#746 20 - 26 February 2015 20 page Rs 50

KENJI KWOK Three novice monks ritually seek alms on the streets of Patan on Thursday, which was also PILGRIM’S PROGRESS Losar for the Sherpa and Tibetan people.

TRUTH, RECONCILIATION AND JUSTICE The government forms commissions on truth and disappearances, but victims families are not satisfi ed with provision for amnesty. Meanwhile, in London, the trial of Col Lama is set to resume next month. GADFLY ANALYSIS BY DAVID SEDDON BY OM ASTHA RAI CLIMATE PAGE 19 AND HEALTH Gong Xi Fa Cai ARNICO PANDAY Because of the Chinese Three international conferences New Year, this issue of Nepali in Kathmandu this month aim at CLEARING GETTING RID OF SOOT Times does not include the weekly edition of China Daily. reducing black carbon emissions THE AIR BY HELENA MOLIN VALDES to mitigate glacial retreat and AND ARNICO PANDAY EDITORIAL PAGE protect public health. 2 PAGE 6 2 EDITORIAL 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 CLEARING THE AIR n international conference in Kathmandu to hold local elections for nearly two decades this week on Brick Kilns Policy and has made local and national politicians less AAdvocacy could not have been held in a accountable, encouraged patronage and the more appropriate venue. Delegates from around protection of the construction mafia. The result the world discussing the social and environmental is the plunder of the Chure, illegal sand mining, cost of the industry, looked out through the boulder exports, bus and tanker cartels holding windows at a vista blighted by brick factories. the public hostage, and brick kilns that flout What used to be bucolic terrace farms across the labour and environmental laws. Valley have turned into an ochre dust bowl where This month, Nepal is showcasing its failures in ant-like men women and children toil alongside a series of international conferences organised by mules carrying bricks to be fired in furnaces. ICIMOD and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Bricks are very much in the news these days. A (CCAC) to look at how soot particles from brick report in The Guardian last week spotlighted the kilns, crop burning, vehicle emissions and other working conditions of brick kiln workers in Nepal, chemicals are not just affecting the people’s health especially children. Entire families work in these and hurting farmers, but also accelerating global kilns, and the children help their parents just as warming and glacial retreat in the Himalaya. they would lend a helping hand in the farms back As Arnico Panday and Helena Molin Valdes home. Although the job is seasonal and hazardous, KUNDA DIXIT argue on page 6, the emission of short-lived income for the families of kiln workers is better carbon pollutants like soot particles can be than many other rural professions. Efforts to mitigate long-term climate change tackled locally, and addressing this would not just mitigate The underlying reason for poor working conditions are well and good, but we need much more climate change, but also improve public health and make of brick workers, however, is the same as that for migrant more efficient use of energy. This means regulating brick workers being cheated by fellow-Nepali recruiters, or young urgent efforts closer to home to clean up. kilns, adding chimneys to household stoves, looking at crop women being sold to brothels by their own relatives. It is burning practices and reducing forest fires. also why a transportation cartel doesn’t care to improve bus The black carbon particles floating around in the services and fixes prices. All a result of governance failure, Thames River had turned into a sewer 100 years ago, Asian Brown Cloud in our region do not respect national weak regulation, political protection of organised criminals, politicians acted only because the stink made it impossible boundaries. Prevailing winds from the Indo-Gangetic plains impunity and the lack of accountability. for parliament to sit. Or, only when elderly politicians are blowing up pollution trapped in its inversion layer The solution, therefore, has to be structural, not started dying of respiratory failure caused by pollution from in winter to the mountains. The smog is getting worse as piecemeal. It lies in mustering the necessary political will coal burning did British legislators pass the Clean Air Act. India’s standard of living rises. The decision to make the to be responsive to the health and environmental concerns There will also come a time when pollution in Ganges navigable for seagoing barges to bring in imported of communities. When greed and selfishness become a part Kathmandu Valley will get so bad it will shorten the lifespan coal for five new thermal power plants is just the latest of the job description of politicians, it may be unrealistic to of the capital’s residents, including policy-makers in Singha indication of the way the region is headed. expect the public interest to suddenly take precedence. Darbar. That is when they may act, but don’t bet on it. We welcome international efforts to address We may have to wait for rulers to finally realise that Enlightened self-interest was never one of the hallmarks of transboundary efforts to mitigate long-term climate change, the lack of action is affecting their own health and the our rulers. but what we need are much more urgent efforts closer to well being of their offspring. For example, when London’s Nepal’s prolonged political transition and the inability home to clean up the air.

YOUR SAY www.nepalitimes.com

BULLET AND BALLOT to traditional businesses. So it’s all a Prakash Dahal could go honeymooning THIS WEEK ‘Nepal’s Maoists have lost the tradeoff. in Everest with his third wife, PKD’s electoral mandate in the present Jyaure family could have jobs in PM’s offi ce, CA, but their contribution in stirring and BRB could fi nally make his Nepal’s socio-political transformation Having worked at various start- ‘sasurali’ happy. Thank you Maoists is undeniable’ (‘Bullet and/or ballot’, ups, re-start-ups, stop-downs, I can for showing the world how truly stupid Anurag Acharya, #745). What only add one comment: The product/ we are. transformation is the writer talking service needs to stand out. It’s not how Sasha about? There has been a lot of we deliver it. Some may do it in Nepali, negative change, which I would agree others in English while some in Bhojpuri There is still time for the ‘Maoists’ with. – it doesn’t matter. to re-think their tactics, re-unite and

Poudyal N develop a coherent strategy for radical ANNA TENNE (46 LIKES) social and economic change based Most liked on Facebook While I disagree with what and MIRA RAI not on the reactionary notion of ‘social “I’m having fun” by Sahina Shrestha how PKD/Maoists went about their The guilt of having been part of a party inclusion’ but on the basis of class business, it is undeniable that they that killed some of her own brothers and struggle – maybe in opposition to a Most shared on Facebook have changed Nepali society. The only barrier that stood between him sisters? (‘Running all her life’, Naresh NCP-UML government (‘The rise and Nepalis are living longer by monarchy is no longer sacrosanct. and his ambitions. He had a plan. He Newar, #745) That surely is a thing to fall of the Maoists’, Om Astha Rai,13 Santa Gaha Magar and Ramesh Kumar People are learning to talk back to acted upon it. And here we are 19 years run away from. February 2015). The whole rhetoric of their superiors. There is a general later, almost to the date. I am sure if we Hurray ‘consensus’ is profoundly misleading Most popular on Twitter sense of equality and republicanism compare newspaper headlines from There is an interesting tid-bit half- and anti-democratic. Adventure Tourism: A billion dollar industry? (20 retweets, 13 favourites) which was unthinkable perhaps Feb 1996 and Feb 2015, the same buried in the story about Mira Rai: that David Seddon 20/25 years ago. I can list many issues of water, electricity, jobs — she was a child recruit into the Maoist Most visited online page other changes that I can see having dominate both ends of the time line. party and she was brought in as part of MUST SEE Running all her life by Naresh Newar (697 views) returned after more than 15 years, but Namah the Maoist effort to fool UNMIN and the Woody Allen movies are light hearted a sense of outspokenness is certainly government into thinking their army was romantic comedies, overfl owing with Most commented Lengthening the fuse, Editorial discernible, which is great. While the START UPS bigger than it was. So, now we know it simple dialogues and characters - and blood-soaked revolution, the atrocities You really have a Catch 22 situation, for a fact that the Maoists recruited child most importantly fi lled with easy to on innocents and even on their own don’t you? (‘Start-ups need staying soldiers, and they deliberately tricked guess clichés around every corner sympathisers, the child soldiers are power’, Ashutosh Tiwari, #745) the gullible UN peacekeepers. (‘Magic in the Moonlight’, Sophia Weekly Internet Poll #746 not defensible, but they did bring Investors don’t like to put money Jens Pande, #745). We, the fans of his work Q. Rate the governance performance of the NC/UML change. into an unproven idea, but to prove watch it expecting those very elements. coalition in the past year. N an idea you need some investment. Wow. So someone did turn their life I’d say if you were expecting more Total votes: 107 Starting a business should be easy around. Great story, now where are the in terms of stunning visual effects, DELAY THE FUSE and fun. Whether it will succeed is a corporate sponsors? action packed sequences and the cool/ I am not sure the original Maoist different matter. People should not feel Nam macho protagonist whose vocabulary agenda ever was ‘class struggle’ and discouraged to start their own company and wardrobe are straight out of the by the same logic if it has become an simply due to the lack of know-how or So, this is why people sacrifi ced hipster’s dictionary, then sadly, this ‘identity struggle’ (‘Delaying the fuse’, government red tape. Investors know their lives? (Dahal lobbies for Yami’s genre (consisting of Woody, Wes Editorial, #745), I believe it was, is and about the risks, but they also know sister, eSpecial, 15 February 2015) So Anderson and very few others) is not Weekly Internet Poll #747 will always remain a political game. that the initial capital required for a that BRB’s daughter could get her PhD for you. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com PKD knew that the monarchy was the tech startup is much less compared in a highly rated university of India, Karma Tenzing Nyangmi Q. Will the Truth and Reconciliation Commission deliver justice for the conflict victims?

Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 OPINION 3 Plan A didn’t work, Plan B is blocked Go for Plan C

hese are the days of denunciation, If the younger leaders fail, it not debate; confrontation, not would be the end of Plan A – that is, Treconciliation; and grandstanding, Constitution by consensus. There can not sincerity of efforts to break the be no two opinions that this is the best deadlock. Politicians in this country way to draft the constitution. But this believe this is the only way to appear insistence on consensus when the holier than thou. parties are unable to let go of their positions has now attained farcical proportions. The Maoist-Madhesi alliance make it look like they are the righteous ones fi ghting evil forces (Bhattarai’s reference to Mahabharat case in point) THE DEADLINE and want the “regressive” forces to Damakant Jayshi accept their ideas on disputed subjects. That is consensus for them and their It would be unfair to tar all apologists. On the other hand, the politicians with the same brush. But NC and the UML see themselves as the UML’s K P Oli and UCPN (M)’s upholders of democratic norms and Baburam Bhattarai take top honours portray their current opponents as when it comes to vitriol. The only bad losers who are unable to come to difference is that while Oli mostly uses accept the public mandate. epigrams, innuendos and barbed Nepali This confrontation has made Plan proverbs, Bhattarai is crudeness and B – drafting the constitution through bluntness personifi ed. Just visit his voting in the Constituent Assembly Twitter timeline @brb_laldhwoj to get a – close to unattainable as well. ringside view of his thought process. Some parties, including the UCPN In this gloomy scenario there has (M) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum been one positive development, though. (Loktantrik) had promised that in their On Tuesday, there was apparently a election manifesto. Besides, all of the secret brainstorming involving parties represented in the second CA younger leaders of the NC, UML and agreed to adopt Plan B if consensus the UCPN (M) ostensibly without the failed. That was on 21 March, 2014 knowledge of their party bosses. when they passed the CA Rules of The younger leaders came together Procedure. This is uncomfortable truth to discuss ways to put pressure on their to the progressive lobby but that’s what party heavyweights. Some of the youth it is. leaders have a good public This leaves us Plan C: going for a image and are known to exert some referendum. Which is not a new idea: it infl uence within their respective parties. is mentioned in the Interim Constitution. However, they face big hurdles to get But of course, the UCPN (M) will any possible agreement approved by have none of it. They have a their seniors. Some of that stems from a readymade answer against it, that it sense of insecurity among party bosses is against spirit of their “revolution” about the popularity of their own junior which they portray as if all ordinary colleagues. Nepalis supported the mandate of Let’s hope the young turks get the Jan Andolan II. It really baffl es to somewhere. The country cannot remain witness the extent to which this party air hostage to future election calculations brushes history. of a handful of party bosses in each of If the parties failed to honour their the four political forces – two combos self-imposed deadline of 22 January to on either side of the battle-lines. Oh promulgate the constitution, they risk yes, it has now boiled down to this, as squandering hard-earned gains, a well as sharing of top state positions scenario mentioned in this space after the promulgation of the new previously. All four major forces would constitution. be responsible but the bigger blame The NC-UML say they want to would rest with the Maoist and Madhes- prevent a future ethnic confl ict and based parties. RPP-Nepal would be too disintegration of the state if we have happy to go for Plan C. single ethnicity-based states. The There’s still time for the four Maoist-Madhesi alliance claim their major political forces. People are struggle is about ending age-old Nepali mighty ticked off and all the righteous state discrimination and exclusivity. indignation of the parties would come But these are all hollow stances, to a naught if they continue with their the real reasons are more petty and recklessness. personal. @damakant 4 NATION 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746

BIZ BRIEFS

Level up Him Electronics, the authorised distributor of Samsung in Nepal has upgraded its Samsung Plaza at Surya Binayak. The international standard showroom will showcase all electronic products of Samsung including TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens and mobile phones. Lineup On the occasion of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Dish Home has added Star Sports HD and Star Sports HD2 in its channel lineup. Customers can enjoy the two channels without paying extra and they will be available permanently in HD packages. Elevating systems ThyssenKrupp Elevator, a leading global German elevator brand has extended its exclusive agency agreement with Infratech Nepal. The elevator brand is known for its precision and reliable engineering, product innovation and high- performance service standards. New Toy Him Electronics has revealed its highly anticipated mobile phone brand- ARK smartphones. The premium Nepali smartphone brand showcased its products under three main categories: Ark Edge in premium segment, Ark Icon in mid-range and Ark Storm in economic segment. Colourful win Asian paints has announced the 34 winners of Unlimited Elation scheme. Customers had the opportunity to win a silver coin on purchase of Asian paints, designer wall fi nishes of Royal Play colors as well as trips abroad and various other goodies. Game on Laxmi InterContinental Pvt. Ltd, the sole authorised distributor of Hyundai motors in Nepal has launched a prediction application for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Facebook . Predictions can be made before all matches. Various goodies are up for grabs for the winners. Heavy loaders IME Automotives, the automobile trading subsidiary of IME Group has introduced Escorts Construction Equipments (ECEL) in Nepal. Consumers can now purchase wide range of construction and material handling equipments from the exclusive showroom in Gongabu. 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 5 6 NATION 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746

Initiative is elevating the anti-pollution issue onto the agenda of national governments, and its Asian network is Getting rid of soot being coordinated by ICIMOD and will support Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Pakistan for cleaner brick production. The International Cryosphere Climate Reducing black carbon in the region will have multiple benefits and save lives Initiative (ICCI) is addressing SLCPs from agriculture assessing options to reduce HELENA MOLIN VALDES The short atmospheric lifetime of SLCPs carbon pollution from cook stoves could open burning in the Eastern Himalaya as and ARNICO PANDAY has two important consequences for policy cut premature deaths in the region by as well as the Andes region in 2014-2015 makers: actions to reduce their emissions much as 750,000 people. Broaden the -- regions particularly sensitive to black yield results much faster than actions to focus to diesel engines, brick production, carbon emissions. reduce CO emissions, and they are most and other pollution sources and the The CCAC is supporting the conduct he Himalaya region is among the 2 most vulnerable to climate change. concentrated near their source regions. number goes even higher. The effect on of inventories of national consumption Retreating glaciers reduce dry- Because they also have significant impact agriculture could be just as dramatic: more of alternatives to HFCs in 14 developing T on health and agriculture, action to reduce than 15 million metric tons of staple crops countries, among them Bangladesh, season water availability and increase the risk of glacial lake outburst floods, emissions bring significant non-climate could be added to the region’s food supply Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, while increased climate variability benefits. Many of the biggest sources with the reduction of black carbon and Mongolia, and Vietnam. A technology and changes in rainfall and monsoon of SLCPs can be addressed using well- methane. demonstration project is being conducted patterns could threaten regional water, established measures that are cost-effective The glaciers and permafrost of the on the capital island of the Maldives, and food security and change the occurrence to implement. Himalayan region store more freshwater CCAC is working in India to demonstrate of landslides and floods. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition than any region outside the Arctic and the commercial and technical viability Climate change in the Himalaya (CCAC) was set up three years ago to reduce Antarctica: nearly 10% of the global of alternatives to HFCs in vehicle air- is partly a result of carbon dioxide, these pollutants, it now has 100 members total. Black carbon particles darken snow conditioning systems. which can remain in the atmosphere and is focused on finding practical solutions and ice surfaces, causing them to absorb and impact the climate for centuries. to reduce four key short-lived climate more light and heat and melt faster. The However, it is also caused by ‘short pollutants: black carbon, tropospheric melting of these huge stores of water lived climate pollutants’ (SLCPs) that ozone, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons and changing precipitation patterns stay in the atmosphere briefly, but still (HFCs). threaten the water resources of up to 1.3 impact on the climate. In recent decades In the Himalayan region, action on just billion people living downstream with the Himalayan region has experienced one of the SLCPs, black carbon (or ’soot’) consequences for food security as the river increasing urban and rural air pollution, could have multiple benefits for health, food basins fed by this water produces nearly a affecting people’s health, agriculture, and water security and the environment. quarter of the world’s cereals. visibility and tourism. Globally, air Household cook stoves are one of the main A number of efforts are already pollutants have been shown to cause sources of black carbon in the Himalayan underway in the Himalaya through CCAC. as many as seven million premature region. Typical cook stoves burn wood, It has supported projects in Bangladesh Helena Molin Valdes is Head of the deaths every year, destroy millions of dung and crop residues for domestic to introduce low sulphur fuels, a national CCAC Secretariat and Arnico Panday is tons of crops, and push up the earth’s energy, and usually have very incomplete green freight program and a strategy a Senior Atmospheric Scientist at the temperature, contributing to climate combustion, which pollute both outdoor to reduce black carbon emissions in Atmosphere Initiative at ICIMOD. change. and indoor air. Reducing exposure to black Chittagong Port. The CAAC Bricks [email protected] What are short-lived climate pollutants? Tropospheric Ozone: formed by sunlight-driven oxidation of volatile organic on human health and ecosystems through its contribution to the formation of compounds and nitrogen oxides. In the upper atmosphere ozone acts as a shield, tropospheric ozone. Black Carbon: a tiny black particle emitted during the incomplete combustion protecting the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. But in the lower atmosphere, of fossil fuels and biomass, for example from brick kilns, open fires, diesel ozone warms the air and attacks lungs and leaves. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): powerful factory-made greenhouse gases used engines, and traditional cook stoves. They contaminate the air and darken snow primarily in air conditioning and refrigeration. Although currently only a small and ice surfaces, making them less reflective which causes local warming and Methane: a powerful greenhouse gas with an atmospheric lifetime of approximately fraction of the total greenhouse gases, HFCs are among the fastest-growing ones increases the melting rate of snow and ice. Black carbon is also a carcinogen. 12 years. Methane directly influences the climate system but also has indirect impact in many countries.

