• WORLD TOURISM DAY • GOVT-MAOIST ROW • NEPALESE MUSLIMS ON US RETALIATION • COURT IN LAND REFORMS Ci«1f\:I superlor pepsodent GERM'CHECK PLUS FORMULA l! FLUORIDE WtHT~
fiGHTS GERMS EVEN HOURS AfTER BRUSHING CONTENTS
Page
Letters 3
News Notes 4
Briefs 6
Quote Unquote 7
Off The Record 8 COVER STORY: Lessons For Nepal Politicians of Nepal need to take lessons about managing the democratic set-up from their American counterparts, who have SUPREME COURT: Land Riddle 9 shown solidari ty following the terrorist anacks there. Page 16 NEPALI MUSLIMS: Partisans Of Peace 12
CHILDREN: Yearnings Of The Young 13
IMF REPORT: Straggling Along 14
WORLD TOURISM DAY: Risky Ritualism 15
SUICIDE SQUADS: Deadly Desperation 20
ART: The Revolution 24
GOVT-MAOIST ROW: Hidden Agenda MUSIC: West Meets East 25 As the two sides prepare to sit for the third round of talks. both trade accusations of VIOlating the Lruce . Page 10 BOOK REVIEW 26
THE BOTfOMLINE 27
ENCOUNTER: Ramesh C. Poudel 28 al the Social Ifare Council (SWC), Dr. PASTIME 29 talks about issues con l e"rnin, the management of NOOs !NOOs. FORUM: Deepak R. Joshi 32 Page 22
SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 SPOTLIGHT EDITOR'S NOTE THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE he fallout of the September 1I terrorist acts in New York and Washington VoI.21,No.14,Seplember28, 2001 (Ashwin 12,2058) I D.C. have generated world wide aversion against terrorism. Such kind of Chief Editor And Publisher total unity amongst all the nations of the world to fight terrorism can hardly Madhav Kumar Rimal be found. The Talibans have been tOlally isolated. How long will they be able to resist has become a matter of keen interest to all. Since followers of Editor all religions have joined hands to eradicate terrorism. this war initiated by Sarita Rimal rr the United States must in no way be interpreted as a war all any country or any people or any religion. It is a war against evil-the evil of len·orism. As such. this is Managing Editor Keshab Poudel the most opportune time [orcounllies who have been helping or abetting terrorism loresist from such heinous acts. l1ley must not fail to understand that in the changed context they Associate Editor will never be able to achieve their objecti ve by resorting to lerrori'il11. The sooner they see Bhagirath Yogi reason and start cooperating with forces that arc fighting the evil. the beller their chances of avoiding unnecessary deaths and destruction and ultimate d~fem. l11e world coalition Senior Reporter against terrorism is getting stronger every passing day. Smaller countries like Nepal w.... Sanjaya Ohakal have been victims of terrorism are getting optimistic that the nidden hands that have ~ Reporter protecting and helping Lhe terrorists will have no alternative than to desist from their Akshay Shanna abominable behavior. The powers that be should nCl limit their focus on proclaimed terrorists only but also take appropriate action to protect thp. smaller nations from Design and Layout unnecessary harassment by bigger and stronger nations. Jyoti Singh * * * The dialogue between the Sher Bahadur Deuba led Nepali Congress government and the Photographer Maoists seem to be heading towards a stalemate. In a situation where no time should have Nishchal Chapagain been lost toarriveat an understanding. the unqualified delay in thrashing out the differences Art does not bode wel l for either party. If the government party has not been able to negotiate M.S. Khokna with the tinnncss due to its official status, the Maoists have not been very flexible in their stance. They know well that their demands cannot be met at any cost. U' their stance has Legal Advisor been rigid to make stronger bargaining viewpoint, they can relent and become more Advocate Lok Bhakta Rana reasonable. But. some activities still being resorted to by the Maobts are eroding their popularity with the masses. And moreover, the suppon antl'sanctuary that they have been Marketing/Advertisement Sarit Rimal (USA) receiving in the neighborhood may not be there for long.lfthe Deuba government has no guts to take up the issue with the neighboring government he will have to vacate the po.!.ition Marketing he is occupying for somebody who has the guts. Despite the baseless propaganda Indian Madan Kaji Basnet media continues to make against Nepal of encouraging ISI activities against India, they Navin Kumar Maharjan have been exposed, time and again. for their nefarious activities. On the contrary, the free Madan Raj Poudel sanctuary India has provided lO the Maoists is nothing less than collaboration. Even though Indian defense and foreign minister laswant Singh has denied any support to (he Maoi!Sl~ Editorial Office GPO Box 7256, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, situation prevailing tells different slOry.TIle world opinion against terrorism must Tel. (977-1) 423127, Fax: (977-1) 417845 India to refrain from giving any kind of help or support to the Maoists in the Chief Editor's: 435594 activities against Ncpal.ll1eday India stops helping the Maoists. the Maoists will be facing E-mail: [email protected] a difficult situation. Consequently. it is in their interest to stop taking alien help to carry on Internet Add: http://www.nepalnews.com/ destabilizing activities against their own country. We do trust they will slart seeing reason spotlight and come to a reasonable settlement without delay. Cover Design * * • Wordscape Pakistan's revolutionary role in fighting world terrorism has brought in a marked change GPO 8975, EPC 5620, Kathamdnu Nepal, in the political equation in the region. Since, it has, once again. become an important front Ph : 263098, 261831, , Fax: 977-1-439386 line nation. its contribution in maintaining peace and stability in the region has assumed greater importance. If Pakistan's relations with the United States have strengthened Distribution tremendously her stable relations with China and her intimate relations with other Islamic Bazaar International 228 Sanchaya Kosh Bldg. Kathmandu countries of the world has given her a distinct edge in South Asian regional politics. G.P.O Box 2480, Ph: 222983 Fax: 229437 President Gen. Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan. has stolen a big lead over his arch rival by e·mall: [email protected] his wise and courageous policies. Bigger India has to initiate sharpchangc.!. in her policies towards hersmaller neighbors in South Asia, if she wants her influence in the region should Printers: Kishor offset Press (P.) Ltd. not recede alarmingly. As it is, the smaller nalions of South Asia nourish alot of resentment P.D. Box 4665, Galkopakha, Thamel, against her. llle changed context must cause greater anxiety for big India. • Kathmandu.Tel: 351044 (Dtt),351172(Res.), Fax: 977-1-351172, E-mail: [email protected] C.D,O. Rcgd. No 1511019-40 Postal Regd. No 42/057/58 U.S. Library of Congress Madhav Kumar Rimal Calalogut! No. 91-905060 Chief Editor& Publisher
2 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 LETTERS ______
ing on the international com No To Terrorism munity to declare one of its The September II attacks other ncighbors Pakistan as a in the United States have solidi terrorist stale. is involved in fied world opinion againsller promotmg terrorism in Nepal. rorism of any kind ("Tremors Indian activities are giving am Of Terrorism". SPOTLIGHT. munition to Pakistan to make September 21). Whether these similar demands against India. people operate under the cover During the Cold War, India of some political dogma or reli trained and financed the LTTE gious color. they are terrorists against the small island country as long as they engage in vio of Sri Lanka. Today it is financ lence and take the lives of inno ing and supporting terrorists in cent people. By thIS yardstick. almost all South Asian coun our own Maoists, too. fal l in the tries. When the world's only category. Should the Nepalese super power has declared war government attempt to crush against terrorism, is nOt this the the insurgency in the name of right time for Indian officialdom doing away with terrorism. the to stop sending terrorists to international community would Nepal? If India continues to do support it. 'nlcrefore. it will be so, is not lIthe duty of civilized prudent for the Maoists to re nations to press the lndians to solve their grievances through stop supporting terrorism in dialogue. Otherwise, they Nepal? Is there no value oflives would have to face the wrath of in a small country? whole world. Allif Khadka Dilleslr Karki Paris. France • GOVT . MAOIST TAlK Thapathali Via email Brotherly Bonds the world's superpower is not Ghastly Act against Afghanistan, the The article "My Pilgrim immune to the threat of terror Those who helped carry American authorities need to age To Badri And Kedar" ism ("Tremors OfTel'rori sm", out the attacks in New York apply maximum restraint so as (SPOTLIGHT, September 21) SPOTLIGHT, September 2 I ). "'ty and Washington DC must to inflict no hann to the inno was interesting. I found that For a small and poor country brought to justice quickly cent Afghan civilians already many common people in India like Nepal. which is suffering ("Tremors Of Terrorism". reeling under Taliban rule and love Nepal and Nepalis, just from a violent insurgency, such SPOTLIGHT. September21). years of civil war ("Tremors like wc love India and Indians. threats arc clear and present. These people have not only OfTerrorism'·. SPOTLIGHT, Despite continuous and delib Therefore,lheauthoritiesmust commitled a crime againsl September 21). While the erate efforts of Indian officials remain on high vigil to pre America but agni nst the whole Taliban reOect the barbaric rule and media to term Nepal as empt similar anacks here. of humanity. How can any reminiscent of medieval tyr anti-India, it seems that com Sumall GUTting hody condone the use of air anny, the innocent people of mon Indians reject the propa Gairidhara craft filled wilh innocent pas Afghanistan do nOI deserve to ganda of their own country. As sengers as deadly missiles be penalized any further. Any citizens of the world 's only against buildings that house action on the part of United Exporting Terrorism? Hindu kingdom, Nepalis can thousands of innocent people? States must be based on the After reading your edito not play in the hands of anti It is simply too horrific an act assessment of all these factors. rial in the September 21 issue Indian forces. Indian officials to be forgotten easily. No one Bibek RUlIu of SPOTLIGHT and accusa themselves have been promot canjusLify the act in the name Chabahil tions made by two senior ing anti-Indian forces in Nepal of so-called jihad. Nepalese leaders, I have real 10 fulfil their vested interest. Sudars/talJ Sharl1!a Time To Be Alert ized that India has been ac The time has come to forge an Samakhushi The devastating altacks on tively supporting the Maoists alliance between the peoples of the twin towers of World Trade to launch terrorist activities in India and Nepal to thwan the Refrain From Retaliation Center in New York City and its small helpless nOrlhcrn moves of Indian officialdom. As the United States pre the Pentagon in Washington neighbor. I don't understand Utsav Sharma pares to launch an attack DC have exposed how even why India. which has been call- Baneshwor
SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 3 NEWSNOTES
Home Minister Interim Govt. Is Not district and Rs 20,000 for purchasing furni ture for the Saraswoti Primary School in Threatens To Resign Possible: Bhattarai Pyuthan district. With its network in 12 Home Minister Khum Bahadur Fornler prime minister and semor countries, the organization raises "One Khadka has said he is against fultilling ruling Nepali Congress leader Krishna Pound a Month" donations from Ncpalis all the demands put forward by the Prasad Bhaltarai has brushed aside Maoist working abroad and challllclizcs it toward Maoists unilaterally. "I would resign if! demands for forming an interim govern education and health programs in rural am pressed to meet the Maoist demands ment to pave way for drafting a new Nepal. Addressing the function here Satur by the prime minister orlhe ruling party," constitution "to insritutionnlizc the repub day,Minister for Works and Physical Plan Khadka told reporters in Birgunj Sun lic." Talking to reporters after the central ning Chiranjivi Wagle lauded the role day. Minister Khadka said tWO out orthe played by the organization. Vice President three demands made by the Maoists could of the Network. Dr. Pranab Gyawali and not be fulfilled ahead of the third round President Arun Singh Basnet spoke about of talks. The Maoists have demanded the the activities of the organization. COllla release of all their cadres, the disman pi/ed from reports Sep. 22. tli ng of the Armed Police Force and the scrapping of Public Security Regulations. Nepal May Not '"They still hold 71 policemen and 37 political activists as hostage. Why should Face Fuel Crisis we release all of their cadres'?" he asked. Despite uncertainties related LO pe Minister Khadka warned that the country troleum products worldwide in the wake cou ld head toward Cl vii war ifthe Maoists of possible retaliatory measures by the continued their strategy of targeting and United States, Nepali ol"llcials said the killing Nepali Congress workers. Kall counlry might not face a crisis in the tip"r, Sep. 24. immediate future. D~puty director gen eral of Nepal Oil Corporation, the state 'Terrorism Crime owned monopoly. R.B. Khadka said the downward trend of petro leum prices in Against Humanity' the international market might not imme diately lead to revision in their prices in Director of the American Center. Bhattarai Bob Kerr, has said the government of the domestic market. This is because of the United States sought support from all working committee meeting of the ruling an·angemenlof procuring petroleum prod democralic governments of the world to party Thursday, Bhaltaraj said with 113 ucts from the international market, deli'A, eradicate terrorism. Addressing an inter members in the 205-member House of ering it to the Indian Oil CorporatiCW action program organized here by Press Representalives, the Nepali Congress en (IOC) and procuring it again from the Chautari last week, Mr Kerr said the joyed popular mandate to rule the country bordering depots of the 10C at fixed price. recent terrorist attacks on the United for the next three years. "Sher Bahadurji The nuctualion in the prices ofPOL prod States were assaults on humanity. Ex will remain the premier throughout this ucts, hence, doesn't affect Nepal's do plaining that the United States was not period," he announced. He also asked the mestic market immediately, he said. Mr. going to take revenge o n anybody on Maoists to join the political mainslream Khadka said there was no need to panic account of their religious faith, he said by laying down their arms. Compiled/rom about any shortage of petroleum products the Washington would eradicate with the reports Sep. 21. in the country. Space Time Sep. 20. support of the global community those forces that wa nted to create instability in Help Nepal Helps FNCCI, Cll For Automatic the world. Mr Kerr. however, declined to elaborate on how the US declaration on Development Works Treaty Renewal lhe eradication of global terrorism was Help Nepal Network (HeNN), an or The IWO apex business chambers of going to address terrorist activities being ganization of Nepal is working abroad, has Nepal and India have called for the auto launched in different countries. indud provided assistance worth nearly Rs malic renewal of the bilmeral trade treaty ingNepal. Meanwhile, neilfly 200 people 5oo,OOOto di fferent development programs later this year. The joint recommendation lOok part in a condolence meeting orga in the country. They assistance include Rs prepared by the Fedcration of Nepalese nized by the National Youth Council to 350,000 to carry out health-related works Chambers of Commerce and Industry mourn the viclims of terrorist atlacks in for the Chepang commun ity in Chit wan (FNCCI) and Confederation ofIndian In the US on th e 13th day of the attack. district, Rs 150,000 for construction of dustry (ClI) has called upon both govern Compiled from reports. Bhavani Primary School building in Dang ments to give priority to the cont inuati on of
4 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 NEWSNOTES facilities being provided to the export of aged both sides to work seriously and con products belonging 10 small-scale indus struclively toward the second round of ndian Embassy Denies Report tries. A delegation led by FNCCI President negotiations. The EU has urged the two Ravi Bhakt~ Shrestha presented a copy of sides to seek a peaceful resolution of the The Lndian Embassy 10 Kathmandu has the recommendations prepared by the connict within the framework of the rule of ~enied the reports in Nepalese media alleglng FNCCI-CIl Joint Economic Council to law, respect for human rights, and hat India has deployed 70.000 armed forces Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba here multiparty democracy. "The EU notes with ~rsonnel along the bordl!r of Nepal. The press elease by the embassy says that 4 battalions of lllUrsday. The business chambers of both concern recent reports of widespread in he Special Security Force (SSB) arc being countries have beefed up their activities as timidation and extortion of various seg ~eployed along the border with Nepal in the India has fonnally requested Nepal to re ments of Nepalese society, as well as de tates of Uttaranchal and Ultar Pradesh. An view some of the provisions in the treaty mands addressed to various development ther 4 battalions arc prorosed to be deployed related to 'surge' of some exports to India. projects and internalional agencies by the n phases in other stales in the east. "The Meanwhile, Kantipur daily reponed that CPN (Maoist)," the statement said. The EU eploymenls would number less than ten thou export of zinc oxide from Nepal 10 India has also called on those responsible ta and personnel." reads the press release. It I s come virtually to a standstill afterIndia cease such coerci ve activities immediately, urther states that the deployment of SSB is as posed anti-dumping duty on the product in order to create a conduci ve and construc per the recommendation of a high level com minee formed the Indian guvernment In the beginning Tuesday. Nepal was exponing tive almosphere for the dialogue process. by ftermathofdcvelopmem in Kargil in 1999. to some 3,000 tonnes of zinc oxide to India Compiled from reports Sep. 18. oak into a11 aspects relating to effective man annually. India has an annual consumption gement of the country's Jntem
SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 5 BRIEFS
could be met through internal production. Saying that Nepal gener ales 393 MW of hydro power and 57 MW oflhcrmal poweral present. Minister Gachhadar said demand for electricity in 2002 has been eSlimated al 440 MW. He said Ihe 144-MW Kali Gandaki A projecl. 20-MW Chilime project and other half a dozen projects with the capacity to generate nearly 100 MW of power were in the pipeline. Nepal ha ~ been able to exploit only a fraction or its hydropowcr potential of 42.000 MW. the minister said. Only 18 percent of the country's 23 million population has access 10 electricity.
