#326 8 - 14 December 2006 16 pages Rs 30

ROBIN SAYAMI SCRUBBED Editorial Forsake violence Guest column Born again p2

Weekly Internet Poll # 326 Q. What do you think of the recently passed Citizenship bill? Total votes: 2,848

Weekly Internet Poll # 327. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. How is the country doing today compared with before 24 April 2006? 2 EDITORIAL 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit Executive Editor: Anagha Neelakantan Desk Editor: Jemima Sherpa Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Rupendra Kayastha Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: [email protected] Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 [email protected] Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 www.nepalitimes.com Born again BIRDS ON A WIRE It isn’t just that’s new, GPK and Every day that goes by during this heady hiatus, the Maoists are PKD have also reinvented themselves taking themselves further out of the jungles from which they came. Ahead lie the challenges of statecraft and the politics of he 21 November peace Behind both of these executive decision on 1 February compromise. agreement was a rebirth in metamorphoses is a series of 2005. Perhaps our awareness of the This can be a powerful culture shock to comrades who are T many senses: for Nepal, for mechanisms, events, and looming possibility of a civil, habituated to the absolute certainties of revolution. They have been , and for commitments. There’s no point ethno-separatist and regional war used to the ‘scientific’ analysis of the dialectics of class struggle. Girija Prasad Koirala. trying to find fault with the motivated us to participate in Jana Like doctrinaire communists of a bygone era, they think they have Koirala can finally mask his peace agreement, it’s as thorough Andolan II. all the answers. Their revolution, after all, had no space for sordid behaviour from 1991 to as it could be. Even before they This comprehensive agreement doubters, revisionists, and reformers. 2001. He can make the political signed the deal, the Maoists and is a direct result of many months Well, welcome to the real world. When Maoist MPs enter the the seven parties had already of Indian diplomacy, and behind- jam-packed interior of the interim parliament one day soon, they agreed on 105 of the clauses. Ten the-scenes spadework by the EU will have to remember that no one elected them. They got there by GUEST COLUMN more points were decided upon and the UN. Yet, conspicuously wielding political power that came out of the barrel of the gun. As a Purushottam on the day of the agreement. The missing from discussion is what price of peace, the Nepali people were willing to temporarily hand Dahal over to the Maoists nearly a third of the seats in the House of document is the result of one the loktantrik foreign policy of the Representatives. connection between his present year of negotiations, six Maoists and the seven parties will The path ahead will not be easy, but it will be made more and what he was before 1991. meetings, and 230 points of look like. With the eclipse of the difficult if the Maoists continue their corrosive coercion and try to Similarly, Dahal has washed his discussion. monarchy and the dawn of a new undermine a multiparty polity. They can’t have it both ways: they hands of the blood of thousands What we need to do now is Nepal, we urgently need a clear can’t be in an interim government without formally forsaking of Nepalis whose lives were lost test the commitment of both policy and principles that define violence. Even if some of their arms are contained in cantonments during the ten years of conflict. parties to the peace process they our relations with the rest of the everyone knows they can still insinuate violence. He can separate himself from have set in motion. There have world. That does affect internal And why is Pushpa Kamal Dahal suddenly pushing for Indian those who still think that a been delays, and certainly affairs, like it or not. ex- to monitor arms management until the UN gets its act society can be violently peace can’t be rushed. But not When Dahal was in India for a together? Of course the UN takes time, ‘delay’ is the UN’s middle transformed into utopia. every deadline can be pushed leadership conference recently, he name. The reason this tricky monitoring back, either. was emotional when talking about mechanism has credibility is because the UN This agreement is being India’s assistance to his party is involved, let’s not get Nepalis with possible touted as stronger than the while it was still underground. He conflict of interest to manage arms. weapons the Maoists and the also made the now-famous Ironic, isn’t it, that the very success of state have depended on for the comments about ISI activities in the Maoist armed struggle was that it last decade. Dahal claims the Nepal. Surely a leader like Dahal, ultimately forced them to give up armed agreement is something of a whose career is built on talk of struggle. To convert his fighters’ dramatic shock to the world’s system, national pride and integrity, gains into political power, Pushpa Kamal since it is the ‘first time in shouldn’t make such blanket Dahal had no other option but to agree to lock history’ that leftists have comments at an international up his arms. It was not an easy decision, participated in a peaceful conference. given the fissures in his movement. Already, movement, sat down to talks, Gyanendra, who remained the Maoist leadership has a splinter group causing havoc in parts of the tarai. Unlike the embraced democracy, and joined silent after relinquishing power on rest of Nepal, people in places like Siraha the government. It’s not strictly the night of 24 April, has still endure bombs and assassinations and true, but if it makes everyone welcomed the peace agreement. haven’t known peace. happy, why not? Some may argue that this is his It must be tempting for royal reactionaries The fact is, it became last attempt to save the monarchy, and the saffronites to incite ethnic unrest in necessary for the Maoists to give and others may say he is trying to the tinder dry tarai. If King Gyanendra, up arms and walk the path of define his new role. Whatever the however indirectly, supports this he’ll have peace. By the same token, the case, he, like the nation and in made his third and last mistake and will have political parties who treated particular its two top leaders, are to relocate. The throne he is on is hanging by violence as anathema also felt the moving into a new era. z a slender thread. The only way he can need to join hands with armed Purushottam Dahal is president of the preserve it, if at all, is by sitting perfectly still rebels. Perhaps the outcome Human Rights and Peace Society. A until the people decide on his fate. would have been the same even longer version of this piece appeared in if Gyanendra had not taken his Himal Khabarpatrika. DEEPENDRA BAJRACHARYA Change management The Nepal Army isn’t going anywhere, which is why it must be made accountable

gain, the Nepal Army is in the professional armed force. than the provisions of the rulebook, but day through the capital to keep them busy. headlines for all the wrong reasons. Perhaps the problem is ignorance and this is too serious a breach to let pass. Sending more troops to the UN is a better A promotion list that proposes to lack of trust. The army has been trained to The crisis of credibility facing the alternative. Areward tainted officers has raised the doubt the intentions of everyone who does Nepal Army will only get worse if the We’re one of the top 10 troop hackles of some senior SPA ministers. not belong to them. Politicians believe—in officers ignore pleas for openness. That contributors to UN peacekeeping forces, but Local leaders of political parties are sore the light of their experiences in December said, the claim that every soldier be lag behind countries like Ghana and about the favouritism rampant in ration 1960 and February 2005—that the Nepal reimbursed in full what the UN pays for Uruguay in terms of representation as a contracts. Activists believe officers guilty Army owes allegiance to the king rather than peacekeeping duty abroad is unjustified. A proportion of population. Unilateral peace of human rights abuses have been let off the constitution. The press and the civil Nepali soldier in the Blue Helmet isn’t a enforcements have collapsed spectacularly lightly. The Supreme Court has added to society, by their very nature, consider mercenary, and peacekeeping duty isn’t in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iraq, and Sri people with power guilty until proven like a stint with a private security agency Lanka, while the UN has had relative STATE OF THE STATE innocent. The onus is on the leadership either. A soldier on deputation to the UN is successes in Bosnia, the Congo, and East of the army to prove its innocence and an employee of the government. He Timor. There will be more Blue Helmets, C K Lal good intentions. serves abroad as a representative of his not fewer. The army top brass has courted corps, service and the country, with If we want to use this opportunity for the woes of the Bhadrakali brass by unnecessary controversy by repeatedly attendant duties and responsibilities. national gain, at least the welfare fund must rapping them on the knuckles for gross ignoring court orders to make the fund’s Those in the know say that even if be managed in a transparent manner. The mismanagement of the army welfare fund. accounts transparent. They must accept that there is a political decision to demilitarise army now has to learn to be accountable, But not all the criticism directed at the the fund’s records have not been properly the Nepali polity, it will take at least 20 responsive, and responsible. It will be hard army is justified. Unlike civilian arms of audited for years, and identify officers years to pare down the NA’s strength from to inculcate these traits in an organisation the state, not everything military can be responsible for this dereliction of duty. If 100,000 to about 10,000 without negative used to being a state within a state, but open to public scrutiny even in the funds have been misused, everyone repercussions. Meanwhile, this huge force there is no other way. Bhadrakali needs absence of war. What we call peacetime is complicit must be held accountable. Yes, has to be kept occupied. One Rana prime to use the chance it has been given to a period of preparation for any military traditions are sometimes stronger minister made troops march three times a redeem itself. z 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 3 LLL ETTERS

