#322 10 - 16 November 2006 16 pages Rs 30

Weekly Internet Poll # 322 Q. Will the interim constitution help check Maoist ‘law enforcement’? Total votes: 4,027 LIGHT OF PEACE The long-awaited peace accord now Editorial p2 Now, renounce violence Weekly Internet Poll # 323. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com needs specifics, trust, and vigilance Q. What is your level of trust towards the CPN (Maoist)? Full story p4

DEEPENDRA BAJRACHARYA 2 EDITORIAL 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Editor: Sophia Tamot Executive Editor: Anagha Neelakantan Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Rupendra Kayastha Desk: Jemima Sherpa Vicepresident Corporate Affairs: Sneh Sayami Director, Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: [email protected] Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur [email protected], GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018

NOW, RENOUNCE VIOLENCE The Maoist invasion of Kathmandu for Friday’s planned victory rally was a calculated move: the anger of Valley residents initially seemed to be acceptable collateral damage for a national show of force. Pushpa Kamal Dahal needed a chance to show his warriors the war was worth it. In the beginning, some families who were coerced into feeding and sheltering rebel squads saw it as a price to pay for peace. But when, for the first time, Valley households got a feel for what has been a reality in the hinterland for years, they hit back. Dahal called off his address to calm feelings in the capital, but in doing so lost any chance he had of using the rally as his party’s coming out celebration, a conversion from militarist force to mainstream outfit. The time is opportune for the rebels to signal their readiness to renounce violence, to publicly fulfil the promise made in last November’s 12-point understanding to join competitive politics. Either that, or the Maoist supremo could decide to waste the opportunity presented by Tuesday’s midnight agreement and continue to keep his followers falsely motivated. This would be disastrous not just for the country but also for the Maoist goal of achieving political power through the ballot. The leadership has been late in counselling its fighters and workers of the course-correction at the top. All peaceful forces are more than willing not to call Dahalji’s bluff when he speaks radically, as long as the subtext is ‘arms management’. Even the UML, which faces the gravest challenge from a Maoist party in competition, hopes the rebel group will use this agreement to launch its campaigning for constituent assembly elections. Concessions by the political parties should not be underestimated by the Maoist leaders or anyone else. The seven parties have shown statesmanship in the willingness to give underground armed rebels equal status in an interim legislature and government. In return, Mr Dahal must now implement the agreement with due diligence and publicly reject violence. The rebels have to go furthest in making the agreement a success. Even as guerrillas head for their seven cantonments, their leaders must rein in the militia which is causing havoc across the land and undermining the Maoists’ own support base. From Baluwatar to Palungtar there will be relief only when Maoist fighters are confined with guns locked up in boxes fitted with UN sensors. If the government restores police chowkis, if the political parties at last muster the courage to go back to the villages, and if the Maoists make all this possible by renouncing violence, then it will truly be time to celebrate. Moving the peace forward The peace talks may have concluded, but the process has only just begun he first impression of the midnight remain an integral part of the proposed No doubt the way the government renewed. If the corruption, nepotism, and accord is that the guns will fall silent peace accord, and all sides must be fully rushed the Home Minister to Delhi to sign demoralisation of the police wrought in the Tand those brandishing them without accountable for lapses or violations. it without consulting the coalition partners last five months go unchecked, the legal authority will be treated as criminals. The code of conduct clauses on threats or the Speaker raised questions, but it was constitutional machinery could break down Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s stature has and intimidation, unlawful taxation, also that the Maoists would have been completely. Strict enforcement of law and increased vastly—committing to peace was recruitment into the ‘People’s Liberation accused of ‘selling out to the South’ if the order will be a balancing act that bolsters the only way to earn the people’s respect. Army’, and arms procurement need to be treaty had been signed as it was. the positive impact of the peace process, But the accord just formalises the long strictly observed. If the accord is to have One lesson for Nepali politicians is that especially in terms of instilling a sense of process to come. It was the first phase of credibility, the first issue that must be nationalism shouldn’t be narrowly defined justice and security among the people. what should be a prolonged, well thought- addressed proactively is the return of as anti-Indianism. Like any sovereign Profoundly important is how both sides out process to ensure enduring peace and a internally displaced people. country, Nepal should not ‘negotiate out of address the past violence, so impunity does functioning democracy in Nepal. And today’s planned rally should be fear, but neither should it fear to negotiate’. not become an integral part of the future the last under the shadow of terror. In the interim parliament and the proposed Nepal. No conflict can be resolved by Hospitality is a courtesy Nepali society has cabinet, the Maoists will perhaps have the condoning such acts. Perhaps Nepal will GUEST COLUMN adopted as a tradition. But this time it was occasion to practice this. see a Truth and Reconciliation Commission Yubaraj Ghimire given grudgingly and attempts to extort it No constitution in the world can be that will keep record of crimes and resisted. Prachanda’s cadre wielded arms foolproof or complete. It is a progressive criminals. This is an essential part of the Now, the attitude and actions of the when they approached citizens for free document that must be enlarged and solid foundation of a democratic parties and leaders who signed it must room and board and made threats when met amended if it doesn’t fulfil the people’s government guided by the rule of law. echo the spirit and intent of the accord. with refusal. Things might be different in a aspirations on vital issues, such as, for With all that, what should the head of Past failures, indifference, or oversight few months if the Maoists display more now, citizenship, devolution, and state be like? We’ll see a spirited debate on are legion in the career of 85-year-old GP acceptable conduct. empowerment of dalits, women, and the composition of the constituent Koirala. Prachanda, in his 50s, is hardly ‘Prachandapath’ needs to be redefined janajatis, in addition to ensuring the safe assembly that is to decide the future of immune. Koirala was hated by the Maoist as a way to peacefully bring about political, growth of children, physically, mentally, monarchy. But the fundamental question rank and file until four years ago. But he social, economic, and structural changes. and in terms of education. isn’t necessarily whether the head is the took the peace process, once half-heartedly The Maoists will have to work for the But lest this assessment of the coming king or a president. Crucial is that the head initiated by Sher Bahadur Deuba, to its people’s endorsement, and for recognition phase sound like a one-sided sermon to the of state be strictly ceremonial, and without logical next step. Dahal flirted with the of their politics outside Nepal. Even before Maoists, the government and Prime impunity. Equally important, parliament king to defeat the parties, but corrected his the accord was signed, they could Minister Koirala will have to ensure the should have the right to impeach the mistake, as his actions show. effectively stall the signing of the new safety of the Maoist leaders, and prevent incumbent in cases of proven misconduct That new approach should be reflected extradition treaty with India, a decision reprisals from those affected by the or misdemeanour. z in the peace process in its entirety. Human approved at the Home Secretary level by insurgents’ violence in the past. rights and the ceasefire agreement must both countries long ago. The authority of the state will have to be Yubaraj Ghimire is editor of Samaya. 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 3

