#43 18 - 24 May 2001 20 pages Rs 20 NEW THRILL: CANYONING 191919 Thamel’Thamel’Thamel’s secrsecrs etetet KESHARKESHARKESHAR 10-1110-1110-11 GARDENGARDENGARDEN

BINOD BHATTARAI EXCLUSIVE ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ nywhere else in the world a school EU pulls out shutdown that prevents nearly a million children from attending The European Union has put the a $13 million Gulmi-Argakhanchi Rural classes would be a national crisis. Here, it Development Project (GARDEP) on is just politics-as-usual. A classless society? indefinite hold after a project vehicle wasEveryone agrees that ’s education torched by Maoists on 8 May. The attackis a mess. Constant tinkering and came just as the project’s second phase A million Nepali children couldn’t go to school for a to build roads, schools and drinking waterexperimenting with reforms since 1975 has A million Nepali children couldn’t go to school for a projects in the two districts was gettingresulted in politicised government schools week because adults were playing politics. underway. Most half-done constructionwith falling standards. Most private schools week because adults were playing politics. of schools and roads have been that moved in to fill the demand are run ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ abandoned. The Maoists haven’t yet claimed responsibility for the attack, andlike businesses. The result: a school system there had been no overt threats. Localridden with inequities. officials said the torching was not Since the government wasn’t doing planned, and was the result of local Maoists suspecting that a project much to reform education, student unions personnel was using the car’s radio. affiliated with three left parties, including They say EU over-reacted, and are one controlled by the Maoists, have lobbying for the project to resume. Saidentered the fray. They want to change DDC chairman Kausal Pokhrel: “This is really unfortunate, it will set us overnight what took 30 years to wreck. back many years.” Further complicating matters is the fact that the three unions are competing with each other to appear more radical. Last week, armed members of the All- Nepal Independent Student’s Union (Revolutionary) attacked in broad daylight Tibetans warned two private schools with Indian affiliations. They vandalised property, set vehicles on MIN BAJRACHARYA Days before Chinese premier Zhu fire, doused one principal with kerosene, Rongji’s visit Chakra Prasad Bastola toldand physically abused another. “This the press that Nepal would not allow itsgovernment does not listen, so as a be implemented. Our students are only territory to be used for anti- warning, we had to carry out the attacks on demanding a reduction in fees, but by activities. And he meant it. Three government agencies sprung into schools that are run with foreign capital,” how much can only be decided after a said the general secretary of the pro-Maoist through study.” action—the Ministry of Home Affairs, the to negotiate after minister Amod Prasad some of them would need decades to office of the Chief District Officer and union,the Purna Poudel. The Maoists have The Maoist Upadhyaya was flayed by media for not implement. But to summarise the main Hanuman Dhoka police office. All had alreadyone closed down many private schools students are simple message for ’s Tibetan taking the issue seriously. On Saturday, points, they include: 50 percent reduction in the districts where they are active. admant that the community: “Don’t be seen, and don’t be government officials met Maoist students, in private school fees, ban on singing the Among them, the Japanese-run Notre government must heard. Or else you will be deported.” parents and private school representatives national anthem, ban on compulsory There are 60,000 Tibetans living in Nepal,Dame in Bandipur closes next week. (See reduce private school fees by half but failed to reach a compromise. Then theSanskrit, ban on re-admission fees and an and lately the government has becomebox, p.7) and provide free educationEssay p. in 6 intolerant of even Tibetan cultural government made a blunder by arresting increase in investments in public schools. The government said it would provide public school beforeHurt, they frustrated will even and hopeful activities. Said one Tibetan resident: “It is two Maoist student leaders as they left the The main opposition UML’s Standing sad that after 40 years of being here, securitywe this week, but private schools were come to the negotiating table. talks. They have since been released, but Committee member and the party’s still have to be quiet.” Now that Zhu’s too spooked to open. The Ministry of the action torpedoed chances of gone, things may be more relaxed. Education made some last-minute attempts education commisar, Jhala Nath compromise. Khanal, told us: “The 50 percent The list of demands by the three reduction in school fees student unions are long, confusing, and demandedhave given by Maoists the maintenance cannot workshop for free if we had bargained hard.” p. 7 ¨ It is standard operating procedure to pay a sales commission to the manufacturer’s agent, and whatever gun the army buys there will commissions involved. But informed insiders say this should not be an excuse to push through an Jumping the gun? inappropriate gun, just because some past deal didn’t materialise. The other issue is weapons standardisation. he race to supply the Royal Nepal Army with a new was finalised before the rifle was The army presently has a requirement for 50,000 guns, generation of rifles and carbines to replace its ageingselected. SLRs Nepali media has taken a which include assault rifles, light machine guns, grenade t is going into its final lap. The main contenders includekeen the interest in the deal, and there launchers and carbines. Most officers and rank-and-file soldiers German G-36, US-made M-16s and Israeli Galils, and theyhave are been all reports that the German seem to prefer weapons like the M-16 which they have used neck-to-neck in this high-stakes deal which could total somecontract $ 50is linked to the army’s while on UN peacekeeping duty and of which the army already million over the next five years. All are assault rifles that decisionuse to purchase the RJ-100 jet has some 4,500 units. Still others find the Israeli Galil even more imported 5.56mm calibre, “double base” ammunition thatlast have year. a That deal was scuttled suitable because it is lighter, and more durable because of its killing range of up to 600 m. because of media pressure and solid body parts. intense lobbying by rivals. A well- According to military sources, the G-36 which had been a The gun purchase has a sense of urgency because the known Nepali commission agent is army is thinking of passing on its Belgian SLRs to the Armed favourite because of intense lobbying is now falling behindthe afterrepresentative a in Nepal for both Police Force that the government is setting up to fight the high-level field test showed defects with its sophisticatedHeckler optical & Koch (Royal Ordnance) and Maoists, and for internal peacekeeping. Many would debate sight. The rifle optical sight needs zeroing every time it isBritish jerked, Aerospace. and is not battle-tested. whether one of the world’s poorest countries should be Complications arose because BAe spending so much on guns. But if they are needed, then they The G-36 is made by the German company, Heckler & had already paid its commission to the have to be the right equipment at the right price.

Koch which is partly owned by British Royal Ordnance. Theagent G-36 on the RJ100 deal, and the G-36 repair MIN BAJRACHARYA was reported to have an edge over its rivals because theshop was offered as a swap. Said the source: “With a manufacturers had won a $ 5 million deal to set up a purchase of this scale, any other manufacturer would maintenance and repair facility for the rifle. The maintenance deal

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Internet Access | Email | Fax2Fax | Web Hosting | Domain Registration | VSAT Networks | WAP Services | Software Development 222 EDITORIAL 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES

Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd,Kunda Editor: Dixit STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL Desk editor:Anagha Neelakantan Design: Swosti Rajbhandari, Kiran Maharjan [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Marketing: Anup Adhikary [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Pulchowk, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 543333-7 Fax: 521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press: 521393 Time to go display of political promiscuity during the shameful days of coalition govern- ments recently? By asking for ’s MAYDAY, MAYDAY It is time Koirala the citizen and Koirala theouster, president the Panchas doof him the a favour. ruling Analysts have come up with many analogies to describe the present stateparty of the asked Koirala the prime minister to stepAnd down. of Koirala’s detractors within the nation: a patient in intensive care, a village on a volcano, a boat that has sprung a party, the less said the better. Unwilling leak, a truck falling off a cliff. But the best one we have heard so far in the cocktail to fight, incapable of taking defeat with circuit is a jet with a major systems malfunction that is diving towards the ground,he Nepali bourgeoisie is angrily demanding the resignation of Prime grace, and unable to chart an while the captain and co-pilot are busy punching each others’ faces, as a hijacker independent course, NC dissidents have behind them holds a gun to their heads. Go figure out who is who. tMinister . joined the chorus of the opposition Pretty soon, at the rate we are going, there will be nothing left to fightCapitalists over. of the capital are up in arms in the name of corruption. The chatterati parties. Antagonism between Here we are, confronting one of the most perilous times in our nation’s history and septuagenarians can be attributed to a our elected politicians are behaving as if it is plunder as usual. At a timewants when Koirala we out on grounds of need a national consensus, we are at our most divisive. At a time whenmorality. we need The elite wants Koirala kicked clash of the hubris that seeps in with decisive leadership, we have vacillation and a twiddling of thumbs. At aout time because when they find him too arrogant. senility. But why do “youth leaders” we need transparency and accountability, the looting has gone into high gear. At a waste all their youthful energy in this time when we need to be delivering health care and education on a warOthers footing, hate Koirala because they think his nose is too long. And yet, there is internecine war of self-destruction? we are footing a war. And there is even a sickening scramble on to pocket Perhaps is right—the kickbacks on the paraphernalia to fight that war. Koirala, still in the eye of the storm, really does have no The main opposition UML, squeezed by the Maoists who have commandeeredunruffled like an old banyan amidst the swaying trees. Or as his detractors put it: future. This man is not going to resign in their cadre and a stubborn government that refuses to go, have started collecting disgrace. Leave him alone, and he just tyres for street pyres. Then there is that most intractable quarrel: betweenstubborn Girija as a mule. might. Prasad Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and/or Koirala and Sher BahadurBut the political longevity of Koirala Deuba. The latter both had started rubbing their hands in anticipation of the power Slandering Koirala is the favourite grab when Koirala’s resignation was deemed to be imminent. has nothing to do with his strength and stamina. His survival is a damning past-time of social-climbers with Now, we hear rumblings of dissent even within Koirala’s inner circle. Sushil indictment of the Nepali bourgeoisie. intellectual pretensions. To prove that Koirala, the mysterious behind-the-scenes confidante of the prime minister, loathes you are a true-blue satin socialite—and , Khum Bahadur Khadka, and Govinda Raj Joshi. DeputyDespite Prime seeming to be at the nadir of his career, Girija Prasad Koirala is still the not just another Kazi-come-lately—you Minister Ram Chandra Poudel can barely stand Joshi and Jaya Prakash Anand and must indulge yourself in the game of Acharya, and they heartily return the favour. Acharya and Mahat can’t gettallest along, among the political pygmies of and both have problems with Arjun Narsingh KC. Nepali politics and society. For the get- character assassination with each sip of red wine and every puff of cigarello. If you thought that was bad enough, look at the Koirala family: Prakashrich-quick bigots in the bourgeoisie and Koirala is easy prey for crude caricatures hates First Daughter Sujata who hates First Neice Shailaja who hatesthe hypocriticalactress NIMBY elite, Koirala Manisha. Auntie Nona, for her part, is disgusted with Sujata and Sushilcontinues who to remain the least unaccept- the ploy of a fox preaching a bull the by budding commentators. Writers with reciprocate the feeling. able option. The least rotten of the virtues of vegetarianism, and hoping for more ambition than talent piggyback on MIN BAJRACHARYA What’s with Nepal’s ? Just because they can’t get along, do theyapples have in the barrel. its hump to fall off so that it can relish his popularity and pillory him for instant fame. Koirala is right in his prognosis. If to drag the whole country down with them? Not that the high priests in the Despiteother a bout of motorcycle burningthe meat. parties are any better. Our Communist Party has the distinction of being the most The clamour for Koirala’s head in a he capitulates to the clamour of a splintered of any communist party in the world—from blood red to pale pinkand aall threatened three-day national notoriously selfish and vengeful bour- shutdown next week, the UML has failedsection of Nepali press is based on an connected loosely in shifting alliances and vying to outdo each other in closing accusation that is almost impossible to geoisie, no prime minister in the future down schools, calling three-day bandhs, torching public property and launchingto fire the imaginations of Nepalis. The will be safe from such blatant bullying. vitriolic attacks on each other through their prove in a court of law. A politically- party’s once-admired apparatchiks stand But his prescription is all wrong. His media mouthpieces. naked out there, shorn of their working-motivated media is flogging the dead- We have a situation here. class pretensions. Let us remember that horse of a controversial aircraft lease to continuation in the prime minister’s chair The captain and the co-pilot corruption did not start with the Nepaliattack the prime minister, but is sullyingis not the right answer. The solution lies have knocked themselves Congress. In fact, UML ministers itself in the process. This obsession with in devising an honourable exit as soon as unconscious. The hijacker institutionalised it during their brief Koirala and Lauda has exposed the possible. It is time Koirala the citizen is in command, but can he media’s partisan string-pullers like and Koirala the president of the ruling fly the plane? Quick, what stints in power. Today, the UML is the richest political party in the country, andnothing else in recent times. It has tried party asked Koirala the prime minister to do we do... step down. But the bourgeois takeover of their leaders are models of upwardly to be the police, prosecutor, judge and executioner all rolled into one. By Nepali public life is so complete that no mobile bourgeois prosperity— muckraking, the media is bringing up its one has the strength of character to force complete with pot-bellies, Pajeros, own slime. him out. Koirala may not be a quitter, palmtops and palatial mansions. Our constitutional organs are but he has passed the stage of having to When the comrades ask for Girija’s manned (not a single woman in them) byprove himself. After all, despite all his head, many Nepalis compare it with former bureaucrats who cut their failings, Girija has never lost an election. administrative teeth during the His control over the party apparatus is dictatorial regime as hatchet men of the near-total, and he still enjoys the support era. When they go after the of the majority of the ruling party prime minister with their barely con- lawmakers. cealed axes, it is Koirala who gets the And it is for these very reasons that public sympathy. Pontifications by he must now leave Baluwatar. Winners former panchas about political morality do not quit—they fade away gracefully lack credibility. Remember the naked after having worked themselves out of the job. An even more glorious way to bow out is to make way for a worthy successor more suited to the challenges of the times. SUBHAS RAI SUBHAS NATION 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES 333

