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unity of purpose in government or the SUDHIR○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ SHARMA opposition—especially in terms of a joint hen the Communist Party of Nepal strategy on resolving the Maoist issue. (Maoist) held its second convention So, expect the Maoists to continue to w in Dang in February, the party flaunt their presence in Kathmandu, through announced a new Prachanda Path doctrine How many more bodies? booby traps, infiltration of protests against the calling for a “mass uprising” in urban areas to public security regulations, torch take the revolution forward. At the vanguard
The Maoist revolution has suddenly moved to fast-forward. processions—especially in the runup to next
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ would be Maoist front organisations of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Thursday. In the countryside, expect students, women and workers. widespread attacks on police posts. The royal massacre of 1 June prompted The Maoists will also keep taunting the the party to accelerate its preparations for such Army, try to infiltrate its ranks to bring down a mass uprising which would prepare the morale and stoke disunity. In the post- ground for an interim peoples’ government at massacre scenario, the Maoists find themselves the centre. Maoist leaders saw the street propelled to a period they were expecting five protests that followed the massacre and years from now. In a sense it has accelerated widespread public skepticism about the new their revolution, but it also means that they are king as an opportunity to cash in on the not yet prepared to take on the Army. “The confusion. Maoists have no illusions about it: they know They had banked on the street protests that sooner or later they will have to take on escalating, the anti-Gyanendra wave the Army,” admits one senior military source. intensifying, and also on ingratiating The sea-change in the balance of power themselves to Beijing. There are indications within Nepal after the Naryanhiti mass murder now that the party brass miscalculated. “They has also begun a process of polarisation so that know they got it wrong,” one source told us. the Maoists can now pinpoint the “fascist There just wasn’t enough critical mass in the Gyanendra-Girija clique” as their main target. protests for the Maoists to instigate an urban “The party is extremely suspicious of a possible uprising by piggy-backing on the public anger alliance between the king and prime minister and shock, and the spontaneous outpouring of minister. The explosions in the capital this national stage by announcing a parallel Helping the Maoists is the confusion and to crush the movement, and it is trying its best public grief indicated that deep down Nepalis week are designed more to maintain a state of national interim government like they have disunity among elected parties in parliament, to corner the two forces,” said the Maoist believed, even respected, the institution of uncertainty and panic by media magnification done in the districts under their control. This which have not come together even after the source. Leader Baburam Bhatarai said in an monarchy. Then the five sympathetic than to create casualties, and they build up to was already clear from an interview in the royal tragedy. The Nepali Congress and the article last week (translated on p. 15) that moderate left parties did not entirely support the planned nationwide strike on 12 July. Revolutionary Worker (www.rwor.org) by UML are close to a pact under which the the Republic of Nepal has already been the Maoists in their strategy. Sources close to the Maoist hierarchy Maoist leader, Prachanda, two years ago in budget session of the house will be allowed to born, and he called for a broad alliance of The Maoists have therefore gone back on interviewed for this article say the party is which he said: “When Rolpa, Rukum, carry on in return for Prime Minister Girija political forces to form an interim Plan B, which is to foment confusion in urban planning to declare a “regional peoples’ Jajarkot and Salyan become liberated zones, Koirala stepping down. The UML will government at the centre. areas by using “banner bombs”—booby government” in the areas in midwest Nepal then we will declare the Peoples’ Republic of brandish this as a victory, and a vindication of trapped explosives hanging from big banners under their control this month. The next step Nepal. That government will be at the its anti-corruption crusade, but it is doubtful if denouncing the new king and the prime soon after would be to leapfrog into the centre.” Koirala’s replacement will suddenly bring a See p. 7 EXCLUSIVE use original hp inks and paper Nepal’s first railway container terminal is finished, but there are no High and dry trains because Kathmandu and New
Delhi can’t get their act together. ○○○○○○
BINOD○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BHATTARAI in Kathmandu, New Delhi and the bordering BIRGUNJ - Six months after completion, Nepal’s Indian state of Bihar—as well as India’s railway brand new Inland Container Depot outside this border town bureaucracy. Besides the railway wears a forlorn look as monsoon rains batter the empty $29 agreement, there are other matters on the million facility. The “dry port” will slash transport costs for terminal still pending: Empty and desolate Nepal’s overseas exports and imports by nearly half since Nepal wants simplified customs Indian railway wagons will unload containers directly inside procedures to avoid holding up wagons in Birgunj Nepal. This would also obviate the hassles of trucking goods at the border for “one time lock” through India’s notorious Bihar and West Bengal states. inspection. India is said to want to check the locks in Raxaul, delayed because the railway services agreement is not But the dry port is in limbo because Nepal and India Nepali officials don’t see why that is necessary. through. Delays are also hurting contracts of consultants for Always Clear cannot agree on operating Indian railway wagons in the 5.4 An agreement on exchange of information for freight installing the freight information and automated customs Always Sharp km stretch from Raxaul to the terminal. “We would like to monitoring between the seaport and the dry port. data systems. have the trains coming in from tomorrow, and expecting this Nepal’s parliament needs to approve three new laws on The Birgunj container terminal is spread over 35 delay we had sent our proposal for rail operation in “Multi-Modal Transport” and the government has to select hectares and is largest of three new border transport facilities February 2000,” a commerce ministry official told us. terminal operators through competitive bidding. built with a World Bank loan. The terminal is initially It took India until April 2001 to respond with a counter- Nepal would like the railway services agreement to cover a expecting ten trains a month and up to 16 when it runs at full * Stay away from imitations and refills proposal. Nepali officials were still “reviewing” the document revenue sharing arrangement between the terminal capacity. Officially the ICD project ends on December 31. Authorised Distributor: this week, and it will be brought up when a bilateral trade operator and the Indian Railways which would get captive Businessmen are pessimistic. Said one: “At today’s pace, committee meets in Kathmandu early next month. Indian business. it could take until year-end for the first train to come.” He The delay in agreement is costing Nepal dearly. There is blames both sides: New Delhi for using delays as a ComputerLand Building, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu officials say a Nepali response would be the place to begin Tel: 431199, 431746, 430858-9 Fax: 430641 discussions on the rail deadlock. the lost saving on cargo transport to and from the sea, and bargaining chip on larger trade issues, and Kathmandu for Email: [email protected] the private terminal operator selection has also been dragging its feet on responding to the Indian proposal. The Total Solutions Company This looks like a case of a three-way clash of babudom
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SHI SHI QIU SHI This Karl Marx aphorism translated into poetic Mandarin was Mao Zedong’s favourite: “Seek truth from facts.” Politics is a fleeting thing. The good guys don’t seem so good after a while, and the bad guys in retrospect look like they were acting in enlightened self-interest. Just like there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in politics, maybe there are no permanent good guys and no permanent bad guys either. Nothing extraordinary, therefore, about Chairman Prachanda’s 180 degree turn after the royal massacre to state that the Shah dynasty was the epitome of Nepali nationalism, and that King Birendra had Maoist sympathies. This week, the Chairman announced that his group will henceforth only bump off supporters of the “fascist Gyanendra-Girija clique”. Everyone else is free to
live. Was this a message targeted at local Maoist cadre who were MARTIAL LEITER getting a bit carried away lately setting fire to school principals in STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL Surkhet, killing VDC chairmen in Jhapa and sabotaging an ambitious district education project in Dailekh? Or does this represent a phased strategy that could ultimately bring the insur- gents out into the mainstream without losing face? We don’t know. There is no one in Nepal who has any quarrel with the Maoists’ All the world’s a stage demands for streamlining education, for gender equity, for land reform, or for their other 40 original agenda points, barring one or two. The only difference is over the method used. After all, despite Taranath Ranabhat may actually find that for a politician, all its shortcomings, this is still a democracy that is striving to install the checks and balances needed for majority rule, minority even bad publicity is good publicity. rights and elected governments to get on with the job of reducing hen King Gyanendra entered the as a breach of decorum, and for them his However buffoonish Ranabhat’s antics poverty, providing basic services and tackling inequities. We have w Pratinidhi Sabha on 29 June to frivolity was unforgivable. were, at least they were spontaneous. To a parliament that has passed the local self-governance act to address the joint session of the parliament, Ranabhat’s first faux pas was that he those who know Ranabhat personally, he is devolve powers to communities, it is in fact cracking down on graft Speaker Taranath Ranabhat had seen to it didn’t run away from responsibility like correct to a fault when it comes to in high places, and it will soon pass a bill to grant property inherit- that there would be no danger to the person Comrade Madhav Nepal. To be a true-blue observing the niceties of Kathmandu’s ance rights to women and citizenship to the disenfranchised. of the king. On his express orders Nepali elite, you don’t do anything other nobility—notice his noblesse oblige at There is a vibrant free press which allows at least eight newspa- parliamentary security guards subjected than pontificate. By putting his shoulder to Naryanhiti while presenting the report to pers sympathetic to the Maoist cause to be printed in the even the prime minister of the country to a the grind, Ranabhat lost all rights to self- the King. Ranabhat’s desire to be accepted capital alone. thorough body-check. This no-nonsense righteousness. He antagonised half the by the high society of Kathmandu is so Does political power only come from the barrel of a gun? Is face of Speaker Ranabhat was quite bourgeoisie by just being in the probe strong that he would never dare transgress armed struggle just a brilliant military strategy borrowed from different from the clownish one seen over committee. The other half then had enough the borders of propriety set by it. Yanan, 1939 and slightly modified by our comrades to serve as a Nepal Television screens last month when reason to denounce his demeanour when he One explanation for his behaviour is shortcut to power in Nepal, 2001? This week in the Sri Lankan he was presenting the probe panel report to chose to be serious without seriously that the Rambo act was an act. By refusing parliament, the JVP party is about to bring down the government of the press. appearing to be so. to become a sobbing bearer of bad news, he Chandrika Kumaratunga by threatening to withdraw from the Now that two weeks have elapsed, it Somehow, the possibility of a may have courted censure and diverted the coalition—proving that if they so wish there is a powerful may be time to take a fresh look at conspiracy offered a solace to the middle- attention away from the shortcomings of parliamentary role for Maoist parties. Ranabhat’s performance that Thursday class that has found it too difficult to cope the probe panel report which, everyone True, in the past 12 years we have elected leaders who have evening of 14 June. Many found the with the tragedy of regicide. The stark fact agrees, was full of holes. It was a destroyed themselves and nearly destroyed the country by ignoring Speaker’s antics compilation of aspirations, squandering mandates and abandoning accountabil- unspeakable. Ranabhat eyewitness accounts and ity. The way to correct that is to ensure democracy is more effective entertained media no end by physical evidence of and efficient, and to make it unbearable for elected crooks to cling his theatrical impersonation what happened, it did on to power. of Rambo and was quickly not analyse, and it All open and free societies face a dilemma when dealing with dubbed a national offered no conclusions. political violence by extra-constitutional forces. It is a clash of two embarrassment in the virtual Questions about moralities, a psychological struggle over ideas. Those who have community of the Nepali motive—the why of the taken up arms fervently believe in a new Nepal that is equitable, diaspora (see sample tragedy—were not fully just and fair. They are impatient, and they believe violence is the Internet illustration, right). answered, and only way to get to their goal. But even if their means are violent, a After reading his submission tangential references to liberal society cannot treat them like terrorists. Violence is in enthusiastic regalese at it fudge rather than unacceptable, but we have to accept that desperate people have Narayanhiti, Ranabhat clear the issue. throughout history used desperate means. A free and democratic recited the entire report of Ranabhat’s antics government on the other hand cannot use the same tactics as the two-member probe distracted attention those who want to end freedom and democracy. panel constituted by the from that central point. Ultimately, the battle is over ideas. The only way to counter King to investigate the No one cared to notice support born of fear and intimidation is through an even freer and Narayanhiti Massacre of 1 June. In the of the massacre being the result of insanity the nervousness Ranabhat was trying to fairer society that fosters greater public debate and forges a truly manner of students who have just finished a that sets into any stagnant value-system conceal by his false bravado. Take a second representative democracy. Gagging the press and reviving particularly difficult exam Ranabhat would have blown the cover of conspiracy. look at the video-clip: with the advantage of draconian laws are sure to backfire. Democracies must ensure completed reading the report all by himself, The bourgeoisie therefore hated Ranabhat distance from that day of fearful anticipa- their people a free press: censorship just plays into the hands of and then lifted Dipendra’s M-16 gun with for not being a party to its social cover-up tion, you can see the raucous scene with a those who remain outside the constitution, and will undermine the his now-famous pose. The next day’s exercise. One look at the way the Maoist more discerning eye. The sadness in very democratic value system that we national dailies proclaimed this was the insurgency is being taken by the social Ranabhat’s eyes above the smiling face is all need to nurture. worst affront to Nepal’s image abroad after elite of Kathmandu is enough to expose too visible. The laboured English is as much When faced with seemingly irrecon- Girija Prasad’s interview to CNN. And his the hypocrisy and duplicity that is due to exhaustion as a display of his lack of cilable differences, then, can democ- “bhatatata” is now immortalised in the rampant here. command over the language. If you look racy come up with a solution? Nepali lexicon, and is sure to find place Upper and middle class Nepal is so dispassionately, the agony behind is Unlike the dialectics of totalitarian- in the next edition of the Nepali rotten to the core that it does not have the apparent. To be able to misquote ism, democracy does not have Sabdakosh with the new meaning for this moral courage to face uncomfortable facts. Shakespeare is one of the essential ready, cut-and-dry answers. All onomatopoeia: “getting carried away All it wants is a convenient fiction to hide attributes of belonging to bourgeoisie, and democracy does is give compet- with one’s words”. behind, and Dr Baburam Bhattarai had it is difficult to resist the charm of taking ing ideas a legitimate forum so Apparently, Ranabhat prefers already produced one with alacrity. After liberty with the bard to sum up the fracas that the people can decide Hollywood blockbusters to homemade Kantipur published the good doctor’s over the fiasco in one sentence: all the which way to go. Kollywood tear-jerkers. Had his taste been paranoid purple prose on its opinion page, world is a stage, Tara Ranabhat played his At some point the different, he would have known when to it became the revealed wisdom for the part, and lampooning him is much ado Maoists, too, will have to hold his smile, and when to shed a strategic chattering classes of Kathmandu. What the about nothing. contend in the arena of tear. Nepali society places a premium on probe panel found contradicted that fiction However he may have come across on free ideas. In love, in solemnity, and Ranabhat forgot this with an array of facts too powerful to refute. television on 14 June, mark my words: war and in politics it is cardinal principal: if you want to be taken So the pundits unsheathed their pens and Ranabhat is a son of the soil and street all about winning seriously, you must appear as grave as a ridiculed Speaker Ranabhat in a display of smart. Watch this man, he was BP Koirala’s hearts and minds. gravestone. He is still paying for being the “hang the messenger” mind-set. blue-eyed boy and is destined to go places. himself at that press conference. Nothing Accepting facts would demand too much Even the negative publicity he got will help causes as much revulsion in the bourgeoisie self-analysis. him in the long run. OS NATION 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 333 COMMENT by SAUBHAGYA SHAH King Gyanendra’s burden of living
whisper campaigns. An ancient political art, There are other issues that need prompt rumors now command the services of the attention. Nobody could have fully anticipated latest means of communication such as the an irrational act of such deranged self- internet, fax and the media to create virtual destruction, but still it must be said that the smear communities transcending national palace security apparatus failed miserably. and local boundaries. Efforts will be made What kind of security system allows assault through various means to further destabilize weapons to be lugged to the king’s chamber the nation during the throes of succession and dozens of bullets to be fired without by both internal and external interests. activating prompt interception? The palace Instability at this critical juncture would will also have to improve its arcane bureau- serve some sections very well. cracy that drafts and defends ridiculous Wayward prince statements like submachine guns suddenly In the emerging cacophony over the present discharging. Such inept utterance not only crisis, some seek to disqualify King Gyanendra insulted the intelligence of the global audience, for being involved in industrial entrepreneur- but also cost the new monarch vital credibility. ship in the past. If anything that should be an What was needed from the palace at such a asset, an industrious king is always better than critical moment was information, not an idle one. Obviously for reasons of conflict of provocation. The Crown now must establish a interests he should not be owning or running timely and credible line of communication them once he has ascended the throne, but his with the people. past experience will definitely assist him in At times the new king must feel as though better understanding the issues of state in his he is reliving the destiny of the Ramayana’s role as the head of state. Bharat who reluctantly accepted the realm Others question King Gyanendra’s following elder brother Ram’s departure from ascension to the throne simply because he Ayodhya. Bharat faced the silent resentment of happens to be the father of a wayward prince. his subjects even though he had nothing to do MIN BAJRACHARYA It is not as if Prince Gyanendra sought the with Ram’s exile, having been away at his throne, the throne was thrust on him for the maternal home at the time. Despite personal The throne was thrust upon him, and the only silver lining may be that second time in history. Should a son’s agony, duty bound Bharat to the thankless job. recklessness disqualify a father? Politically At least Bharat’s brother returned after
exemplary leadership is often forged during testing times. Nepal has been an uniquely forgiving country. fourteen years, Gyanendra’s brother won’t. He ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Former hijackers, head hunters and those who is on his own now. he terrible night of June 1 was nothing of your lineage, the monarchy’s detractors suspicion and chaos generated by the royal deliberately blew up parliament now grace the The only silver lining for a person on short of a Shakespearean tragedy enacted insinuate in innuendoes. carnage, it disappointed some who had highest positions in government and legislature whom greatness is thrust upon is that ton a Himalayan scale. A demonic rage The snub UML dealt by ejecting from expected its findings to confirm the more because of the general amnesty granted every exemplary leadership is often forged during seems to have swept Narayanhiti to decimate the commission called by the still grieving colorful version of events and motives. now and then. No doubt, this lenient tradition testing times. King Gyanendra only has to the reigning dynasty and completely unhinge King to investigate the killing of late King Apparently it can be difficult to accept a will continue in the future. In this accommo- be true to his country and history and the Nepali psyche in one stroke. As the nation Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and rest of the truth which is far simpler than all it is hyped dative milieu, is it possible to conceive of a render his best effort. Out of the present mourns and confusion reigns, one tragic figure royal family is a portend of things to up to be. similar gesture of public pardon for Prince baptism by fire may rise a monarch who is left standing to pick up the pieces of family come in the future. Coming from a For the republican stream in Nepali Paras? The prince may however have to bear in nurtures our unity, sovereignty and annihilation and national crisis. party that has shut down Parliament politics, there will probably be no better mind that healing and reconciliation is always a democracy. As the spontaneous outburst of Enormous responsibilities have been thrust for months on end, the constitutionality opportunity to strike than the present when two-sided effort. public sorrow and grief made it clear, the upon the shoulders of King Gyanendra in the plea was rather hypocritical. Or it could royalty is reduced to the last man following The new king is going to be compared silent majority has a deep faith in the worst of circumstances. As the last man also be that having burnt their fingers in the the royal massacre. Therefore no quarters to his illustrious brother constantly, which institution of monarchy and that may be the standing he must be aware both of his investigation into the death of late Madan will be given in the grim struggle, even by is only natural. He is already being painted new king’s biggest asset in these turbulent responsibility to the 500-year-old dynasty and Bhandari, the UML is merely trying to steer some of those who opportunistically recast as an Indophilic, Sinophobic, anti-Indian times. The new monarch must learn to the urgency of providing a unifying motive and clear of what it sees as a potential themselves as ‘constitutional monarchists’ and so on by different groups to suit their respect this historic trust and draw from it hope for a nation beset by a host of problems. minefield. Considering the task at hand out of political expediency. If outright vested interests. These comparisons with to heal a divided polity and chart his new Despite the enormity of his own family grief the commission did a commendable job insurrection is not feasible at the moment the late king might also turn somewhat destiny as the symbol of national unity and King Gyanendra may not however expect despite UML’s exit. then attempts will be made to sap the disingenuous when it comes from those who identity. much sympathy for his personal situation or The committee appears to have decided credibility of the new king by feeding the have no love lost for the monarchy. Then the task he has at hand. He carries the burden not to speculate on the motive for the killings frenzied rumor mills. Rumour and slander the rumour mills resurrect Dipendra as a (Saubhagya Shah is currently completing of the living where death may be the only proof as all of those most involved in Dipendra’s remain potent weapons in Nepali politics, martyred angel just to make it difficult for his PhD research on state, development of innocence. How come you are alive? You bridal disagreement were dead. While the their efficacy resting not on veracity but the living. These will be challenges of a and social movements at Harvard were supposed to be dead along with the rest report helped lift the heavy fog of uncertainty, rather on the intensity and audacity of the different nature for the new monarch. University)