LLL ETTERS

MONITORS committee more representative, and CK Lal, a graduate of a Nepali every week, and the World Bank says Your article ‘Monitoring the monitors’ functional, would help give the people university, writes provocative and that China now has 16 of the 20 dirtiest (#321), though harsh, did reflect public ownership in the peace process. insightful pieces on a range of topics. But cities in the world due to the sulphur concern and even the discontent of Anita Sharma, email lately, his writing shows the signs of a released when coal is burnt. some important members of the frustrated intellect who lacks sympathy or The Nepal government should committee. But this doesn’t What was the point of your piece on the empathy for anyone except himself. Lal consider that the population explosion, necessarily reflect badly on individual ceasefire monitoring committee? More accuses Harka Gurung of being industrial expansion, and urbanisation members, or on the concept of negative journalism with no solutions. egotistical and lacking social skills. in China and India are a recipe for monitoring. When it comes to issues like hydropower, Barbara Adams publishes a book and disaster, from its snow-capped peaks As you mention, while they are Bhutani refugees, and electric cars, you’re gets a diatribe. Does he have anything all the way south. eminent in their own fields, few happy to play the activist. Why not for all nice to say about anybody? Fergus Anderson, email. members of the committee have things that really matter? D Waiba practical experience of monitoring. SK Gurung, email CHEATS Those who do work in human rights are ‘LIBERATED’ Every time we win the inter-school clearly concerned about the lack of CK-SPEAK Prabin Rana was spot on. We Nepalis Subroto Cup in India, I feel ashamed to clarity in the committee’s approach. CK Lal raises an interesting—though have been ‘liberated’ for the third time be a Nepali. We win because we’ve It is also clear that the mandate of hollow—point about the need to stop the right? And what is our beloved comrade been cheating. We send our National the monitoring is so vast and vague as brain drain by building think tanks and leading us to? Some scenarios include Under-14 and National Under-17 teams to be impossible to implement. This academic centres. He believes we need to occupying TV stations, taking over to play against school teams from India. reflects badly not on the committee “produce the administrative and spinning mills, extorting orphanages, Ganesh Thapa and his colleagues sent members, but on the talks teams, technocratic elite necessary to modernise abductions, and torture in the name of ‘law the ANFA team disguised as Noble which lack practical experience. What the country.” I doubt the Maoists would enforcement’. And what happened to the Academy this year, and other schools in good has come out of it so far is that agree with his premise—they want to ceasefire code of conduct observers? Still the past. ordinary Nepalis have got a glimpse of restructure all of society, making his point have their Tihar hangover, I guess. We are teaching our kids to cheat. what is going on in what is their moot. Saujanya R, Karachi I’m sure all students know what’s going process. We should instead concentrate on more on. On top of that, we are denying some With the proper ceasefire plebian centres of vocational excellence, At last a true picture of Nepal, with a deserving school in India the chance to agreement in place—in the drafting of so when our neo-lahures go abroad for work layman’s feeling and a journalist’s words. win the trophy as well as the prize which the ceasefire monitoring (without whose contribution Mr Lal and the Rahul, email monies of IRs 50,000 and IRs 30,000. committee members should have had a rest of us would have drowned in economic Ganesh Thapa was a great striker say—the NMCC has a chance to put depression), they can get decent paying HEATING UP and has been doing a good job as right its ‘bungling’. jobs. Mr Lal, the next time you go abroad on Norbu Sherpa did an excellent job president of ANFA. But he needs to put Everyone needs to get into the act a funded trip, at Kathmandu’s international highlighting the effects of global warming an end to this shameful practice. Let’s now—the committee, which must turn airport, please stop and buy our economic in the Khumbu region (‘The heat is teach our kids to be honest. Ashutosh its mandate into something objectively rescuers tea or water, help them fill out on,’#320). The social, economic, and Tiwari is right (‘At any cost’, Strictly monitorable; the negotiating teams, some forms, aid them in the bureaucratic ecological changes to the high Himal will Business, #320). We don’t have to win which must make a clear agreement; hassles, or at least say thank you. be immense, and will ultimately affect the at all costs. and donors and diplomats, who must SN Singh, email whole of Nepal, South Asia, and beyond. Dinesh Rai, Naxal make the monitoring process key, not Sherpa is right that many factors to denounce the parties, but to forward behind climate change are far away from the process. Nepal, in North America and Europe. Six members of the committee America tops the world league of LETTERS were nominated with no warning and polluters—its industrial base emits 20.6 Nepali Times welcomes feedback. did not want to join. Those posts could percent of global emissions. It refuses to Letters should be brief and may be now be filled control this, mainly due to edited for space. While pseudonyms with six self-interest and the need to can be accepted, writers who provide highly maintain industrial output to their real names and contact details respected compete with China and will be given preference. Email letters members of India, Nepal’s neighbours and should be in text format without civil society. If all were new economic powerhouses. attachments with ‘letter to the editor’ women, that would go some But emissions from China and India in the subject line. way in rectifying the exclusion of together are already equal to those of the women, dalits, and janajatis. US. These Asian giants require vast Email: [email protected] The quality of the society that amounts of power to drive forward their Fax: 977-1-5521013 emerges from the peace process will in industrial expansion and keep their Mail: Letters, Nepali Times, part be determined by the quality of populations in employment. China puts GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal. those who participate in it. Making the one new coal-fired power station online 4 NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 NO LONGER REBELS: Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal at his first open press conference after coming aboveground, with senior comrades including Deb Gurung, Krishna Mahara, Baburam Bhattarai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, Dinanath Sharma, and his wife Sita Poudyal.

movement almost an equal number of seats as they themselves have in the interim house. In practice, the 16 seats for non-party members will likely be filled by civil society leaders, many of whom have fairly consistently toed the Maoist line. The militia, vigilante groups, and public security—and that of Maoist leaders—remain potential flashpoints. The arms management arrangement focuses, for the purposes of the deal, on the ‘People’s Liberation Army’. But the Maoist militia remain at large, and international MIN BAJRACHARYA human rights observers told us, on condition of anonymity, that senior militia leaders closest to The broad brushstrokes of the agreement are positive, the Maoist top brass went underground shortly before but some details are blurry the deal was clinched. The fear of reprisals, which made Dahal and Bhattarai ask for police protection for their headquarters in the capital right before the agreement was signed, is likely to be intense for most local rebel leaders. But some top militiamen told us they’d never give up their arms despite the We have a deal agreement. A team of conflict NARESH NEWAR one chance on one day in an age,” sign: jousting for political space growing rift caused by the tussle experts which toured the tarai Pushpa Kamal Dahal quoted the and polarisation between parties between the communists. The last week, also reported seeing he agreement, when it came late poet Gopal Prasad Rimal has already begun in earnest. The composition of the interim small arms being brought over at midnight, was greeted the during his first public press Maoists claim they ‘sacrificed’ government was reached through from India, reportedly for sale to Tmorning after with a conference in the capital on their decade-long rebellion, and meticulous seat-by-seat militia in Morang. Two weeks ago combination of over-the-top Wednesday. “I thought of the Madhab Nepal claims his party is negotiation between all parties. a large cache of arms was raided optimism and anger at the Maoist poem while signing the the binding force between the On paper, it seems as if the in Morang’s Bihuni village. high-handedness in the capital. agreement,” Dahal told reporters. Maoists and the seven parties. Maoists have gained little. But it The agreement addresses the But around the edges of the The fact that he was quoting a The two Congresses will likely was a major concession for the issue of interim local governance euphoria were hints of wariness poem adopted by the UML is wait and watch for the next few Congresses to hand an vaguely, noting only that and warning. “There comes only ironic at best. And another bad weeks, and move in to the underground armed rebel ‘interim local bodies in villages, All smiles to the south extremely happy and that this was the best possible deal under the circumstances. Communist leader Sitaram Yechuri, who has been an active intermediary in negotiations between the Maoists and the SPA in the past, told us, “This is very good. A large part of the challenge has now been overcome and both sides have reached a working understanding. I would have preferred this to have happened earlier though.” When asked about the role of the Indian Left in bridging the SPA- Maoist divide, Yechuri said, “This deal is along the lines of what we had advised some months ago.” C Raja Mohan, strategic affairs editor of The Indian Express, says New Delhi has stepped back from its demons and respected the aspirations expressed in the ‘People’s Movement’. “India has PRASHANT JHA in NEW DELHI shown flexibility, whether by acquiescing to the role of the UN, or engaging consistently with the he midnight accord has been welcomed Maoists.” The momentum generated by the recent across the political spectrum in India. There deal has convinced security experts like Raja is relief and optimism among political Mohan and Major General (retired) Ashok Mehta Tactors and analysts here that the peace process is that India should now formally lift the terrorist tag moving towards a successful outcome. Also and release Maoist prisoners languishing in Indian discernible is admiration for the manner in which jails. the Nepali political class has achieved successive India’s role in the next few months will be that breakthroughs. of a silent facilitator. This may extend to sending Pranab Mukherjee, Minister for External constitutional experts and election observers, Affairs, called the decisions “a victory for the should Nepal need them. Some analysts, however, people of Nepal”, and said India looked forward to caution that New Delhi should not exert pressure the signing of the Comprehensive Peace on issues like ceremonial monarchy, continue Agreement on 16 November. India played an to maintain a degree of restraint, and let the important behind-the-scenes role in the run up to process that has been agreed upon take its the deal, and government sources say they are own course. z NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 5 municipalities and districts will has been formulated yet on how be constituted on the basis of the the guerrillas will be registered, agreement between seven and we are told it is likely that a Our own spin-doctor political parties and the number of the Maoists most Maoists’. But there are no trusted and experienced fighters guidelines as to how this will not be cantoned. So it will Dahal may have the gift of gab but does he have substance? ‘agreement’ is to be reached, how be mostly new recruits sent to inclusive the bodies will need to camp. went wrong and taking credit for be, or what their mandate will be Dahal cancelled his planned things that went right. The Jana in the interim period. address to what was to be a Andolan II was a success only If local bodies are to resemble million man march to spare because the Maoists played a anything like their pre- Kathmandu Valley residents major role. The recent peace insurgency form, the previous ‘inconvenience’, but citizens in process almost got derailed leaders need to be able to return the capital are unlikely to forget because of other political parties’ to their villages or even just their their first taste of visiting cadre shortsightedness. Dahal even districts. But most popular ‘requesting’ food and lodging. Nor managed to take credit for having grassroots politicians now live in will they forget being charged at publicly apologized to the Kathmandu and other urban by angry Maoists outside the victims of the Madi bus centres, and do not feel safe party office in Kopundole on massacre. Never mind that he going back. The text of the Wednesday. did not even allow the press agreement states only that it aims The Maoists will also have to corps to be present in Madi. Nor to ‘ensure an atmosphere for the watch out for disaffected cadre did he mention that Madi displaced to return home’ and and militia who, if not re- residents appeared far less entrusts responsibility for this to oriented as mainstream political satisfied with his politically district level committeeson both workers, could easily turn against calculated PR stunt. In his book, sides. But there is nothing about their own party. “There is enough it’s the act alone—not the how the committees will be proof on the ground that Maoists verifiable truth—which plays to formed, or who will form them if are losing control of their cadre,” the gallery. there are no non-Maoists there to a conflict resolution expert told MIN BAJRACHARYA contribute. us, “and this is a real concern.” Play to your audience: The role of the United The most pressing weeks will n Rolpa, February 1996, up from all over Nepal for the Under different circumstances, Nations will be an advisory one, be the next three: by 1 December, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Friday’s million man rally. It was Dahal would have made an and there are questions about all parties need to declare I officially started the ‘People’s Kathmandu’s residents who— excellent PR executive. He’s for how effective UN monitoring of weapons, finalise and implement War’, which has since claimed abetted by reactionaries— free markets when meeting with the cantonment and arms an interim constitution, and close to 15,000 Nepalis. That war misunderstood the comrades’ businessmen, for women’s rights lockdown will be, given that the dissolve the parliament and stood on the cusp of being polite requests for voluntary help. when talking with women’s organisation has no enforcement replace it with an interim council metamorphosed into an open In his magnanimity, Dahal has groups, for providing mandate. No comprehensive plan of ministers. z political force in the wee hours of cancelled the event. The Valley compensations when with Wednesday. Historians will residents can now thank him for Maoist victims, for press taking their worries into account. freedom when having coffee with journalists and so forth. STRICTLY BUSINESS Besides, how can you not admire the man’s selfless credentials? He’s a man for all seasons who Ashutosh Tiwari Unlike power-hungry politicians, has painstakingly cultivated an he says that he is not even joining image of physical likeability, someday flesh out how Dahal led the interim government. speaking plainly, using stirring his underground guerillas to the quotes from poets such as Gopal globally televised press Answer with questions: Prasad Rimal, and knowing conference at Yak & Yeti, where he Rewind and watch his interviews. when to smile for the announced the beginning of the A pattern emerges. He takes the cameras. Faced with someone formation of a new Nepal. But if question, flinches a little, but who reminds you of an his recent behaviour gives any turns it around and throws it back avuncular ad guy, which indication, what tactics does in the form of a different question. journalist is going to keep on Dahal use to get what he wants? Is violence justified? Didn’t daring to ask Dahal about his Nepali Congress too take up arms cadres’ extorting small Remain above the fray: Dahal in the late 1940s to overthrow the businesses, kidnapping people is a master at giving the Ranas? Are you sorry that so many and murdering impression that he is above the people died for your cause? Why indiscriminately? rough and tumble of usual not ask the government first? In the press conference, politics. It wasn’t him, for Dahal talked of forming a new GIVE A MAN A STONE: Maoist cadre charging at Valley residents who instance, who went around asking Blame others; take credit: Nepal. What remains to be seen had staged a sit-in in front of the Kathmandu Valley residents to Dahal’s answers, when not in the is whether in that process CPN (Maoist) headquarters on Wednesday. provide food and shelter to form of questions, have two parts: Nepalis will also get to see the comrades who were going to show blaming others for things that formation of a new Dahal. z KUMAR SHRESTHA 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322