OPINION byAJIT N S THAPA Girija must take the leap ot since the restoration of Girija Koirala must step down and hand over to a democracy has the nation nfaced a crisis of the younger generation of leaders. Time is running magnitude and intensity that it out. The party must partyact government, swiftly electionand prudently of a does today. The list of woes is in the national interest.constituent assembly to draft a long: plummeting government new constitution, and no revenue vis-a-vis expenses, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ negotiation○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ with a government led stagnant economic growth, rising by Koirala. But these provisions unemployment and dwindling political consensus as a are unconstitutional, and would foreign investment, and the most precondition for the mobilisationnot be acceptable under normal serious crisis of all: security. The of the army. But it is important circumstances. The question is: Maoists have taken over completethat the government start serious are these normal circumstances? control in many mid-western dialogue with all the political The lack of decisive action to districts, and have sowed fear and parties and the people before the curb the Maoist movement has insecurity throughout the ISDP is implemented. strengthened the hand of the kingdom. People who resist, On the political front, the especially Nepali Congress left has been capitalising on the workers, are threatened, abducted,Lauda Air deal to push for the or slain. The Maoists are active onprime minister’s resignation. And two fronts: furthering the armed within the party, unsatisfied struggle, and carrying out a social elements are waiting impatiently revolution Robin Hood-style. Anyfor his departure. Girija Koirala move to counter the Maoist vacillated over his much-awaited movement has to come to terms resignation, but has now decided with this duality. The Maoists not to leave and to fight to the have been building up their finish. He is being egged on by strength, and at this rate the days supporters, who in a manner of totalitarianism are not far. reminiscent of the Panchayat, are Many people are openly misusing state-controlled media wondering if that honest abider of to bolster the beleaguered prime the constitution, His Majesty the minister. He could be making OS King, should not take a more pro-history if he turned away from the active constitutional role as the advice of his self-serving coterie country sinks into anarchy. and used his own conscience and voluntarily step down. Koirala The government has finally judgement in the interest of the will certainly understand that nation and the party. But, alas, rebels. Koirala is under pressure real victory will be in persuading woken up to the reality of the from the opposition, the army is Maoist movement and started to he is a prisoner of his own the Maoists to join the main- indecision. reluctant to go to Maoist areas, stream. Being, or not being, take some measures to counteract and the Maoists will not negotiate it. The National Security Council Koirala is determined not to prime minister is only a means, resign under opposition pressure with the prime minister. So, it not the end. He might lose a is mobilising the army in Maoist- looks like the political stalemate affected areas, and simultaneously over the Lauda Air deal. And the battle, but he has the chance to opposition is hell-bent on will drag on as long as Koirala is win the war. And if that happens, launching the Integrated Security in power. parliament, with the possibility of and Development Package replicating an Estrada-style Koirala can always stage a Herein lies the challenge for political comeback if he wishes. making dramatic changes in the (ISDP), which would be ouster. In a televised address last session of parliament, Maoists constitution, including even the implemented initially in seven of month, Koirala said he would notthe Nepali Congress: can the Resolving the present crisis by launching offensives in areas where breaking the deadlock is more abolition of the institution of the most seriously Maoist-affectedstay in his chair for a single party break the impasse? The NC the Army has not been deployed, monarchy. Parliamentary Party must be important for the party and districts of Nepal with the army minute if the Committee for the the possibility of the Army being It is the duty of every providing security. While the Investigation of the Abuse of called immediately to evaluate thenation than the prestige of the dragged into the conflict. A crisis. If the meeting finds that party leader. After all, politics is responsible NC lawmaker to ISDP has been approved by most Authority (CIAA) or the Supreme deteriorating law and order persuade Girija Koirala to step ordinary citizens, left-leaning Court hinted at his involvement. Girija Koirala’s voluntary the art of the possible. situation, worsening economic and withdrawal from the party The alternatives are: stepped down and hand over to a younger political parties especially the The prime minister went against social conditions and continuing generation of leaders. Time is UML and the five-left combine, his own words after he received leadership would pave the way forup street protests by the left disruption of the House a fresh round of talks with both opposition, a stalled budget running out, and the party must have rejected it. And despite the the CIAA’s sealed letter by proceedings might eventually force act swiftly and prudently in the brouhaha over the Army Chief’s hanging on to his chair as if the the opposition and the Maoists, it the prime minister to recommend to would be in order for him to national interest. Otherwise, it statements, it is now clear that hisnation’s life and the future of His Majesty the King to proclaim a might just be a party with a remarks about consensus were democracy rested on his state of National Emergency. This glorious past and a bleak blown out of proportion. premiership. would curtail freedom and civil future. Apparently, it was not the The Maoists have laid down liberties and would be a major intention of the chief to seek setback for our fledging democracy. some conditions for a resolution (Ajit NS Thapa is a General of the crisis: formation of an all- A midterm election is another Committee Member of the alternative, but may yield a hung Nepali Congress) parliament, or the left parties securing a two-third majority in “new” Kathmandu Map of Shangri La Maps is proof of this thesis. Bidur Dangol is using our map content, but he is afraid of adding more information to make a better map because others could copy him! Without LETTERS MAPS INDIAN TOURISTS media. Nepal must strive harder It was very interesting to read that MULE was killed (#5). Since then, nothing.CK Lal (“Nepal fizzles as Indiato create an environment more Ramesh Shrestha (“Maps in a Kunda Dixit is right that prime Why no follow-up? What was the sizzles”, #42) has rightly pointedconducive to Indian tourism and difficult terrain”, #39) from the minister Koirala is not a quitter outcome of the report the king askedout that without Indian tourists,investment if it is to grow Himalaya Map House blames the (“Going going…” #41, and “…notthe prime minister to make? Nepal’s tourism industry will beeconomically. lack of copyright ethics in Nepal, yet gone” #43). He is as stubborn Rolf Schaefer in grave danger. Similarly, Rakam Rai because his company has been unless Indian investors come to as a mule. And yes, it does not by email Delhi University copying our maps. really matter to the rest of the Nepal, industrial activity cannot Karto-Atelier is the country if he goes or stays becauseBUDDHA get a boost. But I disagree that company that did either way, the nation is heading we can look forward to Chinese the first high towards disaster. “Morality” does Excellent writing on the Buddhatourists by because Beijing has quality maps of not seem to exist in his lexicon.Rajendra S Khadka (“2,545 yearsrecognised Nepal as an CORRECTIONS later…” #41). Very relevant, timely and But he has 50 years of experience outbound destination. I think z Due to a layout error, several Kathmandu. At and thought provoking. the Chinese would prefer in politics and understands Nepali words were missing from the first that time there was KR Rai , Malaysia and minds. It is meaningless to show paragraph of “…not yet gone” no good map copyright there is no progress him the CIAA’s sealed letter England Singapore to Pokhara, base and no possible. Cartography is a serious Pashupatinath or Chitwan. on page 1 of #42. The first because he didn’t see an paragraph should read as information about profession, just making a copy ofhonourable exit when it was staringEXPAT=EXPERT R P Chaudhary infrastructure the Schneider map is follows: him in the face. I suppose we just Kalimati available. We did no cartography. Just thought I’d share this with you. “Last Wednesday, Girija have to wait, since the unofficialIn UNDP’s recently published all the research Prasad Koirala got his Chief Arne Rohweder law for the truth seeker is patience.“Nepal Development Cooperation ourselves— Your columnist CK Lal is right in Secretary to draft his Karto-Atelier, SwitzerlandOptimistically yours. Report 2000” under the “Key hundreds of hotels, restaurants, questioning the possibility of resignation letter. His aides Sudan Shrestha Definitions” section the word shops, ministries, temples and success of the Nepal Tourism cleared out their desks. The “Expert” is defined as: infrastructure. The Pokhara City Dharan Board’s Festival of Lights prime minister was at peace Map of the Himalaya Map House is “A long-term (12 months or promotion programme in . with himself: he had made up absolutely identical to our map. In more) expatriate resident of the As things stand, no Indian in his his mind to quit.” Europe, the sale of such products recipient country filling a positionright mind will think of visting would be forbidden by law. The created and/or funded by an Nepal which is protrayed as an external donor.” It looks like you don’tISI-infested country by the Indian PARAS need expertise. z The picture accompanying A long time ago was talking about Name withheld on request “Maoists in the mist” on page Paras Shah. Your paper carried 1 of #42 was by Sagar by email articles about his involvement in Budathoki. an accident in which a musician Many MOIC insiders suspect the delay in allowing Space Time quietly licensed Shah’s company to go ahead with its transmission and another one by the name of reflects a business dispute within South Broadcasting to the Koirala inner circle, between uplink via satellite. South Asia those who are piggybacking on Broadcasting still exists in the the Indians and those who are ministry files, even though it has not. Some are even said to have NATION NEPALI TIMES NATION 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES 444 18 - 24 MAY 2001 not done as much preparation as business interests in Shah’s 555 Channel Nepal to actually begin Channel Nepal. broadcasting. And for this purpose, delaying Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, Space Time using a security bogey Buddha was born here another NC Communications is a good ploy, says one ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ minister, revoked Space Time's government source. The govern- And we thought the debate about where the Buddha was born licence in January on grounds ment may have yet another reason was over. Not so for an Indian diplomat who recently visited that the network had not paid itsto delay private satellite broad- Lumbini. Ashok Kumar, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Lost in Space and Time casting: the state-owned Nepal Embassy, told a gathering at Lumbini last week that dues. Shah announced he was "Siddhartha was born in Nepal, and the Buddha in India". “The technical going to court but was later TV is also planning to begin broadcasts via satellite by June. Kumar’s logic: Siddhartha attained Buddhahood in India, incompatibility of Channel about to get his licence re-issued Interestingly, no one has heard of while he was physically born in Nepal. His thesis apparently Nepal’s satellite equipment is just by another NC Communications didn’t go down too well with those in the audience who took it technical tests of NTV’s equip- an excuse to keep the network minister, Shiva Raj Joshi who as more example of Indian hegemony. Quipped ment similar to the ones de- lingering so they’ll lose heart and joined cabinet in February. Again one: “It’s like saying Mohandas manded of Space Time, nor pull out,” confirmed one ministry there was no bidding. Gupta who Karamchand Gandhi was born in questions about financial insider. “The real story is Indian had been shifted to the Agricul- India, but Mahatma Gandhi was viability. born in South Africa.” displeasure.” But Shah is ture and Cooperatives ministry in determined not to give up the February reshuffle resigned to International conservation without a fight, he says he has protest Joshi’s decision. experts, based on excavation been arbitrarily singled out. “Why findings in Lumbini, have determined that the Buddha don’t they worry about technical was born in Tilaurakot, tests of say all the 13 V-SAT Lumbini. Some Indian operators, after all they are also archaeologists, however, using satellite. If they cancel my claim that he was born in permission, I will go to court. I’ve Pipprahawa in India, invested so much already,” he about 600 yards south warned. of the Nepal-India border and four miles Asked if he is fronting for from Tilaurakot. , or if his network would Of course, Nepal and India in their current geopolitical promote anti-Indian sentiments, configurations did not exist-two-and-a-half millennia ago, so Jamim Shah denies the it would seem this argument is an exercise in sophistry. accusation. “They’ve been telling me that for the last eight years. Look, this is not about India, differences between two individu- China or Pakistan. It’s not about als, now has the eyes of all: Jamim Shah or Space Time. This parliamentary bodies and the is about 24 million Nepalis. This media and it is spiced up with is Nepal’s voice and it can’t be innuendos of Indian high- stopped,” he says. Channel

MIN BAJRACHARYA handedness. Women move mountains Nepal’s satellite footprint would ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ extend from the Gulf, across accused by the Indians of being a Space Time Network initially They’re warming up. Nearly a decade after mountains were South Asia to Thailand and Pakistani spy, Shah’s network received a license to operate cable placed on the international agenda at the 1992 Earth Summit Malaysia. It would therefore be offers mainly Indian movie, music network and to transmit via in Rio de Janeiro, and after the World Conference on Women able to reach Nepali-speakers and news channels. It was only satellite in 1993 when Bijaya DHAKA WEAVES in Beijing in 1995 called for special attention to mountain during the Hrithik Roshan riots Gachhedar, was minister in the women, African, Asian, European, Latin American, and North outside Nepal, and Nepali American women descended on Kathmandu last week to MIN BAJRACHARYA migrant workers in the Gulf and that Space Time suspended first elected government of the Nepalis that Indian intelligence finalise a plan of action to develop a mountain women’s southeast Asia. Those who know Indian programming for a week. IfNepali Congress. Even licensing at agenda. Their plan: holding a global meeting in Kathmandu charged of being on the payroll of Space Time’s plans to go into orbit with Nepalipapers first are in order.satellite The programming hasJamim Shah well say that he gets his satellite license, that time was hush-hush: there in May 2002, the International Year of the Mountain, bringing the Pakistani Inter-Services whatever dealings he may have Channel Nepal would be beamed was no bidding. The government together 300 participants—"mountain entrepreneurs", NGOs, fallen victim to behind-the-scenes Indian pressure.company has paid Rs 90 million Intelligence (ISI) in a report We asked Shree Ram Poudel in taxes so far. There’s no valid had in the past with his Dubai to 52 countries in Asia. researchers, parliamentarians, funding agencies and women leaked to an Indian magazine. from the world’s major mountain ranges. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ secretary at the ministry to friends, he is now trying to make Ever since Nepal became the equipment”. More than a month reason to stop transmission,” he India is said to have leaned on the comment, and he answered in said. Despite the committee’s money from his satellite venture, first country in South Asia to RAMYATA LIMBU later, Space Time’s chairman and government during the visits here ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ bureaucratese: “We’re looking into and that is all he is interested in. grant licenses to independent managing director Jamim Shah is directive to the MOIC to allow two months ago of former Indian epal’s first company to still waiting for permission, and is the process. I don’t want to satellite broadcasts immediately But his bravado and blunt talk does radio in 1997—satellite up- get permission to uplink expand on that.” However, ambassador to Nepal, KV Rajan, not endear him to the Indians. linking permission was given in running out of patience. after completing equipment and of the veteran Indian actor, via satellite was to begin Poudel had earlier informed the Nepali television viewers 1993—there has been no looking n “I’m losing Rs 100,000 everyday tests, the green light from Amitabh Bachhan. Sources said transmission on Nepali New Parliament’s Development government has yet to come. today watch mainly Indian back. “We can only move Anti-Maoists demo paying for renting the Committee that his ministry saw even the Indian prime minister’s forward,” says Narhari Acharya ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Year, 14 April. Space Time transponders,” Shah told us. He has So, what is holding things powerful security adviser, Brajesh channels through their dish Network had announced no reason to stop transmission of antennae or through cable former NC minister and chairman Perhaps for the first time, villagers in Nepal have expressed written 18 letters to the ministry up? The delay has strengthened Mishra, casually questioned their displeasure against Maoist tactics. Angry villagers of transmission schedules, even Channel Nepal as the network’s reports that the government is networks like Space Time. Shah’s of the task force that drafted the asking for reasons for the delay. documents were in order. A several government officials on National Communications Policy Chatara, Bayarban Bazaar in east Nepal organised anti- taped interviews to fill The standard reply has been that under pressure from India which the decision to allow Jamim Shah cable network has more than Maoist rallies three days in a row after a group of insurgents programming slots. Suddenly, member of the committee, Raghujihas expressed security concerns 50,000 households connected in 1992 that made the licensing chopped off the hair of students at a higher secondary school. the files are now gathering dust on Panta of the main opposition to go on air. possible. “Of course a two days before broadcasts the table of minister Shiva Raj about Space Time. Jamim Shah Kathmandu alone, and a few Among the victims of the Maoist "People’s Action", was a UML also saw no problems. government always has to look married woman accused by the Maoists of colouring her hair. were to begin, the Ministry of Joshi. “If they don’t give us himself figured on a list of thousand more in other urban Information and “We’ve reviewed the case. centres. And for someone who is after the nation’s interest but in Younger students were not spared. Following the rallies, the permission soon, we’ll uplink Everything, all the documents, tax this case I think it’s the vagueness villagers say the Maoists retaliated by issuing a round of Communication (MOIC) told programmes from outside the Space Time’s Channel Nepal it in policy that has allowed space gunshots in the jungles north of Bayarban. They’re not country,” Shah said curtly. scared. The village has submitted a protest letter against the couldn’t uplink because of for such contentions.” Acharya feels that ten years later, it is time Maoists at the local Village Development Committee and “incomplete tests of local youth have volunteered to assist a beleaguered police to review the policy. force carry out security patrols. Villagers in Gulmi and Despite the early pioneering Argakhanchi are also angry at Maoists for torching an EU work with private FM and cable, vehicle prompting the organisation to suspend a big HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK the development of electronic development projects in the two districts. media in Nepal has been stagnant compared to the print media which has gained professionalism and stature in the 1990s. An uneasy truce exists between the Hacks in the mist government, the licensing and Red alert monitoring authority, and ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ t’s bound to happen sooner or later. And it will be bloody. An encounter independent broadcasters, whose Sales of Red Potatoes, imported from India, have dropped in between the opposing forces in the hills of far west Nepal could take Nepal has hit the big time of world conflict reportage. Welcome. technical and professional know- Nepal as a result of a recent scare that began in . place innocently, or by design. Both sides are well equipped, motivated, That’s why portable, locally knowledgeable journalists will always be at an how still needs improvement. The The spuds are supposed to contain high quantities of i With luck, we won’t stay long. chemical fertilisers and pesticides like DDT. The reports are purposeful. They’re pursuing their respective missions with single-minded○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ advantage. As I found out at the beginning of this month, it’s not easy to MOIC is entrusted with meet actual insurgents if you don’t have the time. You can go to the conflicting—some say they’re contaminated, others say zeal. Once they run into one another, perhaps along a riverside trail or in a implementing the law, but it has they’re not. Just to be sure, consumer groups and Biratnagar hitherto obscure village, all hell with break loose. affected area, but you must be prepared to wait. And wait, and wait. Those been unpredictable and arbitrary municipality officials sent potato samples to be tested at the I could be talking about the Maoists and the army but I’m not. The without time, or money, will either make do with what they can get, or about the terms and conditions it local Food Laboratory. They tested negative. But consumers hills of this fair land are alive at the moment with squadrons of foreign make something up. As we saw in Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan imposes on licensees, which have are still on red alert. journalists in search of a story. Nepal has hit the big time of world conflict and other places, a breed of media person—we call them “war junkies” changed with the whims of the reportage, and the rogues’ gallery has arrived. Hell hath no fury like a front- in the trade—always pops up and makes free use of the resources and sitting minister. line, battle-loving, hack beaten by the competition. That’s the new war that hospitality of others. So, whether or not Space threatens to destabilise the increasingly “liberated” western Middle Hills. If Stories about the insurgency will start to appear with monotonous Time will get the green signal is RPP’s concept the Washington Post and the New York Times should fall afoul of each regularity now in the world’s media. And Nepalis and foreign residents will for the politicians to decide, and ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ other, or, heaven forbid, the BBC and CNN, then stand back and sell probably be perplexed, should they come across one of these. They may not for the give-and-take that takes The two-day (19-20 May) Central Working Committee meeting tickets. It’s the Rumble in the Jungle. Just the BBC alone can usually recognise much. Because something tells me that a lot of our visitors will go place at that level. “When of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) passed a resolution provide a battle or two among its own hacks jostling for position on the home with a more complex tale than they’d hoped for, and to be quite matters take a political turn, you demanding a ‘general national consensus’ on six national main news bulletin. Trust me, I know. frank, we’re not a breed that handles complexity well. Shades of grey can’t deduce by logic,” says the issues. The consensus was demanded for the formulation of a working plan to resolve the Maoist issue, ensure economic, Of course, as usual, the BBC has beaten CNN to this story but there’s don’t sell or get past editors. So there’ll be a bit of blackening and MOIC insider. With whitening going on. social and political development, good governance, and the still potential for a serious confrontation. The Australians beat all of us, as parliamentary committees now control of corruption, the establishment of a code of conduct Kathmandu-ites are seeing at venues around town, with their documentary Having the heavyweight hacks on your turf is at best a mixed blessing. A scanning through MOIC for political parties, and the improvement in election system. from 1998,Nepal’s Secret War. Pedestrian and cliché-ridden, perhaps, but planned film that’s never made is right up there with almost scoringstory a on a big media outlet—even one that shows how bad things are—can decisions, he foresees the battle The nine-point resolution suggests that the consensus be goal, or kissing your sister. first off the mark and therefore of great merit. I can exclusively reveal to be oddly gratifying at first. They’re paying attention to us, perhaps erupting into another political reached through all-party discussions and stresses the Now that the question of “first” is out of the way, the competitionsomething will change. But in the end, the sad truth is that your conflict is hot potato. What started off as involvement and approval of the king in its consensus. readers of the Nepali Times that plans to make a documentary for the BBC However, the statement cautions that the demand for a programmeCorrespondent that same year had to be abandoned when among visiting hacks will be for colour, access and insight. Those ofjust us content to fill the spaces in a publication or news bulletin. It’s that who pay for our technology on a daily basis are at somewhat of a simple. So welcome to the big time. With luck, we won’t stay long. national consensus should not be interpreted as RPP’s the man in charge—me—put his back out. “No walking on rough wanting a share in the government. terrain or driving long distances on bumpy roads,” my doctor told me.disadvantage here. You can see why we had to cancel. But spare me no sympathy, a wellWe need to get in, get the story and get back so the meter stops running. Many MOIC insiders suspect the delay in allowing Space Time quietly licensed Shah’s company to go ahead with its transmission and another one by the name of reflects a business dispute within South Asia Broadcasting to the Koirala inner circle, between uplink via satellite. South Asia those who are piggybacking on Broadcasting still exists in the the Indians and those who are ministry files, even though it has not. Some are even said to have NATION NEPALI TIMES NATION 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES 444 18 - 24 MAY 2001 not done as much preparation as business interests in Shah’s 555 Channel Nepal to actually begin Channel Nepal. broadcasting. And for this purpose, delaying Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, Space Time using a security bogey Buddha was born here another NC Communications is a good ploy, says one ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ minister, revoked Space Time's government source. The govern- And we thought the debate about where the Buddha was born licence in January on grounds ment may have yet another reason was over. Not so for an Indian diplomat who recently visited that the network had not paid itsto delay private satellite broad- Lumbini. Ashok Kumar, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Lost in Space and Time casting: the state-owned Nepal Embassy, told a gathering at Lumbini last week that dues. Shah announced he was "Siddhartha was born in Nepal, and the Buddha in India". “The technical going to court but was later TV is also planning to begin broadcasts via satellite by June. Kumar’s logic: Siddhartha attained Buddhahood in India, incompatibility of Channel about to get his licence re-issued Interestingly, no one has heard of while he was physically born in Nepal. His thesis apparently Nepal’s satellite equipment is just by another NC Communications didn’t go down too well with those in the audience who took it technical tests of NTV’s equip- an excuse to keep the network minister, Shiva Raj Joshi who as more example of Indian hegemony. Quipped ment similar to the ones de- lingering so they’ll lose heart and joined cabinet in February. Again one: “It’s like saying Mohandas manded of Space Time, nor pull out,” confirmed one ministry there was no bidding. Gupta who Karamchand Gandhi was born in questions about financial insider. “The real story is Indian had been shifted to the Agricul- India, but Mahatma Gandhi was viability. born in South Africa.” displeasure.” But Shah is ture and Cooperatives ministry in determined not to give up the February reshuffle resigned to International conservation without a fight, he says he has protest Joshi’s decision. experts, based on excavation been arbitrarily singled out. “Why findings in Lumbini, have determined that the Buddha don’t they worry about technical was born in Tilaurakot, tests of say all the 13 V-SAT Lumbini. Some Indian operators, after all they are also archaeologists, however, using satellite. If they cancel my claim that he was born in permission, I will go to court. I’ve Pipprahawa in India, invested so much already,” he about 600 yards south warned. of the Nepal-India border and four miles Asked if he is fronting for from Tilaurakot. Pakistan, or if his network would Of course, Nepal and India in their current geopolitical promote anti-Indian sentiments, configurations did not exist-two-and-a-half millennia ago, so Jamim Shah denies the it would seem this argument is an exercise in sophistry. accusation. “They’ve been telling me that for the last eight years. Look, this is not about India, differences between two individu- China or Pakistan. It’s not about als, now has the eyes of all: Jamim Shah or Space Time. This parliamentary bodies and the is about 24 million Nepalis. This media and it is spiced up with is Nepal’s voice and it can’t be innuendos of Indian high- stopped,” he says. Channel

