Adhikary, UML, seems to be closer to the this is the best way to decide what is cannot be sure that proxies will do what you tell them to do, and your was a proxy in the jihad against the Soviets. Here, victory was followed by who are students, saw him being Koirala side. The informal alliance best for community schools. They hands may end up as dirty as theirs. Our main point … is that Nepal’s present constitution is not even a capitalist constitution. The biggest proof is P devastating civil war. Proxies have a nasty way either of disgracing principal arrested. In fact they were the ones between the two is very significant. It feel that parents will also certainly that this constitution was not written by elected people’s representatives, or issued by them, or ratified by them. In Afghanistan, the Uzbek and Tajik militias—Hezbi Wahdat, Junbish, agents or turning against them. who informed me about the arrest. seems that the UML is prepared to take an interest in the management Jamyat Islami—are the proxies the US has chosen to overthrow the Taliban. Yet it is moral perfectionism to suppose that America can fight a war The government says support Koirala’s call for an alliance of the schools once they are given a Maoist ideologue Baburam BhattaraiKantipur, in 21 November When last in Kabul, between 1992 and 1996, these militias fought each against terror without proxies. The only real alternative is to itself fight. Dandapani is not in its custody. of all democratic forces. voice in the day-to-day affairs of the other and turned the city into the Dresden of the post-Cold War world. Al- The government is lying. After Clearly, all political parties and institutions. The active interest of Knowing this, the Americans have tried over the first six weeks of the warQaeda to must be hoping to lure long convoys of American soldiers and their arresting him they kept him in their leaders are going all out to cash parents and communities as a whole hold them back, bombing Taliban positions just enough so that they breakequipment into those high, narrow mountain passes where the Russians were Maharajgunj Battalion for a month. in on the troubles facing the country. will be beneficial for the whole apart, but not so hard that the Northern Alliance breaks through. drawn in to their deaths. American strategy would be wise to deny Osama On the 25 And they are creating great trouble education sector. A bloodbath after a Northern Alliance victory would be like the revengebin Laden that satisfaction. for the country to get what they Efforts are also being made to killings by Kosovars that followed the June 1999 NATO victory. In both The principal agent uses proxies to avoid being sucked into a quagmire. want. The Maoists have to work institutionalise all private and cases, the principal agent, not the proxy, would take most of the blame. ABut depending on proxies puts the principal agent’s fate in the hands of harder to maintain their love for the th community schools. The bloodbath in Kabul or Mazar (captured by the Northern Alliance) wouldpeople be who may not define victory as the principal agent does. For a warlord day of his arrest, he was country and the people. government will give all new teachers played out before a television audience of the entire Islamic world. If a war in American pay, victory might look like secure control of heroin produc- blindfolded and allowed to move out temporary teaching permission against terror is a battle for hearts and minds, it is hard to imagine anythingtion, together with death to his warlord rivals, not an Afghanistan rebuilt on of his room. A policeman who that would do more harm to the principal agent’s moral case. within six months of their being solid political foundations. The real problems with proxy wars begin once happens to be from Chitwan told me hired. Teachers will have to take Controlling a proxy war from the air is not easy. Too much bombing victory has been achieved. Revenge killings by militias, score-settling this. He told me that they also the government-administered and the proxy breaks through to commit mayhem. Too little bombing andbetween militias, and battles over turf and resources could inflict still more questioned him. The policeman’s examination within five years of the war stalemates. Just enough allows the Taliban to melt away or change agony on Afghanistan. A durable peace, however, cannot be built by remote description matches the name, address receiving teaching permission. If sides. In addition to air-power, America’s government hopes to control itscontrol proxies. Peace will require substantial commitment by the principal and age. Later they started moved himNo licenses they do not, they will proxies by means of the Special Forces and ‘advisors’ working on the agents involved: peacekeeping troops, humanitarian assistance, re-building of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to Pokhara, Bhaktapur and other automatically be dismissed. ground. Again, the balance the Americans have to strike here is delicate. Tooinfrastructure. No one in the international community has the stomach to places. I came to know last February Tarun,12 November many troops on the ground risks sucking America into the type of groundactually disarm the proxies. that he was ill. war that destroyed the Soviet empire. Too few exposes the principal agent to That will be the test of this war: whether a warrior culture can be turned What steps have you taken to Parliament recently