#426 21 - 27 November 2008 16 pages Rs 30

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Weekly Internet Poll # 427. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. How do you characterise the rift in the Maoist party?

Rising from the ashes

he crises are coming thick has been tested to the limits and GOONDADOM: Nearly 2,000 subscriber copies of Himal Khabarpatrikaís and fast for the Maoists in he has proposed a middle path: a latest issue, featuring this exposÈ of the excesses by militant youth wings T government. The peace ‘transitional republic’. Until of various political parties, were destroyed when masked attackers set process is stuck over modalities press time on Thursday it looked fire to them at a distribution point in Maitighar on Sunday night. of army integration, internal like the ‘people’s republic’ ideological rifts have deadlocked wallahs had the numbers. A vote on Wednesday evening. EDITORIAL p2 its party conference and an by the cadre could still be However, the Maoists have Rebels without a cause alliance of other parties is on the over-ruled in the central been put on the defensive because attack over the YCL excesses. committee, but it would put of the discovery this week of the STATE OF THE STATE CK Lal The national conference of moral pressure on the moderates. bodies of two young men, believed Who’s in charge? p3 Maoist cadre to have been held on During a consultation with to have been executed by the YCL Thursday was postponed by a Maoist provincial councils, 12 of in Dhading last month. The PLAIN SPEAKING Prashant Jha day because of a prolonged debate the 13 councils are said to have capital was brought to a standstill Tarai fragments p4 over whether the party should supported the hardliners’ vision in protest on Thursday by an adopt a totalitarian ‘people’s for a ‘people’s republic’. alliance of UML and NC calling Gangs of anarchy p5 republic’ or a ‘democratic “Don’t worry, the party is not itself the Citizens’ Struggle republic’. about to split,” said a visibly Committee. However, the Constitution 2010 p7 Party chairman Pushpa Kamal tired Minister of Peace and protesters also used threats to Maina the movie p12-13 Dahal’s ability to compromise Reconstruction, Janardan Sharma, enforce their strike.  Dewan Rai 2 EDITORIAL 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit CEO: Ashutosh Tiwari Design: Kiran Maharjan Marketing Manager: Sambhu Guragain Asst Manager: Subhash Kumar “Integration is the Subscriptions: 5542535/5542525 Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, 5250333/845 [email protected] Fax: 5251013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press 5250017-19 backbone of the peace process” Minister for Peace and What now? Reconstruction, Janardan We hope to hold another meeting very soon. All Sharma, speaks to Nepali Times we need is an atmosphere of trust between the REBELS WITHOUT A CAUSE government and these groups. We will begin about his overtures to Madhesi releasing prisoners through due process. They We tend to ignore alarmist forecasts because we think something militants, army integration and will always come up to avert a future crisis. assured me that violence and destruction would Here in , we have a head-in-the sand attitude over the the peace process. Translated not solve anything, all they need is proof that the political gridlock because, as in the past two years, something excerpts: government is serious. They are not yet always happens at the last moment to pull us back from the edge. convinced because past agreements have not But statistics contained in the State of the Worldís Population Nepali Times: What was the outcome of your been implemented. They are right, but we have Report 2008 released last week by UNFPA in Kathmandu should meetings with Madhesi militant groups this week? already started the process. Some of the past make politicians all sit up and take notice. Janardan Sharma: We held informal face-to-face talks agreements arenít the purview of the Nepalís current population of 28 million will reach 52 million with all major groups except Goit. We have been government, only the CA can decide on them. by 2050. The population pyramid shows a growing ëyouth bulgeí trying to reach him, and hopefully will get through. We with half the people below 30. Rising female literacy and improved talked with Jwala Singh over the phone and met one How important is PLA integration to the peace child survival rates widening the demographic gap and keeping of his emissaries. We reassured them that the process? population growth rate at above two percent, with the fertility rate government is serious about addressing Madhesi It is the backbone of the peace process. It is as at a still high 3.24. grievances, and the groups I met were positive, they important as the writing of the constitution and It is when you combine these statistics with projections for are committed to the constitution-drafting process and both are directly linked with the peace process. food production, economic growth and job-creation that it gets Nepalís territorial integrity. There are some vested interests that donít want even more frightening. Nepalís food productivity is the lowest in integration and want to derail the process. It is South Asia and is falling due to deficient inputs, fragmentation of What were their main demands? this that is hindering integration. This is a land holdings and out-migration of males. At present, they wanted amnesty for political difficult issue, but not one that is intractable. The war set development back by decades, investors fled and prisoners and their security before negotiations. I One just needs to follow the clauses in the havenít come back. There hasnít been any new employment believe these are reasonable demands. We have comprehensive peace accord. generation, and an estimated two million young Nepalis are requested them to discuss it in their central jobless. In the next ten years, 500,000 new people will be entering committee and come up with a decision on how to go Will the NC join the integration committee? the job market every year. Not all will make it to the Gulf. about it. If they can decide independently, they will The NC is just trying to get some practice being All this can only mean one thing: social unrest and political come to the dialogue table. Various factions have in opposition. We gave up the post of instability. It is hard to find a more convincing case for working started uniting and this is a positive sign and will coordinator, even though logically it should go to together politically to chart out expedite talks. the peace minister. The committee will start its emergency measures for decentralised business, and there are some in the NC who job creation, boosting food production What is the mechanism under want the party to join the committee. But and ensuring investment and economic which they can participate in integration is not just about merging the two growth. constitution writing? armies, we have to see it as a part of wider Instead, we just hear more speeches I canít tell you that. security sector reforms. We have to redefine our and lip service. Itís not that the political security strategy and terms of reference of the parties donít see the writing on the wall, But couldnít that be a security agencies and their chain of command. but their response has been to control stumbling block? The PLA is a guerrilla army, and the national the youth by setting up militant groups The major task ahead is army needs guerrilla capability. The Nepal Army like the YCL and YF to keep young to write a constitution and has a long history of professionalism, but was cadres under control and use them to build a new Nepal. They also feudal. So we are talking about an arm-twist opponents. want a new constitution integrated army that has the best of both. This has unleashed anarchy across where the rights of the country. In the past three months Madhesi people is There have been delays in setting up the there have been 30 armed clashes guaranteed. The issues of commissions on disappearance and truth and between the YCL and YF and other inclusiveness and reconciliation. ethnic-based militancies. Factories, bus proportional The cabinet endorsed the draft law on setting up companies, hotels, schools, hospitals, representation in all the disappearance commission on Wednesday, cable car operators, casinos have all government level are now we will start work on truth and fallen victim. On Sunday night, arsonists the common issues reconciliation. Without finding out the truth there attacked our sister publication, Himal of all political can be no reconciliation, and we are committed Khabarpatrika, and disrupted the parties. We have to this process. The commissions on civil distribution of an issue that carried an promised the voice service reform and land reform are also on the expose of young militant groups. of Madhesi people way. These rebels are without a cause. will be heard. There Nepalís rulers need the political will to is representation of Looks like there is serious disagreement within understand the demographic transition the Madhesi people your party. we are going through, and together plan in the CA, and they Itís not as serious as reported in the media, to avert it and be prepared for its socio- told me that they there are issues that will be decided by the political consequences. played a positive national cadre meeting. Anyone expecting the role in the election party to split can dream on. Itís not going to of the CA. happen. KIRAN PANDAY

