#494 19 - 25 March 2010 16 pages Rs 30

ASHUTOSH TIWARI Pressing concerns

ald statements of fact are we would enjoy a strike-free year. FOR NEPALI EYES ONLY: Poster sometimes the only way to But few might have campaign to end open defecation, B get the message across, anticipated the haste with which practiced by 14 million Nepalis whether it is to raise awareness the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal across the country daily, about appropriate outlets for Tourism Workers Union Tundikhel physical necessities or for that (ANTWU) subsequently delivered matter, political necessities. The an ultimatum to trekking methods and timing are awry, difficulty lies in distinguishing agencies right in the middle of and risk a backlash not just from fact from fiction, and tourist season. In ordering tourists but also union members. commitment from lies. When all trekking agencies to stop sending The trouble with inbound the parties were cajoled into out trekking staff affiliated to the tourism, however, has in recent In-and-out signing a pledge to desist from union, ANTWU claims it is times been mirrored by a surge in activities likely to harm tourism merely pressing for outbound tourism. Nepalis are tourism during Nepal Tourism Year 2011, implementation of the Travel and travelling more than ever, and not probably no one really believed Trekking Regulations. But the just for a degree or a job. p4 & p7 2| 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

going to accept all of them, and what is holding things up is recruitment procedure into the military. The Maoist that the Army is saying ‘zero’ and the Maoists are saying leadership doesn’t want this headache to linger either, WIN-WIN ‘19,000’. This is like bargaining over the price of potatoes so it’s just a question of finding a win-win situation in in the market. Ultimately both the vendor and the buyer will which neither side loses face. The peace process won’t be complete without putting have to come to a figure agreeable to both. It is called The leadership of all major political parties should the finishing touches to the new constitution. The compromise, and it is in very short supply in these have realised by now that it’s their own survival that is constitution can’t be written until the Maoists are polarised times. at stake here. If they don’t resolve the deadlock, they demobilised and the camps dismantled. That won’t However, there is hope of breaking the deadlock. will all be swept away by the tidal wave of coming happen until there is an agreement on integration Speaking in Nepalganj on Tuesday Chairman Dahal said it events. They will lose control to someone or something numbers. was up to his ladakus to decide whether they wanted to go much bigger. That is what it has boiled down to: a numbers game. back to their villages with a compensation package or join There is no point engaging in this blame game with The Maoist leadership would want nothing better than to the national army. Surprisingly, that is exactly what the the UN, it’s just not worth it. They should instead be have their cadre in the camps go their separate ways Army Chief himself said last week. trying to show the UN that we don’t need them anymore because we all know (and they know we know) the real Of course, the military says the ex-guerrillas have to because we can resolve our disagreements ourselves. guerrillas are the YCLs. meet its ‘recruitment criteria’ but that shouldn’t be such a But they have promised all 19,000 (12,000 if you big deal. If we were to leave it up to the fighters, there is a want to believe the government’s estimate) a place in strong possibility that a whole lot of them would find a the national army. There is no way the Nepal Army is golden handshake much more attractive than an uncertain Towering folly

clearly beyond his terms of open public space of Tundikhel undesirable structures of tremendous public value. It sets GUEST COLUMN reference. has been abused in the most Kathmandu’s later development, off the manic urban sprawl of the It must be very difficult for callous manner. The public has including the Anchaladhish city of Kathmandu. It is the hub Bharat Sharma the legions of Nepali fine artists been looking on silently. Karyalaya, because they were of our sociocultural activities. and architects to swallow the We should remember that the strangulating Ranipokhari and After the 1934 earthquake this is idea that the prime minister is whole stretch of Tundikhel, right environmentally bifurcating the where people sought going ahead with his own design from Ranipokhari to Dasharath total entity of refuge, and you will rime Minister Madhav concept. This despite the Rangasala (including Army HQ) Tundikhel. Cosmetic understand how Kumar Nepal’s plans to Department of Urban was conceived as a single treatment was not significant this P erect a Gantantra Stambha, Development and Building physical entity by our visionary enough, I said. open space is. or Republic Tower, appear to be Construction’s proposal for a ancestors. It was founded as a Point blank the For quite set in the foundation stone he design competition. As a public domain and a natural king asked me: did some time placed on the site recently. I have endowment as far back as the I want to bulldoze now, open nothing against commemorating Malla period, and the state’s all such structures, spaces such as the republic. But it seems the latest encroachment reveals it to right from Ranipokhari Tundikhel location and dimensions of the Why is the be bereft of ideas. In fact, the to Dasharath Rangasala? I have come under proposed monument – meant to prime prime minister’s actions are as replied it was not merely tremendous pressure symbolise national dignity – are bad as the proposed building of a my desire but the right in all our cities. They are at complete odds with the needs minister republic monument complex thing to do. To my utter not just shrinking, but of the public. within the Narayanhiti precinct amazement, he took my disappearing. Take the location. The dreaming up during the tenure of Pushpa argument in good sprit We may be poor in erection is going up in the Ratna Kamal Dahal. and asked me to prepare Nepal, but let us not be Park area of Tundikhel. To make a tower in So-called democratic prime a comprehensive master poor in vision. It is time the matter even more bizarre, it ministers appear oblivious to plan to protect the for us to consider our real seems the prime minister is Ratna Park? public concerns, which puts me whole stretch of the needs before we embark pushing for a tower even taller in mind of a conversation I had public domain of on costly mistakes that than Dharhara, with a winged professional body and the apex over two decades ago. Tundikhel as a single we may regret later. horse on top. Even Don Quixote institute in this sector, it should Back then, the late king entity. Political wouldn’t dare dream of such take the appropriate steps, lest it Birendra had asked me to prepare changes, however, “Shrinking folly. be accused of neglecting its own a master plan for the area around prevented this Tundikhel”, #107 I do not question the noble terms of reference. Ranipokhari. I politely but firmly concept from being intentions of the prime minister But aesthetics aside, it is the told him that if we really wanted implemented. and his right to have a personal site of the proposed monument to revitalise the area with its Tundikhel vision. The problem lies in his that is most questionable. For heritage in mind, then it would is an open prescriptions for a project that is almost four decades now, the be necessary to pull down all space of

SPACES MAGAZINE ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com New blog JUNK OR JUNKET JOURNALISM? to do good deeds, than rich people who can Kathmandu for the Nepali equivalent of nepalitimes.com/blogs afford to give large donations. engaging English books for kids. There is Dining, wining, and pure swimming I share Mr. Mishra’s disdain for Thurpunsich a huge unmet need for books, magazines, ‘controversial’ politicians and and videos in Nepali for the under-10 age ‘politically biased commentators’ Though it is not a new issue, Mr. Mishra cohort. Come on Nepali entrepreneurs, get (‘Junk journalism’, #493). Politically has presented it admirably. Media should copying! biased commentary twists facts and is play a very constructive role towards the Kenji a form of spin-doctoring. nation and people. It should cover Weekly Internet Poll # 494 Philanthropy is good and must be encouraging figures and facts rather than For urban, relatively privileged Q. What is the significance of International praised. But in the name of praising only highlighting negative aspects like Nepalis, English is the lingua franca for Women’s Day? philanthropy, when a journalist violence, political games and inaugurations. development, progress, entertainment, and Total votes: 1,361 promotes personality, it stops being Neetu Pokharel life abroad. Nepali hasn’t kept up with objective journalism. When the rich English in having accessible media and are highlighted more than their causes NEPALI LAG pop culture, and most movies showcase a of philanthropy, the praise becomes A tremendous disadvantage that Nepali has stilted ethnic and linguistic history, as the deification of personality. in holding the interest of the young and well high-falutin’ speeches the hero inevitably

Personally I am more inspired by educated is the almost complete lack of makes references to obscure Hindu Weekly Internet Poll # 495. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com individuals with little means but who interesting books for young readers (‘Not so philosophies foreign to many Nepalis. Q. Did the parties make a mistake by signing raise funds in inventive ways, in order hip’, #493). I’ve searched every bookshop in J Sherpa the 12-point Delhi agreement with the Maoists?