passed the the risk of losing control of the proxy altogether. The hundreds, possibly into a political one, whether proxies can become principal agents in their locate him? seventh amendment to the thousands of Special Forces units on the ground now may be just sufficientown right, rebuilding a country they once devastated. In the first week of May 1999, I filed a to spot targets for the US Air Force and restrain the essentially lawless Education Act, which the Nepal writ with the Supreme Court, which Alliance troops. (Project Syndicate) Teachers’ Organisation (NTO) and Government-Maoist chat: From Godavari, back to Godavari. was overruled in the third week of the Nepal National Teachers Another consideration essential to fighting a proxy war is to prevent the (Michael Ignatieff is Carr Professor of Human Rights Practice, Kennedy June. I filed another writ some days Association (NNTA) have both School of Government, Harvard University.) Budhabar,21 November vehemently opposed. The 161616 SPORTS 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES CULTURE AND SOCIETY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 171717 Welcome to the NEPALITERATURE by MANJUSHREE THAPA FILM REVIEW by PETER BRADSHAW joys of moving The next big thingwith your THE CRITIC AND THE POET: training in rock climbing for the last fingertips. six years to school and college students, Govinda Bartaman Harry Potter: the film and officials say the response is ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ improving, particularly after the association started publicising the by tourism authorities and private Unlike most progressive poetry—which can be emotives therebut anything as exciting as the lines from a sensual, but almost training program and providing more adventure tour operators, we would see simple, resorting to common tropes that are easily under-legend of JK Rowling—lone immobile mouth, the corners of which information on the sport. a substantial number of tourists stood by the Nepali everyman—Govinda Bartaman’sImother, would-be writer, church- are turned resolutely down. The training program is held twiceincreasing their stay by a day or two. poems require readers not just to work their hearts, mousebut poor, sitting in a local cafe for The young prince of light himself a year for a minimum of 15 amateur In contemplating the possibilities also to tax their brains. There is a studied, philosophicalwarmth, and writing down these wordsis played by Daniel Radcliffe, who has timbre to his work that comes, perhaps, from his work as a Nepali climbers. The NMA annually of rock climbing in Nepal, the from what was to be the first chapter ofcharm and a lovely, open face, though literary and social critic. (He is one of the clear logicians in trains about thirty people at Nagarjun discussion often turns to Indonesia. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s he is subtly but distinctly outclassed by the progressive ranks of Nepali literature today). In the his pals. They are somehow a touch in Kathmandu and Chiwong in Solu While most of us think of the archi- poem below, Bartaman uses the symbol of a walkingStone city—: “He’ll be famous—a legend—I Phaplu, a high altitude region. pelago as superb diving country, among more lively than Harry himself, who and the menacing image of its unstoppable, stalkingwouldn’t be surprised if today was Climbing is an adventure sport in its professionals Indonesia is slowly accepts his destiny and heroism with a legs—to reflect upon the increasingly fast-paced, greedyHarry Potter Day in future—there will own right, but it is also a necessity for gaining a reputation for good climbing, kind of evenness bordering on and heartless nature of life in Kathmandu. be books written about Harry—every those who want to receive training in particularly through its indoor insouciance, and is never troubled with child in our world will know his mountaineering. competitions. Outdoor rock climbing is any doubts or reversals that are not name!” Was there a crash of thunder mostly around Jakarta or nearby swiftly erased. Rough-and-ready Ron is Since 1998, Eco Himal and the outside? Did the sky fill with portents? Bandung, but Sumatra has some pretty Rupert Grint, playing a muted Jack NMA have also been jointly organising Did the cafe fill with owls? spectacular outdoor climbing cliffs. Wild to Daniel’s Mark Lester and mountaineering training courses in THE CITY’S LEGS It certainly ought to have done. Thame, Solu Khumbu. The five-week This sort of adventure sport branding, Emma Watson is the magnificent That was the beginning of the courses include rock climbing. The say people like Aang Norbu, would be On streets cleansed by currents of coins Hermione: imperious, impetuous but remarkable Harry Potter trajectory, a two organisations last week also held easy to do in Nepal the city’s legs walk heart-breakingly loyal in the tradition to crowds and deserted corners trajectory which may only end around of the subordinate Enid Blyton girl. a refresher course at Nagarjuna for The NMA does have rock climbing Climbing the Valley’s rock faces 2007 with a possible projected seventh alumni of the Mountaineering Schoolexperts such as Ang Nuru Sherpa, to pubs and parlours The special effects for this movie to casinos and bars HP movie from Warner, by which in Thame. Prem Bahadur Gurung, Lhakpa Norbu Kathmandu offers some terrific places for those who like are just staggering: John Seale’s hauling all the goings-on of