L ETTERS

CONSTITUTION 2010 ëFederalism is required in our not understand the implication of such blamed for everything. The king is gone. Thank you for presenting country due to the structure of societyí. policies? Who is to blame for the mess we are in Khanalís A-to-Z of federalism in your If Prof Khanal is talking about the Abhishek Bhandari, email today? Constitution Supplement (ëRationale for ethnic makeup of our country he Heimdall Hallinskioi, email federalismí, #425). A friendly reminder should be reminded that despite there Thank you for a brave and optimistic that Belgium is a federal kingdom, not a being more than 101 ethnic groups in editorial (ëDaylight robberyí, #425). I agree DOWNSIZING DEVELOPMENT federal republic. There are other Nepal these ethnic groups do not live with most it, but itís not that the government The article ëDownsizing developmentí incongruous arguments, let me refute in ëenclavesí, the population in many canít control the lawlessness, it is the (#425) made a number of interesting them point by point: regions are not suggestive of any Maoists in government who are perpetrating points regarding how the global financial ëDecentralisation could not bring ethnic majority. it. The YCL needs to made accountable for crisis may affect the development and developmentí, ëfederalism is necessary Rishav Shrestha, email its actions, and we the people will do it. humanitarian community. We would like to expedite development activities and YCL be warned. to clarify that World Vision International ensure the participation of the peopleí. IMAGINE Name withheld, email Nepal (WVIN) and World Vision US, There are many reasons why Nepal has I am baffled by the Maoistsí policies in although part of the international World not been able to develop, letís not Nepal, but I am more surprised at the The Maoists have time and again Vision Partnership, are separate blame decentralisation. lack of any opposition to them shown their dual character of Dr Jekyll and entities. WVIN sources its funding from ëSwitzerland is a small country but (ëImagineí, #425). Where have all the Mr Hyde. Finance Minister Dr Baburam a number of countries, and at present there is ethnic and linguistic diversity, Nepalis who rose up against Bhattarai claims his group hasnít seized does not receive any of its funding from which is addressed through a federal oppression in April 2006 gone? How any property, whereas Minister for Culture World Vision US. There are currently systemí. Switzerland is a confederation can the Maoists talk about handing out and State Reconstruction Gopal Kiranti no plans to downsize our development although functioning as a de facto educational degrees to those who says land seized during the conflict will not work in Nepal, which will continue with federation, consisting of more than arenít literate? How can the criteria for be returned. Thousands of people have child focussed programs in 10 districts. 23 republics all of whom have receiving an educational degree be become internally displaced because of the Callum Newman different constitutions and killing people? Does Bhattarai, a PhD Maoists, and the whole world is aware of it. Acting National Director jurisdictions. himself, not value education? Does he There was a time when the palace was World Vision International Nepal OP-ED 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426 3

KIRAN PANDAY Who’s in charge? Thugs and threats rule in the new Nepal

arly this week, a group of masked men GRIEVING: Sumitra Dongol and her daughter Suntali forcibly entered the distribution centre of at their home in Siuchatar on Thursday. Sumitraís E Himal Khabarpatrika at Maitighar, terrorised son, Puskar, and his friend Nirmal Pant were the staff, stole their cellphones, vandalised the abducted and killed by suspected Maoists last office, set fire to copies of the magazine and then month in Dhading. The capital was closed down on Thursday in protest nonchalantly departed. The attack was an affirmation of an investigative report in the magazine that criminal gangs are virtually ruling creating or revitalising their own militant groups to the country. fill the law enforcement vacuum, confrontation Lawlessness rather than cooperation appears more likely. in Madhes has STATE OF THE STATE There may not be a stated plan to prolong the long been a tenure of the assembly but every political party C K Lal matter of seems to be working towards that end. Since the concern but the citizenry is unlikely to acquiesce meekly to a stranglehold of illegal bands of militants over the deadline extension, uncertainty looms on the capital is no less debilitating. Instances of horizon even as insecurity spreads on the ground. abduction for ransom or random killings may be It’s easy to see that the cause of this lawlessness less frequent in Kathmandu but there is no is the lack of governance. In the short term, the mistaking the helplessness of the law enforcement Maoists may feel that such a state is conducive to agencies when almost all gangs operate as radical their rapid expansion. But it doesn’t take long for a wings of the political parties. situation to change. With the formation of the Home Minister Bamdev Gautam, meanwhile, is UML’s militant Youth Force, not to mention the too busy enforcing decency laws on massage armed groups in Madhes, the YCL’s hoodlums are parlours and dance bars to worry about the finding the boot is now often on the other foot. collapse of law and order, and Janardan Sharma, There is an urgent need to strengthen local the Maoist Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, administrations. With most VDC secretaries is basking in the glory of having informally operating either from district headquarters or the engaged 15 armed groups creating mayhem in nearest urban centre, space is left for extortionists Madhes. He has neither the time nor the masquerading as politicians or rights activists. The inclination to hold talks with the militant wing of government has wavered for far too long over his own party which is busy running a parallel proposals to form ad hoc local government units. government by intimidation. The Maoists, UML and MJF should resist the Prime Minister lacks the temptation to overhaul the entire civil service. moral authority to rein in groups that challenge Fragile coalitions have no moral right to bind future the authority of the state. After all, he owes his governments to hastily introduced reforms. That political ascendancy to those who defied said, there is nothing to stop the government prevailing laws by force of arms under his from bringing in effective policing to deal with direction. Welcome to the world of the post- bandana-clad radicals in a way that local authorities insurgency, moral-legal vacuum, where brute force deem fit. is the only law. The Maoist-led government’s inability to After months of delay, the Constituent prevent the attack at Himal Khabarpatrika sends out Assembly has finally established the rules and a message that media is not able to exercise their procedures for writing the new constitution. The freedom. Unless the Maoists plan to go back to war, deadline of May 2010 will be meaningless without they need to understand that maintaining a peaceful a political consensus, but with all the main parties society is their primary responsibility. BUSINESS 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426 5 No more reports It’s time to start implementing those development plans he hotels of Kathmandu Recently, there have been new minimal. One may sound are buzzing with and innovative approaches taken cynical, but it is difficult to T consultations, their rooms to planning. For the first time we pinpoint 10 successful filled with ‘parachute are seeing the World Bank, the interventions that have really consultants’, and it’s difficult to Asian Development Bank and altered Nepal’s future. rather than by the number of reports that have been written in get in and out of Kathmandu as Britain’s DFID working on a One change that has occurred pages written in a report. the past 15 years. The challenge flights are booked solid by report- common strategy for their next is that now Nepal produces a While much debate is now is not to write more of them three-year program. It would be good number of development conducted and many column but to start putting their good if there were more workers who find jobs both here inches filled questioning the recommendations into practice. ECONOMIC SENSE organisations pursuing such joint and abroad. But should these accountability of the state, little Whether one is looking at Artha Beed strategies rather than duplicating highly talented and educated is known about the funds that managing state enterprises or their efforts. Nepalis have been sucked into a come in or the work that is financial sector reform, education hugging experts. Let’s face it, why Nepal has received billions of sector where they are led to done. If public companies are sector reform, health sector reform would anyone turn down the dollars in donor assistance in the believe they can earn $800-$1,000 required to disclose their or labour issues, a lot of man chance to visit Nepal during a past five decades, but when one per day? accounts to the public, why hours have already been spent on month when the mountains are looks around, apart from The embracing of shouldn’t money that is given writing about such topics. visible from the city? introducing workshop-seminar development work as a career has in the name of the Nepali public Nepal has a great pool of But we must hope all their habits, paid junkets, cocktail probably let many great people be accounted for too? young people that can be trained efforts produce fruitful results receptions, report-generating and avoid the real world, where Perhaps Nepal is competing to make those plans happen. Of and help Nepal achieve inclusive SUV driving habits, the impact performance is measured by the with some African nations to course they have to be inspired by economic growth. vis-à-vis the costs has been accomplishment of set targets have the highest number of people other than those who are reports per capita. Surely the not bothered about time has come to move on from implementation or who have writing to implementation. already retired. There is a window Probably in every sector— of opportunity once again to make barring nanotechnology or space an impact and perhaps make programs—there are heaps of amends for past bungling. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426