GIRIJA BABU PM GP must be happy that those Nepali people. We all know who really The title of CK Lal’s article (‘Loving to who used to chant “Talukhuile Girija, stands to gain. hate Girijababu’, #325) paints a true Bharat tira Chirija” want to nominate him Rick, email picture of our ambivalence towards for the Nobel Peace Prize. But the Nobel Girija Babu. Often termed as inefficient, Prizes, especially those for Peace and One should think carefully, instead of corrupt, and irrelevant within his own Literature, are no less controversial than before adopting the interim constitution in a Koirala and kangresi clan, he has our own Grand Pa of Nepali Politics. hurry. Are we, as Nepalis, destroying our proven himself in the end. Today, he D Sarma, Kathmandu common identity and heritage in the name of stands as the symbol of unity between progressive thinking? Will we destroy our the political parties and Maoist rebels. social fibre which will, in turn, sow the As the Grand Old Man of Nepal, he has seeds of national disintegration? All the redeemed himself and completed his major parties have endorsed the federal CORRECTION duty towards the motherland by signing structure for Nepal without comprehending Due to an editing error, in ‘Foreign the Peace Accord after 10 years of war, its long-term implications, but just as a investors need fair treatment’ (#325), political instability, international trump card to counter Maoist appeal. the CEO of Spice Nepal was wrongly pressure, and other factors. To be sure, Responsible political parties with a identified. The name should read I never liked the man for his political democratic history and credentials should Dmitry Zaika. short-sightedness and corruption that he not decide on issues of such far-reaching engendered. Now it is the duty of the importance so lightly for short-term political In ‘Uphill slog’ (#317), Keshav Bohara younger leaders in the NC to take over mileage. The Maoists have always played should have been identified as and lead this great nation. Great job, this divisive role but responsible political manager of the Kakani International Girija Babu! parties can’t compete with them on populism Training Centre. Pravesh Saria, email and divide the nation along ethnic, caste, regional and religious lines. The nine federal Divas Sarma (Letters, #325) is right regions devised by the Maoists along about how the peace deal in Nepal got indigenous lines are based on a faulty LETTERS so little attention in the international premise, because no region has a majority Nepali Times welcomes feedback. media. As sad as it is, it is true that a The persistent call for the abolition of of the ethnic groups they are named after. Letters should be brief and may be historic event like this does not mean the monarchy only stems from political PB Rana, email edited for space. While pseudonyms much when it is a country like Nepal parties with vested interests. This can be accepted, writers who provide and besides, the so-called pathological, rabid hatred that the AMA DABLAM their real names and contact details ‘international’ media need their airtime baddies espouse for His Majesty is not I am writing to congratulate you and thank will be given preference. Email letters and web space for something sexier shared by and large by the Nepali Padam Ghale for the excellent story on Ama should be in text format without than peace breaking out in Nepal. people. And I’m not talking about the few Dablam (‘Accident on Ama Dablam’, #324). attachments with ‘letter to the editor’ Perhaps the political pundits from hundred people who got asked in the It is the best piece of mountaineering in the subject line. Nepal should not have scheduled the capital. The end of the monarchy would journalism I have seen in this country. We event at the same time when Tom open up and hand over tremendous were all saddened by the tragedy, and it Email: [email protected] Cruise was getting married and Brittany wealth and assets to any government. proved just how dangerous climbing in the Fax: 977-1-5521013 Spears was getting a divorce! Suddenly we’d need a lot of greedy and Himalaya is because of the objective Mail: Letters, Nepali Times, hungry politicians to manage trusts and dangers. GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal. Sushil Bogati, Atlanta, USA funds supposedly for the benefit of the Tim Rogers, Edinburgh, UK

4 NATION 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 Certified problem Accurately assessing the size and strength of the PLA will be a nightmare system’ people were effectively prohibited from obtaining documents like citizenship papers from the ‘old regime’. Birth registration in rural areas is a hit-or-miss affair, which is also to the advantage of the Maoists. It is also difficult to identify who was recruited after 26 May, as many of these new fighters have had five months of training and indoctrination already. Those taken away by force, or tempted with offers of employment in the national army, are unlikely to speak out against the Maoist party. JB PUN The Maoists, for their part, understand the importance of JB PUN 150 students taken away returned keeping sweet the thousands of to the district headquarters and children they’ve used as porters, ertification of guerrillas testified that they were informers, guides, technicians, and their weapons is a undergoing military training and and cultural groups, or worse, C cornerstone of the peace had been told to say that they’d those who have been tortured or process. This is what the success already spent two years in the lost limbs for the cause. and credibility of the cantonment PLA. The party has a real numbers and ‘arms management’ hinges In Ilam, a 13-year-old new problem. At their meeting in on. But certification is exactly recruit accidentally killed another September last year in Chunbang, what the 12-page long peace teenager while learning to handle Rukum, the Maoists claimed in a agreement leaves vague. The best a .303 rifle. show of strength directed at the the seven parties and the Maoists Padam Pun reports from royal regime, to have seven could come up with after six days Rukum that the Maoists opened a divisions. In reality, the PLA had of discussion was an agreement to temporary recruitment office and three divisions and needed about “solve the issue of certification at promised young people who 23,000 new soldiers to add four the suggestion of the UN.” signed up positions in the more. They could barely recruit The deal does agree that national army commensurate 1,000. The contribution from ‘People’s Liberation Army’ with their educational their strongholds in Rukum and soldiers under18, and those qualifications. Right now in Rolpa was a paltry 300 youth. recruited after 26 May this year Rukum students from grade five They are thus now even willing to will not be in the camps. Which to college levels are receiving canton their militia, to make up seems fair enough, until it military training from the PLA. the numbers. becomes apparent that there is no Establishing who is a minor is The Maoists will also have to mechanism to determine how difficult in the first place because deal with the internationally- minors and new recruits are to be not everyone has citizenship, accepted ‘one man, one weapon’ identified. educational and birth registration model for guerrilla certification. Human rights watchdog Insec certificates. When people do have Best estimates are that the PLA estimates that the Maoists’ 8-21 them, the paperwork often sports has around 7,000 weapons looted November recruitment drive right arbitrary birthdates. The Maoists from the army and police, 5,000 before the peace deal was signed are also likely to argue that their taken from villages, and 300 added almost 5,000 people to fighters have been unable to get bought from India. Again, to make their army. Insec cautions that citizenship certificates because of up numbers, the Maoists thus this figure does not include new the conflict. demand that khukuris, socket and cadres recruited in remote areas. In places where the Maoists pressure cooker bombs also be In Palpa, for example, five of claimed they had set up a ‘new considered as weapons. z NATION 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 5

