#569 2 - 8 September 2011 20 pages Rs 30

DIWAKAR CHETTRI

Life after living Make or break goddess he expansion of the new in the party who deserve to be in cynics may say.” cabinet is taking longer than the cabinet,” explained Bhattarai’s The Maoist decision to postpone Texpected. No one expected adviser, Devendra Paudel, “We handing over the keys of their this to be easy for Prime Minister want to make sure they all feel weapons containers to the special Baburam Bhattarai, given that this involved in the process. Hence, committee for now is a missed was a marriage of convenience the slight delay.” opportunity. It could have been a Former Kumari between two ideologically Analysts say that in their hurry breakthrough in the peace process Rashmila Shakya is polarised groupings. to get into government, the Maoists and cemented public perception that working in a software But Bhattarai’s bigger may have given too much away to Bhattarai is a do-er. company and pursuing problem seems to be not so much win over the Madhesis. For their But he can still send positive a masters in information accommodating the demands of part, Madhesi leaders deny this signal by taking the opposition into technology. the Madhesi alliance, but to satisfy is about getting to power. MJF- confi dence while moving ahead on p6-7 factions within his own Maoist Republican leader Rajkishor Yadav the peace process and constitution party. And then he has to also acknowledges the Maoists have drafting. Even a majority government ensure caste, ethnicity and gender been generous in power sharing, needs consensus. AUTO SPECIAL diversity within the cabinet. but adds: “This coalition is based on Anurag Acharya p15-19 “We have lot of senior leaders issues, not on power, whatever the More on p12 2 EDITORIAL 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 KEEP THE FLAME OF TRUTH BURNING

evisara Oli’s husband, Suresh, was last seen in the On the question of atoning for wartime atrocities, leaders commission on disappearances. district police offi ce in Bardiya nine years ago after from both the Maoists and the other parties have an identical To add insult to injury, the second clause in the four-point Dbeing taken in for questioning. Nearly a decade on, response: “Digging up the past now will endanger the peace agreement between the Maoists and the Madhesi Alliance that Devisara still keeps her husband’s clothes in the hope that process.” In fact, the peace process is endangered precisely propelled Baburam Bhattarai to prime ministerhood this week he may one day return, she hurriedly picks up the phone because there is no closure for the relatives of those who were actually allows a general amnesty for wartime atrocities. The every time there is a call from an unknown number. summarily executed, or were disappeared during the war--even exact wording (our translation) reads: ‘In government, we will At about the same time, in a nearby village, Laxmi in cases when the perpetrators are known by name. immediately dissolve all court cases against Maoist leaders Khadka was home eating dinner with her and cadre and declare a general amnesty husband, Dil Bahadur. Maoists came into the in cases where the courts have passed house and dragged Dil Bahadur away into sentences.’ the darkness outside. She never saw him In the general relief over the formation of again. Laxmi still runs out of the house when a new government, and the euphoria over a the dogs bark at night, thinking her husband prime minister who rides Mustangs, this and has come back. other conditions in the agreement have gone Dil Bahadur and Suresh are among at almost unnoticed by human rights activities, least 180 people listed as disappeared by other political leaders and some Kathmandu- both sides during the confl ict in Bardiya based members of the international alone, the district with the highest number community. of disappeareds. Nationwide, the number of But for the relatives of the disappeared, reported forced disappearances is more than this is a slap in the face. On Wednesday, 1,350 but the actual total is probably closer Devisara Oli wept as she told us: “The killers to 2,000. of our husbands are walking freely and This week, families of over 40 of those threatening to kill us if we raise this issue. It’s missing in the war gathered in Kathmandu, not up to the government to pardon anyone. and another 200 in Bardiya. They used the Only we the victims can pardon those who occasion of the International Day of the tore our hearts out.” Disappeared on 30 August to draw the new To shame the government and to show coalition's attention to the inattention paid what pardoning and healing really mean, by successive governments to their plight Devisara, whose husband was disappeared since the war ended in 2006. Devisara by the police, and Laxmi, whose husband (pictured) was among those who lit lamps ERIK B WILSON was disappeared by the Maoists, are working of remembrance at Basantapur on Tuesday side-by-side for a victims support group in night. All the families of the disappeared are asking for is truth Bardiya called the Committee for Confl ict Affected People. Nepal’s post-confl ict scenario is unique because unlike and justice: information on whether their loved ones are dead Shame on a state that doesn’t have the heart to follow the most other wars, neither side lost and neither side won. or alive, the circumstances of their deaths and for the guilty example set by Devisara and Laxmi. Since most of the dead were non-combatants, though, the to answer for their crimes. The two former warring sides have Nepali people lost. As far as the Maoist militia and state stone-walled on information, there is a common conspiracy security forces are concerned, it’s over. They want to sweep of silence about war crimes, and elected rulers have tried nepalitimes.com the past under the carpet and get on with sharing the spoils. their best to water down the terms of reference for a future Same road, #517

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

CYBER PATRIOTS ever devised...’ says Rubeena Mahato. Do MISTAKEN PEACE Focusing only on preventive care does not Re: Rubeena Mahato’s column, ‘The age of you mean to suggest that citizens of poor I found Anurag Acharya’s column ‘Mistaken address the immediate needs of patients cyber patriots’, #568. Taslima sure knows countries are not expected to feel outraged peace’, #568, very well written. Its nice to in the hinterland. I think a model which how to whip up controversy. Just look at about their nation? I see absolutely no know that there are still some honest and addresses both preventive and curative her tweet about a likely fatwa and her reason to feeling ashamed about people unapologetic columnist left. Devi Khadka healt care is possible and Nepalis should books being burnt. I mean seriously? There recognized the world over for their valour and Shanti Pakhrin were both victims to this not be deprived of these essential services must be at most 10-15 hate tweets which and unlike any other nationality in the world unjust system, and the writer is sensitive to at the cost of one over the other. she might have got, out of which one was are trusted with the defense of a foreign land both their causes. Gaury S Adhikary profane, but she got dozens and dozens by its government. Som BK of tweets defending her by Nepalis. What Soni LHAKPA SHERPA about those? She proclaims herself to be SRI LANKA MODEL Nepal needs more Nepalis like Lhakpa an empowered woman, a feminist and FORGOTTEN FUTURES I agree private medical colleges are not the Sherpa to create opportunities for fellow now she is playing victim here? She is not In Ram Kumar Bhandari’s ‘Forgotten solution, and also agree with Buddha Basnyat’s Nepalis through social entrepreneurship stupid. To the contrary, she is so smart that futures’, #568 I agree that Nepal’s view point that primary and secondary health (‘Making paper while the sun shines’, #568). she spinned a careless remark and a stupid transitional agenda has been hijacked by care has to be emphasised ('Sri Lanka model', Thanks to Nepali Times for starting the new response generated a media uproar. Helps political leaders, donors and NGOs. Victims #568). But I am not sure why is he is lumping Making a Difference section, bringing this a lot when you haven’t published in the last are forgotten, and it has never become a these two together? New medical colleges and other uplifting stories about ordinary couple of years. national agenda. NGOs are big players and are a private investment, and of course they Nepalis who are making a difference despite Downtoearth playing with victims for their projects. Victims mean business like any other private funded overwhelming odds, and not just sitting in Nepal suffer through top level leaders, investment. Primary and secondary health around complaining. Let me shake your Awesome piece, Rubeena Mahato. It’s perpetrators and NGO business. Keep the care are the government’s responsibility and hand, Lhakpa! like you read my mind. Taslima was stupid agenda alive, Ram ji. are thus a separate part. Is he suggesting that Kiran L but we acted even more foolishly. I’m sick Biraj private investors go for primary and secondary of these fake patriots, people creating health care instead of medical colleges? facebook groups and events against ‘dho***’ The disappeared people will not come Ramesh Bikal who we are suppose to hate for the most back to their families and community, Weekly Internet Poll # 569 absurd reasons. There are sociopaths who its a life-time suffering for the families of One way to complement the Sri Lanka enjoy chaos. missing. Few big NGOs in Nepal have been model would be to integrate the mission and Q. Who will win in Sunday’s election? Loki manipulating whole transitional justice issue, objectives of the Nick Simon Institute (www.nsi. producing victims, destroying the victims’ edu.np) by the Ministry of Health. Nepal is well Total votes: 888 This kind of nationalism is actually agenda and safeguarding their businesses. on its way to meeting MDG targets on maternal ethno-centrism. We youth have forgotten Who controls them? The Maoists always and child health. Continuing and investing our own traditions and cultures and act like tried to control them politically, and never aggressively in this front will be useful. By we are westoxicated. If we have problem consulted on families daily problems. NGOs promoting model developed by Nick Simon with what others say, we should improve and political parties do not support victims’ Institute for rural health care, the government ourselves fi rst. Nice work, Rubeena. groups either. I am still waiting to know the could close the gap even in curative medicine AP answer: where is my brother? I want to take which is glaringly defi cient at the moment. revenge and frustrated with the human rights People do have acute sickness, fall from ‘Despite being from a country that business. We will fi ght to the last. trees, meet road accident and they need Weekly Internet Poll # 570. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com lags behind in every development index Anjoo urgent and long term care for their wellbeing. Q. Rate Baburam’s chances to succeed

