#628 2 - 8 November 2012 16 pages Rs 30

HEAVY RIDE: A mahout takes his elephant on an early morning walk near the Rapti River even as Sauraha is shrouded in thick fog.

BIKRAM RAI Not everybody’s cup of tea by Anurag Acharya In the arithmetic of power politics, ignoring the inclusion agenda in Procasti-Nation the Tarai may prove costly for the parties lephants have excellent they said they would use the the Nepali Congress and UML page 11 memory and they never festival season for ‘mind fresh’, which have become parties Eforget. Nepali leaders, on and come up with a consensus. singularly lacking in new the other hand, are notorious for That did not happen either. ideas, Pushpa Kamal Dahal is their forgetfulness and the ease Now they are promising a deal terrified of facing the electorate with which they backtrack on ‘by Tihar’. which is why he wants a promises. The reason there is no deal CA reincarnation by hook or Procrastination and is that no one really wants a by crook, the rump Maoists postponement have become deal. This elastic transition also want a stab at prime Best foot a way of Nepali politics, and benefits everyone: the Baburam ministership but don’t really forward the people tuned off long ago. Bhattarai-led Maoist-Madhesi care how they get there, and the The leaders had promised the coalition is perfectly happy Madhesi parties are comfortable The captain of the Nepali people who elected them that to extend its tenure so it can being sought-after kingmakers. women’s football team is taking they would have a deal to break self-enrich itself on a grand huge strides and driving the game to greater heights the deadlock before the Dasain scale from state coffers, rigor deadline. It didn’t happen. Then mortis seems to have set in on Editorial page 2 page 6-7 2 EDITORIAL 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 “DID THE PRESIDENT CALL?”

epal’s political leaders had promised the unlock the deadlock, and kick-start development. people who elected them that they would The NC and UML, plagued by internal rifts haven’t Nhave a deal to break the deadlock before the been able to come up with any new ideas and keep Dasain deadline. It didn’t happen. Then they said repeating ad nauseum their mantra of launching they would use the festival season for ‘mind fresh’, a street agitation if the prime minister doesn’t step and come up with a consensus. Emerging from the down. They’re bluffing because even the royalist holidays burping from excessive indulgence, they sat party can pull more genuine supporters on the streets on sofas at the party tea parties this week promising than their rented crowds. Besides, why should the a deal ‘by Tihar’. Procrastination and postponement Nepali people be called upon repeatedly to descend have become a way of Nepali politics, and the people to the streets to bring down leaders when that should tuned off long ago. be done legitimately through elections? The reason there is no deal is that no one really wants a deal. This elastic transition benefits everyone: For elections we will need a government of the Baburam Bhattarai-led Maoist-Madhesi coalition national unity just so that there is no incumbent is perfectly happy to extend its tenure so it can self- advantage, and it is a level playing field. All the enrich itself on a grand scale from state coffers, rigor parties pay lip service to a consensus government, mortis seems to have set in on the Nepali Congress and what is holding things up is the chicken-or-egg and UML which have become parties singularly BIKASH DWARE conundrum: the prime minister says he won’t step lacking in new ideas, Pushpa Kamal Dahal is down until the opposition comes up with a candidate, terrified of facing the electorate which is why he wants a The reason there is no deal and the opposition wants Bhattarai to step down first. CA reincarnation by hook or by crook, the rump Maoists is that no one really wants a And now they are playing politics again, and using the also want a stab at prime ministership, but don’t really budget ordinance as a bargaining chip. Even Bhattarai’s care how they get there, and the Madhesi parties are deal. This elastic transition international supporters now feel he should step down comfortable being sought-after kingmakers. benefits everyone to pave the way forward. Dahal is flogging a dead horse when he tirelessly If all else fails, President Ram Baran Yadav will have pursues his demand to resurrect the Constituent between them, but they have fallen for Dahal’s argument to act. Like the king in chess, the President’s moves are Assembly. The reason he is obsessed with this option that he will scratch their backs if they scratch his. restricted, but he can (and is allowed to) play a pivotal is because he can gain some momentum on his real goal Besides the technical, legal, and even ethical issues role to remove obstacles during times of prolonged of being an executive president by exploiting identity over CA revival, the most important argument against it national paralysis like this. So far, President Yadav politics, sidelining his party rival Bhattarai, and keeping is that we all know what will happen next: once the CA is has played his cards cautiously. He may now have to elections off the agenda. Few within his party trust revived it can be made to extend its mandate, perpetuate threaten the party leaders that if they can’t come up with Dahal anymore, but the wily Chairman has found strange itself, while five-six men sit in a dark corner and haggle a consensus government, he will have to declare one. bedfellows in NC politicians Sher Bahadur Deuba and endlessly, and futilely, over power. Like Selina Meyer in the sitcom, Veep, the Prime Ram Chandra Poudel to back his resurrection plan. The Which is why there is really no better alternative Minister may have to repeatedly ask his secretary in irony of it all is that Deuba and Poudel have no love lost now than to go for fresh national and local elections to Baluwatar: “Did the President call?”

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

PRIVATE WISH FOR fact, Muni’s revelation goes beyond the don’t seem to care and run their Making tourists pay to enter THE PUBLIC GOOD book and undermines and scoffs at most pharmacies like departmental stores. every single site around the Valley This is a superb, hard-hitting existing literature on Nepal’s transition. The situation has become so bad that is a bad idea. Not all tourists are editorial, kudos to the writer for If only one instance of behind-the-door if a particular doctor does not prescribe loaded and having to pay every saying it like it is (‘Private wish for agreement led to such an upheaval, one antibiotics, the patient automatically 100 metres is downright annoying. the public good’, #627). The political can only imagine what mayhem would assumes the doctor is incompetent. Also what kind of message are we class really has to keep its selfi sh be unleashed if many of the clandestine Also people don’t seem to understand sending visitors that we are just after interests on the sidelines and forge agreements between Nepali and Indian that incomplete use and misuse of their money and we will suck them ahead for the greater good of the leaders were made fully public. antibiotics will cost them more money if dry at every corner? A better solution people. But we need more than the Anil they get pneumonia or TB in the future. is to increase the visa fees and give tired old exhortation for consensus Ramprasad foreigners a single ticket that is valid to untangle this deadlock. The It is indeed a great irony that the at all historical sites and museums parties must fi nd points to agree on party which vehemently opposed the PRE-DEPARTURE QUESTIONNAIRE for a month. and move forward while agreeing OHCHR’s recent report on the confl ict, I personally don’t mind paying Mangal to disagree. There may be a need would not comment on Muni’s article. higher entry fees because one for another neutral international More than the report, Muni’s piece has man’s tourist attraction is another’s facilitator (like in 2005) because the potential to derail the peace process. writers like him that leaders think that place of worship and I don’t see an these clowns are never going to be Nidhi they can do whatever they want. He easier way of distinguishing between NOTE: able to fi nd a solution on their own. needs to stop making excuses for the devotees and day-trippers (‘Pre- We invite you to send us pictures Guru Whatever the reasons behind corrupt four party syndicate. departure questionnaire’, Backside, of daily life in Nepal with a brief this book, one thing is for sure: Muni B #627). Having said that, fees can be description- location, subject, If there is anything that is is thoroughly disappointed by the exorbitant (for example in Bhaktapur) and thoughts on the image- keeping Nepal and Nepalis afl oat, it Maoists’ ‘revolutionary spirit’. It must The CA may be dead for those who and often pretty infl exible too. If we are to [email protected]. We has to be Pashupatinath. How else be disheartening to realise his student benefi t from the way things are. For made to pay that kind of money, there will upload the photos onto our Facebook page and publish the can anyone explain how our country Bhattarai is a crook who is willing to those of us who suffer everyday under should be a little more evidence that best ones on our Happenings is still carrying on? Nepal makes your let go of his principles and integrity in transition, it’s the only redemption. 95 the maintenance and restoration work section. Photos should be in typical Banana republic look like the exchange of power. per cent of the CA work is complete. the fees supposedly support is actually hi-res (300dpi), maximum 2 Mb. ultimate system of governance. Nirmal So going to polls just because leaders taking place. And here’s a thought: Srijan Nepal cannot agree on a few points is stupid Western toilets might be nice too since THE PAST FORETOLD and a big waste of resources. Besides, the fee structure seems designed to Leaving things to keep afl oat is Parties are in no mood to go for fresh the election has nothing to do with make an issue out of how different we very risky. No one knows when a elections (‘The past foretold’, Anurag the constitution. It is merely a power all are. Weekly Internet Poll #628 storm might come. What gets us to Acharya, #627). The more ‘democratic’ arrangement between Dahal and others Colin Cooper Q. Are you hopeful that the parties will resolve the deadlock the shore before we meet the storm ones are more reluctant. NC-UML could who are desperate to oust Bhattarai and before Tihar? is action. But our country has been have agreed to protect the CA at the get a piece of the pie. The best solution Imagine having a double price Total votes: 3,061 left in the lurch for too long. last minute, but they deliberately let it go is to make the Constitution the bottom system in countries like the US where Rajan Kafl e by undermining the popular aspiration line for any agreement even if that non-Americans are asked to pay 10 of the public. They are responsible for means reviving the CA. times extra when visiting the Statue THE FOREIGN FINGER ruining our lives and our country. Anonymous of Liberty. That would be blasphemy. I agree with Dipak Gyawali’s review Binu Effi gies would be burned, curfews of the book Nepal in Transition MULTIPLE RESISTANCE would be the order of the day, and (‘The foreign fi nger’, #627). When I I can’t believe Anurag is advocating Antibiotics cannot be used like hajmola people would die left and right in read SD Muni’s chapter, I also felt it for CA revival. Anything declared dead candy (‘Multiple resistance’, Juanita protest. Thank God, Americans and contradicted or rather undermined cannot be revived. No one should play Malagon, #627). But most pharmacists Europeans are not as racist as we are. Weekly Internet Poll # 629. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com all other analyses in the book. In god because no one is. It is because of (and even some doctors) in Nepal Anonymous Q. What should the nature of the next budget be?

