• Supreme Court's Decision . • Air Pollution FIGHTS GERMS EVEN HOURS AFTER BRUSHING CONTENTS

Page

Letters 3

News Notes 4

Briefs 6

Quote Unquote 7

COVER STORY: THE NEW MONARCH Off The Record 8 Af!er the tragic palace killings Prince Gyanendra is crowned the new monarch Page 14 ROY AL DEATHS :Tremors or Tragedy 9

RUMORS: A Dangerous Pastime 10

SUPREME COURT DlCISION : Stricture To The ClAA 11 '. SHAH DYNASTY: Changing Of The Guards 12

IOTO FEATURE 20

NATION IN MOURNING: People At Loss 25

Air Pollution: Unmet Challenges INTERNET: Ugly Face 26 Kathmandu valley still has to do a lot lO improve the condition of its environment. Page 9 THE BOTTOMLlNE 27

BOOK REVIEW 28

PASTIME 29 INTERVIEW: Cyril Sikder LEISURE 30 Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal Sikder lalks about bilaleral rela­ tions. FORUM: Ludwig F. Stilier, S.J 32 Page 22

SPO~HT/JUNE 8, 200 t SPOTLIGHT EDITOR'S NOTE THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE Vol. 20, No.47, June 8, 2001 (Jestha 26, 2057) Chief Editor And Publisher Madhav Kumar Rimal hat unprecedented tragedy should strike Nepal is indeed very unfortunate. What Editor happened at the Royal Palace in Kathmandu on that fatefu l evening of Friday last Sarita Aimal week can seldom find a parallel in the annals of the world. The whole family of the ruling monarch was totally wiped out. Such horrendous events always Managing Editor generate lots of contradiclOry and controversial opinions, rumors, views and Keshab Poudel conjectures. Interested peoples, parties and forces would callously try to exploit Associate Editor rrthe tragic situation to furthertheirown nefarious interest. Anti-national and inimical forces would Bhagirath Yogi gleefully fish in the troubled waters. As such. It becomes the duty of all patriotic forces to sink in their differences and unite unconditionally to safeguard the integrity of the counlry. All our Senior Reporter Sanjaya Dhakal personal likes and di slikes. prides and prejudices and constraints and compulsions must be bru shed aside and all our endeavors mu st be focussed on tiding over this national catastrop Reporter There wi ll be enough time to nurse our personal or partisan interests once general normalcy Akshay Sharma restored and confidence regained. Design and Layout Jyoli Singh We do mourn the irreparable loss of our dear King - the late Birendra and all other members of the royal family. The cruel fate has snatched our king away from us in the most ignominious way. Photographer HIS concern for his poor peoples. hi s resolute pursuance of the democratic process and his Nishchat Chapagain unshakable faith in his constitutional role has given him the image of an ideal democratic Art monarch. In his sudden death. the democratic forces of the country have lost their beloved M.S. Khokna monarch whose untiring efforts had given strong roots to the nascent democracy in the country. At this critical time facing the nation. we shall be paying the most precious memorial to our late Legal Advisor king if we could all unite and save the country from sliding into politi cal and economic chaos. Advocate Lok Bhakta Rana Internecine fights at this stage will not only jeopardize the stabilization of the hard won Marketing/Advertisement democracy but push the country towards disintegration which is sure to i mperillhe very existence Sarit Rimal (USA) of Nepal as a sovereign nation.

Marketing Madan Kaji Basnet Rl.!cent events in Kathmandu have, once again. proved the old adage that no onc is more Navin Kumar Maharjan powerful th an "Destiny". Crowned King when a toddler, by the beleaguered Rana regime more Madan Raj Poudel than fifty years ago for about four months. King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dcv has now inherited the throne in a most bizarre and difficult situation. With inimical and anti·national Editorial Office forces always ploning to destabilize the situation King Gyanendra is facing grave challenges. GPO Box 7256, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Tel: (977-1) 423127, Fax (977-1) 417845 Those who know him well do believe that he is fully equipped to ri se up to occasion. But. Chief Editor's: 435594 exigency of the si tu ation demands [hal he must win the unstinted cooperation of all sections E·mail: [email protected] the people. One wrong advice orone wrong step is apt to worsen the already volatile situation, Internet Add: http://www.nepalnews.com/ In these trying times what the king needs is wise counsel. Happenings in the last few days have spotlight already shown some chinks in the armor. These have not only to be plugged but should in no Cover Design way reappear. Since the new king is fully alive to the dangers inherent in the unprecedented Wordscape situation in the country as evinced in Ihe royal proclamalion, the nation can rest assured that Kamal Pokhari, Ph : 410772, Fax: 432872 King Gyanendra will leave no stone un-turned to defend the country and work for the welfare of the people, Sin ce. it is the foremost duty of the king to keep his people happy and satisfied Distribution Bazaar International and the nation is eager to know the truth about th e sad killings of the king, the queen and other 228 Sanchaya Kosh Bldg. Kathmandu members of the royal family. an early probe into the matter seems urgent. It has become the G.P.O Box 2480, Ph: 222983 Fax: 229437 pnme dUly of every Nepali. irrespective of hi s standing III the society. to render Ulmost a-mail: [email protected] cooperation to the new monarch. We all. in the SPOTLIGHT hail King Gyanendra and assure Printers: Kishor offset Press (P.) Ltd. him of our sincere loyalty. We do pray to Lord Pashupati Nath to grant him long life, good P.O. Box 4665, Galkopakha, Thame!, health and wisdom lO guide our nation. • Ka1hmandu,Tel: 351 044 (Off), 351172 (Res.), Fax: 977-1-351172, E-mail: [email protected]

C.D.O. Regd. No 151/039-40 Postal Regd. No 42/057/58 U.S. Library of Congress Madhav Kumar Rimal Catalogue No. 91·905060 Chief Editor& Publisher

2 SPOTLIGHTIJUNE 8, 200 1 LETTERS ______

This is ridiculous. , . Challdra Mall Shreslha fORUM Yuba ~ ~ A ENCOUNTER l li Rldd Mangal Bazar Weak Case Apropos your cover sLOry Expedite HA Costly Fiasco" (SPOT­ L1GHT,June I), it appears that The Construction SPOTLIG1IT Being the shortest route the cases filed by the ClAA against the accused In the lhat could link Kalhmandu LaudaAirscam stand on weak with Hetauda, Kanti Rajpath legal ground. Whether this deserve s topmost priority weakness is deliberate or not. ("Slow Start", SPOTLIGHT. tbe people will definitely lose May 25). The govern me m confidence in the anlH:OITUP­ should takc firm measure s to tlOn body if it fails to put the expedite construction. This offenders behind bars for good, will provide a viable alterna­ The CIAA has a poor track tive la exisling highways record proving Its cases in plagued with traffic co nges­ court. The commiSSIOn must tion and landslide:,. take the services of top legal B~sldes. this would brains of the country while also save lime and energy. A framing charges so that cor­ The remole villages of rupt officials will start fearing Lalitpur district could get a the organization. special chance 10 develop if COSTLY Kamal Dista this highway materializes in Sancpn tim e. SUlIlall Amatya FIASCO Satdob,1O Alternative A Must The alternative lO the ex­ Why Not The PM? Ironic Decision "A Costly Affair" (SPOT­ Isting Prithvi highway has be­ The CIAA has lost a In its charge-sheet. the LIGHT, June I), the charge­ come extremely nece ssary ique opportunity by failing lOp anti-corruption body has sheet of the ClAA against the ("Slow Start", SPOTLIGHT o formally implicate a sitting filed cases against 10 people, Lauda accused are based May 25), From landslides at prime minister on charges of including two foreign execu­ merely on the balance sheet Krishnabhir to traffic conges­ corruption CA Costly Fiasco", tives of Lauda Air, but failed of the RNAC. If cases of tion and freq uent strikes at SPOTLlGHT,June I), The text 10 do so against the local co m­ corruption can be fi led based places. Prithvi Highway has of the ClAA 's charge-sheet has mission agent Dincsh Lal on profit and losses of par­ been unable 10 catc r to grow· warned Prime Minister Girija Shrestha ("A Costly Fiasco", ticular organization, chi ef ex­ ing vo lume of hi ghway pas­ Prasad Koirala 10 remain alert SPOTLIGHT. June I ), This is ecutives orQO percent of pub­ sengers. to prevent corruption in the an ironic decision . lithe com­ lic enterprises could end up in Besides. it is not rational future . These words lead one mission wants to do away with jai 1. for a capital city to have lim­ to believe that the commis­ corruption, it has (oael againsl In the last six months or ited road links with other parts sion, indeed. bad sensed that such un scrupulous agents. By so, Nepalese media have been of the country, More the high­ the lITegularities in the Lauda Jetting the big fish off the nooded with storie s ofirregu­ ways, better the inrra!:.tructure. Air deal took place with the hook. the CIAA wi 11 not be larities on the Lauda Air deal. Kanti RaJpath seems to be a connivance of the prime min­ able to establish its credibility Most of the ordinary people very suitable alternative that ister. Ifthat was so, it is tragic in front of the public, were led to believe that cor­ can be constructed in few that the CIAA could not bpl­ Nabill Tuladhar ruption had indeed taken place years. If the authorities show ster enough strength 10 dig up New Road while leaSIng the aircraft. Now keen interest. the Rajpalh the issue further and Come up it seems that the corruption could he built inlcss than five with evidence against Koirala. has been established only be­ Mere Balance Sheet years. leebesh KC cause the national flag-car­ Prakash Basnet Apropos the cover sLOry Sinamangal rier was making huge losses. Kotcshwor / SPOTLlGJIJUNE 8. 2001 I 3 NEWSNOTES

King Dipendra's Info-tech For Financial­ decision of a parliamentary committee in connection with the leasing of a China Last Rites Performed Sector Reforms South West Airlines plane by Royal Nepal The last rites of King Dipendra were The financial-sector reforms under­ Airlines late last year were against lhe performed with full state honor at taken by Nepal could gain a lot by using dignity of parliamentary democracy. RSS Pashupati. Aryaghat late Monday. The infonnation and communication technolo­ news agency reported . In a statement gies (lCT), oflicials said. Addressing a Thursday, the RPP said it was not befit­ workshop jointly organized by the Minis­ ting for a party like the CPN-UML. which try for Science and Technology and an took to the streets on the basis of the Asian Development Bank-funded projcct, deciSIon of the Public Accounts Commit­ Minister for Science and Technology tee regarding the Lauda Air lease deal, to Surendra Prasad Chaudhari said ICT is issue statements attacking the committee the only sector in which the country's at an inslitUlional level with the intention geography poses no barrier. Failure to tap of spreading hatred against it , now that it the potential of lCT will push nation de­ has taken a deci sion against one of tJ ....,. cades back in terms of development. he UML's leader.;. "This kind of behavi added. Resident Representative of Ihe and viewpoint has demonstrated the double ADB Dr. Richard Yokes said Nepal's standard (on the part of the UML)," the financial sector has informati on and trans­ party said. Compiled from reports. action costs. The 'marriage' of corpora te finant.:ial governance and leT is essential Maoists Take if the full potential of financial sector reform IS to be realized in Nepal. he added. Responsibility Compiled from reports May 30. Secretary of Kathmandu district unit of the und erground Maoist party, Prabha Industry Faces Huge Kiran, has owned up the responsibility for funeral procc.!.sion started from Birendra 'ta"-ing action' against the Chandeswori Military Hospital in Chhauni and reached Loss Due To 'Bandh' Publications in the COlpital on Wednesday Aryaghat via the Ring Road. Only top Nepalese industries faced a loss of for publishing obscene materials. In a government officials and military and more than Rs 2.25 billion because of the stalemem, the Maoists s3Id their party did police personnel took part in the proces­ three-day general strike called by theCom- not have any policy of allackmg the press sion. as people co uld not come out be­ 111unisl groups. business leaders said. Ac­ or new spapers right now and that the cause of curfew orders. Compiled from cording to Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, first rebels had set on fire only the obscene reports. vice chairman of the Federation of materials and did not take any cash fro. 1 Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and the office of the press. Chainnan of tile" 'Drinking Water Industry (FNCCI). the industrial sector Publications, Krishna Gautam accused the And Milk Is Safe' alone faced a loss of up to Rs 750 million Maoists of looting nearl y Rs 280,000 in aday to the strike. "At a time when indus­ cash and causing a damage of nearly Rs I Authorities have refuted rumors do­ trie s In general are facing different prob­ million in property. Compiled from re­ ing the rounds in Kathmandu that drink­ lem s. such 'bandhs' have cause a huge ports Jlllle 1. ing water reservoirs in the capital had loss," he said. Nearly 50.000 workers been poisoned sin~e late M onday. Speak­ remained idle in the capital alone. Simi­ Budget Cut ing over state-owned Radio Nepal Tues­ larly, chaitman of the Makwanpur Cham­ day morning. general manager of Nepal ber of Commerce ,and Industry, Hitler Affects Projects Drinking Water Supply Corporation Bisel, said 9,000 days' worth labor were A numberof development projects in Kaushal Nath Bhanarai said these ru­ wasted in the Het3uda industrial estate. the western district ofTanahun have bee n mors were baseless. He said the techni­ The touri sm sector alone suffered a loss of affected because of a 40 percent cut in the cian s or the corporation conducted tests more than Rs 34 million per day. reports budget, a leading daily reported. Accord­ or water samples in all the reservoirs in said. Kalltipur May 30. ing to the news report. out of Rs 15.6 the capital and found no ..co ntamination. million allocated for programs like con­ Similarly, general manager of the Dairy struction ofs uspension bridges, rural roads Development Corporation Krishna RPP Criticizes UML and rural agricultural roads, the Asian Prasad Sharma refuted rurnors that milk The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Development Bank funds nearly 60 per­ supplies were contaminated. Compiled has maintained that the views expressed cent under the Agricultural Program Loan. from reports. by the main opposition, CPN-UML on the Local Development Oflicer of Tanahun,