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO BRING DOWN THE FER tility rate to replacement level (that is. zero percent growth) in th e next 16 years. a senior official said. Addres~ing th .; House of Representa tives meeting Thursday. Minister for Population and Environlllent P. L. Singh said thc end of the 12th fivc-year plan. effective demo graphic management would effectivcly reduce the It:rtility rate.
Meena Day was observed on Monday to celebrate Meena, the said efforts were under way to provide reproductive health and fanll J protagonist of a cartoon film, which represents South Asian girl planning services to encourage the small family concept.
THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE ANNUAL CONSUMPTION OF NOODLES IN NEPAL HAS a grant assistance of Rs 585.5 million to Nepal for the construction of crossed Rs 1.25 billion. Space Time daily rcponed. From a humble primary sc hools underlhe third phase afme second Bash.: and Primary investment of Rs 5.000 nearly three decades back. the noodles Education Program and for debt relief measures. According lO the industry has drawn millions of rupee of invcstment over the years. Japane~c Embassy. two separate notes were signed and exchanged Annual production of noodles in Nepal has been about 3.8 million Wednesday between Japanese Ambassador Milsuaki Kojima and cartons (one carton consists of 30 packets of rcaJymade noodles). Finance Secretary Or. Birnal Koirala. Under the first nOle, the Over the last live years. annuaJ growth rate of noodles industry has government of Japan will extend a grant worth Rs 510.5 million for been up to 20 percent. Emrepreneurs say nearly 60 percent of the raw the procurement ofconstmction material for 794 new class rooms. 12 material and material for packaging has to be imported but the resource cenlers, 248 toilet blocks and 148 water supply facilities in government hasn't given them any concessions. On the other hand. Siraha. Dhanusha. Mahottari. Sarlahi. Rautahat and Banke districts. growing competition among noodles producers has compromised Under the second nme, the Japanese govemment will provide a grant quality. repons said. assistance worth Rs 75 mjllion for debt relief measures. The grant will bt! used for the procurement of construction materials. fertilizer, THE KA THMAl\'DU METROPOLITAN CORPORATION petroleum products, medicine and transportation-related equipment. (KMC) and Tribhuvan Universiry Teaching I-Io ~ pital (TUTH) have launched a project to construct and operate the Ganesh Man Singh cmNESEOFFICIALS HAVERELEASEDNEARLY 150 NEPAL Memorial Academy for ENT (Ear. Nose and Throal).l-Iead and Nec ~ bound trucks from Wednesday after stopping them for 18 days at studies. The rour-storey building covering an area of 224'2 s4uar Wangju. According to Keshab BahadurRayamajhi,general secretary meters will be built in four phases an estimated cost of Rs 41.65 ofTrans-Himalayan Trade Association. the trucks carrying Chinese million. The KMC has agreed to construct theac.:ldemy building to be goods were released only after the decision of the Bank of China 10 housed within the TUTH premises. whereas the Jallcr is 10 provide systematize Nepal-China trade through banking channel. According manpower and equipment. Nearly Rs 10 million has been cOllCi.:led in la the concerned businessmen. the Chinese authorities have agreed la donations for the construction of the building~. Impact Ne pal, a nOI1- open the customs office for 10 days only. They said the introduction government organization. has provided equipment wonh Rs 25 of banking channel in the bilateral trade has affected small traders. million. The academy aims at producing high-. medium- and low level manpower in ENT within the cuuntry and conducl community LUMBINJ RANKLTO_, A PRIVATE-SECTOR COMMERCIAL tie Id-based programs through its produ<.:ts. Primt! Minister Sher bank. has announced that it is going to issue public shares wonh Rs Bahadur Deuba laid the foundation stonc of the.: academy building 150 million soon. The bank that began operations as a regional amjd a function Tuesday. commercial bank in Narayangarh with a paid up capital of Rs 50 million has increased its amount to Rs 500 million in accordance wi th THE NEPALESE RUPEE DEPRECIATED BY 30 PAISA the requirement set by the Nepal Rastra Bank. Executive Chainnan against the US dollar for the third time in 10 days. The official Suresh Bahadur Malla said the bank decided to start operations in exchange rale of one US dollar slipped 10 Rs 76.40 on Sep. 17 - Ihe Kathmandu as no bank could prove its mettle unless it worked in the lowest ever recorded. The depreciation of Indian currency against the capita1. US dollar was m.:linly responsible for the slide in the Nepalese currency vis-a.-vis the grcenback. officials ~a id . Nepal maintains a NEPAL WOULD REIN A POSITION TO MEET ITS DOMESTIC fixed exchange rate with t~e Indian currency. The possible US assault demand for electricity by 2005, a senjor official said. Minister for on Afghanistan in retaliation of the recelll terrorist attacks in New Water Resources Bijay Gachhadar told a meeting of House of York City and Washington DC has also resulted in a rise in demand Representatives Sunday that domestic demand for power by 2005 for the US currency, reports said. •
6 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 QUOTE UNQUOTE
government "The must not wobble its feet while talking with the Maoists:' Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister and presidelll of the ruling Nepali Congress part)', addressing the general convention of Nepal rartlll Dol, the party's youth wing, ill Hetauda. • • •
"There is no way the political demands Hurra!:J / Sclt60{ is c..1osec( of the Maoists could be fulfilled. The present f~~-,,-.t'rt"'J Tit •. constitution is very complete. It is regarded . tJe r.Joula.".,. r hav l' fo rt.L\ among the best in the world. Idon'{ see the 1/ the MOIoisf];. fVi·.m 9 ~tJ c...Joul~ I,p need to amend it, lel alone scrap it." $" ,rlo. It Kris/tlla Prasad Bhattarai, former prime minister and senior leader of th e ruling Nepa/i Congress, ill Bimarsha. • • • "T he UML 'tS not agamst'h t e d'talogue between the government and the Maoists. But how can it succeed when lhey are putting up demands like republic that does not suit the soil of our country." Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the maill opposition and general secre tary of Ullified Marxisl-Lellillisl lioll of Abuse of Awhoril), to probe iSler, ill Himalaya Times. members (UML). ill Gorkhapalra. of the judiciwy, ;1/ The * * * • • • Kathmandu Post. • • • "If the government does notgi ve:l single "Ifit happens. the damage will be greater concession or shows enough flexibility, it "Even if the prime minister and the party than the Twin Tower and Pentagon devas is not possible for the Maoists. who have accepts the Maoists' tation in the United States." demand of disman come thi s far. to simply put down their LaxmllIlPrasadA,:)'al, Supreme Court tling the Armed Police Force. I will not anns." accept it. Rather I am prepared justice. 011 the proposed bill that would to resign Khadga Prasad O/~ sellior leader of from my allow the Commission for lnvesfiga- post." UML. ill Drishti. K/wm Bahadur Khadka, HOlll e Mil1- * • •
"U nless the government makes the whereabouts of our pany leaders. includ a./'e old. ing Danda Pani Neupane, the third round of the o"Ytly the talks will not takc place," "Y1..e4.1 O ..... e. _.. Kris/lIla Ballad",. Mahara, the chief negotiator for Ihe Maoists. ;1/ Spacetime Daily. * * * "W'hile they are reluctant to pay even Rs 2,000 per song to singers here. they happily cough up Indian Rs 10.000 to sing ers in Mumbai:' Sharmila Dardeba, lip alld coming singer, showing displeasllre at the dis criminatOl), manner of Nepalese film prodllcers IVhen it comes to paying sillgers, ;11 Gorkhapatra. • • •
SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 7 OFF THE RECORD
Party Office Or thing he could to force Koirala £0 resign as prime minister. REVELATION PM's Residence? \Vhat new mantra turned our Although Baluwatar Marxist guru losoflen hisstance 'Efforts Are Under Way To durbar is Ihe official residence on the Congress hard-liner? of Ihe prime minisler. Nepali Undermine IndependentJudiciary'l Con~"Tess leaders arc turning it Shifting Stand - LAXMAN PRASAD ARY AL into the central office of the Nepalese political leaders pany. In Ihe lasl one allll half arc renowned for their Senior jlfslic(! of rhe SJlpreme years. the ruling pany has cho r1ouhlespeak. particularly ill sen 13aluwatar as the venue for COllrl LAXMAN PRASA~ their ability to use ifs and buts ARYAL spoke all Ihe proposed central comlllitt ee meetings. when in difriculty. In the left Commission of IlIvestigalioll 0 Holding pUl1y Illccling~ at Dalu parties, almost all senior Icad Abllse 0/ Alllhoril." (CfAA ), walar made sense when Girija ers don' t know when they wi 11 alllelldmelll bill tabled 10 all Prasau Koirala was both pal1y change their stand. Sometimes the Gmi-corruption walchdng president and prime minister. communist leaderschnnge their investigate corruption ill the coul1 But what's Ihcpoint ofcontinu point of view every few hours. system. Justice A ryal oppo.sed lite I' lllg the praclit:e artcr the change CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma of guards? While Ihepeople arc bill (I{ a program orgmuz.ed by Oli is especially adepl in Ihis Excerpls: underslandably pUZlled by Ihis SAARC-Lall'. art of transfonnation. Oli has On the bill evidcl1l incongruity. Congress changed his stand on major Efforts are under way 10 grab Ihe crown of an independentl leaders seem to be enjoying political issues more than two judiciary. Onec~nnot put an ~nd~pend~ntjudiciary undc.r th e fear Baluwatar all1hicllce. dozcn times in a week. Vlhy oflhe CommiSSIOn ofInvesugauol1 01 Abuse of AUlhonlY. If the are calculated confusion and court falls under such agency. Ihe exislence of Ihe judiciary will contradiction so lypical of our Foes Thrn Friends lose its meaning. In politics, there are no communist leaders? On checking corruption in the court system permanent friends or enemies. The proposed bill wi ll only hurt the independence of Ihe Nepali Congress president Futile Fatwa judiciary. which was gained after a fivc-decade- Iong struggle.ln Girija Prasad Koirala ran into The CPN-UML polilhuro the name of controlling corruption. this is a design to interfere in CPN-UML general secretary meeting issued u fatwa la atl its the matters of the jUdiciary, Madhav Kumar Nepal al leaders In adhere In the parly On weaknesses in the court Biralnagar airport decided to line. The parI) spokesman is JU'itices and judges also have human weakness. How justifiable sued the fatWJ after finding se is it to put an independent judiciary under fcar in the name nior leaders violat1l1g olTicial correcting human weaknesses? There are clear provisions in th parly policy in Iheir public pro judiciary in this regard and the constitution has laid down clear nouncements. Even after the procedures on removing justice and judges. strict edict from UML spokes man Pradeep Nepal, senior lead MP Surendra C ha udhary ers Madhav Kumar Nepal and fiercely opposed Ihe ralionale K.P. Sharma Oli eonlinue to of the government's land-dis· deparl from Ihe pany line in lribution package, the prime thcir race for comradely su minister ordered the party's prcmacy. Whoearesaboutrigid c hief whip 10 punish party edicts whe.n you draw sus Chaudhary by prevenling him tai ned applause f TOm your sup NepaJ : Softening Slam:c from speaking in parliament pOTlcrs? for the rest of the current ses hold a half-hour meeting. But sion. For many. the Congress when the once die-hard adver Gag Order party undermined its demo saries hugged each mher b<;fore Prime Sher Bahadur cratic credentials by curtailing leaving the airpon . they left Deuba knows how to tame his Chaudhary"s freedom of ex many bystanders Oummoxed. fl ock. If he sees some restive pression. Maybe in a country The change in Nepal" s behav Congress worker criticiling where democracy means ev ior was particularly strange. as him, Deuba has many 100ls 10 erything IQ everyone, gag or he was the man who did every- respond with. \Vhen Congrcss ders are pan of the game. •
8 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 NATIONAL
SUPREME COURT six batches of writ petitions were filed in the SupremeCollrtseeking todeclare it null and void. For 12 days. the land freeze was enforced without the authority of valid laws, Land simply Riddle relying on the illegality of the circu The apex lar. But the govcmmem issued an order court walks a tight rope in seeking to protect the invoking the power conferred by Section 62 interest of the citizens without (I) of the Lands Act 2021 (power granting hurting the government removal of difficulties in cnforcingexisling law) effectin g a partial ban through a ga By KESHAB POUDEL by the court. All petition s were rejected on zette notification on August 28. the ground that the government had re On August 31. the government was henever the legislature ?r opened cxe~u land transaction activities. As par flnally able to submit a Land Act Amend live tries 10 impose certam restnc liament W can pass a law retrospectively. the ment bill in parliament and on same day it lions on the Supreme Court. common citi- court cannot say anything on th.at. issued a fresh order invoking the same IJw. sand professionals join hands to SlOp the For the second writs. the courl was thereby li fting the land freeze order. But one iZovernment from interfering with the inde required to consider the legality of the con condition was still imposed: all parities lO pendence of the judiciary. Can the apex ditions imposed by lhe government. To this, land u"ansactions were required to fumish a court have a reciprocal atti tude when the the attorney-general's submission was that bond indicating their consent to abide by the executive and police authority moves to its purpose was for the well-being of both new land ceiling as provided in the pro encroach upon the fundamental rights of the the buyers and sellers wilh respect to the posed amendment bill. individual and the powcrsofotherconslitu new ceiling proposals. It is interesting la note that tienal organs? the govern ment announcement came on the same date The apex coul1 has made a number of fixed by the apex court for hearing the six landmark decisions on vital national issues petitions already filed against the land freeze like the Tanakpur accord. citizenship, La order. As the hearing on the petiti ons was bor Act. among others. In some cases, the not completed, the case was postponed for final aUlhoriry on imcrpreling the constiLU hearing on September 6. On September 3. tion has been found to escape from deliver two of the petitioners had filed another writ ing a clear judgment. In the debate over the petition challenging the order of August 31 right and jurisdiction of the attorney-gen which was heard by the court on September eral. for instance, the court delivered an 4 and the same was disposed for hearing for :1mhiguous decision. giving the authorities hearing on September 20 by another bench plenty of 0PP0l1unity to misinterpret the of the court. rdict. In the writ of land reform, lawyers The special bench headed by Chief rguc, the court deli vered a decision that has lusticeKeshab Prasad Upadhyaya, Justices given dubious meaning and raised greater Laxman Prasad Aryal. Kedar controversy in the phascofimplcmcntation. Nath Up Supreme Court: Meaningful verdict adhyaya. Krishna lung Rayamjhi and The court dismissed the writ petition Govinda Bahadur Shrestha dismissed the seeking to nullify the so-called bond. But it On August 16. PrimeMinisterShcr writs. but issued an oruerdeclaring the declared that the bond has no legal bond meaning Bahadur Deuba made a declaration through illegal. and consequences whatever. If parliament a special announcement in parliament indi Attorney-General Badri Bahadur K:u-ki is able to pass the proposed amendment bi ll , cating government's policy and the plans of argued the case on behalf the government. it will give retrospective powers from the radical land refonn by reducing the existing He pleaded that the prime minister's an date of declaration of August 16. 