PEACE OR POLLS||| BONDING WITH NEPAL EVEREST DISPUTE THE TAXI DRIVER AUGUST 15, 2004 VOL. I, NO. 17 www.nation.com.np RS. 30 ISSN 1811-721X cover.pm6 1 8/7/04, 6:30 AM PHOTO: RAJ BHAI SUWAL FINE JEWELERY Putalisadak, Kathmandu, Tel. 4412017, Fax. 977-1-5539787 Fax. 4412017, Tel. Kathmandu, Putalisadak, THE WORLDS BEST THE CLOTHS WORLDS MARZAN, HOTEL AMBASSADOR, LAZIMPAT, KATHMANDU, NEPAL TEL: 4442939, FAX: 4422130, EMAIL:
[email protected] cover.pm6 2 8/7/04, 4:11 AM AUGUST 15, 2004 18 A Historic Shift By Suman Pradhan VOL. I, NO. 17 For the first time since its COVER: Kishor Kayastha (9851052778) inception in 1948, the COVER PHOTO: Sagar Shrestha www.nation.com.np Nepali Congress has taken the initial tentative steps towards potentially de-linking itself from the monarchy 26 Peace Or Polls By Satish Jung Shahi CPN-UML fears the Deuba governments rightward tilt but just cant decide where to go 28 Whos On Top By John Narayan Parajuli Mountaineerings traditions of integrity and trust among elite climbers are threatened COVER STORY by the all-too-personal disputes over who is the fastest Everest 20 Go, Go Condo summiteer By John Narayan Parajuli BUSINESS The housing crunch in Katmandu has driven up home prices. But builders have responded with new options. 32 Insuring Health INTERVIEWS: Prabindra Basnet, project manager, Grace Apartments and Surya By Indra Adhikari Bhakta Sanganchhe, deputy director general of Urban Development Board Only 5 percent of Nepalis have health insurance. Why? COLUMNS PROFILE 11 Much Ado About 42 The Book Seller ARTS & SOCIETY Nothing By Satish Jung Shahi By Jogendra Ghimire Twenty-five-year-old Nabaraj Bajagains 34 Home Away From Those who can make you believe absur- story is the stuff movies are made of Home dities can make you commit atrocities By Yashas Vaidya For Nepalis in the U.S., 30 The Curse Of The LIFESTYLE summer is the best time to Blue Sea come see their friends and By Swarnim Wagle 47 Decline In families in Nepal.