#580 25 November - 1 December 2011 16+4 pages Rs 30
Newar women offer rice to Seto Machendranath on Sunday at Keltole in the hope that it brings health, happiness and prosperity.
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MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA
o it has come down to this: for six months and then in August by NC’s Deep Kumar Upadhya. the fourth extension of the three months. There has been progress on the Editorial p2 SConstituent Assembly. The The NC is embroiled in an integration and rehabilitation of Maoist Now, the constitution people’s elected representatives internal dispute and couldn’t decide fi ghters, and a State Restrucuring have agreed to buy themselves on the length of the extension this Commission was formed this week Eyewitness p12-13 more time to fi nish writing the time. Meanwhile, the UML central to address the most contentious Two months after the constitution because their leaders committee meeting decided to issue about the kind of federalism the earthquake, eastern have been too busy preventing each consult other parties about the country should have. Nepal picks up the other from getting to power. extension period. The party is Put together, these moves give pieces The passage of the 11th divided over whether to ask for the parties the fi g leaf with which to amendment to the interim Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s allay public opposition to another constitution tabled by the resignation to pave the way for a extension. With another extension government on Thursday is delayed consensus government. by Wednesday, the term of the CA because the parties haven’t yet “The CA term extension will have been four years although decided by how long to extend the depends on progress made on it was elected initially for a two year CA. The fi rst extension was for a the peace and constitution and mandate. year in 2009, then it was extended government performance,” said the Dewan Rai 2 EDITORIAL 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 NOW, THE CONSTITUTION
o give him his due, Prime Minister the political committees of the CA couldnt Baburam Bhattarai promised us for the past four years: come up with a Tprogress on the peace process, and new federal state structure acceptable to he is delivering. He has rammed through all. an integration and rehabilitation package The parties have once more taken the to dismantle the Maoist fighting force easy way out when they come up with despite strong resistance from a rabble- a deadlock: outsource the problem to rousing faction within his own party. another commission. Trouble is, this is not The only way he was able to sell this a panel of objective experts, it is a panel of idea to his cadre was to sugar-coat it with political appointees. This is deliberate. a generous golden handshake. It turned The reality is that identity politics is out to be very expensive, it was grossly now so radicalised in this country that it unfair to the innocent victims of the has gone out of control of the politically conflict, but it was a price we had to pay bankrupt leadership of the parties. The to conclude the process. agenda is now set by NGO pressure groups Now, comes an even greater challenge: and militant ethno-separatists who are finishing the new constitution. We have pushing federal options that the parties, saved the hardest part (state restructuring) including the Maoist mainstream, now for last. Lets assume for a moment that BIKRAM RAI find politically untenable. This is probably we actually need a new constitution. Lets local leaders into VDCs and DDCs who were the reason why the parties havent got the ignore for now the argument that all we need to do beginning to trickle up into national politics. top academic sociologists, political scientists and is change the wording in some of the clauses in the Here we are 15 years later, trying to reinvent demographers but opted for yes-men and women 1990 constitution, with an emphasis on inclusion the wheel by finding an effective way to devolve who will do as they say in the commission. It is and verifiable implementation. A new constitution power to the grassroots again. The model we seem a last desperate attempt by the parties, led by the is the other price we have to pay for peace: to give to have chosen this time in the name of addressing Maoists, to put the ethnic genie back into the bottle. the Maoist party an honourable exit so that they the grievances of marginalised communities is So, dont expect much from this commission. can convince their followers that the sacrifices they to tear the country apart. So, a panel of eight The reaction of the NGO pressure groups will be made and the suffering they caused was worth party appointed experts in a High Level State predictable. The CA term will be extended again it. Their decision to wage war in 1996 wrecked a Restructuring Commission is supposed to do what by midnight on 30 November, and it wont really working democracy that was putting accountable matter by how long.
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FIVE-YEAR CEASEFIRE in its infant stage for at least a few decades Nepalis have the courage to demand that fares zKathmandu feels congested with How many of us honestly believe that (‘The .com generation’, Paavan Mathema, be based on the quality of services rather than the massive fl ow of newer vehicles and having a constitution will remove all ills #579). For e-commerce to fl ourish, people on nationalities? an immediate response is to build more plaguing the country? (‘The fi ve year cease need to spend a lot of time on the internet, but Mahendra Thapa roads. However, sustainability wise, fi re’ Editorial, #579). Well I’m not advocating the electricity problem is not likely to be solved investing in public transportation is a that we should not have a constitution but any time soon. People are also unaware zAround 1997-98, when the tourism better option than building roads. It is having a constitution alone will not create a of how debit/credit cards work. Also when I industry was at its peak and Maoist insurgency not shameful to ride a bicycle or bus or better society or nation. It is the attitude of purchase products online I expect them to had not yet taken over, Nepalis hanging safa tempo. Cars should not be a status the majority of the ruling elites and the civil be delivered to my door. But our postal and out in Thamel faced similar discrimination. symbol but must be taken as a means to society that makes or breaks a country. And courier systems are ineffi cient and unreliable Restaurant owners were reluctant to welcome achieve a practical end. Buy cars if and we are very familiar with the attitude of and postal insurance is faulty. locals and waiters did not bother to take only if you have an immediate need for our current rulers. Mahendra Thapa orders, because they were busy serving them and not because your next door Different view bidheshi guests. But it all changed when the neighbor got one recently. zI agree completely with the writer about bidheshis stopped coming and the ones who De Nepa zTo resolve the diffi culties facing Nepali the obstacles to e-commerce. Whenever came had lesser purchasing power than the politics we’ll have to write the constitution I have tried to buy products online I have Nepalis. These days Thamel is full of Nepalis. ROAD ACCIDENTS at the earliest, because without doubt it faced similar inconveniences. If banks and It is all about economics and if I were a lodge Excellent reporting on the appalling is the most fundamental paper of Nepali online companies work together to fi gure out owner in Khumbu, I would want a customer situation (‘Dead on arrival’, #579). I knew democracy. this problem, online businesses would boom a) who pays more, b) who does not get drunk that there were a lot of traffi c accident- Nirmal enormously and this would eventually benefi t and start a fi ght or cause other customers to related-deaths in Kathmandu, but seeing consumers. run away, c) is clean and does not damage those numbers is unbelievable. Maoists are getting richer, at tax payer’s Sudeep Shrestha property. Teaching bathroom and other Mia expense, for holding peace for ransom. etiquette to porters, herders and other Nepali Other insurgent groups may also learn TOURISM APARTHEID brothers (and sisters) is a great idea but who is zNewspapers report accidents daily, from the success of the Maoists. Especially Being one of the trekkers of the G4G to EBC, I going to do it? The government? but the government has turned a deaf when the Western countries and Nepali empathise with Mr Alok’s sadness and disgust Dhedu Badar ear. To control traffi c accidents, one does intellectuals have exonerated such crimes. with the discrimination that some of our guides not need PhD, the only requirement is to K K Sharma and porters are subjected to (‘Second- class CYCLE CITY focus on the road at all times and ‘follow citizens’, #579). I strongly agree with Alok that Besides saving petroleum, time, and national traffi c rules’. WAR DURING PEACE it is the local people that should be looked wealth, bicycles contribute to public health AMj Really heart-touching piece by Ms Dhana after. (‘Cyclists and the city’, #579) by reducing on her war experience (‘War during peace’, Kamal Rizk obesity and related diseases such diabetes, Dhana Laxmi Hamal, #479) . There are both of which are becoming epidemic. thousands of young men and women like zMalpi School in Kavre has been going Furthermore, the motor vehicle industry Weekly Internet Poll # 580 her all over Nepal. I am one of them. to Lukla and trekking around Namche for is destroying the economy of countries Thank you. the past six years, we have not faced such around the world. North American and Q. Will the Maoist camps be dismantled by Sujan discrimination as yet. European countries are spending billions of 30 November? Mahendra Sakya dollars in petroleum import and their debt is Total votes: 1,366 zWhat is the “compensation” for the accumulating. Even China’s balance of trade psychological trauma endured by people Nepalis ourselves are responsible for this became unfavorable for the fi rst time several like Dhana Laxmi Hamal? The government situation. Naturally, businessmen will give years ago due to import of petroleum. The is rewarding its Maoist cadres for killing and preference to people who pay the most. None situation must be even worse for Nepal, and torturing people. What about the victims? of the airlines or shuttles in the US or UK or furthermore it is a cost that generally is being KiranL any other developed nations charge on the transferred from the urban elites to Nepal’s basis of nationality. But in Nepal bus fares and rural population, the major productive sector of E-COMMERCE airfares for tourists are almost 2 to 3 times the country. Weekly Internet Poll # 581. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Online business in Nepal is likely to remain higher than the fares for locals. Why don’t we Stephen Mikesell Q. Baburam Bhattarai’s performance into the second month in offi ce has been:
Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Chief Operating Offi cer: Sunim Tamang | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Design: Kiran Maharjan | Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter OP-ED 3 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 Divided we stand Maoist ideologues now realise they underestimated the perils of stirring the ethnic pot
BY THE WAY Anurag Acharya
he Maoist party today is as near to splitting as it has ever got. But it doesn’t quite seem to be able to get around to dividing. T The leadership has tried to give the internal rifts a positive spin, by characterising it as a normal two-line struggle, and portraying it as proof of a vibrant internal democracy within the party. Furthermore, at negotiations with other parties the Maoists have exploited the hardline pressure for concessions they would perhaps not get. The party establishment is under immense pressure from the NC and UML to implement past agreements, including the issue of the return of property. They have convinced the Maoist chairman to accompany them to Bardiya district where the cadre of hardline faction of Mohan Baidya have refused to return seized property. Baidya has also instructed loyalists within the PLA rank not to take part in the integration process and instead choose rehabilitation package which fetches them an average of Rs 650,000 each. The Baidya faction reportedly is banking on this funding to launch an even more decisive struggle in the future. Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his supporters have rubbished the possibility of another ‘People’s War’ and instructed Maoist fi ghters to participate in the integration process. Dahal is right. There might not be another ‘People’s War’ not because he says so but because even within the PLA ranks, people are thoroughly disillusioned with war as a means to liberate Nepali society (see ‘A war of words’, #579 by Rubeena Mahato). When the Maoists launched their armed insurrection 15 years ago, they looked for a cause to add “iron and fi re” to their revolution. Objective conditions were ripe from Mechi to Mahakali, from the Himal to the Tarai with the excluded, the disenfranchised and the disowned. But there was no common enemy, as there was in the Russian Revolution. The Maoists had declared the “feudal monarchy” as their target, but it was hard for them to convince people to take up arms against a popular constitutional monarch in the mid-1990s.
Which is why the call for autonomous ethnic states was a desperate move by the Maoists to galvanise their revolution and give it focus. As Marxists, they argued that Brahminical hegemony manifested as class in Nepal’s predominantly Hindu society which was protected by the institution of monarchy. This was, at best, only half true. The leadership failed to take Nepal’s demographic complexities into consideration before setting out to dismantle the superstructure of the state. During the war, they used ethnic liberation as a slogan to recruit fi ghters, and later pushed the autonomous ethnic provinces as a ploy to garner votes in the 2008 elections. Now, they have come to see they let the genie out of the bottle. Yes, Brahminical caste oppression in a Hindu society was responsible for discrimination against Dalits and Janajatis. But when it came to geographical remoteness and poverty, Nepal suffered as a nation. Muslims are the most impoverished community in Nepal and surveys show that many Brahmin and Chhetri communities in the hills are as poor as others. Neither was the political elite in Kathmandu and other urban areas, an exclusive club of Brahmins and Chhetris. It is not surprising that inspite of conspicuous Brahminical dominance of the political leadership, the lists of powerful Janajati and Madhesi leaders in all the mainstream parties are quite long. No matter how revolutionary the parties claim to be, they have all undermined Dalit and women representation at decision-making levels. The people’s movement of 1990 did not usher in the kind of change that the people had hoped for, which is why the Maoists managed to mobilise popular support for their movement in the countryside. But although the ‘people’s war’ thrived on the ethnic agenda, Maoist ideologues realise today that they underestimated the dangers of abusing an ethnic debate in a country where no single community dominates any geographic area. Last week's protest by the indigenous caucus in the CA forced the party leadership to backtrack on a tabled resolution to form a technical comittee on state restructuring. The group of 119 CA members from across the political spectrum warned their party leadership of dire consequences if their demands are not addressed in state restructuring. The indigenous caucus of CA members has a declared agenda of establishing ethnic federal states with rights to delf determination. The ethnic agenda used to be carried by Limbuwan and Madhesi militants, now it is CA members from Janajati backgrounds who have stepped up. This is an indication of which way the nation is going if the ethnic debate spills over in poltiics. We don’t want to go there. 4 NATION 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 Encouraging progress
Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations happy to note that one-third of the seats in the Constituent UNDP has been working with the government on disaster Development Programme (UNDP) and former prime Assembly are now held by women. Nepal has had the foresight risk reduction for many years. A recent result of that work minister of New Zealand is in Nepal this week to inspect to integrate the MDGs into its national development strategies, was the establishment with the Home Ministry of a National development projects. Clark spoke to Nepali Times about as refl ected in its Three Year Plan, and I have confi dence that Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). We already see Nepal’s progress in meeting Millennium Development Nepal will continue its MDG progress. concrete results: when an earthquake struck the east of Goals and the challenges ahead. Nepal recently, the national and district level emergency A lot of the problems in the developing world need long- operation centres reacted within one hour. That was a huge term structural and governance solutions, but aren’t the improvement compared to the level of preparedness only Nepali Times: With only four years to go for the MDG needs are so immediate. one year ago. UNDP and a range of partners also helped the target date, how would you rate the chances of developing Development is a long term process. UNDP works for decades government develop a new National Strategy for Disaster countries to meet the goals? in countries and helps them build the capacity to lift human Risk Management which was approved in 2009. It signals Helen Clark: Over the past decade, notable progress has development. Some face greater challenges than others, but an important shift in policy from focusing mainly on relief been made on each individual MDG, including in many least all can succeed. It is important to align meeting short term and response to a more balanced approach to risk reduction overall. The key challenge now is to implement this ambitious new strategy with a sense of urgency. A Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium came into being in 2009 under government leadership, bringing together the UN system, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, the Red Cross Movement, the European Commission, and the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Australia, to accelerate and expand risk reduction measures in Nepal. The Consortium has already raised more than $60 million for school and hospital retrofi tting, emergency preparedness, building code enforcement, community preparedness, and many other measures. BIKRAM RAI The Consortium is seen as a model of how to get organised to tackle disaster developed countries and under very challenging circumstances. needs with the longer