the body time we might all feel differently about Sherpa, Kilu Temba Sherpa, Iman inching up sheer vertical cliffs with their fingernails. cinematography and Stuart Craig’s BOTH PICS: MIN BAJRACHARYA BOTH PICS: Aang Norbu Sherpa, a climbing The city’s legs walk endlessly, without tire the bespectacled one. Roman conquer- before it can compete with other Asian expert associated with Mountaineering Singh Gurung and Da Gombu Sherpa. Few people know that you can go climbing in the Royal design come together superbly. My jaw MUKUL HUMAGAIN ors had people whisper “You are but ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ All of them were trained at the Ecole dropped at the magnificent shots of climbing countries such as Japan, the School in Thame, says a lot needs to be Park of Nagarjuna near Balaju, a 20-minute walk north- With the same haste that national disasters feel mortal” in their ears. Maybe JK Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme in Hogwarts’ central hallway, with its here’s plenty more to adventure Philippines and Indonesia, some rock done to create awareness about rock west of Kathmandu. For a Rs 10 entrance fee, beginners to generate headlines in daily newspapers Rowling employs staff to send her Jar- France and could play an important moving staircases and animated, sport than meets the eye. And faces have been developed as training climbing. Adventure sport enthusiasts and experts can have their pick of several cliffs within the the city’s legs pace back and forth Jar Binks merchandise. you get to see that dangling part in popularising the sport. But park. The best one is about three km inside, from the in the aggrandisement resembling vile makeup chattering portraits. The central T grounds for enthusiastic climbers, come to Nepal to go mountaineering, At any rate, this richly accom- from one finger off a sheer rock face, orboth local and foreign. trekking and rafting, but you never along with that, we also need to improve entrance walk up the road that leads to the army check- on the faces of all the front pages Quidditch scene, that strange game plished entertainment spectacular, the inching through a crack in a wall that hear of anyone who comes here to go training facilites through, among other point, just before the post, there is a track leading off the The city’s legs walk endlessly, without tire played while flying on a broomstick, is The Nepal Mountaineering quickest, zappiest two and a half hours seems too small for anything more rock climbing. Aang Norbu is endeavours, building indoor walls like right which in five minutes gets you to a 10-12 m granite supremely exciting. No Etonian will JK Rowling’s schoolboy sorcerer provides Association (NMA) and other private face. There are several piton equipment routes up this of Storing sleep in a tranquilliser pill you’ll spend in the cinema, made me ever pine for the wall game as much as than a fern. parties have been instrumental in convinced that if the sport were pushedthe one the Pasang Lhamu Foundation the quickest, zappiest two and a half is building near Maharajgunj. varying degrees of difficulty. they walk all night through a jungle of pitches very nostalgic: not for boarding Hogwarts fantasists will love Quidditch Rock climbing is perhaps one of promoting rock climbing, and slowly, Sometimes they ride all night Anyone up for a climb? The other interesting, though less explored, climbing schools, CS Lewis or Angela Brazil, butand they’ll take it more seriously than hours of entertainment you’ll ever see. the least promoted and under the sport is entering public conscious- upon the horseback of words for the old-fashioned pre-11 Septem- site in the Valley lies north of Kathmandu on the slopes of Thomas Hughes and Dr Arnold ever is○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ something which speaks to every ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ recognised sports in Nepal. But ness. The NMA has been providing circling the unbounded world of their own idiocy Shivapuri adjacent to the Bishnumati river. The cliffs here ber cultural news event. In those took rugby football. though Nepal has a long way to go When they step down, hungry child’s fantasy life: the fear of abandon- are black granite, and need more effort, if not more exper- innocent days, giant global phenomena they gorge on the blood of time And those houses! Can it really be ment coupled with the thrill of HP saga might conceivably rival the tise. To get here, head west past Budhanilkantha school for the west sprang from the culture They ordain every shoe in the world true that in 2001, children from liberation. Bond movies for staying power, and it and climb up along the left bank of the Bishnumati. The industry—Madonna, Hannibal, a master, not a slave Amersham to Zambia can be made to Harry’s dad is a smiling, middle- is interesting, and challenging, that track passes through paddy fields before entering the And currying favour with these shoes amazon.com—and their newsworthily care about which wackily named public Harry is set to age in real time, taking Shivapuri Wildlife Reserve, where the cliffs are. aged, speccy version of himself. His they forge ahead to stalk the marketplace disruptive implications could be school “House” the stars get into? The his fans along with him through the chewed over in the knowledge that our mum is—well, tall, auburn-haired, No, the city’s legs never tire answer is yes. The newcomers being serious-looking, very