#567 19 - 25 August 2011 18 pages Rs 30 All for one, one for all KIRAN

ith less than two weeks to go for the CA to come Wto the end of its extended term, Nepal’s politics is once again distracted by the need to find a new prime minister. President Yadav has given the parties till Sunday to come up with a new government, and the choice has narrowed down to the Maoist’s Baburam Bhattarai or the NC’s Sher Bahadur Deuba who wants to be PM for the fourth time. The ideal solution would be for the big three parties and the UDMF to form a consensus government to push through last-minute agreements on the integration package for Maoist fighters. Only this would give the parties, the moral grounds to extend the CA yet again. But the gulf between the parties is still too wide to expect this to happen by 31 August. Since no one trusts anyone, how about a cabinet made up of all senior leaders? This way, the government doesn’t have to keep referring to Paris Danda, Balkhu or Sanepa to decide on critical issues. They also won’t need any high-level task forces and committees meeting in five-star resorts. The all-party cabinet can decide everything on the spot. It won’t even matter who is the prime minister. But this is a final solution, after this there will be nothing to fall back on. This deadlock has dragged on too long, it’s time to think outside the box. Unless someone has a better idea.

Editorial p2 Descent into dystopia Last ditch attempt to re-establish a stable state, eradicate impunity and decriminalise politics.

PICS: MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA 2 EDITORIAL 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 DESCENT INTO DYSTOPIA

ew will be staying awake this time till three correspondent of Nagarik newspaper two months in the morning on 1 September to follow ago. Fthe cliffhanger of the Constituent Assembly Khilanath Dhakal was forced to undergo a near- extension. Most people are past caring, and will be death experience when he reported on UML goons trying to get on with their lives the best they can. beating up a rival gangster inside a courtroom. The But the cost to the country’s economy, its UML youth wing has since taken strong exception development, the service delivery to people is to Nagarik’s exposes on the range of its criminal incalculable. You can’t put a rupee and paisa price activities in eastern Nepal. It all culminated on all the patients who died because they couldn’t this week in the mother party closing down be taken to hospital because the budget to repair the Biratnagar for two days and the youth wing’s boss road was plundered by a mafia composed of district Mahesh Basnet threatening to jail Nagarik editor office-bearers of the three parties. Narayan Wagle, shutting down his newspaper and Smelling weakness, everyone with a grievance threatening the Morang police chief and his family is on warpath, punishing the people with strikes with bodily harm. and extortion to get back at a feckless state. Eighty This has now gone beyond being just a threat per cent of industries in this country have closed to journalists and police, it is a direct challenge to down, the latest this week is Surya Nepal's Rs 700 the country’s interim constitution its guarantees of million apparrel export factory in Biratnagar. In the basic human rights and a democratic polity. And absence of a state, extortionists are masquerading as yet, the UML is so scared of the monster it created legitimate labour unions . the party can’t even condemn Basnet for When elected leaders abdicate their governance continued catch-me-if-you-can defiance. DIWAKAR CHHETRI role to indulge in endless intrigue and back- All this got wide media play because a journalist stabbing, the leadership vacuum is filled by lawless renamed the Yuba Sangh Nepal, but call it what was involved, but organised crime, local outlaws gangs. Political parties that supposedly believe in you want, it was still up to its neck in crime. The and gangsters have been abducting children, the rule of law and peaceful democratic politics little puppies have become snarling rottweilers. maiming, raping nuns and murdering citizens with are coddling crooks. Gangsters have now become The UML youth wing is now a powerful impunity. The state’s inability or unwillingness to richer and more powerful than the party bosses who nationwide network of organised crime to stop this has emboldened crooks who are protected created them. complement the YCL. In many places, like in by their political bosses. Saying this is normal in a In the Maoist party, militant union chiefs have eastern Nepal, the two are partners in crime. It state of political transition is no excuse. now amassed so much ill-gotten wealth that the is only when there is disagreement about the There is only one way to address Nepal’s party hierarchy is powerless to pull them up. The division of the spoils that they carve each other descent into dystopia: re-establish a stable state, UML copied the Maoists, and it was Jhalanath up with khukuris. Then the media sometimes gets eradicate impunity and decriminalize political Khanal who set up the Youth Force. Later it was caught in the middle as happened to the Biratnagar parties by agreeing on a unity government ASAP.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

BABURAM FOR PM? leadership…are you up to the task, dear to India (and Bangladesh). This is sensible is waning all around world. The next wave It looks like the Nepali media is obsessed Dr Baburam Bhattarai, or are just like the but directly opposite to the “priority” for is the mobile Internet. Last time I was in with Dr Bhattarai. (‘A moment’s sanity for rest of the pack? meeting base load before exporting power. Nepal, I was so proud that we had 3G. consensus’, #567). It is unfair to portray Ram Prasad Sharma Arthur Why can’t I use my 3G to make calls, if him as a Superman to rescue Nepal from using 3G was cheaper than, say, directly its current mess. Even if he heads a unity Is this a formal endorsement of All the best, Gokarna Bista (‘Things calling the number? government, people from his own party Baburam as PM by the Nepali Times? It will change’, #567). Your words carry RJ will ask for his blood within no time. So certainly reads like one. A few months determination and you have taken steps think about other options as well. or so in Baluwatar should cure Baburam none of your predecessors even thought of. IMMORTAL MEMORY Pradeep Adhikari of his hideously undeserved rockstar But you may not be minister for much longer. Very much appreciate the work of reputation amongst the “campus clueless” Hopefully you can instill some decency and Dorji Tsering Sherpa in Makwanpur We need a national unity government contingent. sense of urgency in your successor as well. for the people of Sikharpur where his with ministers who are professionals John Kelleher Funkybuddha daughter’s plane crashed last year in their fi elds and not driven by the (‘Immortal memory,’ #567). Thank you for need to spread favours. It is a collective In ‘Another anti-climax’, #567 Anurag A person like Gokarna Bista deserves the remembering us in spite of your loss. responsibility and individual integrity that Acharya argues: ‘It does not require a people’s support. What he has done recently Govinda Nepal builds a society, Dr Bhattarai. herculean effort, just a bit of common should have been done a long time ago, but Vija Shrestha sense and more assertiveness from a it is never too late to do the right thing. There Very sad, but the tragedy created a younger generation of leaders in all major are others like Sher Bahadur Deuba (god situation for the families to come together There are no true ‘revolutionary political parties with a cross-partisan knows why he should be PM), Pushpa Kamal and build something useful for the forces’ in Nepal. The Maoists only seek approach to nation-building.’ Been there. Dahal (what has he done besides war and village. DT-ji we all know that you have to impose a variant of capitalism, and Done that. It was called Panchayat. lies?), Khanal (what a jerk), Ram Chandra been the prime mover is this case and we anyone who reads their offi cial economic Remember? Paudel (does he even have a vision?), all appreciate your effort in particular. program can verify that. It should also be Jange Susil Koirala (a clean man but without a Hemant Arjyal clear by now that any popular mandate leadership ability) and they are the ones who the Maoists had or still have is for reform ELECTRIC FUTURE keep negotiating and re-negotiating while rather than revolution. Finally a breath of fresh air from a Nepali the country is being pushed towards dark Deep politician (‘Electric future’, Interview with future. We need more people like Bista. Gagan Thapa’, #567). He has a practical Sherpa Loved Diwakar Chhetri’s cartoon plan that is the only way forward unless Weekly Internet Poll # 567 (‘What are they waiting for?’, #567) , so some greedy Maoist or elderly political Great Job. You are the fi rst Nepali Q. Baburam Bhattarai for Prime Minister the threesome are in bed together. They has-been from the NC or UML tries to spoil minister or politician that I have any respect need to agree on the CA extension so it. Just hand over the country to Gagan for because you have done so much in such Total votes: 2513 they’ll do anything. Thapa and Gorakna Bista and people like a short time. You need to destroy the mafi a KiranL them. and hope that someday you will be the prime Jens minister. Do not let us down. Nepali politicos need to understand Jonathan Sharma that the issues are about jobs for the Gagan Thapa doesn’t even mention unemployed, growth in economy and the most important development. The VOIP trade, creation of business, education, World Bank’s $100 million project for a The argument in this article regarding health and on and on. Lets see some real 1GW transmission line for urgent import of legalisation of VOIP makes sense. The leadership, Enough corruption, enough 100 MW thermal from India to reduce load business model of the telecom industry to Weekly Internet Poll # 568. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com shame. Its time for real change and real shedding and future hydro power exports earn revenue using traditional phone lines Q. What do you make out of APECF’s Lumbini Development Project?