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Desk Editor: Trishna Rana | Design: Kiran Maharjan [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Director of Corporate Events: Anup Prakash | Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 NATION 3 Revealing Rushdie The real reason why Salman Rushdie’s parents chose to settle in Pakistan and not India are not revealed in his memoir, Joseph Anton

LOOK OUT Ajaz Ashraf

eople writing their memoirs are prone to concealing embarrassing episodes of their lives to cultivate the image they have of themselves. It’s a frailty Salman PRushdie’s memoir, Joseph Anton, too suffers from. It is implausible he did not, as he claims, know or guess the reason why his parents chose Pakistan over India late in their lives. He has also glossed over the controversial role his family members played in Pakistan’s early years. A sister of Rushdie’s mother, Negin, was married to a general who established the ISI, Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency. Negin’s other sister was the wife of a colonel who mercilessly sanitised the offi cial biography of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Then, Rushdie remains silent on the issue that the probation of his father, Anis, in the prestigious Indian Civil Service (ICS) was terminated because his birth record was found forged. A fortnight ago, I had written in a Pakistani newspaper about the erroneous connection Rushdie makes between a person’s religiosity and his or her choice to opt for Pakistan. Rushdie sounds bewildered in Joseph Anton why his father Anis and mother Negin chose Pakistan after living a life of ‘happy irreligion’, and thinks their decision was ‘fi shy’. I argued that it was men such as Anis, modern and secular, who endorsed the idea of Pakistan, which most of the prominent ulema, or religious scholars, bitterly opposed then. In response, I received a mail from an expatriate Pakistani (call him Mr Anonymous). His parents were close to the Rushdies, he wrote, “Theirs was neither a political nor religious decision.” Mr Anonymous said the Rushdies moved to Pakistan because Negin’s two sisters and a brother were already living there, furnishing their name. I called Pakistani journalists Mariana Baabar, Rehana Hakim, and Asif Noorani, who helped me piece the story of Rushdie’s extended family.

At the time of Partition, Negin’s sister, Amina, was married to Col Majeed Malik, who worked as Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s aide and became the country’s fi rst Principal Information Offi cer. In his book, Stop Press: A Life in Journalism (translated by Khalid Hasan), Inam Aziz blamed Col Malik for issuing Pakistan’s ‘fi rst press advice’. Soon after Jinnah made his famous speech of 11 August, 1947, Col Malik reportedly asked the Dawn newspaper’s FE Brown to omit the portion in which a promise was made to recognise the right of non-Muslims to practise their religion. The irony of Rushdie’s uncle playing Mr Censor doesn’t end there. Col Malik expunged large sections of Hector Bolitho’s offi cial biography of Jinnah (Jinnah: Creator of Pakistan). The contract between the Pakistan government and Bolitho made it mandatory for him to submit his manuscript to a specially designated offi cial for approval. The offi cial was none other than Col Malik. The portions he deleted can now be read in Sharif Al Mujahid’s In Quest of Jinnah. Rushdie’s other aunt, Tahira, was married to Shahid Hamid. Lt Col Hamid opted for Pakistan and established the ISI, in the process becoming its fi rst director-general. He played an instrumental role in the coup Field Marshal Ayub Khan staged to become Pakistan’s military dictator, subsequently retiring in 1964 as Maj Gen. In 1978, he was inducted into the cabinet of President Zia ul-Haq, whom he served for three years. Yet, Rushdie doesn’t mention the role his uncles played in the making of an authoritarian Pakistan, which he detests. References to them could have denied Rushdie the opportunity to impart a touch of mystery to his parents’ shift to Pakistan. It could also have made their migration appear a tad opportunistic - it may have conveyed the notion that they shifted to Pakistan to benefi t from relatives who were in positions of power there. He couldn’t then have created the myth that his parents were cosmopolitan and devoid of Muslim consciousness, forgetting that a person could simultaneously possess the two seemingly contradictory sensibilities. It’s also possible Rushdie is deeply embarrassed by his aunts’ husbands, wishing to disown them in the same manner city-slickers do away their country cousins. You suspect this as he is effusive about his actor-aunt, Uzra Butt, a Pakistani citizen, and her famous sister, Zohra Segal, an Indian. Uzra was married to Hamid Butt, Negin’s brother, and the couple shifted to Pakistan around the time the Rushdies did. Rushdie also skirts around the story the London-based journalist Danish Khan did for Mumbai Mirror, in which he quoted from documents obtained from the National Archives of the British government to prove Anis was dismissed from the ICS for presenting forged documents pertaining to his date of birth. Danish’s story prompted London’s Evening Standard to do an item on it, for which Rushdie was asked for a response. He shot back, “My father died 24 years ago, and was not a public person, the fact that his son is in the public eye is no reason to exhume such ancient matters.” Mr Rushdie, one can say the same thing about personalities you have lampooned in your novels.

Nepali Times begins to carry Ajaz Ashraf’s syndicated column, Look Out, from this issue. Ashraf has worked for India’s The Pioneer and Hindustan Times newspapers. For the last 12 years he was deputy editor at Outlook magazine. [email protected] 4 NATION 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628