MIN BAJRACHARYA handedness. Women move mountains Nepal’s satellite footprint would ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ extend from the Gulf, across accused by the Indians of being a Space Time Network initially They’re warming up. Nearly a decade after mountains were South Asia to Thailand and Pakistani spy, Shah’s network received a license to operate cable placed on the international agenda at the 1992 Earth Summit Malaysia. It would therefore be offers mainly Indian movie, music network and to transmit via in Rio de Janeiro, and after the World Conference on Women able to reach Nepali-speakers and news channels. It was only satellite in 1993 when Bijaya DHAKA WEAVES in Beijing in 1995 called for special attention to mountain during the Hrithik Roshan riots Gachhedar, was minister in the women, African, Asian, European, Latin American, and North outside Nepal, and Nepali American women descended on Kathmandu last week to MIN BAJRACHARYA migrant workers in the Gulf and that Space Time suspended first elected government of the Nepalis that Indian intelligence finalise a plan of action to develop a mountain women’s southeast Asia. Those who know Indian programming for a week. IfNepali Congress. Even licensing at agenda. Their plan: holding a global meeting in Kathmandu charged of being on the payroll of Space Time’s plans to go into orbit with Nepalipapers first are in order.satellite The programming hasJamim Shah well say that he gets his satellite license, that time was hush-hush: there in May 2002, the International Year of the Mountain, bringing the Pakistani Inter-Services whatever dealings he may have Channel Nepal would be beamed was no bidding. The government together 300 participants—"mountain entrepreneurs", NGOs, fallen victim to behind-the-scenes Indian pressure.company has paid Rs 90 million Intelligence (ISI) in a report We asked Shree Ram Poudel in taxes so far. There’s no valid had in the past with his Dubai to 52 countries in Asia. researchers, parliamentarians, funding agencies and women leaked to an Indian magazine. from the world’s major mountain ranges. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ secretary at the ministry to friends, he is now trying to make Ever since Nepal became the equipment”. More than a month reason to stop transmission,” he India is said to have leaned on the comment, and he answered in said. Despite the committee’s money from his satellite venture, first country in South Asia to RAMYATA LIMBU later, Space Time’s chairman and government during the visits here ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ bureaucratese: “We’re looking into and that is all he is interested in. grant licenses to independent managing director Jamim Shah is directive to the MOIC to allow two months ago of former Indian epal’s first company to still waiting for permission, and is the process. I don’t want to satellite broadcasts immediately But his bravado and blunt talk does radio in 1997—satellite up- get permission to uplink expand on that.” However, ambassador to Nepal, KV Rajan, not endear him to the Indians. linking permission was given in running out of patience. after completing equipment and of the veteran Indian actor, via satellite was to begin Poudel had earlier informed the Nepali television viewers 1993—there has been no looking n “I’m losing Rs 100,000 everyday tests, the green light from Amitabh Bachhan. Sources said transmission on Nepali New Parliament’s Development government has yet to come. today watch mainly Indian back. “We can only move Anti-Maoists demo paying for renting the Committee that his ministry saw even the Indian prime minister’s forward,” says Narhari Acharya ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Year, 14 April. Space Time transponders,” Shah told us. He has So, what is holding things powerful security adviser, Brajesh channels through their dish Network had announced no reason to stop transmission of antennae or through cable former NC minister and chairman Perhaps for the first time, villagers in Nepal have expressed written 18 letters to the ministry up? The delay has strengthened Mishra, casually questioned their displeasure against Maoist tactics. Angry villagers of transmission schedules, even Channel Nepal as the network’s reports that the government is networks like Space Time. Shah’s of the task force that drafted the asking for reasons for the delay. documents were in order. A several government officials on National Communications Policy Chatara, Bayarban Bazaar in east Nepal organised anti- taped interviews to fill The standard reply has been that under pressure from India which the decision to allow Jamim Shah cable network has more than Maoist rallies three days in a row after a group of insurgents programming slots. Suddenly, member of the committee, Raghujihas expressed security concerns 50,000 households connected in 1992 that made the licensing chopped off the hair of students at a higher secondary school. the files are now gathering dust on Panta of the main opposition to go on air. possible. “Of course a two days before broadcasts the table of minister Shiva Raj about Space Time. Jamim Shah Kathmandu alone, and a few Among the victims of the Maoist "People’s Action", was a UML also saw no problems. government always has to look married woman accused by the Maoists of colouring her hair. were to begin, the Ministry of Joshi. “If they don’t give us himself figured on a list of thousand more in other urban Information and “We’ve reviewed the case. centres. And for someone who is after the nation’s interest but in Younger students were not spared. Following the rallies, the permission soon, we’ll uplink Everything, all the documents, tax this case I think it’s the vagueness villagers say the Maoists retaliated by issuing a round of Communication (MOIC) told programmes from outside the Space Time’s Channel Nepal it in policy that has allowed space gunshots in the jungles north of Bayarban. They’re not country,” Shah said curtly. scared. The village has submitted a protest letter against the couldn’t uplink because of for such contentions.” Acharya feels that ten years later, it is time Maoists at the local Village Development Committee and “incomplete tests of local youth have volunteered to assist a beleaguered police to review the policy. force carry out security patrols. Villagers in Gulmi and Despite the early pioneering Argakhanchi are also angry at Maoists for torching an EU work with private FM and cable, vehicle prompting the organisation to suspend a big HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK the development of electronic development projects in the two districts. media in Nepal has been stagnant compared to the print media which has gained professionalism and stature in the 1990s. An uneasy truce exists between the Hacks in the mist government, the licensing and Red alert monitoring authority, and ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ t’s bound to happen sooner or later. And it will be bloody. An encounter independent broadcasters, whose Sales of Red Potatoes, imported from India, have dropped in between the opposing forces in the hills of far west Nepal could take Nepal has hit the big time of world conflict reportage. Welcome. technical and professional know- Nepal as a result of a recent scare that began in Biratnagar. place innocently, or by design. Both sides are well equipped, motivated, That’s why portable, locally knowledgeable journalists will always be at an how still needs improvement. The The spuds are supposed to contain high quantities of i With luck, we won’t stay long. chemical fertilisers and pesticides like DDT. The reports are purposeful. They’re pursuing their respective missions with single-minded○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ advantage. As I found out at the beginning of this month, it’s not easy to MOIC is entrusted with meet actual insurgents if you don’t have the time. You can go to the conflicting—some say they’re contaminated, others say zeal. Once they run into one another, perhaps along a riverside trail or in a implementing the law, but it has they’re not. Just to be sure, consumer groups and Biratnagar hitherto obscure village, all hell with break loose. affected area, but you must be prepared to wait. And wait, and wait. Those been unpredictable and arbitrary municipality officials sent potato samples to be tested at the I could be talking about the Maoists and the army but I’m not. The without time, or money, will either make do with what they can get, or about the terms and conditions it local Food Laboratory. They tested negative. But consumers hills of this fair land are alive at the moment with squadrons of foreign make something up. As we saw in Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan imposes on licensees, which have are still on red alert. journalists in search of a story. Nepal has hit the big time of world conflict and other places, a breed of media person—we call them “war junkies” changed with the whims of the reportage, and the rogues’ gallery has arrived. Hell hath no fury like a front- in the trade—always pops up and makes free use of the resources and sitting minister. line, battle-loving, hack beaten by the competition. That’s the new war that hospitality of others. So, whether or not Space threatens to destabilise the increasingly “liberated” western Middle Hills. If Stories about the insurgency will start to appear with monotonous Time will get the green signal is RPP’s concept the Washington Post and the New York Times should fall afoul of each regularity now in the world’s media. And Nepalis and foreign residents will for the politicians to decide, and ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ other, or, heaven forbid, the BBC and CNN, then stand back and sell probably be perplexed, should they come across one of these. They may not for the give-and-take that takes The two-day (19-20 May) Central Working Committee meeting tickets. It’s the Rumble in the Jungle. Just the BBC alone can usually recognise much. Because something tells me that a lot of our visitors will go place at that level. “When of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) passed a resolution provide a battle or two among its own hacks jostling for position on the home with a more complex tale than they’d hoped for, and to be quite matters take a political turn, you demanding a ‘general national consensus’ on six national main news bulletin. Trust me, I know. frank, we’re not a breed that handles complexity well. Shades of grey can’t deduce by logic,” says the issues. The consensus was demanded for the formulation of a working plan to resolve the Maoist issue, ensure economic, Of course, as usual, the BBC has beaten CNN to this story but there’s don’t sell or get past editors. So there’ll be a bit of blackening and MOIC insider. With whitening going on. social and political development, good governance, and the still potential for a serious confrontation. The Australians beat all of us, as parliamentary committees now control of corruption, the establishment of a code of conduct Kathmandu-ites are seeing at venues around town, with their documentary Having the heavyweight hacks on your turf is at best a mixed blessing. A scanning through MOIC for political parties, and the improvement in election system. from 1998,Nepal’s Secret War. Pedestrian and cliché-ridden, perhaps, but planned film that’s never made is right up there with almost scoringstory a on a big media outlet—even one that shows how bad things are—can decisions, he foresees the battle The nine-point resolution suggests that the consensus be goal, or kissing your sister. first off the mark and therefore of great merit. I can exclusively reveal to be oddly gratifying at first. They’re paying attention to us, perhaps erupting into another political reached through all-party discussions and stresses the Now that the question of “first” is out of the way, the competitionsomething will change. But in the end, the sad truth is that your conflict is hot potato. What started off as involvement and approval of the king in its consensus. readers of the Nepali Times that plans to make a documentary for the BBC However, the statement cautions that the demand for a programmeCorrespondent that same year had to be abandoned when among visiting hacks will be for colour, access and insight. Those ofjust us content to fill the spaces in a publication or news bulletin. It’s that who pay for our technology on a daily basis are at somewhat of a simple. So welcome to the big time. With luck, we won’t stay long. national consensus should not be interpreted as RPP’s the man in charge—me—put his back out. “No walking on rough wanting a share in the government. terrain or driving long distances on bumpy roads,” my doctor told me.disadvantage here. You can see why we had to cancel. But spare me no sympathy, a wellWe need to get in, get the story and get back so the meter stops running. 666 NATION 18 - 24 MAY 2001 NEPALI TIMES SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL The political economy of corruption

This is the paradox of democracy in Nepal: you have to be the moment they take their oath. For many of our politicians, corruption is a corrupt to uphold the system of multiparty elections. compulsion. Blame the system, like we

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ used to do in the bad old days, if you advanced Asian societies by the turn of easier. If your fortunes were not secure that the business of politics has think it would help. From a macro- the century. in several power centres, no amount of undergone a vast transformation in the economic standpoint, take a close Things haven’t turned out that money could guarantee you a seat in past decade. Those seeking to enter look at the cost of living index and the way, because they weren’t meant to the unicameral national legislature. In public service today have to make composite of leading economic be. The accumulation of false essence, your limitations were laid out clear investment choices all the way indicators, and do the math. In terms promises, vital to the nation’s smooth for you and your options were clear. from capital budgeting to funds flow of constant 1990 rupees, the Lauda transition to a truly participatory Next comes the humanitarian analysis. A candidate’s election budget Air commission money turns out to democracy, represents just a fraction aspect. Don’t you think our leaders has to carefully allocate resources for be peanuts after deducting expenses of our frustrations. As we try to are entitled to reparations for their every contingency, including bribing for your party conventions and recover from the collective trauma years of incarceration just because they competitors to stay out of the race and allocations for your own coterie. In induced by misplaced hopes, perhaps a refused to believe that politics could mustering enough strength to real terms, the millions today’s little dose of realism might help. How ever be complete without parties? manipulate the mandate in swing powerful politicians appear to amass long do you think the interim cabinet True, the Political Sufferers Fund set constituencies. The competition may actually amount to less than in 1991 would have survived had it up after the People’s Movement was a unleashed by the proliferation of what the panchas hoarded. Well, started by warning us of the positive move. However, it couldn’t parties has enshrined such tactics as you would say, the panchas machinations a hung parliament do much to ease the pain of newly capturing booths and stuffing ballot represented a filthy culture, which is would engender and the social liberated leaders and activists. For one boxes as crucial elements of measuring why the people sent them packing polarisation the Pajero culture would thing, the case officers began by the people’s preferences. And let’s not in 1990. (Actually, not all walked

SUBHAS RAI institutionalise? counting the limbs, fingers or toes you forget that these itemised expenses do out the door. Some of them still iven the way our politicians are our own grave peril. When interim That’s why while delving into lost in the anti-panchayat struggle. not include the wads of cash form the third largest force in g being subjected to calumnies of prime minister Krishna Prasad how corruption has skyrocketed with Then they started pounding you with candidates have to spend on pampered parliament and are trying to forge a all sorts for strictly adhering to Bhattarai, days after taking office in the advent of political pluralism, we questions about your political supporters who refuse to budge national consensus on what the principles of their profession, the 1990, announced in public that it need to view the matter from a broad affiliations, casting occasional glances without a bottle of beer. corrupts Nepali politics.) country may not be far away from a would only be a while before prices fell national perspective. To begin with, for any traces of bodily torment. The fluidity of the political scene So the burning question of the national calamity: an entire leadership by a third since multiparty democracy the panchas could afford to accept Adding humiliation to the physical raises additional liquidity concerns. day boils down to something like this: class up in arms against the people. had finally been restored, our saintly smaller commissions because it was and psychological scars of the new MPs don’t have a clue whether they politicians in a multiparty system are Our leaders have been patient enough chieftain was only following the book. virtually a winner-takes-all deal. All power elite, the fund soon started can expect to serve out their five-year not supposed to lie or get involved in for a decade to let reality dawn on the When ministers representing the right, the “anti-social” elements that could handing out money to some term even under a majority parliament corruption. To be fair to our people. The language of politics centre and left in his cabinet started have given the votaries of partylessness prominent ex-panchas in these days. When they can’t even politicians in the Nepali Congress and contains an equal measure of promising to turn Nepal into a a run for their money were either compensation for the few months of hope to break even in terms of the the erstwhile United Left Front, that prevarication and posturing Singapore, they were trying to be a locked up in jail or were languishing in suffering they had to endure before capital they have put into getting was a promise they made during the irrespective of the nature of the polity little more specific than the panchas, exile. Granted, elections used to be they eventually signed pledges of elected, you can’t blame them for People’s Movement that they knew in place. If we still fail to grasp this who had long pledged to place the expensive then, too. However, making loyalty to the partyless system. becoming pals with the commission they had to break to bolster our premise of political reality, we do so at country in the ranks of the more prudent investment decisions was We must not lose sight of the fact agents they find hovering around them hard-won democracy. 