After that reluctant westerly this week for Shivaratri, we are getting a frontal system with slightly more resolve over the weekend. We need one brief lashing of rain to usher KATHMANDU in early spring weather, and this may be it. Saturday may see some drizzles and snow fl urries at higher altitudes. Some afternoon cloud buildup on Sunday. The maximum temperature will not climb as much because of the haze and cloud, but the minimum is now in the upper single digits. The fruit trees are not waiting for the met report, however, peaches and plums have already started blossoming. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 22° 20° 23° #746 20 - 26 February 2015 7° 9° 9°

SERMONISING: Chief Secretary Lila Mani Poudel addresses a monthly gathering at the Osho Tapoban last week to discuss not spiritualism, but politics.

babu?” he said he asked the boy. “His answer: I’ll do whatever earns me more money.” “What do you do with that money?” was the follow-up question from the government’s senior-most bureaucrat. “Moj garne ni (have fun),” the boy answered. The conclave lamented the materialistic values that have overtaken more spiritual pursuits in society. Earning money at any cost to have fun is the new credo, not just among the young but also among senior politicians where greed and selfishness are now entrenched. Parents are impatient to pack their children off to the US or Australia whatever it takes, and Paudel has met some of them who tell him they would gladly GUNA RAJ LUITEL have stayed back in Nepal if it was more developed. “So, who will build this country?” Paudel asked. “Is this country underdeveloped only because the leaders are not accountable, or is there a deeper THE HOLY ECONOMY malaise in society?” This was a rhetorical question. We cannot import leaders, and “Just Chanting om is not enough.” citizens have become cynical. - Swami Ananda Arun Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal once criticised Kathmandu’s “sukila-mukila” (prim and proper) ove was in the air last week Swami Ananda Arun sat cross- from Europe, attended the event and lower-income traders because for littering the sidewalks outside as Nepalis really got into the legged listening to speakers hold and went straight back to the they help spread the wealth their homes. He was partly right. Lmood for Valentine’s Day. But forth on Nepal’s political economy. airport after it to fly out. The NRN around. We blame our government for over at Osho Tapoban in the midst “If country is stagnating, businessman underlined the fact In addition, there should be law underdevelopment, and never of forested hills, devotees of the we can’t remain chanting only that no one can build the country that could prevent monopolies. analyse our own behaviour. love guru Osho were not talking om,” the venerated guru told the but us, not one is going to do it Power is built on power, powerful “We have people who study about conjugal bliss but about congregation. for us. people have the access to loans aeronautical engineering, but they economic development. Tapoban has started taking He cited his own example: the and political connections to build still sacrifice a goat in front of a jet an interest not just in the afterlife same village school in the Tarai their empires, but they don’t think to appease the gods so there won’t but in the here and now with this which educated him also educated of the others. “This is right time to be an accident,” he said, hinting at discussion series every Saturday hundreds of other children. “Now, devolve economic power,” Mahato fatalism in society. on politics and the economy. I am a successful businessman,” he said. A three hour long program Among those present in last said, “many Nepalis are successful Then, Chief Secretary Paudel concluded with Swami Arun’s week’s edition were powerful abroad, why can’t we be successful waxed eloquent about Eastern summation. He lamented the ON THE ROAD Chief Secretary Lila Mani Paudel in our own country?” philosophy and modern value poor state of the country and Guna Raj Luitel and billionaire Russian of Nepali Mahato believes wealth cannot systems. We are educated in the how shabbily Nepalis are treated descent, Upendra Mahato. Minister be amassed at the expense of Western way but our mindset and abroad. His parting words to of Law, Justice and Parliamentary fellow-citizens – all the boats values are Eastern, he said, leading his flock: “Just chanting om is In a setting that is more suited Affairs Narahari Acharya, and must rise together. He is worried to paradoxes and contradictions in not enough, we have to work to sermons of the transcendental many prominent personalities about Nepal’s growing income gap dealing with development. individually and as a society for the discussion last week centred from parliament to government and feels it could trigger a future Paudel cited the example of our country’s economic prosperity. on mundane day-to-day temporal agencies to entrepreneurs. conflict. He urged the government a school boy he met recently. It is vital for our self-esteem.” issues of economic survival. Mahato had flown all the way and civil society to protect middle “What do you want to be in future, @gunaraj 8 EVENTS DINING Going digital, A crash course on digital fi lmmaking. 1 to 6 March, Bikalpa Art Center, Pulchowk, (01)5013524, www.bikalpaartcenter.org Video collective, Artists Anil Subba and Ritesh Maharjan put on a collective performance. 7 March, 4pm, Gallery Mcube, Mitra Marg, (01)5260110, [email protected], Vive le cinéma, www.gallerymcube.blogspot.com Screening of three French movies subtitled in English for both children and adults. 21 February, 10.30am, Alliance française of Kathmandu, Tripureshwor, (01)4241163, Why volunteer, [email protected] Shailendra Raj Giri of Mero Job talks about the benefi ts of volunteering. Jawalakhel (Shaligram Apartment Hotel) Open House, Idea Fest, 7 March, 11am to 1pm, Café & Shop Mitini, (01)5536919, [email protected] Lajimpat, (01)4226471, A fun-fi lled weekend with delicious food Submit your ideas for community change www.cleanupnepal.org.np and heartwarming music in the company and get funded to execute them. of inspiring social entrepreneurs. 21 February, 1 to 4pm, Chakupat, Patan, Eco-café, Black Pepper Café & Pub, 21 February, 8am to 8pm, Pulchowk, www.ideafestnepal.wordpress.com Opening of Leela’s Eco Cafe, an Cosmopolitan dining and drinking in a 9843241490, [email protected] undertaking of the Kevin Rohan Memorial traditional style courtyard, try the Literature for children, Eco-Foundation. Live concerts by Rudra apple sauce pork chops and enjoy the Buttons Up, The fi rst ever Children’s Literature Band and Sakchyyam. good service. A showcase of organic designer buttons by Festival in Nepal (See page 13) 28 February, 3pm, Chalnakhel-5, Khahare, Kupondole Height, Lalitpur, (01)5521897, Shailee Crafts. 21 and 22 February, 9am to 5pm, 985-043710, [email protected], www.blackpepper.com 21 February, 11am to 5pm, Cuppas Coff ee, Rato Bangala School, Patan Dhoka, www. krmef.org Putalisadak, 9803406589, (01) 5534318, www.ratobangala.edu.np Manny's, [email protected] The Laramie Project Try delicious coff ee blends at Manny's Nippon cinema, Directors Deborah Merola and Dyvia Devt coff ee lounge. Peace poets, A two-day Japanese fi lm fest organised by bring to stage this famous docudrama Manny's eatery and tapas bar, Jawalakhel The second edition of South Asian Poetry the Embassy of Japan in association with by Moisés Kaufman about the story of (01)5536919 Festival for Peace. Japanese Language Teachers’ Association American Mathew Shepard who was 21 February, 1.30 pm, of Nepal. beaten to death in 1998 because of his Bansantapur Darbar Square and 22 February, 27 and 28 February, Tribhuvan Army Offi cer’s gay sexuality. The play raises important 1:30 pm, Patan Darbar Square, Club, Tundikhel, (01)4426680, questions about prejudice, hate, exclusion www.southasianpoetry.com [email protected] and draws relevance of the incident to modern Nepal. Produced by One World Photography grant, Video challenge, Theater, the play stars celebrated Nepali Win Rs 100,000 grant to produce in- A short video contest on the theme theatre artists Rajkumar Pudasaini, Divya Vesper Cafe, depth photographic work on social, ‘Gender Equality in Nepal’ jointly Dev, Shanti Giri and Sulakchyan Bharati. A quaint outdoor patio good for leisurely political and climate change issues. organised by UNDP and UNFPA. Premiere show on 27 February, Rs 2000. weekend brunch. Serves good salads, and Applications now open. Deadline 1 March, (01)5523200, Rs 500, 28 February to 15 March, steak-wraps. Dan Ran Deadline 28 February, photocircle.com.np, (01)5523880, Theatre Village, Lajimpat, 980-8041124, Jhamsikhel, (01)5548179, The best Japanese food this part of town. (01)5013501, [email protected] [email protected], [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Jhamsikhel, (01)5521027 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 9 MUSIC GETAWAYS Black history, Balthali Village Resort, Two bands celebrate the Black History A cozy retreat with bird’s eye view of green Month. What the Funk! will be putting on terrace fi elds dotted with ochre painted a Funky performance this Friday. houses. Rs 300, 20 February, House of Music, Thamel, Balthali, Kavrepalanchok, (01)4108210, 9851075172, [email protected], www.balthali.com [email protected] Ashish Sinha plays Blues next Thursday. Neydo Monastery, Rs300, 26 February, House of Music, Thamel, A monastery and guest house, Neydo is 9851075172, home to many signifi cant religious sites Bob Dylan night, [email protected] of the great siddhas. Leave your troubles Prominent band of the late nineties, behind and book a room. Flower Generation, pays tribute to Pharping, (01)6924606, [email protected], musical icon, Bob Dylan. www.neydohotel.com 25 February, 7.30pm, La Grange, Thamel, 9818258855 Temple Tree Resort and Spa, A peaceful place to unwind, complete with a swimming pool, massage parlour and sauna, it’ll be hard to leave the premises once you enter. Gaurighat, Lakeside, Pokhara (061)465819, [email protected], Hangover night, www.templetreenepal.com International and local DJs come together to create an unforgettable nightlife Newaz live, experience in the city. One of Kathmandu’s oldest bands mixes 20 February, 8pm onwards, blues, punk and grunge to rock the night. Moods studio and lounge, Thapathali, 20 February, 7.30pm, La Grange, Thamel, 9801037873, [email protected] 9818258855