RAM PANT Civil Rights Act of 1965 to prevent voter suppression in five counties in Florida. BOSTON — When Jimmy Obviously, voter Carter visited Nepal in 2008 intimidation and suppression to observe the first election in the US is not as serious after the end of the conflict, as in developing countries, he observed polling in some but serious enough for it to urban centres and immediately threaten the outcome of this pronounced them ‘free and closely-fought election. The fair’. question is: why is the United As it turned out, the States imitating the worse election that voted the forms of electoral practice from Maoists into the Constituent the Third World? Assembly as the largest party The other worry is about was ridden with widespread JUDITH GOLD vote tampering. A large per voter intimidation and booth cent of the votes in Florida capturing. The Maoists would is from absentee ballots or probably have won anyway, people voting early and this is but with a smaller margin. where the potential for fraud Given allegations of is high. Yet, absentee voting rampant election process has tripled since 1980 and irregularities in the United Polls apart now makes up 20 per cent of States in the run-up to all votes in America. Absentee presidential elections on ballots and postal voting, 6 November, it looks like Nepal should return the favour and help where the chances of fraud are Carter should actually devote highest, can now determine more attention to electoral the United States reform its electoral process the outcome of elections. inconsistencies in his country With 18 per cent of Nepalis in addition to advising licence or photo ID. Among ad in The New York Times in international laughing stock. living outside Nepal, the developing countries. people above 65, this goes up which he accused some But if democracy is weakened issue of absentee voting is In the run-up to poll day, to 18 per cent and a quarter political entities of suppressing in America, I believe it will going to be crucial in Nepal the US media has been rife of African Americans do not people of ‘a different political also be weaker elsewhere. as well. But if the Carter with reports of attempts at have IDs necessary for voting. persuasion’ from voting. Louis- America has changed. The Centre can advise Nepal on voter suppression, voter fraud, Conservative groups in Drefyus went on to describe level of ethics in society is elections, why can’t Nepalis misuse of absentee ballots, Ohio have been using the voter suppression as an assault on the decline. The cost of also have the right to advise and campaigns to intimidate excuse of voter fraud to on democracy and pledged $1 running for office is high at Americans in controlling African American families, install large billboards to million to a non-partisan group all levels and the necessity voter fraud? It may not be as students, and the poor who warn voters that they need to prevent this practice. of campaign financing outlandish as it seems to think may vote Democratic. photo IDs even when it is I emigrated from Nepal to corrupts elected officials, that some day Nepal’s past But by far the most serious not true. This is done to the United States in 1958, but making them beholden to Election Commissioners who allegations are about voter intimidate Democratic party never since the Civil Rights large donors. The Supreme have conducted relatively suppression in crucial swing- voters from showing up at Act was passed in 1965 have Court is more political than clean elections despite huge states such as Ohio, where polling booths on election I seen as much discussion it ever was in the past, but challenges could be deployed pro-Republican Party activists day. In 2008, 64 per cent of on suppression and electoral it did recently support the to monitor US elections also. have been trying to intimidate African Americans voted, a fraud as is happening during Justice Department’s efforts voters likely to vote for the higher turnout than usual, this election campaign. We to prevent using ‘suppression Ram Pant is the President Democratic Party. that is credited with Barack Americans preach democracy methods’ to restrict poor and CEO of Cambridge A recent survey showed Obama’s victory. in our country and throughout people from voting in several Global Services, a that 11 per cent of American Recently, billionaire the world and sometimes Florida counties. The Justice Think Tank located in voters do not have a driving William Louis-Dreyfus put an that makes America an Department has invoked the Massachusetts, USA. 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 BUSINESS 5 BIZ BRIEFS

Flying easy The biology of luxury Qatar Airways announced its plans to launch daily fl ights to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh from early next year. The Our inherent need to keep up appearances and display wealth is Doha-based airline will be the only Middle keeping the demand for luxury goods high despite the global recession Eastern carrier to operate into Cambodia with services scheduled information-based world, selection is to start from February 20 effective only if a striking appearance is onwards. The airline has also introduced obtained at a very high price – and that offl ine payment solutions for reservations price is known. made on its website. Passengers can now For example, those who use cosmetics book tickets online and pay later at a Qatar known to be expensive often seem Airways reservations and ticketing offi ce. healthier, more vibrant, and more attractive than those who do not. This is not the result of efficiency (the most Education first effective cosmetics frequently become Under the Nepal-India Economic pharmaceutical drugs). Rather, it signals Cooperation Program the Embassy of India a lifestyle that values the preservation in Kathmandu and District Development of beauty and youth. Cosmetics, like Committee signed all luxury products, gain influence not a MoU to provide from their production or even their Rs 43.39 million purchase, but from their visibility. for construction of Indeed, an expensive item with no building at Shree label or identifying characteristics has Rambha Higher less competitive impact than a recognised Secondary School in Palpa. This is the item or brand. For luxury goods to have embassy’s sixth development project in the any function, society needs information district under India’s Small Development about their cost. This has been true Projects. to varying degrees throughout history ISODARA NEPAL – sometimes resulting in price bubbles. New partnership False information, such as counterfeit Etihad ANTOINE DANCHIN displays have been interpreted as a way goods, jeopardises the competition-based Airways to demonstrate fitness to a potential selection process. Animals commonly use will expand espite the global economic mate. A bird that survives, despite mimicry to capitalise on knowledge – or services crisis, sales of luxury goods are inconvenient plumage that slows it down fear – of another’s strength. By imitating in East Dsurging worldwide. Why? While or makes it visible to predators, must be an animal with a well-known protective Asia with marketing has contributed to the rise, the fit and will likely sire a healthy progeny. profile, a weaker one may enjoy selective codeshare luxury market’s robust growth is actually Given that females bear the physical benefits without the costs. services to Hong Kong from February 2013 rooted in biology. burden of offspring, an unobtrusive But mimicry’s success in nature in partnership with Air Seychelles. The new Discussions about the structure of appearance is more advantageous – and depends on the ratio of the original to the codeshare supplements Etihad Airways’ expansion in mainland China and provides human thought have long been dominated thus more common – in nature. But ersatz. If there are too few of the original, passengers from Hong Kong with seamless by the Enlightenment view that reality is humans are social creatures with no the profile loses its significance, and its connectivity through Etihad Airways’ hub in composed of four elements: space, time, natural predators, so female competition protective value vanishes. Similarly, Abu Dhabi to key destinations in Europe and matter, and energy. But recently, a fifth is more widespread – and demonstrative nobody would display a symbol of the Middle East. element, information, has entered the performance and display are more likely. wealth if it were too common. Therefore, debate. And information, it turns out, is Indeed, while visual manifestations of assessing whether luxury goods will crucial to understanding the fundamental wealth are prevalent for both genders, maintain their impact, and thus their Showing support drivers of luxury-goods consumption and women’s appearance is frequently more appeal, requires monitoring the extent of Surya Nepal thus to predicting the luxury market’s vivid and more closely scrutinised. counterfeiting. Asha Social future. But effective display is costly. Given that luxury goods provide Entrepreneurship While animals use colourful Developing complex, vibrant plumage individuals with a competitive Award (SNASEA) 2012 has displays and complicated behaviours demands significant energy and genetic advantage, higher luxury-goods sales announced the to signal fitness and strength, humans resources. Genes are difficult to maintain, could indicate a brighter economic future 15 fi nalists. From use luxury goods to demonstrate requiring subtle and energy-intensive for a country. In a time of crisis, countries the fi nalists, fi ve economic health. But more than a symbol, correcting processes. Just as writing too in which luxury goods play their entrepreneurs will buying luxury goods could indicate future fast can cause typographical errors that selective role effectively are the safest be awarded on 18 success, owing to the selective advantage garble a text, rapid changes to the genome bets for productive investment. December. SNASEA rewards, recognises that showing off provides. can undermine a species’ integrity. www.project-syndicate.org and supports social entrepreneurs all over In nature, competitors perform and Likewise, purchasing luxury goods Nepal and encourages others to follow these the most compelling, beautiful spectacle requires substantial financial resources. Antoine Danchin is an honorary professor at the exemplary individuals who are solving social wins. For most animals, males are the This cost dictates the display’s Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong problems through market-driven models. performers. As a result, competitive competitive impact. In today’s and President of AMAbiotics SAS. 6 LIFE TIMES 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628

BEST FOOT FORWARD The captain of the Nepali women’s football team is taking huge strides and driving the game to greater heights

BHRIKUTI RAI in MORANG

n between putting tika, Born and brought up in visiting relatives, and house Ramailo, a remote village in Ihopping, Jamuna Gurung Bayarban VDC in Morang, makes some time to revisit the Jamuna was one of the few football ground at Jana Sewa girls interested in the game. School in Ramailo, Morang. However, this did not deter her This is the ground where the from entering the sports even if 27-year-old captain of the it meant being the only female Nepali women’s football team player in the team. “Every time first learnt to kick a ball. “This I watched my brothers play, is where it all began,” she says I felt like I belonged more at running her fingers across the the football ground than in the faded wooden goal post. stands,” she recalls. At five feet one inch, it’s Bruises and broken bones hard to believe Jamuna has followed, but she carried on scored a record 25 international with sheer determination and goals in just four matches at 14 she was selected for the Philippines. “It was after my country where social acceptance their passion for the game alive. and won the golden boot for national women’s football squad stint in the Philippines that for female athletes is still Despite the initial success, being the leading goal scorer at the 4th National Game in I decided to take up football difficult to come by, her late her spirits were soon dampened at the recent SAFF Women’s 1999. She got her first taste of professionally,” she explains. brother Dambar Gurung not by the constant power Championship in Sri Lanka. international football the same The cool-headed forward only coached and mentored the struggle at All Nepal Football But her small frame belies her year when she participated is also quick to give her family precocious young talent, and her Association (ANFA). In the ten immense mental toughness. in the Asian Cup in the full credit for her success. In a twin sister Ganga, but also kept years after she made her debut, 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 LIFE TIMES 7