OPINION by SAUNDARYA THAPA

we want to sing our national anthem because we are proud of our nation and respect our king. I don’t see anything wrong in feeling loyal and proud about our country and the symbol of our nationhood. Hurt, frustrated and hopeful That’s my opinion, but I don’t force it on anyone. Hiding behind the mask of politics thugs are s I sit to write this letter of protest, one thing bothers me: the abusing democracy. Whatever happened to present state of Nepal. Is the abusing of its innocence Where do we draw the line between hunger strikes, and rallies without the threat of violence that a and vulnerability what pictured for anarchy and democracy? Or does don’t force everyone to agree with you? Before asking us to give Nepal’s future when his dream of unifying the country came up the very thing that is going to affect every part of our future,

true? Terror and intimidation surround us. We fear going to that not even matter anymore? can whoever you actually are who are trying to close down ○○○○ work, or to school or even walking on the street because of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ schools, assure us students that we are going to get the same ‘bandhs’—forced closures that compel you to agree with politics: and once again, it’s us, the people, who suffer kind of education we have chosen, and are getting? Convince someone’s expression of dissatisfaction (or power)? because some greedy, amoral politicians are playing us, before you start vandalising schools. Explore the possibilities We, the people, are being treated like dirt in the game of games with us. In the last session of parliament, the at least. (One question has been nagging me: where do the sons politics. History suggests politics is a game for government was planning to pass an education bill to and daughters of Maoists leaders study?) power. But somewhere, there have to be some have three categories of If you look through all the propaganda and intimidation that hidden good intentions. Politicians must want to schools: government, surrounds us, this isn’t even about education. If it were, then why develop and improve their nation and not ruin it private commercial, is the party in power not doing anything about it, and why are the to suit their interests. The degree to which present and private non-profit. The parties who claim to want to bring reforms only waiting to get to

day politics revolves around selfishness and power OS private commercial schools would pay taxes just like power? It’s true: politics is all about power, isn’t it? is not just pathetic but also frightening. No one any other business, and the money would be used to If you want to reform education, start with the schools that bothers to ask us what we want. Where do we draw the line subsidise quality education in government schools. At need it. Be constructive in your protests, not destructive. between anarchy and democracy? Or does that not even present, we know that the education provided in Bringing down the quality of all schools to the level of matter anymore? government schools and private schools do not match government schools does not solve the problem. Raising the With time comes development and change in everything, at all. The SLC results say it all: private schools get quality of state schools will. including education. There are great inequalities in our society, and 90% of the total successful results. That is not fair. But We love this country. It’s ours, remember? So let’s start doing it is not fair that the disadvantaged are not provided the opportunity it is also not fair that private schools are to be closed something about it. Maybe all this is happening because we, the for quality education. So what do our great revolutionary politicians and hundreds of thousands of us are to be deprived of people, have never been asked. Maybe we have never said what do about it? They close down private schools. Now, how does that the quality education we have the right to, and we are lucky to get. we really want. Maybe it is time we raised a voice. For how long benefit anyone? Not only do the disadvantaged not get a quality The education bill never got a chance to be passed or even debated do you want to remain silent? Don’t close schools, not for a week, education, but nobody else does, either! because of the house boycott. not for a day. It’s about time we showed that we care. I do, and I Yes, the governments we have had are undoubtedly responsible for It is pointless closing down private schools when those who actually go know you do too.  the sorry state we are in. There would not have been a need for private there find the quality is good value. If we thought the fees were exorbi- schools if government schools provided a first-class education. Most of tant, or the quality was not up to mark, we’d go elsewhere. This is our Saundarya Thapa is a 15-year-old student of grade nine, and the time teachers in government schools aren’t there to teach but to do democratic right of choice. We choose education in private schools, and wrote this as a class essay.

Godavari NATION 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES 777 We don’t needBandipur’s sorrow

ROBIN PIYA ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ After the district headquarters shifted to Damauli in 1968, Bandipur became a ghost town. The no education? economy collapsed and the whole demographic profile changed. Most people migrated to places like Narayanghat, Dumre, Kathmandu, and Damauli. The revival of Bandipur came in

COURTESY: SHREEAMARJYOTISCHOOL the form of a missionary school called Notre Dame opened by Japanese nuns in 1985. The ¨from p. 1 school provided quality education for over 15 years. But it has been forced to close down because of threats from the Maoists. Bandipur now has an uphill battle ahead, the future of the This could be posturing, but it is clear local economy and even the town are uncertain. that the climate is too polarised for a Notre Dame School had 609 students, half from Bandipur and the rest are from meeting of minds. neighbouring towns. The school provided full and partial scholarships to about 120 students, Minister Upadhaya now seems to and fees were affordable. Maoists demanded that the school close down citing three reasons: recognise the gravity of the situation, it was an attempt to “colonise” students, it was private, and it was a for-profit institution. but is torn between not wanting to Notre Dame is indeed a private institution, as are so many other schools. But there is no negotiate with students under threats attempt at “colonisation”—adherence to Christianity was not an obligation. As for it being a of violence and the need to assuage the business venture, the heavily subsidised fees meant the school ran at a loss—up to Rs 80,000 private schools. “We are always willing a month--which was covered by donations from abroad. to talk about education reforms. But The school actively gave back to the community, while holding the Bandipur economy the unions can’t bring politics into together by the mere fact of its presence. There are eight hostels in the town accommodating talks just to embarrass the 200 students and there are many who rent flats. The presence of Notre Dame has allowed government. The student leaders have people in Bandipur to invest huge now been released, I am confident amounts of money in hostels, shops, there are now no obstacles to talks,” dairy farms, orange farms etc, and many he said Tuesday. wholesale shops rely on their product For the Maoists, this week’s strike being purchased by the hostels. The residents of Bandipur were hopeful their is a major foray into the capital and an town would grow again, thanks to a integral part of the strategy of making strong economy. the rest of the country notice their The school helped locals hone “peoples’ war”. Maoist students say it be Baburam Bhattarai himself who animal husbandry and dairy farming is not their short-term interest to closeshould know about the quality techniques. The support staff are all down schools, but admit that in the provided by private schools. A dedication and vision, and schools from the area, usually underprivileged long term, they do want to nationalisebrilliantBaburam student, Bhattarai Bhattarai (extreme topped left) withrun classmates as pure businesses. at Luitel Closing School privatein Gorkha.people like widows who would all private schools and introduce a nationwide grade ten exams at the schools will also send Nepali schools otherwise find it hard to make ends “people-oriented education”. Maoist missionary-run Amar Jyoti Janata meet. Children around the school didn’t students flooding back to hill stations need to send their children to Kathmandu or a below-par government school which, as it turns leader Chairman Prachanda’s High School (or Luitel School) in in India, which used to be the case pronouncements on education Gorkha. He should also know how out, will now be unable to absorb all of Notre Dame’s students. before quality schools started opening Teachers—Nepalis—will lose their jobs. With schools outside the Valley closing down, recognises students as the “reserve much motivated teachers can make a in Nepal. Already, flights to Bhadrapur force” in a future “mass uprising”, a difference: his guru was a selflessly chances of teachers and merchants finding new avenues are none too bright. After the closure, (gateway to Darjeeling) are booked unofficial estimates say migration out of BandipurNotre-Dame will decrease School in Bandipur. the population by 30 to 40 strategy the party adopted in Februarydedicated educationist from Kerala. because of parents flying out on recee to buttress its armed struggle. Ironically, Bhattarai’s student warriors percent. Because the school was there, there were three bus connections a day between trips. Some schools have been issuing Kathmandu and Bandipur—without it, who knows. The school brought telephone lines and are targeting missionary schools and abnormal numbers of transfer newspapers. The only thing left now will be the slate quarries and the orange orchards. People Indian principals. After he graduated, certificate to students who want to go in Bandipur do not want Notre Dame closed. Baburam’s alma mater, Luitel School, to India. itself fell victim to another radcial Said one principal: “This is the “reform”—the Panchayat’s New Progressive Education Policy—and its quality has irony, by attacking so-called Indian gone down steadily since. schools in Nepal, the Maoists will The student wing of the Maoists is at drive Nepali students to India to the forefront of destabilising the Things were not as bad until study.” A large chunk of the Rs 5 government through a crisis in about a year ago when the school billion that is spent by parents in education. Another Maoist leader, used to collect annual admission fees sending their children to private Baburam Bhattarai, wrote recently from its 700 students. But the schools could end up in India if the about schools: “…the old, reactionaryMaoists forced the school to return agitation drags on. (system) must be demolished to the fees, and today it is nearly School administrators blame the building anything new and bankrupt. “I tried request them not government for not standing up to the progressive”. Private school to make us do that, but they would pressure and threats from the leftist administrators argue that if the not listen,” says Guna Prasad student unions, and say the problem Maoists want to reform education Neupane, headmaster of Luitel could have been resolved if only quick they should start with pressuring the School told us in Gorkha. decisions were taken. For their part, government to improve the quality of the UML, ML and Maoists unions public schools. are vying with each other to win over But the Maoists have seized on a students and parents with their popular dissatisfaction with the way campaign for free reduction. They are schools are run. And this is something gambling on the fact that middle class on which everyone from Baburam parents will be thankful to anyone Bhattarai, parents, Nepal’s donors, who will bring down fees. And as for and even the government agree. the Maoists, by admission of their However, instead of pushing the own leaders, this really not about government to reform government Tragedy education at all, but part of a long- schools all three student unions have term strategy to prime students for targeted private schools to make their St Joseph’s in Gorkha (set up in their forthcoming “hammer and anvil” point. They think it is a populist move1994) had 500 students. The highest offensive in the cities. since most parents complain about fee it charged was Rs300 a month in Explains sociologist Chaitanya high fees, but some analysts say that grade nine. It had 45 scholarships and Mishra:“The long term goal of the because of the sheer numbers of took in students from the indigenous advocates of free education is to parents involved the agitation could kumal (potter)group for just Rs 100 disempower communities and make backfire on the left if the strike is a month. Another school, St Mary’s prolonged or indiscriminate. Many are them disinterested in the system, Gorkha, was teaching 275 girls. Its which will happen once government convinced the Maoists don’t really tenth graders paid Rs 374 a month care about what happens to starts playing the role of the giver. and it also had 175 scholarships for They will then cease to demand education, this is just a plan to sow underprivileged locals. Bandipur’s panic, embarrass the government. quality and education will go to the Notre Dame had 609 students, and dogs.” Mishra says free education Private schools provide better those in the highest fee-paying benefits those that can pay for SLC exam results, they have better category paid just Rs 320 a month. schooling more than those that motivated teachers, and in most cases Contrary to Maoist claims, all threecannot. ensure better all-round development schools were non-profit, and in fact In the quiet corridors of a private of the child—and they are also more suffered losses that weresubsidised. school in Kathmandu this week, the expensive than public schools. Says a All three schools arenow closed. private school principal in principal showed us empty Says a dejected educationist in classrooms, and said: “We are waiting Kathmandu: “We agree that not all Kathmandu: “This is the tragedy: private schools are genuinely to see what happens. We may have to the three schools that come closest cut fees, but we can’t go beyond a interested in quality, but will shutting to what the Maoists themselves say them all down improve education?” certain point where our school ceases they want to do with have its soul.” Without trained teachers, resources, peoples’education are the ones to curriculum and infrastructure be closed down.” upgrading there is unlikely to be any And this is where the improvements in the public school arbitrariness and indiscriminate system. attacks on private schools will hurt More than anyone else, it should the most: in the Maoists’ inability or refusal to distinguish between non-profit choolss run with

with reports by Shree Bhakta Khanal in Gorkha and Tanahu 888 NEPALI ECONOMY 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED Stocks tumble ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Commercial bank shares took a downturn last week, causing the Nepal Stock Exchange Index (NEPSE) to fall by about 20 points to 331.7 on 18 May, down from 351.1 the week before. Commercial banks are the most heavily traded stocks on the NEPSE and so anyPrivate change in education, public diktat prices is directly reflected in the NEPSE. The only bank whose prices did not fall was the Nepal Arab Bank. Brokers say one reason for the drop in prices and demand for banking sector shares is the new regulation that comes into force mid-July (NT # 00). AmongThe others,conditions that make educational institutions an easy target for the regulation requires banks to hold more money as provision for losses and capital adequacy. The prices of banking stocks were bearish since an earlier central bankNepal’s directive revolutionaries are the very ones thatinvestment, would why haveshouldn’t failed an us requiring banks to increase paid-up capital to Rs 500 million, which most banks anyway,met by in ten, fifteen, twenty years. imagined school-fee structure be issuing bonus shares. Investors bought bank shares because of the possibility of getting similarly regulated. Regulation and bonus shares and also because of the low interest banks offered on savings. Banking sector scrutiny would ensure schools shares dropped by a total of almost 30 points last week. The NEPSE last took a similart is difficult fall for in your Beed to be with them and they inspired no policy couldn’t charge lab fees or computer early March when insurance and finance companies—the other major group traded—wentamusing this into week. It seems to me tomes concerning their number or the fees in the absence of either. At least a tailspin and caused the index to fall 22 percentage points. The group continuesi asto if remainthe vendetta against an un- quality of education they offered. fly-by-night private operators would low, and dipped one percent last week. The manufacturing group did not fare better—itsgoverning government index has found in People will often say to this “Ah, but have to realise that they are held dropped three points. schools one of its most singular and you see, the growth of private schools responsible for the delivery of an effective targets. This is terribly has helped in keeping resources withinimportant social service. Nepal that would otherwise have depressing—here we are, banking on And it isn’t just the fate of an educated generation to come so weflown out with our students.” This is a can all move on in tangible, fine sentiment, but let’s be a little students at risk, also the investments important, necessary ways, and this is hard-nosed: at what cost to the qualityin over 8,000 schools. Even at an Aqua vs Aqua Smile how we have been safeguarding and of education was this happening? average of Rs 2.5 million per school, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ developing our resources. Are the A cost far too high to justify. there’s an approximate investment of Rs 20 billion in the sector as a whole, A battle royal is brewing between Aqua, one of Nepal’s most successful bottled developmentswater of the last few weeks Private education is a sellers’ market, companies, and a rather cheeky new competitor that has begun selling a product with a name not even beginning to count the many find too similar to the older brand, to be a coincidence. The new entrant, Aquawhat itSmile, takes to shake us out of our and even parents who would like to complacence and make us realise that financial institutions, service providers also claims to use a similar purification technology—the reverse osmosis that Aqua promotes form associations and engage with and intermediaries linked to it. those conditions that make their children’s schools on these and in its ads. Sources at Aqua say the company, which has spent millions on publicity is so angry There simply must be an end to at the government for permitting a new product with such a similar name, that theyeducational might institutionssue an easy—and other issues are scared to imperil their the government for losses. KB Ghimere, managing director, of Asian Drinks P, makersalmost defensible—target of of Nepal’s children’s school careers by appearing this impasse. There must be Smile, is unconcerned. “Aqua is generic for water and our brand has a Smile, that’srevolutionaries how we are the very ones that to be nosy troublemakers. Every regulation by the government and self- are registered,” he says. would have failed us anyway, in ten, admission season parents must call regulation by associations. We need fifteen, twenty years. anyone they know, including this to finally talk about minimum Private education isn’t some new- Beed, and anxiously keep at them to standards of quality and facilities, and fangled institution we don’t know help in their children’s admission. what constitutes a reasonable fee. The Visit Nepal for a Maruti what to do with. Until the Parents—the customers in the aspect of charges of fees needs to be ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ government intervened in the economic sense—can’t ask for a addressed and of course the system of The Nepal Tourism Board has changed gears. Look seventies and the eighties, it was the price-cut. Once again it is the issue discouraging rampant mushrooming of at this ad which appeared Timesin the of India on only kind there was. Of course, what of regulation. Of course I also knowschools. And private schools need to 18 May, and you’ll know what we’re talking about. the state’s intervention really did, due of schools that charge high fees, butmetamorphose from family enterprises Maruti is offering a free holiday to Nepal to anyone to the ineffectiveness of the National also incur high costs and after to socially responsible institutions buying a Maruti 800 paying IRs125 a day—that Education System Plan, was being in operation for a decade, stillwith avenues of public participation, something about the financing plan it offers. Good start NTB. encourage the growth of private barely break even. whether in the form of trusts, or even  schools. In 1984 the ratio of public If schools are to be run like public equity participation. schools to private schools was 30:1 at businesses, then they ought at least be the lower-secondary level and 5:1 in run likegood businesses. The fee OPINION byPAUL D. GROSSMAN the secondary level. This is now 1:1. structure should be determined on the As this dependence grew, private “rate of return” principle. If a private schools mushroomed virtually power developer is asked to assume a unregulated. No five-year plans dealt certain rate of return on its