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 Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Time on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com OP-ED 3 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 time when the political parties as well as the international community are Peace or ceasefi re? worked up about the 19,000 in the cantonments, the report notes: ‘Its military importance BY THE WAY Time to move beyond symbolism to real progress has diminished steadily since Anurag Acharya on integration and rehabilitation of ex-guerrillas 2006, and the party is not going back to war.” The ICG’s Anagha n the end, when nothing Neelakantan, says that people else worked, the Maoists who throw up their hands in Icame up with a proposal despair at the peace process for a one-and-half month work fail to see how much progress schedule on integration in an has been made. “Who would effort to win support for its have thought a deal on prime ministerial candidate. integration would be so close, That proposal and a four-point differences on constitutional list of populist promises to issues narrowed so much, the Madhesi alliance brought and people from across them back into government the political spectrum so leadership after 27 months. welcoming of an ex-guerilla Winning the 2008 election Prime Minister,” she told me was the easy part for the this week. Maoists. The party had to After months of stalemate, struggle so hard, give so much there is renewed hope for away, to get into a coalition meaningful engagement that it doesn’t seem to matter among the major stakeholders that they lead it. The fun and to bring the peace process on games are just beginning for track. The integration and

Dr Baburam Bhattarai. BIKRAM RAI rehabilitation process may One week before the very soon enter a decisive Maoists declared their opting for retirement and inclusive and bring it under accountable. It is too large phase, which would have proposal to complete the rehabilitation, the report civilian control are not being and too independent for a a huge symbolic impact on integration and rehabilitation recommends flexibility in discussed enough. It makes democratic state.’ It wants the peace process. But if of the ex-combatants within response with multiple a critical observation that Nepal’s military and security the bloodiest chapter in the a month-and-half, the options in order to reduce the unofficial move by the framework to be reviewed, nation’s history is reduced International Crisis Group risks of derailment. It is Nepal Army to come up with engaging more civilian to just symbolism, it could (ICG) released its latest report unfortunate that there is no an integration modality runs expertise. well be the prelude to another ‘Nepal: From Two Armies open debate about the issue counter to the principle of However, the most conflict. to One’ which discusses the and everybody wants the civilian control. interesting bits in the report present status of the Nepal cantonments to be empty as The report states: ‘The deal with the decline in nepalitimes.com Army and the ‘PLA’ with soon as possible at any cost. NA needs to be made political utility of the ‘PLA’ regard to the commitments However, the ICG’s more affordable and for the mother party. At a Full text of the ICG report made by the state and the concern about the ex-rebels about the future of potential infusion of large each. compensation amount into ‘It is tempting to see the Maoist coffers is well- integration and rehabilitation founded. It calls on donors as a technical issue, but and the government to design it is deeply political,’ the an incentive-based payment ICG notes. It stresses the in small installments. need to ensure a dignified And although the idea of management of the ex- providing skills development combatants, not necessarily training is a welcome one, the as an acknowledgement of mass exodus of combatants to the ‘PLA’ role in the epochal employment abroad opens a change, an idea which other pandora’s box of corruption. parties are against, but as a It also sends the message that calculated political gesture for the state can absolve itself greater aim of transforming from responsibility of the parent party. ensuring their rehabilitation Without specifically into society. entering into sensitive issues The ICG is concerned like the need for social that commitments about reconciliation and psycho- democratization of the social support for those Nepal Army to make it more 4 NATION 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569

each month to work in the Middle East or Malaysia. Remittances may currently be the lifeblood of Nepal’s economy but those who suggest that remittances are positive for It’s the economy Nepal in the long run fundamentally misunderstand economic realities. Nonetheless, despite the many “Nepal’s challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic about Nepal’s toughest economic future. IT outsourcing is one industry ready to take off, and challenge is not Nepal has only begun to tap the massive potential of the tourism concluding the sector. And if just a tiny fraction of the tourists from neighboring China peace process and India started coming to Nepal, the effect on the economy would be or drafting the massive. The failure to develop constitution, but hydropower is a story of failed potential that undermines economic rather building growth. I applaud the government’s efforts to enact coherent, rational an economic policies to develop hydropower. The recent selection of a technocratic future” head of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) through open competition sends a positive signal about the commitment to reform. Agriculture is another sector with huge opportunities if the right GUEST COLUMN policies are put in place: a rational Scott H DeLisi seed policy, contract farming, SUNIL BAJRACHARYA and effi cient fertiliser distribution systems. uring my 16 months here, political power. strengthening of the economy, and invested in their nation? Do they We are committed to do I have been continually Gaining control of power, the creation of jobs, as they have to see opportunities? Do they see a our part to promote trade and Dsurprised how little public however, is a mixed blessing if their political agenda. bright future for themselves in their investment. We recently hosted debate and discussion there is about you are not prepared to exercise I believe that Nepal’s toughest homeland? the high-level trade delegation Nepal’s economic challenges. I that power on behalf of the people challenge is not concluding the Nepal is situated between from the American Chamber of have met with dozens of senior and on building a democratic, peace process or drafting the India and China, two of the Commerce which left intrigued political leaders during my time in prosperous and stable nation. Thus constitution, but rather building fastest growing economies in and impressed. The United States Nepal – from prime ministers to local my surprise, and at times an economic future for the young the world. That’s an enviable and Nepal recently signed a party cadres – and invariably the dismay, that so many of those people of Nepal. Today, when we location. Just the spillover effects Trade and Investment Framework discussion focuses on the peace who aspire to lead the nation look at a Nepal where 73 per cent from these two economies should Agreement (TIFA) to facilitate process, the constitution, and, more appear to have not devoted the of the population is under 35 years create thousands of jobs and trade and investment and resolve often than not, their party’s plans to same degree of attention to the of age and 50 per cent is under expand trade. But, in reality, disputes. We are working to retain or gain control of the levers of nation’s development strategy, the 18, we have to ask: do they feel Nepal’s economy will likely grow prepare for the second TIFA council this year by an anemic 3.5 per cent, meeting in the coming months in one of the lowest growth rates in Kathmandu. Asia. Investors are scared off by the Our USAID program is focused political instability, labour problems, on growing the economy. No and power shortages. longer content just to be involved At the same time, Nepal’s in community-based programs, our own business houses are focused Nepal Economic, Agriculture and only on short-term profi ts. Many Trade program is working to reform seek to avoid paying taxes and outdated trade and agriculture maneuver to sneak their money out policies, improve the business and of the country. Many state-owned investment climate, increase access enterprises, which often are staffed to fi nance, and build export markets through political favoritism rather in the region for products where than as a result of merit, are badly Nepal has a distinct advantage. managed, draining resources from Not only is growth good for state coffers while failing to provide the country, its good politics. The services. smart politician will focus on the Surya Nepal, one of the few economy and advocate for policies companies that remain competitive to create growth. I am confi dent in Nepal’s readymade garment that the leader who fi gures this out sector, has closed down its – whatever the party – will reap operations due to labor problems. massive political rewards. More than 2,000 people, mainly We know that some of the women, employed directly or needed policy reforms are not indirectly through Surya’s operation, easy. We also know that the Nepali have lost their jobs. The closure context is complex. Growth must was a setback for the country’s be equitable and inclusive. But economic development and government alone cannot redress diminishes our efforts to convince these inequities. Generating strong foreign investors that Nepal is open growth through the private sector for business. and foreign investment must form Equally troubling, some political the cornerstone of any coherent leaders seem to view businesses economic plan. as sources of funding for their Policies that would seek to parties, or even worse, as targets limit the role of the private sector to be exploited for their personal are fundamentally misguided. Only gain. The private sector accepts an open, liberal economy can the status quo as the price of spawn economic growth. It is the doing business in Nepal. Both the private sector, in partnership with exploitation and the acquiescence government that must create jobs. undermine Nepal’s long-term At a time when India and even economic prospects and ultimately communist China have learned this democracy. lesson, it would indeed be ironic Against this backdrop, young and self-destructive for Nepal to Nepalis look abroad for their future move in the other direction. and for hope. The most privileged of them never imagine staying in Excerpt from an address last Nepal for their education. Every week to the Society of Economic day I see hundreds outside my Journalists of Nepal (SEJON). embassy seeking to study in the For full transcript of speech: United States. Thousands of less http://nepal.usembassy.gov/sp-08- privileged youths fl ee the country 24-2011.html BUSINESS 5 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 BIZ BRIEFS