Beauties with brawn

TSERING DOLKER GURUNG

he Nepali women gather into a huddle in the middle of the court at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Tin Colombo, Sri Lanka. More than athletes they look like models straight out of a fashion magazine: hair neatly tied, eyes lined with kohl, lips painted bright red, and pink cheeks. The other teams even nicknamed the players ‘little dolls’ for being the most decked up and shortest team on court. However, once the whistle blew, the teenage girls transform into a professional unit and pack a powerful punch. Despite being the newest kids on the block and not having a strong reputation coming into the tournament, the Nepali women’s netball team quickly became one of the most popular teams at the Asian Netball Championship held in Sri Lanka in August. The little dolls faced nine consecutive loses and did not bag the trophy, but were successful in winning the hearts of fans and opponents alike. “We don’t have any regrets about the losses. No matter the score difference or the end result, we gave our best shot and didn’t lose hope till the end and it is what matters the most,” says 20-year-old captain Mala Limbu who is a model by profession. The fighting spirit paid off when the team won their last match against Pakistan.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS: Jamuna Gurung revisits the football ground in Jana Sewa School in Ramailo, Morang where she began her career (top left). Jamuna in action during a match against Afghanistan at the 2012 SAFF Women's Championship in Sri Lanka (above). WHITE LIGHT STUDIO The team of 18 to 22 year olds was put together six RAJU GHISING weeks before the tournament. Due to time constraints, most of players were selected from the national basketball team since netball is very similar to basketball. Tarli Young and the Nepali women’s team regional tournaments has been is in it for the long haul. Today Micheal Norwood who volunteered to coach the team recall didn’t participate in a single heartening. However, despite she juggles her duties as the spending countless hours watching YouTube videos and international tournament and ANFA’s large budget very little captain of both the national taking rigorous notes on tactics and moves. The players, out even local matches were few trickles down to the women’s and the Armed Police Force of which only three had played netball before, trained for and far in between. Without team. teams. As an avid Barcelona six days a week for two months. regular competitions or As a result, women train fan, she idolises Lionel Messi “We even got our hands dirty, lifting kick-bags, mats matches, keeping themselves with shoddy infrastructure and admires his agility and and heavy taekwondo equipment from the court as we motivated and developing and and meagre resources. sheer speed which she tries shared the same court for practice. But none of the girls their skills and strategies Female players weren’t even to emulate in her own game. ever hesitated to go the extra mile,” recalls Limbu who is a became a big challenge for paid a monthly salary until two After retirement, she plans to model by profession. the team. Jamuna says this months ago. A female player become a coach and pass on her Until three months ago, netball was a game heard by was the lowest point in her now earns Rs 5,000 each month knowledge and skills to young few and played by even less in Nepal. But Deepak Lama’s football career and she even compared to Rs 10,000 for men. girls like her who dream of determination to bring the game to the country made the contemplated hanging up her Getting advertisers and larger dribbling it like Messi. formation of a national netball team possible. Lama found boots before her career could audience for women’s games is With Dasain over, many in out about the sport through a friend in Australia, where the even take off. also a hurdle. her village have returned to the game is immensely popular. But all that changed for the “It’s hard especially for cities to resume their work. But “I love sports and I have been active in Nepali sports better after the South Asian girls who are starting out their Jamuna is taking a few weeks for some time now. I feel like netball will catch on quickly Games in 2010. Since then careers from small towns where off from her national duty to because basketball is so popular already,” he says. He the team has bagged three training and facilities are not train girls in Ramailo. contacted the Asian chapter of the International Federation runner-up trophies: one from even half as good as the cities. “I was lucky that my family of Netball Association that made Nepal a representative. the South Asian Games and Unless we improve this it will was so encouraging. But not all Within a few months the Nepal Sports Council officially two from the SAFF Women’s be hard to catch and retain girls have that kind of support recognised the National Netball Association. Lama who Championship. “We have been young talents,” she admits. so I want to reach out and tell is now the general secretary of the newly formed Nepal consistently good against teams However, Jamuna is still them that if they believe in Netball Association, aims to encourage more youngsters by in the region except India. But hopeful that the Nepali team can themselves, they can achieve introducing the game in schools and colleges. we are training really hard make it to the top of regional their goals. It will be great “The girls performed much better than we expected and and hope to bring home the rankings if current lot of female to see my sisters train at the it was a great opportunity for them to gain exposure. With gold next time,” says Jamuna footballers play well and set a same ground where I began my better training we hope they will progress to the top three brimming with confidence. good launchpad for younger football journey,” she tells us in the next tournament which will then encourage other With more local and players. proudly. Nepali girls and boys to join the sports,” explains Lama international tournaments Many of her contemporaries with an eye to the future. being organised, the players gave into family and financial nepalitimes.com are getting greater exposure pressures and left the game see video and the team’s performance at midway, but Jamuna says she 8 LIFE TIMES 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628

Our Gurkhas, an exhibition Yellow Chili, enjoy renowned Indian photographer Zakaria Zainal's work chef Sanjeev Kapoor's signature in who will also launch his book Our Indian delicacies and variety of other Gurkhas: Singapore through their Eyes. mouthwatering delicacies. Thapathali 2 to 5 November, 12 to 7 pm, Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu; 7 to 8 November, Shambaling Hotel, this newly opened 10 am to 5 pm, Pokhara Sabah Griha, hotel promises a fi ne dining experience. Pokhara; 10 to 11 October, 10 am to 5 Boudha pm, Yumaa Fine Art Gallery, Dharan. www.facebook.com/gurkhas.sg Chopstix, savoury Asian food cooked in true Chinese fashion sure to charm Living pictures, watch Nepali and and impress. Try the famous drums of Finnish fi lms every Wednesday heaven. Kumaripati, (01)5551118 evening. 31 October to 28 November, THIK THAK RESTAURANT, this 9.30 pm, Moksh Restaurant, Chongqing Fast Food, gear up for restaurant boasts fresh fi sh from the Jhamsikhel some mouth watering Chinese dishes lake which means the dishes are like Sour and Spicy Pork, and Kung Pao always fresh and delicious. Lakeside, The digital tribe, a group exhibition Chicken. Thamel Pokhara EVENTS on the changing cultural, social, and TRES FLAMENCAS, internationally individual values in the age of digital renowned dancer Clara Ramon connectivity. 2 to 12 November, 5.30 introduces the Spanish Flamenco for GETAWAYS DAKINI, witness a visually stunning pm, Siddartha Art Gallery, (01)4218048 the fi rst time in Nepal. Rs 1200, 8 to 9 circus performance with breathtaking November, 6 to 8 pm, Russian Cultural Charikot Panorama Resort, enjoy costumes and exceptional skills that Centre, Kamal Pokhari, 9813930267 panoramic views and local culture in magically bring to life traditional Nepali the historic town of Charikot. Special storytelling. Rs 500 for children, Rs DINING packages on offer. Charikot, Dolakha, 1000 for adults, 10 to 11 November, (01)5529463, [email protected] 3 pm and 6 pm, Bulls Club, Nakkhu, tickets available at The Summit Hotel, Dragon Chinese Restaurant, try the Moksh, Café Soma, Electric Pagoda, Kung Pao Pork if alone and the Mai 9818165730, info@circuskathmandu. Cao if with company. Lakeside, Pokhara SAIGON PHO, spacious interior with com authentic Vietnamese dishes. Lazimpat

