#521 24 - 30 September 2010 16 pages Rs 30 SUBHAS RAI

JATR A here’s not much room to parliament) alone is enough for a a requirement to endorse the taking the Nepali Congress on hope for a solution, given government of simple majority, new constitution as well as to board. The onus is on the two T the record of major the Forum’s support would add amend the interim one, if communist parties to reach out to political parties on agreeing to 25 members. needed. The Maoists, the UML the NC, which has not taken too what is needed but not acting on However, even with the and the Forum disagree very kindly to the Maoist-UML pact, it. Developments since last week backing of smaller parties that sharply on crucial aspects of the and for the NC’s own Ram point to a coalition government have pledged their support to the new constitution and we won’t Chandra Poudel to withdraw of the Maoists, UML and Upendra Maoists, the coalition will still be surprised if the coalition, if from the race on Sunday in Yadav faction of the Madhesis. be short of a two-thirds majority, at all, will hold for long. return for a credible Maoist While a Maoist-UML combine The sparring between UML promise to honour past (with 347 members in 601-strong and the Maoists even before the commitments. ink had dried on their 3-point agreement last Friday shows See also: PUBLISHER”S NOTE how fragile these deals are. Peace and the prime ministership This points to the need of p2 2| 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 PUBLISHER’S NOTE PEACE AND THE PM even rounds of voting in signed yet another 3-point deal, they have parliament have failed to elect a given contrasting interpretations of the S new prime minister, and if things pact. While the Maoists are saying that stay as they are the eighth round will be the move has paved the way for Maoist- deadlocked on Sunday as well. The UML majority government, the UML says people’s faith in the political parties will it only agreed to a consensus fall further. government. We need a new prime minister, but The onus is on the UML to ensure that cannot overlook certain basics. Madhav the Maoists honour their part of the Kumar resigned on 30 June after bargain, and if they do, the UML should intense (and it now looks shortsighted) not hesitate to be part of a coalition with clamour for his resignation. Those the Maoists. Together they have the agitating for his ouster had refused to numbers (347) in the 601-member House. consider the consequences of having If the Maoists do not agree, the UML the government reduced to caretaker should revive the alliance with the NC status without a workable agreement on and seek the Madhes-based parties’ contentious aspects of the peace support for their government. process and the constitution. But for the future stability of this We are repeating that folly now. In country, the rejuvenated centrist NC must the desperation of having a new prime be brought into the formula. The most minister by ignoring the demobilisation desirable scenario has always been a of Maoist combatants and dismantling government that includes the Big Three the YCL’s militant structure, we are once and the Madhesi parties held together by more putting the cart before the horse. the common goal of completing the peace Political parties here have the habit process. of reverting to their existing positions soon after signing an agreement to move forward. Worse, they interpret agreements differently soon after signing it. A day after the Maoists and the UML KIRAN PANDAY ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

BIG BROTHERHOOD happens in Nepal, India gets blamed for it. It and live peacefully. If not just close the is his. This may have been a sting The Indians should know that there is may be useful to see it from India’s border with India and invite China to help operation, but what were Mahara and the no way that the Nepalis can turn perspective also. India’s security concerns out. I am sure a new generation Indians Maoists thinking when asking for money against India (Interview with Indian are genuine. We can’t give them an don’t mind Nepal bad mouthing India to from a representative of a foreign nation ? Ambassador, Rakesh sood, #520). extradition treaty, we can’t give them air gain some goodies from China. Did they seriously think that the money Even if it happens on the surface, and marshals, we can’t sign border maps Satya would come without any strings attached? some out of greed, but overall, from (which I have heard are ready for signature Anil the heart, Nepalis love the Bharatiya and would avoid all this border POLITICAL ECONOMY way. The Chinese know this too. It is encroachment nonsense after it is signed), Historically, the separation of politics and The fact that a foreign country was also a geopolitical compulsion in economy never worked (Publisher’s tapping phone conversations of a Nepali addition to cultural and religious Note, ‘Delinking the economy from politician is very troubling. This just linkages. Nepal may display politics’, #520). The unbearable living shows how our politicians are controlled symptoms of a small conditions in czarist Russia gave rise to by foreigners and can be bought with country syndrome at times and react the October Revolution and the money. Maoists trying to get money from sharply to India’s bullying, or big subsequent takeover by the communists. outside is no surprise knowing how neck brotherhood game. The collapse of the European economy deep they are in corruption, extortion, Harka Raj after World War I eventually gave rise to smuggling and mafia-like business Hitler and Nazi Germany. operations. The reports of India-China rivalry In Poland and Czechoslovakia, it was Concerned Citizen are greatly exaggerated in Nepal. the attempt to bring in reforms into a Yes, there is global geopolitical near-collapsing economy which changed If Mahara wants to defend himself and competition for influence and the course of the countries. It was the prove his innocence he should go to court resources and India feels it doesn’t economic reforms of Perestroika which and prove that he is innocent because he get the respect it deserves, but that brought down the Soviet Union. is a public personality and it is his duty to doesn’t translate into a proxy war Had Nepal been a prosperous bring the truth before people. What he and over Nepal. Nepalis would like to country, the Maoists would have never his party should not pretend is that the think they are so important that the had a chance as there wouldn’t have criticism is onesided blame coming from regional powers are vying for a been any reason for their existence. A reactionaries. How can you run away so handle on things in , but failing economy is capable of causing a easily? This is a serious matter of both New Delhi and Beijing have a collapse of a political system, politics sedition and corruption and I don’t want a convergence of interest in Nepal: they and economy are inseparably the party that deceives the nation goes to both want stability. And both are interlocked. Economy drives the politics government at the expense of our national completely exasperated by the way we won’t take initiatives to revise the 1950 and politics drives the economy. The integrity. things are falling apart in Kathmandu treaty and we can’t even give them the MRP greatest danger arises when greed enters Nirmal because of the shortsighted ambitions project. We attack their companies, even the picture. of the political leadership there. arm-twist them if they do not give enough Luba Svrcina Johann advertisement, and then want them to invest more. We believe the allegation of a PLANTING SLANTS “India would like to see stability parliamentarian against an Indian diplomat C K Lal claims that Mahara did not Weekly Internet Poll # 521 return in Nepal” says Ambassador knowing fully well the credibility of the said disown the tape ‘Fourth Estate, ‘Plants Sood. Oh really? Nepal would like to person. and slants’, #520). But Mahara certainly Q. Which partnership would be most beneficial for Nepal’s stability? see India stop being an ignorant bully. Saral Manandhar did disown the tape. If Lal does not India was colonised by the West, so it believe the strong denial by Mahara that Total votes: 2,313 is bitter and just plain angry. But People get the government they is up to him. But by pretending that Nepal would like to see India stop deserve. It is very easy to blame all what is Mahara admitted the conversation is annoying us with its attitude problem wrong in Nepal on India. Every one looks genuine Lal is behaving at least as badly that’s mainly got to do with its after their own self-interest. India will do as any of the media that he criticises. inferiority complex with China. what it needs to do to take care of its Arthur Sarath G sensitivities and China will do the same. People who blame all their ills on others Mr Mahara has no other choice but to I agree with Prashant Jha (‘Indian are just plain stupid and lazy. I just hope say that he has been framed, although he Weekly Internet Poll # 522. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. What do you think of the prospects for insecurities’, #520). Anything that Nepal can work its differences with India has not denied that the voice in the tape foreign investment in Nepal today?

