#245 29 April - 5 May 2005 16 pages Rs 30 One on one Fallout of Deuba arrest tarnishes successful trip KUNDA DIXIT indeed agreed to “unconditionally” And that is how his visit resume military aid to Nepal. would have been seen had it not ing Gyanendra’s return on When this news hit headlines been for the ham-handed arrest Friday from a week of in New Delhi papers on Monday of Sher Bahadur Deuba early K intense diplomacy at the morning, all hell broke loose. The Wednesday morning and of five King Gyanendra with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh... Afro-Asian Summit in Jakarta and CPM, a key ally of Singh’s more prominent party leaders the Boao Asian Forum in China Congress-led government, lashed that afternoon. Suddenly, it could have been triumphant. out saying there was no question looked like Kathmandu had no His numerous photo of resuming arms supplies without intention of keeping its end of the opportunities with world leaders restoration of democracy in Nepal. bargain to allow the political went some way in providing his The issue became a political hot process to resume with a takeover a certain international potato and less about Nepal than progressive lifting of the legitimacy. internal tensions within India’s emergency. The most dramatic left-centre coalition. Deuba’s arrest was a breakthrough was his meeting with The episode also exposed godsend to the foreign policy Indian Prime Minister Manmohan rifts between the Indian military wallas in India who could now Singh on 24 April after which the establishment and the Ministry of say “we told you so” to the king announced that India was External Affairs with the generals defence wallas. In a pointed resuming arms supplies. far more keen to resume hardware statement South Bloc said Singh didn’t deny it, saying the supplies to the RNA to help fight Deuba’s arrest was “contrary to ...Chinese premier Hu Jintao request would be considered in the Maoists. Indian Foreign assurances” “proper perspective”. Then came a Secretary Shyam Saran, who has the king gave Editorial p2 leak from an unnamed Indian reportedly taken charge of Nepal to Singh in Emergency exit official that the prime minister had policy, was on a weekend trip to Jakarta and Bhutan and is supposed to have even hinted that these matters been miffed by Jakarta's fallout. were no longer viewed as Weekly Internet Poll # 245 As the defence and foreign Nepal’s internal affairs. For Q. Would lifting the emergency be a good policy establishments in New Nepal Deuba’s arrest has been a idea? Delhi locked horns there was case of snatching defeat from the confusion about who was really jaws of victory. directing policy towards Nepal. All eyes are now on King King Gyanendra came out of this Gyanendra's handling of the looking like he had run circles emergency which lapses on around the Indians and exposed Sunday, and the “100 days” he Total votes:650 their rift. In addition, the Indian pledged on a democracy Weekly Internet Poll # 246. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com about turn on arms blew sizeable roadmap to American Q... Should India resume military hole on the US-UK-India alliance ambassador James Moriarty assistance to Nepal? on Nepal. which runs out on 11 May. z ...and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. PICS: DOI ISSN 1814-2613 2 EDITORIAL 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Abha Eli Phoboo, Aarti Basnyat Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Charting our own path Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 How to help re-engineer democracy by devolution EMERGENCY EXIT fter February First, many This failure is most telling in breathing a sigh of relief to have got The state of emergency imposed on 1 February will expire in the bilateral and multi-lateral the case of the United States, rid of them. The double-standards next few days. Without a parliament, it will need constitutional A donors were convinced that whose 11 Congressmen wrote to are breathtaking: these same contortions to extend it by another three-months. But why bother? suspending aid would force the King Gyanendra recently calling countries have tolerated After all, it was a stick where a carrot would have sufficed. country back to status quo ante. for ‘peaceful reversion to dictatorships and emergency rule We think this emergency has outlived its usefulness, been This meant having the country democratic reforms in Nepal’. In everywhere else in the world. counterproductive to state security and should be lifted as a ruled once again by unelected the 1970s-90s period, USAID The more-Catholic-than-the genuine gesture to steer this country towards national politicians—the possibility of presided over the ‘integrated Pope diehards in the donor reconciliation and to break our current international isolation. election having been wrecked development’ of Rapti Zone, the community should know by now that Few would dispute that the country is in deep crisis, and drastic during their own stewardship. region which emerged as the widespread poverty and illiteracy action is needed to set things right. Despite serious concern about epicentre of the Maoist force politicians to buy votes in human rights violations by the security forces, no one should have GUEST COLUMN insurgency. elections. They then use this as an Meanwhile, the ‘five party open license to plunder while in any illusions anymore that it is the Maoists who as a matter of Bihari K Shrestha policy use terror as a tactic of war. They resort to extreme alliance’, otherwise a loose office, wrecking governance in the brutality to spread fear, bomb schools, destroy temples and have no ensemble of opportunistic process. qualms in treating children as cannon fodder. Almost three months later, the politicians, came together again This has been the crux of the The people who have suffered the most at the hands of the aid suspension has barely recently recovering from its problem in our practice of Maoists in the past ten years have been ordinary Nepalis, created a ripple. This calls for disarray since last July when the Westminister style democracy. In grassroots political cadre and social activists—yet it is these very some serious introspection by UML deserted them to join the contrast, where authority is people who are affected by the curtailment of civil liberties post-1/2. donors themselves. Has their tax Deuba government. However, devolved to the users themselves, Why are we punishing people who are on our side? payers’ money been only of when its cadres went back to transparency of management and The raison d’etre for February First, as laid out in the royal peripheral consequence for street protests recently there were accountability of leaders, have proclamation, was that the political process had gone astray and it Nepal? Conversely and more scores of spectators watching in prevailed. Such devolution has was undermining the counterinsurgency campaign. Fair enough. seriously, how come the aid, amusement and only a few made Nepal the world leader in But although a state of emergency was declared in a separate much of it spanning over five courting arrest. This was a very community forestry. At this level, notice, there was nothing in the royal proclamation that said decades, failed to prevent Nepal embarrassing display of lack of illiteracy is no hindrance for people anything about such a harsh crackdown on the press and from sinking into the present public support for the agitation. to define their problems nor is politicians. morass, and more precipitously Junior politicians sent to the poverty a deterrence in participation It is our concern that the state of so, after 1990? street frontlines are aware that the in solving them. emergency has deeply polarised image of their parties is tarnished. Devolution is the key not only to Nepalis. The middle ground has So, in the NC at least, pressures promote genuine democracy and been removed. The Maoists seemed have mounted for ‘reorganising development but also to end the to be headed towards ultimate self- along democratic lines’ and insurgency once and for all. So, destruction anyway, now they have ‘getting rid of the corrupt’ from the Nepal’s foremost need today is to new reason to rally against the party. These calls were, as usual, re-engineer its democracy so that monarchy and focus their fight. brushed aside by party president, the disadvantaged majority get to Intimidation of media has tarnished Girija Koirala. effectively participate in decisions the credibility of the very institution Tarnished by the Dhamija and that concern them. Restoring the the state needs to put its views to Lauda scandals, Girijababu would corrupt man’s democracy will the people. Wild rumours and panic never commit political suicide by amount to letting down the people have replaced facts, and this only agreeing. His corrupt cohorts, too, once again. benefits those who rule by terror. wouldn’t like to be sidelined even Finally, there is India. It made The role of the bureaucracy and as he continues to grace the party peace with Pakistan ‘irreversible’ constitutional organs have been throne. The wily politician has last week, now it should prevent emasculated by newly-formed wriggled out of the predicament Nepali Maoists from operating from authorities with overlapping once again under the alibi that it its soil and help repatriate Bhutani functions, and the rule of law has is no time to cause conflict in refugees who, having been shoved taken a hard knock. the party. into Nepal over its territory more Prolonging the emergency will The paradox is that at a time than a decade ago, have since been just bolster the argument of those of such crisis, America, Britain denied return. z who believe that it was not really and India lead the donor pack to designed to curb Maoism, but to put make common cause with such Bihari Krishna Shrestha is a freelance writer on development issues out pluralism. politicians at a time when common citizens are actually and politics. A Rhododendron Revolution could May Day, May Day! blossom in Nepal too

n May Day it will be exactly three pressure builds up for change. Much as our Rouge terror of the 1970s. common minimum program of broadening months. Just as well there is no political leaders would like us to believe, The Philippines got going first with participation and deepening democracy. A O parliament to extend the emergency mass movements seldom succeed because its People Power Revolution that overthrew destabilising face-off between the palace because that will help the regime retain its they will it. The people just rise up when Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. The Velvet and the people can still be avoided if the mask of constitutionalism. they can’t take it anymore. All that the Revolutions of 1989 in Central Europe, the course of February First is corrected Perhaps lifting the emergency “in due leaders can do is prepare. Rose Revolution of Georgia in 2003 and the forthwith. course” is a part of the informal deal over If this trend of political polarisation Orange Revolution in Ukraine this year In the past three months the inherent resumption of Indian arms supply continues, and given the rigidity of those were all major regime changes led by ideas, weaknesses underlying October Fourth and negotiated in Jakarta last week. There can at the helm it may even intensify, the not arms. Looking at the unfolding Cedar its February First apogee have been laid be no better way to comply than allowing Maoists will be forced to rethink their Revolution in Lebanon, one can’t see why a bare. Compared to the revolving-door the emergency to lapse. strategy of violence. By now Chairman Rhododendron Revolution can’t blossom governments that bickered incessantly for Meanwhile, there are encouraging signs Prachanda must have realised that the in Nepal too. the spoils, the volatile ways of democratic of positive polarisation. Pro-people and stronger the new regime gets, the more The Maoists claim they are ready to rule were remarkably stable. Since February pro-palace political forces are regrouping. powerful the ancien regime becomes. compromise on ‘genuine’ democracy. First, regime stability itself stands Extra-constitutional (some would say anti- The RNA’s recent successes in Rolpa Parliamentary parties declare that the challenged, hence the alarm of the constitutional) agencies have begun to and Rukum show what it can do if it establishment of ‘complete’ democracy is international community. alienate gets down to doing it. their ultimate goal. Even the king has A course correction is needed in the STATE OF THE STATE even It will undoubtedly hurt their proclaimed that he wants a ‘meaningful’ February First roadmap. Otherwise the CK Lal the oversized egos, but the Maoist leadership democracy. These adjectives are all unintended consequences of a future capital’s must accept that despite their armed synonyms. There seems to be a consensus upheaval will change the very fundamen- meek middle class. The muddled media strength, it is the mainstream parties that that the locus of power needs to shift back tals of Nepali society. Revolutions when has begun to realise the folly of have legitimate claims of being the real to Singha Darbar and that operational they happen sweep away the best-laid glamourising violent insurgency, pro-people forces. The lessons of every authority has to devolve to regional plans, enduring institutions are often cast valourising authoritarianism and scorning legitimate recent revolution in the world governance structures. into the dustbin of history. democracy. Hardline monarchists are more has been: never use violence. This is the Given the ground reality and the It’s time once again for Nepal’s abrasive in their criticism of parliamentary feature that distinguishes the current wave preference of the international community, political players to end their endgame, and parties and their leaders. of people power revolutions since the isolating those of little faith in democracy get on with peaceful politics and Professionals are re-learning the value 1980s from earlier Jacobin and Bolshevik shouldn’t be all that difficult. All it needs constitutional reconciliation. That alone of freedom as academics and lawyers are models of 1789 and 1917, the Cultural is an honest effort to bring anti-palace and will make a Rhododendron Revolution offloaded from planes. This is exactly how Revolution in the 1960s and the Khmer pro-people forces together under a single unnecessary. z 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 3

