#472 16 - 22 October 2009 16 pages Rs 30

f Standard Time is pushed forward one hour and 15 minutes, we I can reduce our electricity shortfall this winter by upto 4 per cent, and loadshedding by upto 40 minutes a day. If enacted, daylight saving time will delay sunset and sunrise by 1 hour and 15 minutes, reducing light use Living during evening peak hours. However, it may disturb early risers, who will have to wake an hour earlier to keep up with their schedules, and confuse astrologers. Besides, it may prove difficult to implement, as Pakistan’s recent experience with a similar plan shows. p10

daylights Sujata, Sujata, Sujata. Three columnists tackle the latest debacle: p3, p5, p10

KIRAN PANDAY 2 EDITORIAL 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Rabi Thapa CEO: Ashutosh Tiwari Design: Kiran Maharjan DGM Sales and Marketing: Sambhu Guragain [email protected] Marketing Manager: Subhash Kumar Asst. Manager: Arjun Karki Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur Fax: 5251013 Uncomplicating peace [email protected] GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5250333/845 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press 5250017-19 Forgetting the past is not Nepal’s future GETTING ON WITH IT here is a revealing anecdote snapped, “Let me make one thing and killed by army officers in about clear. The Maoists have already 2004) were not surprised when Trust Bidya Bhandari to transform the most mundane issues and his idea of justice. expressed their concern that her father was found dead this of the defence ministry into the most pressing concerns of the T After the April 2006 nothing should happen to their nation. From the day she took charge, she has constantly week in mysterious ridiculed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). movement, a group of human leaders and cadre; the Army circumstances. Activist Mandira First she wanted the army to resume recruitment. Better rights activists sought an leadership also has similar Sharma points to the struggle that sense prevailed in the Council of Ministers, which refused to appointment with GPK to concerns. What is important now each family has had to mount; approve her proposals. She wanted some discredited army discuss war-time atrocities. GPK is the peace process. I have told how the process has been deeply generals promoted, overriding the objections of human rights did not think it was important both of them that nothing will frustrating; how the pain and defenders. She got her way. She then wanted to restart enough. The activists conjured happen and no case will be depression has taken its toll; and procuring arms and ammunition. She now wants ex-army pushed against them.” how, in the process, victim’s chief Rookmangad Katawal to shoulder important Koirala’s attitude was families have made enemies of PLAIN SPEAKING responsibilities in his retirement. representative of the attitude of powerful people. She adds, “The Bhandari seems to think that even though she lost the CA Prashant Jha the larger political class, who pat feeling among victims is that if elections, Nepal’s middle-class is behind her. That may be themselves on their back for being so, but she should remember that this is a transition period, Maina’s family could not get where unilateral decisions on sensitive issues will only up another reason, and managed ‘realistic’. They all felt that justice after all this, what hope is strengthen the Maoist argument about this government’s to get a meeting. They talked bygones should remain bygones. there for others?” illegitimacy. about the need to address The refrain was unanimous across What is left is a deep sense of Bhandari’s claim that the peace agreement, which put impunity, and the need for party lines – avoid steps that will hurt. That hurt may sometimes arms procurement and new recruitment on hold, is affecting action against perpetrators of open up a Pandora’s Box and translate into apathy, but often the preparedness of the Nepal Army is not without merit. certain emblematic cases. complicate the peace process. results in thoughts of vengeance. However, the priority now is to protect the peace and write a The ‘democracy veteran’ There was an easier route - If you wonder about the rising new constitution. forget the past. violence, or the rage that Strengthening the This columnist too was drawn characterises even banal everyday defence forces is to the argument, until the killings street conversations, it is because necessary, but it is not in the Tarai shot up. A pattern the priority. we live in a society that has To be sure, certain was visible. Analyst Tula Narayan suffered, where many people feel provisions of the CPA Sah has done remarkable research cheated out of life’s simple joys, are absurd: you can’t to show that the political violence thereby fueling a desire to destroy equate an insurgent in the Tarai can be traced back to or be destroyed. group with the national past crimes that went One could argue that it is in army. But in 2006 it unpunished and a desire for the Nepal Army’s interest to take was needed to initiate revenge. A key reason for both the action against officers involved in the peace process. UN Gaur massacre and the Kapilbastu cases such as Maina’s - this monitoring has been a riots was that the Maoists and would enhance their institutional joke, but it was a fig other groups harboured grievances prestige and silence critics. It is leaf the Maoists against each other. A bloody tit- needed to show that in the Maoists’ self interest to act they didn’t lose the war. for-tat, even delayed, was against the Bibidhs of their party However absurd they inevitable. – this would overhaul their image may look now, the Forgetting the past may appear and demonstrate a commitment peace structure stands attractive if you are insulated to democracy. And that could on these fragile feet. from the conflict. It obviously mark the beginning of a wave of Remove them now and doesn’t work if your father, reparations across the country. the whole thing could mother, brother, sister, wife, But it is unlikely that this come crashing down. husband, son, or daughter is part will happen, for neither side feels The CPA is a faulty of the past’s violence. To suggest it has committed any wrong. document, but for now, that painful memories be Crimes have been justified that’s all the defence obliterated is both a morally through clever narratives. minister has. She’d do well to implement its questionable position and a Collateral damage is seen as a part provisions and move politically ineffective and naïve of the game. And killers on both on. The sooner we can strategy. The root of the Maoist sides have become part of the new leave our past behind insurgency was the perceived political elite. us and get on with it, absence of justice. But the An apology for the pessimism, the sooner Nepal can cardinal lesson of that period was but given the shocking inability be a peaceful, not learnt. No justice means more of our politicians to provide prosperous and just violence. justice, Nepal seems destined to society. Those following the Maina remain stuck in a cycle of Sunwar case (she was tortured violence and hatred. KIRAN PANDAY

LLL ETTERS

NON-RESIDENT NONSENSE NRNA will have a multi-pronged approach NRNA conference in Kathmandu such a CORRECTIONS In his rather condescending column to work with Nepal at various levels, not diversion should be treated as just that, a Due to an editorial error, the article ‘Baniyas and Brahmins’ (#471) wrongly identified Surya ‘The NRN Manifesto’ (#471), one can just in terms of diversion. Bahadur Thapa as chief of the Rastriya Prajatantra perceive Prem Jung Thapa’s business Gaury S Adhikary, Party and Rajendra Mahato as belonging to MJF- bitterness against the current NRN investment. Country D. They lead the Rastriya Janashakti Party and leadership. Comparing NRNA’s Representative, Sadbhavana Party respectively. Help Nepal Network has 12 chapters What he has failed to mention in objectives with that NRNA, USA worldwide, not 21, of which 5 are officially his write-up is that the current NRN of business houses registered charities, not 4 (‘Inspiration, inc.’, #471). leadership and thousands of Nepalis of Nepal is myopic IMPIOUS abroad have developed an unbroken and absurd in the Issue 471’s front page networking capacity across the world extreme. ‘Triumvirate’ graphics LETTERS in the last 6 years of the existence of I hope the are a disrespect to the Nepali Times welcomes feedback. Letters the NRNA (Non Resident Nepali readership of Nepali Lord. To use the should be brief and may be edited for space. Association). Since 2003, NRNA has Times will recognise auspicious and blessed While pseudonyms are accepted, writers who organised 3 global conferences in Mr. Thapa’s Shivalingam in that provide their real names and contact details will be given preference. Email letters should Kathmandu and many regional argument that NRNA context is an abuse, be in text format without attachments with conferences in the Middle East, is yet another rent- and may be an innocent ‘letter to the editor’ in the subject line. Europe and the Far East. seeking organisation mistake by Nepali Email: letters(at)nepalitimes.com A lot of hard work and imagination based on Nepali Times. Please remove Fax: 977-1-5521013 has gone into setting up an ethnicity to be a the graphics from all Mail: Letters, Nepali Times, organisation for the Nepali and by the completely humbug your online media. GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal. Nepali people. An organisation like assertion. On the eve of the fourth global Prabin Raj Gautam, USA OP-ED 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 3 The daughter also rises