Royale Teflon Duty on duties Asian Paints has launched Royale with TEFLON ™ – a surface protector and an upgraded The hefty taxes we pay for automobiles should be version of the existing Royale reflected in better roads and highways Luxury Emulsion for interior walls. Asian Paints has collaborated with MY TWO PAISA Dupont USA to Paavan Mathema obtain the license to use Tefl on branding in Royale Luxury Emulsion. Says Asian Paints Nepal manager, hen the world’s cheapest Budhaditya Mukherjee: “Consumers in car made its entry in Nepal, Nepal are future oriented and always Wcustom duties increased its look for a superior product in the price by seven fold than in India. The market. With this tieup we have added premium price vehicle owners pay in additional strength to our Royale to Nepal, however, doesn’t translate into make its quality at par with international standard at no extra cost.” improved road conditions or traffic management. Motorbike riders find that the crisscrossing skills required Ericsson in Nepal for the license trial exam actually BIKRAM RAI Ericsson, tprovider of come handy in dodging pot holes and telecommunications equipment and weaving past other cars on the road. everyday through highway fees, road its attention towards systematic and related services for mobile and fi xed Even those who can afford the luxury improvement taxes and fines for scientific traffic management, using network operators, has opened its offi ce of a luxury sedan can’t savour it. traffic rule violations. the tax collected from the automobile in Nepal. At 238 per cent, Nepal has one of However, this year’s budget industry. Other line ministries need the highest tax rates on automobiles. allocated only Rs 2.52 billion in to work in coordination, so the If this high tax rate intends to infrastructure development, periodic electricity department doesn’t dig up Mega Awards Mega Bank has launched the Mega discourage automobile import, then repair and maintenance of roads. a road that has just been paved by the Excellence Awards, starting with the it hasn’t worked very well. Car sales The taxes we pay for our vehicles is road department. Better roads and Mega Excellence Award – Sports. The dipped a bit with the banking crisis, bundled together into the national improved traffic management means Mega Excellence Awards will be a but there is still demand. Car dealers revenue, instead of being channeled less traffic jams and monumental series of awards given in recognition of argue that in absence of an effective towards improving road conditions savings on fuel and time. It also exceptional performances in an array of public transport system, private and traffic management. The means less expenditure for vehicle fi elds from education, sports and social vehicles are no longer a luxury and allocation is not enough to address maintenance. If the Japanese could work. the high tax rate cannot be justified if the sorry state of the roads, and even do it on the 9.14 km stretch from it gives no additional returns. the little money that does get spent Tinkune to Surya Binayak, there is no Last year alone, the government leaks out in corruption and shoddy reason we can’t do it elsewhere. New Canons collected over Rs 7 billion from construction. So, as vehicle density Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai Canon, the world’s largest camera maker, has released IXUS 1100 HS, the import duty on automobiles, continues to rise (there are almost has shown refreshing symbolism by IXUS 230 HS and PowerShot SX 150 making up nearly a quarter of the 600,000 vehicles in the Valley alone) adopting a Mustang as his official IS with new technologies that match the total revenue from taxing imports. the roads booby-trapped with holes vehicle. But what good is that if the quality of the user’s experience. The In addition, over Rs 3 billion are choked with traffic. Few new roads he is going to drive on will new products which are now available was collected on vehicular taxes link roads have been added, and the reduce the lifespan of his axles? in the market, have enhanced features and Rs 800 million from driving maintenance of existing roads has not Bhattarai should direct his next such as intelligent IS and greater optical license fees. Besides these regular been prioritised. infrastructure minister to show results zoom. charges, the government also earns The government needs to direct on the ground. LIFE TIMES

Life after the living goddess Two former Kumaris find their space in modern Kathmandu

CAI YUN Rashmila recalls with a fond ex-Kumari, hardly venturing The traditional belief CYBER KUMARI: Rashmila smile. outside the house. Slightly is that Kumaris should not Shakya (above) thoroughly Six years later, Rashmila shy, she says she enjoys get married, and Anita’s enjoyed her reign as the living ashmila Shakya is the first ex-Kumari cooking and doing household parents say she is likely to goddess, but now has more mundane things to attend to as is probably one of with a bachelor’s degree chores for her tightly knit respect that. But, Anita’s she designs banking software in Rthe best known ex- despite being nearly extended family. She has elder sister pipes in from an IT fi rm in Kathmandu. Kumaris of all time. This is illiterate when she stepped passed Grade 10 and watches across the room: “Or maybe mainly due to the success down as Kumari at age tv dramas during her spare she just hasn’t met her Mr of her autographical book, 12. “It was difficult,” she time, and is supported by her Right.” Everyone bursts into From Goddess to Mortal, co- confides, “and even after loving relatives. laughter. authored with Scott Berry graduation it has been “I miss being a Kumari,” Rashmila and Anita know in 2005. Walking through difficult to find a job.” Anita’s cheerful niece each other well and as former her house looking at walls After working for a support translates on her aunt’s Kumaris are required to visit decorated with her own group which shelters the behalf. “I was treated like incumbent living goddesses. childhood photos, visitors urban poor, Lumanti, she a princess and I have fond The criticism from child are astounded by the life of is now working on banking memories of a carefree rights groups doesn’t seem to a small girl who has gone on software in a computer childhood and my loving bother these two ex-Kumaris to become a goddess, and company. Kumari caretaker family.” who say they treasure the then to grow up to be a young Rashmila is also Another niece, who now unique opportunity that woman. continuing with her masters lives in the US, says she tradition bestowed upon “Scott found me through degree in information thinks Anita may have been them and their society. a local photo printing technology. Asked about slightly more outgoing if she Says Rashmila: “Being shop where he happened whether she is stressed by had more childhood friends. a Kumari allowed me to to see a picture of me,” juggling work and studying Berry himself remembers experience a double life and recalls Rashmila. Berry, an at the same time, she easily Anita in the early 1980s possess a double identity. I anthropologist, remembers shrugs it off with a smile: as always stone-faced, will always cherish that.” photographing her a decade “I still have some personal as required by tradition. previously when Rashmila time, and the knowledge Rashmila, on the other hand, was still a Kumari. from the masters degree is told him that as soon as she nepalitimes.com “After hearing that helping me in my current donned her naga necklace Rashmila demystifi es Kumari myths, THEN AND NOW: Anita Shakya I wished to publish my job.” she felt like she was in “a by Mallika Aryal # 265 says she was treated like a experiences, he volunteered Rashmila’s predecessor, different world”. Today, the princess when she was a Kumari, to do the interviews, that is Anita Shakya, on the other current Kumari smiles all the The prime minister and the Kumari, and thinks she is not going to get how the book came about,” hand, is a more traditional time. by Scott Berry # 368 married. 7 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569