Publisher: Kunda Dixit | Editor: Rabi Thapa Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Chief Operating Officer: Sunim Tamang | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Design: Kiran Maharjan | Marketing: Sambhu Guragain, Subhash Kumar, Arjun Karki [email protected] | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 OP-ED|3 Round and round in circles insisted that “not a single combatant” can be It would be naïve integrated, or Bidya Bhandari’s approach of to see recent the past year. To be fair, there is greater flexibility developments as among them now but all non- Maoist parties a breakthrough echo the NA’s redlines: no unit level entry, no space in the command structure, the minimum possible in the army while the rest can go to other forces. Additionally, if the NC believes a parliamentary system is PLAIN SPEAKING the only option, wants the weakest form of Prashant Jha federalism possible, and is reluctant to even discuss reforming the 1990s state KIRAN PANDAY institutions, where is the meeting point? Where is the incentive for the Maoists who n January, there appeared to be a And Prachanda is all ready to withdraw his What is the kind of political system the are being told to give up their army, breakthrough in the political process. candidature (though latest reports suggest Maoists aim to build in Nepal? What can it compromise on their political issues in the I After a three-day strike, Maoists pulled he will not do so if Ram Chandra Poudel settle for in the interim, and what are the statute, and wait before getting space in the back from planned protests, the High Level does not reciprocate). non-negotiables in the new constitution? power structure? Political Mechanism was finally set up. The threat of UNMIN leaving has Would it help or be a great betrayal to give Inter-related is the India-Maoist The process of discharging disqualified worried the Maoists. There is a broad up the PLA at a time when the revolution bitterness. Both have genuine grudges, have combatants began, and the Maoists allowed international consensus (with India, USA remains incomplete, the reactionaries have invested a lot in countering the other and the parliament to function. A bit later, and UK on the same side) that the onus consolidated, and prospect of political Delhi, till now, has come out far more Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai appeared rests largely on the Maoists to move on the power for the party remains distant? Who successful in the game. India will not budge to patch up, and the party decided to peace process. Maoists know that if they is the main enemy? What is the purpose of till it feels that Maoists have turned pursue the ‘peace and constitution’ line. want a constitution, they will have to make integration if the original intent of using it ‘democratic’ and will be ‘sensitive’ to its Observers saw the developments as a fundamental compromises on their party to make NA a friendly force is no longer concerns For his part, Prachanda feels India remarkable breakthrough, but nine months structure. And besides the tactical victory possible? And how does it see India? wants to destroy him politically, and later, the stalemate persists. of breaking the ‘democratic alliance’, Without clarity, cohesion and flexibility irrespective of the compromises he makes, But there is a similar flutter now. The Prachanda has little to show for the past on at these issues, the Maoists will not Delhi will not give him space. Insecurities Maoists have agreed to place their few months. make any substantive movement and others and belligerence on both sides has led to a combatants under the Special Committee. But the fundamental factors that led to will not give them space. vicious cycle. A secretariat is being formed, and Maoist the stalemate in the first place have not And what is the nature of compromises Don’t fall for it when politicians say commanders are planning to branch out to changed, which is why it would once again the other side is willing to make? It is easy they will finish all the remaining tasks of the cantonments to prepare their lot. The be naïve to see recent developments as a to blame the Maoists for not having moved the peace process in four months. This is PM has told security chiefs to be ready for breakthrough. The Maoists are in the throes on integration when they were in power. logistically impossible, and there is neither integration. Maoists have agreed to be of one of their deepest ideological crises But just go back to Sushil Koirala’s the intention nor the capacity to do so ‘sensitive’ to the army’s operational issues. ever, compounded by personality clashes. statements during the period, when he among the forces which matter. 4|BUSINESS 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521

Key partnership Himalayan Bajar ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Hester Biosciences, an Indian company, has joined hands with Him Electronics of Golchha group to set up Nepal’s first animal vaccine seeking mentality in Nepal. There manufacturing unit in Panchkhal, Kabhre. The factory which will are parallels in Sikkim, too. export 20 types of livestock and poultry vaccines to India, Africa, Subjects of the earlier Sikkim South America, and Europe. kingdom enjoy preferential treatment in terms of ownership Lucky laptops