here is something about Sujata mix of innocence (she claimed to have Koirala that makes everyone Who said hardcore politics was a fallen sick) and defiance. T uncomfortable. It’s not her lineage. Now that she has got what she wanted, Other Koirala women hardly evoke the popularity contest? Sujata would do well to reflect on whether same hope, fear and frustration. It’s not the prize has been worth the price. She has beauty either, though she looks quite called the bluff of Team Hypocrite at the striking for a grandmother. helm of her party. But for once, Baluwatar If birth and beauty were decisive has clearly outsmarted her father. criteria for success in politics, Manisha PM Nepal has managed to make his Koirala should have been reigning in foreign minister one of his two deputies Kathmandu rather than slowly fading from without stepping on the toes of his filmdom in Bombay. Despite her much unwieldy coalition. He also insisted, publicised forays into Rautahat, the initially, that a formal decision of the glamorous granddaughter of BP Koirala has NCCC was necessary to promote Sujata. failed to make her mark in politics. Lured by their newfound influence upon the government, NCCC members then defied their Chair and insisted on holding STATE OF THE STATE the Grand Committee meeting from C K Lal November 1-3 in Kathmandu instead of concentrating on preparations for the KIRAN PANDAY For all her intelligence and gravitas, General Assembly scheduled for March 10- Nona Koirala’s hold over NC politics was Republican royalty is an oxymoron, but and competitors the creeps. But whoever 14, 2010. This probably means that the felt, but seldom seen. was it thrives in some form or the other in said hardcore politics was a popularity latter will not be held anytime soon and a visible presence with a history of struggle most democratic societies. With contest? the UML will continue to maintain its and sacrifice. But she wasn’t, ultimately, uncertainty the only certainty, politics is The chattering classes of Kathmandu primacy in anti-Maoist politics well into able to influence her party’s politics. the battlefield of the determined and the love to hate Sujata for different reasons. the next elections. Once this was Sidelined from the mainstream, both these desperate. Scions of political dynasties For them, she is an upstart from the established, PM Nepal simply went ahead ‘women of substance’ died dejected. may have a launching pad at their periphery. She didn’t even attend St. and promoted Sujata. Sujata Koirala insists on being seen disposal, but they are at heart no different. Mary’s, after all. But she dresses better, Tactically, it was a masterstroke of and heard. She wants political power and Unfortunately, shows of resolve and has more men half her age following her, realpolitik on the part of PM Nepal. The she will get it. It’s her grit and ferocity do not often endear one to people. and she gets what she wants, almost all only problem is that he and his co- determination that NC bigwigs find That’s why successful politicos have more the time. conspirators in the NC have no strategic disagreeable, but what they hate most is followers than friends, though also more When as foreign minister she refused to aims other than keeping the Maoists out of how she never misses an opportunity to critics than outright enemies. Sujata is no accompany PM Madhav Nepal on his visit power for as long as possible. Koirala is remind them that they are where they are exception: she probably realised early on to New Delhi, the entire political class in aiming higher - he wants to take the peace today simply because of the Koirala clan. that courting controversy was the shortest Kathmandu accused Daughter Koirala of process to its logical conclusion. In For those who pretend to be popular in route to success in democratic politics. It’s sabotaging the anti-Maoist coalition from this war of wills, may the better- their own right, this must be painful. her recklessness that gives her companions within. She dealt with them with a clever intentioned win. 4 NATION 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 content isn’t great, or doesn’t suit specific Nepali needs, and there’s poor content because few Nepalis are connected. Golchha thinks by making laptops easily available, he can short the loop and encourage more people to buy into Leading the charge the Internet age. The Golchha Organisation, a fraternity of firms including Sanjay Golchha’s Neoteric is working Neoteric that is held by the Golchha family, sponsors a hard to empower individuals number of social service activities. They run an eye hospital in that offers Management tool. treatment for free or at negligible Following these successes, prices and serves about 80,000 Golchha founded Neoteric to people annually. They also locally distribute internationally sponsor academic scholarships, branded hardware, like Samsung and have made headway on a slew anjay Golchha, founder and LCD screens. He also catered to a of environmental initiatives. CEO of technology large market for assembled Golchha says they’re dabbling in S marketing firm Neoteric, is computers, which were not only non-conventional energy sources a slight man with a big attitude customisable but also significantly like husk and in characteristically and speaks the bold, cheaper. More recently, Neoteric far-sighted manner, have begun cosmopolitan language of Naya has also become a leading recycling electronics to prevent Nepal. “If Japan can be a distributor of Nokia phones and hazardous build-ups of electronic technology powerhouse, then so appliances in Nepal. waste. can we,” he says, gesturing to Neoteric is at war with a ‘grey “It’s a big problem in rich emphasise “we”. Golchha is a market’ - the nebulous and legally countries,” he warns. “And if we’re stand-out figure among Nepal’s dubious traffic of refurbished not careful, it could be a big new breed of philanthropist- Indian and Chinese goods, many problem here too.” businessmen, out as much to of which boast recognised brand KIRAN PANDAY Taking on software, hardware score a profit as to help their names with a stray letter or two individual. Before Neoteric came Indeed, that vision of a Nepal and social service is no mean feat, compatriots. inserted, a ‘Nokla’ instead of along, only large corporations, and of laptop-toting villagers and and involves a degree of risk in His own contribution in that ‘Nokia’, for instance. Golchha very few households or small grandpas is why Neoteric is, as the volatile business and political direction has come largely in the claims that while Neoteric’s businesses, had the high-grade Golchha calls it, ‘leapfrogging’ environment of Nepal. Golchha IT sector, and follows a long products are pricier, they are HP and Samsung gear that conventional desktops into the admits he’s made business fascination with gadgetry and better quality and come with Golchha markets. And that state of laptop business. He points out that mistakes in the past, but accepts computers. He learned the international standard service and affairs was disastrous, he says, laptops are sturdy and high that risks are part and parcel of programming language BASIC in warranties. “Before we entered the because in the Internet age, quality, and almost as cheap as entrepreneurship. "What Nepal high school and studied IT market, as much as 40% of the IT connectivity is as elementary as desktops, which means they have needs more than ever is a risk- business applications in the goods circulating here were either water or food. Golchha reveals an enormous social and commercial friendly investment climate that United Kingdom. Soon after he fake or were smuggled into the almost missionary zeal for Nepal potential. They promise to correct ensures businesses ownership of returned to Nepal in 1989, he set country,” he says. and the Internet: “Imagine what what Golchha calls Nepal’s the rewards," he says. up software company IT Nepal Underpinning these business Nepal would be like if everyone ‘chicken-and-egg’ problem: not “If we do these things, nothing and went on to develop the first ventures is a commitment to help had a laptop with an Internet many are bothered to buy Internet can stop us.” Nepali Enterprise Resource the common man and empower the connection.” connections in part because the Bold is the word. BUSINESS 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 5