Writing for fi lm, fi lmmaker Murray Kerr Krishnarpan, a specialty Nepali will help you hone your raw ideas into a restaurant at The Dwarika's Hotel polished script ready for the big screen. serving 6 to 22 courses of authentic Rs 2,500, 1 to 10 November, 11 am to 2 Nepali meal. The Dwarika's Hotel, pm, 9813485716, (01)5523486, sara@ Battisputali, (01)4479488 sattya.org

THE MYSTERY OF SHAKTI YOGMAYA, a talk by Barbara Nimri Aziz on the life of the mystic Yogmaya and her contribution to Nepal’s history, politics, religion, and gender EVEREST PANORAMA RESORT, studies. 2 November, 5 pm, Yala Maya a great view of the Himalayas Kendra, Patan Dhoka, free entrance, from the top of the Mahabharat. COUCH FEST, watch short fi lms (01)4472807, [email protected] Daman, (01)4412864, info@ selected from the likes of Sundance, everestpanoramaresort.net CFC Worldwide Shorts, Seattle Ace creative showcase, exhibition and International Film Festival among workshop that aims to introduce new- Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, located on others. 10 November, 6 pm, Sattya media art and computer entertainment, MAGIC BEANS, coffee, cakes and PERI PERI, home of legendary a hilltop the resort offers a magnifi cent Media Arts, Jawalakhel, especially widespread in Japan, to the sandwiches with a magical touch Portugese fl amed grilled chicken, enjoy vista of valleys, foothills, and www.couchfestfi lms.com/fi lms-2012- youth of Nepal. 2 to 3 November, 6 pm, and taste. Sherpa Mall, Durbar Marg, dishes served with the trademark Piri moutains to the north. Dhulikhel, (011) Kathmandu.html UWTC Building, Tripureswor (01)4230914 Piri sauce. Jhamsikhel, 9808563803 490114/494, dhulikhellodgeresort.com All that jazz

f you couldn’t make it to the Jazz for the from Norway will play an exciting fusion of Next Generation gig yesterday, don’t worry eastern classical and jazz laid out on African Ibecause Surya Nepal Jazzmandu is looking rhythms. to rock you right on its tenth birthday. Suzy&2 have been in Nepal for quite some Artists from Switzerland to Norway and time and are teaming up with three Nepali Thailand to France have flown in, settled musicians for the festival. “We promise to down, roamed about and are raring to go. “I take our listeners on a magical sonic travel can’t believe I will be playing salsa in Nepal,” around the world,” they say. says Marlow Rosado of USA, “I am very proud So mark your calendars and joint the of my roots and happy that they have reached Jazzmandu team on a magic-carpet ride so far and brought me here.” across the soundscapes of the world. Jazzmandu calendar On Tuesday morning, shoppers at Ason Tol The Valley Jams are 7:30 to 9:30pm. in the heart of old Kathmandu were pleasantly Valley jams, be followed by a jam with Jazzmandu surprised to find drum sets and amplifiers in 2 November, 7.30 to 9.30 pm, Rs 400 musicians. place of lettuce and cauliflowers as Cadenza Different venues in Kathmandu will Collective set up shop not to trade, but to amuse feature performances by various Jazzmandu master class, the curious crowd with a short performance Jazzmandu artists. 6 November, 3.30 to 4.30 pm, along with a music video shoot of their song KJC, free entry Hip Break. Jazz bazaar, An opportunity for music students and On Friday night Manny’s in Jawalakhel 3 November, 2.30 to 10 pm, jazz enthusiasts to interact with visiting Gokarna Forest Resort, Rs 899 musicians, share experiences, and get tips will feature Beat Kaestli who will perform Far from the cacophony of Kathmandu, on techniques and instruments. traditional jazz mixed with R&B and Latin in the lush green forests of Gokarna, a rhythms. Nearby in Moksh, Jhamsikhel, the marathon of jazz and traditional Nepali Jazz at Patan, Rootman Ensemble from Thailand will play folk and classical music awaits you. Bus 6 November, 6 to 8.30 pm, their high-energy funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and available from Hyatt Regency, Boudha Patan Museum, Rs 1,299 R&B beats. from 1 to 4 pm and to Lazimpat at 10 An evening of Nepali classical music fused At the other end of the city at the House of pm, seats not guaranteed. with Jazz played in the historic courtyard. Music in Thamel, Adil and Vasundhara from India are all prepared to charm audiences with Afro-Latin jazz, Jazzmandu fi nale, their blend of jazz, funk, folk, and blues. And 4 November, 7.30 to 9.30 pm, 7 October, 5.30 to 10 pm, slightly further at Bhumi in Lazimpat, Suzy&2 Hotel Shangri-La, Rs 899 Hotel Shangri-La, Rs 999 A night of Afro-Cuban sounds of the Bands will play their sets and later jam Caribbean with Tito Puente Jr and together, culminating in a high-energy, Marlow Rosado, accompanied by the improvised treat to bid adieu to this year’s Jazzmandu all-star band which will musical festivities. 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 LIFE TIMES 9 Look who’s Bach The French Embassy in Nepal and Vajra Hotel bring you Delights of Solitude, an evening of solo works of German composer JS Bach. World- renowned cellist Franck Bernede will be playing Suite G-Major BWV 1007, Partita Root of the issue A-Moll BWV 1013, and Suite D-Minor BWV 1008 on the violoncello. As part of its monthly lecture series, the Culture Studies Franck Bernede is a cellist and ethnomusicologist Group of Nepal brings you Wildlife, Forests and People in who has been trying to bridge the musical cultures Nepal, a talk by Judy Oglethorpe on the environment and of the East and the West. He has researched the inhabitants of the Gandaki basin. Oglethorpe is the chief extensively in Nepal, specialising on the Gandharbas of the Hariyo Ban Program which centres its activities from of central Nepal and also the traditional Newari the Tarai arc in Chitwan to the Annapurnas. Before moving music of Kathmandu. He holds a doctorate in social to Nepal, she directed the World Wildlife Fund US’s climate anthropology and ethnomusicology and is the founder change program. The talk on Nepali forests will range from and director of the Singhini Research Centre, a estimating snow leopard population to restoring forests and Nepali organisation dedicated to the preservation and helping people and nature adapt to climate change. promotion of the music and dance of the Himalayan region. 2 November, 9.30 am, Shanker Hotel, Lazimpat, [email protected] Rs 750, 17 November, 6 pm, Vajra Hotel, Rs 400 for non-members and Rs 100 for members, Swayambhu, limited seating, booking advised, including tea or coffee (01)4271545

SOMEPLACE ELSE

he familiar is often ignored for the novelty of

BUZZ PICS: TAVISH Z SHRESTHA Tthe new. This realisation was brought anew last night when after an evening of trick- some reason demand garishly We started our mother- (Rs 280) that comes with fries the only dessert on offer- or-treating, my six-year-old coloured walls and a standard son dinner with Golden Fried and a small helping of fresh chocolate brownie with ice pipes up and says he wants to fare of soggy fries and chicken Prawns (Rs 450), a delectable salad. The chicken is beautifully cream and hot fudge sauce (Rs eat dinner at Buzz. Yes Buzz, momos. start to our meal. We continued seasoned and softly grilled so 220). What can I say but the the restaurant we have been to To be fair, Buzz does have with the Crunchy Pork (Rs that it retains its moisture and brownie was fresh, the ice cream so often, but for some reason I fries on its menu, but here they 260) which is prepared with the resulting fare is light and cold and the sauce hot. Overall, hadn’t reviewed it yet. are fresh with a bite to them, galangal and lemon grass and appetising. simply delicious. We love Buzz at our house, and there are chicken momos honey, leading to a delightful The Chicken Mongolian The restaurant also serves its proximity being a big too, though I haven’t tasted mish mash of incredible Noodles (Rs 260) is a filling plate a variety of cocktails and reason, but definitely not the them yet. The food at Buzz is flavours. We then moved on of stir fried flat noodles with mocktails and its version of Thai only one. The food is good definitely all grown up. to the Grilled Chicken Wrap fresh vegetables and chunks of food is pretty good. Buzz has and wholesome, nothing to marinated chicken, garnished turned into a joint that people rave about but consistently with sliced green chillies and return to over and over again good. Also because it is set in a served with fresh chutney of which says a lot about the place courtyard, it is open and allows tomatoes and Szechuan peppers. and the food it serves. the children some space to move At Buzz, they serve meals, not around. And most importantly bite sized pretty food on a plate, How to get there: Walk down the the place exudes comfort and but meals, and this is one of the lane from the original Bhat Bhateni acceptance and while being things that makes Buzz such Supermarket, 100 metres or so beyond child-friendly, it is thankfully a popular haunt: good food at the Chinese Embassy, a brown gate on not a ‘family restaurant’. Family affordable prices. the left leads to Buzz Restaurant and restaurants in Kathmandu for We finished our meal with Bar. (01)4429903 10 HAPPENINGS 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 LOOPER