To whom it may concern Readers can discuss issues at ince my first visit to Nepal in [email protected] 1991 I have not seen a level of It is easy to destroy. Harder, and more sdiscontent with the current important, is buildingwillpower a andvision tenacity, elementsfor the of political and social environment as I future and acting oncharacter, it. not temporal emotions am seeing in the last year and like anger or frustration. If a day especially the last six months. In the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ should come when○○○○○○○○ the current last week alone I have seen bandhs political landscape includes which closed traffic and the entire and sisters. Imagine a political group calling a nwe kind of bandh as an representation or government from city, and attacks on schools, communist groups, they will have individuals and police. there appears act of positive change: cleaning up Kathmandu’s streets, a music to contend with the far greater task to be an overwhelming need, often of providing for a constituency with competitive, to demonstrate and concert in which the proceeds benefit some worthy group or area, a completely destroyed economy consolidate power among political and much-reduced foreign aid. And groups in a negative and destructive repainting schools, planting gardens, a bicycle repair workshop, that will be difficult to handle way. Obviously, there is unless they start building a positive overwhelming anger and frustration, a day of repairing auto rickshaws and motorcycles to make them less agenda and demonstrate that but these are negative ways of dealing publicly now. with this: strikes and bandhs which polluting. Such actions are not concessions to the government, In fact, there has never been a demonstrate no positive vision, no better opportunity for political effort, and result in…nothing. they are acts of leadership and civic mindedness. A true leader is one parties to demonstrate positive Attacks which are violent and who sees what needs to be done andpolitical will and leadership. No destructive prove that the acting does it, one who does not wait for one wants Nepal to become a blank parties are frustrated and have gained conditions to be perfect or expects spot on the tourist map like some power, but that is all. Strikes it to be easy, or waits for others to Kashmir, or be like Bangladesh Shangrila hotel affect all people, but considering that begin first. Someone who acts where too-frequent bandhs have the communist groups’ greatest according to their values and become a barrier to foreign support comes from rural areas and demonstrates strength and vision investment. But that may be the the poor who live hand to mouth as itthat others can believe in. Some of future. Destruction is an easy way is, these actions have a profound effectthe greatest leaders of the last 40 to temporarily feel the power and on those they are intended to help. years—Gandhi, Martin Luther potential that we have when we Being unable to work for one day King, the Dalai Lama—have organise into groups. My interest brings them one day closer to demonstrated this through lifetimesand one I believe is shared by all disaster. Crippling the economy is of positive action. What do Nepal’spolitical movements, is creating not a viable method of bringing the leftist political organisations positive social change. I have no current administration to its knees. display? A predilection for destruc- interest in which movements gain Members of the government are thetion. power and lead this country; only in least likely to be affected while It may be true that agents of that whoever does so leads Nepal members of the police force, for meaningful change must necessarily down a positive path in accordance example, who are not rich or with their values and with the powerful and likely have taken a begin with demonstrations of discontent and expressions of legitimate support of their dangerous job to support their constituents. We need leadership families, will be affected greatly. frustration. But such things are merely an early stage. After that, based on a persuasive vision for the A viable political movement must organisations must move ahead withfuture, not on fear, violence, act not only out of negative impulses, the far harder work of creating coercion, destruction and short-  but also according to their values and something new. The power term thinking. in a manner which demonstrates achieved is far more solid and something about their ability to use profound. Anger is a deep yet power. It is about character. It is fleeting emotion, but the forces that about “walking your talk”, brothers drive positive change are vision, NEPALI ECONOMY 18 - 24 MAY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 999 A new generation of Nepali readers, writers and

illustrators are prodding publishers.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Caught reading the demand for children’s books common genre. “More than 80 better books in the future, it grow across the country. percent of the trade books for organises training, interaction and Awareness campaigns, the children are collections of stories networking programmes for promotion of informal education or of poems and songs,” says authors, illustrators and and teacher training programs Manesh Shrestha, coordinator of publishers. Other organisations have all helped. But the single Bal Sansar. Forget about buying are doing their bit: the Nepal largest factor have been your children books with essays Children’s Literature Society exhibitions of children’s books in or about science, or travel— (NESCIL) has an annual award for 18 towns across Nepal organised subjects like these are ignored, children’s writers and illustrators, by Bal Sansar, a not-for-profit with only two travelogues for Akhyan gets children excited about clearinghouse run by the Himal children written in Nepali. As for books via performance art, and the Association. “In most places illustrated books, a staple of Hatemalo Sanchar has built a people had no idea so many children’s publishing in other network of young readers across the books were published for places, Shiva Shrestha of the country through its magazine. Ram children,” recalls Dadin Pandey, Himalayan Book Centre says: Babu Subedi, a Nepali teacher and marketing manager of Bal Sansar. “Children love colourful books poet, has been looking closely at the The organisation says some and comics and that is what I sell development of the industry as well as 70,000 books worth Rs 500 most. But all in English or children’s reading habits. “I’d guess million changed hands as a result Hindi.” Shrestha remembers a that around 15 percent of children of its 2000/2001 exhibitions. pretty popular attempt at between standards four and seven are “Distributors in places like Dang, producing Nepali illustrated regular readers and purchasers of Bhairahawa and Surkhet now sell books 15 years ago—the low books directed at them,” he says. over Rs 8,000 worth children’s quality two-colour comic books Subedi adds that increasingly, parents books a month,” says Pandey. published on leftover paper from are also encouraging their children to Nepal has twelve children’s the stock acquired for educational read in Nepali. literature publishers and around materials by the government-run General consensus is that a 170 titles from all these houses textbook publisher Janak market good for Nepali children are available through Bal Sansar. Sikchhya Samagri Kendra. will also be good for writers. “We The organisation has also put Part of the reason the market have the latest technology here. together a children’s book bank is so dismal is that writing for There are already benchmarks for with more than 300 titles— children here is generally awash quality printing in Nepal. Now virtually all the children’s books with narrow and outdated we need to develop a culture of published in Nepal in the last portrayals of ethics, morality and books here,” says Govinda ninety years. Govinda Shrestha of beliefs. “We need to produce Shrestha, of Ratna Pustak Ratna Pustak Bhandar, one of the good writers and illustrators and Bhandar. “And”, adds Shiva oldest private publishers in the ensure quality. Most Nepali Shrestha of the Himalayan Book country says his firm actively children’s books are sexist, Centre, “to aid in this, publishers reviews books once a year, classist and too didactic. Why all must do their bit like is done in discarding some, and adding six the heavy moralising and boring India—there you can get quality new titles. ‘messages’?” asks Bimal Nibha, a story books for Rs 25.” The way Unsurprisingly, for an researcher at Bal Sansar. To this things are going, distributors industry not known for its end, Bal Sansar is reviewing its won’t desperately have to wait for production values, collection to resurrect good titles books coming in from Banaras



SALIL SUBEDI straightforward prose is the most and banish the bad. And to ensure anymore. ○○○○○○○

SALIL○○○○○○○○○ SUBEDI writer, translator, illustrator, and very Saturday in a publisher of Bal Koseli publications traditional Newari house established in 1979, waits for the eon Jochhne, sixty- next weekend. “Nepali kids have something Shanta Das been denied both respect and books Manandhar listens, reads and for long,” says Manandhar. “The laughs with 20 schoolchildren economy doesn’t support children’s who share their poetry, prose and literature and we lack a reading essays. The children take their culture,” he says. Even so, he agrees, work home and to various things are rapidly looking up. publications, and Shanta Das, The last few years have seen ON NEWSSTANDS NOW Yak & Yati 121212 TECHNOLOGY 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES

information is presented and accessed. Yet the 360-year-old Royal Society, notoriously rigorous and traditional in its Finally… determination to admit only the elite, failed to consider him for membership. In March, the new president of the society, Sir Robert May, complained that the organisation had given Professor Berners-Lee a medal, but it had not occurred to any of its members to put his name forward for the ultimate accolade of fellowship itself. Prof Berners-Lee is among 43 fellows whose election to the Royal Society was announced earlier this week. The citation says that his work has “revolutionised communication via the Internet, enabling universal access to information placed on the web, and has had a profound economic impact.” This is not the only sign that The UK’s Royal Society is getting less the Royal Society is taking stuffy—this week, they admitted the more account of scientist’s inventor of the Internet and a very popularsuccess in catching the public imagination, as well as their science writer. academic prowess. Biologist ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Richard Dawkins, author Theof Selfish Gene, will also be awarded JAMES MEEK ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ fellowship, along with Ian he British inventor of the Stewart, the mathematician and world wide web, Timothy expert in chaos and complexity. tBerners-Lee, has been Professor Dawkins, who awarded fellowship of the Royal holds the chair in the public Society, the UK’s highest understanding of science at scientific honour, in a move Oxford University, said he is suggesting Britain’s most delighted. “I’m grateful for what exclusive club is heeding is still a genuine honour, one criticism that it is out of touch. which has not been devalued, Professor Berners-Lee, now as, for example, knighthoods based at the Massachusetts have by honouring the likes Institute of Technology in the of Elton John and Cliff US, invented the web’s address Richard.” system and layout in Switzerland in 1990, revolutionising the way

(Guardian)

Use our advantage to yours

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in most countries, regional communi- World Bank’s Tower of Babel Electronic espionage andcation satellites, andthe land-based and EU○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ under-sea telecom systems. The WASHINGTON - Citizens’ groups are deriding a World Bank network is said to monitor traffic effort to build the Internet’s premier portal on poverty and synopsisAfter of the NSA’s Cold position Waron the randomly comes and zero Echelon, in on conversa- ansustainable development. The website, scheduled to open in issues at hand,” the agency said. tions and messages containing July, will encompass over 130 topics and be the most electronic spying network. prominent web entry point for people interested in develop- Hayden told a Congressional keywords programmed into Echelon’s ment issues. That is the problem, say civil society groups: intelligence○○○○○○○○ committee○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ last year that computers. Those conversations the project threatens to drown out smaller development his organisation collects information and messages are then recorded and players whose resources don’t allow them to rival the Bank’s only for foreign intelligence purposes forwarded to the countries doing web presence. What’s more, says Alex Wilks of the London- and provides it only to authorised the spying. based Bretton Woods Project, which monitors the Bank, the government recipients. The US and Britain have project risks becoming “an electronic tower of Babel” by trying Last August, however, US to involve everyone and everything related to development. repeatedly denied the existence of The Bank has got governments and the private sector on Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney such a programme despite admissions board and is now luring civil society groups in what many see told Britain’s Oxford Union debating by another member of the group, as an attempt to lend credibility to an initiative that will cost society that Echelon indeed monitors Australia, that its Defence Signals $7-10 million annually. The site aims to draw five million global communications. McKinney Directorate forms part of the visitors a month by 2003. The Development Gateway will acknowledged that EU fears about thenetwork. The NSA was required to feature electronic bookstores, electronic marketplaces for the use of Echelon for corporate report on the legal basis for Echelon sale of goods and services, and a system to announce and espionage were founded and that and similar activities under a law award contracts. Last year 300 organisations joined Wilks’s in asking the Bank to address certain questions. They say information gathered by the network enacted by President Clinton. But the the Bank ignored their issues, including the concern that the had been used “to defeat an Airbus agency’s subsequent report gave few Gateway will not be run independent of the Bank. Carlos bid to supply jumbo jets to Saudi details about the system’s operations Braga, director of the programme, says the initiative will be Arabia in favour of a Boeing tender. and legality. In a series of studies run by a separate foundation. Founding members—all donor Boeing won the multi-billion-dollar released last year, the EU noted that governments—will be expected to contribute at least $5 group’s meetings with the State and contract thanks to stolen information unlike many electronic spy systems million to the project for a seat on the board and won’t Commerce departments were supplied by Echelon.” On the developed after the Cold War, influence the project’s editorial policy, he adds. The Bank’s strength of similar admissions and Echelon was designed primarily for critics also question the institution’s fitness to assume the GUMISAI MUTUME cancelled at the last minute, and that position of principal provider of development information IN WASHINGTON US intelligence officials declined to numerous investigations, the non-military targets, including ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ resources. The lender’s record in poor countries, detractors “governments, organizations and European parliamentary meet the committee although European parliament mandated a 36- say, hardly qualifies it as an expert in the field. businesses invirtually every committee hit a brick wall this arrangements to do so had been member committee last year to verify week in their efforts to made in advance. Echelon’s existence, determine country.” Because most economic a whether Echelon contravenes information is now exchanged question US officials about alleged The Central Intelligence Agency privacy laws, and assess the risks to electronically, privacy protection is economic spying. The group was in denied the accusation. “There was European industry. of increasing concern. Almost every Washington to investigate the never any commitment with the CIA advanced nation practises existence of an electronic spying to meet with them,” CIA spokesper- “The Europeans probably know intelligence involving the covert network codenamed Echelon. The son Anya Guilsher said. “The US more than enough already about (IPS) interception of foreign United States denies its existence, but intelligence community has basically Echelon,” said US author William communications, experts say. Australia has admitted to being a said everything that it can say on this Blum, who has written about the partner in the effort, which reportedly issue and would not want to go into itnetwork. “And there is no question Echelon is widely believed to be the Asylum in central Europe? any further with a foreign committee.”that the US is using it for commercial largest effort of this kind, followed by ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ also includes Britain, Canada and PRAGUE - Central European coutnries, which until 1989 New Zealand. The network allegedly Officials at the US National Security advantage, but the Europeans are a programme run by Russia. doing it too.” According to the were exporters of refugees, now receive increasing numbers monitors global telephone, fax, and Agency (NSA), however, confirmed of applications for asylum. The Czech Republic, which has email communications. that they had refused to meet the Europeans, Echelon monitors the received about 34,000 requests for asylum during the last The committee had been eager to Europeans because they had nothing international telecommunications decade, had 2,018 recognised refugees in October 2000. satellites used by telephone companies test suspicions that intelligence new to say on the matter. “We believe About 1.5 percent of the applicants in 2000—134 people— were granted refugee status. Like Poland and Hungary, also gleaned this way is passed on to US that [NSA Director] General [Michael] Hayden’s testimony before candidates for EU membership, the Czech Republic is seen corporations to enable them to beat more as a “transit country” both by asylum seekers and so- their European competitors to the US intelligence oversight committees last year provides a called “economic refugees”, rather than a destination country. business contracts. Carlos Coelho, “Unofficial estimates put the figure of those who leave after a who headed the European delegation, couple of weeks or months at 60-70 percent,” says Pavel charged in a statement that the Tychtl, director of Prague-based NGO Organisation for Aid to Refugees (OPU). Provisional UNHCR numbers for 2000 show Hungary received over 7,500 requests for asylum in (IPS) 2000, while in 1999, the year of the Kosovo crisis, the figure stood at 11,499. Tychtl has no idea when the “transit” status will change. “It usually happens when the country goes OPINION by CHARLES GESHEKTER through an economic boom and has a strong tradition of a good social system,” he says. Although part of the EU, Spain and Italy are also considered transit countries. Citing a German secret service document, a recentDer issue of Spiegel reported an estimated 200,000 refugees in the AIDS by any other Czechname Republic are planning to enter the EU illegally via the Czech-German border. NGOs fear tougher measures could he United Nations calls AIDS the “worst infectious disease catastrophe limit refugees’ access to the asylum procedure. “The refu- since bubonic plague”. US President George W Bush last week pledged gees have to have access to the asylum procedure, therefore, they have to have access to the territory,” Tychtl t $200 million to a UN fund to combat AIDS globally. The money will go says. “If they don’t, there’s no point in having a good into a $ 7-10 billion kitty UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is putting together reception and integration system for asylum seekers and for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. But scientific data do not support the refugees.” view that what is called AIDS in Africa has a viral cause. Let’s start with a few basic facts about HIV, AIDS, African record-keeping and socio-economic realities. What are we counting? The WHO defines an AIDS case in Africa as a combination of fever, persistent cough, diarrhoea, and a 10 percent loss of body weight in two months. No HIV test is needed. It is impossible to distinguish these common symptoms—I’ve had all in Somalia— (IPS) from those of malaria, tuberculosis, or the indigenous diseases of impoverished lands. In North America and Europe, AIDS is defined as 30-odd diseases occurring in people who test “HIV-positive.” Dressed up as HIV/AIDS, old Cannes conscience sicknesses have been reclassified—since 1994, tuberculosis has been considered ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ an AIDS indicator disease in Africa. The Global Burden of Disease Study says CANNES - The Cannes Film Festival was denounced by the Rev Jesse Jackson earlier this week. “The cultural apartheid Africa maintains the lowest levels of reliable vital statistics for any continent—1.1Wearing red ribbons and here reflects money rather than talent. There must be more percent. When experts are asked to prove actual cases of AIDS, terrifying “condomising” the continent will do African-American films here—there are none this year. And numbers dissolve into vague estimates of HIV infection.The most reliable there must be a greater commitment to those small and statistics on AIDS in Africa are in the WHO’s Weekly Epidemiological Record.little for the health of Africans. poorer nations who have great stories to tell but limited The total number of AIDS cases reported in Africa since 1982, when AIDS ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ means to tell them,” said Jackson, founder of the Rainbow record-keeping began, is 794,444—starkly at odds with the latest scare figures Coalition and still the most prominent black voice in US which claim 2.3 million AIDS deaths in 1999 alone. More reliable local statisticschildbirth is one in three. The African life span is not long—50 for womenpolitics. Jackson, 59, came to Cannes for the world premiere rarely exist. I asked Alan Whiteside of the University of Natal, a top AIDS and 47 for men—so on a continent of 650 million people, it is possible thatof the filmThe Country Preacher: Keeping Hope, a Alive researcher in South Africa, for details of the alleged 100,000 AIDS deaths in over 10 million children have lost their mothers before they reached high video diary about a year in his life from 1999 to 2000. It South Africa in the last year. “We don’t keep any of those statistics,” he said.school age. Long-standing ailments largely the product of poverty are includes footage from his days as a student leader 40 years ago. While organisers will be aware that not one of the 23 And South Africa is more advanced than most African countries in that itblamed on a sexually transmitted virus. Zealously but without evidence, films up for the Palme d’Or is made by a black film-maker, conducts HIV tests in surveys of about 18,000 pregnant Africans annually andcondom manufacturers and AIDS fund-raisers attribute those symptoms toJackson’s attack on Cannes was widely ignored in this then extrapolates the HIV-positive numbers. There are two problems with this:an “African sexual culture.” citadel of privilege. European, American and Asian cinema The women are given a blood test called ELISA, which frequently gives a “false Wearing red ribbons or calling to condomise the continent will do little forare well represented at Cannes, but black filmmakers are positive” result (pregnancy can trigger a false alarm). Secondly, many endemicthe health of Africans. A 1998 study of pregnant, HIV-positive women in not. Still, the festival can’t be accused of peddling trite infections trigger the same antibodies that cause positive reactions on HIV Tanzania showed that providing them with inexpensive micronutrient cinema on well-worn themes: Iranian Abbas Kiarostami’s documentary about AIDS in Uganda was screened for the antibody tests. Beauty Nongila, principal of a rural school in north Zululand,supplements was beneficial during and after pregnancy. AIDS activists need to first time here last week as was Claude Lanzmann’s said to me that having more toilets would improve the health of her 408 consider the non-contagious, indigenous-disease explanations for “AIDS”. But Sobibor, October 14, ,1943 about the only successful upris- students. She struggles to provide her underfed kids with a spartan lunch on dysentery and malaria do not inspire headlines or fatten public health budgets. ing in a Nazi death camp. And finally there was the world eight cents a day. As for the AIDS crisis, she believes dental problems, respiratoryInfectious “plagues” do. Traditional public-health approaches, clean water, andpremiere ofHijack Stories, a “social” film made by a white illnesses, diarrhea, and chronic hunger are far more vexing. improved sanitation can tackle the underlying health problems in Africa. They Afrikaner set in Soweto. Figures about children orphaned by AIDS also bear closer examination. Themay not be sexy, but they will save lives. average fertility rate among African women is 5.8 and the risk of death in (The Globe and Mail,Tornoto)