LLL ETTERS

MONITORING corrupt and power hungry. They are the MUKTINATH approved on 18 April 2005. This was CK Lal has finally written something ones who have created the Maoists during The interview with Vinaya Singh (‘Get on published in all the major newspapers on concrete (‘Mixed messages’, #243). With their terms of office and could not even the next flight to Jomsom’, #244) prompts 19 April 2005. With the initiation of these the help of civil Maoists disguised as come together as a cohesive force against me to propose building a world class Ordinances, the work of the Kathmandu human rights advocates, militant Maoists the Maoist even after repeated requests by pilgrimage site of Bhagwan Swaminarayan Valley Water Services Sector have finally got themselves sucessfully His Majesty asking them to unite. What at the Muktinath shrine. The Development Program (KVWSSDP) is recognised internationally as an more do you expect from them or the Swaminayaran faith has millions of moving ahead steadily, with the established party to the internal conflict. democracy they represented? Nepal’s followers all around the world, many of management contractors expected to be The international community has also foreign friends have not given Nepal the them are affluent Gujaratis, and there are on board by September 2005. rendered a great service to the Maoists in benefit of doubt. Stopping foreign aid will 600 temples and 9,090 centres in 45 Seema Rajouria, KVWSSDP their efforts to get recognised of having only strengthen the Maoists who the countries. The Swaminarayan temple built certain areas of Nepal under their control. international community itself categorises in London in 1995 is regarded as one of the MISLEADING Bravo! Look at the fate of poor Nepalis: as terrorists. So why are you weakening the architectural wonders of the world and is Shiva Gaunle’s story, ‘What about us’, the political parties which they believe government by backing terrorists and a visited by Hindus of all denominations. (#244) is misleading. He has tried to represents them are also welcoming the pack of corrupt and incompetent political Muktinath has a special meaning and explain that Nepal’s political parties are UN monitoring of human rights because parties who you support under the name of attraction in this community because this stuck at the same point they were four they think it will help the restoration of democracy? The present government has is where Swaminarayan himself performed years ago and goes on to point out that democracy even though they were in been forced to take the present steps to austerities standing on one leg in there hasn’t been much concerted power when the abuses took place. The safeguard the sovereignty, integrity and the meditation for two- and-a-half months opposition within the country to the king’s king has benevolently taken up the identity of the country. We need the help of without food or drink in 1792. He also move. How can there be if the state of challenge. Why is it that the parties can the outside world to attain peace, provide visited Butwal where he was received by emergency doesn’t allow anyone to only unite for destructive purposes? Why food, education and heathcare to citizens— King Mahadutt Sen of Palpa and his sister, express any opposition? Besides, there can’t they unite with the king to resolve that is true democracy. Otherwise it is just Mayadebi. He travelled onto Kathmandu in have been rallies where activists have the Maoist problem? Human rights will an excuse for the political parties to keep 1795 and met King Rana Bahadur bravely defied the emergency. It may probably benefit most from sharpening plundering the country. The friends of Nepal Shah who was suffering from a the claws of the National Human Rights should re-think and reconsider their policy terminal stomach ailment. Commission and allowing it to work in towards Nepal and extend a big helping Swaminaryan cured the king. To accordance with the laws of the land. Lal hand. this day, many affluent must be appreciated for pointing out: ‘It is Andy Joshi, Kathmandu industrialists and celebrities who quite unlikely that an international agency are devotees of Swaminarayan empowered merely to observe and THALARA travel to Muktinath. Turning authenticate will affect ground realities in Aarti Basnyat’s profile of Devendra SJB Muktinath into a pilgrimage any meaningful way.’ The UN’s precious Rana’s exhibition of photos (‘Thalara’s destination for the worldwide resources should be spent for black and white world’, #243) raises quite a Swaminaryan community will not resettlement of victims than to bring more few concerns. Exhibiting the pictures is just earn us spiritual merit, it will ignorant foreigners to work with equally indeed innovative but it needs to be also be a tremendous temporal ignorant human rights organisations. analysed historically and analogically. boost to the local economy. A Easy money has created many parasites Firstly, it seems the photographer was befitting Akshardham temple in who don’t care about human rights but exaggerating Thalara’s neglect and the Muktinath area to honour are more interested in private projects for deprivation. There are numerous Thalaras the sage would serve as a their corporate dynasties. throughout Nepal. But this Thalara is monument to peace and Dibya B Gurung, New York different because it represents the house of humanity that Swaminayran Nepal’s feudal lords, the babusahib Singhs himself preached more than Many of us were puzzled with Anne of western Nepal who dominate the area. 200 years ago. The new Cooper’s interview (‘One of the biggest The attitudes they bear have been handed temple would complement the press freedom crises in the world’, #243). down to commoners which largely impacts existing ones as well as the I agree with Sushil Bogati (Letters, #244) the lives of the women and poor. festivals and pilgrimage. be true that that if this was indeed so then her Secondly, trying to explain the poverty Gauri Nath Rimal, Kathmandu many Nepalis dislike their political comments would not have been of Thalara through the optic of ke garne and leaders but then most will back them if published in the first place. Neither would fatalism obscures the exploitative and WRONG TIME given a chance so that the country can the article by CK Lal in the same issue entrenched social and economic power I don’t understand the hullabaloo here return to a more open and democratic (‘Winning back friends’). It is a sorry relations. The ke garne mindset is not only about Alex Perry’s coverage of the system. I can understand there is press state of affairs when the continuous rife among the Thalarians but is pervasive insurgency in Nepal in Time magazine censorship in Nepal and its hard to print bashing of Nepal by the international in all human beings. This subjugated which has so many glaring errors that it the things the way you wish to. But that community is being hailed directly and mentality cannot be seen in isolation and is undermines the overall credibility of the doesn’t mean that you fuel your stories indirectly by our political leaders and not restricted to the life attitude of the poor. article. Freak Street is no more the ‘tourist with wrong inputs and praise those in many in the media. Sorrier still is the way Indeed, in a class-based society, the drag’, Space Time Today closed down long power. in which the RNA is systematically under sociology of fatalism is also hierarchic. The ago, etc, etc. It is gratifying that Time has Sameer Ghimire, Sydney attack from the same people while poor man’s fatalism can be ascribed to his finally ‘discovered’ the conflict in Nepal terrorists are called ‘rebels’. No wonder inability to comprehend the development after nearly a decade but we wish it would GOOD JOB there is no strong opposition to some model from outside, whereas, a city dweller at least get its facts right. Generally speaking, Nepali Times is undemocratic happenings in the country. nobleman’s fatalism can be of his inability Dubby Bhagat, Lalitpur different from other media. But I am not All I can say is that we do not need ‘the to secure a ministerial portfolio, a foreign going to thank you because that is your freest press in the world’ but we certainly trip, a discotheque in a luxury hotel or a ORDINANCE job – to be true to your profession. A need peace and stability. casino. I remember one of the prime This is in reference to the report titled journalist must stick to facts and must Jana Thapa, email ministers of Nepal taking advice of a ‘Royal rejection’ (From the Nepali Press, reflect public opinion and the debates tantrik-jyotish and not removing a swallow’s #244) translated from the weekly Drishti within society, not the views of the state At present, Nepal is moving forward nest at Baluwatar in the belief that if he did which contains factually incorrect or a particular group only. You are bravely on a thorny and difficult path but something ominous may happen. information stating that the royal palace practicing true journalism. Keep it up. alone. We are working for a peaceful, The identity of Thalara poverty must not had rejected the Asian Development Bharat Raj, email progressive and democratic Nepal. But be confined to ke garne and fatalism. Bank’s proposal to bring a law through where are those hands of friendship and Thalarians are surely hard working people, ordinance for the transfer of the CORRECTION strength that would help guide us in this the lop-sided discourse as presented in the management of the Nepal Water Supply Due to a mix-up in translation in difficult task? Do Nepal’s friends article trivialises the inner-agency of the Corporation. We would like to point out that ‘Mission statement’ (From the Nepali seriously believe that the so-called people striving to come out of poverty. It Nepal Water Supply Corporation rd Press, #244) Nicholas Howen was political parties really represent the may be more pertinent to look at how their Ordinance–3 Amendment, 2005, Water mis-identified. He is the Secretary interest of the general population? Time fatalistic attitude developed over time that Supply Management Board Ordinance, General of the International and again they have proven to be has a link to poverty. 2005 and Water Supply Tariff Fixation Commission of Jurists. incompetent, self and party indulgent, Badri P Bastakoti, Reading, UK Commission Ordinance, 2005 were 4 NATION 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 Humla’s class struggle Maoists are of least concern in neglected Humla