LETTERS CHATTERATI a position to make a public opinion minister was informed about the analysis could be just as true of CK Lal’s article on insecurity in are shallow and selfish. They have incident at the palace after three the mainstream media coverage the hills was poignant and inherited very little of the bravery people in Nepal are now in favour hope you will take courage to hours confirms Dixit’s observation. It on Africa, Middle-East or any empathetic (“An unquiet peace”, of their Gorkhalis forbears. On the of Maoists. Of course, it will be very publish it. is time now to make certain things other third world country. #49). In stark contrast, other hand, they are for peace, painful to the elite in Kathmandu. Ganga Ram Tamang transparent about the palace’s Hopefully writings like this will Kathmandu’s educated classes yes, but the peace of the masaan- You are the losers, so we under- Baudha, Mahankal internal matters. provoke the public to subject the show no empathy for the larger ghat. Do these chattering classes stand your irritation. You may write Dhruva Lal Karna media to the same scrutiny that it community. In opposing the really represent the people, and do countless anti-Maoist slogans, but FIRST STONE Dhangadi, Kailali has on government, parties and security regulations, do they not we need to give them so much who cares? We general people I have read and admired the Nepali institutions. realise that the safety and security importance? have nothing to lose. We want the Times for its considered views and ALLO, ALLO S Thapa of Nepalis is what the government SB Thapaliya Maoists to capture power and throw rationality. But on the question of Salil Subedi’s report on allo (“Say New York should be most concerned about? by email all thugs into garbage as soon as the resignation of the Prime Allo”, #49) produced by the Do they not realise that there is a possible. What can we expect from Minister, you seem to have made indigenous Kulunge Rai people was GOOD SIGN Maoist insurgency that is KEEP CULTURE the present government or up your mind that he should go fantastic. We should encourage and After reading “Sharpening knives” preaching war out there, buthering I read with dismay (and irritation) opposition? Do the leaders of (“Time to take off our masks”, #49). appreciate any constructive (#49) I eagerly waited for the VDC chairmen and anyone who CK Lal’s “From regal to royal” ruling party and the opposition Why should he resign? He has not endeavour made by the Nepali announcement of the king’s does not agree with them? What (#48). He suggests we throw all our have any morality? Instead of been charged in any court, he still people, especially indigenous and nominees to the upper house to can we expect from political party values and traditions out the writing in favour of these thugs why commands a majority within his marginalised people. Thank you for look, like you said, for signs of workers who went underground window. In exchange for what, I don’t you join hands with people party and in parliament. The bringing this remarkable project to change. And, yes, I think it clearly after the royal carnage: so little wonder? Maybe, he should also tell and support Maoists? But we know, opposition UML does not want to light. indicates a dramatic change in faith did they have in the the Smithsonian in Washington DC you hypocrites will never do it, you take him to court because that Kripa Bantawa Rai the thought process of the palace democratic process. How dare they to get rid of all the fossils, dinosaur worship power. No power of world can would expose the skeletons in its UK polity. The three non-political now come out of their dulo to bones. What is applicable in resist people’s power. It is up to you, own closet. Let he who is without sin nominees signal a fresh pontificate about press freedom America and Britain may not be whether you publish this letter cast the first stone. TEARS AND ROSES democratic outlook that is in and the security act? The appropriate in a country like ours. or not, but I Badri Uprety I just read the article by Rupa Joshi keeping with the spirit of the Kathmandu elite are upset that Is Mr Lal writing solely for the by email (“Tears and roses, #49) on your constitution. The king presents they will not be able to say what benefit of western readers? Not VALLEY OF HALLA Internet edition. And I must himself as being above partisan they want and be searched as they many Nepalis would relate to his In his article, “The Valley of congratulate her on one of the best politics. This is Nepal, and travel about at night by ‘lowly’ way of thinking. Halla” (#46) Kanak Dixit piece of writing on Nepal I have obviously there will be endless policemen. But is it such a big Subodh S Pal correctly writes about the seen in a while. She provides a hair-splitting on the choice. But price to pay for the safety and by email structure of Nepali society and compelling critique of the fly-by- on the whole, a good sign. security of all Nepalis, particularly how it affects access to the night variety of journalism that is Al Grimjee in the districts? The last month WHO CARES? palace. That in a democratic” insufferably shallow and conceited, Kathmandu has shown that Nepalis who are in Whether you like it or not, general country like ours, the elected prime yet incredibly powerful. Joshi’s
444 NATION 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES ○○○○○○○○○○○
RAMYATA○○○○○ LIMBU encourages Nepalis living abroad abindra Mishra used to like to donate the price of a beer they Philanthropy is finally gaining ground among Nepalis who are going out for a few beers after forego to help fund development It is better moved by a sense of equity, rather than the possibility of ra hard day’s work at the BBC projects in Nepal. Since its Nepali Service in London. He establishment in September 1999, religious or spiritual payback.
doesn’t mind doing with less these HeNN has raised about £9,000 to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ days—for a cause. For every pint he support small projects: a school ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ doesn’t drink, he puts away a quid. library in Dunai, Dolpa, a de- projects,” says Arun Singh Basnet, those who don’t have anything.” founder of the women’s support Says Hitkar Bir Singh Kansakar of The kitty goes to the Help worming campaign among who coordinates HeNN’s work in Paropakar, founded by Daya group, Tewa, is trying out a similar Paropakar: “In a philanthropic Nepal Network (HeNN), an Chepang children in Chitwan and Nepal. Bir Singh Kansakar in 1952, is the concept on a larger scale. She wants organisation like Paropakar organisation Mishra founded. thr restoration of a school Giving to others has long best-known and oldest organised to develop philanthropy as a non- there’s always more expenditure This small London-based network building in Pyuthan... “It’s a small been a tradition in Eastern charity in Nepal. (“Bahadur religious, secular campaign to than income. Our orphanage, effort. But we’re growing,” societies. But we have been used Nepali”, #30) Many still advance projects that can help Mishra told us. to giving to the less fortunate not remember how Kansakar once change lives. The organisation she The idea for Help Nepal came because we want to, but because brought home a cholera-stricken helped to found asks Nepalis to out of the frustration Mishra felt we hope it will earn us divine child and nursed him back to stop spending millions on rituals— when chatting about lack of merit in the afterlife. That isn’t health against his own family’s daans and sharadas—and instead development in Nepal over really philanthropy as we wishes. He built the charity give to communities that use the bottles of beer in Soho pubs. He understand it today—as an brick-by-brick, freely using his money to help women throughout says he and his friends got plain offshoot of a particular humanist own funds and resisting the Nepal. Unlike many Nepali tired of talking and complaining practice, giving without expecting temptation of being co-opted by development organisations, Tewa and not seeing anything happen, physical or spiritual returns, modern “projects” funded by tries to focus on raising money from so they decided to begin the “A giving to try and build a just donor money. Paropakar runs an individuals and institutions locally, pound a month fund for Nepal.” society. Caught between orphanage, a free ambulance which hasn’t been easy. “Our So far, about 200 members from modernisation and tradition service, a school, a children’s ability to retain Nepali donors has the Nepali diaspora have chipped Nepali ways of giving are village and a maternity hospital. been rather low. We need to in with about £9,000 and have changing, albeit slowly. People Its branches in 30 districts also educate people more about begun making a difference. give, but with strings attached— run primary health care centres in philanthropy,” adds Thapa. Help Nepal members where not appeasing gods or the 175 villages across the country. Some charities are more comprise a new breed of Nepalis, spirits of departed souls, they are Kansakar passed away earlier this concerned with giving and working, those who give and are trying in occasionally trying to sell year, but his charity continues to and the idea of sustainability for their own ways to restore Nepali something. “Even if this altruistic carry his initiative forward. They them is not as important—arguing traditions of philanthropy. Such impulse comes out of a guilt- are thinking of new ways to that their work has to be supported givers are still a minority, but ridden and security-driven reflex promote domestic philanthropy by donations. Other organisations they mean much to people being of the better-off sections, the in Nepal so that the work is more have their own revenue sources like helped by their contribution. outcome is a contribution toward sustainable and fulfilling. It may handicrafts and other businesses “Many people from the villages narrowing the gap,” says an NGO be easier to just hand the projects through which they support their MIN BAJRACHARYA have begun approaching us for worker in Nepal. “Likewise every over to donor-funded NGOs, but projects. However, both kinds of help. They’re willing to volunteer rupee a privileged Nepali can Paropakar wants this to be a organisations feel it is more time and labour to ensure that spare, if used properly, can make Nepali initiative. important “to teach the people to Hitkar Bir Singh Kansakar Rita Thapa MIN BAJRACHARYA the community benefits from the a huge difference in the lives of Feminist activist Rita Thapa, fish than to just give them fish”.
HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK Scenes from the Great Global Cliché The heady combination of vile food, unlikely travelling companions and worsening jetlag makes for many insights, some of them clichés that come back with surprising freshness.
headlong run around halfway around the world throws up countless were, of course, on their way to the births of grandchildren, first opportunities to reflect on this crazy global village of ours. grandchildren usually. And that meant uprooting oneself from the village aSurprises, clichés and rich experiences abound, even aboard or hard-earned haveli in Delhi, braving remarkable barriers of technology transcontinental aircrafts and in departure lounges. Not to mention on and language, and making the dash to be at the side of the children. endless highways through the hinterland of America. Remarkable and somewhat touching, the good side of globalisation, or It begins with a young woman on RA217 to Delhi, the first leg, the so I told myself as I stood waiting to use the toilet. tiny step that begins the journey. I heard her unmistakably Canadian tones In Canada, home, amid the ersatz cowboy paraphernalia of Calgary as she joked with the RNAC departure clerks. The first surprise, they International Airport, I marvelled at just how Asian everything was. The laughed back. Here, I thought to myself, is a woman of substance! On immigration officer was a Tamil. He gave me a suspicious glare when I board the aircraft (a Boeing 757, corruption-free for your comfort) we told him that I chose to live in South Asia. It was a penal sentence. But chatted over my first of several dozen dreadful airline meals, and by no he stamped me in, muttering comments about “dirt, filth and disease.” means the worst. Young Ms Mishra was from the fair burg of Toronto, her The taxi driver was a Hmong tribesman from Laos. It turns out that parents having left Gorakhpur many decades ago. She was a student this unlikely oil town near the Rocky Mountains is the biggest politician, incredibly bright and more to the point: she had been outside Hmong community in the world. Abandoned by the Americans Kathmandu on 1 June, 2001. No, not as some callow experience sponge despite the support during the Vietnam debacle, the Hmong have a with a backpack and a copy of the Lonely Planet—she was a volunteer new home, devoid of bamboo, tropical fruit and their beloved hills. health worker in a village near Baglung. “My son is a professional skier,” said the driver with resignation. I lapped up her insights and experience, marvelled at her comments Finally, to the great American state of Montana where I sit atop and thoughts, found her full of humanity, understanding and intelligence. the foothills of the Beartooth mountains, the Great Divide to the And, now, it wasn’t just the forty-something male trying to impress the West, the sprawling, arid Midwestern Prairie in the other direction. twenty-something wunderkind. Her parting comment, “I’ve learned more I’m here to visit good friends, from South Asia naturally, and their about caste in five weeks in that village than any book ever taught me,” adopted Nepali daughters. After years of taking on the world’s aid was both fascinating and somewhat worrisome. and development challenges, they’ve come to rest here, in one of the From Delhi to London, my travelling companions were almost more stunningly beautiful places I’ve ever seen. And the talk, exclusively of a type—elderly Punjabi, mostly Sikh ladies who’d clearly naturally, is of the palace massacre and the Mask theory, and never been near a modern jet aircraft before. They clogged the aisles and Dipendra and Devayani, and all the rest. All along my endless banged on the doors of the washrooms, oblivious to the little red circles journey here, I’ve been asked about the killings in tones usually that told us to wait our turn. They shrugged their shoulders helplessly reserved for discussion of soap operas and the latest celebrity gossip. when addressed in English, or even the chaste Hindi of some of the flight Nepal, it seems, has arrived in the global village. And what a attendants. I was mystified, but soon got to the bottom of things. For they way to do it. NATION 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 555
told us ‘our consumers profile
does not identify with the Bin worries ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ singer’.” In other words, the They want to tidy up the city, but will the trash cans prove corporations are not interested too tempting? Kathmandu’s municipality is worried that Rs in giving if they don’t see ways 1,500 garbage bins they plan to install at various points in to get recover the money, or the city might be either stolen or vandalised during even make more as a result of demonstrations. And if they do stay in place, fret the city’s their donation—charity as a PR housekeepers, residents might deposit their rubbish exercise. “It’s not that they around the bins, but not necessarily in them. The City’s don’t give. You only have to Solid Waste Management Section plans to install more look at the number of shawls than 500 bins around the metropolis, including on New they give away at felicitation Road, the Soaltee Bishnumati Bridge, the Bishnumati functions,’ says Ratna Sansar Bridge, in the Tripureswor- Sundhara, Tundikhel area, the Shrestha, a corporate lawyer. Ratna Park-Jamal- Tridevi Marg loop, and the areas around dispensary, ambulance services are “But for every rupee they the royal palace, the Indian Embassy and Kamaladi. Such all free. We do keep a little donate, they get ten times more experiments in the past have not been too successful, but donationto box. Those who can give in terms of publicity.” a city official says, attempting optimism, “The bins will be afford it leave something, which is Even institutional mechanisms placed on trial for a three-month period. If 20 percent of the welcome.” are not geared towards bins are stolen during the time, then we’ll probably have to This is in sharp contrast to encouraging giving. The law terminate the programme.” The city spends Rs 80 million how most Nepali development (Section 43, Income Tax Act on urban sanitation every year. organisations do business. They 2031/1974) allows a meagre five are largely over-funded by donors, percent tax deduction on net
and compelled to make income or Rs 100,000, whichever Choppers, finally
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ disbursements through NGOs, is less, on money given to charity. What goes up must come down, and the Nepal Police which in Nepal take on the air of Nepal does not have a law to Force will soon have its own choppers—but at less than philanthropic undertakings. Critics govern charitable trusts, which the money they asked for. The Ministry of Finance has say such groups are completely does not help either. Instead we A school library built with the support of Help Nepal Network in Dunai, Dolpo. agreed to sanction Rs 250 million to purchase two dependent on donor funding and have individual trusts created by helicopters for the Nepal Police Force. The police had dry up once the source of money conducted in 2000 by Martin that Rs 270 million was given for separate legislation—mainly hoped for Rs 570 million rupees to buy a 21-seater MI 17 dries up. The extent of foreign Chautari confirms that middle- social work, including commemorating politicians— and a smaller craft, and an additional Rs 20 million for involvement in national class Nepalis do give to charity, infrastructure development, which end up as political fronts to maintenance. Finance Secretary Bimal Koirala says it’s all development is so high that in some but mainly for religious purposes. drinking water supply and bridge- extort businesses for funds to the government can spare given its budgetary constraints. schemes it is difficult to discern A majority don’t mind spending building projects. The survey run political parties and groups. When summoned by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) whether the real beneficiaries are to fund satsangs but would think indicates that funds were collected Says Shrestha, “Only a separate after the Home Ministry complained about non-cooperation even intended to be the Nepali twice about giving the same to on an individual, community and Trust Act enabling charitable on the matter of fund for choppers, Koirala said his ministry poor: the priorities, area of work, organisations like Paropakar and organisational basis. institutions to function was trying to put a check on what seemed excessive and methodology are all pre-decided Tewa. The survey showed that The same study also confirms independently and transparently will asked the Home Ministry for a formal application. elsewhere. Nepalis gave almost Rs 190 that Nepal’s corporate sector, encourage people to donate to Since they began operations in Maoist-affected districts Tewa’s concept of secular million in religious donations in unlike that of India or the United deserving causes. We’ve had talk of in 1996, Nepal Police has spent Rs 620 million chartering philanthropy to advance four years, mainly to restore States, is stingy when it comes to such a law for the past two years, but helicopters from private operators to airlift personnel and development is new, not just in temples or rituals. They gave Rs real charity. Says a former employee it is nowhere near becoming supplies to and from these remote districts. Nepal but also in other parts of 30 million to set up health clinics of a community radio station that finalised.” South Asia. Kaval Gulhati, founder and run health camps and another had tried to raise money to help Until then, organisations like
of the Unniti Foundation in India, Rs 90 million for education one of Nepal’s most beloved Paropakar and Tewa, and Aide de fired
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ is another proponent of giving just projects like school buildings, the musicians, Amber Gurung: “We individuals like Mishra, and giving Four royal ADCs have been sacked from service after a for giving, and uses money her establishment of trusts and went to breweries, asking them to to their causes will be a novelty, high-level military committee commissioned to review foundation raises to improve the scholarships. The survey shows support the cause. They flatly not a habit for most Nepalis. security arrangements at the palace reported a severe reproductive health of women lapse of security on 1 June. Colonel Sunder Pratap Rana, and to enhance opportunities for ADC to King Birendra, Major Ananta Keshar Singh, ADC to educating girls in South Asia. Queen Aishwarya, Major Gajendra Bohara and Major Raju Writes Gulhati in Twice Blessed: Karki, both ADCs to Crown Prince Dipendra have been The Art of Giving: “Philanthropy dismissed. Two royal orderlies and two officials with the is seen in as a broader concept, Royal Palace Service have also been dismissed. But the more than just giving for charity. ADCs say privately there is nothing they could have done to It embodies the ethic of sharing prevent the massacre by a family member. one’s good fortune with others to help them lead more fulfilling
