#664 12 - 18 July 2013 24 pages Rs 50

BIKRAM RAI

day-to-day survival. Economic growth estimates released on ECONOMIC BURDEN Wednesday ahead of the budget show it will be below target ith just over four of preparation by the parties. at 3.6 per cent this year. The months to go for Voters seem disgusted with Nepali rupee nearly hit a record Welections, it looks like the same old political figures. 100 to a US dollar this week, the international community Nepalis, like this grass cutter feeding inflationary pressures. is more keen on elections than outside the Ministry of Local we are. The run-up to elections Development in Singha KATHMANDU has been characterised by Darbar on Tuesday (above), SOLUTION IS ELECTION chronic bickering and lack are more concerned about EDITORIAL PAGE 2 WAR ZONE PAGE 17 2 EDITORIAL 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 THE ELECTION SOLUTION ith just over four months to go for elections, in nine hours on Tuesday. His message before it does appear as though our international leaving Delhi, in meetings with officials here, and Wpartners are more keen on holding it than before departure from Kathmandu underlined Nepal’s leaders. Voters, for their part, are thoroughly just one main message: to strengthen democracy disinterested and apathetic because they don’t see and ensure stability, Nepal needs elections as new elections resolving anything. What’s the point scheduled. of voting for the same old people who failed to write The leaders who lined up to meet him at a constitution the last time, they ask. Dwarika’s Hotel heard it, but will they listen? This cynicism is understandable, but it won’t Baidya and his deputy, CP Gajurel, will probably lead us anywhere. The only way to break the impasse get the same message in China where there will and give some momentum to the political process is also be strong pressure for the Maoist party to to have a new vote and hope for the best. However, reunite before elections. the run-up to elections has been characterised by The Baidya faction has agreed to talks with chronic bickering and a singular lack of preparation the Big Four, but there will be some give and take by the parties. It is as if they are resigned to the fact in return for their agreement to take part in the that polls won’t happen as scheduled in November. polls. However, we see the bigger hurdle in how They must also sense the acute disillusionment the internal dynamics within the UCPN (M) play among voters and are afraid of losing, but are too out in its Plenum next week. consumed by greed and ambition to make way for There are larger, over-arching questions of a new generation of leaders with fresh ideas and whether it makes sense to have a bloated 601- perspectives. member CA made up of the same party proxies The parties are also distracted by deep-seated as before. Why elect 491 or 601 members to an rivalries and divisions within themselves and are expensive CA when it will be the same four party in a wait-and-watch mode. The two Maoist parties syndicate that will decide everything anyway? are in the throes of an intense power struggle at the Why not convene a roundtable meeting of the top between Baburam Bhattarai and Pushpa Kamal DIWAKAR CHETTRI four big forces to iron out most of the contentious Dahal. The animus between them has peaked with issues beforehand? Bhattarai’s resignation from his top post, hinting That way the election can be to an assembly that Dahal should do the same. The Baidya faction that will adopt what has already been drafted by the threatened to go back to war in Pokhara, offered talks a previous CA for the new constitution and leave the day later, and then the very next day, in a surprise move, contentious issues for later. This would avoid the volatility its two top leaders flew off to China. The NC and the If the parties are going to decide that is sure to accompany elections when the campaigning UML, meanwhile, have no new ideas of their own and everything anyway, what is is going to be dominated by communal polarisations. only act in reaction to moves by the UCPN (M). If it is stability and progress we want, this may be India’s Minister of External Affairs, Salman the point of having a large and the least harmful way forward. An election should be a Khurshid, air-dashed to Kathmandu and met 35 leaders expensive Constituent Assembly? solution, it shouldn’t make things worse.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com OF NO SUPPLY, ONLY DEMANDS to do just about anything especially concerned ministries and departments religious backgrounds represented The Maoists set the example when the monetary stakes are high. instead. in the future CA. However, let’s not THE during the war and afterwards Prabin Jung Thapa Vijay Gurung forget that the previous CA with almost O WEEK proved that one can literally get 200 female lawmakers was about What is your favourite adventure sport away with murder (‘No supply, only Over the last 40 years, my Well-planned and durable roads are to draft one of the most regressive in Nepal ? demands’, Editorial, #663). So why husband and I have visited Nepal undoubtedly a better option than having citizenship laws in the history of shouldn’t water suppliers go on 14 times. We have trekked all the no roads. They open up new avenues Nepal. If the draft had been passed, it strike to uphold their right to cheat standard routes and some not so of employment. Pursuing cultural would have hurt women (and children) Sarad Pradhan: Rafting consumers? well known ones as well. While we preservation does not mean we have to from marginalised communities Richard Bull: Paragliding Nepali Chap understand that roads can open lock the place down. the most. So it’s not always about Rishab Khanal: Bungee access to medical care, markets, Som Nath numbers or proportionality, it’s also Vineet Sharma: Mountain biking Such unruly behaviour on and convenience, we have also seen about how independent women/ Bob Mason: Parahawking the part of business owners is a the economic ruin and depression This is a good piece by Pranab Man Janajatis/Madhesis/Dalits in the CA Yash Kumar: Himalayan marathon direct legacy of the 10 long years that roads can bring to villagers on Singh (‘Making inroads’, #663). And can be from their parent parties and Andy Collins : Yak milking spent in the jungle. They have former trekking routes such as the Kali here is my two cents on the issue: dear to what extent they can resist the Suraj Aryal: Trekking Douglas DiSalvo: Visa extension absolutely no respect for laws and Gandaki Valley. Nepal is one of the tree huggers, hippies, and sycophantic political arm-twisting and be assertive Komal Shah: Driving bike on Nepal banda regulations; whatever they demand, few countries left in the world where environment-brokers, please refrain in ensuring the welfare of their Sigmund Stengel : Nepali toilets they get. Ordinary Nepalis and the enviro-tourists can walk for days in from commenting on the disadvantages communities. AS HO KA: Dandi biyo media need to put pressure on the a natural road-free environment, but of roads. As a poor country, we need Meems Nisha Sharma Pnageni: Bungee government so that these criminal at the same time, these precious roads to spur economic growth, period. Gc Rabindra: Paragliding, kayaking cartels are brought under the rule sanctuaries are becoming increasingly Sanam L LIVING THEIR DREAMS Sudeep Kandel: Ultra marathon of law. sought after. They are being destroyed Not all Bhutanese refugees who were Basant by new roads. When they are gone, DOOMED TO REPEAT IT repatriated to the US are doing well This week’s Question: they are gone forever. Lama is right: They say only fools learn by repeating (‘Living their dreams’, Jangbu Sherpa, What do you like best about monsoon? FROM NOWHERE TO NOWHERE if the Tsum road is to go ahead, it mistakes. That tag fi ts perfectly well #663). The Department of State Go to www.facebook.com/nepalitimes or www.twitter.com/nepalitimes to respond. As a transportation engineer by should be an alternative approach that on us Nepalis as we are once again recently reported that Bhutanese have profession and a native of Gorkha, protects holy sites and a vital trekking woefully unprepared: remember the the highest rate of suicide among I am deeply concerned about route. 2008 polls (‘Doomed to repeat it’, all refugee groups. Offi cials are not this ambitious road project which Sue and Howard Dengate Trishna Rana, #663)? The 11-point sure why, as most refugees to the US could cause much cultural and agreement says polls have to take also come from war-torn countries Weekly Internet Poll #664 architectural damage in Tsum Valley The development of roads is place before December, I doubt adding where they have seen a great deal of (‘Road from nowhere to nowhere’, indeed a double-edge sword. In a month will help much. So what is violence. The younger ones are doing Q. Is the CPN-M right to boycott elections? Sonam Lama, #663). The project today’s world, roads are imperative it going to be? Hardcore back door well and many in my own town have Total votes: 1,552 seems to be driven by the wild for development. Unfortunately, negotiations with Mohan Baidya and bought nice homes, have jobs, have ambition of greedy politicians and road-building comes with its share of friends to make elections take place in started businesses, and are living contractors who are lured by the negative effects. A partial solution is four months by hook or crook or will our the American Dream. The older ones prospect of pocketing large sums to identify the socio-economic-cultural leaders keep on extending the deadline who speak little or no English fear the of money. This is also an example impacts in the region where the road and say: sometime in 2014, stay tuned? worst, however, people are adaptable of how the National Planning is being built and try to mitigate these Sweta S and they appreciate the opportunities Commission as well as other state factors. However, a well-travelled and they have here, especially when they organisations in Nepal function: exposed person like Lama should not Inclusion is good and as the writer were so poorly treated in Nepal. I wish driven by political ambition and blind be making such anti-development points out, we need as many Nepalis all of them continued success. Weekly Internet Poll # 665. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com faith in technology, they are willing comments and should lobby with from as many social-economic-political- Sunbury Grl Q. Will the two Maoist parties reunite for elections?

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Desk Editor: Trishna Rana | Design: Kiran Maharjan [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 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 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 OPINION 3 Breaking up and making up National and international political constellations are all in favour of November polls

but people who have remained To read between the lines, The party does not have a without representation for over as the man who considers large enough support base to a year wouldn’t mind elections himself undisputed champion upset the polls as it claims and if the polls put Nepal back on of Madhesi agenda, Yadav is will end up as a fringe party if track. unhappy with the way Mahanta it contests elections on its As good neighbours, both Thakur and Bijay Gachhadar own. But Baidya knows India and China have pledged have overshadowed him. the opportunity cost of not their support for elections. There is a general speculation contesting is much higher. The Chinese State Councillor that Yadav is not among the So, even if he missed Salman Yang Jiechi, who was in favourites down south, which is Khurshid’s message in Kathmandu in June, and the why earlier attempts by Madhesi Kathmandu, he probably got Indian External Affairs Minister intellectuals and civil society to the Chinese version of it in Salman Khurshid who made bring him together with Thakur Beijing with an extra bit of a day-long stop on 9 June met did not succeed. advice on the strength of re- leaders from all political parties. Besides, the fact that their unity. They engaged more with some, stance on the Madhes isn’t If he is not foolish enough but conveyed near identical too far apart proves that the to reject the polls, Baidya will messages. differences lie elsewhere. So, have limited choice of either Everybody isn’t exactly the much talked about unity seeking a broader alliance with warming up to the idea of the among Tarai politicians, the UCPN (M) or going for the November polls, however, the whether or not it includes party unity. few loud men picketing Upendra Yadav, will not just be Pushpa Kamal Dahal, for OUMAIMA GANNOUNI against elections can at best be about the Madhes. his part, has never lashed out considered as that jittery lot that Mohan Baidya’s CPN-M at his mentor for splitting the institutionalised through is nervous about being judged to seems the more disoriented. party because he always knew a statute drafted by a their strength, and at worst, be Surrounded by comrades in that the honeymoon with the representative body ASAP. ignored as attention seekers. deep sulks like CP Gajurel and Madhesi parties weren’t going BY THE WAY Presently, the country’s Two of these are Mohan Pampha Bhusal, Baidya has to last forever. He will politely Anurag Acharya political equation is delicately Baidya and Upendra Yadav, a tough job confronting their welcome Baidya & Co back in balanced with parties but both have suddenly started inflated egos and bringing them the party, not because he wants on opposite sides of the making conciliatory remarks. around on the issue of elections. to, but because he needs to. n the muddled political ideological spectrum, which landscape of Nepal, is what makes consensual Idissenting voices, no politics so difficult. There matter how feeble, project is no functioning legislative themselves into the headlines. body and the existing interim For a democracy grappling with government was formed as a transition, the country has been result of unwilling compromise exceptionally tolerant, even among major political parties. towards undemocratic and It also derives its legitimacy unconstitutional demands made from the same loosely defined from the streets. political consensus. From the far-right, So, the decision by the demanding that country rolls interim electoral government, back to a Hindu fiefdom led by Chief Justice Khil to the ultra-left, vowing to Raj Regmi, to announce CA unleash another Armageddon, elections for 19 November the interim political order must be seen in the same light. has provided space for all There may be no constitutional kinds of agonists. But the basis to the claim, but in any country cannot afford to get democratic society, an election perennially stuck in this interim is the most democratic choice. quicksand. The fundamentals There may be apathy in the of this new republic must be general mood of the country, 4 NATION 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664

