#394 4 - 10 April 2008 16 pages Rs 30

OR ELSE: As campaign Weekly Internet Poll # 394 violence escalated, Chief Election Commissioner Q. Who still doesn’t want elections? Bhoj Raj Pokhrel Total votes: 8,264 summoned top leaders on Monday and warned them to follow rules. The very next day, Maoist attacked NC and UML rallies in Rasuwa and elsewhere, Weekly Internet Poll # 395. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com seriously wounding Q. What do you expect the elections candidates. to be?

KIRAN PANDAY Behave yourselves The ultra left and right are main threats to peaceful polls KUNDA DIXIT the Big Three to secretly assured a minimum electoral win Across the country the distribute seats among by Friday evening. Privately, Maoists have been telling voters ith only a week to go themselves. Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal they have special gadgets to find for elections, those who The violence continued this Dahal has told other leaders it out who they vote for, or they Whave the most to lose week and appears to be part of the will be difficult to control his have threatened entire VDCs with seem to be getting frantic. Maoist bargaining tactic. They cadre if there is a rout. Publicly, punishment if they let another Ultra-royalists have want guarantees that no less than however, Maoist leaders deny party win. threatened more bombs to 20 of their top leaders be allowed there is any deal. Baburam provoke communal violence. But to win from at least one Bhattarai reportedly told the EDITORIAL whatever they are planning, the constituency each. Prime UML his party doesn’t need What’s left of the right p2 nation is committed to elections Minister Koirala reportedly has “charity” from them. and it’s all systems go for said he can fix that. But the A deal may not be democratic, STATE OF THE STATE CK Lal 10 April. UML’s Madhab Kumar Nepal is but most analysts say the Maoists Observer observing observers p2 The Maoists are also getting under pressure from his own may need to be accommodated for nervous that the defeat of some of party not to give in to the the sake of their party unity and The challenge for the its top leaders would be hard to Maoists. long-term peace. They are more hundreds of elections observers, stomach for its hardline cadre. One source told us the worried about violence against including Jimmy Carter who The escalation in attacks by the Maoists are using their tried and candidates, and the Maoist arrives next week, is to focus not Maoists against NC and UML tested method of threatening to strategy of intimidating voters in just on polling day but the candidates in the past month resign from the government and constituencies where they are impact of voter intimidation followed failure of talks between boycott elections if they aren’t weak so there is a low turnout. during the campaign. 2 EDITORIAL 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit CEO: Ashutosh Tiwari Design: Kiran Maharjan Director Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Marketing Manager: Sambhu Guragain Asst Managers: Deepak Sangraula, Subhash Kumar, Tanka Sitaula Circulation Manager: Samir Maharjan [email protected] Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur [email protected] GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5250333/845, Fax: 5251013 Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5250017-19 Food insecurity www.nepalitimes.com Cost of food increases hunger in Nepal y now we’ve all heard about finally might be returning to more than 10 million people in WHAT’S LEFT OF THE RIGHT it, and certainly felt it as our normal levels. Nepal are undernourished. Many of rupees buy a whole lot less Unfortunately, that optimism these vulnerable populations can’t Throughout recent Nepali history, the extreme left and the extreme B right have always shared a sense of common purpose. food at the market these days. was short lived. Market prices for produce enough food to meet their Ever since king Mahendra coopted communists to counter the Growing energy expenses, key commodities have risen needs, are too poor to buy Congress in the 1960s, the autocratic monarchy and those with competition between bio-fuel and sharply over the last few months. additional food and/or do not have totalitarian ideals have seen democrats as their main enemy. The food demands, increases in the WFP estimates that the number of access to food because they live in two have often colluded to squeeze the middle. frequency and severity of natural Nepalis struggling with food remote communities. The Maoists were talking to the palace during Birendra’s reign. disasters, variations in global security has doubled to nearly The impact of the lack of food And Gyanendra just followed Daddy’s footsteps when he negotiated weather, and changing 8 million people. General is most obvious in Nepal’s with Pushpa Kamal Dahal in January 2005 to divide up the spoils instability, civil conflict and the children. The latest National and sideline the parties. When these negotiations failed, Gyanendra GUEST COLUMN increasing number of bandas are Demographic Health Survey finds staged his military-backed coup in February 2005. Dahal, who was significant obstacles to food that 39 percent of children under ready to embrace an absolute monarchy, never forgave Gyanendra Richard Ragan access for many families. five are underweight. Stunting rates for double-crossing him. But both are still untied by a deep loathing for the political Another worrying trend is that for children under five in Nepal are parties and their fecklessness. They reason that Nepal can never consumption patterns in China households are already adopting 49 percent. Wasting, a measure of be truly independent and would never prosper under a western-style and India are some of the reasons severe coping strategies that they acute malnutrition, has increased democracy. Up to there, many in Nepal may actually agree with for the rising price of food. would normally undertake only in the past five years to 13 percent them because they have seen the parties squander hard-won Coupled with other political, during lean seasons in a low crop and in some areas in the Tarai, it is freedoms. climatic and geographical production year: migrating earlier, as high as 20 percent, which is an What they forget is that we already tried absolute monarchy for complications, this makes Nepal’s selling assets, cutting the number emergency situation according to 30 years, and it was worse. And direct royal rule after Feburary population particularly of meals, using savings or seeking WHO standards. 2005 was an unmitigated disaster. vulnerable. Drought and other credit to purchase food, selling The Government of Nepal has There are two forces that still don’t want elections. The radical natural disasters in 2006 resulted land and even taking their committed itself to make both royal right because the polls will consign Nepal’s 240 year-old in a national 13 percent cereal children out of school. agriculture and food security a monarchy to the history books, and the ultra left which foresees defeat in the polls and therefore wants to either scuttle it or usurp production deficit. Over the last few decades, priority in their new Three Year votes through threats. The Madhesi militants are also against The following year Nepal was Nepal has become a food deficit Interim Plan. Yet, the challenge of elections, but don’t have the nationwide network to disrupt voting. hit again with drought and country. Yields per hectare have achieving food security is great and There may not be collusion yet between these militancies but massive monsoon flooding. not kept pace with population it doesn’t happen overnight. Much there is a convergence of interest. There is evidence the extreme Ironically, hidden amidst the growth. In fact, Nepal has the of Nepal’s crop land remains rain- right will stop at nothing to provoke communal violence through devastation was a silver lining: lowest yield per hectare for rice fed and prone to natural disasters terrorist attacks like the one in Biratnagar on Saturday. With nothing Nepal’s summer 2007 paddy and wheat in South Asia. Even which can severely impact crop left to lose, this lunatic fringe of Nepali politics may want to take the harvest bounced back with an during a good or normal harvest production, food availability and country down with it. estimated 17 percent increase over year, millions of families struggle access, particularly for the most Ultra-radical Maoists, who always felt their leaders snatched last year’s production. to meet basic food needs. Nepal vulnerable populations. defeat from the jaws of victory by engaging in the peace process, We collectively all breathed a relies on imports from How will families already also want to sabotage elections. That is certainly the feeling one gets looking at their deliberate use of violence against candidates sigh of relief. The calamitous neighboring countries and aid to living on the edge of poverty cope and threats against voters in the past months. flooding brought water to the meet the food gap. Vulnerable, with the current trend in rising As argued last week in this space (‘Their own worst enemy’, Tarai, resulting in a bumper crop. food insecure populations rely prices and decreasing supplies? The #393) this tactic will backfire on the Maoist party and deprive it of a Some suggested food production upon complex migration patterns government, WFP and the donors fairly decent showing in the polls. to travel to places where economic must step-up our efforts to International observers and Nepali activities and food are accessible. implement quick-impact programs civil society should stop sitting in (see also: ‘Not just supply and that result in long-term solutions the sidelines and condemn YCL demand,’ p9) to break the cycle of hunger and excesses in the strongest terms. There is now a new poverty in Nepal. The Maoists are aiding and complication. Because of Last year WFP fed nearly two abetting the absolute monarchists increased domestic demands million people in the country. by their actions. It is still not too late for comrades to stop using violent combined with poor harvests, We’ve been working here for over 41 language in their election rallies. If India has temporarily banned the years, and the happiest day for they behave like mature politicians export of non-basmati rice and WFP will be when Nepal doesn’t who believe in pluralism and wheat. Nepal, which depends on need us anymore. democracy, who knows, they may India to balance its production be the kingmaker party. deficit, is in a lurch. Richard Ragan is the Representative According to the latest FAO/ for the United Nations World Food WFP food security assessment, Program (WFP) in Nepal. SAM KANG LI An observer observing observers No election is either completely free or truly fair