More tourists, please ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ Volunteering growth The Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) sent a letter to all foreign embassies, urging them to review and lift their travel advisories against Nepal the day after the signing of the peace agreement on 21 November. Embassies including Israel, We need short-term foreign experts for France, and Malaysia have responded, extending their support and cooperation to NATO and Nepal’s tourism industry. more diverse and efficient industry ast week, I spoke about more—into the country to serve as seeing how visitors remain

Laxmi in Teku career management at a advisors to Nepal’s small and Nepal’s informal ambassadors ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ With the addition of a new branch in L Kathmandu business large for-profit businesses. abroad long after their treks are Teku, Laxmi Bank now has a total of school. My audience, final- There are three reasons why over, it’s conceivable that many eight branches in Nepal, three of which semester MBA students in their our private-sector firms can derive business volunteers too will are inside . The new 20s, said that in addition to value by making use of temporary, remain in touch long after their branch, situated on the premises of teaching them the art of resumé- inexpensive, voluntary foreign assignments are finished. They’ll National Trading Limited, will host crafting and interview-giving, expertise. First, our growth- deepen relationships, informally Laxmi’s workforce remittance centre in addition to normal oriented firms do well up to a market Nepal as a destination for banking services. Laxmi Bank expects that the new branch— point, after which they appear small-size investments, source their third in the last four months—will attract commercial STRICTLY BUSINESS unable to grow further. If some of products and services, help link clientele in the Teku/ Kalimati area, as well as residential these firms have access to our businesses to global customers from surrounding neighbourhoods including Ashutosh Tiwari Kalimati, Tahachal, and Kuleshwor. additional networks, markets, customers, and send more visitors product ideas and designs, and our way. their school regularly invites even sources of capital, they are Some agencies, such as GTZ,

Awarded professionals to talk about the likely to expand further and hire do assign foreign experts as short-

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Everest Bank has been awarded Bank of the Year-2006, Nepal types of jobs and career paths more people. Without taking term volunteers in Nepali firms. by The Banker, a publication of the British Financial Times. available in Nepal’s private and away jobs, well-placed volunteers In 2002, for example, a German The award is given out on the basis of commendable non-profit sectors. can bring in the appropriate carpenter spent some months at a performance, recording The students I spoke to are business knowledge and woodworking facility in Patan, consistent business relatively fortunate—they technological know-how to help teaching new methods to growth, improved asset represent the decimal-thin upper- such firms develop further. craftsmen while learning from quality, good end slice of this country’s five Second, our firms learn to do them. That exchange led to higher governance, and returns million citizens between the age business by copying the practices product quality for the Nepali to shareholders. Over the last financial year, the bank’s of 16 and 24. They will find jobs of other Nepali firms, which are firm. disposable net profit increased 39 percent to Rs 237.3 million. Laxmi also saw a 36 percent increase in deposits, a 28 percent but hundreds of thousands of badly run to start with. They do For our businesses to grow to increase in advances, and a 21 percent rise in operating profits their peers will end up going to not even know what they lack to create jobs, we will need many to Rs 453.1 million from Rs 375.1 million in the previous year. India, Malaysia, and the Gulf develop well- such interactions, in an The bank also reports among the lowest non-performing assets countries for jobs, while still functioning personnel institutionalised form, between of all commercial banks in Nepal. Everest Bank has 18 more will look for employment in management, expert volunteers and firms branches with plans for two more, and its own online remittance urban Nepal. accounting, willing to provide basic amenities service. Given this reality affecting marketing, product in exchange for services that add one-fifth of our population, how development value.

More sport are we to create thousands of jobs systems and the Yes, some bad apples may ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○ in the near future? We need not like. They’re find their way in. But if the Nimbus Sports Broadcast has given Pacific Traders authority revisit one of those telescopic reluctant to easing of visa restrictions to distribute the Neo Sports and Neo Sports Plus channels 20-year development plans that purchase comes with appropriate within Nepal. Neo Sports is a 24-hour cricket channel, and Neo become meaningless by being all business safeguards, the positive Sports Plus covers major international sporting events. things to all people. But how services, but consequences of hosting NEW PRODUCTS about giving space to conceive volunteers can business-focused foreign and implement multiple, diverse help spread volunteers for a couple of CLICK: Fujifilm has launched and experimentally-oriented business years far outweigh the a range of new photographic small plans that address the methods that risks. products via Rainbow Group pieces of our employment cut costs, boost Nepal, including two models of problem from different angles? revenues, and Fujifilm Minilab—the Frontier One plan could be to allow improve the Digital 500 and the Frontier competent and willing foreign quality of the Digital 550. volunteers—on a one-year visa workforce. with an option to renew for a year Third, 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326

knew him. I said I’d heard his voice. “Has anyone done anything wrong to mastersaab?” he asked. I lied that I was all right. “I told them to take special care of Memories of torture you,” he said. “That’s what detention is like,” I replied. Ghanesh Dhakal in Kantipur, 2 December “Mastersaab, no one has ‘Maoist’ written on their forehead. We have to interrogate and Ramesh Prasad Guragain, Krishna Raj KC, you were a victim. Please don’t mind.” I said Nischal Nakarmi, and I were arrested from I didn’t mind, but that if I was innocent, he my room in Ghattekulo Heights on the should release me. evening of 3 December 2003 by a Royal “I am trying to get you released. What Nepal Army team led by Colonel Raju will you do for us if you are released? You Basnet. I knew the former two as teachers must give us information about the Maoists.” but had only just met Nischal Nakarmi. At I told him I was not in a position to do that. the time, I was studying at Tri-Chandra His second proposal was: “After being freed Campus and teaching at Maitidevi Higher do not meet journalists or human rights Secondary School. activists. If you do, you will be responsible As we were being blindfolded and put for your own safety. If you say anything into a van, Colonel Basnet threatened about anyone (Nischal Nakarmi), you will be Nakarmi, “Capturing you is a great success brought in again and I cannot guarantee your for us. Whatever we do, we won’t kill you.” life then. Nepal is small. We can pick you up The other two teachers and I are still alive in an hour.” but we do not know what happened to I was blindfolded again. After a while Nakarmi. An OHCHR a report from 23 May another officer came in, shoved my head this year listed his name among the 47 around, and threatened me, “Master, don’t disappeared from Bhairabnath Battalion. think you are free. We can bring you back in During the 266 days I spent in a minute. If you speak one word about the Bhairabnath I did not believe I would make barracks outside, your life is gone.” At it out alive. We were blindfolded and around 2PM I was told to sign a receipt for hooded all day long, our hands were tied realised that a team from the International days.” The statements were undated and my belongings. After a few hours of waiting behind our backs and we did not get two Committee of the Red Cross had come to those who could not write were made to put around, I was blindfolded and told to lie proper meals a day. We were tortured while inspect the barracks, and were shown the their thumbprints. down on the seat. I could sense that we were going to the toilet, forbidden from bathing or empty hall. On 16 March, 2004, as the Battalion turning often, and finally I was dropped off at brushing our teeth for months, made to During our last days in the squash hall, celebrated its anniversary with a big party, a relative’s home in Baneswor. In the 266 exercise even when we had no physical we were forced at gunpoint to write and we were kept hungry all day. That night days I was in custody, I went down from strength, tortured again, beaten by drunk sign a statement that read, “I am a Maoist Major Bibek Bista led a team that beat us 58kg to 44kg. soldiers every night, electrocuted, beaten and am in the very comfortable custody of with their boots and pipes. After my release I had to meet army with thin plastic pipes, kicked with the security forces. Since arresting me a The day I was released, my prisoner officials on specified dates. I had to go jackbooted feet, doused with ice-cold water, few days ago, they have treated me number, 96, was suddenly called out. I was alone, but I made secret arrangements to dunked in vats of urine, abused endlessly. humanely. I have not been tortured and have dragged to a nearby tent and my blindfold have relatives all around so if I was taken in We were usually kept indoors, in the no problems here. If I am released, the was taken off. Major Bista was sitting again, they would know. I was summoned 36 squash courts, but several times we were Maoists will kill me and so, for reasons of there. He didn’t appear to be the devil I’d times after I was released, and each time I loaded onto a truck and taken to a bunker. my own security, I have chosen not to imagined him to be. He seemed was warned that to speak about what From the talk of the soldiers on guard we contact my family. I will be released in a few understanding and asked me whether I happened would mean death. FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 7 Historic night having an intense discussion, but