of land as well as other benefits, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ like not having to follow the Chaudhary Group has introduced ‘Gyan Uday Scholarship federal tax laws. Apart from some campaign’ under which lucky students will get micro-laptops in enterprising people, many make Wai Wai instant noodle packets. the most out of the legal status rather than taking advantage and Digital contribution fostering entrepreneurship. The ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Standard Chartered Bank handed over 10 sets of computers to preferential status, however, will Shree Mahankal Secondary School in Maha Boudha. The Bank will never be permanent, so it will be continue to support the school in areas of youth development, interesting to see how the people health and education. will adapt to Sikkim nationals being treated at par with nationals of other Indian states. FESTIVE OFFERS what differentiates them, the Leveraging privileged status Mahindra Double Dhamaka: A chance to win a trip to Dubai for two ECONOMIC SENSE people of Sikkim are focusing on means people tend to focus too what unites them. much on their own confined with the purchase of Mahindra Scorpio SLX and Xylo. Buyers will Artha Beed The Indian state is in a hurry territory and not care about the also get free car accessories and a full tank of fuel. to lift its population from larger economic system. Next door, Yamaha Dashain Dhoom: Yamaha YBR 110, SS125 and Enticer poverty, and by all accounts is the Nepali-speaking state of buyers will get a free Dish Nepal Direct to Home Set top box. GANGTOK—Raman Shrestha doing a good job. Plans are on to Darjeeling continues to reel in its Yamaha FZ-S series and R15 buyers will get a Yamaha racing decided to convert his old ensure that there are no people battle for identity and state jacket and a chance to win Yamaha 1000cc R1 and 1000cc bookstore into a vibrant place below the poverty line by the year intervention for economic FZ1- 1000 cc. where writers, filmmakers, and 2013. Some, who have received development. Therefore, the art enthusiasts can meet. state-sponsored protection challenge for Sikkim will be to see Balterio Flooring: Buyers of Balterio laminate flooring will take He has hosted many events to through reservations since the how it starts helping stabilise the home carpets for free. ISO 9001certified Balterio comes with 15 connect with people who saw annexation of Sikkim, want to economic vicinity it is located in. years commercial use warranty and 25 years residential use Gangtok (above) as more than just use the poverty status to receive There is talk in Gangtok of a warranty. a backwater. The café culture that subsidies similar to the Schedule Himalayan Bajar, which could be a first began in Kathmandu has Tribe reservations. common market like the EU. Maruti Suzuki Hit & Fit: A direct cash discount of up to Rs100,000 on purchase of every Maruti Suzuki car, valid for all cash and spread to the other Himalayan The challenge would be for Surely, for the future of the finance purchase as well as on exchange offers. towns and cities today, perhaps Sikkim to ensure that the Himalayan economies, it will be announcing the beginning of a perceived development is important to start re-exploring TVS Vroom Vroom Click: A sure shot prize of Canon 10.0 mega vibrant new Himalayan cultural sustainable. Every toilet the this concept of a pan-Himalayan pixel digital camera including 2GB memory card and charger with cross-pollination. government builds for its citizens economic zone. In the future of every purchase of TVS motorbikes and scooters. In Kathmandu, the state has should have the capacity for economic growth, political decided to celebrate Indra Jatra by maintenance too. Like the donor boundaries will start losing Ghar Chaka Chak Gaadi Phata Phat: Win showcasing festivals identified doles in Nepal, it is the federal relevance. The sooner the a Hyundai Santro Car, Honda CB with the Newas and the government’s grants that allows Himalayan states realise this and Unicorn Motorcycles, Philips LCD TVs only. But the state government to build look at working together, the better along with weekly cash prize of Rs Sikkim is more inclined to new roads, schools and health will the interest of the Himalayan 25,000, with a purchase of Pashupati paints worth Rs 10,000 and above. promote diversity, as it is now centers. Making these activities people be served. going to have a Newa Center, sustainable will be one of the www.arthabeed.com LG Mobile Chachahuee Offer: Two lucky winners will take home a established to begin serious work biggest challenges for Sikkim. LG LCD TV and a LG Home Theater every day. There are also gifts on learning the culture of the Regular readers will have and cash prizes in store. ethnic group from Kathmandu. noticed that The Beed never tires nepalitimes.com While Nepalis are trying to see from talking about the rent- Why Sikkim works, #126

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acceptable to everyone. politically or juridically The MDGs draw attention to enforceable. By contrast, most aid important facts about poverty and recipients have to toe the donor the stunting of human line, or face unpleasant capabilities. They imply – and consequences. this is also one of their merits — But just who is aiding that those afflictions are whom? Especially since the late Trickle up preventable and can be radically 1990s, most global flows, after reduced. Yet the MDGs fail to say netting out foreign aid, foreign anything meaningful about why direct investment and Trying to achieve the MDGs they persist. The MDGs focus on remittances, have gone from poor measuring things that people lack to rich (see table). is like trying to walk up an to the detriment of understanding In 2002 a team of World Bank why they lack them. economists calculated that up to escalator going down One reason for that silence $60 billion in extra aid outlays may be the embarrassing fact that, would be needed, alongside other as countries such as Vietnam have measures, in order to achieve the Help arrives. Distress is shown, success in reducing MDGs equivalent to about one- COMMENT relieved. All’s well that ends poverty stands a better chance tenth of those recorded as flowing Nepal award well. where governments pursue from the poor to the rich. David Sogge NEW YORK—Nepal received the Proclaimed at a major United disciplined development policies The prevailing relationship, Millennium Development Goal Award Nations summit in 2000 and wholly at odds with the market therefore, is essentially for its “outstanding national subsequently expanded in 2005, fundamentalist kind required by predatory. Despite their new talk leadership, commitment and he Millennium the MDGs’ neat packages of aims, donors in the past thirty years. about ‘poverty reduction and progress” in dramatically reducing Development Goals (MDGs) maternal mortality rate. sub-aims, indicators and Do donors take the MDGs growth’, the citadels of the aid Nepal´s representative at the T are today’s global foreign timelines thus harness no- seriously? Certainly they all sing system continue pushing the UN, Gyan Chandra Acharya, aid agenda. Yet if we look at who’s nonsense ‘results-based hallelujah about them, and often same formulas that frustrate received the award at a ceremony on aiding whom, there is a net management’ of the neo-liberals use them to justify their aid equitable development in poor 20 September and was cited for transfer of funds from poor to the impalpable ‘human budgets.But they have yet to countries and facilitate the meeting MDG Goal Five. Nepal’s countries to rich countries. maternal mortality rate has been development’ goals of the social put more money where their haemorrhage of resources and reduced from from 415 deaths per Through many decades, democrats. For pulling together mouths are. funds from them. Under these 100,000 live births to 229 deaths in declarations and mega- policy coalitions, this has proven Donor spend in four aid conditions, trying to achieve the the past ten years. conferences, the United Nations a good match. Both approaches priority sectors in MDG number MDGs is like trying to walk up an Nepal’s Home Minister Bhim and aid industry leaders have focus on descriptors of poverty, eight (basic education, basic escalator going down. Rawal, who replaced the prime worked tirelessly to get minister at the last moment, see practical problem-solving as health, nutrition and water/ addressed the MDG Summit in New governments and the media to the way to tackle poverty, and sanitation). But then again, David Sogge is a board member of York this week. Speaking to the sing from the same hymn book, to largely avoid crucial matters like donors have been careful never to the Transnational Institute. General Assembly, he highlighted use the same discourse, and tell inequality. They keep make any ironclad commitments. Nepal’s successes in meeting most the same story. troublesome political issues Everything is voluntary and at tni.org MDG targets, and said efforts were Better than any previous being made to address MDG 2 and 3 firmly off the table. They are their discretion. Nothing they Millennium Development (universal primary education and proclamation of intentions, the worthy and bland, a plain vanilla promise, or refuse to do is Goals for the Rich? gender equality) Nepal still lags MDGs have met needs for a single behind. narrative. It’s a liturgy for a broad “These targets will not be met church, encompassing a range of without enhanced and additional matters, from school attendance to support measures from the POOR GIVE TO RICH: Average annual transfers 2002-2008 international community,” Rawal told clean water, to the health of the assembly, “we call for the mothers and children. Bundled Africa (negative) - $50 billion fulfillment of all ODA commitments together, these problems attract a by the developed countries in a diverse spectrum of issue-specific East and South Asia (negative) - $239 billion predictable, transparent and groups. The MDGs get them out of Western Asia (negative) - $105 billion accountable manner.” While national leadership and their silos and into a big policy Latin America & Caribbean (negative) - $65 billion ownership of the development coalition rallying under a single East Bloc Economies (negative) - $75 billion process was important, Rawal said, banner. The approach matches Total (negative) - $534 billion a “stronger global partnership” was mainstream media’s standard equally crucial. story line: Someone is in distress. Source: UN-DESA, 2010, World Economic Situation and Prospects 2010, New York LIFE TIMES 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 7