he act of observation is inherently choose to ignore it. job or the risk of losing it if he happens to With just a few days to go for long- intrusive. The observer has a direct Poll observers of the media, civil have one. The unorganised sector, awaited and twice-postponed elections, a T effect on the object being observed. society and international monitoring including households with domestics, is the section of the ruling elite hasn’t stopped As reports of Maoist excesses continue to missions tend to ignore the most basic single largest employer of the poor in spreading doubts about the impossibility or dominate the media, it’s time we took notice element of any election: the voter. It is less Nepal. futility of polls. These are the people who of the class, community and caste biases of of a hassle and much more glamorous to People running cycle and tyre repair ‘man’ almost all formal election observation the observers themselves. observe those with power: political parties, shops, roadside eateries, back alley committees. Just as a completely free, fair and armed groups, extremists, and election boarding schools, impromptu food Nepali observers have political credible election is an ideal, the mythical officers. packagers, family-run NGOs and affiliation and most internationals are here neutral observer is a convenient construct, The poor rarely have representation. improvised fabricators of shop-shutters and on electoral tourism junkets. a model. Nothing like that exists in real life. Modern elections are elaborate and window grills belong to the UML. Small- Let’s face facts: with a war-weary expensive affairs. Physical resources time entrepreneurs form the backbone of insurgent group fearful of electoral drubbing apart, those who have to work for a living the UML’s financial muscle. Their influence in the fray, the elections will be far from STATE OF THE STATE can’t devote the time required to be able to had been somewhat curtailed by the rise of free. Establishmentarian forces closing C K Lal be considered as a probable candidate, let militant Maoist unionism. ranks imply that the competition will alone contest. For the vast majority of the Emboldened by the poll prospects of probably be less than fair. Then there are electorate, participation in a poll is thus their political front, employers now the faux-commies crying wolf. Contrary to conventional wisdom, limited to speaking frankly and voting routinely threaten their flock of dire Nothing new there, no election is either election observation isn’t limited to pre-poll freely. Unless these two primary consequences if election results were to completely free or truly fair. We will have to monitoring of code of conduct for elections conditions are created, an election runs show employee’s infidelity. You hear it accept the polls if it meets minimum or post-poll assessment of government the risk of becoming a farce. talked about on every street corner, but it acceptability criterion set by the Election machinery. It also includes the task of A voter, however, is seldom free to doesn’t get reported for reasons not difficult Commission and endorsed by UNMIN. understanding social processes at work. speak and the risk of retaliation from to fathom. Class bias certainly, but UML Meanwhile, let the observers observe. The impact of structural inequalities upon armed groups, including Maoists, is often cadres that dominate the media are They’re at best harmless, at worst, the outcome of an election is well-known last on the list of his fears. The most trained not to publicise anything that harms irritants. but so little understood that most observers primal fear of the poor is inability to find a the party. 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 3

LLL ETTERS

POLL VIOLENCE DREAM ON The ongoing violence of the YCL against the Our civil aviation authorities refused to grant cadres, candidates and voters of other parties has permission to engineering students to test fly convinced me that the Maoists mean to keep the ultra-light plane they designed (‘Flight moderate voters away from the election so that cancelled’, #388) and Suraj Vaidya’s idea of they can do well in the PR vote, even if they don’t manufacturing three-wheelers in Nepal was in first-past-the-post (‘Insecure’, ‘A swastika on rejected (‘Making things happen’, #393). Both the hammer and sickle’, #393). The seven parties show how narrow-minded our authorities are. can smoke the peace pipe but it is not going to People are creative and inventive when no change this basic strategy of the Maoists. They idea is regarded as being too wild, nothing too seem to have given up the idea of winning hearts crazy. The young dare to dream, we must let and minds, not to mention playing by the rules of them. the game. The students of the Pulchok engineering The Maoists have fielded a strong candidate in campus built the Danfe ultra-light with my constituency and I was considering voting for research and professionalism. And how does them. But now I have given up that idea and made our government react? By being petty, throwing up my mind that I cannot and will never vote for a the rule books at them, being obstructive. party which disenfranchises people from My son, Kirtan, spent endless nights to exercising their voting rights. design, research, test and forage the metal Name withheld, Lalitpur scrap heaps for the right materials to build a 350cc motorbike called the ‘Nepali Chopper’. It Zimbabwe’s Mugabe and the Maoists are the was an eight foot monster and despite the same. Robert Mugabe grime, grease (and stealth test runs at used a YCL-type midnight) was a hunk of a machine. youth organisation He wanted to start a workshop to make to win the first custom bikes, but met one obstacle after constitution another. Registration was denied. Just like elections against the Danfe is sitting in a hangar in Nkomo. Since then Pokhara, the Nepali Chopper also gathers violence and dust in my shed. The dreamer is now in intimidation have the United States designing and testing secured him success engines for launch in 2010 as part of a in every election. It is research team. Thanks to our no surprise that the bureaucracy and outdated laws, his Maoists are following dreams live on, but not in Nepal where Mugabe’s techniques. they are needed the most. They do have a Prabhu Ram Bhandary, Kathmandu popular base but it is not sufficient to give them a majority of seats. CHILDREN FIRST Violence and intimidation have been their tools for As Kul Chandra Gautam says in his Guest many years, why would you think they will Column (‘Children first’, #393) children should relinquish them now? be the first priority of the New Nepal that will Kishor Kamal, USA be constructed after the polls. Fourteen thousand children dying every 14 weeks is TIBET dismal. Let’s hope all the political parties, India has always maintained a huge interest in which claim to work for their people, will think Nepali politics. But China only seems to be about this number and try to reduce it. Children interested because of the Tibetans who are living deserve to live better in the New Nepal. here, and is now twisting the Nepali government’s Prerana M, India arm to make life difficult for them. Tibetans here are not even allowed to carry out a peaceful show CLIMACTIC CHANGE of solidarity. It is unfortunate that the Nepali The World Bank has provided Nepal with government has forgotten that it came to power $514,286 for clean development mechanism through similar democratic protests. The (‘Climactic change’, #393). But nobody is harshness with which the Tibetan protestors are talking about who will manage the money or being treated is a shame for Nepal (‘Cold blood’, how transparently it will be invested. It’s a #392). shame that most of this money will probably Yes, we all know that Nepal is a small country disappear in various people’s pockets in and comes under heavy diplomatic pressure but Nepal. Bhutan has a much better track record the country should not just kowtow to China on of transparency and sound utilisation of funds. issues of human rights. Maybe we should emulate them. Name withheld, email Asish Dhakal, email 4 NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 Powerless even after polls Delays in export-oriented hydro projects may mean more darkness ahead