lives...” In other words, it is NTV’s global domination
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ about transmitting compassion by Big plans are afoot for Nepal Television. Or so it says. After sharing the surplus, however announcing its intention to beam its Nepali programmes small, with others or with the abroad via satellite starting this week, the state owned cause(s) one values the most. This station says it has more in the offing. Preparations are giving is different from the underway to start a commercial metro channel for motivation behind the giving of Kathmandu’s viewers in the next two years. A 72 m tower is businesses, who expect the being constructed inside Singha Darbar (NTV goodwill of targeted buyers to Headquarters), and the corporation is adding more relay take the form of tangible returns. stations so that viewers outside the Valley can access One sure test of the genuineness programmes without relying on dish antennas. Director of a charity act is whether or not Durga Nath Sharma says the network will upgrade the giver seeks publicity for HYATT production, and tap advertisers in India and Nepal to meet giving. satellite transmission cost—estimated at Rs 25 million This desire to give comes annually. Nepali viewers are doubtful. Long disillusioned from within as was the case with with the state network’s sub-standard fare, they say seeing the late Nepali mountaineer Babu is believing. Meanwhile, Space Time Network's Channel Chhiri Sherpa. He never saw a Nepal beat NTV to going satellite by beginning 4-hour daily classroom as a child, and so was test transmissions uplinked from Bangkok. motivated to contribute much of what he earned by guiding—when
not actually carrying foreign Cash-in time ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mountaineers to the world’s ○○○○○○○○○ It’s already happening. Nepal’s royal highest peaks—to build a school massacre is grist for the publishing mill. in Takshindo, his native village in Jonathan Gregson, author of 2002 Solu Khumbu. Kingdom Beyond the Clouds There are many other Babu (“Kingdoms in cloud-cuckoo-land”, #15) Chhiris in Nepal about whom we has reportedly received a $100,000 know little. One is Man Singh advance from Talk Miramax for a book on Maharjan, a wage labourer from the tragedy tentatively titled Blood Amidst the Snows: The Man Maiju in Kathmandu. He Doomed Royal Dynasty of Nepal. Gregson, who lives in saved his wages to found a Nepal, will use the killings to discuss Nepal’s history in primary school in his village in doubtless sepulchral tones. Gregson’s proposal says he 1985. And in 1992 when the will explore “the staggering military expansion in the 18th school was recognised by the century to this year’s ‘Massacre in the Palace’—a government as a lower secondary sequence of events so bizarre that Greek tragedians could school, Maharjan says, he felt not have dreamt it up. The book is slated for a June 2002 fulfilled. release. Next stop: Hollywood. A random survey on charity 666 NATION 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES their own script. The CDC says it will and the government expects the produce textbooks in other national communities themselves to generate languages when those communities the resources to retain teachers if they also demand it. In an opinion poll choose for their children to be conducted last year by the non- educated in mother languages. Tanka OTHER TONGUE governmental Media Services Gaire, a curriculum development M International, 28 percent of janjatis officer, believes this is for the best. said they wanted their children “We cannot expect the children to educated in mother languages, another bear the burden of protecting a 29 percent preferred English to be the language that has no scope for MIN BAJRACHARYA medium of education, and the rest higher education and future plumped for Nepali. employment,” he says. Why people make these decisions Language rights campaigners is a different story, but some believe say the language policy is the that the first step to make people feel main obstacle their initiative comfortable and positive with learning faces. “the government’s policy of in their own language is simply languages more than eight years ago, imposing Nepali on non-Nepali making it easier to implement but the government has not taken any speakers is killing other national mother tongue education. “It is the steps so far to implement it. The languages,” said discontented government’s responsibility to textbooks are a case in point. They are language rights activist Padma create an encouraging environment ready, but the Ministry of Education Ratna Tuladhar. Many feel that where the children can study their and Sports is doing nothing to reach the only way to ensure other own languages,” says educationist out to the communities—no national languages are a viable Dr Hridaya Ratna Bajracharya, a teachers have been trained to use medium of education is raising staunch supporter of education in the books, and distribution is their profile nationally—by the mother tongue. laggardly. There are no mechanisms having more people proficient in The government’s take on the to monitor language teaching either, them. matter is discouraging, to say the least—officials seem to have, simply put, bad attitude. Gorakh Bahadur Nepali children have the right to education in their native languages, but Singh, Deputy Director of the where is the money? Curriculum Development Centre, says School reforms that it is only the goodwill of his office
The report of the high level committee formed to study problems in the ○○○○ HEMLATA○○○○○○○○○○○○ RAI badly, with 4,800 and 3,500 takers that ensures non-Nepali speaking education sector, mainly to counter Maoist demands on private educational rimary school textbooks in nine respectively, but textbooks of communities the textbooks to study. institutions was released on 27 June. Educationists, student unions and pnational languages are ready, and other national languages are just “It is not the government’s private school management organisations had mixed feelings about it. Some all the Curriculum Development gathering dust. responsibility to produce books in education professionals have cautiously hailed the recommended reforms, Centre (CDC) has to do is find takers The CDC’s effort is to support these languages—if you read the but doubt they will be implemented effectively. The recommendations for them. the constitutional right of children to Constitution carefully it does not say include: The committee recommended that 17 percent of total government As of now, the books are a choose to be educated in their mother the government should produce books expenditure be allocated to the education sector. Primary education novelty, which may be more talked tongue. Activists have been cam- for these communities, but only give should be free of extra fees like the exam fee, admission fee, or school about used. For instance, Newari is paigning for the last decade that them recognition if they take their deposits. At least ten percent of all students in community schools and spoken widely in the Kathmandu national languages other than own initiation,” he says. He also five percent in private schools at the lower primary and primary level Valley, but only a handful of students Nepali also be given official thinks that children who first become should have free education. Schools should be categorised into community and institutional kinds. in less than ten public schools here use language status. The Centre has literate in their mother tongue lose Community schools should be further divided on the basis of the CDC textbooks. Limbu and prepared textbooks for up to class two years of academic advancement in government or self-funding. The report recommends that government aid Awadhi textbooks are not doing too five in Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, curriculum and textbook development comparison to their peers who first for schools be continued for the time being, but they should gradually be Awadhi, Maithili, Limbu and component of the Basic and Primary learn to read and write in Nepali and made sustainable without government grants. Private schools should be Newari, and books for class one in Education Programme. The system in English. allowed to collect fees but the amount should not exceed the rate required to recover running and infrastructure costs. Private and public Rai (Bantawa) and Magar. This year, place until these developments had He is not alone. His reluctance to school should follow the same syllabus as prescribed by the the Centre prepared the curriculum children studying their mother tongue promote national languages reflects government, and Sanskrit should be optional. for the Gurung/ Tamu language and as an optional subject, with Nepali government policy. The 1995 report A teacher licensing system should be introduced under which all they plan to produce textbooks for compulsory. on language policy was drafted by a instructors will have to have a teaching licence. The National Teachers’ grade one in fiscal 2001/2002. The A 1995 report of the Rastriya high-level government committee Service Commission will be responsible for issuing the licenses. Parents should be given a role to ensure quality of education. Schools government has already spent about Bhasa Niti Sujhav Ayog (the national under pressure from language rights should establish parent-teacher associations to ensure their participation Rs 10 million, close to Rs 6 million in commission to make recommenda- campaigners. The policymakers in school management and maintaining transparency in school accounts. the last year alone, to produce the tions on language policy) says 69 recommended a working plan for the The recommendation should be implemented in three phases—the short textbooks in national languages under languages are in use in Nepal, 21 with protection and promotion of national term, the medium term and the long term.
4 JULY by RANJIT RAUNIYAR {{{ }}} * * * * * * : -) BOSTON - Americans have generally avoided things not more lovingly *** ***. The most unsettling is the abbrevi- worth doing. Americans have also generally overdone ated smile : ). When people start smiling sideways you those things that are worth doing. And they tend to revel in know something is wrong with them. overarching themes, which perhaps explains their fixation Even within households, people are communicating via with all things large and ubiquitous. email. “Chester, I have left your food in the freezer. Even their dreams are as overdrawn as All American. Microwave when you’re ready. Luv. Mom. P.S. Don’t forget One never hears All Australian or All Armenian of anything. to do your homework. M.” “Oversize it please,” extends beyond culinary earnestness. “You have new messages” is the elixir even for exist- Lawsuits for example. And this time against God, the entialist dilemmas. People are having sex in text which is “ubiquitousest” of them all. I am referring, of course, to leading to elaborate polemics on infidelity. Friends are the gentleman Donald Drusky who brought this known by handle numbers. Life is becoming increasingly, said lawsuit (not only against God but against all states abstract like faceless faces in a room of mirrors. and every American citizen) demanding “God return his Even Barbie, propped up with the new appellation of youth and grant him the guitar-playing skills of famous “Hacker Barbie” can stare at a computer screen (without guitarists, along with resurrecting his mother and his pet blinking and without food and drink) for 16 hours at a time. pigeon.” As if! She can even say “Bummer! Your kernel must have been With the Internet all around us, we now live in the trashed.” The idea, if it must be explained, is to redress the most “ubiquitous” of times. But the Internet is different in categorisation of women as “numerophobic” and “computer- that its ubiquity threatens America’s “ubiquitousness.” illiterate”. The sensitiveness of this country is intense. The People have started casually saying “Your URL is?” There notion of the open, gregarious and ubiquitous American will is now a dotcom to reassure me that my egg is proportion- be clicked away. The Internet will claim to make up for it. ately rich in Omega-3, the fatty acid good for my brain Growing up in Kathmandu, we never had the luxury of and my blood pressure. Additionally, I can even confirm if an All Nepali dream. As a nation, we were still sorting things the chicken laid the egg that I am about to eat in a out. And still are. And even in America dreams are not in “liberated” environment, able to “roam free, feather to text. Because there continues to be something deep about feather, in 300 foot-long well-lit barns.” Visit www.country real picket fences. Because home-made pancakes remain hen.com or email [email protected] to confirm. different from Starbucks Frappuccino. Because the sense Americans are sufferingly sensitive. Which of course, of competition is not to win the next sweepstake. Because is what makes this country great. Ask the chickens. Dear Dad and Mom do not mean DD&M. Because to miss But Americans are also becoming more and more home is different from missing http//www.home.com abbreviated. Ubiquitously. First it was with their diet. Fat Because a rose is still a rose. Because we never smile Free. Cholesterol free. This free. That free. Freedom. And sideways. then. Abbreviated workforce. Abbreviated garden space. The Internet has instigated a plethora of abs. LOL (Laugh Ranjit Rauniyar is a graduate of Bowdoin College, Out Loud), BRB (Be Right Back), TTYL (Talk To You Later). USA and can be reached by email at People laugh hehehe and hug {{{}}} and kiss *** and kiss [email protected]. NATION 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 777 How much longer? from p. 1 The other characteristic of the as well. indication of such confusion. Earlier Prachanda Path doctrine, according to Seen in this light, targetting King the Maoists’ collection of taxes and party literature published after the Gyanendra appears to be a strategic donations were aimed at medium and second convention in February is the move rather than a conviction that he large businesses and their targetting fusion of the “mass uprising” in urban was a conspirator. Yubaraj Gyawali, a corrupt local officials were populist. areas with the “peoples war” in the senior UML member of the Upper Lately, however, the extortion is hinterland. The Maoists have declared House sees this as proof that the getting indiscriminate and hurting the eight districts in Bheri, Karnali and Maoists were all along being supported not-so-well-off, and many popular Rapti Zones as having “peoples’ by some palace elements. He told us: local figures and elected officials have governments” and they appear to be “Now we know that a faction of the been brutally killed just for daring to consolidating their hold on districts on palace was providing them some oppose local Maoists. the periphery like Dang, Bajura and protection and that is why their morale But Maoist sources deny there is Dailekh. Analysts are expecting a major was high. The threats against the king confusion, saying the party’s response Maoist attack on vulnerable police may either be posturing to try and get shows flexibility to changing stations in those areas. Instead of the same support, or it could be they circumstances. He told us the party killing large numbers of policemen, are running scared.” could ultimately regard Gyanendra as Maoists are now also abducting scores The fact that the Maoists’ tactics a Sihanouk-type figure, or even the declaring Gyanendra and Girija as fair of new recruits which brings them have changed so frequently is seen by founding president of a new republic game, they’ve eliminated the need for a valuable manpower and weapons. some as confusion and differences in led by an interim government. government to pursue talks. He adds: On the international front, the the ranks. Prachanda’s statement on Essentially the palace killings have “I think the Maoists are now trying to Maoists have joined forces with South Sunday that only supporters of the eclipsed the need for talks—for the prepare for a big confrontation, the Asian organisations to set up a “fascist Gyanendra-Girija clique will be time being at least. Independent recent incidents may be aimed at Coordination Committee of Maoist attacked” is taken by some as an analyst Pitamber Sharma says that by gauging government response.” Parties and Organisation of South Asia (CCOMPOSA) with member groups THE INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTRE & ACADEMY from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, including the MCC and IELCA is a truly International English Language Training Centre Peoples’ War Group in India. The with many years experience in achieving higher standards of tuition for MCC, which is active in Bihar, is everybody else to follow. We offer 4 and 6-week morning, afternoon reported to have moved its bases to and evening courses to suit all ages and abilities. Darbhanga near the Nepal border. A Daytime and evening courses in TOEFL,IELTS, General and Conversation English, Business CCOMPOSA press release in Patna English and Professional Wroting, Public Speaking, SLC, & 10+2 Courses, Special Groups said this week the “groups will unify Overseas Student Placement to USA, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ and Dubia Qualified foreign teachers from UK, USA and Australia and coordinate the activities of the Clean and comfortable classrooms and canteen facilities Maoist parties and organisations in End of Course Certificate Free Day out at the South Asia”. A senior police official in Course materials provided luxurious Hotel Patna is quoted by an Indian internet Foreigners and Nepalese: SAME FEES Shahanshah when you journal as saying: “This is a matter of Next language Courses Commence on 16 July 2001 register forIELCA a course with (early registration recommended grave concern for the entire nation. The security and integrity of the nation THE INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTRE & ACADEMY is threatened by this trans-border Ghattekulo, Dillibazar, Kathmadu (next to SM College) Naxalite confederation.” Tel:435417, E-MAIL : [email protected] Website : www.ielca.org The Maoists have been closely monitoring the post massacre developments and have adjusted their strategy accordingly. Prachanda issued his first statement on 2 June, denouncing the murder as a “political conspiracy” against a “liberal” and “nationalist” king who did not want to use the army to fight Maoists. His next statement on 5 June named Indian intelligence agencies and Girija Koirala as conspirators. Then in a 6 June write- up, Maoist ideologue Babu Ram Bhattarai, said the other conspirator was King Gyanendra and made his first EVEREST call on the army to revolt to join the “nationalist” forces. “The early statements were being made by the leaders individually, based on reports they were getting on the street protests,” a Maoist source told us. “The idea was to keep the protests going.” Then the party politburo sat down to assess the situation. Its 10 June statement endorsed the arguments forwarded by Prachanda and Babu Ram and announced the birth of a new republic. It also broadened its analysis explaining the existing theory on the murders: a conspiracy by US and Indian intelligence agencies to encircle and isolate China. “Earlier our reading was that the king was on our side, now we have reason to believe he could side with government,” the Maoist source told us. “We’re watching the emerging political alliances, and naming CPN Unity Centre as an ally was to show others who want to join us in the interim government where they can come.” This move appears to be the result of the Maoists’ reasoning that before 1 June, the people either supported the Maoists or the monarchy. Now, they feel, the king is dead the new king is not popular so they can convert the monarchists CONTACT: NAMASTE NEPAL 521043 888 NEPALI ECONOMY 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED
Report card
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Government spending reached Rs 50.5 billion in mid-May, up 23 percent compared to last year, and much of that was spent in meeting recurrent expenses. Regular spending FNBP was up by about 25 percent and development expenditures grew by just 22 percent. The revenue collected during these ten months of the fiscal year was Rs 37.3 billion, Something to think about: the Federation of Nepali Businessmen in Politics resulting in an overall deficit of Rs 10 billion. The hole was plugged by issuing savings and development bonds (Rs 3.1 billion) and treasury bills worth Rs 1.1 billion, and by notice posted in newspapers by whether the taking out foreign cash loans worth about Rs 3.4 billion. The government also obtained the Federation of Nepalese Federation is the right an overdraft of Rs 2.7 billion, which by law should come down to within Rs 1 billion by aChambers of Commerce and mode of mid-July when the fiscal year ends. Industry (FNCCI) a week ago caught representation of the Prices rose faster, by three percent year-on-year compared to 1.9 percent growth last the eye of this Beed. The preferred business community. MIN BAJRACHARYA year. Food and beverage prices remained low and offset the increase in the non-food modes of address in these times are Particularly fraught is category. The prices of imported goods grew by 7.7 percent, reflecting the increased accusations and entreaties. The the issue of costs of petroleum products (since October last year) and the depreciation of the Nepali FNCCI tends to overuse the latter. In diversity—whether currency vis-à-vis the greenback. Prices went up most in the hills (seven percent), then this advert, the organisation was all forms of business in the tarai, by 2.6 percent. Kathmandu Valey saw the smallest rise, 1.7 percent. pleading for harmony in the business are represented fairly and adequately. hobnobbing with the politicians, There has been a slowdown in the growth of exports, which grew by about 17 fraternity very much along the lines of The conception of a new organisation, people in the government and the percent compared to the roughly 38 percent achieved in the same period last year. The their earlier pleas on bandhs and other the Confederation of Nepali Industries rather limited cocktail circuit in the Nepal Rastra Bank reported decline in the export of some major products—carpets, occasions when national economic (CNI) this FNCCI election year, is capital? The organisation needs a garments and jewellery. The slowdown in exports was balanced by a slump in imports, interests were being affected. perceived as the result of real stronger secretariat with more powers which grew by just 6.9 percent to about Rs 95 billion. Imports grew by about 26 percent This time, it requested readers to frustration—the industries and people that can provide continuity without in the same time frame last year. The trade deficit narrowed by about three percent to keep their cool about the forthcoming involved say they are tired of their elected bodies affecting their Rs 47 billion. The Balance of Payments, based on eight month figures, was favourable elections to the FNCCI’s apex body. grievances being ignored. During functioning. It needs more people who by about Rs 9 billion. The overall foreign exchange holdings in the banking system Right now, businesspeople are as busy elections in the last there have been understand business and strong increased by about 11 percent to about Rs 103 billion, of which over 20 percent is held as politicians, and doing much the meetings for consensus candidates and management practitioners and as Indian currency. same thing—they are all aiming for unanimous nominations, but all these professionals who can help the business power, spreading the word about noble intentions are forgotten after the community work out long-term themselves, begging for votes, making election is over—until the next poll. strategy.