4 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8. 2001 l NEWSNOTES

Purna Chandra Bhaltarai, said due to the CompiLed from reporls. tor and president of the party's Pyulhan sudden budget cut, construction of six out district unit, Mukti Prasad Sharma, last of 18 planned suspension bridges have AI Blames Govt., Maoists fonnight from his house in the mid-west­ been affected. Bhallarai said the Ministry The London-based human rights ern district, reports said. Kantipur daily of Local Development. in a tener, notified watchdog. Amnesty International, hascriti­ quoted a Maoist source as saying that the him of the budget cui without giving any tized both the Nepalese government and rebels would release Sharma only if the reason. Kalltipllr May 31. Maoist rebels for "grave human rights vio­ government made public the whereabouts lations" and "widespread abuses" in the of five Maoist leaders and activists, and Pashmina Exports On country. In its annual report entitled "Am­ released them within the next three days. nesty International Reporl200 I," launched The pany has demanded release of The Decline here Wednesday, the AI said the police, in DandapaniNeupane, Milan Nepali, Iswori The pashmina industry seems to be connection with the Maoist 'people's war' Dahal, Matrika Vadav and Lokendra Bista losing its glamour because of some mal­ between November 1999 and October 2000, in exchange of release of Sharma. "If the practices employed by entrepreneurs. re­ killed an estimated 221 people. During the government did not release them within pons said. According to Kantipur daily. same period, Maoist rebels killed 82 civil­ three days,the consequences could be very , widespread use of low-quality illl­ ians, the report said. "We are deeply con­ grave," the source warned. Reports say ned pashmina yarn is the main cause of cerned over the announcement of death whereabouts of some of the Maoist activ­ the plunge in demand for Nepali pashmina sentences by the Maoist 'people's coun· ists in the li st, including Milan Nepali, are in the international market. Managing di­ on seven people in Rolpa district." said still unknown. Meanwhile, Nepali Con­ rectorofNepal Pashmina Industry Pushpa Krishna Kandel, chaimlan of Al Nepal gress central office has condemned the Shrestha alleged that somcexp0rlcrs were chapter. The repon blames the Maoists for abduction and has demanded that the gov­ engaged in exporting various products of widespread abuses of human rights i nelud­ ernment take sLro ng steps la ensure the ordinary wool in the name of pashmina ing deliberate killings, hostage taking and release ofSharma. CompiLedfrol1l reporls .• products, thereby givinga bad name to the torturing. The re­ entire Ncpali pashmina industry. Nepal port said where- exported pa~hmina shawls and other prod­ aboutsofpeople ucts worth Rs 6.2 1 billion in the year ~~~~~ BALDING? 1999/2000. 21 times more compared to during 2000 and . the previous year. Theexport of pashmina, more than 50 however, has registered adownward trend other disappear­ over the last few months, entrepreneurs ances reported in said. Compi/edJrom reporls Jt/lle 1. 1998 and 1999 remain unknown. ourism Sector 1lle report said an eSlimatr.d 1,600 eeling The Heat people were serv­ As it was trying to overcome shocks ing in prison or of the hijacking of Indian Airlines plane awaiting trial in on the Christmas eve in 1999 and bad relation to crimes publicity in the aftemlath of the ·Hrithik allegedly com­ Roshan cpisode late last year. the pro­ mitted during the BEFORE AFTER longed three-day general strike has dam­ ·people's aged whatever reputation Nepalese hos­ war. 'Compiled WE CAN HELP YOU! pitality industry had. Industry leaders told from reports. STRAIGHT FROM THE FACTORY, STARTING FROM US$ 250 an interaction program here Monday that (pRICES VALID FOR A LIMITED PERIOD ONLY) the ·bandhs' have devastating effects on Rebels CALL NOW 499003 the nation 'S economy including the LOur­ AND ASK FOR KESHAV ism sector. President of Hotel Association Abduct K33 Europe Hair (New European Hair Replacement Technology) of Nepal (HAN) Narendra Bajrachary. Former MP FOR ~IORE IlWORMATIO;ll, FILL IN THIS COUPON said there has been a loss of about Rs 50.5 million rupees in a single day of nation­ A group of Name: __ armed Maoist wide strike. Within the last year, the num­ Address: ber of Indian lOurists visiting Nepal has rebels abducted City: Tel: declined by 42 percent and visitors from former Nepali Congress legis la- SendJfax to: K33 Hairhotet, Koteswor. GPO Box: 1'4248, Kathmandu thirdcounlries has declined by 13 percent. Tel: 499003, 9810-23939, Fax: 476571. E-mail: [email protected]

SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 5 BRIEFS

THREE POLICEMEN WERE KILLED AND TWO OTHERS injured when hundreds of Maoist rebels stormed a police post at Prithvipur in far-western district of Kailali Tuesday night, re­ portS said. According to police, two more policemen were injured and at least two Maoist rebels were belicved 1O have died during a nearly hour-long gunbattle. The rebels looted eight pieces of rifles, three pistols and a communi cation set after the attacks. One more policeman was injured when they ambushed a police reinforcement team by exploding landmines, reports said. This is the first time that the rebels have attacked a police post near Nepal-India border.

A GROUP OF SUSPECTED MAOIST REBELS HAVE damaged property worth Rs 7 million at the Non-formal Educa­ King Gyanendra moving towards Narayanbity Palace after tion Project at DulIu in mid-western district of Dailekh • the crowning ceremony Sunday night. The group also set fire on the project office, being run by the United Mission to Nepal. after vandaiizing it, repol1s .A TOTAL OF 37 CLIMBERS SUCCEEDED TO SCALE said. According to RSS news agency, Deputy Prime Minister the world's highest peak in the last week of May, officials said. Ram Chandra Poudel condemned the incident terming it as "a Among them. 34 climbers including 15 Nepali Sherpa guides, criminal act of disrupting social development activities" and said reached the summit on Wednesday. According to theMinistry of the government was committed to taking action against those Culture, Civil Aviation and Tourism, two American climbers involved in such activities and providing security for develop­ and one climber each from Canada and Turkey, along with ment projects. He also urged the development agencies not to be Sherpa guides, reached alOp the Sagarmatha Wednesday. On perturbed rrom such unwanted activities and g ive continuity to Tuesday, a Spanish expedition of three climbers reached the such development programs. summit by another route. All these climbers were the first climbers of the highest peak in tltis season. THE 20 MW CHILIME HYDRO POWER PROJECT IS preparing to issue public shares worth Rs 470 million during THE JOB OF DISTRIBUTlNG LAND TO FORMER July-August this year, Kantipur daily reported quoting officials 'kamaiyas' (bonded laborers) has been completed in the mid­ with the company. "In the first phase the shares would be open western districts of Dang and Banke while the process is under· 1O the staff of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and then we way in Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. The Ministry would go to the general public," said Dr. Dambar Bahadur of Land Reforms and Management said that 100 pereent work of Nepali, chief of the project. The NEA is developing the Rs 2. land distribution is over in the {WO districts. Similarly. 1,123 billion project by mobilizing local resources. Upon its comple­ families in Bardiya, 870 families in Kailili and 1304 families in tion, Chilime will be thc first power projcct in Nepal developed Kanchanpur have been resettled so far, the ministry said. The completel y by mobilizing Nepalese tcchnicians and without government had declared ' kamaiyas' free from debt bondage in borrowing foreign capital. It would also be one o f the cheapest Jul y last year but as facing criticism for its dilly-dallying in projects in the country compared to foreign financed projects. rehabilitating the former bonded laborers. THE YOUNGEST BROTHER OF LATE KING BIRENDR HEALTH MINISTRY HAS BANNED SMOKING AND a and newly appointed King Gyanendra. Dhirendra Shah. died at use of tobacco in all th e offices under it, including hospitals. with the Birendra Military hospital at Chhauni Monday evening. an immediate effect. The decision was taken on the occasion of the official announcement said. Shah was also among them seri­ Worltl No Tobacco Day Thursday. According to the World ously injured during the Friday's shoot-out at the Narayanhity Health Organization. annual tobacco output in Nepal is 6,000 palace. With Shah's death. the number of people dying in the metric tonnes of which 40 percent is used in cigarelle~. 30 percent Friday's fateful incident has reached ten. DoclOrs attending on in 'bidi ' and the rest in 'sulpha' and hukka' (traditional methods the injured royal family members said health conditions of of smoking). The annual production of cigarettes in Nepal is 6.6 Kom.1 Rajya Laxmi, wife of King Gyanendra, .nd Princess billion slicks. Nepali women are among the top smokers of in the Shobha Rajya Laxmi are satisfactory. Similarly, there have been world. According to another WHO report, male smokers account some improvements in the conditions of ~umar Gorakh for 60 to 80 percent and female smokes account for 62 percent of Shumsher, son-in-law of late King Birendra, and Ketaki Chester, the total population in Nepal. a royal family member, doctors said . • l 6 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 QUOTE UNQUOTE

'The wish of our august brother His Late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikrarn Shah Dev of guiding the Nepali people towards rosperous future through constitutional monarchy and multiparty democratic exercises will always remain a source of inspiratio or all of us. " King Gyanendra Bir Bikral1l Shah Dev, in his royal address to the countrymen as the new mOl/arch. • • •

"T he process 0 I'"investigating . aII as- pects of the tragic event to find the truths and facts is already underway. 1 want to reiterate governme.nt 's co mmitment to thi s." Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koiraia, in a statement o\'er radio. * * *

"Our party requesls all Nepalis as well as political parties to cooperate with the government at this time of grave crisis." ... Gajendra Narayall Sing", President ofNepal Sadbhavana Party, ill a state­ ment over radio. * • •

"0, (h . ur disagreement to t e comm is- "W e are gOing through uncommon "T his incident is unimaginable and sion) is only because of some procedural times and we have 10 take everything unbelievable. Naturally. Nepalese people and legal matlers.·· according to the principle of fairness rather are sensitive to that. But the people should Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the than looking at minor legal technicali­ not lose their patience. Now, that King main opposition, clarifying why his ties." Gyanendra has been made a new monarch party disagreed over the high level Damull Nath Dhullgana, former a~ perthe constitution. there is no question commission formed by King Speaker alld a renowned senior ad­ of not supporting him." GWlIIelldra to probe the palace kill­ vocate, in The Kathmandu POSl. Bam Dev Gaulam, General Secre­ illgs ofFridGY, ill BBC Nepali service. * * * tary of Marxist Lellinist, ill a state­ • * * ment over radio. * • •