NAVIN SINGH KHADKA downstream projects. But the Maoists in their manifesto say mong the three big parties, high dams will be built on the only the NC has an Kosi, Gandaki and Karnali basins A election manifesto in and their water will be taken by which hydropower is regarded tunnels to irrigate the Tarai. with pragmatism and not Depending on how well the nationalism. This is logical since Maoists do in the elections, they the NC’s Gyanendra Bahadur could demand a renegotiation of Karki has been Water Resources the MoUs with the Indians. Minister since April 2006, and In its manifesto, the NC also has survived efforts by other plans to produce 5,000MW in the parties to seize this lucrative next 10 years from the three river ministry. It is under Karki that systems, but all its planned two major hydropower projects projects are export-oriented. So have been approved, and another who will be producing for the is pending– all in the past six domestic market? months and all to Indian private The MoU between the MoWR sector firms. and the Indian-Italian-Thai This has raised eyebrows, and consortium (GMR-ITD) entitles opponents of the projects have Nepal to 12 percent free power taken their case to the Supreme from the 300MW Upper Karnali. Court arguing they should have From the 402MW Arun III project been approved by the parliament. signed with an Indian company Even if the three export projects (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited) that cumulatively total 1,500MW almost go through smoothly, the big 22 percent of free power will be question is whether they will journey to making Nepal prosper be a federal republic, and the to chance. plugged into the Nepali grid. solve the country’s domestic from hydropower exports has autonomous regions will want The Australian joint-venture Hydropower experts argue that power shortage. It’s not likely. begun.” their share of revenue from plants West Seti has been delayed by free electricity will not help Nepal MoWR officials say it’s a win- But how? The journey is built on rivers in their territory. 12 years as it negotiated with meet its increasing domestic win for Nepal as projects like already looking rocky and long. Even the relatively small Indian power purchasers, lined demand. They say projects like Upper Karnali, Arun III, Budi And it looks like Nepal may be 70MW Middle Marsyangdi has up finances and insurance. Arun and Upper Karnali should Gandaki and West Seti will be earning money exporting power to been delayed by more than three “This time we have made sure have been built for the Nepali built and operated by foreign India, but continues to suffer six years because of local disputes and delays like the West Seti will market. Nepal’s demand of companies before they are hours of daily power cuts at its cost has doubled to Rs 26 not be repeated,” explains Anup 700MW is increasing at 10 percent ultimately handed back to Nepal. home. billion. Upadhyay, MoWR joint a year but supply has remained Until then Nepal will get free Large projects in Nepal are The recently signed MoUs for secretary. “Developers will stagnant at about 600MW. power, royalties and export tax. fraught with delays. Upper Upper Karnali and Arun III has a henceforth have to ensure “The real peak demand is “Nepal will earn millions of Karnali and Arun III will take at clause that says ‘Neither party financial closure within two already 1,000MW and that means rupees from these projects, least two more years for shall be liable for default if there and a half years after they obtain we need a substantial increase in Nepalis will get jobs and we will construction to begin. After that it is war, riots, civil disobedience, the survey license.” supply,” says energy expert Ratna also end up owning the will be another five years if terrorism or any other cause The MoUs with the Indian Sansar Shrestha. “How are we hydropower plants,” Minister everything goes according to plan. beyond the reasonable control of investors of Arun III and Upper going to meet our own power Karki told Nepali Times. “The In that period Nepal will probably either party.’ This is leaving a lot Karnali prohibit upstream and needs?” “Can’t do much more than Can industrialisation be instrumental in the prosperity of Nepal? Has Nepal been able to benefit from industrialisation? What should be done to make Nepali products competitive in the world market? How can we bring in foreign investors? Himalmedia Roundtable tried to come up with answers last week. Participating were Padam Jyoti of Jyoti Group, Rajendra Khetan of Khetan Group, Pradip Kumar Shrestha of Panchakanya Group, Subhas Kumar Sanghai of MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA Sanghai Group, Joseph L Padma Jyoti Radhesh Pant groups with ulterior motives. Competition Pulikottil of Asian Paints Industries are barely able to survive. In 1996-97, industrial growth was in business is one thing but if there is no and Chairman of the Politics is responsible for the 14.7 percent, but today it is just 2.2 unity the private sector can’t move Bankers’ Association of deceleration of industries. The problems percent. GDP growth has come down from forward. Nepal and CEO of Bank of are created by unions linked to political 5 percent to 2 percent. Recently, when a parties. New parties are encouraging businessman was beaten up, all the Pradip Kumar Shrestha Kathmandu, Radhesh unions so as to bolster their vote banks, industrialists came together. There should If the industrialists say the country is Pant. Excerpts: and the Maoists are taking the lead. be such unity because there are many doomed, it will be doomed. We need to BUSINESS 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 5

BoK in Dang

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bank of Kathmandu’s 19th branch opened in Ghorahi, Dang. The Another Dasain new branch will serve customers from Salyan, Pyuthan, Rolpa, and Rukum with deposits, loans and advances, remittance and ATM service. BoK has been providing banking services through 19 Avoiding work is Nepal’s national hallmark branches and six service counters. he answers at government

New chairman offices are similar to the ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ‘try again later’ message Neeraj Sworoop was appointed chairman of the T you get on cell phones. From now th Standard Chartered Bank at the bank’s 235 board on, no requests will be processed meeting. Swaroop is the regional chief executive of or work done until after elections. Standard Chartered Bank, India and South Asia and succeeds Jaspal Singh Bindra, who now assumes It’s as if Dasain came in Chait this the role of CEO Asia. year. Seeing as anthropologists love multi-ethnic and exotic Nepal so much, maybe they could

Loan scheme do us a favour and have some ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ SAM KANG LI United Finance Limited has launched a 100 percent valuation loan studies into this facet of the scheme, under which, customers can obtain a loan equal to the Nepali character. than black ones. reporting on their work and total valuation of the collateral. Customers can apply for home The elect of the constituent ensuring better regulation of this construction, land and building, business, education and personal ECONOMIC SENSE assembly must actually attend it business so that fewer people are loans. Interest for this type of loan starts from 10.5 percent. and legislate, not just bask in the cheated, and normal Nepalis get Artha Beed sun on their verandahs. Perhaps the best services at the best To Euro 2008 their salaries should be prices.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ We need to understand why dependent on how many sessions The business community Carlsberg is launching a new promotion we love to ‘dodge’ work. Even at they attend rather than a fixed missed the opportunity to set where on every purchase of two bottles of the highest levels of government, sum. Then we might be able to the economic agenda for the Carlsberg beer, the customer gets a coupon. discussions are not focussed on coax them to come and do what parties as they were busy setting This coupon can win the customer a chance to go to Switzerland to watch the Euro 2008 quarterfinal match on making the constituent assembly they’re paid Rs 70,000 a month their own election agenda. When 21 June and also present the Man of the Match award. functional after elections, but on for. the CA is actually constituted, how to add more holidays to our The onus of pushing rather than just putting Best already holiday-laden national efficiency and productivity lies Wishes messages in the papers as

Flying yeti calendar. Demanding a holiday at with the private sector, which is usual, the business people of ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ any time will be our first considered more efficient and Nepal need to work together with flyyeti.com has launched a full scale promotional and awareness constitutional right. While the productive than other sectors. But the assembly to bring about a campaign to promote Nepal’s first world is moving towards 24-hour, this sector has its own Dashains, constitution which guarantees low cost carrier airplane. In 365-day operations, we still prefer tea breaks and pointless private property rights, rights to addition to the free merchandise, flyyeti.com is also promoting their to work upto 4PM for half the interminable karyakrams. It needs do proper business and crucially call centre number where every 100th caller receives free tickets. year, and preferably not at all, to move beyond self- more rights for the consumer. Arun Kumar and BK Shrestha have already won the first two free given the opportunity. congratulatory expressions of Perhaps the first issue to tickets. Our love for festivals and mutual admiration in the tackle could be getting a labour breaks from doing nothing has newspapers to something concrete law framework which would

100 years of Daihatsu held Nepal back severely, and I that will bring about real allow enterprises to link pay

○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ believe that if we really want to improvements in with productivity. This may Hansraj Hulaschand, on the completion of 100 years of Daihatsu, see Nepal change for the better, we professionalism, governance and ruffle feathers in many places, has launched a new offer where customers can now purchase the need to mend our ways. Although competence-building. but in Naya Nepal it is time for a Sirion at factory price with extra our incorporation of other It is a sobering thought that real change. transportation and taxes/custom religions’ festivals apart from more column inches are devoted But for now anyway, Holiday charges. Hansraj Hulashchand is the Hindu ones to the national to the announcement of Greetings on the occasion of authorized distributor of Daihatsu calendar scores top marks on candidates and candidate offices another long break. Motors in Nepal. inclusivity, it also means that our for the Association of Foreign calendars now have more red days Employment Agencies than to www.arthabeed.com hope for the best” encourage people. If we work together, international market has taken a knock. may still do well because of export potential international and national organisations there is a lot we can benefit from. Although we are a small country, we can also to India. But for that we need to plan at least come second. The industrial sector bounce back quickly once we have stability. 5-10 years in advance. comes third. As long as industrial sector Rajendra Khetan The private sector needs to be positive. is not a priority, there is little chance of We have never faced the kind of Padma Jyoti international competition. problems that we are facing now. The Pradip Kumar Shrestha We need to decide which sectors have government, political parties and the We aren’t money poor, but idea poor. We manufacturing and industrial potential in Radhesh Pant administrative sector are responsible for have all the resources but we haven’t utilised Nepal. We cannot forget that small and The country will move to a positive the degradation of the business them. A national agreement can easily solve medium scale industries can still be direction after the polls. A lot of things environment. If the political parties want this problem but unfortunately, we don’t even beneficial for us. have come to surface in the past two to politicise the industries, we need to have an agreement among the private sector. years. We cannot move on without have the right to bail out our investments. Joseph L Pulikottil responding to these issues. We can take our money and invest it in Rajendra Khetan Nepal does not produce any raw materials. Bhutan or Mumbai but that would destroy Nepal took a great leap forward between We cannot compete in the international Padma Jyoti this country’s industries. 1980 and 1996. A dramatic increase in market by processing imported materials. This election is to build a new agriculture or the discovery of mineral Such products can only be used in the constitution. We cannot hope for a drastic Joseph L Pulikottil deposits may change things, but even if we internal market. The industries we have do change in our financial policy. Since the Workers’ unions, unskilled manpower, do the maximum to encourage manufacturing not provide huge employment opportunities. political parties differ so much, a new lack of transparency and outreach to it won’t give us more than 10-15 percent We need means to respond to economic policy looks iffy. markets are some of the problems we are growth in GDP. Ram Sharan Mahat, Bharat unemployment. Nepal needs to think about facing today. But the main problem is Mohan Adhikari, Prakash Chandra Lohani bringing in multinational companies. Joseph L Pulikottil policy. Is industrialisation a priority for and a few others might have understood this There is talk about federalism and the nation? If so, it should be reflected in but the rest haven’t. Pradip Kumar Shrestha inclusion in the nation. We need to the policies and actions of the Our government lacks good policies, analyse the possible effects of federalism government and political parties. Radhesh Pant implementation and a decision making on the economy. Is it also going to be Manufacturing has its limitations in Nepal. ability. The hydropower sector needs a new inclusive? Subhas Sanghai Farming and herbs may have some policy but the government isn’t moving. If the problems continue for a couple of possibilities, but we must be prepared for Rajendra Khetan years, we will lose everything. The 2010 when Nepal has to open up domestic Joseph L Pulikottil We cannot expect the elections to change politics of parties, the electricity and fuel industries for international players under We haven’t been able to utilise the educated everything. There might be some changes shortages will bring industries to a WTO rules. Amongst the industries we have manpower in our country. Banks and in administration, but we can’t do much standstill. Our competitiveness in the today, cement industry is the only one that cooperatives are the first priority whereas more now than hope for the best. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394