he is always dressed in festive red, glittering jewel Saccessories, long and heavy The eye makeup and a striking third eye on her brow. This image appears in guide books on Nepal, postcards, NTB brochures and websites. Kumari As the live representation of the Hindu goddess Durga, the Kumari is by far the most important tourist attraction in Nepal after the mountains. But she is more than just a tourist icon: she is a living embodiment of the Kathmandu Valley Newar culture and its harmonious mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism. It is also an important part of Nepali history because it was on Indra Jatra day more than 250 years ago that the Gorkha conquest arrived in Kathmandu Valley. This year, Indra Jatra is on 11 September the day the Kumari Chariot procession will be pulled past dignitaries, including the president, at Hanuman Dhoka as it has for centuries. Till then, the faithful of Kathmandu and curious foreigners will throng the Kumari Ghar every day, hoping to get a glimpse of the goddess as she looks down from her ornate window. PICS: MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

COVER One (or more) Madhes? Madhesi poli cians are making their cons tuency poorer by being their single- HIMAL minded focus on the power KHABARPATRIKA play in Kathmandu 2-17 September, 2011 www.himalkhabar.com ANALYSIS Bha arai is Dahal’s Ladder Pushpa Kamal Dahal is intent on climbing on his deputy Baburam Bha arai’s shoulders to ensure his own poli cal future

EDITORIAL The Challenges for Dr Bha arai

EYE WITNESS With the UML’s Parsuram Basnet underground, Biratnagar’s organized crime world is leaderless

REPORT Village of the Bachelors A village in Dhading has no women for the men to marry because of traffi cking 8 LIFE TIMES 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569

Sri Ganesh, an exhibition of arts EVENTS on Ganesh. Till 7 September, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, 5546705

Aftermath, DJ K-World performing. 2 September, Casablanca, Babar Mahal, 4422089 Anbug Drive 2011, Volkswagen Beetle Drive from Kathmandu to Saving Dolma, monthly lectures. Gyantok in Sikkim. 6 September to 2 September, 9.30 am, Shanker 13 September, 4222636 Hotel, Lazimpat Eye camp, eye camp which will 9th Annual Wine Festival, taste Vintage Vehicles, classic display Let’s Get Crazy, live life today and focus on curing cataract patients. 15 wines from six countries. Till of the oldest cars and bikes in enjoy. 2 September, 7pm onwards, 3 September, 9am to 2pm, Buddha 15 September, Kilroy’s, Thamel, Nepal. 3 September, 10am to The Rave Lounge, Putalisadak School, Badegaun, Lalitpur 4250440-41 6pm, St. Xavier’s School ground, Mélange Evening, Manjushree Jawalakhel, 9851043398 Pradhan and Rock Sitar performing. Miss Teen 2011, Brace yourself for Coping with Grief, talk session by Cycle 6: Life, nature and wildlife 2 September, 7pm a new beauty queen. 2 September, Swami Avadhutananda. photography by Om Yadav. Till Click Click Party, be a celebrity onwards, Alliance Françase, Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi, 3 September, 11am, Battisputali, 30 September, 10am to 5pm, for a day with paparazzi all around Tripureshwor, 4241163 4246299 4471957 Galleria CUC, Maharajgung you. 3 September, 2pm to 10pm, Entry Rs 500 (with complimentary drink), Casablanca, Babar Mahal Revisited

Lyrics from the Junkyard, junkyard sculptures by Meena Kayastha. 19 August to 9 September, 11am to 6pm, The Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited.

Staging of Bukhyacha, a Nepali adaptation of the Italian play About Face. Till 3 September, every day except Mondays, 5.30 pm, Arohan Theatre, Gurukul, Old Baneshwor

Organic Farming Training, training on bio intensive farming. 14 August to 4 September, 10am to 4pm, EON farm at Mahankal, Fee: Rs. 4000, 9849685808

Opinionated, a workshop on editorial and opinion writing. 3 to 4 September, 11am to 3pm, Rs 1000/-, apply before 1 September, 9813485716, sattya.org

MUSIC

Nepali Ho, a Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory and Florida Atlantic University collaboration, 2 September, 6pm onwards, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatry, Jhamsikhel, 5013554

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An Evening with Kutumba, drinks, with zesty music. Don’t miss outdoor sittings. Tukuche, Uttar fundraiser for the Namche out on their cheesecake, it’s a must. Dhoka community health clinic. Mandala Street, Thamel 3 September, 5.30 pm onwards, Jazz Upstairs, the perfect place to The Blacksmith Shangri-La Hotel, Lazimpat chill down with your friends, listen to good music and have a plate of the gora Creations, the fi lm company behind last year’s Trophy Nepfest II, fledging bands showcase best momos ever. Lazimpat AHunting is set to release its latest production, The Blacksmith. their musical talents. 9 September, A preview hosted at the Russian Cultural Centre on Friday 12.30 pm onwards, Fun Park, Cinnamon Grill Lounge, offers confi rmed Director Gorakh Bista’s penchant for not only exploring Bhrikuti Mandap, 9841721736, delicious food and good music, unconventional storylines, but literally digging out unexpected 9841277757 added bonus- live performance treasures from remote corners of the country. The Blacksmith by Ciney Gurung every Saturday. delves into the recent history of a community of Dalit blacksmiths in Funkyfresh, Live Kathmandu jam Jhamsikhel Phalamkhani, Parbat, by following them into the iron mines they last with artists like Manas, Lyrics Indy. worked 70 years ago. 3September, 2pm to 11.30 pm, Everest Steak House, an “They are the poorest House of Music Attic, newly transformed lounge/bar old-school joint for everything steak. of the poor now, as you ideal for Friday night drinking before A sanctuary for meat. Thamel, near might expect,” says Space Cake Break, performance by hitting the dance spots. Uttar Dhoka, Chhetrapati Chok, 4260471 Bista of the octogenarian new ‘space rock’ band Space Cake Lazimpat, 984161476 miners he interviewed for Break. 2 September, 8pm to 11pm, Hadock, big compound with ample the documentary. “The House of Music, Thamel parking space, their Western surprising thing is how much and Thakali dishes are done to better off their community DINING perfection. Jhamsikhel, 5546431 was back then, being the centre of the iron trade Upstairs Cafe, a delicious range before it collapsed.” The of Vietnamese cuisine to sample. question The Blacksmith asks of old-timers such as Bhave Kami Maharajgunj, near the US embassy as they recreate a day of mining and smelting is: could mining be a viable prospect for the community once more? Ghangri Café, a quiet place with Whatever happens to Phalamkhani’s mines, The Blacksmith is a BBQ Station, a place for those of comfortable sofas and a lovely timely reminder of the pioneering role the blacksmiths of this village you who simply can’t do without courtyard, perfect for those sunny and others like it played in modernising the state of Nepal. In The meat. BBQ Station offers a chance afternoons. Pulchok Blacksmith, viewers will be transported back to these early days. to make your own Barbeque on coal. The Blacksmith (30 minutes) Jhamsikhel Chopstix, savory Asian food cooked Director: Gorakh Bista in true Chinese fashion sure to Producer: Birendra Malla Tukuche, if it is authentic Thakali charm and impress. Begin your feast Script: Rabi Thapa & Prem Sharma The Factory, a trendy restobar for a cuisine that you crave. The with the Dragon Chicken; it is Narration: Rabin Sharma refreshing stopover, great food and restaurant offers both indoor and one-of-a-kind. Kumaripati, 5551118