200 I re land ceiling. In the same statement from the nouncement was merely a policy statement gardless of who is the new owner of the rostrum. he had declared that all land trans which no law prohibited him from making. land. Although a full bench of the apex court action would be frozen until the legislation More than half adozen senior advocates and declared the government's decision to freeze amending the existing land ceiling laws advocates pleaded the case on the transac ti on of the land as behalf of the unconstitu were promulgated and enforced. petitioners. tional and asked the government to continue The Ministry of Land Refonn and Although the court' s decision givcccr the status quo until parliament passes the Management. on the basis of the prime tain relief to the citizens. the social and bill. it also accepted the arguments of lhe minister's statement. issued an administra economic tension and trauma generated by petitioners to declare the bond illegal. tive circular and imposed a blanket freeze Prime Minister Deuba's statement will re The tlrst batch at writs had become onallland transactions throughout thecoUll main in society. Can the executive. judi non-functional on account of its non-exist try without taking recourse to any valid law. ciary and legislature inject confidence among ence of the situation and no order was issued After the prime minister's announcement, the people? •
SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 9 NATIONAL
mands under pressure from the prime min GOVT.-MAOIST ROW ister and the ruling pany,"' said Khadka. a powerful minister in the Deuba cabinet. Khadka said two out of the three demands Hidden Agenda? made by the Maoists could not be fu!filled now. In the midst of different priorities of the government and the Maoists, Reports said the Maoists had demanded that the government release all of their the third round of peace talks looks elusive cadres, dismantle the Armed Police Force and scrap the Public Security Regulations By BHGAIRATH YOGI Deuba himself. warned that the security before the third round of lalks take place. agencies will be forced to take action in "They arc slill holding 71 policemen and t a time wh~n inter~~tional ~pin accordance with the law ifanyone is found 37 political activists as hostage. Why ion was being mobilIzed agamst indulged in undermining the dignified should we release all of the ir cadres?" A all kinds of terrorism, pro-Maoist institution of monarchy or giving un~ asked Khadka. He also warned that activists in Kathmandu were engaged in wanted expressions wit h the idea of un country could head towards civil war I vandali zing school property, burninggov dernlining the institution or demonstrat the Maoists continued their strategy of ernment vehicles and terrorizing the people in g weapons almass meetings or kidnap targeting and killing Nepali Congress last week. To register their protest against ping people. "The constitutionally guar workers . raids by police and army in different cam anteed right to freedom can not be exer Even aftertheconc1usion of two rounds pus hostelsin thecapital, ANNFSU (Revo cised in ways otherthan those determined of talks in less than a month. both sides lutionary) - the student wing of the un by the existing laws /' the Ministry cau~ seem to be sticking to their gun s. In their derground Maoist party - called a week tioned. agenda prcs~ntcd La the government in the long closedown of academic institutions Premier Deuha, fanner prime minis~ Bardiya talks early this month, theMaoists in the vall ey. However, they withdrew lcr Girija Prasad Koirala and senior Con called for selti ng up an interim govern their program amid sporad ic violent ac gress leaders came down heavily against ment, formulating a new const ituti on and tivities the very next day. honoring what they called "popular opinion." Although the Maoist activists with drew their movement temporarily, osten sibly fearing a backlash, Maoist leaders were busy liring verbal missiles. Ad dressing a mass meeting in Chitwan Fri day chief Maoist negotiator. Krishna Ba hadur Mahara, warned that the incidents at the Pentagon and World Trade Center towers in the United ~tates could also be repeated in Nepal. "If the government thre'tens the Maoists, citing the US power, the incident of Pentagon could be repeated at the Narayanhiti palace and Singh. Durbar," claimed the formermem berofparliament. Saying that the Maoists had not gone to the negOliating table in search of a safe landing (to their move- Prachanda (left) and Deuba: Who is smarter? ment ). Mahara warned the government - not to threaten the use of the anny against the Maoist rebels while addressing the in stitutionalizing the republjc. The gov his party. "The 'people's militia' can de- second annual general convention of Nepal ernment negOliators, in their preliminary feat the Royal Nepalese Army." he Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the ruling reaction, bru shed aside the Maoist de boasted. party, in Hetauda Saturday. Talking to mand for a new constitution and declaring Now it was the turn of the Defense reporters in Birgunj Sunday, Home Min- Nepal a republic. Ministry to react to the Maoists' tirade. In ister Khum Bahadur Khadka said he was "To say that a desire for a republican a strongly worded statement issued the not in favor of fulfilling all the demands state has emerged in the hearts of the same evening, the Defense Ministry, put forward by the Maoists unilaterally. "[ Nepali people is a vague idea ," said headed by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur would rather resign than fulfill the de- Narahari Acharya, Nepali Congress leader
10 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 NATIONAL
and a member of the government's nego understand that and treat them accord led interim government that drafted the tiation team. "We have seen a kind of ingly." coulltry'sdemocraticconstitution in 1990. monarchy in the veil of a republican state Chief government negotiator, "The main question today is whether we in countries like Cuba and North Korea. Chiranjivi Wagle, LOO. agreed that the want to empower the people or weaken The Maoists should clearly state what Maoists were looking for a safe-landing. them. The Maoists should first of all make their real motive is", said Acharya. ad But he did not say how that would that clear their attitude toward the historic dressing an interaction program organized happen. Some critics say the radical de people's movement of 1990. They should by Press Chautari last week. mands being pursued by the Maoists might tell the peoplecJearly whether they want to UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli was end up serving the interests of those whom strengthen that constitution or to scrap it." morc forthright. "The Maoists are very they say their movement is targeted The feeling that the Maoist agenda has much clear that they can't turn Nepal inlO against. The dismantling of the present been clearly designed scrap the present a republic through talks. By agreeing to sit constitution would invite unprecedented constitution is gaining greater acceptance down for negotiations with the govern instability, benefiting only those elements in public discussions. There is little doubt ment. they have also accepted the consti that are adept in fishing in troubled wa that such an act might serve the interests monarchy," said Oli. "The Maoists ters, analysts say. "The present constitu of vested interests within and outside the now give up their violent ways and tion is an outcome of the existing power country. It would be tragic if the Nepalese join mainstream polilics to win popular balance and the special geo-political situ people, who are facing the brunt of the support." ation of our country," said Nilamber violence over the years, end up as the By organizing huge mass meetings in Acharya, a member of the K.P. Bhattarai- losers . • different parts of the country, Maoists seem 10 be trying to do exactly thal. The Maoist leadership may have understood FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM well that international opinion is against all kind of tenorist activities. By offering all-ollt support to rhe US government in Nepalese Support its anti-tenorist campaign (See box), the Deuba government may also have tried tQ Premier Deuba's statement invites criticism from the united left send a message to the rebels, say analysts. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba may not have made a different statement Saturday At the same time. the Indian government's while talking with a Sri Lankan leader. But it was no less than a policy shih in the country's decision to deploy nearly 10.000 security foreign policy for the len opposition panies. AccorctlOg to Kanupurdaily, during his telephone personnel from its elite Secret Services conversation with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Laxman Kadirgamar, Deuba said Nepal was Bureau along the Nepal-India border and ready to provide air space to the United States in its proposed action (against Afghanistan) to its commitment to extend cooperation to curb terrorism. Nepal is also ready to provide 'refueling'facility to the US aircraft, said the Nepalese government ';to control ac- premier. 'ities of terrorists/criminals and Olher A group of 10 left partit":s, including the main opposition Unified Marxist-Lcninist (UML), undesirable elements across the border" !layed Deuba's statement. saying the decision was against Nepal' policy of non-alignment and panchasheel. "h is also against the spirit of the constitution," claimed Lilamani Pokhrel. a may not have gone unno~iced by the Maoist Umted People's Front lawmaker. The left panies insisted that Nepal should not be even leadership. which has been enjoying a indirectl y involved in the conflict and demanded that the prime minister withdraw his safe haven across the border. statement. Politically, too. the Maoist game plan Officials, however, insist that the prime minister's statemelll was only the explanation of to sell the 'republican agenda' 10 other the go .... ernmcm's !'!land. "We have considered the recent terrorist attacks in Ihe US as a crime communist parties has simply failed. Ex against humanity. And the Nepalese government has already said that it would provide all cept a couple of ultra-left parties. major necessary cooperation to the US government in its fight against terrorism." saId (Jyan Chandra communist partics in the country have Acharya, spokesman at the Foreign Ministry. refused to join hands with the rebels in Addressing parliament Tuesday. Premier Deuba reiterated that Nepal was part of a glonal coalition against terrorism. ''The government will provide all-out support la such initiatives led demanding elections for a constituent as by the US." he said. sembly and making Nepal a republic. Though there are no repons of the US governmentlieeking any specilie assistance from the "Such an ad venlUre could force Nepal to Nepalese government, the prime minister's statemcPI may have far-reaching consequences lose its sovereignty and democracy," both in the domestic front and abroad. say analYMs. ~'While we can't remajn aloof from the warned Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of global campaign against terrorism. we must consider (he sensiti .... ities of our neighbors-India the main opposition UML. ' and China - before making any such announcement:' said Kamal Thapa, a Rastriya Added Pradip Giri, a Nepali Congress Prajatantra Party leader and former foreign minister. ideologue, "The real agenda of the Maoists As South Asia has become the centcrofthe global campaign against terrorism, analysts say, is something different that what they are Premier Deuba should depute a full-time cabinet minister at Shitai Niwas. At the same time. the government should try to develop a consensus among major pollticaJ panies in the country professing. The government should try to on a sensitive issue like fillhtin o terrorism .•
SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 tl NATIONAL