Vigilante jungle has reduced the role of the state China’s call ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ police to that of a ceremonial An emerging Nepal Sanghu, 6 November force. Civilians have to plead with Ghatana Ra Bichar , 8-14 November the Maoists to leave them alone. The Maoists say they don’t want Fear and trauma are rampant. The The district administration office to return to the jungle but seem to same Maoists who wield gun in Baber Mahal has annulled the have turned the capital city into a power are today saying that arms registration of an organisation here vigilante jungle instead. For the is not really a big issue. The truth after the Chinese government last 11 years, they’ve illegally is, it is the politics of guns that lodged a strong protest. The arrested people and meted out has brought about all kinds of Foreign Ministry requested the severe penalties through their failure—economic, political, cancellation of the Nepal-Bhot ‘People’s Courts’ in the name of diplomatic, and social. Welfare Society, formed by justice. And now they seem to be In the last six months since resident Tibetans, after Beijing involved in vigilantism with the inception of the peace talks accused it of being ‘a threat to constant donation terror drives, process, there have been over Chinese security’. abduction and illegal arrests. 356 abductions, 19 killings The organisation was People have also been subject and countless incidents of registered at the district Editorial in Kantipur, 9 November to brutal torture and death at the physical abuse. administration office a day before hands of the Maoists. They Arms will always be the Fulpati. A few Tibetan The agreement on the political roadmap between the seven party openly continue to beat up obstacle to independent and businessmen holding Nepali alliance and the Maoists reached at midnight on Tuesday in members of independent political democratic politics. So their citizenship are also associated Baluwatar has given Nepal a historic opportunity to take the country parties. Even the loktantrik management is important. It with the organisation. towards a modern democracy. leaders now fear the trend could Chief District Officer On surface level this agreement is only a political roadmap to would be a laughing matter for any steer Nepal towards a constituent assembly election. But it is the signal a comeback of the rampant political party to think that they Sthaneswor Devkota says the establishment of a constituent assembly that will decide Nepal’s violence and killings that were can hold nationwide elections organisation was legally registered future. Then an emerging Nepal will depend on the victorious prevalent during the conflict. until arms management is well to help with the education, representatives of the people and the collective wisdom of the The Maoists’ active policing taken care of. health, and welfare of Tibetan political parties. refugees in Nepal. According to The Maoist leadership has wisely chosen to cancel their Devkota, all registrations include a planned mass gathering after realising that their strategy to clause, which says the pressurise Valley residents into giving their cadres food and shelter organisation will ‘not do anything was not just unpopular but was also sparking resistance. to hinder relationships with By signing the agreement the Maoists have consented to accept friendly nations’. the wishes of the people. Now the other parliamentary parties also After the Chinese Embassy need to prepare a taskforce for progress and speed up the process of reform amongst themselves. here informed its foreign ministry The responsibility of changing the country falls on the shoulders about the organisation, the of the representatives of the people and the political parties, who ministry sent a letter to its Nepali must be willing to change, respect the voice of the masses, be counterpart requesting the democratic, transparent, and visionary. registration be cancelled. Sources The eight parties must now make it their chief responsibility to say China is gravely concerned by ensure a constituent assembly takes place. Unless the parties increasing Tibetan refugee implement the agreement in action, the roadmap itself will remain activities here after loktantra and unclear. the government’s permission to register the organisation. KIRAN PANDAY FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 7 Victims feet were broken. Where do they

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ expect me to go now?” she asks. Budhabar , 8 November Even though the 12-point agreement signed by the seven The health of Maoist victims on parties and the Maoists states that hunger strikes has been all confiscated property will be worsening. Mina Tiwari, who was returned, it remains to be wounded by Maoist gunfire, has implemented in practice. been on hunger strike since last Rudranath Lamichhane was sent Thursday outside the Nepali away from his village in Lalitpur Congress central office. Doctors for not being able to fulfil Maoists say she grows weaker by the day. demands. He wants to go back but Chinimaya Neupane, fears for his life and says, “My Rudranath Lamichhane, and fields are empty, my house is in Kalpana Bhandari, who are on need of repair, all because of strike outside the CPN-UML them. And the government is office are also said to be in giving them helicopter rides.” deteriorating health. The strikers In Kathmandu, there are refused medical help, saying they thousands of others that have would rather die. Neupane had been displaced by the conflict and been accused of being a spy and are unable to go back home. The was tortured when she went attitude of Maoists in the villages home to her village in Nuwakot to has not changed, the Maoist get her citizenship certificate. leadership is unwilling to Now, she doesn’t want to return. apologise to the displaced people FIRST PLACARD: Arms management “They have taken away all that I and create an environment for SECOND PLACARD: One lock had. My husband’s hands and them to return home safely. THIRD PLACARD: Key management Go up to Madi Abin Shrestha in Samaya, 9 November