much like a rocky road of adolescence and beyond. peace and plenty were essentially assigned their house by the talking hat Even just on its own, it’s a wildly undisturbed. So Harry Potter, certain bestselling children’s author. There are many of us like me here in the great hall was like nothing so Their seraphically calm, heroically self-successful picture, and I grinned with Emerging from the hush of our brains sensational, earth-shattering Harry much as the master’s speech in effacing presence makes them look like pleasure all the way through. But I our insufficiencies and our legs Potter, is said to be, variously, a rebuke Chariots of Fire, in which earnest Superman’s parents Jor-el and Lara, couldn’t help thinking that however walk to factories and to offices to political correctness, a repudiation ofyoung Cambridge matriculands were well executed it is, the movie is seeking work and conducting work placing their defenceless baby Kal-el in the fallacy that children want a dour made to feel that being Caius men was addressed to fans, rather than a general seeking loads and carrying loads reflection of broken homes and ethnic a spaceship and blasting him away to tiring as they walk a deeply and fascinatingly different safety before the planet Krypton audience. It takes its customers’ loyalties strife, and a clarion call for literacy thing from being, say, Trinity men. essentially for granted, without, like walking as they tire and reading. explodes. Or even, dare we say it, Among these legs, my own legs walk now The difference is not half as compellingJoseph and Mary themselves. Certainlyother movies, needing to persuade and towards rice grains and lentils Chris Columbus’s movie is as the difference between Slytherin, theHarry’s dad is effectively supplanted inexcite us from first principles. For the towards the vegetable market notable in its utter subservience to the house for talented but sinister types, Harry’s world by Dumbledore: that moment, this is hardly a problem. At These are but food products written word: it is tightly, shrewdly and poor old Hufflepuff, the house forwhite-haired, white-bearded divinity the screening I was at, children and sometimes they are available respectful of the book, clearly very wimps and nerds. figure. And the movie makes no bonesadults alike were simply delirious with sometimes not reluctant indeed to alienate any part of Director Chris Columbus plays allwhatever about Voldemort’s Luciferianjoy all around me: I was the cautious On days when I can’t find a face the 100 million-strong reading the fantasy straight—insofar as it can bebackground, the wizard who challengedtraditionalist among charismatics. for the body that I have erected fanbase, and even its tiny swervings As with the calamitous Phantom my legs disappear into my own eyes played straight—and thankfully never authority and fell from grace, and now, (no Peeves the Poltergeist) have been succumbs to the temptation to twist anywith a whiff of sulphur, persuades his Menace, a terrible creative complacency and stride towards brutal dreams loudly regretted by the faithful. In my dreams, the butt ends of rifles of the story for adult laughs or impose followers that there is no good and evil:and sclerosis can so easily set in. At the Exercising her massive clout, the an extra layer of obtuse adult only the “power”. end of a fantastically enjoyable 152 My legs become bloodstained as they walk author has insisted on British actors From nearby the city’s legs “surreality” which would have been Nothing could have more of the minutes, the old adage “Leave them and British accents, and her Holly- chant slogans of the global village at my legs utterly wrong, and condescending. It ismakings of an epic series than this. It wanting more” popped unbidden into Tell me if anything can be done wood sponsors, now yearning for interesting to speculate what would my head. Sometime in the upcoming escapism, are awfully glad she did. has legs. It has wings. It has broom- to stop the city’s legs which become have happened if Terry Gilliam had sticks for whizzing about on. The greatdecade, the HP franchise will test that more and more brutal Only when the time comes to film been hired to direct it. I have an awful axiom to destruction. with each new rise of day feeling that it would have been coloured with precisely this sort of wrong- The most dangerous thing— headed, patronising loopiness. Or if These days our city has started not that exactly, then it might have gorging on human flesh (The Guardian) and the city’s legs looked like those Christmas all-star are out stalking for prey Harry Potter and the Prisoner of adaptations of Azkabanmight echoes from the outside world start to intrude again. As all the world knows, Harry is the little wizard boy, or should that be wizard little boy, whose magus parents Lily and James were killed by the Alice’s Adventures in unspeakable Voldemort (shhhhhh!!). WonderlandorThe Wind in the But he is then delivered to his Muggle,Willows, in which TV comedy stars are ie non-magician, civilian aunt and uncle, and beastly fat cousin, to be knowingly latexed up as the well-loved bullied until Harry is whisked off to lead characters. Columbus’s movie, Hogwarts, a glorious boarding school albeit corseted in utter fidelity to the for trainee wizards where you are book, never talks down to its material allowed to say “bloody” to a beak or its target audience. without getting into trouble and where It is an investment