Wholesale price index alliances, doling out favours—in short, Perhaps the thing to do now is re- Times have changed. We talk ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The central bank has begun computing the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). The index, politickingOS every opportunity they get. evaluate the FNCCI, not to get rid of about globalisation and ask the published for the first time last week, will complement the bank’s Consumer Price It strikes those of us watching it, but ask whether some radical re- government to think about Index. The base year for the WPI is 1999/2000. By this measure, agricultural product bemused from the sidelines that this is engineering might not make it more privatisation and liberalisation. But prices have slumped by about 7.7 percent, mainly because of a fall in prices of rice, some sort of contest we were never effective. The rules relating to perhaps first the business community wheat, corn, vegetables and spices. The index monitors wholesale prices of 18 agri- told about, this urgent effort to show representation should be looked at, as should set its own house in order, in commodities. The WPI is based on statistics collected from 20 market centres across us that if politicians can do their should the fact that the district keeping with changing the situation, Nepal for a total of 71 products. The bank reported increases in 45 of the 71 products in particular brand of business, chambers dominate electioneering in concerns and needs of business. the last 10 months of the fiscal year. businesspeople, no lesser mortals, can not perhaps the best manner. Who The Beed is not pointing fingers at equally engage in politics. Your should run the organisation—a busy individuals or groups of individuals, but columnist believes this is one of the executive committee or a strong urging the captains of business and
Marketing Nepal more egregious ironies of Nepal. (See secretariat? Do the people on the industry to look at the FNCCI beyond
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ A small Nepali company is doing IT to make a difference. also “Running for president”, #44) various FNCCI committees really have the election. The organisation has the Only At Nepal P Ltd, a dot.com company, has taken Nepal’s The FNCCI offers amusement the time to meet and solve problems? foundation and stature of an apex body, first initiative to assemble a digital directory of industrial not just in the form of individuals Some believe they spend more time but in theory only. We need vision. and commercial organisations, small and large. The aim lobbying hard for themselves, but also keeping track of the various groups of the directory is to introduce all that Nepal produces to in the debate that flares up every two they are members of. Is getting into Readers can post their views at the global market. The CD, aimed at an early-2002 release, years with the FNCCI elections about committees a free ticket to [email protected] will be distributed free at trade fairs at home and abroad. Only At Nepal (http://www.onlyatnepal.com) is asking the government to declare 2002 “Export Nepal Year,” and will simultaneously petition other governments to declare the coming year “Import Nepal Year”. Juni Sherchan, director of Only at Nepal, says of the project: “It could probably help kick start our economy.” Holidays
New mobiles by November
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Without The Khetan Group has taken one more step towards launching its mobile telephone services. Spice Cell (P) Ltd., Khetan’s joint venture with India’s Modi Corporation is already registered at the Department of Industries last week. The company says it will Frontiers begin work to set up the operations as soon as it obtains a formal license. The com- A Qantas Holidays package makes worldwide pany plans to begin services by mid-November, but that start date depends on the final verdict of the Supreme Court, on a lawsuit challenging the licensing process. The newly travel so convenient. Whether its global hotel registered Rs 750 million Spice Cell has issued capital of Rs 450 million. The Khetan reservation, tour arrangement of car rental, any Group controls 40 percent of the company and Spice Cell/ Modi, 60 percent. The airline ticket holder can book the above through company plans to sell 15,000 mobile connections in its first year and 75,000 by 2006. Qantas Holidays and benefit immensely. Be it
More juice the U.S.A., U. K., Australia, Africa of Asia, you
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ can leave the headache of travel details to The American juice company Sunkist is now in Nepal, via the Philippines. The fruit President Travels while you enjoy the sun. drinks and instant drink mixes come in Apple, Orange, Grape and Mango and many sizes. The funky bright red drink terapacks hold 200ml, 250 ml and one litre. A release of Namaste Nepal, which imports the product, says it is worth spending a little more to buy healthy drinks.
Fait accompli
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bhajuratna Agency P Ltd says it is prepared to bring more Fiat cars into Nepal, now that its service centre is fully operational. The Dhapasi-based service centre became operational early this year. Bhajuratna has been selling the Fiat Uno and the Siena in Nepal. The company says the service centre was set up to enhance customer support in order to buttress its plans to market more models in Nepal.
Million rupee TV
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Sayakar Co Ltd has begun marketing the Philips Plasma, a 42” TV screen with a 160 degree viewing range. The TV is just 11 cm thick, can be hung on walls like a painting and even used as a computer screen with an appro- WORLD WIDE priate visual graphic adapter. The GSA PRESIDENT TRAVEL & TOURS PVT.LTD price—just over a million rupees. P.O.Box: 1307, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel.: 252995/228288/221774/224956/246685, 25 Years of Fax: 977-1-221180, E-mail: [email protected] Quality service URL: http//www.president.nepal.com NEPALI ECONOMY 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 999
leader in redefining the Nepali soap market. The company says it found the market starkly divided between low-cost laundry soaps Made in Nepal at one end, and high-cost imported soaps and shampoos on the other. Toothpaste is now Nepal’s fourth-largest export. Lever has tried to introduce midrange
The war is on between personal care products. products, marketing Lux ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○○ for women, Liril for young people and playing up Lifebuoy’s hygiene benefits. one TV station and no cable TV. a month in Kathmandu, he says, his distributor is In fact, managing director Commerce in general has you will sell the same number in offering him Rs 600 Sandip Ghose says Lever was flowered. Nepal now has almost the rest of the country. a month for two surprised to discover that 10 domestic airlines, up from just Kathmandu has about 10 percent months if he will Liril, which is Nepal’s biggest- a couple in the mid-1990s. There of the nation’s 24 million people, build a small display case at the selling soap brand, was is a boom, too, in finance and its per capita GDP is about front of his store. Nearby, at a commonly used for hair-washing companies. three times the national average. tiny spice shop, the shopkeeper and as a face bar for special “People are coming out of the Soap, however, isn’t the same says he gets Rs 300 a month for occasions, due to its lemon scent. closet,” says Suman Shakya, as motorcycles, and soap carrying only Colgate dental-care Lever adjusted its Liril marketing
marketing manager of Space Time marketers view the rural market products—an amount that to capitalise on the soap’s JESSE○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ PESTA consumers commonly use Network, which is starting a as a key growth area. Aarti Soap doubles his monthly profit from perceived freshness. battle for soap customers inexpensive laundry soap to wash Nepali-language satellite-TV & Chemical Industries, whose toothpaste and toothbrush sales. Unilever also launched a in Nepal is being shaped everything from kitchen utensils service. “Earlier they may have brands include D-Max and Preeti, TV ads are getting more campaign around Fair & Lovely aby multinationals, to their hair. As companies wanted to fly, to shop in a goes into villages with videos sophisticated. Aarti is moving away skin cream to try to change including Unilever Group and ramped up production of foreign department store, to use a good demonstrating how to use its from religious imagery, opting people’s impression of Nepali- Colgate-Palmolive, heralding a brands in Nepal, they also brand of soap. Now they are products. Lever sponsors oral- instead to explain a product’s made goods as inferior. As rise in consumerism in Nepal. encountered a strong consumer expressing their health campaigns in attributes. Aarti executive Varun recently as two years ago, Both companies have factories in bias against the made-in-Nepal thoughts more partnership with Lohia pops a video compact disc consumers were willing to pay 10- Nepal. In fact, toothpaste is now label. “We no longer get the real freely.” Nepal’s nongovernmental into his laptop and plays a coming 20 percent more for Indian-made Nepal’s fourth-biggest export, Indian soaps,” complains a per capita gross organisations and is trying ad. Aarti previously ran ads for five Fair & Lovely, and the Indian behind carpets, garments, and shopkeeper in Kathmandu, domestic product to build a distribution to 10 years without changing them, version would outsell the local vegetable fat called vanaspati. holding up as evidence a bar of of $150 to $200 network that reaches into says Lohia. “Now we change them version 3-to-1. “We had a very Local and foreign companies are Lux that was manufactured in means it is one of the countryside—as are every six months.” Aarti’s ads for odd situation,” Ghose says. The bringing out new soaps with Nepal by Nepal Lever, a unit of the poorest countries rival companies. laundry soap Diyo used to play up ratio was reversed after a features such as antibacterial Hindustan Lever of India. in the world, and Competition is the fact that diyo, which means campaign featuring stylish young properties and citrus scents, The soap wars reflect Nepal’s market analysis is in fierce for shelf space. At bright, is also the name of a votive women being asked a series of which are particularly popular. larger experimentation with its infancy. One the Laxman Cold lamp used in temples. A new questions: Is everything you’re Street prices have gone down consumerism. Democracy arrived analyst views the Store in Kathmandu, campaign stresses the addition of wearing imported—shoes, watch? by as much as 20 percent in some in the early 1990s, and was country as two roughly an open-front shop modern ingredients to the product Yes, she replies. But what about categories in the past few years, followed by a media boom, equal markets: looking out on a and the fact that it doesn’t scratch the radiance on your face? No, largely because of competition. exposing people to international Kathmandu, and the curbside temple, the skin like some cheap, coarse she says, that’s made in Nepal. Selling personal-care products can television shows and ads. Until rest. For example, if you proprietor Laxman Nepali soaps do. be tricky in a place where the mid-1990s, Nepal had only can sell 1,500 motorcycles Das Shrestha says Lever is widely considered the (Asian Wall Street Journal)
STC 101010 CULTURE 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES PlantingPlanting ricerice wiwitt “When there is a bright sun and the ground gets very
the ground with their rainbows to replenish the cloud
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being lost. Krishna is at the far end of aquatic naagas, and the naagas are water from the ground with their the field, his back bent as he hacks always trying not to be eaten. This rainbows to replenish the clouds in away at the soggy soil with a is a perennial struggle, and it is the eastern sky.” kodalo, Bhinmaya sorts out the rice most intense during the monsoon. Krishna never went to school, seedlings in bundles so they can be When they fight, it determines how and no school could ever teach him planted. The sun and humidity are much rain falls. If the garudas what he knows. Born to a family of fierce, and Krishna takes a break, manage to snatch a naaga in their farmers and brick layers, Krishna sweat streaming down his creased talons the heavens will open up was the youngest of three brothers face. He doesn’t like the look of the with rain. “Today, the naagas have who were all orphaned when they sky, the sun has a halo around it the upper hand,” explains Krishna. were young. Being the youngest, and the sky is deep blue. It isn’t A little hard of hearing, Krishna Krishna felt the loss of his parents supposed to be like this on 15 Asar, is well known among his friends the most, he became a street kid the official rice planting day. and neighbours in Patan’s inner sleeping in patis and getting by “Today the naagas are not happy. city for his weather forecasting running errands for the sahus. At They’re not letting out any rain,” ability. He doesn’t need a degree in 13, Krishna was sent off to far
ALL PHOTOS SALIL SUBEDI says Krishna pouring water into his meteorology to tell instinctively western Nepal to work in the farm ○○○○○○
SALIL○○○○○○○○○ SUBEDI The ancestors of Krishna Awale wisdom of the ages is all stored in mouth from a bronze karuwa. from the smell of moisture in the of a Rana zamindar in Kailali. He ons ago when Lord and his wife Bhinmaya have cultivated their heads. But the trouble is that When Manjushree let the air, the movement of the clouds, returned to learn to drive a lorry Manjushree glided down bountiful harvests over the centuries since none of their children want to be waters out, the creatures who the “feel” in the morning air when there were only four lorries in efrom the Tibetan Plateau to on this rich land. They believe in the fulltime farmers, it looks like the suffered the most were the holy whether it will rain, and how the whole of Kathmandu Valley. the emerald lake of Kathmandu he Manjushree legend. Krishna is now 65 knowledge will fade away when naaga that lived in the lake. These much. Krishna uses sign language “These days there are so many saw a lotus with a thousand petals and Bhinmaya 55, and their treasure Krishna and Bhinmaya stop farming. were powerful serpents, and their and expressive grunts to buses and trucks and hondas,” he near the shore. With one mighty trove of knowledge about the seasons, This week, Krishna and Bhinmaya wrath worried Manjushree and the communicate with his wife who laughs. Being a lorry driver in those swipe of his sword, he cut the hill at the soil, cropping, transplanting, are on the outskirts of Patan other gods in heaven. Manjushree, translates for us: “You can tell from days must have been like being an Chobar in half, draining away the harvesting was passed down from one transplanting taichin rice on a small always accommodating, made the cool breeze from the east it will airline pilot today—people looked water. What emerged initially must generation of Awales to the next. strip of land surrounded by concrete smaller lakes downstream for naagas bring sudden rain. When there is a at the handsome young man have been a muddy and smelly Nothing is written down, there are no buildings. It is not just the knowledge to stay. But that put the naagas at bright sun and the ground gets very Krishna with awe. swamp, but in time it became the charts and tables. But Krishna and that is threatened, Manjushree’s the mercy of garudas. The winged warm like now, then there will be Krishna’s rugged good looks rich and fertile valley. Bhinmaya don’t need notes, the legacy—the land—is also in danger of garudas are always trying to eat the afternoon rain, and the gods suck haven’t left him, and my Patan
June Issue Aakirti On Stands now! CULTURE 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 111111 tthh KrishnaKrishna andand BhinmayaBhinmaya ry warm, then there will be afternoon rain. The gods suck water from
uds in the eastern sky.” EPAL S NICE RICE
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○ N ’ Between June and August, 95 percent of the population in would be healthy enough to work Moon. “Karunamaya is the feeder of Nepal will be getting their hands and feet dirty. They’ll be to feed and bring up their four all,” he says, pointing at a ring digging lushly into oozing, almost soupy mud and sowing children. rainbow around the sun. “The gods rice saplings over 1.51 million ha. The fun ends September Krishna’s oldest son now crafts are having a meeting up there. They through November when the rice is harvested. This will be bronze images of the gods through want to know why Karunamaya some over 3.5 metric tonnes, 54 percent of total grain the lost-wax process, and saves always arrives late.” According to production in Nepal, contributing more than 20 percent to the enough to help his parents, the myth, the god of compassion first country’s GDP. Rice is cultivated in 52 out of 75 districts, and repairing their house and even feeds all the sentient beings, and is Morang, Jhapa, Kapilbastu, Saptari, Nawalparasi, Siraha helping get his sister married. therefore always late for those and Rupandehi are especially prolific. The high, mountain- “He cycles down here heavenly meetings. “Without sun, ous regions of Mugu, Rasuwa and Solu-Khumbu produce sometimes to bring us food and the world cannot survive. I like to the least, preferring potatoes. The most popular varieties of helps carry back the harvested rice watch the sun god riding away in Nepali rice are Mansuli, Taichun, Pokhreli, Basmati and and grains. And he’s never shouted his chariot.” Bhinmaya prefers the Khumal. Recent FAO statistics show that the average at me even once,” says Bhinmaya. moon god’s healing qualities and Nepali consumes 117 kg of rice annually. Gulp. Krishna’s liking for the taichin believes her soothing light helps rice is very strong, he says this is the rice seedlings to grow tight unquestionably the best suited for and tall. Kathmandu valley soil and climate. Krishna’s extraordinary skills “A taichin meal is filling, and you and understanding of nature, the can make a good chiura and jaad sky, the soil and crops are in danger from it,” he says. It doesn’t need of vanishing with his generation. Newari women interpreters attested has a weakness for aila after which much to get Krishna into talking Wisdom amassed almost from the to it. Krishna’s muscles glisten in the he can be a bit of a bully. Krishna is about drinking. All you have to ask time of Manjushree will soon be sun as he toils in the paddy field, he is unrepentant, and signals with his is about the soil, rain and the taste gone. This loss, multiplied with lean and agile. Krishna is Bhinmaya’s fingers: “The body needs to rest of different traditional food and tens of thousands of other Krishnas second husband, and the two have after a day’s work. A little aila is drinks. And gods. and Bhinmayas all over Nepal, will lived and farmed together for 35 good for health.” It was Bhinmaya Krishna and Bhinmaya are both be incalculable. This is their years. Bhinmaya is proud of her who worked with her husband to devotees of Karunamaya (Red intellectual property, and our husband, but acknowledges that he turn him away from drink, so he Machindranath), the Sun and the heritage. And we have to save it. 121212 TECHNOLOGY 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES ANALYSIS by ARLENE KLOTZKO Cloning’s slippery slope
acceptable, you will end up doing y, Even though I do not believe in a latter. (Project Syndicate) which is not. Indeed, two types of slippery slope from therapeutic to Arlene Klotzko is Scholar in slippery slopes, logical and reproductive cloning, a society’s laws Residence at the Science Museum, sociological, exist. On the logical should give voice to its values. In London. Her study The Cloning slippery slope, you slide to the bottom countries which allow for the former, Sourcebook was published last and embrace the morally unacceptable it is probably a good idea to ban the month by Oxford University Press. because there is no way to distinguish it from an acceptable practice. You can slide down the sociological slippery slope from one practice to the On newsstands this weekend other, even if the two are conceptually different, just because the existence of one creates a social climate receptive to the other. Therapeutic cloning is conceptually distinct from reproductive cloning. Although the first step is the same, the intent behind the practices is not. The former would Dolly, the cloned sheep. be done in order to save lives by treating diseases now incurable, say, The difference between therapeutic cloning and Parkinson’s, ALS, and multiple sclerosis. The latter—creating a reproductive cloning should not confuse us. person by cloning—would be done for