packs. Thankfully, those dry, dreary days are gone. Chikusa drips local, Nepali beans, freshly ground by the cup, mug or pot. And even its ice cubes are chilled from a batch of brew to prevent a watered- down cold coffee beverage. In the last decade, an evident coffee culture has emerged in Kathmandu, dominated by franchised SOMEPLACE ELSE pleather seats; whipped, sugared frappes and soundtracks on repeat. tepping into Chikusa Luckily, Chikusa’s sign, Coffee Shop in Thamel however dated, reassures us Sis like stopping by that the real essence of the a neighborly den in the ‘coffee shop’ isn’t dead. boroughs, where regulars read Marco Pollo the morning rag and kvetch The sandwiches are about life, while sipping on pockets of bliss served on Jog south from the Moroccan large cups of hot, local drip. thick toast sliced right on the Consulate and look for “Real The former Japanese Chikusa spot. Whether you opt for Coffee!” under the Lhasa café, established in 1998, tuna and ham, tomato and Guesthouse specialises in ‘real coffee’, where all that’s missing is a including crepes, waffles and cheese or the egg salad—the breakfast items and pressed white-topied carver yelling real flapjack pancakes topped variations are endless and sandwiches—all made to out orders at full bass. with sliced bananas and made either hot in a cast-iron Space order behind a narrow, diner- Every plate, prepared syrup. The only drawback press, cold or on a half-open like bar straight out of an in plain sight, is just plain is that substitutes can’t be sandwich. Bread ‘n water Edward Hopper painting. good. No green eggs and made for items in the fixed “Tired of Nescafe?” Service Bottles of American maple ham, the ham and eggs (as breakfast sets (Chikusa and The sign hanging outside Deal-icious syrup and extra-large ‘Super you like it) are a savory side English), and sides like baked Chikusa recalls days where Dad’ mugs line the shelves that compliments any of the beans and sausages can’t be the only fix in town came Rep-eat? that yield a homespun charm, sweet, back-menu treats, ordered separately. in individual-sized, instant 10 HAPPENINGS 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569

WEEKEND WEATHER Face recognition by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

the brain when scanned. First signs over Afghanistan of the southward drift of the stratospheric jetstream which is of more than academic interest to us because this is what pushes back the monsoon. However, They say that the difference there is an enormous low pressure circulation building up over Orissa as seen in this colour- DHANVANTARI between the best face enhanced satellite radar composite. This system is moving rapidly northwestwards, and could recognizers and the worst bring thunderstorms and heavy precipitation to central and eastern Nepal into the weekend. It Buddha Basnyat, MD will come down in short sharp bursts with thunder and lightning. This could be the last big rain amongst the prosopagnosics before the monsoon retreats by late next week. is so pronounced that it is FRI SAT SUN comparable to that between KATHMANDU pparently the same people with an IQ of 150 and area of the brain those with an IQ of 50. But as with any bell curve, the Athat deals with the 28-16 28-16 29-17 memory of directions is also vast majority are in linked with face recognition. the middle. Some people cannot Severe, debilitating remember faces. Obviously, propspagnosia is estimated there are degrees of this to affect two percent of the problem depending on how population in the US. But our brains are wired with relatively little thought face recognition software. is given to this problem Some of us are completely which is also defined as facial compared to say dyslexia unable to recognise someone blindness. (remember Taree Zameen we had dinner with a few Propsagnosia may also Par?). Teachers and others evenings ago? But once explain the situation when are increasingly aware of the we are filled in on the a Nepali baby brought up in special difficulties (and often conversation we had we are his own Nepali environment the special gifts) that dyslexic able to recognise the person. has a hard time recognizing children may have. But for My wife, who is individual Caucasian faces people with severe face very observant has been because they may all, blindness, for now, there is disappointed with me several relatively speaking, “look the not much else to do but share times on these Kathmandu same” and vice versa. this problem with others who streets when I have driven While studying medicine may suffer from this and rely past her (with my mind in Patiala in India, for me on your ingenuity to get by somewhere else) without all Sardarjis with their in daily living. The famous any signs of recognition. beards and turbans initially British anthropologist Jane Clearly I have come to realize looked alike. Goodall who suffers from that together with my poor In these days of MRI this problem says she would memory of directions and scanners, people with overt be better able to recognise perhaps a compromised face propsagnosia clearly show her individual chimpanzees lesions on the underside recognition ability, I suffer if she did not have mild BIKRAM RAI from a mildpropsagnosia, of the temporal cortex of prosopagnosia. NEW QUEEN: Miss Nepal Malina Joshi with runner ups Anupama Aura Gurung and Sarina Maskey at the crowning on Tuesday.

BIKRAM RAI RIDE TO SCHOOL: Children being ferried to school on a tricycle in Lahan Bajar, Sunday

BIKRAM RAI DREAM HOUSE: Children admire a model of a housing community at the Real Estate Expo in Bhrikuti Mandap, Saturday. INTERNATIONAL 11 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 From JNU to Kathmandu Baburam Bhattarai: “We were too ambitious…while India underestimated our strength.”