Xchange ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ Risk-taking for dummies

ujata Koirala was defeated by costly for careers. Given these odds, enthusiasm, energy and activities are Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Chief which non-Koirala hailed by all, and he starts winning S Upendra Yadav in the Constituent leader has the self-confidence or the national and international acclaim. After Assembly elections last year. In theory, public following to say: “Look, enough is some time, he gets comfortably settled in her political career should have been enough. Either we seriously reform how his role. He hires family members, gets finished, at least until the next general our party is governed or completely erode defensive about criticism, and punishes elections. public confidence in what we do for those who disagree with him. He is democracy…”? Not one. insecure about sharing the limelight with In fairness though, there are some NC others. So he surrounds himself with STRICTLY BUSINESS leaders who have workable ideas about dwarves who sing the great man’s praises, Global Xchange, a British Council Ashutosh Tiwari how to reform the party. But unless they and when he promotes one dwarf, others and VSO partnership program, is start taking intelligent risks to translate may grumble but don’t complain much giving 18 hearing impaired volunteers ideas into actions, their continuous because they don’t want to bite the hand from Nepal and the UK the chance to But on Monday, Prime Minister claim to be working for democracy is that feeds them. live with host families and work for appointed her to laughable. If they can’t even work toward Ignoring small problem local organisations. The volunteers, the position of deputy prime minister. turning their party into a New Nepali approach: This happens when an aged 18-25, will live in the two When asked why he did what he did, Congress, who believes them when they organisation’s leadership thinks it’s countries for three months and Nepal gave a distinctly non-prime promote cultural exchange as well as build active networks. ministerial answer: “I appointed her as asked by Girija Prasad Koirala.” In other words, “Girija made me do it.” The latest scandal exposes the

Gift of sight It doesn’t matter how displeased or ○○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○ management values that underpin Marking World Sight Day 2009, angry Nepali Congress members are with Standard Chartered Bank and Sujata’s new post. They can do their many of Nepal’s institutions Tilganga Eye Center signed an predictable song-and-dance routine: that agreement to conduct screening is, pull long faces, hold meetings in camps and free cataract surgery for windowless offices, condemn the PM’s shout loudly about creating a New Nepal? beneath its dignity or that it does not needy people living in the Kathmandu actions, pass resolutions, blame Sujata’s It’s not enough to blame the father for have time to deal with small problems. Valley and neighbouring districts. father at press conferences and do what he has done. He’s shown that he has Its approach is to brush away small everything that ends up as a spectacle on calculated the odds, cast aside his problems, which then go on to fester and

Smokin’ television. scruples, and decided he can get away mutate into bigger problems in due ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ If history is any guide, in just a few with doing what he thinks is right for his course. When colleagues or employees see Gorkha Lahari days, they will have shown signs of that daughter’s political future. The problem, that small problems have been brushed launched its new great sense of Nepali resilience. It's the broadly, is how Nepali institutions are aside, they allow the leadership to be cigarette ‘Action’ stuff that gets praised ad nauseam by governed in ways that are antithetical to more reckless in doing things that only earlier this month. This addition to amateur sociologists and drenched-in- democratic values and business success. create bigger problems. the cigarette positive-thinking pundits. It consists of Here’s two rules of the game: The Nepali Congress leaders have only market uses reluctantly accepting what has happened The Great Man approach: themselves to blame. That the Sujata international and moving on to other matters without Usually, a public organisation is first led episode has come to a head is quality tobacco putting up a principled fight. by an initiative-taking individual who symptomatic of their practicing both and is available for Rs 52 a pack. Principled fights, let us remember, shows more courage than anyone else. approaches at the expense of good often have uncertain outcomes and can be Once he’s in a position of leadership, his governance. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 Intensifying food crisis

Nepalganj bureau in Kantipur, 9 October population of this region.” Jajarkot, Neyulapur, Dang, Dhorahi, Tulsipur and Pyuthan are the major areas affected. The endless downpours and flooding following Farmers were not only unable to plant paddy the harsh drought has left several mid and far on time but were also unable to apply fertiliser at western districts facing a severe food crisis. The the right time. This year in Banke district, for crops that made it through the delayed monsoon instance, 31,718 acres of land were farmed, 4,781 were inundated by the heavy rain of the last few hectares less than the year before. Similarly, while weeks and began to rot, and rice grain laid out to paddy production was 131,400 metric tons last dry was washed away. year, the drought prompted estimates of only 80- Sachidananda Upadhyay of the midwestern 90,000 metric tons. This is now expected to agricultural directorate says, “Even without decrease by another 40 per cent. Says Bhanubhakta adverse weather conditions, the arable land here is Bhattarai of the Agriculture Development Office, “A not enough to accommodate the needs of the loss of about Rs 280 million is anticipated.” DIRGHA RAJ UPADHAYA

28 years in Biratnagar Jute Mills and now works in a private mill says, “We only get a 20 minute break and hardly any leave.” Unionism Khadga Rai recalls those days when he protected his corrupt colleagues. “I did so because I Om Aastha Rai in known as the Mills area and three was in politics,” he says. He says Nagarik, October 10 generations of employees spent if he had not done so someone their lives here. These will else would. “There was Biratnagar Jute Mills, the become mere fables once the mill competition to protect those country’s oldest jute mill, will is handed to the private sector. corrupt people.” close down this week following The mill is closing because of Rai, who worked in the mills KIRAN PANDAY conflict between the government a short supply of raw materials, for 24 years, is now unemployed and employees. The mill will be worn out machinery and poor corrupt, stole machinery parts and cadre from the same parties were at the age of 46. His children still handed over to the private sector sales. But this wouldn’t have supplied low quality jute, yet no involved in theft and irregularities. need his support and he cannot once the government pays the mattered had the management action was taken. Of 1,039 employees who lost just stay home idly. It is difficult to workers. been strong. “We could not sack those who their jobs after the closure of the find a job for a person who is Even if it continues operating, The management weakened were found stealing on the spot,” mill, about 800 have joined private already known as a union leader. its image as the centre of the after the political changes in 1990, says a retired managing director jute mills in Sunsari and Morang, “We never realised I would make democratic movement will suffer. when party-backed unions overran of the mills. Directors were where the going has been harder. life more difficult for my family,” The surrounding place is also the mills. Union members were appointed by political parties, and Jhamarlal Shah, who worked for he says. Death wish Editorial in Rajdhani, 14 October