Kathmandu’s airport taxis TAXI! look like museum pieces ... SUNIR PANDEY

ou have just landed in Kathmandu and the last Ything you need after a long flight and a long line at immigration is to be hassled by taxi touts who want you to pay through your nose for a ride into town in a 40-year-old Datsun. After decades of wrangling and rumours of kickbacks in high places, Kathmandu airport taxis are finally going to be replaced by the latest model sedans, hatchbacks, and vans. “Every time I come to Kathmandu, I avoid the airport taxi and head over to the departure area and hail PICS: DEVYANI SHIWAKOTI a cab that has just dropped a passenger,” says David Dubois, and retire some of the antique TIA. “Now our new taxis will political protection, were taxi owners had tried to a French photographer, “that models. Forty green-plated have uniformed and name- cheating passengers and get their old cars replaced, way I never get fleeced by the white Ford Classics, Ford tagged drivers who can speak refusing to pay any fee for however, negotiations stalled airport taxi service.” Figos, and Maruti Eecos will English with visitors.” their lucrative business. Not with the government on taxes Now, arriving passengers be lined up at the arrival area The current charge-as- only were the cars old, but and on what should happen like Dubois won’t feel so bad from August. Another 160 you-like practice will also be passengers were overcharged, to the old cars. Fights broke about paying exorbitant rates will follow by the start of the upgraded to a standard prepaid service was terrible, and the out between owners. Now, for an airport cab because tourist peak season in October. service. Passengers will make cars usually broke down on the the Airport Hawai Yatru the museum pieces are being “We had been planning a payment at a counter in the way into the city. The new taxi Sewa Byawasthapan Limited replaced by newer cars. this for many years and we’re arrival lounge and then hand the service will also provide the (AHYSBL) has won the taxi- Tribhuvan International Airport glad to have finally found receipt to the driver at the end airport with an additional replacement bid and will be (TIA) management has struck a balance that satisfied all of their ride. Rs 3,200,000 in revenue each handling airport transport. a deal with airport taxi owners parties,” says Shyam Sundar All these years, taxi owners, year. Purushottam Simkhada of to add new cars to its service Shrestha, deputy manager at under powerful unions with As early as 2003, some AHYSBL says they convinced Steering clear epal has an outside chance to move although the country has fulfilled its basic A mutual evaluation report published up the ladder on the Financial obligations, it remains under constant in July 2011 revealed that money- NAction Task Force’s (FATF) list of surveillance. If a visiting team finds laundering and terrorist financing in member states who have pledged to stop Nepal’s progress in the next few months Nepal occurs through profits made from money laundering and financing terrorist satisfactory, it might recommend FATF to drug trafficking, human trafficking, activities within their borders. Ever since take us off the list. But if we fail to show arms trafficking, corruption, counterfeit Nepal signed on to the global anti-money further progress after that, we will be back currency, tax evasion, and gold laundering body in 2010, it has been to square one. smuggling. Since then, the country has fulfilling its obligations, but at the very Contrary to premature reports made steady progress and fulfilled all last minute. celebrating Nepal getting clearance within legal obligations. he Bill Against Organised Crime, three months, Baikuntha Aryal, joint The Finance Ministry is now pushing passed through an ordinance in secretary at the Finance Ministry says the the government to create acts and TFebruary, kept Nepal from being ordeal is far from over. “There is a plenary directives to implement these laws once it blacklisted and losing foreign investors at in October and FATF will decide whether receives the list of new requirements from the last hour. The Mutual Legal Assistance to send a team for an onsite visit,” he says. FATF. “There are talks of yet another Act and the Extradition Treaty Act were “We will know the details when and if mutual evaluation in 2015. If we continue also passed right before the deadline in they arrive in Nepal.” to make steady progress till then, we could 2012. At the FATF plenary held in Norway break out of the grey list,” says Aryal. After Khil Raj Regmi’s government from 19 to 21 June, Brunei, Philippines, Sunir Pandey passed the Anti-Money Laundering Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Bolivia were nepalitimes.com Act and the Proceeds of Crime bill in removed from the grey list and given a June, Nepal once again finds itself in clean chit for improving implementation Nepal’s fi scal cliff, #633 Get on with it, #593 FATF’s ‘grey’ category. This means that of anti-money laundering laws. 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 NATION 5

BIZ BRIEFS

New leadership Education fi rst ... finally they are going to AK Ahluwalia has been appointed as the Sipradian Sahayata, established new Chief Executive Offi cer of Everest by employees of Sipradi Group, be replaced by newer cars Bank. According to the press release has provided full scholarship to Ahluwalia has more than 32 years of 10 students of Shree Bishnu Devi banking experience at Punjab National Sikshya Sadan School in Satungal. The organisation also Bank, India and holds the post of Deputy provided different educational materials, uniform, shoes, and General Manager in the parent organisation. bags to the school children.

A1 tablet Shinning future Mercantile Offi ce System launched Clinic Plus Shampoo has declared Acer Iconia A1 tablet in Nepal. The Nirmala Mahat and her daughter Google Android 4.2 OS based Iconia Swastika and Reena Thapa and her A1 is powered by 1.2GHz Quad-Core daughter Aakriti as winners of its fi fth processor, features 16GB of internal audition (mid-western region) of its storage and up to 32GB of expandable memory. Clinic Plus Healthy Hair Contest. The winning mother-daughter duo in the nationwide fi nale will receive scholarships worth Rs 500,000 Easy investment NMB bank has issued Celebration time fi ve years closed The Ford Heritage Monthconcluded scheme worth Rs 600 in Nepal last week. The fi nale was million called NMB celebrated with felicitation of Vintage Sulav Investment Fund-1. Sixty per cent of the fund will be Ford Owners, who were presented invested in shares and the remaining forty per cent will be with appreciation letters from Ford Motor Company and invested in bonds and debenture reads the press statement. miniature of Model A. BEFORE AND AFTER: A vintage 1976 model Toyota (left) still takes passengers The fund will be managed by NMB bank’s subsidiary from the airport to the city, but brand new green-plate Chevrolet Figos like this company NMB Capital. one (above) will start replacing them next month. Cash full Pepsi announced the third week’s daily Hold my hand winners of its Pepsi 20-20 campaign. The Unilever Nepal winning numbers are 683679X, 104776C, everyone from owner to than 20 years old. Limited (UNL) 223196N, 791863U, 879694F, 842417N and driver to agree to this change. The airport is busiest handed over a 778769Y. The grand prize winner will take “The deal we made with the between 11am to 3pm and cheque worth home Rs 2 million at the end of the campaign. ministry allows us to keep sees around 1,500 passengers Rs 500,000 some of the relatively newer arriving every day. Together to the Prime vehicles,” he says. “For taxi with the Sajha public bus Minister’s relief Lucky winners drivers, we have arranged for service, passengers will have a fund for victims Nepal General Marketing, authorised soft loans so that they may range of options of going into of fl oods and distributor of Hero two-wheelers in Nepal become taxi-owners. The really town. landslides. announced the winners of its new Baaf re Managing Baaf scheme. Dinanath Prasad, Dipendra old vehicles may be sold off to Says Shrestha: “The airport Director for Chowdhary, and Ramesh Yadav have won scrap yards or whoever finds had a bad reputation because of UNL, Srikanth Srinivasamadhavan along with Ravi Bhakta Philips products worth Rs 100,000 rupees, Rs 70,000, Rs them useful.” Transportation the old taxis, hopefully that will Shrestha, director UNL handed over the cheque to. 50,000 respectively. rules in Nepal forbid the re- not be the case anymore as we registration of vehicles of more phase out the old vehicles.” 6 NATION 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 When war becomes a memory Comrades who fought alongside each other have charted out different futures for themselves

AMIR JOSHI comrades Nyasur feels let down by uncaring leaders and is beginning to question what it aya Bahadur Nyasur looked was all for. on with indifference “I dedicated my life to Jlast week as ex-Maoist the party and the revolution combatants were formally and didn’t ask for anything in inducted into the national return. But look at me now. I army. The 35-year-old from have a family of five to look Makwanpur, who opted after and I was injured,” he for voluntary retirement in says. “The party doled out 2012 after six years in the millions so the son of our UN-supervised camp in leader could climb Mt Everest, Nawalparasi, was engaged in but it couldn’t care less about hand-to-hand combat with some people like me. I feel used.” of them not too long ago. After the regrouping Although he has no regrets process in January last year, about choosing retirement, 7,365 former combatants opted like thousands of his former for voluntary retirement and only six chose the rehabilitation package. Of the 1,430 who qualified for Today Nyasur lives with long run out. he regrets deeply. With his integration into the Nepal his wife and four daughters An American journalist monthly income of Rs 6,800 as a Army 1,352 passed out from in a rundown shack near offered to take his daughters helper, he cannot afford to send eight training centres in Bhimsengola in Kathmandu. to the US for schooling but his daughters to school. Trisuli, Saljhand, Itahari, He lost his hearing, much of his Nyasur turned it down saying “Those who never had Kharanitar, Rajhene, Hile, sight, and both his arms during his daughters should study to witness the violence and Surkhet, and Boradari on 5 the battle of Hetauda in 2004. in Nepal and contribute to destruction of war have now PEACE July, marking the end of seven The Rs 6,200 he received as the development of their amassed enormous wealth and BUILDING years of the peace process. compensation government has motherland. It’s a decision are running the country, while WOUNDS THAT HAVEN’T HEALED n 23 November 2004, she finally had the courage to file a group of army men a complaint at the District Police Ocame to Purna Maya’s Office in Surkhet, but DSP Deep home in Dailekh and accused Kumar Basnet turned her away her of feeding the Maoists. She by saying an allegation must was blindfolded, dragged out be made within 35 days of the of her house, and taken to the incident. The Supreme Court too barrack in Kadachaur where five was similarly unresponsive. Only TOOFAN NEUPANE in NEPALGANJ men raped her mercilessly for in December 2012, did the United hours. When she tried to resist, Nations Human Right Committee fists and boots rained down registered her complaint. on her. Once they were done, With the help of NGOs the 40- While the peace they threw her in the middle of year-old travelled to Cambodia process might the street and left her for dead. last year to talk to women from Purna Maya survived her around the world who had be over, there wounds, but her life has never experience sexual violence. are thousands of been the same. She came to With the knowledge she gained women across Surkhet Hospital for treatment from her trip, she started an all and has not returned home to women’s group for violence and Nepal seeking Dailekh since then because she torture survivors in Surkhet. justice for war does not want to face the taunts Pavitra is a member of this time rape of society. In September 2011, group. She was abducted by the Kalpana 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 NATION 7

through armed struggle. “I do not regret my past, am proud of my achievements, and feel there is better future for the nation. If our party is given 10 years, we can turn Nepal around and make it more prosperous and equitable,” he says. Believing that all his hard work during the war would go to waste if he joined the Nepal Army, Paudel chose voluntary retirement. Since then he has been working as the district- in-charge for the UCPN (M) in Sindhupalchok where he indoctrinates students and labour union members in communist ideology. He recently published a book SAME BUT DIFFERENT: Former Maoist combatant Jaya Bahadur named Krantika Kathaharu, a Writing Nyasur (left) from Makwanpur has no collection of his diary entries regrets about choosing retirement, from the war (see box). about a but feels let down by uncaring Poudel is frustrated with leaders and wonders how he will the integration process and revolution support his family. Saral Paudel how party leaders stopped fter three attempts to publish (above) from Sindhupalchok who paying attention to the rank his war-time diary as a book, also opted for retirement, has not A and file. “There are certain Poudel had given up. But his lost his revolutionary zeal and works norms that need to be applied wife Asmita encouraged him to in his village indoctrinating students when two major forces of the fi nally fi nish it. Krantila Kathaharu in communist ideology. country are merged. I have (Stories of the Revolution) were continuously expressed my published recently by Poudel’s dissatisfaction about the Third Division of the Maoist army. in my village would look management of ex-combatants, Poudel had a fellow-warrior down on me, now that I am but sadly no one bothers to and friend during the confl ict in the army they will show a listen,” admits Paudel. named Kabita. She once asked him: “What will you write if I die little more respect,” he says. As the discontent of former in this war?” He had replied Looking back, he feels the war combatants festers, there is fl ippantly and asked her what she was not only pointless but also a danger they may flare up would write. “I will write a poem robbed thousands of young into bigger problems. Yet, the for you since my name means Nepalis like him of a bright voices of these young foot poem,” Kabita had replied. future. soldiers are all but drowned She died in the battle of “Selfish leaders took out by musical-chair politics. Rumjatar and Poudel decided advantage of our desperation Says Nyasur, “We need that he would start writing a and manipulated us into food, we need opportunities, diary which was published as fighting on their behalf,” he we need development. But a book in which he remembers says, “they are in power now, both the state and the party fallen comrades, details of various battles, and his but what have they done for have failed to look after strong dissatisfaction with the PICS: AMIR JOSHI the thousands who sacrificed common Nepalis. We fought integration process. He writes their lives for the revolution?” for 10 years and nothing much about Kabita’s courage in those of us who scarified our Nanda Rai from Dhankuta Unlike Nyasur and Rai, seems to have changed.” proposing to marry a comrade lives on the front lines for the joined the Maoist army when 35-year-old Saral Paudel from who was junior to her. equality and freedom of fellow he was 17 and after the conflict Sindhupalchok has not lost his Paudel was seriously injured Nepalis are being neglected by chose to be integrated into the revolutionary zeal. Paudel was nepalitimes.com in the battle of Ramechhap and the state and have nowhere to Nepal Army. He says he decided active in village politics from the book details the years after go. I would like the leaders to to join because he wanted a a young age and even though Remember what happened, the confl ict when he decided on step into our shoes for a day,” fresh start and live a life of he came from a middle-class East West by Kunda Dixit the retirement package. A war of words, #579 he says. dignity. family, he was convinced Twenty-seven-year-old “If I had gone home, people about the need for liberation