Water Front Resort, Album Birdwatching, paragliding, horse riding, mountain biking, boating: all that you can launch, ask for at this eco friendly resort. Nepali rock band, Sedi Height, Lakeside, (061)466370, Monkey Temple www.waterfronthotelnepal.com launches its third self- titled album. Atithi Resort, 27 February, 7pm, A perfect place to stay, nearby pool, La Grange, Thamel, massage, sauna, and delicious food of 9818258855 your choice. Shantipatan, Lakeside, Pokhara. (061)466760, [email protected] 10

GOING HIMALAYAN IN S

ay the word ‘Himalaya’ and the first New picture book thing that comes to people’s minds are Streks and mountains vistas. But the region is much more than that, lovingly documents of course. The 3,000km mountain arc spans the crossroads of cultures, biodiversity the elegance and realms, and is imbued with architectural and religious heritage. Kalidas called this vast inherent beauty of and rugged mountain range ‘the northern yardstick with which we measure the Earth’. Himalayan art, craft No one book can do justice to such enormous diversity, but Thomas Kelly and and architecture Claire Burkert have decided to concentrate on the elegance, functionality, harmony and inherent beauty of Himalayan art, craft and architecture in their new book, Himalayan Style. Former Peace Corps volunteer and long- STÉPHANE HUËT time Nepal resident, Kelly captures the 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 11

both already had loads of material, but Burkert and Kelly ventured out to collect missing bits. “Our trips were sometimes like treasure hunts,” recalls Burkert. “The research for the book helped open my eyes to my environment so that I felt new to it.” Himalayan Style is obviously a labour of love for both the photographer and the author. Kathmandu looms large because Burkert and Kelly are both based here, but also because of the sheer wealth of arts, crafts, architecture and festivals in the Valley. Much of this is threatened by modernisation and urban sprawl, so the book lovingly documents what is left. Take the recently-restored Sundari Chok inside the Patan Darbar Square, for instance, the intricate stone carvings of deities of the royal bath are a national treasure. But Himalayan Style goes beyond just the physical to the meta- physical – by explaining the significance of festivals and religious processions of the Valley’s living culture. Burkert and Kelly look at the Hindu- Buddhist heritage of the Himalaya from the distinct standpoint of style. We are reminded that if prayer flags have become part of the natural landscape or decorative elements, they represent faith, compassion and goodwill. Himalayan styles have evolved over the centuries, and the book features the work of craftsmen like carpet designer Pasang Tsering who reinvented the Tibetan rug tradition. In the foreword, Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman writes about ‘architecture of the enlightened’ in the Himalaya, which is represented by the environment-friendly concept of the Druk White Lotus School in Ladakh. Sadly, Himalayan styles are being eroded by mass-produced items, the uniformity of modern consumerism, and the spread of a global monoculture. “The traditional craft of the Himalaya is being lost,” says Kelly. “But hopefully Himalayan Style will inspire a respect for STYLE traditional practices.” Kelly’s photographs and Burkert’s text are a tribute to the artisans preserving grace and sophistication of artefacts from the traditional skills and practices. Take Ladakh to Bhutan, from Nepal to Tibet in stone carver Jaya Raj Bajracharya, painter 600 photographs. Burkert, who founded a Raju Shakya or lost-wax bronze master, project to promote Maithili art and craft, Rajan Shakya. There are also people like adds meticulously researched context to the Christopher Giercke who has revived the pictures. art of weaving cashmere into designer “This new project challenged me to shawls exported to Hermès. discover and share the spirit of space, colour Himalayan Style also highlights the and inanimate objects,” Kelly told us, ahead contemporary designs in the Kathmandu of the book’s launch in Kathmandu this Valley. The ‘moveable house’ of Leslie weekend. Shackleford and Götz Hagemüller’s Kuthu Himalayan Style was conceived over Math in Bhaktapur are striking examples seven years but it is a life’s work for both of how traditional skills of Asia can meet Kelly and Burkert. “The idea of the book was modern aspirations and comforts. Babar inspired by my 30 year involvement with Mahal Revisited, Garden of Dreams and architecture and crafts in different parts of Patan Museum are examples of exquisite the Himalaya,” says Burkert who founded restorations in Kathmandu. the Janakpur Women’s Development Centre. Burkert says she has collected a lot When they started working on the book, more material and not everything fit in the book. So, are there plans to bring out another one? She says coyly: “It’s too soon to talk about it, but we still stay with style.”

Himalayan Style by Thomas L Kelly and Claire Burkert Roli Books, 2015 304 pages PICS: THOMAS KELLY 12

she arranges an engagement ceremony for Sundar with the toothy daughter of a well-to-do bureaucrat she expects all to go well, an expectation that is dashed to bits with the entrance of Suntali (Priyanka Karki) – a cheeky, pretty, young woman who arrives in the middle of the auspicious proceedings with a seedy husband, aptly named Bajrang (Pramod Bajrahari), in tow. Suntali flips her hair in slow motion as she arrives dressed in her hot pants with her coiffed Director Bhaskar Dhungana’s hair, calls Chinmaya “auntie”, black comedy is, therefore, a real and dares to try and feed her pleasure to watch with moments some mithai from a box she HAPPENINGS SUNTALI of true hilarity even while the bears flirtatiously in front of social commentary remains sharp her very attractive torso. This is t has been a long time since and true to village life in Nepal. pretty much when all hell breaks I saw a Nepali film that The story is simple enough, loose in the village, with all the Ididn’t jar me right out of the though close examination of the men swooning over Suntali as reverie that a well-made film is script written by Prawin Adhikari she manipulates them to do her supposed to keep you in. I am shows careful attention to detail bidding. speaking of perfect sound mixes, and a real understanding of the Deep, dark, very ugly secrets smooth cinematography with minutiae of both village life and are revealed. People’s inner most uniform lighting, harmonious knowledge of the colloquialisms desires get exposed in wittily we use when speaking to each conceived flashbacks (I won’t other. Most Nepali films in the spoil these for you by describing past have fallen prey to the use them), and most of the jokes of awkward formalities in their elicit belly laughs, though some dialogues that weigh down their do fall short partly because they typically melodramatic plots. are oft repeated.

MUST SEE Suntali starts with a long Aside from the slow pace and NEPAL ARMY Sophia Pande but very charming introduction, the relatively clever person’s ARMY DAY: President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and CA voiced by Madan Krishna Shrestha, ability to guess at the plot Chair Subhas Nembang with Army Chief Gaurav Shumsher Rana at the Army Day shot compositions, believable that details the quirky characters fairly easily, Suntali is quite the celebrations in Tundikhel on Tuesday. dialogue, spot on editing, and a of the village set high up in the pleasure for those of us who musical score that complements hills on a ridge (filmed in the real have cringed in the theaters the visuals rather than overwhelms life Newari town of Bandipur). The while watching Nepali films in them. Suntali has all of these village is ruled by a formidable the past. sophistications, which believe matriarch, Chinmaya Subedarni me, for a first time feature (Suryamala Khanal) and her nepalitimes.com rather unfortunate son Sundar length director, is not a small  Trailer achievement. (Karma) with an iron fist. When

DEVAKI BISTA FAIR CHECK: Chairman of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar attends a Tharu Cultural Fair at Tharu Village Hotel and Restaurant in the capital on Friday.