reasons extending from egomania, to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ confusion between replication and ometime in the next two years The nucleus from a human cell is immune systems. Weight is a problem resurrection, to the a human being will likely be inserted into an egg that had its too. Dolly the sheep, although still understandable desire to have a scloned. This may or may not nucleus removed. An embryo forms, going strong five years after her birth, biologically related child. bring shudders of horror, but will but it will not be implanted in a and the mother of six (all conceived Will therapeutic cloning make it certainly not occur outside the law or uterus. Instead, embryonic stem cells the old-fashioned way), has always more likely that people come to in some shadowy offshore location. will be derived from its inner cell been plump. accept reproductive cloning? I don’t The medical, scientific, legal and mass. These cells have the potential to During a trip to the Roslin think so. Therapeutic cloning is political establishment will fully become every cell-type in the body, a Institute where Dolly was cloned, I intended to heal the sick. The cells support the effort. This clone, potential which may lead to cures for found her, shorn of her fleece and created through cloning would be an however, will never leave the British many chronic diseases. Stem cells revealing an ample midsection, extension of the patient: a means to laboratory in which it was created. cannot become a baby. mournfully staring from behind a sign treat him with cells generated by his Last January, a form of human While Britain has legalised that said, “hay only”. The Duchess of own body. It’s almost like donating a cloning called “therapeutic therapeutic cloning, they are poised to York, Sarah Ferguson is not the only pint of blood for yourself in case you cloning”—more properly “cell ban reproductive cloning. They British celebrity on a diet. Being need it for subsequent surgery. nuclear replacement”—was legalised oppose projects such as that of Drs. overweight is obvious. Other defects in Britain. As with in vitro Severino Antinori of Rome and may be subtler and, perhaps, fertilisation, the British appear to Panayiotis Zavos of Kentucky in insignificant for farm animals. But have been the first to devise a America, who plan to enable infertile where humans are concerned, safety must come first. Because the defects found in clones are not genetic mutations, pre-implantation diagnosis at the embryo stage will not reveal their existence. Problems caused by these defects could emerge at any point in the person’s life. We would see a greater range of defects than we do in animals like mice because it is easier to analyse human behaviour and physiology. Therapeutic cloning would probably be safer than reproductive cloning regulatory scheme for morally men to become fathers by inserting because any reprogramming defects contentious technology. The world is their DNA into an egg from their would not affect every cell in the watching to see what will happen partner. body, just the cells used in therapy. next. Reproductive cloning raises Thus far, only the UK has It is rather like a Woody Allen several moral issues, principally those legalised therapeutic cloning. A law script, but run backwards. In Allen’s of safety. Scientists believe that human passed late last year in Japan permits 1973 film Sleeper, attempts are made clones would have defects. Because it but forbids transferring the embryo to clone Hitler from his preserved the egg that receives the new nucleus to the uterus. In March, Denmark’s nose. Today, instead of cloning has to reprogram it quickly—teaching Council of Ethics endorsed people from spare parts—or spare it to give the instructions necessary to therapeutic cloning. Will any country cells, as is the case with reproductive construct an entire human being— that legalises therapeutic cloning cloning—scientists hope to grow genes that should be “turned on” inevitably slide down the so-called those parts by cloning people. might well be “turned off,” and vice slippery slope and end up tolerating The first part of this procedure is versa. This probably explains why at reproductive cloning? similar to that used to create Dolly least some animal clones have The idea behind a slippery slope the sheep, the first cloned mammal. problems with their hearts, lungs, and is that if you do x, which is
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Most corrupt ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ LE MOT JUSTE WASHINGTON - Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uganda, and Indonesia are seen by international banks, risk analysts, and businesspeople as the most corrupt of 91 nations which attract Multinationals are talking a worrying foreign investment, says the latest annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International (TI). Scandi- new talk. navian countries, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and the
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Netherlands are the least corrupt. Finalnd was the best with a “the language of human rights is talks, Deegan suggests corporations 9.9 score and Bangladesh, which appeared on the index for the increasingly being adopted by gain credibility by bringing in “softer” first time, had a score of 0.4. The US ranked 16th, between Israel companies when it suits the point groups first. and Chile. Singapore was fourth with 9.2, Hong Kong 14th, Japan they wish to make.” Human rights activists don’t like 21st, and China 57th with 3.5 points. India was at 71st position with Talisman and BP say respect for this. “It’s potentially very, very 2.7. The index is based on 14 international surveys, including human rights is a fundamental part of dangerous,” says Derek Wall, a those by the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the way they do business, and not a volunteer with the British-based PricewaterhouseCoopers. 56 countries—all but two develop- PR exercise. Tripathi sees the current organisation Corporate Watch. “The ing—received five points or less. The six-year-old CPI has a rush toward corporate use of human problem is people will be taken in and strong following among bankers and ratings agencies. “With few rights language as the result of “trigger reduce the pressure.” Wall argues that exceptions, international capital won’t go to countries seen as points”—incidents in the last few corporations’ talk is often just that— hotbeds of corruption,” says Frank Vogl, TI’s vice chair. China is a years in which corporations found rhetoric. “Activists are attacking the notable exception. Vogl said the traffic in small arms is themselves spotlighted by the media. companies’ means of making money, particularly corrupt, citing the investigation of former Argentine He also points to Shell’s support of which is the last thing they are willing President Menem, the media sting of senior Indian Defence the former Nigerian military regime to give up, so any concessions they Ministry officials, and the pending prosecution of Peruvian that executed Ogoni activist Ken make will generally turn out to be spymaster, Vladimiro Montesinos. The index should be read Saro-Wiwa and eight others in 1995. either purely cosmetic or empty cautiously—over 100 countries, including some that attract “Because oil has been the focus and promises.” substantial foreign investment, were not rated. The media oil companies have had to respond Amnesty International is willing coverage the CPI receives may also affect the surveys upon to human rights concern from to work with corporations to help which it bases its report. The surveys cover a three-year period, these… incidents, you find produce a code of conduct based on a and changes in the past year may not be reflected in this Talisman in Sudan, making the commitment to human rights under year’s index. And finally, different surveys can produce claim that they intend to protect the Universal Declaration of Human remarkably different results. Pakistan got 0.8 points in one human rights,” Tripathi says. Rights. But, Tripathi warns, the survey, and 4.2 in another. (IPS) TANYA BIRKBECK At the landmark 40th anniversary Denise Deegan, a public organisation will hold corporations to
IN LONDON ○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○○○ of Amnesty International in London in relations representative for leading their promises. Talisman Energy’s The payoff ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ he website of the giant May, activists and pioneers of the pharmaceutical companies, agrees Corporate Social Responsibility BRUSSELS - International donors and creditors pledged $1.28 multinational British Petroleum movement celebrated victories but that companies are often caught off Report 2000 listed details of billion in aid and loans to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ttalks of “changing public also discussed work undone, including guard, and she aims to change that. compensation for lost land, human (FRY) Friday, the day after Serbian authorities handed over expectation”, “responsibility” and the challenge posed by huge business Deegan’s recent book, Managing rights monitoring and human rights former president Slobodan Milosevic to a UN war crimes “accountability”. Canadian oil groups. Campaigners say multinational Activism, is a step-by-step guide for awareness programmes in Sudan. But tribunal. The US, which refused to commit funds until Belgrade company Talisman Energy’s website companies, with their ever- corporations targeted by pressure Amnesty has taken Talisman to task cooperated with the war crimes tribunal, pledged $181.6 million, contains a report on Corporate Social mushrooming branches, sub- groups. “Across the board for “underplaying” serious violations. nearly twice as much as originally planned. The FRY, which Responsibility. Both companies face contractors and subsidiaries are [companies] seem to be taken by Amnesty sees “little evidence that includes the republics of Serbia and Montenegro as well as UN- charges of human rights violations making it hard to pinpoint exactly surprise” by activists, Deegan says. the company had taken effective administered Kosovo, suffers from 150 percent annual inflation, from campaigners: BP is criticised for who is to blame when human rights She suggests corporations learn the action in its area of operations to 50 percent unemployment, and a foreign debt burden of $12 hiring a private security company are violated. And, says Salil Tripathi, language of their critics. Her book protect human rights.” Talisman billion. Public sector wages are in arrears. Last week’s confer- aligned with the tainted Colombian Economic Relations and Human suggests “constructive engagement” operations in Sudan are criticised ence was the first international attempt to throw a lifeline to army. Talisman has been widely Rights Campaign Coordinator for with activists. Knowing there will for displacing large numbers of Belgrade’s new reformist leaders. Yugoslavia sought funding for criticised for its operations in Sudan. Amnesty International in London, always be some groups resistant to people. (GEMINI) nearly 40 projects aimed at reviving key areas: energy, transport, mining, roads, railways and airports. Yugoslav Deputy Prime ANALYSIS by THANH-DAM TRUONG Minister Miroljub Labus rejected any direct link to the timing of Milosevic’s handover and the donor conference, saying the figures “had been negotiated months in advance.” Catherine Day, the EC’s deputy director general for external relations, was more forthcoming. “The authorities in Belgrade have dramatically demonstrated their determination to meet (international) conditions as part of their own agenda for building a democratic The new slavery market economy which shares the core values of the EU.” (IPS) THE HAGUE - Since slavery was legally abolished, the international traffic and trade of human beings has shifted towards exploitation and prostitution. Recent
evidence suggests that this traffic has extended beyond sex to other lucrative Asterix in Russia ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ activities, like the mutilation of kidnapped children to increase their ability to SHLYOP! SHBLYAMS! BAKH! BUMM! is what Gauls bashing generate earnings as beggars or the removal of their organs for sale. Roman soldiers sounds like in Russian. Not many Russians These new forms of exploitation reflect the extraordinary cruelty produced know that yet, although 300 million readers have read in 80 by human greed and the incoherence of the moral systems at this stage of languages the adventures of Asterix, Obelix and their plucky capitalism. In some ways, the intensification of violence in the trade of bodies village holding out against the mighty Roman empire in 50 BCE. and organs is even worse than slavery. The slave was valued for his ability to French publisher Emmanuel Durand intends to change that. He work, his body had to be conserved. In contrast, the modern trade in organs and recently published a Russian-language version of Asterix and bodies is based on the generation of immediate profits. A fundamental character- the Goths hoping Russians will take to Asterix and a comics istic of the traffic in human beings is the acceptance of conditions involving culture in a land with so few comics that the Asterix translators the obligation to work for someone for a given period of time, binding the had to make up versions of Kapow! Wham! and Bam! Asterix person to a regimen of servitude. The immigrants are promised high wages, and the Goths, or Asteriks i Goty started selling in Moscow for 70 protection, and the possibility of paying off their debts at the end of a given rubles ($2.50) last month. The books, published since 1959, mix time and of sending money to their families. But once they have given their How do we understand the new old and modern humour. The Romans often speak in Latin, consent to this arrangement, they are hostage to a system of criminal rule. mixing quotes from Cicero with phrases like “Credo Elvem The principle of captivity is fundamental here. It begins when the forms of human trafficking? ipsum etian vivere,” or “I think Elvis is still alive”. Surrounding
immigrants reach their destination and becomes effective when their travel ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Asterix are characters whose papers—tickets and passports—are confiscated. Stripped of their identities, names tell their own they are transferred from one agent to another without any means of regular operations. The relative effectiveness of the existing legal instru- stories—the village bard is resisting. Captivity becomes subordinate to the relation of indebtedness, ments is limited by the conflict of interests at the national scale over Cacophonix, and the large which is arbitrarily set by the intermediaries who place the immigrants in control of transnational movements of people and the fight against crime. village chief, Vitalstatistix. jobs. Because the fraud of “fabricating” the consent of the immigrants has Unless this conflict is resolved, criminals will continue to find market Many names were changed still not been fully recognised in national legal systems, the immigrants are niches carved out by forces of globalisation that render life for specific to suit the Russian ear— considered to be in violation of immigration law or even active criminal segments of the world population insecure, politically and economically. Cacophonix became collaborators. Immigrants are also prisoners of national and international Reform is possible. At the international level, the ongoing flirtation Conservatoriks. Apart from legal systems that lack the means to deal with the new forms of human between the market and the state must be subjected to ethical rules that the problems of wordplay, trafficking. Indeed, under the law of many European countries, trafficking protect losers and insure that winners are more socially responsible. At the another difficulty in translat- humans is less risky for the criminals than other offences, like drug national level, stricter limits must be placed on the abuse of the human ing came in choosing words that would fit into the bubbles, as trafficking or car theft. On an international level, victims of the trafficking body and the trade in organs and people. This might include the establish- Russian words tend to be much longer than French and English racket are guaranteed protection by the 1949 International Convention on ment of an International Criminal Tribunal and a permanent organisation ones. Whether Asteriks i Goty will be a success remains to be the Suppression of the Trafficking of People and of the Exploitation of that would enforce its decisions. From the point of view of crime preven- seen. Comics have never been popular in Russia or the Soviet Prostitution, which condemns trafficking and prostitution. tion, the social technology of organised crime must be undermined and its Union among grown-ups especially. “Maybe comics were In the last 20 years, criminal enterprise has been transformed from a effectiveness limited. This would mean more severe sentences for fraud and bourgeois,” says Durand. Inside Asteriks I Goty is a note saying business of small procurers working on a national level with immigrants to a bribery and a more specific monitoring of the specific spaces used by the book “will [also] be interesting for adults who can fully large-scale criminal enterprise, with a vertical and horizontal integration of organised crime to traffic human beings. (IPS) understand humour.” Durand decided to publish the book after trafficking activities. To a certain extent, this became possible because the hearing that over 120,000 Muscovites watched the French film process of economic liberalisation turned a blind eye to the clandestine Thanh-Dam Truong is a professor of studies of women and development at the Asterix the Gaul starring Gerard Depardieu as Obelix. economy. Criminal networks made trafficking human beings part of their Institute for Social Studies in The Hague. 141414 ASIA 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES
Hard labour ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ JAKARTA - After weeks of nationwide, sometimes riotous agitation, Indonesia’s labour unions scored a major victory No man’s land last month when the Wahid government delayed implemen- No man’s land tation of two new decrees hit for undermining workers’ KUMUDINI HETTIARACHCHI
PIRIMANALANKULAM, SRI LANKA interests. The IMF, whose handouts are crucial to the ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ functioning of the national economy and foreign investors, olls of barbed wire glint in the threatening to close down factories, are lobbying hard with morning sun as unarmed Jakarta to curb the burgeoning labour movement. The latest rsoldiers await the weary people row between labour organisations and the Indonesian straggling along the long path through ministry of manpower relates to changes to labour law no man’s land in this tense northern regarding severance conditions and payments. It began with Sri Lankan village. These people are a decree introduced last year protecting workers from being helped by the International downsizing—it provided the same compensation to person- Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) nel leaving a company voluntarily as to those laid off. to cross into government-controlled Domestic and foreign businesses protested, and two territory from areas run by Tamil decrees were issued recently annulling the requirement that Tiger rebels. employers provide severance pay and service fees to Fresh-faced young soldiers man workers who resigned or were sacked for committing major sandbagged, camouflaged bunkers violations. Labour activists say the provisions for sacking along the only road crossing between workers under the new decrees infringed on the right to northern and southern Sri Lanka with A northern Sri Lankan town is the uneasy transit point legal trade union and protest activity. The militant labour quiet efficiency. Along the crossing, protests come in the context of increasing unemployment
about 15 km off the government- between rebel- and government-controlled areas.