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ both were obviously frustrated. Biswadeep Pandey in Samaya, Sitaula was worried the talks 7 December would fail if the agreement could not be signed that night. Hope for Humla It was the night of 28 Disappointed with the November, and the entire situation, I told Bhattarai, “I’d Interview with NC(D) member of parliament from nation’s attention was on the imagined there would be heated Humla, Jiwan Shahi in the Prakop Chakra prime minister’s residence in discussions in summit talks; I was program on Radio Sagarmatha 102FM, Baluwatar. Senior party so wrong.” Bhattarai smiled and 4 December leaders, civil society members, said, “You’re lucky to have had the and observers were at the hall. chance to study Nepali politics Radio Sagarmatha: There are a lot of reports in The observers and leaders of and history in the making so close the media about food shortages in Humla. What is other communist parties up.” the exact situation? looked confused, almost Jiwan Shahi: I keep saying we don’t have a food At 11.30 PM, Prime Minister shortage in Humla, we have a rice shortage. The harassed. The talks were Koirala came down to the hall and people of Humla have their own crops: corn, delayed, and some were almost the mood changed instantly. millet, potatoes. It is true that winter droughts over falling asleep from Leaders woke up from naps, and the past two years have affected these indigenous exhaustion, waiting for the PM others came back, and soon the crops, and the food shortage is more acute than in KUNDA DIXIT to wake up from his nap so the leaders of all eight parties were the past. The rice that is flown in to Humla for the talks could resume. present. Sitaula read out the civil servants has spread dependency on the crisis. As an MP I have always stressed on road There was confusion over agreement, there was some outside world for food even to Humlis. access and irrigation for Humla. This way, we can who was organising the talks discussion, and it was finally set aside upper Humla for livestock, middle Humla that night. Frustrated, a UML signed at 12.30 AM on 29 What can be done to make Humla self-sufficient? for fruit and nut cultivation, and southern Humla for leader started shouting at November. Southern Humla, where there is supposed to be a grain. And you will see that within a few years Home Minister Krishna Prasad food shortage now, is the part of Humla that can Humla won’t be hungry anymore. feed the whole district. It’s a low-lying valley, and Sitaula, “Sitaula ji, it looks Biswadeep Pandey is assistant to bananas and vegetables grow there. If only we As an MP you must know all the politicians in like the talks are not going to Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai. could irrigate the flats along the Karnali, the farms Kathmandu, why can’t you ask them for help? start anytime soon. I’m not could make Humla and even the whole Karnali, I have, but Humla is always given the least priority. sure who is talking to whom! Paid off self-sufficient. I have been in politics for 20 years now, and they

And where is my tea?” To ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ always say “yes-yes” and then nothing happens. All which Sitaula answered Himal Khabarpatrika, And less dependent? we need is Rs 40 million in irrigation for Humla to gently, “This is the best 2-15 December Food should never be just given away except in grow enough food, but I am beginning to suspect Congress can do.” extreme emergencies. The World Food Program there is no interest in making us self-sufficient The bickering did not During the royal regime, only those is on the right track with its food for work program. because the mafia involved in flying food grains to disturb Maoist leader Pushpa with connections received If we can use the food to build irrigation in Karnali have a vested interest in keeping us Kamal Dahal, who was financial compensation if their southern Humla it would solve our long-term food hungry. intently reading the houses had been attacked out in newspapers. Deputy Prime the districts. Those who have Minister Amik Sherchan received such monies include covered his face with his topi ministers, parliamentarians, and took a nap. Devendra Raj members of various political Pandey was reciting satirical parties, and those with social poems about the peace process, connections. Home Ministry files Laxman Aryal was practising show that after 2001 more than yoga, and Lila Mani Pokhrel Rs 150 million was given out as was being interviewed by radio compensation. Over 600 people stations on his mobile phone. received amounts larger than Madhab Nepal asked his Rs 100,000. assistant Ishwor Pokhrel to Some prominent personalities inform him when the talks received considerable sums: began, and left Baluwatar. Kamal Thapa: Rs 450,000 Tired of waiting, Maoist leader Shiva Raj Joshi: Rs 1,000,000 Ram Bahadur Thapa ordered Sunil K Bhandari: Rs 1,050,000 coffee, which took an hour to Parshu N Chaudhary: Rs 250,000 arrive. In the meantime, Khum Bahadur Khadka: 1,680,000 Maoist spokesperson Krishna Khemraj B Mayalu: Rs 350,000 Bahadur Mahara inspected all Sarbendra N Shukla: Rs 200,000 the rooms at the prime Hari Bahadur Basnet: Rs 92,000 minister’s residence. Comrade Hem Bahadur Malla: Rs 183,000 Barsha Man Pun ‘Ananta’ Dil Bahadur Lama: Rs 150,000 ordered Frooti to cheer up the Salim Miya Ansari: Rs 125,000 leaders. Prativa Rana: Rs 200,000 Though the talks had not Dilendra Prasad Badu: Rs 58,000 It’s best for the country if city folk stay in the city, and jungle people in the jungle, hakim sa’ab. even begun, journalists Hem Bahadur Singh: Rs 175,000 outside the residence were Devi Ram Sharma: Rs 300,000 Robin Sayami in Himal Khabarpatrika, 2-15 December eagerly waiting for any news Kuwer Singh Rana: Rs 150,000 on new developments. I could Jagat Bahadur Bista: Rs 200,000 QUOTE OF THE WEEK not tell them what was really Bharat Malla: Rs 225,000 going on and so said the Krishna Bahadur Giri: Rs 100,000 “ The Maoists are matchless at sucking up to Indian expansionism. How can they, who talks were going smoothly and Khum B Kunwar: Rs 200,000 indulge in such unstable politics, do the nation and the people any good? that the formal talks would Nar Bahadur Budathoki; Rs 71,000 “ begin soon. Hasta Bahadur Malla: Rs 150,000 Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Duryodhan Singh Chaudhary: Baburam Bhattarai were the Rs 225,000 Chitrabahadur KC, Chairman, Janamorcha Nepal in Dristi, 5 December only leaders serious about Dil Bahadur Shahi: Rs 700,000 summit talks. They were Padam B Bhandari: Rs 200,000 SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 PHOTOGRAPHY

MANI LAMA Mountain lives

SUSHEEL KUMAR SHRESTHA 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 9

PROJJWAL B KHADKA

hese images from In Harmony—People and Nature in Nepal’s Highlands, a photography contest organised by Himal Association and WWF Nepal, are just some of the splendid work on display at this year’s Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (Kimff). Each of the 180 entries fell into one of the three T categories, ‘Sustainable livelihood’, ‘The high price of tourism’, and ‘Sacred natural spaces’. The 43 picks that made the finals will be on exhibition at Russian Cultural Centre until 11 December. Three winning photographs will be selected on the basis of originality, technique, content and effectiveness in conveying the theme and the winners will receive cash prizes at the Kimff closing ceremony at Gurukul on 11 December.