was being justified in the name of Islam. NEPAL! MUSLIMS "We Muslims in Nepal were profoundly shocked by what we saw on television," said Niyaz Ahamed, Principal of Madarsa Partisans Of Peace Islamiya School run under the manage ment of Nepalese Jame Masjid. "No one Muslims in Nepal add their voice to the international can support terrorist acts committed by a handful of individuals in the name of reli- outcry against terrorism gion." TIle largest mosque organized special By KESHAB POUDEL and Saptari in the Terai have fairly high prayers for the victims of the World Trade co ncelllfations of Muslims. Centcr twin towers and Pentagon bomb- ike most or their co-religionists "1 condemn the terrorist attacks in the ings ofSeplcmbcr I I. With the restoration L around the world. aiarge number of Uni ted Slales. Islam is a religion based on of mullipmty democracy 12 years ago. Ncpali Muslims feel that their religion was tolerance and peace.idon', lhinkany genu- there has been a surge in the number f hijacked by a group of terrorists to justify ine Muslim can kill innocent people in the mosques and madarsas CLslamic religi their act of killing innocent people and name of religion. All NepaJi Muslims arc schools) inthecounu)'. Several Arab states. destroying buildings in New York City and against terrorism." said Nepali Congress including Saudi Arabia. are suppOIting the WashinglOn DC earlier this month. Their' MPand former minister Mohammed Aflah mosques and madarsas. Although a large WOITy is that efforts to link Islam with acts Alam. "One cannot justify terrorism by number of Muslim clerics have grown up of terrorism in the name of jihad would invoking the name of God." in moderate school ofthoughl.officiaJssay send the wrong message to the world. Others members of the community they cannot rule out the possibility of pen- After the devastating terrorist attacks share Alam's outrage at the way telTorism clration by militants. in the two American cities by In her article in the Novem- suspected supporters of Osama rr--::;:~:;:;;;;;;:-~---T'r~-.;::;;r;:;;;;;--71r"':" ber-December 2000 issue of For- bin Ladin. a Saudi-born million- eign Affairs. Jessica Stern. a lec- aire, Nepali Muslims were turer in public policy at Harvard shocked by the efforts of a few University's Kennedy School of individuals to misuse the name Government and Adjunel Fellow of a religion tha! preaches peace at the Council on Foreign Rela- and hannony to kill innocent lions. says Pakistani militant peuple. groups are now exporting their Toex:press lheircondolence version ofJihad all over the world. 10 the victims of terrorism in the The Khuuamudeen madarsa. United States. Nepal Jame carding 10 its chancellor, is Masjid. Nepal's Sai Mosque. of- mg students from Burma. Nepal. fered spec.al prayers. Although Chechnya. Bangladesh, Afghani- Musiimsrcpresent fewerthansix stan, Yemen. Mongolia and Ku- pt!rccnl of the country's popula- waiL ft also trains students from tion. they have always maintained Uzbekistan. Tajkistan. Russia and close relations with other rc1i- Turkey. gious groups. "Nepal does not have Shia Nepali Muslims have a Muslims. Almost all Muslimshere history of living in hannony and represent the Sunni sect.·' saiJ tolerance with other religious Ahamcd. "Islam does not teach communities. Having firstarrived hatred against other religions or 300 years ago. Muslims entered people of any panicular country. Nepal as a traders and traditional The killing of innocent people is medical practitioners. From hills not Jihad." andvalleyslOlhesouthernplains, Although the Muslim popu- a large number of Muslin)s have lation in Nepal is very smalJ, they been living in Nepal. The mid- ... • are very anxious to see the nature westem districts of Banke and and scope of the response of the Kapilvastu, the central districts United States. whieh has called on of Parsa, Bara and Rautahat and countries ohhe world to act against Nepalese Muslims: Shocked by terrorism the eastern districts or Sun sari international terrorism. •
12 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 NATIONAL
government. non-government organil.3- CHILDREN tions and children's groups. There was an interaction between c hildren and the Nepalese delegates during the fair. Yearnings Of The Young The program is expected to make the dclegntes, media and the people more Aconsortium of organizations working for children's welfare strives aware about Nepalese children's issues and concerns. The fair is also specifically to gi ve them a voice in the preparation of plans and policies expected to help the delegates 10 present the perspectives of the Nepalese children By AKSHAY SHARMA cancellation," UN Secrctary-General Kofi at the UN special session. Anoan said in a statement. "The issue is Tt is also expected to help civil society ~ e Save the Children's alliance with sti ll very much with us. r think we should to c reate direct and indirect press ure for ..l. aconsortium of organizations work stay the course. and adopt a concrete the well-being of children. Although this g with children clubs in Nepal organized agenda for action for this decade." fair may not hnve a direct impact on the ational Children's Fair in Kathmandu Save the Children alliance together outcomc of the final UN document. it was last week 10 help the young have a say in with the Ministry of Women. Children aimed nt providing children the opportu the way programs meant for them are and Social Welfare as wel l as UNICEF. nity to influcnce the I Dlh Plan of Neral drawn up and implemented. PLAN Internalional and NGOs is actively and the country's plan of action on chi l "The fair is aimed a bringing a large involved in promoting the Global Move dren for the next decade. Another aim is to number of children representing all the ment for Children (GMC) and th e UN create a base for establish ing and strength regions of the counLry who are in difficult special session. ening bellcr accountability of government circumstances and at ri sk but involved in Al li ance members are supp0rling and bad ics to children. making their situation better. They will actively involved in organizing activities There is a consortium of nun-govern interact with Nepal's delegates lO the UN with children in Nepal to promote the ment organizations working directl y with children's grour~ and clubs in Ncpal. Each member is working directly with children groups on variolls issues. Save the Chil dren alliance members have been working in partncrship with children's groups for various specific purpose. such as the Bhutanese refuge\! children, slum chil dren. protection from HIV/AlDS, c hil dren in conflict with the law and disabled children. The post-fair activities in Kalhmandu will include interac tion \vith the delegates after the special session. where the chil dren will he able tu hear from the del eg SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 13 ECONOMY Nepal's primary goal has been to achieve IMF REPORT and sustain higher levels of growth. "How ever. growth has been impeded by weak infrastructure. low saving and investment Straggling Along rates, fiscal constrainlS and inefficient pub lic resource management." observed the Although there are foreboding conditions, Nepal seems to be report The financial pClformance of public managing to walk the tight rope, the IMF report indicates sector enterprises cOlllinucd to be disap pointing. with virtually no progress on their By SANJAYA DHAKAL below 4 percent during the following year, privatization. reads the assessment by the with abundant food supplies olfsetting the executive board. r"'f'\e recent meeting of the executive effects of higher energy prices. The executi ve board urged the authori • board of the International Monetary The report also expresses satisfaction ties to continue the process of streamlining Fund (IMF) has expressed satisfaction over over the reserves despite the declines in the civil service and priorilizing public e - the macroeconomic performance of the capital transfers and foreign direct invest penditures. It highlightcd the urgency Nepaleseeconomy during the past two years, ment. Aided byslrongexporlS and increased addressing the balance sheet problems of despite the country's difficult political cir- remittances, gross official reserves reached the two largest banks - Nepal Bank Lim cumslances. $US 946 million in 1999/2000 and $1014 ited and Raslriya Banijya Bank - noting "Growth wasacceierating, inflation was m.j Ilion in 2000/0 I. equi valent to five months that their recapilaliz3tion would need to be declining, and international reserves re of imports in both years. preceded by proper resu'ucluring under the mained at a comfortable level," observed It further noted that the fiscal perfor new management. the report, prepared after the conclusion of mance was generally favorable, with the The board also noted the need to strengthen revenue mobilil3tion and im prove the targeting of budget allocations so as to all ow for higher social spending. It recommended the authorities to take steps lO improve the liquidity of official reserves, and 10 lower excess liquidity in the banking system and contain cemral bank financing of the budge\. The board also encouraged the Nepalese authorities to maintain an open trade and investment regime and access to worl mm-keLS. "Based on the report assessment we can say that Nepal is not in crisis right now nor is it at the edge of such crisis. But it has not been able to put together effective poli cies because of political instability, Maoist threat and so on," said Lawrence Demilner, Resident Representative of the IMF in Rastriya Banijya Bank: Acute need for refonn Kathmandu. The report is prepared after the visit by the 200 I ArticleNConsuitation with Nepal. overall deficit declining to 4.75 percent of staff team of IMF. usually every year. The Overall real GDP growth (at market GDP in 199912000. However. the deficit team collects economic and financial infor prices) surged from 4.5 percent in 1998/99 rose 10 6.75 percent of GDP in 2000/0 I, malion, and holds discussions with offi (fiscal year ending July 15) to 6.5 percent in owing to a significam overrun in the current cials. It submits the report for discussion by 199912000, led by improved agricultural expenditure budget, even though domestic the Executive Board. performance and strong exports. Growth is revenues remained close to the budget tar There are 184 member countries of the expected to have eased to 5.5 percent in gel. IMF. Presently. Nepal belongs toaconstitu 200010 I , owing to the dampening effects of Apart from the above rosy assessment. ency represented by Thailand in the Execu higher oil prices and a marked decline in the report also noted some disappointing tive Board. The present assessment is based tourism due la domestic disturbances. Con developments in the country's economic on the summary of the views of the Execu sumer price inflation fell (0 under I percent sector. particularly in the area of structural ti ve Board as expressed during the August in the 12 months to mid-2000and remained reforms. [n order to alleviate povelty. 31. 2001 Executi ve Board discussion. • 14 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 TOURISM of the terror attacks will reduce anivals WORLD TOURISM DAY coming through the European sector. At a time when the national flag carrier's withdrawal from the European sector has Risky Ritualism already created a chaotic situation. any action in Afghanistan may deal a deci Nepal observes World Tourism Day by organizing sive blow to the flow of tourists into Ncpal. ritual programs "Everyone realizes how important a role the national flag carrier can play By A CORRESPONDENT morc than 45,000 tourists visited Nepal during limes of crisis. We have made a last year. At a time when the sector des- blunder by suspending nights on the Eu- isery, as they say, does not come perately needs to see that figure go up, ropean sector," said Rabindra Man Singh, M alone. Nepal's tourism scclorhas the prognosis is gloomy. president of Nepal Freight Forwarders cd a series of miseries in the aftermath The fall in the number of American Association and managing director of the mysterious hijacking of Indian tourists in the coming season will drasti- Everest De Cargo. Airlines Flight 814 from Kathmandu in cally affect the recovery of the industry. Amid this grim scenario, what ini- December 1999. The decline in tourist As the number of US tourists coming ti.tives will policy makers take to in- arri vals began after Indian Airlines though the Pacific region has been going crease the number of tourists from other abruptly suspended its flights for several down, the tension in the Afghanistan and parts of the world, including India. If months. military build-up in the Persian Gulfre- Nepal steps up special programs to at- The tourism industry was yet to re- gion against the Taliban in the aftermath tracl Indian tourists and signs a fonnal cover from that battering when a r------, agreement with China on pay- seri es of other incidents virtually ment modalities for Chi nese devastated the sector. In the be- tourists, Nepal" s situation could ginning of 200 I, the tourism in- improve and the sector could dustry was on the road to recov- expet.:t to recover soon. ery following the plunge in the Nepal Tourism Board has number of arrivals the previous .. launched special programs 10 at- year. However. an upsurge in tract Indian tourists and has orga- political disturbances, the growth nized local festivals to mobilil.e and ferocity of the Maoist insur- domestic tourism. These may gency and the June I massacre in have some positive impact. De- royal palace brought more spite the cancellation of flights ad news. on the European sector, Royal June and July witnessed the Nepal Airlines has increased the lowest tourist arrivals in recent frequency orits services to lndia times. with August seeing some and other Asian cities. improvements. After the second Industry wClH.:hcrs hehcvc week of August, when Nepalese more needs to be done. '"The hoteliers checked bookings for government needs to announce September. Ocroberand Novem- many packages to encourage ber, they heaved a collective sigh foreign tourists. including the of relief. granting of free visas for visitors That was premature. After and open sky for airlincs'-' says the September II terrorist at- Prasiddha Bahadur Pandey, tacks in New York City and managing director of Shangri- Washington DC, Nepal's tour- La Hotel. ism industry is again on the preci· Nepal has been celebrating piee of disaster. More than 20 World TOUl'i,m Day for the last percent of US travelers have can- many years as a ritual. A busi- celed their trips to Nepal. Tour ness-as-usual approach cannot operators expect more canceJla- help the country come up with tions in the days ahead. Aceord- Tourists at TlA : Welcoming the arrival concrete plans and programs 10 ing to Tourism Ministry figures, shore up such a vital sector. • SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 15 COVER STORY POLITICAL CRISIS Culture Of Instability At The Core Nepal has experienced periodic bouts of political instability in its five decade journey toward modernization and democratization. Political crises have deepened every time demands for amending the constitution have been raised. With Nepalis passing through an unprecedented phase of uncertainty in the midst of a six-year-old bloody Maoist insurgenc only sustained steps to ensure political stability can help restore confi dence in the people. The solidarity shown by American politicians and people following the deadly terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington DC provides a valuable lesson in managing cnSlS m a democratic set-up. Are our leaders paying attention? By KESHAB POUDEL manding amendments to the constitution. implications in the world. particularly in a Although the pace of the discussions has country like Nepal whe re instability does s the United States, the world's slowed after the tragic events in the United not loosen its grip even at moments o f sole surviving superpower, is States, it seems certain that in st itutions in national crisis. Nepalese politicians have gradually recovering from the Nepal will be shaken once the global almost perfected the art of obstructing the trauma inflicted by the Sep situation stabilizes. consolidation of the democratic system. Atember I I terrorist attacks in New York Experience has amply shown that Instead, they relish pushing the country City and Washington DC through the events in a big country like the United into funherchaos by demanding the resig proper functioning of its institutions, States redirect the course of world history. nation of politicians and officials instead Nepal's politicians are pushing the coun The tragic events in New York City and of st rengthening their hands in dealing try into another round of turmoil by de- Washington DC are bound to have lasting with crisis. 