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Editorial Staff: Anurag Acharya, Dewan Rai, Paavan Mathema, Rubeena Mahato | Photographers: Min Ratna Bajracharya, Bikram Rai Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Chief Operating Offi cer: Sunim Tamang | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Design: Kiran Maharjan | Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal @himalmedia.com Nepali Time on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com INTERNATIONAL 3 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 Taking the people for granted Just because Anna Hazare can’t challenge an elected government, doesn’t mean Delhi can dismiss the anti-corruption activist

If Team Anna, as Anna’s That is why the democratic people un-selfconsciously experiment, as it slowly implodes CHALO DILLI describe themselves, allow in Nepal, is Jyoti Malhotra a vote to be taken on their almost too much to bear. There bill, they might find to their was so much promise in 2006, surprise that there aren’t but it seems to have been frittered NEW DELHI -- Five years many takers. Wearing a khadi away by a combination of short- ago, Nepalis made their own cap and calling yourself a sightedness and overarching tryst with destiny when they Gandhian hardly squares partisan and personal ambition. mounted a Jana Andolan to with implicit threats of Although not in the same scale as force an absolute monarch to blackmail. in India, rampant corruption is also restore parliament and install But here’s the thing: by the focus of protests in Kathmandu a democratic government. disallowing Anna and his as Nepalis organise Facebook Since that peaceful people’s people to protest peacefully, rallies against malfeasance. movement from the streets, limiting the number of people Is an all-party government Nepal has seen four prime who could participate in the the answer? Why can’t Nepal’s ministers in four years. As protest as well as limiting the political parties yet another prime minister number of days for which get together and write a resigns in Kathmandu this the protest was allowed, constitution? After all, that’s what week, bemused Nepalis must the Manmohan Singh India’s Constituent Assembly did be looking across the border government overplayed its for nearly three years after 1947, to the snowballing anti- hand. and its corruption street protests in The people wanted members weren’t even elected by India. reassurance, they got a lathi the people, unlike in Nepal. New Delhi is witnessing charge. The people wanted The likes of Anna Hazare can its own Jana Andolan of sorts. the government to take never become a challenge to an A 77-year-old Gandhian, action against the guilty and elected government in India. But Anna Hazare, announced promise good governance. just because he can’t, doesn’t mean he would fast unto death Several politicians and that Delhi to protest corruption and corporates were, indeed, can be dismissive about the black money. He was not just thrown into jail, but it turned yearnings of the people for clean prevented from doing so but out the rot was deeper. On and transparent government. put behind bars. As the the backfoot, the government That’s a lesson for both Nepal political establishment hoped to turn the tables. and India. In a democracy, you ordered a crackdown on Only, it has ended up can’t afford to take the people for the ageing activist, a wave with egg on its face. Whether granted. of revulsion has swept the or not Anna Hazare wins the country. right to fast as long as he likes For the first time in seven in Maidan, the fact is years that it has ruled India, that the UPA government has the Congress-led United never looked weaker. Progressive Alliance (UPA) There is no comparison coalition is looking nervous. between Anna Hazare’s It’s no longer about Anna’s people and Nepal’s Jana blackmail tactics (he has Andolan in April 2006. At threatened to go on hunger the time in Kathmandu, there strike until his group’s was a genuine outpouring version of a bill for creating of the people on the streets. the institution of an Many tyres were burnt ombudsman or Lokpal is and the protests continued accepted by the government) into the early hours of the or about the fact that Hazare’s night. Interestingly, the 'movement' is restricted to underground Maoists, who a few thousand people. The controlled the heart of issue has opened up a debate the protests also ensured on whether civil society discipline. What the Maoists activists have the right to could not achieve in ten challenge parliament’s years of war was attained in exclusive privilege to make three weeks of peaceful street a bill. protests.

HIMAL COVER KHABARPATRIKA Heads in the Head 18 August - 1 September EDITORIAL Lead United

COMMENTARY Ten quesƟ ons to Chinese APECF Social Democracy Unnecessary burden

REPORTS Power without Power Flagged Appointments Daughter’s duty Injected economy 4 NATION 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 Lumbini as geopolitical ping pong A mystery project to transform Buddha’s birthplace becomes even more mysterious