Facing page: THE LONG TRAIL TO MT KAILASH: Pilgrims and porters travel to Humla in far west Nepal. (Mani Lama) ANIMAL PORTERS: Crossing the Seti in Bajhang. (Susheel Kumar Shrestha) This page: TRADITIONAL FARMING: A woman winnows grain in Ghyaru, Manang. (Dinesh Shrestha) BROTHERS IN ARMS: Making a living by the Bardibas road in Banepa. (Projjwal B Khadka) DINESH SHRESTHA 10 NATION 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 Blogwise Most bloggers this week sympathise with the king

MALLIKA ARYAL

Promises have been made to the Maoist cadres and What good is ‘locked’ when Ian Martin has given the militia, which simply cannot be kept—there aren’t Maoists the keys to the locker? Why ‘hide’ when enough belongings to steal from those who ‘have’ in Girija has just authorised 100 million rupees to be order to pass out to those who ‘have not’. given to the Maoists as support? -Dr Thomas A Marks on Nepali Perspectives -Blogdai http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/ http://nepalnow.blogspot.com

Those who rejoiced at how King Gyanendra had Save Nepal Now asks the Nepali people to be become the most humiliated man in Asia perhaps vigilant about the ongoing changes, especially arms didn’t expect the palace to issue a statement hailing management. the accord. It [takes] uncommon effort to extol the success of your adversaries. Storing their guns behind locked doors for a few -Maila Baje on Nepali Netbook months or forming an interim government consisting http://nepalinetbook.blogspot.com/ of Maoist leaders is not an answer to the problem, but a problem in itself. Now that they have signed an exclusive peace treaty, people like us should make Just when royalists are abandoning the king, sure we leave no stone unturned to disarm the rebels Maila Baje’s rightist writings in Nepali Netbook talk completely. of the republican camp’s frustration over the still- -Save Nepal Now strong royal presence. His reading is that republicans www.savenepalnow.org/ are surprised at the staying power of the monarchy and frustrated because it seems as if Nepalis might Posters at United We Blog! say the seven parties still be attached to the institution. Maila Baje are using republicanism as a shield for their own believes anti-monarchy camps across the southern incompetence and past mistakes. People need food, border are vexed that the king hasn’t fled the shelter, and education, they write, without which country. republicanism is irrelevant. No party has a strategy Similar sentiments are expressed in Umesh for making the lives of Nepali people better, so it’s Shrestha’s Mero Sansar , where posters speculate no surprise Nepalis are wary of any political change. that the king, Girija Koirala, and the seven parties Despite the rumours about Maila Baje of came to an agreement on the modalities of how to Nepali Netbook being a Narayanhiti insider, keep the monarchy in the country when the king the palace does not yet have a blog. However, relinquished power in April. www.nepalmonarchy.gov.np offers enquiring minds who wonder what the royals are up to these days a No king can be expected to keep quiet while his glimpse into a royal day, official appointments and house is being destroyed an official history of the , and all the -Prayas on Mero Sansar royal proclamations and messages. Also on are http://www.mysansar.com Gyanendra’s poems and numerous official portraits of royalty. Looking at the latter can be a little like Regarding the ongoing process, bloggers still do coming across a once-common species now not trust that weapons will managed honestly from considered endangered. Further amusement comes either side. Blogdai criticises the weapons from the homepage, where one image is a picture of management program: Everest all right—from the Chinese side. Hunger in peace

MARTY LOGAN THE MORE THINGS CHANGE: For Humlis like Man Bahadur Budha, Jaltirkha Budha, and Mangite Sunar, peace without food is little consolation. NATION 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 11 Women after war Prachanda JBR and NARESH NEWAR borders than men to do so. Often the same opportunities as their The Great Hysterical they return home to stigma in male counterparts, such as the he Maoist movement may peacetime, or at best to the old option to join the national army? Pupil’s War have helped improve the roles they’d once fought against. Or will their options include position of women in “In most societies, men are stereotypically female small-scale hile taking a well-deserved break from meddling in the T country’s internal affairs, the Hand (Foreign) couldn’t help Nepal, but the peace agreement is welcomed as heroes following business and vocational training? a throwback to less equal times. peace agreements. Women are not Many Maoist women are mothers; W but notice the recent dragooning of children into the so- Women account for nearly given the same respect and often what happens to their children? called People’s Army. (Didn’t we just witness the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement banning all such activity?!) Was 40 percent of the ‘People’s get lost in the reintegration Will health facilities in the camps this another example of Nepal’s astonishing ability to sustain dual Liberation Army’, but nothing in process,” an international expert include reproductive care? How realities concurrently, or a brazen act of Maoist duplicity? the deal addresses the specific on female combatants recently many female combatants do the Settling firmly on the latter, it dawned on me that this latest needs of women ex-combatants. told us in Kathmandu. Maoists really have? tsunami of abductions and forced recruitment, appropriately labelled Demobilisation and In Nepal so far, there are more “For real, sustainable ‘crimes against humanity’ by UN reps, brings into sharp focus a rehabilitation experts point out unanswered basic questions than reintegration, women devastating policy the Maoists have employed for the last ten years. that women joining armed solutions. Will women ex-combatants need employment For the youth of Nepal this is not a new phenomenon. Under the Rana Oligarchy, education was forbidden to all but the insurgencies usually cross ex-combatants—often with less opportunities,” says Sabnam sons of nobility. This policy of keeping the citizens ‘simple’ proved tougher social and psychological training and education—receive Pradhan from Franchised-Skills, successful for the ruling class (and an employment-oriented training debilitating for everyone else). The project of Helvetas that helps OPINION Rana hereditary prime ministers provide vocational and psycho- Foreign Hand ruled virtually unopposed for over a social training to former male century. Upon their overthrow in the combatants. Last year alone, F- 1950s, Nepal faced the daunting task of setting up an entire educational system from scratch. Skill helped find loans and jobs Now, as if emulating the very history books they’ve banned, the in the Gulf for nearly 85 former Maoists systematically deny Nepali children their inherent right to rebels. F-Skill does not offer education. The war waged against the state has consistently targeted specific programs targeted at the school system through constant strikes, forced closures, and women ex-fighters. kidnapping of students for indoctrination, leaving the country with The UN’s new Operational another lost decade on the record. Where’s the merit of using Guide to the Integrated DDR children as fodder in the name of a failed, patently bankrupt ideology? Or any ideology, for that matter. Standards, not yet publicly available, also points to the weapon=combatant misperception, which is one reason why women cadres who might not have carried conventional weapons are not in DDR programs. The worst-case scenario is the fallout of peace in countries such as Sierra Leone, El Salvador, and Liberia, where female fighters, ignored in the DDR process, joined armed