Maoists from Surkhet when she cadre. But so far she has neither was 17 and still has nightmares received any support from the of being brutally tortured and state or the Maoist’s disciplinary raped and even years after the commission. incident, the scars of that night There are thousands like are fresh in her memory. Her Purna Maya and Pavitra, but very husband of one year left her the few lodge a complaint due to moment he found out and she fear of social stigma and further now earns her living washing victimisation. According to the dishes at a hotel. Nepal Conflict Report published Kalpana (name changed) by the UN High Commissioner from Satokhani, Surkhet for Human Rights of the 100 was washing clothes when registered sexual violence cases, three Maoists invited her to a the army is responsible for the meeting. She had no idea what all but 12. The report also says awaited her. For one and half that one third of the victims are months, the Maoist combatants girls under 15 and even pregnant repeatedly raped Kalpana and or mentally disabled women forced to become a porter. She were not spared. was finally allowed to go home News of the induction of because of bad health, but hasn’t combatants into the Nepal Army told her family about the rape made headlines last week and till today. political analysts were quick Bimala who is also from to hail it as an auspicious end Satakhoni has equally horrifying to the peace process. But true memories of war. Raped peace will come only when the and beaten by seven Maoist rapists are tried and put behind guerrillas, the scars of that bars. night are still visible on her stomach. Although she kept nepalitimes.com it a secret from her husband, she confided to female Maoist Rape for ransom, #635 Pabitra 8 BUSINESS And we all fall down Nepali rupee free-fall hits the economy hard

PAAVAN MATHEMA is the increase in import tax payments will be made at the revenue. exchange rate of the payment The saving grace is that our date. Another outflow of dollars ike a conjoined twin, the = IRs peg is still at the golden is in education. Every year, Nepali rupee has been NRs 160 and two-third of our thousands of students leave the Ltumbling down with the imports from India is still country to study abroad. In the Indian currency, and hit an 100 transacted in IRs. The Nepal year 2011/12, Nepal sent over all-time low selling rate of Rs. 97.69 Rastra Bank had allowed import 9,000 students to the US alone 97.69 against the US dollar on of more than 160 products and is the 11th largest source of 95 Tuesday this week. The NRs has against US dollar payment foreign students in the US. The been continuously weakening from India. But in the first 10 bills in dollars are paid by their against international currencies, 88.7 91.14 90 88.95 89.05 months of this fiscal year, the parents in Nepal. but in the last four months 87.38 88.53 87.59 87.6 country imported goods worth The only bright side is it has experienced a sharp 86.95 86.93 Rs 31.41 billion using the perhaps the increased value depreciation of 11.5 per cent 85 85.96 provision, down from Rs 47.46 of remittance caused by the with the dollar. 84.11 billion during the same period appreciation of the dollar. The US dollar is rising on 80 last year. However, our import Nepal sells dollars to pay for the international exchange from India against IRs also its balance of trade deficit with rate arena, stepping on the includes petroleum and as India India, so it may ease our burden 9-JUL-12 financial crisis in Europe and 9-AUG-129-SEP-12 9-OCT-12 9-NOV-129-DEC-12 9-JAN-13 9-FEB-139-MAR-13 9-APR-139-MAY-13 9-JUN-13 9-JUL-13 imports about 75 per cent of its with India. the unstable Euro. Investors own petroleum requirement, At the time of going to press, and financial institutions are our exports. Nepali products exports require imported raw the increased price will be the dollar was selling at the now putting their money on become cheaper and thus materials. transferred to Nepal. rate of Rs 96.31. This slight dollar-dominated assets and there should be a rise in their Meanwhile, imports in the The most worrying effect improvement is the result of a making it stronger against all demand. But the basket of same period had increased to Rs will be for hydropower wide set of measures employed major currencies, including the goods we export is relatively 494.95 billion, an increment of developers as their costs will by the Reserve Bank of India rupee. The exodus of foreign smaller in comparison to our 21.3 per cent. Pressure from the multiply with the rising dollar, and market regulator SEBI on capital from India since May import volume. According to strong dollar is bound to push adding to high cost of financing. Tuesday to prevent the rupee has made the IRs fall sharply. data published by the Trade this number even higher. The The Nepal Electricity Authority from slipping down beyond the Rising demand for gold is also and Export Promotion Centre, expensive imports will have has signed power purchase 12 per cent it has fallen since hurting the Indian rupee. This in the first 10 months of fiscal a lasting effect on the market: agreements with Khimti and the end of April. Given that our fiscal year, the IRs became one year 2012-13, the total exports even cheap Khasa-bajar goods Bhotekosi hydropower projects exchange rate with the dollar is of the worst performers among of the country increased by only will become more expensive. in dollar terms and this means determined by our pegged rate major Asian currencies. With 1.6 per cent to Rs 62.71 billion, This will soon be reflected the NEA’s losses are bound to with India, there is little Nepal our currencies pegged at Rs 1.6, as compared to the same period on retail prices. Vendors are grow. Rastra Bank or the market can the turn of events has directly last year. In fact, for Nepal, a already preparing to increase the Nepal’s cost for debt do to sway the rate. Our focus impacted the NRs. depreciation of our currency price of their imported goods servicing will also go up, should be on managing its strain Theoretically, this hurts our exports to some extent and this will push our inflation although most of our credit is on inflation rate, already in depreciation should boost because a proportion of our further up. The only benefit long-term in nature and the double digits. The golden goose

KENNETH ROGOFF in CAMBRIDGE number of naïve investors sought hold a small percentage of your assets in to buy in. Lately, of course, the gold as a hedge against extreme events. fundamentals have reversed Holding gold can also make sense n principle, holding gold is a form somewhat, and the speculative for middle-class and poor households in of insurance against war, financial frenzy has reversed even more. countries – for example, China and India IArmageddon, and wholesale currency China’s economy continues – that significantly limit access to other debasement. And, from the onset of the to soften; India’s growth rate is financial investments. For most others, global financial crisis, the price of gold down sharply from a few years gold is just another gamble that one can has often been portrayed as a barometer ago. By contrast, despite the ill- make. And, as with all gambles, it is not of global economic insecurity. So, does advised fiscal sequester, the US necessarily a winning one. the collapse in gold prices – from a peak economy appears to be healing Unless governments firmly set the of $1,900 per ounce in August 2011 to gradually. Global interest rates price of gold, as they did before World under $1,250 at the beginning of July 2013 have risen 100 basis points since War I, the market for it will inevitably be – represent a vote of confidence in the the US Federal Reserve started risky and volatile. In a study published global economy? suggesting – quite prematurely, in January, the economists Claude Erb To say that the gold market displays all in my view – that it would wind and Campbell Harvey consider several the classic features of a bubble gone bust down its policy of quantitative possible models of gold’s fundamental is to oversimplify. There is no doubt that easing. price and find that gold is at best only gold’s heady rise to the peak, from around With the Fed underscoring its loosely tethered to any of them. Instead, $350 per ounce in July 2003, had investors strong anti-inflation bias, it is harder to the price of gold often seems to drift far drooling. The price would rise today The recent collapse argue that investors need gold as a hedge above or far below its fundamental long- because everyone had become convinced of gold prices has not against high inflation. And, as the doctors term value for extended periods. that it would rise even further tomorrow. and dentists who were buying gold So the recent collapse of gold prices Doctors and dentists started selling really changed the coins two years ago now unload them, has not really changed the case for stocks and buying gold coins. Demand case for investing in it it is not yet clear where the downward investing in it one way or the other. Yes, for gold jewelry in India and China price spiral will stop. Some are targeting prices could easily fall below $1,000; but, soared. Emerging-market central banks one way or the other the psychologically compelling $1,000 then again, they might rise. Meanwhile, diversified out of dollars and into gold. barrier. policymakers should be cautious in The case for buying gold had several fear of a second Great Depression. Later, In fact, the case for or against gold has interpreting the plunge in gold prices as a strong components. Ten years ago, some investors feared that governments not changed all that much since 2010, vote of confidence in their performance. gold was selling at well below its long- would unleash inflation to ease the when I last wrote about it. In October www.project-syndicate.org term inflation-adjusted average and the burden of soaring public debt and of that year, the price of gold – the integration of three billion emerging- address persistent unemployment. consummate faith-based speculative Kenneth Rogoff, Professor market citizens into the global economy As central banks brought policy asset – was on the way up, having just of Economics and could only mean a giant long-term boost to interest rates down to zero, no one hit $1,300. But the real case for holding Public Policy at Harvard demand. cared that gold yields no interest. So it it, then as now, was never a speculative University, was the That element of the story, incidentally, is nonsense to say that the rise in the one. Rather, gold is a hedge. If you are a chief economist of the remains valid. The global financial crisis price of gold was all a bubble. But it is high-net-worth investor, or a sovereign International Monetary added to gold’s allure, owing initially to also true that as the price rose, a growing wealth fund, it makes perfect sense to Fund from 2001 to 2003. ADVERTORIAL RO No. 178/IPR/PUB/DIS/13-14 Date: 17/6/13 SIKKIM Small and beautiful

ikkim is a peaceful Chief Minister, with 100% achievement since no other the State has taken in the nearly Himalayan border MLAs and MPs in his wings, Shri Government has been in office two decades of the pro poor and state of a little over Chamling is today the longest continuously for almost two people centric State Government. 600,000 population serving Chief Minister in India. decades in the State. This proves Swhich joined the Indian union He is a man forever committed the unstinting faith reposed upon The Government has steered by its peoples’ wish in 1975. to the cause of Sikkimese the leadership of the Hon’ble the state towards holistic and After the candle light episode people, to make Sikkim as the Chief Minister by the people of the sustainable socio-economic of 9 September 1992 inside first organic state, kutcha house State. development by making the Assembly Hall and the free state, poverty free state, available the best services and accentuated political activities literate state and a developed In the past 19 years, the State infrastructure for both the rural that followed, Pawan Chamling state in India within the 12th has seen tremendous progress and urban population. With was finally sworn in as the Five Year Plan. Chamling’s aim in all sectors of the society. so much achieved, there is a Chief Minister of Sikkim on is to develop Sikkim’s economy Be it economic development, rising sense that Sikkim can December 12, 1994. through nature friendly, green industrialisation, organic farming, export peace and its paradigm of industries such as eco-tourism, tourism or rural development, development to the rest of India. After taking charge of people’s floriculture, organic farming, social justice and empowerment, In many ways, it is already doing government as the ‘first hydro-power generation, health, education, capacity so. Droves of ministers and other servant’, Pawan Chamling , pharmaceutical, and the likes. building, the State has set an policymakers are visiting Sikkim changed the perception of example for able administration and lauding the efforts of the a border state. Perhaps no On 20th May 2013, the and commendable progress. State Government. other border state can boast Government under the able Though it is one of the youngest of the low crime rate, lack leadership of Shri Pawan State of India, it is now proving Not wanting to rest on its laurels, of extremist activities and Chamling, Hon’ble Chief to be one of the most pioneering. the State Government under violence and stable law and Minister of Sikkim, has The State has become a model the dynamic leadership of the order situation that Sikkim completed 4 years in its 4th for others to emulate. Laurels Hon’ble Chief Minister, continues enjoys today. term, thereby completing 19 and awards conferred upon the relentlessly to reach development, years of continuous selfless State by the Central Government, peace, progress, prosperity and After fourth consecutive win service to the State and its and media houses only go to wellness to every doorstep in the and into his 19 years as the people. It is indeed a historic vouch for the astonishing stride State.