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Yubaraj Ghimire, Samaya, 9 November Prachanda has expressed regret for the Madi bus massacre “ (pictured) that was plotted and carried out by his own cadres. But The people were the third force that made Prachanda sign the agreement. instead of going up to Madi to speak with the traumatised victims, he “ stopped en route at Phulbari and asked the victims to come to him with their demands. He should have placed his trust in ordinary Nepalis and women, Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel speaking in the House of in their ability to forgive and reconcile. Had he gone up to Madi by Representatives on 9 November himself and personally met a victimised mother there, he would have been treated with the same respect as Lord Vishnu himself. The only words she would utter are: “Son, let this not happen to others.” What else can she say? And incorporating the message into his politics SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS would be a new challenge for Prachanda. He can never earn the same level of respect from state honour or by attaining the seat of power. If the victimised do not forgive Prachanda, his politics will be burdened with self-guilt forever. The very fact that a 12-point understanding was made last year suggested the Maoists’ intention to tolerate the opposition, end their criminal activities and take the country towards progressive development and democracy. If we are to go by that understanding alone, there is no KANAK MANI DIXIT reason for the issue of arms management to have come up at all. If Prachanda had gone up to Madi, he would have seen for himself how even unarmed people could still protect him. Then, the issue of arms in politics would have been entirely irrelevant. At a time when world politics are entangled in competitive tussles between nuclear powers and fears of wars ignited by religion or belief loom large, Nepal is not going to stay unaffected. Countries like China and Japan continue to move ahead economically but Nepal’s own problems like employment concerns, education, and health issues remain unaddressed, and figure nowhere in the peace process. This only indicates shortcomings in the thought, character, and ability of the Maoist leadership. A political agreement and arms management will not manage the conflict or establish peace, it will only create a conducive atmosphere for a roadmap to peace and political understanding. If Prachanda retraces his steps and goes up to Madi, the political journey and achieving the objectives will be much, much easier. 8 TRAVEL Jewel of the west

ALL PICS: ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 9

ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY beauty of the lake can still leave established in 1976 to preserve changes into walnut, oak, fir, and magical jewel of Nepal’s western in RARA one breathless with awe. When this life-giving watershed, as well birch. Himalaya, once the ancient the sun is out, Rara Lake, also as the nearby snow-capped peaks The park itself covers only kingdom of the Khas Mallas. here are only two ways to get called Mahendra Taal reflects in and high altitude pine, spruce 106 sq km and is the smallest in Lake Rara is two and a half to Rara—either take an its icy cool waters the majestic and juniper woodlands. Hordes the country but hosts the largest hours walk from Talcha airport in T expensive and dangerous air Chuchemara peak (4039m) in of Himalayan wild boar, musk lake in Nepal. Little has changed Mugu, two and a half days walk route, or walk for days up and the south and the Ruma Kand deer, Himalayan black bear, otters in the lives of the culturally rich from Jumla and a ten day walk down the narrow trails. But once (3731m) and Malika Kand and snow leopards roam the sub- people who live around this from Surkhet. z you arrive at 2999m above sea (3444m) in the north. alpine coniferous forest where level, the journey is worth it. Rara Lake spreads across 10 the air is fragrant with the smell The lure of the blue sq km and is also a vital habitat of fresh blue pine, black juniper, glimmering water of this pristine for water birds like ruddy rhododendron and exotic herbs lake has in the past inspired shelduck, coot, mallards, teals, by the dozen. As the lake drains kings to write poetry. For trekkers and grebes. The lake is at the to the Mugu - Karnali through and local tourists, the panoramic heart of Rara National Park, Nisa Khola, the vegetation 10 NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 Peaceful end Palliative care is coming of age in Nepal Misdiagnosed

JEMIMA SHERPA DEPENDENT: Bhubaneshwar he walls of Hospice Nepal are a cheery yellow. It’s clean, airy, Sharma on dialysis at Bir Hospital. and quiet, and a far cry from the chaos and sharp medical T smells of most Nepali hospitals. A comforting sense of calm belies the stories of the occupants—a 21-year-old woman with an inoperable brain tumour, a 45-year-old with advanced cervical cancer, and a 51-year-old man dying of cancer of the liver. Hospice Nepal is a leader in a new segment of Nepali healthcare, hospices and palliative care services that allow terminally ill patients to die painlessly and with dignity. Until less than a decade ago, dedicating resources to patients who couldn’t be saved was an alien concept even to most medical personnel. The focus is on prevention and cure, so palliative care is low priority. As death rates from problems like maternal mortality and TB decrease, predictions are that mortality rates from terminal illnesses like cancer, hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS will rise. To address this shift, several new hospices have been set up in recent years. Shechen Clinic in Boudha has been open for a year and, unlike Hospice Nepal in Lagankhel’s focus on cancer patients, offers its seven beds to all types of cases. They’ve had 15 patients pass away so far, but Shechen’s general manager Dominique Marchal says proper care often means patients live longer and better, sometimes even going into remission and rejoining their communities. Still, dealing with dying and death is hard on hospice staff. Since opening their nine-bed facility four years ago, Hospice Nepal has seen roughly a hundred deaths a year. “It’s difficult, no matter how KIRAN PANDAY hard we care, we can’t save patients. It’s not like other medical fields, where you get to see them get better and leave,” says Sanu Maiya Rana, head nurse at Hospice Nepal, which initially began as a SOPHIA TAMOT percent of the population. No Rs 15,000. “We have to rule out few beds hired in HM Hospital six years ago. one will even venture a guess at other diseases first, so the Gently caring for an elderly stroke victim, Shechen nurse very year thousands of how many of these diagnoses are investigation becomes expensive,” Furgyalmu Sherpa agrees, but adds that the work is rewarding. Nepalis die of diarrhoea, actually people with says Dr Adhikari. “Families are tired after months of caring for patients, so they get a close to a million have to Alzheimer’s. But most Nepalis can’t even rest too,” she says. E Gyan Bhakta Shrestha, sitting by his brother Narayan, who was live with uterine prolapse, and a Alzheimer’s disease usually afford the basic Rs 2,700 CT scan, in Hospice Nepal with liver cancer, sang praises of the staff and handful learn that the cost of strikes after the age of 65, but can and for those who can, there are talked of how they even arranged for him to go home for Dasain Tika. being haemophiliac might be occur as early as 45. few hospitals where all the tests living outside Nepal. A degenerative disorder, it can be carried out. The well- There are other medical attacks the brain and leads to equipped National Institute of conditions, not part of any dementia, as the brain’s cognitive Neurology at Bansbari costs twice development discourse, that go centres are affected, causing more than state-owned Bir undetected or are harder to live memory loss and trouble Hospital, where patients have to with here than in many other comprehending logical patterns. pay Rs 110 for a bed—and all test South Asian countries. It doesn’t As the disease progresses, social costs, which range from Rs 120 matter if you’re in Kathmandu interactions diminish, and those for a chest x-ray, to as much as and are middle class. For afflicted lose the ability to care Rs 15,000 for a biopsy. disorders like Alzheimer’s or for themselves. People with There is no cure for kidney disease, options for Alzheimer’s can live for as long Alzheimer’s yet, but recent treatment and even diagnosis as 20 years with the disease. Yet findings by a Harvard research are few. they are rarely diagnosed. team, which includes a Nepali No one knows much about “Nepalis tend to associate mental scientist, suggest there is hope for Alzheimer’s disease, but in Nepal illness with old age and don’t the future. (See box.) For now, COURTESY SHECHEN HOSPICE we know almost nothing. When take the matter seriously,” says addressing the symptoms is the Shechen's nurse Furgyalmu Sherpa and a French volunteer with a an elderly relative fails to Dr Dhruba Raj Adhikari, a only alternative. “With early 71-year-old stomach cancer patient who passed away in October. remember names or faces, neurosurgeon at Bir Hospital. diagnosis the patient can take Medically, the biggest contribution hospices make to their recognise objects, or speak in The best way to diagnose drugs which can help them patients’ lives is pain relief. Shechen’s Dr Dipendra Sharma says coherent sentences, is that par- Alzheimer’s is through improve their memory, and they that sometimes just Paracetamol or Ibuprofen is effective, but they for-the course senility, mental chromosomal analysis, a test not can also receive supportive care can administer stronger morphine-based medication as well. Groups illness, or something else? Some yet available in Nepal. The from families by being placed in like Nava Kiran Plus, which cares for people with HIV, administer estimates put the incidence of alternative is to conduct a battery familiar surroundings,” says Dr anti-retroviral drugs but say that paying for ARVs and getting them mental illness in Nepal at over 25 of tests that costs well over Adhikari. When the disease is on time is a major challenge. However, hospices also deal with the psychological and spiritual aspects of dying as well. Rather than just medical jargon, there’s a lot of talk about love and caring too. Like the Nava Kiran Plus hospice in Budhanilkantha, Maiti Nepal’s Sonja Kill Memorial Hospice also tries to provide ARVs, which means some patients become long-term residents. The ten- month-old centre is a 43-bed facility spread over seven ropanis (3.5 sq km) of land in Gokarna. Like Maiti Nepal’s first hospice, started in Bodies in the forest Jhapa in 1999, it is solely for women with AIDS and their children. Palliative care units are also part of Banepa’s Scheer Memorial Hospital and the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur. DHRUBA SIMKHADA Organisations like Sneh Samaj and Karuna Bhawan run ‘care and support’ centres for AIDS patients that essentially double as hospices as well. ver a year since Celine Funding is always a challenge. Hospice Nepal runs on Henri was last seen, a joint donations, charging only for medication and oxygen if patients can O search last week by the afford it. Cancer patients have usually exhausted their resources on Nepal Army and police recovered chemotherapy and other treatment. remains believed to be those of Equally problematic is the lack of awareness among medical the 32-year-old French volunteer. personnel and the general public. Often, hospitals simply send A skull, bones from limbs, a rib, patients with terminal illnesses home to die. Even patients brought to and women’s undergarments and hospices face trouble, as families sometimes refuse to inform them that they’re dying, and gloss over the difference between a hospital shoes were found at a 40-minute and a hospice. Hospice Nepal has started holding workshops for walk from Andhri Kholsa, below medical staff and lay people about issues surrounding terminal the Jamacho hill. Andhri Kholsa is illness and hospices, and is trying to expand a home-based about 700m from Nagarjun’s palliative care service. Mudkhu gate, where Henri signed Hospice staff seem committed and inspired by their work. They in at 12.05 PM on 3 September, talk fondly of the strong relationships that form with patients and their 2005. families, and the new perspectives they gain on life. Shechen’s Dr The official story is that a Sharma says, “We can’t cure them, but helping give a painless, local from Sona Gaun discovered peaceful death has its rewards.” DOMINIQUE VALTER NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 11