"I ask all Nepalts. to apply restraint . an d express balanced opinion to sail Nepal over this period." Surya Bahadur Thapa,jonller Prime Minister alld leader of Rasrriya Pra­ jatalllra Party, ill a statement O\'er radio. * * •

"T he lack ofcredible ... 1I1formauon natu- rally has provided a fertile ground for all sorts of rumors and theori es on what had actually happened:' Khadga Prasad Ofi, senior leader of Ullified Marxist Leninist, in The Kathmandu Post. * * •

SPOTLlGHTIJUNE 8, 2001 7 SPOTLIGHT family deeply mourns the tragic death of

King .Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and their three children

8 SPOTUGHTIJUNE 8, 2001 NATIONAL

the youngest brother of King Birendra, ROYAL DEATHS too. was declared dead on June 4. Newly declared queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and Princess Shobha, Tremors Of Tragedy King Birendra's youngest sister, who were injured in the incident. are said to be No royal family In the world has faced such a tragic out of danger. The condition of Kumar Garakh, situation husband of Princess Sruti, has stabilized and royal relative Kartike is said to be in By KESHAB POUDEL Yekaterinburg on July 16. 1918. Those similar condition. killings occurred several months after King Gyanendra has already consti­ Tsar Nicholas 11 was forced to abdicate tuted a three-member high-level com­ hen the bodies of eight family in fa\'orof 3 provisional government that mission [0 investigate the incident W members of late King Btrendra the Bolsheviks overthrew. that took place on the night of June I, ere cremated at Pashupali Nath Temple Accoraing to an official statement, a 200 I. Nevertheless, the country has June 2. shock and panic gripped the shoot out broke oul unexpectedly on Fri­ been gripped by a series of speculations. air. After the last riles were pcrfonned, day. June I at 9: ISpm. Until the time of Although reports that Crown Prince the curtain fell on a chapter of history. writ in g this story. 10 royal family mem­ Dipendraopened tire on has family mem­ The sight of the five bodies that were bers were already cremated . King bers over a dispute concerning his wed­ laid on the pyres at Pashupati Aryaghat B irendra, Queen Aishwarya, Prince ding plans remain in the realm of specu­ lation , Western and In­ dian media are still mak­ ing efforts to present this make-believe story as re­ ality. First rcports about the incident came out quot­ ing an unidentified "source" or the royal pal­ ace. At a time when no onc in the room was in a condition lodiscJosc what had happened, the deci­ sion by responsible me­ dia organizations to go ahead with unidentified SOllrces was itself mystc­ rious. Media coverage is so overloaded with this speculation that people around the world arc start­ ing to believe it. Even the A crowd before the palace: Grief-stricken local media have been making efforts to prove drove people (Q tears. King Rana Baha­ Nirajan, Princess Sruti, Princesses that Crown Prince Dipendra's affair with dur Shah was beheaded by his brother Shanti Singh, Sarada Shaha. Jayanti a woman belonging to the Rana family Sher Bahadur Shaha. Since then, no Shaha and Kumar Khadga Bikram Shaha was responsible for the shootou1. Nepalese monarch had died in such ci r­ died instantly and were cremat ed on Whatever the circlImstances sur­ cum stances. June 2. rounding the deaths at th e royal palace on The closest parallel in modern world Crown Prince Dipendra - subse­ the night of June 1,2001, the chilling hi story is the deaths of the Romanovs, quently declared the king - was pro­ incident will remain etched in memory Russia's former imperial family, at the nounced dead on June4 and cremated the as one of the most tragic moments of hands of the Bolsheviks in the city of same evening. Fanner prince Dhirendra, Nepalese hi story. •

SPOTLlGHTIJUNE 8. 2001 9 NATIONAL

country. The so-called 'Hrithik episode' RUMORS claimed four lives and went on to spark a level of regional discord Nepalis had rarely experienced before. A Dangerous Pastime Rumors ruined the panchas and their polity. In the absence of free flow of Nepalis have regularly demonstrated their skill in spread­ information in the media during the ing the word of mouth without bothering to verify panyless days, rumors often filled the gap. The BBC once reported how "Pi pal Bot" rurnors - in the absence of other By A CORRESPONDENT Rumors have regularly paralyzed means of feeling the pulse of the people city life. Twelve years ago. Ihe people of - would sometimes provide the basis Kathmandu were fed wilh a heavy dose for officials 10 frame policy. 1 seems Nepalis suffer from a pro­ of falsities and innuendo against the Speculation has not lost its strength 1found characler flaw: we easily be­ royal family amid the clamour for politi­ even during these transparent times, Ru­ lieve rurnors and oftcn become their pri­ cal change. If polilicians wan led 10 mors are pushing the country towa, ' mary messengers. show Iheir strength on the streets of the further uncertainty at a time when l The way wildspeculations and panic capilal, all Ihey had 10 do was lalk of a constitution has enshrined the people's stories have spread in the aftermath of royal conspiracy at every turn. Matters right to information. The character of Ihe tragicdealhs of King Birendra, Queen look such a turn that a car in which public figures arc built and destroyed Aishwarya, King Dipendra and olher Queen Aishwarya was traveling to instantly not on the basis of their actual royal family members testifies to the Pashupalinalh Temple wassloned by left­ deeds bUI on public perceptions based on momentum rumors can almost immedi­ ist students. unverified information. ately acquire. Lale last year, Nepalis were told Ihat The Nepali mind has been so condi­ Onc evening saw entire neighbor­ Indian film Slar Hrilhik Roshan had said . lion cd by Ihe power of rumors Ihat the hoods alarmed by repons Ihal somebody somelhing naSlY about Iheir counlry. reality of a situation often becomes sec­ for some reason had poisoned the city's Roshan repealedly donied he had ever ondary. The Indian media, which of late water supply reservoirs and milk sup­ uuered any word of disrespecI to Nepal. tend to sce in Nepal and Nepalis key plies. By the time the government came Nobody seemed 10 have aClually seen ingredients of sensational sLories, are only out conLradict these reports in the official Roshan making Ihose alleged remarks fueling the nalional pastime. media, Ihey had acquired enough power during an interview on an Indian TV In tenns ofinjccling uncertainty and to have forced many people to refuse (0 program. BUI the rumorspread like wild­ confusion in common people, the na­ consume milk and water supplied by the fire, leaving a trail of death and destruc­ tional media are not above reproach. ei­ slate. tion in Kathmandu and other parts oflhe ther. The same Story gelS spinned in differenl yarns depending on Ihe poli eal or commercial affiliations oflhe pu - lication concerned. Instead of trying to reason and re­ fute, Nepalis, especially the fast-grow­ ing breed of pseudo-inlellectuals. have become addicled 10 spreading rumors. The lale POCI Bhupi Sherchan has per­ fectly depicled Ihis Iypical Nepalese menlalilY· According to Sherchan. Nepal is a country full of rumars and it stands on rumors. From the walls orthe house to its foundation. rumors are found every­ where. Brian Hodgson, who served as Brit­ ish resident in the 19005, poinled OUI how Nepalest; polilics were guided by TUrnors. Nepaiis often realize after il is 100 late how our blind fajth in rumors Unruly crowd: SIill shocked impairs our judgment and clouds our collective national vision. •

10 SPOTLlGHT/JUNE~. 2001 NATIONAL

ing the pennission of the allorney-gen­ SUPREME COURT DECISION eral - has been left undecided. Although the coun says govcrnment la wyers, including the allorney-general. Stricture To The CIAA are not immune from criminal liability in case of corruption. intcrestingly, this was The Supreme Court dismisses the attorney-general's petition not an issue raised by the auorney-gen­ eral in hi s petition. In some respects, the on technical grounds but accepts his core arguments coun's verdict remained contradictory, in view of the fact th at the content of the By KESHAB POUDEL Sharma, senior advocate and former at­ con troversial questions sought to ques­ torney-general Moti Kaji Sthaphit, Allor­ tion the merit of attorney-general's deci­ ney-General Badri Bahadur Karki and sion. Ith ough a special bench of the Su­ advocate Harihar Dahal pleaded in the Probably, the court thought it fit to preme Court dismissed il petition courl. Advocates Bal Ram K.C., Prakash make some popular remarks to sati sfy the ed by Attorney-General Badri Bahadur Wasti. Anup Raj Sharma and Suhil Panta ClAA and the others. It also declared the Karki on technical grounds, the court ac­ pleaded on behalf of the CIAA. controversial letter issued by CIAA' s in­ cepted most of his argumen ts on the final­ Attorney-General Karki fited a case vestigation officer as not related to and ity of hi s decisions. in the Supreme Court demanding a re­ containing any accusation against the at­ Along with clearing so many consti­ straim order against the CIAA not to torney-general. In the court's view, the tut ional issues, the bench also directed the question the merit and wisdom of his letter was nothing more than a request for Commission for In ves ti gation of Abuse prosecutorial decisions. The court cat­ information from the Attorney-General's of Authortty (CIAA) to uphold thedignity egorically disapproved the manner the Office. of other constitutional bodies .... ______--= ______-, A five-member bench com- before co nducting inquiries. prising Chief Justice Kcshav Legal experts see this decision Prasad Upadhyaya, lustices as a firm reaffirmation of one Laxman Aryal. Kedar Nath Up- the primary tenets of investiga- adhyaya, KrishnaJung Rayamajhi {ion: maintaining secrecy_ and Govinda Bahadur Shrestha In its decision, the Supreme del ivercd the verdict. Court also maintained that the In another petition filed un- CIAA and attorney-general are der public litigation demanding constitutionally independent in the voidin g of Clause 34. 1 of ir areas of work. Arti cles 97 CIAA Act 2048, which desig- d 98 of the Constitution of the nated the case filed by the ClAA Kingdom of Nepal 1990 define as state case, a seven-member the role and duties of the CIAA, special bench of the apex court while Anieles 109. I 10 and I II Supreme Court: Far-reaching decision rejected the demand, finding it spell out the role of the attomey­ not inconsistent with the consti­ general. CIAA used to conduct it s investigative tuti onal provisions. 11 look just over two months for the work through publishing its procedures. The natural and logical consequence Supreme Court to settle the dispute be­ The cou rt also went on to say that afthi s verdict is that thcauorney-general' s tween the country's two main constitu­ when a case or complaint is under inves­ right to appeal the CIAA's case has re­ tional bodies primarily concerning their tigation, it should be done in keeping mained intact. The seven-member bench areas ofjurisdiction. Thecase was filed by with the maintaining minimum norms of consisted of chief Justice Keshab Prasad the attorney-general after the CIAA ques­ maintaining secrecy, not indulging in Upadhyaya, justices Kedarnath Up­ tioned his decision not to prosecute Sunil publicity. The lawyers representing the adhyaya, Krishna lung Rayamajhi, Maskey. who was arres ted at the airpon CIAA's main demand for protection of Govinda Bahadur ShrcSlha, Hari Prasad with Cl suitcase of Indian bank notes of Rs its rights lO look into the merit and wis­ Sharma, Krishna Kumar Verma and Ke­ 500 denomination, which .. are not legal dom of the attorney-general's decision dar Prasad Giri. tender in Nepal. However, the court deci­ has been categorically rejected by the At a lime when constitutional chal­ sion doesn't seem to ha ve fully settled the court. lenges are coming up one after another, jurisdiction iss ue. One other important issue raised by the country's apex co urt seems to have On behalf of the allorney-general, the allorney-general - the CIAA's ap­ become used to interpreting major por­ eminent constitutional lawyer Ganesh Raj pointing privare lawyers without obtain- tions of the supreme law of the land .•

SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 II NATIONAL

through the Theyasaphus (folded books) SHAH DYNASTY written in a diary style. These arc more authentic than the Vansavalis. as they cover important events that took place Changing Of The Guards during the time of the author that kept them," the late Khadga Bikram Shah. A vital lesson from history: whenever the monarchy is wrote. The story of the Shah dynasty begins weakened, the nation pays a heavy price with Prilhvi NaTayan Shah, who starled from Gorkha and went on to create mod- BY AKSHAY SHARMA The tradition of writing history can ern Nepal. He was 20 when crowned the be traced to the medieval pen od. People king ofGorkhaand was a strong monarch. he monarchy existed in Nepal over preserved their past through the chronicles His successor and the second ruler of T 2,000 years ago as the Asoka pillar (Vamsavali), "The oldest is the Gopalraj the Shah dynasty, Pratap Singh Shah, as- on the Lumbini gardens testifies, "King Bassavali compiled during the last de- cended the throne in 1774 and ruled f Priyadasi the beloved of Gods - a per- cades of the 14 century:' writes Pereival three years, The king could not fill t sonal fomlUla generally used by Aso ka in Landon, ,hoesofh!; father and the monarchy gradu- his inscriptions - havlOg been anointed "These chronicles provide us with ally became weak, In 1774, RanaBahadur twenty years" , came intoexistence,came the genealogy of Icings, duration of rule, Shah, barely a child of two and half years, into person and worshipped here. King and someofthe Important events that took was caught between the devil and thcdeep Priyadasl exempted Lumbini villagers place dunng the concerned era. People blue sea, as Bahadur Shah (son of Prilhivi from taxes. and bestowed wealt.h upon it, began to preserve the significant. events Narayan Shah) and his mother (Rajendra writes Percival Landon in his , ______, Laxrm Shah) clamored for book ·'Nepal". power againsl each other. "The people in the Land of "Due to the in righting among the Buddha woke up to hear the courtier, the monarchy suf- incredible story that the Crown fered for 173 years," says a Prince had made a big move at historian. the palace over a dispute with Following prolonged in- his liberal father (late King ternal fighting among the Bircndra)on hiS maniageplans," courliers. King Rana Bahadur adaled MaheshAryal said. "The abdicated in lavor of his son, shock and horror fed by the GrrvanyudhaBir Brkram Shah media frenzy has certainly left in 1799, Ran" Bahadur Shiillo. the country paralyzed." was murdered seven ye. Kapilvastu lies west of the later. ThiS is the first recorded capital and is lhe place where murder of a k.ing in the history Lord Buddha left to find Nir- of Nepal. vana. leaving behind his son as • Girvanyudha, who was hIS successor, "Hsuan Tsang, , ...,,,Jiiilk only twoycarsold when hesat De-tsuno of China in 650 AD on the throne, ruled for 17 wrote about the marriage of the years. The fighting between Licchavi King Ashuvarma and the Thapa and Pandcy courl- emperor Asoka of India had hap- ier~ Intensified amid an exter- pencd toereClan pillar inscribed nal war as the expan~ion of - the Sakyamuni was horn Nepal was picking speed. He here-which FrFuherhappened died when he wa, only 19 to come upon:' says Kamalesh years old. Sharrna of Kapilvastu, Rajendra Bikram Shah, Therefore, the monarchy the fifth ruler of the Shah dy- happens to be 2,175 ye';"s old, nasty, ascended the throne in according to the information 1816 at the age of three, The Fuher put out on the spot Prince struggle among power-hungry Siddhartha Gautam was believed cout1iers furthered weakened Great King Prithvi Narayan's statue: Symbol of unity to have been born. the monarchy. Rajendra

12 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 NATIONAL

tion Commission on August 17, 1982. He announced Nepal's flrst·evernational ref­ erendum on May 24, 1979 to find out whether the people wanted to continue wilh Ihe panchayal system or adopt a multi-party system. Some 54.7 percent of Ihe people chose to retain the party less panchayal system. King Birendra died at 9: 15pm on June I al the Narayanhily Palace. Crown Prince Dipendra, born on June 27.1971. was named kingon June2. King Dipendra, in acoma in hospital, became monarch for -. IwO days berore he died al the ageor31 on June 4. The brolheroflhe lale King Birendra. Prince Gyanendra BIf Bikram Shah - who salon the throne for a brief period in Late King Birendra with leaders: Tearful adieu 1950 - was crowned king on June 4. "I feel as if the whole world has gone Bikram abdicaled the throne in 1846 and coronation speech, which had received down, I don't believe the stories in the wenl to seek solace in the Indian holy cilY Ihe endorsement of 116 countries by 1990. media. I know Ihat Ihe Inslory of Nepal is or Banares. King Birendra promulgaled Ihe sec­ harsh. And above all. I believe in monar­ Surcndra Bikram Shah's accession ond amendment to the Conslitution of chy," said Prakash Koirala. ',Ioicinga view saw the dawn of a new era 10 Nepal'!l Nepal in 19620n December 12.1975. He WIdely expressed during Ihese lumultu­ history. Soon came the Rana rule under consliluted the Royal Higher level Educa- ous days. • which Surendra served as the monarch for 35 years. Surendras son. Trailokya, dIed

a~ crow n pnncc. Trailokya's son. PrilhYl Bir Bikram Shah. hecame Ihe sevenlh king and Ihe Indi'idulJI eighth descendant of Ihe Shah dynaslY. :\~ral ,\R·" R ... 14tlfl.{MI SR .. R ... Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, who was Imha le R~ 140(' !I{J 1(' R .. Other SAARC Iy six years old when he sat on Ihe liS S 75.00 IISS 150.00 Countrie., US:s 75.0(1 ·one. ruled ror 30 years. Under Ihe weak L'S Si 100.00 L'S S 200.00 Japan CS "i IIJO.OO umhrella o( the monarchy. the Raml rc­ L'S S90.00 CS Si 180.00 A'>ean Cflunllic~ l'S SlJO,no l'S S 100 DO L'S S 200.00 Chllla/Korcub.

SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8. 2001 13 NATIONAL KING GYANENDRA A Model Monarch

King Gyanendra seems to have been born to protect the institution of monarchy.' For the second time in a little over half a century, King Gyanendra has been placed in a position to give continuity and restore the total faith of the people in the monarchy. In 1950 when royal family members sought asylum in India, it was King Gyanendra who kept the monarchy intact when he was just three years old. In the latest role destiny has imposed upon him, King Gyanendra could prove to be the savior

By KESHAB POUDEL were gripped by unusual tragedy. uncle of late King Dipendra - was de­ The Raj Parishad declared King clared the successor to the throne. Gyanendra the new monarch following the History has thrust upon King ft er 50 years. King Gyanendra deathsofKing Birendraand King Dipendra Gyanendra a role similar 10 the onc he ascended the throne once again within a span 0.1'48 hours. Under Article 34 discharged in 1950. But the challenges A when th e chief priest crowned him (5) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of ahead are more difficult for him this time. at I I :30am on Monday at the Hanuman Nepal 1990, a meeting of the Raj Parishad In his first four-month reign in 1950, he Dhoka Palace following the announcement was convened and the council confinned protected the monarchy from abolition by of the death of King Dipendra Bir Bikram the demise of the King Dipendra. Prince Rana prime minister Mohan Sumsher. This Shah Dev at the Birendra Military Hospital Gyanendra, who was appointed as regent time, too, he is entrusted with the task of on 3:45am. during King Dipendra's brief reign, was maintaining the continuity of the monar­ Twenty-nine years ago, King Birendra declared the new monarch. chy and upholding public faith in the insti­ ascended the th rone, at'the same Nasal Since King Dipendra was unmarried tution. Chowk of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar fol­ and had no offspring (sons or grandson), as Although a section of the people sees lowing the death of King Mahendra after a per the Section 5.6 of the Succession to the him as an illiberal member of the royal heart attack. The circumstances surround­ Throne Act 2044, Prince Gyanendra - the family, the time has come for King in g KingGyancndra'saccession, however, second brother of late King Birendra and Gyanendra to prove them wrong. As chair-

14 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 King Gyanendra : At the helms man of King Mahendra Trust for Nature save the crown of the Kingdom of Nepal instabililY andanarl'hy in the last live year!', Conservation. King Gyancndra has already for a second time when there seems la be a The Nepale~c people arc knowingly or showed his effectiveness and efficiency in real lhreal and a near breakdown of the unknowingly playing a part in crealing lhis • area of natural conservation.' "King institulion of monarchy. In 1950 he was instability, Whether thruugh constitutional ~ anendra is an efficient and knowledge­ crowned as king when his grandfather King or unconstitutional processes, the country able man, as I had an opportunity to work Tribhuvan, his father Crown Prince Ma­ has seen a prolonged phase of political with him in the area of conservation," said hendra and his brother Prince Birendra and volatililY· a western diplomat on condition of ano­ other family members sought asylum to The country c.;an expect to overcome nymity. India. King Gyanendra finds himself shoul­ lhis critical situation. including the six­ The nation hopes King Gyanendra dcring similar responsibilities after his year-old yiolt!nt insurgency, since tht! na­ succeeds in filling the vacuum generated in brother, King Birendra and ncphew King lion has a new monarch who has a long the country following the tragedy in the Dipendra, along wilh most of their fami ly experience in matters of governance. King royal palace. That would be one of his members, met with a tragic cnd on Friday Gyanendra has witnessed the vicissitudes greatest contributions to the nation and June 1.200 I," said polilical analysis!. King of Nepalcsc society and shared views with institution of monarchy. Gyanendra's immediate response to calls late King Birendra. In an address to the nation after his for an invesligalion into the palace killings He has committed himself to the val­ accession, King Gyanendra clearly reaf­ showed how eager he is to tacklc issues ues nurtured by his late brother, particu­ fim1cd his commitment to investigate the raised by the people. 111e new king has a larly those of su'cngthenin g const ituli onal incidents lhat took place on the nighl of tough time ahead as public sentiments monarchy and multipaJ1y democracy and June I in which eighl royal family mem­ sparked by rumors have sent tremors of attaining the all-round developmenl of the bers - including King Birendra, Queen panic across the city, In the name of ex­ country. The promptness with wh.ich he Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan and Princess pressing grief, some individuals are mak~ has constilutcd a high-level commission or

Shruli - were killed. in g efforts todestabilize lhecountry I some­ inquiry, headed by the chief juslice and "In a strange twisl of h.isLOry, King thi ng the people will have lO vigilant agai nsl. including lhespeakerofthe House ofRcp­ Gyancndra seems to have been destined to Nepal has seen a series of polilical resentatives and the leader of the opposi-

SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 15 COVER STORY lion. to probe the cause and circumstances leading to the deaths of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Crown Prince Dipendra DEATH OF KING BIRENDRA and most of the royal family members and seeking a report within three days proves he is a man of action. Of course, the task before him is not at all easy because the country is facing very serious problems: a Maoist insurgency, End disarray within political parties and frus­ tralio n and chaos in society. King Gyancndra mu" heal the tragic family wound and act as a bridge among political inst itutions through the delicate mecha· nism spelled out in the constitution. King Gyanendra. Iikc his elder brother. is well Of aware of the precariousness of national situation and the volatility of the political process. If things stabilize soon, the coun­ try can gain much-needed strength for po­ litical rejuvenation. Political le aders have already ex­ pressed SUppOrlLO new king. "We are can­ An Era lident King Gyanendra will support the constitutional process initiated by late King Bircndra." said Madhav Kumar Nepal, A monarch who ascended the throne at the age of leader of the main opposition CPN,UML. "We urge aJl Nepalis to support the new 28, King B irendra' s reign came to an end at the age king in hi s efforts to consolidate multi­ party democracy and constitutional mOn­ of 56, having established a reputation well beyond archy." Raslri ya Prajatantra Party president his country as a mature leader. He ruled Nepal as Surya Bahadur Thapa has issued a similar an absolute monarch for 18 years and 12 as a plea. CPN-ML Icader Bam Dev Gautam and Nepal Sadbhavana Pany leader constitutional monarch. During both roles, Kint Gajendra Narayan Singh. 100, have urged party workers and the people to support Birendra successfully won the hearts of his people. King Gyanendra in hi s efforts to consoli­ date the democratic process. "Nepal is facing a very crucial time in By KESHAB POUDEL If Nepal faced a series of political its history. We will support the new king's instability, this Himalayan buffer state be­ efforts to consolidate the constitutional fter King Birendra and his entire tween two big regional powers, India and monarchy and multiparty democracy," said family members died in mysteri­ China, may have 10 pass through a very Gautam said. ous circumstances at the Royal critiql situation. During his 30 years on the As all the major political leaders Palace on Friday, June I, the thron'e, King Birendra maintained a well­ have expressed their commitment to sup­ queAstion remains: how will Nepal achieve balanced relationship with both neighbors. porting the institution of constitutional mon­ much-needed political stability at this cru­ Whatever the circumstances surround­ archy, the people now expect fLrnl steps cial juncture of hislOry. ing Friday night's deaths in the palace, the aimed at stabilizing the democratic pro­ Ahhoughhe was a constitutional mon­ primary challenge now is to unite the coun­ cess. arch for the last 12 years, King Birendra try under the new king. "Nepal has lost one With the nation passing through a very played a very important role in ensuring a of its greatest kings who always sided with crucial time in its history, public attention smooth transition to democracy. Many the people whenever there was a crisis," is sharply focused on King Gyanendra's Nepalis are concerned whether the absence said prominent historian Rishikesh Shaha. efforts to pull the nation out of its current of King Birendra's dynamism and matu­ "This is a very crucial phase in the history despair. • rity would mean a new phase of instability. of Nepal and the death of King Birendra is