Issued by InformaƟ on & Public RelaƟ ons Deparment, Government of Sikkim 10 ADVERTORIAL ORGANIC SIKKIM he Government has made substantial interventions Ttowards promotion of organic farming in the State. Greater emphasis on soil testing, better land management practices and soil health management have helped improve the organic crop production. To make Sikkim fully organic, 50,000 hectares have been earmarked for organic conversion in a phased manner under Sikkim Organic Mission, 2015. Sikkim is one of the first States to have initiated livelihood schools in organic farming in order to train the youth in this discipline. Sikkim is to produce 50 lakh cut bulb orchids within the next couple of years from more than 5,000 green houses. Horticulture is being promoted by increasing the area under cultivation of fruits and flowers. The Government has developed a unique model of floriculture farming by adopting cluster- approach of 20 to 100 farmers. In order to leverage the State’s strength in floriculture, it is envisaged to set up a state of the art flower auction centre and post- harvest infrastructure in Pakyong, near the upcoming Greenfield Airport. Recently concluded 2nd International Flower Show 2013 was successfully organized with nearly 2,00,000 visitors and participants from 22 nations. SPECIAL FOCUS ON TOURISM

ikkim has emerged as one of the most sought plans of the state government includes development Safter tourist destinations in the country. The State of Ramayana Village, Tantra Mantra Jantra Centre, is promoting village and rural tourism and home development of Birds’ Sanctuary, Butterfly Park etc. stays in a big way. With a view to protect its fragile The State also has many tourist attractions in the ecology, the State focuses more on Eco-Tourism. pipeline, such as the Skywalk at Bhaleydunga, the Promotion of pilgrimage tourism by developing Sleeping Buddha at Singik, North Sikkim. Considering premiere destinations like Char Dhaam, Buddha the enormous potential of the tourism industry, the Park, Samdruptse, etc have seen success. It is aimed State Government has not left any stone unturned for to bring Sikkim within the Buddhist Circuit. Future exploiting its potential to the full.

HEALTHY SIKKIM ealth services continue to be a top priority of the State HGovernment. Sikkim is fourth in the country to achieve reduction in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). The life expectancy in the State has increased by over 2-3 years over the last 18 years. The Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual and Total Check-Up for Healthy Sikkim (CATCH), which was launched in 2010, has so far, covered about 90% of the population and the programme is expected to be completed by the end of this year. State has also introduced Mukhya Mantri Antodaya Upachar Bima Yojana for BPL families and host of other health services including Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Pustahaar Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Jeevan Raksha Kosh, Mukhya Mantri Netra Jyoti Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Sravan Shakti Samriddhi Yojana. Sikkim is the first state in the country to provide Free health services, medicines, free treatment outside Sikkim to BPL families and first state to provide for free Hepatitis B vaccination.

INVESTMENT SCENARIO IN SIKKIM he State Government has been pursuing a policy V and 60 MW Rangit Hydro Power Projects. Tto generate hydro-power on a sustainable There are around 24 Hydel Power Projects under basis. Construction of hydro-power projects various stages of development. More than 54 on PPP mode, such as the Teesta III 1200 MW industrial units have been set up since 1995 project, is progressing well. The 99 MW Chujachen including pharma units, breweries, hotels etc. This hydro- electricity power project is also likely to be shows that the State Government has provided commissioned by this year. This will be an addition a perfect investment environment for potential to the already commissioned 510 MW Teesta Stage investors.

CONNECTIVITY IN THE STATE s a landlocked State, Sikkim is heavily dependent on its road Ainfrastructure for practically all purposes. Re-surfacing/re- carpeting of 383.00 Kms of road has been completed which is 65% of the targeted length. Surfacing works for remaining roads is under progress. Construction of Greenfield Airport at Pakyong is scheduled to be completed by next year and railway project upto Rangpo in the first phase and later to be extended upto Nathula is also in the pipeline. State received the Bharat Nirman Award from the Central Government for its outstanding work. ADVERTORIAL 11 Green Sikkim ature has blessed the State with rich biodiversity, Nexquisite species of flora and fauna and it is a well known fact that Sikkim today is a Biodiversity hot spot. Some of the steps undertaken by the State Government are Compulsory Environmental Education introduced in all schools, “Smriti Van” a green concept initiated in the State to plant trees in fond memory of near and dear ones, ban on green felling, killing of wildlife, grazing in reserved forest areas, ban on use of plastic and poly bags, 10 Minutes to Earth etc. State Biodiversity Park at Tendong was created in 2001. The state Forest Area has increased by 3.53% from 44.06% in 1995 to 47.59% in 2009. Sikkim has been rated as ‘most sustainable’ State as per findings of Centre for Development Finance, Chennai. Chief Minister SOCIAL JUSTICE AND Shri Pawan Chamling was also awarded the Greenest Chief Minister Award by Centre for Science and Environment, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT New Delhi, 1999.

he State Government has introduced large number of welfare schemes Tto enable people live a life of dignity and respect. Women have 50% of Panchayat seats reserved for them and 30% in government jobs. Unmarried women pension for those above 45 years at the rate of Rs 600 per month is being granted. Folk dancers, singers, folk practitioners are also acknowledged for their contribution in the society and thus they are given an honorarium of Rs 600 per month. Special allowance under Sishu Bhatta for children of different gender orientation has also been initiated. These children are bestowed with Rs 2000 per month upto 6 years and thereafter 100% sponsorship for their education till graduation level. Compassionate appointment scheme is also introduced for non-gazetted employees. Another significant scheme in the state is the Chief Minister’s Rural Universal Financial Inclusion Programme launched in 2010 which has helped the rural people tremendously. Sikkim’s progress can be seen in its growth rate which was 22.8% during its 11th Fifth Year Plan.

he State Government values long-term are linked to academic excellence among students Tinvestment in human resource development. and to encourage the students to excel at the State HUMAN RESOURCE Sikkim has recorded an impressive improvement and National levels. The State Government has in the literacy rate, which currently stands at dedicated 20 percent budgetary allocation to the 82.2% which was only 56% in the year 1993-94. Education Sector. An additional 10% is also being DEVELOPMENT The teacher-pupil ratio of 1:14 is also impressive. spent in programmes like coaching the educated The State Government has launched the Chief Sikkimese for IAS and allied services, training for Minister’s Meritorious Scholarship Scheme to army and banking service, aeronautical, atomic sponsor meritorious children at Class V level in engineering etc in reputed Institutes of Hyderabad, best public schools within and outside the State. Chennai and Delhi. The Chief Minister’s Special Merit Scholarship to In 2003, Sikkim became the first State in the fully sponsor students who are admitted to the country to start the Directorate of Capacity Building 20 top universities of the world, Prerna Yojana and Institute of Capacity Building, coupled with and Small Family Scheme, free education upto Livelihood Schools at each of the Constituencies graduation level, free distribution of textbooks, to promote the skills of the unemployed youth to exercise books, school uniforms, school bags, make them employable in productive activities. The raincoat, shoes, socks and laptops, Grant of Rs.1 initiative has seen a great success and those who lakh cash incentive for school toppers of Class have got trained in these Institutes have now got X & XII levels and many more such programmes placed in good jobs. RURAL PROSPERITY ll rural beneficiary Aoriented schemes are being implemented by duly following a beneficiary- centric approach. The state Government has earmarked 70% of its budget for rural development and aims to make Sikkim a poverty free state. Sikkim is the 1st Nirmal Rajya state in the Country. There are 30 Block Administrative Centres across the State in order to facilitate day-to-day administrative work of the villagers. Panchayati Raj Institutions have been strengthened for people’s empowerment and sufficient powers have been devolved at the grassroots level. The 18 Central Flagship Programmes, which form a vital part of the development strategy in the State and more than 20 State Missions, are being robustly implemented in a transparent and thriving manner. Sikkim aims to become Kutcha House Free state by 2015. While 99% of the households in Sikkim have been covered with SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT electricity, the BPL families are provided 2 points of free electricity connections and free electricity upto 50 units. he state government is leaving are on to put the economy of the redefined the concept of a border Tno stone unturned to improve State on a further higher growth state as being very peaceful and the socio-economic condition trajectory. progressive. of the people and the existing In the last 20 years, the State Sikkim’s story is unique infrastructure. New strategies Government led by the Hon’ble because of its citizen-centric adopted by the state government Chief Minister of Sikkim has policies, which are strongly seeks to further balance social and consistently worked towards grounded in the fundamental economic development, protect ensuring effective functioning of philosophy of equal opportunities the environment and ecology, the Panchayati Raj Institutions and equitable growth. Visionary develop necessary infrastructure and Nagar Palikas. The State leadership is all about ensuring and garner adequate resources for Government has ensured a Free that the poor, especially the the welfare of the people. and Open Media. As a Himalayan rural poor, also benefit in equal Sikkim has made commendable Border State, it has remained measure – something that the progress and has achieved a peaceful all thorough. Thanks to present State Government can number of milestones in its the democratic spirit and sense of take pride in having achieved in development stride and efforts mutual respect, the people have Sikkim. 12 ‘We turned our challen Why do you think the people of Sikkim have placed Interview with so much faith in you and voted you to power four times? I have immense love and respect for the people of Pawan Chamling, Sikkim. I have never betrayed or disappointed them. Chief Minister of Sikkim Whatever promises I have made, I have fulfilled them with utmost honestly. What they see is what they get. and President of the Sikkim I have said from the beginning that I would rather die than betray them. And I have lived by this motto. I have Democratic Front (SDF). utilised the people’s trust to serve them and ensure their safety. This is why the citizens trust me and have supported me through all these years.

How has Sikkim managed to progress this quickly even though it is isolated from the central government in Delhi? We are a remote Himalayan border state surrounded by China, Nepal, and Bhutan and are far removed from the capital in Delhi. Due to our geographical isolation and sensitive location, we have had to face a lot of

SECTOR WISE HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIE

HUMAN RESOURCE in 2009 for treatment outside DEVELOPMENT Sikkim for general people. Free education up-to 100% reimbursement available graduation level. for government employees Free distribution of textbooks, First state in the country to exercise books, school uniform, provide for free Hepatitis B school bag, raincoat, shoe, vaccination. socks and laptops. Free MMR vaccines for children 20 per cent budgetary launched on 15 August 2009 allocation dedicated to under immunisation program of education. the state. The state government sponsors Compulsory annual health educated youth for and IAS check up under the CATCH and allied services, training in program initiated. defence service and banking Sanction of honorarium to services in reputed institutes of Accredited Social Health the country. Activities (ASHA) Chief Minister’s meritorious One-time maternity allowance scholarship scheme to sponsor of IRs 5,000 at the time meritorious children at class V of institutional delivery in level in best public schools in hospital. state and country. 300 Rs. as nutrition allowance Chief Minister’s special merit for new born baby for the initial scholarship full sponsorship for period of six years. students who are admitted to Provide iron folic acid tablet for the top 20 top universities of females between 13 to 45 years the world. old. Prerna Yojana and small family Calcium tablet provided for scheme. both men and women above 45 School toppers at class X and years old. XII levels granted IRs 100,000 Life expectancy increased by cash incentive. over two years during the last In 2003, Sikkim became the 18 years. first state in the country to Sikkim was fourth in the start directorate building and country to achieve reduction in institute of capacity building. the infant mortality rate (IMR) Introduction of environmental between the year 2009 and studies, studies on organic 2011. 26/1000 in 11th plan. farming, life skill based education, digital format RURAL PROSPERITY education. Earmarking of 70 per cent Literacy rate of 56 in 1994 budget for rural development. scheme offers a free modern Bhawans. per month per BPL family. increased to 82.2 per cent. Poverty ratio reduced to over 13 house of over IRs 500,000. Sanction of schemes to Distribution of 50 kg rice per CM’s self employment scheme per cent in 2011. Sikkim to become Kutcha cooperatives up to IRs month per BPL family at IRs 1. introduced to provide soft No cases of extreme poverty in house Free State by 2015. 30 million to generate Distribution of 50 kg rice per loan to educated unemployed Sikkim. Sikkim will become the Rural sanitation –first Nirmal employment opportunities at month per marginal BPL family Sikkimelis youth. first poverty-free state in the Rajya in the country in 2008. the GPU level. at IRs 2. Skill development training country within five years. Provided two points of free FOOD SECURITY Distribution of 10 kg free rice and other livelihood schemes Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana electricity connections. Distribution of 50 kg free rice per month per elderly citizen. initiated. (MMAY) launched in 2008. This Free electricity up to 50 units provided to BLP families. HEALTHY SIKKIM Electricity – 99 per cent of Free health services, electrification done. medicines, free 99 per cent coverage treatment outside achieved with regard to Sikkim provided to drinking water supply. BPL families –the Regular elections of village first state to provide and urban representatives this held under the 73rd and Medical aid upto 74th amendments acts of IRs 200,000 under constitution. Mukhya Mantri Decentralisation and Jeewan Raksha Kosh devolution of power. scheme introduced Library in all Panchayat ADVERTORIAL 13 RO No. 178/IPR/PUB/DIS/13-14 Date: 17/6/13