Women work ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The new Foreign Employment Act will likely repeal the ban on Nepali women going to work in Gulf countries. In recent months and ill-treated women have bypassed the prohibition by travelling out via India. After 15 Nepali women were stopped on 20 September at the border by police and Maiti Nepal workers, numerous stories came to light of women being promised jobs in Dubai then being sold to brothels in India or abused and mistreated by Gulf employers (‘Trafficking Many Nepalis are unaware that they are tactics’, #320). Representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Transport living with Alzheimer's or kidney disease Management, the Department of Labour and Employment Promotion, and UNIFEM met last week to discuss “the safety of women diagnosed, the patient’s family life, but says, “we have to adjust because of voltage fluctuations. employed as domestic workers in foreign countries”. There was a general consensus that the ban should be repealed, as a way to must then rely on the goodwill to take in emergency patients.” Repair is costly, and spare parts monitor overseas employment, and ensure women have legal of people who travel abroad to Dialysis in private hospitals have to be imported. “We have recourse if mistreated. Advocate Som Luitel said the ban was a bring back new medication. costs from Rs 16,000 to 24,000 a six other machines which were violation of women’s human rights, adding that it “has caused more Now imagine that you have month, while at Bir Hospital it donated, but the instructions are illegal migration, putting women in danger of being abused.” kidney disease, and need a is Rs 8,000. “It’s a sin for a poor in Japanese. We can’t use them Official records for 2006 show that so far 175,000 Nepalis have transplant or regular dialysis. At man to have this disease,” says properly, so we have to send legally gone abroad to work, which means about 500 leave every Bir Hospital, which has five Sharma, who has had to sell his them back,” says Dr Khakurel. day. However, there are few estimates for how many women go without government permission or help from manpower agencies. working dialysis machines, the land to stay alive, and is worried The number of Nepalis with The Association of Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs says that of facilities are overbooked and he won’t have any money left to acute or renal kidney failure is the roughly one million Nepalis in the foreign work force, about under-staffed. The hospital, one get his youngest daughter increasing by about 2,000 every 40,000 are women. of only eight places that offers married. year. Of these, 150-180 come to Dambar K Shrestha haemodialysis in Nepal, is There are 60 dialysis Bir Hospital, mainly because it

turning away all new patients, machines in Nepal, and 8,000- is cheaper. New routes because it can barely provide 10,000 patients who report for Kidney transplants are often ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ services to the old ones. treatment regularly. Do the the only viable long-term option, Qatar Airways is expanding its international network to include Bhubaneshwar Sharma, 78, math. If one patient needs on but the expense deters people, as seven new routes. In 2007, flights will be added to Lagos in Nigeria, has been on dialysis for over two average eight hours of treatment does the fact that most Nepalis Tanzania’s Dar Es Salaam, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and years now. He needs to be in a week, to serve all these people go to the All India Institute of yet-to-be-finalised European and North American destinations. The Doha-based airline currently flies to 70 destinations worldwide. hospital twice a week for four- with acute or chronic renal Medical Sciences (where a hour sessions. But often there are disease, we need at least 230 kidney transplant costs Rs 200-

emergency cases, and he is forced more machines. 300,000). “Dialysis will continue Sharing ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to settle for two or maybe three Of six dialysis machines at to be the preference of the poor, A Machhapuchchhre Bank managing committee meeting last week hours. His doctor, Sudha Bir Hospital, one does not work unless there is a mechanism to decided that shareholders are to get 15 percent bonus shares from Khakurel, admits that this any more. The remaining ones reduce the cost of transplants,” last year’s profits. The decision will come into effect on approval by affects the quality of Sharma’s constantly break down, usually says Dr Khakurel. z Nepal Rastra Bank and the bank’s annual general meeting. The bank saw profits rise to Rs 134 million, a 58 percent increase, in fiscal year 2005/6. the team suggest that a molecule long suspected to play a role in Alzheimer’s also works to regulate development of Lucky number seven

the human brain and neurons. The team’s findings have ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Breakthrough Laxmi Bank recently opened its seventh branch in Narayanghat, just spurred the development of drugs that target the molecule, slowing the progress of the disease. The clinical trials will four years after beginning operations in April 2002. The Narayanghat take time, but this is still the closest researchers have branch offers a full range of retail banking services and is expected come to proposing anything like direct treatment for to serve much of the larger Chitwan area, as well as become a major Alzheimer’s. service centre for remittances. In the embryonic brain, a protein called erbB4 on the surface of stem cells helps create various cell types. The team discovered that erbB4 gets cut by another protein, Strong foundations

called presenilin, a factor in Alzheimer’s disease. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Researchers have known for several years that in the Ace Finance Company now has a new corporate building in brains of Alzheimer’s patients, erbB4 is accumulated around Narayanchour, Naxal. The Rs 47 million compound boasts a amyloid plaques. What they didn’t know was how this 712 sq m building set on a one sq km plot, basement parking, and L to R: Joshua Murtie, Gabriel Corfas, Pablo Sardi, and contributes to the disease. Their research now shows that high-tech security features. The company is proposing a 42.11 Samir Koirala. excessive erbB4 could inappropriately suppress genes and percent dividend to its shareholders at its 23 November annual lead to dysfunction or death of nerve cells. It also suggests general meeting. The 2006 financial year saw Ace Finance People with Alzheimer’s, and their families, are often the interesting possibility that some cases of Alzheimer’s Company’s net profits rise by 57 percent. frustrated on finding that even the best doctors have little to may have their roots in the defective development of brain say about the ‘why’ of the disease. And because they know cells during the beginning of life. so little about it, medication is hit or miss, as is prevention Drugs are being developed to target presenilin function Branching out

and managing its impact. Now, Samir Koirala, a and inhibit the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ neuroscientist at the Children’s Hospital at Harvard brains of Alzheimer’s patients, preventing neuron death, Bank of Kathmandu opened a twelfth branch in Jawalakhel last University Medical School, and his fellow researchers have which would be a huge step forward. Early clinical trials are week. Services include loans and remittances, and the branch is found something interesting. on and, if effective, such drugs could be available in just a expected to serve the greater Lalitpur area. Bank of Kathmandu has The recently-published findings of a four-year study by few years. branches in all five development zones, and over the last financial year made net profits of over Rs 202 million.