from what the Mandales did during the struggle of the Tharus will not take on a era. A background check on bigger form. the members of these groups shows that If the state and the political parties do Gangs of anarchy a substantial number of them have not take timely measures to control and criminal records and a history of drug monitor these youth wings, they will abuse. become uncontrollable. These young Youth Force was first established to groups have the power to invite war. If the challenge the YCL. It also helped the UML situation gets out of hand, the parties are to re-establish political influence in the sure to suffer. The bigger worry is what districts. But the YF also started getting will then happen to our country. drawn to anything that involved money. And now the rest of the 16 youth wings in the country are following their footsteps. Leaders of the youth wings have Press attack strong support from the top brass of their Editorial, Nepal Samacharpatra, parent parties so it is impossible for the 19 November police to take action against them, even when there is evidence. There have been The attacks on Himalmedia in the past extensive protests against the YCL, but weeks has shocked the media and the Maoists are reluctant to dismantle it civil society. The arson attack on because it is also an income source. Himalís latest issue represents a During the ëpeopleís warí, the conflict direct threat to press freedom and the was between two sides, the state and the citizenís right to information. The KIRAN PANDAY Maoists. But since they joined the peace attackers have also challenged the JP Pun Magar in Himal Khabarpatrika, between Youth Force and YCL, with two process, the conflict has become stateís security apparatus. For the past 16-30 November Youth Force party workers and one YCL multifaceted. The fear now is that this fire two and half years, Nepal killed. In these incidents, eight have been could cash in on the regional and ethnic Samacharpatra and other newspapers Regardless of how hard the parties try to left disabled and more than 78 have been identity struggle that is brewing. have been the target of attacks. The give a political cover to the competition injured. Already, unorganised armed groups in Editorís Alliance, set up to defend between the Maoistsí YCL and UMLís These young party workers are known the Tarai are campaigning to displace press freedom, has been condemning Youth Force, the conflict between these to collect hefty commissions for ëaidingí workers from the hills. The situation could these attacks in the strongest terms. two political youth groups is basically to with the fixing of contracts and for get out of hand if groups like the Madhesi The state must assure its citizens and do with money. recovering sums from manpower agencies Youth Force, Rakshya Dal and Madhesi the press that it is capable of ensuring According to records at the Police who dupe people in the name of foreign Commando also join in. And we canít security, and investigate the attack on headquarters, in a span of just three employment. The ësocial workí that these guarantee that a†similar situation will not Himalmedia. months there have been 30 clashes youth wings do is in fact not very different occur in Limbuwan, or that the ethnic We’re family Underground Dristi, 18 November

Prachanda’s family with Baburam Sir 1. Samir Dahal (Under-secretary of PM’s office), son of Prachanda’s in public buses. younger brother Narayan Dahal My main responsibility was to get Nepali 2. Ganga Dahal (Officer of PM’s office), Prachanda’s younger daughter newspapers for Baburam sir. I also had to type up (Indian citizen) articles and run errands. The nearest cybercafÈ was 3. Gangaram Dahal (un-appointed foreign relations officer), Prachanda’s 10km away. I had learnt how to use a computer in own brother school but didnít know how to use the internet. Hisila 4. Renu Pathak (CA member), Prachanda’s daughter Madam taught me and I was ready when Baburam Sir 5. Arjun Pathak (Officer of CA), Prachanda’s son-in-law returned. 6. Prakash Dahal (Prime Minister‘s PA/accountant), Prachanda’s son, The talks failed and Baburam was restless, salary equal to the under-secretary disturbed and unhappy. One day there was a knock 7. Narayan Dahal (CA member), Prachanda’s nephew on the door of our apartment. There was a man standing there. He had a salt and pepper moustache 8. Thakur Bhatta (Prachanda’s brother-in-law) and looked familiar, but I couldnít quite figure out 9. Another son-in-law (contractor of Chitwan Cantonment) where I had seen him before. He asked me if I was Bhaktaís son and headed straight to Baburam Sirís Baburam’s relatives room. Hisila Madam asked me if I recognised him. 1. Hisila Yami (Tourist Minister), Baburam’s wife When I told her I didnít, she said: ìThatís 2. Taranaj Pandey (PM’s adviser), Baburam’s nephew Prachanda.î I was stunned. I hadnít recognised the 3. Praya Yami (National Planning Commission), Hisila’s older sister leader of the ëpeoplesí warí. 4. Timila Yami (Chairperson of Drinking Water Project), Hisila’s older That evening, Baburam Sir asked me to type up a sister paper. It was a statement on the failure of the talks. I 5. Chirik Shova (member of Kathmandu Drinking Water), Baburam’s went to the cybercafÈ and sent it out to all the leading older sister international newspapers. Back then we used to THREESOME: Ram Bahadur Thapa, Biswadeep create new email IDs to send emails out. The story 6. Baburam’s younger brother (Tariff -fixing Committee), Head of Pandey and somehwere in was published in The Times of India the next day. Kathmandu Drinking water. during the war. Baburam Sir used to drink black tea in the morning. At around 8AM he used to have a†breakfast Biswadeep Pandey, Baburam Bhattaraiís personal of roti and curry, and lunch at 1PM. If he had to make assistant, in Naya Patrika, 17 November a call he used public phones. He carried a mobile phone but only a few Maoist leaders had his number. It was March 2004. A long cold winter had just ended He never used an auto-rickshaw or taxi. He used to and there was a certain calm in the country because go around Delhi on public buses to save money. of a ceasefire. My father, Bhakta Pandey, who was Baburam Sir never used to have his picture living underground in Gorakhpur, arrived in Butwal. I taken because of security reasons. I didnít have any had just finished my SLC exams, but my father pictures with him, so it was my dream to have one wanted me to come to India with him. I couldnít ask taken. I requested him a number of times. He was so him where he was taking me. tired of my request that he called my father and At Lucknow railway station I found out I was asked him to talk to me about it. After that, I never going to be Baburam Bhattaraiís personal assistant. asked him again. After a 15-minute auto-rickshaw ride, we reached a I learnt about communism from Baburam Sir. He three-storeyed house. There were two women and gave me Leninís The State and Revolution to read. two men waiting for us. I recognised Baburam and The first time I read it, I didnít understand a word. By Lekhnath and later learnt that the other two were the third read I could vaguely understand some of the their wives. Baburam Sir was leaving that day for concepts. Nepal for peace talks. ìComrade,î he told me, ìgo to In 2004, the Maoist party decided to take Delhi with Hisila. Iíll see you there when I get back disciplinary action against Baburam Sir and three from Nepal.î other leaders. I was in Kharibot, Rolpa and wept all Hisila Madam and I left for Delhi the next day. night when I heard the news. The next day, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the BIMSTEC Convention: ìWe She told me that Baburam Sir was looking for a 1 Feburary 2005, Baburam, Dinanath, Hisila, destroyed countless bridges, telecommunication towers, buildings young, hard-working, disciplined and responsible Debendra Paudel and Mani Thapa arrived at during the ten year peopleís war. That is why Nepal has lots of assistant who could keep party secrets and Kharibot. That was also the day former king opportunities for investment.î understood the importance of simple living. We Gyanendra decided to take over. This changed lived in a pink house in Rohini Sector 15 in Delhi. everything, and the Chairman rescinded his decision Himal Khabarpatrika, 17 August Hisila Madam showed me how to get around the city to order disciplinary action against the leaders. CONSTITUTION 2010 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426 7 Learning from South Africa Nepali legislators must look to the experiences of other ‘new’ nations “What do you expect from this formation of a constituent We also learnt from the ANC visit to South Africa?” the assembly to the promulgation of a experience that although the organiser asked us. Everyone had new constitution was fairly success of political parties a different answer, but one thing straightforward because most depends on leadership, their we all wanted was to meet Nelson contentious issues had already organisational management and Mandela, known throughout the been resolved in a 36-point ideology are equally important. world as a symbol for political agreement before the CA was The ANC’s 52nd convention freedom and equality. Sadly his created. A constitutional court, passed a statute giving women ill health meant this was not independent of the political 50 per cent of the positions possible, but we did visit the parties, was established to oversee within the party as well as in all Apartheid Museum in Soweto, the writing process, which meant levels of government. There was which told the story of his parties’ partisan positions on no provision for this in the struggle against the racist regime. constitutional issues became less constitution, but this statute important. ultimately ensured that women This in turn meant there was received equal representation. COMMENT PATH TO PEACE: Gagan Thapa present a Buddha figure rently in more time for public discussion As for the integration of Gagan Thapa Johannesburg to South African army general Roland de Vries, who about the constitution. For this, opposing combatants, the first played a key peace-building role in post-apartheid South Africa. the local media, constitutional important step was to build We were 19 youth leaders experts and international confidence between the two from different political parties, The first day began with a talk South Africa. comparisons were important. armies. In South Africa, they including some Constituent by Ibrahim Ibrahim, an ANC One might wonder how it was There is a lot that Nepali found it worked best if they Assembly members. During the veteran of the fight against possible for these two men to assembly members can learn from looked at problems from the nine-day program in Pretoria and apartheid, and Roelf Meyer, a work together. Several times they the South African experience. perspective of the other side or, as Johannesburg, we learned about former defence minister in the came close to falling out but they Boundaries of provinces should they put it, ‘analyse the situation, the South African constitution apartheid regime and secretary- said two things kept them not be decided too hurriedly and walk slowly but don’t change writing process, the role of the general of the National Party. focussed. randomly. We need to have direction’. political parties in establishing “In 1986, when I was deputy First, there was the trust extensive deliberations with Ultimately, the peace process democracy, the part played by the police minister, Ibrahim was between them. They believed each experts and reach consensus in South Africa was not easy. For constitution commission and kidnapped from Switzerland,” side in the negotiations had among the parties. We should Nepal, it is important that we political institutions in Meyer told us. “The journey that honest intentions to take the not look only to past experiences, look at their peace building and safeguarding the constitution, had begun in animosity is now peace process forward to a logical but also to future aspirations, constitution-writing experiences and the nature of the federal moving ahead in conclusion, even though they had otherwise we may pay a heavy to learn what worked and what government structure. companionship.” different priorities and price. didn’t. But we should not make We interacted with people Once political foes from ideologies. In the movement against the mistake of imitating them, as who were directly involved in extreme opposite ends of the Second, each was prepared, at apartheid, everyone understood each society has its own specific the movement against apartheid, political spectrum, Meyer and difficult moments, to try and see that colour could not be the basis characteristics and each peace as well as researchers from Ibrahim are now close friends, any dispute from the other’s on which to build a new South process must follow its own academic institutions and actively working together in the perspective in an attempt to Africa. They told us proudly: particular path. experts who worked on the peace ANC. They spoke to us about unravel the problem. “The constitution of South Africa process and writing the peace and their experience of the In contrast to Nepal, the does not recognise black or white; Gagan Thapa is a NC member of constitution. constitution writing process in South African journey from the it knows only African citizens.” the Constituent Assembly Constitution calendar “We can rock the