16 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 COVER STORY

dunng a family dinner or who killed them. Rumors spread that Crown Plince Dipendra shot his family melnbers with an automatic rifle following a dispute over hi s marriage plans. Nobody knows huw and when the incident took place as almost all the eye­ witnesses were either killed or seriously injured as this story was being written. If nobody was available to describe what had . happened. how did the news that Crown . Prince Dipendra had opened fire on his family members before shooting himself spread like wildlire" "It is really strange to see news point­ ing a fingerto the Crown Prince Dipendra, quoting Royal Palace sources, spread, When no person who allended the dinner was in a position to tell the facts, how could some­ onc simply spread the news accusing a seriously injured Crown Prince?" asked a political analyst. It appeared the incident was used to encourage political instability in the coun­ try and create panic among the people. Virtually no one was w illing [Q believe that Crown Prince Dipendra could have taken such an extreme action. "Crown Prince Dipendra was an intel­ Late King Birendra : People's monarch ligent and very kind person. 1 never saw a a major loss La the country." patriotism and loyally to the institution of trace of bad temperament in him. As his Foreign leaders and major political monarchy and the nation." teacher. I was well treated and respected:' partics hailed the role of King Bircndra in When ncws of the deaths of King said Dr. Mangal Siddhi Manandhar, pro­ uon buildin!! and democratization. Birendra. Queen Aishwaryaand other royal fessor of geography and member of the J pal" s leaders need to work toward maIn­ family members fi rst spread on the night of parliament. taining political stability ala lime when the June 1-2, few took it more seriously than a The commun people voiced similar country has lost a statesman who was al­ crude rumor. The country went into shock views. When this scribe interviewed 100 ways concerned about national well-being after the Raj Parishad made an official youth.s, 95 percent did not believe the and democracy. announcement on the afternoon of June 2. story was credible. "We do not believe As a large number of youths con­ People thronged the Birendra Army Hos­ that Crown Prince Dipendra could have verged on the streets of Kathmandu de­ pital in Chhauni to seek infomlation. Ac­ take n such an extreme step. No son can manding a probe into what actually hap­ cordinglOtheofficiai announcement, which kill hi s father, mother and his whole fam­ pened at the royal palace on that fateful the people received a{ 1:30pm, King ily for the sake of a girl. [don't kn ow why night, lherisk of violence continued. Groups Birendra. Queen Aishwarya, Prince the media are playing up such unsubstan­ of youth were already marching in the city. Nirajan, Princess Shruti and four other tiated stories," said Shree Prasad Pandit, demanding punishment for the c ulprits. members of the royal family were declared registrar at the Supreme Court, who came The local administrations or Kathmandu dead at 9: 15pm at Narayanhity Royal Pal­ to the Narayanhity palace to pay his re­ and Lalitpur districts imposed a curfew ace the previous night. People learned that spects to the departed king. ''The event did af(Cr violent clashes. Crown Prince Dipendra, who the Raj not lake place as reported. An automatic Violence and demonstrations will fur­ Parishad had declared the new king, was in weapon exploded accidentally," said ther worsen the si tuation. ~specia l\y at a a coma at the hospital. Chiran S. Thapa, the royal palace master lime when the country needs patience and Although King Birendra and his fam­ of ceremonies, talking to the BBC World t:ourage. ''In the name of seeking punish­ il y members died in an accident at the Service Television . .. [ don' t know lhe ment. the situmion may turn worse," said a Narayanhity palace, nobody knows Ihe details, but [ do believe that it was an political analyst. 111is is a time to show exact cause of the deaths that took place accident." •

SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 17 COVER STORY

But thanks 10 typical Nepali politi­ ROYAL PALACE KILLINGS cal style, the main opposition Unified Marxist-Leninist decided not to send its top leader to the inquiry committee. "We Desperate For The Truth are ready to cooperate the committee and depute some ot her se nior leaders of the People within Nepal and abroad are impatient to know the truth. But party but not myself." said Madhav politicking by the main opposition party has not helped the matter Kumar Nepal. But why? According to sources, th e main opposi ti on leader re­ ceived a big rebuke by hi s arch rival within the party. K. P. Sharma Oli. for By BHAGIRATH YOGI if there will be any attempt to cover up ." accepting to be part of the committee Perhaps. this is the first time that without consultin g the party. Only a few young people, not the cynical political days back, Madhav Nepal had allegedly ime: 10:50 a. m .. Wednesday parties, are talking about eNepal bandh. ' put the Oli in the tight spot by asking his Place: Chhauni T eA Il we want is the revelation of truth as party to refuse the Public Accou Scene: Local people arc offering their soon as possible.' said Sharmila Ghimire. Commi ttee's decision saying that one 0 cond olence to latc King Birendra, Queen a housewife from Baneswore. with tears the fomlcr UML ministers was in volved Aishworya and other member> of the in her eyes. slain royal family at a public place deco· rated by Help Line Club. Suddenly, two or three youths. with their heads shaved orr. find two lyre~ and try to burn it in the Illlddle oftho roads. People are panicked. All the shUllers are pull ed down and people run toward their houses . Within a t;()up lc of minutes, a patrolling van of police arrives. Policemen put out the fire and slart guarding the area. Tillle: 1 1: 50 a. m .. Wednesday Place: Southern gate of Royal Pal- ace Scene: After two days long curfew and amid rumors of curfew being im­ posed upon in the city any lime. hun­ dreds of people- with flowers in their hand- tolerate the mid-day sun and queue up in a disciplined way along the pavemenl. They are there to pay thei r homage to th e late royal family and put King Gyanendra being crowned: Model monarch their signatures on the memorial book. Even after six days of the fateful \Vith the annoullcement by newly in the China South West Airlines seam. Friday event that claimed li ves of ten sworn-in King Gyancndra Monday thata Moreover. the UML that ha, hardly royal family members of Nepal - in­ three-member comm ittee has been con­ managed to five ot her lert parties to pull c luding King Birendra and Queen stituted headed by Chief]ustice Keshav together- and also succeeded in getting Aishwarya (See: a separate story) Prasad Upadhyayaand SpeakerTaranath support of four other left parties- ex­ Nepalese people are finding it hard to Ranabhat and leader of the main opposi­ cept sp linter Marxist·Leninisls- to rally swallow the biller truth that their beloved tion Madhav Kumar Nepal as it mem­ around it during the three-day long na­ royal family members were killed in cold bers, people were optimistic that truth tionwide ge neral strike called by it last blood within the royal palace at a family will ultimately cOl11e out. By opening up month, many not have wanted to look dinner. "We want to k.now the truth, the unfortunarc incident within the royal pro-monarchy, analysts say. Keeping in nothing else:' said Binod Maharjan. a palace for the purview ofpeople's scru­ tradition of the Nepali politicians, the young man in hi s early twenties Wednes­ tiny and asking the high-level committee UML seemed to enjoy all the privilege day morning. "We will call eNepal subm it the report within three days, the offered by the state but wou ld not come bandh' (the nationwide shutdown strike) new monarch had received applaud. forward to discharge its responsibility at

18 SPOTLlGHTIJ UNE 8, 2001 COVER STORY an hour of crisis. critics said. For a common man in the road back the country or abroad. Thanks to By Wednesday afternoon, the two­ home, loss of king was like loss of his the emergence of new media like Inter­ memhcrcommiuce was considering start­ own family member. "1 was mourning ment and priority coverage given by ing work even if the UMLdid not join. At the death of Their Majesties and hoping media like BBC and CNN, they were the same time. there were efforts to ac­ that King Dipcndra would survive and tracking developments back home round com modate more people in the commit­ tell us the lruth , " said a local women, the clock. tee so as (Q make it broad-base. Given the weeping profusely in front of Birendra Not only in Kathmandu, emotional nature of the comm ittee. it will have to Military hospital at Chhauni Monday outbursts of people could be seen from chart ou t courses for detailed investiga­ morning. "We will nOl allow last rites of all over the country. Even bordering In­ tion. But as things stand . its job will be late King Dipendra performs unless we dian towns were closed after the news anything but easy. know the truth" spread. Telephones kept on ringing all As a common Ncpali doesn't want Looking at the popular anger and through the fateful night on Friday. It to believe that Crown Prince Dipcndra desperation, last rites of late King will take quite long for the people to may have shot his parents and decimated Dipcndra were performed with state accept the truth that their beloved royal hi s entire family before co mmilting honor late Monday but without the par­ family is no more them. And, they re­ icide' on the issue of choos ing a bride ticipation of the public as a curfew had main desperate and worried to know the r him, co nspiracy theories are doing already been imposed. It was an added truth- an unparalleled incident in the ro und s round the clock. The angry people shock for the Nepalese, whether within world hi story. • fought with the police throughout Mon­ day pelting stones at them. The authori­ ties then clamped curfew on Monday and Tuesday to prevent any ou tbreak of vio­ CHRONOLOGY OF PALACE lence. Security officials suspected that Maois t cadres- with their heads DEATHS shaven- had infiltrated the angry crowd and were responsible for arousing ten­ sion in th e ci ty , 9: I 5 p.m. Friday, June 1,2001 : A terrible shooting takes place in Tribhuvan Sadan of By issuing a statemem that King Narayanhity Royal Palace at a family gathering. Bircndra was a liberal monarch and 9:30 pm June 1, 2001 : Top officials including Or. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi. the that the royal palace killings was a Chairman of the Royal Council. receive the news of the incident and rush to the handiwork of domestic and foreign reac­ Birendra Military Hospital in Chhauni. tionary forces. the Maoists- that are Thal night the capital residents begin receiving calls from their relmives about the waging a violent epeoplc's war' for the palace shooling. Foreign media begin to give the news before dawn. last five years to make Nepal a people's Afternoon June 2, 2001 : Chainnan of the Royal Council Dr. Rayamajhi proclaims Crown Prince Dipendra the new monarch. announces the sad demise ublic- seemed to be tryin g to gain as He maximum mileage by posing Nepali of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan and Princess SrutL Prince people against the in sti tution of monar­ Gyanendra, brother of King Birendra, is proclaimed the Regent as King Dipendra chy. But the latest episode has proved remains incapacitated due to health conditions at the military hospital. once again that monarchy is a must to The funeral procession of King Birendra. Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan, protect Nepal's ind ependence and sover­ Princess Sruti and other members of royal family takes place in the evening on June eignt y. 2,2001. Hundreds of thousands of people come out to streets to bid a tearful goodbye The instability in Nepal was a matter to their beloved King and Queen, who are cremated at Aryaghat in Pashupatinath. of concern for both her southern Monday, June4, 200 I: Chainnan of the Royal Council Or. Rayamajhi proclaims and northern neighbor. Top Indian Prince Gyanendraas the new King. He announces the passing away of King Dipendra offi cials kept a close watch at the in ci­ the same morning at 3:45 at the military hospital. dents in Nepal. The Prime Mini ster' s 11:00 a.m .. June 4. 2001 : New monarch Gyanendra is crowned amidst a office in India, in an unu sual event, sum­ traditional ceremony at the Hanumandhoka Palace. moned bosses of big media houses in Protests break out in different parts of the city demanding investigation to the Indi a and advised them to maintain re­ palace killing incidents the same day. Curfew is imposed from 4 p.m. till 5 a.m. The straint while covering Nepal's national funeral procession of King Oipendra is also taken oul. tragedy. The Indian establi>hment is es­ 9:00 p.m. June 4, 2001 : King Gyanendra delivers a royal address to the nation. pecially conscious not to arouse emo­ He fomls a high-level commillee headed by Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya tions aga in st the new monarch- lest he to investigate the whole evenl. Speaker Taranath Ranabhat and leader of the main opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal are other members of the committee. The king would turn more closer lO China, sources said. directs the commillee to present its findings within three days. •