NARESH NEWAR much worse. And they are not moment they wake up in the in SIMIKOT even displaced. morning, people have to worry Humlis traditionally migrate about how to find food,” says or the people of this far- to the higher mountain pastures school teacher Bal Bahadur flung and neglected region of with their livestock as spring sets Shahi. But some, like ex-DDC F northwestern Nepal, life has in. There, they find a fertile patch chairman Jeevan Shahi, think the always been a battle against cold, of land, sow seeds and raise government’s food dole has hunger and disease. For the past animals. Come October, they’re increased dependency. The six years they have battled back in their villages. Daraphai’s strategy should have been to another foe—the Maoist 160 households are all getting make Humla self-sufficient, insurgency. ready to move up to high valleys something he says he has tried to Indeed, the conflict is just like Gwale, Khor, Thaya and do as the district’s elected leader. another hurdle in the Naula. They say they don’t need “There are many hardscrabble lives of the Humlis. and expect anything from opportunities to develop food Time has stood still for the anybody anymore. security in the district,” says people of Daraphai, a village “Humla has always been the Shahi. several hours walk away from the last place that Kathmandu will The government’s neglect of headquarters, Simikot. There is think of,” says Jeevan Shahi, a Humla grew worse after Maoist no government presence in pilot who decided to quit so he violence escalated in Karnali. No NARESH NEWAR Daraphai, and it is so could raise the living standard of employees ever venture out of the “I will not have measles now,” says nine-year-old Sabina Bohara impoverished and out of the way his home district by getting district headquarters anymore. (r), cheerfully showing us where she received a shot of the anti- that even the Maoists don’t himself elected DDC chairman. Many teachers have fled to measles vaccine. “Let me show mine too,” adds her equally excited bother. Child mortality here is As elsewhere, children are Simikot or Nepalganj, even if friend Lila Bohara. three times the national average, most vulnerable. Raised in the there is no Maoist threat in the literacy is three times less. sooty interior of windowless villages. Children are undernourished, homes for four snow-bound “A lot of teachers are making gender discrimination is rife, and months in a year, four out of 10 Maoists an excuse,” says a local there is nowhere to go when a never live to be five because of teacher on his way to Thehe person is sick. acute respiratory infections. Most village to resume his work in a Shot in the arm “The way I see it, it will take of those who survive never go to primary school. Political strikes here used to be a time when young girls like Sabina and many generations to improve school. Of those who do, most and blockades don’t really affect Lila would whimper and cry after getting their shots. It is a their lives,” says school principal drop out after six months to help this remote region and schools T gauge of the success of the awareness drive that precedes Buddhi Sagar Neupane from the family at home. are more likely to close down due vaccination campaigns that children today eagerly come to the Chitwan who has worked in Back in Simikot, the airport to the absence of teachers. health posts and leave smiling. Humla since 1988, “so many is now open after the snowbound “Teachers are becoming Measles is a major killer of Nepali children and here in leaders have made so many runway stopped flights for most irresponsible,” agrees Madhu remote district of Humla it is third only to acute respiratory promises that the people here of winter. Government employees Bilas Khanal of the Mansarobar infections and diarrhoeal dehydration. During the last phase of national measles campaign last week, Humla was one of the have lost all hope of things ever here depend on the flight for High School in Simikot, “if they seven mountain districts targeted by the government to immunise getting better.” It is so difficult to food supplies and sometimes go on leave for 15 days, they all children between nine months to 15 years. More than 17,000 just stay alive in Humla, that for have to live on one meal a day to disappear for months.” The children in all of Humla’s 27 VDCs were reached. many villagers, the Maoists are conserve supplies. government has a budget for Rs It wasn’t easy, there are no roads in Humla and only Simikot the least of their concern. Says one civil servant: “The 70 million in education in has an airport. Even then, everyone knew the campaign was on It’s the same story in most of conflict has been an excuse for Humla, more than half of that and families with children were eagerly waiting for 21 April so Humla’s 27 VDCs stretched across the government not to undertake pays the salaries and allowances they could go to the health posts. Last week, mothers were this arid and rugged trans- any development projects in the of the 420 teachers here. Most of pushing each other to get their children ahead in the unruly queue Himalayan district. While the villages. So the little that gets that money is wasted because at the village of Daraphai. Said one anxious mother: “I hope they attention is on those displaced done is confined to Simikot.” only one of the 134 Humla don’t run out of injections.” by conflict in Nepalganj and Food has always been the students who appeared in SLC With this last phase of the measles campaign that started in September 2004, 9.5 million children all over Nepal will have Kathmandu, the condition of overriding concern for passed this year. The DEO in been immunised against measles. “Every mother came with her villagers in Daraphai is actually generations of Humlis. “From the Simikot says only 32 days of children, the campaign went really well,” says 62-year-old classes were held in most Female Health Care Volunteer Kalu Raut in Simikot. Indeed, most schools last year. of the credit for getting the mothers to come goes to women The government’s nationwide volunteers like Kalu who are at the forefront of Nepal’s rural ‘Welcome to School’ campaign to health and child survival success story. get underprivileged children Another volunteer, Luaro Shahi, says: “Even young children enrolled in school from 15-23 have understood the importance of getting their shots which is April was, unsurprisingly, a why almost everyone is here.” Back in Kathmandu, Parsuram failure here. In only 12 VDCs, the Shrestha of the government’s Child Health Division is ecstatic: government was able to admit “This is just an example to prove that despite everything there are no obstacles to immunising children.” Down in the plains of children to school. “Enrolment is Dang, the vaccination recieved a huge response despite the not as important as retaining conflict and travel hassles. In Hapur VDC alone 276 children children, most of the children were immunised in two days. dropout by the end of year,” says Many children suffer due to complications of measles for headmaster Neupane. which there is no treatment. “Prevention is the best option and the Of the 235 children enrolled only way is to get vaccinated against it,” says YV Pradhan of the during last year’s enrollment Ministry of Health. Every year, about 150,000 children get campaign in Bargaun village four measles in Nepal and the campaign aims to cut in half the annual hours from Simikot, only 35 are death toll of 5,000 children from measles and reduce the number still in class. of children who suffer complications such as blindness, deafness Says teacher Ram Raja Shahi: and mental disability. The Ministry of Health’s measles campaign is supported by “We have to start seriously the Nepal Family Health Program, WHO and UNICEF. thinking if it is indeed any use The national Vitamin A program held simultaneously also trying to teach children who are chronically hungry.” proved to be a hit. Nepal’s success with its Vitamin A campaign NARESH NEWAR is regarded as one of the most effective in the developing world. Vitamin A supplementation can reduce under-five mortality rate by 30 percent and the program is averting the deaths of an estimated 12,000 Nepali children each year. Kasilal’s uphill climb Every second Nepali child is stunted and malnourished. Walking from Daraphai village, eight-year-old Kasilal BK (above) has to climb up the steep hill for three Intestinal worm infections are also a chronic problem that further hours on an empty stomach to reach Simikot to fetch a sack of rice for his family. After waiting for nearly reduces the amount of iron they absorb, making them weak and five hours in a queue of more than 500 hungry villagers, he manages to buy 15 kg of subsidised rice at anaemic. The vitamin program aimed to reach 3.3 million children the government food depot. The rice is rationed and each person is allowed three kg monthly. “This hardly around the country in April and is supported by AusAID, USAID, lasts a week, we have to be careful not to waste anything,” says Kasilal. He is lucky, a group of women the Nepali Technical Assistance Group and UNICEF. from Chehe further up the trail are returning to their village after the rice ran out in the depot in Simikot. They had woken up before dawn to get to the queue and waited till 4PM. The hard reality of Humla’s (Naresh Newar in Humla and Dang) grinding poverty is that if children like Kasilal go to school, the family starves. BUSINESS 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 5 anger by pulling money out of

Cambridge awards the country in no time. ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ Take telecom as another The University of Cambridge The landlord syndrome International Examinations in example. At a time when even association with the British Council vegetable farmers in Bangladesh awarded scholarship prizes of 500 A rule-bound competitive market can keep excesses in check have the luxury of choosing pounds each to Elina Pradhan of A here are many ways to tenants whose self-interest was any other landlord difficult in from eight competing phone levels and Yashas Vaidya of AS levels. interpret why things are the to be on the right side of the the future. service providers, Nepali Both students are from T way they are in this country. landlord lest they got punished Take something abstract like businesspeople have none. But Budhanilkantha School. But in business terms, it helps to or thrown out. press freedom, for instance. They again, consider the alternative.

Not hungry anymore see Nepal struggling between two In theory, the Jana Andolan are gone because the new Had the elected governments ○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○ models of governance: the ease of of 1990 gave the tenants a stab at landlord has decided that the thought of their constituencies, Asian Thai Foods has a ‘landlord model’ and the becoming citizens to finally tenants don’t need them. And let go of their greed to keep on started a new thematic competitiveness of a market- press for the ‘share-holder activists are now reduced to milking the state-run telecom brand launch for its product, 2PM noodles. driven ‘share-holder model’. model’ through freely elected either chanting the ideals of provider and promoted private The tagline for the Historian Mahesh Chandra political representatives. There press freedom or going on a and joint-venture telecom campaign is ‘So smooth, so delicious’. Regmi has shown that throughout were fragments of hope in, say, global road trip to take grievances competitors to come on board much of its history, the Nepali the achievements of community to audiences abroad. But faster, not only would millions

Non-stop to NY state has acted as a landlord. To forestry, diversity of FM radio consider an alternative. Had there of Nepalis be connected to one ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ news broadcasts and bits of been a more direct and diverse another at cheaper rates today From 1 May, Thai will fly economic reforms. But over time, foreign investment in the but future landlords would have its Airbus A340-500 non- STRICTLY BUSINESS stop from Bangkok to it became clear that the businesses of radio, television found it very costly—monetarily JFK Airport in New York. Ashutosh Tiwari representatives too had and print media, chances are that and coordination-wise—to seize The total flight time will be only 17 disappointingly degenerated no landlord would have been the control of all phone lines in hours. finance wars and to pay for its into neo-landlords, accountable able to squash the press. After one day. indulgences, it collected rents only to the myopic interests of all, it’s easy to make arbitrary Some Nepali democrats argue NEW PRODUCT from those who lived within its party leaders. As they fought rules to inflict harm on purely for decentralisation of power borders. It rewarded officers by with one another for money and Nepali-owned businesses. But while professing a knee-jerk UNICORN: giving them jagir in the form of power in a continual haze of the more such businesses are distrust of markets. It’s time Syakar Company has introduced land. Those who were not finger-pointing suspicions, they bound by globally accepted they started appreciating how a the Honda absolutely loyal had their collected disgust, lost public business practices through a rule-bound competitive market Unicorn in properties confiscated and were support and eventually ceded horde of foreign investors and acts as an instrument that Kathmandu. even exiled. Activities of the so- their landlord status. Looking domestic shareholders, the more decentralises power, checks It is powered by Honda 4-stroke. called disloyal sections were back, their greatest failure lay in difficult it becomes for any against the excesses of a MCBORG: McBorg Nepal has banned until 1990. Since the state not pushing for more landlord to act in ways which capricious landlord and makes launched McBorg premium exercised all-consuming power competition-oriented market could harm that majority’s citizens’ voices count through lager beer for Rs 85 per bottle. over their daily lives, Nepalis saw reforms, which would have interest. If that should happen, the shareholder model of themselves not as citizens but as quietly made the emergence of the investors would signal their governance. z

Solar energy has made it possible for the children of Humla Sun light in Humla to do their homwork. “It is better to light one lamp than curse the darkness” BHAIRAB RISAL over tea. The plan was simple: provide light to all residents of Nepal’s remotest and he Light Up Humla Campaign to least-developed district through solar spread the use of solar-powered power. How to do it? We felt it would be T electric lights in homes in remote easy to find 7,000 good souls in the country. Humla district aims to illuminate nearly The Campaign’s strategy was to exhort one 7,000 households by next year. Nepali who enjoys the benefits of modern Trees take a long time to grow in electricity to support another who is living Humla’s arid climate and high altitude in darkness. topography. Yet, over centuries, forests Sure enough, support poured in, first have been cleared for firewood and for pine from a network of friends, then as word NARESH NEWAR resin used for feeble lamps that are used for spread from Nepalis in Nepal and all over Indeed, it does look like a simple nine now come to rely on solar electricity. domestic lighting. The resulting indoor the world. By the first few months of 2004, watt neon lamp in the house is all that’s It costs Rs 4,000 to provide a set of smoke causes acute respiratory ailments, a 50 households already had light—46 of needed to reduce poverty in some cases. In solar cells, battery and neon lights for each major killer of children in the district which them belonged to Dalit families and the rest others, children can do their homework household and this is donated by Nepalis has the highest child mortality rate in the were underprivileged households. By the without hurting their eyes and mothers find through the campaign. It is estimated that in country. The soot also cause eye infections end of 2005 an additional 500 households it easier to do household chores. 1,000 Humla households, 12 percent of the and other ailments. will get electric lamps and by 2006, another Some parts of Humla have electricity total can afford the Rs 4,000 and another The Campaign believes that solar- 5,000 households will be added. from micro-hydro projects but the power is 900 households already benefit from micro- powered light can be a means to liberate the “The light from the sun has made life erratic. And although the Heldung hydro projects. The campaign thus targeted people of Humla from these problems, much easier,” says Karna Damai of Simikot, hydropower plant is scheduled to be 50 priority households in 2004, 500 in 2005 protect the environment and create new one of the first beneficiaries of the light completed by July 2005, it will take time for and 5,000 in 2006. z opportunities for education and employment. system, “I used to go to Bista’s house to the power to reach outlying villages. In the When we launched the Light Up Humla sew clothes all day, now I can work late into meantime, the Light Up Humla Campaign is Journalist Bhairab Risal is the co-founder of the Campaign in 2004 it started off as a ‘crazy the night and earn wages during the day. It’s gaining popularity. Even in the district Light Up Humla Campaign. idea’ between some of our Humli friends much easier to feed my family.” headquarters of Simikot, most people have 01-4232052, 01-4280317 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 Baburam’s salvo to Prachanda