of seriousness This poem was originally printed in the “Koseli” sectionHarry is tutored in the art of potions, which is repaid when we arrive at the of Kantipur. spells, and riding a broomstick. He is big emotional centrepiece, far more watched over by the headmaster important than Harry’s battle to Dumbledore: a wisely bearded and retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone itself, a snowy-haired Richard Harris, whose plot point which, on the screen as on habitual and very slight away-with-the-the page, is disappointingly fudged. fairies screen presence is here absolutelyThis crunch is when Harry sees a right. Harris is assisted by the pepperyvision of his dead parents in the fabled disciplinarian Professor McGonagall: aMirror of Erised, the enchanted glass very Jean Brodie-ish Maggie Smith. which, as it name hints, reflects the Ian Hart is the timid Professor onlooker’s deepest desire . Harry Quirrell, and Alan Rickman luxuriatesPotter’s story—his oppression by the in the role of the superbly, hilariously Muggles and then the empowerment sinister Severus Snape, speaking his through magic—makes no sense without the fact of his parents’ death. It 181818 CITY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES CITY 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 191919

ABOUT TOWN YAK YETI YAK by MIKU OFF THE BEATEN TREK by JANAKI GURUNG HAPPENINGS

MOVIESMOVIESMOVIES Festival of French Films 12 feature films presented by the French Embassy and Alliance Française. All films subtitled. Free passes at the French Embassy (Lazimpat), Alliance Française (Thapathali), Chez Caroline (Babar Mahal Revisited), Himal Media (Sanchay Kosh Building, Pulchowk), Tik ‘n Tok (New Road). 27 November–2 December, Russian Cultural Centre. Champadevi sunrise

EXHIBITION Kenichi Komatsu 2001Exhibition and sale of photographs by Japanese photographer of Mustang, Dolpa and pilgrimages to old Nepali temples. Organised by Japan-Nepal Photographic Exchange Society. 22 November-7 December, Nepal Art Council, Baber Mahal. 220735 Digital Art 1995-2001 by Jyoti Duwadi. Until 26 November. Siddharta Art Gallery Baber Mahal Revisited. 411122 Colour of my mind Paintings by Mona Ghosh. 20 November-2 December, Alliance Francaise, BOOKWORM Thapathali. 241163 PREMIER AND HERO: Prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba unveiling a Buddhist Sculptures in TibetUlrich von Schroeder statue of national hero, Shankadar Shankhwa in Thimi on 16 November to Vol I: India and Nepal655 pp, 766 illustrations (749 colour, 17 half-tone) Covers mark the Newari New Year 1122. EVENTSEVENTSEVENTS Gandhara, Swat, Pamir, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Pala, Lichhavi and Malla Nepali classical dance and folk atmusic Hotel Vajra. Dances of Hindu and Buddhist gods styles. Tuesdays and Fridays, 7PM onwards, the Great Pagoda Hall. Ticket and tea Rs 400. Nepali folk Vol II: Tibet and China675 pp, 987 illustrations (949 colour, 38 half-tone) Covers tunes Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6.30Pm onwards, hotel restaurant. Hotel Vajra, 271545. Siemens Action Asia Himalayan Mountain Bike Race FinalSeries event 2001 24 November. the origin, development, technical and ritual aspects of Tibetan art through the Open to all, five race categories, great prizes. Himalayan Mountain Imperial and Monastic periods, and also Chinese metal sculptures from the Ming Bike. Dynasty. [email protected]. 437437 Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong Contemporary Jazz dance classes by Meghna Thapa. At Alliance Rs 111,650 Française Sundays and Tuesdays 4.30PM-6.30PM, 241163. At Banu’s, Kamal Pokhari, Wednesdays 6.30PM-8PM, Saturdays 1.30PM. 434024, 434830 From the Scared Realm: Treasures of Tibetan Art from the Newark Museum Shhh. Here is Kathmandu’s best kept secret. Visions 2001: The World Of FashionNepali and Indian profes- Valrae Reynolds sional models model ethnic and modern ensembles designed by top Nepali designers. Mod- Prestel, Munich elled clothes and jewellery on sale. Rs 1,500, including dinner. Baber Mahal Revisited, 23 Rs 4,595 s the eastern sky turns from the horizon, dwarfed by the saw- the car climbs up the hill, you more spectacular. The great thing November 6PM. Tickets at Baithak, K2 (251647), and Chez Caroline (263070). The Newark Museum’s outstanding Tibet collection started with objects brought grey to pink, silhouetting the tooth summits of the nearer break through the mist to be about this hike is you can just keep HAIR TODAY: Indian hair stylist Sylvie with beautician Dolly Singh with Ganesh’s Trunk Exhibition and sale of Christmas ornaments and cards, hand-painted back by the missionary Dr Shelton from his stay in eastern Tibet from 1904 to 1920. Amountains and framing the Rolwaling mountains, is Mt accosted by a sky full of stars. walking along the ridge for as long trainees of the National Hair Institute at the Royal Singhi Hotel on 20 baskets, woven Thankas, paper products, jewellery, hand crafted soaps and herbal products, The collection, ranging from theth 11to the 20th century, includes ritual silk brocade sky, a few early risers are huffing Everest. You’ll miss it if you don’t Venus is rising behind Phulchowki, as you can take it. Some hike right November. Newar wood carving, luxury homeware, cashmere and silks, carpets. Raffle with prizes to benefit know where to look, but the just beginning to be visible in the up to Chitlang Pass and descend to the Harelip Project. 