for the people, with the people, and through the people. Sikkimese people have seen and experienced this first hand. They are the pillars of democracy and we have supported them fully and in return they have put us in this nges into opportunities’ strong position. Is the SDF’s work in the field of social justice a reason hardships. Only 14 per cent of our land is cultivable, the rest by treating everyone equally and providing social justice behind its longevity? is taken up by mountains, rivers, forests. But we turned our to all. Our citizens also have access to high quality state The SDF has been fighting for the social, political, liabilities into assets, we harnessed the rivers to produce services. The people trust and value their government educational, religious, intellectual, and economic hydro power. We made conservation of our natural resources wholeheartedly and this has definitely helped in the freedom of the Sikkimeli people. Our goal is to transform and wildlife a priority and used them to attract tourists. development of the state. We have bought about enormous Sikkim into the best state in the country through the changes and progress in Sikkim by always putting the active participation of the citizens. We have fulfilled all What others saw as disadvantages, we turned into people first and displaying great political will. The their basic needs and ensured social justice and safety. opportunities. And the results have been exceptional. transformation would not have been possible without Furthermore, all different ethnic and religious groups have Sikkim hosts thousands of visitors from Indian and abroad strong political will. the right to identity and equal access to opportunities. every year. Twelve hydro-power projects are currently Good governance has been the backbone of our rule and under construction from which the state stands to gain INR There are no opposition parties in Sikkim. How have you that is why people trust us. 20 billion annually in the near future. Since sustaining the been able to maintain such a stronghold in the state? Do you think Delhi’s outlook on Sikkim has changed? state’s growing population through traditional farming is There are opposition parties in Sikkim. But their politics is Sikkim used to be considered a backward, undeveloped becoming increasingly difficult, we have decided to make wrong. They are involved in politics not to serve the public state. By implementing the right policies and making a gradual switch to organic farming. This modern form of but for their own self-interest. Since they don’t have a development a priority, we have managed to give Sikkim agriculture will allow us to make the best use of limited people-centred agenda, they haven’t been able to win the a complete facelift. Today other Indian states are paying arable land, increase productivity, and protect the fertility of trust of the Sikkimese people and the citizens too have time greater attention to us and their outlook has also changed. our soil. By 2015, Sikkim will be fully organic. and again rejected these parties. As a result, the central government takes Sikkim’s more We have been able to promote and maintain harmony The SDF is on the people’s side. Our only concern is seriously and gives our issues greater importance. between diverse ethnic groups and communities in Sikkim the safety and prosperity of the citizens. Our politics is - Subash Devkota EVEMENT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT

fully organic state of India. belonging to different gender Export potential of products orientation) At IRs 2,000 like Temi tea, vegetables and per month up to six years orchids leveraged. and thereafter 100 per Sikkim to increase production cent sponsorship for their of cut bulb orchids to education till graduation level. commercial scale. Samajik Sewa Bhatta of 600 Rs 2nd international flower per month introduced in 2008. show 2013 successfully Compassionate appointment organised with worldwide scheme introduced for non- participation. gazetted employees. Chief Minister’s Rural universal INVESTMENT financial inclusion program SCENARIO IN SIKKIM launched in 2010. 510MW Teesta-IV, Hydro- Sikkim’s growth rate recorded Electric project already spectacular 22.8 per cent commissioned. during 11th FYP. on plantation areas and water TOURISM 60 W Rangit-II hydro-electric sources areas in 1998. Introduced concept of eco- power project already CONNECTIVITY Imposed ban on the use friendly tourism. commissioned. 1994: 1700 km. of Diclofenac, chemical Promotion of home stay, 99MW Chuzachen hydro- 2011-2012: 3600 km. responsible for extinction of village tourism, culture electric power project to be We have constructed 1900 birds’ family. tourism, adventure tourism, commissioned by May 2013 kms of roads within 18 years. Smritivan was launched in concept of ban bas, akanta vas Nine mega hydel projects Bharat Nirman award received 1999. tourism mooted in Sikkim. under construction. from the central government. ‘State Green mission’ launched Promotion of pilgrimage in 2006. tourism to develop premiere State bio-diversity park at destinations like Char Tendong created in 2001. Dham, Buddha Park, etc, State glaciers commission and promotion of Buddhist constituted in 2007 circuit. for glaciers study and A giant 150 feet tall statue of action plan. Guru Padmasambhava built 10 minutes to earth program at Samdruptse; 137.50 feet started since 15 July 2009. tall statue of Lord Buddha The state forest area increased installed at Buddha park, by 3.53 per cent (from 44.06 Ravang, South Sikkim; 150 per cent in 1995 to 47.59 per feet tall statue of Chenregiz cent in 2009). being constructed at Pelling, All state highways and other West Sikkim. roads declared as eco- Development of birds’ GREEN SIKKIM highways. sanctuary at Pelling, West All development environment- Sikkim rated as most Sikkim and butterfly parks in friendly sustainable as per findings North Sikkim. Banned green felling, killing of centre for development More than 54 industrial units Construction of new Greenfield of wildlife, grazing in reserved finance, Chenna. ORGANIC SIKKIM set up since 1995 including airport by AAI shall be forest areas and ban on the use Greenest chief minister award All products of Sikkim will be pharma units, breweries, completed for operation by of plastic carry bags. by centre for science and fully organic and within two hotels. March 2014. Grazing and tree felling banned environment, New Delhi, 1999. years, Sikkim will become a Rail link up to bordering SOCIAL JUSTICE Rangpo town sanctioned and Women have 50 per cent of work started. Panchayat seats reserved for them and 30 per cent in UNIQUE TRAITS government jobs and higher Most peaceful border state in studies. the country. Unmarried women pension for The most neat and clean State women above 45 years at IRs of the country. 600. Best law and order situation, 600 Rs honorarium given to with lowest crime rate in the folk dancers, singers, folk country. practitioners. Best green state of the Special allowance under country. ‘Ten Minutes to Earth’ Sishu Bhatta for children Most progressive state in the of transgender (children NE region of the country. 14 REGION 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 Fatalism and disasters We need to rescue the gods from human attributes we have ascribed them

has triggered a contrary response. flood. This selective assigning of Many believe the dead were meaning portrays god as selfish, LOOK OUT blessed for they were called to raining havoc on people even as Ajaz Ashraf the abodes of gods to take their he insulated a place of worship last breaths. This is almost a from devastation. universal response from people Could there not be geological he numbing scale of to pilgrims dying, say, in a or architectural reasons for the death and destruction in stampede in the haj or kumbh Kedarnath temple withstanding TUttarakhand makes you melas, forgetting that it is the impact of flash flood? Is it wonder whether it could trigger contradictory to praise god who not possible that the building a crisis of faith and redefine the chose some to die but also saved material of the Kedarnath complex relationship involving many others, as happened in temple, presumably sourced man, society, and god. Uttarakhand. locally, was superior to the All natural calamities Through such beliefs we seek brick-and-mortar constructions fundamentally challenge the to rationalise the randomness of the present times? Might not notion of god as omnipotent, of life and absurd situations. this worldview, which demands omniscient, and all-loving. This calamities? What wisdom does extended to natural disasters. From this perspective, god a complete surrender of will, was enhanced as last month’s god have in raining destruction These are consequences, from is turned into an imperious explain our indifference to, say, flood tragedy in the Indian state on the world? the perspective of faith, from lord, killing people or keeping building laws and rapacious of Uttarakhand bordering Nepal These are questions the will of god. Yet, as the them alive in accordance to his violation of environment? killed thousands who were on philosophers have pondered votaries of faith argue, the whims. Obviously, the faithful Such questions are not pilgrimage there. For them to over the centuries. They broadly scale of destruction can be believes the actions of god largely asked as commercial die in what were moments of divide evil into two categories: mitigated through measures have a higher reason beyond gains accrue from promoting extreme piety not only seemed horrific actions man perpetrates humans can take. For instance, the comprehension of ordinary a religiosity of an irrational frightfully irrational, but an against others and disasters or constructing buildings mortals. kind. Traditionally, pilgrimage unpardonable betrayal by god accidents which claim lives. If resistant to earthquakes, or as In our attempts to symbolised a rite of passage, an (or gods) who they had gone to there was a god, all-powerful in Uttarakhand, not raising reconcile what is seemingly enduring of physical hardship worship. and all-loving, wouldn’t (s)he structures in flood plains or incomprehensible, we have and spiritual crisis, to pay No doubt the unpredictable have created a world without denuding forests that help not only turned irrational but respect to the gods in their ferocity of nature, evil? Their ideological rivals check landslides. Though these also compromised the value of abodes. Modernity has made indiscriminate construction, counter it by saying a world measures entail high economic human will. Despite the terrible possible instant spirituality, as and environmental degradation without evil would have made costs (or sacrificing gains) – the tragedy in Uttarakhand, there thousands are ferried by buses combined to intensify the free-will redundant and blurred poor can’t make their houses is a whisper of astonishment at and cars, even choppers, to the damage in Uttarakhand. Yet distinctions between good and earthquake-resistant, can they? – the Kedarnath Temple having feet of their gods. the believer can’t help but repugnant. the believer, nevertheless, could remained intact even as several What is needed is to rescue ask questions that the atheist The free-will argument incorporate elements of the buildings around it were washed god from attributes we assign to typically poses: is god not is relevant to evil that man atheist’s arguments to redefine away in the floods, though there him, attributes which serve our supposed to protect people, willfully spawns, such as the idea of god. is evidence that many buildings own self-interests. at least the religious, from massacres, but can’t be Unfortunately, Uttarakhand around the temple survived the [email protected] A series of monsoonal pulses are headed our way after the south west monsoon’s short breather last week. Precipitation has picked up over the KATHMANDU eastern mid hills and most parts of the country will be cloudy throughout this week with light shower and thunderstorm in the evenings. After last week’s short sharp bursts of rain in the evening and night, Kathmandu will receive heavy rainfall and thunder over the weekend.

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 24° 25° 25° #664 12 - 18 July 2013 18° 21° 19°

Moving images s a senior cameraman for Indian television Anetworks, Bidesh Gharti Magar, 29, does not fit the stereotype of Nepali workers in India. Born to a working class family in Kerala, Magar’s father worked at an oil factory in Alleppey until 2002. While his parents moved home to Pyuthan, Magar came to Chennai and worked as an assistant cameraman for seven years at Sahara Samay, a national news channel. Since 2008 he has been freelancing for different national news channels including Times Now, an English-language Indian news channel. “I have never felt discriminated at work because of my Nepali ethnicity,” admits Magar. Although he lived in Nepal for two years, the WORD BY WORD: Kavitha Dinesh is the first lack of job opportunities forced him back. Says in her family to learn Tamil (above). Nepali the cameraman: “I would happily return to Nepal students' proficiency in Tamil has made them to my family if only the pay was as good as it is indistinguishable from local children (right). here.”