Letter from Baburam Bhattarai to Prachanda deliberations would take the party the party, army and the front is against the Nepal, 29 April backwards, prior to the second consensus of our party’s second national national convention and that it would convention and the development of the Respected Chairman Comrade Prachanda cause serious damage to the republican system of the 21st century. CPN (Maoist), Central Office movement. Some circles in the party have Expecting necessary cooperation from the central office, I I had forwarded my solid opinion forwarded the argument that without such am going to inform you and register my opinion on some during the central committee meeting. single leadership, the enemy will get issues. Since there were serious differences room to play and that such leadership and doubts in the leadership and will make the plan of strategic counter During our last central committee meeting, I and some mainly after my resignation episode, I attack successful. Such an argument other comrades had opposed the concept of a two-line had an informal talk with comrade has no weight and is not based on any struggle within our party, which is against our great chairman outside the meeting hall. principle. If such a concept is spread people’s war and Ma-Le-Ma-ism and Prachandapath. The During the meeting, we had an further, we will have to bid farewell to two-line struggle has been conducted in a very unhealthy agreement that for now there would be the sovereign committee system of the way, promoting groupism. But considering the an understanding on a simple principle party of the proletariat and the system complexities of class struggles in the past, we thought that the party, army, and the front will of collective leadership. If we choose the internal struggle in the party should be managed in have integrated and centralised that option, it is clear that it will be less complicated ways. That is why the agreement was: leadership of the proletariat. In line with very dangerous and we should set aside issues that are potentially so that understanding, both of us made counterproductive. divisive and serious. presentations during the meeting. Viewing the arrests that took place in New Delhi, Despite this, in certain circles, an internal struggle But contrary to this, the minutes of the meeting Siliguri and Patna as part of a series and with all bad has been carried out in an unhealthy way, there have contained sentences that have double meanings implying intentions implicating a layer of the party as being behind been violations of accepted norms, responsible comrades that the party, army and the front has a single leadership. them will not only make the internal struggle unhealthier, are spreading illusions and there have been activities And such information has been forwarded down into the it will intensify factionalism. There are sinister that are against the well-being of the revolution. Raising party’s rank and files in different ways. These are things I indications that this is happening. serious concerns about all these, I demand that the have come to know very recently. If that is the case, I do That is why I request for the necessary initiative of central office control such activities. criticise myself for not hearing, looking and reading the the central office to stop the efforts of linking the arrests The discussions and presentations on Prachandapath minutes carefully after the meeting. I state my differences in India with the internal struggles in the party. during the central committee meeting were against its with such a decision and would like to register a note of (Prachandapath’s) main spirit. All honest comrades dissent through the central office. I am taking these With revolutionary regards, present at the meeting had the feeling that such decisions because the idea of having a single leadership in Laldhoj

he can ride out this international

Vampires criticism by ignoring it. But even ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Rajdhani, 24 April they must be aware of the international ramifications of this Unnecessary Some drug addicts in the Boudha isolation and that their advice is area are sucking human blood harmful for the long-term future Editorial in Nepal Samacharpatra, 27 April from child victims, according to of the country and for street children who have been constitutional monarchy. But they The police infiltration at the UML office has created havoc in victimised. Nil Kantha Sedai are giving it anyway. Nepal’s political circles. This will only widen the ever-growing gap By using emergency between the government and democratic political parties. Such an (name changed) is one of them. He says, “When they are provisions, the royal commission incident will intensify the existing negative image of the is pushing legal boundaries for government. There was really no need to view the gathering of UML overdosed and have nothing to leaders and workers as negative because they were all assembled eat, they suck blood from our politically-motivated character only to mourn the death of their late leader Man Mohan Adhikari’s bodies.” Showing his cheek that assassination. On the other hand, widow. has been pierced with a blade, bringing in ex-panchays into the The way police took illegal action—entering the office without a Sedai said the addicts sucked governance structure has warrant, kicking office doors, asking for keys to the accounts from his wound for 10 minutes. introduced unaccountability and office—only shames the government, which has been making Sedai named addict ‘Naran’ sycophancy back into the system. commitments in international forums towards respecting and others as the culprits. A An end to this three-month democracy, protection of human rights and restoring press narcotics control official thinks political exercise will restore a freedom. Democracy will be jeopardised if people are not allowed program-based system that can to gather peacefully. This will only provoke more criticism towards the addicts turn to being vampires to get a high when they take us towards resolution. Since the government at a time when international community has been the king has taken all power in his condemning the political events following February First. can’t find drugs. Addicts extort money from street children who hands, it is up to him to take this earn from selling plastic and glass step. for recycling.

Going alone

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No emergency Shambu Shrestha in ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Editorial in Samaya, 28 April Dristi, 26 April

The king said in his February A king never makes mistakes. That First royal proclamation that he is what they say but all that had to take over and declare a changed after February First. The state of emergency to restore peace king’s move sparked protests from and strengthen democracy. Three America, Britain and India and months later, is the country closer several European nations, to this goal? The answer doesn’t resulting in aid cuts and look positive. suspension of military The gap between the king and shipments. The events that the political parties has widened followed made it easier for the since February First. This is king to assume the role of ruler. unfortunate for peace and Recently, at an international democracy and was created by the forum, the king justified his move king seizing power and declaring to curb terrorism but the reality is a state of emergency. A way out of that Nepal’s image in the eyes of this situation would be to lift the the international community will never be positive until democracy, Here, take the arms. state of emergency, an agreement freedom of press and civil Now start the democratic process. between the parties and the king over the choice of prime minister liberties are restored. The Himal Khabarpatrika, 30 April-14 May and the release of all political international call for guaranteeing these values cannot be seen as QUOTE OF THE WEEK prisoners. Internationally and especially interference in our internal affairs. The (Indian) suspension of regular supply of arms to Nepal has been removed without any condition. in the eyes of democratic nations, Commitment towards democracy the country has become a pariah expressed whether in Jakarta or India’s External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh in Rajdhani, 26 April state. It is clear that half a dozen Boao will mean little unless they advisers are telling the king that are put into practice for the good SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 7 of the citizens. apparent that the real reasons of Nepal has backtracked to pre- the conflict are age-old caste 1990 days with the reintroduction discrimination, social of the zonal commission system. inequalities and feudalism Although it seems that political prevalent since the Shah dynasty parties are not under restrictions, began more than 200 years back. leaders are still under house arrest The Maoists exploited these and the fourth estate is inequities to popularise their intimidated by the armed struggle. The 104 years of administration. Since the autocratic Rana rule, 30 years of formation of the Royal partyless Panchayat regime and Commission, the arrests and multiparty democratic system imprisonment of leaders have were unable to solve these intensified. To make matters problems, consequently leading to worse, the Maoists are jeopardising the Maoist rebellion. It wasn’t just the future of millions of children caused by 14 years of multi-party by closing down schools. Civilians democracy though it is true that continue to be brutalised by the political parties were unable Maoist atrocities and children are to seriously address these being killed by Maoist bombs left aforementioned causes. behind recklessly. This is where the parties The international community proved themselves failures. But KUMAR SHRESTHA /NEPALNEWS.COM is watching closely to see how the no politics can be considered the arrest of leaders took place king will solve national problems democratic by sidelining political soon after Pant bid them farewell by remaining isolated from parties. The king himself believes and left for Patna. Bhattarai is democratic political parties. In a that the only alternative to believed to have expressed democracy, the parties are democracy is democracy. Nowhere disappointment over the action representatives of the people and in the world has peace been taken by the Maoists against his India’s role it is only a matter of time before restored by suspending wife, adding to the disharmony Jana Astha, 27 April we see whether the political democratic processes to eliminate in the leadership. situation will be normalised terrorism. After February First, we Even after the Indian government announced it was reviewing its suspension of military support to Nepal following the king’s without the people’s have experienced a ‘directed Manisha’s wish February First move, it was quietly supporting the RNA. On the day representatives. No matter how democracy’ that has deprived the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of the announcement, three RNA aircraft engineers and a pilot were much foreign aid and support we nation of political rights, human Jana Bhabana, 25 April on their way to a training program as part of Indian military support. get, the internal conflict will rights, civil liberties and press It is true that the guns and bullets were not supplied after the date remain unresolved unless there is freedom. So far, the king is Manisha Koirala, granddaughter but by then, RNA had already received enough ammunition. Prior to active participation of the people moving alone with his roadmap of BP Koirala has reiterated her the king’s move, the RNA had actually already made its stance not and their representatives. The king without any consensus or call to the political parties to buy India-made INSAS (Infantry Small Arms System) rifles (pic) can’t do it alone. dialogue. We don’t know where including her granduncle GP unless they were provided free. Regardless of this, those who know this will lead Nepal. Koirala to support the king. She India well were not surprised to hear the change in India’s attitude in justifies that Nepal’s state of just three months about its Nepal policy. India definitely wants to Direct democracy modernise the RNA but for its own vested interest: Indian INSAS

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ affairs cannot run without the