SPOTLlGHTIJUNE 8, 2001 19 PHOTO FEATURE

The morning of Saturday June 2, 2001 brought horrible news to the Nepalese people. The death of their beloved King, Queen and other members of royal family led to a gloomy environment in the country. - By NISCHAL CHAPAGAIN or--!~

20 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 200 1 •

SPOTLlGHTIJUNE 8.2001 21 INTERVIEW 'We Need To Take More Concrete Steps To Strengthen Ties' -CYRIL SIKDER

CYRIL SIKDER, Bangladesh's ambassador to for enhanced trade and commerce. Bangladesh is Nepal, is a well·known social workeroJhis country, trying to exploit the available transit facility. The associated with various social and religious organi­ Nepalese government has invited a Bangladeshi zations. Sikder, who was also an active member of delegation to 'sort out obstacles. It would not be the Awami League Party. spoke to' SPOTUGHT correct to-say that infrastructure is lacking. On our at his office Of! Thursday_ Excerpts: side, we have the best infrastructure. When the number of NepaJese lorries and containers st What is the state of Nepal-Bangladesh rela­ grow, we will definitely do something to upgrade e tions? roads. The infrastructure currently available on the From the very beginning, relations between Bangladesh side is more than sufficient. India is very Bangladesh and Nepal have been excellent and much involved in ensuring transit between cordial. At this moment, our friendship is growing Bangladesh an<\.Nepal. If Nepal uses our Mangla stronger. People-to-people relations, lOO, are cor­ port, you could reduce cost and time substantially. dial. In Nepal, I find eve')lone is motivated to con­ This is a great opportunity for Nepalese business­ solidate the existing relationship between the two men. We are much interested to welcome NepaJ's countries. business community to fully use this opportunity. What should be done to further strengthen What is the trade volume between Bangladesh our ties? and Nepal? On the part of Bangladesh, we have been mak· The volume of trade between the two countries ing great efforts. Of course, Nepal is also making has increased quite substantially. Our exports to similar efforts. We need to take more concrete steps Nepal have now reached US$37 million. Nepal to strengthen and develop ties as rapidly as possible. exports to Bangladesh more than a $ 1 million worth How do you see Bangladesh's relations with of products. "The infrastruc­ other neigh boring countries? Despite the vast potential to expand bilateral Our relations with India have not moved ahead trade, why haven't we been able to do so? ture is adequate as in the past because of certain reason s. Because of Nepal has vast natural resources like boul in Bangladesh. our border skirmish with India. there are certain and water. Nepal has abundant water resources to misunderstandings. Talks will take place between produce hydro-electricity. We have an abundance of The highways the two countries this month after which we hope nattlfa! gas, an estimated reserve of about Itrillion are very things will pick up again. This is also a very impor­ cubic feel. These things are supplementary and tant malter for Nepal. If our relations with India are complementary. If Nepal wanLS energy at a lowe, smooth. As you sour, India will not allow Nepal and Bangladesh to cost, it could import it from Bangladesh. Along with know, there is a use the transit point. water, Nepal can also channelize other resources like transit point, Why has not surface trade between Nepal stones, boulders and fish. Bangladesh is going to be and Bangladesb picked up? Do you think the one of the major markets for NeP'i'ese products. railway road for infrastructure is not adequate? Boulder and stones are exported directly to export and The infrastructure is adequate in Bangladesh. Bangladesh. In cooperation and collaboration with impor.t. Nepal The highways are very smooth. As you know, there India, everything can be possible. Nepal, Bangladesh, is a transit point, railway road forexpory. and import. Bhutan and India are very ~Iose neighbors. We can and Bangladesh Nepal and Bangladesh can start joint-venture indus­ change the overall economic situation. can start joint­ tries. A five-star hotel is being established. 1l1ere are Although Nepal and Bangladesh already have other joint venture projects between the two coun­ ·a transit point, why hasn't the trade volume venture indus­ tries. Bangladesh and Nepal are yet to sign transport increased? tries. A jive-star modalities. A committee was constituted during the The trade volume between the two countries hotel is being visit of Nepalese Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad continues to increase. Of course, the pace of bilateral Banstola to. Bangladesh. After the visit, both coun­ trade is very slow. If Nepalese businessmen take established" tries issued a joint statement emphasizing the need more initiative, the situation can be further im-'

22 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 INTERVIEW proved. To increase the volwne of trade, it is in the hands of Nepal how to use Kakarbhitta-Phulbari road. India specifically gave this transit road to Nepal. There is an agreement between Nepal and India. We do not have any such agreements with India so our transport cannot cross the border. We have already allocated the areas in the pon and it is now up to the Nepalese to decide. Your transport loaded with goods goes up to our border. It is said that Bangladesh faces floods during the monsoon because of deforestation in Nepal. How do you look at it? Bangladesh has not had severe floods for the last five years. Although Bangladesh had major floods in 1998, we were able to handle it very My host country does not have border infringe­ "Border prob­ essfully. Even the international community ments, but for Bangladesh, there may be border lems are being ed our efforts. Ever since Prime Minister Sheikh skirmishes. It naturally happens as Bangladesh and Hasina Wajed came to power, our government has India was part of the onc country. Since partiti on solved at high­ developed very effective mechanism to control when we were part of Pakistan, the border problem level meetings floods. Nepal and Bangladesh have many similari­ was there. Bangladesh was born on March 25, 1971. ties in various areas. ]f we have any developrnent­ After tlle independence of Bangladesh, this thing is between the two oriented programs to use the natural resources, Nepal happening often. The border was not demarcated countries. In will benetit more. Nepal has many more natural properly. Our father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur resources than Bangladesh. Rehman and Indian prime minister lndira Gandhi order to solve How do you think Bangladesh is going to be signed an agreement in 1974 and most of the things the border affected by the World Trade Organization? were buried in the past. Only a small portion of the problems, we As far as Bangladesh is concerned, we are a border is demarcated. Border problems are being member of the mo. My government's view is that solved at high-level meeLings between the twocoun­ will have an­ we want more benefits for the developing counties. tries. In order to solve the border problems. wc will other meeting Nepal will soon become a member of tl,e WTO. have another meeting this month. After the meeting, Mobility of tabor, capital and joint ventures arc we would be able to son out our problems. this month. required as in the case of the European"Union and The nuclear arms race in South Asia has After the meet­ Southeast Asian countries. become a cause of great concern for smaller ing, we would Bangladesh and Nepal had taken the initia­ nations of the region. What do you think the in the establishment of the South Asian Asso- smaller nations of South Asia should do to mini­ be able to sort for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The mize the danger? out our prob­ sethack it has received ill the last two years has It is a very sensitive matter. Bangladesh has been very detrimental to the whole region. How been carefully observing this maller. Bangladesh is lems. " in your opinion can such unhappy trends be not in ravor of increasing nuclear armaments. We averted in the future? have also signed nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. As an ambassador of Bangladesh. I can say Bangladesh is committed to disarmament and world economic diplomacy is very much part of the SAARC peace. process. International diplomacy is also involved. India's-endorsemcnt of National Missile De­ Therefore, they have to go together. SAARC coun­ fence system advocated by US President George tries cannot forget their international connections. W. Bush is very ominous for South Asia. What As for the two-year gap in the summit, the two big should the smaller nations do to counteract such countries of the region, India and Pakistan, have developments? some problClns. Initially, it is a political problem. We are watching the situation and we have not The SAARC process is not progressing because of decided on a course of action yet. We are always for political complications. There are conflicts between world peace. India and Pakistan on many pplitical issues. Do you think the SAARC summit will take Bangladesh and Nepal are facing similar place this year? problems of cross-border infringements from The SAARC summit will take place in 2001. I India. What steps is Bangladesh taking to safe­ am very oplimistic about this. Things are moving in guard its international border? that direclion. •

SPOTLlGHTIJUNE 8. 2001 23 ENVIRONMENT

vehicles continue to increase in the valley, WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY reaching more than 200,000. The con­ gested roads of the valley are not able to cope increasing number of vehicles. Unmet Challenges En vironmentalisls and other non-gov­ ernmental organizations lodged a strong Even after making many efforts, the environment of protest demanding restrictions on import­ ing vehicles in Kathmandu, but noone has the Kathmandu valley is yet to improve paid any attention to it. The pressure against growing pollu­ By A CORRESPONDENT Although smoke-belching vehicles were tion problems cominue to rise as citizens tluown out of Kathmandu valley, air pol­ groups along with othcrorganizalions have espite the banning of smoke-belch­ lution continues to rise. been launching various kinds of programs Ding Vikram tempos and selling strict As other polluting vehicles were to reduce the pollution. emission standards, the air quality of thrown out of Kathmandu valley, the gov­ Kathmandu is facing number of pol­ Kathmandu valley is yet to improve. ernment has allowed the import of ve­ lution problems, including garbage a According to a recent study, the level hicles that fun on gas, which continues to mulation and decline in the quality of' . of air pollution ri ses above the standard pollute the street of Kalhmandu valley. The rivers ofKathmandu have now turned set by the World Health Organization. ''The government will set certain stan­ into a sewer. Garbage collection and Carbon dioxide and the level of particles dards to control air pollution in Kathmandu composting is major problem faced by the in the air is much higher in Kathmandu. [n valley," said a senior official at the Minis­ Kathmandu valley. cenain areas like Chabahil, Putalisadak try of Population and Envi ronment. Because of lack of permanent land­ and Kalimari. it is significantly beyond In the last two years, the number of fill side, garbage crisis continues to ap­ acceptable levels. pear in the valley. Lack of Over the last five awareness and execution years. (he government of environment laws arc has introduced many another problems facing mechanisms to contain the country. the level of pollution. The IoWe can reduce the government also re­ level of air pollution in stricted vehicles without Kathmandu valley if we green stickers - which taken certain actions. ,. said cenify compliance with Chanda Rana, president of emission standards - Save the Environment from entering key city Foundation. "Our org areas. zation has been making As the level of air every efforts to take initia­ pollution increases. the tive." number of people suffer­ Other non-govern- ing from pneumonia and mental organizations are other rcspi ratory diseases also busy to launch the pro­ in the Kathmandu has grams to generate a warc­ grown. Studies con­ ness arnongthe population. ducted by various orga­ There arc more than nizations also show that 100 organizations have the number of patients been working in the areas visiting hospitals con­ of environment. As tinue to rise, particul arly Kathmandu valley needs a children who are prone certain programs to reduce to pneumonia. the level of air pollution, A study conducted sooner it comes down bet­ by the Save the Environ­ ter for the future of the val­ ment Foundation a few ley. What the government years ago deteriorating Brick-kilns: Smoke in the a,ir has to do is to initiate tan­ situ ati on in Kathmandu. ______gible work to control it. •