16 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 200 t COVER STORY primarily rests on a concept of constitu tional unity. "Amending the constitution is the only way to preserve il," says fanner minister Nilamber Acharya. "There arc some articles that need (0 be replaced," says Acharya, who was a minister in the interim government that approved the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990. Strangely, politicians and intellectu als, who are neither constitutional experts nor regular political workers. arc arguing in favorofamending the constitution with insufficient preparation and withoutaclear idea of which articles they want to change. The recent parliamentary debate on the bill concerning the Commission oflnves tigation of Abuse of Authority shows how ill advised Nepalese politicians are about Top leaders of Nepali Congress: Visionary leadership required the value of an independent judiciary and the freedom of the individual. Interestingly. no one in the US oppo· the constitution when the fault actually Consolidation of the System sition. media or public has demanded the lies with them and tileir parties? What Nepal's primary challenges today are resignation of President George W. Bush Nepal is facing today is a direct result of the consolidation of the political process orany other official in the aftermath oFthe political upheaval of the 1990. Had the and the strengthening of institutions that terrorist attacks. Neither have Americans constitution of the day been allowed to have become non· functional because of blamed defects in their constitution. run with certain modifications, the insti influences exerted by forces that are more lnstead, the American people have tutions might have yielded belter results powerful than polilicians. However, no reaffirmed that democracy is the only and ensured relative stability in the coun body seems willing to go into the root system of government in which the ad try. causes of the malaise. ministration can counl on and get unstint "If the government cannot deliver the Theconsolidation of the political sys· , ; g support for the protection and preser- goods to the people, it is only natural to tern requires continuity in the constitu tion of the country 's interest during see voices of discontent being raised," tional process. Only through stability in times of crisis. Do Nepalese politicians says Professor Dhruba Kumar, ofTribhu· the political system can the country ex have the time to heed this lesson of unity van University's Centre for Nepal and pectto overcome its multiple challenges. and bring stability in the country by sus· Asian Studies. "The politicians have failed The United States has been able to nor pending petty political interests? All avail· to perfonn their role and some changes malize the situation within a short period able evidence shows that few Nepalese are needed in the present process." of time because all political parties and politicians have the time or inclination. Recent statements of Nepalese politi the American people bave rallied behind Unstable Mind and Unstable Poli- cal leaders and intellectuals shows that President Bush. Had such a tragedy hit tics they seem to be more interested in push Nepal, the first thing most Nepalese poli Over the last 50 years, politicians and ing the country into another phase of in· ticians would have done was demand the intellectuals have firmly held the view stability without comprehending the so resignation of the prime minister and Olher that amendments to or replacement of the cial and political consequences. All po· officials and call for the enactment of a existing constitution are the best ways LO liticalleadersseem to be prepared to amend new constitution. "Tt is standard practice tackle the country's political, economic the constitution, ignoring the wider rami in Nepal to blame politicians, the govern and social problems. Today's political fications that would l'Ock political and ment and the constitution for any happen establishment have upheld that tradition. social processes more violently than the ing or non·happening in particular points From the ruling Nepali Co~gress to the six-year Maoist insurgency. of time," says a political analyst. main opposition CPN·UML and from in Consol idation of democracy depends Democracy in Nepal presents a con tellectuals to professionals, no one is ready on the roles of various pol itical actors, the fusing picture, as if it is a system to de to acknowledge that frequent tampering altitudes of the people, and successful mand everything at any time. Those who with the constitution would prove coslJy economic development. However, one do not follow the mass hysteria whipped to the nation. Why do politicians blame cannot overlook the fact that democracy up by politicians are easily designated as SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 17 COVER STORY anti-democrats. Ademocratic government bility is needed to consolidate and build the conslitulion despile palpable hostilily is largely dependenl on the leadership in&titutions. The needless debate gener within their ranks. Former prime minister qualili es of politicians for the process of ated by polilicalleaders of all ideological and senior Nepali Congress leader Krishna consolidatinn, structure of civil society hues has fUrlher shaken institutions like Prasad Bhattarai has, however, openly and political and other inslitutions. As the judiciary and bureaucracy. "Their style challenged these calls, stressing Ihe need they are still in the process of evolving in of functioning is onc that would precipi to follow Ihe letter and spirit of the consti Nepal. Ihe cycle of confusion and chaos tate complete breakdown, as nobody tution. "The constitution does not need to continues to run faster. knows what will happen next," says a be amended now. II should be allowed to Frequent calls for amending the con senior bureaucrat. funclion properly for anOlher 30 years," stitution or its outright abrogation would To confront the crisis and find a solu Bhallarai, who headed the interim gov destabilize the institutions and prolong tion, Nepal should work 10 build slab le ernment that approved the constitution, Ihe debilily. Only mature and stable in sti institutions, which can function indepen said last week. tutions can help the country overcome the dently. Unforlunalely, all inslilulionsseem As all major political leaders, includ crises it faces. More than 50 years after the to have been shaken onc after another in ing his party colleagues, are demanding overthrow of the oligarchic Rana regime, the lasl five years, Illoslly out of polilical amendments to the constituti Iheeconomieand polilical record of Nepal expediency. From the family to polilical Bhattarai 's voice see ms (Q be in the n. offers an ambivalent picture. Nepal has organs and from the security apparatus to nority, Hence, no one seems to take it not made any effort to build institutions Ihejudiciary. all inslilulions have been seriously. "We don't have to hesitate to nor drawn up any concrete proposal for badly bruised. No one is cenain what role amend the constitution as long as we pre economic development because serve its basic essence," says leaders have been preoccupied Arjun Narsingh K.C, a powerful wilh polilical infighling and member of Ihe ruling pany. "I maneuvering in the pursuit don't think that amending the power. constitution would bring any po Strength ofInstitutions litical instability in the country." Even after such tragic inci As the government and denls in Ihe United Stales, the Maoist insurgents arc engaged in situation has stabilized because negotiations to find a way of end mature in st itutions have helped ing the violent insurgency, politi to apprehend the crisis.As po cal parties have found it conve litical institutions have become nient to raise public discussions snsturdy and re:-.ilient.they have on the need for ::unending the con "upported al l pre:-.idcnts wi th the stitution. However, no political same breadth and strength. Be it leader has a clue about whi Abraham Lincoln during the clauses and articles need to t) C ivil War, Franklin Delano amended in an effort to accom Rooseveh during World War Il modate Ihe Maoists and make the or George W. Bush today. political set-up more responsive American institutions have ral to the needs and aspirations of the lied 10 Ihe support of all presi people. dents in times of need. "There is a need to amend the Instead of moving to con- Common people: Poverty is nobody's priority constitution and our party is ready so lici alc th e country's institu to change every article and clause tions through unity of purpose, political Ihey would be able 10 play in times of except the four unchangeable provisions:' leaders in Nepal are seeking to replace the need. says Bharal Mohan Adhikal'Y, chief whip constitution. "It is unfortunate that no "Pol itica l leaders are calling for of the CPN-UML and an architect of the body is defending the existing constitu amending the constitution without under curre nt constitution. "If we amend the ti on," says senior advocate Mukunda standing the basic elements of the consli constitution, the situation will improve Regmi, who was a member of the panel lution." says a polilieal analysl. "They aUlOmatically." Allhough Adhikary's Ihatdrafled the basic law. "At a time when have nOI bOlhered 10 explain 10 the people parly has already endorsed proposals 10 the world's sole super power is calling for which articles of the consti tution need to amend the constitution, he does not have global support 10 eliminale the menace of be amended and what obstacles the exist- valid reasons 10 show why his party has tenorism. OUT political leaders are in a ing articles have created in the process of demanded those changes. race 10 amend the constitution." democratization." As Ihe Uniled Stales is calling for Experiments in other countries have 11 seems that major political parties global solidarilY to f1ghl against terrorism, shown that a period of constitutional sta- have already agreed informally 10 amend Nepalese politician s seem to be more con- 18 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 COVER STORY cemed about the raising what arc essen tially non-issues and funher destabilizing existing stale structures that could play into the hands of agitators and anarchists. Wish Unfulfilled Every Nepali had high hopes of an improvement In quality of life in the be ginning of the new millennium. BU1Nepal found itself gripped in great trauma even before the beginning of the new millen nium because of assorted crimes of vio lence and terrorism that spread across pans of the country. According to the World Bank and the United Nation De- onlme:nt Program (UNDP), Nepal is lone ofthe poorest and least developed countries of the world. As per capita in come hovers around US$ 200 and social development is insufficient. Nepal ranks at the lowest rungs of the UNDP's Human Development lndex. Despite their enormous social and Apex Court: Strengthen institution economic problems, Nepalis have not lost their zeal for democracy. More than 60 ism is not a matter of concern only for After various experiments over four percent of the registered voters cast their Americans but for the whole world. decades. a democratic constitution exists ballots in the last five elections, a turnout The events of September I I, 200 I in Nepal today with clear provisions guar higher than in many industrialized de have redefined international relations in a anteeing the rights of the people. As long mocracies of the West. profound way. The conflicts of the past as the right to elect rcrrcsentath"es to President Bush's call for a global were mainly between competing interests parliament remains guaranteed anJ an alliance against terrorism has generated of states. Now fanatically inOamed terror independent judiciary ex.ists to interpret some hope for peace among Nepalis, but ism has come in the garb of religion. the laws or parliament, the people will their quest to overcome poverty is ob Religion has been hijacked to promote the remain decision-makers of their fate. structed by the turmoil their leaders are dreams of fanatics. These provisions exist to prove that tering deliberately or otherwise. 111is reoricntation is bound to affect Nepal has ademocratic alternati ve to meet TIle country's political. economic, le Nepalese politics in ways that may not be any kind of challenge it faces. Unfortu gal and sociological structures have been fully understood today. Nepalis need to nately. politicians with substantial strength passing through a phase of great convul understand that when highly developed in parliament ignore this vitality of de sion. The long spell of instability has made democracies seem to be helpless in the face mocracy and are e",Tied away by easy the miserable conditions of the people of shadowy enemies, Nepal cannot isoiJte ploys of populism. worse. The country has seen Nepalis kill itself from the evolving global scenario. As every country needs political Sla ing each other, which is against its tradi However. pointless arguments on non-is bility and consolidation of the systcm. tional culture of tolerance and harmony. sues would only serve LO prolong instabil will the debate over amending the consti In the last six years of the MaOIst ity. "This constitution has everything in it tution benefit the country? The constitu insurgency, more than 2,OOONepalis have to bring change in society as the country is tion is a mean to create a system of insti lost their lives. but the world's civilized yet to fully implement and ex.ercise consti tutions and infrastructure of governance. and democratic community failed to take tutional provisions." says senior advocate Nepal has that kind of constitution. The sufficient notice. While a few official Regmi. "[ don't think the time has come to task is now to adhere faithfully to the statements against violence and for peace amend the constitution." provisions of theconstitulion and con sol i were issued in some foreign capitals, law Politicians need to consolidate the dale the gains the country has made. lessness continued to flare up in different current system as revolutionary slogans Nepalese politicians actually should have pans of Nepa\. of a bygonc era cannot feed, nurture and been leading infonneddiscussionson ways Suddenly, the world has changed in a educate children nor enSure a safe and of building institutions. fulfilling the needs most tragic but dramatic manner arter secure life. The greaterthe political insta orthe people and decentralizing power to what happened in New York City and bility, the largerthe scale of problems the local