Maoist disunity rifles are considered of such low quality that its own army doesn’t ○○○○○○○○○○○○ Editorial in Deshantar, 24 April ○○○○○ united forces of monarchy, want to use it in Kashmir. Even the Indian army assigned in UN Budhabar, 27 April democracy, army and the people. peacekeeping tasks don’t use the 5.56 calibre INSAS rifles and Despite the constant international “First priority should be given to instead carry AK47s though it doesn’t necessarily comply with calls to restore democracy, the Discord between Maoist leaders restoring peace followed by NATO standards. Nepal has so far bought between 10-15,000 king’s determination to go ahead has created a rift among pro- elections. After this, democracy INSAS rifles. with his roadmap is apparent from Baburam and pro-Prachanda will take its own course,” says the Ultimately, India will lose by cutting off military relations with the following events: appointment cadre. Sources say the Baburam Bollywood actress. “Nepali Nepal. This is why New Delhi, which had forcefully set rollback of of regional and zonal camp is at a disadvantage and the Congress created by my February First as its condition, suddenly changed its mind to administrators, announcement of Prachanda faction has already grandfather should now support resume military support without conditions. This happened as a municipal elections, his speech at declared the areas in Gandaki the king.” Manisha said this Nepali military team headed to China to discuss purchasing of helicopters, planes and other weapons. India needs to export the Afro-Asian conference and his controlled by Baburam as ‘Zone of didn’t mean she was against military hardware and for this it has already established Nepal as a interview with Time magazine. Traitor’. They are also holding the democracy, only that the NC market. India’s main intention of military support to Nepal is to The king has been criticising Baburam camp responsible for the should be working with the king ensure that it has the kingdom’s support during times of India’s the parties and their leaders in arrest of 11 Maoist leaders in to tackle the Maoists. There is need. Long ago, when Nepal asked India to remove its checkposts almost every public address he has Patna last year. They have blamed already family pressure on her to from the border, the Indian response was that Nepal would not be made, blaming them for politburo member Debendra return home and enter politics, able to stop the Chinese if they crossed the border. According to a compelling him to make the Paudel and asked for his get involved in social work. military expert, India is modernising Nepal’s army to be a buffer February First move. It seems clear resignation. Meanwhile Baburam’s Manisha says that the king had no against the Chinese. India has not changed its policy towards Nepal from the king’s interviews and supporters have accused Pratap choice but to make the move due since 1947: as long as its interests are met it will support any speeches that the parties are to be Pant, president of the Maoist to the incapability of the leaders regime as is evident from its support to the Panchayat government. blamed for pushing the country intellectual group who was and Maoists who have completely In the last three months there have been protests against India by the so-called nationalists of Nepal. Now that India’s support will into the current political crisis in appointed president after destroyed the country. Says the resume and we will have to see whether these same people who the last 14 years of their Bhattarai’s supporter Ramesh actress: “There is no better option often talk about nationalism will also change their position towards governance. This is not true. If we Sharma was removed from the than the NC and UML joining India. look back into our history, it is post. Bhattarai’s group says that hands with the king” 8 MOUNTAINEERING Kanchenju and Maka

MANY MOUNTAINS: Makalu and Kanchenjunga on the far horizon as seen from the southeast ridge of Chomolungma (above). The awesome north face of Kanchenjunga from the site of the 1955 British expedition (right). Kanchenjunga first-timer George Band and Norman Hardie arriving in Kathmandu on Wednesday for the celebrations (below).

ED VISTEURS

ABHA ELI PHOBOO

homolungma has hogged the government has even slashed Kathmandu to take part in the all the headlines. The the climbing fee of $10,000 to golden jubilee celebrations. Other first ascent of Mt Everest $5,000 for expeditions trying to famous climbers and mountain was top news and so was climb Makalu and Kangchenjunga experts will also be in town as the Cits celebrity-packed golden during the anniversary year. city comes alive next week. jubilee celebration in Kathmandu Currently, there are two Spanish On 15 May and 25 May, in May 2003. expeditions on Makalu and a Kathmandu will host a civic The ascents of Makalu and Swiss team on Kanchenjunga. felicitation at Tundikhel for the Kanchenjunga were no mean feat Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is the summitteers. All gathered people and some would argue those third highest mountain the world will then proceed to Darbar Square ascents in the spring of 1955 were and the second highest in Nepal. for the chariot procession. even more difficult than the Its name means ‘five treasures of The famous chariot procession South Col route up to the top of snow’, referring to its five at Hanuman Dhoka during the Aditya Baral of NTB, “these but went on to become the second Everest. summits, all over 8,000 m. The Chomolungma celebration in 2003 mountains are, after all, two of Nepali woman to have climbed Mt Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy Sikkimese believe that the deity was such a hit that an encore was Nepal’s biggest icons.” Everest after Pasang Lhamu of a French expedition led by of the mountain is throned at the planned. “We did it for Everest, Purna Tandukar of the Sherpa. Jean Franco were the first to peak and therefore, it is Cho Oyu and since it has become a Mountaineering Section at the If only the conflict could be summit Makalu on 15 May 1955 consecrated ground. The Sikkim norm we’ll also do it for Makalu Ministry of Tourism believes resolved, the Makalu Barun after they had to turn back a year government has banned and Kanchenjunga,” says Janita slashing fees by half for the two National Park and the earlier. Franco and the other expeditions to Kanchenjunga Gurung of Nepal Mountaineering mountains will help boost Kanchenjanga Conservation Area members of the expedition main peak and all climbs have to Association (NMA). All this will tourism. “It’s part of our effort to would be major draws for trekkers conquered it the next day along be carried out from the north face be followed by a seminar, formal make climbing in Nepal more since they are relatively unspoilt the north ridge. on the Nepal side of the border. felicitation of summiteers by the attractive,” he says, “we regard and more isolated. But even with Ten days later, a British The fifth highest mountain is government and a dinner mountaineering and trekking as the conflict, there are plenty of expedition led by Charles Evans Makalu (8,463 m) a monolithic reception. important elements in injecting mountaineers and trekkers visiting reached the summit of peak of pink granite with sheer The NMA’s President, Ang income to remote areas.” these areas. The Maoists leave Kanchenjunga. But having unclimbed faces on all sides. Tsering Sherpa says: “Makalu and Since 1955, the areas climbers alone as long as they pay promised to respect the religious Located on the Nepal-Tibet Kanchenjunga are special surrounding both mountains a Rs 5,000 tax. belief of the Sikkimese, they border, all ascents have been mountains plus right now we have prospered although not as “The base camp areas are stopped a few metres short of the carried out through the easier need to promote Nepal and tell much as Khumbu. “The impact is perfectly safe,” says Ang Tsering top. These mountains, the people southeast and north ridges. The people that expedition teams obvious, the villages have Sherpa, “and the increased who climbed them and their two mountains are separated by don’t face problems.” developed because of the tourism frequency of domestic flights have achievement has been the Arun gorge in eastern Nepal. Nepal Tourism Board is also multiplier effect,” says Ang Rita made things better for tourists.” overshadowed by the ascent of George Band and Norman all geared up to use the Sherpa who worked for the The garbage problem of the more glamorous mountains. Hardie of Charles Evans’ and anniversary to highlight Nepal. Makalu Barun National Park. Himalayas is now a thing of the Not any more, there are a slew members of Jean Franco’s “We will do all we can to promote Lakpa Sherpa from the foothills past as expeditions are required to of events to mark the climbs and expedition team are in Makalu and Kanchenjunga,” says of Makalu used to be a goatherd bring back their trash. z Hinkes’ last eight thousander Alan Hinkes began his Challenge 8,000 mission of the Big 14 mountains in 1989. One by one, he has conquered 13 of the mountains: Chomolungma, K2, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nanga Parabat, Annapurna, Gasherbrum, Broad Peak, Shisha Pangma and Gasherbrum II. Though he attempted Kanchenjunga last year, health problems made him turn back from the summit. Last week he set out again to conquer the peak and spoke to us before departure from Kathmandu. “Kanchenjunga is a tough one but I hope to succeed this time,” he said. Hinkes climbed Makalu in 1999 and saw a lot of oxygen cylinders with 1955 printed on them in tiny letters along the way. They were leftovers of the first French expedition 50 years ago. Says Hinkes: “I wanted to take one as a souvenir but they were too heavy. They are not garbage just landmarks of time on the mountain.” MIN BAJRACHARYA 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 9

This month is the 50th anniversary unga of the first ascents of the world’s third and fifth highest alu mountains

PROJECT HIMALAYA 10 REVIEW 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 Two Himalayan travelogues Michael Palin and Deb Mukharji go walkabout in the hills ou saw the movie, now here describes. is the book. Palin does the usual touristic Y For those who have stuff in Kathmandu: the burning watched Michael Palin’s latest ghats, sadhus, Swayambhu and travel documentary series on the Boudhanath which will perhaps BBC, Himalaya, here is a chance to be interesting only to those who retrace his footsteps through the have never been to Nepal. pages of a book of the same name. Elsewhere in Himalaya, Palin is This hero of the Monty hosted by Imran Khan in Pakistan Python and A Fish Called Wanda and in Bhutan by the indomitable has in his retirement taken to epic former Bhutani Chief Justice, Dasho Benji. To be fair, Palin BOOK doesn’t quite buy Bhutan’s self- conscious peddling of exotica and Mukunda Acharya has a slightly raised eye brow about goings on in Drukland. travels which are turned into On second thought, if you travelogues: with Around the have seen the series forget about World in 80 Days and Pole to the book. Pole. This time he has travelled hen Deb Mukharji served across the Himlayan arc from the briefly as Indian Pakistan-Afghan border right W ambassador here in 2001, across India, Nepal, Tibet and the joke in New Delhi was that Yunnan to backtrack into Assam, whenever the outdoor-loving Bhutan and then into Bangladesh. plenipotentiary went off on a trek Along the way, he milked a yak all hell would break lose in and bathed an elephant, flew an Kathmandu. Indeed, Mukharji was ultralight past the Annapurnas, either in Langtang, Khumbu or his team got briefly kidnapped by Rara during some of the most Maoists near Pokhara and he serious riots, massacres or DEB MUKHARJI huffed and puffed his way up the government collapses in Michael Palin (top) and Deb Mukharji. Picture of Kangtega floating on clouds. Rongbuk Glacier to Chomolungma Kathmandu. Base Camp. Now we know why Mukharji arid desolation of the Kali mountains from the north while to do with their remoteness, the But even in the most gruelling was so eager to get out. The former Gandaki looking north from in a speeding jeep on the Tibetan valleys and gorges to be traversed.’ stretches, like when he is ambassador is a keen photographer Kagbeni accentuated by the black plateau and he muses: ‘Besides Sooner or later, the Nepal wheezing through altitude and some of the pictures he has and white print and on the next being the source of life, giving Himalaya will be crisscrossed by sickness at Annapurna Base reproduced in The Magic of Nepal page is a striking colour picture water and being the abode of the highways too and these Camp, Palin seems to be having are works of art. The book itself is from the same spot of a rainbow Gods, the majesty and mystery of mountains will never be the same fun and shares it with his viewers a labour of love, and this was one and a suspension bridge spanning the Himalaya also have something again. and now his readers. In Nepal, his Indian ambassador who had fallen the river. Or pictures like guides are the multi-sumiteering in love with the serenity and Kangtega floating on a bank of Wongchu Sherpa who shows him grandeur of Nepal the other was clouds or a closeup of water around the mountains, Pratima his successor, Shyam Saran. ‘There tumbling over moss-covered Pande who takes him to get is no other place in the world boulders on the Langtang Khola. dasain tika from King Gyanendra where a room with a bed and Mukharji obviously has a soft and Kunda Dixit who is quoted warm dining room awaits the spot for water (in the form of ice, as telling Palin in probably the visitor at over 15,000 ft,’ Mukharji liquid and vapour) and most-notable instances of famous writes. Since the preface to the mountains, as well as the last words: “Nepal’s press has book is written by Stan (Lonely interplay between them. The never been freer.” Palin’s Planet) Armington, Mukharji can photographer’s eye is caught by irreverence to royalty comes be forgiven for sometimes ‘uncommon beauty in common clearly and some of his rude sounding like a trekking wayside scenes’. Himalaya The Magic of Nepal remarks about the Narayanhiti guidebook. And you wish he had The adventurer in Mukharji by Michael Palin text and photographs by tika ceremony are unprintable in written less and blown up his wanders up to a remote cul-de-sac Weidenfeld & Nicolson Deb Mukharji this review because Nepal’s press pictures more. in the Langtang Valley and London 2004 Rupa & Co, 2005 New Delhi is no longer as free as Dixit Pictures like the one of the remembers seeing these same pp 288 pp 164 We want a happy ending Knowing the value of freedom after it’s gone