24 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 NATIONAL

dealh,"Our King and Our Nalion arc NATION IN MOURNING DearerTo Us Than Our Lives" read most of Ihe placards, C Ulling across elhnic and polilical People At Loss lines, thousands of youlhs showed their respect to the kin g in unison. Wh eth er Hundreds of thousands of Nepalese males shave their they be Brahmin or Newar. Congress or communi sts, all have expressed their head to show their deep respect to late king agony in true spirit of their nationali sm. There is a popular saying"Raja Sabka By SANJAY A DHAKAL people have been involved in a mass Sajha" which means king is for every­ shaving of their head to show their deep one. respect to the late king. A government notice has asked all terrible tragedy that hit the royal In Hindu tradition, close male rela­ the male government employees to un­ fami ly on June I. 2001. has lefllhe tives. including the sons, have 10 shave dergo mundan (shaving of head) 10 mourn 1. ,.10,,' nc'nnlp in a Slale of deep mourn- Iheir head if a falher dies in a famil), Ihe kingfs dealh, Including Ihe personnel 1l1g "The king was Ihe falher of our na­ from mililary and police. Ihere would be None of Ihe 22 million Nepalese tion. He was the symbo l of national al leas I 200.000 male employees, might have thought in Ihcll'wildest night­ unily," said Prabh. Poudel. a 26-year­ Apart from lhe governmenl employ­ mares that a tragedy of such calamatic old man from Imadole. giving reasons ees. many more general public have 1011- proportions could hit their beloved mon­ why he shaved his head, sured Iheir heads,"Though il is a sad arch and the country. "This is our dUlY. Since he was OUT momenl. it l!'io our duty to shave the heads of mourning people." said Shiva RaIn. Thakur, a 16- year-old ha rber from Janakpur, who was busy cut­ ling hair al Ihe sid ewalk of Chabahil in Ihe aflennath of Ihe Fndayfs Iragedy, Donns of clubs al dif­ ferent parls of Ihe country organized a free shaving pro­ grams 10 help Ihe people, NOI onl y Ihe eld erly people. even Ihe youth have lOnsured Iheir heads. "This is a time of great loss, The Nepalese youth re­ vered Iheir ki ng and now Ihey are in the forefront in paying res pe cl to him." said Poudel "King Birendra was not merely a king. He was the peoplefs king, He was Ihe symbol of nalional unily Shaving the head: Hearl-feh respecl and idenlily, Nepalese have 10 bear terrible loss by his "After an urgent ca ll came to king, we musl respecl him," said Subash dealh," said Kcshar lung Rayamajhi" my residence al around 9:30 pm, I wenl Bhandari , another young man with hi s According 10 Hindu traditi o n, to the military hospital at Chhauni. 1 head shaven. the king is regarded as the incarnation wel'l billerly when I saw King and Thousands of people Ihronged al dif­ of Lord Vishnu. He is considered lO Queen lying dead," said ' Keshar lung ferent barber shops ever si nee the terrible be living God, "The king is Ihe falher Rayamajhi , chairman o f Ihe Raj news broke out Moslly the people shaved of Ihe counlfy, He is Ihe guardian of Parishad,"This is Ihe grealesllfagedy in on Sunday and Monday, The youlh even Ihe people." said Narayan Bahadur Ihe hislOry of Nepal." came out on streets spontaneously to Shreslha, a 49-year-old man from Shocked, dazed and confused, Ihe mourn their beloved monarch's Mahankal. •

SPOTLlGHTIJUNE 8. 2001 25 ors in order to evade detection. INTERNET This particular site, which is under the control of Indian web masters, recorded fewer than 1,000 visitors in October. That Ugly Face number crossed 9,000 in three months and reached about 10,000 within two days after Nepali beauties are victims of on-line exploita­ the story appeared, according to the pub­ tion lishers. The Internet site's main page sug­ gests that if there is any problem with BY AKSHAY SHARMA way which puts a question mark on the anyone's photo on the site, it would be contests as well as the newspaper that removed as soon as possible. But you uch of Nepalese society may still flashed its URL suddenly to the public have to send them an e-mail first. M regard discussions on sex and .The photographs of the models were pub- "The responsible editorial team of related topics in public as taboo. With lished in the same publication earlier this the publication has done a serious mist "e access to the Internet growing in ....- ..--- ...- .....----""'lIIII!'I ...... F""~~..,., by publishing the URL ofs Kathmandu and other urban cen- site. The photographs of the ters, however. the wallsaregradu- models posted on the site seem allycomingdown.lnrheprocess, to be cut out from the maga- unfortunately. some people - zines," says another Internet such as the participants of a rc- whiz. requesting anonymity. cent beauty contest - are becom- This episode raises other ing victims of on-hne sexual ex- serious questions Are our mod- ploitation. What makes matters els sufficiently aware of their worse is that this is oftcn happen- rights? Admiltedly, these con- ing without their knowledge. testants did not take parl in the A publication recently car- contest to be cheated and misrep- ried an anicleon Nepali pomogra- resented. Moreover, are beauty phy availal>leon the Internet. "The pageants actually conducted in artIcle was on the last page of the the unclothed setting some of weekJy tabloid. which is an estab- these pictures seem lO suggest? Itshcd and responsible source of "They were cheated badly news on Nepal," says Dinesh because lhcyare beingmisrepre- Shrestha of Gangabu. "It featured sentcd. They may have their -, news about a girl I know very opinions aboUl the site and well." he adds. have the right to seck punish- One particular feature of the ment for those responsible for story disturbed many people. "It is , exploiting thelll," says Bipin. disgusting that the publication de- "Nobody should feel a sense cided to publish the URL of the of achievement in having found Intemetsilcaiong with the story," such a sire," says another con- says Bipin Jangam, an Internet cemcd individual. "Such acts de- whi z. Sudarshan, a net "junkie" gmdcsourwhoiesociety,·'headds. -an active memberoftheemerg- Some steps were taken to ing tribe that is addicted to the Youth using internet: For info-tainmen, delete the photographs from the World Wide Web - says: "The sitcaftercomplaintsofmisrepre- way in which these women were year," says one Internet enthusiasl. I sentation. The enduring question raised by presented was hi ghly deplorable. I Organizers, on the other hand, strenu­ this episode remains: was the publication tried tracing that site but was unable (0 ously reject efforts to undern,ine beauty justified in giving publicity to the site by locate the designer." contests just because of the foul actions of publishing the URL. This case contains'cnough material a third party. So who bears the responsi­ It would have been a different matter to trigger a vigorous debate on the larger bility forthis demeaning form of exploita­ if they bad not published the URL, argues issue of beauty contests, pining propo­ tion? Obviously whoever owns the site. a lawyer. Media-ethics experts might want nents and opponents in a culture war. But people who run such sites are likened to answer the question from a commu­ "Beauty contest are still presented in a to "chameleons", who rapidly change col- nity-standards yardstick. •

26 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 THE BOTTOM LINE

By M.S.KHOKNA

is gUiding

TRANSITION Acharya as spokesperson. Dev, to investigate the killings at Dipendra on June 5. the palace on June 1,2001, which BEREA VED: Finance Secretary left His Majesty King Birendra, CLOSUREANNOUNCED:The APPOINTED: Ministers Dr. Dr. Bimal Koirala, of his father Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya, 5-day closing down of all govern­ Ram Sharan Mahat, Cha~ra Thir Pmsad Koirala. The senior Crown Prince Dipendra, Prince ment offices and Nepalese diplo­ Bastola, former ministers Dr. Koirala died of cancer at the ageof Nirajan, Princess Sruti and other mati c missions abroad, by the Ram Baran Yadav, K.B. 73 in Biramagar. members of the royal fami ly dead. Home Ministry.on the sad demise Gurung, Laxman Ghimire, of His Majesty King Birendra on Mrs. Leela Koirala. Binay Dhoj CONSTITUTED: A high level ANNOUNCED: The 13-day state June I. Chand and GopaJ Raj Pahadi as commillee headed by Chief Ju s­ mourning by lhe Home Ministry. central working commiuee mem­ lice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya on the sad demise of Hi s Majesty The 5-day cJosingdown of all gov­ bers of the Ncpali Congress.' by and with Speaker Taranath King Birendra on June I. ernment offices and Nepalese dip­ Prime Minister and party presi­ Ranabhal and leader of the main lomati c missions abroad. by the d~nt Girija Prasad Koirala. He opposition Madhav Kumar NepaJ The 13-day state mourning by the Home Mini stry , on the sad demise ha~ re-appointed Sushil Koirala as members, by His Majesty King Home Ministry, on the sad de­ of Hi s Majesty King Dipendra on as gt!nerai secretary and Narahari Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah mise of Hi s Majesty King June 5. •

SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8. 200l 27 REVIEW

economy, SMEs have not received a rea­ BOOK sonable level of investment from the Nepalese financial institutions nor from foreign direct investors. They have not Transformation Tool received encouragement to increase effi­ ciency and competitiveness. As a conse­ Small and medium enterprises can play a very impor­ quence, the SMEs have become very vul­ nerable to foreign competition in terms of tant role in Nepal's development pr0cess goods and services. This book compiles articlesofleading By A CORRESPONDENT generally very good and very business Nepaieseeconomists, including Dr. Bishwa friendly. The implementation of those laws Maskey' s "Introduction of Small and me­ The history of small and medium en­ and rules, however, is uneven and unpre­ dium Enterprise in Nepal Retrospection .J. terprises (SMEs) is very old in Nepal. dictable," says Dr. Franck S. Wiebe, chief and Prospective. Dr. YubaRaj Khatiwada's They have been considered the back- "Small and Medium Enterprises bone of the country's economy. In Small and Medium Enterprise Development In Nepal" is the cities of Kathmandu valley, such other interesting article. r. enterprises have played a dominant Development in Nepal Bishwambher Pyakuryal' s role in the context of tbe local Edited by Dr. Bishwa Keshar Maskey "Su·ategy for SME Development economy. In the 19605. the Slale, Policy and Legal Reforms" and donors and planners provided greater Published by Center for Development Dr. Bhuwan Bajra Bajracharya' s focus to the large business houses. d G "Poverty Alleviation through including conglomerates and state- an ovemance . SME Development" are other owned enterprises as the engine of Price: Rs.600 (hard cover), important articles. growth. The book includes 19 ar­ Far decades, SMEswereseen as Rs.400 (soft cover) ticles related to SMEs. As all the a vital pan of the traditional economy, articles have been written by with low levels of investment and labor economist at the Asia Foundation. prominent economists and experts, they productivity, giving policy makers little There is liule dispute on the vitaJ role help to explore the possibilities of SMES reason to worry about how the advantages SMEs play in the context of national devel­ and identify the challenges Nepal faces in prefaced to large firms mightactuaUy serve opment. "In many developing countries, harnessing them for development. • to the disadvantage of everybody else. SMEs have been playing a Altl10ugh the role of small- and me­ crucial role in social and eco- r;;;;L~3.:";-:/-.. ;~~... ~u':.'" -',;"":.,jl..;"': ..-..'::r:o:~."':" ...- -C'=A~B~~L~E~·C-AR--" dium-scale industry was ignored for many nomic transformation. years, there is a new focus on their role in ··Because oflabar inten­ the broader process of economic develop­ sification, ecological sensi­ ment. Once considered a relatively unim­ tivity, relative low cost and ponant seclorofthe economy, government local adaptability, SMEs policy makers and internationaJ donors in­ have been serving as a transit creasingly view SMEs as a critical sector point for industrialization and Since the 17th Century. for generating economic growth. modernization of the soci- ManakaynaDa tem.plc has At a time when there is considerable ety. In that sense, SMEs have been vvidely venerated emphasis on uplifting the national economy, . alsohclped in making a para- becaue of the belief that Ifo.;{a.n.EoolI.D18ltla Devi Fulfills planners and policy makers are making digm shift from traditional, all vvishes. effons to revitalize the small and medium archaic and feudal economy Today. instead of the enterprises in the context of development to a modernized one." 4 to 5 hour arduous trek. in Nepal. SMEs are one of the ManaksDJsna is now accessible in just 10 A small and least developed country major employers outside ag- Dlinutes by like Nepal needs a long-tern1 strategy and ricuHure and serve as the Cable Car. planning to develop SMEs. While the gov­ prime mover of economic ernment has always streSsed the need for dynamism. Ironically, this developing such enterprises, very little ef­ sec(Qr has not attracted much fort has been made. policy priority from the gov- F!!i!ll~Sti "In Nepal, most observers describe ernment. Despite its impor- 4V. L1;cI. the policies and regulations on the books as tan c e in th e n a t ion a Il:J~~~-::':·Fax: 9n-I-43451S"~"~"':'"~"~. . ",:::"m:,:",:,.:_!,:. etT1ad: ch~wtinl<. :P"""::':':":"~90=.. oomnp. stauon':":":' 06 .•~''':'':'~_J .000..4