30 November-15 December, 2008 1 October-15 October, 2009 CA session easily” Formation of 14 subject committees and  Extensive discussion on draft constitution nomination of vice chairman of the CA  Public feedback to be gathered by CA members Basanti Jha, (TMLP) 16 December-11 February, 2009 16 December-14 January, 2010  Drawing up of action plans for each committee  Report on collected suggestions to be tabled at the When did you join politics?  Civic education, training and orientation assembly I was born in India. In 1971, begins  women had no right to vote. Opinion gathering from the public 15 January-13 March, 2010 Then, I thought of entering  The full CA to discuss the report 12 February-13 April, 2009  Constitution bill to be tabled in the CA, politics. I am also president of  Subject committees complete concept papers incorporating feedback the Women Awareness Project. I  The bill to be discussed in the CA became more actively involved 14 April-14 June, 2009  CA members to table amendments in politics after the Madhes  Preliminary drafts from committees to be movement. tabled in the CA 14 March-14 May, 2010  After article by article discussion, all articles and When do you think the 15 June-16 September, 2009 sub-articles of the constitution to be finalised process of constitution  Draft constitution prepared, incorporating writing will start? suggestions from the CA and subject 15 May-28 May, 2010 SANTA GAHA MAGAR  There is no sign of the process committees, then tabled in the assembly Endorsement of a complete constitution with its starting soon. In over six months, we have not even thought of it. preamble 17 September-30 September, 2009  Signing off by the CA members It has sent out a wrong message to the villages. We have not been  Final draft of the constitution to be published  The CA chair to authenticate the constitution able to elect a vice chair of the CA, let alone begin writing the in the gazette for public comment  The new constitution to be handed over to the constitution. This position is allocated for a woman and no party  Drawing up of action plans for responding to president in a formal ceremony, where he will is showing any interest in it. public feedback announce its promulgation What are the issues of women to be met immediately? A single woman will get an allowance when she is 60. But I think she should be eligible to get the allowance when she becomes Gift horses single. Madhesi women are plagued by the dowry system. They A fleet of buses that India donated to transport CA members between Singha are also illiterate. The state should pay attention to these Darbar and the BICC are still not being used. Assembly members refuse to ride problems first. the 32-seater buses because they are unhappy about the conspicuously painted ëGifted from the Government of Indiaí on their sides. They believe that such a Which side are you on regarding party whips? visible proof of foreign involvement will demean the constitution-drafting process. Our own party whip is unacceptable to us regarding women’s However, employees at the secretariat claim that the inability of the government to rights. If the new constitution is written against the interests of provide facilities led them to ask India for help. Indian embassy officials say that women, women CA members will stand united. The 197 women the secretariat requested 50 buses, cars and jeeps. The buses were the first to be members are enough to rock the CA session easily. provided. One compromise: erase the Indian flag and the prominent sign. RSS 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426

As Nepal’s main trekking areas get overcrowded, it’s time Off the to open up new areas beaten trek

2 Lumbha Samba Pass looking east The goddess of the east If you have a wish, go to Pathibhara

SAGUN S LAWOTI in TAPLEJUNG Taplejungís airfield. ìFriends casually explaining the strong faith shared by local the Pathibhara temple lies on a site where mentioned Pathibhara during the people that the goddess fulfills peopleís Parbati prayed for Lord . The sunset all it chance or a twist of fate, stopover in Birtamod. I donít know what wishes. views of and Jannu Himal but a to the fabled made me do it, but I rescheduled my For Karki, the trip had come out of the (see picture) from the temple is one of C Pathibhara Devi temple was the reservation and was off to Taplejung first blue. But there are large numbers of the ethereal beauty. last thing on the mind of 31-year-old thing in the morning.î devout who take a vow to come back again ìSince Parvatiís prayers were Dinesh Karki when he left his home in To knowing nods, local man Suresh and again when their wishes are realised. answered, the same is reflected in the case Kathmandu. Limbu suggested that perhaps the goddess Dilli Acharya, one of the two temple of the devotees,î Acharya says. ìI was on my way to Siliguri to was calling Karki from his urban home. priests, has little doubt that the shrine, Indeed there are many who return board a train,î said Karki, sipping a cup ìNow, if you have any wish, you can lay nestled on a 3,7800m mountain top is frequently to pay their respects to the of warm Tibetan tea at Suketar, it before Pathibhara,î Limbu added, bestowed with celestial powers. He claims goddess. Some come to show off their 1 Honku Basin from West Col with Ama Dablam at centre.