Nepal goes overseas

TEXT AND PHOTOS by t is not suprising to meet Nepalis these anywhere between $400-,$1,700. Gobin DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA days on land. But workers from Pudasaini used to earn Rs 25,000 a month in in HONG KONG I landlocked Nepal can now be seen on Qatar, but now takes home double that as a luxury ocean liners and casino ships on the steward. “It’s a good life, I get to sail around high seas. the region, see new places and I am able to There are now more than 1,000 Nepalis save much more,” says Gobin. working in cruise ships in the South China Work on the 13-storey liner with 2,600 Sea, the Malacca Straits, the Caribbean and passengers while at sea is not easy. But the even Alaska and Japan. On the Star Aquarius crew gets two months of vacation with Luxury docked at Hong Kong harbour recently, there roundtrip tickets to Nepal paid for. And they were 55 Nepalis among the crew: waiters, get to see exotic destinations in Vietnam, cruise ships barmen, casino staff, security guards, China, Thailand and other parts of East Asia. housekeeping and cooks. Many of the Nepalis got to literally go increasingly After serving 17 years with the Nepal “overseas” after working for a few years in have crew Army, Pushparaj Upreti has been on the hotels and in security agencies in Saudi Aquarius now for seven years, in-charge of Arabia, Qatar or Malaysia. members security. “It’s really much better out at sea Anil Shrestha from Kathmandu is having than on land,” he says. the time of his life, he says: “There is never a from Nepal Nepali employees of Star Cruise earn dull moment.”

AT SEA: Star Aquarius docks at Hong Kong harbour. Dinesh Pandey (top) of Kathmandu works hard and plays hard. Pushpa Raj Upreti (far left) left his military job to handle security on board the ship. 8|BUSINESS Rhino bank

SHAHANI SINGH Ace brands itself with a conservation message

hen it comes to marketing products in Nepal, there are examples of a company’s logo or symbol effectively W combining a social agenda with strong branding. Ace Development Bank’s adoption of the endangered Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros last year as its mascot is now regarded as a successful case study in marketing with a conscience. Ace decided on the rhino because the animal’s body armour and size gives it the image of power, strength and stability. However, the fact that it is being poached nearly into extinction also gave the bank a “green” image. Ace used ‘Innovation and Integrity’ as its tagline and used the rhino logo to brand its new Ace Rhino Deposit account designed to influence children as and adults to develop a saving habit. More than a year into the campaign, Ace Development Bank CEO Siddhant Pandey (pictured, above) admits the ad may have been a little ahead of its time because the concept of mascots has not really caught on in Nepal yet. “We are still very product-driven in our ads, whereas in the west people identify with mascots and symbols more,” Pandey told Nepali Times, “there were actually people who asked why our rhino was standing on two legs.” Ace has gone beyond just using the rhino in its logos, and has actually adopted two rhinos at the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel. It has renovated the enclosure for the rhinos and created a “honeymoon suite” for the pair to mate. When we visited them this week, Kanchha (pictured, below) and his mate looked reasonably blissful.

The ad campaign in the print and electronic media included a state-of-the-art animation by Incessant Rain in which the cute anthropomorphism of the rhino was a hit, especially with children. “The kids absolutely love our advertisement, and we’ve heard they don’t let their parents change the channel when it is being broadcast,” says Pandey. Interestingly, the animation of a squirrel storing nuts did seem to go over the heads of other, older, Nepali viewers. The honeymoon suite concept has caught the attention of the international media and the story has travelled worldwide. This could translate also into added funding for rhino conservation. There is, however, more muted response within Nepal where mascot branding is a new concept. Says Pandey: “The function of the mascot is to create awareness of conservation issues while at the same time helping the bank brand, and I think we have communicated that message.” Shahani Singh

nepalitimes.com Watch Ace's rhino TVC 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521|9