term direction established, in other risk more effectively in countries like Nepal. Business as usual, however, won’t get the world all the way to words, each step taken should be in support of the goals to be achieve the MDG targets. The right mix of policies, targeted achieved over time. And, fi nally, impressions of your visit to Nepal this week? technical assistance, institutional capacity, adequate funding, We were very proud to have with us Crown Prince Haakon of and strong political commitment are necessary to accelerate UN staff were among the thousands who died in the Haiti Norway, who is the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador with us on progress. UNDP supports country-led development based on earthquake last year. What lessons has the UN learnt our trip to Nepal this week. We have very vivid impressions inclusive growth strategies which benefi t the poorest and most about disaster preparedness and response from that of our visit here. It is an imposing landscape, and a challenge vulnerable. event? in development. We met the highest leaders in Kathmandu Haiti was a tragic reminder of the importance of building to women starting their own micro businesses in a village in And how does Nepal’s performance compare with the resilience to disaster. Disaster risk reduction measures, western Nepal. It was very inspiring to see how much they others? ensuring that humanitarian response systems are ready, could do with so little, and how giving young people skills Despite political and economic challenges, Nepal has made and imagining the unimaginable all need to be undertaken. can better the livelihoods of their families. In our visit to a MDG progress over the past decade. According to the 2010 Effective governance is needed to achieve this, of the kind maternity clinic we saw the role played by Nepal’s female MDG progress report, Nepal is on track to achieve most which ensures building codes are in place and enforced, health volunteers and what was most signifi cant to me targets, with a few exceptions, if the current trends in progress land use plans are carefully thought through, and creates was that that it was an example of a community that could continue. Achievements in reducing child mortality and a clear sense of duty of care among elected and appointed articulate what they wanted from local leaders, and they said improving maternal health are particularly encouraging. Poverty public offi cials. International support is needed for both the they wanted better maternity clinics. Back in Kathmandu we has gone down signifi cantly, and Nepal is close to reaching humanitarian and development aspects of this work. had two very signifi cant meetings on Wednesday, one with the 2015 MDG poverty target. Nepal has already achieved CA members and a meeting with senior political leaders at gender parity in primary school enrollments, but the gender Any particular effect this has had in helping Nepal prepare the Prime minister’s residence. It is enormously signifi cant gap remains high at secondary and tertiary education levels. for a disaster that one day is sure to come? that they take the job of speedily completing the peace and As a former political leader in my own country, I am particularly Given the high earthquake risk and other hazards in Nepal, constitution process seriously. Why to be more equal
NDP’s annual Human Development Some have criticised UNDP’s annual policies in 1955 to safeguard equity and Reports are much anticipated for reports as academic navel-gazing where an the environment as being exemplary for Utheir thematic stress. Last year’s enormous amount of money is spent to state a developing nation. The country was report almost prophetically looked at the obvious. In a way this is true: who would way ahead of its time, and in the 1990s democracy defi cit, and seemed to predict argue that societies don’t have to be more became the fi rst country to enshrine the Arab Spring. Earlier reports have equal? Or that the poor need to be given environmental rights in the constitution looked at the linkages of population choices so they don’t unsustainably cut down and a pioneer in selling carbon credits. migration on the economies of labour- forests or overfi sh? The tables at the back of the book exporting countries, as well as the political What this year’s report does is widen on Nepal’s poor ranking is shocking, and and social impact of large numbers of able- the scope of the environment not just to the should be required reading for our PhD bodied young people working abroad. global and national, but at the individual prime minister. Nepal is 157th in the The 2011 report tries to connect the level as well. It includes people in the Human Development Index (one down dots between sustainable development, future who will suffer from environmental from last year not because we didn’t do environmental degradation and equity. degradation carried out today. The poorest of well, but because others did better). The Climate change and a worsening ecological the poor and the marginalised will continue inequality-adjusted HDI is even worse, crisis are seen to accentuate existing to bear the consequences of environmental pointing to a big income gap between inequities in society, and an increase in deterioration, be it from erratic rains caused rich and poor. poverty in turn affects the environment. by climate change to smokey home fi res that Equality doesn’t bring equity. The report, therefore, goes to the kill children from lung infection. Improving the people’s capability and heart of the matter: why and how to give ‘The most disadvantaged people carry providing equal opportunities for all the poor more choices so that they have a double burden of deprivation,’ the report boats to rise together with the tide more say in the sustainable use of natural says. ‘More vulnerable to the wider effects is more important. The report helps resources. The experts conclude that of environmental degradation, they must us better understand glaring global unless sustainable development and equity also cope with threats to their immediate Human Development Report 2011 inequities, inequities within countries, go hand-in-hand the quality of life of the environment posed by indoor air pollution, Sustainability and Equity: and an unfair inter-generational burden world’s poor is not going to get better and dirty water and unimproved sanitation.’ A Better Future for All on people who come after us. the global environment will suffer. The report cites Costa Rica’s enlightened UNDP, Palgrave Macmillan, 2011 Kunda Dixit BUSINESS 5 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580
Sabita Maharjan of Kirtipur Hosiery for BIZ BRIEFS empowering women through her knitting business and a cooperative with 375 members. (See: p11). Award winning Hyundai Motor’s 2012 Tucson received Shyam Badan Yadav of Kalash Milk the 2012 Best Resale Value Awards by Industry in Dhorey of Parsa district Kelly Blue Book’s kbb.com while its 2012 for economically empowering farmers Elantra was honoured for the second consecutive year as Best Compact Car through a milk collection scheme and in ALG’s Residual Value Award. Hyundai Motors has been named distributing free livestock. the fastest growing automotive brand for second straight year in the Interbrand Best Global Brands 100. Vijaya Develoment Resource Centre of Nawalparasi for having successfully mainstreamed various dimensions New handsets of development under one umbrella Orion mobile has launched two new models E210 and 925. The E210 encompassing education, media and model has dual sim GSM, digital camera, Bluetooth, FM, GPRS and microfinance to build a more equitable, is available in white and grey colours. The 925 model has additional prosperous and self-reliant society. features of Java applications and supports all video formats. Chhahari Services in Kathmandu for the High on energy Surya Nepal skill trainings they provide to women for Chowdhary Group’s trading unit CG Exim has income generation. The women return introduced alcohol free Matrix energy drink awards to their communities and use their new in the market. It is produced by an ISO 9001 skills to be economically independent. certifi ed company. he Surya Nepal Asha Social Entrepreneurship Award (SNASEA) At a ceremony this week, the winners Thas recognised five people this year for received cash prizes of Rs 100,000 each The face off their extraordinary contribution to add social, and an opportunity to network through Sherpa Adventure Outlet, authorised dealer of environmental and economic value to their ChangeFusion Nepal initiative under The North Face in Nepal has started ‘The Face businesses. which each winner can propose further of the North Face’ contest from November. Contestants have to send their pictures in expansion of their work. original The North Face apparels and the picture The five were selected from a shortlist of 66 Surya Nepal Asha Social with the highest number of likes on North Face’s applicants and include: Entrepreneurship Award 2011 is facebook page will win a gift hamper. sponsored by Surya Nepal, organised by Ram Sapkota of Mountain Delights Treks ChangeFusion Nepal and supported by and Expedition and Tukee Nepal, Jyamrung the NBI. Standing tall for the impact he has made in Jyamrung, Everest bank has recently published Dhading, to build eco-toilets, micro-hydro, www.changefusionnepal.org its 1st quarter operating results for and in health and education projects. www.snpl.com.np the FY 2010/2011. Operating profi t has grown by 18.30 percent.