out a strong message to the people campaign pamphlet. The of Nepal and the international complaint lambasts Yami for community that the government making public government is committed to promoting and expenditure in her election protecting all religions and ethnic campaign to get votes. communities. It is understood that the The Muslim community, in Mobilisation Committee will sit this hour of grief, must be with the organisations patient. We know they are feeling monitoring the election to humiliated and outraged at the discuss the issues raised. moment but they should know that all Nepalis are with them. Electoral barbs

Nepal believes in humanity, good ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ will and fraternity of people. We Kantipur, 2 April must not let these criminals damage this, and should unite UML general secretary Madhab against anyone who tries to do so. Kumar Nepal wants to be the executive head of the country. In Complaint response to a question asking

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ whether he would prefer to be Budhabar, 2 April president or prime minister on the Kantipur television show A complaint has been filed Sarokar, Nepal replied, “I am just against Minister of Physical 53. I am not old or disabled. I am Planning and Works Hisila Yami energetic and dynamic, which is ( CPN-Maoist candidate for why I wish to be executive

PARSURAM KAFLE BIKASH KARKI Kathmandu-7), and Maoist head.” chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Even if the UML win a HIGH HORSES: Prachanda (CPN-M) and Sher Bahadur Deuba (NC) take to horseback for the long campaign trail in their constituencies in Rolpa and Dadeldhura. (CPN-Maoist candidate for majority in the CA elections, Kathmandu-10) at the Election Nepal said that a joint central Commission by the Kathmandu government will be formed and

Mindless hatred and anger into the Muslim with that of religious places. The Valley Mobilisation Committee. that political alliances will be ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○ community. perpetrators should be brought to The complaint was filed held until the constitution is Editorial in Gorkhapatra, Although the majority of justice. This is not just a question against them for not adhering to written. He said the three main 31 March Nepalis are Hindu, there is equal of the security of devotees at holy the EC code of conduct during challenges for the country are the respect for other religions. But places, it is an attack on the campaigning and for not remnants of monarchism, the As the election nears, anti- some extremists, taking advantage beliefs of normal people. The removing election graffiti as status quo and the far left. democratic elements are doing of Nepal’s transitional period, are time has come for the government directed. A complaint has also An audience member said their best to scupper it. A case in attempting to jeopardise the good to prove that Nepal as a secular been filed against the Maoists for that the UML is not a real point is the explosion in a relations between different country has equal respect for all using government funds to communist party and that the mosque in Biratnagar, which communities. This bomb attack religions and those who target campaign in Lalitpur-1. Hisila constituent assembly and killed two people. It was a was such an attempt. others’ beliefs will not be let off. Yami has included statistics of republic were not on their carefully orchestrated act of The government should If the criminals are swiftly funds allocated by the ministry agenda. Nepal responded: “Those violence aimed at instilling strengthen overall security along brought to justice, it will send for development works in her who are pushing for a republic FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 7 Women workers Sushil Aryal in Himal Khabarpatrika, 29 March- 12 April

Lebanon—Six of the seven thousand Nepali workers in Lebanon are women. The contracts under which they are employed mean that they are unable to change employers. According to sources in Lebanon, many Nepali women live effectively as prisoners of their employers, and some are also victims of physical and sexual abuse. Sarada Phuyal who worked as domestic help in Beirut died on 17 March this year. Police reports say it was suicide but the Nepali community here is suspicious. On 21 March, Dilli Poudel, chairman of the Non- DRISTI Resident Nepalis now weren’t even born when the Association Nepal Communist Party first put in Lebanon forward the republican agenda in issued a press release saying that 12 hours 1949.” before her death, Sarada had contacted a certain Nepal also came under fire for Mohan Prasai and told him that her mistress had not performing the last rites for checked her passport and she would be able to his mother but yet paying respect change her place of work. A day before the death of Sarada, 32 year-old to king Gyanendra. Nepal had a Kamala Nigari jumped from the fifth storey of a ready answer: “As long as he was building. Although she survived, she broke both head of the country, everyone her legs. A few months ago, the dead body of respected him. When Baburam Ganga Rana, who also committed suicide to was being arrested in Rolpa, at the escape abuse, was brought back to Nepal. same time Prachanda was Manamaya Giri has been reported missing since negotiating with king Gyanendra she asked for her wages. The list goes on. These incidents provide only a glimpse of to become the next president.” what Nepali workers in Lebanon are facing. “No He also warned the Maoists one is addressing our problems. The consulate against threatening his candidates should try harder to understand our situation or like KP Sharma Oli and Rajendra he should be replaced,” says Dilli Poudel. Pandey. “If anything happens to Most Nepali workers in Lebanon are simple them, Prachanda will be held labourers. Women working as domestic helps responsible.” He warned: “As earn between $125-250 per month. However, they are often kept waiting for years before being with king Gyanendra, we won’t paid. let the Maoists go.” 8 BUSINESS 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394

PICS: SHEERE NG MALLMANDU SHEERE NG shops have been slightly affected loses a lot of money from by supermarkets, but only if they inefficiency among staff. The n the 600 metre stretch of used to be located near a big mall. overheads for small shops are road between Pulchok and “Kirana pasals are still a trusted much less and in many cases O Jawalakhel there are three part of the local community,” says staff are unpaid family members big supermarkets. At Kamal business analyst Ashutosh Tiwari, who help out when they are free. Pokhari, the fancy new City “many allow regulars credit and Kirana pasals are now getting Centre Mall is coming up. Just in they serve as social centres for in on the act with imported the past two years, we have seen their neighbourhood.” foodstuffs. Uttam provision shop the opening of the United World Ram Shrestha in Sanepa has at Pulchok, for example, has Trade Centre and the Kathmandu been patronising the same grocer brought in fancy foreign imports to Mall. for more than 20 years, eschewing meet the demand of expats Despite a burgeoning mall the range of goods available in the staying in the area. culture, Kathmandu’s citizens supermarket just a stone’s throw Entertainment may be the way haven’t given up on their away. “The owner provides a good for big players to expand their neighbourhood kirana pasal. In service and makes me feel market. In July a new mall, City fact, these mom and pop stores important,” he says. Centre, will open at Kamal are doing quite well despite the Most Kathmanduites believe Pokhari. It will stand five storeys competition from the megastores. kirana pasals are cheaper than high, will be fully air-conditioned, supermarkets, although this is not and will have a multiplex cinema, always the case. For instance, supermarket and a wide range of Why mom and Druk canned pineapple slices cost international brands. Rs 100 at Bhatbhateni but Rs 106 This may be the first of many. pop shops still at a neighbourhood store in Patan; In 10 or 15 years’ time, the retail Rara instant noodles cost Rs 10 at landscape of Kathmandu may be do well Saleways but Rs 11 at a family very different. But malls will have grocer. a long hard battle to capture the despite Some Kathmandu hearts and minds of Kathmandu’s supermarkets wonder if their Kathmanduites. z failure to capture a larger share of the market is because of lack of mall culture LIST OF SUPERMARKETS: marketing. But they say instability Economic liberalisation in the in the country makes investing in a Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket & 1990s brought a flux of imported long-term advertising campaign Departmental Store foreign goods, and middle-class too risky. Apart from that, Arpana Bhatbhateni incomes rose because of Mohpal, managing director of remittances from abroad. The Trends Advertising and Marketing Gemini Supermarket economy went into freefall during Consultants, explains: “Brand -Jawalakhel the conflict years, and is only now loyalty is non-existent in Nepal.” -Boudha Main Street picking up. At the end of the day Nepal is But despite growth since still a low-income country, with a Saleways Department Store Bluebird became the first small middle class and low -Jawalakhel supermarket in Kathmandu purchasing power. “Comparing us 22 years ago, there are still only to America or even India is like Namaste Supermarket eight supermarkets and malls for comparing an apple to an orange” -Pulchok the Valley’s population of says Binod Tuladhar, executive -Maharajganj, 2 million. So, for most of the director of Bluebird Mall. population the neighbourhood Tuladhar says big retail Bluebird Department Store shop is still where they buy most business is constricted by -Tripureswor of their basic needs. employment laws and powerful -Lazimpat Kathmandu’s family grocery unions, and complains that he NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 9 Not just supply and demand