sense why the project has “officially” remained BY THE WAY unofficial, if it has indeed Anurag Acharya been officially signed. Does it have something to do with the fluid political situation in Nepal and the he mystery over long term benefit to be the plan by the extracted out of the project? Tdubious Asia Pacific The political and economic Cooperation and Exchange brownie points for bringing Foundation (APECF) just in a multi-million dollar seems to get shadier by investment in the country the day. seems to be too tempting for What began as speculation Dahal. by a skeptical media has now MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA But he risks angering the cast deep doubts about the New Delhi in the process. antecedents of the proposed and declared. It has tried “Disneyland” or anything of ‘Prachanda, the ex Prime The Indian Embassy in project, of procedures not to bypass the government the sort. Minister of Nepal’ who co- Kathmandu is known to followed and what seems to push the project through A highly placed chairs the foundation. It is be taking a dim view of to be a deliberate attempt patronage of the influential government official who did not yet clear whether he is the goings-on and New to bypass prevailing laws of chairman of the Maoist party not wish to be named told on its official payroll, but if Delhi has instructed its UN the land. Op-eds about the and, initially, an ex-crown us: “From whatever I have he is, Dahal may even face mission in New York to project’s attempt to “hijack prince. heard and read the project personal legal problems find out what is happening. Lumbini” are appearing thick To be sure, the project’s components are in line with for politically promoting a There is speculation that this and fast in the Nepali media. stated aims and objectives the master plan except for project for personal gain. is Beijing’s way of having In June, APECF signed an to upgrade tourism the world’s tallest Buddha Paras Shah’s involvement a forward-looking strategy MoU with the United Nations infrastructure in Buddha’s statue proposed inside the 3 in the project remains a to deal with a post-Dalai Industrial Development birthplace could be in the sq mile of the heritage site.” speculation, and his name Lama Tibet. Lumbini could Organisation (UNIDO) in long term interest of the The functionary feels Nepal has now vanished from the be pushed as an alternative Beijing to develop Lumbini. country, particularly because could benefit the project, official website. to Indian plans to revive But neither the Nepal Lumbini has languished but is put off by the lack of The vice chairman the ancient city of Nalanda government nor the UN seem as a backwater through transparency regarding its of the Lumbini as a Buddhist hub, or Bodh to know anything about it. the lethargy of successive source of funding and its Development Trust (LDT), Gaya which has served as The agreement was in clear governments. The project legitimacy. the chief government a meeting point for Tibetan violation of Nepal’s domestic looks to boost government The project has even been body responsible for monks. laws, and superceded long- revenue, create jobs, build criticised from within Dahal’s implementing any activity All this could signal standing cooperation with airports, railways and own Maoist party where there inside the 3 sq mile area of another facet in Sino-Indian another UN agency, UNESCO, highways and help reduce is a feeling the chairman is the Lumbini heritage site, geopolitical rivalry, this time to implement a masterplan poverty. Nowhere in the trying to “NGO-fy” the party says that the government for the heart and soul of for Lumbini. signed document or the by secretively hobnobbing has not heard officially Buddhism. The question for There is a glaring lack of official statement in the with questionable from the foundation and is us is: do we want lumbini transparency in the way this website is it stated that the organisations. The APECF not part of the project. and Nepal to be dragged into project has been conceived area will be turned into a website introduces Dahal as So, we need to make a future flashpoint? In the land of the Buddha wo weeks ago, Culture Secretary more questions than answers. The MoU does Modraj Dotel resigned from his post not specify committed budget amount or its Tamidst speculation about a controversial source, raising questions on the intent and Chinese-backed supposedly multi-billion dollar objective of the project and its protagonists. investment to develop Lumbini into a religious Maoist Clause 1 of Article 8 of the MoU, which and cultural hub. specifi cally talks about fi nancial contribution, Dotel didn’t say so explicitly, but expressed involvement states: ‘the implementation of activities and dissatisfaction over political interference from in Chinese- projects envisaged in the Memorandum will his Maoist minister. The resignation coincided depend on the availability of the necessary with intense pressure from the Maoist backed plan fi nancial resources.’ hierarchy to sanction the Lumbini project even Further, the brief description of the project though there were serious questions about its to develop in Annex document IP/GLO/2011/008 states: legitimacy. ‘The program shall lead to billions US dollar “He must have known what was going on Lumbini raises investment in Lumbini area, about 171 Km from the very beginning and resigned because suspicion southwest of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.’ he did not want to become a part of what WWW.APECF.ORG (sic) However, the same annex shows UNIDO followed”, a senior Lumbini Development Trust project inputs amounting to 100,000 euros with (LDT) member told us. Promotion Offi ce in China had signed an been in effect since 15 July with support from actual breakdown of costs with a detailed ToR Over the decades many organisations MoU titlted, ‘Promotion South East Asian IPA the Government of Nepal. The only problem is and timeframe. have tried to pour money into Lumbini’s Network’. UNIDO in Vienna has no clue about the rest of the Nepal government doesn’t know Amidst serious doubts and misgivings the development, which is supposed to follow a this supposed agreement, and the plan has anything about it. parliamentary committee formed to monitor UNESCO-backed masterplan sketched by raised alarm bells in New Delhi prompting its APECF’s vice-chairman Xiao Wunan had the development of Lumbini has asked the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, to have been diplomats in New York to query the UN. led a four-member delegation to Kathmandu government to declare its offi cial position on completed in 1980. Successive governments Nepali Times has obtained a copy of in May and signed a ‘framework agreement the APECF project. The vice chairman of the have used Lumbini as a cash cow, and didn’t the MoU which specifi es UNIDO’s role as of Buddhist Special Cultural Zone of Lumbini’ LDT, Syangbo Sherpa, told Nepali do much to further the masterplan. a “consultant” and APECF as a “strategic with Tourism Minister Khadga Bahadur Times: “We have not signed any agreement The latest grandiose plan is the one development partner” of Nepal’s Ministry of Bishwakarma (pictured above). with external bodies that I know of.” backed by a Hong Kong based quasi-NGO Tourism. The document says the project has The MoU and APECF’s website raise Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Krishna called Asia Pacifi c Exchange Cooperation Bahadur Mahara attended an AEPCF Foundation (APECF) with a slapdash way meeting in Malaysia last week and returned to of functioning that has raised serious doubts “We are still in a preliminary stage “The LDT is not aware about any project Kathmandu with board members in the same about its authenticity. But the Maoist party, of the project and will offi cially involving APECF currently working on aircraft from Bangkok. Dahal’s son, Prakash, especially its chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, approach the government after we Lumbini. We have our own Lumbini Master was present at an AEPCF press meet in seems to have fallen for it and even serves in have done our homework.” Plan and we have not signed any agreement Kathmandu in which Xiao Wunan was unable its board. with external bodies, not that I know of.” to provide convincing answers about AEPCF’s In June, Chinese state media reported funding, governance, or the agreements it that APECF and the Vienna-based United Narendra Ulak, Karma Syangbo Sherpa, Vice Chairman, says it reached with the government. Nations Industrial Development Organisation Deputy Secretary, APECF Lumbini Development Trust. Anurag Acharya with additional reporting by (UNIDO) and its Investment and Technology Dewan Rai BUSINESS 5 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 BIZ BRIEFS

Not non-profit Branded surfing Nokia Browser has been launched to Social entrepreneurs are businessmen with motives beyond money ease internet browsing in Nokia series 40 devices. The browser has been fi rst marketing tool and launched in Nokia C2-03. This dual in brand-building. sim model is a touch and type based MY TWO PAISA Knowing that phone. Paavan Mathema what the money paid will trickle down to those New accounts who need it the Mega Bank hirty-year-old Ranjit Kanswar most motivates has launched Mega runs a unique organisation in consumers to pick Swabhiman TKalaya of Bara district which such products Bachat Khata, helps locals purchase their own and services over a savings account for senior citizens rickshaws. Instead of paying Rs 60 others. with interest rate at 10 per cent per everyday to rent rickshaws from Social annum, payable monthly. The bank businessmen, they set aside Rs 25 per enterprises have has also launched Mega Nari Special day to eventually own it in two years used social Account for women, with interest rate or so. networking to 9.50 per cent per annum, payable Kanswar won seed money for his bypass mainstream quarterly. PROUD OWNERS: Rickshaw pullers from Kalaya, Bara District, business plan in a competition and that have purchased their rickshaws through social entrepreneur advertising and began with five families. Now, with Ranjit Kanswar’s organisation. going directly the returns he is trying to work with to customers via Hi-tech alliance Explore 10 more families. Facebook, Twitter Asia The enterprise is an example and misuse, but is still very relevant and blogs in direct Pacifi c, of an increasingly popular mode in the Nepal context. Most non- relationship-building, awareness has been of doing business called social government bodies here are supported building, attracting and retaining appointed entrepreneurship. Traditional private by international donors and fold up customers. the authorised distributor of Genius sector or personal philanthropy when funds run out. How can an The government can help with products in Nepal. Genius is an IT can exist side-by-side, but many organisation benefit others if it itself incentives to encourage social peripherals company, based in Taiwan. organisations are now adopting a needs help to sustain? Revenue- entrepreneurship, and not bundle formula that balances economy, generating models could be the them with traditional businesses. ecology and social responsibility. answer. There isn’t a lack of motivated people Celebrating Teej Janta Bank Nepal is gifting a Teej Contrary to traditional socially- with innovative ideas in Nepal, but It is a fine line between having hamper for the account holders of driven organisations, social a social mission and financial they lack entrepreneurial skills that Smart Lady Bachat Khata. The women entrepreneurs use market-driven viability, but it can be balanced. will assist in translating them to will also have the chance to get free business models to address critical The Kathmandu-based store, marketplace solutions. They need e- banking service, cheque book, ATM social and environmental issues. EcoKendra, networks with farmers trainings to equip them with strategy- card and a 50 per cent discount on They don’t measure returns in terms and producers in rural areas to market oriented plans. locker service. of shareholder dividend alone but their organic food and natural fibre Last week, Global Platform Nepal aim for financial independence. products. EcoKendra offers wares at conducted a week-long training for Social enterprise is not just another affordable prices, keeps its margin young participants to help them apply Shopping spree fundraising strategy for non-profits, to be financially independent, but business principles to organise and John Players, Surya Nepal’s line of it is a long-term sustainable business manage social ventures. The word men’s wear, is offering up-to 40 per helps farmers in the process with fair cent discounts in its products. This that operates to redirect profits ‘social’ and ‘non-profit’ often seem prices. offer is available at all John Players towards social and environmental Social enterprises have an to tag along with ‘donors’ and ‘aid’ brand outlets and selected retail goals. advantage over solely profit-driven in Nepal. But social organisations outlets. The word “sustainability” may ventures. Combining social objectives must find a way to survive and thrive have become threadbare with overuse with business actually works as a without waiting on handouts forever. LIFE TIMES