Quick rewards ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the remains while collecting force arrives here today, on when. When the French The Chaudhary Group’s Wai Wai Quick has launched a new mushrooms. However, security deputation from the French Embassy team discovered fresh ‘Scratch n’ Smile’ scheme, targeted at the youth market. The prizes, sources tell us that Ganga Foreign Ministry. blood traces earlier this year, all for two people, include movie tickets, dinners, bungee jumping, Bahadur Karki, a hunter, recently The joint search team, the team put out, without any river rafting, and mountain flights. stumbled upon the remains and composed of 100-150 personnel tests, that Henri had been ‘eaten informed the French Embassy. of the Nepal Army forces from by a leopard’. NEW PRODUCTS On 11 February this year the Bhadrakali and Narayanhiti’s The search at different body of German national Sabine Barda Bahadur Battalion, and points involved former French STRONG GLOW: Dabur Nepal’s new Gruneklee was found in the same the Nepal Police-Crime ambassador Michel Jolivet, who Vatika Saffron Glow Soap with Sandal combines the anti-ageing properties of jungle, four months after she Investigation branch, has been himself hiked through the forest, saffron with sandalwood’s aroma and disappeared. Last year, a search combing and came upon fresh traces of a moisturising effects. The soap retails for team recovered both Gruneklee the forest sporadically over recent violent death, which lead Rs 17 for a 100gm bar. The company also and Henri's Gruneklee and recent months. “We tried to the recovery of Gruneklee’s launched Vatika Root Strengthening Shampoo with Deep Henri's passports, though everything to reach inaccessible body; siblings of Henri and Conditioning, which contains almond and coconut milk and is elsewhere in the Nagarjun forest. areas, even climbing and Gruneklee, who went from available in 100 and 200ml packs, priced at Rs 60 and Rs 115. (See ‘Celine and Sabine’, #276.) rappelling, but we obviously village to village showing The remains have been sent never got to the right place,” a pictures of their sisters; trekking SATELLITE: The new Thuraya SO-2510 mobile handset is to teaching Hospital for DNA and member of the team told us. guide Suraj Dahal, whose touted as the smallest, sleekest, and sturdiest satellite other forensic tests, and DSP Even if the remains are number was in Henri’s diary; phone on the market. It features a high resolution coloured Pradhyumna Karki of the positively identified as Henri's, Henri’s brother, who petitioned screen, 32MB phone memory, and enhanced GPS service, and is priced at $950 before tax. Hanuman Dhoka Crime questions remain concerning the King Gyanendra to involve the Investigation Branch is careful to investigation and search. There army in the search; and COMBUSTO: MM Trading Centre is launching Combusto, a bio- say that it is as yet only are conflicting reports on how Dominique Valter, a friend of the catalyst oil that can be mixed with fuels like diesel and petrol in speculation that the body is the key pieces of evidence, such as Henri family who has been order to enhance engine efficiency. Complete fuel combustion means Frenchwoman’s. A forensic the location of remains and items liaising with the authorities less fuel consumption, better engine performance, and lower air expert from the French police of clothing, were found, and here. z pollution. 12 NATION 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 Similarly as middle class affluence grows among the 220 million people of northern India, Chinese goods are already surging across. True, Kathmandu has the advantage In a state of transit of regular bus services and flights to and from Lhasa. The Arniko Highway is We can dream all we want, but do we have a plan? operational and only 18km needs to be built to link Kathmandu via Syabrubesi uch has been made of the emerging to Kerung. The routes through Nepal are possibility of Nepal taking open in all seasons, while Nathu La in Mgeopolitical advantage of its Sikkim has limited potential, as it is geographical position between India closed due to snow for four months in a and China. year. With China now India’s second-largest The authors (Tara Dahal, Dilli Prasad trading partner, the opening of Nathu La in Bhattarai, Keshav Raj Jha, and Prakash A Sikkim, and the arrival of the railway in Raj) think the domestic economy can Lhasa, the matter of Nepal being a transit grow if new transit routes are opened up country has taken on a new sense of through Nepali territory, the service urgency. Deputy prime minister KP Oli’s sector would prosper, and investments in pronouncement on his return from China intermediate goods will increase. They in September that the Chinese had actually argue that by offering transit facilities, Nepal could benefit from both trade and REVIEW taxes. Shrishti RL Rana But one gets the feeling the authors are a bit futuristic, especially when they ambitiously propose seven transit routes committed to “study” the extension of the Nepal should be trying to see how we can The book is a collection of four seminar between Tibet and India via Nepal when Tibet railway to Panchkhal or Trisuli have hitch our wagons to the locomotives of the papers exploring the idea of Nepal as a even the existing Kodari link is in such raised expectations in the public. Chinese and Indian economies. transit state between China and India. But poor shape. They make too many Not only are these expectations A book like Nepal as a Transit State: just as the seminar was not clear about how assumptions and play down the exaggerated, they may also be misplaced. Emerging Possibilities by Nischal Nath Nepal would be transformed by being a constraints, such as how surface transport It’s still not clear how Nepal would Pandey is at least ten years ahead of its transit state, the book is fuzzy as well. We can compete with the ease of sea and air actually benefit (other than from road tax) time. Being the scion of former foreign can dream all we want, but at the end of routes. They forget that Lhasa is 48 hours from Indian and Chinese trucks roaring minister Ramesh Nath Pandey and the ex- the day do we have a plan on how to by train from Beijing, and that the eastern back and forth across future highways chief of the Institute of Foreign Affairs benefit? seaboard is a long way away from the linking Tibet with Bihar. What would be (IFA) Pandey can be forgiven for being Curiously, instead of looking at the plateau. z much more important is to seek niche gung-ho about the idea. It was while issue outwards from the standpoint of Nepal as a Transit State: export markets for Nepali goods and Pandey Senior was foreign minister in the Nepal, the presenters have tried to develop Emerging Possibilities. services in both India and China, allowing royal regime last year that King Gyanendra a patchwork theme from the perspectives of Nischal Nath Pandey (Editor). Nepali companies to take advantage of our made the dramatic pronouncement that China and India. Since the economy of Institute of Foreign Affairs location to facilitate trade between the two Birganj would be linked to Kodari by Tibet is at a high of 12 percent GDP growth Kathmandu. 2006 neighbours. Instead of focusing on transit, railway. per year, there is a market for Indian goods. ISBN 99946-877-0-0, pp70+

DAILEKH—When the April Set us free Uprising rocked the nation earlier this year, and we were raising money for the victims, I called a businessman in Kathmandu and asked for help. A minister was visiting the businessman and I could hear his voice over the phone. He was shouting: “Forget about it, they’ll be finished in a few days.” The businessman did not donate any money. In Kathmandu’s