MUST SEE Sophia Pande

ooper is the perfect fi lm to go and see in the theatre to MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA celebrate the holiday season. It is a time-travelling, twisty Lthriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, (one of the most NAMASTE: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and President Ram Baran Yadav promising up and comers in Hollywood) as the young Joe, a exchange greetings during Phulpati Badai parade of Nepal Army in Tudikhel. hired assassin who kills targets sent back from the future so that the body and the crime are essentially untraceable. Sound complicated? You have no idea how much twistier the plot actually becomes and I will not attempt to explain the byzantine plot here. It is better to see and experience the fi lm in real time with no particular pre-conceived notion so that you fully enjoy it. Rian Johnson, the director, and Gordon-Levitt have collaborated before in Johnson’s fi rst feature fi lm Brick (2005), another twisty noirish thriller that sealed Gordon-Levitt’s reputation as an intense and very talented young actor. While Brick and The Brother’s Bloom (2008) are both very watchable, they fall into the trap of being highly complicated, but perhaps lacking the little bit of heart that would have allowed them to transcend their genre. This is the usual pit- fall that awaits any young, dynamic, writer and director types like Rian Johnson. I am happy to say though that he has not made the same MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA mistake with Looper. With an excellent cast including, Bruce Willis (as the older Joe), Emily Blunt as a young mother LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING: CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal tries on a Nepali topi protecting her disturbed but powerful child, Paul Dano as a at Massan Galli, Kathmandu. nervous young assassin, Piper Perabo as a stripper with a heart of gold, and Jeff Daniels as the arch villain sent back in time, the fi lm is able to carry its complicated plot with the help of the afore-mentioned cast, slick cinematography, and very real existential questions that leave you thinking. go back in time and kill Hitler, would you?” Well, I can’t answer It is rare that an action packed, slightly self-indulgent that question, even for myself, yet I fi nd its premise fascinating action thriller leaves you with questions and keeps the post and very disturbing. movie debate alive and kicking. Watch Looper for thrills, a bit of mind-boggling time travel, The ending is shocking and unexpected, and afterwards crazy complications that will leave your mind slightly addled, you will find yourself asking, “Who exactly would I take a great performances, and some heart-wrenching questions at the bullet for?” end of it all. While, hopefully, this is not a question anyone need follow Looper is currently playing in theatres in Kathmandu. through in the real world, it is important in the grand scheme of things. Is the love of a mother for her child enough to change his nature? Is that love more sacred than that between a man nepalitimes.com and a woman? Can one really alter the course of history with Watch trailer sacrifi ce? As one of my friends put it afterwards, “If you could MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA CATASTROPHE CALL: Although road construction is nearly fi nished in Maharajganj, electric and telephone wires have been left down on the sidewalks. High spirits, low abuse READERS’ PHOTO

regular can), about 150ml of wine risk abusing alcohol. (about two thirds of a regular What about all the news wine glass, not full), and 45ml DHANVANTARI about alcohol being good of spirit (not a ‘Patiala’ peg) each for you? Drinking like most Buddha Basnyat, MD comprise one drink. things in life is a double edged Based on these figures, sword. There is some good a healthy man without any evidence to show that moderate f you have visited a hospital contraindications to alcohol may consumption of alcohol may between Dasain and Tihar, have two drinks per day and a be cardioprotective. Alcohol in Iyou may have noticed the healthy, non-pregnant woman moderation also enhances the occasional ‘raksi lageko’ patient. fun and frivolity of any party. What many Nepalis don’t People are more keen to attend seem to realise, however, is the parties which say ‘drinks and magnitude of alcohol abuse dinner’ instead of just dinner.

that happens during the festive All the people that drink GIRISH GIRI season. are certainly not alcoholics. JOLLY SWING: A happy mother looks after her newborn in Thok, Sanga Chok Patients with cirrhosis of But homicides, liver diseases, VDC, Sindhupalchok. the liver caused by excessive cancer, strokes, certain heart alcohol intake are all too diseases are all problems common in emergency associated with alcohol. WEEKEND WEATHER wards during this time. The And even trying to drink in well-known complication moderation is difficult given of cirrhosis, namely upper the addictive power of the drug. Recently, the whole Himalayan gastrointestinal bleeding, is also Being able to ‘hold your drink’ region was under high pressure tragically a regular occurrence. is no protection against the ill which led to a drastic drop in KATHMANDU In order to know what temperatures in the past few effects of alcohol either. weeks. However, the drop has alcohol abuse is, it is important Those of us who like somewhat stagnated now and no to understand how a drink alcoholic beverages will do well further dips are expected at least is defined. We can broadly to drink in moderation in Tihar. until next week. The fragmented categorise drinks into three can consume one drink per day, Also with the zero tolerance on and unsaturated clouds we saw in the past couple of days mean groups: beer, spirits (whisky, FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY as women metabolise alcohol drinking and driving in Nepal, that there could be some isolated rum, vodka, gin), and wine. The differently. The quantity should it may be wise to use public snowfall across the Himalaya. regular alcohol content is about not exceed more than 14 drinks transportation (if available), take November is the driest month five per cent in beer, 40 per cent per week for men and seven a taxi home or have a designated in Nepal and trekkers can take in spirits, and 12 per cent in drinks per week for women. driver who did not drink that advantage of open skies for at ° ° ° ° ° ° least two more weeks. 21-10 21-10 20 -12 wine. About 350ml of beer (one When people cross this limit they evening.

2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 OPINION 11 Not everybody’s cup of tea

as another leader of the same party is worried about a Maoist design for state capture. For those who thought the hue and cry over government change was about dealing with the supposed Maoist threat, this should be a rude awakening. The opposition discomfort is not about the Maoist government, but about the cosying relationship between Bhattarai government and New Delhi. BY THE WAY However, for most of the Anurag Acharya country’s 26 million people, it never mattered who rules in Singha Darbar as long as they have a government that his week, while the delivers services. And here in political parties in the Tarai’s urban centres it is TKathmandu were still also an emotional struggle having their tea parties, I for dignity and respect for dropped in at a local tea identity. shop in Biratnagar with the Who governs this country morning paper under my arm. is not as important as how it is It was packed with rickshaw governed. But that message has pullers and day labourers. never got through to the rulers The Dasain festival for them is in Kathmandu. Federalism less of a celebration, more of may be an abstract concept an opportunity to make extra in the capital, but here in the money. plains it is a demand that On one corner, two graying contains an aspiration for self- men were engrossed in their rule that cannot be dismissed own conversation in Maithili. over a cup of tea. “Chhath ke pahile ta kuchho The preliminary results na hoyi. Aa, chhath ke baad, of the 2011 census show neta sab sangh ke upar gadbada that there has been a huge rahi, te thulo babbal hete,” one ANURAG ACHARYA movement of population from of them was saying rubbing the mountains to the plains. In tobacco in his palm. In the arithmetic of power politics, ignoring some districts, up to one-third The rulers of New Nepal of the people have migrated in Kathmandu are perennially the inclusion agenda in the Tarai may prove out, mostly to the Tarai. This undecided about the future, transmigration trend is not just but in a tea shop 400km away costly for the parties reshaping the demography of in the eastern Tarai, ordinary the country, but it will have a citizens are pretty sure about inclusion will prove fatal for the federalism: two issues the issue by luring few Madhesi lasting impact on democracy what is going to happen. The nation.” that galvanised the Madhes netas, they should come here as well. The future of Madhesi mood of the Madhes, which On the surface, the border movement. and talk to us.” politics will depend on how makes up half the country’s towns of Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, “If they declare a Nepali politics is not just leaders address the aspirations population, is of increasing Siraha, and Janakpur, which constitution without finalising full of irony, it is also full of of the Madhesi people with impatience with the disarray saw some of the most violent the federalism issue, there will idiosyncratic personalities who that of recent migrants from and apathy in the capital. protests in 2007-2008, seem be protests. If they choose to go defy conventional wisdom of the north. In Dhanusha to the east, uninterested in the conspiracies for election without making a class, caste or any ideological In the eastern plains, it is which was the hotbed of the being hatched in the far away concrete decision on federalism, political premise. So there is festival time and soon people Madhes uprising in 2007, capital. But people here are not there will be protests,” says little surprise if a prominent will be busy harvesting the noted Maithili writer Rajendra just aware, but getting jittery 28-year-old Birendra Sah, a leader of a party proposes ripening rice. But the seeds of Bimal told me: “The leaders about the headlines that talk student from Janakpur. “If any Pushpa Kamal Dahal as probable yet another movement in the should know that dishonest of ‘postponing’ identity and party thinks they can sideline PM candidate at the same time Tarai is also being sown. 12 NATION 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628