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g]kfn ;/sf/ ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno ;"rgf ljefu LIFE TIMES Leap sideways Chiri Bhai, Nepal should leap neither backwards nor forwards, it should combine the two
NEPALI PAN Balázs Szász
n the 19th century, my country Hungary was the breadbasket of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Very good soil and expertise went Ihand-in-hand with immense breatkhroughs in engineering. Agro revenues were funnelled into education: it has the largest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita of any country in the world, prompting Nature to famously declare that ’the 20th century was made in Budapest’. (The fact that 10 out of the 11 Hungarian Nobel laureates were Jewish and that they were forced to leave, is another story). The 20th century forced industrialisation, then Communist mass-production destroyed all that. Hungary only became a poor copy, a failed economy. Nepal has been hurtling towards ’development’, which is often used synonymously with 'Western’. Actually most of Western society, as we can see from the way it treats nature and animals and the quagmire it is in today, is in dire need of a ’Nepali approach’. To change something, fi rst we have to understand what it is. That takes patience, a slow approach, a clean slate, not seeing what was, nor what should be, but what is. These are things that are sorely lacking in the approach of the educated towards their own countries. Understandably so, since my feelings towards my own country are also such a jumble. And maybe that leap forward will mean just as much a leap backward. Like going back to age-old farming techniques coupled with modern eco-friendly appliances like solar drying chambers. Most countries are doing that what Tom did running from the telephone pole felled by Jerry. He ran forwards, or backwards, but was always in the trajectory of the falling log. And blam, he got hit in the head. As a kid, I never understood why he couldn’t just make a step sideways. Diffi culties can be blessings in disguise. Lack of industrialisation could mean pure produce, isolated valleys could become micro- greenhouses for unique species of rice, the Himalaya could serve as natural protection against all the chemical use of the plains. With simple processing, drying, jobs would be created for premium prices. Whoever said industry is the only way forward, and who ever believed it? Along with the Amazon, the Himalaya are the world’s number one biodiversity treasure trove for medicinal plants. It is great that now we can buy Parma ham at a deli in Babar Mahal, even though only half a percent of society can regularly afford to shop there. But what if one day a Newari deli opened, with just-as-high quality produce, for a fraction of the price? Nepal should leap neither backwards, nor forwards. It should combine the two and leap sideways. ALL PICS: SALLY BIERMAN In Hungary today, there is a small revolution taking place: cottage industries are springing up and fi nding a great resonance with European tourists who have always known of the high quality paprika, wine, salami and fruit brandy the country has offered. These produce are also sold to discerning customers in the best food halls and delis An organic farmer who doesn’t of Europe for decent prices. There is even a small Hungarian section at Harrods. know what that term means What if Nepal was brave enough once more, and said: this is what we are. Whenever I talk to Nepalis they ask me what I like here. And whatever I say, they say: but Nepal is a poor, dirty country, the politics here are very few as big as basketballs, and has never heard of the term. is terrible. I agree with the last two. But looking at the people, nature, people with the carrots as long as your We dont need another the cultural heritage of the Valley, the community forestry models, Tsparkling, alive eyes of forearm. engineer or doctor who will religious and ethnic tolerance, and looking into the eyes of Chiri Bhai Chiri Bhai, the 82-year-old six Once a gardener at the take away that knowledge (see alongside) my answer is: hell it ain’t poor. feet tall farmer extraordinaire. royal palace, he became a to work abroad, says the There are legends about his consultant at Shantis eco- shelters founder Marianne Balázs Szász is a Hungarian writer dividing his time between magic touch at the Leprosy village, teaching his way Grosspietsch, we need good, his home and Nepal. Center Shanti Sewa Griha, through what others call sound farmers, craftsmen, how he grows cauliflowers organic farming. He himself aware of their heritage. 7 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 s u p e r s t a r
soils nutrients. Chiri Bhai remembers keeping lots of animals and using their waste, as well as night soil, for the fields. They used to dig down through the clay layers to bring out the nutrient-rich kalimati and apply the black earth to fertilise the crops. Chiri Bhai says there is an organic solution for everything, even against insect pests. Soot scraped from walls of the house are the best insecticide, he says. As someone who can make anything grow and has lived his life planting food, Chiri Bhai is puzzled by todays Nepali youth. They study, study, but theyll never find a job, he laughs wholeheartedly, but if they farmed,they wouldnt need to wear fancy clothes they cant afford, and theyd be healthy and theyd earn money. Chiri Bhai is ambivalent about foreigners coming to help Nepal. They come, they help, but they stay a short time, he says, they dont see the long-term, how could they? Like kings they live in their own world. Nepali people are just a bit too devoted to them. I ask Chiri Bhai what he has learnt from nature. For the first time there is silence, then he says: That in the cold season it is the turn of cauli, methi, tori and other oil plants, garlic, turnip... Chiri Bhai has heard of hybrid corn, and doesnt approve. Corn only for eating, not for planting, is not corn, he says matter-of- factly, we treat all things as our friends. We cannot just eat-eat-eat. Maybe this year you get good harvest but who knows, there may be a shortage, the company will be unable to supply seeds, then what do you do? Asked why food should not be grown in this way, Chiri Bhais simplicity cuts through all the moralising: It just doesnt taste good. Here is an organic farmer who is now also looking after lepers because he Chiri Bhai looks at US stop the chicken tearing at loves them. He helps them factory farming poultry, the each other in madness, no hang up the washing, does way 99 per cent of chicken sunlight. tasks they cant do because are raised in that country: This is wrong, he says, of their gnarled fingers. dark, immense halls with if we sit in one place we With his feet firmly on stacks to the ceiling, non- get aches too. Back then our the ground, earth under stop artificial light for chicken used to jump high to his fingernails, and the the first weeks to induce peck at hanging pumpkins, sun constantly in his eyes, overeating, bones unable range freely, eat insects. Chiri Bhais existence is an to keep up with growth The old way of farming extension of nature itself. hormones, beaks cut off to meant replenishing the Balázs Szász 8 LIFE TIMES 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580