PICS: BHRIKUTI RAI TALKING First generation Tamil speakers of Nepali origin have embraced the TAMIL language as their own

BHRIKUTI RAI in CHENNAI English, is used as the medium of instruction. Teachers here admit that the first three avitha Dinesh’s nimble fingers move months are the most difficult as the students swiftly across the blackboard as she feel more comfortable with fellow Nepalis. Kwrites her name in English and Tamil. “They are first generation Tamil learners When she joined Chennai Primary, a Tamil- whose parents neither speak nor understand medium school in the quiet neighbourhood the language, so naturally it is difficult in of Giriappa, in 2012 the six-year-old could the beginning,” explains Principal Rama hardly speak the language. Today not only Thyagrajan, “But once they get over their Anil’s father Jaggu Ram Nagari is a about his father’s land. He says: “I want is her Tamil more fluent than her Nepali, fear, they are surprisingly quick in picking watchman at a clothing store in Pondi Bajar, to visit Nepal once, but I will come back but she is also doing remarkably well in her up Tamil and their progress in and out of the Chennai’s thriving shopping district and is because I want to play cricket for India like classes. classroom has been impressive.” proud of his son’s accomplishment. “Now Dhoni.” He prefers speaking Tamil over Kavitha, whose father works as a Anil Nagari, one of the first Nepali that my son is fluent in Tamil and English, I Nepali and has also begun teaching the gatekeeper, is among the 10 Nepali students students to be admitted at the school is now no longer feel shy visiting fancy malls,” he language to his mother. at Chennai Primary. As private schools in the in Grade 5. Anil whose family is from Silagdi says. “I wish I could send him to a private The biggest challenge for Thyagrajan city become increasingly expensive, Nepali in Doti is currently the class captain and school, but can’t afford it.” Nagari hopes his and her teachers now is to find a way to migrants most of who work temporary helps moderate parent-teacher meetings. sons won’t have to toil on foreign soil like retain Nepali students because many keep jobs as household helpers, waiters, and “Without him we wouldn’t be able to him and plans to get their Nepali citizenship switching schools as their parents move guards are compelled to send their children communicate with Nepali parents,” admits cards soon. around in search of jobs, some don’t go to public schools even though Tamil, not Thyagrajan. Anil, like his Nepali peers, has only heard back at all. 16

“We meet by chance and we love by remembering” wenty years after it came together stoking non-existent ethnic tensions to the UK concert and says it is an honour to and became a household word in expand their vote banks. He makes no be performing in a country that has such the country through its distinctive efforts to hide his distrust of federalism a reputation for being the cradle of pop TNepali folk rock, Nepathya is based on identity in a culturally diverse and rock. “It is a dream to be at the centre travelling to Britain for a high-profile gig country and says it will lead to the of world music and to take the message on 3 August at the Wembley Arena. fragmentation of the Nepali nation. “I am of unity and to bring people together,” For founder, frontman, vocalist, and a Nepali first and then I am a Gurung,” he admits Gurung, who will be performing up lyricist Amrit Gurung, it has been a long says. “It is the Nepali language that binds to 25 of his hit songs. journey from the backwaters of his village us and it is this language that I have put to Indeed, those sentiments are right in Kaski, through experimenting with music with a Nepali heartbeat.” out of one of Gurung’s most popular guitars and flutes in college in Kathmandu, It is this message of unity that he is songs from his album Aina Jhyal: “Joga travelling mostly on foot through most taking to London next month, not just the le hunchha bheta, maya le hunchha of Nepal’s 75 districts, to be the most unity of Nepal but also the coming together samjhana.” recognised face and voice of modern in peace of humankind across national Kunda Dixit Nepali music. frontiers. The Wembley Arena is a much Many band members have come and sought after venue for international bands Nepathya gone in the last two decades, but Amrit like U2, The Who, Bob Dylan, and Cliff Wembley Arena, London, has stayed behind in Nepal and still leads Richards and Santana will be performing Sat 3 Aug 2013, 19:30 Nepathya. In those years, the country has there next week. www.wembleyarena.co.uk/events/detail/ been through conflict and political turmoil, “It is a great honour for Nepal and for napathya Amrit Gurung’s but Gurung has used the medium of music Nepathya that we will be at the Wembley through travelling concerts to spread the Arena, it will allow Nepalis in the UK to also For tickets: Nepathya will message of peace and education. feel proud about their home country,” says www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/ During the height of the conflict, Kiran Shrestha of nepa~laya, Nepathya’s 37004A74A19F1639?camefrom=CFC_UK_ be the first Nepathya toured the country across management company that is organising WEMBLEY_ARENA_WEBSITE&brand=uk_ land-mined highways, past scenes of the concert with Subsonic Routes and wembleyarena Nepali band to recent ambushes, performing at concerts. Parcha Productions. perform at the Gurung is a modern-day rock gandarba The capacity of the venue is 5-12,000 and believes that Nepal can only get ahead and tickets are being sold for £28.25, Wembley Arena with better education and the underlying through ticketmaster.com. Nepalis from nepalitimes.com theme of all his concerts is to get children across Britain, Belgium, Netherlands, N to school. orway, and even the United States are A musical journey, East-West by Kunda Dixit in London next Singing for Nepal, #609 But lately, he has been troubled travelling to London to attend. Watch video of Nepathya's Australia tour month by Nepal’s aimless politics and the parties Gurung himself is very excited about

JAM PACKED: Nepathya performs at Sydney Town Hall in 2012 as part of their Australia Tour. 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 17

TURNINGTURNING KATHMANDUKATHMANDU INTOINTO AA WARWAR ZONEZONE BIKRAM RAI Paintball is livening up Kathmandu’s PAINTBALL NEPAL laidback style and aficionados can’t seem Ramailo Mela Fun Park, Exhibition to get enough of firing marble-sized paint Road 9803174818 balls at each other www.facebook.com/paintballnepal [email protected] PRANAV RAJOURIA Chamling explains. Though the Rs 700 (50 bullets), mean age of customers is 18-25 Rs 1,000 (100 bullets) ucking as bullets whiz Roshan Chamling says 45 and past, listening alertly to even 50-year-old Nepalis as well DEXTER PAINTBALL Dshouts from the enemy as Kathmandu-based expats also ENTERTAINMENT camp to gain territory, the rush come to play. A Pokhara venue is Taudaha of adrenaline as one crawls from planned. The equipment, including 9801054833/9802012321/9802012320 bunker to bunker for cover, sweat markers by Tippmann and paint www.dexterpaintball.com [email protected] DEXTER PAINT BALL trickling down, breath held, gun balls are all imported from the US. Rs 300 for one hour (30 bullets) NATIONAL PAINTBALL BATTLEFIELD aimed, and ready to fire. “I am glad I came,” said Sameer LEAGUE NEPAL Near Sanepa Chok After 10 years of conflict, one Sharma, a US resident who is THE TARGET ARENA Bhatbhateni, Maharajganj (01)5013057 would have thought Nepalis had in Nepal on a summer break, on a Ring Road, Sanepa (01)6924529 www.facebook.com/battlefi eld.nepal enough of warfare, but a visit recent afternoon, “I did not realise (01)5528361 www.nplnepal.com [email protected] to one of the paintball arenas in I was missing such an exhilarating www.facebook.com/Thetargetarena [email protected] Rs 300 for one hour (30 bullets), the capital these days proves the experience.” Rs 250 for one hour (30 bullets) Rs 300 for one hour (35 bullets) Rs 250 before 1pm opposite is true. Paintball is livening up Kathmandu’s laidback style and aficionados can’t seem to get enough of firing marble-sized paint balls at each other. Players suit up in protection gear armed with marker guns and paint ball ammo to deploy around a replica of an urban battle zone. There are bunkers made of sacks filled with sand, tires piled on top of each other, broken down buildings that serve as sniper hideouts, and plants offering cover. A paintball arena in Sanepa called (what else?) Battlefield is the one that attracts most customers. “Battlefield is different because it uses limited space really well, the staff are very friendly,” says Aryaa Acharya, a student regular. Four friends, Roshan Chamling, Priti Aveng, Prerana Joshi, and Manish Jung Joshi, thought of an event which would attract people of all ages as well as be something fresh in Nepal and introduced paintball at Battlefield last year. The arena has since grown in popularity after hosting the first ever paintball tournament in Nepal which saw a turnout of over 50 participants. “The prime location and making this activity worth the time and money helps attract new and old enthusiasts,” 18 discuss the role of the Nepali media Mulchowk, a blend of culinary in facilitating the changing political expertise and charms of a bygone EVENTS scenario of Nepal. 14 to 18 July, 11am DINING era. Babarmahal to 2 pm, Sindhuli, Nepal Min Bahadur Bham where he talks Boudha Stupa Restaurant and Cafe, and presents on ‘Journey Through Parda, watch the Nepali adaptation bide your time in the cafe's free wi-fi Screen’. 12 July, 4 to 6 pm, Gallery of Tennessee Williams classic A Street zone as you enjoy wood-fi red pizzas, Mcube, Chakupat, Lalitpur Car Named Desire by the Freelancers home-made pastas, and the Tibetan Nepal. 19 July, Mandala Theatre, gyakok. Boudha, (01)4485585 Paintball Battle, show off your skills Anamnagar in the ultimate paintball battle. Rs Tian Rui, if you’re looking for genuine 500, 13 July, The Target Arena, Sanepa Critical Mass, be a part of a cycling good Chinese food this restaurant is movement that is taking place in 300 the best place to go. Thapathali Explorations in photographic cities around the world and pedal medium, photo.cirlce along with around town on the last Friday of YAK RESTAURANT, serves BORN INTO BROTHELS, watch an seven BFA students of Kathmandu every month. 26 July, 5.30 to 7.30pm, authentic Chinese food, try the mala award winning documentary about University bring to you an exhibition Tudhikhel tofu, chicken with fungus and spicy children of prostitutes in Sonagachi, that plays around ideas of memory, pork spare ribs. Boudha, Kathmandu Kolkata's red light district. 12 July, home, and family. Runs till 14 July, 11 Goalmari, Bangladesh’s Own Island, 5.30pm, Sattya Media Arts Collective, am to 6pm, Bikalpa Art Centre, Arun a photo exhibition by Bangladeshi Weekend Brunch @New Orleans, Jawalkhel, (01) 5523486 Thapa Chok, Jhamsikhel photographer Munem Wasif that enjoy buckwheat waffl e and pancakes revolves around water problems with fresh low fat yogurt, fresh juices TRISARA, with dishes like fl ambeed Bhanu Jayanti, Poemandu pays faced by his country. 25 July to and much more with live music on prawns, crispy chicken, and khau tribute to Bhanu Bhakta Acharya to 15 August, 10am to 6pm, Alliance Sunday. Patan soi, it would be a folly to ignore its celebrate the 190th Bhanu Jayanti. Francaise of Kathmandu, Teku road, aromas. Lajimpat 12 July, 3pm, Nepal Bharat Library, (01)4241163/4242832 Nepal Airlines Building, New Road Hadock, big compound with ample Bottoms up, let your taste buds and parking space, its western and La Fete Nationale, celebrate Bastille olfactory nerves go on a joy ride at Thakali dishes are done to perfection. day with Petanque contest,screening MONSOON YOGA the 10th Annual wine tasting festival Jhamsikhel, (01)5546431 of The Illusionist, a French party, MONASTERY, engage in classic at Kilroys. Rs 200 per glass or Rs 800 and French brass band Somewhere Ashtanga yoga, walk to a famous per ½ ltrs.July to August, Kilroy’s, Chongqing Fast Food, gear up for Over the Tempo. 12 July, 3pm, meditation cave nearby and learn Thamel, (01)4250440/41 some mouth watering Chinese dishes Alliance Francaise of Kathmandu, about Buddhism from the abbot of MOMOTARAU, step in for like Sour and Spicy Pork and Kung Banshi Ghat Marg, Teku road, (01) Neydo Monastery. Rs 9750, 20 to 21 mouthwatering Japanese delicacies, Pao Chicken. Thamel 4241163/4242832 July, 8am to 7pm, Neydo Monastery, try its diverse variety of fresh noodles Pharping, Pranayama Yoga and authentic sauces. Sanepa Main Photography Workshop, beginners road, (01)5521988 and enthusiasts take your Book collection, help Phan Nepal photography skills to the next level collect educational materials for the The Village Cafe, authentic Newari in a workshop designed to nurture youths of fi ve districts. July 14, 7 to food that comes straight from the your creativity to the fullest. Rs 6,000, 8.30 am, Santwona Multiple Campus, GOAL, team up with friends and heart. Pulchok 12 to 14 july, 7.30 to 9.30am, The Shantinagar, Public Health Action take on other teams in the KTM School of Creative Communications, Nepal Nights Cup, futsal tournament. Rs Fuji Bakery, tucked in Chakupat this Kupondol, (01)5546705/9841242307 8000 per team, 27 to 28 July, 8 am to bakery off ers homemade goodies 8 DEGREES, from lemon lassis to AI and Storytelling, meet people 8pm, Grassroots Recreational Centre, like apple pie, pain du chocolat, and spicy pork stews, this is a great place Mcube Chakati Guff , an evening with from various walks of life, explore and Mandikatar, 9841342635 banana cake. Chakupat, Lalitpur to try continental dishes. Jhamsikhel 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 19 MUSIC GETAWAYS

Dhulikhel Mountain Resort, announces its summer bonanza off er. Make the resort your home at a price you can't beat. Dhulikhel, (011)490114/494

Himalaya Wellness Centre, enjoy relaxing yoga, detox and Ayurveda treatments and retreats every day under one roof and get 10 per cent COBWEB LIVE, live performance by off on all Ayurvedic treatments. Park the legendary Nepali rock band. Rs Village Hotel, Budhanilkantha, 98010 1200/dinner, 13 July, 8 degrees, Damkal 66 661 Sadak, Pulchok, (01)5543740

Live at Cafe 32, live music and delicious food every Friday. 6pm Come onwards, Café 32, Battisputali, (01)4244231 together