hen I arrived in Singapore for Wthe fi rst time, it was a surreal experience. Compared to my home in Nepal, Singapore was surrounded by so much water. I looked forward to visits to Pasir Ris beach for annual picnics with my friends from the Gurkha Contingent. And we brought our families too. There, I would watch my son, born and raised in Singapore, take a leisurely swim by the beach. Our wives and their children too will enjoy the pristine waters we cannot get back home in Nepal.

Retired staff sergeant Chandra Bahadur Thapa, 79, holds up a framed photograph of himself on offi ce duty in 1976, three years before retirement. He served 1952-1979.

hen the Gulf war broke out 20 Wyears ago, I remember clearly how the Singapore Gurkha Contingent was called into action. Iraq was, and still remains, a major oil exporting country. The price and security of oil escalated because of the war. Immediately, we were tasked to protect Singapore’s offshore islands and the oil refi neries from terrorist sabotage.

Retired corporal Shanta Bahadur Gurung, 50. 1981-2006 OUR GURKHAS PHOTOS and TEXT: ZAKARIA ZAINAL

ingaporeans prepared to cast their Svote in the 1959 general election under a new constitution. There was enthusiasm in the air as Singapore became independent. Singapore Gurkhas, myself included, were called for election duty and were deployed at various locations where political candidates declared their intention to contest a seat in parliament. The result: Lee Kuan Yew’s People’s Action Party won 43 out of 51 seats.

Retired sergeant Tulsi Prasad Gurung, 77, holds up an old photograph taken in 1966 of his section of men. 1951-1972

n the 1950s I witnessed the Maria IHertogh riots. Standing guard at the old Supreme Court, I remember seeing Maria, reluctantly, being ushered into the car with her biological mother and driven away. Malay and European communities rioted because of a court ruling to give custody of young Maria Hertogh to her biological parents after being raised as a Muslim for eight years. Outside the Supreme Court, the army had to be called in and a curfew declared.

Retired police constable Bhakta Bahadur Gurung, 88, served from 1949-1961. 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 NATION 13

ow is Lee Kuan Yew and Hhis family these days? I guarded his residence, and most of us from the Gurkha Contingent have guarded 38 Oxley Road at least once. I remember seeing Lee’s daughter and two sons while they were still young. Now, they have all grown up and doing well, I hope. Now the eldest son is prime minister too, right?

Retired police constable Bal Bahadur Gurung, 78, served from 1952 till 1973.

espite being many miles Daway from home, Nepali traditions and customs are a big part of our lives here in Mount Vernon Camp. I look forward to celebrating Dasain when elders put tika and bless relatives. There are drinks and food all day. It’s like Chinese celebrate New Year and the Malays celebrate Hari Raya. The most important thing: such festivals help bring the family together.

Amber Bahadur Thapa, 52, served from 1980 till 2006.

n aerial photograph of Singapore’s Central Business District dominates the living room wall of Bhabhindra Bahadur Malla’s modest home in Pokhara. The picture was taken in the mid-1980s, the year I was born. ABhabhindra pointed to key landmarks, places with fond memories. Many of the buildings or places have changed I said. He replied: “That is Singapore, always changing.” His story was one of the many I collected in this anthology of portraits and stories of retired Singapore Gurkhas in Singapore and Nepal. The Gurkhas are famous for their bravery, loyalty, and impartiality but Singaporeans know little about them and their families who live in a barricaded compound in Mount Vernon Camp. There are over 2,000 retired Gurkhas in Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Dharan, and Katmandu, and I tracked some of them down for this book which serves as a visual archive of an invisible community. Their memories and their stories, if not collected, will be forgotten. Remembering these Gurkha veterans is to give them a place in the history of Singapore and Nepal.

ave you eaten? I am sorry HI do not know any English. Good that you are Malay and can understand what I am saying. I can still speak the language a little even after leaving Singapore 40 years ago. Sometimes, here in Nepal, we speak in Malay to practice among ourselves. Then, since the 1950s, Bazaar Malay was the common language used by your parents and grandparents and that was how we communicated. I think now, English is more common.

Retired corporal Nar Bahadur Gurung, 74, holds up a framed photograph of himself when he fi rst arrived in Singapore in 1953. He served till 1973.

very three years when I was in the Gurkha Contingent, I would pack my Ebags and prepare for the long journey back to Nepal. We Gurkhas are entitled up to six months home leave every three years. That is when many of my friends got married, and they brought their wives to Singapore to start a OUR GURKHAS: family. It was usually an arranged marriage. From routine guard duty work to Singapore through their eyes quelling disturbances in Singapore, I now fi nd myself ploughing the fi elds of my village in Baglung district preparing for the next harvest. It is tough work, but I KATHMANDU get to see my parents and village friends back home. We traded our rifl es for 2 to 5 November, 12 to 7pm the sickle. Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal Retired sergeant Dil Bahadur Pun, 72, served from 1961 till 1984. POKHARA 7 to 8 November, 10 to 5pm Pokhara Sabha Griha, New Road nepalitimes.com DHARAN Invisible force, #511 10 to 11 November, 10 to 5 PM Watch Zainal’s interview Yumaa Fine Art Gallery, Putali Line 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628

will see him reinstalled as the head of government. “The One decade, one PM interim constitution doesn’t have provisions for another government after the elected one Shobhakhar Panthi, Nepal country. He claimed his resigns,” he said. Samacharpatra, 30 October government had already taken The PM also stated steps in the right direction confidently that consensus will and would increase per capita be reached by mid-December, Speaking at a mass gathering at income to $3000 if given the and that his party is keeping Arghakhanchi, Prime Minister opportunity. its options open for either a Baburam Bhattarai said that if Referring to the temporary CA revival or polls in he is given 10 more years to opposition’s demand for his order to work around political rule he would end poverty and resignation, the PM said that and constitutional complexities. unemployment and transform there can only be consensus “All of us are in one boat right Nepal into a prosperous through a package deal which now and if it sinks, we will all go down,” he added. Former Minister for Peace, Reconstruction, and Physical Planning Top Bahadur Khanal, Koirala: We’re sick Dahal: Not anymore. Rayamajhi said at the same of you changing words From now on, I’ll change program that only the UCPN every time you speak. them without speaking, (M) could effectively lead the on paper. way because the country had already adopted their agendas. Rayamajhi also assured locals Abin Shrestha in Kantipur, 29 October that he had plans to expand the historic Masurpata fields QUOTE OF THE WEEK

in Arghakhanchi and turn it

into an international standard The Maoists have already captured the“ stadium. “ state which is why it is difficult to get rid of the present government. CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal Overcoming the deadlock in Kantipur, 28 October