24 November, 11AM- 6PM Hotel Yak & Yeti. garments, painted leather pieces, ceremonial silver objects, intricately worked and puffing along the pine ridge. pale pre-dawn to the east. Take Thankot, but this will take you the Blast from the past Sixties theme night with Rusty Nails, Red Sky Walkers, Robin &ornaments, Looza. prayer wheels, and Buddhist paintings and sculptures. The accompanying They are racing the sun to the top bhadgaonle topioutline of the of Champadevi on Kathmandu the turnoff to Hattiban Resort, whole day. Unlike other tourist 28 November, 6PM onwards, Radisson Hotel. Rs 450 including one beer or soft drink.essays 423888 discuss Tibetan culture and present scenes of everyday life, the role of the Valley’s southern rim. world’s highest mountain is and climb the narrow, steep, areas around the Valley, there are nobility and the official Buddhist establishment. Pre-1950 black-and-white photo- unmistakable. Gauri Shankar’s But the sun is rising at the serpentine bends through pine no resorts, and the likelihood of graphs are also included. imposing west face is in shadow forests. Pass the resort and drive up seeing other hikers is minimal. speed of the earth’s rotation, and and despite being more than 100 pretty soon the first rays catch up another kilometre along the ridge Take plenty of water, there are ALL PICS:MINBAJRACHARYA MUSICMUSICMUSIC Courtesy Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] km away, it has a dominating with the climbers and bathe the and park the car. The smell of freshno streams or water sources. One Live acoustic music Dinesh Rai and Deependra every Friday and Sunday at the Himalatte presence. Welcome to air after the stale air of the Valley dew-wet pine forest in a warm Kathmandu’s best-kept secret: great way to finish off your Café. 7.30PM-10PM 262526 CLASSIFIED golden glow. Below, the scene is floor is so intense that the oxygen Champadevi climb is to make a Weekends at The Jazz The Bar Jazz Commission on Thursdays, Chris Masand’s Latin band The Champadevi Sunrise. primordial, the fog covering makes you dizzy. leisurely descent to Hattiban Resort ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Start early. If lethargy or on Fridays and on Saturdays An Fainne. 7PM onwards, Shangri-La Hotel. 412999To let Spacious furnished apartment near For immediate hire Toyota Land Cruiser. Three- Kathmandu like a blanket at the The climb to Champadevi (keeping an eye out for the abun- Live music by Catch-22 Tuesday and Friday nights at the 40,000 ½ Jawalakhel Zoo. Two bedrooms, two bath, largedoor, air-conditioned, CD player. Excellent condition, exact height of the lake that was hangover conspire to keep you in should take one-and-a-half hours, dant bird life), order brunch and ft Bar, Rum Doodle Restaurant. 414336 living-dining, modern kitchen, terrace overlookinggreat price. No brokers. Contact 9810-4192. once there. Only the temple at the bed, persevere. This time of year, and the last bit to the round and stay around for tea while watching garden. Quiet surroundings. Contact Mrs at Singh top of Kirtipur and Swoyambhu’s 5.00AM is a good time to start off, wide summit at 6,200 ft is steep. the haze clear from Kathmandu 524389. because the sun rises early and your Kodari Eco Resort Peace in natural surroundings, golden stupa pierce through the The more adventurous can Valley laid out at your feet. THINKING ALOUD: South Asian participants at a conference on “Region- EATING OUT progress along the Dakshinkali good views of Nepal/ Tibet border, jungle-covered mist like islands. continue along the ridge and climb alism and the Nation State “organised by HIMAL South Asian magazine at Afro-Caribbean night with music and speciality food. Rs 500, 30 Road will be slowed by fog. By the The way to Mexico is too far. Botega Restaurantmountains, Buddhist monasteries, ancient Shiva To the north, the snow another two hours to the summit the Dwarika’s Hotel on 18 November. November, La’Soon Restaurant and Vinotheque, Pulchowk. For cave. Hike to villages with various ethnic groups, time you pass Chobhar, the fog will and Tequila Bar is near Thamel Chowk. 266433. 15 of Chandragiri at 8,700 ft, from reservations ring 525290. vantage points to Himalayas. Comfortable accommo- pyramids of Dorje Lakpa and be as thick as pea soup, mixed up BBQ and Thai buffet dinner every Friday with live band Las percent off-season discount. Langtang reflect the yellow light where the views of the Himalaya dation, attached bath, balcony or terraces, good with the overnight dust from the from Dhaulagiri to Everest are even Sonidos Latinos. Adults Rs 500, children under 12 Rs 250. Taxes extra. food, friendly service. 480262, [email protected] and loom over the Valley. Along cement factory smokestack. But as Summit Hotel, Sanepa. 521810 The Borderlands Resort For canyoning, rafting, Far PavilionIndian cuisine with Sapana Pariyar and Suresh trekking at Tibet borders, Professional Development Manandhar. Everyday except Tuesday. 8PM–11PM, The Everest Hotel Program, Leadership Courses and many more.Best Room in Thamel Long-term only. Private Spa Rejuvenation CuisineSpecial brunch offer with use of health 425836/425894. [email protected]. terrace, bath, double-bed, wardrobe, shelves. Quiet, www.borderlandresorts.com. club and swimming pool. 25 November, 11.30AM–5PM. Rs 750 Hotel Yak & Yeti private, and a great view. US$5 per day. Contact Himalayan Feelings Fusion band every Friday night with full Sekuwa dinner and complimen- John 548119.