Since time unknown, Nepali Congress chief Girija Prasad Koirala has been making death wishes, most of which have been fulfilled. His most recent one, to have his daughter appointed deputy prime minister, has just been fulfilled by the prime minister. Madhav Nepal’s motive seems to have been primarily to save his own post. Pleasing Koirala enables Nepal to take advantage of the unconstitutional status that he holds. Both GP Koirala and Nepal are driven by selfish motives, sending the government further down the downward slope it is already on. Because the decision was taken without the consent of the Nepali Congress and was something of a pact between Nepal and GP Koirala, the Nepali Congress now faces a test. Much depends on whether they decide to KIRAN PANDAY contest the decision or accept the post assigned to Sujata Koirala. This only proves the charges of nepotism the Maoists have always Toy train: NC made. The sole cause of this is the disorientation the nation has Toy train track: Internal democracy undergone in the past three years, transforming politics into a personal Girija: What! It’s going the wrong way! and domestic struggle for position and power. One way the nation can be redeemed is if the people express a collective concern. This can happen Batsyan in Kantipur, 13 October only if the Nepali Congress decides to protest against GP Koirala’s action. CONSTITUTION 2010 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 7 Discord, and more discord Too little, too late to meet the constitution deadline Committee has finalised its draft but there are disagreements about whether to compensate landowners for land taken from them during land reform. The Maoists object to any compensation. The Committee for Determining the Form of Governance System has been debating the merits of the presidential and prime ministerial systems, which is important since it has implications for the entire political system. The State Restructuring and Sharing of State Power Committee has perhaps the most difficult task of all in deciding on a federal system. It hasn’t been able to start work because the political parties haven’t even submitted their concept papers. The CA calendar has already been rescheduled six times and the public doesn’t expect the November deadline to be met. Once deliberations finish, the public will be invited to comment on the drafts. Acharya is still hopeful: “If the parties consider the national interest, the constitution will be written on time.”

PICS: KIRAN PANDAY Committees that have completed drafts: he deadline for writing the new The National Interests Preservation while the Maoists say any language spoken Committee for Rights of Minority and constitution is now only seven Committee was the first committee to by at least one per cent of the population Marginalized Communities T months away but five thematic submit a draft concept to the CA but should be given the status. National Interests Preservation Committee committees haven’t submitted their draft papered over differences on state structure, The Committee for Determining Committee for Determining the Bases of reports and concept papers to the CA. national defence policy, border issues and Legislative Bodies has already prepared a Cultural and Social Unity To make matters worse, the six thematic on whether to call the civil war a ‘people’s draft paper without Maoist backing which Committee for Determining Legislative committees that have submitted their drafts war’ or an ‘armed insurgency.’ The NC and proposes a bicameral Parliament: a 151- Bodies haven’t patched up differences on key UML have also strongly opposed the member House of Representatives and a 51- Committee for Determining the Form of points. Only the Committee for Rights of provision of conscription for all adults. member National Assembly, with separate Governance System Minority and Marginalised Communities The draft of the Judiciary System houses in each province. The Maoists have Judiciary System Committee passed its draft unanimously. Committee has been the most controversial, proposed an all-powerful 245-member But instead of forging ahead and settling as the Maoists want to invest parliament unicameral Parliament. The MJF wants the Committees yet to complete drafts: their differences the political parties want with the power to hire and sack judges, and chair of the proposed national assembly to State Restructuring and Sharing of State to extend the drafting period, which was to allow non-Supreme Court justices to be made vice president. Power Committee initially two years, by a further six months. become chief justice. The other parties have There are differences over what to name Committee for Determining the Form of Constitutional Committee Chairman criticised this as an undue violation of the constitutional commission in the draft Governance System Nilambar Acharya feels the problem is a lack separation of powers. prepared by the Committee for Determining Fundamental Rights and Directive of commitment, not necessarily the The Committee for Determining the Legislative Bodies. ‘National Commission’ Principles Committee disagreements themselves. He says, “The Bases of Cultural and Social Unity is preferred to ‘Federal Commission’. Economic Rights and Sharing of Natural parties should understand that the proposed Nepali as the official language The Economic Rights and Sharing of Resources and Public Revenue Committee constitution is a document of consensus.” but Madhesi parties want Hindi instead, Natural Resources and Public Revenue Constitutional Committee

We need a high-level political mechanism to resolve differences Way out over committee drafts Girirajmani Pokharel, CA beings have already resolved member, UCPN (Maoist) problems bigger than yours.” The 12-point agreement The ongoing conflict between was signed amid persistent status-quoist and progressive political hostilities that have forces has held back the brought Nepali politics to its constitution writing process at knees today. The country its most crucial time. needs a revised agreement that The constitution writing implements the spirit of the process was slow from the Comprehensive Peace outset. It took 3 months after Agreement, integrates the two the historic CA elections to armies to make a national form the Maoist-led army, establishes civilian government, and CA committees supremacy instead of military were established to facilitate supremacy in a real sense so agreement on constitutional we can make decisions on our issues. CA regulations eased the internal affairs on our own. challenge by forbidding party I have no doubt that if we whips from becoming too have such a high-level meddlesome so, if all had gone understanding, the current well, there wouldn’t be obstacles in writing the opposition in the CA. and Suggestion Committee. and the parliamentary system, the optimistic and take inspiration constitution can be overcome Committee members collected But things haven’t gone Madhesi parties hanker for more from Jawaharlal Nehru who and will lead to a common public suggestions for the well, and the draft reports don’t inclusion, while the Maoists wrote his daughter Indira political agreement for the constitution, which have been reconcile basic ideological want a wholly new federal Gandhi thus: “If you come constitution writing process. investigated in a report that has differences. The UML and NC system. across problems in your life, A special political mechanism been submitted to the Study are happy with the status quo Despite these difficulties I’m look back at history. Human is the need of the hour. 8 NATION

ROBIN BOUSTEAD The Great Hima

ROBIN BOUSTEAD on the planet and discovered an incredible wealth of ethnic and The mother of all natural diversity. The result (see f there is a trekking box) is an extreme trekking trail ‘holy grail’, it is a route over 162 days with more than trekking trails through the remotest peaks of 150,000 metres of climbing and the Great Himalaya Range that descending, a proposition sure to Ijoins all the major trekking tempt adventurous trekkers. Over promises regions in Nepal. Following five the next couple of years, I will be years of research treks, the Nepali trekking through the Eastern and adventure for section of the Great Himalaya Western Himalaya to complete a Trail (GHT) is now a reality. trans-Himalayan trail over Starting in September 2008 in 4,000km that will take between tourists and hope Kanchenjunga and ending in July 16-18 months to trek. this year in the Api Himal, Pema Nepal’s three main trekking Sherpa and I became the first regions, Everest, Annapurna and for the denizens of people to traverse the entire Langtang, attract tens of length of the Nepal Himalaya. In thousands every year. The trails doing so we traversed some of the here are well maintained and safe, the Himalaya most amazing mountain scenery and offer novice and experienced

ROBERT ROSENBAUM ROBE 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 9

PICS: ROBIN BOUSTEAD alaya Trail

trekkers alike the opportunity to explore them. All of these areas among the very best of explore the Himalaya in relative offer unique trekking humankind? comfort. The other two thirds of opportunities. They also tend to I hope that the GHT will Nepal’s mountain terrain are be next to the major trekking inspire other trekkers to embark normally considered ‘off the beaten routes, so it’s possible to design upon their own GHT trails, track’. From the lush itineraries combining old and helping develop micro-tourism rhododendron forests of the east to new routes. projects in communities too the dense woodlands of the west, Although the mountains are remote for major infrastructure relatively untouched wilderness beyond compare, it is the people development. Creating value in and remote communities await you meet along the trail who regions that previously had little discovery. Indeed, a small trekking linger in your memory. You can’t to offer could also precede the group in these regions can make a help but admire their establishment of a transboundary The real real difference to lives that are indefatigable boldness and corridor for animal migration, barely subsistence. energy, their independence and helping to save many endangered In 2002, the Nepali government resilience, and their open- species. The snow-covered crown Naya Nepal resolved all its border disputes hearted, generous nature towards of Asia may then become one of z with its northern neighbour China. strangers they may never see its greatest assets. In his fascinating book ‘The Great Himalaya Trail – A Pictorial This demilitarised seven border again. It’s impossible to make a Guide’, Robin Boustead uses stunning photographs, compelling areas and for the first time in over comparison, but surely the for more pictures, visit storytelling and section route descriptions to describe the highest fifty years, tourists were allowed to people of the high Himal are www.nepalitimes.com feasible route across Nepal. The large format pictures offer an intriguing insight into the first expedition to trek and map the Great Himalaya Trail. It crosses every one of Nepal’s mighty mountain ranges, from Kanchenjunga in the east to Saipal in the west. Folklore combines with descriptions of the communities encountered to give the reader an intimate glimpse into the lives of mountain people. The series of interlinking trekking maps and graphical trail profiles provide enough detail for anyone to begin planning their own Great Himalaya Trail adventure.