multi-national corporation or even a Indian establishment, Bhattarai UN-style job, we will never know. answered: “We can’t change our So here’s yet another whimsical neighbour. We have to depend CHALO DILLI twist in the sub-continent’s on India, both economically and Jyoti Malhotra history: Bhattarai has become geographically. There is now some Nepal’s fi fth prime minister in four tacit understanding within our party years and the fi rst to send him in this regard.” NEW DELHI -- At the Poorvanchal greeting was a former teacher, Prophetic words, or simply Hostel in Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Manmohan Singh. A free market lip-syncing in front of Indian University (JNU) in the late-1970s, reformer sends a dyed-in-red journalists, hoping they are naïve Baburam Bhattarai was a quiet revolutionary warmest greetings, enough to believe him? I would bet student, working on his PhD. Older and a greater irony considering how on the former. Bhattarai knows that JNU-ites remember Poorvanchal as Singh leads a government that is too much water has fl owed down being a far-fl ung residence on the taking a hard line on India’s own the Koshi and that in many ways, enormous campus, built to people Maoists. his prime ministership constitutes the place, like an outpost of sorts. But even in Nepal, the the last chance to improve living It soon coloured itself red, with the enthusiasm for revolution has conditions at home. After all, isn’t Students’s Federation of India, the waned. Kathmandu, in fact, that the promise on which the student wing of the Communist will always be one up on Delhi Maoists came to power? Party of India (Marxist), staking because it dared to push for a He also knows that he can’t do claim. non-violent people’s movement in this without India’s help, especially Remember this was the 2006. Delhi can only rescue itself since India is the roaring economic post-Emergency period in India’s by hoping history will remember engine in the neighbourhood (Beijing history, when the Janata Party the consequential role it played in is too far). Meanwhile, Jayant was slowly destroying the dream, November 2005 when it brokered RAJESH GURUNG Prasad will likely keep his head before Indira Gandhi made her the 12-point agreement between FELLOW JNUites: PM Baburam Bhattarai shakes hands with New Indian down and volunteer India’s help comeback in 1980. All this much, the Maoists and an alliance of envoy to Nepal Jayant Prasad in doing whatever Nepal wants: much before Manmohan Singh seven democratic parties, thereby whether in writing the constitution, tempted India’s radical elite into allowing comrades like Bhattarai to in the integration of Maoist fi ghters forgetting that a certain revolution, come above ground and go for a at the External Affairs Ministry, the Business Standard where things into the Nepal army, in rehabilitating both with or without the barrel of ceasefi re. always a crucial man in the way the went wrong in India-Nepal relations, those who cannot be integrated, the gun, could transform India into But what of the future? Indian system functions, is Akhilesh Bhattarai replied: “The problem helping build multi-purpose projects a more egalitarian country, besides Bhattarai became prime minister Mishra. He also knows Nepal well lies with both of us…we were too on Nepal’s many rivers. cushioning its own nest. the same week as another JNU because he served in Kathmandu ambitious, we thought we could It’s a special relationship, and For the most part, Poorvanchal’s alumni, Jayant Prasad, arrived in the late 1990s, during what do things on our own, while India this is a fragile moment. Delhi radicals have abandoned the dream. in Kathmandu to be India’s new is sometimes called the “golden underestimated our strength.” seems to understand that, and Which is why Baburam Bhattarai ambassador to Nepal. He feels period” under I K Gujral’s prime There’s another gem that will work with both the Maoists as must be complimented for staying the pulse, not only because his ministership. could have been written by the well as a “constructive” NC-UML with it, as must Sitaram Yechury father, Bimal Prasad, was India’s Meanwhile, check out Indian prime minister, considering opposition in Nepal. The feeling here and top CPM leader, Prakash fi rst ambassador to Nepal after Bhattarai’s interview to some Indian it echoes a favourite thought about is that it is up to Nepalis to write Karat. What did it mean for these a previous people’s movement journalists in late May, to give us a how we can choose our friends and Nepal’s destiny, and for the moment educated, intelligent men and of 1990. Back in Delhi, the joint glimpse of what he thinks about the enemies, but not our neighbours. Baburam Bhattarai seems very women to refuse the attractions of a secretary dealing with Nepal affairs India-Nepal relationship. Asked by Asked what he thought of the much a part of it. 12 NATION 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 Getting down to business

Prime Minister Bhattarai may soon have a lot less to smile about

DEWAN RAI problems for Bhattarai. The Forum (Republican), adding modality. The Maoists argue Maoist ministers who joined optimistically that the cabinet for a “dignified integration” the last government at the will take final shape very which means recruiting their THE DOCTOR’S CHECKLIST n its desperation to get to later stage could stay in their soon. fighters as full soldiers, while Prime Minister Bhattarai has power, the Maoists made post for only 13 days, and Bhattarai met NC NC says they can not be taken his work cut out. Here is his Ihuge compromises in some of them have expressed president Sushil Koirala on as regular NA soldiers. check list in order of priority: the last week’s parliament their desire to stay on. Tuesday in a bid to bring “Dignified integration 1. Complete the cabinet election for a new prime However, having doled out the NC onboard. Koirala is means recruiting our fighters 2. Complete peace process in minister. It offered half the half the cabinet posts (many reported to have advised as full-fledged NA soldiers,” 45 days as promised ministries to the Madhesi of them “powerful” ones) to the PM to make a significant Poudel says. NA has already 3. Keep NC and UML happy alliance to ensure the his Madhesi partners there progress in the peace recruited as many number so they don’t throw spanner victory of its candidate, aren’t too many left for his process and implement the of soldiers in five years of in works Baburam Bhattarai. He won own party aspirants. past agreement within the peace process as the numbers 4. Hand over keys as a comfortably with a margin of And then there are the promised 45 days before NC the Maoists have been symbolic step. But regrouping 105 votes. member of what has come to could consider joining the demanding to be integrated. and compromises on The popular move to ride be known as the “Dhobighat government. The NC also has severe integration will be more on a Mustang was a perfect Cluster”, the hardliners from “Personally, we don’t have reservations about the four- diffi cult to push through 5. Keep one eye on Chairman score, and confirmed to a the Kiran faction that met in any doubts about Bhattarai’s point agreement, particularly Dahal, so he doesn’t wreck public largely positive about Patan last month to clip party capability to deliver, but we the provision for mass things the new prime minister’s chairman Pushpa Kamal are not sure if his party will amnesty to those accused of 6. Back track on amnesty intellect and honesty. Dahal’s wings. For Bhattarai, cooperate,” says Upadhya. excesses during the conflict provision on 4-point deal, However, any prolonged it’s payback time to them But Maoist leader Paudel and the Madhes movement. this will be a major stumbling delay in giving shape to the too, especially senior leaders told Nepali Times Bhattarai But, Upadhay adds: block with opposition and cabinet will invite criticism who have not been in power has the full support of his “Politics is full of international community at a time when people are before. party. “This time, the party possibilities, if significant 7. Constitution, take the bull by desperate to see immediate The Madhesi alliance is unanimously passed two progress is made in the peace the horns on ethnic federalism changes. also engaged in finalising things: Bhattarai’s candidacy process in 45 days, it will and state structure The 4-point deal, signed the list of those that will and the issue of integration,” create an environment for the 8. Show the presence of the state, tackle law and order at the eleventh hour with the join the government. “We he says. “We are very serious NC to join the government.” 9. Improve investment climate, Madhesi alliance, once again have differences within the about the peace process.” He says NC will be tame unions exposes the fact that leaders alliance on issues, not over The only differences the supportive to the government 10. Hunker down for 18-hour enter into agreements without the portfolios,” explains Raj Maoists and NC have is about even if it is in the opposition power cuts this winter adequate homework, or Kishor Yadav, co-chairperson integration, he added, it is and will evaluate its work on perhaps with the deliberate of Madhesi People’s Rights not about numbers but of the basis of merit. intention of never keeping their promises. Adviser to Baburam Bhattarai and politburo member, Devendra Poudel, says the media should not have a knee-jerk reaction to compromises in coalition agreements. “there is a lot of give and take, and there are many factors that come into play,” Poudel told us on Wednesday. Maoist lawmaker Jaypuri Gharti had refused to join the last government demanding 33 percent representation for the women, sparking off a debate in the party which ultimately led different factions to unite against party chairman’s unilateral decision. Bhattarai seems to have learn a lesson from that, and is striving to balance gender, ethnicity, geographic regions as well as the political leanings of cabinet members. But there are other ALL PICS: MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569