criminal gangs and prostitution NARENDRA SHRESTHA rings. LOST GENERATION: In 2004, these students were taken away by Commanders of armed groups Maoists from Chhaimale, 25km south of Kathmandu, made to walk often keep female combatants out for three days and forced to listen to revolutionary speeches of demobilisation processes, or continue to hide away abducted Official Maoist policy dictates all education must be state-run, women and girls for fear of legal exposing a fear of independent thought the Ranas would applaud. and social consequences, Throughout the conflict, private schools have been singled out for KIRAN PANDAY special attention, characterised by extortion on a massive scale. The z according to the guide. rebels vehemently oppose such institutions and righteously demand their abolition, but they’ve found them convenient sources of free money. As with the Maharajas of yore, exceptions are always made for MARTY LOGAN in HUMLA without getting permission after WFP and other donors to carry the elite, in this case Maoist. Children of high-ranking cadre study in the previous ‘chit’ system was out a program of sustainable exclusive institutions abroad while their parents wage war on the schooling system at home. abolished. development,” Maoist area-in- Just in case we forget that irony is alive and well in the teetering hen local Maoist But that doesn’t mean charge Lal Kesh Jaisi said. “The kingdom, it is worth noting that the single most damning legacy of leaders announced after residents are bursting with hope. most important thing is food Rana misrule has proved a boon to the Maoist cause. Nepal’s pitiful April’s Jana Andolan “We heard about peace but we production, which needs literacy rate—far below that of most Asian nations—has provided an W audience unused to critical thinking, less likely to question rhetoric, that students should return to don’t know how it will change irrigation,” he added. and easy to brainwash. The politburo must count themselves lucky Shreenagar's Suryodaya Secondary, things for us,” says one man The request is echoed by that major global trends—such as the collapse of communism—have the school’s population more than among a dozen villagers speaking other villagers who stand one-by- passed by un-noticed. doubled, as pupils and their with us. Like others, the man had one to recount their hardships: While the Maoist leadership acted out childish fantasies of epic parents stopped worrying about to be prompted before admitting inadequate rain, thin crops, poor struggle from comfortable sanctuaries in Foreign Land, (any the institution being used as a that positive things had already schools, an empty sub-health similarity to the author’s nom de plume is purely coincidental – or is recruiting ground. The rebels also happened—like, for instance, the post and discrimination by it?), the result is Nepal’s youth have again been denied the chance for a normal childhood. stopped “taxing” teachers seven Maoists no longer force locals to people in India, where many of If the Rana regime left a land woefully ill-prepared for the future percent of their salaries. carry their goods. them will go to work for wages as a modern nation-state, some forty years later the Maoists have “Previously they pressured us Reporters flew in to Humla on until the winter wheat matures spawned a traumatised cohort trained only in sloganeering, coercion, not to teach Sanskrit and moral a helicopter chartered by the UN’s next spring—if the rain comes. and warfare. education, saying the stories about World Food Program (WFP) to Still, Those cynically used by men seeking power will be left with nothing to show for it. Accustomed to free chicken at the barrel of a the gods were untrue. They also deliver rice as part of its student leader Lokendra gun, and bereft of skills for gainful employment, many potentially said they would introduce a new $5.4 million emergency program to Bhandari tells a positive story. productive members of the much-trumpeted ‘New Nepal’ are likely to curriculum, but they didn’t do it,” respond to last winter’s drought Seven years ago he left for resort to crime sans ideology as a means of survival. Unfortunately, says head teacher Hari Gorkhali, in 10 districts. Two weeks ago, Kathmandu after the Maoists that’s all their gang boss gurus have taught them. sitting on a bench outside the French NGO Action Against threatened all political Your opinionated scapegoat willingly concedes he may know less than he lets on, especially concerning byzantine Nepali politics. school’s hostel as the sun sank Hunger expanded its therapeutic competitors. He returned a That said, Foreign Hand is dead sure about a few things. The trust behind the surrounding hills late feeding for severely malnourished month ago. “There are still some granted to a nation’s political class by its people includes the duty to one recent afternoon. children in 10 VDCs of Humla and small problems: Maoist leaders ensure access to decent education. Enabling the young with the Today, teachers in the high Mugu to Shreenagar: children here still act like they’re in charge. means to go forth and prosper is a primary responsibility of our school that serves Shreenagar and are in worse shape than those But we’re cooperating with the leaders, real and presumed. In this respect, the Maoists have failed as miserably as the four neighbouring VDCs in already being treated, said one seven parties and the Maoists, Ranas before them, wilfully sacrificing yet another generation to a southern Humla are left alone to development worker based in and yesterday’s welcome narrow, deeply-flawed political agenda. Those with a gimlet eye will do their work and all locals can the area. ceremony was a joint event,” ruefully observe that even after all these years, the empowering travel in and out of the village “I’d like to request the state, he says. z nature of education still terrifies those who would be king. z 12 INTERNATIONAL 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326

transferred to a Save the Children account at $3.50 to

Life on Mars 1,000 Linden dollars, and is used to provide livestock

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Scientists have discovered tantalising evidence of for Tibetan families. A Second Life event for a US-based water gushing down gullies on Mars, dramatically cancer charity recently raised $40,000, and the anti- boosting the chances that regions of the planet might poverty World Development Movement has also still be capable of harbouring life. Pictures taken from established a presence in the community. (The Guardian) Nasa’s Mars Global Surveyor, which has been orbiting

the planet for 10 years, reveal distinctive streaks of Science in motion

○○○○ what is believed to be water, bursting out of crater walls ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and flowing around boulders and other rocky debris Queen’s University psychology professor Niko Troje is strewn across the surface. Researchers have using a sophisticated motion-capture system to glean previously found evidence that lakes once dotted the information encrypted in ‘biological motion’. People Martian landscape, and vast quantities of water ice are wear special suits that outline their bodies with white locked up in sheets of permafrost at the planet’s frigid reflective markers as high-speed video cameras record poles. But this is the first evidence that liquid water, their movements from the marker dot patterns. crucial to nurture life, might still be found on the planet Findings from over the last three years are relevant today. (The Guardian) clinically and psychologically. For example, body motion can indicate telltale signs of impending mental depression, check progress of stroke victims, or,

Virtual yaks depending on their body language, even place

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Virtual worlds are yielding real cash, as non-profits politicians on a liberal to conservative continuum. target online Sim City-style communities, including the The scientists have also found evidence that animal hugely popular brains (including our own) are probably hard-wired to Second Life. Save detect the presence of other animals from simple foot the Children is motion, rather than from body shapes. This ‘Life rattling the virtual Detector’ was discovered using student observers and tin in the 3D world, processed recordings, and provides possible and the explanation for why wild animals are more startled by approximately two humans on foot than on bicycles or canoes, or why million Second Life certain stalking behaviours of predators are so effective. participants can now travel to Save the Children’s ‘Yak A popular website demonstration at http:// Shack’ and pay 1,000 Linden dollars (the game www.biomotionlab.ca/ regularly gets 50,000 hits a day. currency) for their own pixillated yak. The money is (The Toronto Star) REVIEW 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 13 Subversion to Black and white ibet has been the source of inspiration for artists and poets alike for many centuries. Artist Zhang Weiyuan says he is merely Tfollowing tradition. The result of his attraction to Northern Tibet is the exhibition ‘Black and White Wood Engraving on Tibet’, which submission brings the lives of its people to Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Middle-class morality in a radical play Revsited.