Dr Charles Geshekter is a three-time Fulbright scholar and adviser to the US State Department and several African governments. He is an African history professor. (Guardian) 141414 ASIA 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES The lungs of the world ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Laughing their woes awayJAKARTA - Desperate to stem the alarming logging in Indonesia, environmentalists want donors to make a moratorium on industrial logging the prerequisite for fresh borrowings. Indonesia’s donors Conditions in drought-hit areas of Gujarathave already been asking the government to take action—when are so bad, that many villagers find donors pledged $4.8 billion in loans for Indonesia’s 2001 budget, knows. With no other source of water the government promised a moratorium on primary forest laughter the most appropriate response. conversion, ending illegal logging, restructuring the wood in the vicinity and no livelihood processing industry, decentralising the forestry sector and ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ possible, thousands have migrated with developing a forestry programme. But even forestry minister Marzuki Usman admits the government has failed to carry out these cans of water everyday. their families and cattle to other regions of Gujarat in search of water, reforms. Indonesia’s forests, considered the world’s lungs, have Once an agricultural community, food and perhaps work. One way to been shrinking by 2.4 million hectares in the past two years, more than in previous years. 72 percent of Indonesia’s tropical forests the people of Hebatpur can no longer access water is to travel 10 km to the grow crops or look after their few have vanished, and over half the remaining 28 percent are village of Devpara where the pipeline is threatened by illegal logging. The country suffers an annual deficit head of cattle. “Since our troubles breached and water leaks continuously. of $2.5 billion from the forestry sector on lost revenues from illegal began we have been writing, meeting, The accidental water-hole serves as an logging, say NGOs and government agencies. The overcapacity of demanding, even rioting at the office oasis where people fill up pots with Indonesia’s wood processing firms is one reason illegal logging is of the Water Supply Board at Barvala clean water and, every now and then, rampant. International environment groups accuse donor countries of indirect support for Indonesian pulp and paper facilities, which in [the nearest town with government engage in the luxury of bathing and offices],” says Madarsinh. “We asked the 1990s were responsible for widespread deforestation, the washing. Even here, the wait for water destruction of local people’s rights to land and livelihood and the for water to be supplied by tankers, can be long and tedious. armed suppression of dissent. Indonesia can learn from its but nobody pays any attention to our Water is not the only scarce thing neighbours. Thailand banned all logging in 1998 after years of problems. Until last year the Board blockades by rural communities seeking to protect their forest- sent us two tankers of water [per day] in Hebatpur. Anything one commonly based livelihoods, and following devastating floods and landslides for the entire village. On paper they associates with a village of similar size linked to logging. China banned logging in its remaining native showed five. Our politicians have in a country like India is absent here. forests in 1998 after major flooding in lowland areas near the There is no approach road to the Yellow and Yangtze rivers. In 1999, the government of Papua New process—only a few litres are disappeared. Not even media persons Guinea placed a moratorium on the grant of new logging collected at a time. Rajput’s village—only mud tracks leading to KHANAK PAREKH care to come here.” concessions due to social and environmental problems. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ farms. Electricity is rarely, if ever, predicament epitomises life in the Sixty-year-old Kanjibhai points to ebatpur, Gujarat, India - available. A village telephone remains village of Hebatpur, three hours by a disused plastic pipe at the edge of Gambhirsinh Rajput proudly road from Ahmedabad in an elusive dream. There is no primary points to a muddy pit. It is not the pond. It was installed by health centre, and no bank. This is a h prosperous Gujarat. government engineers from the easy to locate immediately—many Large parts of Gujarat’s Kutch village with a long list of no’s. Still, the Saurashtra Pipeline Project and meantone thing Hebatpur does not lack is similar pits pockmark the bottom of district were devastated by an to bring water. This forlorn pipe sums the ability to laugh. Referring to the (IPS) what was once a pond. He picks up a earthquake 26 January, killing over up the situation in the village. rusty tin container. Tying a string to much worse conditions in villages such 20,000 people and attracting much Officials of the Gujarat Water Supply as Mingalpur, Jhankhi, Bhangadh and it, he lowers the can into the hole andinternational aid and media attention. and Sewerage Board claim the draws out some water. It is so muddy, Bavaliyala, lying in the east towards the Ethnic row in Malaysia But Gujarat’s current drought, the pipeline provides them with as much Gulf of Cambay (Khambhat), one ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ dirty and polluted that only a very worst in 100 years, which is as 50,000 litres of water per day. thirsty person would drink it. villager said, “We can at least shave PENANG – As in many places, university admission in Malaysia particularly affecting the regions of “This they say is 50,000 litres of and change. There they look depends on grades, involvement in sport and in student societies— Gambhirsinh Rajput does. Saurashtra and Kutch, has not hit the water! It flows like cow’s urine,” says and ethnicity. Now, there’s a growing controversy over ethnic “This is how we get water,” he like pre-historic people or even quotas for university admissions that mandate a ratio of 55 headlines. The state government’s Kanjibhai, pointing at the pipe and worse.” says with a chuckle. It will take much-publicised response, the breaking into uncontrollable laughter. bumiputra (ethnic Malay and other indigenous communities) to 45 another hour or so for the water to beSaurashtra Pipeline Project, passes The drip-drop from the pipe lasts for Chinese and Indian Malaysians. Of Malaysia’s 24 million people, bumiputras are 60 percent, Chinese Malaysians 25 percent, and replenished from the springs. This barely five km from Hebatpur, whose an hour or two—maybe once a day or traditional method of obtaining water population of 8,000 lives on a few tin Indian Malaysians about eight percent. Earlier this months an maybe once a week, no one really education ministry official said intake into universities had dipped from a dry river or pond by digging by 15 percent due to a shortfall of qualifiedbumiputra science pits is calledvirdo . It is a slow students. A few days later, Prime Minister Mahathir announced the (Gemini) government was prepared to abolish the quota policy if that was what the people wanted. Then the same official produced new statistics showing that all available places in public local ANALYSIS byDAVID WALL universities were filled and there were over 10,000 eligible bumiputra pupils who failed to secure admission. Finally, Education Minister Musa Mohamad said the government was considering raising thebumiputra quota to 66 percent to reflect the latest ethnic composition of Malaysia. Only a few universities closely Missiles, Mickey Mouse, andreflect North the 55:45 formula, whilebumiputra the Korea intake in other institutions may be higher. Statistics are difficult to obtain, and few are prepared to probe deeper into the woes of Malaysia’s PYONGYANG: The most predictable thing about North Korea is its North Korea’s appalling conditions owe a loteducation system. These include low teacher morale caused by unpredictability. One day last week saw the son of its Dear Leader Kim Jongto Il the country’s bizarre form of socialism, poor salaries, and lack of opportunities for promotion. Many top arrested while entering Japan on a false passport (supposedly to take his son to students who fail to enter public universities and cannot afford but can asking China for advice help? private education locally are offered scholarships abroad. Many Tokyo’s Disneyland), the next day brought a promise to maintain its work and settle overseas—a brain drain Malaysia can ill afford. moratorium on missile testing until 2003 as well as continue sales of missile ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The debate sheds little light on how far these policies have helped technologies to countries like Iran. But there is a followed Kim’s historic meeting with President economically disadvantaged groups—the rural and urban poor, the Orang Asli or indigenous people, plantation communities and second, unchanging element in North Korean Kim Dae Jung of South Korea last June, North affairs: its basket-case economy. Korea’s leader was taken to Shanghai by Premier squatters. One million people may have died in the Zhu Rongji and shown its stock exchange and the North Korean famine of 1995 to 1997. Now the vast Pudong development zone No one doubts World Food Program fears another is looming— that Jiang Zemin knows how to maintain an the country’s agricultural output will likely fall to authoritarian regime. But is he the best source of (IPS) 1.8 million tons of grain, far short of the 4.8 advice on how to revive North Korea’s economy? million tons needed to supply the meagre ration Probably not: the policies that transformedChina of seven oz a day (half the daily allowance for over the last two decades are unlikely to work those in UN refugee camps) ordinary North What not to eat in Sri Lanka in North Korea. It will be along time before the ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Koreans receive. National food stocks ran out Dear Leader can convince his followers that a COLOMBOSri - Lanka has a brave new regulation—a sweeping in January and South Korean food aid will run stock market, with its demand for ban on any type of genetically out this month. corporatisation, even privatisation, is at all modified (GM) food, organism, While the World Food Programme feeds connected to the primary stagejuche of . culture, additive or preservative. North Korea’s six million children, 17 million adults must fend for themselves.Convincing themselves that reform was unavoidable was one of the major Foods that may now only be (A “military first” programme diverts most supplies to the country’s huge imported with a permit include feats of China’s leadership under Deng. soybean and its products, corn standing army and bureaucracy.) To survive, many North Koreans forage for In China, economic zones—especially the five Special Economic Zones andand maize flour, tomato and edible roots and leaves and make soups from cabbage stalks and vegetable waste.the Pudong area of Shanghai—work because they were envisioned as tomato products, potatoes, Those who survive will be more malnourished than ever, and the percentage oflaboratories with a controlled environment for economic, social, even political cheese, beet sugar, bakers’ and brewers’ yeast. There’s a major children whose growth is stunted will increase from today’s two- thirds. experiments. Deng Xiao Ping, who gave the zones the go-ahead, understood that North Korea’s next mini-harvest, not due until late June, will not even be as omission, though: wheat. Sri opening China’s economy to the outside world to improve the welfare of Lanka’s agriculture is largely rice- good as last year’s abysmal one. At the same time, South Korea will reduce theordinary Chinese would inevitably attract “mosquitoes.” Mosquitoes did fly in,based, but fewer Sri Lankan amount of fertiliser it provides for rice planting from 300,000 tons to 200,000bringing corruption, criminal activities, progressive and liberal ideas and an meals revolve around rice today. tons. Even the reduced aid was disputed by people in Seoul who argued for awareness of what life is like in the rest of the world. People are turning to a cheap and conditions on improved North/South relations. convenient staple, breads made Life in North Korea is hermetically sealed. The only radios permitted in from refined American wheat flour. Health Ministry officials say This appalling situation results from North Korea’s bizarre form of North Korea can only be tuned to North Korean stations. Few North Koreansthere’s no overwhelming evidence of GM contamination in wheat socialism,juche . Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s current leader continues to promoteare allowed to visit Pyongyang, whereas millions of Chinese travel and study crops and that imposing restrictions on wheat could seriously juche, his father’s brainchild, in almost 900 books and articles. Despite shunningabroad each year. When North Korea approached Swedish academics to requestaffect food supply to the country. The world’s most startling and Marxism/Leninism in favourjuche of in 1967, Soviet subsidies kept North training in business management, they insisted it take place in conditions as nearcontroversial genetic modification ‘successes’ were reported in corn, maize, soya and tomato. The WHO will release its report on Korea’s economy above water until 1991. After the collapse of the USSR theto those in North Korea as possible. So the training will take place not in GM food and testing by 2003, by which time Sri Lanka will be ready economy went into a tailspin with floods and droughts in 1995, 1996 and 1997.Stockholm, but in communist Hanoi. to review its ban. But genetic modification has already arrived in He avoids talking about it at home, but Kim may now believejuche that is a Unlike Deng, North Korea’s leadership from Kim down shows little Sri Lanka— a type of GM carp has been introduced to its inland losing philosophy. So he’s turned to China for advice. awareness of such “mosquitoes”. They will not find them acceptable. Cabbage lakes. This carp’s huge appetite, dominating size and feeding habits, environmentalists fear, will soon see other types of fish During his first of two missions to China last year, Kim Jong Il asked stalk soup and grass salad are likely to dominate the diet of long-suffering Northdisappearing from their natural habitat. President Jiang Zemin about how to move towards a market economy yet Koreans for a long time. maintain an authoritarian dictatorship. My pleasure, said Jiang. First, firmly suppress political dissent as soon as it emerges. Second, examine our stock exchanges and special economic zones. On his second trip to China, which (Project Syndicate)

David Wall is senior research fellow for Asia at the Royal Institute for (Gemini) International Affairs. FROM THE NEPALI PRESS providing quality services. Government schools cannot 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES meet the demand for education and it is also very 151515 difficult to imagine all private schools being nationalised immediately. So we only demand that Rohini Thapaliya is one of the largest private schools be regulated and their fees reduced. arms suppliers in the country. People Nepal’s Talibans in some quarters say Thapaliya’s offer Abolish compulsory Sanskrit ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of a deal has been rejected, but he The truth is always bitter, but it must be accepted:Kantipur, Tuesday,15 May isn’t giving up without a fight. The youth are not interested in Sanskrit. People may Schools: Thelearn Sanskrit UML because they have toLine but they do not Thapaliya, the local representative of enjoy doing it. We are not letting our children developMore than 8,000 private and boarding schools around the country a German arms company, is using all Budhabar Saptahik, 9 May properly if we force on them such a subject. It is a deadshut down after the ANNFSU (Revolutionary), the ultra-left studentthe pressure and influence he can language. Despite what body affiliated with the underground Maoists called for their closure,muster. The crown prince, who Sanskrit scholars might say, apparently tested the weapon in ...We have now listed the problems faced by schoolsmass propagation of leaving uncertain the future of one million students and 75,000 and have taken up the struggle. Government schoolsSanskrit is unlikely to teachers. Businesses catering to the needs of the schools, like Chitwan in the presence of his are very disorganised, have poor standards and succeed.not stationers and food suppliers have also been affected. security personnel, is said to have attractive anymore. They have failed to develop Some points of the 15 demands that the ANNFSU (R) has put rejected it, but Thapaliya’s file is still because because of many problems including the lackAbolish the National sitting on Defence Minister Mahesh of quality teachers, proper guidance, resources, Anthemand forward are valid. Parents have been raising the need for uniformity motivation, and finally, a lack of commitment and Acharya’s table. The weapon in Our national anthem in the education standard and discontinuation of annual re- responsibility. Because of these problems, private enrollment fees. Of course, dialogue can be held regarding the question is the German G-36 rifle. schools have mushroomed in towns and cities, andis inappropriate. It actually The defence minister cannot reject sings praises of a person discontinuation of the National Anthem and teaching of Sanskrit in even in villages. The government has not opened any those weapons or simply ignore the new schools, and since the number of children whoand want encourages the growth schools, but is the ANNFSU (R) serious about talks? education has shot up, private schools stepped ofin cultsto fill of personality. It The criminal nature of their actions—vandalising two schools file because of the huge commissions also advocates population that will come with a delivery of the the demand. The main problem with the private and trying to set the principal of one of the schools on fire even as schools is that they have not been set up with a sensegrowth of when what we need guns. The German weapon costs duty or responsibility (as government schools are),is familybut planning. It says talks were in the population should $735, but another group of arms to make a quick buck. As a result, they do provide progress—clearly dealers want to supply a different education, but at too high a cost. How can poor continuecitizens to grow reflects their of a very poor country afford such expensive untrammelled. This song weapon, made in Israel, that costs education? It is vital to address the complex questiondoes not make the intentions. just $540. Kishor Bhakta and Ravi of what sort of education we need and how it is tostudents be nationalists or Parents have Bhakta Shrestha are the local agents provided. That is why our organisation, the All Nepalpatriots, or responsible and been compelled