KENJI KWOK MONKEY GOD: A Hindu devotee dresses up as Hanuman, the monkey god, at the Pashupatinath Temple on Tuesday during the Maha Shivaratri Festival on Tuesday.

BIKRAM RAI WAR ACT: Netra Bikram Chand’s faction of CPN (Maoist) celebrated the 19th anniversary of the start of the war at Rastriya Nach Ghar on Friday. 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 13 CHILDREN’S LITERATURE al Sahitya Mahotsav, Nepal’s first children’s literature festival 21-22 BFebruary promises to be a milestone in encouraging Nepali writers and publishers get school students into the habit of reading. The festival is organised by Rato Bangala School’s publishing wing with support from UNICEF Nepal and World Education. Adheep Pokhrel, program and outreach coordinator at Rato Bangala, says the idea of the festival is to bring together teachers, writers, students and publishers to make children’s books more entertaining and instructive. During the two-day fest at Rato Bangala School in Patan, visitors will get an Open activities involving both parents Everest, at the festival. Indian author, Aneel organise such events in their respective opportunity to interact with several Nepali and children will be held along with slam Bisht will also be launching his book, Flying schools in the Western districts of Nepal authors including Tikaram Sharma Paudel workshops, poetry writing and vocabulary Kisses at the event. after taking part in the festival,” says and Gyannistha Gyawali. Singer Amrit games. “These interactive workshops aim Department of Education staff from Pokhrel. Gurung, actor Rajesh Hamal, and author to stimulate their critical thinking,” says Mugu, Kalikot, Achham and Bajura are also Marilyn Hoar, of UNICEF Nepal, says Narayan Wagle will also participate in read Pokhrel. attending the Bal Sahitya Mahotsav. About the event underlines reading as a vital aloud sessions. Kanak Mani Dixit, whose book, 400 children from government schools component of education. “This first edition “We also hope to provide an opportunity Adventures of a Nepali Frog, which has been of the Kathmandu Valley have also been is a test,” she says, “we plan similar events for families to appreciate the power of translated in 14 languages will launch his invited. in other parts of Nepal.” reading,” Pokhrel told us. new children’s book, Every Which Way Up “We hope that they will get ideas to Stéphane Huët

overs of pub food and sports fans listen up – Five Crowns L(FC) Sports Bar is the place relax with a cappuccino (Rs 150) to be during this Cricket World and a delicious cheesecake (Rs Cup. Illuminated by neon red and 140). The balcony seats above the blue lights, the 500-seater pub coffee house overlooking the has the ability to rile up a roaring quaint streets of Jhamsikhel atmosphere during any big game. OPEN FROM 8AM are the best seats. Be sure to order a side of PICS: KENJI KWOK TO The best part about FC Korean Wings to go with your beer 10PM Sports Bar is that customers of choice. Marinated in a “special Both the mains were can order from the main FC sauce” that was reminiscent of served on a bed of chunky menu even while seated in a sweet barbeque dip, the chicken mashed potatoes. Personally, I the coffee house, allowing diners wings are a perfect compliment to prefer soft chunks of potatoes the best of both worlds — you any bitter malty beer. F.C. Sports Bar because they add texture to the could sit on the balcony, enjoy a Six drumsticks go for Rs 250 dish. cup of coffee and order up some but I’d recommend you order The mains, however, were not Garlic sauce (Rs 400) was a Diners who love cheese will pub grub without the roars of men the 12 pieces variety (Rs 500) this sports bar’s strong suit. The slightly better dish. The fish was enjoy the Baked Fish with Cheese cheering, or you could join in on straightaway, as the chicken pieces Grilled Chicken with Mushroom grilled till crisp on the edges, and (Rs 400) and Macaroni with the fun at the sports pub with a were small. sauce (Rs 400) was overcooked was cooked evenly throughout — Bechamel Sauce (Rs 400). drink or two. Those who prefer a spicier dish and was served with very little something often overlooked when FC Sports Bar also has a coffee Cynthia Choo can opt for the Spicy Ginger Wings. mushroom sauce. In addition, preparing fish dishes. However, shop in front of the bar where they The pub also serves a variety two small pieces of chicken could the red wine and garlic sauce serve lattes, milkshakes and juices. How to get there: FC Sports bar is of other snacks like Honey Pork barely justify the price. were a tad pungent and failed to Detached from the loud cheers in Jhamsikhel, right beside Cafe Chilly (Rs 300). The Grilled Fish with Wine compliment either fish. and hip music of the pub, one can Soma. 14 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 Temporary paralysis

am Bahadur, 50, was asymmetrical even when he tried unknown and hence there is no require three to six months washing his face when he to raise them as there were no specific course of treatment. In for recovery. Treatment with Rsuddenly felt the left side creases on the left side of his Nepal we often see the condition steroids may hasten this recovery of his face go stiff and numb. He forehead. Although he could not among high altitude trekkers. period. The major complications could not close his left eye either. close his left eye his vision was Whether high altitude and the that arise due to this palsy are When he looked in the mirror, Ram intact. The problem was strictly cold help bring on this palsy is ageusia (a chronic loss of taste), saw that the left side of his face limited to his face. hard to tell because the problem synkinesis which is brought about Ram started on a tapering is quite common even at sea level. by the regrowth of the seventh course of corticosteroids but But one theory posits that as the cranial nerve in a faulty and went on to try several other brain of every person going to confused manner (for example, alternative treatment modalities. high altitude swells to a certain when the person closes the eye, After two months of medication, extent, the brain swelling may the same side of the mouth may Ram recovered fully, but the cause the seventh cranial nerve also lift involuntarily) and eye DHANVANTARI crease on his forehead remained. to compromise its function as infection (when the affected eye is Buddha Basnyat, MD Bell’s palsy is a common it courses through the narrow not taped shut at night as the eye temporary paralysis brought crevices in the brain before it may not close voluntarily for the was drooping. Anxious that he was on by the inflammation of the exists to activate the muscles of first couple of weeks). having a stroke, he called his wife seventh cranial nerve (there are the face. Many are also unaware The take-home message is that who comforted him saying that it 12 pairs of cranial nerves which that Bell’s palsy affects one in in most instances- Bell’s palsy is a was not a stroke as he could move originate from either hemisphere 65 people at some point in their common but benign neurological all his limbs and talk to her with of the brain) that activates the Bell’s palsy is not a serious ailment lives. illness. The one thing it may ease. many facial muscles in our face. even though the condition often Most people who suffer compromise is your smile. If you Ram Bahadur was diagnosed It was first described by Scottish frightens people into thinking that from Bell’s palsy recover within suffer from Bell’s palsy, you just with Bell’s palsy. The doctor noted physician and theologian, Charles they are having a stroke. three weeks, even without any have to tell your friends that your that Ram’s eyebrows remained Bell, in the nineteenth century. What causes Bell’s palsy remains treatment. Some 15 per cent smile will return soon.

GIZMO by YANTRICK

is integrated with an infi nite history function that allows you to view the list of steps that you have made and return back to any stage along your MOBILE DARKROOM workfl ow. Once done, simply swipe down and hit share, which reveals another neat feature: Save obile photography is no longer throughout its user interface – perhaps even photos in Instagram’s square format. restricted by low camera resolution faster than the VSCO Cam by Visual Supply You no longer require a separate app like Mand poor image quality like in the past. Co, which scored big with many professional Whitagram to fi t your photos into a 1:1 format Even digital cameras are now equipped with photographers. Even though the application — Check the ‘Save as Square Photo’ feature Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing you to transfer high only comes with basic image fi lters, what gives and it will be automatically transferred over quality photos directly to your mobile phone Darkroom an edge over other similar apps is to Instagram to share it with your followers. so you can instantly upload them onto various its option to create customised fi lters. Darkroom is not yet available on the Google Play social media platforms. All you need now is a The sliders for settings such as brightness, Store, so Android users will have to stick with powerful photo editing tool for you to work on contrast and even vignette are simple to Snapseed for now. your photos on the go, and this is where the use and straightforward without too many Darkroom – Photo Editor by Bergen comes in technical terms to wrestle with, which YANTRICK’S VERDICT: Developed for the frame. certainly makes post-processing super simple. photography enthusiasts to have better The iOS app, which is now available for You can do even more advanced tweaking control over their photos, the newly free in the App Store, packs a punch of features by adjusting the RGB Curves but this comes launched Darkroom comes with features tailored for all photography enthusiasts. Having at a cost as the feature remains an in-app that have long been missing in other learnt from the mistakes of its competitors, purchase (Rs 300). Still, this app will certainly photo-editing apps, making it an all-in- Darkroom skips past the need to import your appeal to photographers who have been one tool that will now fi nd a permanent photos into the app, allowing you to edit your waiting for the Adobe experience, without home in our phones. photos straight from the camera roll. having to pay the subscription costs for Designed with a beautiful black interface that Lightroom Mobile. Darkroom – Photo Editor by matches the simplicity of the iPhone operating Instead of having to reset all the edits Bergen is available for FREE in the systems, Darkroom also works surprisingly fast when you make a wrong adjustment, the app Apple App Store. 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 NATION 15 Learning from experience Teachers look beyond textbooks into their communities for sources of knowledge and curriculum ideas