Vulture Conservation Festival 2010, Jazoo, a quiet place ideal for beer and EVENTS vulture nest watching, jungle hiking, relaxing conversation. Bring a friend camping and other activities, organized by and enjoy their special barbeque set for Screening of The Desert Eats Us, directed Roots and Shoots Nepal. From 24 to 26 a mix of everything, Jawalakhel (near by prize winning documentary maker September, Basabasahi, Nawalparasi, call the zoo), 5538321 Kesang Tseten. Friday 1 October, 4.45pm. 4107599 for registration Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap Hadock, big compound with ample Tavern Tales Special, The Nepal Bharat parking space, their Western and Rivers of Pilgrimage, The Indian Cultural Library presents Namita Gokhale in Tour Thakali dishes are done to perfection. Centre and Siddhartha Art Gallery present on Kathmandu, the author and founder of Jhamel, 5546431 photographs from India and Nepal. 17 to 30 Jaipur Literary Festival will be hosting September, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal lectures, readings and talks. 28-30 Lhasa Bar, enjoy a beer or a splash of September, Nepal Bharat Library (28 and cocktail at this springboard for excellent Colours of Silence: Glimpses of Mustang, 30 September) and DAV school (29 and 30 young musicians starting out on the exhibition of Photos by Italian Restorer September), www.qcbookshop.com Thamel circuit. Thamel, 985101043 Luigi Fieni. 26 September to 24 October, Nepathya Live in Concert , Nepathya hits 5.30pm, Sidhartha Art Gallery 4218048 Bandipur Festival 2010, holiday packages the stage after four years. 28 September, Dhokaima Cafe has a new menu, try the to Bandipur, food stalls and dance and 6pm, Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi, Blackened Norwegian Salmon and Gurukul, the theater group presents Seto cultural shows. 23 to 25 September, Tickets: Rs 1000/Rs 500, call 9751083433 Grilled Shrimp Ajillo. Patan Dhoka, Kapal, a play directed by Bijaya Bisfot. Till Tundikhel, Kathmandu, 10am to 7pm 5522113 25 September, 5.30pm, Gurukul, Purano DINING Baneswor, 4466956 13th ASA Annual Architectural Exhibition, Saturday @ Hyatt, take a refreshing dip exhibition by students of Architecture at in the pool and sample the delicious Pulchok Campus, students works, designs Saturday BBQ Brunch, enjoy mouth barbeque in open air. Every Saturday and many more, also art competition on 25 watering Mongolian BBQ at Gokarna Forest from 12.30pm to 4pm at the poolside, September, 10am. 1 to 3 October, Institute Resort. Every Saturday, Gokarna Forest Hyatt Regency, Boudha, 4491234 of Engineering, Pulchok Resort, Gokarna, 4451212, [email protected] ,Rs. 1500 + Taxes Summit Hotel, posh Western-style Cycle 4: Selfie, photo exhibition by 17 dining area with candlelight and a young amateur photographers. Till 23 Arabian Nights in The Cafe, taste the romantic night view of the city. Get October, Galleria CUC, Momo Magic, culinary delights from the Middle-East. really busy with the succulent ribs Pulchowk Every Friday from 6:30 pm onwards, Hyatt basket, and add the finishing touch with Alchemy, an exhibition of paintings and Regency, Boudha, 4491234/4489362 a hot Dutch apple pie. Jhamsikhel, bamboo silk rugs by artist Peter Delahaye. 5521810 Saturday 25 September, 6.30pm, Pipalbot, MUSIC Vesper Café, has quaint outdoor patio good Baber Mahal Revisited, 4267657, for leisurely weekend brunch. Serves good [email protected] salads, and steak-wraps but at a hefty Bourbon Room, live performances by Cine price. Jhamel, open daily 11:00AM – 10PM Thailand Today, an exhibition on Thai Gurung. Every Wednesday, Bourbon culture, education and tourism. Saturday 25 Room, Durbar Marg, 4441703 Attic, newly transformed lounge/bar ideal September, 10am, Regal Ballroom, Yak & for Friday night drinking before hitting the Yeti Hotel, 4371410 Sunday Jazz Brunch, enjoy a relaxing dance spots. Popular among local Sunday in The Terrace at Hyatt Regency celebrities. Uttar Dhoka, Lazimpat, A People War Exhibition, Nepal’s conflict with barbeque and live jazz music by Inner 984161476 history in pictures. Except Tuesdays, Groove. Every Sunday from 12pm to Everest Steak House, an old-school joint for 11am-4pm, Patan Dhoka. For school visits, 3.30pm, Hyatt Regency, Boudha, 4491234/ everything steak. A sanctuary for meat. call 5549948, www.apeoplewar.com 4489362 Thamel, 4260471 10|HAPPENINGS 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521

Many factors are dependent on the whim of the examiner. When one realises Cronin is not a graduate of Oxford or Cambridge A J Cronin but rather from a Scottish University, the disdain on the part of the examiner is DHANVANTARI apparent. Cronin suddenly feels ill at ease Buddha Basnyat, MD in his inexpensive suit. What follows is some of the finest and most t will not be an exaggeration relevant writing that to say that the physician many Nepali doctors can I turned novelist A J Cronin easily identify with and inspired many of us older doctors will love to read. in Nepal to join the medical In the seventies no profession. His description of Western book store

patients with tuberculosis which would be complete KIRAN PANDAY is still rampant in our part of the without a collection of world is fascinating to read. He Cronin’s books. Many of CELEBRATIONS, LATER: Newly elected president of the Nepali Congress, Sushil Koirala, was admitted to Teaching Hospital, cleverly spun a story around these us that were fortunate to Maharajgunj on Wednesday morning. Doctors say that Koirala has lung characters in ‘The Stars Look read his books fervently infection and will need to stay at the hospital for few days. Down’ where his opening discussed the various paragraphs describe a cough in a characters as they character which has profound continued to hold us implications as the story unfolds. spellbound. His timeless stories about coal out an existence. It was fortunate Many of his stories also dealt miners with TB in Wales in the for his readers that later due to an with social injustices where the early 20 th century ( ‘The Citadel’, illness, he serendipitously found protagonist is a lone fighter for for example) has echoes of stories his calling in writing with his the rights of the disenfranchised. of patients in present day first book, ‘Hatter’s Castle’. In Nepal where there are too Kathmandu, Karachi to Kerala. The oral medical exams for his many examples of social After graduating from medical MRCP that he describes in his inequities and selective college from the University of autobiography ‘Adventures in application of the law, the Glasgow in 1914, he visited India Two Worlds’ is very reminiscent selfless character of Francis as a ship’s surgeon. This trip of exactly what goes on in many Chisholm in ‘The Keys of the probably had a profound effect on medical colleges throughout Kingdom’ will continue to him as he witnessed how Nepal ( indeed South Asia) even inspire long after you have humanity in distant lands eked to this day. finished reading the book. KIRAN PANDAY