complimentary drink 25 November, take on everyday life. 12 to 28 Arabian Night, listen to Middle EVENTS 7pm onwards, Blue Room Lounge, November, Park Gallery, Pulchowk Eastern music by the band Jhamsikhel ‘Mazzika’, which means ‘music’ in Kathmandu International Egyptian. Tickets are priced at Rs National Designer’s Cut, fashion Mountain Festival (KIMFF), 200 and Rs 500 (includes a drink), designers bring out their creativity attend the screening of 52 fi lms 26 November, 7.30pm onwards, to present dresses made out of representing 22 countries or Delices de France, Thamel, Nepali fabric featuring musical participate in one of the many 4260326 performances, salsa sessions and exciting workshops and discussions B-boying. 25 November, 7.30 pm on offer. 8 to 12 December onwards, Radisson Hotel, Lazimpat, DINING 4247167 MUSIC Comedy Night at Delices de France, a group of stand up comedians, ‘Oops, We Did it Again’ International Folk Music Film is coming to town to tickle your Festival, enjoy English and Nepali funny bones as you enjoy a special movies and music under one roof. meal at Delices de France. Tickets are priced at Rs 200, Rs 500 25 November, 7pm onwards, Delices Expressions with Etegami, make and Rs 1000, 25 to 27 November, de France, Thamel, 4260326 special Japanese postcards for Nepal Tourism Board, 4242741, In Conversation with Patrick near and dear ones this festive www.nepalfolkmusicfestival.com French, don’t miss out Patrick Silent Protest, do what you can to season. 25 November, 10am to French and Rabi Thapa’s discussion help ‘Stop Monsanto in Nepal’, both 3pm, Cosmopolitan Training Centre, on the art of biography, brought to the cause and the activist group. Jhamsikhel, [email protected], you by Quixote’s Cove. Free entry, 25 November, 3.30pm to 5.30pm, 016217752, 9841410609 27 November, 3.30pm to 6.30pm, TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj Ramalaya, Pani Pokhari 2nd Mandala International Youth Theatre Festival, immerse yourself Just Baked, a cozy café with Standing Up for Burn Violence in the theatrical performances of amazing pastries and friendly Survivors, join the activism for both foreign and national groups. ambience. Old Baneshwor gender based violence now. 25 November, 3pm, Russian 25 November to 10 December, Centre of Science & Culture, Kamal The Ghangri Café, a quiet and musical program on 4 December, Pokhari, 9851044977 relaxing place with delicious food. 1905 restaurant, Kantipath Although known for their open A Changing Nepal, Maki Gurung’s momos, their Chef Salad is equally Baaja and Bazaar, attend a fi rst exhibition in Nepal which shows delicious. Pulchowk, 5528703, fund-raising event organized ever-changing Nepali faces painted [email protected] by LAMPS (Literature, Art and on Lokta paper. 11 November to Architecture, Music and Movies, 25 November, Cosmopolitan Him Thai Restaurant and Bar, for Photography and Performing Arts, Training Centre, Jhamsikhel, the most authentic Thai cuisines in Style and Sculpture) in support of 016217752 Songs with Sabin Rai, tune into town. Lazimpat, 4418683 disadvantaged Nepali artists. Enjoy Sabin Rai’s melodious performances the music of Shreya Sotang, Abhaya 9th Handicraft Trade Fair, an Extraordinary, bring out the while relishing a scrumptious dinner Attic, newly transformed lounge/bar Subba and others while shopping opportunity to browse through extraordinary in the ordinary. This at Buzz Cafe. 25 November, 6pm ideal for Friday night drinking before for clothes and trinkets on the side. authentic Nepali handicrafts. is what Navin Joshi does in his art onwards, Buzz Cafe, Baluwatar, hitting the dance spots. Uttar Dhoka, Fees: Rs 500 per person with a 24 to 28 November, Bhrikuti Mandap exhibition which shows a unique 9841249081 Lazimpat, 984161476
hy do people read? A Tehelka poll detail the peaks and troughs of his personal from 2010 suggested that at least in life, including the abusive nature of his WIndia, reading is less the leisurely relationships with his British wife and his pursuit it is for many in the West. Even the Art of Argentinean mistress. modern Nepali may feel uncomfortable if But French applies the personal she happens to touch a book with her feet, approach to the art of biography to entire books are still venerated as a means to access biography nations, too. Combining travelogue style wisdom. Reading is a part of our continuing reportage and a long view of history, education whether it is to build better Visiting writer Patrick French gets French unabashedly inserts himself into the business relationships, learn a language, or milieux he is describing. In his personal simply be inspired. to the very heart of his subjects, history of Tibet, for instance, the way the Biographies feature strongly in this be they individuals or billion- author comes to terms with his own Tibet last category in Nepal. In every book fair of the mind after surveying ground realities biographies enjoy pride of place in all stalls, strong nations is central to the readers understanding of and their subjects run the gamut of humanity this unfortunate country. from Gandhi to Mao. Given this strong The intimacy of Frenchs individual interest, one might wonder why there are so and national biographies does not distract few quality biographers working in Nepal. or titillate, ultimately. Quite the contrary. This week, that lack will be temporarily By delving as deep as possible into the remedied by British writer Patrick French, personal, French offers his readers the who will be featuring in a session on the art opportunity to better understand his of biography. subjects. In the case of a public figure, French is the author of five books, all in the confessional approach humanises the a sense biographies national or individual. subject and grants us a fuller understanding If he was widely praised for his study of of his lifes work. With nations, the personal V S Naipaul, The World Is What It Is, the approach reminds us of the extent to which reactions to his latest intimate biography of national representations are social and 1.2 billion people, India: A Portrait, have political constructions, never set in stone. been mixed (as they were for his 1997 work Here in Nepal we are now at a stage on that country). But then even Naipaul, seen where we can intuitively sense the value by some as the worlds greatest living writer, of such an approach to individual and didnt escape censure for daring to sum up national biography. We are not only the cauldron of contradictions that makes up in the process of reviewing what our our giant southern neighbour. nation means and casting off monolithic What French brings to the art of biography notions of Nepaliness, we are also ready is quite the opposite of the hagiographic to discard dynastic hagiography. For the representations of political figures Nepali new generation of Nepali biographers and readers are accustomed to. Ian Buruma has historians, Frenchs deeply human mission in fact credited French with pioneering may be worth pursuing. The rewards will the genre of the confessional biography. accrue to us all. In Naipauls case this approach is obvious. Thanks to the subjects extraordinary Patrick French will be in conversation with candour, French is able to not only chart Rabi Thapa at Ramalaya in Panipokhari the writers path to literary glory but also Monday 27 September, 3.30-6.30pm. RABI THAPA LIFE TIMES 9 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580
New Orleans, offers a wide Your oasis in the heart of Patan, variety of western dishes that are easy walk from new Bhat Bhateni scrumptious yet healthy. We got Supermarket. Patan Dhoka, Yala hooked on the rosemary chicken Maya Kendra, 5522113 and hamburgers. Jhamsikhel, 5522708 Irish Pub, for the simple reason that the place actually feels like a bar. Don’t miss out on their Irish coffee. Lazimpat, Ananda Bhawan, Upstairs Cafe, a delicious range 4416027 of Vietnamese cuisine to sample. Maharajgunj, near the US embassy GETAWAYS
The Amtrip Offer, be a part of steak and quiche lorraine with fresh the Amtrip Bungy or Swing Jump Bench Burger, be it a fi sh or a fruit salad. Jhamsikhel, 5521339 Event 160m over the Bhote Koshi steak burger, Bench Burger offers river or the Adventure Tour Trip. many types and tastes for your The Factory, a trendy restobar for a Fees: Rs 2700 per person for one palate. Krishnagalli, Patan refreshing stopover in the chaos that day or Rs 4500 per person for an Buddha Bar, offers a warm is Thamel. Great food and drinks, overnight stay (includes lunch and and cozy space for intimate Cinnamon Grill and Lounge, with zesty music. Don’t miss out Dhokaima Cafe, exquisite transportation on scheduled dates), conversations over a large selection mouth watering delicacies with live on their cheesecake, it’s a must. ambience, friendly service, cozy valid until December, Naxal Narayan of drinks. Thamel, 9851053235 music. Try the grilled tenderloin Mandala Street, Thamel bar, place to see and be seen at. Chaur, 4444690/691 ext: 116