communities in the process ofdemo Washington DC. The fight againstlerror- people would have to face. cratic consolidation. • SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 19 NATIONAL ries of suicide. He emphasized the role of SUICIDE SQUADS hostility turned against the self. American psychiatrist Karl Menninger elaborated on Freud's ideas. He suggested that all sui Deadly Desperation cides have three interrelated and uncon scious dimensions: revengelhate (a wish to Terrorism draws strength from a deepening sense of kill), depression/hopelessness (a wish to die), and guilt (a wish to be killed). individual despair mixed with fanatic faith in a cause An American psychologist considered a pioneer in the modern study of suicide, By AKSHAY SHARMA and so-called 'security experts' are often Edwin Schneidman. has described several unaware of all the facts about tClTorism and common characte ri stics of suicides. These ~l eSe ptembe r 11 attacks in New York terrorist acts," says Marwah. a fonner di include a sense of unbearable psychologi ... Cityand Washington DC-theworst rector-general of the National Security cal pain, a sense of isolation from others, tCITorist assau lt s in human history - was Guards of India. and the perception that death is the brutal in its scale and impact. The United He adds, ·'The authoriti es have a dif solution to problems about which onc fee: . Stales swiftly announced an all-out waron ferent and an inevitable task. But that does hopeless and helpless. Cognitive theorists, terrorism, carefull y building a broad inter not justify their reluctance to discuss the who study how people process informa national coal iti on. issues and learn from their past mistakes. lion, emphasize the rolcofin nexible think While the images transmiued around There can be more than one view about ing or tunnel vision ("life is awful. death is the world on that fateful morning brought how a particular situation should be handled, the only alternative") and an in ability to to life the wildest fancies from Tom Cbncy but an infomled public onion is the surest generate solutions to problems. thrillers, the aftermath has prompted a new safe guard against wrong policy decisions According to psychologists, many look at the phenomenon of suicide-terror and their faulty implementation." suicide attempts arc symbolic cries for ism and ways of confronting it. The US State Department currently help, an effort to reach out and receive "Whereas it is certainly not possible designates seven world governments as attention. When this sense of deepening yet. la create a acceptable definition of state sponsors of ten·orism. Though most despair enters the shadowy underworld of terrorism. it is both possible and necessary no longer engage directly in terrorist activ international terror, it creates a recipe for to specify certain features to the phenom ity themselves. they may support terrorist almost limitless disaster. Groups with di enon." says Cindy C. Combs in "Twenty groups by providing funding, anns. mother verse. even opposing. ideologies and dif first Century Terrorism". material support; or by providing training, fering goals often help each other when The Japanese air force organized ka logistical support, ,-______--, mikaze suicide squadrons in the last months sanctuary, or dip of World War 11. Pilots flew their aircraft lomatic facilities. loaded with explosives directly into US TheUnitedStares naval vessels. Kamikaze pilots. sacrificing employs a wide their lives in a last-ditch effort to stop the variety of eco American advance. sank about 40 US ships. nomic and other Most modern tCITorist groups draw strength sanctions to pres from this mixture of an individual's will sure states into Hotel ingness to die for a cause he or she deems discontinuing nobles. their support for "TIle terrorists, are often than not, terrorism. In C y~!~.!.~~! seem to be slIcceeding in pushing the gov some (but not all) Bhakti Marg, New Road, Pokhara ernmentin a no-win situation. Unsure about cases. allied states Tel.:(061 )25637,,27918 how to respond to the challenges posed by or the United Na Fax:9n-61·2J998 In Kathmandu terrorism, the government has been unable tions may impose Tel.:977· 01- 413317,415103, to prevent the situation from deteriorat sanctions, as well. Fax: 977-1· 415196 ing." writes Ved Marwah in {'Uncivil In the early Wars." "Unfortunately. there are popular 1900s Austrian misconceptions about what needs to be psychoanalyst done. General ignorance of the nature of Sigmund Freud terrorism and what motivated the terrorists developed some is not limited to media persons and un of the tirst psy- fonned citizens. Even our political leaders chological theo- L... ______--.l 20 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 NATIONAL they share a common enemy. \Vhile a "Unlike the soldier, the guerrilla terrorist act may be over in a matter of fighter. or the revolutionist. the terror NINTHSAF minutes, the planning and the coordination ist. .. is always in the paradoxical position of such an event may take years. of undertaking actions the immediate POSTPONED Despite their ideological differences. physical consequences of which are nol Middle Eastern terrorist organizations par particularly desired by him," says terror The Ninth SOUlh Asian Fed ticipated in two international summits - ism expert David Fromlin. "An ordinary eration (SAF) games have been post in Beirut, Lebanon, and Teheran, Iran - in person may kill someone because he the year before the September II attacks, wants the person to be dead, butthe terror poned indefinitely after the host na intelligence experts say. Two Palestinians, ist will shoot down everybody! somebody tion, Pakistan, called off the games Musa Abu Marzouq, of Hamas, and even though it is a maller of complete in the wake of impending US retalia Ramadham Abdullah Shallah of the Pales indifference to him whether the person tory attack against Afghanistan. tinian Islamic Jihad, organized the confer lives or dies." That is what makes the Slated to take place between October ences . which were called "The Jerusalem war on terrori sm at once scary and neces 6-15 in Islamabad. the games were iect". sary. • expected to draw over 1,6000 sp0l1spersons from the SAARC re gion. The National Sports Council Snooker Challenge 2001 (NSC) was prepari ng to send a 213- member strong delegation, includ Surya Tobacco Company is organizing "Surya Nepal Snooker Challenge 2001" ing 157 athletes. to the Islamabad from September 24 to October 14. "Our maiden venture, the First Surya Nepal games. Snooker Challenge. was a grand success and our commitment to make the event a pan-Nepal championship will now be realized with our second championships:· The government had already Ravi Raj Aryaltold reporters on behalf of the Surya Tobacco Company. sanctioned the budget for the partici The prize money has been increased three times, rcaching a whopping Rs pation. The NSC estimated that it 530,000. The lOurnament is be would spend a total of Rs 36.6 mil ing organized jointly by the lion for participating in the games. Surya Tobacco Company and the Billiards Snooker and Pool The games might be convened in the Association of Nepal (BSPAN) next six months, officials hoped. The and is also supported by the games is held every two years and is Cosmos Solarium. participated by all seven members of The preliminary rounds are the South Asian Association for Re be held across the 28 parlors gional Cooperation - Bangladesh, in the cilies of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Narayanghat, Butwal, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Dharan. Birgunj, ltahari and Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Biratnagar. The finals shall be The 14-disciplines of games held at the Lainchaur Covered Snooker: Gaining popularity that were to be played in Pakistan Hall in Kathmandu. The quali- included athletics, boxing, football, fying rounds will be completed by October I and tile final rounds are to commence kabaddi, karate, shooting, swimming, from October 7. The turnout is expected to exceed 1.000. Participants will compete with table-tennis, taekwondo, volleyball. themselves over 20 days with the winner getting richer by over Rs 75,000 plus a weight-lifting, wrestling, badminton ccnificate and a trophy. The runner-up will take home Rs 50,000 and the second and squash. runner-up Rs 25 ,000 respectively along with trophies and certificates. The player The Nepalese athletes had securing the highest breaks in the final rounds will win a prize ofRs 25,000. Winners been in close-camp training for the In the qualifying stage and the runner up will take along with them Rs. 6,000 and Rs games. Some players had been sent 4.000 respectively. Two players wi ll qualify from each of the venues for the final round and they abroadfortraining. Taekwondoplay will compete among themselves with the eight seeded players in the BSPAN order ers were sent to Bangkok, whereas of merit. karate players were in Iran. Boxers "We will continue to strive to make the tournament international by ensuring were sent to Pakistan. that all specifications are per international standards," said Aryai. • SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 21 INTERVIEW 'INGOs Should Work In Areas That Are Of Interest To The Country' -Dr. TIKA POKHAREL Dr. T1KA POKHAREL is rhe member·secretary of dously - or commu nity forestry , public awarcness rhe Social Welfare COlllICil (SWC). The cOllllciI is raising campaigns or the loan/saving programs, responsible for giving affiliations to IlOll-govem NGOs have seeped inLO villages with their noble mental organizations (NGO) in the eoU/wy. Dr. programs. If one studies the health sector, out of the Pokharel spoke ro KESHAB POUDEL alld 17 eye hospitals, 16 are run by NOOs. Look at the SANJAYA DHAKAL 011 l-'arious issues c0l1cemin8 Dhulikhel hospital and the Banepachildren hospital, rhe NCO seclOr. Excerprs: they haveset high standard. So, it is necessary to I at the grass-roots level to get an idea of how NO s How many NGOs are currently affIliated to are helping in the country's development. the SWC and which areas are they involved in? Which sectors are most NGOs concentrated There are 12,600 NOGs and 103 !NOGs prcs on? ently affiliated to the SWc. They are the real NOGs. Community development seems to be the sector 111e council gives affiliation to only real NOGs, not on which most NGOs are concentrated. We have to spurious ones. There is onc big problem with the divided it into IOscctor for our convenience, in clud act. The act does nOlgive us the right to register such ingcommunitydevelopmcnl, women. children, HlV/ organizations. They are registered by the DisLrict AIDS and so on. Administration Office (DAO). The DAO registers lt is charged that most NGOs limit their any type of organization - profit-making institu work in and around cities and do not venture into tions, clubs and all. This has led to confusion among rural areas. Is that true? the people that all these organizations are NOOs. But It is not true. People level thi s charge because these are not, we simply cannot term profit-making most NGOs are regi stered in Kathmandu or other institutions as NOOs. Take for instance boozing cities. But they work in rural areas. In fact, NGOs clubs, which have no other objective than drinking only get money iftlley agree to work in, say. Humla alcohol. We cannot call them NOGs. We have or Jumla. Nobody gives them money to work in certain criteria to define NOOs and we give affilia cities. So, this is a false charge. tion to only those that conform to them. While one set ofNGOs affiliated to the S\ What is the definition of an NGO, then? may be doing their job well, there are others who Four things detennine whether the organization are not under the umbrella of the council and who is an NOO. First, the institution should not be profit are wasting resources by organizing seminars in making. Second, it should be aloof from political five-stnr hotels on topics that may not be of activities. Third, it should be development-oriented. priority to the country. Is there any way they can Fourth, it should be fully democratic, that is, it be controlled? should run according to democratic norms. Any We have started to regularize them. A few years organization that does not fulfil these four criteri a ago. when theSWC was not active. people from such cannot be considered an NOO. organizations were pleased. They used to receive Takefor in What contributions have NGOs made to the money in the name of some NOO or say child stance boozing country's development? welfare. and ended up riding sleek vehicles and clubs, which The NOOs have lent real and visible contribu engaged in business. But thi s practice has been tions to the country!s development. There is a mi s stopped now, leading many people to criticize me. have no other conception among the masses that all NOOs are bad They think the council is obstructing them. The objective than or corrupt. ll1ey have reached this conclusion by council is on its way to managing the sector. Now no drinking alco comparing the behavior of some DAO-registered TNOO can give money directly to an NOG without ~organizations that are involved in bad practices. But seeking permission from the counci l. This will en hol. We cannot if one looks at the grass-root level, if sometlling good sure tran s;:>arency on how much money has come call them is happening there, that is beeauseofNOGs. Whether from different sources and where it is go in g to be it is vegetable farming - now there are many utilized. Besides. NOOs have to fulfil such require NGOs. pockets in the country where this is growing tremen- ments as submission of annual reports and audit 22 SPOTLIG HT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 INTERVIEW [guess there are 15to 20 !NOOs still working based on their agreements with the ministries. There is a stark need to bring all NOOs under a sin gle umbrella of the SWc. The SWC Act also envisages this and so does the Ninth Plan docu menl. This kind of uncoordinated approach will only invite anarchy in the sector. I have asked the government from time to time to take necessary steps to develop the SWC as the single umbrella organization to handle NOOsfINOOs. We have not been able to run the SWC as per the act or as per our policy. If the SWC is made the umbrella, we will be in a position to provide records and increase ac countability of all NOOs/[NOOs working in the country. Rightnow. we know only about the 12,600 to be able to receive money from [NOOs. NOOs and 103 \NOOs. This is ultimately going to make theNOO sector run So many seminars are held on different is in accordance with the law. And this very thing has sues so often. Is there any policy to encourage irked asection of NO Os. which. like you pointed, are INGOsINGOs funding low priority sectors to do busy only organizing seminars in hotels. But real so in the more pressing areas? NODs working at the grass-roOl level have