GOD KING: Ex-king Gyanendra's garlanded picture on a throne at the Kumari Temple in Kathmandu. The government advised the king not to attend the traditional blessing ceremony on Tuesday for "security GREEN SCENE reasons" two hours before the scheduled event. Mind your carbon footprint

rder water at any restaurant in Kathmandu, decided against installing an elevator. And as most and chances are that you will be served guests are trekkers, they don’t complain about it. O water in a plastic bottle. At Kantipur Kantipur Temple House doesn’t have power-hungry Temple House the waiter will graciously hand you a ACs either. metal flask. No plastic, no non-degradable waste. The greenery of the hotel’s garden is a rare sight “Our aim, among other things, is to minimise in the built-up Thamel area. The hotel uses plastic usage in the hotel,” says Subechhya Basnet of compost it makes from kitchen waste in the garden. Kantipur Temple House. The guests are discouraged “We incubate the waste for about a week to 10 days to use mineral water bottles and plastic bags. to turn it into compost,” explain Sri Krishna KIRAN PANDAY Gajurel, the hotel’s chef who works with his staff to REALLY DIVINE: The Bhairab sips a pack of Real juice while looking inculcate eco-friendly down from the window of her official residence at Basantapur on Wednesday during Indra Jatra. values. All items in the menu have organic ingredients. WEEKEND WEATHER Like other hotels, by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Kantipur doesn’t change guest bed sheets and towels every day unless requested. Normally, the monsoon would have made its departure early this week, but this satellite-radar Buckets are placed in all composite from Thursday at noon shows it may bathrooms to save cold linger a while longer. The low pressure circulation has dragged in cold air from the water that flows before the northeast, bringing down temperatures by 3 water turns warm. This degrees, and this is combining with the moisture in the system to dump precipitation over central water is then used for Nepal. We can expect the continuation of this cleaning. trend through the weekend with light rain as the low pressure trought plays a tug-o-war with The hotel uses solar advancing westerlies. thermal for heating water and will soon be installing photovoltaic power wired KIRAN PANDAY through the rooms. The KATHMANDU hotel tries to cultivate eco- Instead, the hotel lends them reusable water bottles friendly behavior among its guests by placing and cloth shopping bags free of cost. Basnet says her placards with tips in the lobby and in rooms. hotel has saved 8,000 mineral water bottles from Its guest book reflects appreciation for its ending up in landfill sites last year alone. commitment to the environment. Basnet says, FRI SAT SUN Built in the Newari architectural style, Kantipur “We are trying to promote responsible tourism and Temple House has been committed to heritage and our guests have come back because they value what environment conservation since it opened in 1998. we do.” 6 Even though it is a four-storied building, the owners Paavan Mathema 25-19 24-20 24-19

24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 SOCIETY|11 Fuming about fumes Is your car’s green sticker a greenwash?

KALAM Rabi Thapa

ight now, forget the wild, careering micro that almost R knocked you off your bike and the steaming traffic jams that make a mockery of the idea of being in an ‘automobile’ (yes, you’re ‘on the road’, and that’s just where you’ll stay). Let’s just tease out one strand from the snarl of issues that bedevil the simple act of moving from one part of the Kathmandu Valley to another. Namely, the traffic here

sickens me. Literally. In the KIRAN PANDAY weeks since I stopped wearing a mask while riding my bicycle, the highway? Or, as is quite can be a criminal, if the civil So please, please, if only to you and everyone you know may the frequency of my sniffles and possible, did your vehicle fail the servant who issues you the sticker avoid the curses of an entire ward be a little higher than you realise. sneezes has increased to the test, but still came away with a can be a criminal, so can you. of emphysema patients in the not PS: The standard issue masks extent that it’s occurred to me – green sticker courtesy of a bribe of Judging by the exhaust fumes of too distant future, could you (Rs 100) barely do any good, could the billowing clouds of Rs 500-1000, thus avoiding the not just trucks and micros but confirm you really deserve the Saleway’s plastic masks (Rs 400) black smoke I breathe in every hassle of a visit to the schoolbuses, army jeeps, private sticker you bear? And the next are better, but with no morning and evening possibly mechanic’s? If Madhav Nepal and sedans and donor SUVs, there’s a time you get it renewed, can you replacement filters, too expensive. be clogging up my respiratory his ministers can go around whole lotta shaking down going actually get your car tested for an Holding my breath through the system? without stickers, can you really on. Consider it a minor absurdity actually deserved sticker? You worst of the fumebursts can’t be My unscientific hunch is yes, take the trouble? that my publisher’s electric Reva may be saving time and losing sustained – so I’ll thank any hell yes. Scientifically speaking, Yes you can. If the traffic got stopped by a copper money to grease the palms of a recommendations (except staying a 2010 report from the Health policeman who gives your demanding to see its green few pathetic government at home) from the bottom of my Effects Institute concludes that smoking hot ride the green light emission sticker last year. employees, but the health costs to beleaguered lungs. there is a ‘causal relationship between exposure to traffic- related air pollution and exacerbation of asthma’ and ‘suggestive evidence of a causal relationship with onset of childhood asthma, nonasthma respiratory symptoms, impaired lung function, total and cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular morbidity’. Traffic pollution has been blamed for tens of thousands of deaths every year across Europe, with The Lancet estimating that six per cent of deaths a year in Austria, France and Switzerland are due to air pollution. Half these deaths – some 20,000 – were linked to traffic fumes. But you know all this already, dear readers. If some of you are deprived of the pleasure of walking, cycling or biking through the streets, and are lucky enough to be sealed into air- conditioned compartments as you traverse the city, at least you can see what’s going on here when exhaust obscures your view. And at this point I’d request you to answer this question: does your steel chariot make the grade? In other words, are you one of those villians contributing to my slow, agonising, inevitably premature demise? Perhaps you smile, thinking of the cute green sticker on the left of the windscreen that indicates the vehicle has passed an emissions test. But think again. How did you get hold of it? If you don’t know, ask your driver. Can you say for sure that your vehicle passed the test, and, upon payment of a token fee of Rs 35, was awarded its ticket to 12| NATION 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 Nepal, an emerging rainbow