symbolism of all this to present day Nepal. truth.” I wonder how much truth there was to (Although right at the end, she gives up grasp when a senior Nepali Congress trying to be subtle and shouts: “We want a member sitting beside me disagreed with happy ending.”) When the powerful have Brecht’s famous line: “Truth is born of the sucked out much of the economic and times, not of authority.” I thought of his social wealth of a nation, taken advantage political role in recent Nepali history and of the generous and liberal functioning of agreed with Brecht. MILAP DIXIT democracy and an authoritarian figure steps The fabulous stage design, imaginative SALIL SUBEDI shop from the gift money that the gods gave in to whip them into shape there is an initial props and costumes (only Mangal could her, she finds that her virtue collides with the outbreak of discipline and diligence. But think of using a topi for the divine headgear) he Good Person of Szechwan, which vices of greedy relatives, neighbours and why do people need someone else to make and smooth transitions between scenes Studio 7 premiered last Friday at her lover, a pilot without a plane played by them do things they ought to do anyway? have always been Studio 7’s hallmarks. But T Hotel Vajra, evokes questions about Eelum Dixit. Why couldn’t they take pride in doing well they lend well to Brecht’s ‘alienation’ effect saving virtue in a cold dog-eat-dog world. Shen Te decides to take refuge behind a what they had to do? Why can’t they be on stage. As intended, the audience retains When three gods descend to earth mask and invents a shrewd business savvy accountable? Why can’t people be critical detachment. Brecht evokes theatre looking for a ‘good’ person, they meet male cousin, Shu Ta. With this mask as inherently good? The metaphors are writ to create a forum for social debate and Shen-Te, a young female prostitute, played defence, Shen Te fights those who took large on the weary faces of the people who Sabine has justified this essence, moulding flamboyantly by Tsering Lama who has advantage of her generosity. Shu Ta takes gather in Shu Ta’s tobacco factory. together the global social, political and brilliantly coloured this Brechtian treat. on the role of a capitalist and whips the As an actor who grew up in the economic phenomenon to create her own The water seller, Sambhu Lama, is the parasites displaying a strong ability to deal performing space crafted 14 years ago at scathing social commentary. poetic link who bridges divinity and with the likes of the rich Mrs Mitzu, slickly Studio 7 by Lehmann, I took a different role decadence through humility. As Shen Te portrayed by Himali Dixit. this year: to sit in the audience. Sabine The Good Person of Szechwan at Hotel Vajra on shifts her “unethical” profession to a more Director Sabine Lehmann who also plays always used to tell us, “Theatre has to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 8 May. “respectable” one by opening a tobacco the role of the barber tries not to overdo the reflect life. We have to reveal people their 4271545 NATION 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 11 Cry, beloved country Halt, who Three weeks after the slaughter of its young men, Somani still grieves in silence goes there?

ormer speaker of parliament, Daman Nath Dhungana was ARUNA UPRETI and RITA THAPA in NAWALPARASI prevented from flying out of Kathmandu on 10 March to take F part in a seminar in Berkeley. There are reportedly more than 400 names on the list of people who are under ‘Kathmandu arrest’. Before he was due to leave, Dhungana had tried to find out if he too was on that list through the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) which corresponded with the Home Ministry about the matter. But there was no response. After his airport interdiction, Dhungana filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court asking for an interim order preventing the authorities from restricting his freedom of movement without due process. But even though the GUEST COLUMN court issued an interim order to Radheshyam that effect, Dhungana was Adhikari again prevented from flying out to Pokhara last week. Dhungana is not the only one. Since February First, academics like Professor Lok Raj Baral, Krishna Khanal, Krishna Hattechhu, Krishna Bhattachan have all been stopped at the airport. Deputy speaker of parliament, Chitra Lekha Yadav, MP Shree Maya Thakali have also been apprehended. Politicians like Minendra Rijal and Bidur Mainali have also been stopped from flying. Former Supreme Court judge, Laxman Aryal, Member of National Human Right Commission Kapil Shrestha, have all been met similar fates. Most recently, the president of the NBA Shambu Thapa and advocate Bhimarjun Acharaya were dragged out of the plane after they had already boarded for a flight to New Delhi to attend a seminar. Harihar Dahal, ex-president of the NBA wasn’t even allowed to go to Pokhara to attend a gathering of mountaineers. From the human rights perspective, this restriction on the PICS: RITA THAPA freedom of movement is fundamentally unlawful. Section 3.2 of the NAWALPARASI—It has been The Maoists accused the words out. None of them have Public Security Act says the authorities should issue an order in three weeks but the women of villagers of forming a pratikar slept in the village since that the name of the person citing reasons for travel restrictions. ‘The Somani in Parsa district are samiti to resist them. Although night, preferring to go to authority may intern a person by issuing an order in the interest of inconsolable. The terror is vivid, there are hundreds of registered adjoining hamlets. Many have the public or to preserve the harmonious relationships subsisting between different castes, the pain of loss of loved ones NGOs here, the CDO says only a fled to India or to the safety of tribes and communities, if still searing. They are unable to few came to help. The only real towns. Few have come to offer the said authorities have Travel restrictions sleep, eat or speak. response was from the local comfort, let alone support and reasonable and adequate It was two days after the branch of the FNCCI which relief. And due to news evidence against that are illegal and Nepali new year on 16 April and distributed relief supplies. The restrictions, reporters have gone person.’ the villagers of this hamlet 20 CDO agreed reluctantly to allow back printing the intial army Section 4.1 of the Act against the UN km southeast of Butwal were us to travel to Somani after we press release. Even in Butwal, we states: ‘While issuing any getting ready to go to bed. At convinced him we were trying to met many who hadn’t heard of order under sub-sections resolution in about 10PM, the Maoists arrived help. what happened here. And after a 3.1 and 3.2 the local Geneva in hundreds. They dragged Once we got there, we ran into while, it seems the news of authority must state the everyone out of the houses, a grandmother who had lost three slaughter all merge into one in a reasons and evidence relied upon for issuing such an order and give such order to the singled out the men aged 15-39 grandsons aged 15, 16, and 18. faraway, uncaring capital. person concerned. The local authority must also inform the Home and executed them without We met a mother whose two adult A security base was set up in Ministry with a copy of such an order.’ Section 6.1 of the Act limits mercy. After that they went on a sons were killed, leaving her with a nearby school for the protection such an order to a maximum period of 30 days. The authorities rampage bombing four houses a small daughter. An elderly of Somani’s survivors. Yet, as have failed to respect any of these legal provisions. and burning another 10. They set father had lost his only son. As darkness fell the forces left and In Geneva last week, the government agreed to abide by the fire to tractors, to this year’s he broke down and wept, he told we were also told to leave for our resolution passed by the United Nations Commission on Human wheat harvest that was piled up us how broad shouldered, own safety. By day, there is an Rights which among other things calls on the government ‘to for threshing, to cowsheds in handsome, strong he was and effort to resume classes but we urgently restore the multiparty democratic institutions enshrined in which livestock were burnt alive. how well he worked the fields. wondered what the children the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal and to respect the rule of Weeks later, there are only Women stepping out of their would learn in a school that was law without exception…calls upon HMG of Nepal to immediately charred skeletons of houses, ashes ravaged homes, were still a military base. reinstate all civil and political rights, to cease all state of emergency related and other arbitrary arrests, to lift far reaching strewn about, a singed cow speechless with shock. We found out that an anti- censorship, to restore freedom of opinion, expression and the lingers listlessly near what used The neighbours said they had Maoist resistance committee had press as well as the freedom of association, to immediately release to be its shed and the dread on exhausted their tears and couldn’t indeed been set up in the village all detained political leaders and activists, human rights defenders, the faces of the surviving women cry anymore. “We can’t eat, we by two powerful men whose sons journalists and others, to allow all citizens to enter and exist in the and children bear mute testimony can’t sleep, we can’t cry,” says one had been killed by the Maoists country freely…” to what happened here that night. survivor, barely able to get his earlier. The committee had been The emergency is ostensibly meant to tackle the Maoist supported by the state. But as far insurgency. Unfortunately, the draconian measures seemed to be as we could tell the young men aimed at law-abiding citizens. The fault of the eminent members of killed by the Maoists in Somani civil society whose movements are restricted is that they want to were all innocent unarmed see constitutional provisions followed. villagers. The real vigilantes Why is the government so scared of unarmed lawyers, human rights activists and academics? Dissenting opinion should be weren’t even here that night. treated as an alternative viewpoint. No one who thinks it is possible Chance brought us to Somani. to attain a noble goal through peaceful means should be But many other villages like it in discouraged from exressing their opinion. Dissension, in fact, Nepal cry out to be heard. should be encouraged in the marketplace of ideas and treated like The voice of one mother national property. haunts us. She talked about this There is no parliament so the government of the day is not incident as if she was talking accountable to the people. The principles of check and balance about somebody else: “I saw my enshrined in the constitution are not operative. The executive is boy lying in a pool of blood and arbitrary, intolerant, injudicious and authoritarian. It even ignores was trying to touch him. His the Supreme Court. Severe restrictions on the people’s freedom of hands and feet were limp. I movement without due process is the order of the day. T The government is not listening to voices inside the country, thought he would speak again shouldn’t it at least abide by the UN resolution adopted and passed but he was dead. Normally, I in Geneva? could not have lifted him but seeing his corpse, I just picked Radheshyam Adhikari is a senior advocate and a member of parliament. him up and carried him outside.” 12 INTERNATIONAL 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 France’s ‘Non’ ? The America-China-India triangle GENEVA—If public opinion polls are to be believed, on 29 May the French will reject the European Union’s draft India and China seek a strategic alliance to reshape the world order constitutional treaty. Because all EU member countries must ratify the constitution, a French ‘Non’ will, in effect, hinese Premier Wen Jiabao went on a India and China are more complex than technology, nuclear energy and co- kill it. Amazing as this turn of events four-day visit to India during which they appear at first. Not long before the production of fighter aircraft such as F-16s seems, it has been long in the making. C 11 agreements were signed including visit of the Chinese premier, India hosted and F-18s. Shortly after Rice’s visit, the US France is not just a founding member of a comprehensive five-year strategic US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. announced that it would honour a long- the European Community but has also cooperation pact. In addition, Wen Ever since President Bill Clinton’s visit to standing promise to sell F-16s to Pakistan. been the driving force behind all major announced that China would support India, but especially under President Rhetoric about ‘the world’s two largest steps toward ‘ever closer union’. But India’s bid for a permanent seat on an George W Bush, the US has moved from democracies’ is not new but it fits with the French opposition was also predictable expanded UN Security Council and relative indifference to India to the Bush administration’s new emphasis on because, for over a decade now, France opposed the inclusion of Japan, which the development of a strong strategic promoting democracy. The increasing role has veered away from Europe and now United States supports for a Council seat. relationship. Secretary Rice made this of the Indian diaspora in the US, finds itself increasingly isolated. Europe With over a third of the world’s plain during her March visit, including a particularly in the information industries, has also moved away from France through successive enlargements but the population and two of the globe’s highest willingness to consider trade in high also had an influence, as has the rise in main roots of the estrangement lie in economic growth rates, an alliance between bilateral trade accompanying France itself. China and India could be a serious factor India’s surging economic in world politics. While both are growth. Equally important developing countries—many of whose are strategic concerns about people remain impoverished—they also transnational terrorism boast impressive capabilities in and the rise of Chinese information age technologies both for power. civilian and military purposes. As Indian The rise of China is a Prime Minister Manmohan Singh put it major factor in the politics of during Wen’s visit, “India and China can the twenty-first century. China together reshape the world order.” has tripled the size of its economy The two countries’ recent in the past two decades and has been The French regard with great rapprochement marks a huge change from increasing its military strength. While sadness their declining status and the hostility that bedevilled their relations both India and the US seek trade and prestige–not only in world politics but following their 1962 war over a disputed good relations with China, both are aware, also in culture, science and, more border in the Himalayas. In 1998, when and wary, of China’s growing strength. importantly, language. Europe, in their India tested its nuclear weapons, the Thus, both seek to hedge their bets and view, was a way of reclaiming world defence minister referred to China, and what better way to do so than by influence. For three decades, this then Prime Minister Atal Bihari improving their strategic relationship? worked. France and Germany had forged Vajpayee spoke of its neighbouring As one Indian strategist put it, “By an alliance that called the shots in country as India’s number one enemy. 2030, we envisage the US, China and Europe. Not interested in geopolitical power–a legacy of its Nazi past– By contrast, India is now referring to India as the three largest powers in world Germany was content to back France’s the need to learn from China. Trade politics. We don’t want a China or a US ambitions as long as the Common Market between the two giants has grown from dominated world but if we had to choose, allowed it to be Europe’s economic $100 million in 1994 to nearly $14 it would be easier for us to live with the powerhouse. But that alliance is billion last year and India’s minister latter.” unravelling as Germany’s own status for commerce and industry has While improvement in India-China declines. Moreover, Germany is predicted that it will double by relations is welcome, it is unlikely to increasingly interested in exercising this decade’s end. One agreement herald the beginning of an India-China political influence on its own. signed during Wen’s visit was a alliance against the US. It more likely Successive EU enlargements have new set of guiding principles represents another move in India’s age- brought in powerful contenders and on how to settle boundary old tradition of managing regional France has lost control of Europe. The European Constitution has little to do with disputes between the two balances of power. Project any of this but many French people see it countries. Syndicate as one more challenge, at a time when While improved they want to be nursed and protected. relations and diminished Joseph S Nye is Distinguished Service Professor at Harvard and author of (Project Syndicate) prospects for conflict are welcome, relations between The Power Game. SPORTS 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 13 High on low Managing minimum score is the way to go