a series of interactions and ago. “All the relatives of briefings for three days in the disappeared people Anti-amnesty the capital for people like will come together to Debisara so that their plight oppose any pardon for is heard by the government. those responsible for war Many relatives expressed crimes.” their dissatisfaction over the The co-ordinator of lack of progress on cases of NEFAD, Ram Kumar their disappeared relatives. Bhandari also had his They raised a collective voice father disappeared by against collective amnesty the army. “It is only the provision in the agreement victims who can forgive, or between the Maoists and the decide whom to forgive,” Madhesi alliance as well as he said, “it is not up to the the watered down content of victimisers to decide on the bill on disappearances. pardon.” Bhandari said They were also critical of if left unaddressed, the a Maoist lawmaker who grief of the relatives of the publicly spoke out against disappeared could turn to relatives of victims raising revenge. their voices for justice, and At one interaction on BIKRAM RAI for making a distinction Tuesday Amnesty Nepal’s between those disappeared director Rameshwor Nagarik, 31 August coming together to demand are still listed as missing five by the state and those Nepal accused the Maoists truth and justice. Debisara years after the war ended. disappeared by their party. were not doing enough Oli from Bardiya fainted National Network of “If collective amnesty is for the victims. He said, The International Day while watching a clip Families of the Disappeared & granted then it will be our “They are telling victims’ of the Disappeared was at the National Human Missing Nepal (NEFAD) was turn to revolt,” said Ratna families, we got rid of the marked in the capital Rights Commission of the established by the relatives of Bahadur Ghimire from Jhapa king, that is your sacrifice, with some 40 relatives exhumation of a body. Her those who were disappeared whose 19-year-old son was that is your justice. This of people disappeared husband is among at least by either sides during the disappeared by the police is just irresponsible and during the armed conflict 1,400 relatives of people who armed conflict. It organised in Biratnagar eight years unacceptable.”

Tourism for education Mobile crime

Manoj Adhikari in Nagarik, 29 August Rs 5 million that the school earned from Nepal Samacharpatra, 28 August entrance fee to the Devi’s falls. It also pays salaries of 62 teachers. Rs 2 million POKHARA--With the spread in mobile services throughout the POKHARA--Colleges and schools in Pokhara is set aside for the upkeep of the falls country, there has been a surge in crime as well. Police blame have benefited from the fees tourists pay to area itself. The management committee the rise in criminal activities on the careless distribution of SIM visit scenic spots. In what could be a model also rents out shops to curio vendors cards, especially in the incidence of abductions and kidnappings. for nationwide budgeting, visitors’ fees earn and earns another Rs 1.8 million a year. Tul Bahadur Karki AIG in Kaski said, “With half a dozen SIM card schools millions a year. This fund is used to Learning from this model at Devi’s carrying different names and different locations, it is very easy for provide scholarships to needy students and Falls, Gupteshwor Mahdev Campus criminals to threaten or harm people and still escape.” pay for part of their operational cost. earns Rs 10 million a year from He says the ease with which customers can register for SIM Chhorepatan High School has been entrance fees to Gupteshwor cave. cards from various companies under different identities is primarily managing Devi’s Falls for 30 years. Fifteen Pokhara’s other tourist attractions, to blame. A simple student ID suffi ces to register for SIM cards, which means that with fake names and contact numbers, criminals hundred students from nursery to grade 10 Mahendra and Chamere caves, have can easily cover their tracks. Karki is planning to step up vigilance are studying free of cost. Students in grade helped Bindhyavasini High School against illegal SIM card registrations. 11 and 12 have to pay minimal fee. Principal build infrastructure and provide free Laxman Thapa says all this is paid with the education. Mustang symbolism

Editorial in Naya Patrika, 31 August

There have been many reactions following the newly appointed Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai’s decision to travel in Mustang, the only four wheel drive vehicle assembled in Nepal. People thronged the streets from the president’s office to Singha Darbar to see the new prime minister in Mustang. Some called it cheap publicity and some took it as a gesture encouraging local products. all its parts are made abroad. His Despite the criticism, Prime Minister decision to travel in a locally made Bhattarai’s decision signals towards vehicle like the Mustang is praise taking the country’s economy on a worthy. But the environment to Letters:Public Expectation self reliant path. manufacture vehicles locally in Nepal Bhattarai, during his tenure as cannot be created easily. It requires a Abin Shrestha in Kantipur, 31 August the finance minister in 2008-9 was long term commitment to economic also strongly focussed on making independence. For this, Dr. Bhattarai QUOTE OF THE WEEK the Nepali economy self-reliant needs to take concrete steps that

through economic programs inclined will be given continuity even in the towards socialism. Even though “ future. The question however remains NC is in a wait and watch mode. If the Maoist led government is those programs were discontinued by whether or not the vehicle used by able to complete the integration and rehabilitation process in 45 “ successive governments, his efforts the PM will be the ‘state car’. It is yet days, we will join their government. left a mark. NC leader Deep Kumar Upadhyay to be gauged if the safety features of Although the car used by the Mustang are adequate for the head of prime minister is assembled in Nepal, government’s security. AUTO 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 SPECIAL JOYRIDE The Prime Minister has set an example by going local, but will he now invest some of the money collected from BIKRAM RAI auto taxes into infrastructure? slowdown in the economy has affected sales. he roads in Kathmandu it has become a necessity.” “But the last few months may have reached Indeed, the customer have been a bit slow,” admits Tsaturation point, there profile for cars is no longer features, style, and price. Bardan Basnet of Agni may be periodic fuel shortages, limited to the rich and newly Car dealers are looking to Incorporated that distributes but all that doesn’t seem to rich. Customers are as diverse sweeten deals by providing Mahindra. “The liquidity deter people from investing in as the models available. good after-sale service, crunch hit not just the cars. “The fact that so many The positive sales graph including through warranties, financial market but other Nepal’s roads and automobile brands have been for entry-level cars indicates bank loans, free servicing and industries like us who are highways have vehicles from able to establish themselves that many motorcycle owners exchange facilities. dependent on it.” all over the world, even Nepali here says a lot about the are moving up the market. It fact, it was easy loans But with Dasain around made Mustangs and Safa market,” says Deepak And those who already own from banks and finance the corner, dealers are hoping Tempos, jostling for space Agrawal of Morang Auto a car are looking for new companies that created the that the market will pick up. with motorcycles, bicycles, Works, which distributes models. Competition is fierce, boom in the auto market “Sales has been slow,” says rickshaws, push carts, cattle, Skoda. “Owning a vehicle so it’s a buyer’s market in five years ago. However, the Rupesh Sharma Bhatta of dogs and monkeys. used to be a luxury, but now terms of choice of quality, banking crisis and the general Laxmi Intercontinental that sells Hyundai. “But we can expect the market to expand.” An indication of this faith in the market is an eagerness to bring in new models. “We recognise the potential of the market,” says Alok Joshi of Batas Brothers Motos, which recently relaunched Fiat in Nepal. “We are not short- term players and understand that as soon as the political and financial environments improve, the market will pick up.” The automobile industry contributes 25 per cent of Nepal’s import duty revenues to the state’s coffers because of the staggering 238 per cent tax on vehicles which is comparable to Singapore. Considering the demand for automobiles, the expansion of Nepal’s road network, this is not likely to go down. Says Honda’s distributor for Nepal and the head of NADA, Saurabh Jyoti: “What we want is for these duties to translate into infrastructure development, people will buy but the roads have to be expanded and improved to sustain the growth in the number of vehicles.” (See interview, p19) Paavan Mathema Syakar Company A-1 Honda Accord

2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 AUTO SPECIAL

Nemlink InternaƟ onal Traders G-9 Perodua Myvi NADA Bama Motors G-10 Chery Tiggo AUTO SHOW 7-11 September BhrikuƟ Mandap ExhibiƟ on Hall, Kathmandu

H H & Company D-5 Bajaj Pulsar 220

Morang Auto Works Leon Motors Skoda Laura F-15 H-11 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Sipradi Trading A-22 Tata Nano

ConƟ nental Associates G-13 Kia Sportage Laxmi InterconƟ nental Constant Business Group Hyundai I-20 I-6 Ssangyong Korando J-13