The trend towards inter-ethnic marriages is helping knit together Nepal’s social fabric

RUBEENA MAHATO says, “it doesn’t bother me anymore Newar,” Niharika replies when becoming so common that some when people ask me if I am Newar asked about which ethnicity she extended families now look like ahuns are marrying Newars, because that is also very much a part feels closer to. Nepal in a microcosm. Malvika Rais are marrying Chhetris, of my heritage.” The best part of having a Subba, former Miss Nepal and B Pahadis are marrying Explains Yuki’s brother multicultural background for daughter of a Bahun mother and a Madhesis like never before. With Ananta: “Maybe because in the Pravat J. Gurung is celebrating Limbu father, knows this well. Her greater mobility, education and family we get to interact with festivals of both sides of his brother has married a Newar who is rising living standards, Nepali people from both communities we family. “I am both a Gurung and a a half-Newar, half-Thakuri. Another families are becoming a mongrel get to see how similar we are, and Rana,” says Pravat. brother has married a Chettri. nation in the best possible sense. not how different.” Keeping a balance between two Malvika has Tamang, Tibetan, Divisive ethnic politics may Yuki’s father, Shambhu, says cultures is sometimes difficult, Gurung and even Singaporean have forced us to be cynical about the family has managed to break but Niharika’s mother Sandhya Chinese to count among her integration, but multicultural through ethnic stereotypes. “Our has managed it for over two relatives. families prove that coexistence is family was built around values decades now. She has kept her Says Malvika: “I love my not just possible, but necessary, in other than caste or ethnicity, so it maiden name, follows Newari and rainbow family. If such diverse a country like Nepal with its rich was natural for the children to be Brahmin traditions with equal people can live under one roof, there ethnic diversity. less hung up about them,” he says. zest and celebrates festivals of both is no reason why communities Yuki Poudyal, daughter of a At 14, Niharika Kharel Shrestha sides. can’t live in peace.” Newar mother and a Bahun father, is clearer about her identity than “People fear their language and has got used to being questioned most students her age. She makes culture would die if they marry about her Brahmin surname and it a point to mention both her into another caste, it does not have nepalitimes.com strikingly Newari facial features. “I surnames when asked about her to be that way,” she explains. Caste no bar, #434 have the best of both worlds,” she caste. “I am a Bahun who is also a Inter-ethnic marriages are now Happily ever after, #176 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 NATION|13 Across generations nation When it comes to living with multiple identities, few MOSAIC: Village-wise ethnic people know it better than distribution of Nepal (far, left) Rashmi Shah Prajapati. Her and the Poudyal-Dali family at father is a Thakuri, mother a their home in Putali Sadak. Rai, and is herself married to a Newar. Rashmi’s mother was born from an inter-ethnic union as well, from a Chettri mother and a Rai father, both of whom spoke fluent Maithili, having spent their lifetime in Janakpur. When asked what her roots are, Rashmi replies without hesitation: “Nepali.”

Who am I? When tensions flared between Madhesis and Pahadis, Kalpana Singh must have asked herself: “Who am I?” Her mother is a Pahadi Bahun and father a Madhesi, and her village in the Tarai is home to many Tamang families. She speaks with her Tamang friends in Maithili and converses with her Newar aunt in Nepali. Her Madhesi grandfather teaches Nepali in the village school. Sangita Singh who married Kalpana’s uncle is a Newar from Butwal, which falls under a proposed federal province of the Magars. She now lives in Kathmandu, which is claimed by both Newars and Tamangs. Asks Sangita: “If Nepal becomes an ethnic federation, where do we belong?” KIRAN PANDAY 14 |FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 “We urgently need the budget”

Interview with Rastra Bank governor, Yubaraj be any further delay in presenting the budget. Khatiwada Rajdhani, 21 September Why does the banking sector look slack? We capped the credit flow in specific sectors when Rajdhani: Is Nepal’s economy in banks had already invested 95 per cent of their complete disarray? deposits. However, there has been a significant Yubaraj Khatiwada: Given the country’s improvement in credit flow and deposit. Now that transition and political turmoil, current things have improved, banks can start lending economic indicators are actually not so again. disappointing, but we are losing the base for economic development. We have an economic What of the balance of payment situation? growth rate of 3.5 per cent, which is not bad. The balance of payment is still negative. Foreign The inflation has reduced to 10 per cent from 13 currency reserves in July/August this year is the per cent, which is normal in South Asia. There same as it was last year. We were expecting growth, is fiscal depletion, which has hampered but it did not happen. development activities. There is a problem with exports, which has contracted by 10 per cent Is the liquidity crunch over? this fiscal year, but imports have increased 33 There is enough liquidity in banks right now. per cent. If remittance fails to balance the Some banks are in a better position to sell their Rights difference between imports and exports, then it will be problematic. debentures for returns. Since July, they have not used repo for cash. But the banks should be careful while revising interest rates so that How is the delayed budget affecting the economy? depositors are not hurt. Development activities have stagnated. The government has not been Editorial in Kantipur, 21 able to bring in new policies and programs. It has not reviewed Has Nepal failed in implementing provisions against Septmeber revenue policies either. It has done nothing for trade balance and laundering black money? policies to stabilise domestic financial activities. Because of this, Nepal is in a political transition. There are underground political the financial sector is affected. The private sector prefers to wait out actors and armed groups due to instability. illegal trade, open border Sexual and gender minorities of this impasse. As a whole, the delayed budget has affected the and a fixed peg with the Indian rupee are some of the other factors Nepal have been forced to economic growth rate and development entirely. There should not contributing to a slack in provisions. advocate once again for their right to citizenship. Going against the directive of the Supreme Court, the home ministry has stopped administration offices in all 75 districts from giving citizenships to sexual minorities. It argues that such a process would require wide changes in the existing laws. Five people, however, have already received citizenship with the identity of third gender after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Every individual has the right to citizenship and the sexual and gender minorities should be no exception. The Blue Diamond Society, which works for the right of these people, reports that about 400,000 transgender individuals are in touch with them. Being a transgender or a homosexual is not a fault. It is not a disease either. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has asked for a few days’ time to hold legal consultations in the matter after meeting with CA member Sunil Babu Pant. The third gender community has been waiting for the prime minister’s answer and has also been preparing for an agitation. The government should immediately make provisions to give citizenship to the transgender and other sexual minorities either by issuing a circular or by amending the law if necessary. 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS|15 “This isn’t a popularity contest”