BETH NORFORD but there is still much room in MAKWANPUR for improvement. The national curriculum is based on sound research on child development edestrians crossing the and curriculum design, but the Rapti river came across a problem with Nepal’s education Pgroup of women sketching system is the stress and pressure images of the fauna and flora of standardised exams, such they could see. Later the same as the SLCs, that students and group of women waded into the teachers experience. There is no water under the bridge, looking at time for experiential education, the plants and animals found in which leads to only studying the river. from the books to meet the high This was neither a scientific expectations of good grades for expedition nor a new breed of parents and school officals. eco-tourists. It was a group of Nepali students deserve better teacher trainees, learning first- than just memorising from books. hand about the natural resources They need to get out in their in that community setting and communities, and learn about how the resources were being the country’s environment and utilised. their surroundings. The students For two weeks teachers at need to have knowledge of their Kamane Bilingual Academy, in community and their country. the outskirts of Hetauda, took They need to learn more and part in a ‘experiential learning’ have access to well-maintained training organised by the school’s libraries. They need to know new principal, Pratibha Dangol. more than the subjects taught at This new appraoch focuses on BETH NORFORD school. Students would benefit using first hand experience in from classes such as art, painting, real life settings rather than just The teachers created a bar recycled wire and cardboard?), the subject matter more authentic woodwork and ceramics to name learning and memorising from graph recording the uses of water cooperation as a group, detailed and it is a better way to have a few. textbooks. in their community. As a group, recollection of the experience, more insight into ‘real’ life. This Integrated and experience- Upon return the teachers the trainees also built a complex and discussion of what had been method of learning requires team based learning is not just an recreated their experience by model of the river and the bridge observed (what was the colour of work, and allows everyone to effective way of teaching and making collages illustrating what using newspaper, pâpier maché, the river after monsoon?) to learn think outside the box rather than learning, this form of learning they observed at the river and its paint, wire and a variety of other and work in that manner. the writings in a textbook. is also essential to ingrain surroundings. The pictures were materials. Learning directly from the Having travelled around knowledge in students so our captioned and bound into a book It required complex problem- source is called the ‘integrated Nepal for over 20 years as an future leaders have the ability to that became a part of the trainee solving skills (how does one curriculum’ approach. Out-of- education consultant, I admire develop the country into a more classroom library. create a suspension bridge from class learning experience makes the country’s education system progressive Nepal. 16 NATION 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 BACK TO THE VILLAGE CAMPAIGN Young Nepalis are taking two years off to teach in rural schools and upgrade the quality of education

CYNTHIA CHOO in SINDHUPALCHOK

ani Nakarmi, 16, often says Shishir Khanal of Teach for misses classes because Nepal. Mshe has to help her However, what worries mother with household chores Khanal is that male teachers while her brother, Sudip, prepares still outnumber the female ones for his SLC exams in a private in schools. Only 14 per cent of boarding school in Kathmandu. teachers in secondary government Mani is an eighth grader at schools are women. This is why the government-run Nawalpur Teach for Nepal encourages Secondary School 70 km more women to apply for the northeast of Kathmandu, but fellowship, and, last year sent 23 wishes to study in a private female teachers to public schools school just like her brother. in Lalitpur and Sindhupalchok. “Maybe then, I can be as smart “A lot of students have never as him,” she says. been outside their village,” says Nepal has taken dramatic Khanal. “Female teachers can strides in improving literacy from be a role model for girls in those 50 per cent in 1990 to 88 per cent classrooms.” today. Net enrolment in primary Babita Kushwaha is a Teach school has gone up to 95 per cent, for Nepal fellow who has been an and it is 75 per cent in lower English instructor at Nawalpur, secondary schools. where Mani Nakarmi goes to However, because education school. Babita is also helping two in public schools is seen as of her brightest students apply for lacking in quality, parents tend scholarships in colleges abroad. to send boys to private schools in Despite her best efforts, Babita the city and keep girls in village admits it is difficult to change government schools if they have a the mindsets of public school choice. This has sparked efforts in teachers who are not eager to recent years by private and non- address the inefficiencies of the profit ventures to improve the government education system. quality of government schools. When Babita returned to Teach for Nepal is one Nawalpur after taking students to such initiaitve that has tried an Kathmandu for Teach for Nepal’s innovative approach to improve Big Brother Big Sister program the quality of education in public last week, she was shocked to schools through a two-year find that the school had been fellowship program (see box, closed because the Teach for overleaf) in which young Nepali Nepal fellows were away. men and women teach in village “It is not just the students, schools. even the teachers don’t show up “The fellows are well-trained if they have an excuse,” she says. graduates. They are taught to In 2014, only 28 per cent of improve the quality of lessons students from public schools and also influence the schools to in Nepal passed the SLC exams adopt better teaching methods or compared to 93 per cent in school practices when needed,” private schools. But since 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 NATION 17

Babita Miss abita Kushwaha (above left) moved to Kathmandu when she small reading corner at the school. Her youthful energy Bwas ten from her home district of Rautahat in the plains to and dedication has made her a favourite among students, study in a private school against her family’s wishes. Supported many of whom aspire to be like her. by her brother, Babita completed her undergraduate degree in “I want to pass my exams because of Babita Miss and Kathmandu University and is now a Teach for Nepal fellow. go to Kathmandu to become a nurse,” says Sumita Tamang, Since last year Babita has been teaching English at Nawalpur a tenth grader. Secondary School to students of Grades 6-10. The 24-year-old Although Babita had a tough time adjusting to life in a says she was inspired to join Teach for Nepal after seeing the village initially, it is her students who keep her motivated positive changes they were bringing to public schools. she says. “If I had caved in to family disapproval of me getting an “Whenever I step into a classroom and the students education, I would not be doing what I’m doing now,” says come running up to me, I no longer feel frustrated or sick, Babita who turned down a well-paying job offer at an INGO to and I feel like giving my best,” she says. join the fellowship program. “I felt it was my turn to give back Her co-teaching fellow Bikash Deshar agrees. “It is to society,” she adds. tough to live with bare minimum when you are used to the With help from friends, Babita also worked to set up a comforts of the city but the children make it worth it.”

ALL PICS: CYNTHIA CHOO

Teach for Nepal started sending for Friends, a peer tutoring teachers to Nawalpur Secondary, session in which students help parents have started taking their other students who are lasgging children out of private schools behind. and enrolling them in government “It was difficult trying to ones. persuade the school to buy basic Bishownath Sapkota, for material, but now students can instance, decided to move his conduct simple experiments,” son, Kabiraj, back to Nawalpur says Bikash. The Teach for Nepal Secondary. “I heard Teach for model seems to be benefitting Nepal was sending some new and high-need public schools in good teachers, so I transferred my Nepal by recruiting graduates son back,” he said. skilled in English, Maths and Khanal says Kabiraj’s transfer Science. is an example of how “parents “These are three compulsory are seeking quality education subjects that most students fail regardless of public or private in, recruiting graduates who are Teaching for Nepal schools”. skilled in those areas will be Since the Teach for Nepal beneficial for students in public fellows Babita Kushwaha schools,” explains Khanal. nspired by Teach for America, Teach for Nepal was started in to become transformative teachers in public schools. and Bikash Deshar arrived in Teach for Nepal fellowships I2012 by social activist Shishir Khanal. It started as an initiative In the last two years, Teach for Nepal has sent 52 fellows to Nawalpur Secondary School, last a minimum of two years. to work towards improving the quality of education in public government schools in Lalitpur and Sindhupalchok districts. Last they have set up a reading corner Khanal says this is necessary schools and ending education inequality in Nepal through a week, it inducted its latest batch of 60 fellows who will also be and science experiment labs for because changes will not happen two-year fellowship program, in which university graduates are placed in Dhanusa district. students, persuaded the school overnight and need sustained trained to teach in high-need public schools. teachfornepal.org to conduct daily assembly to effort. He is determined to send In a similar six-week long training program as Teach for Tel 977-1-5012014 monitor the punctuality of new batches of teachers for as America, university graduates are selected as fellows and trained Email: [email protected] students, and also set up Teach long as possible. 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 Making war on the day of love

MOHAN MAINALI was dead, and he still doesn’t. I asked him why he doesn’t accept the fact that his son is dead. His t is a strange coincidence that answer: “How can one human the Maoists launched their so- being kill another?” Sankh Icalled ‘people’s war’ exactly 19 Bahadur still had not understood years ago on Valentine’s Day. This that this is what people do in is the day dedicated to love, yet in wars: they kill each other. Nepal it reminds us of the brutality In far-western Nepal’s Bajura of war. district, at least one person had At just past midnight on understood the reality of war. “It 14 February 1996, the Maoists is a time when people have to be simultaneously attacked police afraid of people,” he explained to stations, rural banks and even me. But what of people who are a Pepsi Cola facory across the trained to wage war and kill? country in Rolpa, Rukum, Gorkha, Maoist Brigade Commander Sindhuli and Kathmandu. Suresh Pahadi has written this The Maoists had given a in a book about his guerrilla two-week ultimatum to the training: ‘There was a sign on the government to meet their list of 40 stage that read Down With Indian demands, but they did not have Expansionism. Suddenly an anger the patience to wait for a response rose within me against the Nepali and launched their violent attacks state and its king Gyanendra for choosing the auspicious day of selling out the motherland. I love. The war lasted a little over 10 wished to see the day when he years, by the end of it more than would be beheaded.’