tary beer or soft drink. Rs 555 per head, Rs1010 per couple at Dwarika’s Hotel. 479488 TONI HAGEN Le Cafe des TrekkersNew Tibetan and French restaurant. Special 10 percent discountK-Too! onBeer and Steakhouse not the “longest”, Nepali menu until 7 December. Jyatha, Thamel, opposite Hotel Blue Diamond. 225777“highest”, “first” or any other superlative. Just Stupaa iewV and Restauranterrace & T at relaxed, easy-going bar and restaurant with the Barbecue lunch with complementary wine or beer for adults, soft drink for children. Satur- Baudhanath Stupa. Well-appointed restaurant and coldest beer and juiciest steaks this side of theterraces with views of stupa and Himalayas. days and Sundays at the Godavari Village Resort. 560675 moon. By the Kathmandu Guest House. 433043International vegetarian specialties, pizza from clay Rox RestaurantTraditional home-style European cuisine from a wood-fired oven. Steaks, oven, ice cream, soft guitar tunes on Fridays, trout, roasted vegetables, desserts. Hotel Hyatt Regency. 491234 Saturdays, Sundays from 5PM on. Special events on HMB Mountain BikingHave your bike serviced orfull moon. Open daily 11AM-8.30PM. 480262.

repaired by HMB’s Professional Mechanics ○○○○○○○○ at the HMB Workshop. Riding gear, accessories and parts available. Second hand bikes bought/sold/hired. Gourmet weekendfor Nepalis and expatriates at GETAWAYS New and reconditioned mountain bikes for sale. Chiso Chiso Hawama Summer B&B package for Nepalis and expatriates. Rs 1,250Himalayan per Mountain Bikes—Tours and Expeditions.Naked Chef, Nagarkot. B&B, three-course interna- head. Club Himalaya Nagarkot Resort. 410432, 414432 437437. tional gourmet dinner, transportation both ways. Rs 1,100. 417386, 680115 Escape to Jomsom Two nights, three days, B&B package with tours and Pokhara-Jomsom return airfare. Expats $250 per head. Valid until New Year. Jomsom Mountain Resort. 434870 Nagarkot Escape Weekends in cottages, views of the Himalayas, valleys and forests. For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36. Special rates for Nepalis and resident expatriates. Hotel Keyman Chautari. [email protected] 436850 For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] on FM 102.4 NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

Not much to report. The westerlies travel across Iran and Afghanistan, and then just when it looks like they Mon-Fri 0615-0645orld BBC Today W are headed our way they veer off northwards to the Pamirs. This is why Nepal has only seen the edges ofSat 0615-0645Science BBC in Action several of these fronts in the past two weeks. Western Nepal has received a dusting of snow, but otherwise it has been an uncharacteristically warm Sun 0615-0645Agenda BBC DSES-21-11-2001 0400 GMT and dry November so far. And it looks like it will stay that way for the foreseeable future. What this means g]kfnL ;]jf;]jfg]kfnL;]jf is dry days ahead, thicker ground fog in Kathmandu Daily 2045-2115 BBC Valley and z further drop in minimum temperatures, while the maximum stays at a balmy 24. Daily 2245-2300g]kfnL BBC ;]jf;]jfg]kfnL;]jf

KATHMANDU VALLEY Radio Sagarmatha

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681 Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 E-mail: [email protected] /]l8of] ;u/dfyf www.radiosagarmatha.org View from Champadevi in 1956 (above), and in 2000, with the built-up town and the plume of the 24-07 24-06 23-06 24-05 23-06 Chobhar cement factory in the foreground. KUNDA DIXIT 202020 23 - 29 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES Under My Hat NEPALI SOCIETY by Kunda Dixit Headline twins ighteen months after they were born joined at Bijuli ko tar, tar, tar… Ethe head at Prasuti Griha in Thapathali, twins Ganga and Jamuna are back in Kathmandu. These conjoined These are poignant words. And the juxtaposition of an sisters, the youngest Nepali emerging gun-culture and latent violence with words of duo to hit world headlines, endearment lend the song an ominous sense of foreboding.were separated at the The uncertainties of love are symbolic in a land where life Singapore General Hospital itself has become uncertain. in early April. The operation, initially expected to last 30 Let’s take another popular Nepali song from yesteryear hours, ended up taking the where the lyrics evoke the nostalgia for a time when the worldteam of about 20 expert was young, love was sweet, while through the medium of surgeons over 90 hours to music the Nepali public gets a lesson in horticulture and thecomplete. vital