MIN BAJRACHARY MIN for the Israeli company and are using National Federation of Students’ Unions (ANNFSU)responsive has towards the needs of the nation. to send their taken up the cause. all the political influence they have to Increase government funding for education children to clinch the deal. Even the Israeli Abolish tuition fees in government schools The government should open more schools. The school in India. embassy is helping. The Israeli offer The government promised to abolish tuition schoolsfees are already overburdened having to serve too Also ANNFSU’s seems a little more attractive than many students. The government has been unable to up to the high-school level but has not taken any steps decision to close the German one. The Israeli firm’s in that direction. But schools have been charginginvest in infrastructure and quality teachers. It should schools during take an active interest in schools for improving which, package promises to buy old admission fees. Is it not the responsibility of the State to the Chinese provide education to citizens. Education is the investment is crucial. On the one hand you have weapons of the Royal Nepal Army fundamental building block of any country. Withoutparents an who can’t pay fees, on the other, you have an Premier’s visit and Nepal can pay for the new ones educated class, no nation can move forward. Butindifferent in our government. and attempts to over a 10-year period. They are also country, the government is just not concerned. It is an antagonise India Fulfil the 46 demands to toss in a Puma helicopter. Sources irony that education is both expensive and beyond the by targeting reach of the people in a country where over 50 percentWe all agree the quality of education in say the army chief is also in favour of are illiterate. Left as it is, education will remain thegovernment schools is getting from bad to worse. This educational the Israeli guns. The prime minister’s privilege of only the rich few. Since the nation needscan be reversed by investment in the education sector-- establishments private secretary Gokarna Poudel is and utilises educated people, it should also takeproducing qualified teachers, infrastructure and goodrun by Indian nationals just before his arrival can’t only be a lobbying on behalf of Thapaliya, who responsibility for their education. We realise thatstudy right materials--then things will start improving. After coincidence.the China has already indicated that it does not support the now Nepal cannot afford to provide free educationrestoration at of democracy, our organisation had was also involved in the army’s all levels. We only demand that free education submittedbe a list of 46 reforms concerning the educationMaoist movement. (aborted) atempt to buy a RJ100 jet. provided until middle school. We have presentedsector our to the government. The students’ union, with By arresting the representative of the ANNFSU (R) who had demands in a very responsible manner and if thegreat restraint and responsibility, continues to ask thecome for negotiations, the government is also open to criticism—it government does not take note, then the outcomegovernment will to fulfil them. We have also put forward the not be good. Why can the government, which cansolutions. We had given the government until mid-Mayflouted widely accepted norms and principles that create an spend billions when it comes to security, not investto find in a solutions. Now we will have to take matters intoenvironment for dialogue. But even that does not compare with the good education system? our own hands and punish those schools and school deplorable ANNFSU “action” against Rupy’s International and principals who refuse to act responsibly. If the educationElite’s Co-Ed. Reduce the high fees in private schools system does not still improve, the union will devise a The motive of private schools is to earn highbigger profit and more powerful agitation. (Khim Lal BhattaraiCoinciding with the school closure, the Maoists have closed the in Budhabar, a weekly said to mouth the UML line) GARDEP Project in Gulmi. They have announced a dress code for No food in Humla in a very short time. Only a small percentage of these ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ function with a sense of responsibility. They hook women. In short, the Maoists, in the name of the movement, have National Daily Naya Sadak, parents under some pretext or the other and the revealed they are anti-education, anti-development and in favour of facilities they provide do not match the fees they Wednesday 16 May charge. The students are also burdened with beliefs the oppression of women. These lead to the question: Are they going that do not reflect our society, our environment or our the Taliban way? Humla district is once again facing a culture. They ape Western culture and society, and that The support Maoists’ have gained for thier stand against social, food shortage. Long dry spells and makes our youth shun their responsibilities. Parents are economic and regional inequalities and widespread corruption is happy when their children speak in English, even hailstorms destroy the food crop broken English. Ability to speak in English is the faltering. They have begun outdoing government in human rights there every year and push the people standard against which education is measured in our violation, there’s no sign that the Maoist leadership is taking of Humla to the edge of starvation. country. It is time these institutions changed from profit- concrete steps to stop the crimes associated with the insurgency. The people of Humla, Jumla, making machines to responsible society members The silence of the leadership about the parallel programmes of the Kalikot, Dolpa and Mugu districts, Maoists—extorting money from school managements and closing all in the Karnali zone, face food them down—reflects either their helplessness or support... shortages and starvation every year, and countless people have died. Due to the high altitude and the cold weather, only a few food crops can be grown here. Add to this the limited space, their produce does not even last five months. The only way Endless struggles Committee (DDC) and another at thefood can be transported to these ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ municipality but there is one who regions is by air because there are no Janadharana National Weekly, does not have an office to go to. roads in Humla. In the past years the 10 May Sources say the secretary of the government provided a subsidy on Pathari VDC, Surya Mahatara, has food flown in from the tarai, but this not reported to Bhojpur where he is QUOTE OF THE WEEK Demands for the prime minister’s was stopped three years ago. After resignation and the struggle to reform posted but is staying put in Pathari. the government started the long term the education sector will affect life Our source asks, “if the regional officeagricultural policy, all food depots of this Jestha [mid-May to mid-June]. of the local development ministry in the Food Corporation in the region I haven’t met with Babu Ram Bhattarai and Prachanda. But in the process of getting the government and Wethe will have a lot of bandhs. The Biratnagar, cannot place one VDC have been shut down because there Maoists to come to talks, if it becomes essential that I meet them, I will surely meet them. UML, with the four left parties plans secretary, what is the point of having was no reliable way to supply food. such an office?” – Padma Ratna Tuladhar Jana Bhawana National Weekly14 May. to shut down the country from 27-30 The long-term agricultural policy May because they want the PM to Meanwhile, Khadga Kumar was implemented, but it lacked a resign. The Jatiya Morcha, which is Basnet, Chairman of the Morang clear vision and goal. The policy, close to the Maoists, is calling for a DDC, has asked the prime minister towhich aimed to produce enough bandh on 31 May, calling it a “Black resign and come to Biratnagar to food locally to meet the needs of the Day.” The student group the collect his old age allowance. About country, could not provide farmers ANNFSU is calling for reforms in the 10,000 people are listed for the with improved species of seeds, or field of education and demands that allowance in Morang, but they have teach them advanced farming schools be closed 14-20 May. The not been paid since November. technologies. In a district where students’ wing of the ML is doing the Despite repeated requests the DDC food production is low, people will same from 20-31 May. Despite all says the concerned ministry has not starve if alternatives measures are these calls for bandhs, school disbursed the money. promised, but no is delivered. If shutdowns, struggles and agitation, the ratio of fertile land to the the government does not seem to be number of the people depending doing anything. on that land is skewed, govern- ment plans will probably fail. The Which gun? government must resume ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ Ghatana Ra Bichar, 9 May transporting food until the long- term agricultural policy reaches its PM, get your cash goal. Otherwise, it must take ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The government has already decided responsibility for people dying of Naya Sadak National Daily, 10 May to mobilise the army against the starvation. Maoists in some districts. The armed In Morang district there are 65 forces need modern arms and Village Development Committees ammunition and there are many arms (VDC) but 68 government appointed dealers who are happy to oblige. Government-Maoist Talks: After its huge success and repeated requests from the VDC secretaries. One of them is Rather, they will do almost anything audience, the grand show will be put on again. posted at the District Development to bag such a profitable contract. Naya Sadak, 14 May

THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI LANGUAGE PRESS 161616 SPORTS 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES

False start and you’re out Tyson sues King ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Triple Olympic champion Marion Jones has branded a proposal to disqualify as saga grinds onsprinters after one false start as “ridiculous.” Jones JOHN HARRIS false-started once in last ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ challenger, Tyson, fights the week’s Princeton meeting he Lennox Lewis-Hasim champion. before going on to win her Rahman rematch saga took yet Nonetheless, if King arranges first outdoor 100 m race of t another twist this week when, another challenge for Rahman, and the year. But under a change as expected, Mike Tyson filed a Rahman loses, then the new the International Amateur lawsuit against Don King Athletic Federation plans to champion could put a whole set of test this year to discourage Promotions seeking $75million in new obstacles in the way of Tyson. false starts, Jones would not damages and a guarantee that he be How Lewis must be kicking have had a second chance. given the right to fight Rahman for himself. It was all so simple back in Jones said: “I’ve signed a the WBC title as the top April when the Briton was the petition totally against it,” challenger. Lewis took similar undisputed champion, Tyson was a and her signature is alongside those of Olympic 100 m men’s champion Maurice Green action last week, filing a lawsuit to has-been, and King could only and Ato Boldon. “If you knock the bar down in the high jump they don’t kick you out of the competition,” added America’s golden girl who won the individual 100m and 200m events try and force King to arrange a Tyson is using the courts to defend reflect on the days when he used to rematch against Rahman, as agreed in Sydney along with the 4x400m relay. “So why are they doing this in the sprints?” Double his rights. Lewis has already lost control heavyweight boxing. world 100m champion Jones did not offer a cautious second start as an explanation for an in the original contract for the fight Rahman’s right hand in the fifth his right toMike a rematch Tyson against uncharacteristically slow time of 11.12 seconds. “I’m not making excuses,” she said after in April. The American knocked Rahman for the WBC belt round could probably be described seeing Olympic bronze medallist Melissa Morrison disqualified from the 100m hurdles Lewis out in the fifth round of theirbecause, after a lawsuit filed as “the punch that changed world earlier in the meet for two false starts. Jones won support from US Track and Field Chief bout in Johannesburg to claim the earlier by Tyson, the WBC heavyweight boxing.” And took it Executive Officer Craig Masback who said: “There’s definitely a need to look at changes world heavyweight crown. To his decided that under no back to the 1980s. and innovations. Personally I think the change in false starts is not one of the changes I would like to see.” immense delight, King has re- circumstances would they entered the heavyweight fray as sanction an immediate rematch Rahman’s promoter, replacing between the former undisputed Cedric Kushner. Rahman seems champion and Rahman for their content for King to call the shots astitle. There is not much love lost he weighs up a number of options, between King and Tyson who are but Tyson is determined to have hisalready suing and counter-suing say in the courts. each other over previous Tyson claims that as the allegations of mis-management. $400,000 for Sri Lanka ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ recognised WBC No.1 challenger Meanwhile, King is back in a very COLOMBO: FIFA chief Joseph Sepp Blatter announced a grant of $400,000 (SLRs 36 he has a legal right to a title bout influential position in the million) this week to develop soccer on the island. FIF’’s partial sponsorship has come against the champion by 11 heavyweight division. He controls under its “goal project,” under which it funds schemes to develop the game across the November. According to Rahman, the WBC and IBF world. Calling for a new awakening in Sri Lanka, a somewhat somnolent soccer nation, he fightnews.com, the former champion, as well as WBA asked the youth of the country to get into the game. He was speaking on the occasion of the undisputed champion is also champion John Ruiz. inauguration of the new headquarters of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). claiming “injunctive relief,” which However, Tyson could “Football House”, the new headquarters in the heart of Colombo, will house the FFSL office, dormitory facilities, auditorium, library, audio-visual centre and a gymnasium. Blatter in America means that Rahman circumvent King by not dealing must “cease and desist from also laid the foundation stone for a national football training centre at Beddagana in Kotte, a with him and waiting until suburb of Colombo. The centre will cost SLRs 60 million and be the first of its kind on the engaging in any title defence of his November when the WBC rules island, said Manilal Fernando, organising committee chairman and vice-president of the WBC championship against make it certain that the No.1 Asian Football Confederation. It would comprise a football ground, accommodation for 100 anybody but Tyson.” WBC rules trainees and a swimming pool, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Sri Lanka’s sports state that Rahman must defend minister Lakshman Kiriella said FIFA’s grant is a “vote of confidence” in Sri Lanka. He against the No.1 challenger, and asked administrators and players to aspire to qualify for the next World Cup.

(PTI)

Soaltee CULTURE 18 -24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES 111777 SAVING FAITH byDESMOND DOIG Village of the Dancing Durga hecho, sat astride the old trade The goriest was the mask of Durga herself, like route to India, wears a well-to- a decapitated head washedearliest performances, in its own a great blood, t do-look of prosperous farmers tantric sage caused the many living in prosperous houses but itstheir eyesway through still knots seeing, of people itsmanifestations mouth gaping of the goddess open. Durga conservative enough to have so far idly○○○○○○○○○○○ sunning themselves○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ outside to possess the dancers. Imagine the shunned concrete. The stout brick their front doors. Women naked to scene. Lithe masked bodies houses that line each side of the road the waist, oil themselves and their suddenly charged with the awesome are built one against the other, their new born infants as they take in themajesty of the mighty goddess. windows carved of wood, their eaves sun and leave it to elder relatives to Human arms multiplying, papier hung with garlands of vegetables and hoosh cameramen away. mâché masks becoming divine faces, chilies. The buildings stand Thecho was founded in the tinsel costumes transformed to the respectfully back from the road, or sixteenth century by a Malla king ofraiment of heaven. perhaps they keep the bustle and dust nearby Patan who designed it as a Then leaping and swirling, these at arm’s length. But no Newari farmerConvenient shield for his city. At bodies possessed, danced through the will waste good land, so between roadfirst, stout farmers resisted invaders fields to Patan and the very palace and houses are a continuous line of or gangs of dacoits using the road itself. The king, a great patron of tile small temples and, shrines, mostly from India. But it was not long dance, was so awed, deeply moved, he Buddhist. There are some incredibly before the village, almost large invited the dancers into the most filthy water tanks in which women enough to be a town, prospered andsacred courtyard of the palace and wash clothes and cooking utensils developed a character of its own. there for one holy, unforgettable night that look remarkably clean after theHow it began no one knows and the goddesses danced. Ever after, the ordeal. I asked my driver if his wife even legends are at variance, but dancers of Thecho perform once a year used the likes of these village ponds Thecho became renowned for its at in the Mul Chowk of to wash his belongings. He replied dance troupe. At one of their Patan’s old palace. abruptly that he would beat her up. In search of these famous dancers, mouths Sheep, dogs, fowl, and duck weave I was unexpectedly shown into a houselooked stern, which I had been told was closed to allpathetically sad, angry, visitors. We mounted a narrow dark demanding and lustful. The stairway and entered a room heavy goriest was the mask of Durga herself, with the scent of incense, wax, decay like a decapitated head washed in its in a corner. The press once belonged and damp. There, by guttering own blood, its eyes still seeing, its Once in ages past, they consumed to a single family but is now owned by candlelight, I was shown a collection mouth gaping open. An old drum the blood of human sacrifice. a commune. Thecho today has some of masks hung on a smoke-blackened hung from the rafters. I was told it was Was it then that the drum twenty oil presses and oil goes mostly wall. They were smeared with saffron the drum of the death of ten sounded? The women of Thecho to Patan. So mustard oil, pressed from and vermilion and I believed blood, generations. When I asked what apparently still threaten their children the gloriously yellow fields that reach and imagination-on-edge gave them exactly that meant, my question hung by saying that the Navaor lack Durga thereof—cannot will getin terraces aboutbe overlooked the village, replace by Nepali them if they are naughty.writers; motherhoodthe riches is not that justonce exalted flowed up sentiment, and life, so that sightless eyes and painted unanswered as if my informant had but also the movement of fluids, the play of been mesmerized. But after a while he Near the temple of the Nava down the old trade route. And there hormones, the changesare, of course, of thea body dancers. in the grips of told me in a harsh whisper that the Durga is a dilapidatednature. oil press The filled experience of pregnancy, in all its dancers who wear these masks with a luminous gloomstages, and the is smellalso absent in Nepali literature, as are become so possessed by the of freshly ground mustard.fertility The and infertility as bodily experiences, the goddesses they represent, they drinkmachinery is primitiveexperience and much ofof it miscarriage, birthing, and breastfeeding. the Undoubtedlyblood of sacrificial a remarkable animals. workI suspect, that once echoes belonged the to an (Excerpted with permission from Also missing in Nepali literature are the darker sentiments of many Nepali readers,antiquated this poemcar whose shell still hangs In the Kingdom of the Gods, emotional aspects of motherhood. The ambivalence

MIN BAJRACHARYA however puts forward a particularly male view on Harper Collins, 1994.) that all mothers surely experience, postpartum motherhood. For it grants the son a special place of depression, the experience of unwanted pregnancy, power (at least in terms of the mother’s the selfish, resentful or reluctant mother, the careless expectations) which corresponds to the traditional mother, the single mother, the woman who is happy to NEPALITERATURE view that a woman may ascendpower to only byMANJUSHREE THAPA not be a mother—all the subtle and difficult emotions through a man—her father, husband or son. Lacking,attached in to motherhood are absent in Nepali literature. herself, the phallus (again in Freudian terms), she relies Additionally, motherhood is also an economic and in this case on her son; and with the failure of the son, she remains forever frustrated from her dream oflegal issue, but it is rare to find any literature written Gopal Prasad Rimal on these aspects. The lack of citizenship rights “fighting impiety”. The poem thus denies woman any independent capacity to engage in moral battle, eventhrough by mothers, women’s lack of inheritance and taking up traditional Hindu identity as the generatorownership of rights are aspects of motherhood which shakti, or female power. Indeed, many of Rimal’s poemremain beyond the representation of Nepali literature. A MAN ON MOTHERHOOD Other social and cultural aspects of motherhood also ascribe to women the remarkably passive role of waiting for warrior men to return triumphant frombear battle: examination. Depicting women locked always into one particularI dreamed it would actually be you. women’s own ethical duty is, then, to nurture men. Finally, the independent woman is missing in role, and as a one-dimensional symbol of a certainBut no matter what, it will come; That this poem’s view of motherhood has not Nepalibeen literature’s depictions of motherhood. And sentiment, rather than as an individual, misses theI’m a mother, becoming the voice this is where Rimal’s poem, above, fails. Women complexity of women’s identities. of all creative energy I can declare challenged by women’s own writing on motherhood is a take up a slew of roles throughout their lifetimes, it’s coming, this isn’t just serious issue which bears critical examination, and Perhaps the most well-loved verse on motherhood sometimes shifting identities from week to week, an idle dream I’m seeing. which reveals, in my view, a hesitation on the part of in Nepali literature comes from Gopal Prasad Rimal, day to day, even moment to moment. Their After it comes you won’t remain women writers to lay claim to their own experience. It is known as the father of Nepali free verse. In ‘A individuality remains alive through these shifts. To curled at my lap like this; not unfair to say that motherhood in Nepali literature Mother’s Dream,’ translated below, Rimal depicts the miss this fact, and to depict women locked always you won’t listen, stuck like a magnet, remains the pet topic of men writers. In most of the traditional mother-son bond in Freudian terms—the into one of their many roles—to depict a mother as to that truth as you listen to stories; writing by men, motherhood is presented in purely mother seeks from her son the means to fight the a one-dimensional symbol of a certain sentiment, you’ll be able to see it for yourself, sentimental terms, and in largely cliched terms: there is traditional powers, she seeks from her son an equal rather than as an individual—is to miss the bear it yourself, take it upon yourself; the suffering mother, the selfless mother, the devoted power, or, in Freudian terms, the phallus. (In the Nepali complexity of women’s identities. It is not that men Instead of my offering you patience mother, the mother whose love knows no bounds. original, it is clear that the child is a son, something not cannot write insightfully about experiences such you’ll leave for the battlefield Mother’s milk is a symbol of pure, immeasurable love. apparent in the English translation). In this case, as motherhood. But it may be time for Nepal’s offering consolation to a mother’s heart The body of the mother is as sacred as the soil of the however, the son is sickly and weak, and unable to women writers to voice the many rich physical, which refuses a hundred thousand explanations;nation. Infertility is represented as a punishment for provide his mother the power that she seeks: psychological and social aspects of women’s I won’t have to keep patting your hair women who are not feminine enough; or a woman who experience. as one does for an invalid. is not a mother is incomplete. Motherhood in Nepali We’ll witness it—it’ll come like a gale, literature is thus heavily romanticised. you’ll become a leaf and rush after it. What is glaringly missing in Nepali literature is the Long ago, when it alighted from the living worldbodily experience of motherhood, a perspective that A Mother’s Dream and overflowed like the moon, women writers can best provide. But to discuss the Mother, will it really come? all in stupor began to stir, dear; bodily experience of motherhood, women must be Yes my dear, it’ll come. it’ll come, and then you’ll rise. willing to write openly on sexuality, something rare in Like the morning sun Is it coming Mother, Nepali literature. That motherhood is inextricably it’ll spread brilliance as it comes. the thought that it’s coming tickles me linked to sexual experience, desire, and fulfillment— You’ll see a weapon the way the soft dawn glittering like mist at its waist; tickles the throats of birds. with this it will fight impiety. Yes, it’ll come, When it comes you’ll first take it for a dreamLike the morning sun You’ll start feeling about, but it will be it’ll spread brilliance as it comes. more effortless to touch than snow and fire.Now I’m getting up, I’m going— Really, Mother? Yes, I’d hoped to see its shadows in Yet through all my youth your tender face when you were born, I dreamed it would actually be you. its beautiful reflection in your endearing smile, its gentle tones in your childish lisp; but that sweet song didn’t turn you into its flute. Through all my youth 181818 CITY 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES ABOUT TOWN BOOKWORM