TEXT by BILLI BIERLING Some are calling for a ceiling on Khumbu. During the entire trek PICTURES by ROBIN BOUSTEAD the number of people on the that lasted more than a month, Everest trail every season. they saw just five other trekkers. his year’s autumn The huge surge in the number Boustead and trekking partner trekking season has of trekkers, and the extension of Bob Rosenbaum set out at the been a bumper one, roads into the heart of the beginning of September. The first T with tourist arrivals popular Annapurna trekking area, few weeks were marred by soaring to over 50,000 in October. have led to growing calls for new relentless rain and continual Teahouses in the Khumbu and hiking regions to be opened up to battles with leeches. Annapurna regions are bursting at relieve the pressure on the most “Bob and I would spend the the seams. Even Langtang has seen popular routes. evenings picking leeches from thousands of tourists hitting the One proposal, backed by the each other,” Boustead said. “The trails to Kyanjin Gompa and Dutch group SNV and ICIMOD in villagers were unconditionally Gosainkunda. Kathmandu is to create a Great welcoming and so open-hearted, More than 9,200 trekkers Himalayan Trail along the entire it was humbling.” descended on Khumbu in length of Nepal, from near With their eight Nepali October—the largest number in Kangchenjunga in the east to Api- support crew, they fought their that month since the Sagarmatha Saipal in the far west, which way through dense bamboo National Park was established 20 could benefit 1.8 million people forests, raging rivers and across an adventure.” business—if done in a sustainable years ago and counting began. The living in the mountains. snowy passes with only a rather While the tourist influx has manner—would certainly improve steep trail to Namche Bajar was Australian tourism inaccurate map. “If someone brought welcome economic their lives,” said Sam Voolstra, a congested with hikers, yaks and professional Robin Boustead has gathered enough information on benefits to some, these remain tourism adviser for SNV. porters. just tried out the first stretch, that area, it would be a great trek very localised. Boustead, who lost 14kg on the “I have never, ever seen the starting out from Suketar airfield for everyone,” Boustead said. “It “The people in the areas walk, intends to return in the Everest region so busy,” said in Taplejung and crossing nine may not be as comfortable as the outside the major trekking regions spring to continue along the next British trek leader Mike Truman. high passes to get to Thame in Everest region but it is certainly are still very poor, and the tourist section of the 1,500km trail.

3 from Sherpani Col 4 Chomolungma as seen from Renjo La

newborn baby, others to express gratitude Local Limbus know the site as Bung: Muktu for their recruitment into the Gurkha meaning ëpowersí and ëtreeí. regiment or to give thanks for overcoming a Little is known of the real origins of this physical ailment. long-venerated shrine, but according to local ìThe reasons could be anything under folklore, shepherds camping nearby were the sun,î says Bhattarai, a devotee astonished when a flock of lambs disappeared and member of the Pathibhara Devi Temple into thin air. Their subsequent search proved Conservation and Promotion Committee. fruitless. They later dreamt that they should ìBut pilgrims do come for prayers make an animal and after they had answered.î done so, the lambs reappeared. Bhattarai, a government employee, ìSince the people had literally lost all backed up his assertion citing several knowledge of the sacred site, this was the experiences of his own: ìIf not for the divine goddessís way of reacquainting the people powers, why would the devotees continue with it,î said Acharya, who lives at the site coming?î even throughout the harsh winter cold. ìThat However, the name Pathibhara has act was her calling.î nothing to do with the sanctity of the holy Taplejung is accessible by road via Ilam, abode. The name came about simply or by direct flights to Suketar from Kathmandu because the temple sits atop a mountain or . From there Pathibhara is a 5 Jannu Himal from Pathibhara resembling a pathi or measuring vessel. three day roundtrip with easy walking. SAGUN LAWOTI 10 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426 Towards a PAAVAN MATHEMA It’s free, it’s in Nepali, and he battle of the operating systems is intensifying in it could save you a packet TNepal, it looks like free open source softwares like Linux “The concept of FOSS lies in Windows software. Original, are emerging as a viable alternative freedom of usage, modification proprietary software, like that of to commercial software. and sharing,” says Bal Krishna Bal Windows or Adobe, can cost People usually are only too of Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya several hundred dollars. But they happy to grab anything labelled (MPP), which is trying to can be legally used once only by ‘free’, but free and open source promote the programs and its one customer and cannot be software (FOSS) was finding it Nepali language operating system. modified. difficult to make much headway FOSS is computer software a “Unlike FOSS, the rights of against the commercial giants. user can download for free, use in the software are restricted to the Ironically, it was the fact that any way and even modify. Among company and the user is bounded pirated Windows operating the most popular examples of to comply with their policies,” systems are cheap and sometimes FOSS are the Mozilla Firefox web says Subir Pradhananga, come free with the hardware that browser, and the OpenOffice.org President of FOSS Nepal. made it difficult for FOSS to have office suite which offers a free Regardless of its cost and a following. alternative to Microsoft’s technical limitations, proprietary

STEVE MALLOCH I KNOW THE ANSWER: Children, each with their own XO computers, at the Biswamitra Ganesh School in Lalitpur respond to a question from the teacher at an interactive classroom last week. One laptop per Nepali child