SOMEPLACE ELSE TAMA fter sampling Tamas menu and gnawing Aon leftovers the next morning, I am surprised to meet foodies in the valley unacquainted with the four-year-old canteen in Gairdihara. Its traditional comforts are done so well that I forked right into the day-old helpings of tandoori chicken without reheating. While Newa de Café in Thamel elevates the local, Tama has it streamlined. The casual, clean-cut joint MARCO POLLO does fast food without the Nepali snacks are easily at vegetarians the palak paneer or lychee seals the deal. For From the Narayanhiti in-and-out pacing typical the top of its list among its may seem ordinary. But Tama dessert, head elsewhere. Museum pass the Sunrise of fast food chains. Black tandoori and taas sets. isnt about nouvelle cuisine; Remarkably, prices are as local Bank in Gairdihara, cross the tied waiters are at your beck Pakoras are usually its about quality. Unlike as the cuisine and are not intersection and stay right and call, and a glass divide disappointing or average. The standard palak paneer, affected by the packaging. The reveals an orderly kitchen batter is often too doughy Tamas paneer is thinly sliced only possible drawback makes of white toques in full gear. like a fritter or too light like and seared for flavour. for a more or less authentic Comfortable booths are tempura. But Tamas pakoras, Its most popular offering experience and could only Service available for seating as well particularly its cheese is its taas lunch set. Tender bother an illiterate expat or as the Nepali convention of variation, strike the perfect pieces of fried goat meat tourist. Tama spells out half Bread ‘n water floor style dining. balance. come with crispy bhuja, (arguably the more interesting Space Tamas menu conjures a The chicken tandoori puffed rice, and spicy pickled half) of its menu in Nepali, candy shop for savory tooths is impeccably cooked and vegetable achar. which a waiter would be more Deal-icious and takes the street out of matches well with an order For beverages, a glass of than happy to translate. Rep-eat? street side fare. Indian and of sweet Peshwari naan. For real juice like mango, guava Marco Pollo 10 HAPPENINGS 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580
A wide sampling (4,800 people above 40) of the Newar ethnic group in WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Eye health Bhaktapur followed by comprehensive eye exams neighbouring countries. at Tilganga Institute of Enjoy the crisp, clear weather while it lasts. The reason is the prevailing westerly wind which brings cold dry (and clean) air. The downside is the cold mornings with minimum dropping to 6 Celsius A younger star in Opthalmology in Kathmandu this weekend, but that is compensated by unfi ltered sunshine during the afternoons which takes the DHANVANTARI opthalmology is Suman revealed that about temperature up to 23 Celsius. By early next week, the inversion smog in Kathmandu Valley should get 6 per cent blindness resulted thicker as the temperature drops below 5 degrees. We are now going into winter, but any day now the Buddha Basnyat, MD Thapa who especialises in wind direction will shift to southwest, and the thick Indo-Gangetic haze will be back. No sign of that yet, glaucoma (appropriately from glaucoma. This was so expect the clear weather to last into next week. named jalbindu in Nepali). higher than what was he treatment of eye Although not as widespread originally thought to be the FRI SAT SUN
problems in Nepal is as cataract in the general case. Another important KATHMANDU Thead and shoulders population, glaucuma can be achievement of the study above medical treatment in devastating if left untreated was establishment of 23-06 21-06 22-07 other fields in this country. without proper eye checks normal Nepali parameters Common eye diseases like which involves measuring in a glaucoma survey. cataract (clouding of the Prior to this, dubious, lens in the eye, called unsubstantiated reference motibindu in Nepali) values were used for lend themselves to prompt glaucoma tests in Nepal. and effective treatment by a The researchers were simple surgical procedure. able to create greater Compare this with trying to awareness of this preventable treat a patient with chronic problem and the study. obstructive pulmonary Hopefully this study and disease (COPD), another subsequent awareness of the common Nepali ailment. disease and its prevention In treatement of COPD (timely measurement of patients, the physician can eye pressure) will spread try to offer some useful far and wide in Nepal medicines to help the under Suman Thapas patient, but the clinical enthusiastic leadership. outcome is never as For his impressive body dramatic as restoring vision. pressure of the fluid in the of work from Bhaktapur, In addition, opthalmology in eye. Excessive fluid pressure Thapa was awarded a PhD Nepal has been blessed with can lead to permanent optic from the Vrije University the likes of Sanduk Ruit, the nerve damage with loss in Amsterdam. We wish eye surgeon with impressive of vision. Thapa recently more young doctors will dexterity who has stunned completed comprehensive, follow in this both academic the opthalmological world scientific research on and practical pursuit of and brought lasting impact glaucoma in Bhaktapur ophthalmological problems on eye health in Nepal and district. in Nepal. KRISHNA SINJALI TAKE NOTICE: A doctor checks a Bhutanese woman on the ninth day of her hunger strike at the Bhutanese refugee camp in Beldagi II, Jhapa on Wednesday. Twelve women have been fasting unto death, demanding to be recognised as refugees.
BIKRAM RAI LETS TALK: Helen Clark, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Chair of the UN Development Group meets PM Baburam Bhattarai and other top political leaders at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday.
BIKRAM RAI AID FOR AIDS: Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal, Alf Arne Ramslien, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nepal, Robert Piper (L-R), visit Cruise AIDS, a community-based organisation affi liated with the Blue Diamond Society on Monday. BUSINESS 11 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 Loop by loop Sabita Maharjan is transforming the lives of local women one knitted item at a time
Nepal in an effort to train the women MAKING A DIFFERENCE KNIT RIGHT: Sabita Maharjan workers in vital life skills other than (right) teaches a new design knitting. Right now we are focusing to a woman at her workshop. on learning basic computer skills so that we can explore new designs and market our products to a wider audience, says Sabita. She has also taught her staff money management skills and makes it a point to stress on the importance of economic independence. Women have to be economically here are few women in Kirtipur independent, claims Sabita as she who do not recognise 34- recounts her own story. Sabitas Tyear-old Sabita Maharjan. She husband had a history of drug and is the founder of a local womens alcohol abuse and would often cooperative, teaches adult literacy beat her. If I wasnt financially classes and runs cleaning campaigns independent, I would have never throughout Kirtipur. had the courage to stand up to my But what makes Sabita a husband and leave his house. prominent figure in the community is Sabitas experiences with domestic Kirtipur Hosiery, a knitting business violence and her understanding of she established, which has trained more than 500 women and currently employs over 70. On Tuesday she was presented with the Surya Nepal Asha Social Entrepreneurship Award in recognition of her significant contribution towards empowering women in Kirtipur. Sponsored by Surya Nepal, the award was organised by ChangeFusion Nepal and supported by National Business Initiative. This award means a lot to me and the women I work with, says Sabita. It recognises our efforts and provides us with resources which will help us improve our work. Nepali womens vulnerable position Sabita was interested in knitting have prompted her to open a shelter from an early age and started for single women where she will attending formal training classes at provide training courses in knitting the Department of Cottage and Small and making handicrafts. Industries. Her first job was at In the future, Sabita hopes to Kalanki Knitwear, a manufacturer and improve her companys reach in the exporter of woolen wear. A fiercely BIKRAM RAI market. Currently, a cap that Kirtipur independent woman, Sabita used her first earnings to fund her college including sweaters and jackets, has Hosiery sells for Rs 60 is sold for over education. become a key employer for many Rs 200 in stores of Thamel and for She quit her job after marriage, women in Kirtipur and surrounding more in the international market. She but her familys unstable areas. Currently, a worker at the says that if her company is able to financial condition hosiery earns about Rs 3,500 a directly access the market instead of meant that she month. Since a majority of women relying on intermediaries, the women had to resume her in the company are housewives, workers could earn three times knitting work. The Sabita doesnt demand a full-time their current income and the profits birth of her first child commitment from them. Twenty-two would rise. cut short her work life yet again. women work full-time while others Despite her impressive However, this time Sabita was complete their assignments from achievements Sabita remains humble determined to earn a living and be home. and maintains, This award is not self-sufficient; so she set up her own Over the years, Kirtipur mine alone, and I want to use it to knitting company in Kirtipur with 10 Hosiery has partnered with several make life better for my sisters who women. organisations such as Business work with me. Now Kirtipur Hosiery, which Service Centre, and Educational produces a range of knitted products Resource and Development Centre www.kirtipurknitting.com 12 NATION 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580