Publisher: Kunda Dixit | Editor: Rabi Thapa Design: Kiran Maharjan | Marketing: Sambhu Guragain, Subhash Kumar, Arjun Karki [email protected] | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | www.himalmedia.com | Printed at Jagadamba Press 01-5250017-19 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 OP-ED|3 Crumbling state

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

money is coming in. them when convenient.” A more PLAIN SPEAKING All this might lead one to objective Siraha journalist conclude that there is total concurred, “The Home Ministry Prashant Jha anarchy in the Tarai. That would in Kathmandu is run on not be entirely accurate. State smuggling, drugs and armed institutions are still present and group activities in the Tarai. BIRATNAGAR – Over an their penetration, though They are all in the loop.” afternoon chat in his office last limited, extends into the The local administration week, the Morang CDO interior. There has always been a employs precisely the opposite mentioned how his district was higher degree of criminality in argument. A senior official in calm and stable. Same night, the this belt. Many of the cases stem Dhanusha pointed fingers at the Youth Force chief was shot in from histories of personal local parties. “There are so many Biratnagar. acrimony, commercial and outfits; two factions of UML, two The UML shut the bajar to property disputes, or political or Forums, TMDP, NC, Maoist, and protest the assassination caste rivalry. Matrika. And all of them exert attempt. A day earlier, a bus But what they do point to is pressure on the police to release driver in Jhapa was lynched by a the increasing use of violence to whoever is arrested, claiming he wedding party after he requested resolve disputes, the easy is their cadre.” Local officials them not to climb onto the top availability of small arms, the blame the central Home Ministry of the bus. The transport unions blurred lines between politics for not deploying more personnel of Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa or resources. Nepal Police halted public transport to lambasts government intelligence protest the killing of their Who’s to as utterly useless. And the CDO colleague. and the SP are sometimes This is relative stability, for blame for operating at cross purposes. the further west you move, the The only way to prevent more turbulent things get. Lahan lawlessness further institutional breakdown was abuzz with the killing of is to have a stable, strong and two guests at a wedding. The in the Tarai? inclusive political authority that same week, a villager was completes the political kidnapped by an unknown Everyone, if transition. Simultaneously, it group. Police negotiated ransom has to initiate reform of NP, APF without disclosing their you listen to and NID; make it more inclusive identity, but when they got to everyone. so it has deeper penetration in the designated spot, the society; re-engineer the kidnappers ran off. The next politician-bureaucrat day, the abductee was killed. and crime, and the emergence of relationship; deal with longer Janakpur bajar has just about a generation with high term issues like political sfd ;fgf ] 7nf" ] eGg ] x'“b}g . kl;gfsf ] s'g} recovered from Arun Singhania’s aspirations and no opportunities accommodation and putting in /ª / hft klg x'“b}g . sfd u//] vfg nhfpg ' klg murder. But those active in that has learnt how to make a place federal structures; and public life say they are worried quick buck through loot and push agrarian and land reform, x'Fbg} . rf]/]/, 9fF6/,] 5n/,] n'6]/ vfg about safety, remain extra careful extortion. industrialisation, education and kf ] nhfpgk5' { . hf ] hxf “ /x/] hg' sfd u5 { pm To;df} while walking on the streets or The state has not failed yet, employment generation. All of talking to strangers, and return but the institutional and this will be messy, prolonged /dfpgk5' { uf/a} ugk5'{ { / ;dlkt{ eP/ ugk5'{ { . home early. A school political relationships that and difficult process, but the sfd g } zlQm xf,] elQm xf ] / dlQm' xf ] . sfdsf ] OHht management committee constitute the state are alternative is a lot worse. employee has been shot in the crumbling, and everyone blames Sadly, the country is saddled u/f,}+ kl;gfsf ] ;Ddfg u/f }+ . interim. An activist noted that the other. with a dysfunctional, corrupt the situation in Mahottari is Take what a Janakpur MP and weak government whose sole worse, and there has been a told us. “It is the fault of the purpose is to stay on in power. spurt in abductions from prashasan, administration. The Madhav Nepal’s biggest legacy g]kfn ;/sf/ villages instead of urban centres. police get a share of the loot. In may well be the further erosion ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Groups are now targeting fact, they have created many of of the state’s credibility in the ;"rgf ljefu families where remittance these criminal groups and use Tarai. 4| NATION 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494

philanthropic donations want people to give – for social causes rather than to boost family prestige or to placate adversarial The way we give planets. “We need to inspire people to give for social justice,” says Rita body’s weight in money to cast Thapa, founder of Tewa, an away the sins from his 78 years organisation that funds women’s on earth. projects by raising donations Philanthropy is not a new from individual Nepalis. trend in Nepal. There are plenty “Religious and cultural altruism of examples of individuals has held the fabric of our society setting up foundations in the together. But it is important that memory of family members, or people donate for social contributing time to build transformation itself.” schools and canals. A group of Tewa’s approach to women built the oldest school in philanthropy was Lamjung through muthidan, that groundbreaking when it was set is, by raising handfuls of grain. up in 1995. Tewa trained The unprecedented amount of volunteers to engage in local money raised by the hospital fundraising to support their indicated that people are willing programs. Over the years, it has to dig deep for charity, but they mobilised almost 500 volunteers, do want to know what’s in it for who approach family, friends, them. When it comes to parting and neighbours for donations. with cold hard cash, two types of Getting people to recognise interests seem to be pervasive – good causes is difficult. “In the

SALIGRAM TIWARI/KANTIPUR recognition by God and society. early days we approached scores When Siddhartha Rana of corporate houses for a gift of INDU NEPAL donated Rs 10 million to Help Rs 50,000. Only one of them Nepalis are donating big Nepal Network, the charity noted gave readily,” Thapa says. bucks, but not in the way that it was rare for someone to “Corporate giving is tied with donate to a cause not directly business interests rather than the social charities want them to linked to his family. Rana practice of social responsibility.” concedes he gave the matter some Compared to Manmohan hen the Manmohan was not the amount raised (twice would have given a thousand or thought then decided to scrap his Memorial Community Hospital’s Memorial Community what the organisers expected), but two probably donated more own charity, Tara Foundation, so feat, and two schools that raised W Hospital decided to the number of people who because they wanted that as not to overlap with the Rs 51 million through raise money to upgrade to 700 donated. Over 10,000 visited the recognition.” activities of Help Nepal. “If in the mahayagyas in Pokhara this week, beds and invest in several smaller yagya site every day, and most The event was publicised as a US, Bill Gates’ foundation is Tewa’s fundraising – projects, it held a mahayagya – a donated Rs 5001, which earned spiritual gathering for peace and trusted by Warren Buffet for his Rs 2 million per year – is nine-day worship marathon – last them a shawl as a token of stability in the country, but philanthropic activities, why modest. There’s no doubt that November. It raised a staggering 4 appreciation. “We handed out a people were clearly motivated by can’t we do the same in Nepal?” philanthrophy is thriving in billion rupees in cash and lot of shawls,” says Mani more personally spiritual he says. Nepal. But if you want to raise contributions. Banskota, co-secretary at the concerns. Banskota’s father Tika In fact, this is how serious money, you might be But what was most impressive hospital. “I think those who Prasad, for example, donated his organisations that run on better off calling your priest. Shoot-yourself-in-the-foot unionism

FOO CHEE CHANG ahead of the trekking season. "We are The unions ready to negotiate, but are going to push this through, definitely. We will send back need to realise tourists if we need to." Fellow unions, such as the Trade Union Congress, agree on udeep Risal is the kind of guy who that while Nepal the principle of ANTWU's stir, though not works hard six months of the year the methods and timing. Vice-President S and lives one day at a time. is a beautiful Rewati Adhikari says, "The demands are Originally from Sindhupalchok, Risal has fair and we support them." been a trekking guide for 13 years. place, it’s not But ANTWU is also betting on the During the peak trekking seasons of unwillingness of tourism business owners March-May and September-November, the only one to hold out for too long before losses start Risal makes between Rs 550-700 a day to eat away at their bottom line. In their leading groups through trails around the accessible to push to gain more political clout, what the country, excluding tips and gifts. unions are forgetting, are the very people While he finds the basic pay tourists they represent. They might be able to get satisfactory, Risal feels it is the clients he KIRAN PANDAY away with playing their members like chips makes friends with and their generosity in a casino in the short run, but they could that makes his vocation special – one of The move could not have come at a worse more than 300 staff during peak periods, face a backlash in the event of a prolonged his two sons is currently in school, time. A strike in the middle of trekking season concurs. “Times have changed. Thirty years strike. Ideology and camaraderie cannot sponsored by a Swiss tourist Risal met on places great pressure on trekking agencies ago, we only received 30 rupees a day,” he feed a hungry man. a trek. to accede to ANTWU's demands. But it is the says, adding, “these big unions are usually For a country that depends heavily on Stories like Risal’s are in danger of workers themselves who will bear the brunt associated with political parties. When they tourism, worth about 25 billion rupees last becoming tales of the past, given the labour in lost wages, which make up a large portion fight for their members, they create goodwill year, things like this happen far too unions’ heavy-handed approach in of their annual income. among them and build political pressure at frequently, especially given the industry’s demanding more pay and benefits for their While unions such as ANTWU have the same time. Until there is political stability recent recovery from the decade-long civil members. Just last Sunday, the Maoist- worked to improve the lot of tourism workers in Nepal this will not change.” war. The Nepal Tourism Year 2011 initiative affiliated All Nepal Tourism Workers Union through the years, “what they are presently Labour unions seem to be in an apparent aims to bring in a million tourists, but that (ANTWU) called for trekking agencies to asking for is unrealistic”, says Som Thapa, win-win position, and are clear on the need to appears a little far-fetched at the moment. stop sending out guides, porters, cooks First Vice President of the Trekking Agencies’ implement the trekking regulations agreed on If the country and the tourism industry and helpers until the Travel and Trekking Association of Nepal (TAAN). “Trekking by the unions and TAAN last year. In fact, cannot get their own house in order and Regulations are implemented. The companies will have to charge customers Khagendra Kafle, central committee member provide the necessary support and guidelines stipulate an average two-fold much more in response.” of ANTWU, claims the regulations should services, tourists will be hard-pressed to increase in wages and insurance coverage Padam Ghale, founder of Mandala and have been implemented by December, and include Nepal on their itineraries. No one among other conditions. Shambhala trekking agencies, which employ says they began an awareness campaign will be a winner then. 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 NATION|5