wel I agree that the NGOs should organize semi comed lhese provisions. nars or wmkshops but on ly when they have reached What is the level of financial contributions of a certain point and do nOl know where to proceed INGOs to the country? from that point. Seminars will help identify their The budget commitment of the INOOs, as per funher destination. We, at the SWC, always advo their agreement with us, stands at Rs 2.4 billion for cate seminars only during such circumstances. fiscal year 2057/58 as compared to Rs 1.45 billion In the present context of liberalization, for the year 2056/57. It is increasing. how can you ensure that NGOs are allowed to Do you think [NGOs should spend their work on their own and at the same time be resources here in accordance with their interest monitored? or should they do so in sectors that are of interest The SWC does not control NOOs. We only to Nepal? regulate them. But if onc talks about NO Os that are, They should do it in the sector that is of interest say, misusing funds, they have been controlled. The ! agree that council has only asked NOOs to run in accordance Do you think this is happening? with U1C law of the land and in accordance with uleir theNGOs It is not happening to a cenain extent. Of late, own internal constitution. If somebody still says that should orga the major part of the resources that come here the SWC is controlling or obstructing them, one nize seminars through INGOs is being spent in the areas or our should understand the malafide intention behind interesl. That is because, since last four years, they such allegations. or workshops have not been allowed to go directly in the field. Do civil society organizations also come un but only when Previously. they used to work on their own here and der the SWC'! it was not always clear which areas Lhey were in No, civil society isa very broad teml.lt includes they have volved in. Now, they have to go into implememation everything oULSide the government - the political reached a with local panners only. Funhermore, local NOOs panies, NOOs, commercial enterprises and so on. certain point have to submit their proposals at the SWC to receive NOOs are only those that fulfil the aforementioned such help. So, we can study their proposals and ask four criteria. and do not them to go ahead if it is in our interest. If the proposal But so many NGOs are working in the name know where to is not in our interest, we tell them so. As far as NOOs of civil society? thm are not affiliated to us are concerned, the council When peoplc work with good intentions, they proceed/ram can do nothing. They are in the field as per the do so remaining within the realm of the NOOs' that point. agreements with different ministries. I don't think definition. But for the vested interest groups, there the ministries are in position to minutely probe how will always be room for exploitation. I differ with Seminars will they are working. many people regarding this. I ask them to be fonh help identify Row many INGOs are working outside your right. If they want to rUIl an NOO, then they have to their further framework and in accordance with agreements run it like an NGO, not like some profit-making with the ministries? institution or political organization. • destination. SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 23 ART for the survival o f our world and civiliza EXHIBITION tion," Thapa says: "Shashi Shah is a mas ter draught person. Hi s early drawings in The Revelation pencil. pen and ink reveal the power and austerity of hi s lines. Hi s early wash Two prorrunent artists exhibit works on the rich heri paintings and drawings tell the story of a restless sensiti ve artist. seeking to give tage and traditions of Nepal an evocative vo ice to th e injustices and inequalities in life: twisted figures merge By AKSHAY SHARMA Vaidya was born and resides in the in a surreal nuclear landscape, fa ces ancient city of Palan. uBelow hi s lattice scream silently at you. Shah's paintings ~o luminaries in the top echelons windows the busy streets of Man gal Bazar straddle the cycles o f time in the Hindu .I. of contemporary Nepalese art, bustle with life. From his balcony the cosmos-thc tcn in carnationsofVishnu Shashi Shah and Batsa Gopal Vaidya, mountains and the fabled rooft ops of becomes a subject of artistic mcditat are exhibiting their works at the Patan Durbar Square dominatc the and personal philosophy." Siddhartha Art Gallery. SAARC Secre- Himalayan skyline," says Sangeeta Although thc Kalki avatar is the last tary-General Nihal Rodrigues opened the Thapa, director of Siddhartha Art Gal- one of all philosophical avatars, Shah show this week. lery. , says, it is the expression of a desire and Amid the plethora of colors ______...,....,.. ___ -,. ____ -,-__ hope for peace and a vision for on the walls,Vaidyatold SPOT- The focus of Shashi Shah, whose thecontinuityofthcfuture. "No LIGHT: "My focus this time is name resounds in the art world in matter what cri,is we face and on the rich heritage we ha ve. I whatever the dangers may be. have tried to reflect in all my Nepal, is on the Dash Avatar (Ten theworldissurvivinguptonow. paintings the vibrant culture we Incarnations). "There is a chapter in In ord er to protect the world have. In my canvas paintings, I from its possihle 000111 , Cl situa have focused on painting with the Bible - The Revelation - where li on is always created in one oil and acrylic." Christ comes on a White Horse to form or another, from some- Vaidya says there has been save the world from chaos and it is where or someone. It is, how a marked change in the way 50- ever. nOl necessary that the Kalki ciety looks at art. "When I re- similar to the Hindu tradition where avatar , hould appear. it is only a turned from Bombay after com- Vishnu's reincarnation comes on a symbol. Our world. our civili- pleting my art studies in 19705, zalion must survive at any cos arti sts were held in low esteem. white horse in the Kali Yuga," says This is the Kalki's mission." My studies were not appreci- Thapa, pointing to a painting. adds. ated then in Kathmandu because Thapasays: "To understand of such attitudes. But today. there are a The focus of Shashi Shah, whose the surreal imagery o f Shah's paintings. growing number of Nepalis who buy art name resounds in the art world in Nepal. one should delve and dwell in the ten in a market that only saw foreigners until is on the Dash Avatar(Ten Incarnations). incarnations o f Vishnu: Matsya (Fish). fairly recently." "There is a chapter in the Bible - The Kachayapa (tortoisc), Baraha (boar). Vaidya, who works at the Depart Revelation - where Christ comes on a Narasimha (man-lion). Bamun (dwarf), ment of Printing in Singh Durbar, has White Horse tosavc the world from chaos Parashuram, Ram , Krishna. Buddha and won several awards inside the country ami it is similar to the Hindu tradition the Kalki (the white horse). and abroad, His works have been a seri where Vishnu's reincarnation comes on "Some of Shah's mixed media works ous topic of discussion for art lovers. "As a white horse in the Kali Yuga," says deal with the Royal massacre in Nepal a schoolboy, my optional subject was Thapa, pointing to a painting, newspaper clipPings of the royal obituar maths, but I took arts instead," he re Shah says, "The Ten Incarnations ies are complexly inlerwoven with draw members. "I was doing my intermediate is the great philosophical tale of the ings, in an attempt by the artist to look for in commerce when I noticed an adver progress and evolution of our culture some answers in hi s art." Thapa says, tisement in the newspaper, It was aschol and civilization, Among them, the kalki "These works reveal a time of spiritual arship for a student of arts and I found avatar is the protagonist of my paintings, ity in chaos. a world turned topsy-turvy that on the last day. My sister supported a symbol. The declaration of Lord as symbolized by scattered chess pieces." me when I applied at the coll ege when Vishnu 'Wherever there is a crisis in The exhibition will continue until the advertisement appeared for the sec humanity. I take on the incarnation to October 17 at Siddhartha Art Gallery ond time," protect the world', is the basic element from II amt06pm. • 24 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 ENTERTAINMENT He likes folk music more than pop or MUSIC modern numbers. But he believes thecom bination of folk melody with pop tune is not bad as long as they keep the basicspirit West Meets East intact His forthcoming album "Soaltee" includes folk songs as well as few pop An American comes up with a music album of Nepalese numbers. The music has been composed by Shila Dahadur Moktan. The lyrics re folk songs flect rich ethnic dialect. "And [ under stand the meaning of all my songs," boasts By SANJAYA DHAKAL certs in villages where peoplc loved my Brody. singing," said Brody. Al that lime both Brody is currently lOvolved in the were struggling - Gurung was still an education project in Khandbari. "My fel hen losh Brody first came to unknown singer.1110ugh they had released lowship is for another two years after Nepal in 1994,little did he know a joint album few years ago, nothing came which T don' t know whatl will do." ~he was going to end up as a Nepali of it, as it was not promoted well. Back home in LA, Brody's parents folk singer. A native of Pasadena, near But now both buddies are reaping and friends think his singing "funny". Los Angeles, the 29-year-old .------, lanky American is coming up with his first Nepali music album called "Soaltee" in October. 11,e album has seven songs, most of which are based on folk tunes. He has already made a music video for Nepal Television (NTV) where hecan be seen sing ing and dancing with a village girl in a particularly humorous song called "Khutrukai paryo .. gore moraaJe .. '·. He has also given him self a Nepali name - Gajab Ba hadur Gurung. Brody came to Nepal in 1994 '. student of anthropology. He W ited the nooks and corners Nepalese villages Witll his tcach ers and soon developed a rapport with rural Life. A keen music lover from his childhood, Brody was instantly struck by the cul- Brody (right) with Gurung: New singer on the block tural practices of the country. A master of mellifluous voice, he started their success. While Gurung is already a '''They loved mysongs, in fact," says Brody singing folk songs with the villagers. household name, Brody promises to bring smiling. His father is an ophthalmologist, Brody has been working in a different kind of attraction. Accustomed who had a couple of years ago come to Khandbari, in the north-eastern district of to hearing Nepali voices. audiences here Nepal to conduct an eye surgery camp in Sankhuwasabha, in a remote education would definitely find it interesting 10 listen vi ll ages, and his mother a schoolteacher. project since 1997. It was here where he to their folk songs in a foreigner"s voice. Heevcn singsNcpali songs for his mom's met Khem Raj Gurung, the popular folk Among the seven songs in his album, students whenever he goes home, ,.... and pop singer who made a sensational entry two are duets with Khem Raj and Sarana they really like it," he said. in the Nepalese music scene early this Shrestha each. He likes Khem Raj Gurung, Close on the heels of his friend's year with "'Wari Jamuna, Pari Jamuna", Kunti Moktan and Dipesh Bhattarai among success, Brody is coming out with his Brody and Gurung became fast friends the present lot of Nepalese singers. al!Jum early next month. As the initial and it was their mutual interest in music "Among the western ones I like Cat response goes, he is confident that that brought them even closer. "We (Khem Stevens, James Taylor, Peter Gabriel and Nepalese audiences will find him an inter and myself) used to take part in local con- Paul Simon," says Brody. esting singer. • SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 25 REVIEW Kumar Panday's volume sheds light on many BOOK new facets and contains up-to-date informa tion. Panday, who has written extensively on Nepal-Japan relations, underscores the Roots Of Relations fact Ulat Japan has extended development assistance without attachi ng any conditions. Panday explains the diverse elements that have con Panday also examines how lhe exchange of visits between the leaders of the two coun tributed to the growth of Nepal-Japan relations tries has helped to strengthen relations. Then Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori trip to Nepal last year and the visits of Nepalese leaders By KESHAB POUDEL and how the country's experience cou ld be highlight the importance both governments replicated in Nepal. Interestingly, the first attach to cementing bi lateral relations. The rom lOp leaders tOlhecommon people, traveler from Japan visited Nepal a few common positions of the two countries on F Nepal is have deep affection for Japan years before Dev Sumsher pledged to emu viLal international issues and their shA : and great admiration for the country's im late Japan's approach la development. quest for international peace and stab~ pressive achievements. Although Nepal re Although geograph ically far apart. re have solidified their friendship. mained under the illtluencc of the British lations between Nepal and Japan have re A professor of geography. Panday also empire for nearly a century, the develop mained close. The ties began at the people's discusses the historical, cultural and other ment model of Japan often in spired the rul level a century ago when Ekai Kawaguchi aspects of the relations between the two ers of that time. visitcd Ncpal in 1899 as the first Japanese countries. Nepal is onc of the populardesti Prime Minister Dev Sumsher lung Ba visitor. Ever since, both countries have ce nalions for Japanese tourists. with Lumbini. hadur Rana, known as a modernizer, was the mented their cordial relationship in diverse the birthplace of Lord Buddha, remaining a first Nepal i ruleTlo have been inspi red by the areas through mutual respect and apprecia prime attraction. Panday emphasizes the Japanese model of development. Although tion. important role played by Japanese moun he ruled the country ror less than six months Nepal and Japan established formal taineers and travelers in fostering mutual before being overthrown by hi s ambitious diplomatic relations in 1956. Since then, understanding and appreciation at the brothers, Dev Sumsherseemed to be knowl Japan has continued to play an important people's level. edgeable about JJpan '5 march to progress role in modernizing Nepalese society. Japan Although many errors seem to have is a leading donor lO Nepal, contributing to crept into the book. it can be expected help projects in such vital sec tors as road, hydro Nepalese readers to acquire a broader under power, commu nication, drinking water, edu standing of the state of Nepal-Japan coop cation, health and agriculture. Japan's con eration and its historical development. Since tribution to the economic development of it is written in Ncpali. a widerreadership "Tl Nepal has remained impressive both in temlS benefit from Panday's work. of the volume of as sistance and the range Annual SUBSCRIPTION Rate of sectors. INDIVIDUAL 1.