LINE WOLF NIELSEN in LALITPUR self evaluation and the children can take the computer home. s the morning bell rings, uniformed students Nepalís education spending today is an average of the Biswamitra Ganesh Secondary School of Rs 3,000 per child, and many argue that schools A line up in the playground and sing Nepalís need text books, furniture and roofs, not computers. stirring new national anthem. Karmacharya argues that itís not a question of Himal Khabarpatrika Students of grade two and six walk to their either/ or. 1-15 Mangsir classrooms and turn on their little green laptops. ìIf we believe that education leads to positive The school has been selected to test how computers development, then we have to invest in better specially designed for children in developing education. If the benefits match the expenses, then I countries can be integrated into daily teachings. am confident that we can find the means to Six months ago each student here was given continue,î he says. these robust XO computers by Open Learning Nepal The American Internet guru and founder of One- with support from a Danish group. Teachers are laptop-per-child Nicolas Negroponte launched the being trained to provide computer-based exercises. idea that children from developing countries should Cover Active English verbs are on the menu for todayís have access to ICT-based education. His group World Economic Meltdown hits Nepal English lesson in grade two. Walking, dancing, developed the XO, marketed as the ë$100 computerí, Nepal is now linked to the world economy through remittances, singing- it says on the black board. The children are although it now costs $195. trade, foreign aid, investment, NRNs and ties to India. busy constructing sentences on the computer. The Cheap computers for children in the developing Editorial right answers are rewarded with a happy beep. world have been tried elsewhere, but this is the first Should tax payers’ money be used to compensate victims of ìBefore I only had my textbook, but now I have time a project includes specially developed teaching Maoist property seizures? many more opportunities in my teaching,î says materials too. So far, materials for English and Math The Obama victory showed US society becoming inclusive teacher Pawan KC, ìthe computer helps the children have been developed. Soon, some for Nepali will Goon Rule improve pronunciation.î follow. Special report on the militant youth wings of the various parties The break bell rings again. But not all the Itís still too early to say how the laptops will students rush out. Marita Shrestha in class six turns affect learning capabilities and the teaching of the Sambidhan Yatra on her computer. She tells us: ìThe computer has Regular 12-page Supplement on the constitution-writing exercise 135 students at the Biswamitra Ganesh School who sound and pictures and if I make a mistake I can got their computers in April. Next month, the Ministry Land Reform correct it immediately.î of Education will decide if it wants to continue a Special package various options for land reform For Rabi Karmacharya of Open Learning Nepal, larger pilot project. The findings from Nepal will feed Last Page internet and computer-based education is less about into projects in other countries.  Debi Sunar writes about her struggle for justice against the gadgets and more about quality education. murderers of her daughter, Maina ìLearning can be more fun and interactive,î he www.amazon.co.uk/xo† explains, ìthereís also an aspect of self-learning and www.olenepal.org INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #42611 Windowsless world software is used virtually cyberactivists are trying to change available in four versions. The everywhere in the world. Even in all that with public programs and arrival of NepaLinux meant that Nepal, the pirated versions of recruitment of young software using a computer was no longer proprietary software make up engineers into the movement. limited to English speakers. 90 per cent of all software used. Nepal is at the forefront Several rural schools are now Pradhananga says there is a among South Asian countries in using FOSS, and enthusiasts have FOSS alternative to almost all promoting FOSS, especially in been lobbying for the government commercial software. “What is developing localised software. In to include it in the country’s IT lacking is awareness,” he says. 2005, NepaLinux—an operating policies and in the national Now, Foss Nepal with MPP, system in the Nepali language— education curriculum. Help Nepal Network and other was launched and is now The switch to FOSS is not difficult as many free applications are Windows compatible, and it is also possible IT’s happening in Bhaktapur to install a dual-booting system Laxman Shrestha, leans down to press the start button of the newly on a computer. installed computer at Bhaktapur DDC. It is an old and slow machine Networked cabinet that takes five minutes to boot up. But itís better than nothing in What makes FOSS unique is It is Thursday and another cabinet meeting is about to commence at Nepalís most IT-savvy DDC office. the easy availability of its source Singha Durbar. The ministers are comfortably seated waiting for Shrestha works for the Bhaktapur district development office code, which allows IT-savvy Prime Minister Dahal to show up. and with considerable pride opens up the Government of Nepal operators around the world to But unlike in the past, there arenít sheafs of papers and files on website and shows us how his districts posts all its information modify and improve the software. the table. Instead, each minister has a slick notebook computer, online. FOSS users and developers share and some are busy typing in notes and others are reviewing the agenda for the Thursday meeting Since June 2008, Bhaktapur has been one of several DDCs to ideas, problems and solutions in start computerising its office. Believing that technology could help All 23 ministers now sport sleek laptops, though it is not clear make work more efficient and respond faster to demand, Bhaktapur the quest to make the free how many know how to type or use the computers. raised the necessary funds to install the technology. software more useful and easier to ìThe ministers can view their daily program schedules and the ìWe can now network with 16 of our VDCs and the main operate. And the other great meeting agenda with their laptops,î says IT engineer Arjun ministry,î Shrestha says. advantage is the low risk from Adhikari, who networked the system. The ministers can even post The volume of work at the DDC was such that often services computer viruses. their opinions or amendments on the discussions. They can access were slow and not up to the standard required. The hope is that the legislation, and are networked to each other. ìThe ministers have been enthusiastically using them even new technology will eventually help DDC staff serve the people of See also: though none of them were trained in using the computers ,î says Bhaktapur more effectively and competently. ‘Ayo Nepali!’, #129 However, as most employees donít yet know how to use the ‘Fontastic Nepali’, #165 Jagdish Regmi at the cabinet secretariat. There is a support team computers proficiently, the technology is not being used to its full ‘NepaLinux’, #231 of three computer experts who can help the ministers out if they capacity. Staff are receiving training, but this is a slow business. ‘Not doing too badly in IT get stuck. Nevertheless, Shrestha remains confident that with a little more outsourcing’, #291 And itís strictly business in the cabinet meeting: there is no practice, the computer technology will make a big difference not ‘Dailekh bridges the digital room for a quick game of solitaire or a chat with a daughter in just to Bhaktapur but to other districts in Nepal. divide’, #360 Australia. To help the ministers concentrate on running the country, Shradha Basnyat in Bhaktapur ‘Instead of one laptop per no games or internet have been installed. child…’, #361 12 REVIEW 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426 Maina’s story A powerful new feature film relates the true story of Maina Sunar

REVIEW by DEWAN RAI

aina is not the usual formulaic, made in Nepal, replica Bollywood Mnonsense. It is a spirited portrayal of a time when this country was at war. Director K P Pathak reminds us of the terror that ordinary families caught in between the soldiers and the guerrillas experienced every day during the war. He sheds light on an issue that deserves far more prominence in contemporary Nepali debate—that of abuse by the state of its own citizens. Maina Sunar’s case got attention because of the struggle that one woman, Maina’s mother Debi, launched to find out what had happened to her daughter. Her single-handed fight for justice when she Pathak’s film is gritty in its Bahadur Mahara was chief guest at a special LAST SEEN: The moment in the film in found out Maina had been tortured and cinematography, portraying the stark screening of Maina at Kumari Cinema which soldiers drag away Maina from her murdered got full media attention. reality of rural Nepal in a time of war. recently (the prime minister was invited home. Director K P Pathak (below) on Ironically, Maina was murdered in There is no attempt to glamourise the but didn’t show up). Many in the location in Dhading, where he recreated Panchkhal—the base where the Nepal violence or sensationalise the action, and audience, which included Debi, could be Maina's home in Sindhupalchok. Army’s UN peacekeepers are trained. Those one smells the fear of the protagonists as seen wiping away tears. Perhaps the movie who were responsible for Maina’s torture the camera moves cinema verité style to will help Mahara and others in government and murder are known by name, yet have expose state brutality and reveal the hard- to think: we overthrew the monarchy but never stood trial. heartedness of insurgents. has the condition of ordinary Nepalis There are more than 1,200 documented It goes further in urging the government changed for the better? Are the relatives of cases of disappearances by the state and to set up the mechanisms to ensure that the victims ever going to see justice? the insurgents. There are many more which the poor get justice and individuals’ rights The film is also a tribute to Debi Sunar were never reported. At a time when the are protected. The director has presented and many mothers like her as well as peace process is moving forward, one may the story as a straight re-telling of what human rights activists who displayed argue that this is a time for reconciliation, happened, from the perspective of the extraordinary courage to take on the state to let bygones be bygones. victim’s family and without resorting to and the rebels to expose the abuse. But Maina shows us in painful detail over-the-top dramatics—as usually Although it might that the war is never over for the relatives happens with feature films. Pathak doesn’t not play well at the of the victims—especially the disappeared fall into the trap of being propagandistic or box office, this film and the wounded. For closure they need preachy, which is why his message against will help to earn the truth about what happened to their impunity and for accountability has Pathak kudos among relatives, they need compensation and they credibility and power. Nepalis and within the need justice. Minister for Information Krishna Nepali film industry. Opening doors for Nepali art in London

hen Sangeeta Thapa organized the exhibition ‘Khulla Dhoka’ in W March 2006, Nepal’s future looked bleak. The war was at its peak, 50 Nepalis were being killed every week. Pro-democracy protests were gathering strength on the streets. Yet, the exhibition in a symbolic fashion tried to show that there was hope, that doors (and minds) needed to be opened. As it turned out, by April that year the WAY OUT JUNE 2008 / PATRICK HUGHES street protests forced king Gyanendra to hindered the development of contemporary Maggi Hambling, Patrick Hughes, Tim restore parliament and a ceasefire went into expression and it is to make up for this Hyman and Richard Long. All 108 artists effect. Nepal’s future suddenly looked loss that we are trying to set up the donated work which were for sale at £150 bright again. Kathmandu Arts Centre,” Thapa told to £50,000. Thapa has now taken the exhibition to Nepali Times. The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla London as part of an effort to raise money The exhibition in London had works Parker Bowles, also lead a fundraising dog for a proposed Kathmandu Arts Centre, a by 11 prominent Nepali artists ( walk at London’s Green Park on vibrant world-class centre to support the Baral, Sujan Chitrakar, Kiran Manandhar, 8 November to raise money for the creativity of future Nepali artists. Khulla Manuj Babu Mishra, Ashmina Ranjit, Kathmandu Arts Centre as well as the HOW DO YOU DO: Sangeeta Thapa of the Dhoka 2 was opened in London on 28 Seema Shah, Shahi Shah, Uma Shankar Kathmandu Animal Treatment (KAT) that Kathmandu Arts Centre welcomes Camilla October and ended on 14 November. Shah, Romio Shrestha, Sunil Sigdel and rescues street dogs. The dogs were all Parker-Bowles at the Khulla Dhoka 2 “The absence of quality museums, Ragini Updahya-Grela) and international garlanded as if on Kukur Tihar. exhibition in London last week. experimental spaces and studios has artists, including Catherine Goodman, www.kathmanduarts.org NATION 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426 13 Still yearning for justice The war hasn’t ended for Maina’s mother