Music Jams, enjoy great live for Baitadi music every Tuesday. 7pm, Moksh, Every year on the third Saturday of Jhamsikhel July, riders from diff erent countries THE LAST RESORT, test your come together for a social cause. In limits with canyoning, hiking, the fi rst year they rode in support rock climbing, rafting, mountain of a school and orphanage in biking, bungee jumping. Bhotekosi, Kathmandu. This year the bikers Sindhupalchok, (01)4700525/1247 will raise money to build an eco- friendly birthing facility in Sharmali village of Baitadi district. Be a part of their eff ort to provide a safe and secure building and a warm and welcoming environment for the DRUMMER'S DAY OUT, the skin children and women in rural Nepal. bashers take centre stage. Rs 100, 13 July, 2.30 pm onwards, Date: 20 July Moksh Bar, Patan POKHARA GRANDE, a swimming Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge pool to escape from the sweltering 2013 Live acoustic Music, listen to live heat, a massage parlour and spa Register for free at: music while feasting on delicious to loosen up, and a gym to release www.socialtours.blogspot. pizza, risotto and more. 15 July, 8 to stress, all in all a great place com/2013/06/kathmandu-kora- 10pm, Fire and Ice Pizza, Tridevi Sadak, to unwind. Lakeside, Pokhara, cycling-challenge-2013.html Thamel (061)460210

A People War 'A People War', a permanent exhibition of photographs CUT! housed at the Peace Museum in Patan Dhoka, portrays the reality of a war stricken nation. The pictures on display Do you go to the cinema a lot and usually come back are not only a testament of the loss and grief suff ered by disappointed? Well, here's what you can do to make things ordinary Nepalis through 10 years of insurgency and the right: write a script, win $2,700 worth prize money, and price paid by the nation, but also a caution to never repeat then make your own film. our past mistakes. Nepali Cinema Script Writing Competition 2 is back this year looking for new talents. And judging from last Everyday except Tuesday year's winner, Ritu, which is currently under production, Time: 11 am to 4 pm what could possibly stop your story from seeing the light Nepali/Southasian: Rs 20 of day? Others: Rs 100 Student discount: 50 per cent Last day for submission: 15 August (01)5549948, www.madanpuraskar.org www.newnepalicinema.com/script2013 20 GIZMO by YANTRICK TIME OUT ver missed an important call because you couldn’t hear your phone ring? Ever wondered what your friends do with your set Ewhen you aren’t around? Strap on the Sony Smart watch MN2 and fi nd out. This tiny gadget (15.5 gram), which is essentially a small screen (1.3 inch) with a multi-colour OLED display, is a neat toy for gizmo lovers. With a 10-metre range, you no longer have to worry about missing out on calls whenever you forget to carry your set while making a dash to the loo. Once you download the Smart Connect app from the Google play store on your phone, you can connect the watch to your phone via Bluetooth. Sony smartphone owners can skip this altogether as the app comes preinstalled. The smart watch basically acts as a secondary display screen for it is, a land that is blessed with Android phones (sorry windows and IOS users). The screen blinks and beauty and bounty, but on the gently vibrates to notify users of incoming calls, messages, and emails, verge of change. a feature that will come in handy during those long meetings when Over the course of the First you want to check for updates without disturbing those around. While World War, both Bror and Denys Out of Africa you can view your text messages and emails from the device and even go off to fight for the British army receive Facebook notifi cations and twitter feeds, you cannot reply via on the African frontier, leaving the watch. speaking voice. Perhaps in some Karen to deal with the plantation ways it can be said that this voice on her own. During this time, we that Streep has so painstakingly begin to see the other love story MUST SEE constructed is the defining aspect in this carefully crafted, subtly Sophia Pande of the film, which starts and ends nuanced, wonderfully written Screen Size: 1.3 inch, multi-touch colour OLED display with Karen Blixen’s own words. film: the love story between Thickness: 0.3 inch Blixen was a storyteller before Karen Blixen and the majordomo Resolution: 128x128 pixels erhaps one of the most she became a writer, her ability to of her household Farah (played Weight: 15.5 gm (main unit)/ 26 gm enduringly beautiful love spin a tale out of almost anything in a delightfully humourous (watch band) stories ever told on cinema, being one of her chief charms. But and sensitive manner by Malick Screen Color: 65k (16 bits) P Operating System Compatibility: Out of Africa, made in 1985 by when she arrives in Africa with Bowens). Throughout Blixen’s stay Android 2.1 and above the late and great Sydney Pollack, her bone china, her cuckoo clock, in Africa, Farah remains by her Battery Life: 14 hrs on one charge continues to captivate both the her books, and her silver cutlery, side, through Bror’s philandering, Connector Type: Standard heart and the mind almost two she is emblematic of the kind of Denys’s erratic comings and USB charging decades later. insular coloniser who lands on a goings, natural disasters, a bout Bluetooth 3.0 Bluetooth range: 10 metres Based on Karen Blixen memoirs strange and wild country, clueless of syphilis, and many other Colour: Black and white of the time when she had a coffee to her surroundings, wanting tribulations. plantation in Kenya, the film only her creature comforts, but Karen and Farah’s relationship, begins with the famous opening also the romance that is indelibly strictly platonic, is a true meeting line: “I had a farm in Africa, at the linked to the African continent. of the minds, with Farah’s quiet The multi-touch screen has a single button which is used for foot of the Ngong Hills.” And so Slowly, as she struggles stoic manner balancing Karen’s controlling applications. A single swipe will display the list of apps and begins the story of one exceptional with her failing coffee crop, the determination and verve, and you can also fl ick between notifi cations and playback music with the woman’s journey to find herself Kikuyu tribe that live and farm while Karen’s soaring, passionate same gesture. Single tap for launching an application and a two-fi nger the kind of life she had always on her 4,000 acres, and with relationship with Denys is the expand gesture to go back. hoped to lead, but couldn’t in her her husband Baron Bror Blixen heart of the film, undeniably Once you press the power button, the home screen displays the richly comfortable but sheltered who she married solely so that Farah and Karen’s friendship is clock, which can be changed to analogue or digital face from the phone. life in Denmark. she may have the freedom to just as poignant. Time is also set automatically from the phone. With the VFinder app, Karen Blixen who is also known travel to Africa, Karen comes When Karen leaves Africa, you can see what your phone camera captures on the watch so friends as Isak Dinesen, the famous into her own in a series of having lost everything, she asks will know not to fool around. And for those prone to misplacing their writer, is played in this film by the beautifully photographed Farah to call her by her name. sets, the Find Phone app is your new best friend: with a tap of a button divinely talented Meryl Streep in vignettes, depicting in ravishing He does and she leaves - near on the watch, the phone magically rings. perhaps the performance of her detail Blixen’s love affair with perfect ending to a film about Will the MN2 turn you into a Jason Bourne or James Bond? No, life. Streep fleshes out Blixen’s the continent – which becomes a love, loss, the adventurous spirit, however, for those looking to add another feather to their technophile strengths, her vulnerabilities, her character in and of itself. and the enduring bravery of an caps, at Rs 15,000 the gadget is a reasonable buy. headstrong charm, finding her Among these African hills, exceptional woman. somehow, a voice that is both Blixen falls in love with Denys richly modulated, gravely witty, Finch Hatton (played by the Yantrick’s verdict: While it boasts a few snazzy features, the MN2 is charmingly accented, and with a strikingly handsome Robert nepalitimes.com unnecessarily dependent on the phone to make it a fun, functional low pitch that is entirely different Redford), a free spirited game gadget in its own right. Watch trailer from Streep’s own normal hunter who knows Africa for what 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 21 Give yourself the greenest gift

hen Samrakchan Ghimire, an IT won a $1,000 award at Pivot Nepal’s annual graduate from Jhapa first came to competition for mobile app businesses in WKathmandu, he was immediately Nepal, which provided Ghimire and friends the turned off by the concrete capital. financial impetus they needed. “Everywhere I looked, I saw ugly buildings,” After paying Rs 980 fee through their says Ghimire. Determined to give Nepal’s phones, clients can choose to travel to the site dwindling forests a chance to grow back, the to plant the saplings or let the company do it for 24-year-old got together five friends and came them. They can also have the tree named after up with Birthday Forest. themselves. Once planting is done, Birthday The idea was simple: encourage people Forest takes charge of the tree for three years to plant trees on their birthdays (and special during which time customers are given regular occasions) in one of the 17,000 community photo updates about their plant. Says founder forests across Nepal and, for a small fee, the Roshan Karki, “We want owners to feel proud of organisation would look after the plants till their tree and treat it as part of their family.” they’ve grown up. “It’s easy to plant trees, but A month into operations, Birthday Forest has making sure they are taken care of in the long helped plant more than 30 saplings and is now term is hard and that is where we help out,” looking to get more businesses involved. “Banks explains Ghimire. and companies are already planting trees on However, like most start-ups, Birthday their own as part of their social responsibility, Forest didn’t have enough funding. The IT but sustainability is always a concern. We make professionals turned businessmen, then put sure no tree goes to waste,” says Karki. their degrees to use and developed a mobile (01)4282268 app to let customers make payments for the [email protected] trees electronically. In April, the application www.birthdayforest.org

messy nest of spaghetti. This lack of attention to detail, it seems, could be Swotha’s undoing. Food was served on cold plates, limp, half-hearted and somewhat superfluous garnishes of coriander and parsley. The lack of correct cutlery for the spaghetti (cries of ‘chamcha dinus!’ seem somewhat undignified in such surroundings) also betrayed restaurant’s waiting area, are also traces of amateurishness amid an SOMEPLACE ELSE currently up for sale. otherwise enjoyable dinner. Swotha’s menu comprises of a Dessert diminished these condensed list of Italian favourites, errors, however, with a slice of afé Swotha, established well-loved salads, sandwiches cheesecake (Rs 330), ordered to seven months ago by a and an eclectic list of appetisers. share presented exquisitely and Cconsortium of six Nepali We started with an item from the executed well, resplendent with a owners and managed until specials board: chicken fingers honey dressing, a subtle smack of recently by Camille Hanesse, has served with a carrot edamame lemon, and a thin biscuit based that emerged as a gastronomic crowd- PICS: CC bean salad and a honey mustard I suspect was constructed from pleaser on the outskirts of Patan dressing (Rs 320). The tartness Oreo-esque cookie. For me, this was Darbar Square. of the salad offsets the sweet a standout component in a pleasing Its intimate setting is attached dressing well, and the chicken, but imperfect dining experience. to the restored Newari hotel, Café Swotha prepared in two-bite size pieces, As earlier alluded, Swotha is Traditional Homes Swotha, and its was moist and tender. clearly capable of greatness and minimalist interior, open-fronted when accompanied with a glass myriad other eateries. Water was Our mains consisted of a not so far from achieving it. As kitchen, and the unobtrusive of the near-ubiquitous, Indian- frequently replenished, service potato gnocchi (Rs 480), which, things stand, I’d highly recommend sounds of Seu Jorge’s acoustic, made, Sula red – quaffed, of was speedy (perhaps because the though lacking in salt and slightly bringing your beau for lasagne and Portuguese-language Bowie course, for the antioxidants. And restaurant was otherwise empty) overdone, came with a sauce of dessert, a glass of wine or two, and covers, all serve to provide an so expectations were high as we and we were encouraged – but sundried tomatoes which more a chance to experience an oasis of atmosphere of sophisticated, sheltered from the rain one recent not pushed – to browse through than made up for these minor romance in a season defined by its romantic warmth. Sunday. works by British artist Paul transgressions. Less impressive downpours. A meal taken here a couple of The restaurant’s lone waiter Aitchison, who also consulted was the Pasta Swotha (Rs 420), a CC weeks earlier was encouraging: was ready, willing and able on the menu and presentation generous portion comprising of the individually prepared lasagne to accommodate our every in Swotha’s early days in his the same sauce as the gnocchi, How to get there: leave Darbar with a rich tomato sauce and need without resorting to the other role as a Kathmandu- with walnuts, olives and Square, walk past Café du Temple smooth, expertly prepared often overzealous attendance based chef extraordinaire. These surprisingly – given its billing and take a right just after the béchamel was a hit, especially experienced in low season in illustrations, hanging in the – was brought to us stirred into a tourist ticket booth. 22 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 HISSS...