DEWAN RAI shortage (See also: ‘Food wholesalers are selling insecurity’, p 2) foodstuffs at a price higher ndia has banned all rice But this is not the only than production cost, and the exports except Basmati. reason for the price hike. The current price hikes are I Pakistan has reintroduced dramatic rise in oil prices, and arbitrary and unnecessary. The rationing. Food riots have broken the trend towards bio-fuels, fact that wholesalers are not out in some African countries. increased demand for food and issuing retailers with receipts The world is facing an meat and growing affluence in is a tacit admittance of this unprecedented food shortage, and India and China are the other fact. it is the poorest who are hit reasons for worldwide “If we ask for a bill they hardest by rising prices. shortages. refuse to sell us the goods at In Nepal the price of many In Nepal, traders have all. We have complained to food items have doubled in the another reason to raise prices of the Department of Commerce, past year (See box). Preoccupied commodities: to recoup money but no action has been taken,” with elections, the government they have ‘donated’ to various Bajracharya says. Food economist Jagannath Adhikari says Nepal is feeling The real reason food prices the spillover effect of the food are rocketing in Nepal and shortage in India, but adds that traders are also creating worldwide an artificial shortage to gouge customers. Adhikari told political parties for the seems unconcerned about the Nepali Times: “Changing food SAM KANG LI hardships suffered by millions of elections. “Many traders have habits are having an effect on Nepalis. been compelled to increase the prices, but the growing In these regions, average Dear food The price of cooking oil has prices in order to make up for corporate control of food is household food stocks are gone up by more than half in just donations,” said Jyoti Baniya, starting to pose a serious down by half compared to a Dec 2007 March 2008 Rice (kg) Retail price Retail price three months. The prices of rice, general secretary of the threat to food security.” year ago. Many areas in the Short grain Rs 24 Rs 30 pulses and meat have also Consumers’ Protection Forum. The WFP reports say that Mid and Far West have had Mansuli Rs 32 Rs 40 increased significantly. India’s Pabitra Bajracharya, summer rice production in bad winter harvests and are Fine grain Rs 41 Rs 48 export ban on non-Basmati rice president of Retailers’ the Mid and Far Western facing growing food deficit. and wheat has worsened Nepal’s Association said that Regions increased by 17 “Inadequate supply and Cooking oil (litre) Mustard oil Rs 102 Rs 150 percent last year, but despite price increases in food and Soybean oil Rs 95 Rs 150 these good crop yields, food non-food items have had a Sunflower oil Rs 90 Rs 160 prices have increased significant impact on the significantly leaving an overall food security Meat (kg) estimated 3.8 million situation,” the report Mutton Rs 335 Rs 350 Chicken Rs 130 Rs 165 extremely vulnerable. states. 10 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 Some are still more equal Even after elections, Janajatis and Dalits will not be fairly represented

DEWAN RAI

he constituent assembly election is supposed to Tright historic wrongs. It is supposed to bring those left out of the political mainstream into decision-making. But looking at the line-up of candidates for the first-past-the- post ballot and the proportional representation vote, Janajatis and Dalits may still not be represented in the constituent assembly in numbers proportionate to their SAM KANG LI population. Janjati population breakdown % Janjati candidate breakdown % “The constituent assembly is going to be more inclusive this Magar 7.14 Magar 4.75 Tharu 6.75 Tharu 1.44 time but it will not be as Tamang 5.64 Tamang 1.27 proportional as it should be,” Newar 5.48 Newar 6.34 UML MP Phatik Thapa told Rai 2.79 Rai 2.72 Gurung 2.34 Gurung 3.13 Nepali Times. Although party Limbu 1.58 Limbu 2.31 candidate lists for this election Other 6.08 Other 7.13 feature more women, Madhesis, Total 37.8 Total 29.2 Janajatis and Dalits than in And what Same old about youth? MALLIKA ARYAL women will win in the FPTP ballot, and this will mean the ith the election only a week away, large behind our leadership but if they shy away from axmi Bista was preparing proposed 33 percent ratio for Wnumbers of youth are leaving the Valley fulfilling the people’s mandate, we won’t be silent breakfast in Sitapila when women in the assembly is for their homes. The long lines at ticket counters spectators.” L the election campaigners unlikely to be reached. and crowds waiting for village-bound buses In a recent press briefing, the election arrived at her doorstep. She has Hisila Yami, Maoist candidate suggest young Nepalis are excited about this commission stated that 22 candidates under PR met several candidates who have for Kathmandu-7, is confident election. were below the required age of 25. Youth leader come house to house here on that more women MPs will make Nepal has not had an election for nine years, Amrita Thapa of the CPN-Maoist said: “We had to Kathmandu’s outskirts to ask for a difference. “We have never been and more than 22 percent of the listed voters reject a lot of qualified candidates who applied for votes, and she has now made up this inclusive in terms of will be voting for the first time. her mind. ethnicity or gender,” she told The direction of the country will “I will vote for a woman Nepali Times. be decided by those younger than candidate,” she says resolutely, But politicians from other 35, who form 51 percent of the and looks on as UML candidate parties are not convinced. “It is a total electorate. Although more than 50 percent of the voters are ‘young’, youth Despite promises of inclusion, representation amongst election women are sidelined again candidates is dismal. In the FPTP ballot, the UML, NC and Maoists Astha Laxmi Shakya’s entourage ploy to deprive women of our have nine, four and 96 candidates passes by. Laxmi is encouraged by rights,” says Uma Adhikari of below the age of 36 respectively. the number of women contesting Inter-Party Women’s Alliance, Can we trust the same old faces to in this election, and believes who is concerned women have forge a new road for young Nepal? more women in the parliament not been given the recommended Raju Thapa, an undergraduate means a pro-women constitution. number of tickets. “It is not that student says, “the older Still, out of 3,947 candidates the parties don’t have capable politicians might have more seats SAM KANG LI in this election, only 367 are women, but deep-rooted because they are more experienced. If they have the PR list because of their age. The youth are women. When the constituent patriarchy screens out women understood the people’s desires and adopted dynamic and have an important role in bringing assembly sits 200 (33 percent) of who are proactive, capable, and modern ideology, we can still expect change.” about change. Age should not be a barrier for the 601 MPs will have to be smart,” she says. Talking to Nepali Times, Pradip Poudel, candidates who are qualified otherwise.” women. The proportional The PR vote may also not be as chairman of the NC-affiliated Nepal Students Although there is no strict provision for the representation ballot (PR) democratic as it should. Party Union said: “we are not satisfied with the way inclusion of the youth in the CA polls, there are at guarantees 168 seats for women. leaders will choose their our party has selected its candidates but we do least some candidates who can be considered In the first-past-the-post ballot representatives according to the still support the party since it has included our young. While they are not proportional to their (FPTP), the parties have selected proportion of their overall vote. agenda for republicanism and federalism in its contingent of the population, it is a start. z 10 percent women candidates for So voters have no way of knowing election manifesto. Right now we are 100 percent Srishti Adhikari 240 seats. which of the up to 335 candidates But it is clear that only a few on the PR lists will be selected. NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #39411 than others