13,500 Nepalis had been killed MOHAN MAINALI Soon after this book came out, by fellow-Nepalis. More than Suresh’s supreme commander 1,500 were taken away from their told a Maoist conference in families and are still missing. More “How can one human being kill another?” Hetauda that India was not than 800 had their bones crushed. expansionist after all. Suresh and This wasn’t a brief outburst of his comrades gave the red salute violence perpetrated by misguided burden of their memories. Those am wounded inside,” she said, “I Sahabir when he went to the field and agreed with it. Nothing had people, it was premeditated and who started the war thought they will probably never find his body, with his plough. changed in Nepal’s relations with pre-planned. The attacker layed could end it. But for those who I just wish I could perform his last As we left, Sahabir took out the India, but the former guerrillas waiting to slash, thrash, pound suffered from the violence, the war rites.” picture of his son once more from had been brainwashed to forget their victims. They were proud never ended. A few weeks later, I was at his wallet, and said: “I wonder their wartime indoctrination. that they had been indoctrinated The families of the missing another end of the country in how big he would be now, what he The effects of war leave a scar to carry out these acts. The legacy suffer their bereavement every day. Dhankuta where I ran into Sahabir would be doing?” on society for generations. Prithvi of that violence is still with us. In Bardiya, where the most number BK. As soon as he found out that The violence of war feeds on Narayan Shah’s cruel punishment We see it in some news reports of people went missing, I once I was a journalist, he took out a the brutality that lurks within of the people of Kirtipur is still and occasionally on the Facebook came across a march small photograph from the human psyche. It suppresses remembered 250 years later. An statuses of victims. by families of victims. his wallet in the back reason and compassion. People average Nepali has at least 10 One such post last year on Among them was Jagat pocket. “My youngest can be cruel to each other at other close relatives, which means Facebook was by Maoist guerrilla Kumari Basnet, whose son,” he said simply, times, too, but it usually manifests the war has affected hundreds Yadav Devkota who lost his close son Keshar Bahadur, “I cannot forget him. I itself briefly and is gone. The rest of thousands of people directly. comrade, Aita Bahadur of Dhading who used to run a always have his picture of the time, people are generally They are not going to forget. who was in the Maoist Fourth nursing home in Bhuri with me.” compassionate and peace-loving. One cannot get away by Division, and was disqualified Gaun, was detained by Sahabir’s son, However, during war, inhumanity simply saying that war brutalises by UNMIN. His father and sister the army in 2002 and PEACE Santosh, was only 14 is unleashed, cruelty stays and society. When discrimination, had been killed during the war, never seen again. when he was taken away persists. During most wars, inequality, and injustice prevail and his mother committed suicide When the march BUILDING by the Maoists in July people find it hard to believe that there will inevitably be violent by jumping into the Trisuli. All reached the main crossroad, the 2002. Thirteen days later, the human beings are capable of such conflict. That is why it is collateral damage of a war fought victims’ families were allowed to radio announced that Santosh inhuman cruelty. important not to forget a war that in the name of the people. speak. Jagat Kumari got up, and had been killed. Sahabir never got Sankh Bahadur Gurung’s two was started 19 years ago on a day While reporting the war and the despite her age, mustered the his son’s body, he never found sons were killed in Kalikot in dedicated to love. pic above post-conflict period, my experience energy to climb up on stage. “I out why he was killed. When we 2002. Sankh Bahadur ( ) has been that there are a lot of went kicking and screaming to the visited him, Sahabir was doing his received the news, but he did not people who still suffer from post- barrack to ask for my son, they told blacksmith work at the charcoal believe it. His contractor told him nepalitimes.com  Watch video of documentary traumatic stress and carry on with me he would be returned in a few fire, forging sickles and axes. Later to take his son’s salary and funeral by Mohan Mainali their everyday lives carrying the weeks, but he never came back. I his granddaughter accompanied expenses. He didn’t believe his son

“I know a lot of people watch my videos, but I don’t know who Going gaga over Yeshi they are or even why they watch them,” says Lama. Her own mother had a hard time believing that Lama was on YouTube. Daughter of famous comedian Dolma Hyolmo, she credits her Sajana Baral in Himal Khabarpatrika, 15-22 March mother as her inspiration. “She was so funny on screen. In the past I laughed watching my mother on screen, today she laughs watching me,” says Lama. In the YouTube video ‘Sir & Student’ that got over 350,000 views, At one point Lama lost her drive to be an actor due to the stress we can see Yeshi Dolma Lama playing various characters—from her mother had as a comedian. But that did not last long, as Lama’s a teacher with a fake moustache to a studious teacher’s pet and a aspirations came back after watching videos of YouTube celebrity journalist among others. In 2011, when Lama aka Yeshigaga on Nigahiga, an American YouTube actor of Japanese descent with two YouTube uploaded her first video, she could not imagine that her billion views for his videos. channel would have over 22,000 subscribers. “I wanted to do something with my friends but most of them were too shy. So I ventured out on my own,” says Lama whose channel includes beauty tutorials, fashion tutorials, and vlogs but it is her parody videos like ‘Kya Beijjat’ (How embarrassing) and ‘Dad ko rajniti’ (Dad’s politics) that have made her one of the better HOOK: CIAA known Nepali YouTube celebrities. Lama said it is not an easy job to put oneself out there and not Rajes KC in Setopati, 16 February gain a few ‘haters’ in addition to the faithful fans. Another difficult issue is making Nepali videos in Germany, where Lama is based, QUOTE OF THE WEEK

because she cannot easily find what she needs. Once Lama needed

a dhaka topi and had to order it online from Nepal. Celebrating Democracy Day will be significant This multitalented individual is a quadruple threat: as she not “if we move the country towards peace, “ only acts in and edits her videos but also writes the scripts, and is stability and prosperity by implementing all a popular blogger. Lama says her heart lies in making videos that make people agreements that I had with political parties. laugh, she is aware that they are a form of escapism for many Ex-King Gyanendra Shah in Nepali migrant workers toiling around the world. onlinekhabar.com, 18 February 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 NATION 19 Criminal Court, which decided that Colonel Lama should be prosecuted for allegedly torturing two detainees at the Gorusinghe Army Barracks in 2005, during TRC and Col Lama the Maoist insurgency. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) called the decision a victory for justice and issued a Truth and reconciliation, but not without justice report ‘Authority without Accountability: The Struggle for Justice in Nepal’ pointing t long last the long-promised Truth legal framework,” Gurung said, “we also out that none of the major political parties and Reconciliation Commission need to build the physical infrastructure.” had made any tangible commitment to Ahas been established and a Chair It is not at all clear why any physical address accountability for human rights appointed. There has been much debate building is required, but perhaps he means abuses perpetrated during the conflict. regarding its remit and the extent to which developing the necessary capacity to The case eventually went to trial in May it will offer a degree of impunity to those undertake investigations. 2014, despite intensive lobbying by the responsible for war crimes and crimes He has promised that all “stakeholders” government of Nepal as well as by Nepali against humanity. would be consulted and that institutional political parties (including the Maoists) to development and practice of the TRC would drop the charges against Colonel Lama. The be transparent. He indicated there would be proceedings were delayed, and the trial funds to assist victims requiring support to effectively postponed until 2015. lodge their complaints and make statements, The government of Nepal, under Prime and also that those who wished to remain Minister Baburam Bhattarai had previously anonymous would be able to do so. agreed to bear the cost of Colonel Lama’s THE GADFLY He underlined that the TRC would not defence, and released Euros 220,000 to David Seddon force “reconciliation” on victims of conflict this purpose, but it was later argued that it and would not ignore the component of While this process moves forwards in was ‘difficult’ for the government to afford Chair Surya Kiran Gurung has suggested justice. This last clause is crucial, for the Nepal, the trial of Colonel Kumar Lama his defence and that Colonel Lama should that the TRC Act should be amended to notion of transitional justice is an important (above)- who was arrested in the UK, in receive legal aid. More significantly, there give the Commission full jurisdiction over ingredient in the truth and reconciliation January 2013, under Section 134 of the were suggestions that the matter might be cases: meaning it should not have to seek process if it is to be effective. “There cannot Criminal Justice Act 1988 which defines resolved out of court through ‘negotiations’ permission from the courts for access to be amnesty for serious cases of human torture as a ‘universal jurisdiction’ crime, with the British government. Meetings were documents and investigate cases sub judice. rights violations,” he has stated clearly and and who is currently being prosecuted by even held at the beginning of January 2015 The UCPN(M) has supported this claim, publicly. the Crown Prosecution Service - continues between Foreign Secretary Arjun Bahadur arguing that all conflict-era cases should be However, Gurung added: “We should be later this month with further hearings. Thapa and Permanent Under-Secretary handled by the TRC and not by the courts. mindful that the peace process does not get Col Lama is charged with ‘intentionally Sir Simon Fraser who heads the British Various legal authorities have suggested derailed because of our acts.” This means inflicting severe pain or suffering’ on two Diplomatic Service. Thapa apparently that this might not be possible since the that the TRC will not pursue a witch-hunt Nepali citizens - Janak Bahadur Raut and requested Fraser to ‘help settle the case supremacy of the Court must be maintained. but will attempt to balance the potentially Karam Hussain - in two separate incidents amicably’ in view of the special relationship This issue may take some time to contradictory demands of justice for crimes that allegedly occurred between April between the UK and Nepal. resolve as it is not simply a matter of legal and human rights abuses perpetrated in the and May 2005 at the Gorusinghe Army Despite this intensive lobbying on the jurisdiction, but is also highly political. “We past, on the one hand, and the need to move Barracks in Nepal. part of the government of Nepal, however, need to prepare the code of conduct and forward into the future, on the other. The case initially went to the the trial is to resume later this month.