ne day in February 2003 I left my daughter Maina at home to visit my mother. My sister Rina Rasaili had earlier been O abducted by soldiers, raped and killed. I could never imagine that a similar fate awaited my daughter. I didn’t see her being handcuffed and dragged out of the house. My husband and sister don’t want to talk about it because they say their hearts still tremble when they remember the horror. Director K P Pathak has made a feature film about my daughter’s murder, called Maina, which premiered on 10 November. During the scenes when Maina’s character is tortured by electrocution and her head pushed under a water drum, I covered my head and wept. The tears I shed were also tears of happiness. That a movie about COMMENT Maina was finally made Debi Sunar represented a result of my long struggle. If I had just grieved no one would have known me, nor Maina. It was because of my struggle that the army which was saying “We didn’t do it” was finally forced to say “Yes, we did it.” Human rights activists and journalists played an important part in this struggle. However, the journey hasn’t ended yet, it won’t end until the murderers are punished. In 2003 I attended a reception by the OHCHR’s Louise Arbour at the Himalaya Hotel. She had arranged for me to meet the army chief, Pyarjung Thapa. Someone pointed him out to me, and I walked to his side : “Namaste, sir. I am lucky to be able to meet someone like you,” I said.“ Why?” he asked. “It’s rare for a victim of violence like me to have the opportunity to meet someone like you.” “Victimised by whom?” he asked. I replied: “I am Maina Sunar’s mother. My daughter has disappeared since Februrary 2003. I want to know where my daughter is, if she was detained. If so, why.”

REEL DEBI: Maina's parents Debi and Purna Sunar (played by Shrestha and Govinda Prabhat) in the film, Maina.

He thought for a while, then said: “I will contact you in a week.” I didn’t have a phone so human rights activist Mandira Sharma gave him her number. It was after this that the army admitted through the media that Maina was killed in the barracks. It named Col Babi Khatri, Lt Col Amit Pun and Sunil Adhkari and Capt Niranjan as having taken part in Maina’s torture and murder. The army said it had frozen their promotion and detained them for a few months. The army also promised compensation, but I didn’t go to the Kabhre district office because my struggle was not for money. I wanted to take the guilty to court to have them tried and then awarded damages. I had thought that I would get justice when the Maoists came to power. But now I see that they are too busy with their own vested interests. No Maoist leader or cadre has ever spoken to me after they got into government. I don’t understand how they could just forget about the victims of the conflict so soon. Not just the Maoists, many human rights activists and journalists have also taken advantage of my tragedy. They take hours and hours of footage of me and then they sell my suffering. I hear the Maoists are even planning to release an album named after Maina. K P Pathak’s film exposes these things. I am poor, but I want to immortalise Maina by setting up the Maina Child Development Committee and an orphanage in my daughter’s name. And I am glad to note that K P Pathak has pledged a part of the earnings from charity shows of his film in Kabhre to Maina’s cause.  14 CITY 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426

ABOUT TOWN Yuvvraaj is a musical story of a fragmented family of three brothers Deven Yuvvraaj (Salman Khan), Gyanesh (Anil Kapoor) EXHIBITIONS and Danny (Zayed Khan) who battle among themselves to inherit  Nepali Paintings: A story of transition, 22 November, Hyatt their fatherís wealth. Deven Yuvvraaj is a struggling singer who regency, 3PM signs an agreement with his girlfriend Anoushkaís (Katrina Kaif)  Himal Southasian magazine presents a cartoon exhibition ëThe father Dr. Banton (Boman Irani) to be a billionaire in 40 days. In Pea under the Mattress: An Abu Retrospective and cartoons in order to acquire this wealth, he has to face his two estranged brothers who he meets after 12 years. On meeting them, he Trying Times: The Best of Nepali Satire, till 22 November, 9AM realises that they are two individuals who are complete opposite - 5PM, Yala Maya Kendra (Free Entry). 5552141 Entertainment of each other, which makes the task all the more difficult.  Divinity of the common life, an exhibition of paintings and photos by Karl Knapp, Nayantara Kakshapati and Tenzin Norbu Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal Gurung at Nepal Art Council till 30 November. 4218048 Quest www.jainepal.com EVENTS  Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2008, Gurukul, 11-27 November. 4466956 sfd ;fgf ] 7nf" ] eGg ] x'Fb}g . kl;gfsf] s'g} /ª / hft klg x'Fb}g . sfd  g]kfn ;/sf/ † Funeral, a movie by Subarna Thapa, 21 November, 7PM, u/]/ vfg nhfpg' klg x'Fb}g . rf]/]/, 9fF6]/, 5n]/, n'6]/ vfg kf] Alliance FranÁaise. nhfpgk5' { . hf ] hxf F /x/] hg' sfd u5 { pm To;df} /dfpgk5' { uf/a} ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno  Paleti with Pratap Subba, 28 November, 5.30 PM, nepa-laya ërí ug'{k5{ / ;dlk{t eP/ ug'{k5{ . sfd g} zlQm xf], elQm xf] / d'lQm ;"rgf ljefu sala, Rs 565. 4412469  AWON Christmas Bazaar, 6 December at the Hyatt Regency, xf] . sfdsf] OHht u/f,}+ kl;gfsf ] ;Ddfg u/f }+ . 10AM-4.30 PM

MUSIC  Sunday Live Music on 23 November, Lazimpat Gallery CafÈ, 7-11PM.  Tuesday Melody at Jazzabell CafÈ, Happy hour 6-8PM. 2114075  74 Twister playing live every Tuesday at Moksh, Pulchowk. 5526212  Robin and the New Revolution playing live every Tuesday, 7.10 PM onwards at Bamboo Club restaurant, Thamel. 470157  Some like it hot every Friday BBQ and live music by Dinesh Rai and the Sound Minds, 7PM onwards, Rs 899 at Fusion, Dwarikaís Hotel. 4479488  Happy cocktail hour, 5-7PM, Ladies night on Wednesday with live unplugged music at Jatra CafÈ & Bar  Live Sensation, live performance by Yankey, every Saturday, 9PM, Hyatt Regency. 4491234.  Dance and Cocktails at Cube Bar, Kamaladi. 4438017  Fusion and Looza Band every Friday night, Resto Lounge, Lazimpat. 4412193  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.  Fusion and Classical Music by Anil Shahi every Wednesday, rock with Rashmi Singh every Friday, Sufi & Raga with Hemant Rana every Saturday, 8 PM onwards, Absolute Bar. 5521408