The Great Himalaya Trail – A Pictorial Guide, by Robin Boustead Himalayan Maphouse, 2009 ISBN: 9789993347408 Pages: 167

Robin will be signing copies of his book at Mandala Bookpoint on Saturday, 3.30PM

ERT ROSENBAUM PEMA SHERPA ROBERT ROSENBAUM 10 NATION 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 Family matters

fter two months of lobbying and sulking, Girija Prasad Koirala has finally succeeded in making his Adaughter Sujata the deputy prime minister. Given her unpopularity with the public as well as within the NC, it’s no surprise the backlash has been so intense. Koirala has squandered the merit he earned in 2006 in leading the country back to democracy by pushing his daughter as his political successor. He has demonstrated his lack of commitment to democracy, and INTERESTING TIMES nowhere is the anger as Mallika Aryal palpable as within his own party. NC leaders are enraged and the UML is miffed. There is finger pointing between the political parties. Critics blame the weak government for not being able to stand up to Girija. The public, on the other hand, is so apathetic that the reaction has been a dismissive: “So what else is new?” As always everything will be figured out, forgiven and forgotten. The public understands that there will be protests now, but they will soon die down, and those protesting will be seen

hobnobbing with Sujata about town. KIRAN PANDAY Sujata Koirala has no political charisma, skill, guile or experience. She has little support within her party and the only person rooting for her is her father. When her party summoned her for questioning, she came with slogan- shouting hired goons. But is Girija the only one responsible for the mess in the NC? How about the other so-called leaders? Tampering Koirala’s dynastic tendency undermines with time democracy in his party SUVAYU DEV PANT and DEWAN RAI

The NC leadership is quick to say that the party is changing with the times and that the leadership is going f Nepal Standard Time is Astrologers will feel the through a transition. They have protested in the past against pushed forward one hour Adding an confusion most keenly, since the Girija’s efforts to anoint his daughter as his successor. But I and 15 min, we could changes will throw their charts this particular move by the party president goes to show just slightly reduce our electricity hour and out of whack. Said one astrologer, how weak the NC leadership is and how beholden they are to shortfall this winter and adjust “It will definitely change the the old man. an unnecessary and irksome 15 fifteen charts so I might accidentally The NC leadership gossips behind Koirala’s back about minute time difference with minutes to recommend inauspicious times.” him with the leaders of other parties. They say the old man is India in one fell swoop. It will also annoy early risers, ‘losing it’ or has become ‘senile’ and yet they have been Daylight saving time (DST) NST could like students and construction unable to come up with alternative leadership. They have has been discussed before in the workers, who will have to wake failed miserably in asserting their disapproval and Nepal Electricity Authority and reduce up even earlier in the mornings, discontent, in convincing Girija that his decision was a bad the Ministry of Environment, when it is considerably colder call, and in preventing him from making such a big decision but plans have since gathered loadshedding and darker. Research suggests that unanimously. One has to wonder how one of the most dust. there are more sleepy drivers, so unpopular leaders in Nepal has so much clout within his If enacted, DST would delay more road accidents, in the weeks own party. sunset and sunrise by 1 hour and more significant if industrial immediately following daylight Seeing Koirala’s face on the evening news has proved to 15 minutes, reducing light use buildings, which consume a lot saving time changes. the Nepali people that although we may have come a long way during evening peak hours. of electricity, were designed to However, the proposal will Although more lights will require less ventilation and also round off to a half hour in the last few years few things in Nepal have really changed. switch on in the morning as the lighting. Nepal’s inane 15-minute time Quipped one disenchanted NC member: “The prime minister time change means many more Daylight saving was recently difference with India, which it and deputy prime minister were both unelected. They make a will wake up before sunrise, introduced in Bangladesh and has had since 1971, and which good team.” there will be a net energy savings. Pakistan in a bid to reduce has been a thorn in the sides of For the NC leaders, however, this is a good time to “Daylight saving will mounting electricity shortfalls, traders between the two consider whether the party is actually going through the undoubtedly help reduce the but has had a rocky start, countries. “The time difference transition they claim is underway. They must understand electricity shortfall, since it especially in Pakistan, where it must go, whether or not it’s that unless change can come from the top party leadership allows people to work by has confused thousands who bundled together with a daylight there will always be bad decisions. Unless young leaders are daylight instead of tubelight,” have flat out refused to adjust saving scheme, because it will groomed, older leaders will always push their children as says former Minister of Water their clocks. make trading a little easier,” says successors. Resources Dipak Gyawali. That’s a problem DST could Gyawali. To come out in the media and badmouth is easy. This is a The numbers bear this out. face in Nepal. It will be difficult Policymakers like former collective bad judgment call and putting the blame on Water management expert Ratna to communicate time changes to Environment Minister Ganesh someone else just makes the leadership look naïve and Sansar Shrestha calculates that if clock-users, particularly in the Shah have tried to erase the immature. This is the time to be assertive about issues that our electricity shortfall is countryside, disrupting city-to- difference but have seen their really matter. The party’s reputation and position is at stake if 400MW this winter and we go up village commerce. It doesn’t help efforts stymied by bad politics it wants to present itself to the people as a real alternative to to 16 hours of loadshedding, that the very idea of DST is and changes of government. the Maoists. then DST can reduce the confusing. When asked for his To be sure, it’s unlikely that a General elections may be far away but if the party wants to shortfall by roughly 16MW, a ten feelings about the scheme, a government that’s fighting tooth rebuild its image the leaders need to undo this mistake and percent decrease, and bemused Milan Rai, who runs a and nail for survival cares about remake the party. loadshedding by roughly 40 café in Lalitpur, shot back, energy savings either, but we can minutes a day. “What? I don’t understand. You rest assured there’s daylight at DST energy savings could be want to change the sunrise?” the end of the tunnel. NATION 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 11 Susmita’s choice Susmita chose kayaks over her husband, but DINANATH BARAL in POKHARA all's well that ends well wenty-three-year-old Susmita Rai’s interest in T kayaking safety work was sparked by her own husband’s work in the tourist industry. But when she sought to transform a hobby into a career she came up against an impossible choice. Sanu Baba Sunuwar, concerned about their household and the perceived risks a Nepali woman might face in male-dominated tourist guide industry, issued her with an ultimatum: “It’s either BLAZING TRAILS: me or kayaking.” Determined to Susmita in action (above) make her own way, Susmita left with Inka Trollsås (below) her four-year-old son Niraj in the care of her in-laws and divorced her husband. champion?” Sanu Baba now feels Himalayan River Girls is Her decision marked the other women should take doing more than just honing the beginning of a difficult period Susmita as an example and competitive spirit of Nepali during which she had to support follow their dreams. women, however. Grounding its herself through restaurant work, Inka’s Himalayan River Girls paddle work is the firm belief dishwashing jobs and hard has trained 10 women kayakers so that training women like Susmita labour. The tide began to turn far, and will be inducting new not only boosts their confidence when she encountered Inka trainees in November. With a but also makes them employable. Trollsås, a Swedish kayaker. Inka, supply of equipment from So far, fifteen women have been who has been coming to Nepal for abroad, Inka has been able to employed by Nepali rafting the last decade, runs Himalayan conduct training sessions on the companies through Himalayan River Girls. This kayak club based Seti, Kali Gandaki and Trishuli River Girls which is run wholly in Pokhara trains Nepali women Rivers. From November 27-29, her on donation. Susmita herself as river and rafting guides. club will be helping to organise works for Paddle Nepal. She’s had With Inka, Susmita had real the Himalayan Whitewater a rough ride. But calmer waters lie cause to believe kayaking and Challenge for women. ahead. rafting could give her a future different from that she was destined for once she was taken out of school and married off at the age of thirteen. She began to train with Inka and in 2008, along with compatriots Sita Thapa and Anu Shrestha, competed against atheletes from 11 nations in the Peak UK Himalayan Challenge kayaking championship in Nepal. Susmita came first. Her triumph prompted a change of heart on the part of Sanu Baba Sunuwar, and led to their reunion. Since then, Susmita has represented Nepal at two kayaking championships in Spain and Switzerland. She continues to train, but has also set her sights on reaching the heights of her husband, quite literally: he is a paragliding pilot. Susmita has blazed her own trail. But she laments the lack of support for women in sport, either from government or from sporting associations. She is clear about the need for women to be given opportunities. “If I had given up kayaking for my family,” she says, “then how would I have had the chance to fly the flag of Nepal in front of the world?” She smiles and adds, “Who would know who Susmita Rai is?” Susmita’s husband agrees, and even goes as far to see their separation as a blessing in disguise. “If she had listened to me and given up kayaking, if we hadn’t had a divorce, then how would my wife have become a 12 INTERNATIONAL 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472