THIS WEEK

New Chief Justice The Constitutional Council has chosen Supreme Court justice Ram Prasad Shrestha to replace Anup Raj Sharma as chief justice. Sharma’s short tenure will end on 26 March. The appointment, which according to the constitution should have been made 20 days before Sharma’s retirement, was held up because of Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s absence from Council meetings and dilly-dallying on the part of the prime minister. Dahal wasn’t present this time either, but legal experts say the appointment is valid nonetheless. Shrestha is known for bold verdicts and has a clean record. He has served in the judiciary for 34 years.

Big spender Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s government is officially the most spendthrift since the country adopted multi-party democracy. The 43- DPR member cabinet has already spent its annual budget, a whopping Rs 29 million, and is Camouflage fatigue projected to spend RAJESH KC twice that by the year’s end. To put this in perspective, last year the government spent less than Rs 20 million. While chair. His guest is all attention, from demanding clarifications some of this extra spending may be attributed to the bigger FOURTH ESTATE hands suppliantly on his knees. from the army chief for size of the cabinet, ministers themselves have also acquired C K Lal Either the army didn’t see fit to statements reeking of bigger teams. Additionally, the cabinet has already exhausted give the full story of the meeting insubordination, tried to hide its the Rs 60 million set aside for overseas trips. to the media or the gatekeepers of helplessness behind the the media in Kathmandu statement that the UN DSG had Cheater, cheater adan Bhandari’s consciously decided to downplay crossed diplomatic limits. An emergency meeting of the Nepal Medical Council on meteoric rise and the event. Other than the army The responsibility of holding Monday decided to invalidate the entrance exams to the post graduate medicine program at Tribhuvan University Teaching equally sudden chief’s reluctance to admitting government to account where the M Hospital (TUTH). The decision follows, and appears to demise in the early 1990s left his Maoist combatants en masse, peace process is concerned fell confirm, allegations that the exams had been rigged by the widow Bidhya to ride the nothing much appeared in the upon the frail shoulders of the Dean of the Institute of Medicine Arjun Sayami. The sympathy wave that followed local press. Nepali press. Once again, it failed allegations were first made by students on Saturday and his death. She has grown in Reports in the Indian media to rise to the occasion. Like all the have sparked a series of protests, in which at least 20 have stature since, but is not known were more thorough. With direct other estates of the establishment, been injured. Students and doctors began an indefinite particularly for her political attribution to the army chief, the media considers the Nepal closure of TUTH on Monday, which they say will continue convictions, even by the flexible Yubaraj Ghimire reported in the Army the embodiment of a near- until Sayami is dismissed. standards of the UML. Indian Express that the Nepal divine status and allows it to get When the anti-Maoist Army couldn’t remain confined away with almost anything. Scare tactics coalition of Madhav Nepal chose to barracks indefinitely. Other The latest instance of media The Maoists are considering tabling a no-confidence motion against the government in order to pave the way for a her to head the defence ministry, downplaying army excesses national unity government under its leadership. Soon after it was inferred that the concerns the alleged rape and airing this intention, Pushpa Kamal Dahal announced on government had decided to give With the murder of three women, the Nepal Army a free hand. including a girl, at Hariharpur in Bidhya Bhandari, in confining media and Bardiya National Park. Since all herself to being an ardent the victims were poor Dalits eking defender of the sovereignty of civil society out a living by collecting the bark the armed forces, has lived up to of trees, our urban-centric media her prime minister’s distracted, had little interest in finding out expectations. what really happened. The fact For the media and the the army has that the alleged perpetrators were international community, too, men in uniform made the case the Defence Minister is little escaped doubly untouchable. Things more than a diligent scrutiny of would have been different had spokesperson for the army. This Maoist combatants or any of the could be why UN Undersecretary late Tarai’s armed groups been General for Political Affairs B. involved. Lynn Pascoe decided to deal When political authority is as directly with Nepal Army Chief Indian media too gave weak as it is now, media and civil SAM KANG LI Chhatraman Singh Gurung. prominence to the position taken society have to be extra vigilant Surprisingly, the Nepali media by the army chief. Few regarding the activities of the Tuesday that his party is preparing to call a special session paid little attention to what considered it necessary to get to armed forces. The tragedy is that of parliament, ostensibly to discuss matters of social importance unrelated to a no-confidence bill, including transpired at that crucial the official position of the the media is concerned about its corruption, inflation and the worsening security situation. The meeting. government, as if the media own security and prominent party will require the signatures of one-third of CA members The public relations accepted that the government had citizens are more worried about to call the session, and a further third to pass a no- department of the army released no control over the Nepal Army the timely promulgation of the confidence bill, if that is indeed on the cards. a picture of a defiant Gen anyway. constitution. The field for the Gurung sprawled on a gilded The Council of Ministers, far army is thus wide open. 6|BUSINESS 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494

Export rewards

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Business and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal awarded Thomas Roetter, managing director of KREIGER GmbH, which ships Nepali carpets to Germany, with the Export Excellence Award on 23 February. PM Nepal said the government was development committed to restoring carpet exports to its previous levels. He added that for this purpose a high level task force has been formed which will study the scenario and make recommendations to be implemented this year.

Mickey power

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Dabur Real recently launched 200ml juice packs featuring different pictures of Mickey Mouse. Cool recipes and weekly gift hampers sweeten the deal for kids who cut and paste the different ‘avatars’ of the Disney character from the juice packs and send it to P.O. Box 14375, completing the sentence, ‘I love Real because….’

3 models

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bama Motors announced three new models of Chery Automobile – QQ3, A1 and TIGGO. These models have features like keyless entry, power window, power steering, inbuilt AC and music system, rear wiper, defogger, day/night rear view mirror and body colour bumper.

Power up

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Himstar CFL has come up with a special scheme: purchase a 5 to 11 watt Himstar CFL and get two Himstar Max Power ‘AAA’ batteries free; buy a 11 to 18 watt Himstar CFL and get 2 Himstar Max Power ‘AA’ batteries.

Safe water

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AHMAD ISKANDAR Himalayas Spring Water organised a press meet to urge the Nepali government to provide a foolproof security plan for foreign investors. Himalayas Spring Water has finalised an go to work and contribute to stakeholders. agreement with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation to operate a factory to produce PET bottles with STRICTLY BUSINESS community development. Some multinational soap Helping address such companies are running a national water from Langtang National Park. Ashutosh Tiwari problems need not be the media campaign about the

exclusive province of government, importance of hand-washing. New Gadget ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ NGOs and donor agencies. It’s That is good, but not enough. ○○○○○○○○○○○○ Human Click Enterprises and Multronics International, along time for both big Nepali They need to think beyond with Pulse rom the hills to the Tarai, businesses and entrepreneurially selling an extra cake of soap by Incorporated, launched 14 million Nepalis do not minded individuals to start using actively engaging local civic products from the F have proper toilet facilities. some of their skills, resources and institutions to make community eminent brand M- They have no choice but to contacts to visibly rethink how cleanliness a matter of pride. Audio, a business unit defecate in open spaces every day. they can speed up the process. True, it’s not the job of a private of Avid Technology. The needless deaths of 154 company to push the issue of M-Audio products are Nepalis in Jajarkot last year were Big business: Most trekking sanitation. But from a business said to be designed to due to their using contaminated trails are littered with instant standpoint, if such companies do form integral creation systems, so that the user can focus on water, which inflamed the noodle and snack food plastic not find effective ways to work the music rather than worry about the technology. cholera epidemic in the mid- wrappers. There is no reason why with local health posts,

western hills of Nepal. some of these foodstuff politicians and women’s groups, Amulya Jeevan