HIMALI DIXIT to espouse? How did HELP/ Nepal’s production come to say ELP/Nepal’s production of such harmful things, all in the The Vagina Monologues name of women’s Hundercut the very values empowerment? the NGO claimed to promote by Despite such massive putting it on. Instead of a message shortcomings, the production of empowerment, Friday’s does draw attention to a number performance in Kathmandu often of important issues that receive delivered precisely the opposite. painfully little public exposure. The Vagina Monologues is a As HELP/Nepal takes it to other series of short plays based on venues, it will be good for author Eve Ensler’s interviews HELP/NEPAL people to hear discussed on with many women. The stage things that are usually Weiyuan first puts down his impressions on wooden boards, monologues aim to fight violence husband can enter.” Ownership treated with silence. Hopefully which he then skilfully transfers onto paper. These engravings against women and its destructive is taken from the woman and the inadequacies themselves combine tradition with innovation, and absorb elements from the political, social, and economic laid at someone else’s feet, will provoke debate. But the fact arts of sculpture and photography too. The engravings on display consequences by celebrating undoing the message of the that such disempowering are a testament to Weiyuan’s extensive travels, and his deep understanding of the lives of the people he portrays. women’s sexuality and strength. original completely. One of the messages remain in a Weiyuan, a native of Qidong City in Jiangsu Province, China, In one of the plays, characters most common forms of violence performance meant to be a has spent twenty years in Tibet and presently works as a guest discuss what their vaginas would against women is abuse by a celebration of strength is painter at the Academy of Calligraphy and Painting in Henan. z wear if they got dressed. At first male partner, but domestic indicative of just how much we they imagine silly, fun things— violence and marital rape are need—and how unaccustomed Black and White Wood Engraving on Tibet at Siddhartha Art Gallery until 15 “silk stockings,” “jeans,” ignored here. we are to—assertions of women’s December, 10AM-5.30 PM. 4438979 “emeralds”. Then one says, “An When the same characters strength and independence. z electrical shock device, to keep turn to wondering what their unwanted strangers away.” The vaginas would say if they could message is one of ownership: talk, Friday’s production had nobody else has any right over my them say things like “timrai na vagina. It is also one of outrage ho”—“it’s yours anyway”—to an and anger at the fact that a unnamed partner. Such phrases woman’s body is not always were absent in the original. Why treated as her own. In HELP/ did the translators feel it Nepal’s translation, this sentence necessary to include them? becomes something like “Euta Why, in an entire fleet of actors, current laune aujar, ta ki mero directors, and NGO workers, did shreemaan bahek kohi auna nobody point out that these napaos.” “An electrical shock statements go completely against device, so nobody but my the spirit of the cause they claim Rainbows ocumentary filmmaking in Nepal has grown tremendously in D recent years. The subjects and themes explored have, unfortunately, not. A welcome change is Imagine Rainbow in Kathmandu, by didgeridoo performer Salil Kanika and visual designer Thomas Bertschi. This 98 minute-long film, refreshingly new in technique as well as subject, envisions hope and future in a society devastated by war. Shot in Kathmandu Valley between November 2005 and April 2006, Rainbow begins with portraits of urban wastelands and shots of street children whose future seems even murkier than their dirty hands and faces and greasy hair. Bertschi, artist, visual designer, traveller, and long-time friend of Nepal, found common ground with Kanika in their dedication to giving children a voice through art. As the film progresses, professional artists work with groups of children from different social and economic backgrounds, slowly teaching them the basics of music and painting. Eventually you see hope, excitement, and self- discovery in the children’s eyes. The five groups of children worked on much more than just music and painting—they painted faces, banners inspired by traditional ceremonial Balinese Umbal flags and school buildings, and played instruments they made themselves. At the end of the film, each group—the sarangi orchestra, the rock chorus, the drummers, the didgeridoo players, and chanters of Buddhist verses—give a grand performance. The rainbow—inspired by the Australian aboriginal myth of the Rainbow Snake, creator of growth and fertility—is an appropriate image. The performance evokes—even in cynics—the possibility that we can create a more beautiful world. Proceeds from Imagine Rainbow in Kathmandu will go towards providing further musical and cultural education for children. z Alok Tumbahangphey 14 CITY 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326

ABOUT TOWN YAK YETI YAK by MIKU

EXHIBITIONS ™ Nepal from the Sky Exhibition of aerial photographs of Nepal by Captain Bed Upreti. Yala Maya Kendra, until 9 December ™ Black & White Wood Engraving on Tibet Exhibition by Zhang Weiyuan from Tibet. 11AM-6PM daily until 15 December at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited. 4438979

EVENTS ™ Open Discussion on ‘Tourism Management and Marketing in Nepal: a study based on Manang Down the Circuit’. 3-5PM at Martin Chautari on 8 December. 4107599 ™ Christmas Market 3-9PM at Summit Hotel, Kopundole Height on 8 December. 5521810 In a family drama that spans generations ™ Jamaican Peace Party at 1905 with reggae from Jerry Julian & † with love and tragedy, Balraj Kapoor the Power of Joy. 8 December, 6PM onwards, Rs 599 (Amitab Bachan) is a doting husband to at Martin Chautari by MAPS. 3-5PM, 9 December ™ Shastrartha Shobhna (Hema Malini) and father to their son to discuss cultural ecology. 4238050 Avinash (Salman Khan). After Avinash meets ™ For Good winter concert by The Kathmandu Chorale, 3.30 PM with a fatal accident, Balraj sets out to find and 6PM on 9 December at The British School. Admission free. happiness for his daughter-in-law Millie ™ Stories in Motion with international storyteller Cassandra Wye (Rani Mukherjee) and grandson Ansh with until 10 December at the British Council

Entertainment painter Rajat (John Abraham). ™ Sharing Mountain Knowledge joint ICIMOD-IUCN Book and Technology fair, Rox Garden, Hyatt Regency. 11AM-4.30 PM on Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal 11 December, 10AM-4.30 PM on 12 December. Quest www.jainepal.com ™ Seven habits of highly effective people 10-12 December, 9.30 AM-5.30 PM at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 9851036719 ™ Free Special Promotion learn Tai-Chi and Qi-Qong from 13-15 December at the Self Awakening Centre. 4256618 ™ British Film Festival 2007 15-19 January in Kathmandu, 26-28 January in . Free tickets distributed from 9 January.

MUSIC ™ Live Music by Rashmi Singh and group, 7PM onwards on 8 December at Absolute Bar, Pulchok. 5521408 ™ Ramaila Saanjh with Anil Shahi and groups, 6.30 PM onwards on 15 December at Dolma Café, Thamel. 4215069 ™ Open Mic Night at ViaVia Café, Thamel every Friday, 8PM ™ Nekyham Band live at Shambala Garden Café, Shangri-La, Kathmandu. Wednesdays, 7PM onwards, Rs 600 with barbeque ™ Classical fusion music at , every Saturday, 7PM onwards ™ Gaine (Gandarbhas) perform at every lunch and dinner, Club Himalaya Nagarkot. 6680080