SCANDINAVIAN SKYLIKE: More bright ideas will be needed to clear the skies. Everyone is an island

mack in the centre of Denmark and at the geographic S centre of Europe, the little island of Samsø has turned itself into a zero carbon destination in the last decade. Not only has this bucolic farming settlement of 5,000 people switched over completely to wind and solar energy, it is exporting electricity to the Danish mainland. If Samsø were a microcosm of the Earth, the planet would already be out of its climate crisis. An island that in 1997 relied entirely on fossil fuel imports now has 11 wind turbines that meet all its electricity needs, heating is provided by a combination of solar thermal and burning biomass, and offshore wind farms export power, compensating for the fossil fuel that is still used for cars and ferries. Says Samsø resident Jesper Kjems: “It worked because the community got involved, and the people got involved because they saw the benefit to themselves, not because they’d be saving polar bears in Greenland.” KUNDA DIXIT Copenhagen climate countdown

KUNDA DIXIT Norway by 40 per cent and coming from countries like China, mandatory fuel efficiency Despite disagreements over in COPENHAGEN Australia by 24 per cent. The US, India, Brazil and Indonesia. Cuts standards, an increase in solar and the details, there is an emerging which did not ratify the Kyoto only by rich countries, therefore, wind energy to meet five per cent consensus among negotiators ith less than two Protocol, is now willing to go up will not be enough to keep global of its energy needs and the about the steps ahead: months to go for a big to 15 per cent but wants countries temperature increase to within 2 conversion of half of all coal-fired W climate change summit like China and India to agree to degrees by 2050. plants to ‘clean coal’ technology. Rich countries must here in the Danish capital, the similar targets. Indian state minister for the But it will not accept commit to deep cuts to planet’s future hangs in the China has overtaken the US environment, Jairam Ramesh, internationally imposed cuts. For compensate for their historical balance as countries continue to with 24 per cent of global carbon accuses the West of trying to scrap its part, China is unilaterally carbon emissions. bicker about who should cut dioxide emissions. The US is the Kyoto Protocol, which planning to move away from coal Emerging economies must carbon emissions and by responsible for 22 per cent, the requires rich countries to meet and source 15 per cent of its energy announce unilateral cuts, with how much. supply from renewables like wind international financing for the A preparatory meeting in and solar by 2020. However, China conversion to clean energy. Bangkok last week widened Time is running out to imports half its daily oil needs Most vulnerable countries differences between rich and poor and this demand is growing. need help to adapt to the effects countries instead of bridging save the planet from Chinese negotiators have also of sea-level rise and melting ice. them, as emerging economies like rejected internationally agreed We need to set up a system China and India accused the West catastrophic warming targets, preferring national for measurement, reporting and of forcing them to agree to mitigation action. But unlike verification (MRV) to make sure binding targets. EU 12 per cent and India targeted cuts and emerging India, China is poised to cash in nations stick to their "The climate change 8 per cent of global carbon economies to undertake domestic on green technology and hopes to commitments. negotiations are dangerously close emissions. Scientists say the cuts. "The trust has broken down become the world’s biggest to deadlock,” warned European world must halve its emissions and the EU is now trying to producer of photovoltaic cells, Denmark’s environment Union (EU) President José by 2050 to cap global warming at accommodate the US,” Ramesh electric transport and batteries. minister, Connie Hedegaard, Manuel Barroso at a global editors’ only 2 degrees Celsius. told the Copenhagen editors’ Economist Joseph Stiglitz says says she is encouraged by a forum here this week. The annual per capita forum. “There will be no deal in it is clear that China and India growing political consensus and The EU has committed to emission of carbon by Indians is Copenhagen in December if they can’t try to imitate US the voluntary carbon cuts reduce its carbon emissions to only 1.6 tons, whereas an average dump Kyoto and try to make a consumption patterns. “If they announced by countries. “We 20 per cent of 1990 levels by 2020. European emits 18 tons and an new deal.” do,” he said this week in are waiting for the US to take the Japan has said it will reduce its American 25 tons. But 90 per cent Ramesh says India is Copenhagen, “the planet is lead, and I think it is now do- carbon emissions by 25 per cent, of the increase in emissions is preparing domestic legislation for doomed.” able politically,” she said. REVIEW 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #47213