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ how do they expect customers to LIC (Nepal) launched a new life insurance plan - Amulya emotionally relate to their Jeevan. The company says the new scheme is probably the Businesses and entrepreneurs products as opposed to a cheapest individual life insurance plan available in the competitor’s? country. It is available for people aged between 16-60 and the need to look beyond the premium paying terms range from 10-44 years. bottom line to speed up the Entrepreneurs: Most NGOs

are started by socially minded EvoStore ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ development of the entrepreneurs, who seek to solve a ○○○○○○○○○○○○ communities they cater to specific problem. Over time, they EvoStore opened itssecond exclusive store in Kumaripati. may receive funding that enables Evostore is the only showroom to showcase prominent brands them to grow in terms of staff size like Apple, Bose, Sharp, JBL, Bowers and Jilkins. Likewise, an estimated 600,000 companies cannot, in cooperation and program range. Their growth

Nepali women still suffer in with local communities, start a correlates with a diffusion of Ncell ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ silence from uterine prolapse, a campaign for cleaner cities and their earlier idealism and a loss of ○○○○○○○○○○○○ preventable reproductive disease, villages by providing incentives measurable goals, which is often Spice Nepal’s Mero Mobile has been rebranded as Ncell, with ‘N’ standing for Nepal, and has a new marketing slogan: which significantly diminishes to customers to return or dispose accompanied by “this is just a ‘Here for Nepal’. The rebranding is driven by the firm’s their quality of life. of used wrappers. job” mentality. majority shareholder, European giant TeliaSonera, which is It’s fair to wonder why this Such an attempt need not be Nepali entrepreneurs who looking to redefine telecommunications in the country. Ncell information is in this space. The on a grand nationwide scale from want to work on social problems Chief Executive Pasi Koistinen says, “People want to answer is straightforward. the word go. Interested companies are likely to be more effective improve the quality of their lives with the help of Since 1951, such social could start small, see what works when they stick to a single telecommunication services. Being the pioneer in the market, concerns and others have been where, and gradually scale up concrete issue with clear goalpost we are trying to introduce innovative technology and thinking.” addressed in piecemeal fashion efforts by roping in like-minded – say, providing complete and He added that new brand name will help the company target by various government bodies, partners. This requires patience, sustainable access to toilets in a rural areas, a key objective of the group, as it aims to become donor agencies, NGOs and persistence, an ability to deal particular set of VDCs or the country’s leading mobile operator by number of community organisations. with ambiguities and a range of eradicating uterine prolapse in subscribers. Though much progress has been people with diverse interests. But specific development regions by a

made, these and other problems in these politically fractured certain date. Such a focus may be Showroom biz ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ are still with us, sixty years later. times, such visible attempts to do the best way to eradicate the ○○○○○○○○○○○○ The longer they stay with us, the good do pay off in that they social problems that continue to Kalika Auto Link, a Bajaj 3S showroom, opened in Gaighat on 5 March. The showroom targets yearly sales of 500 more they slow down our strengthen Nepali companies’ hamstring Nepal’s progress – motorbikes, but also provides servicing and spare parts. collective ability to benefit from institutional abilities to get rather than the usual NGO mode the productivity of a healthy things done by engaging a wider of nibbling away at lofty, vague population that can go to school, group of internal and external goals. LIFE TIMES 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 7

night package including a Nile cruise. Nepal is Nepalis from diverse walks of life have taken to tourism as the not just a opportunities have expanded. Ravin Man Bajracharya, chief tourist operating officer at Lalit Mandap, destination, says his company started out with pilgrim tourism to Thailand. it is also a Starting with just 40 pilgrims a year, Lalit Mandap now takes more source of than 1000 Nepali pilgrims and tourists to Thailand every year. tourism “Our role is to make it easier for people to travel to places they have never been to,” he explains. Honeymooners and conference tourists are also important segments of Nepal’s outbound tourism, but Bishnu Prasai of Natraj Travels and Tours says one should not discount government officials, who often take a few days off when they go abroad for professional reasons. Of late, however, greater public scrutiny of the misuse of state money has put a damper on this form of tourism. Milhika Dhakhwa of Zenith Experiences Travel Services is clear about why outbound tourism has emerged to complement inbound tourism. When the latter dried up during the conflict, the former INDU NEPAL bloomed. “We thought, if they’re not coming here, we’ll go there,” she recalls. Such a transition, of DEWAN RAI cheaper than India,” he says. Thapa course, may not be enough to make is now eyeing Mauritius as the next up the numbers. Deepak Tuladhar big destination for Nepalis. of Yeti Travels used to bring in t all started during the war, Supriya Shakya, tour manager 43,000 tourists in 1996, now it has when Nepal was perceived to be Outgoing of Marco Polo Travels, says Nepalis gone down to 6000. “India and I unsafe for inbound tourists. So are travelling at all times of the year. China have fast expanded overseas Nepalis who could afford it started There is no season, although winter tourism but we have not been able going out of the country, especially sees heavier bookings. “Shopping, to cash in this opportunity,” says in winter. beaches, night life and parks, you Tuladhar. In the past decade, the number name it and Nepalis are interested,” Perhaps Nepal Tourism Year of Nepalis going to Malaysia, tourists she says. 2011 will help redress the balance. Thailand, Singapore or India for Sensing the outbound tourism Bhola Thapa of President Group leisure and shopping has increased income, have been the push factors. President Group sends more than potential in Nepal, several is on the National Executive ten fold, according to travel agents. “Liberalisation in the foreign 1000 Nepali tourists out every countries are trying to tap the Committee, and is optimistic Nepal is now sending more tourists exchange regime, simplified visa month. He offers package tours to market by offering budget tour Nepal will be able to attract a to Thailand and Malaysia than it procedures and easy availability of Asian as well as European countries packages and seasonal discounts. million tourists. But it won’t be receives from these countries. tour packages have boosted foreign to meet the diversified choices of Surprisingly, even faraway Egypt is easy. “Things will streamline in A more cosmopolitan and savvy travel,” says Subodh Rana of Malla Nepali tourists. “The dramatic trying woo Nepalis. “Cairo is an five to ten years,” he says, “but we young generation, and a burgeoning Travels and Treks. increase of outbound tourism is open museum of history,” says will have to do it the hard way. middle class with disposable Bhola Bikram Thapa of affordable price. A Bangkok tour is Shakya, who is selling an eight- We don’t have much time.” 8|LIFE TIMES

EVENTS An Education

Lone Scherfig’s An Education is a grown- up coming-of-age movie. Jenny Mellor Earnest revived (Carey Mulligan) is a bright 16-year-old in 1961 London who has her sights on Oxford University. An older suitor (David, played by Peter Sarsgaard) seduces her with excursions to jazz clubs, fancy restaurants and shopping. This is a welcome change for Jenny, who professes a desire to “smoke as many cigarettes I want” at university. “Will David be the making of Jenny or her undoing?” the DVD cover asks mysteriously, but there is no doubt where Jenny is headed in this film, based as it is on an autobiographical essay by famed British journalist Lynn Barber. The best part of the movie is how David’s charming persuasiveness sets off Jenny’s acid wit. 3.5/5 IN AHMAD ISKANDAR s perhaps the best known Oscar Wilde play, The Importance of A Being Earnest is a classic romantic comedy that hits hard – albeit with the subtle wit characteristic of Wilde – at the snobbish Victorian True Blood upper class. Celebrated as much as it was hated at the time, the play landed Wilde in hot water, and the legal fracas that ensued led to Vampires are cool again, and nowhere destitution and his death. More than a century on, the timeless classic more so than in Bon Temps, a is being revived by Greta Rana, the celebrated author and poet who Louisiana town equally enraptured directs the theatre group, the New Shakespeare Wallahs. and repulsed by the latter-day The cast for this production is comprised of amateur volunteers incarnations of the undead. For with unconventional demographics to say the least – a young student, a telepathic waitress Sookie (Anna biotechnologist, and an elderly man (playing a lady) for starters. Expect Paquin), meeting someone whose surprises as the plot unfolds in dramatic fashion. thoughts she can’t read – brooding, 18-19 March (6pm), 21 March, 2.30pm, Sterling Club, British courteous 19th century Bill Compton Embassy, Lazimpat. Tickets at Rs1500, drinks and dinner included. All (Stephen Moyer) – is a blessed relief. proceeds to charity. 4410583. But there’s more to vampires than their civilised, mainstream advocates for vampire rights and True Blood, the Tavern Tales@Quixote’s Cove, Pulitzer Prize winner Kai Bird discusses Hamra Hajurama: Our Grandmothers with writers and photographers, blood substitute that provides all the 6pm, 21 March, Quixote’s Cove, Jhamsikhel, www.qcbookshop.com, nutrients a good vampire needs. It 5536974 comes as no surprise to us when the mysterious killings begin, but for Spring Camp 2010, organised by Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, invites Sookie, who is as drawn to Bill’s magic as she is appalled by the company he keeps, it’s more than children aged 3 to 12 years old to discover the joy of dance, music and simply a matter of life and death. theatre. 29 March to 9 April. Reservations at 5013554 or Alan Ball’s True Blood, the latest in a line of ‘fangtastic’ TV series, has delighted American [email protected] audiences with its funny, gory, sexy take on the uneasy coexistence of humans and vampires. Try the stores in Mahaboudha. 3.5/5 Remanences, ‘Worlds in essence’, video installations by Emma RT Ponsart, 14-20 March, Sun-Fri, 11am-6pm, Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Centre, Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, 5521120.