CAI YUN

ith rising affluence, Chinese are flying Wout on holidays in ever greater numbers with a spurt in arrivals in Nepal in the past year. After roaming countries in the region with big overseas Chinese communities like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand Chinese tourists are opting for adventure destinations like Nepal. Indeed, in July alone the number of Chinese tourists coming to Nepal by air has The more than doubled to 3,306 compared to the same month last year. This number does not include Chinese who Chinese traveled overland via Tibet. are If this trend continues, the INSIDE LOOKING OUT: A woman in Bhaktapur gives directions to a group of Chinese tourists sight- coming seeing in the historic town last week. there has been a surge of tourists from China this summer. CAI YUN The Tarai’s tusker

KRISHNA SINJALI in JHAPA

he increase of transborder migration of wild elephants from across the Mechi river has Tjeopardised lives in six districts of eastern Nepal. Hundreds of elephants raid crops during harvest time, others rampage through thatch huts and trample people. In the past 15 years, more than 100 people have been killed by elephants, and houses razed. Thirty attacking elephants have been killed by angry locals. The forest corridors along the elephants migratory path along the foothills of the Himalaya from Assam through West Bengal and Nepal have meant that elephants are in increasing conflict with people. The elephant havoc has not just ruined the economy of areas of eastern Jhapa, outsiders fear to visit the villages As their habitats shrink and and girls refuse to marry men from areas prone to elephant human settlements expand, wild attacks. Sadly, the government’s role has been limited to providing a compensation of Rs 150,000 for every elephants collide with people in person killed and the construction of 17 early-warning watchtowers. The locals are left to ward off marauding the eastern plains elephants using fire-crackers, sticks and lanterns. The past efforts of the Elephant Disaster Mitigation Service Center (EDMSC) to use beekeeping, bio-fencing and chilly deterrence failed to keep the elephants away. Plans to implement solar electric fencing along the banks of Mechi never got off the ground. The local group, Nature Conservation Society, has been trying to raise awareness among the communities in the affected area and four trans-border meetings have been held. The organisation even sent a delegation to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to seek help to deal with the problem since most of the marauding elephants come over from the Indian side. Fifteen volunteer groups of local farmers patrol the river in the evenings with searchlights, firecrackers and cell phones. The society has also purchased sirens and vehicles fixed with floodlights to drive the elephants away. 7 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 the sunrise view, dining in daunting traffic and There has been a Thamel, packing the pollution. And although there Mt Everest sightseeing flights are more flights, flights to sharp rise in the and moving in groups in Nepal from China are very arrival of Chinese Bhaktapur Darbar Square. expensive, sometimes it is “What attracts me most cheaper to fly to Europe. tourists to Nepal is the unique culture and The NTB’s Shrestha religious practices,” Zhang says the only solution is a Liusha from Chengdu told strong national airline to tap Chinese could overtake us at Basantapur this week. the huge Chinese tourism Americans as the second “People here are so friendly, potential. “Sadly, the priority largest source of visitors Nepalis on the streets even for the government now after India. greet us in Chinese.” is a stable constitution, “We are really Zhang shows a necklace rather than stable economic encouraged by the increase that she says she wanted to growth.” Still, NTB is of mainland China travelers, purchase from a sidewalk planning to open an office in especially because they vendor, but after chatting Beijing and Shanghai, and come in the July-August with her for a while the shop Shrestha says extending the lean season and this evens owner gave it to her as a Qinghai-Tibet railway to the out arrivals throughout present. “Where else in the Nepal border would boost the year,” says Prachanda world does that happen?” Chinese tourism even more. Man Shrestha of the Nepal asked Zhang, who intends to Air China’s Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). stay in Nepal for ten manager, Wu Yong Qiang, The Chinese seem to more days. is also enthusiastic about be attracted by the exotic Zhou Lou from Chongqing the growth in air traffic. Himalaya, Nepal’s Hindu is encouraged by how easy it From less than 3 flights a and Buddhist culture, its was to get to Nepal. “I got my week in 2008, Air China, proximity and the increase visa in Lhasa and it was all China southern and China in the number of flights. very smooth,” she said. Eastern now operate almost “The fast rising numbers Unlike western daily flights to Chinese of Chinese visitors have backpackers who come to destinations like Kunming, filled up the tourist vacuum Nepal mainly for trekking, Lhasa, Guangzhou and during the monsoon off Chinese tourists are more Chengdu from Kathmandu. season,” says Suman Pandey inclined to cultural activities He says: “There is a big rush of Explore Himalaya Tour and soft adventures. Material during Chinese New Year and Advernture. comfort lists high in their and the Golden Week period, Chinese tourists can consideration, and they tickets have to be booked way be seen on Sarangkot for are put off by Kathmandu’s in advance.” terror

MAN AND BEAST: Herds of elephants moving through the jungle in Jhapa recently. Brave villager cofnronts bull, but often to no avail. A Jhapa farmer standing outside his broken home, and the army is called in to shoot the elephants, and one is downed.

ALL PICS: KRISHNA SINJALI

10 LIFE TIMES 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 workshop in Jhsmsikhel. Party at 11am to 6pm, Bhirkuti Mandap Housing Association of Nepal. EVENTS Peri Peri, Jhamsikhel. 20 August, Exhibition Hall, Exhibition Road 25 August to 28 August, 11am to 3.30pm, 9841251636, himalayanenf 6pm, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu [email protected] Nepal Literature Festival, organized by Ncell. 18 to 21 South Asia and China Trade Kathmandu Blogs, Bloggers’ Mela August, 11am to 1pm, Gyan Fair 2011, with Dashain Bazaar. organised by the Himalayan Book Mandala, Moksh Resturant & Bar, Organized Nepal China Executive Reader’s Club. 20 August, 3pm Jhamsikhel Council. 15 to 19 September, 11am to 4.30pm, The British Council, to 6pm, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu Lazimpat, SMS ‘attending’ followed Nepal Gem & Jewellery Expo Cine Saptaha, screening of short by name to 9849100300, or email 2011, organised by Nepal Gem & fi lms, Forgive, Forget Not by Pranay at [email protected] Jewellery Association(NEGJA). MUSIC Limbu and Watcher by Pranaya 19 to 21 August 2011, 11am to Rana and another undisclosed fi lm. 6pm, Soaltee Hotel, Megha Malhar 21 to 27 August, 4.30pm onwards, Hall, Soalteemode Docskool Film Centre, Gaurighat, 44471104 Bagmati River Festival, water sports, river clean-up, heritage Khumbaya Rain Dance, a fun walk and live concert. 20 August, family evening with food stalls, live Kaalmochan, Chobhar, 4244048 D.J, discounted rate for swimmers and rain Staging of Bukhyacha, a Nepali dance. 20 August, 4pm onwards, adaptation of Italian play About August Rush @ Attic, month long International Club, Sanepa Face. Till 3 September, every day musical treat with artists like Sabin Rs 400/- (Adults), Rs 325/- (Kids), except Mondays, 5.30 pm, Arohan Rai, Robin and the New Revolution Free entrance for children below 3 Theatre, Gurukul, Old Baneshwor and Albatross. Till 17 August, Attic yrs, discounted swimming rate @ Bar, Uttar Dhoka, 9808011015 International Club for the day: Rs Faces, a portrait photo workshop 150/- (Children) Rs 250/- (Adults) conducted by photographer/ Upper Crust, featuring artists fi lmmaker Gorakh Bista. Till 20 like Kristina Allen, Space Cake August, 11am to 3pm, Fee: Rs. Streetlife Collective live at House Break and Outrage Us. 20 August, 1500, Sattya Media Arts Collective, of Music, don’t miss out on a Friday 1pm to 10.30pm, Krishna Villa Jawalakhel full of grooves stretching from funk, Resort, Budhanilkantha Heights, town, soul to RnB. 19 August, 984905459, Ticket: Rs 999 inclusive Lyrics from the Junkyard, Organic Farming Training, 7.30pm onwards, House of Music, of two complimentary drinks junkyard sculptures by Meena training on bio intensive farming, Thamel Kayastha. 19 August to 9 organized by Eco Organic Nepal. An Evening with Kutumba, September, 11am to 6pm, Till 4 September, 10am to 4pm, Yalamaya Classic, an event fundraiser for the Namche Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal EON farm at Mahankal, Fee: organised to appreciate classical community health clinic, a great Revisited Rs. 4000, 9849685808, dipu_ music, every second day of the initiative by the villagers of Namche [email protected] Nepali Calendar. 19 August, 5pm to maintain their own health Himalayan Enfi elders Reloaded, Education Fair, organized onwards, Baggikhana, Yalamaya services. 3 September, 5.30pm city ride starting from Enfi elders by Educational Consultancy Nepal Real Estate Expo 2011, Kendra, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur, onwards, Shangri-La Hotel, Workshop, Lazimpat to thier new Association of Nepal. Till 21 August, organized by Nepal Land and 5553767, 5522113, free entrance Lazimpat The stuff of intellectual life Nepal now has a literature festival, and not just one