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and decreasing income in recent years. Indonesian controlled town of Vavuniya, lies a workers, even during the economic boom, were among the trucks carry food and other essentials the other side. Crossings are on cluster of huts with a Red Cross flag. Pirimanalankulam and fly to Jaffna, least paid and protected in southeast Asia. The legal into rebel-held areas twice a week, the Tuesdays and Saturdays. Travellers A few Red Cross vehicles are parked the northern capital, in a costly minimum wage under Suharto was $1.27 a day, the lowest region is still short of supplies, queue up, one line for government in no man’s land. Tiger rebels are military-run transport plane with in Asia after Bangladesh. Activists say if Wahid, considered especially medicines and goods that servants and the sick, and the rest for visible a 300 m from the government limited space. “It’s easier to go to a soft on labour, is impeached in August, this will further are embargoed. “The situation is very others. Each is allowed 40 kg, with barrier, watching the soldiers. The foreign country than travel north,” impact long-term legislative gains made by trade unions bad. Prices are high, there are no restrictions on certain items. silence is eerie. There have been some whispers a weary traveller checked already under pressure from investors and more particularly shootouts but the Red Cross, which medical facilities,” says 74-year-old S by security personnel. On the rebel-controlled side, the the IMF with its free-market “reforms”. (IPS) supervises the crossing, has intervened Mylvaganam. He has seen it all—the Getting permission to travel to procedure to enter government areas is to ensure rebels and government close bonds between the Tamil and either side is hard. From 5am, similar. Residents need clearance from forces abide by an ICRC-initiated the Sinhalese in the 1950-1970s, then some 800 people gather outside the rebels. Assisted by the Red Cross, Refugee, defector, prisoner agreement in December 1999 to allow the frustration of Tamils over not the gates of the government office they make their way to the army ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BEIJING - “We ask on behalf of thousands of North Koreans civilians and vehicles to cross the getting their share of jobs, in Vavuniya with their belongings. checkpoint. Their bags are not as heavy hiding in China that the world pays more attention to our “border”. The rebels have sporadically discrimination and the demand for Kerosene, coconut oil, fuel, cycle as those heading in the reverse situation,” said a family of North Koreans who entered a UN controlled large stretches of land in separation and an unending conflict. tubes, water bottles, a child’s direction. They cross no-man’s land to office here last week demanding asylum in South Korea. the northern Wanni region. Both “I don’t like this division. We used to rocking horse, a tricycle, plastic the army side and undergo body International aid groups estimate that 150,000 to 300,000 sides have restricted crossing across go to Sinhala homes in the south and chairs are strewn along the road. checks. North Korean refugees fleeing a devastating famine and the territories. The only transit point Sinhalese came to our homes in Jaffna. Some have spent a week awaiting At 5pm the army gate of sticks and repression are hiding in northeast China and Mongolia. used to be Mankulam on the Jaffna- Now we are afraid to speak to each permission to travel. The procedure barbed wire is closed. But as dusk falls South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in Kandy road, which went straight to other. Politicians are at fault.” seems simple. To visit rebel territory, families fleeing to the cleared side and May that 1,470 North Koreans have defected to South Korea Sri Lanka’s northernmost point. There is no direct transport in the which the government calls rebels who want to surrender approach since the 1950-53 Korean War, about half in the last five The current crossing lies on the Wanni. Travellers have to break “uncleared areas”, hand in a form the checkpoint. “We greet those who years. Ties between Pyongyang and Beijing have improved Vavuniya-Mannar road heading journey at three points and pay SLRs with a photocopy of your identity come to surrender or find refuge under in the past two years and Kim Jong Il has visited twice. toward the northwest coast and 1,200 rupees ($13) for transport card to officials. Once cleared by the cover of darkness. We check to see China is obligated by treaty to return defectors to North residents are forced to detour to travel alone. The journey costs a fraction of army, a passenger list is put up in the whether they are armed. We give them Korea. In the past Beijing, worried by the possibility of to areas north and east of the Wanni this during peace time. Residents office and people get a small, food if they’ve not eaten anything,” says thousands of refugees, has forcibly repatriated many. The region. While government supply going north have to travel through numbered card—their ‘passport’ to an army official. (IPS) family that went to the UN mission in Beijing reached Seoul earlier this week. China fears that granting them refugee by MJ COMMENT status has created a precedent. But repatriating them would AKBAR have tarnished China’s image weeks before the Interna- tional Olympic Committee decides on whether to grant Beijing the 2008 games. The family sought refuge because they had published a book of drawings depicting the famine A dream waiting for its chance and political oppression in North Korea. If not given refugee status, they would have been returned to North Korea where ajiv Gandhi wanted to give Benazir Bhutto a welcome like no visiting Who could want nuclear destruction when dignitary had ever received in India. Was this innocence or overconfi-
dence? The opening moves were promising. They had signed an there is so much to live for? ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
r ○○○○○ agreement promising no first-attack on each other’s nuclear installations. The 1980s, another world, much more distant from today than the lapse of the complexities of power. But both inherited an election victory with the a mere decade would suggest. So many of the principals are dead. Rajiv Gandhi. martyrdom of a parent. They needed to learn on the job, and took too long to Zia-ul Haq. Najibullah. Even the Soviet Union. There was debate in Delhi even do so. Rajiv Gandhi’s government and credibility had weakened when he in the 1980s about whether India should deal with the leader of a military coup, launched his Pakistan initiative. However, there was no objective reason for General Zia-ul Haq, or wait for the establishment of a democratic order, which any radical rethink on Kashmir in the late eighties: the problem of Kashmir meant the arrival of Benazir Bhutto. Gen Zia, who had to hang Zulfiqar Ali waxed only after Rajiv began to wane. Benazir Bhutto’s naiveté may be Bhutto to preserve his coup, made efforts to open a peace front with India. He understandable in retrospect but that hardly makes it forgivable. She learnt had a deep knowledge and consequent respect for the abilities of the enemy. nothing from the dismissal of her first government, within a year of Rajiv’s Rajiv Gandhi treated Zia’s overtures with disdain. He knew the price India and defeat. In her second term she became hysterical on Kashmir, using language The North Korean family arriving in Seoul his family had paid for Punjab. The official line was democracy. But there was an that would embarrass a jihadi to sway an election she would lose to Nawaz the criminal code says defectors are political prisoners, unmentioned element—Zia was not “one of us”; Benazir Bhutto was. Sharif (who kept his cool and advocated better relations with India). In Delhi at liable to at least seven years in jail or even execution. While The Oxbridge factor was of great help to Benazir who maintained some- that time was the sphinx PV Narasimha Rao. The visual comparison between a the UNCHR recognises North Koreans escaping in recent times indiscreet channels to Rajiv Gandhi ranting Benazir and a pouting Rao as the years as refugees fleeing persecution under the 1951 through her years of exile and during her two dominated their obedient television Convention on Refugees to which China is a signatory, struggle against Zia. The Oxbridge types, channels was almost funny. Beijing insists they are economic migrants who must be who wanted to trust Benazir instead of the Now, those who ran the Kargil deported under the North Korea-China treaty. (IPS) “unreliable” Zia, were elated when time sideshow are in charge of Pakistan, and and circumstance brought her to power they want dialogue with India. Is this an
through an election. Rajiv took his first invitation to an Abbasid dinner? (The Child sex ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ chance—a SAARC summit in Islamabad Abbasids seized power in Baghdad after Thailand’s top legal officials recently asked that Thai was extended into a bilateral visit. There they invited their rivals to a dinner at which Airways International, the country’s national carrier, show in- was agreement in that first summit on they massacred them.) Prime Minister flight videos warning travellers not to engage in child sex. protection for nuclear installations, Vajpayee is, understandably, anxious: a man Wanchai Roujanavong, executive director of the Thai progress towards a common position on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. who has felt cold steel in his back is loath to expose it a second time. Is there a attorney general’s office, said that although it was an Rajiv Gandhi suggested secret negotiations continue on this: the “invisible” rational reason for a change of attitude in the Pakistan Army? Is there a reason to unpleasant subject, his office felt strongly that it would be a dialogue. More visible would be talks on reduction of conventional arms and expect sincerity? Yes. India and Pakistan, rescued from any self-induced sense of sign of responsibility on the part of the carrier. “We think the Siachen. Rajiv urged free flow of information, travel and popular-cultural insecurity by their nuclear status, are at a point where their people dearly want airline that shows this kind of campaign shows that it is a exchanges. Benazir part stressed that only controlling the arms race could alter to leave the poison of confrontation behind and challenge the poverty-heritage. responsible airline, that it can speak openly and say it the “poverty-heritage.” There was no shortage of good metaphor. Who could want nuclear destruction when there is so much to live for? There is doesn’t want to support this.” Roujanavong added that the Benazir mentioned Kashmir; Rajiv opted for silence. He realised later that so much faith in the idea that if India and Pakistan cooperated they could leap airline and other tourism-related businesses needed to this was not playing well at home on the eve of a general election, which opinion towards prosperity. It is a dream waiting for its chance. And, of course, the army work harder and together to stamp out the trade in polls said would result in a sharp setback, if not defeat. The two shared at least and the BJP are in power in Pakistan and India. children’s bodies. one problem. Because they were elected to power they assumed they understood By arrangement with the Asian Age FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 151515 did not show any signs of regret. Emergency family
He was feeling a bit uncomfortable, gathering
○○○○○○○○ though, and kept looking towards ○○○○○○○○ “The birth of a republic” Koirala; the MPs seemed to enjoy Tarun , 25 June his discomfort thoroughly. Even Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai, Rajdhani, 29 June the prime minister’s security The monarchy their independence, and for justice and freedom. Even if only to personnel were surprised by The Koirala family is at the helm of ...A modern day Kot Parba took place save their throne and power, we will find that many kings and Chataut’s presence. In May, the Nepali politics and recently the in Narayanhiti Darbar on the night of 1 monarchs have sided with ordinary people in their fight for justice, CIAA filed charges against 10 family held an emergency meeting June this year. Not only did this equality and liberty. In fact, they have even on many occasions people, and Chataut had which has resulted in the incident destroy the entire dynasty of sided with communists. Take for example Cambodia, Laos and absconded. reshuffling of responsibilities of Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, it also Mongolia. Mao once said that instead of the physical being, we some members. It has also unexpectedly gave birth to a republic in should give more importance to the spirit of a person. And in this Mukti Prasad’s instructed some members not to
this country. It is but natural, then, for context, he said, the king of Cambodia was more reformist and parents talk discuss certain topics publicly. ○○○○○○○○○○
the issues of constitutional monarchy and the birth of a republic to progressive than the president of Vietnam, and that ○○○○○○ As a rule, Prime Minister become an issue to be debated... the king of Nepal was more progressive than the president of India. Ujit Magar in Kantipur , 19 June Koirala has lunch every Saturday with Sushila Koirala, wife of the Scientific analysis of monarchies Role of the Nepali monarch late BP Koirala, at her residence. First of all we have to be very clear on certain issues. All ...From Prithvi Narayan Shah to Birendra Bir Bikram, a total of 10 He (Babu Ram Bhattarai) was born Only in emergencies does he break monarchies and socio-political issues concerning them or monarchs ruled this country but only three, Prithvi, Mahendra and on a Wednesday, 4 Asad, 2010 this rule. An emergency led the connected with them in any way evolved during a certain period of Birendra did any work. The others did hardly anything. Singh (mid-June, 1953). He was born at family to meet at Sushila’s place on time when the idea of a nation state was developing. Monarchies Pratap, who ruled after Prithvi, lasted only two years. After him a recent Wednesday. Most were the necessity of that particular period. They were born, but came Rana Bahadur, Girvanyudha and Rajendra Bikram, who all members of the family were once the requirement of that time was fulfilled, they went into became monarchs while they were minors and Bhim Sen Thapa, present. Nona Koirala broke the oblivion. Monarchies were born to solve leadership problems when a nationalist, wielded the real power. After the Kot Parba, the ice and said, “Right now the a class society existed, when there was slavery and systems of Ranas became powerful. They consolidated all power in their country and we are passing through class and caste dominated the political and social landscape. own hands and were slaves of the British imperialists. Thus, a very critical situation, and so no Remember, at that time there were fewer people scattered over a Surendra, Prithvi Bir Bikram and Tribhuvan did not play any member of the family shall speak very wide area, and slavery and bonded labour were rife. Somebody significant role in history. publicly about party infighting, or had to be in control of this structure and therefore a supernatural Of the three who did something for the country, Prithvi criticise the leaders. At least till the quasi-religious feudal power had to be created. This led to the birth Narayan, although he was despotic, hand-in-glove with the feudal budget session of parliament ends.” of monarchy. That is why until the 18th century, monarchies existed class and suppressed the people, fought against the imperialist Baburam’s parents Most, including the prime minister, in many parts of the world. British forces and was able to keep Nepal an independent and agreed with what she said. She The industrial revolution sowed the seeds of change. With it free country. This is a historical fact and all nationalist Nepalis 9am. It is but natural for a father to added, “Sujata will only speak there came about changes in the modes of production. Profit was should embrace this truth. Yes, Prithvi Narayan committed a lot of remember the birthday of his eldest about the social sector, Sushil will the main motive for doing any work, the capitalist class started atrocities, he burdened the people with his religion, helped the son, and perhaps be a little handle all political affairs.” growing and starting competing with each other. Ordinary people feudal class and captured other kingdoms, but that is another nostalgic and so, on 4 Asad, Bhoj The conclusion of that 35- became more aware of their rights, stopped believing in their caste- bitter truth of history. Prasad Bhattarai remembered his minute meeting was that Sushil and class-ridden society, and started revolting against this quasi- In the same way, although Mahendra had fascist tendencies, 48-year-old son. would analyse the political religious feudal system. They realised that the system of he took a very strong stand against Indian expansionist powers “We used to lovingly call him situation and brief the prime monarchies and kings was outdated and incompatible with their and safeguarded the independence and integrity of the country, Babu when he was small and this minsiter. Mahesh Acharya was time. They finally realised that a republic would be the ideal system which we should never forget. Birendra also stood his ground is how he came to be named asked to report on the army. for them and slowly pushed this idea forward. Therefore in all against expansionist Indian powers. He introduced democracy Babu Ram although the priest Sriharsh (PM’s nephew) was given histories, we will find that although republics existed at different and took a keen interest in the well-being of our country, for which after studying his astrological the responsibility of keeping track times in different forms, they did not survive for long. It was only after his whole family was assassinated by extremist reactionaries. signs had named him Mukti of all the family members and their the rise of European capitalists in general and the French Revolu- We should not consign him and his values to a footnote in Prasad,” (Mukti translates as whereabouts. The only person who tion in particular that the notion of all men being born equal came history. Nepali history cannot afford to discard him. liberation) Bhoj Prasad told this did not utter a word was Sushila. into existence. Some people have asked why the Maoists have started reporter. It has been six years Shailaja Acharya, Chakra Bastola ...Now there are two kinds of monarchies in the world. There are praising Birendra only after his death. Some reactionaries even since his parents last saw him, and Dr Sashank Koirala were not the constitutional monarchies in wealthy, developed countries like suggest that ours are crocodile tears. To our detractors, we only after Mukti left to fight for the present at the meeting. England, Japan, Sweden, etc. where they are just living museums say that they should read all our statements on the king so far, “liberation” of the people and his
and nothing else. Then there is the second type, mostly found in and especially what we said in Jana Adesh on 10 Falgun, 2056 country. Today we know Mukti Maoists, INGOs ○○○○○○○○ poor, underdeveloped countries, who wield the same powers their (mid-Febraury, 1999). Our representatives had a meeting with as Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai. ○○○○○○○○ forefathers did and who survive just because of the support of the Dhirendra Shah and all that was discussed there is written about His parents are longing to Jana Ahwan , 29 June ruling capitalist class. The days of the imperialists have been in Jana Adesh. Please read this before raising questions. This is meet their eldest son. “We really consigned to the pages of history, but these monarchists, ruling all we have to say. want to meet him, but we do not and capitalist classes are giving continuity to this outdated system ...Birendra’s whole family was wiped out and now it is the duty know his whereabouts, we have According to Maoist secretaries to forward their vested interests. They have even added to it of all nationalist Nepalis to help in the establishment of a no clue where he is,” Dharma Kalyan of Argakhachi and Prajuwal commission agents, stooges, etc. All these factors are prolonging republic. It is the bitter truth. If what has been said about Dipendra Kumari, Babu Ram’s mother says. of Gulmi, the Maoist fighters on 25 this outdated system. What’s more, the quasi-religious powers that is true, it only proves that the monarchy is outdated and it is time But they are satisfied for now Baishak (8 May) attacked a vehicle be are shielding these people. They all want to extend the life of the to discard it. There is no point in carrying on with a system that that they can see their son’s picture of GARDEP, the Gulmi system for their own benefit. has outlived its purpose. What has been proved is that it was not almost everyday in the newspapers. Argakhachi Rural Development Remember that the inhabitants of these poor countries are very Dipendra who committed this act but the reactionaries, Dharma Kumari further says, “It Project, funded by the European backward and can be easily taken for a ride. In fact, the quasi- expansionists, fascists and imperialists. All this proves that might be dangerous for him to visit Union. religious class has turned into agents for these monarchists and anyone crowned king will only be a puppet in their hands. ... From us and so we satisfy ourselves by A press release of the Maoists said capitalists. But on the other hand, history shows us how these very any point of view traditional, feudal monarchy is dead and the birth just hearing his name.” that foreigners and foreign quasi-religious groups have helped the ordinary folk to some extent of the republic has already taken place. “Our first child died very young organisations are corrupt, that they in fighting imperialists, monarchists and expansionists to retain and so when Mukti was born, we interfere in matters of national were very happy and we feel that interest. They mislead people by
QUOTE OF THE WEEK Chataut surfaces any moment now, he may come in saying they are working for develop- ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ saying Ba-Ama , since it is his ment, while all they do is work If the present government starts oppressing the people, that too when there’s a feeling that the king is involved Drishti , 26 June birthday today,” Bhoj Prasad and against nationalists. They spread in it, another People’s Movement might be sparked off and one of its targets would be the monarchy. We Dharma Kumari said in one voice. terror and carry out massacres. already sensed this during the 1990 movement. The couple, both over 70, hope GARDEP is also accused of all these. Almost after a month in hiding and pray that whatever work Mukti The release further says that the Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Senior Communist Leader in an interview with Jana Dharana, 28 June Tarini Dutt Chataut, the main is doing is successful because he is fascist government in Nepal is scared person accused in the Lauda Air dedicated and making every effort. that the American imperialists and scam, suddenly surfaced recently. They are sad and hurt when they Indian expansionists who support He came to at the prime hear of people being killed in their government will leave them high minister’s residence in encounters between the police and dry. This is why they are doing Baluwatar, surprising all present. and the Maoists. “Human beings all they can to stop such organisations He arrived in time for the NC should not kill one other. It from leaving the country. These meeting being held at Baluwatar would be very good, if the party organisations, says the statement, on 24 June. As soon as he led by our son and the police did always mislead poor people by stating reached Baluwatar, the MPs not kill one another.” that they are working for their present started whispering Babu Ram’s parents could development. They are corrupt, out among themselves that if the not control themselves when they to line their own pockets. prime minister had not been heard about the 1 June incident The statement goes on to request shielding him, it would have in Narayanhiti Darbar. “The king these organisations to not interfere in been impossible for Chataut to is considered an incarnation of national affairs. It warns all attend the meeting . As a result, Lord Visnu, his dynasty came organisations working in Argakhachi the Lauda Air issue hogged the from Gorkha (their home), now and Gulmi to behave properly, but limelight at that meeting. Some his family has been wiped out. In goes on to clarify that they, the MPs joked, sarcastically asking order to remember, we have Maoist secretaries, do not have a “No money please... I need national consensus” Chataut if he had gone to Vienna collected photos of all the dead policy of disallowing such Gun: Security Act, Suitcase: Lauda case on the Lauda Air flight. members of the royal family,” Bhoj organisations from working in the Budhabar, 4 July, Wednesday Despite everything, Chataut Prasad said. two districts.
THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI LANGUAGE PRESS 161616 SPORTS 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES
Real close in on Zidane ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Summer madness at Wimbledon ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Real Madrid are close to completing the world record gentlemen, with cut-glass accents signing of Zinedine Zidane from Juventus. According to a wearing smart navy blazers and straw report on Spanish radio station Cope, Real president hats. Cafes in the ground serve Pimms Florentino Perez met with Juventus general manager and strawberries and cream alongside Luciano Moggi in Switzerland on Tuesday, and a transfer lager and hotdogs. fee of 12,800 million pesetas (£46.4 million) was agreed Everything is in the best possible for the French international midfielder. That would smash taste. An army of gardeners tend the £37.5 million Real paid Barcelona to buy Portugal’s flower beds and hanging baskets Luis Figo out of his contract last year. The report said a where petunias are planted in verbal agreement had been reached between the two graduated hues of violet and mauve to clubs and a deal could be closed later on Wednesday. reflect the Championships’ colours of Real Madrid said they could make no official comment on purple and green. Even the temporary the matter. Moggi told reporters last month, when lavatories set up in the car park speculation was rife about a possible Real bid for Zidane, opposite are painted Wimbledon that there was no question of the Serie A club selling their green, complementing the purple star player. Zidane, World Player of the Year in 1998 and council-provided rubbish bags. 2000, has been a target for Perez since he announced his Dropped rubbish is almost instantly candidacy for the Real club presidency last summer. Perez retrieved by one of the 70 youthful promised then to bring in Figo from Barcelona and do cleaners who patrol the grounds. But whatever possible to add Zidane to the Real roster. the biggest difference between Wimbledon and other sporting events Milan snap up £30m Rui Costa
is the lack of advertising. There are no ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ billboards in the grounds or round the Portuguese international Rui Costa has become AC Milan’s second major signing in two days. courts, just logos of official suppliers The Fiorentina playmaker ended a week of transfer speculation by agreeing a £30million move alongside where their products are to the Rossoneri. On Monday, Milan signed Italian international striker Filippo Inzaghi in a being used. “The brand Wimbledon is £21.7m deal from Juventus. By joining Milan, Costa, who was also wanted by Lazio and Parma, links up again with former Fiorentina coach Fatih Terim. Costa had been on the verge of a move Henman: all eyes on me bigger than any of the players, any of the suppliers, any of the advertisers,” to Parma after Fiorentina, attempting to clear debts of £40m, agreed to sell him and goalkeeper LONDON: A gentle midsummer reached its zenith, especially as spokeswoman Lynnie Farrant said. Francesco Toldo to their Serie A rivals for £43m. madness descends on this sleepy Britain’s Tim Henman remained in “We want to keep the unique image
corner of the capital during the draw. And it is not just the locals and character of the tournament.” King tempts Lewis camp ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Wimbledon fortnight. Parents whose heads are turned. Fans disgorge The Club’s location in one of Boxing promoter Don King has offered $12.5million to the Lennox Lewis camp to stage a world hauling reluctant children to school from Southfields underground station London’s greenest suburbs, heavyweight title rematch with Hasim Rahman. After a recent court case, Rahman has been abandon their normal playground to walk the two kilometres to the All Wimbledon Park and golf club ordered to fight Lewis within the next 18 months before he can defend his titles against anyone garb in favour of pristine white. England Club swathed in union flags opposite, Wimbledon Common else. And with both camps eager to stage the rematch sooner rather than later, King, Rahman’s Youths appear on street corners and sporting foam stove hats behind, helps preserve that image. promoter, has fired the first salvo in what is bound to be a protracted negotiation. King named 6 sporting back to front baseball caps emblazoned with the names of Tim Two bedroom flats overlooking the October as an agreeable date without specifying a venue. Rahman upset Lewis in April in and towelling wristbands as if wearing Henman and Greg Rusedski. These courts and with views to the park South Africa by knocking out the British fighter in five rounds. King said he had made the Andy Roddick accessories will make are not adolescent girls but women of beyond change hands for £350,000, $12.5 m offer on Monday and the Lewis camp was meeting to consider it on Tuesday. them irresistible to the under-16s. a certain age who abandon all those facing the wrong way go for King is currently promoting his 4 August card in Beijing, China, which features a third fight Middle-aged men fill the municipal pretence of maturity to scream for £75,000 less. A local estate agent between World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John Ruiz and former champion tennis courts, their pale legs and their heroes. Wimbledon is unlike said on Monday he had recently Evander Holyfield. Rahman was scheduled to make his first title defence on the card against burgeoning bellies a testament to other big sporting events in attracting sold three houses in Wimbledon David Izon but will still be going to China anyway as part of the broadcast team. once-a-year-only activity. Nearly more women than men. The All Village at the top of the hill for everyone seems to be carrying a England Club ran a survey last year more than three million pounds tennis racket, sunglasses perched on which showed 55 per cent of each. Further down the hill, their heads, stiff new tennis trainers spectators were women and 64 per though, a big council estate borders on their feet. cent tennis players. Some 46 per cent the well-heeled streets and just In a couple of weeks tennis will belong to tennis clubs, which in spite beyond the park lies an industrial be forgotten, abandoned as soon as of recent efforts by Britain’s Lawn estate to remind visitors that the school holidays start in favour of Tennis Association to take the sport Wimbledon remains part of surfing in Spain or — come the to the masses, are still bastions of the London. And just a month after the British Open at the end of the month genteel and well-heeled. Wimbledon Club closes its gates on the last — golf. But as Wimbledon entered reflects its clientele. Honorary spectator next Sunday, the football its second week, tennis fervour, stewards who marshal the lengthy but season gets underway and tennis in mostly involving watching wall-to- impeccably behaved queues up and most of the city will be forgotten wall coverage on television, had down Church road are mostly retired again for another year. (Reuters)
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To add to your excitement on Saturdays, Kantipur FM will conduct an on air “LIVE” program straight Village Resort from our pool-side. So watch out, you just might be on air! Owned by: Greenwich Village Resort Hotel (P) Ltd. Sanjiv S Soreng Swimming with Buffet Lunch and a bottle of beer @ Rs. 600 + Tax for adults. Manager, Clark Hatch Fitness Centre Swimming with Buffet Lunch and bottle of soft drink @ Rs. 350 + Tax for children. Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu 411818, ext 7, [email protected] P.O.Box: 12446, Amarabati (Toukhel), Godavari, Lalitpur, Nepal. Tel: 560675, 560775. Fax: 977-1-560777. Corporate Office: P.O.Box 837, Kupondol Heights, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: 521780, 522399, 527619. Fax: 977-1-526683. E-mail: [email protected] ~ Website: www.godavariresort.com.np CULTURE 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 111777 SAVING FAITH by DESMOND DOIG The forgotten shrine of the sikhs Here Guru Nank sat in meditation and here are also buried ooks on Kathmandu are silent
about the shrine. It is not on the ashes of a Nepali king. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ bthe tourist map. No coaches ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ park below the small forested hill clearing just before the house is just agrees, as I think aloud, that they bulbuls pecking about the carved by the river on the road to Balaju. the kind of place a weary traveller are Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati, feet. And there he told me the story The temple is left to bird song would have welcomed. Cool. Quiet. Hanuman and Pashupatinath. of the temple of the golden book and the occasional visitor who Undisturbed. In a verandah are steep stairs and the shrine against which we sat. either knows it is there or by The doorway to the lime- which we climb to enter into a It seems a Malla king of the chance comes upon the small washed house is plastered with small dark room. At the centre, early sixteenth century—the priest weathered sign which says ‘Guru ochre earth. The black painted under a canopy, is an altar draped did not know his name — suffered a Nanak Math’. door is small in the way of old in red. Here, says my companion, disturbed mind. His brothers, An arching stairway leads Nepal, so one stoops to enter. An reposes the Granth Sahib, written alarmed by his behaviour, banished through trees and bamboo to the old man, asleep on the clean, by Guru Nanak himself in letters of him to India. Roaming forlornly small building which from the earthen floor sits up and smiles a gold. I ask him to repeat what he through the holy city of Benares he outside looks like a Nepali welcome. His dog, curled up beside said because if he is correct, then came upon the saint Guru Nanak farmhouse. I find the climb up the him, takes no notice. I beg his this almost forgotten shrine in a and begged him to cure his stairs refreshing even though a bit pardon. Perhaps I’ve made a land not normally associated with affliction. After many visits and breathless. The city, which now mistake. I’m looking for the Guru the saint possesses a rare and much beseeching, the guru advised encroaches on the fields about the Nanak Math. unique relic. the king to return to his kingdom hill, is screened by greenery and He leads me barefooted across a Strangely, the priest who is where his health would be restored. might not exist. The busy sound of freshly plastered courtyard at the Nepali, wears none of the symbols Miraculously, the saint traffic trails further and further centre of which is a small shrine of Sikhism; turban, kada, kirpan or preceded the king to Kathmandu behind. Through windows in the with a tulsi plant growing out of the kanga. However, his greying hair is for there he was, meditating under a trees can be seen the river and a top. It is difficult to make out the unshorn and, for a Nepali, he sports pipal tree on a hill beside the river. high mountain. A small grassy deities in the small niches but he a fair beard. I learn, with The king visited him at once, undisguised excitement, that he begging the guru to return with belongs to the earliest unreformed him to the palace. Guru Nanak order of Sikhs who are often refused to do so, saying that in gurudwara lands have been son,” he said. Was it not Guru unrecognisable from Vaishnavite this serene spot he had all he encroached upon until only the hill Nanak?
MIN BAJRACHARYA Hindus. At Pashupatinath, I would wanted. So the king had a temple remains. It would be a tragedy if By then the guru had gone to have taken him for a sadhu. built for his guru and a small modern hungers consume the trees Tibet, he said. “But it is all the He whispered me out of the shrine for himself where he often and push concrete within reach of same. Our gods are our gods.” courtyard into a small garden wild came to meditate. When the king the peaceful old building. Obviously the lovely, lonely with shrubs and flowers. Under a died, some of his ashes were When I went back to sketch Guru Nanak Math is in need of a large pipal tree he pointed out a buried in the shrine according to the garden and the temple, I was Sikh scholar to unravel its truths stone slab on which were carved his last wishes. met by another old priest. I asked and legends. Until then it will two feet, laid with roses. “The A later king, Rana Bahadur him if I might see the guru’s remain a half-forgotten temple on guru’s,” he said. “It is at this spot Shah, also of unsound mind, is said footprints. “Ah yes,” he said, a wooded hill threatened by the that Guru Nanak sat in meditation. to have found solace at the Guru “they are the Guru Nanak’s feet, brick and concrete advances of In that little shrine behind you, are Nanak Math. He gifted but they are also Vishnu’s. They Kathmandu. buried the ashes of a Nepali king.” considerable land to the temple so are both the same.” We sat together on mossy steps it might never want for support. And who, I asked, wrote the (Excerpted with permission from leading up to the shrine, a strong Perhaps the records have long golden book enshrined in the In the Kingdom of the Gods, scent of jasmine in the air and two since perished because slowly the temple. “Sri Chand, the guru’s Harper Collins, 1994.)