Buddhism in the Western Himalaya: A Study of the Tabo Monastery MOVIESMOVIESMOVIES Laxman S. Thakur Children of Heaven by Majid Majidi, Iran, 1998. Oxford University Press, New Delhi 2001 Sunday 20 May, 5pm Russian Cultural Centre, Rs 100. Rs 1,112 Inter-Cultural Film Society. [email protected] A multi-disciplinary study of the Tabo monastery in Himachal Pradesh, India, historically important as a centre of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. The study covers 1,000 years, and traces EATING OUTOUTEATING the evolution of Buddhism against the backdrop of the economy and culture of the region. Padharo Hukum Rajasthani Food Festival, Origins and Migrations: Kinship, Mythology and Ethnic traditional dances and music. Chefs Kanwarni and Identity among the Mewahang Rai of East Nepal Martin Gaenszle Kanwar Vijay Singh Bedla of Udaipur. Complimentary starters. 18-27 May, 7-11.45pm, Far Pavilion, Everest Hotel. 488100 Mandala Book Point and The Mountain Institute, 2000 Rs 650 Singapore Food Festival Special artists, entertainers, and musicians will perform. TheDaily first anthropological monograph on Kiranti mythology in its social and historical draw for a couple—free trip on Singapore Airlines, two nights complimentary hotelcontext. stay. Based24-27 on fieldwork in the Arun Valley, it examines the narrative tradition of the May, Hotel Yak and Yeti. 248999 Mewahang Rai and its intrinsical links to the idiom and practice of kinship—detailing Wet & Wild Summer Swimming in a cool pool and a buffet lunch. Saturdays at Godavariethnographically an identity that is multi-layered and contextual rather than monolithic. Village Resort. Adults Rs 600, children Rs 350. Taxes extra. 560675, 560775 Ladakh: Culture, History, and Development between Himalaya and Karakoram MUSICMUSICMUSIC Eds Martijn van Beek, Kristoffer Brix Bertelsen and Poul Pedersen Aarhus University Press, Denmark, 1999. 1974 AD The Club, Bhatbhateni. Saturday, 19 May, 7.30pm. Entry Rs 200. Rs 1,200 A compilation of the proceedings of the Eighth Colloquium of the International DANCEDANCEDANCE Association for Ladakh Studies at Aarhus University, June 1997. A comprehensive Bharatanatyam recital by Alarmel Valli. Passes from 14 May at: Embassy of India, selection of essays including studies of the Tibetanisation of European steel stoves, Lainchaur (413174), Nepal-Bharat Sanskritik Kendra, (243497, 255414), Bhartiya Gorkha Muslim-Buddhist relations, the observation of solar and lunar eclipses, language, gender, Sainik Niwas, Thamel, (413785, 414283), Indian Airlines, Hattisar, (429468), Chez Caroline, modernisation and change. Babar Mahal Revisited (251647, 263070), Nepal Association of Fine Arts (411729), and the Indigo Gallery, (413580). Friday, 25 May, 6pm. Royal Hall Organised by the Indian Centre for Cultural Relations and the Embassy of India Nepal in Crisis: Growth and Stagnation at the Periphery Piers Blaikie, John Cameron and David Seddon Spring Waltz Dinner and ballroom dance workshop. May 19, 7pm, Durbar Hall, HotelAdroit YakPublishers, New Delhi, 2001 and Yeti. Rs 1200 per head. 248999. Rs 800 The result of a research project supported by the British Ministry of Overseas Development, this volume is a socio-economic study of the west-central region of Nepal, EVENTSEVENTSEVENTS with special reference to the effects of road construction. It goes beyond this to explore Stress Free Weekends Overnight stay at the Hyatt, dinner for two at the Rox Restaurant,issues of dependency that hold between the First and Third Worlds, and within a use of pool, health club, spa and outdoor jacuzzi, ayurvedic massage for two, weekendsingle country. brunch, late check out Sunday. Rs 9000 plus tax. Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu. 491234 Pheri Jaun Hai Pokhara Free airfare, room, breakfast, airport transport, use of health club and lots more. Rs 1500 for Nepalis, $45 for expats. Shangri La Hotel & Resort; [email protected], 435741 Courtesy Mandala Book Point, Kantipath Spiny Babbler MuseumReadings and presentations of contemporary Nepali literature and art Sundays 5-6pm Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel; Tuesdays 4-5pm CLASSIFIED Kathmandu Environment Education Project, Thamel; Thursdays 7-8pm Bamboo Club

Restaurant, Thamel, Saturdays 5-6pm New Orleans Café, Thamel. ○○○○○○○ practitioners, imported vaccinations, lab test, [email protected]. 542810, 546725 Suzuki jeep for saleVery good condition, 1987 model, 4WD, 1300 cc engine, highminor surgical facilities, information about mountain sickness. Parking available. 9am- Friends of the Bagmati RiverMeeting to discuss bringing life back into the watersroof ofmetal top, original paint, AC. Ring Joshi at 233040. 5pm. Jyatha, Thamel. Near Utse Hotel. teh Valley. Tuesday, 22 May. 479488 225455, 223197 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ EXHIBITIONEXHIBITIONEXHIBITION Reflexology Professional US-, Europe- Mani: Jewelled Words of Tibetan-Buddhism on Flags, Wheels, and Stonestrained naturopath, therapist. Improve yourCar for Sale. Fulbright Scholar Katherine Anne Paul’s research on the popular use and manufactureblood circulation, energy flow. Perfect 1987 Toyota Tercel 4WD Station Wagon. Duty of Tibetan religious artefacts in Nepal. 20 May-2 June. Bamboo Gallery, Panipokhari.preventive therapy and also for specificpaid. 5 Door, 5 speed manual, 1452 cc petrol 412507 ailments. 416118 (11am-5pm) or emailvery good condition, 112000km. US$7,600 [email protected]. (Rs 560,000) Lee or Lynn Poole at 524202 Nepal VisionPaintings II by Roy Breimon and Vaclav Pisvejc on exhibition. Breimon (Home) or 521377 (Work) uses a technique called “reverse image”, acrylic on Plexiglas. Until 29 May, 8am-6pm, IndigoGallery, Naxal. Himalaya International Clinic Dhaka fabric and products Exhibition and sale. Dhaka Weaves, Kupondol. 20 MayWestern setting, MD and general 10am—5pm. 525095 For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36.

SPORTSSPORTSSPORTS Himalayan Hash House HarriersStarts beside the Bajrabarahi Temple east of YAK YETI YAK by MIKU Chapagaon at the south end of the Valley. 19 May, 4 pm. [email protected] St. Xavier’s School Golden Jubilee WalkathonPostponed from 19 May to 26 May. Participation open to all. St. Xavier’s School Jawalakhel. 26 May 8am. Reporting time 7.45am.

MARTIN CHAUTARI What can be done to improve the research scene in TribhuvanDr University? Bidyanath Koirala, Dept of Education, TU and Dr Lokraj Baral. Tuesday, 22 May, 5.30pm, Martin Chautari, Thapathali. Unless otherwise noted, presentations are in Nepali. [email protected]. 246065

For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] NEPALI WEATHER byNGAMINDRA DAHAL

Thanks to a build-up of low pressure over the Indian desert state of Rajasthan, clouds continue to pour in over the Himalaya from the Tibetan plateau. This is likely to keep the air on FM 102.4 clearer and cooler than usual this time of year over Nepal. And since these are moisture DSES- 16-05-2001 0300 GMT laden clouds, expect thunderstorms and monsoon-like drizzles. Accumulated Mon-Fri 0615-0645 BBC World Today afternoon snowfalls have given more than usual snow cover on Himalayan passes. The Sat 0615-0645 BBC Science in Action jet stream is now migrating northwards, and the circulation is starting to build up from the southeast. With a month or so to go for the Sun 0615-0645 BBC Agenda monsoon, heavy rain is still some ways off. Afternoon thunderstorms in the tarai and Daily 2045-2115 BBCg] kfnL ;]]jf]]] lower midhills will be of lower intensity next week. Greater cloud cover will stabilize the Daily 2245-2300 BBCg] kfnL ;]]jf]]] maximum temperature and raise the minima.

Radio Sagarmatha P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal KATHMANDU Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681 Fax: ++ 977-1- Fri530227 Sat Sun Mon Tue E-mail: [email protected] www.radiosagarmatha.org 28-18 27-17 29-18 29-18 29-19 entire ecosystem and a thriving ADVENTURE balance between power projects18 - 24 and MAYtourism 2001NEPALI industry. TIMES 191919 good safety equipment makes tourism on Nepal’s rivers,” says Just when entrepreneurship has also located Nepal’s only bungy operations costly. Megh Ale, co-owner of Borderlands helped diversify the tourism jumping site. The resort is Plans for a power plant now and founder of the Nepal River potential of the region and created diverse—there’s also a “learning threaten to destroy the best part of Conservation Trust, committed to opportunities for the local centre” where Nepal’s corporate this brilliant site. Many fear the conserving the wild rivers of the economy, it looks like the future of and development worlds come for upper Bhote Kosi project will turn Himalaya. The river is already the best stretch on one of the professional development this multi-use river segment into a dammed at two places—upstream world’s most beautiful rivers may programmes and adventure. The “dead stretch”. “We are not against at Chaku and downstream at Lamu be damned. activities are relatively expensive, exploiting Nepal’s water resources, Sangu. But in between, there is an but operators say the emphasis on but there has to be a judicious quality, professionalism and

Kilroy’s Up the Bhote Kosi Bhote the Up canyoning in the deep gorges and SAMUEL THOMAS ravines cut by the river through ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ steep valley sides. Canyoning afting, kayaking, mountain requires a variety of skills, in biking, canyoning, trekking addition to peak physical fitness, r and hiking, all in one place. like navigation, abseiling, This is one of the most exciting andswimming, jumping, wading, and unexplored adventure destinations climbing. Out here are also in the country—Borderlands on thetrekking routes yet to be explored upper reaches of the Bhote Kosi, to their fullest—a couple run to along the border with China. It is Bhairav Kund near Langtang well situated, a good four-hour National Park and to Dugunagadi, a drive from the capital, up the fort built during a Nepal-Tibet historic Arniko highway. skirmish in the mid-19th century. It is arguably one of the best Other reconnaissance trips to find rafting sections anywhere in the alternative routes have been carried world and the site for an annual out to the areas around Langtang river festival that brings in river and Gauri Shankar. Upstream is runners from all over. And three years ago Borderlands pioneered

HAPPENINGS MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN

BUDDHA FOR ZHU: Patan mayor Buddhi Raj Bajracharya gifts a symbol of peace, a bronze image of the Buddha to visiting Chinese premier Zhu Rongji

during his visit to Patan on 15 May. Carlsberg MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN

TOM YUM YUM: Hotel Hyatt celebrated a well-atended Thai food festival with ingredients flown in from . behind the scenes, chefs

(above) are busy doing the needful with their woks. MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN

THIMI THEME: The closing day of the Thimi Exhibition as the mayors of Thimi, Kathmandu and Banepa break into smiles at an exhibition of traditional jewellery on 13 May. 202020 18 - 24 MAY 2001NEPALI TIMES Under My Hat

by Kunda Dixit

here is nothing like the visit of a foreign dignitary we have a high-level foreign dignitary on an official to bring tranquillity and calm to our succulent yamvisit to Nepal. Here is something that Shitall Niwas t between two stones. To honour Zhu Rongji, must start working on right away without much Kishunji called a cessation of hostilities with Girijaji. ado around the bush. It must send out official Deubaji observed an armistice. Madhavji suspended invitations to leaders of all countries great and small the barricading of Singha Durbar. All back-stabbing to visit Nepal at their earliest convenience. Heads of was put on hold, 24-hour relay hunger strikers decidedstate must start rolling in. Then all we have to do is to keep body and soul together for the time being, pick 52 confirmations a year to fill up the year arsonists took a well-deserved holiday, chukkas were planner wall chart at the Ministry of Mostly-foreign unjammed for the duration of the visit, and schools Affairs. (Dispatcher at MOMA Reservation were closed indefinitely in a spontaneous gesture of Control: “Sorry sir, we cannot accommodate His goodwill, friendship and amity between the peoples of Excellency the President of the Democratic Peoples’ Nepal and the peoples of the People’s Republic of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for the third China. Kathmandu has not seen internal peace and week of April 2004, we already have the state visit of End of the ceasefire harmony breaking out on this scale the Prime Minister of Sao Tome since the Royal Visit of Queen and Principe. Nope, June is also Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh taken, we have Queen Amidala of in 1961. Naboo slotted in already.”) The other great advantage of The Ministry of Potholes and official visits is that things actually Hard Labour is now coordinating happen. Ghanta Ghar is painted with MOMA so that it can lavender for the first time since the sequence urban development Great Earthquake of 1934, garbage projects in time for each visit: along the main thoroughfares gets collected and is dumped along the not-so-main thoroughfares, road zJuly 2001: State visit of Count cavities get temporary fillings, 25-year Dracula to the . projects like the Eastern Tundikhel Project: Finish paving the stretch of Autobahn gets telescoped into five Ring Road between Narayan Gopal days before the distinguished Chowk and Sifal. dignitaries arrive. We may have inadvertently hit upon the answer to zAugust 2001: Official visit of Gen. all our woes in one swell foop here: the cure-all for this Voldemort of Hogsmeade at the country’s chronic problem of political instability and friendly invitation of whoever-is-in- lack of development. All we have to do is to make sure power. that at any given time in our country’s glorious history Project: Complete the Tin Kune Turnpike. z September 2001: Visit of Their Excellencies Batman and Robin to Rid the City of Crime. Project: Deodorise the Bagmati with Lilly of the Valley fragrance.

NEPALI SOCIETY Gokarna, by the dam on the Trisuli river and who knows where else. Asta feels strongly about his traditional building arts and the the RNAC building, the cement cow standing on the logo of the Social traditional crafts of the Valley. He’s encouraged his only son, Surendra, Welfare Council building, and the six-foot high Saraswoti idol at the city to pursue metalwork. And he’s really happy to see a new interest in hall in Biratnagar. In 1991, he and six other Newari artisans got together different kinds of architecture, especially when artisans like him are in to create a miniature Swayambhu in Gyompa town in Japan. danger of dying out. And, at the end of the day, he’s content to just sit Asta’s worldAsta was born in Ikhache in Patan to a family of traditional back,artisans in his own space. “I have seen a lot of big palaces, big dams, who had a special place in the houses of the ruling class. “I don’thouses know and lots of shapes and designs. But what I like best is the small sta Raj Bajracharya is a cornerstone in the unwritten historyhow I gotof into this—a family thing, I guess,” he says. He spentcourtyard quite of my home in Patan,” says Asta. He plans to spend the rest neo-classical architecture in Nepal. There were once manysome time as a wandering artisan, working on the summer andof winterhis life with old friends, telling stories of the past. And recalling artisan-masons like him who moulded with their bare handshomes some of kings, princes and other influentials who were enamouredmemorable of monuments. aof the most intricate and extraordinary designs in the Valley’s Europeanpalaces, neo-classical architecture. At one point hadn’t been home in gardens, memorials to rulers and other institutions. “There arethree only years.six of He spent that time working at King Mahendra’s palace in us left,” says Asta, who is in his mid-sixties. Some of his most prominent works are the big peacock window at

Thompson SALIL SUBEDI SALIL