GO Automobiles Ford Figo F-16

N-1 Syakar Company Honda CBR W p Ganesh Enterprises J-9 Suzuki GSX-R600 R-1 Agni Incorporate Mahindra Scorpio mHawk

Batas Brothers Motors E-17 Vijay Motors Fiat Linea R-6 Subaru Forester

Pooja InternaƟ onal Nepal R-3 Volkswagen Beetle 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 AUTO SPECIAL

IG Ganesh Raj Rai has just taken over Das the capital’s traffic police, and realises that he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. The number of vehicles on the roads has increased

20 fold in the past 15 years, MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA but the road network has remained more or less the same. Whatever Rai does, there is no way he can …and what about the roads? improve things dramatically unless some crucial link to Nepali Times in his office blowing a whistle?” traffic discipline on the part worse than it already is,” he roads are added. at the Metropolitan Traffic Rai also blames a lack of drivers and pedestrians adds. “Whatever we do will be Police Division. “How long of investment in advanced and lack of traffic police. “It’s Rai says it all boils piecemeal,” Rai admitted can we try to cope just by traffic management, poor a miracle traffic isn’t much down to resources. “Adding manpower needs money, new traffic lights need money, adding roads and widening arteries need money.” The capital’s roads are managed by, among others, the Department of Roads for repairs, the Department of Transport Management to register and regulate vehicles, the Traffic Police to supervise and enforce traffic regulations, the Ministry of Environment for monitoring air quality and the Metropolitan City has major stake in all this. “There is lack of coordination and they

don’t cooperate in traffic management,” Rai says, pinpointing the real issue. The number of motorcycles registered in the valley has reached 500,000. To manage the traffic of about 1 million vehicles manually, his department has only 1,000 traffic police. “We need to at least the double the number,” he explains. The general sense of impunity also affects road users, who are not afraid to break the rules. Existing regulations need to be tightened and enforced. “Our rules we made decades ago, they ar all obsolete,” he adds. A proposed new traffic bill is languishing in parliament because of other priorities. “I don’t know why the government is so indifferent to the traffic problem,” Rai says with visible anguish. “it affects everyone from the pedestrian to the president, they should all be trying to help out.” Dewan Rai “Re-invest auto tax on improving infrastructure” 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 Nepali Times: After the difficult, with interest rates downturn earlier this year, are going as high as 18 per cent. AUTO automobile sales picking up The high price and lack of again? finance have made consumers Saurabh Jyoti: The market is in cautious and skeptical. SPECIAL recession and is at the lowest it has been in perhaps a decade. So what role is NADA playing Car sales have drastically to jumpstart sales? dipped by 30 per cent. The NADA has been working pre-Dasain excitement is yet to with government officials pick up. on the new transport policy and emission law. We have What are the main reasons for been pushing for 15 per this slowdown? cent reduction in the excise The foremost reason is duty. People say that there negligence on the part of the are already too many cars government towards the auto on the road, but the problem industry. Road transportation is that the contribution of these vehicles to the national revenue is not being invested Saurabh Jyoti, to expand and maintain the Chairman of The road network. Nepal Automobile Now that we see the prime minister riding a Nepal- Dealer’s Association is the engine of this country’s assembled vehicle, are we and director of growth, it is the only option. ready to move from solely Yet, the tax rates for vehicles retail to a manufacturing auto Syakar Company, in this country are among market as well? the highest in the world. Car An auto plant requires huge talks to Nepali dealers need to pay the road investment. If the government Times about the tax even before they sell the provides a conducive and vehicle. But we see scant proof secure environment, then automobile market that all these taxes are being people will be willing to re-invested in infrastructure. In put in their money. More scenario, ahead fact the opposite the true, the immediately, the sales volume of the NADA Auto existing roads are falling apart. of motorcycles we have Secondly, the availability can justify opening a local Show next week. of auto loans has become assembly plant. 20 BACK SIDE 2 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 #569 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

Get on with it, Tonga on’t believe for Leader Chairman Awesome After Gokarna Bista went the attraction of being in the suggestion, designate different a moment that a also took home his official home in a cab and Babuji cabinet and to make it easier categories of deputy prime Dconsensus government Landcruiser, and then when started going around in a for himself to cobble together ministers: is not possible. After all, it got too embarrassing had Mustang, there is strong a smaller cabinet, BRB should there are districts where the Makunay Sarkar buy moral pressure on some announce the following Deputy Prime Minister-in-Chief the Kangresis, Baddies, Eh- it for him for two karods. ministerial aspirants official vehicles for new Assistant Chief Deputy Prime Minister maleys and Madhesis are JNK got so attached to the wanting govt posts. After ministers: Associate Deputy Prime all working together in total 4WD he appropriated from all, they agreed to back the Minister harmony. In Biratnagar, the the Chamelia Hydroelectric Com Laldhoj for the perks Hridesh Tripathi: Bullock Cart Rajendra Mahato: Buffalo Cart Senior Assistant Deputy Prime YCL, YF and Tarai militants Project that he rode while of office. “If there is no Minister all work together in extortion in office and has decided to Prado, what’s the point? Upadro Yadav: Donkey Cart Joint Deputy Prime Minister and protection rackets and keep. NEA says there are now I’d rather ride a mule,” Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta: Tanga Narayan Kaji Shrestha: Rickshaw Senior Assistant Joint Deputy Com Deb is said to have divide up the spoils. Why more than 70 Prados, Nissan CP Gajurel: Raleigh Bicycle Chief Prime Minister can’t this be replicated in the Trails, Pajeros in the custody muttered as he withdrew Post Budder Bogati: Safa Tempo national govt? of former govt officials. Other from the race to be finance Horrible Gajurel: Bullet This way everyone gets a offenders include successive minister. Comrades in share of the pie. FG FG home ministers, including the Tamalopa have also FG The prime minister’s decision Bhim Royal, Leftist God Bum decided that if they have It is becoming clearer by to induct a Made in Nepal Dev, Comrade KP and even to go around in a Mustang, the day why the Madhesis The mule’s mole in the PMO jeep as his official bahn minister-at-large-without- they’d rather stay out of and the Dhobighaut Cluster says so far Dr Battery has has put other ministers, portfolio-whichever-govt-is- govt for now. Just to reduce decided to back the govt. The received congratulatory emails former prime ministers, in-power, Amresh Bhaiya. main bone of contention is with docx attachments from and bureau-cats under the not really about portfolios, India, US, China, Japan and scanner. Ministers for whom it’s more about who gets France (in that order). What’s carnapping SUVs has been to be Deputy Prime keeping the rest? Nepal has SOP are in the horns of a Minister. For example, diplo relations with 178 dilemma. The list of ex-prime CP doesn’t countries in the world, and ministers and ministers who want JP to be there are still 173 countries have purloined NEA vehicles a more senior that haven’t yet bothered after they left office is so long deputy prime to felicitate our new doctor that you begin to understand minister than him, prime minister. Get on with it, why the state electricity Kaji Naran Kamred Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, utility is running up a loss of doesn’t want to be and St Kitts and Nevis. 30 billion rupees. SBD gave junior to Hridesh, FG himself a Pajero when he and none of the stepped down in 2004, which above want Upadro The government has banned is fitting because he was the Comrade in. There are all official cocktail and cutlet guy who used to distribute so many aspirants for the parties in five-star hotels Pajeros to buy off MPs in the post that it looks set to be a with immediate effect. Guess 1990s. But not only did he cabinet with more deputy official functions with booze never return that car he got prime ministers than will now have to his wife one too in a take- ministers. To break the be held in four-star one-and-get-another-one-free deadlock, the Ass would hotels. deal. Not to be outdone, Great like to make a humble ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67