NEPALITERATURE by MANJUSHREE THAPA Abhi Subedi A CALL FOR FREE EXPRESSION n recent weeks, lawyers, journalists, his heart to expression human rights and political activists, I Will Speak We will awaken Brightness is the sky of expression: iacademics, writers and artists, and We have awakened it breaks the ranks of the power blind other members of the intelligentsia have I will speak at the call of the empty expression and of the cycle of time been up in arms about the anti-democratic My expression— regulations drafted under the Public a ripple of power The one who tries to stop this expression A deluge of a thousand free eyes and Security Act. These regulations hand moving swiftly with the light disappears in the deluge of time hearts authority to the Chief District Officer to Only the one who speaks remains ebbs and courses through history detain or arrest anyone suspected of No one has been able to stop me Like a waterfall dropping words from acting against the interest of Nepal’s speaking opened lips A martyr is one who places sovereignty, unity, or public peace and Unconquerable splattering hues everywhere the burden of speech upon order. Any appeals must go through the I was offered up to the gale, over the sky of heart and time us and the sky Home Ministry. Effectively, this means the gale became a ripple of my speech in every street and courtyard that the Home Ministry can, on extra- Colours were daubed over my sky, the one who speaks makes history and Expression is the name judicial grounds, suppress free those hues arose as a conflagration ascends of one who ascends brightness and expression and the right to gather and My mouth was forced shut, with the insanity of a spilled-over sun spreads through the sky associate freely. These draconian each limb stood like a dance of destruction of all our undefeated liberation dreams regulations amount to emergency My feet were bound, I will speak measures without any declaration of a pen in hand I left for a thousand years’ My expression— I will speak state of emergency. journey a ripple of power My expression— At a play performed by the theatre I was unconquerable moving swiftly with the light a ripple of power group Aarohan at the Nepal Academy of moving swiftly with the light Fine Arts on 22 June, Abhi Subedi I will speak Neither is expression halted by attempts to became one of the first writers to publicly My expression— halt it Om Mani Padme Hum! express his opposition to these new a ripple of power Nor do hues stop colouring the picture that regulations through literature. The poem moving swiftly with the light have been sketched Abhi Sudedi is the head of the English translated below mocks short-sighted Nor can anyone block expressions of love Department at Tribhuvan University. He is attempts to silence that which can never At times when I say nothing Nor does gentle sunlight ever stop shining the author of several books of poems, be silenced: the riotous, unrestrained Don’t assume I’m lost to silence on childish lisps essays, and criticism, including the Nepali human utterance. It is a fine example of The speechlessness of the Bamiyan poetry collection Shabda and Chot, and Nepali writers’ ability to rally to save our Buddhas History is made by the one who speaks the English poetry collection Chasing threatened democracy. was a bellow, a roar Love is experienced by the one who raises Dreams. 181818 CITY 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES ABOUT TOWN BOOKWORM
MOVIES Displacement and Rehabilitation in Nepal: Law, Policy and Practice Ananda Nepali and Hindi movies online ticket booking at www.nepalshop.com Mohan Bhattarai Anmol Publications, New Delhi, 2001 EATING OUT Rs 700 Breakfast with birds Lunch with butterflies, dinner Nepal’s constitutional provisions say project-affected persons have the right not to be with fireflies. Traditional Nepali, Indian and Chinese displaced. The author analyses the normative and constitutional framework and state cuisine. Farm House Café in the Park Village Hotel, practices of the SAARC countries and China, and two projects in Nepal, and proposes a Buddhanilkantha. 373935 draft legislation on acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation. All American Week Cajun, Tex-Mex, California cuisine and a Boston tea-party at Durbar, Chimney and the Piano Development Theory: Deconstructions/ Reconstructions Jan Nederveen Lounge Bar. Until 8 July. Hotel Yak & Yeti. 248999 Pieterse Mangoes Desserts, smoothies, icecreams. Hyatt Re- Vistaar Publications, New Delhi, 2001 gency. 491234. Rs 440 LaSoon Restaurant and Vinotheque Lunch, tea and dinner with European and Pieterse discusses Eurocentrism, critical globalism, intercultural transaction, American food, fine wines. Pulchowk. 535290 delinking and alternatives, human and post-development theory. He discusses Rice around the world Complete non-Nepali rice meals with exciting condiments. reorienting and restructuring the field and connects development with new thought Until 13 July. 7pm-10.30pm, The Fun Café, Radisson Hotel. 411818 in sociology, critical theory and social science. Peking Duck and other special family platters by a chef from Sichuan. Tien Shan Chinese Restaurant, Shangri La Hotel. 412999 The Essentials of Sociology Rishikeshab Raj Regmi Wet and Wild Summer Swimming in a cool pool and a buffet lunch. Saturdays at Sandeep Raj Regmi, 2001 Godavari Village Resort. Adults Rs 600, children Rs 350. Taxes extra. 560675, 560775 Rs 500 Mango Tango Exotic mangoes desserts Hotel de l’ Annapurna. All day, all food and The head of TU’s Department of Sociology/ Anthropology discusses the roots of beverage outlets. sociology, research methods, theories of social structure and stratification,religious, Exotic Nepali Food. Mongolian Restaurant and Bar. Exotic Nepali food, dhindo, economic and political systems, the family, gender roles, deviation, socialisation and gundruk, good family environment. Putalisadak, 425454 social change. Dakshin food, mangoes Food from South India and 15 kinds of dosa. Until 10 July. Mango festival at all food and beverage outlets. Everest Hotel. 488100 Small and Medium Enterprise Development in Nepal: Saturday splash Swimming and brunch. The Cafe & Poolside, 11am onwards. Rs Emerging Issues and Opportunities Dr Bishwa Keshar Maskay, ed 555, Rs 299 for children under three ft. Everest Hotel. 488100 Centre for Development and Governance, Kathmandu, 2001 Rs 400 EVENTS The book explores the increasingly important Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Contemporary Jazz Dance Classes at the sector in Nepal and explores government and international donor policy and Alliance Française by Meghana Thapa. Thrice programme approaches. It also discusses constraints that may discourage small weekly, starting 26 June. Alliance Française. businesses in Nepal and other developing countries. 241163, 242 832. Weekly cocktail, monthly beer Buy one get Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] one free. The Radisson Corner Bar. 411818 Dwarika’s Saturday Escape Afternoon tea, CLASSIFIED cocktail, dinner, room, massage and breakfast.
Every Saturday until end-September. $130 per Mountain Biking HMB ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ transmission. In good condition. Rs couple. Dwarika’s Hotel 479488 For all your mountain biking needs—full 100,000. 223040. Disco party Buffet dinner, dance with DJ Raju. Hotel Shahenshah, Dhapasi. 13 July, workshop, repair facilities, all models. 7pm on. Rs 600. Tickets at Irish Pub, Pub Maya, Hotel Red Planet, Thamel; International Pick up, delivery, professional Alfa UV Water Purifier English Language Centre, Dilli Bazar, Koshi Tours and Travels (Nag Pokhari) and at the mechanics. Bike clothing, spare parts, 100 percent pure and safe water for you door. accessories. Hire, buy, sell, new and and your family. For more information Yoga and Breakfast Six-week course in Hatha Yoga for beginners. Rs 400 per lesson, second-hand bikes. Himalayan contact OSCAR TRADERS, 428576. includes breakfast. Dwarika’s Hotel 479488 Mountain Bike. www.bikingnepal.com. [email protected] Stress Free Weekends Overnight stay at the Hyatt, dinner for two at the Rox Restau- 437437. rant, use of pool, health club, spa and outdoor jacuzzi, ayurvedic massage for two, week- Home Line Creations end brunch, late check out Sunday. Rs 9000 plus tax. Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu. 491234 Car for sale For exclusive home décor, imported 1970 Ford Maverick. White, six cylinders, fabrics, ceramics. In front of Tri-Chandra MUSIC 2200 cc, 50,000 miles, automatic Campus, Darbar Marg. 222482 Rox Bar Weekends Chris and Abhaya create Motown and Latino music nights. DJ Neil all other nights. Cocktails and snacks. Hyatt Regency. 491234. For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36. Himalatte Café Live acoustic music by Dinesh Rai and Deependra every Friday, 7pm- 10.30pm. Free. Thamel. Romance at the Jazz Bar Happy hour 6pm-8 pm. Thursdays with The Jazz Commis- sion, Other days with An Fainne. Hotel Shangri La. 412999 YAK YETI YAK by MIKU
TALK The Vagaries of Travel Writing: travellers who get carried away or travellers who wonder where they are. Dr Chloe Chard. 17 July, 6pm, British Embassy Hall. Organised by the Nepal Britain Society (410555, 227749) and the British Council (410798).
EXHIBITION Free Exhibitions Art and craft by four students of the Alliance Française. 10-20 July. 9am-6pm, except Saturdays. Alliance Française.
For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected]
NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL The monsoon is taking a breather, as you may have noticed. And the satellite picture taken on Wednesday evening tells us why: a cyclonic on FM 102.4 circulation over the Bay of Bengal that is bringing dry air into Nepal from the northwest. Expect sunny hot days ahead with afternoon thunderstorm buildup
DSES- 04-07-2001 1200 GMT until the moist winds from the southeast pick up Mon-Fri 0615-0645 BBC World Today again early next week. Higher than normal rainfall in western Nepal last week prove that the first monsoon Sat 0615-0645 BBC Science in Action cycle is now over. Both the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea branches of monsoon are now active Sun 0615-0645 BBC Agenda and heading toward central and northern India. The usual track former’s movement is along Nepal’s Daily 2045-2115 BBC g]kfnL ;]]]]]jf southern border and will bring vigorous rainfalls, some of it in concentrated cloudbursts triggering Daily 2245-2300 BBC g]kfnL ;]]]]]jf landslides and floods in central and eastern Nepal. The monsoon fronts from Arabian Sea may also bring stormy rains in western Nepal. Radio Sagarmatha KATHMANDU P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681 Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
E-mail: [email protected] www.radiosagarmatha.org 30-20 29-19 30-20 30-21 29-20 ARTS 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 191919 TheThe learninglearning zonezone
The new British Council has more than just books. ALL PHOTOS SALIL SUBEDI
SALIL SUBEDI
SALIL SUBEDI SALIL ○○○○○○○○○○○
SALIL○○○○○ SUBEDI The new 1,406 sq m two-storey service facilities and is wheelchair 1,000 books every year. Association of British Alumni in “But don’t you know it’s called the building was designed by WH accessible. The British Council has also Nepal (ABAN). “We hope to Learning Zone now,” is what you Atkins, a British architect and is The best public feature of the been conducting research and bring together the alumni under a will hear if you ring what was the supposed to be the first of 110 new building is probably the large foyer training programmes for govern- same platform. This is helpful in British Council Library of your BC centres around the world. It is you enter into. “This canteen area mental and other organisations, identifying the expertise they have youth. But bookworms, don’t earthquake-proof and the glass- or the courtyard as we call it can lawyers, police and human rights achieved,” says O’Connor. worry. The new Learning Zone of front is bomb- proof. There’s also a also be used for public events and is activists. “One of our major The BC, a charity headquar- the British Council (BC) in the lush fire escape for the staff on the available on rent for events that undertakings was the Enabling tered in the UK, was established The new, improved facilities surroundings of Lainchour, has over western side, opening out to the comply with BC requirements,” says State Program (ESP) for good in 1930 to fight fascism and will surely attract more people to 10,000 books on science, British embassy. “But our members Kiran Bhattarai, coordinator of the governance conducted for the promote peace. “We are non- the Learning Zone. But the Council humanities, the arts, computers, are safe and well taken care of inside Learning Zone. The library is on parliamentary secretariat of political and non-religious in our retains important parts of its old management and other popular the premises,” smiles Brigitte O’ the left and leading off the right Nepal. The BC has also been mission. Our aim has always been flavour. Familiar faces like 51-year- subjects. The difference is that it Connor, the new BC director. “The hand side are classrooms for the managing the District Health to enable the flow information old Govinda Man Shrestha, the isn’t just a library anymore. When centre now meets BC corporate morning to evening classes on Strengthening for DFID,” says about the English language and longest-serving staff member, are it moved to new premises after 40 standards of health and safety.” general English, report and proposal Raju Shakya, manager of literature,” explains O’Connor. still here, as are the librarians from years last November, the British Although the old complex on writing, methodology, international Information Services. For the last “In Nepal, our focus is to assist Kantipath. Council diversified and now has the Kantipath, a neo-classical Rana-era examinations and professional decade, the BC has supported Nepali students for education in Information Centre, the Learning creation, had a certain flair, the new English writing. This area also has a regional offices and the annual the UK and providing them with The Learning Zone is open Zone and the Lending Zone. centre will have improved customer small section with videos and other meeting of the Nepal English access to information.” The BC Monday-Friday from reference materials on education Language Teacher’s Association here also provides one scholarship 8.30am to 5.45pm. HAPPENINGS in the UK. (NELTA). The Council recently a year for higher-education in www.britishcouncil.org/nepal The library itself is bright and launched the first directory of the the UK. cool. It is air-conditioned, well laid- out and there are computers with CD-ROM, and an online catalogue. The library is for members only, 3,086 so far and with facilities for 3,500. “The junior section has been drawing in a lot of children and
MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN their parents,” says Bhattarai. The library also has resources for the International English Language Test System (IEELT) and the Cambridge University exams. The SHAKE IT: Prime Minister Girija Koirala shakes hands with UML leader Madhav self-access centre in the library has Nepal in parliament on 29 June. The two are said to be close to a deal multimedia resources like audio/ on getting parliament back on track. video materials and computers with Internet facilities to improve English language skills. The library receives 30 periodicals and five UK newspapers. “The range of books we offer has helped people of all age and interests,” he adds. Everyday some 300 members use the library, the majority students either pursuing studies in the UK or eager to access information about it. The online catalogue, which replaces the clunky old card index, is a welcome addition and works well with the BC’s automated services. MT EVEREST AT THE ANNAPURNA: A make-believe Mt Everest made of But it isn’t all studies and bedsheets at a Hotel de l’ Annapurna function 30 June to mark the successful ascent Shangrila Hotel earnest self-improvement. The fun of the world’s highest peak by an Indian Army expedition. in the last few months has included a celebration of world Book Day, where celebrities “[got] caught reading”, exhibitions, a poetry contest for children and a film festival in collaboration with the British Chamber of Trade and Commerce. “There are a number of other events in the pipeline,” says
MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN Bhattarai. One such event might be an exhibition of books on gover- nance in September. Unfortunately, there is no major book sale in the offing, other than the usual small IT’S A BULL’S LIFE: Farmers use oxen to plough a narrow paddy terrace at ones that come up of books Jivanpur northwest of Kathmandu on 30 June. Bulls are not used for ploughing in withdrawn from circulation. The Kathmandu Valley in deference to Lord Pashupatinath. BC Lending Zone replaces around 202020 6 - 12 JULY 2001 NEPALI TIMES Under My Hat
by Kunda Dixit Monsoon survival tips any readers from all worldwide nooks and days and three nights. In such cases, the total arrearage of crannies have been writing worried notes to us HMG/N, her government, people and exchequer, shall be m to ask if it is safe and sound to return to Nepal of an amount not in excess of Rs 350 per gastroenteritis for the summer holidays during the ongoing annual attack per person per day refundable at the Tribhuvan monsoon season, and if they do, whether they can eat the Intestinal Airport before departure upon submission of a salad. Because most of the queries have come from highly signed affidavit in triplicate from a doctor certified by litigious countries in the western hemisphere, we have public notary. (SAARC rate: Rs 250, and children under consulted our lawyers and now can be brutally frank: no, 12 get in for half.) keep off, leave us alone this monsoon season. And, yes, you This limit on liability is applicable on the part of the can eat the salad. nation state in question and any other nation state en But if you are determined to return in defiance of our route if they are signatories to the Warsaw Convulsion and dire warnings then there are a few threats to your personal if it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the life and limb that you should know about beforehand: infection took place outside the sovereign territory and air Pepsi space of the kingdom of 1. Diaria (no, let me see if I Nepal. In such a case, this can spell this right) liability up to this amount Diarhia…Die-Ria… Diary- shall depend on the negligence ah…Dire-hoohah…Do-re-mi- of the nation state in question, fa…Diarrhoea (got it). This especially if it is the Republic amusingly spelt affliction is the of Singapore (hereinafter most frequent cause of referred to as “Gumless”). morbidity among visitors to Nepal and is the result of an 2. The second threat to your anti-government bacteria that personal security comes from believes in a violent uprising. rain. Just joking. The medical Avoid it. In fact, keeping profession has been trying to dry is going to be your come to grips with the runs ever foremost preoccupation while since unsuspecting cave-dwelling here. Luckily for you, large human beings roamed a place called Neanderthal. Nothing parts of Nepal including the whole of Chitwan then, or since, has worked. Our only hope now is the District, has been declared dry. But if a sudden shower legal profession. should catch you and your wife there will be no That is why, before you embark on your journey to shortage of people willing to share their umbrellas: Nepal this month, you adventuresome ones should first - “Why you outstanding? Please come understand with carefully check the fine print to see if you are covered by me.” the Warsaw Convention and the appendix contained - “Oh, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and therein if your itinerary allows you multiple stops in a from my wife’s bottom, too.” country other than the country of departure. Further, His Majesty’s Government of the Landlocked 3. Creepy crawlies. These are blood-sucking invertebrates Kingdom of Nepal Which Is Situated in Yam-like Fashion from the family anarchinidae which includes leeches, rural between A Rock and a Hard Place (hereinafter referred to vampires and airport customs officers. For all three types of as “HMG/N”) shall have only limited liability for personal blood suckers, there is only one antidote: pepper spray. gastric infections of a duration of, and not exceeding, three Bring lots.
NEPALI SOCIETY
his main achievement, Roop does not hesitate: it is the Vipasana Roop’s inner light meditation centre. Roop was converted to this meditation with excitement,” he confessed technique when he saw how it to us. “But a bit nervous too, helped his father cope with people have high expectations of terminal cancer. “He was in great me.” His spacious office at Jyoti pain, but he was calm, collected Bhavan is cluttered with flower and completely at peace with bouquets and congratulatory himself right to the end.” Roop letters and faxes. wants to become a fulltime So, what does Roop want to Vipasana guru so he can show accomplish in the Upper House? other people the path to inner “It is too premature to be made peace and how easy it is to public,” says the soft- cleanse the mind of extremes of spoken Roop. He is using emotion. “In a sense it is the art his first week at the of living,” he says with the calm parliament to study the conviction of someone Lever “political environment” and completely self-assured. Roop assess possibilities. Royal recalls the time he showed King nominees have one Birendra around the centre last advantage over elected year, answering the late king’s members: they are free many questions on spirituality
MIN BAJRACHARYA from party interests and and peace. There is a reverent oop Jyoti is a serenely the mental burden of getting re- silence in memory of that composed man, quick to elected. “They can devote departed soul. rsmile, always relaxed. themselves to the country’s well- The scion of the Jyoti Group, being rather than making populist Roop is not your stereotypically decisions that might harm the stressed businessman national interest,” he says. constantly worrying about the As the second son of stockmarket and perpetually legendary Nepali entrepreneur, glued to a mobile. The reason: Mani Harsha Jyoti, Roop studied regular meditation at the engineering in India and then did Vipasana Centre that he helped a doctorate in Political set up in the verdant foothills of Economy and Government from Shivapuri north of Kathmandu. Harvard University. He also But there was one bit of holds a double masters in news that made Roop lose his public and business composure last week—his administration from the same nomination by King Gyanendra to university. The late King Birendra being shown around tthe the Upper House. “I am numb Asked what he regards as Vipasana Centre by Roop Jyoti last year.