DINING ™ Christmas Lunch at Shivapuri Heights Cottage, 23 December. 9841371927 ™ International Brunch every Saturday and Sunday, 11AM-3PM for Rs 499 per person (Rs 299 for children) at Hotel Himalaya ™ Te savour Tibetan delicacies at the new Tibetan restaurant and Nepal’s first noodle bar, Bluebird Mall Food Court ™ Saturday Barbeque Special at Le Meridien Golf Resort and Spa, Rs 1200 for adults, Rs 600 for children NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL ™ BBQ Special on Friday nights at Courtyard Restaurant. 4253056 If you’re planning a trekking trip to ™ Friday Evening BBQ Dinner at Hotel Himalaya, Kopundole higher altitudes, you may want to Height. 6-10.30 PM, Rs 599 for adults, Rs 399 for children. rethink that idea. A strong westerly is KATHMANDU ™ Barbeque Ban-Bhoj at Godavari Village Resort, every Saturday approaching from the western side of and Sunday. 5560675 the country and the system is likely to ™ Calcutta's famous rolls, biryani, kebabs and Indian cusine at hit during the weekend. Chances of Bawarchi, Bluebird Mall Food Court. 9741000735 snowfall and brief showers over central and lamb steaks at Sports Bar, Kamaladi. 4438017 Nepal are high. A pressure system ™ Pork chops centred over China and extending into ™ Theme Dinners at Shangri-La Hotel. Sunday and Monday Nepali skies adds to the intensity of Nepali thali with cultural show, Rs 700. Friday Bhaktapur the westerly. In the Valley, the trends Nights with cultural show and Newari cusine, Rs 900 of the previous week will continue. g]kfn slifk[ wfg| d'n's ™ Pizza straight from the woodfired oven at Java’s new extension, Temperatures will drop further, and xf ] . oxfsf+ *) kltzteGbf| mornings will remain hazy, with the Thamel. 4422519 a9L hgtf slif[ k;fdf] ™ Happy Hour buy one get one free at Lost Horizon Bar, faintest sunlight shining through. This is winter, so bundle up. cfwfl/t 5g \ . sn" /fli6«o Shangri-La Hotel from 5-7PM every evening cfosf ] ‰G8 } $) kltzt| lx:;f ™ Woodfired Pizzas at Roadhouse Cafe, Thamel, 4262768 and KATHMANDU VALLEY clxn ] klg slif[ Ifqn] ] g} Pulchok. 5521755 cfu6] sf] ] 5 . l;Ëf ] d'n'ssf] ™ Momo and Sekuwa Revolution every Saturday at the Tea House Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Inn, Nagarkot. 6680048 cflys,{ ;fdflhs d?b08sf] ] ?kdf /xsf] ] slifIf[ q] pklIft] GETAWAYS x'g' x'Fb}g . sifsx¿[ bzsf] 23-5 23-3 20-3 6 20-2 22-2 ™ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge special Christmas and New jf:tljs gfos x'g\ . Years reservations. 4361500 pgLx¿nfO { ;Ddfg / sb/ ™ Winter Package three days and two nights at Shangri-La ugk5'{ { . sifsx¿n[ ] klg cfˆgf] Village Resort, Pokhara. Rs 7,499. 4412999 kl;gfdfly ljZjf; ugk5'{ { . ™ Harmony of the mind, body, and soul at Club Oasis, Hyatt gof F gof F slif[ k0ffnL| cjnDag Regency Kathmandu. 4491234 g]kfnL ugk5'{ { . k9\b}df vtL] ug '{ gx'g] ™ Yoga Camp at Shivapuri Heights Cottage, 9 December. xfOg] . ‰g \ slifIf[ qnfO] { 9841371927 Daily 20.45-21.15 on 102.4 cfwlgsLs/0f' ug { lzlIft / ™ Xmas by the Jungle with elephant safaris, dolphins, rafting and ;rt] sissf[ ] vffrf ] 5 . more at Base Camp Lodge, Bardia. 061-550398 To;}n] slif[ k;fnfO] { cfb/ u/f}+, overnight stay with breakfast, ™ Chiso Chiso Hawama Package Radio Sagarmatha s[isnfO { ;Ddfg u/f }+ . dinner, and shuttle. Rs 1,700 for twin-share. 66800080 P.O. Box 6958, ™ Dormitories for up to 10 people at The Tea House Inn. Rs 450 Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal per person, including bed, dinner, and breakfast. 6680080 Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, g]kfn ;/sf/ Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 [email protected], ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] www.radiosagarmatha.org ;"rgf ljefu HAPPENINGS 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 15

KIRAN PANDAY STONED: A woman turns to hurl a stone while pursued by riot police on Monday at Mahendra Ratna Campus in Tahachal. Students and unions were protesting against provisions in the Education Bill to make temporary teachers permanent staff members.

KIRAN PANDAY GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD: Executive Director of Himal Association Basanta Thapa welcomes Nazir Sabir, the first Pakistani to scale Everest, as chief guest at the fourth Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival at Russian Cultural Centre on Thursday.

JIGGY GATON

ROOTS, RHYMES, CONDOMS: The World Aids Day concert at Birtamod High School on Saturday featured a performance by reggae group Jerry Julian and Power of Joy as well as HIV counselling and testing stations. 16 BACKSIDE 8 - 14 DECEMBER 2006 #326 The National Anathema t is when soldiers padlock the gates of the Supreme Deb sir should also take a crash course in monitoring security Court and threaten to expand their agitation until all their cameras because that is what he’ll have to be doing most of I demands are met that we know we are heading Ass-first the time to figure out which backbencher is hitting whom into the new loktantra. over the head with a microphone behind the pillar. Last week alone, the streets of the capital were FG www.nepalitimes.com simultaneously closed off by agitating teachers, agitated students, ex-servicemen from the Nepal Army, ex-Gurkhas of The national hue and cry over the proposed national anthem the British Army, the Condom Parade on World AIDS Day, has got more column inches than any other subject in recent the handicap rally on World Handicapped Day, a protest weeks, even more than Ian Martin’s commutes to New York. march by Maoist victims, and a counter march by Maoist Byacool Maila is probably ruing the day he submitted his victimisers. Tyres are in such great demand that there is now lyrics because he’s had to bear more public scrutiny than a a dealership in Kalanki. candidate for the US presidency. Someone has dug up a The sole intention of all these demonstrations of street preface he wrote for a book in which he sings undeserved power was to create awareness by bringing vehicular traffic to praises for G Shah’s poetic abilities, thus raising serious a standstill at the centre of political authority in the country doubts about his loktantrik credentials. Looks like the Mailas which is a 500m radius around Singha Darbar. So, the Ass’s get along like a house on fire, and that includes the enigmatic free advice to all of you is to call 103 before heading out Maila Baje (www.nepalinetbook.blogspot.com/). anywhere in the unforeseeable future. Or just take a walk. Otherwise the only thing we can really say about the poem FG is that it is pretty bland and glorifies the blood spilt in past wars. And some of the words are so awkward, one wonders The reason people spill out into the streets to be heard is how they will ever be set to music, even by Ambar Gurung. because we have such a pathetic parliament building. The Speaking of whom why not just turn ‘Naulakha tara udaye’ former nautch ghar of the Sri Tin Maharaj that looks like a (Maybe replace nau lakh with tin karod) into the anthem of cross between a Mormon church and a Tsar-era railway not just a New Nepal, but a Greater Nepal? station is not befitting of the New Nepal. Imagine, there will be 450 MPs crammed like gundruk inside. And smelling like FG it too. Imagine the aroma of pheromones when one-third of The Ass hears James Moriarty was a hit when he spoke in the House raises the Red Salute, thus exposing their Nepali with a twang in Pokhara last week. The ambassador honourable sweaty armpits to all and sundry. We know that seems to have put in a lot of work on his spoken Nepali, and CCTVs have been installed so the Speaker can spy on interim even mastered such Sanskrit mantras as “shanti MPs who are eclipsed by the fourth pillars of democracy punarsthapana” and “balik matadhikar”. Alas, inside the August House, but is that a way to run a National the Ass’s Pokhara informant couldn’t figure out Legislature? We suggest moving parliament to BICC, or why whether the ambassador was reading from not have it outdoors in the sun in the National Stadium? Nepali or Romanised text. Either way, a well- Ever since Comrade Dahal was thinking aloud last week deserved A-minus to the ambassador in his about how Deb Gurung would make an excellent Speaker, the orals. Now for the written exam. man has been rehearsing for the post by cracking the Whip. [email protected] ISSN 1814-2613