Infiltration of Darkness, exhibition of paintings by Sunil Sigdel, 26 March-18th April, Kathmandu Contemporary Art Centre, Jhamsikhel

Julie & Julia Pooja, feature film about maternal mortality, 5.30pm to 7pm, 19 March, The Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia is a true story about two women who live three decades apart but share an Kamalmani Theater, Rato interest in French cuisine. The now deceased Julia Child (Meryl Streep) was a TV personality who Bangala School, Patan first won renown for authoring a cookbook that introduced the American middle class to French Dhoka, Lalitpur cooking. Julie Powell (Amy Adams) started a blog called the Julie & Julia project, in which she chronicled her quest to cook all 524 recipes in Child’s cookbook in the course of one year, and Exhibition of Tibetan captured the hearts of thousands of culinary enthusiasts. The film depicts the highs and lows of the Authentic Traditional two women’s journeys from anonymity to celebrity. Some things about human nature just don’t Thangka, traditional art created by renowned artists change with the passage of time, the movie seems to say. Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, who were last following the true traditional paired together in Doubt, are a winning duo. 4/5 teachings, 9.30am-7pm SP daily, Pathibara Art Gallery, Thamel, 4256004.

Poet’s Corner, send in and vote for your favourite piece of poetry at Lazimpat Gallery Café. Open entry until 21 March. Movie screening of An Education (read review above) at Lazimpat Gallery Café, 23 March, 6pm. Timing may change due to load-shedding. 4428549

Himalayan hash house harriers, a running club with a drinking problem, meet every Saturday to run a course around the Kathmandu Valley, details at aponarch.com/hhhh/

Annapurna Ultra Trail Race, start training for the 4th Annapurna Ultra Trail Race, 35 km and 71 km routes (mostly trails), starts 27 March, Barahi Hotel, Pokhara.

Painting for peace and harmony, mural painting on the south perimeter wall of Hyatt Regency Hotel, presented by The Himalayan Children’s Foundation of Kathmandu, 1-7 April

People After War, permanent photo exhibition, every day 11am-4pm, Madan Puraskar, Patan Dhoka, for bulk school bookings call 5521393

Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre: Yoga 8.30-9.30 am Meditation 5-6pm Mon- fri, Reiki, Tai Chi. Jyatha, Thamel, 4252251 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494|9

MUSIC DINING GETAWAYS

Music with Ramshackle Blues, electric and acoustic guitar, Casa Toscana, for all things Italian, from pasta to NexGEN Adventure slide guitar and harmonica. Featuring classics and new confectionery delicacies. Pulchowk, 5537775. Programme, rock original compositions played on electric and acoustic climbing, daily guitar, slide guitar and harmonica, 6pm, 22 March, Ghangri Café, for their signature open su mai momos and departure, 016914541, Lazimpat Gallery Café. Special Fried Rice, Pulchowk. 9841283385, www.canyoninginnepal.com Chevrolet Concert Series, presented by Kathmandu Jazz Hankook Sarang, to whet your appetite with delicious Conservatory, 2:30pm, 27 March.Free entrance. 5013554 or Korean food, Thamel. Dwarika’s Himalayan www.milesmusicfestival.com Shangri-La Village Boudha Stupa Restaurant and Café, for wood-fired pizza Resort, Dhulikhel, Inner Groove, Hyatt Regency Hotel, relax with jazz music and free wi-fi Internet, 012130681. 4479488, Overnight on Sundays, 12-3.30pm, 4491234/4489362. Package and Great Famous stews of the world, enjoy famous stews of the Escape Package Live music, drop by at Jazzabell Café every Wednesday world at the Rox Restaurant, Tuesday, Wednesday and (locals). and Friday, from 6pm onwards, Jhamsikhel, Patan, Thursday, from 6.00pm onwards, Hyatt Regency, 4491234/ 2114075. 4489362. Chiso Chiso Hawa Ma Special Package, Club Filipino fusion band performing live at Bugles & Tigers Bar Vegetarian Buffet, every Monday, Oriental Nights, flavours Himalaya, Nagarkot, of The Everest Hotel, 7-10.30pm daily except Mondays. and specialities of Asia every Wednesday Arabian Nights 4410432/4414432, For reservations, 4780100, ext: 7711/7811. for Middle Eastern specialities every Friday, 6.30pm locals and expats. at The Café, Hyatt Regency, 4491234/4489362. Bottles n Chimney, feel the blues on Mondays with Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, food, yoga, massage, Nevkham, 7pm onwards, 2123135. Chez Caroline for French and Mediterranean cuisine, meditation, walks, pool and more. 01 4361500 Babar Mahal Revisited, 4263070. [email protected] Fusion and classic music by Anil Shahi, Wednesdays, Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex, Pulchowk, 8pm Live continental BBQ Fiesta, exclusive BBQ Dinner at Mirabel Resort, Special Package Rates for locals and onwards, 5521408. Splash Bar & Grill, Radisson Hotel, 6.30-10.30pm expats, Dhulikhel, www.mirabelresorthotel.com, 011 everyday. 490972-4. Rudra, immerse yourself in a soothing Nepali music every Tuesday and Sunday, 7-11pm, The Irish are Godavari Village Resort, 5560675, 5560775, special Comfort Zone (rooftop of Bank of at it packages for locals and expats at Shangri-La Village Kathmandu), Thamel. again! Lots of Resort, Pokhara, 4435741-44, Kids Break Package, balloons, couple with two children below 12 years sharing parents JSC Jazz Quartet, every Saturday 8pm on at crazy hats room complimentary. Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lazimpat, 9803160719 and free 2 for 1 deals at the Chillout Lounge with DJ Miriam, every bar at the Friday at the Bourbon Room, Lal Durbar only Irish Marg, 4441703 Restaurant in Nepal. Saturday African Nite, with African food and Kilroy’s of music from 8pm at Jazzabell Café, Kathmandu, Thamel, 4250440/41. Jhamsikhel, 2114075 Jazzabell Café, TGIF, 10% discount all day, happy hour 6- Robin and the New Revolution, every 8pm, Jhamsikhel, 2114075. Tuesday 7pm on at the Bamboo Club, Thamel, 4701547 Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-La with live performance by Ciney Gurung, Rs 999, at the Nepali Ghajals at D’Lounge Beijing Shambala Garden every Friday 7pm, Plat Du Jour at Hotel Duck Restaurant, every Thursday Shangri-La, Lazimpat, Rs 600, 4412999. 6.30pm, 4468589 Experience the Gyakok (hotpot with T-momos, meats and Rudra Night live fusion music by more) for lunch and dinner at the Shambala Garden Café, Shyam Nepali every Friday, 7pm at Hotel Shangri-La, 4412999 or at Royal Saino Restaurant & Gokarna Forest Resort, 4451212 Bar, Darbar Marg, 4230890, 4239077 10|HAPPENINGS 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA LONG MARCH HOME: Girija Prasad Koirala and his doctor, Jagdish Agarwal, on their way to Sujata Koirala's home on Friday.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA A SINKING FEELING: A noticeable decline in the water level at Kulekhani Reservoir last week accounts for the rise in loadshedding hours in the Kathmandu Valley.

AJAYA JOSHI GIANT LEAP: A jockey rides his horse over a fence in Tundikhel during a parade by the Nepal Army on Ghodejatra, the festival of horses.

AHMAD ISKANDAR PITTER-PATTER: Hailstones lie scattered on a street in Thamel after a brief storm on Tuesday.

WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

The westerly front that caused terrific winds and lightning earlier this week doesn’t promise much rainfall this weekend. While it has generated COVER STORY signficiant cloud cover in the north, it has caused The Opiate of the Masses only dry smog in much of the country up to 1500m Investigation into opium CONSTITUTION in altitude, which accounts for the hazy cultivation in the Tarai conditions in Kathmandu. However, there is a SUPPLEMENT strong chance of short, sharp evening showers Radheshyam Adhikari: Is it EDITORIAL with lightning this weekend. Expect warmer advisable to extend the nights too. Journalism in danger constitution deadline? Sabitra Dura: Different kinds REPORTS of Janjati leaders Maoists back in parliament Krishna Khanal: Identity and KATHMANDU Girijababu’s battle for survival survival Sociology of the cellphone culture COLUMN Jugal Bhurtel: Leninism and WOMEN’S SPECIAL bloody revolution Empowered women in Nepal Identity and prestige through FRI SAT SUN gender HIMAL Khabarpatrika Women in high places 14-28 March 2010 Women leaders who beat up men 29-11 29-12 31-13 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 NATION|11

GRIEF KNOWS NO IDEOLOGY: Sarba Sati Debi mourns the death of her son, Maoist leader Ram Prakash Yadav, killed by an armed group in January in Bara

Tarai Maoists are seeking police protection as attacks on their leaders and cadres rise

RAMESWOR BOHARA in RAUTAHAT

ust as Pushpa Kamal Dahal returned to Kathmandu from J Chatara Sundari, having worshipped a buffalo and performed rituals for good luck, an armed group in Rautahat killed PICS: MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA Shambu Ram Yadav, a member of the Bhojpura Sub-State Council. The following day, Rautahat district-in-charge Ashok Jaisawal approached the local Maoist insecurity administration, seeking security.