28 SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8, 2001 PASTIME

Kathmandu Spring: The Peopleis Movement of 1990 Now In Town BOOK Ki yoko Ogura/2001 Rs.325.00

The Anthropology of Buddhist and Hinduism Webexian Themes Leadership in Nepal D.N. Gillner/2001 Rs. 1112.00 L.R. Baral!K.HachhcthulHari Sharmal2001 Rs.480.00 Nepal in Political Crisis Atmabrittanta : Late Life Recollections R.K. Vaidyal2001 Rs . 651.00 B.P. Koiralal2001 Rs.400.00 Nepal in Crisis: Growth & Stagnation at the Periphery Anthropology and Sociology of Nepal P.M. Blaikie!J.Cameron/J.D. Seddon/2001 Rs.800.00 R.B. Chhwi/Om P. Gurungil999 Rs.500.00 NGO, Civil Society and Government in Nepal Constitutional and Political Development in Nepal K. B. Bhattachan & OtherS/2001 Rs.200.00 R. K. Dahal!200 I Rs. 595.00 Nepalese Culture Society and Tourism Domestic Conflict and Crisis of Governability in Nepal Diwas Dhakal!2000 Rs.450.00 Kumar/2000 Rs. 525.00 Readings in Nepalese Public Administration M.K. Shrestha/2001 Rs.200.00 The Institutionalization of Democratic Polity in Nepal Khadga K.C.!200 Rs. 150.00 A Step Towards Victim Justice System Nepalese Perspective S.K. Shrcstha/2001 Rs 475.00 Issues of Governance in Nepal A.P. ShrcsthalS.R. Dahal!2001 Rs. 200.00 (Sol/ree: Himalayafl Book Celller, Bagh Ba;.ar, Karhmolldll, Ph: 242085)

Video (English)

Mummy Return One Night MC. Cool's Replicant Bridget Jone's Diary

Driven Secret "_It Isn't So Tom Cats "Do not yearn for Cast Away Freddy Got Fingered physical joy and, Ek Rishtaa by so doing, dis- Albela Jodi No. 1 card the ITIore per­ Pyar Tune Kya Kiya ITIanent joy of in­ Rahul Kasoor ner calITI and con- Daman tentITIent. " , Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Jljhan One2Ka4 - SATHYA SAl BABA (Source: SI/per Swr Video. New Road)

SPOTLIGHTIJUNE 8, 2001 29 LEISURE

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.10 SPOTLlGHTIJUNE 8, 2001 LEISURE

CROSSWORD BRIDGE

NORTH J.17 • Q 8 7 2 • Q J 7 6 ..• Q K 67 3 WEST EAST .4. • J 5 .S4. .AKI098 • A Q J 1096 • 85 4. 2 ... J 1092 ... 74. SOUTH .AKI0963 .32

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Opening lead: Diamond ace ACROSS DOWN

I. Setting of limits by Conservative stirred )1. Type of training electrician puts in (7) "I wonderthatasoothsayerdoesn't minor critics up (15) 2. Called direction shwan by compass (5) laugh whenever he sees another 9. Translation of right version of text about 3. Runs a live broadcast worldwide (9) soothsayer." Newton (9) 4. Cutting a garment (4) -Cicero 10. A slate in America rcbuffed one in India 5. Rehearses extras? (4.4) (5) 6. Leading artist goes to party in foreign ") pushed them high enough." claimed 11. Of variable quality - Isn't that odd? (6) gallery (5) East. "Too bad we didn'l beallhem.1 get two 12. Showed embarrassment when pUI in the 7. Prccautionlakcn in case run goes badly heart tricks if you shift to hearts allrick twO." '[lUde (8) (9) "Good analysis," replied West. Unfor­ 13. Thc party 10 b~al ? (6) 8. Arrange when to marry - bcgmni n~ of tunately. since I didn't have my crystal ball 15 Ochghtfu1 quancr m pon. extremely lively March rl . David. say (4.3) vlith me, I could have used some help from I~) 14. They mal hoist the nag. though nnt the you 18. Daughter. fishing. is kepI in suspense (8) winenrs \ 7-2) In a duplicate game. Soulh correctly 19. Unduly long exposition of singular doe- I~. Jn~lIre against illness In ~ h o rt holiday at reasoned he would earn a poor score if he trine (6) Nice, perhaps (9) doubled fi vt: diamonds, So he took the push Disinclination to maimain off-spring one 17. Lazy daughter giving way to son thet's and bid five spades. hoping he could make accepted (8) cheeky (8) it. Weslled his diamond ace and shifted to 23- Fare from Venezuela's capital is also 18. Plan 10 Sl't up assistan ce h,l\ ing little • his club jack afler East followed with a tepid induded (6) weight (7) diamond four. South won gratefully, drew 26. For part of flighyt. a plane taking off. for 20. Record ta,lless bird III spot (7) trumps, and discarded a heart on dummy's example? (5) 22. Raise moveable shelter fOl travellers out king. Then he claimed his game, conceding 27 Send abroad for trial run-with new diet (9) East (5) only one heart trick, 2~. Devili5h mmc-onewith help assembled 24, Racket created by hotter gOing about one East's diamond four at trick one was a to s.cize stricken ship (15 (5) mothlng-play. since hisjump 10 fivedimaonds 25. Knock OUI plug (4) strongly suggested he had four diamonds. East had an unambiguous suit-preference signal available, East should have dropped his diamond eight under West's ace, With the diamond dOIS '~l ;)S!ON 'PC; !~J:>S 'll UJ~:>S!a '0, W~Ji3~!a 'SI IU'Jlosul 'L I ;)ump::m/\ '91 dn-sJouunM 'vi king in dummy. it would be clear that East's ,(HP 'JllH!N '8 ~:)lIcJnsul . L oPCJd '9 J~MO sunM .~ d!lS '1' IUSJ;)t\!Un T ;)i3U\r~ '(; l!n:)J!;) ' I : UMOa eight did not ask for a diamond continua­ tion, Therefore, East's highest diamond could only be an unmistakable request for a shift UC'J[04dOIS!4d;)(AJ '8l la the higher-ranking side Suil- hearts, ;)JlrCJlll3 'Cl J;)S!'H '9l spu11!/\ '(l UO!SJ;)t\V 'Il P;);)lJS '61 i3u!l~uea '81 ,(luat\u::JH '~( Howelse might have East helped West? 4" CJ 4.L 'U p~unol0:J ',I u;;It\;)Un '1 ( w~ssV '01 UO!I!PUOM '6 uO!ld~:)swn :)Jp '( : SSO.l:lV Over three spades, East could have bid four hearts, He had nothing to lose by telling West NOI.Lfl'IOS of hi s side strength on the way to five dia­ monds. •

SPOTLIGHT/JUNE 8. 2001 31 FORUM Nepal: Birth Against Improbable Odds

The Nepalese nation was born against improbable odds. In the most orsimply Aul. Villagers feared itas akiller. Until modem pesticides difficult terrain imaginable, the Nepalese achieved unity and then controlled the malarial mosquitoes, only the Tharus, an aboriginal wi thstood the British threat to rule all South Asia. Today, land­ people who seemed immune to Aui , dwelt year-round in the Tarai. locked and hedged in by great powers, the Nepalese still proudly Forests, Aul fever. and the Tarai soil, glutinous during the monsoon assert their independence in the family of nations. At home, their protected the hills against encroachment from the south. chief concern is development. Internationally, though Nepalese The Chure range provided a second line of defense. Rising to troops are everywhere respected, the Nepalese stand for nonalign­ heights of two to four thousand feet, the Chure are hog back ridges ment and peace. In fact, few have attained the peace the Nepalese with steep slopes falling to the north and south. enjoy. North of the Chure range lies the Inner Tarai. This strip ofland, rVisitors to Nepal sometime interpret this to mean there is no about ten miles wide, resembles the flat plains of the Tarai proper. violence in Nepal and are shocked to find that individual Nepalese Its soils are less fertile. The Inner Tarai ends with the steep ascenlS can be quile aggressive. As a nation. however, the Nepalese are of the Mahabharat Lekh. Like the Chure range, the Mahab\lii:'\.t peaceful, their respect for human life and values deep and abiding. Lekh stretches from east to west across the whole length ofN'" There is violence in Nepalloday. concenlf31ed mostly in the cities There the similarity ends. The ridges of the Mahabharat are higher. or near them. Political instability has allowed young Nepalese to Some peaks reach elevations of nine thousand feet, but. as a rule, the vent their resentment against a social system that seems to exclude general elevation along the main axis is lower and remarkably them from the benefits they see as their right and their frustration at regular. North of the Mahabharat Lekh li es a topographic depres­ the slow pace of development. It is worrying because the level of sion stretching perhaps ftfty miles north to south. To the Nepalese violence has escalalcd over the last thirty years. Despite this and to trekkers, the ridges that divide this depression are the Hills, violence, the Slatemcnl stands. Few counLries enjoy the level of the heartland of Nepal. The density of population is high and peace that Nepalese enjoy.] farming is the way of life. Not all the hills can be cultivated, but the The story of Nepal's growth as a nation spans the years from broader river valleys called chahar, are intensively farmed and the 1744 to 1951 . The locale is a giant slice of the Himalayas measuring hillsides are terraced higher than one would believe possible or five hundred miles from east to west and ranging from 100 to 150 practical. The ferti lity of the va ll eys and the scarcity of good farm miles north to south. This land in which the Nepalese have built their land dictated living pattern. The va lleys were farmed. Homes were nation is a rugged rectangle, tip-tilted slightly to the northwest and on the ridge. halanced precariously between the great plateau of Central Asian The villages we see si tling astride the ridges, with terraced and the lndian subcontinent. ftelds reaching down the slope to the valley below. tell a story. As Beautiful beyond belief, Nepal is the joy of mountaineer, the population grew. the valley bottoms no longer produced enough wanderer and trekker alike. The land enfolds almost every type of food. Terraces were cut into the hillsides to create new fields. Then terrain and climate known to man. It sweeps up in great natural steps more terraces, and more, until irrigation was no longer poss ible~n from the subtropical lowlands to icy peaks that crown the roof of the these higher, drier terraces, millet and eventually maize bec~~ world. Yet all is not scenic beauty. The mountains and hills that major crops, both coarser than rice and harder to digest, but still make up eighty-four percent of Nepal's surface area almost defy foods to reed a family to survive. unity, and their stony soils yield crops grudgingly. The story of the The constant search for fannJand has led Nepal to near disaster. Nepal's growth as a nation describes the Nepalese struggle to When Nepal's population was five million, the pressure on the land overcome the burdens the mountains have placed on them. Since the was not serious. Traditional ways were adequate. The annual cycle sweep and shape of the land have molded Nepal and the Nepalese of religious festivals and Jatras. marriages and even death brought we must considc[ these mountains carefully. people together to eat and drink, to sing and dance, and to enjoy the The mountains of Nepal are the youngest of the earth's great fruits of their labors. They had Iinle, but it was enough. As the fold mountains. They were formed by the steady northward pres­ population grew, the pressure 011 the land intensified. New ftelds sure of the Indian subcontinent against the central Asian plateau.. had to be found, and forests were steadily cut back to secure them. Viewed from the air they seem an endless maze of ridges and peaks, The population is now over 18 million. In many places, water without any discernible pattern other than the steady build-up from can hardly be found in the dry months of February and March. In the lower ridges in the south to the high Himalaya in the north. There these months, wo men and girls make the long trek down the is a pattern, however, and that patlern is the beginning of our story. mountain to a stream and climb slowl y back, water-jars on hip or Moving northward from the Nepal-India border, we see ftrst a carried on their backs, upand up and up, day indayout. Always there continuation of the Gangetic plain. called theNepal Tarai. The Tarai has been a struggle to survive on the land, and always the land is twenty to thirty miles i'n width and stretches east to west along dictated the tenns of survivaL • most of Nepal's southern border. In times past, the Tarai was heavi ly forested and known to local (£rcerpts from the book "Nepal: Growth ofa Nation" by Ludwig people as the home of a virulent strain of malaria, called Aul fever. F. Stiller, S.J.)

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