either. In August, the Nepal Literature squarely on the individual reader. history; a flowering of bhasa and Festival hosts Bahadur Rai, They connect readers and authors English literature; an outpouring of COMMENT Mark Tully, and many Nepali writers, through books, and encourage debate, testimonials; the writing of novels Manjushree Thapa including Momila and Nayan Raj and an exchange of worldviews. They along social realist (Maoist and Pandey. This festival is sponsored are mainly about ideas. progressive) lines, traditional 19th primarily by Ncell. Over the years, the Jaipur century (bourgeois and centrist) ast January, the Jaipur Literature And in September, the Kathmandu Literature Festival, directed by lines, and postmodern (whatever and Festival saw a convergence of Literary Jatra hosts Patrick French, Namita Gokhale, William Dalrymple everything) lines. There is propaganda Lsome of the movers and shakers Tarun Tejpal, Mohammed Hanif, and Sanjoy Roy of Teamworks, has here, there is poetry. There are schools of Nepali letters. Among them were William Dalrymple and a mix of other inspired a host of other festivals of thought, there are drinking groups. Suvani Singh and Pranab Singh of the international and Nepali writers, around South Asia. There are literary There are academies, official and bookstore Quixote’s Cove, host of some including Yug Pathak and Sharada festivals, now, all over India, as well unofficial. There are even cabals, and of Kathmandu’s hottest books events, Sharma. This festival has a consortium as in Pakistan, where free expression rivalries. who were there in force with Penguin of sponsors, including Yeti Airlines, is fraught with danger, and in (Even between the two upcoming author Sujeev Shakya, a delegate at the Real Fruit Juice, countries that officially enforce festivals, there is a productive rivalry: Festival, and Rabi Thapa, whose short and Gokarna Forest Resort. censorship: Sri Lanka and Bhutan. despite the Jatra’s entreaties, the story collection was due out from Festival refused to collaborate.) Penguin. Ajit Baral of the bookstore All this is the stuff of intellectual life. Bookworm, who is also the publisher There can be no robustness in of Fine Print, was also there, as was public discourse without multiple, Buddhisagar, one of his best-selling strongly held, sharply expressed, and authors. Kiran Krishna Shrestha of even fractious points of view. What a Nepalaya was accompanying his best- gift when they can come face-to-face selling author Narayan Wagle, also a thanks to the (tireless and exhausted) Festival delegate. organisers of literary festivals. Added to this mix was the It is a huge act of generosity to journalist Amish Mulmi, who went This is all very good news for the With its intellectual hunger, its organize a literary festival. To the on to join Hachette. The Pulitzer intellectual life of Nepal. Till now, love for debate and deliberation, and directors of the upcoming festivals, Prize winning author Kai Bird, then a the biggest book-related event here was its drive to forge a connection to the and to anyone else who wants resident of Kathmandu, was also there the annual Book Fair in Bhrikuti wider world, Nepal offers fertile to direct another one, we readers-and as a delegate. Mandap each May. Though in recent grounds for literary festivals. Indeed, writers-can only say thank you. Thank I was there as well as a delegate, years some publishers have held if in these rudderless times there you, and please, please do this every and every now and then, I would run readings and book signings at the Book is one thing that Nepalis can take year from here on. Please. across one or all of those mentioned Fair, the primary focus of a fair is not pride in, it is the robustness of above, and there talk would inevitably on engaging the individual reader, Nepali public discourse. Kathmandu Literary Jatra turn to the question: isn’t it time Nepal but on stimulating the book business Since 1990, the country has been www.litjatra.com had a literature festival of its own? by creating new links for publishers, in intellectual ferment. In terms of It is time, and now it does have a bookstores, and distributors. literary output, there has been an Nepal Literature Festival literature festival: and not just one Book festivals, by contrast, focus excavation of the past and recent www.litfestnepal.org LIFE TIMES 11 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 DINING GETAWAYS

Overnight Package at The Dwarika’s Himalayan Shangri- La Village Resort, for local residents, NRs. 4000/- (single), NRs. 5700/- (double). Dhulikhel, contact 4479488 for reservations

Park Village Resort, Saturdays and Sundays combo package with Vesper Café, has quaint outdoor The Factory, a trendy restobar swimming, lunch and a bottle of patio good for leisurely weekend for a refreshing stopover in the beer @ NRs 990 for adults and NRs brunch. Serves good salads, and chaos that is Thamel. Great food Bronco Billy, a new restaurant in 800 for children. Budhanilkantha, all steak-wraps. Jhamsikhel and drinks, with zesty music. Don’t town offering Tex-Mex and Indian 4375280 for reservations miss out on their cheesecake, it’s a dishes. They make their own corn must. Mandala Street, Thamel tortillas, which gets a big thumbs- up. But really, we can’t wait to try Délices de France, special their Margaritas. Pulchok, opposite menu with duck 3 courses, Namaste Supermarket Sundae Café & Bar, enjoy the including Duck jambonet with Sundae Special Ice-cream with a its vegetable garnish or Duck Milk Coffee n Cocktail Cafe, coffee homely place for private gatherings breast with its mangogarnish. house during the day and a cozy and comfy couches to relax. 7am Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and lounge serving cocktails at night, try to 9pm, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur Sunday 14th August, dinner @ their yarchagumba and molecular Rs 1400 plus taxes, Ganesh cocktails along with the famous Chopstix, savory Asian food Man Singh Building, 2nd fl oor Starbucks. Woodland Complex, cooked in true Chinese fashion Boudha Stupa Restaurant & Café, (above Illy Galeria Cafe), Booking Durbar Marg Ahaa Daman Package at Everest sure to charm and impress. Begin enjoy wood-fi red pizza with a superb is necessary (limited offer), call Panorama Resort, for expats and your feast with the Dragon Chick- view of Boudha stupa and free wifi , 4260326 Nepalis. Daman, 4412864, info@eve en; it is one-of-a-kind. Kumaripati, candlelight dinner options are also restpanoramaresort.net 5551118 available for the romantics every full New Orleans, offers a wide moon night. Boudha, 2130681 variety of western dishes that are Grand Norling Hotel, countryside Attic, newly transformed lounge/ scrumptious yet healthy. We got weekend package offering suite bar ideal for Friday night drinking Alfresco, for homemade pastas and hooked on the rosemary chicken room, swimming, gym, massage, before hitting the dance spots. Ut- other lip-smacking delights. Soaltee and hamburgers. Jhamsikhel, and discounts on other facilities. tar Dhoka, Lazimpat, 984161476 Crowne Plaza, 4273999 5522708. Gokarna, 4910193