Jaisawal goes to the police office Despite these arrangements, their actions during the decade-long every day. “They say we need not the Maoists remain uncertain insurgency. For the armed groups worry as there is no threat to our about their security and say the in the Tarai, claiming responsibility lives. Security should be given state is merely fulfilling for any violent incidents is a way before an incident takes place. What formalities. But Rautahat CDO to generate publicity. is the use after someone gets Kamalesh Kumar Sinha says he The state seems to be absent in killed?” cannot provide a PSO to everyone. the Tarai. Despite the Special His case is representative of the “The district security committee Security Plan, there is no decline Maoists across the Tarai, where decides whom to give a security in the number of murders, FOES NO MORE: armed groups have been targeting officer,” he says. Maoist CA kidnapping cases, bomb explosions, Ashok Jaisawal, their leaders and cadres. Rautahat’s members Prabhu Sah Teli and threats and extortion. The easy Maoist district-in- co-in-charge Upendra Shah says Debendra Patel have been given availability of weapons from across charge for Rautahat, they don’t feel secure. “It’s natural PSOs. the border is a key cause, and cannot calls on his local to be terrified when the leaders are Why are the Maoists being be controlled without support from police chief to ask for being killed one after another. Who targeted in this way? Sunil Indian security. But the political security wants to die for nothing?” Jaisawal, commander of the Tarai parties, the Maoists in particular, In the last one and a half Liberation Front, has claimed that need to take the initiative. As months, 5 Maoist cadres have been three Maoist cadres were killed in important as controlling arms is the killed in Rautahat, Bara and Parsa. Ganjabhawanipur, Bara and need to push for a Truth and But 36 Maoists have been killed Rautahat as acts of revenge. For Reconciliation Commission, and since the peace process began; this many, joining or recruiting the the Maoists have no other choice figure excludes those killed in services of armed groups is a way but to support it if they are to clashes with political parties and of getting back at the Maoists for improve security for their own. security forces in Rautahat and Dang. According to the Informal Sector Service Centre, 6 of these 36 were killed by the public and Tarai armed groups took responsibility for 14 killings. While the killing of Maoist cadres is on the rise nationwide, they are particularly vulnerable in the Tarai. District level leaders have been asking local administration for personal security officers (PSOs). Chief District Officer of Bara district Tara Nath Gautam says leaders are provided with PSOs according to the degree of their vulnerability. Maoist CA members Shiva Chandra Kushwaha and Jayaram Dahal are among those assigned PSOs in Bara. Police have also arranged special security for Maoist leaders in Rautahat. District Police In- charge SP Pitambar Adhikari says they escort CA members and also provide them with security officers. “When the Maoists organise programs in villages, we arrange special security, which UML and NC don’t need,” he says adding, “If the threat continues, the day will come when each leader will have to be given one personal security guard.” 12| NATION 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 Where the wind blows SMRITI MALLAPATY small wind turbines of 200W capacity each HARNESSING NATURE: since 2001. The army has constructed 10 larger A turbine built by turbines of 1KW in Nagarkot and students at crippling power shortage that is here Practical Action in Kathmandu University have designed and set to stay, ease of installation and Pakhel, Makwanpur. up two 1.5KW turbines, using local material A affordability are making experts take such as sal wood. Small wind turbines and a fresh look at windpower in Nepal. wind mills have been installed by private There was optimism in abundance at a companies and investors. AEPC also recent National Workshop on Wind subsidises projects generating electricity to Energy, organised by the Alternative benefit remote areas that can’t access the Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and national grid. Tribhuvan University. All this is falls far short of Nepal’s “This is the first time I have seen so many 3000MW potential, as identified by a study people keen on windpower,” commented on only 10 per cent of the total feasible area. Rakesh Sinha, a researcher at a windpower Mustang alone could generate 500GWh a year. company. “To make windpower commercially A mix of public and private stakeholders viable on a large scale, one needs to prepare a were invited, after a nine-year lull, to exchange national wind map with five years of experiences and review the draft national consistent data,” says Tri Ratna Bajracharya, wind policy, recently prepared by the National PUSHKAR MANANDHAR Director of the Center for Energy Studies at Wind Task Force (NWTF). The paper intends Tribhuvan University. But no measurements to draw foreign investment for utility-scale have been taken of elevations above 30 wind turbines, particularly through the Necessity is forcing Nepalis to take a metres, the baseline for commercial construction of a model project generating production of wind. more than 500KW. It also means to protect fresh look at wind energy Lack of data has also delayed reliable the interests of local manufacturers of small estimates of the Cost of Energy (CoE), and wind turbines no larger than 10KW. of 10KW capacity each were built in Kagbeni, Pokharel, formerly of AEPC. Windpower is the lack of transportation and grid “We should hand over the draft policy to Mustang, but both were blown down by high quick to install and offsets carbon emissions infrastructure in potential sites is a barrier to the ministry in the next three months. winds. This deterred further interest in by reducing deforestation and consumption developing utility-scale wind farms. Tax Parliament should pass it within six months, windpower. of imported petroleum-based products. regulation, purchasing power agreements, after which we hope to pilot a With power cuts, windpower has Nepal presently has some small-scale, license distribution, land ownership and commercial wind farm in a year,” says gradually regained credibility as a viable, stand-alone wind turbines. AEPC has built subsidies need to be agreed on before the draft NWTF member Manoj Kumar Mishra. quick, and possibly cheap solution. “In the six wind-solar hybrids – 400W wind and national wind policy is finalised. Government, private sector and non- past when one brought up wind energy, 150W solar – each capable of supplying a With political will and private sector governmental organisations have invested government officials would respond with community of about 10 residences with interest as much as sheer necessity, intermittently in windpower over the past hawa ma kura garne (talking in the wind). enough energy to run one radio and a CFL however, windpower seems poised to three decades. In 1989, two wind generators This is no longer the case,” says Govind bulb. Practical Action has invested in 18 take off. 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 NATION|13 Teaching happiness

SUVAYU DEV PANT

rijana Singh and Father Brooks are on a mission to make Nepalis happy. S In 2008, they started Loyola Talim Sewa (LTS), a counselling centre, to help Nepalis develop interpersonal skills. “We want to help people deal with the emotional problems Nepal’s political and social changes have thrown up,” says Brooks. The problems are evident everywhere, they explain. Youth are more violent, ordinary people, having despaired of genuine political and economic changes, are increasingly frustrated, and in the rush to claim new rights, matters of identity like sexuality are challenging the status quo. LTS believes such problems