previous polls, they are still parties are far behind, and none UML leader Shankar Pokharel below their population ratios. of the three parties is close to sees nothing wrong with the Janajatis, for instance, meeting the 13 percent quota selection process. “What’s comprise 37.8 percent of the recommended for Dalits. important is that candidates have population and the electoral Even among Janajatis, some devoted time to the party, remain commission has recommended groups dominate others. Taking loyal to the party and help the that an equivalent number of the three main parties together, party in campaigning,” he said. candidates in the various there are a total of 111 Newar “Why should we select someone parties should be drawn from candidates, 82 Magars, 25 who criticises the party?” their ranks. Tharus and 22 Tamangs. This is The parties are under no But not all Janajati in spite of the fact that Magars, compulsion to select communities are included Tharus and Tamangs have larger proportional numbers of Janajatis because some have very small populations than Newars. and Dalits to represent them in populations. Of 59 registered Apart from sheer numbers, the assembly. There are worries Janajati groups, only 31 have list which they are on is also that central selection procedures any candidates at all in the CA important. There are two will favour those groups close to polls. Sociologist and Janajati electoral systems that voters the leadership, which, in all activist Krishna Bhattachan have to choose from: first-past- parties, are Bahun and Chhetri. explains: “It is practicably the-post (FPTP) and “The selection process has impossible to include all proportional representation already made certain segments of Janajati groups under a mixed (PR). Candidates in the FPTP the population feel excluded in electoral system. It would only system are able to campaign for the attempt to draft the first be possible if the system was themselves, and if they are supposedly inclusive completely proportional.” elected in their constituency, are constitution,” Bhattachan says. The Maoists seem to be the guaranteed a seat. However It’s likely that many Bahuns most inclusive party in ethnic candidates on the PR lists can and Chhetris also feel excluded and caste terms. Some 194 only campaign on behalf of their by the some of the Janajati (33 percent) of their candidates party. They form a pool from groups’ demands (now adopted are from Janajati communities, which their parties will by the Maoists) for ethnically- and 47 (8 percent) are Dalits. nominate representatives based federal states. Most areas of The NC has 162 (28 percent) according to their overall Nepal are too ethnically WONG SHU YUN Janajati and 30 (5 percent) Dalit national share of the votes. For heterogeneous for this scheme to candidates, and the UML has candidates on the PR list getting work (See: ‘Mapping a mosaic’, 148 (25 percent) and 30 (5 a seat is far from guaranteed. #392). percent) respectively. Each of Of all the Janajati candidates However, as long as all Sticking it out these parties is fielding a total in the three main parties, only regions, castes and ethnic groups of 575 candidates. about 40 percent are on the are not equally represented in Whereas the Maoists come FPTP list, meaning 60 percent an elected assembly, analysts Bhairawa’s businessmen pay fairly close to meeting the will still have to be nominated say, simmering resentment a high price for elections recommended quota for to the assembly again by their amongst the excluded is likely to Janajatis, both the other main leadership after the election. remain. z WONG SHU YUN in BHAIRAWA

n this bustling border town where grain traders, cement industrialists and gravel exporters dominate, the people can’t ‘menstream’ politics I wait to get the elections over with. Not so much because Nepal will have a new constitution, but because they hope it will end extortion. Last month, Maoists torched industralist Rajeev Kumar Beriwal’s Rs 40 million plywood factory. The 33-year-old had received a call on his cellphone demanding Rs 1 million in campaign funding. "When I said I couldn’t pay, by 7.30 PM they had burnt down my factory,” says Beriwal (pictured, above) who doesn’t pick up his cellphone anymore. Other Bhairawa businessmen keep private cellphone numbers just for family members and close friends. “I don’t disclose the number to anyone else,” says industrialist Rajesh Kumar Agrawal whose factory was also bombed by Maoists six years ago. Agarwal says the extortion hasn’t stopped, and he admits he’s still paying up just so they’ll leave him alone. “I pay to avoid trouble, that’s life,” he told Nepali Times with a shrug. Agarwal and others are all excited about the elections because they hope it will close this chapter of Nepal’s unstable transition and allow economic growth. “India is seeing 10 percent growth and we could benefit. For us the next two years will be a test,” Agarwal says hopefully. The conflict destroyed Rajendra Prasad Baniya’s ambitious DOING THE ROUNDS: UML business plans. “Now I want the elections because that is the last candidate for Kathmandu-8 chance for my business to expand,” he says. The 47-year-old Astha Laxmi Shakya goes door- distributes Nestle products and says he will support the NC to-door in Sitapaila last week. because it believes in economic liberalisation. Because their economic policies are so similar, Bhairawa will KIRAN PANDAY see a keen race between the NC and UML. But not everyone is hopeful that the elections will improve the business climate. “All Central selection procedures are parties,” Shakya says. not sidelined in the constituent the parties have approached me for donations for their campaigns, likely to favour men. Kopila Adhikari of the assembly. but they rarely explain what they will do if they win,” says Krishna Sujita Shakya of the All Nepal Advocacy Forum wonders how He suggests pressuring the Prasad Sharma, 42. “It shows that they are not sincere about Women’s Association says that many capable women will political parties to recommend developing the country economically.” the parties have deliberately put actually end up as MPs. “We names of women for top Sharma is into export of Nepal’s boulders and gravel to India where growth has spurred demand for construction material. There prominent women in seats where need qualified women in positions, organising an inclusive are now 35 stone and gravel exporters in the Lumbini area alone they are bound to lose. “Women parliament who can speak up national women’s conference to and they can’t keep up with demand from India. Sharma’s biggest who were sure to win from their for the rest of us, but the parties work on a separate draft of the gripe is that while he pays the government Rs 60 million a year in area have not been allowed to have basically selected token constitution, and advocating their taxes, he also has to pay a parallel Maoist tax. contest in FPTP, and those yes-women.” cause in the streets. Then, there are others like Rishikesh Agrawal, 41, who has women who were selected are Sociologist Krishna Says Bhattachan: “The stronger given up on elections and on Nepal. Agarwal moved himself and his either contesting in places where Bhattachan advises women to the pressure from the outside, the family to India for good after the JTMM demanded money. When he they have no influence, or in take steps right after the more effective decisions are going refused to pay up, they bombed his home and factories. z strongholds of other political elections to ensure that they are to be inside the parliament.” z 12 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 After 4/10 Fear and voting Give the Madhes a stake in in the Tarai the constituent assembly process and government Madhesi parties pick up steam,