For repast, which was politely denied. the tequila- Ultimately, the ragbag marinated of ‘Continesian’ options chicken is a at Manny’s renders more letdown. The confusion than ‘non-fusion’. idea of meat The trend in the dining simmering in industry to go international an intoxicating is an unfortunate one and sauce sounds should be left up to food exotic and courts and IHOPs. With appealing. But Chinese, Mexican, Spanish, like the vodka Thai, Japanese, Italian, SOMEPLACE ELSE shrimp penne American, and French dishes at Roadhouse to choose from, Manny’s is Café, it’s a overlwheming. At the very hat do Charlie foolish faux pas. least, as Manny says, the Chaplin, , The chicken, menu is momo-free (but like Wsiu mai, and Thai presented like any ‘good business’, they’re food all have in common? MARCO POLLO lamb-chops, was flexible, he adds). Manoj Basnet, better dry and overcooked. Shame Marco Pollo known as Manny, leaves us on me. stumped. His newly opened, The highlight on the South from the roundabout self-dubbed restaurant in menu, which miraculously in Jawalakhel turn right Jawalakhel is an ambitious MANNY'S summons back to last week’s into Shaligram Hotel and eatery and tapas bar with just request, is the Philly Cheese Apartments too much on its plate. an executive member’s club offers diverse savory bites Steak Sandwich. Done right, designed without a general like crispy buffalo wings but needs just a tad more Divided into four sections: theme. As for its menu, and Chinese dumplings cheddar, the sandwich is a Space 1) an outdoor garden with Manny’s eclectic tastes carry or siu mai. Patatas bravas toasty, buttery baguette (so Bread ‘n water a big-screen projection for through. is a classic Spanish snack rare) lined with perfectly silent films and sports, 2) The concept of tapas is composed of roasted potatoes cooked strips of steak and is Service a formal dining area, 3) a not foreign to the Nepali lathered with a tomato-mayo definitely worth the visit. Deal-icious coffee terrace and 4) lounge palate. Tapas are snacks that sauce. But Manny’s version For now, the desserts are and dance floor, Manny’s dance well in a chew-and- is roughly an aloo sandeko bleak with no options listed. Rep-eat? resembles a hotel lobby and quench number. Manny’s served with a mayo dip. Curd was offered, however, 12 HAPPENINGS 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567

treatment with a universal impact. Treatment of cancer boils down to burn (radiation), slash (surgery), WEEKEND WEATHER or poison (chemotherapy). But over by NGAMINDRA DAHAL The Big C the years, research has made it possible to deploy highly targeted With one more month to go, the monsoon seems to be giving us all it’s got before it relatively non toxic-chemotherapy starts retreating. This week saw a phenomenal 500 mm of rain in a 24 hour period in far guided by genetics. Gleevec western Nepal. Heavy precipitation right across the midhills and into the high mountain valleys triggered landslides in the saturated top soil. A huge monsoon trough is making (imatinib is the pharmacological its way slowly westwards from the Bay of Bengal, bring in more moisture. Expect name) used against a special kind moderate to heavy showers throughout the day and night through the weekend, with of leukaemia calledchronic myeloid some thunder activity. The rain will ease early next week. leukaemia (CML) is the poster boy for cancer medicine. Gleevec’s KATHMANDU FRI SAT SUN working mechanism is genetic based, so that unlike other cancer drugs which indiscriminately kill off all dividing cells (hence people 25-15 26-16 29-16 on chemotherapy may go bald), gleevec targets a particular cancer cell. Gleevec is free for patients in Nepal. Many doctors are pessimistic about the war on cancer partly and environmental factors triggered because thousands of symptom- malignancy. free people have to be screened In the past we only suspected with attendant anxieties, costs, and DHANVANTARI people had cancer, but now risks to prevent even one death. Buddha Basnyat, MD with imaging techniques (x-rays, However, it is reassuring that ultrasound, CT, MRI scans) we can Mukherjee allows himself hope. He see the actual, sinister growth. In should know because as a cancer hen we were studying 1970 in America, President Nixon doctor, and has the inside track. medicine we refereed was feeling tired of the Vietnam His book is a biography of Wto cancer as the “Big War and realised how much the war cancer itself, tracing its history that C”. Recently the New Delhi-born drained away the mental and is almost as old as human history. Siddhartha Mukherjee’s debut book physical resources of the country, He narrates the stories of cancer ‘The Emperor of All Maladies: A not unlike the present effect of the patients, how they deal with the Biography of Cancer’ (Scribner) has Afghan War in the US. diagnosis and treatment. He was galvanised international attention on However “Tricky Dick” as Nixon inspired by a patient with stomach the Big C. The good doctor author was known, had a plan: he declared cancer who asked him to give it to practises oncology in New York, and war on cancer in the hope that this her straight: whether it was worth writes magnifi cently. would be a more popular move that the trouble and pain of treatment. Egyptians knew about tumours could result in an unambiguous Mukherjee also delves into and the Greeks even differentiated victory, compared to the other the new treatments that are in the benign tumors (oncos) from war he was faced with. Nixon’s pipeline, and how fast research is malignant ones (carcinos). Similar war against the dreaded disease moving parallel at many levels. The to Vedic thinking, Galen in the pushed it into the limelight and book is a doctor’s eye view of the MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA second century AD, proposed that provided more political and fi nancial disease, with both the sadness and poor diet (probably non-vegetarian) support for research, diagnosis, and triumphs of treating the affl icted. SHOW STOPPERS: The contestants of Lux Hidden Treasure Miss Nepal 2011 with their choreographer Rachana Gurung Sharma during a training session at International Club, Kathmandu, on Monday.

BIKRAM RAI COSTUME CUSTOM: A child, dressed up as a cow, participates in a Gai Jatra procession at Basantapur Darbar Square on Sunday.

KUNDA DIXIT PRESS UNDER ATTACK: Narayan Wagle, editor of Nagarik, at an interaction program organised by FNJ in Biratnagar on Monday to draw attention to increasing cases of attacks on journalists. SOCIETY 13 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 Little big ones ata Nano, the world’s cheapest car, was recently roads by taking them on a nationwide tour. “The Nano is launched in the Nepali market. Although the tax rate superior to its competition when it comes to space, features, Tincreased Nano’s ‘one lakh’ tag by more than seven safety and fuel efficiency,” says Shawant Jung Sijapati, fold here the Nano took Nepal by storm. Within the first Deputy Manager at Sipradi. “And all this at a lower price.” ten days after the bookings opened, more than 350 cars had Two weeks ago, Sipradi handed over the keys of the first been reserved. 100 Nanos in Nepal. Nepali Times spoke to three families Sipradi Trading, the authorised dealers for Tata vehicles which now have the cars in their garages to gauge how they in Nepal, tested the car’s ability to handle Nepal’s rugged rate the Nano’s performace.

Pustun and Jebin Pradhan

ifty-six years old Pustun had enjoyed the luxury of a Fcar in the house when his father was employed in civil service. However, when his father retired, the family didn’t buy a new car. Pustun says: “I was busy and hiring a driver would’ve been expensive”. Pustun is an associate professor at Tribhuvan University while his wife Jebin takes care of the house. Their only son and daughter-in-law are living abroad. The couple now lives by themselves with a dog and a Nano as pets. “Getting a car became a necessity,” explains Pustun. “Taxis are too expensive and it’s uncomfortable to always ask for a lift.” The couple has bought a red Nano CX. “The car is comfy and has the basic facilities, what more do you need anyway?”

Toran and Tirsana Chaulagain

oran and Tirsana migrated from Kabhre to Kathmandu after their Tmarriage 11 years ago. Toran runs a catering business while Tirsana is a housewife. The family photo is complete with two sons, Tiroj and Tonas. And now a Nano. “We wanted a car, but the parking space in our house is very narrow,” says Toran. “The Nano was a perfect fit.” The family has bought a yellow Nano LX. “The car’s pick up is good, but the brakes are a little stiff,” comments Toran. Tirsana feels this is a good investment. “A car is important when there are two kids,” says Tirsana. “Especially, when we have to go out at night or when it’s raining.”