RAMESHWOR BOHARA NEPALI PAN Change does not come Aruna Uprety from the barrel of a gun comfortable core, a lot of people For the time being, it may Is this the new Nepal of looked at the protestors and said: seem that people are afraid of anyone’s imagining? The big “Those hooligans are destroying the militants. political parties made many Nepal.” They expected the king But fear only lasts so long. mistakes that they regret. But will and the military to regain control In the end, either desperation or the new party, which came with so and restore the status quo. hope will overcome the dread of much hope, also squander it all If only the king had listened to physical harm. The only thing away? Maybe those creating the the people in the countryside, that comes out of the barrel of a “donation terrorism” are Maoists, really listened, and not just gun is fear. If any of the or maybe just criminals. But what nodded at those who came to hand mainstream political parties is the difference? Is this what him petitions. If he hadn’t gone sent their cadre to a farmer’s revolution means, to treat the very from temple to temple sacrificing home and “requested” they people you are trying to liberate goats, he may have known what “voluntarily” feed 50 people for as your class enemy? his people really wanted. Even if three days, what would he do? If Will the party survive such he didn’t, Tanka Dhakal, Tulsi they went to the schools and wholesale alienation when it Giri, and all his other henchmen ordered the teachers to pay surfaces into the political arena? I should have. them half their salary, what don’t think so. If the leaders don’t Now that the political parties would they do? take strong steps to rein in those are back in the saddle, from out Was the ‘People’s War’ a sowing fear amidst hopes for here in remote Nepal it looks like futile exercise? Was the April peace, the people will rise up, as they are repeating the king’s Uprising just a rehearsal for the mothers of this district did mistake. They hardly ever come darker days? In these villages it three years ago. A revolution is here, and in faraway Kathmandu used to be that main gates were supposed to improve lives, not they don’t seem to know what the never closed. But these days all brutalise the people so they don’t people really want. doors are bolted from inside, trust anyone anymore. Liberation And those with guns seem to lest you hear footsteps in the sets people free, it does not know even less that the people’s dead of night and a harsh voice paralyse them with fear. z aspiration is for peace and to ordering: “Open up, or we will get out from under the shadow of burn your house down.” There Dr Aruna Uprety is a women’s health the gun. is no choice here. and reproductive rights activist. CULTURE 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 13 Kesar Lall’s poems are as fresh as he is unpretentious

Ageless wonder HipGetting turn your golf swing right n every sport, achieving better results means mastering a esar Lall has spent most of his writing life To walk across the street. combination of components. Most golfers I’ve seen have documenting the lives of others and Now he has paid me back. Icommon problems. Either they lack a shoulder turn on the back swing, don’t drop the right shoulder as they downswing, or rotate collecting their folk tales. Many of his He gave me his hand K their hips through the shot. admirers have hoped for some time that he would To go from room to room. The trick is to first turn the shoulders to 90 degrees. And as you turn inwards, and address his own background and reach the top of the back swing, drop your right shoulder, followed by experiences. These poetic Reflections, released by The sensuality of nature and of women are the hip turn. With this move the prolific Vajra Publications, are a partial window recurring themes, sometimes overlapping, as in: perfected, you have more into his thoughts. And what modest and honest TEE BREAK chances of hitting the ball solid. thoughts they One night, through a half open window, Deepak Acharya Masters of the game can hit are. This I caught the moon the ball up to 100 yards longer REVIEW collection of 127 Shamelessly looking than most club golfers, Mark Turin of Lall’s poems, At a women on her bed, dreaming. seemingly effortlessly. This is because pros use their bigger with an shoulder and hip muscles to hit the ball whereas club golfers just use their hands. appealing introduction by Don Messerschmidt and Although ostensibly apolitical, some of Lall’s Now there are few checkpoints to mimic the pros. On the back a candid cover photo by Kumar Ale, is as much a poems exhibit shrewdness about the temporal swing, turn your shoulders until your left shoulder touches your chin. pleasure to read as it appears to have been a pleasure nature of power: At this point your hands shouldn’t for Kesar Lall to write. be higher than the height of your At 81, Lall appears more unstoppable than ever. A man who longs to be remembered shoulder, to avoid over swinging. At a recent meeting, he showed me collections of Long after his death However, remember to keep folders with drafts of his ongoing projects: prose, Is oft forgotten before he is gone. the shaft of the ball parallel to the poetry, translations, and more. What’s more, he target at the top of the back swing writes for himself, for his own happiness, not to But enough abstraction and analysis, let his to ensure a solid angle of attack. please others. poems speak for themselves. Two of my particular Then on the downswing start by The simple profundity of Lall’s words and his favourites are: dropping the right shoulder followed by the hip turn while unpretentious sentiments are inspiring, and serve keeping both hands straight as a reminder that not all good writers have to be Precious little moments before taking the swing up to the tortured or miserable. “An open mind without Give a garland of memories to wear finishing position. pride and prejudice is a blessing,” Kesar Lall writes To him who dares to dream... With this move, besides in his preface, and he himself has been blessed with getting the clubface square while both. The sentiments he captures, particularly And hitting the ball, you generate more regarding changing seasons, convey the joy and power and swing speed. That’s wonder of a child: A piece of charcoal what I’d call a real swing. Is all I can think of Summer is a season I’ve sorely missed To compare myself with Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf In my reckoning until once in June At this late hour. Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. I looked out and found it at my doorstep. Yet it might still be used If one has the skill Or: To draw a picture of my life. A summer’s growth holds my home Mark Turin, PhD, is a linguistic anthropologist and Art of the senses In close embrace, denying me director of the Digital Himalaya Project A view of the neighbourhood. (www.digitalhimalaya.com).

Lall frequently returns to his mortality and self- worth, taking stock of life’s experiences and challenges:

But I would love to leave my little place Lovelier than when I had found it When I leave forever. Reflections: Poems. Kesar Lall. 2006. And: Vajra Publications, Kathmandu. ISBN Once I lent my hands 99946-720-6-1, pp. 100. To my little child Rs 300.

NARESH NEWAR

s a young art student at the Sir JJ School of Art in India, Shobha Adhikari Wagley was so affected by the misery of A Mumbai’s homeless and slum dwellers, she says her own perspective on life changed permanently. The artist’s new show, titled Sense Awareness, showcases new works in her distinctive, constantly evolving semi-figurative style. “You see life and something clicks, you get inspired,” says Wagley, whose paintings are said to explore the impact a state of mind can have on the senses. Wagley says it took her seven years to refine this idea and develop a style and techniques that helped her explore the connection between patterns of thinking and behaviour. She is especially fascinated by how the mind can be manipulated. Wagley is first and foremost an artist, not an activist or spiritual leader, but she says she hopes her work can help people become self-aware, and realise how destructive ways of thinking can lead to abusive actions, and the mind of a single person can be dangerous to millions of people around him. Wagley shot to critical acclaim in 1994, when her solo exhibition in the UK garnered raves for paintings such as Sense’s Awareness, and Inner Reality. She has had solo shows in the USA, Japan and, of course, Kathmandu, and represented Nepal in group exhibitions in India, Tibet, Bangladesh, Korea, Japan, and France. Her paintings are in permanent collections at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan and the Birendra Contemporary Art Museum in Kathmandu, and in private Nepali and foreign collections in ten countries. “I still feel that Nepalis need to be more exposed to different kinds of art, and challenged by styles that they are unfamiliar with,” Wagley says. Her new exhibition, which opens on 12 November, at Imago Dei Café in Nag Pokhari, will do just that. Naresh Newar 14 CITY 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322

ABOUT TOWN YAK YETI YAK by MIKU EXHIBITIONS ™ Shankti paintings by Women Artist Group of Nepal at The Art Shop, Darbar Marg. 10AM-5PM for 12-24 November, 4267063 ™ The Mood of Time photographs by Samir Jung Thapa and Josh Lustig, 12-16 November, Siddhartha Art Gallery. 4438979 ™ Sense Awareness paintings by Shobha Adhikari-Wagley from 12 November at Imago Dei Café, Nag Pokhari ™ Woman in Nature paintings by Erina Tamrakar at the SAARC Arts and Crafts Village, Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat

EVENTS ™ Living with death Class and dialogue, 11 November at 1PM at Mind Body Library, Tripureswor. 4279712 ™ Shastrartha at Martin Chautari by MAPS. 3-5PM, 11 November to discuss evolutionism. 4238050 † Apna Sapna Money Money is a fast-paced ™ Can we be what we really are? Dialogue on 11 November at 3PM situation comedy revolving around characters at Mind Body Library, Tripureswor. 4279712 including a mechanic, a conman, a club dancer, ™ November Film Festival documentaries from Nepal, 25-26 an obsessed father and his homely daughter, a November at Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka. 5542544 ruthless ganster, a deadly don and an ™ Documentaries every Wednesday at 6.30 PM till 30 November at unpredictable dog. Each worships money, and Nhuchhe’s Kitchen—The Organic Bistro, Baluwatar things turn dramatic as they all start looking for ™ Seven habits of highly effective people three-day workshops on a cache of hidden diamonds.