ALL PICS: ANURAG ACHARYA Disastrous response
ANURAG ACHARYA in TAPLEJUNG
ompared to the north- satellite cable operators and 6.8 magnitude quake by massive rockfalls, schools western corner of FM stations. However, a The people of was right underneath Mt. and homes in ruins. We met CNepal, the capital half-hour outside Fungling, eastern Nepal Kanchanjunga, the third families living in plastic tents of the far-eastern district you begin to understand highest mountain in the provided by the Red Cross of Taplejung in Fungling why there is seething anger cope with the world on Nepals border with but as the winter approaches, doesnt feel as remote. against the state for its Indias Sikkim state. Two the families fear the worst. There are neat black apathy and neglect following aftermath of months after the earthquake, The festivals over, topped roads, busy markets, the 25 September earthquake. there is still devastation children were returning to private schools and colleges, The epicenter of the the earthquake everywhere. Trails wiped out schools in Fungling. There NATION 13 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 Beyond repair he earthquake completely destroyed 1369 houses in TTaplejung displacing as many families. The official record also shows 56 school buildings, 7 police posts, 5 health posts and 9 other government buildings were damaged in the district. The locals say many destroyed school buildings including the ones that were constructed under the community supervision were of low quality and if the earthquake had struck during the school hours, lot of children would have died. Although reports say 86 people lost their lives in the adjoining Indian state of Sikkim and 11 people died in other parts of Nepal its a miracle that there was no casualty in the district. The government has distributed relief worth Rs. 6.7 million but Local Development Officer Prem Kumar Shrestha admits the amount is too little, given the extent of damage. The local authorities are hopeful that KCMC along with The Great Himalayan Trail Program are working to raise funds to repair the damaged trails and broken bridges, locals are hopeful.
LEFT: Students play in front of of cardamom along precarious from his village who were their destroyed school building in trails. walking to Fungling to collect Jorpokhari. Underneath the fatalism their allowances even though and acceptance, there is the government is supposed ABOVE: Newly built concrete lingering anger over the lack of bring it to them. school building in Pholey is response by the government. Back in Fungling, the destroyed. Less than hundred Penji Sherpa of Ghunsa and Local Development Officer meters away old mud houses others like her make fun of the says he has 29 secretaries remain unaffected by the earthquake. relief package sent by the looking after 50 villages, the government. The Taplejung others have refused to work LEFT: Huge landslide between CDO and a bureaucrat from in remote areas. Most VDC Pholey and Ghunsa. The the home ministry landed buildings in Taplejung that earthquake has damaged in a helicopter with Rs were not bombed during the trails and bridges on the 60,000, handed it to a local conflict have been illegally Kangchenjunga Trail. police officer and left within occupied. minutes. They didnt even The earthquake was bother to go and see how the just the latest in a series of are no secondary schools village of Pholey. can choose not to walk on people whose houses were disasters that has afflicted outside the district capital The chairman of the these dangerous landslides, destroyed are living. Taplejung: state neglect, and even the primary and Kangchenjunga Conservation he says, but we dont have Forget about these poverty and the war. The lower secondary schools in Management Committee a choice. people from Fungling people here, like Nepalis in the VDCs have mostly been (KCMC), Khagendra Limbu, For people from remote and Kathmandu, our own other remote regions, cope damaged by the earthquake. says trails damaged by areas like Pholey, Ghunsa village secretaries are not the best they can. They have Locals are forced to risk their the earthquake need to be and Khampachen the around when we need learnt to live with disasters, lives on dangerous trails for repaired before the next rainy earthquake has affected them most. They left when and they dont expect everyday needs. What do season, otherwise it will be transportation of basic goods the war started and never anything from the state. They we do? This is all fate. Even inaccessible for trekkers going carried mostly by local came back, complained will survive the aftermath of our gods are angry with us, up to base camp. But Lobsang porters or yaks. Underaged Machindra Limbu, a Grade 12 the the terrible night of 25 it seems, says 73 year old is more concerned about his children, some as young as student from Lelep. He was September as well, long after Lobsang Bhote from remote own community. Tourists 11, carry up to 50 kg sacks accompanying four widows its memories fade. 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 The chosen 8
Profiles of members of the State Sabitra Gurung Restructuring Commission in Nagarik, (Nepali Congress) 23 November Gurung is currently pursuing her PhD from Jawaharlal Stella Tamang Nehru University in Delhi (UCPNMaoist) and her research focuses on Alongside her Ethnicity and Inclusion: involvement in the A Study of Nepals Major indigenous womens Political Parties. Alongside her PhD, she is Help Rupa movement, Tamang a lecturer in political science at Ratna Rajya is the Founding Chair Campus. Till date she has published on Himal Khabaratrika, 17 November and currently the topics such as ethnicity, inclusion, equality, adviser of the National Indigenous womens rights and South Asian politics. Women Federation of Nepal. An Rupa Gandarbha, 30, of Rukum gave birth to ten children in a span of adviser to Private and Boarding Ramesh Dhungel eight years after she was married. Four are alive: 7-year-old Ganesh, 2- Schools Organisation (PABSON), she (Nepali Congress) year-old Manisha and 3-month-old twins Ganga and Jamuna. Sadly, all of them are blind due to cataract. A poor Dalit woman, Rupa does not have has experience in running a school as Dhungel obtained his PhD money for their treatment although cataract can be treated. Doctors at the a principal. Tamang is an advocate of on Asian Languages and district hospital have told her they can’t be treated in Rukum. federalism based on ethnicity. Cultures from George Mason Rupa’s six children who died were aged between a month and a year University in the USA. He is and were also blind. “Every time a blind baby was born, I hoped the next Malla K Sundar opposed to federalism based one would have healthy eyes,” she says. “What did the God punish me (UCPNMaoist) exclusively on ethnicity and for?” Rupa’s husband has married another woman and she has to raise Before joining the instead seeks to promote mixed model of her four blind children herself. Her husband has two healthy children from Maoist Party, Sundar federalism. his second wife. Rupa is frail because of repeated deliveries and the was active in the Newari burden of taking care of her children. Language Movement. Surendra Mahato After the Comprehensive (United Madhesi Democratic Peace Accord in 2006, Front) the Maoists made him a member of Mahato, Vice president of the Interim Parliament. Although Nepal Bar Associations Beware he was included in the candidate Central Region, has been a lists for proportional representation practicing lawyer for the past Editorial in Laalrakshak, 20 November in Constituent