KIND OF BLUE: Soulmate fires up Shangri-La More than meanwhile… t was enough to give you the blues. Gokarna the wholly entertaining Jimi (the Human) Jazz Bazaar or Blues at 1905? Should any Hocking of Australia. And if the closing set by I Nepali craving a little night music really be Brit blues geezers the Blues Business was a forced to make such a momentous decision? Gigi of disappointment, the screaming soul blues of the Gigabytes would have minded very much, so Shillong’s Soulmate a couple of days later more blues it was. Unlike the static crowd at the Garden than made up for it. In fact, they well nigh of Dreams the night before, Saturday’s blues fest upstaged the rest of the line-up, having (been) paid its dues in full. Tight sets from local bands chosen to perform at Jazzmandu’s all-star event at Looza and Gigi and the Gigabytes were set off by the Hotel Shangri-La. Turns out blues and jazz are the heartfelt blues rock of Bangalore’s Parachute sometimes the same thing… z XVI and the muscular, percussive acoustic blues of Rabi Thapa KIRAN PANDAY Let them hear jazz

e don’t know about you, but when we go to a jazz concert, especially where bands inspired by Brazilian music are W playing, we expect it to be, well…jazzy. So the tables and chairs at Hyatt for Jazzmandu’s headliner event may have worked for the mellow tunes of Trio Urbano. But when Sheyla Costa said the crowd made her “want to cry” and that she wanted to “go home” when noone stood up to dance to her Samba-inspired Parisian jazz, she was on to something. Not to take anything away from the impressive roster of artists Jazzmandu brought to Kathmandu this year. The line-up ranged from the traditional classical music of Gurudev Kamath to the energetic improvisations of Thai/French Vatchapuj to the bossa nova beats of Sheyla Costa-La Brasileira. Jazzmandu may indeed be the biggest jazz festival in the Himalaya. Eclectic, energetic, and exclusive, Jazzmandu bridged the holiday season in high style

The festival had something for everyone: the headliner event at the Hyatt treated the audience to a small, intimate evening of Brazilian jazz, while the ‘music marathon’ at Gokarna Golf Resort on Saturday entertained hundreds of guests with the entire spectrum of international musicians. No wonder people were still talking about it on Monday morning. Despite the bands’ different styles, they palpably demonstrated the power of music to unite rather than divide. Homnath Upadhaya gave us an impromptu tabla tutorial; Vincent Martial of Vatchapuj and Jamie Baum of Trio Urbano challenged each other to flute solos; and saxophonist Yuri Honing of Amsterdam persevered through a minor power-outage for his first ‘solo in the dark’ at Patan’s Museum Cafe. When Navin Chhetri started the festival back in 2002, his idea was to bring live jazz to the Nepali people. But with the kind of line-up they mustered, they should have just set up shop outside Patan Durbar rather than inside, and set the evening on fire. The Seventh Annual Kathmandu Jazz Festival did not disappoint. But next year, let’s take Sheyla’s advice – no chairs. z Meg Patterson and Indu Nepal 14 CITY 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472

ABOUT TOWN Wake up Sid is a coming of age story about a young and wealthy Mumbai slacker, Siddharth EXHIBITIONS Mehra (Ranbir Kapoor). He cares about his ™ ‘Nepal Rendezvous - Nagarkot Workshop’, paintings by friends, camera and car, but little else. Then Bangladeshi and Nepali artists at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg, he meets young and ambitious Kolkata girl till 31 Oct, 4218048 Aisha Banerjee (Konkona Sen Sharma), and ™ Lungta Paintings, exhibition by Maureen Drdak, till 18 Oct, 5.30PM, Indigo Gallery the two become fast friends. But a chain of events compels Sid to take a hard look at

EVENTS Entertainment himself and change his ways. ™ Global Handwashing Day 2009, event at Nepal Administrative Staff College, 15 Oct, 11AM onwards, 5552764 Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal ™ Patan Press Club, meets every Thursday at Dhokaima Café, 6PM, Quest www.jainepal.com 5522113 ™ Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre, Tai Chi 10-11.30AM Saturday, Yoga 8.30-9.30AM and Meditation 5-6PM weekdays, Keshar Mahal Marg, Thamel, 4410402 sfd ;fgf ] 7nf" ] eGg ] x'Fb}g . kl;gfsf ] s'g} /ª / hft klg x'Fb}g . sfd MUSIC u/]/ vfg nhfpg' klg x'Fb}g . rf]/]/, 9fF6]/, 5n]/, n'6]/ vfg kf] g]kfn ;/sf/ ™ 42nd Yala Maya Classic, featuring Jeevan Ale on flute, Prem Chandra nhfpgk5' { . hf ] hxf F /x/] hg' sfd u5 { pm To;df} /dfpgk5' { uf/a} ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Ojhaiya on tabla and Mandira Ale on tanpura at Yala Maya Kendra, ugk5'{ { / ;dlkt{ eP/ ugk5'{ { . sfd g } zlQm xf,] elQm xf ] / dlQm' ;"rgf ljefu 19 Oct, 5PM, 5553767 ™ Baja gaja, every Tuesday at Moksh, Pulchok, 7.30PM onwards, xf ] . sfdsf ] OHht u/f,}+ kl;gfsf ] ;Ddfg u/f }+ . 5526212 ™ Live band every Friday and rooftop bbq everyday at Kausi Kitchen, Darbar Marg, 4227288 ™ Sunday Jazz brunch, enjoy a relaxing Sunday in The Terrace at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu with barbeque and live jazz by Inner Groove Weekly Internet Poll # 472 from 12:00 to 3:30 pm, 4491234/4489362 Q. Do you agree with the ban on ™ Jazz evening at Delices de France Restaurant every Wednesday, firecrackers? 11AM-2PM, 4260326 Total votes: 1,314 ™ Some like it hot every Friday BBQ and live music by Dinesh Rai and the Sound Minds, Rs 899 at Fusion, Dwarika’s Hotel, 7PM onwards, 4479488 ™ Happy cocktail hour, ladies night on Wednesday with live unplugged music at Jatra Café & Bar, Thamel, 5-7PM ™ Nepali Ghajals and songs at D’Lounge Beijing Duck Restaurant, every Thursday 6.30PM onwards, 4468589 ™ Rudra Night live fusion music by Shyam Nepali every Friday, 7PM at Weekly Internet Poll # 473. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Gokarna Forest Resort, 4451212 Q. Will the Nepali Congress split over Sujata Koirala’s promotion? DINING ™ Arabic Food Festival, experience the finest cuisine from the Arabic world from Oct 9 to Nov 7 at The Café, 6.30PM onwards, 4491234/ 4489362 ™ Famous stews of the world, at The Rox Restaurant, on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, all through October, 6PM onwards, 4491234/4489362 ™ Chocolate, Coffee and Caramel, every evening at The Lounge, 4.30-6.30PM, 4491234/4489362 ™ Wine and cheese, every Friday & Saturday at The Lounge, 5-8PM, 4491234/4489362 ™ A cafe’s café, Dhokaima Café, Patan Dhoka, 5522113 ™ Jazzabell Café, relaunched at Jhamsikhel, TGIF, 10% discount all day, happy hour 6-8PM, 2114075 ™ The Corner Bar, 5-7PM, 3-11PM, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu, WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL 4411818 ™ Al Fresco, for homemade pasta, steak and freshwater trout, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, 4273999 Autumn is here and you can tell from the dark blue skies, cooler ™ Kakori, for biryanis, curries and kebabs, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, nights and the light breezes that sweep through the sunny days. 7-10.45PM October has received more than its normal share of rain throughout ™ Chez Caroline for French and Mediterranean cuisine, Babar Mahal western and central Nepal. The satellite pictures show clear skies Revisited, 4263070 and scattered clouds that are too dry to cause rain. Valley residents ™ Mediterranean cuisine every Friday from Greece, Italy and the Middle East at The Café, Hyatt Regency, 4491234 can look forward to clear weather during Tihar and on the eve of ™ Teppanyaki meat items and garlic rice at Le Resturant, Gairidhara, the Nepal Sambat new year this weekend. 4436318 ™ Plat Du Jour at Hotel Shangri-La, Lazimpat, Rs 600, 4412999 ™ Reality Bites, The Kaiser Café, Garden of Dreams, operated by Dwarika’s Group of Hotels, 9AM-10PM, 4425341 ™ Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-La with live performance by KATHMANDU Ciney Gurung, Rs 999, at the Shambala Garden, every Friday 7PM onwards, 4412999 ™ Himalayan Rainbow Trout at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Darbar Marg, 4248999 ™ Tiger for Breakfast, breakfast everyday at 1905, Kantipath, 4215068 KATHMANDU VALLEY ™ Stupa View Restaurant, for vegetarian creations & clay oven pizza at Boudha Stupa, 4480262 Fri Sat Sun ™ Gokarna Forest Resort for a variety of sizzlers at Tripti bar, 4451212