~snTUT I ON Chln.tlKore~ US 5 I ~(j.o-! US 1i 200.00 After the con- N~pal NRSR,.I-IOOOO NRSR •. 2500.00 M£lloreJI US~I~OIIJ USS"2OO.OO slruction of Kulekani India IC R,. I.lOOOO le Rd200.00 Bhulan US S I~U~! US ~ ~OO.OO at .... r SAARC Hon~ K.ongIT~''''~n US S I ~UM! US S 200.00 hydropower project, Counln~' US S IUlOO US ~ l!oOtlll o\ullrllliaINew z"JIMKI US S 15()(~! n s 200.00 lap"n us S 1 ~O.()() US S 250.00 Eu"'f'l! tl50!I1 COO.OO Japan has helped to A-.eunC"oum"., l lSS 120."0 VSS~OOOO USA ttSS 1.~(lOO USSlOO./Xl bring changes in pat- SUBSCRIBE NO'\' (Send a GIFT subscription to friends they willlo\'e it) . . ,------1 tenlS 01 COnSUmptiOn tple~ St' fin(1 cnc!o,eu her~Wt(1J my annuul ,ubscnplillll fur. COpt\:, ... I as well as produclion lca~hlDl)lCh"q lJ(!NI). furR.JUUSS ...... Dale .. : of electricity in Nepal. I I The complet ion of lNamc... \ Dhulikhel-Bardibas :AlIlIn:" : road will add a new : ...... PlQCuoJe.. : dimension to Nepal's I I I t questtodevclop its in I I I Signwlurt: '1 ~Iephon~ Fux I Nepal-Japan Relations frastructure. L ______~ By Ram KlIIuar Panday AltllOUgh several DO NOT Send CASH in MAIL Published by Nepal Nippon Research books have been writ Please ~e nd your remittance by Draft/Cheque 10 Cemer. Kathl1lQlldll. Nepal ten on the importance SPOTLIGHT Price: Rs. 250, Pages: 189 of Nepal-Japan rela THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE Lallguage: Nepa/i tions. Professor Ram G.P. 0. Box: 7256. Haluwatar. PH : 977·1·423127,435594. Fax: 977-1-417845 E-mail: [email protected], Web site: www.ncpalnews.com/spotlight 26 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 THE BOTTOM LINE By M.S.KHOKNA PI1 Deuba, Comrade Prochanda Comrade flaharaJell thinks IjDU are cDntempfa.ting use Prachanda, if he helps of force- tJhat dOl 'd0u say? ?71e retain Prime Yniyziste rship I will do What ever p he saJs- - ? ---...... "", TRANSITION RE-ELECTED: Bal Krishna Association of Nepal, for the Jomsol11 Women Association, Kh.nd, as the president of next two years. with this year's Abraham Con DESIGNATED: Her Majesty Nepal Tarun Dal, youth wing of servation Award, for their con Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi ruling Nepali Congress party, Narayan Govinda Haiwai, as tributions to environment con DcviShah, as the Prithuladhish unopposed. by its second gen the president of the Nepal Engi servation. of Orders and Dccofarions of eral convention. neers' Association and Bharat the Kingdom of Nepal. by His Raj Pahari, as its general secre LEFT: A five-member Majesty the King, in accor ELECTED: Jaya Dew.n, as tary. delegation of the Rastriya dance with the Bibhushan the president of the Nepal As Prajatantra Party led by its (fourth amendment) Regula sociation of Travel Agents, for AWARDED: Sapana Shree, general secretary P.shupati tions 2058. His Majesty the the next two years. singer, with Narayan Gopal SJB Ran., for the People's King has also conferred the Youth Music Award for this Republic of China, at the invi Nepal Pratap Bhaskar on Her Suman Pandey, as the presi year, by the National Youth tation of the Communist Party Majesty the Queen. dent of the Trekking Agents Service Fund. of China. • SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 27 ENCOUNTER 'We Don't Have A Clear Policy On Sustainable Urban Development' -RAMESH c. POUDEL /1.10.\'01" of Bimlnagal" SlI b·llletropofis, cilities than the people in rural areas are. expanding educational RA MESH CHANDRA POUDEL, kllows People arc getting facilities like primary activities. Ihat he ham' I beelll/ble 10 flllfill IIIQlly of health care, education for children, par Local bodies his prolllises. Elected as a UML cQmli· ent education and social feelings, In or have been demand c/atejollr yeo!'s ago. POlldel says he has der to improve the environment within ing more power for (ried doif/g {/ tOI of rhillRS U'ilhill his the municipal area. roads have been quite some time. How ('apacity. With less than olle year re broadened and black-topped, drains have justified are they? /lU/illillg ill his renllre. POlfdel shared his becn built. effons have been made to Nepal has s,igned the United Nations L... _____-I I'ie ll 's wilh BHAGIRATH YOGI ill address the problem of water logging HimfllClgal' las! I\'eek. Excopts: and manage solid waste, among others. protocol to provide powers to local bod You can see Biratnagar as a spacious ies in accordance wi th the principle of How would you recollect the ma city, The road network here may be double decentralization by 2001. However, we jor works in the sub-metropolis under that of Kathmandu's, We have also made are far behind in implementing that con your leadership over the last four efforts to raise revenue for the munici cept. We lack authority as well as eco years? pality, We need to invest up to Rs 5,000 nomic resources. The Decentralization Our major concern in the beginning million to change the face of this city, Commission headed by (S her Bahadur) was to transform the municipality into a However, we will be able to spcnd not Deuba had recommended implementing cred ible:. accountable and autonomous more than Rs 600 million during the a number of measures 10 empower the local government. We are st ill experi period of five years. local bodies, Mr. Deuba himself is the menting on making this sub-metropolis What is the situation of industries prime minister now but he hasn't shown into an independent. impartial and pros within the municipal area'? any interest in thi s direction. At a time perous municipality. I have focused on Due to the bad policies of the past, when we are talking of amending the making this municipality autonomous in most of the industries kept themselves constitution, we should also discuss in a legal way, promoting institutional away from the municipal area to avoid corporating the rights of the local bodies strengthening of people's representatives higher taxes. No new industries were in the constitution. Most of the pro ' and empowering the people. opened. Therefore, we are trying to pro sions for local bodies are impracti What are the nlain tangible devel mole new industries in the municipal There have been clashes between the opments of this period? area. We are trying to develop an Export mayor and the munici pal board when The water logging and lack of sew· Processing Zone (EPZ) to be modeled as they come from different political par erage have remained major problems in a free economic zone. We are also trying ties. We have J32 members of the mu Biratnagar. Surrounding village devel to develop labor-intensive industries by nicipal council but the mayor is respon {'pmcntcomminees were also accommo training the abundant labor force avail sible for executive decisions. How can d~llcd into the municipality bUlthey did able here. We are also trying to under he take decisions by incorporating the , I not have basic amenities like road, power take technological changcs as much as views of all of them? and drinking water. Thercfore, we gave possible, What needs to be done? priority to developing infrastructure in How is the Eastern University do· We need to develop a clear attitude those areas. The social conditions in those ing? In mobilizing people's participation in areas were also quite poor. The munici The office of the Eastern University local governance. We still don't have a pality has been launching such activities is localed within the municipality but clear-cut policy on sustainable urban de as encouraging parent 10 send children to more than 800 bighas of land belonging velopment. Our judicial and administra schools, safe motherhood, and health fa to this university in the northern part of tive officers and even legislators are in a cilities. among others.~ People in ward the Morang district. Some campus be confused s ituation, So, first of all, we nos. 5, 6, 7, 15 and 16 have mainly longing to the university operate within need to have c lear guidelines regarding benelilcd from these activities. the municipal area whereas most of the the role and responsibilities of the local Have the people felt some differ campuses affiliated to the university arc bodies. Only then can we move forward ence? operating outside the municipality. The in fulfilling the aspirations of the local Certainly. we are enjoying more fa- university still needs to work hard in people, • 28 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 PASTIME Information Techonology and Ecommerce for Development Now In Town BOOK Bi shwa Keshar Maskay/2001 Rs. 300.00 Brian Hodgson at the Kathmandu Residency 1825-1843 Ritual, Power and Gender: Explorations in the K.L. Pradhanl2001 Rs.632.00 Ethnography of Vanuatu, Nepal and Ireland Mi chael All enl2000 Rs.960.00 Civil Society in Nepal: Opening the Ground for Questions O.R. Oahal/200 1 Rs. 200.00 Mountain Enviroment and GIS Models and Appliaitons K.P. PoudeV2001 Rs. 235.00 Democracy in Nepal : Challenges and Prospects Rabindra Khana1l200 1 Rs.200.00 Small and Medium Enterprise Development in Nepal: Emerging Issues and Opportunities Decision Making in Village Nepal Bi shwa Kcshar Maskayl200 1 Rs. 400.00 C.J . Millerl2000 Rs. 472.00 'Vho is the Daughter of Nepal? A collection of Eassys Firing Corruption Sangil. R.yamaj hi/200 1 RS.3 15,00 ~ Rcgmee/2001 Rs, 125,00 Nepal's Tourism Uncenssored Facts ~alization: The EssentiaIsa A Citizen's Handbook 10 the Imbal· Oiwaker Chandl2000 Rs,632,00 .mces of the Newest International Order V, K, V. P, Thacker12001 Rs,200,00 WTO Regional Cooperation and Nepal Horst Mund/ 1999 Rs, 160,00 Heir to 11 Silent Song Two Rebel Women of Nepal N,N, Azizl2001 Rs.300.00 (Sollrce " HimlJlo)'llll Book Celller. Bagh Bazar. KatJlllulfIdll, Ph " 242085) Video (English) Octopus 11 Osmosis Jones The Others American Pie II About Adam Sweetheart Watcher III Ghost of Mars Species IV Kiy"n Ki Mein Jhooth Nahi Bolta Nayak "Your Body Ittefaz Oil Chahta Hai is the Yeh Raaste Hai Pyar Ke Lajja Temple of God" Yaaden Turn Bin Lagaan Gadar - SATHYA SAl BABA (Source ,' Super Star Video. New Road) SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 29 LEISURE MR. BOFFO (( THEN I HAUL wt DO~'T THE SHOPPING kNOLAJ WtN SAlT STUFFED Bur WE'RE WITH RECEIPTS PR.OUD Of TO TI1£ \(OU, f=~~==rll ACCOUNTlIrn! FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE ,...";..:;,;,,...,...... ,..,.,.,..-=-,.--.,. ANDYCAPP 30 SPOTLlGHT/SEF'fEMBER 28. 2001 LEISURE CROSSWORD BRIDGE NORTH 417 .AK • J 54 .AJI0732• A 9 WEST EAST .J9743 • 10 J ••• Q 8 7 6 • J 8 5 .107643 ... K 9 5 ... Q 84 SOUTH .QI0652- • A K9 2- .,• K Q 2- Vulne.r.lble: Both Dealer: South The bidding South W~I North East I. 2 • .... ,. "'"p~, ,. p~ 2NT 3. p~ 3NT "'"P.~ .NT p~ 5. p~, 5. p~ 5. P3SS ,. All .... Operunglcad: Hcart trq ACROSS DOWN "Our memories are independent of I. Cause trouble, using personal stc- I. They may be of untold value (7) our wills. It is not so easy to forget." reo? (3.2,3,4) 2. What' lI finally turn up about five - RICHARD SHERIDAN 9. Numbers of Romans backing the creatures of Carroll's ? (5) same view of the city (5) 3. Craft association given support, in (n the winter of 1970.1he Aces played a 10. Perhaps faces up, or gives to a chal- the main (5-4) marathon match against the Omar Shari f lenge (5,4) 4. Advocates intercepting stolen capital BridgeCircus. The group toured seven major 11. Teachers may prefer these financial on an island (6) cities in the United States and Canada, with the Aces winning a seesaw match. Today's incentives (4,5) 5. Apology heard during a dance (6,2) deal. a slam which neither side made, was the 12. Lener that he takes to heart (5) 6. Steer wrongly, and do tlus to make unforgeuable deal of the tour. Looking at all 13. Island where start of spring begins adjustment (5) four hands. can you find a way to score 12 frostily (6) 7. Supplier of combs to the Queen? (5- tricks? 15. Vehicle in the distance is not hostile 3) After North's two-club response forced to game, an Aces Scientific sequence fol , (8) 8. Get to grips with having to start a lowed. and the excellent spade slam was I . Stupid ringer that's employed by a battle (6) reached. boxer? (4-4) 14. Drive a camping convertible (8) After West's heart lead trapped East's 19. Run and expose (6) 16. Purge has racist components (9) queen, and with West's heart 10 dropping. all 22. Ring contains right gem (5) 17. Cooperate to meet a delivery? (4,4) South needed was a decent trump break to claim his slam. Unfortunately. anerdummy" 24. An uplifting sailors' cry (2-5-2) 18. Deep water shelter erected 10 secure top trumps were cashed. the horrible trump 26. It raises the issue of a senior profes- small port (6) stack became unmanageable. sional post (4-5) 20. A professor of infinite wisdom (4.3) Italy's Georgia Belladonna also failed at 27. Indian songbird fi nOI the genuine 21. Greek ferry operator cast anchor (6) six spadcsarter adiamond lead. BLIt he was the article (5) 23. Dodgy profit needing to be laundered? first to find the solution in the post-mortem. South should win dummy's diamond 28. Get into grave debt in attempt to (5) ace. eash the club ace, and ruff a club. After succeed in ambitions'! (4,4,4) 25. Books are picked u pas source of cashing his king and queen of diamonds to inspiration (5) discard a hean. he leads a trump to dummy's king and ruffs another club. South then cashes ann, 'El UOJ"Y:) his top hearts and leads a lhird heart, ruffed 'Il lln-Mou)! 'Ol sYldoa '81 lI"q '(Cld 'LI SISJ"YJU:) '91 ug!cdulU:) '171 agcau::!'8 ooy by West and overruffcd by dummy. With -,(O UOH 'L I050~ '9 oUl-osn,,::! ., JJ~qoH '17 qnlo IYoc},. T SOAol 'c SIOJO'S '1 : UMOa West holding J-947 of trumps and South holding Q-lO of trumps and the heart nine. South leads a club from dummy while dis4 Inos souo lIoS '8l CW"4S carding his heart. West must ruff and lead in 0 0A 'Le ''"4 Y31H '9(; 04- "'Y-o},. 'vc Jl~od 'cc ~COllS '61 1I0q-Ulna '81 olq"OIWV ',1 to South's trump tenace. giving South his ,(I IOI S .£ I cl0 4l 'c I SW101 ,(se3 '11 UMOP 5~oeH '01 0IAI:)'6 5JCO o41,(q loS '1 : 550"V 12th winner. A tough slam to score? At the table it NOUfYIOS was: in the post4moncm. it was a little easier. SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 31 FORUM ~ Human Development Issues In Developing Countries By DEEPAK R. lOSHl Hutlum development remains a big challenge for developing countries. should therefore be resisted. Actually, everybody would ultimately ben wl111 human c 32 SPOTLIGHT/SEPTEMBER 28. 2001 Casino Nepal Casino Anna Casino Everest Casino Royate Soaltee Compound Hotel de l' Annapuma Hotel Everest Hotel Yak & Yell Tahacha!, Kathmandu Durbar Marg , Kathmandu New Baneshwor Durbar Marg Tel 270244,271011 Tel' 223479 Tel: 488100 Tel' 228481 Fax 977-1-271244 Fax 977-1-225228 Fax: 977-1-490284 Fax 977-1-223933 E-mail: [email protected] .np E-mail :[email protected] .np E-mail: royal@moscom .np