Assembly election, two decades. He is known to the Maoists did not make him a CA be a strong proponent of federalism. member. Currently, he is working in the The aspiration of the People’s War was not the destitution of the tillers of indigenous peoples movement. Sarbaraj Khadka (CPN- the land. But the seven-point agreement threatens to alienate farmers from UML) the land they have been tilling for generations. It is true that the seven Krishna Hachhethu Khadka has a PhD on natural point agreement has opened an unprecedented opportunity for peace and (United Madhesi resources management and cooperation among the political parties but the agreement has overlooked the problems of landless farmers who had been living in land they seized. Democratic Front) is currently the director We do not expect much from NC and UML, but people expected UCPN-M Hachhethu is with of an NGO called Village to fi nd an alternate ways to secure their livelihood before they are evicted the Political Science Redevelopment. from the land. Department at Tribhuvan The party itself is under attack from anarchists and while misfi ts within University. He wrote the party are exploiting the opportunity to cripple the leadership, the spirit his PhD thesis on Party Bhogendra Jha (CPN-UML) of revolution and class consciousness must be held high even at the Building in Nepal. He is also involved Jha attained his PhD in time of great crisis. The problem of the landless is a national issue and with the Centre for Nepal and South Economics from Bihar and the solution must be found through national consensus but a unity within Asian Studies and works as a consultant is a lecturer at Janakpur the party can help it play a facilitating role. Creating an unnecessary fuss for numerous NGOs and INGOs. Rara Campus. He claims to over the issue will not help. The PLA is in the process of integration and Hachhethu is a strong supporter of have done in-depth studies although it is as per the agreement, there are complicated issues that need to be sorted out. If the party remains divided within, effective dialogue with ethnic federalism and he is researching of the Madhes Uprising and the other political parties on the issue is not possible. The PLA which has on the subject at the moment federalism. always been committed to the leadership awaits clear guidance as well as united and positive role in the integration process. Madhesi millionaires
Gokarna Gautam in Deshantar, centres of power. 20 November Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Planning Hridayesh Tripathi has declared gold and silver worth over Rs 15 The property declaration report submitted million, not to mention vast properties in by ministers in the present cabinet reveals Kathmandu and Nawalparasi, his share that although the national economy is in investments, and a fleet of luxury vehicles. shambles and the poverty gap is widening, Similarly Minister for Home Affairs and our leaders own stacks Deputy Prime Minister of gold, silver, and land Bijay Kumar Gachhedar worth millions. In a also owns gold and nation with per capita silver worth millions of less than USD 250, along with properties it is surprising how in Morang and Sunsari. PM Baburam Bhattarai: “It’s not jumbo yet politicians have managed Minister for Health and friends, we are just eight percent.” Cart: Cabinet to accumulate that kind Population Rajendra of wealth. Mahato is not far behind Batsyayan in Kantipur, 21 November Although ministers when it comes to owning
QUOTE OF THE WEEK claim family inheritance fixed and movable assets as the source of their worth millions. Mahato wealth, it is not difficult also owns luxurious What do I do, nobody listens to me. to see the linkage between the humongous mansions in Kathmandu and Sarlahi. People are corrupt and things are getting out of my control. What can I do? amount of wealth they possess and Among others, Jayprakash Prasad Gupta, the corruption charges they face. The Nandan Kumar Dutt and Dan Bhahadur Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, quoted in Jana Astha weekly, expressing his helplessness on Monday’s three party meeting. frontrunners are the Madhesi leaders who Kurmi own large amounts of property, land have always managed to remain close to the and cash in the bank. 15 16 BACK SIDE 25 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2011 #580 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com
Eight Points for Attention ood to see an erstwhile self-declaration in which he FG Victory Bachelor Gachhedar revolutionary who disclosed that he virtually has transferred nearly 300 Gbrought down Nepals owns a gold mine. Shri Tea The only explanation as to policemen in the past two monarchy, Financial Minister Party insists that the gold is why Hachethu made it to the weeks, making this the biggest Comrade Monsoon Man not a dowry gift and belongs to State Restructuring Committee transfer ever in Nepals history. skipping a beat to refer to the his wife, and besides, its all and Bhattachan didnt is Cops who got reassigned to visiting Norwegian Crown going to be given away for his that the political parties are juicy postings had to pay Prince the other day as His dotters wedding next week. now getting cold feet about through their noses, resulting Royal Highness. FG the ethnic federation agenda. in a huge improvement in the They need people in the Home-sweet-home Ministers FG The Ass has just been committee who are yes-men. cash flow situation. Then 16 But it must be much more perusing The Collected Works The anti-Caucasian caucus other honest revenue officials awkward for Comrade of Mao Tse Tung (4th Volume, in parliament that voted chasing VAT scammers and Awesome who used to Foreign Language Press, against the amendment to tax evaders get transferred to like calling class enemies Peking, 1970, 155 pages) set up the supercommittee clerical jobs at the behest of revisionists to be labeled where the Great Helmsman spooked the scheiße out of the the First Lady. Whenever the revisionist by his own reiterates the Three Main party leadership. No, its not prime minister raises these camaraderies. After piling Rules of Discipline and the a fear that the country will issues at cabinet meetings, his Chairman with awesome Eight Points for Attention. 3. Turn in everything captured disintegrate, its the fear that ministers in question blackmail adjectives like judsutrabadi, For anyone who wants to (har-de-har-har!) they will lose the 40 per cent him and threaten to pull out deviationist, distortionist know when our own Baddies The Eight Points for Attention Bahun-Chhetri vote bank. of the coalition. Maybe Prime and raw agent (among deviated from Maos straight are as follows: Minister Red Flag should call others) Comrade Big Flop and narrow, they just have to 1. Speak politely (yeah, sure) FG his bluff once and for all. has decided to keep it simple read this section (with Ass 2. Pay fair for what you buy The infamous Gone Ace Rai FG this time by referring to asides in brackets): (hee-haw) who built up a well-deserved Comrades Prime Minister and 3. Return everything you reputation for kickbacks while Rubbing his hands in glee at Chairman both stupid. The Instruction of the General borrow (dont steal, just in the KMC was sacked by the BRBs discomfiture is none worst cut for all for Chairman Headquarters of the Chinese borrow) prime minister himself. But other than PKD, who was Fearsomeness must be Peoples Liberation Army 4. Pay for anything you guess what, the fellow flew off overheard telling the faithful when his erstwhile protégé, October 10 ,1947 damage (yeah, whatever) to Ecuador on a municipality at the Pistachio Palace the Comrade Cloud, publicly 5. Dont hit or swear at people junket. When asked about other day: Now, lets see called him a lackey of The Three Main Rules of (take that, you #$@%&*) this, the PM was endearingly how popular he really is. feudals and expansionists. Discipline are as follows: 6. Dont damage crops (loot candid: They just dont And, amidst 1. Obey orders in all your them) obey my orders, what am I cackling laughter: FG actions (hmmm ) 7. Dont take liberties with supposed to do? Sack him Comrade Hisila is Hridesh Tree Party is not 2. Dont take a single needle women (liberate em) again, Daktar Saheb. turning out to be from the masses (poke them happy about the way media 8. Dont ill treat captives FG even greedier than misrepresented his property with it) (eliminate them) Comrade Sujata. ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67