VIJAY LAMA could be dealt with better if people learned to communicate with each other. “So often, people don’t really acknowledge one another’s pain. They simply tell each other not to worry about their problems, without really making the effort to understand how they are feeling,” says Singh. LTS offers training in civic and moral education, counselling and leadership at its centre in Golphutar. It also works with NGOs and other organisations to train their staff. The training is more Real Nepal facilitated discussion than spoon-fed instruction, with participants put into groups and encouraged to open up to one another. Unlike other counselling services, LTS seeks to help people by empowering them to help themselves and those around them. attend the Chainpur Festival GARDEN OF FLOWERS: The GUEST COLUMN recently, I jumped at the chance Chainpur Mahotsav showcased Nepal’s diversity. Vijay Lama to get away from it all. I am really glad I did, it restored my hope in Nepal’s future. We travelled by road from garb of the Tamang, Magar, Rai n the 23 years I have been a Dhankuta to Hile, along the and Limbu. Whatever they were pilot, I have crisscrossed spectacular forested ridge road to wearing, they were all speaking I much of this beautiful land Basantapur and then down to Nepali with a distinctive of ours. From the air you see the Chainpur. High above, the Chainpur lilt. That morning in incredible geographic diversity of pyramid of Makalu kept us Sankhuwasabha, I felt convinced this country, how it is laid out company like an old friend. more than ever before that it is like a staircase to the heavens. Chainpur was alive with the our diversity that unites us, and From the hazy plains, through anticipation of the festival the it is the Nepali language that is the rippled blue-green midhills following day, and despite the the mortar binding the bricks of to the dazzling saw-tooth of the chilly night people from all our nationhood. Chainpur that northern horizon. classes and ethnicities mingled. day looked like a garden, and the And wherever I land, in The war and the memory of the voices sounded like a symphony. Simkot or Dhangadi, Taplejung or fierce battle here six years ago The procession ended at the Bhadrapur, I meet Nepali men had begun to fade. People from Tundikhel. Prime Minister and women who are living proof different political parties were Madhav Kumar Nepal landed his of how our varied topography is working together putting up formerly-royal Super Puma in a reflected in Nepal's ethnic welcome banners. cloud of dust. People clapped. mosaic. But a group of Maoist During the war, the youngsters started FOO CHEE CHANG people I met had just one Chainpur opened waving black banners concern: peace. Because I and shouting Loyola Talim Sewa gets wore a smart uniform and my eyes to what I “murdabad”. The entire came down from the sky, atmosphere changed, to grips with the stress perhaps, passengers had never seen people became tense, thought I would know, so and started running of modern-day Nepali they’d ask: “Shanti kahile from the air helter-skelter. The riot aunchha hola?” Today, police charged the living four years since the war ended, That evening I had dal bhat, protestors. When the ceremonies they are confused, disillusioned scented with pure Chainpur resumed, the carefree feeling had “We don’t begin by telling people they are sick and then and fearful about the future. ghiu. Our host told us the aroma evaporated. diagnose illnesses. We give them the skills necessary to help Rural Nepalis are not came from the herbs that the Till the politicians arrived on themselves and live life more fully,” explains Brooks. It’s an approach that has served him well in the last 45 years, during demanding. They are satisfied cows ate in the high altitude the scene, Chainpur was Nepal in which he worked extensively with young people (including with the little they have. They pastures of eastern Nepal. The a microcosm. No one saw each serving as principal at St. Xavier’s School for 10 years). He is don’t have great expectations. old world hospitality and other as belonging to this or that now reaching out to a broader and more mature audience through Most wake up in the morning, spontaneity towards total party, or ethnicity. We were all LTS. just wanting to get through the strangers touched me deeply. It Nepalis. We shared what we had The centre is getting results. It helped one woman overcome day, working in the fields reminded me of the sense of with strangers without expecting a fear of men that she had had ever since being molested by her growing enough to feed their belonging that comes to me anything in return. father at a young age. She is now happily married and has a families. They don’t expect much when I fly passengers wearing Nepal Ama is broke, she can’t child. LTS also helped a man come to grips with his homosexuality, from Kathmandu, and have long tika and marigold garlands at give anymore. It’s time for us to a fact which led to frustration and caused him to behave violently. stopped demanding anything Dasain. I have always felt give back to Nepal Ama what she Yet the challenges are steep. “We really expect a lot a trust from their rulers. privileged to be the one uniting gave us. I thank the people of from the people we help,” says Singh. “Many of the people we see tell us things they wouldn’t dare tell their own parents. But I am a typical Nepali urbanite, Nepalis by flying them to be Chainpur for inviting me and for Nepali culture isn’t exactly welcoming of this kind of trust.” and like many of you reading together. opening my eyes to the reality of Singh and Brooks are currently working on a book about LTS this, I have grown more and more The next morning, the real Nepal that I had never and counselling, and plan to continue working in Nepal for many disenchanted with the so-called Chainpur’s quaint cobblestone seen from the air. years to come. Here’s to hoping they make Nepal a happier New Nepal. All I see around me is lanes were filled with people place in the process. cynicism, negativity and despair. dressed in daura suruwal, haku Capt Vijay Lama is a pilot for So when I got an invitation to patasi, bakkhu, and the ethnic Nepal Airlines. 14 |FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 UNMIN meaning

2. Allow new recruitment into the army on the side of peace, it’s only the Maoists of a sovereign nation in such an uncivilised Self-flagellation and prepare for war. and UNMIN who are against it. The only way. Editorial in Rajdhani, 16 March 3. Prevent integration of the armies, use solution is to not extend UNMIN’s mandate that as an excuse not to write the new and ask it to leave. What will happen if UNMIN quits? constitution and lead Nepal into The sky won’t fall. The parties must agree At first glance, the cabinet’s reaction to UN indefinite war. on a minimum program to protect the peace Undersecretary-General B Lynn Pascoe’s “Sky won’t fall if process. Mediation can be done by parties, comments seems like a commitment to civil society and human rights independence and sovereignty. Pascoe UNMIN leaves” organisations. If there is no basic agreement behaved in a colonial manner, threatening Lighting the fire Interview with former ambassador Bhekh then there is a danger of a return to conflict. to withdraw UNMIN and raising questions Editorial in Punarjagaran, 16 March Bahadur Thapa in Drishti, 16 March about the competence of a sovereign government, so the cabinet’s reaction is better late than never. In the past four years What happens if a referee who is supposed Drishti: What is your opinion on the The real reason various embassies and missions in to be neutral starts dribbling and scoring debate over UNMIN? Editorial in Kantipur, 17 March Kathmandu have been violating the Vienna goals? That is what UNMIN is doing in Thapa: I blame both sides. The UN was in Convention. The Indian and Chinese Nepal with its controversial, dangerous and a hurry to come, and the Nepali side was envoys go around giving statements even objectionable meddling. It started with Ian also in a hurry to bring it in. There are very The spat between the government and before they present their credentials. The Martin and now his successor Karin few instances of the UN actually restoring UNMIN has reached New York. American Maoists, UML and NC have all been mute. Landgren is carrying on the tradition of peace in any country. But the expectation citizen and UN Undersecretary-General The Madhav Nepal government has been protecting the Maoists. Her activities are was that the UN would be neutral. Pascoe blamed the political parties for silent on UNMIN and OHCHR overstepping stalling the peace process and this can be their bounds to make comments. So what considered to be the opinion of UN is the cabinet trying to do by suddenly headquarters. How could UNMIN have unleashing a thunderbolt against Pascoe? violated the Agreement on Arms and Armies Why wasn’t the UN’s resident Clause 2, which requires it to keep details of representative summoned by the Foreign the strengths of the two armies secret, by Ministry, as would have been the norm, to giving numbers of Maoist guerrillas in the be told about the government’s camps to the government? What if the displeasure? The prime minister himself Maoists ask UNMIN to provide details of the is obliged to donor largesse, so the cabinet’s Nepal Army? If the government really statement doesn’t carry much credibility. wanted to know how many fighters there are The cabinet’s reaction to Pascoe’s statement in the cantonments, it could have used the is as objectionable as Pascoe’s own JMCC, which has representatives of both the statement. Maoists and the Nepal Army. In fact the JMCC was set up precisely for such MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA complications. UNMIN’s role, after all, is War-loving not that of a mediator but of monitor. The endangering not just Nepal but also India, But Pascoe said UNMIN would ownership of the peace process is with the government which is grappling with its own Maoist leave. government and the Maoists, UNMIN is just Editorial in Janadesh, 16 March war. Landgren’s controversial role has been That’s all he could say. I never expected the there to help. The government and the exacerbated by the undiplomatic and kind of undiplomatic words he used while Maoists have few options: either expand offensive tone of the remarks by UN here. He talked down to Nepal. Why did and extend UNMIN’s mandate or ask it to The current puppet regime is trying to Undersecretary-General Pascoe. The our leaders and the government tolerate it? leave. But by embarrassing an international forget UNMIN’s role in the peace process. It government had asked UNMIN to verify the I am surprised. He said the government was organisation which it invited, the is also unhappy with UNMIN’s neutral numbers of guerrillas in its cantonments trying to gloss over its own shortcomings government is putting a serious dent in stance on the monitoring of arms and after receiving reports that these were down and blame UNMIN. He shouldn’t have said Nepal’s standing. UNMIN was sent here by armies. UNMIN shouldn’t give in to such by 40 per cent. But UNMIN said it couldn’t that. It shows how tarnished our the decision of the five permanent members pressure tactics. The current puppet breach secrecy, raising doubts about its international reputation is. I have never of the UN Security Council. Of them, the government is using a three-pronged anti- role. UNMIN is itself responsible for seen an international civil servant behave US, UK and China are not happy with the people strategy: creating the conditions for it not being like that with the government of an government’s handling of this issue. By possible to extend its mandate beyond 15 independent country. And when he trying to sideline the UN at a time when the 1. Send UNMIN back, and allow Indian May. It is not serious about the peace accused the political forces of peace process is stalled is to irritate a large expansionists to make inroads in process and is relentlessly pro-Maoist. The incompetence, the Maoists were included. segment of the international community Nepal. whole country and the national forces are It did not suit him to address the leaders just to please a regional power. Light weights

Sikshyak, March-April 2010

Poster: 100th Women's Day "How time flies! When I first got The people of Finland have here they were celebrating 70th come up with a unique scheme Women's Day. Now they've got 100." to help teacher training in Nepal and stay healthy at the same time. They don’t have to raise money any more; all they need to do is lose weight, and an anonymous donor will donate 15 euros for every kilo shed. The project, announced in January, will continue until it raises 10 million euros. Finns wishing to take part have to go to designated Batsayan in Kantipur, 13 March weighing centres and once the kilos lost are certified, the donor will donate money to Nepal. The project is being managed by the group THL and the collected money will be handed over to Nepal by the Finnish Foreign Ministry. The scheme was kicked off in January by none other than Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Paavo Väyrynen. But we won’t know how much weight he has lost until May. 19 - 25 MARCH 2010 #494 CONSTITUTION 2010|15 “Many official languages”

Navodita Chaudhari, committee president and CA member from Sunsari, RPP

How important is the Committee for Determining Basis of Cultural and Social Unity? At first, we all thought it wasn’t that important a committee. Later, however, we began to believe the opposite.