PEACE BUILDING

Conflict victims fear the TRC serves only the interests of a state made up of former enemies. BHASWOR OJHA/ KANTIPUR Who doesn’t want a TRC? OM ASTHA RAI did not think that the government amnesty to perpetrators of human members, has come under fire than 1,000 people disappeared would form transitional justice rights violations, and does not from human rights activists for during the conflict still do not mechanisms at a time when a writ consider enforced disappearances abandoning the cause of war know where their lost relatives are. fter the formation of a petition that challenged some as a criminal offence. “Unless this victims. Human rights activist The war is over but their pain is panel last month in the provisions of the TRC act was act is amended, I will not go to Charan Prasain says, “If the NHRC not. AConstituent Assembly to sub judice. The Supreme Court any commission for justice,” Sunar is committed to justice for war They want closure and justice. hold a vote on the contents of the is due to deliver its verdict on told Nepali Times. victims, it must not support the This does not just mean throwing new constitution, relations between the writ petition jointly filed by The TRC Chair Surya Kiran TRC.” every offender behind bars or ruling and opposition leaders have 234 individual conflict victims Gurung (being sworn in on 11 The state’s apathy towards the monetary compensation from the soured so much that they were not on 26 February. Conflict victims February by the Chief Justice, amendment of the controversial state. What victims really want is even on talking terms. Throughout say any TRC or CIED would be above) is trying to assuage act is not the only reason survivors a genuine apology from those who the first two weeks of February, unacceptable to them unless the fears of conflict victims, saying are up in arms. Apparently acting killed their family members and they kept publicly blaming and act is amended. his commission would not at behest of political parties, the relatives. abusing each other. “We have no faith in these recommend reconciliation in grave recommendation committee did They want to know what Despite such bitter discord, commissions,” says Devi Sunar, human rights violations against not propose independent experts happened to relatives who the government did something mother of 15-year-old Maina Sunar international rules and standards. as TRC and CIED members. disappeared. It’s as simple as that. that united both sides: form two who was detained, tortured and Prakash Wosti, commissioner Instead, it put out names of only But by hastily forming transitional transitional justice mechanisms. killed by soldiers on 5 February of the National Human Rights those who are close to political justice mechanisms and appointing Acting on the recommendations 2005 in Panchkhal barrack of Council (NHRC), says the TRC parties. One of the TRC members, only those close to political parties made by a former Chief Kavre district. “It’s just a ploy to should be given the benefit of Shree Krishna Subedi, had even as TRC and CIED members, the Justice-headed committee, the give impunity to perpetrators of doubt as it has promised to not pleaded at the Supreme Court on state seems to have ignored voices cabinet formed a Truth and serious war crimes.” give impunity to perpetrators of behalf of UCPN (M) leader Agni of conflict victims. Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Devi is one of the relatives human rights violations. Prasad Sapkota, who was accused After the formation of the and a Commission to Investigate of victims who challenged the But, Gurung’s assurance has not of kidnapping and murdering commissions, a question has Enforced Disappearances (CIED). TRC act in the Supreme Court. placated war victims, who are now Arjun Lama of Kavre district arisen: who are these commissions And neither side objected. Their “I cannot understand why the gearing up for a protest against during the Maoist insurgency. meant to serve if conflict victims silence implied endorsement. government didn’t wait for the formation of the TRC and CIED. The Maoist insurgency resulted have disowned both? They fear For conflict victims awaiting court verdict,” she says. Conflict Instead, even the NHRC, which in the killings of 17,000 people and the commissions serve only the justice, the formation of the TRC victims say they are against the was involved in recommending enforced disappearances of many interests of a state made up of and CIED were unanticipated. They act mainly because it allows for names for the TRC and CIED more thousands. Families of more former enemies. 20 BACK SIDE 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2015 #746 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

PAST PRESENT FUTURE Great Leap Forward Year DIWAKAR CHETTRI

We are awaiting instructions via of democratic tools, the remote control, Akashvani. to flick it to Diya Aur Baati Hum. As you all know, I live in a parallel universe which is why I am now declaring the establishment of a parallel government with myself as prime minister, president and home minister. See, that didn’t even cause a flutter. Goes to show that you all don’t really care. In 2010, I was removed by wireless. Today, Jhusil Da would not have the cojones to push for a vote on the constitution if he wasn’t listening to instructions from AIR. And I have decided to go back to war because no one has told me via Akashvani otherwise. And what’s the big fuss about nominating Lahr Kyal Kamred to the CA, we are just doing what the knagresis and eh-maleys did before us: adam Chair, Respected Sofas, Indistinguishable making asses of ourselves. OK, OK, we also couldn’t say no Dignitaries, Esteemed Desks, Honorific Ministers, to the five corrodes. MYour Excellence the Donors, Male Members It is when a revolutionary party graduates from a two- of Media Organs, you Venerable Self-appointed Guardians line struggle to a five-line struggle that you know it is of this Country’s Morals, Ordinary Fellows, and last and entering the political mainstream and Nepal’s democracy also the least the latecomer gentleman at the back who is has come of age. It is our deliberate strategy to speak distracting everyone. Yes, I mean you, near the door in the in tongues and send out confusing signals through five golf cap. different splinter groups of our vainglorious party. It is Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pride and because of my respect of pluralism and my tolerance of prejudice that I take the opportunity to address this Six- dissenting voices that we now have nearly half-a-dozen Day Interaction Programme on ‘Inclusive Growth and parties in this country that swear by the Great Helmsman Sustainable Development of Grassroot Constituencies Mao Tse Tung. It gives me great pride to say that Nepal has Through Gender Mainstreaming, Capacity Building and the highest per capita Maoism and Stalinism in the world. Empowerment using a Local Multi-Steakholder Bottoms-Up The other sign that a country’s democracy has graduated Approach and a Paradigm Shift in Their Agenda-Setting from adolescence to full-blown senility is that our citizens Role in the Context of Economic Globalisation and won’t take ‘no’ for an answer anymore. When I tell them to Elite Capture’ organised by GONe in corporation with come out on the streets on 28 February, they will. And it’s a FEDUP, UNDO, USURP, DEFEAT, HERPES, INSECT, good thing this is a Great Leap Forward Year, otherwise DANDA and FINITO. So, now that the esteemed there wouldn’t be a February 28. Haha, clever, huh? cameraperson from Nepal Television has finally arrived, In our mature democracy, we don’t need to prove we can get on with the formality of declaring open this anything to anyone anymore. Gone are the days when we talkathon by asking the Chief Guest Comrade Awesome performed archaic rituals like forming militant unions, Possum to please beat around the bush for as long as it is bashing up media bosses, and carrying out abductions and humanely possible. inductions. We don’t extort anyone anymore, we just wire in “Thank you. Nepal’s democracy has come of age, and three-and-half arabs from the Virgin Islands. one vivid proof is that geriatric revolutionaries like me With that, I would like to end my two words so that I can can give obsolete speeches like these and you don’t really get back home to watch myself on the evening have to listen. Which means I can go on and say the most news. You, in the golf cap, wake up.” outrageous things because you have all tuned out by now here in the audience and in living rooms across the country, where many of you have already used that greatest The Ass

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