hen you start playing golf, you dream of getting the ball to fly. Once that is done and a little consistency maintained, you W will find yourself on the golf course more and more. From there on, your focus becomes a never-ending journey of trying to score lower and lower. I have been watching quite a few rounds of golf with weekend golfers. One common phenomenon among them and even intermediate players was that on most rounds they play, their score cards are usually spoilt by occasional 8s and 9s (triple and quadruple bogeys), ruining what TEE BREAK may have been a decent ASIAN CRICKET COUNCIL scorecard. Deepak Acharya How and why does this happen so often? In most cases, it is not lack of ability but a dreadful lack of course management. And Our boys bring home the cup what exactly is course management? When running a business, good managers need to have both vision and skills to take their company ahead step-by-step. They Determination, dedication and discipline: Coach Dias must also have the ability to make the right decisions in a given situation by first analysing and then charting out possible ABHA ELI PHOBOO consequences based more on facts than on emotions. Just as you would do this in business, you do it in golf too. You need to make the t a time when there is so opponent’s strengths and selected boosted our confidence. right non-emotional decision when planning your round and choosing the shot you wish to attempt. little to cheer about, every weaknesses while identifying Each selected player had a For example, you are faced with a tee shot on a par five to a A little victory helps. The their own. If their game plan special talent and as a team, reasonably wide fairway where there is OB (Out of Bounds) on the resident Nepalis of Abu Dhabi worked as they had hoped, we were more balanced than right side and rough on the left. Emotionally, you feel like ripping it who had packed the Sheikh Zayed they knew they would win. the others.” down the centre, even Stadium for the finals of the And they did. The intensive training though you know you Asian Cricket Council’s U-15 Asia “Our team was very strong and included upping the might not make it. Cup on 22 April went wild. There we had quite a few all-arounders. performance of each individual However, it is wiser to aim were young Nepali boys thrashing We had great batsmen, bowlers player. They learnt to focus and left of centre and accept Afghanistan by six wickets. and fielders,” says Pradeep Karki, every time they entered the field, the consequence of a On the field, the boys had assistant manager of the team and they were mentally and slightly errant shot ending gone equally crazy taking laps assistant secretary of Cricket physically prepared. The U-15 up in the rough. The alternate possibility of around the stadium waving the Association of Nepal (CAN). team also played against the slicing out of bounds is too Nepali double triangle proudly. “CAN has steadily been national team during practice severe a consequence to They rolled on the ground, increasing the standard of Nepali sessions and the seniors, who entertain. jumped and hugged each other. It cricket players. This U-15 team had played in Abu Dhabi Another example: most was a dream come true and a was chosen after nearly nine before, generously tipped their short par fours have promise kept for the young Nepali months of selection matches juniors on what worked and fairways that narrow down boys. They wanted to savour every with players from various cricket what did not. and are designed to moment of this victory and development regions.” “What really worked for them discourage a long tee shot. seemed reluctant to want to CAN has divided Nepal into though, according to Dias is their Yet most amateurs take leave the stadium. six cricket development regions: “determination, dedication and out their driver without “You can only imagine the joy Biratnagar, Birganj, Kathmandu, discipline”. Antim Thapa was thinking and end up in deep trouble. Often, they we felt,” recalls captain Sashi Bhairawa, Nepalganj and Baitadi. named ‘Man of the Match’ and don’t even consider using Keshari, “an amazing feeling. The Each club in the various districts Anil Mandal was declared the their much more accurate Afghans had lost to us earlier in under these regions participated ‘Best Batsman’. Everybody is five-wood or a long iron that would land them in the safest part of the the Group D league-round match in the district level matches. The talking about Nepal’s batting fairway, keeping them ‘alive’ in the short grass with a greater and challenged us. They had winners advanced to the regional power now and our spinners attacking chance at the green. arrived late that night and said level before being pitted against really bowled over spectators. Similarly when hitting towards the green, if the cup is cut on the they could do better. We weren’t each other for the national team. Says Dias: “I’m really proud of right edge, instead of attacking the flag with a chance of missing the nervous really, just under a lot of Only 33 make it to this stage, out them not just because we won, green on the right, it is better to take the centre part of the green or pressure because many thought which 18 are chosen from three but we won each match even miss the green on the left. A longer putt or a chip with plenty of they would win the second time.” triangular matches. The final convincingly”. green to play with is less daunting than a short chip with no place for The pressure increased when 14 are then put in closed the ball to stop rolling. If there is trouble behind the green then play short of the hole. If the opposing team opened well camp for training. 15 going on 17 there is a water hazard before the green, ensure you are not playing and as Nepal’s coach Roy Dias, This U-15 team trained for 20 who is from Sri Lanka, says, days, the first phase was Nepal will host the ACC U-17 Asia for the front edge. Ever watched Tiger Woods or other top players Cup this year in June or July. The “After Afghanistan lost to our conducted in Birganj and the last teeing off with an iron on a par four? What they are doing is simply U-15 boys are more excited than avoiding certain risks and playing a better percentage shot. team the first time, they had been 10 days in Kathmandu. “Training ever about participating. As the Players need to be aware of their individual shot-making ability, improving with each game. Our in hot and humid Birganj cricket scene in Nepal develops, plan and play accordingly. All these are a part of good course edge was that we had a good plan helped,” says Keshari, “Abu they hope to add to the energy and management. Sounds rational when you read it but it’s amazing how and luck on our side.” Dhabi wasn’t that bad because we enthusiasm. “We are already often it is forgotten or ignored on the course. The night before the match, had grown used to playing in the preparing for the U-17 national Sensible course management always brings your scores down. our boys had been planning a heat. And the many matches we team,” say the U-15 boys, “and we Schedule a lesson with your favourite professional and ask him to game strategy, working out their played before we were finally hope to win that coveted cup too.” explain each shot from the perspective of managing the course better. You will be surprised at how much you can learn.

Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] 14 CITY 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245