eturning to Kathmandu after travelling for three weeks amidst fear of violence through the Tarai and Bihar, the pessimism and impending PRASHANT JHA in GAUR Still, Gupta says: “I have is, can they capitalise on it in the sense of doom in the capital is striking. R been consistent and never joined last three days? Will elections take place? What happens after 10 April? How is a bad election better than no election? Will it be violent? What t 33, Ajay Gupta has come any big party.” The MJF was relatively strong, will the Maoists do if they lose? Are the royalists allying with a full circle. After starting On campaign trail at the but the TMLP and SP are also Madhesis? Aout as a Sadbhabana Barharva village he speaks to a picking up. For its part, NC is Valid questions. But let’s begin with what seems to be going activist, quitting the party when group of men playing cards and facing an uphill battle in most relatively right. The Badri Mandal and Anandi Debi smoking bidis. “There are two areas of its traditional vote banks electoral violence in the split, winning the royal parties in the country, Pahadis in the eastern Tarai, especially in TARAI EYE Madhes could have been a municipal elections to become and Madhesis. Vote for me, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari and Prashant Jha lot worse. Violations of the Gaur mayor as an independent, otherwise we will have to live as Sunsari. code of conduct are within allegedly encouraging the slaves for another 100 years.” Across the region, however, South Asian norms. The massacre of Maoists last year, and Gupta visits women at home, there is also fear and attempt to provoke a religious backlash by bombing mosques has not worked. The security forces have tightened their grip on joining the TMLP for two asking them to pat him on his apprehension. The failure of talks the Tarai without gross human rights violations yet. Armed months, Gupta has returned to back. He tells the young that with the four minor militant groups are reconciled to polls. Sadbhabana as their candidate for only a Madhes sarkar can create groups, Biratnagar mosque attack, This is not to discount the potential for violence with Rautahat 1. jobs so that they do not need to blasts in Rajbiraj, Janakpur and royalists and go to Punjab, and among his Birganj, and Jwala Singh’s militants keen to accomplishments cites an threatened disruptions have discredit the “international” cricket caused worry. process. tournament he organised as “You really think polls will The elected mayor. happen? Won’t people be scared assembly will be the Gupta is banking on votes to vote once the banda begins?” most representative from the municipality and asks Indresh Jha, a Janakpur hotel house in Nepal’s history. Madhesis support of the young across manager. Journalist Alok Thakur will constitute close castes. “I will get 8,000 votes says, “Most people either say to 30 percent of the from Gaur, five or six thousand elections will not happen or that members, given that from nearby villages,” he they will not vote.” there will be almost predicts. But he faces A low turnout will help those 115 Madhesis in the competition from NC’s Braj who want to question the PR list and Kishore Singh, UML’s Rewant legitimacy of the process later, tentatively 60-70 Jha, formerly a secretary to and this seems to be what the elected Madhesis Madhab Nepal, and the MJF’s armed groups want. Jwala sources through FPTP. Amar Yadav. told Nepali Times they will kill Most will win as Gupta’s bright prospects and kidnap a few candidates next members of the bigger national represent a change in electoral week. parties. But that dynamics from Rautahat to “We do not have the capacity does not mean, as Sunsari over the past two weeks. to stop polls but want to create Madhesi parties Madhesi parties are finally fear,” he said bluntly. Jwala is would like us to picking up steam, with more trying to patch up with Goit’s believe, that they are active campaigning. They are group. And royalists are all Pahadi dalals. making inroads in most seats in threatening more blasts to The radicalisation in the eastern Tarai. The question provoke communal violence. z the Tarai means that RAJESH MISHRA even these representatives will be forced to take into account popular expectations, develop cross-party alliances on common issues like the shape and powers of federal units, and speak up. If they fail to do so, however, or if the party leadership refuses to take their voices into account, it will deepen the alienation of the people. The Madhesi parties and armed groups Amresh vs Mahanta will once again monopolise the space to speak on Madhesi issues. SARLAHI—The face of the Delhi’s JNU, and after the king’s will win easily. Malangwa The MJF, TMLP and SP may not fare well enough to justify Madhesi movement is running a coup of 1 February 2005 journalist Rajesh Mishra says, their bluster over the past few months, but it is important for neck-to-neck race against a man introduced Nepali political “Thakurji will sail through Kathmandu to show magnanimity and incorporate them in the instrumental in the peace exiles to the Indian bureacuracy. because of his image, work and post-poll power structure. Giving them a stake in both the process here in Constituency 6 From messenger, Singh soon credentials.” constituent assembly process and the government will make of Sarlahi. became a player in talks between Even a local sitting at the Madhesi parties less irresponsible and send a symbolic gesture to the Tarai. It is time to think of a Madhesi chairing the The NC’s Amresh Singh may Koirala, Prachanda and India. A Balra tea-shop, Ali, knows who is constituent assembly. not be very well known, but he confidante of Home Minister who. He tells us: “Amresh has The most important battle will now be the shape of the is powerful. A favourite of Krishna Sitaula, he was the blessings of the ambassador.” federal structure. None of the actors, except possibly the Indian ambassadors Shyam nominated into the interim As elections draw closer, the Maoists, have done any homework on the issue. Madhesi parties Saran and Shiv Shankar legislature. rhetoric is getting sharper. know one Madhes is not possible but see it as an effective ploy Mukherjee, he has been an Singh is rumoured to have Thakur camp accuses Singh of to counter attempts by Kathmandu to stick to the present vertical intermediary in the peace encouraged Thakur to quit the spending money to buy voters, development zone model. The dynamics among Madhesi parties process from November 2005 NC, but he himself stuck it out and planning to capture booths in the assembly will be a mix of cooperation and conflict. onwards. Trouble is, Mahanta in the party. Thakur loyalists see with the complicity of “his They will cooperate to oppose centralisation, but there will Thakur is also Delhi’s man in this as a “betrayal and anti- friend Situala”. Singh retorts: be conflict that will stem from caste rivalries, differences in Madhesi politics. Madhesi act”. Singh counters it “Mahantaji has ten cars and is political ideologies, and because leaders are already competing to become the first chief minister of the Madhes. The even greater irony is that was Thakur who betrayed him, using armed groups to threaten Politics never works in a linear manner. The Madhes, like Thakur had a lot to do with by promising he would stand in me.” the rest of the country, is really at the crossroads. A bumpy but Singh’s success story. PR but filing his nomination. Singh may be forced to court progressive road lies ahead if all actors stay the course, learn “Amresh was Thakur’s At Balra village, telephone the MJF. But because Thakur’s lessons of the past year, recognise issues of Madhesi identity sycophant,” quips Deepak booth owner Raja Ram has got defeat will embolden Upendra and representation, build reformed state institutions, reconcile Mishra in Thakur’s Brahmin the caste politics all figured out. Yadav who is not Delhi’s caste diversities and conceive of ways to implement a federal stronghold of Laxmanpur in “Brahmins will vote for Thakur, favourite, Lainchour may like to system as soon as possible. this eastern Tarai district. When Bhumihars for Singh. Rajputs see Thakur win. If that happens, On the other hand, militant radicalisation, Pahadi-Madhesi asked to comment Singh told will split. The Mahato, Sahani Amresh Singh could still be polarisation, caste wars, institutional breakdown and a Nepali Times: “I also helped and Dalit vote is going for accommodated in the prolonged armed conflict could complicate matters. 10 April and him, and he had independent Singh. Yadavs will go to MJF’s prime minister’s quota of 26 its aftermath will determine which path the Madhes will take. z access to Girijababu.” Shiv Pujan Yadav,” he says. members. z Singh was a student at Others however believe Thakur Prashant Jha in Sarlahi REVIEW 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 13

Messy but necessary Secret Ballot reminds us why elections are important

n unidentified parcel dropped from an aeroplane drifts ponderously from a parachute. The opening shot of Babak APayami’s Secret Ballot is indicative of the gentle hold the film intends to cast on its viewer. It delicately lures your attention with quiet humour and ironic questions about one of the most revered institutions in our times. We soon learn, if the title wasn’t enough of a clue, that the parcel is related to an election. In fact it carries the ballot box that will hold the votes of a remote, sleepy island off Iran’s coast, along with instructions to its recipient—a very surly soldier played by Cyrus Abidi—to escort the election agent through the island. Not too excited with the change of routine to CRITICAL CINEMA begin with, the agent (Nassim A Angelo D’Silva Abdi) who shows up turns out to be a woman, which only increases the soldier’s scepticism about the electoral exercise. Nassim Abdi’s character is both the champion and the instrument of elections, her bounding optimism and authorised entitlement overruling Cyrus Abidi’s objections. The soldier is drafted to play chauffeur—and critic—to the agent and her roving voting post. Secret Ballot nimbly interrogates the nature of democracy. The agent is fixated on regulation and the appearance of order in a heroic battle against the messy realities of collecting votes. Episodically, the soldier and agent are confronted with situations which illuminate another complication or contradiction of her project. In one instance, an unseen matriarch oversees a settlement of renegade farmers abiding by their own governance, hinting that distant elections may make little difference here. In another, a group of enthusiastic voters cannot recognise the names of the approved list of candidates. The series of variations on this theme both poke fun at and confirm the importance of elections. The quiet humour is propelled by the dynamics of Cyrus Abidi and Nassim Abdi’s mutual antagonism. Over the course of the film, Cyrus Abidi’s character changes from sceptic to believer, but the soldier, whose main occupation was chasing smugglers, has the propensity to shoot at anyone who runs away from him, a habit ill- suited to the agent’s aims. Their exchanges—sometimes haranguing each other, other times teasing and almost flirtatious—provide some of the surest chuckles, but also sketch the doubts that beset the agent. Nassim Abdi’s enduring optimism seems in equal parts faith and performance, as she finds she may have to smudge some of her ideals to reach her goal. Secret Ballot has a slow pulse that quickens slightly towards its end with anxieties that the agent will not be able to return with her votes in time, rendering her effort, and consequently her purpose, futile. But this twist is little more than a flimsy narrative structure to hold together a meditation on democracy’s totemic practice: the act of voting. Imperfect and uncertain, yet meaningful and vital, it is that act the film ultimately affirms. This modest entry in the annals of Iranian New Wave films is a few years old now. But in our own electoral times, Secret Ballot seems apt to remind us how messy yet critical elections are. And its lightly- posed questions will leave you pondering for some time after. z

Secret Ballot Director: Babak Payami Cast: Nassim Abdi, Cyrus Abidi. 2001. R. 105 min. 14 CITY 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394

ABOUT TOWN One Two Three is a comedy thriller about three EXHIBITIONS men who share the same name: Laxmi Narayan. ™ Smiling state a smiling portfolio of Nepali leaders by Pushpa KC, Laxmi Narayan One (Tushar Kapoor) is an at Gallery 32, until 10 April, 10AM-6PM. 4241942 aspiring contract killer while Two (Suniel Shetty) ™ Passing Through paintings by Pramila Bajracharya, until 6 April, is an automobile salesman from Mumbai and 11AM-5PM at Park Gallery, Lazimpat. 4419353 Three (Paresh Rawal) is a rich lingerie ™ Collection One paintings by Amir and Anup Chitrakar, until salesman. When the three of them reach Pondy 10 May, at the Saturday Café, Boudha. 9851106626 together, confusion ensues. They end up mixing up their locations and people they’re supposed Entertainment EVENTS to meet. ™ Naya Barsha Party 4 April, 7 PM at the Alliance Francaise, Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal Rs 100 with a complimentary drink. Quest www.jainepal.com ™ India Education Expo 2008 at the Direction Exhibition and Convention Centre, United World Trade Centre, 4-6 April. ™ Nostalgia Nite with songs from the 60s-80s, live music by Dinesh Rai, Jyoti Ghimire, Pravin Manandhar and Sonam Tshering, 7PM, on 5 April at the Pulchok Bakery Café, Rs 1,200 per couple. ;xeflutfdns" ;ljwfg+ lgdf0fsf{ nflu ;ljwfg;efsf+ ] g]kfn ;/sf/ ™ Weekly human rights film screenings with Newsroom Bahira a ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno film by Dilbhusan Pathak at the Sama Theatre, Gurukul, 5PM on lgjfrgdf{ ;xefuL eO { cfkm}+n] 5fgsf] kltlglw| dfkm{t 30 March. 4466956 gof F ;ljwfg+ lgdf0f{ u/f }+ . ;"rgf ljefu MUSIC ™ Bobin and friends performing live at Jatra, Thamel, 4 April. ™ Rudra night fusion and classical Nepali music by Shyam Nepali and friends, every Friday, 7PM at Le Meridien, Gokarna. 4451212 ™ Sufi music by Hemanta Rana, every Friday at 7.30 PM at Dhaba Restaurant and Bar, Thapathali. ™ Yankey and friends live acoustic music every Friday at the Bourbon room Restro-bar, Lal Darbar. ™ Anil Shahi every Wednesday and Rashmi Singh every Friday, live at the Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex, 8PM. 5521408