Editorial in Darshan, 30 October president has been urging the parties to go for elections at TWEETS OF THE WEEK the earliest. However, on Sunday, a group of former Supreme Court judges told Baburam Bhattarai that elections cannot be In the wake of deepening political crisis both Singha Darbar and held without making a few amendments in the constitution Shital Niwas have become active players. While the president which requires endorsement from the parliament. has been repeatedly summoning party leaders to his offi ce There is no arguing against the elections, but in order to to pressurise the latter into forging an agreement, the prime avoid a constitutional vacuum due to the retirement of election minister is busy consulting constitutional and legal experts. commissioners and ensure voting rights of the newly eligible Both seem to be doing their part, but there is a fundamental population, the parties must revive the legislature parliament. difference over the solution to this crisis among the ruling and Furthermore, Nepal’s interim constitution is a document of opposition parties due to which the much awaited agreement political consensus. So for the sake of forging an agreement, looks even more elusive. the parties can go beyond the prescribed constitutional premise Under extreme pressure from the opposition parties, the and even reinstate the CA for a short time if necessary. Oh Kathmandu, let me go home, for I will soon return to toil on your soil! #Dasain Imports from India up

Annapurna Post, 29 October

Although production of paddy has gone up in Nepal in the Those who have oceans are sprayed by storms and those who past year there has also been don’t, like Nepal, are preyed upon by shortage, disarray, and a sharp increase in the import mismanagement. of rice from India in the last fiscal year. Just in the past two months Nepal imported Rs 1.14 billion worth of rice from India, a whopping 800 per cent more than the same two months last MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA year when only Rs 12 million worth of rice was imported. India has shown a bigger gap item. Even the import of fruits Besides rice there has also because of food and petroleum from India has gone up by 120 been an increase in other food imports. Nepal imported per cent compared to last year, crops from India. The import petroleum products worth Rs according to the Central Bank. of potatoes, for instance, is up 15.28 from India in the past The imports of vegetables, The so-called capitalist Nepali Congess is near bankruptcy, while the self-styled people’s party, the Maoists, is the richest in South Asia. by 40 per cent compared to last two months alone, representing livestock, dairy products, and tea year. Nepal’s trade deficit with Nepal’s single biggest import from India have all risen sharply. 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 15 Back to square one

Himal Khabarpatrika, rades is empty assurances. 17 October-15 November Having fought the war for 10 years, they are forced to watch powerful people monopolise the party while those who nspired by revolutionary women fought to establish it are deserted by the leaders like Rosa Luxemburg, Jiang leaders. IQing, Clara Zetkin, and Nadezhda The leadership seems to have put their Krupskaya, young Nepali girls picked trust on outsiders and wartime deserters, up guns during Nepal’s decade long rather than the faithful ones. Those who insurgency with the dream of liberating openly criticised the party until recently their kind from exploitation and destitu- have now become its greatest advocates. tion. And those who were absent from the The Phulmatis, Rupmatis, Batulis, battlefields while the war raged on in the and Putalis who had once identified countryside have been unconditionally themselves with their international reinstated . icons even took up revolutionary names Since then the establishment has been and did their best to live up to their involved in suspicious financial deal- noms de guerre. They did not break ings, abandoned its pro-people ideals, down even after being tortured and and failed to achieve its political goals. raped and many even sacrificed their The party that was the most revolutionary lives for the movement. when it came to women’s liberation now Six years onwards, the tables have openly promotes oppression. turned and these brave women have Yesterday, those who abused women become as helpless as before. The Phool- were punished and Comrade Chairman matis and Roopmatis who broke social would tell us, “Women are our iron pillars barriers and married across castes to end against counter-revolution.” Today, these discrimination are now disowned by iron posts have been left to rust and those their families. Homeless, they are forced who bled and toiled for the revolution to wait at the doorsteps of the leaders have been all but forgotten. with whom they once walked shoulder For the women who joined the revolu- to shoulder. tion, the party was their home. But now These cadres gave up their lives and they are living like orphans. The dreams future for the leaders who have shown of living and dying like Rosa, Jiang, and complete disregard to their sacrifice. Nadezhda are shattered. From being Jwala The women who provided security to and Kranti, the women have reverted back people like Baburam and Prachanda are to being Batuli and Putali. today left searching for their own safety. All they get from their erstwhile com- Aruna Rayamajhi SAGAR SHRESTHA 16 BACK SIDE 2 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012 #628 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

can keep all the profits, whereas behaving much the way they do earlier he had to share it with back home, threatening violence the party. Communard Sagar on comrades from another has now set up the ominous- faction who appeared at the And now for Tihar sounding Unemployed Youth Chairman’s press con. Tongues Organisation Pvt Ltd, yes, the are also wagging about why PKD s Dasains go, this year’s we have all had a nice long various political tea parties this same one whose graffiti you made a surreptitious side-trip to festive season had a vacation and now, fully rested, week couldn’t help wonder see along walls all over the Paris and there is speculation at Asomewhat somnolent we once more plunge head-first why these back-slapping, jovial capital. Interestingly, though, our Paris embassy that he may quality. I don’t know about you, into the task of prolonging the leaders observed laughing their the outfit is not affiliated to the have gone there to patch up but many of us logged 18 hours political status quo and sine qua heads off at each other’s off- mainstream Baddie party and with a certain ex-ambassador of sleep a day, waking up only non, not to mention the quid colour jokes, can’t seem to agree it has been extorting the living who had a shoe thrown at him, to gnaw at a martyred mountain pro quo. on anything during closed-door daylights out of just about every and to agree to let bygones be goat, belching frequently in FG meetings? And why, if the business in town during Dasain. bygones. a loud and carefree manner, differences are so stark, they The Unemployed Youth is made FG chewing the cud by re-eating Once more this year, vegetable haven’t strangled each other up of the biggest gangsters in juicy morsels of aforementioned activists (some of my best yet? In any other country, a self- town and appear to have eaten Anyway, no sooner had we ex-goat picked out from between friends among them) raised respecting Maoist party never into the Comrade Chairman’s done with Dasain, and Tihar is one’s molars, plopping paans in objections to the decapitation of splits because the dominant own fundraising efforts which is upon us. There are workaholics the mouth, pocketing marriage buffaloes during Nepal’s greatest faction physically exterminates why he is boiling mad. Worse, among us who will insist on winnings, turning over, and carnivorous festival. They a dissident faction in an internal the Unemployed Youth are now going to work in the coming going back to sleep. I know what should perhaps be thankful that purge before it can even break extorting Casinos and other week. Woe on such spoilsports, you’re muttering: how is all at least we gave up cannibalism away. Could it be that our business interests in which PKD they need help. It’s not that we this different from a non-Dasain not too long ago. Also, sooner totalitarians are less totalitarian has a stake. It was bound to are less lazy the rest of the year. day in the Ministry of Labour’s or later, most Nepalis will be than other totalitarians? come to this: when there is no But ‘tis the season we can really Department of Idolence and forced to become vegetarians FG one left to extort the Baddies are let ourselves go by wallowing in Lethargy? Good question. over Dasain because at current forced to extort from cash-rich sloth. But sometimes we lapse Research into the cicardian inflation rates, a goat will be The differences between the two fellow-Baddies. into exertion and toil. Vigilance. rhythms of an average adult worth its weight in gold. We are Maoist parties are manifested FG That is what is required, male in this country shows still way behind the Americans in leadership tussles of trade vigilance against anyone who that our sleeping patterns are who are expected to massacre unions, fraternal organisations, Competition between Hyphen works to end this political essentially the same, Dasain about 30 million turkeys this and even on who should control Comrades and Bracket Comrades deadlock. Why resolve the crisis or no Dasain. As citizens of Thanksgiving, equivalent to the YCL. Former young commie, has now spread to the diaspora. when everyone a landlocked Himalayan ex- Nepal’s human population. Comrade Sagar who heads This is what Comrade Awesum benefits kingdom where the Buddha was the YCL’s Valley Committee, had to contend with when he from prolonging the born and that has never ever in FG has decided it is much more arrived on a mysterious trip to quo vadis, or shall its entire history been colonised Those watching the body lucrative to go it alone when it Brussels recently. His self-styled we say, the annus by aliens from the Planet Voth, language of our politicos at comes to extortion because he euro commie Red Guard were horibilis? ISSN 1814-2613

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