significance of the insect kingdom in cross-pollination. There have been only four instances of twins joined at the head being successfully Ma mahuri hun Radha, separated and it was, if Timi aanp ko manjari hau. nothing else, an extremely expensive undertaking. My good friend Salil assisted me in translating it thus: Neurologist Dr Basant Pant says Nepali doctors did a I am a bee, Radha, commendable job, but the You are a mango tree. operation was impossible in Nepal due to lack of equip- ment. Even in Singapore, the I see some dancing in the aisles, so let me present procedure could only be another popular folk tune, this one by Sambhujit Banskota:undertaken because after news of the twins’ plight hit the headlines, generous Rato tika nidharma, talakka talkiyo contributions came in from GOPAL CHITRAKAR/KANTIPUR here are a few things that distinguish human beings Chhati bhitra mayako, aago salkiyo. Singaporeans and Nepalis. from non-human ones. Humans, for instance, have Eh, bijuliko tar, tar, tar… Bhushan KC and Sandhya the well-known tendency to sprout fur under their Phursata bhaye, eh hajur, bhetaun sanibar. Shrestha now have enough armpits, whereas other lesser mammals whose money to take care of the medical expenses of their armpits I have personally inspected while researching Red dot on your forehead shining, brightly this article, don’t. Humans are also the only species children for the next few years. Flame of love burning in my chest, fiercely. The twins are said to be in aside from the Common Himalayan Blue-throated Hey, electricity wire, wire, wire… Bush Chat that can compose music and sing. How Let’s meet on Saturday if you’re not tied up already.reasonable health and are T the genes responsible for music evolved in early now at home in Kathmandu humans is still a matter of conjecture in the scientific Here, the lyricist has cleverly shown us the connection with their parents. BhushanAnglophone environment for community at large, but the latest theory is that our primatebetween a high-voltage transmission line and thermal energy. and Sandhya say Jamuna isclose to a year, they seem to ancestors made rudimentary attempts at singing when, afterThen, subtly, he drives home the important message that our the more active of the two, butrespond more to English than Ganga is also slowly perkingto Nepali. “No matter,” says a hard day of hunting, gathering and stalking mammothsnation’s in future rests in the prudent harnessing of our the peat bogs, they started taking the first pre-historic up. However there is one delighted grandad Arjundev hydropower potential so that young citizens will have the small problem. Because theShrestha. “I’ll talk to them in showers. This is why, to this day, my significant other singsleisure to rendezvous on weekends. popular Nepali folks songs while in the tub. In fact, she is children had been living in anEnglish.” doing so even as we speak. Hydropower is a recurring theme in Nepali folk songs, Nepali folk songs, as those of us who have made as we can see in this next one which is the lament of a paan- multiple visits to Bhojan Griha know, are a fascinating blend of rhythm, melody and poetic lyrics. It is the chewing tehnician working in the Middle Marsyangdi Project harmony of these three important musical elements that whose responsibility it is to power the nation day and night: make Nepali folk so irresistible. There is not a trekker who does not leave this country humming Paan ko pat Maya timilai samjhanchhu din ko raat Resham phiririwhile Marsyangdi sa la la… being frisked amidst heightened security at the departure gate. I have often wondered at the popularity of that Darling betel leaf, particular song, and have come to the conclusion that it is I think of you day and night the lyrics that make it the hot favourite. The words are Like the lean season flow of the Marsyangdi. imbued with deep symbolism and relevance. Take the second stanza of the chorus: And it is when the river goes dry because all the water has been diverted to the turbines that there is hint of trouble in paradise and the first signs of psychosis: Ek nale banduk. Dui nale banduk. Mrigalai take ko. Mrigalai maile take ko hoina, maya lai dake ko. Dhunge bagara, dajai, dhunge bagara Translation: Maya chhadaichha halla nagara. One-barrel gun, two-barrel gun, aiming at a deer. I’m not aiming at no deer. Rocky bugger, brother, rocky bugger I’m aiming at you, my dear. OK, OK, I love you, so shut up already.

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