GETAWAYS ™ Relax Package at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu for Rs 5555 plus taxes, 28-14 28-13 28-13 for a night of double occupancy with breakfast, complimentary use of spa. Offer valid for Nepalis and local residents only, 4489800 ™ The Fulbari Resort, offers a ‘Dasain & Diwali Fulbari Fiesta Package’ that includes a two-night stay with BB, buffet dinner and more. 4461918, RECIPES by GRAHAM SYDNEY [email protected] ™ Tiger Mountain, offers a safari at Tiger Tops, Chitwan National Park Baba Ghanousch (aubergine dip) Place the aubergine and garlic on a baking tray or Karnali Lodge & Camp, 4361500 (Serves 8-10) and rub with half the olive oil and a little salt. Roast at 200C for 15-20 minutes until the For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com 4-5 medium sized aubergines, cut aubergine starts to change colour and becomes into 2cm chunks soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 6 cloves garlic slightly before placing it together with the rest of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend to a 3 tablespoons tahina smooth paste before seasoning with salt and 2 tablespoons roughly chopped coriander pepper. Serve with bruschetta, fresh bread or toast. 2 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley 2 tablespoons raw sugar ¼ teaspoon ground red chilli (optional) ½ cup olive oil juice of 1 lemon salt and pepper to taste HAPPENINGS 16 - 22 OCTOBER 2009 #472 15

KIRAN PANDAY COME BACK! School children perform traditional dances during the inaugural ceremony of the 4th Non Resident Nepali Global Conference 2009 at the Army Club on Tuesday.

KIRAN PANDAY YES, OFFICER? Police stop a LPG three-wheeler as it tries to evade them after protesting a government decision to gradually replace the vehicles with microbuses in the Valley.

KIRAN PANDAY ECONOMIC SENSE: Nepali Times columnist Sujeev Shakya, aka Arthabeed, at the launch of his book "Unleashing Nepal: Past, Present and Future of Nepal", alongside Manjushree Thapa, Kul Chandra Gautam and Prabhakar SJB Rana at Hotel de l'Annapurna on Monday.

Canon KIRAN PANDAY MASTERCLASS: French artist Trebeka performs at Jazzmandu 2009's closing concert on Tuesday at the Shangri-La Hotel.

KIRAN PANDAY IF ONLY... A man observes a model of an upcoming apartment at the Nepal Property Expo at the Exhibition Hall on Sunday. K 16 statesman” called him red carpetatIGIAin2006and since ManMohan-jithrewhima him forhavinghishopesupever President O’Bama.Can’tblame Prize certain he’dgetthe hibernating isbecausehewas Christmas atleast. hobnobbing withtheBaddiestill hibernate, lielowandstop donkey’s prediction:GPKwill had todoitintheend.The deputy.” MKNresisted,buthe unless youtakemydotterasyour join theBaddiesandtoppleyou blackmailed MKNsaying:“I’ll only DPM.” government, atleastit’snotPM, told RamChandraandSushil, take thepressureanymore,”MKN making SuzyDPM.“Icouldn’t finally soundbite lastweekbeforeGirija over Nepal?OK,weunderstand India-China shadowboxing What isallthissudden “My Hero”. (‘Jimbo’) Cartercalledhim The otherreasonGPKis To cutalongstoryshort,GPK “I hadtodoitsavethe , andwasupstagedby bamboozled asto kich kich gareko, kich kich asto hairanai paryo buda le! buda paryo hairanai BACKSIDE “Asia’s great Exact Makunay and thenJimmy FG Nobel Peace him into Donkey Tihar all. OnceBeijingandDelhicome Let’s hammeritoutonceandfor Summit onNepal’sfuture just haveadirect stop beatingaroundthebushand candidate. Ass’advice:let’s logical nextcompromisePM convention, andhowheisthe he istheirbestbetatthenextNC into Delhitoconvincethemhow convincing. ThenLionheartflies trusted, asiftheyneededmore them theMaoistscannotbe meeting who-whos,convincing creeps backfromDelhiafter links. SuryaBahadurThapa Mahara tobuild‘party-to-party’ and operator-in-chiefCom dogmatist-in-chief ComKiran PKD troopsintoBeijingwith play IndiaoffagainstChina.So the largergeopolitics,wantto our netas,whohavelittleclueof anti-China hysteriaregularly. India, hasamediathatwhipsup tolerate Tibetanactivitiesin irritates Beijingbycontinuingto competes forresourcesinAfrica, stapled tothepassport.India Kashmir onaseparateloosepaper issues visastothosefrom PM addressingameetingthere, Arunachalis, objectstotheIndian does notgivevisasto stabbing itintheback.China other andeachthinkstheis that thesetwodon’tlikeeach But whatissurprisingthat India-China . peace process,theNorwegians endlessly forvariouspartsofthe ways ofournetas.Afterpaying community isgettingwisetothe hard todisband? structure thatwillbeequally are wenotcreatinganother be astop-gaparrangement,but a transitcentre.Thisismeantto leaving thecantonments: many ofthemareheadedafter not believeit.Butguesswhere lot incivilianschoolswewill the rehabilitationpackage. Baldev washeardcribbingabout event, deputycommanderCom sincere? Thedayafterthe business beingthere?Orarethey throw outthosewhohadno without reallygoingalloutto Security Councilmeeting, to showprogressbeforethenext Maoists justusingthisasaploy process, quiteknow.Arethe meant tobeoverseeingthe including theUNMEANfolks has itreallybegun?Noone, the Sindhulicantonment.But week withagrandfunctionat Baddie minors The dischargeofdisqualified diplomatic tourism. domestic jokerswillstopallthis to anunderstanding,our The international Till weseethisdisqualified FG began this particularly lowkey.Hehasnot commander ofthePLAhasbeen all thisishappening?The And whereisComPasangwhile elsewhere. smackeroos promised If thatdateiscrossed,the process concludesbyJanuary22. discharged, butonlyifthis help withtherehabof ultimatum: theyarewillingto have finallyissuedan CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 09/066/67 5 million willbechanneled FG Maybe both? asked tolielow. whether hehasbeen hog thelimelight,or allowed Baldevto quite knowswhyhehas Nepal Army’scapabilities.Noone should berevisedtobolsterthe minister’s assertionthattheCPA not reactedtothedefense function; unlikelasttime,hehas was notpresentatthedischarge been givinginterviews,he ass(at)nepalitimes.com 16 -22OCTOBER2009 #472

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