6-8 and 10-12 December, 9.30 AM-5.30 PM at Soaltee Crowne Entertainment Plaza. Seats limited, prices vary. 9851036719 ™ Transcendental Meditation at a 25 percent discount all November Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal

at the Self Awakening Centre, Baber Mahal Revisited. 4256618 Quest www.jainepal.com

MUSIC ™ Rashmi Singh live at Absolute! Bar, Pulchok. 10 November, 7 PM onwards. 5521408 ™ Yala Maya Classic the seventh classical music series at Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka. 18 November at 5PM, 5553767 ™ Open Mic Night at ViaVia Café, Thamel every Friday, 8PM ™ Nekyham Band live at Shambala Garden Café, Shangri-la Hotel, Kathmandu. Wednesdays, 7 PM onwards, Rs 600 with barbeque ™ The Patan Trios classical music every Friday at Nuchhe’s Kitchen—The Organic Bistro, Baluwatar ™ The Cloud Walkers and DJ Raju at the Rox Bar, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. 4491234

DINING ™ Persian BBQ Night 24 November for Rs 900 at Fusion, the bar at Dwarika’s ™ Barbeque dinner with new menu, 6.30-9PM every Friday at Summit Hotel, Kopundole Height. 5521810 ™ Saturday Barbeque Special at Le Meridien Golf Resort and Spa, Rs 1200 for adults, Rs 600 for children ™ BBQ Special on Friday nights at Courtyard Restaurant, Kamaladi. 4253056 ™ Barbeque Ban-Bhoj at Godavari Village Resort, every Saturday and Sunday. 5560675 ™ November Specials at Stupa View Restaurant, Boudha.4480262 ™ The Taste of North India starting at noon every day at Dhaba, Thapathali. 4243078 ™ Cyclic Buffet different cuisine each day at the Sunrise Café, Hotel Yak & Yeti. 4248999 ™ Thakali Lunch at Moksh, Pulchok. 5526212 ™ Theme Dinners at Shangri-la Hotel. Saturday-Thursday Nepali NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL thali with cultural show, Rs 700. Friday BBQ, Sunday Bhaktapur For most of the country November will Nights with cultural show and Newari cuisine, Rs 900. remain dry as usual, except in the high ™ Shaken Not Stirred Martinis 007 style. reaches of the east. It’s a good thing there are no climbers on Kangchenjunga facing Wednesdays at Fusion, the bar at KATHMANDU Dwarika's. Rs 555 including tapas platter the windy afternoons and snow. Thursday afternoon’s satellite picture shows a ™ Drinks and Dancing themed Saturday dramatic north-south jet stream originating nights at Jbar. 4418209 in northeast China dumping cold and dry ™ Woodfired Pizzas at Roadhouse Cafe, clouds over north-east India and bringing Thamel 4262768 and Pulchok. 5521755 snowfall all over the eastern Himalaya. ™ A Sweet Taste of Life Italian cuisine at La The system is shifting westward over Dolce Vita. 4700612 Nepal border as it starts to diffuse, and could bring light snowfall and drizzles over the eastern and central hills. Sunny days GETAWAYS will be back early next week, but mornings ™ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge pure will have a distinct bite. Watch out for the relaxation. 4361500 dust, too, as humidity falls below ™ Walk and Lunch at Shivapuri Heights Cottage, Saturdays until 40 percent. 25 November. 9841371927 KATHMANDU VALLEY ™ Escape to Godavari Village Resort, overnight stay package with breakfast and swimming or conference packages. 5560675 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ™ Winter Package three days and two nights at Shangri-la Village Resort, Pokhara. Rs 7499 including transfers, breakfast, dinner g]kfnL and use of resort facilities. 4412999. ™ Harmony of the mind, body and soul at Club Oasis, 25-9 23-10 24-8 25-7 26-8 Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. 4491234 Daily 20.45-21.15 on 102.4 For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] g]kfn slifk[ wfg| d'n's xf ] . oxfsf+ *) kltzteGbf| a9L hgtf slif[ k];fdf cfwfl/t 5g \ . sn" /fli6o« cfosf ] ‰G8 } $) kltzt| lx:;f clxn ] klg slif[ Ifqn] ] g } cfu6] sf] ] 5 . l;Ëf ] d'n'ssf ] cflys,{ ;fdflhs d?b08sf] ] ?kdf /xsf] ] slifIf[ q] pklIft] x'g' x'Fb}g . s[ifsx¿ bzsf] jf:tljs gfos x'g\ . pgLx¿nfO { ;Ddfg / sb/ ugk5'{ { . sifsx¿n[ ] klg cfˆgf ] kl;gfdfly ljZjf; ugk5'{ { . gofF gof F slif[ k0ffnL| cjnDag ugk5'{ { . k9\b}df vtL] ug '{ gx'g] xfOg] . ‰g \ slifIf[ qnfO] { cfwlgsLs/0f' ug { lzlIft / ;rt] sissf[ ] vffrf] 5 . To;}n] slif[ k;fnfO] { cfb/ u/f,}+ sisnfO[ { ;Ddfg u/f }+ . Radio Sagarmatha P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal g]kfn ;/sf/ Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno [email protected], ;"rgf ljefu www.radiosagarmatha.org HAPPENINGS 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 15

MIN BAJRACHARYA FREE RIDE: Maoist cadre enjoy a bus ride around town on Thursday. Thousands came to the capital to attend Moaist victory rallies including Friday's Million Maoist March.

SAMIR JUNG THAPA MASK DANCE: Performers enact the Bhairab dance on Sunday at the Bhaktapur Darbar Square during the 6th Bhaktapur Night 2006, organised by Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee.

DAMBAR K SHRESTHA THE WORLD’S A STAGE: Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House draws a packed audience on Tuesday. A nine day-long International Ibsen theatre festival is on at Gurukul till 12 November.

KIRAN PANDAY CYCLING, NOT TREKKING: Jean Michel Jorda from France cycles past Tengboche Monastery in Khumbu on Wednesday. He will cycle up to Kalapathar via Dongla-Thame and Gokyo. 16 BACKSIDE 10 - 16 NOVEMBER 2006 #322 Mr Raja’s neighbourhood

ll those who are convinced King G gambled his throne with A sign of things to come: this is an actual news item this week in the February First coup last year won’t be surprised to know the government mouth organ, Gorkhapatra. The editors thought this A that his erstwhile majesty has always had a proclivity for item actually belonged on page 1, but the Ass thought otherwise. games of chance. Poker is his favourite, it seems, and he has www.nepalitimes.com apparently been known to work his way through marathon sessions in the company of cronies. The stakes have always been high, although not as high as when he engaged in a bit of internet gaming a few years ago or when he Prachanda keen to actually bet his throne on being able to return his kingdom to his father’s Panchayat. help cine industry This Tihar, the Ass has reliably learnt, relatively modest lakhs 7 November, Kathmandu (RSS) - Chairman of CPN (Maoist) Prachanda were reportedly being won and lost at every poker sitting on Nagarjun. has expressed his commitment to help for better functioning of the We don’t know if his ex-majesty had any royal flushes, but given cinema industry in consonance with the changing context of the the string of bad luck that has been haunting him lately we wouldn’t country. Addressing a large meeting of cine workers, organised by be surprised if he was caught high-handed with a wild card just before a showdown. All Nepal People’s Cultural Federation and Republican Cine- And there is less and less to fall back on as the government readies workers Front, here today, Chairman Prachanda said past the nationalisation of his brother’s property. While Nagarjun and movements had sought cultural change for a new Nepal. Gokarna will probably be turned into national parks we wonder what “The cinema industry must produce new motion pictures that will happen to the strobe light that was installed at Narayanhiti’s could depict reality of Nepali society as politics has been seeking east turret after last year’s coup. Why is it still winking? Does it know new direction,” he said. something we don’t? Stressing the need to make self-assessment on ten years people’s war from all sectors of society, Chairman Prachanda said FG after resolving the prime agenda of the country, the problem faced by the cine-industry would be solved. While all this nationalisation is going on, this may be the best time Pesident of Cultural Federation Sivaji Lamichhane, Leader for the army to hand Tundikhel back to the people. The king’s army is of CPN-UMl Bam Dev Gautam and gen sec of Republican Cine- busying itself with UN peacekeeping, and readying for the prospect of fellow-blue helmets installing close-circuit cameras with bells and workers Front... whistles at armouries and barracks across the land. In the past, successive commanders in chief gradually encroached on Tundikhel thinking that if they did it slowly and quietly no one would notice. We’ll spare you the rest of the gory details. But Well, Kathmandu’s lungs, which during the 1934 earthquake just to remark in closing that the more things change, stretched from what is now Dasrat Stadium to Ranipokhari, have now the more they stay the same. It’s clear Nepal’s Pravda is shrunk to a fraction of their former selves. the same no matter who rules.

FG [email protected] ISSN 1814-2613