Naresh and Sudhi Lamichhaney

e didn’t really have plans to purchase a car,” says Naresh. “But “WNano came by and it seemed like a good deal.” Naresh is a financial auditor and Sudhi is an architect. The two have been married for eight years and have a seven-year-old son, Nripesh. Naresh and Sudhi live in a joint family and although the family already had a four-wheeler, this was this first personal purchase. Now a red Nano CX is parked in front of their house. “My husband and I use two-wheelers to get to work, but family outings were difficult,” Sudhi says. “With a car at home, it will be easier for all of us to go out together.”

PICS: BIKRAM RAI 14 NATION 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567

RAJU SHRESTHA RK PATEL From poppies to paddy Farmers in Parsa have found better cash crops than opium and marijuana

RUBEENA MAHATO in PARSA the arable land in Parsa was under existed in Parsa and was used to BEFORE AND AFTER: Opium fi elds being cannabis and poppy. generate support for the Panchayat destroyed by police in Parsa last year What a difference a year makes. in the 1980 referendum. When the (left) and a farmer who has switched from epal is turning into Travelling through Bara and Parsa last Birgunj Sugar Mill was closed down poppy to paddy sprays chemicals on his fi elds last week in Subarnapur. Afghanistan’ read the week, the fields were gone. Poppies ten years ago, farmers switched from ‘Nheadline of a magazine cover had been replaced with paddy and sugarcane to cannabis and poppy. two years ago. It wasn’t talking about the marijuana with vegetables. This Police were attacked when they tried a return to war, but the trend among was a result of political will, strong to destroy crops. In Bhauratar two and stick approach. Working with farmers to grow opium poppy. and clean policing and effective years ago, villagers set fire to a house the local group, Sano Paila, police Even until a year ago, Parsa district coordination within government to with policemen inside. In the ensuing showed documentaries about the was regarded as a centre for cannabis support alternative crops. violence, three people were killed as dangers of drugs and also about and opium production, which was “You will not see a single cannabis the police opened fire. alternative crops. After a few months, sold across the open border in India. plant in Parsa now,” asserts Ram In Subarnapur, most homes still it was the farmers themselves who They were openly cultivated right Chandra Prakash Kurmi, former have tightly sealed plastic drums full informed the police about cannabis next to government offices and under DDC member and himself cannabis of unsold marijuana. The price of fields inside the forests. the very noses of the police. Many farmer. Locals give a lot of credit to cannabis went down sharply after the Shrestha also forged a partnership marijuana farmers had graduated to the leadership taken by former Parsa crackdown and farmers switched to with Indian police across the border opium, and there were even heroin police chief, Rajendra Man Shrestha. vegetables. A kilogram of ganja which to stop drug mafia seeking sanctuary processing factories in the jungles Back in Kathmandu, we caught used to sell for Rs 900 till two years there. Recalls RK Patel, a Birgunj of Parsa. up with Shrestha who has been ago now fetches barely Rs 200 from journalist: “As soon as the police The local economy used to run on reassigned to head the peacekeeping Indian wholesalers. stopped protecting the drug trade, the drug trade, with the related rise wing of Nepal Police. “When I started, “No one grows cannabis here production went down. It took in organised crime and addiction. everyone warned me that stopping anymore. But there are still stocks just a few months of SP Shrestha Elections were financed with drug cannabis cultivation in Parsa was like this in every home,” explains being posted here that we could see money, and Tarai militant groups impossible,” he told Nepali Times. a Subarnapur resident, “the police dramatic changes. Indian buyers bought weapons with cash from “they said everyone was involved and have made selling almost impossible were no longer willing to risk buying smuggling opium to India. Dowries for it would lead to unrest.” (See box) and there is more profit in vegetables Nepali drugs.” daughters depended on the cannabis It was not an empty threat. anyway.” harvest. From farmers to teachers to Drug cultivation enjoyed political In the beginning of 2009, Shrestha nepalitimes.com the police and government officials, protection and wide local support. launched a crackdown against everyone was in it. Sixty per cent of Cannabis cultivation had always cannabis farming with a carrot Opiate of the masses, #496

“I was determined to do it”-Rajendra Man Shrestha y first priority on being posted to Parsa in did not let anyone go off the hook: drug peddlers M2009 as SP was to control the drug trade. or the police. Police in Parsa had a bad reputation for protecting We held an all party meeting to garner political the production and smuggling of cannabis and support and worked with local NGOs, community poppy. I was determined to change this. My resolve activists and government offices. The District grew when I ran across a field of white poppies Agriculture Office pitched in with vegetable inside a jungle where we had gone to intercept seedlings and extension support. Often, it is the stolen logs. I was shocked to find that farmers there village elders and political leaders on whose had moved on from cannabis to opium cultivation. patronage cannabis farming is done. The police We started destroying cannabis and poppy alone couldn’t stop it, we needed local support. grown in public land first. We had to take about 500 We argued that if cannabis farming was as policemen when we went to clear fields because lucrative as they thought it was why were Parsa villagers used to chase police away to save their farmers so poor? We told them you still live harvests and have their women and children as in mud houses and the middlemen and Indian human shields. businessmen have got rich. That made us rethink our approach and we I am glad to say that by the time I left in May, decided to start when the farmers begin to plant cannabis and opium cultivation had gone down by cannabis. In the 11 villages that we initially 95 percent in Parsa. If we can control cannabis and selected, we did not let anyone plant cannabis at poppy cultivation for one more year, drugs will all. Any police who allowed marijuana to be grown never be grown there again. was suspended. Cultivation dropped by half. We (As told to Rubeena Mahato)

16 REVIEW 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 A planet for all apes sanctuary, where he died in 2000. In 1993, Paola Cavalieri and I ONE WORLD founded The Great Ape Project, an organization dedicated to the idea Peter Singer of recognising that great apes have a moral status befitting their nature wo new movies released this as self-aware beings who are capable month, one a science-fiction of thought and have rich and deep Tblockbuster, the other a revealing emotional lives. At a minimum, they documentary, raise the issue of our should have the rights to life, liberty, relations with our closest non-human and protection from torture that we relatives, the great apes. Both dramatise grant to all members of our own insights and lessons that should not be species, regardless of their intellectual ignored. abilities. Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet Since 2010, the European Union of the Apes is the seventh film in a Our closest relatives could serve to bridge the has essentially banned the use of great series based on Pierre Boule’s 1963 moral gulf between humans and other animals apes in experiments. Experiments on novel, Planet of the Apes, about a great apes are now either banned or world populated by highly intelligent cancel his experiments and he takes he learned to use more than 100 severely restricted in New Zealand, simians. Performance capture home Caesar, an infant chimpanzee, signs from American Sign Language. Australia, and Japan. In the United technology, originally invented for the does the scientist begin to care But Nim was taken from his first States, a bipartisan group of members movie Avatar, enables a human actor, about others. The plot then takes human family and handed over to of Congress is supporting legislation Andy Serkis, to play the role of the another turn when Caesar becomes other teachers with whom he did not to end the use of chimpanzees in chimpanzee Caesar, not by dressing too big and aggressive to live in a have the same kind of bond. He grew invasive research. Our closest relatives in a chimp suit, but by having every human home, and is taken to what is stronger and more aggressive and could serve to bridge the moral gulf gesture and facial movement, even the supposed to be a primate sanctuary, began biting his teachers. that we have dug between ourselves twitch of an eyebrow, transformed into but is in fact a dumping ground for Herbert Terrace, the Columbia and other animals. the movement of an ape. unwanted apes, run by humans who University psychologist who was Will Rodman (played by James display cruelty to the captive animals. directing the project, decided to end Peter Singer is professor of bioethics at Franco), is a scientist seeking a cure for Project Nim, a documentary it and sent Nim back to the primate Princeton University. His books include Animal Alzheimer’s disease who experiments based on Elizabeth Hess’s book Nim facility in Oklahoma. There, the Liberation, Practical Ethics, The Ethics of What on apes. Many films would have Chimpsky: The Chimp Who Would be pampered chimpanzee, who, when We Eat, and The Life You Can Save. glorified a scientist seeking such a goal, Human, is about Nim who was born asked to sort photos of humans and and treated the use of animals for that in 1973 in a primate research facility apes, put his own photo among the nepalitimes.com purpose as obviously justified. Rise in Oklahoma, and was taken from his humans, was locked in a cage with Export of Nepali rhesus of the Planet of the Apes, however, mother when he was only ten days other chimps. Nim narrowly escaped Monkey business, #440 portrays Rodman as, in Franco’s words, old, to be used in a sign-language being infected with hepatitis as part Year of the monkey, #180 “a cold, isolated person”. experiment. of a medical experiment, until he Only when Rodman’s superiors Reared as part of a human family, was eventually released to an animal Rise of the Planet of the Apes FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 17 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 Elusive consensus

Besides, government formation and power sharing has largely affected the statute drafting process.