DINING  Thanksgiving Celebration, 27-29 November, K-too! Beer & Steakhouse, Thamel. 4700043 WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL  Thanksgiving dinner, 27-29 November, Kilroyís Restaurant. 4250440 Moisture remnants of last weekís cyclone in the Bay that had drifted  Coffee & Chocolate at the Lounge in Hyatt Regency. across peninsular India washed over the Himalaya by a westerly. Its 4.30-6.30 PM. 4491234 after effects will be with us into the weekend, making the mornings  Take away at Te Restaurant from Bluebird Food Court and misty mixed with smog. Expect flight delays for morning arrivals and Welcome Food Plaza at Bakhundole, Sanepa. 5549331 departures. The westerly is bringing in colder air from western Tibet,  Salmon Delicacies at the Rox Restaurant from 7PM onwards. and this will bring the mercury down by another three degrees to an Hyatt Regency. 4489361 unseasonably low 4 degrees. The partial cloud cover will also bring  Organic Salad Bar and Steak at Jalan Jalan restaurant every down the maximum temperature to 23. The frontal system over Friday from 6PM, Rs 650 Kashmir will bring light snow to farwest Nepal this weekend.  Fusion of Marcela Reganís new menu and Mannieís new bar at Dhokaima Cafe. 5522113  Plat Du Jour at Hotel Shangri-la, Kathmandu, Rs 600. 4412999  Pizza & Pasta every Monday and Tuesday at Rox Restaurant. Hyatt Regency. 448936  Pasta pesto passion†at La Dolce Vita, Thamel. 4700612 KATHMANDU  Steak special with free Irish coffee at K-too! Beer & Steakhouse, Thamel. 4700043  Continental and cafe item with Live band every Friday at Vintage Cafe and Pub, Woodland Complex, Durbarmarg.  Unlimited wine offer for Rs 990 at La Maison wine and cigar KATHMANDU VALLEY lounge. 9841333628  Home made pasta at Alfresco, Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999 Fri Sat Sun  Reality Bites, The Kaiser CafÈ, Garden of Dreams, operated by Dwarikaís Group of Hotels, 9AM-10PM. 4425341  Steak escape with Kathmanduís premier steaks at the Olive Bar and Bistro, Hotel Radisson. 23-6 23-5 24-4 4411818  Cocktails, mocktails and 'MANDU MANDALA by PRERANA PAKHRIN liqueurs at the Asahi Lounge, opening hours 1-10PM, above Himalayan Java, Thamel.  Retro Brunch Barbeque with live acoustic music by Sound Chemistry, every Saturday, 12- 3PM at LeMeritien-Kathmandu, Gokarna. 4451212  Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-la with Live†performance by Ciney Gurung, Rs. 666, at the Shambala Garden, every Friday 7PM onwards. 4412999  Kebabs and curries at the Dhaba, Thapathali. 9841290619  lly Expression Coffee at Hotel Shangrila, Lazimpat and Mandap Hotel, Thamel  Socially Responsible coffee at Himalayan Java, Thamel

For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com HAPPENINGS 21 - 27 NOVEMBER 2008 #426 15

KIRAN PANDAY LARGER THAN LIFE: Former president of India, Abdul Kalam, gives a lecture at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza to a gathering of dignitaries and diplomats on Monday.

KASHISH DAS SHRESTHA HI, BYE: Suresh Chalise speaks at a farewell reception at the Nepal Centre in New York on Wednesday after he was recalled by the Maoist-led government as Nepalís ambassador to the United States barely a year after he was appointed.

DEEPENDRA BAJRACHARYA BOY KING: Urgyen Jigme Rabsel Dawa recognised as a reincarnation of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, founder of the centre for religious learning, after his enthronement ceremony on Wednesday at the Shedrub Ling . 16 A houseforComradeBiswas I in thenation’scasinos.Notthat lift thebanonNepalisgambling pressure onthehomeministerto revolutionary tradeuniontoput Maoists havegottheir that theyareinpower,the Gamblers wereexecuted.Now be killedforsellingmoonshine. During thewaryearsyoucould what wasthewarfor? to signawayPancheswor. the Tanakpurtreatyisnowready party thatwenttowarscrap the bankingsector,etcetc.The end monopolisticcapitalismin work permitsforforeignworkers, stop Gurkharecruitment,impose 1950 treaty,banHindimovies, things, theywantedtoscrapthe 40 demands.Amongother want toberemindedaboutthe ministries anddon’tseemto in governmentheadingkey years. Nepali livesoverthenextten which endedupcosting15,000 launched their Deuba wasawayinDelhi, even waitingforareplywhile in thelaundrylistandwithout in February1996.Theyhanded presented toPMDeubawayback the 40-pointdemandthatthey The samecomradesarenow to haveforgottenaboutis thing theMaobaddiesseem n allthishighdramaone BACKSIDE  janajudha So our then madehimaminister.But put himonthePRlistand man losttheelection,UML or MauMau.Eventhoughthe Comrade DumbDeviseh-Malé difficult tosaywhether It isgettingmoreand Russian Roulette allow Nepalistolegallyplay booze shopsisnowaboutto royal statues,andhaslicensed vendors, planstoteardownall public places,evictedsidewalk night clubs,bannedsmokingin imposed acurfewinThamel’s government thathasbravely be Indians,butarevolutionary even sneakinginpretendingto the baneverstoppedusfrom people whosepropertyhad payer’s moneytocompensate with thegovernmentusingtax he saidsawnothingwrong Bharatpur airporttheotherday Fair enough.Butthenat Nanda KishorecanbeCOAS. be primeminister,Comrade in chief?Ifaguerrillachiefcan if Pasangbecomescommander The otherdayhesaid:sowhat spokesman forAwesome. him soundlikeheisa pronouncements oflatemake him ministerthathispublic having pulledstringstomake beholden tothebaddiesfor Homily Minister  . isso NAC like WaterandSewage, parastatals order. Alas,othernomineesin gone toofarandrescindedthe to haverealisedhisboyshad members oftheNPC.PKDseems Maoist ministersasnew relatives andcroniesof foot downoninductingvarious Commission forhavingputhis head oftheNationalPlanning Kudos totheMaoist-appointed wallet topaymeback? and thenyoureachintomy Come again?Youstealfromme been confiscatedbytheMaoists. Path that inspiredthe Maoists, or the Senderoswhoinspired question arosewhetheritwas over theAmericas.The shoulders withleftiesfromall at aHugoChavezdo,rubbing Gaurab wasrecentlyinCaracas Would-be foreignministerCom did exactlythesamething. nothign new:theUMLandNC for theMaoistsisthatallthis cadre. Theonlythingwecansay into employmentagenciesfor busy turningtheirnewfiefdoms their baddiebenefactorsandare have thecojonestostandup . Whatevertherealstory, and NOC don’tseemto andcorporations  Prachanda Path  Shining NIC, thought Biswas. ButLotusFlower name wasactuallyComrade nom deguerreandPKD’swar originally supposedtobe the bag. Gajurel Sirletsomecatsoutof Before heleftforCaracas, in the1960s. rhetoric fromhiscollegedays said itsoundedlikeNaxalite seats. AnIndianeye-witness delegates squirmingintheir few oftheLatinAmerican government. Thishadquitea the electedPeruvian rise upagainandoverthrow instigating theSenderistasto on adoctrinairetangent Gajurel Sirreportedlywentoff told Gajurelthathenceforth to callhimself‘Prachanda’and that certainzinganddecided ‘Prachanda’ ‘Biswas’ CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 04/058/59  didn’thave was his 21 -27NOVEMBER2008 ass(at)nepalitimes.com pretending tosleep. government thatis road haswokenupa victims blockingthe Arniko Highwaybyaccident stuck fortwohoursonthe ex-prez AbdulKamalgetting Not eventheembarrassmentof parties arebothingovernment. halt eventhoughtheirmother goons to hoodlums competewithYCL it also,andlettingYF capital fornotbeingabletodo a band-freezone.Shameonthe So Chitwanhasdeclareditself away hisname. Comrade Terrificfortaking Gajurel hasneverforgiven he wouldbecalled bring thecapitaltoa  ‘Gaurab’ † #426 .

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