ABOUT TOWN There are mysterious deaths caused by man-eating tigers FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS in Jim Corbett Park. The International Wildlife Welfare Earth Day Solid Waste Management Exhibition on 29, 30 April, 10AM appoints ace conservationist Krish Thapar and his wife onwards at Jawalakhel Chok, Lalitpur. 4242381 Riya to investigate. Dev and his friends also set out for A Peaceful Nepal Photo exhibition at GAA, Thamel, until 30 April, 10AM- an adventure trip during that weekend. Destiny prevents 4PM, proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. them from going to the farmhouse as planned instead, Thalara Framed Photographs by Devendra SJB Rana at Siddhartha Art they end up in India’s biggest jungle. Both groups bond Gallery, until 30 April. AL CINEMAAL CINEMA CINEMA AL CINEMAAL AL CINEMAAL Press Photo Exhibition at Nepal Art AL CINEMA together but at night, the jungle comes alive. Then starts Council, Baber Mahal, until 2 May. the journey of fear, panic and trauma. They are the hunted Mystical Song Etchings by Seema with death at their heels. Sharma Shah at Park Gallery, Lajimpat, until 14 May. 4419353 Call 4442220 for show timings Aloha Nepal Works by Wicki Van De www.jainepal.com JAI NEPJAI NEP NEP JAI NEPJAI JAI NEPJAI Veer at Lajimpat Gallery Café, until 25 JAI NEP May. 4428549 KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY EVENTS Dutch Queen’s Day Flea market at Summit Hotel on 30 April. 5521810 Although there was a 20 percent drop in the concentration of PM10 Free workshop for illustrators on 30 April-1 May at the British Council, (particles that are less than 10 micron in size) in Kathmandu’s air last Lainchor. 4410798 Vineyard Opening on 1 May at Baber Mahal Revisited. week, the pollution levels are still high. The PM10 level is above national Raaga Eastern classical music concert by Sunita Mishra at Everest standards throughout the Valley except in rural areas like Matsyagaon. Bookshop, Baber Mahal Revisited on 1 May, 6PM-7.30 PM. 4257250 The only relief was the brief shower on Saturday which flushed down Faiz Ahmed Faiz on freedom of expression at Yala Maya Kendra, Patan some of the pollutants. Dhoka, 5.30 PM on 2 May. 5553767 17-23 April 2005 in micrograms per cubic meter. Drama for awareness at St Xavier’s College, Maitighar on 2 May, 2.30 PM. Source: www.mope.gov.np Classical Piano Recital by Antony Peebles on 3 May, 6.30 PM at Hyatt Regency, tickets Rs 1,500. 4491234 Hazardous >425 Fifth Himalayan Beetle Rally on 7 May. Raising funds for Single Harmful 351 to 425 Women Group, Antenna Foundation and Maya Foundation. 4427623 Unhealthy 121 to 350 Pilgrims Book Festival at Pilgrims, Kupondole, until 8 May. 5521159 The Good Person of Szechwan Staged by Studio 7 at Hotel Vajra, O k 61 to 120 Friday, Saturday and Sunday, until 8 May. 4271545 Go od < 60 Tai Chi Free classes for a month at Baber Mahal Revisited. 4256618 1905 Sundays Garage sale, pet practices and more. Putalisadak Patan H Thamel Kirtipur Bhaktapur Matsyagaun Fun in the Sun at Club Sundhara, Hotel Shangri-la. 4412999 Art workshop for kids at Buddha Gallery. 4441689 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED Rugby Practice Every Saturday. 4435939, [email protected] Sanibaar Mela Saturdays at the Dharahara Bakery Café, 12AM-5PM. The low pressure bypass has relieved us with hefty evening showers this MUSIC week. The centre of this circulation An Evening with Manose at Patan on 29 April, 7PM, tickets Rs 650. will be over Bhutan by Friday but it Full Circle Live at Indigo Gallery on 7 May, 8PM, tickets Rs 750. 4413580 has spawned baby troughs all along Rock Thru’ the Ages Postponed until further notice. 4700736 the Gangetic plains which will inject Friends of Music Open jam session at Moks. 552642 moisture into the midhills and bring us Live Jazz by JCS trio and Peter McTwister, Thursdays at Full Moon Bar, localised storm systems. This satellite Mondays at New Orleans Café, Thamel. 4700736 picture taken on Thursday morning Ladies Nights Wednesdays at Jatra, Thamel, with live acoustic music. Fusion Time Mondays at Jalan Jalan Restaurant, Lajimpat, 7PM. 4410438 shows a frontal system moving into cf–cfˆgf] afnaflnsfx¿nfO{ Live Music Everyday at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 western Nepal which should bring us zÍf:kb j:t ' g5g' / The Heart Breakers at Rum Doodle, Fridays, 7PM onwards. 4701208 overcast skies and stormy conditions grnfpg ;D‰fcf }+ . ljut Jukebox experience Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Rox. 4491234 on Friday. We will observe more Jazz at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lajimpat, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7.45 PM. isolated storms into next week. Expect s]xL jif{b]lv d'n'ssf ljleGg humidity to rise, making the heat :yfgdf j]jfl/;] lj:kmf]6s FOOD stickier. kbfyx¿{ lj:kmf6g eP/ ;of}+ Marhaba Mediterranean Cuisine at Hotel Shangri-la, until 30 April. caf]w afnaflnsfnufot Great Value Lunches at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999 KATHMANDU VALLEY BBQ Lunch at Le Meridien, Gokarna Forest Golf Resort. 4445550 gful/sx¿sf ] dTo[ ' x'g] tyf Sunshine Weekend Brunch Free swim at Hotel Yak and Yeti. 4248999 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ckfË xg' uO { uDeL/ Iflt Barbeque lunch Saturdays at Club Himalaya, Nagarkot. 6680080 k'Ug ] u/sf] ] 5 . o;}n] s'g} Special Combo Burmese and Thai Menu at 1905, Kantipath. Sekuwa and Momo Revolution Saturdays at Tea House Inn. 6680048 lj:kmf6s] kbfy { jf Arniko Special Lunch at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 29-13 32-13 30-11 29-12 28-12 lj:kmf]6s kbfy{h:tf] b]lvg] Krishnarpan Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 zÍf:kb j:t ' kmnf] k/df] Barbecue Dinner Every Friday at the Summit Hotel. 5521810 Exotic Seafood at Rox Restaurant, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 jf s'g} j:t ' ;fdfGotM Delicacies Pastas and snacks at Roadhouse Café, Jawalakhel. 5521755 gx'g'kg]{ :yfgdf e]l6Pdf Earth Watch Restaurant at Park Village, dine with nature. 4375280 To;nfO { g5fcf] ,}+ grnfcf }+ jf Café Bahal Newari cuisine at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4700632 To;af6 6f9 } /xL lj:kmf6s] The Tharu Kitchen at Jungle Base Camp. [email protected] kbfy { lgliqmo kfg ]{ ljzif1] GETAWAYS 6fnL;] uF ;Dks { /fvf }+ . Stay one night Get one Night at Shangri-la Village, Pokhara. 4435742 Wet Wild Summer Splash at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge World’s top room with a view. 4361500 >L % sf ] ;/sf/ Shivapuri Cottage Nature, peace and bird watching at 6,000ft. 4354331 ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Chiso Chiso Hawama at Nagarkot, special packages. 6680080 ;"rgf ljefu Jungle Base Camp Lodge, Bardia. [email protected] Malaysia Dream Holidays Special offers till the end of May. 4247215 extn 01314, [email protected] 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2005 #245 15

own transformation—from a shy, reluctant wife to a confident, outspoken and fearless girl. Nothing stops Ujeli “Now I can read and write like any educated man,” says Ujeli and he men of Tallo Gaun in strongly refused to send her to proves it to us by writing her name. Simikot love to hate Ujeli the program. Her father-in-law is “Many girls still have to live under T Rokaya. They consider her an educated person and the VDC the strict rules of our community a threat to their patriarchal secretary. “They said I would but I will change that.” society, which strongly believes never be allowed to enter the Once she finishes school, Ujeli that educating girls is a very bad house if I dared to enroll. I just wants to be a teacher and educate idea. walked off to attend the program,” as many girls and women as Last year, 16-year-old Ujeli says Ujeli, recalling the day she possible. Every day as she passes shocked her community of left the house and joined the through her village, she has to Rautes when she left her OSP. endure ridicule and insulting KIRANKIRAN PANDAYPANDAY INTO THE DEEP END: Devotees pull a chariot floating on Gahana husband’s house to attend It’s been 10 months since and remarks from the men and boys. Pokhari at the annual Handigaun jatra on Monday. school. UNICEF’s village Ujeli has completed her basic But this brave girl is unfazed. She facilitators were going door-to- education and enrolled in grade says, “All I know is my parents are door to encourage girls and five at a government school. “The very happy and that is enough for women to attend the Out of day I pass my SLC, I will return to me. Nothing can stop me now.” z School Program (OSP) and Ujeli my husband’s house,” she says Naresh Newar just could not resist the offer. brightly. She is amazed at her Her husband was in Kathmandu and Ujeli was left at the mercy of in-laws who

NEPALNEWS.COM FAREWELL: UML leader Sahana Pradhan paying last respects to Sadhana Adhikari, wife of former Prime Minister Man Mohan Adhikari whose fifth death anniversary also fell this week.

NARESH NEWAR

EKAL SILWAL EXPLODING SCHOOLS: A bomb destroyed the Aadarsha Namuna Secondary School in Gaidakot , Nawalparasi, on 22 April. The Maoist student wing on Wednesday lifted its threat to indefinitely close down all private schools in the country.

ART START: Teenagers painting at the two-day teen art workshop Celebrating Colours on Saturday and Sunday at The Bluestar Hotel.

DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA YIIIIIIEEEAAAAAH: The Eastern Zone won the Seventh National Kyokusin Karate Championships in Dharan on 23 April. More than 80 martial arts atheletes took part. 16 Feel freetothrowupontheFourthEstate W where weare.(MessagefromtheStateLawandOrder us inthemediatotakestockofourgoodfortunebe to curtsy.MayThirdthereforeisaperfectopportunityfor out ofourwaytokowtoweventhoughwewereonlyasked shouldn’t takethefreedomsweenjoyforgrantedasgo profession. ourselves membersoftheworld’ssecond-oldest noticed thattherearenorestrictionsatall.Wemembersof are intact. this isnotthecase,alloftheseaforementionedfreedoms unscrupulous liarsanymore.Aswecanseeforourselves Estate aren’tfreetobesycophantic,hypocriticaland UNDER MYHAT Nevertheless, wemustn’trestonourlaurels, Anyone withanover-fertileimaginationwillhave Kunda Dixit rumour doingtheroundsthatweinFourth this yearinNepalbydispellingthemalicious e mustmarkWorldPressFreedomDayon3May proud tocall nothing thatweare in theass.It’snotfor lick assorbekicked never beenfreerto the mediasectorhave Wedon’tblamemessengersanymore. 4 Wecan’thelpitifnewspapermeninsiston 3 No oneisstoppinganyonefromsinging 2 Thereareabsolutelynocurbsonvowel 1 one to10: the busheslet’sproceedtocountourblessingsfrom Signature andChop.)So,withoutbeatingaround intestinal fortitudetoreaditwithoutthrowingup. responsibility ifconsumersdon’thavethe wide disseminationbuttheCounciltakesnolegal vetted forveracityandhasbeenfoundtobefit Freedom Day:Thefollowingcontenthasbeen Council ontheAuspiciousOccasionofWorldPress

arrest them. shots. undermine themoralityofthosecalling they havebeenrepeatedlywarnednotto ignoring repeatedwarningsnottoreportthat hosannas atthetopoftheirvoices. official pronunciations. which isfreetoreportatgreatlengthonall movements inthestate-controlledmedia CDO Regd No.194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd. No.04/058/59 0Humourisnowsorifeinthemediathatithas 10 Thegovernmentdeniesinstrongesttermsthecanard 9 It’snottruethatNepal’smediaistheleastfreein 8 Asamatterofpublicservice,RadioNepalsaysit 7 Theofficials’mediaisaddingsupplementarypages 6 Goodthingthatmorethan65percentofNepalis 5 including thisone,outofbusiness. thankfully thrownallinsufferablesatirists, stations areallowedtobroadcastnewsunhindered. that newsisnotallowedonFM.Underground country, NorthKorea. Asia. Thatisagrossnationalinsulttoourfriendly replace itwithamusicalinterlude”. the sameheadlinesonhoureveryand “spare listenerstheboredomofhavingtolisten World Servicenewson103FMbecauseitwantsto will continueblockingthefirst15minutesofBBC Asian Summit. because ofheadline-grabbingeventsfromtheAfro- on newarreststhisweekthatcouldn’tbeprinted to accommodatevastquantitiesofbackloggednews believe whatwearesaying. can’t readorwriteotherwisethepublicmayactually 29 APRIL -5MAY 2005 #245

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