What happens if there is no progress by 31 August? If the 5-point deal is not implemented, the nation will slide into uncertainty. The crisis was averted last time, but it cannot BIKRAM RAI be avoided forever. It has to be addressed and resolved. All the parties agree on this in principle, Where is the leader? but fail when it comes to creating a consensus to address it. Purshottam Dahal in the only option is for the NC and Himal Khabarpatrika, 18-31 August the Maoists to work together to Does this mean that CA will cease to form a consensus government. exist after the 31st? The NC has already made Sher Question is not just about CA. When Whatever happens, a democratized Bahadur Deuba its candidate, 5-point deal was signed, everybody Maoist party must be a part of a he must convince the smaller was clear on how the nation would future coalition. At a time when parties and the Madheis to join move ahead in the coming days: King Gyanendra is making fun a coalition. If he can’t he has to completing the major tasks of the of the disarray and disunity that accept the Maoist candidate for peace process, preparing a single draft followed his rule, it is more than prime ministership. Otherwise the MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA of the constitution and a national ever necessary for the parties that anti-democratic forces will feel the unity government to oversee this believe in democracy to defend door is open for them to make their Interview with CA chairman Subhas process. Question is why it was not its tenets. This is the only option, move. That will be unfortunate Nembang in Kantipur, 14 August implemented. and it is the last chance. Now that because it will take the country Jhalnath Khanal has resigned, away from peace and democracy. Amidst such distrust are you Kantipur: Where has the Constitution confident that the first draft will be drafting process reached? prepared by 31 August? Subhas Nembang: All sub- If the parties seriously engage in the committees have submitted draft process in the remaining days, I am proposals to the constitutional hopeful they can save the nation committee. From there, the proposals from stalemate and uncertainty. have been forwarded to dispute There is no alternative to taking Farewell Subhash Darnal resolution sub-committee. Many the peace process to its logical disputes have been resolved. But end and preparing the first draft of Baburam Biswokarma in Himal Khabarpatrika, 18 August-1 September there are still 25 contentious points the constitution by the stipulated on issues of state restructuring, deadline. governance and electoral system, Sushash Darnal was 18 when he came to Kathmandu for his higher studies currently under consideration in the If that does not happen, will the CA from Mujhung, Palpa. In the 13 years that followed, he rose as a fervent sub-committee. term still be extended? defender and promoter of the dignity and rights of the . The way he I hope it will not come to that, but if heightened issues of the marginalised in such a short period was probably What is delaying the process then? it does the parties are responsible to because he had to do it all in his short span of life. This fervent activist Lack of progress in the peace process steering the nation out of the crisis. died tragically in a car accident in Washington DC on 14 August. He was in has hindered constitution drafting. That would still need consensus. America for a Stanford University’s Dropper Hills Summer Fellowship. In 2009, Darnal had spent six months in the US under a National Endowment for Democracy fellowship. He set up the Jagaran Media Centre to train journalists and also worked at the the NGO, COCAP and later Samata Foundation. But, highly acclaimed tele series Dalan and his two books Adhikar and Arakshan ko Raajneeti are Darnal’s most valued contribution to the field. After being trained in media studies at the Nepal Press Institute, Darnal worked for a while at Himal Khabarpatrika covering Dalit and social justice issues. He later served as vice chairman at Action Aid Nepal. Darnal died at age of 31 and leaves behind his wife, Sarita Pariyar and a two-year-old daughter. Economic progress

Nepal, August 16-21

Hands: Political party 1995/96 2010/11 File: Tender Per Capita Income Rs 7,690 Rs 41,659 Table: Local bodies Deven in Nagarik, 16 August Families receiving remittance 22 % 53% Primary level education 34 % 78 % QUOTE OF THE WEEK Annual expenditure per person Rs 6,802 Rs 34,829 Families who use cylinder gas 14.7 % 21.3 % We have our eyes on senior police offi cers and where their wives and children live. They had better watch out. - Youth Force Nepal Families with electricity 14.1 % 69.9 %

President Mahesh Basnet quoted in Nagarik, 14 August Lavatory in household 21.6 % 56 % Road access within 30 minutes of dwelling 24.2 % 51% 18 BACK SIDE 19 - 25 AUGUST 2011 #567 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

You scratch my back, I’ll scratch your eyes out ne of the many indications So it looks like the black plate that Nepal may be headed wallahs have declared a nationwide Othe North Korea way transporters strike if their 41-pt besides the fact that we now call demand is not met. Among the ourselves a Democratic People’s demands is that the constitution be Republic is that the Department written on time, so we can safely of Mines has announced that it BIKRAM RAI conclude that there will be no will start prospecting for uranium double crosser. Neither had any ultimata and that sort of thing, Whatever he may say in public public transport for the next decade in Mustang. Better late than intention of delivering on promises, get that?”) So, Awesome leaked about backing BRB as PM, that or so. But the main gripe of the never to have our own plutonium they were just using each other to the press that he had another is the last thing PKD would like microscopic bus owners is that the enrichment program so we won’t to get to Balua Water, or to keep “breakthough” proposal up to see. He would rather have Badis are getting to import taxis be kicked around by Big someone they hated even more his sleeves, and the press duly Lion Brave as PM, and has the duty free. “If Badis can have tax- Brothers, hoina? out of the House Built on Sand. reported this as “breaking news”. NC’s four-time PM wagging his exempt taxis, we Mao-badis should FG They were so clever by half with The breakthrough was PKD’s tail and waving his paw. Till press also have them,” they say. the you-scratch-my-back-I’ll- agreement to integrate only 7,000 time on Thursday it was looking FG There is so much back-stabbing scratch-out-your-eyes-out principle PLA, give the rest a 5 lak golden like Share Bahadur was in no going on that no politician trusts that the two inevitably parted ways handshake, make four senior mood to share the PM-ship, And fi nally, @anqrs just tweeted: anyone anymore even if they have last week. gorillas colonels in the Nepal especially if BRB got the job fi rst. “When asked who should be next a total of 250-point agreements FG Army, etc. But, as with umpteen The question on everyone’s mind candidate for PM Prachanda said in writing with thumb prints duly proposals before this, Comrade now is whether Dahal will do to “BRB” (Be Right attested by witnesses and a public PKD was mad at JN for offering to Lotus Flower suddenly went cold B Bhattarai what Girija did to KP Back) but everyone notary. resign without his permission and, on the breakthrough plan. JN felt Bhattarai way back when. Never confused it The latest major falling out is even worse, tabling an ultimatum betrayed and trotted off to Shit-all know with these bahuns. for Babu Ram between JNK and PKD with each on progress in the peace process. Nibas to tender his resignation to Bhattarai. accusing the other of being a dirty (“No one gives Unser Führer the prez. FG ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67