300,000 5 MILLION CASES OF PERMANENT DISABILITY RECORDED PEOPLE SUFFER SNAKE BITES EACH YEAR

NEPAL 100,000 DEATHS PER YEAR 1000 SNAKE BITES

200 DEATHS INDIA HAPPENINGS

77,000 SNAKE BITES

20,000 DEATHS BANGLADESH

700,000 SNAKE BITES

6000 DEATHS

SOURCE: WHO (2009)

BIKRAM RAI HELLO THERE: Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid met A pound of prevention rather the Chairman of Interim Election Council Khil Raj Regmi on Tuedsday. Khursid than an ounce of venom was in Kathmandu on a day long visit. treatment of pit viper snakebites Knowing the behaviour pattern of from the Sonoran desert in the reptiles is far more helpful in Arizona, USA is going to be prevention. DHANVANTARI significantly different for Nepali Russell’s vipers are so common Buddha Basnyat, MD snakebites. in paddy fields that farmers would Russell’s Vipers, Kraits, do well to wear proper footwear and Cobras are the three well all the time. The Kraits seem to n Kathmandu we worry about recognised types of venomous mostly bite at night when people leech bites in the summer, snakes in Nepal. While Kraits are sleeping. Since most Tarai Ibut imagine how much and Cobras cause more of a residents sleep on floors using more frightening and deadly a neurological and breathing mosquito nets can definitely save snake bite is. Many of us may problem, viper bites seem to cause lives. not appreciate the fact that acute kidney or blood problems. It can be argued that the BIKRAM RAI venomous snakebite is clearly Dr Sanjib Sharma of the BP public health importance of snake NICE SHOT: Vice President Parmanand Jha at the annual photo exhibition an occupational hazard for our Koirala Institute in Dharan, who bite has been largely ignored organised by Photojournalist Club and Global IME bank at Nepal Art Council, farmers in the Tarai especially in has published impressively by medical science. Clearly one Babar Mahal on Wednesday. the summer months. South and about snakebites from Nepal reason for this is that the vast South East Asia have been in international, peer-reviewed burden of illness is in poor, identified as having the highest journals, has shown that prompt tropical countries like ours. But number of snakebites per year. motorcycle transport to a proper snake venoms are indeed rich Conservative estimates would health facility by community in proteins and peptide toxins suggest that in Nepal there are volunteers in a Tarai village that have specificity for a wide about 20, 000 bites and 1000 setting can save lives. At the range of tissues receptors which fatalities, almost all in the Tarai. health facility Sharma had trained makes these venoms attractive Unfortunately, personnel ready to administer anti for new drug designs and could because snakebite primarily snake venom and provide artificial be potentially interesting for affects impoverished inhabitants, ventilation when necessary. pharmaceutical companies prevention, and medical Offering rewards for killing in affluent countries. Clearly better management have been neglected. venomous snakes has been documentation of snakebites and Furthermore there is a dearth used as a method of preventing increased collaboration between of information. For example, snakebites, but the ecological clinicians, epidemiologists, and

many Nepali doctors will impact may be detrimental as toxinologists would be very RSS consult Western textbooks to snakes keep the rodent population helpful in the prevention and SAFETY FIRST: Villagers in Myagdi plant saplings on Wednesday afternoon to treat snakebites; unfortunately in check and help with agriculture. treatment of this problem. prevent landslides in the future. 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 23 25 demands, NEPALI TWEETS Jailed abroad your honour Nagarik, 9 July Keeping in mind the experiences from the past seven years, the public’s wish, and Yashoda Timsina, Nepal, 7 July any terrorist attack, the police went ahead the nation’s overall welfare, let’s reexamine and charged them. Poudel, who arrived in the possibility of a democracy with a Cambodia eight years ago had been running an By fulfi ling everyone’s demands constitutional monarch. – legitimate or not – this electoral For the last three years, Dhanpati Poudel of online business, but had overstayed his visa government has earned itself a lot of Parbat has been languishing at the Prey Sar and the Cambodian police seems to have taken applause from greased hands. So, without prison in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. advantage of this. further ado, here’s my list of concerns that Poudel along with Bangladeshi nationals There are six signatories of the letter – only this government should pay attention to: Rafiqul Islam and Miah Kabir were arrested in first names, this is where Poudel believes Gyanendra looked very energetic on his April 2010 after letters allegedly bearing their the confusion began. One of signatures says 1. Permission to sell adulterated gold on birthday. Poor man can be active only one day names arrived at the British, US, and Australian ‘Dep’ and since Dhanpati also used Dip as his dodgy scales. in a year, it’s natural for him to be excited. 2. Sewage must be treated as an embassies in Phnom Penh threatening an first name in short, this might have tipped off essential component of drinking water. impending terrorist attack. The men were the police. Eventhough there is no evidence 3. Allow businesses to mix water and to show his involvement in any pesticide in milk. terrorist activities, Poudel says 4. Reduce LPG cylinder volume, increase his pleas to prove his innocence cartelling and commissions. Let it be, I won’t talk today. Khurshid is here. have gone unheard. The local Non- 5. Let public buses charge whatever they Everyone is busy hearing him talk, writing Resident Nepalis chapter has been want. about him, and trying to meet him. Who will 6. Ambulances should be encouraged to listen to me when god himself is here? fighting on Poudel’s behalf, but smuggle red sandalwood. the Cambodian government and 7. Increase supply of smuggled fertiliser, the Nepali Embassy in Thailand sugar, drugs, weapons, and banned have been unresponsive. Nepalis medicines. in Phnom Penh claim Poudel 8. Fees at schools and hospitals must be WEEKLY BAZAR POLL #19 simply got trapped by Cambodian increased without obstruction. government who is often criticised 9. Criminals should take part in elections. 10. Forgive those found guilty of crimes In weekly polls conducted with the for human rights violation and lack and reintegrate them back to society. support of The Asia Foundation, of press freedom. “Every once in 11. Encourage the exhibition of khukuris, Himal Khabarpatrika asks 375 a while they jail innocent people swords, spears, and guns during polls. respondents in 12 cities across like Poudel to show to the west that 12. Stop hotel raids, start fl esh trade. Nepal every Monday for their opinion they are fighting against terrorism,” 13. Wipe out the CIAA, encourage graft. on contemporary issues. This week’s sentenced to eight years in prison under the says Ramesh Chettri who works in Cambodia. 14. Institutionalise corruption. result of interviews about the supply of essentials: kingdom’s anti-terrorist law in 2011. But The decision of the municipal court which 15. Boost illegal sand and gravel mining. 16. Give salaries to those who come to 47-year-old, who ran an online business in convicted Poudel under anti-terrorist laws work once a month. 1. What do you think of the recent Cambodia, claims he was unjustly convicted. was upheld by the appellate court in October 17. Grant registration to stolen vehicles to strike on the supply of essentials? The letters warned the embassies of four 2012. The case is now filed at the Supreme allow their sale. Bad 58.5% refugees from India and Burma and accused Court and if it also upholds the previous 18. Encourage black market, artifi cial Unacceptable them of having links to Al Qaeda and planning decision Poudel will have to spend additional shortages, bill forgery, and tax evasion. 35.5% 19. Legalise drinking and driving. an attack on the embassies. Although local four years and eleven months in prison. Of 2. What should the government media reported that personal dispute in the the two Bangladeshis who were also arrested, 20. Allow lawyers to practice politics. 21. Permit businesses to mix kerosene in do about it? South Asian restaurant business in Phnom one has already been released while the other petrol, stones in rice, lard in butter. Make laws and take Penh might have led to this letter and though is in constant contact with his country’s 22. Encourage all to deplete jungles and strong action 40.2% there is no evidence linking the three to ambassador. sell wood. Cancel licences 19.7% 23. Let everyone steal electricity and Compel them to stop establish industries. 18.3% 24. Pay no attention to bird-fl u. Fulfi l their demands 15% 25. Grant banks permission to infl ate Don’t know 4.4% interest rates. Pay no attention 2.2% Won’t say 0.3% In short, Prime Minister, you must end the rule of law. 3. What kind of laws should be made to stop this from happening? Breaking protocol Best regards, Keshab Bhattarai Prohibit strikes 47% Associate Editor, Chitwan Post Compensate consumers 42.9% surprising that politicians want to meet him. But there are rules that need to be followed. Our leaders know from experience that former prime ministers don’t break lines to meet a visiting minister, but they chose to ignore this. Pushpa Kamal Dahal even cut his Singapore trip short and flew back to Kathmandu. Former prime ministers Baburam Bhattarai, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhal Nath Khanal acted as if they had never seen an Indian diplomat. Narayan Kaji Sherstha, who harps on the importance of protocol, acted as if he had never heard the word. Editorial, Kantipur, 11 July parties, the reason behind Our leaders may think these diplomatic visits, have let what’s wrong with meeting a everyone down. foreign dignitary? Some even Mohan Baidya: “Who’s sent me a message?” In his whirlwind visit to Nepal, The way our leaders queued made excuses about security India’s Minister for Foreign up to meet Khurshid shredded and lack of time. But this is not SMS: “If you have not registered as a voter, please go and do Affairs Salman Khushid every notion of diplomatic a technical issue and this has it quickly.” – ElecƟ on Commission advised our politicians to hold protocol. According to official happened many times before. elections on time and pledged sources, Khurshid’s visit was When India’s President Pranab Batsyayan in KanƟ pur, 7 July support in the form of election not centred on politics but on Mukherjee came to Nepal, paraphernalia including 764 strengthening bilateral ties Madhav Nepal and other QUOTE OF THE WEEK vehicles to help monitor polls. between the two countries. leaders refused to go when A week earlier, Chinese State There was no reason for them they were invited. That they Nobody went to Darchula“ after the Councilor Yang Jiechi came to to line up outside his hotel and rushed to be first in line this “floods. But they lined up to greet Nepal for a few hours with the later Khurshid even admitted time shows what has become Salman Khursid. same message. Our neighbours’ he had never asked them to of Nepali diplomacy. We must positive stance towards come. not blame our guests in such Rastriya Jan Morcha Chairman Chitra elections is welcome, even Khurshid is one of India’s circumstances, it is we who Bahadur KC, Naya Patrika, 11 July reassuring. But our political senior ministers and it is not should draw the line. 24 BACK SIDE 12 - 18 JULY 2013 #664 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

should also think about given the vast experience the using symbols to serve a dual new functionary at the CIAA purpose, for instance, giving has amassed over the years, Symbolic elections the Family Party the election one would have thought it symbol of a condom would would be the anti-corruption not only be appropriate to set watchdog that would be most hat must be some kind unintended side-effects. For that party apart from others, corrupt. Good thing we bribed of a world record for instance, even electronic voting but also simultaneously spread the guys at TI to show that Ta visiting Minister of machines from India do not awareness among the electorate the media is the least corrupt a neighbouring country to have enough buttons for them about contraception. institution in Nepal. meet an astounding total of to be any use here in November. And as the campaign to FG 36 politicians in 7 hours, not And because we use party declare the whole country open counting lunch break. Nepali symbols so people can cast defecation-free gathers pace, The real problem about politicians seem to have taken their ballots in sign language, the forthcoming election could elections is that no one gives the Nepal Tourism Board’s the Erection Commission has be the perfect opportunity to a rat’s ass (in a manner of motto “Guest is God” a bit too simply run out of symbols. de-stigmatise the squat latrine speaking) about it. And that literally and trooped off to the Since the most popular and assist in the gubberment’s is because all the parties are Dwarka to pay their respects. symbols like sun, moon, tree, campaign of Toilets for All too busy firefighting internal But the real reason why there hammer and sickle have all by 2017. squabbles. The A-Baddies was a near stampede of Nepali been taken, the commission FG and the B-Baddies may be politicians at the Street of 32 has decided to take advantage forced to reunite, but now Butterflies, it has now emerged, of Nepal’s biodiversity and put Speaking of earthworms, there are splits within splits is that they all thought they the country’s flora and fauna to wonder what’s going to happen as Dash comrades disagree were meeting Salman Khan. good use. For instance, to the to all the kickbacks the previous about whether to sit around FG list of election symbols which gobblement collected on various a roundtable or to go back already includes cow, goat, airport deals, plane purchases, to war. The question on Besides maintaining its position and yak it has added: scorpion, and hydropower contracts. Will everyone’s mind is what of being the most corrupted yeti, vulture, porcupine, gecko, the contracting parties have to happens if elections can’t be country in South Asia, Nepal tadpole, earthworm, and (the cough up the moolah to new held in November? Will this has belatedly also been Donkey is pleased to announce) incumbents all over again? No partyless system of government recognised in the Guinness Book a jack ass. instance, since the hammer and wonder we keep being numero continue, or will the High and as having the highest per capita But methinks there are sickle is now such a discredited uno in the Transparency Mighty Political number of political parties this other easily-recognised election symbol, the party in International Top Ten every Mechanism side of the Sewage Canal. And everyday items that could question could replace it with year. Political party leaders stage a coup although both feats deserve still be employed as election handcuffs. And the disgruntled again scored the highest marks and remove the much self-congratulation, the symbols and there is sure to be faction can have the grenade. in the 2013 Kleptocrat Index, Chief Minister? large number of parties has a real scramble to get these. For The election commissioners which was surprising because

CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/069/70