DINING ™ The Kaiser Café open now at the Garden of Dreams, operated by Dwarika’s Group of Hotels, open from 9AM-10PM. 4425341 ™ Steak escape with Kathmandu’s premier steaks available for lunch and dinner at the Olive Bar and Bistro, Hotel Radisson. 4411818 ™ Jalan Jalan Restaurant with a new Italian menu, Kupondole. 5544872 ™ Cocktails and grooves with jazz by Inner Groove at Fusion-the bar at Dwarika’s, every Wednesday, at Dwarika’s Hotel. ™ Cocktails, mocktails and liqueurs at the Asahi Lounge, opening hours 1-10PM, above Himalayan Java, Thamel. ™ Continental and Chinese cuisine and complimentary fresh brewed coffee after every meal a Zest Restaurant and Bar, Pulchok. ™ Illy espresso coffee at the Galleria cafe, every Friday espresso cocktails. ™ International buffet at the Sunrise Café, and Russian specialties at Chimney, Hotel Yak and Yeti. 4248999 ™ Salmon promotion with salmon delicacies at the Rox Restaurant, Hyatt Regency, from 7PM onwards. 4489361 ™ Saturday special barbeque, sekuwa, momos, dal-bhat at The Tea WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL House Inn, Windy Hills, Nagarkot every Saturday. 9841250848. ™ Dice-licious brunch at Kakori, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, roll the dice to the number of the day and get 50% discount on an The chilly storm on Tuesday afternoon was the result of westerly individual meal, Saturdays and Sundays, 12.30-3.30 PM. moisture caught up in a Himalayan updraft. You can see it on 4273999 Wednesday morning’s satellite pictures bringing in moisture-heavy ™ Scrumptious wood fired pizzas, cocktails and specialty coffees at clouds from the west. A low pressure trough along the Himalayan Roadhouse, Bhatbateni 4426587, Pulchok 5521755 and Thamel foothills has combined with the system to produce a series of isolated 4260187. storms across the midhills. Temperatures have fallen because of ™ Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-la with Live performance this. On 1 April, the Valley received 8mm of its 57mm rainfall quota by Ciney Gurung, Rs. 666.00 nett. per person, at the Shambala for this month. Since there is still a bit of moisture in the atmosphere, Garden, every Friday 6.30 PM onwards. 4412999 expect breezy or stormy afternoons with short showers and sunny ™ Calcutta’s rolls, biryani, kebabs Indian cuisine at Bawarchi, intervals, clear nights and soothing mornings. Bluebird Mall Food Court. 9741000735 ™ Lavazza coffee Italy’s favourite coffee at La Dolce Vita, Thamel. 4700612 ™ Little Britain coffee shop fresh organic coffee, homemade cakes, WiFi internet, open all day, everyday. 4496207 KATHMANDU ™ Pizza from the woodfired oven at Java, Thamel. 4422519

GETAWAYS ™ Relax Package with a one night stay, full buffet breakfast at The KATHMANDU VALLEY Café and access to Club Oasis at Hyatt Regency, until 29 February, Rs 5,000 plus taxes, valid only for Nepalis and local Fri Sat Sun residents. 4489800 ™ Fulbari Resort and Spa, Pokhara Rs 10,999 for Nepali double, $219 for expat double, two days and three nights package, with 6 6 transportation from the airport, drinks, tennis and swimming, 27-11 27-10 26-10 discounts on food and beverages. ™ Weekend getaways at Le Meridien, Kathmandu, Resident Night Rs 4,999 and two nights package Rs 9,998. Also includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, spa facilities, swimming pool, steam sauna, Jacuzzi and gym facilities. For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com HAPPENINGS 4 - 10 APRIL 2008 #394 15

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA “DALAI CLIQUE”: Chinese ambassador (right) addresses a press conference on Wednesday about the unrest in Tibet. Assembled journalists were shown video footage of Tibetans attacking Chinese- owned shops in Lhasa on 14 March.

DEEPENDRA BAJRACHARYA INTERCESSION: Tibetan monks at the Helmu Office, Boudha, chant prayers on Wednesday for those who lost their lives in the Lhasa protests. Monks continued their protests this week and demonstrated outside the Chinese Embassy.

TAXI STANDSTILL ta

KIRAN PANDAY NEW CONTRAPTION: Election commission staff demonstrate an electronic voting machine this week. The machines will be used in constituency Kathmandu-1. This is the first election in Nepal that will include electronic voting.

KIRAN PANDAY POLITICS IS FUN: A woman dances at the Maoist rally in Khula Manch on Wednesday. The rally was equipped with a pumping sound system. First pastthetoast 16 A if helosthisseat. going toinvadeIndiaand America all worriedthathewasreally Comrade Shockand Awe hadus do.” Thankgodforthat,because of capturingNarayanhitiifwe won’t havetocarryoutourthreat rally thisweek,“whichmeanswe impossible,” hetoldacampaign chance wewilllose,itis lose theelection.“Thereisno reds willundernocircumstances Laldhoj’s assertionthatthe agenda whichisComrade move ontothenextitem liquidity crisissortedout,let’s OK, nowthatwehavegotthe past thetoast. booze-sooze whole weekendtostockupon worries, though,wehavethe the finalweekbeforevoting.No indeed declarethecountrydryin Commission theideathatitshould apparently gavetheElection highly-respected Englishdaily exception. An April Foolspoofina spoilsports, andoursisno now canyou? you can’tevenstandupstraight up candidatesifyouaresodrunk minima. Can’tgoaroundbeating violence canbereducedto wine-swine unconscious with games, drinkingourselves habit ofplayingmarathoncard to dependonthetraditionalNepali weeklong hibernation.Theideais But allgovernmentsare announced aDasain-style government has s electionsapproach,the BACKSIDE sothatelectoral soyoucanbefirst FG beer-seer and tripartite Maoist- electoral violenceassoonthe why therewasanescalationof it tooksometimetounderstand have noticedbynow, whichiswhy The Ass isabitslow, asyoumay After TheFierceOne’s among and alotofStalin-style smooching expect pollviolencetodiedown that adealisnear. Prediction: long earshavepickedupsignals talks areonagainandthe Ass’s have workedbecausenowthe Fearsomeness’ tacticsseemto percent oftheseats.Comrade as wellobtainatleast25 one eachoftheirconstituencies Maoist honchos“win”inatleast UML wouldagreetolet16top bandfand andtalmel. PKD on pulversied--it isalltoputpressure skulls fracturedandbones UML candidatesarehavingtheir seat distributionfailed.Hence, TATA TATA just switchedtoaslickblack Highway, El mayhem ontheEast-West and triggeredmoderate-intensity six studentsinInaruwalastweek new businesspartnershipwiththe because heisdistractedbyhis number vehiclesinKathmandu and hasside-swipedquitea is knowntobeanerraticdriver loins, butCrownPrincePrakash trustworthy asthefruitofone’s Prakash. Therecanbenooneas replaced hisdriverwithson MKN Under this,theNCand ’s forumlaofanelectoral Safari UML and and buthasalso Presidente hasnot GPK FG UML-NC MLMPP toagreeon Bolero . talks on hit so cool.Butinordertoensurethe longer. Whichmustbewhy and he’llremainkingforawhile They havetoldhimnottoworry figure outwhatheshoulddonext. been visitingvariousgodmento come downfromNagarjunandhas scion ofanabsolutemonarchist. Speaking ofwhich,Kingjihas KG is the firsttime,NepalisinIndian don’t returnfromjunkets.Butfor even seniorgovernmentofficers keep disappearinginEurope, absconded inJapan,athletes Our entirevolleyballteam is alsonearwaterandwilldo. Singapore, butGthinksPokhara live nearwater”.Godmanmeant beige, turnvegetarian,and“go soothsayer advisedKingjitowear longevity ofthemonarchy, one CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 04/058/59 FG agents in America? their deeppenetration Maoists andbecome have defectedtothe California. Couldthey Pendleton in Expeditionary UnitatCamp with the15thMarine Shatrujeet jointtrainingexercises 1 GorkhaRiflesdesertedtheirEx America. Two soldiersfromthe1/ Army havegone ass(at)nepalitimes.com 4 -10 APRIL 2008 AWOL in #394

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