Are there major disagreements in your committee? Initially there was agreement on the draft, but then debate arose over whether to call the conflict ‘people’s war’ or ‘civil conflict.’ We decided to put it to a vote. Besides that, there are disagreements about what the official state MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA language should be.

What has your committee decided will be the official state language? Currently, Nepali is the official language since it is spoken most widely. However, we propose that a language commission be Joining formed to look into the feasibility of making particular languages the official language in the provinces where they are predominant.

Madhes-based groups are demanding that Hindi be made the official language. What do you say? janjati issues Hindi is also included in the census, so can very well be made the official language in some province.

Won’t this put other languages spoken in the Tarai, like SABITRA DURA marginalised groups better members feel responsibility Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, at a disadvantage? prospects. towards the party they are There are no restrictions here. Those languages can be made The Janjati Caucus works affiliated with. At this historic official languages too. he focus of the nation is towards unifying Janjati CA moment, we should forget on two questions: will the members. The Caucus has raised everything else and work in T new constitution be the common issues of Janjatis in unison for a common cause. This written on time and will it be draft proposals and even offered is a golden opportunity for us, pro-people? Nepal has had six suggestions for a scientific and one which might not come constitutions, all written demarcation of the proposed 14 again. according to the king’s wishes ethnicity based provinces. Ethnic provinces, political except for the country’s First Despite all efforts to bring them prerogatives, right to self “Committee Statute 1947 and the existing together, the Janjati Caucus is determination and autonomy are Interim Constitution. characterised by three types of CA the common demands of Janjatis. Nepal has been declared a members. We want ethnic provinces, not a couldn’t agree” democratic republic country. First, the status quoists who province of a particular caste. However, it is yet to be seen if oppose the idea of the right to self Brahmin and Chhetris have their this declaration will eliminate determination, ethnic autonomy identity as well as representation Sambhu Hazara Dusadh, ethnic, regional, gender and class and political prerogatives. The in the state mechanism. We want committee president and CA identity and representation of the member from Parsa, NC marginalised communities. To argue that ethnic, regional and The Committee on the Birds of a feather flock gender equality is anti-democratic Forms of Governance, together, but there are is conservative thinking. hasn’t even prepared a There can be competition only draft, it seems. status quoist, moderate among equally competent The draft is ready, but there isn’t competitors. It is not yet consensus on the form of and resolute Janjatis undemocratic to give prerogatives governance and election system. to marginalised communities for a certain time. If they were as Even voting hasn’t helped? discrimination. The identity, number of such Janjati CA democratic as they claim, they No, and the CA regulations aren't access to and representation of the members is very small, and they would have given all an about what should be done in marginalised in the state appear in public just to save face. opportunity to flourish. It did such circumstances. apparatus are the real issues, and The second category includes not happen as certain this should be guaranteed in the those who are strong in word but communities ruled over other Is it true that there was a physical scuffle between you and new constitution. weak in deed. They always renege communities. Energy Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat? The real conflict is between on their commitments come Natural resources were sold No. There was just some confusion during committee elections. The the status quoists and progressive decision time. A huge number of for personal benefit and registered Maoists’ model of a directly elected executive president got 18 votes, forces. The country has already Janjatis fall into this category. in the name of influential the NC-UML model of a directly elected executive prime minister and decided to be a secular federal The third category includes individuals in the past. But mixed-model got 13 votes each, but none had an outright majority. We nation. Going back on this will those who are genuinely when Janjatis claim their rights didn’t know if we should just pick the model which got the most disgrace the people’s struggle and committed to the issues of over natural resources as per ILO votes. When I was giving my speech explaining the results, Minister their sacrifice. In any case, it’s too Janjatis. These activists take up convention 169, how is it Mahat took my speech from my hand. late for that. the issues and get them passed in undemocratic? However, it seems a Herculean the CA. We should jointly raise the Why? task to guarantee the rights of Ensuring the rights of Janjatis common issues of Janjatis and get He thought I was going to declare the Maoists’ model as the Janjatis in the new constitution. in the new constitution is the real them passed in the CA. If we committee’s pick. With 218 members, Janjatis are task of Janjati CA members. unite, we can win. well-represented in the CA. Yet Although party whips are not Have relations between you two soured? it’s unclear if this will guarantee applicable to CA business, CA Dura is a Maoist CA member. No, we have friendly conversations every now and then. Borrrring! K 16 no wonderthe urgent matterstoattendto,isbeyondme.Withallthishorsing around, and aCAChairmanwhogavethedistinctimpressionhehad more President, aPrimeMinisterwholookedlikehe’dratherbetaking anap caste mulescanprancearoundinTundikhelfrontofavisibly bored of horses.Whythecountryneedsaholidayjustsothesehaughty high- drivers. cadres oftherulingUMLandJhapa’shighwayswereclosedbybus Tarai wasshutdownanywaybytheTharus,Biratnagarclosed a happyholiday.Agovtbunned.Notthatitmattered,becausetheentire national holiday.ThegovernmentmeetsonSundaytodeclareMonday organisation thatisthepresentcoalitionwastodeclareGhodayJatraa By farthemostmomentousdecisiontakenbynon-government imperialists. chairs overtheAmericanwrestler’shead.Getthat?Takethat,you unfortunately-named WorldTradeCentre,thenwewillbreakafew getting theupperhand(asitwere)overHimalayanTigerat cricket teambeatsus,wewillbeatthemup.AndifBigVitoseemstobe colonised) willnevertakeanydefeatlyingdown.IftheAmerican by now.WeproudNepalis(who,needweremindyou,haveneverbeen Organisers offuturesportsmeetsinNepalshouldhavegotthemessage smithereens ass(at)nepalitimes.com is notgoingtoexceed12hours aday.” successfully ensuredthatloadshedding thisyear am happytoannouncethatthe governmenthas name means‘light’,hahahaha)toldthepress:“I Energised MinisterPrakashMahat(whosefirst Which bringsustothe shedding. buildings, bridgesthattheBaddiesthemselves of course,isthatthecontractsareforre-buildinghealthposts,VDC being awardedtoanyonebutthem:onpainofdeath.Theironyitall, Gorkha, TanahuandKaskiwheretheYCLhasbannedanyDDCcontract The announcementcoincidedwithaspurtinextortionterrorism criminality islikelettingComradeFoxguardtheChickenCantonment. paramilitary organisationwoulddevoteitselfsolelytocontrolling The YCLDontellingthispaperlastweekthathenceforthhis Nepal up.Borrrring! Kathmandu lastweekthatifUNMINdeparted,Indiawouldgobble Which isprobablywhyPascoewastellingeverybigwighemetin content withshakinghandsSouthBloc’sNepaldeskhandler. bewildered bymeetingHerrPascoeandhisentourage,whohadtobe getting sobafflingthatNirupamaBehendidn’twanttogetevenmore asked theMJFdeputyPM:“SohowisyourUMLpartydoing?”It’sall after anhour-longchatwithfellow-Vijay(theGachhedar)lastweek about Nepalipoliticalshenanigans.IndianstateministerDigVijay, I’m gladtoseeit’snotjustthe bhava.’ Because, althoughwemaybeatheists,firmlybelievethatparyataksaredebo will leavetheforeignersalonebecausewedon’tintendtodisruptVisit Nepal Year. pulp anyNepaliporterwefindonthetrekkingtrails,disobeyingourdiktat.But agencies triplethedailywagesofporters,andpayusadonation.Wewillbeatto onwards byplacinggoonsatstrategiclocationsonthetrailsunlesstrekking this countryintotaldisgust.ThepartywillalsostopalltrekkingfromSaturday we cancontinuetoextortthehelloutofanytourisminvestorwhohasnotyetleft pretext justsothat,whilehidingbehindthebannerofourrevolutionarytradeunion, ‘However, thepartydeservesrighttoclosedownanyhotelattimeon The Ass,asyouhaveprobablyguessedbynow,isnotallthatfond ACK SIDE | B alls. Weforgottoreadthe pledge nottodisruptVisitNepalYearwithbunnedsandhurt- new therewasacatchtotheBaddiessigningmulti-partisan during thewar. Andthat. New Constipation

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