Interview with CA Speaker Subash Chandra Seven rounds of elections have taken place to elect Nembang Himal Khabarpatrika, a prime minister. How long do you think this will 17 September-1O October drag on? I wanted the prime minister to be elected on July 21 so that he could immediately form the state Are you aware that a CA member has asked a restructuring commission. But that did not happen. Chinese national Rs 500 million to purchase CA There is a sense of disappointment among the members in a telephone people. I request the political conversation? parties again to end this This issue has formally entered the deadlock. parliament after a lot of effort. It is linked to our national pride. I will Do you agree that the people’s address other questions after this trust on the CA, its members and issue is resolved. the speaker has decreased? A feeling of confusion and There are CA members who have disappointment has increased been convicted by the court and among the people. All parties even given life terms in jail. should work to build the people’s The government is responsible for trust. implementing the Supreme Court’s orders. The parliament does not They say you haven’t been able have a role in it. The concerned to gain the goodwill of the bodies need to turn their attention parties? towards it. These are comments made when I have tried to work according to The constitution has not been the parliament’s rules. When the written, the government is delayed. president said that the prime CA members are being charged for criminal minister can be elected with signatures from 301 activities. What will the people think? CA members, I disagreed. Some said that 301 CA There is no alternative to writing the constitution members could submit their signatures to the and taking the peace process to its logical speaker and then the prime minister could be conclusion. The irregularities that are being raised announced in a press conference. But this would have to be investigated. And then the truth has to be have been against the constitution. It won’t earn me presented before the people. praise, but I am not in a popularity contest.

Red tomatoes

Janadisha, 20 September

Maoist Young Ccommunist League (YCL) cadre have painted the town red—with tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes have turned the terraces of Gagalphedi VDC in red. Thirteen YCL cadres are busy weeding, collecting and transporting tomatoes here under the leadership of Raju Ghale (Comrade Tej), chairperson of Constituency 6. Cultivated in seven ropanis of land three months ago, the tomatoes have earned the YCL office here Rs 150,000 already. The land is on a three-year lease, and has plastic greenhouses. Ghale says the cash crop could earn at least Rs 120,000 from one ropani per season. The YCL say commercial cultivation of tomatoes and its supply has eased the financial burden placed on the party, and there are plans to diversify commercial vegetable farming.

Prime ministerial election You playing? We are not. Batsyayan in Kantipur, 19 September 16 |BACK SIDE 24 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 #521

Empire State. As a pro-bono service to the education sector, the Ass would like to offer the following Maneater eats woman perfectly appropriate names on a first come first served basis: oing by the headlines in Vampire Institute this country, monkeys are Guadacanal Academy always a menace and the Playboy Vocational

G www.nepalitimes.com monsoon is always wreaking School havoc among other priceless Bacteria Polytechnic gems like: Albatross College Nazi Swastika Vidyalaya >3 Drowned to Death >UML Whets Penal Knife Ass fan Shyamal Shrestha writes >Simian Power Rules in to say that the nation’s future >Maneater Eats Woman is guaranteed as long as we have the following superhero netas: One more deserving than the Bat Man Bijukchhe next for distinction of winning ANIL POKHREL the Ass’ Headline on Deadline Iron Man Tuladhar Sheild. your tick mark as proof. With The Ahm Saba at the Khula is our very own Sishi Gamala. Hit Man Shakya phones banned, the plan fell Munch was something to behold: Spider Man Singh FG thru, giving Jhusil the edge. The the party exhibited its superior FG Super Man Sainju Now that the Great Congress election exposed the great management skills in which At the rate new schools and FG Boozeup is over, it is time to take discrepancy in the cost of buying several VIPs got swallowed up by colleges are springing up every stock of the achievements of the a vote in the CA, where the going their sofas in a multiple day, we are soon going to run out This week’s Foot in Mouth party’s general convention. All rate according to CPji is 5 karod. furniture malfunction. The of names for them. In fact, there is Award goes to Kamred Lila the bars along Dilli Bajar and The upshot is that whatever event culminated in a grande already a crippling scarcity given Money for announcing the Sundhara have run out of was the strategy behind getting finale when the two candidates the fact that the most sought-after stoppage of 14 hydroelectric alcohol. The main reason Brave Khum Dai to back Lionheart, it for party president delivered names are already taken: Glacier, projects that together would Lion won was because the backfired badly. their speeches in heavy rain and Caribbean, Caspian, Pacific, generate 5,000 megawatts in the election committee banned the FG total darkness. Kathford. Schools have been next six years. Perfect timing, cuz use of mobile phones in the FG forced to venture further afield for we’ve just heard from the voting booth. What do cell The Kangres Konvention was also names, even into outer space: grapevine that power cuts this phones have to do with the an organisational feat that Miffed that most Miss Nepal Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, Titan, winter will total 18 hrs a day. voting for the Congress president rivalled the Commonwealth contests are won by janjati Galaxy. And there seems to be a Way to go, Comrades! poll? Good question. It seems the Games in Delhi. Sponsors erected wimmin, the upper crust has set particular fascination for Sher’s panel was offering one lak welcome arches across major city up its own beauty contest that is institutions, buildings and even Send nominations each to everyone who voted for thoroughfares that were so narrow called Miss Aryan (only female persons linked in one way or for the prestigious them, but to collect the 100 grand that they blocked half the road, Caucasians will vie for Miss another to the US federal Foot in from the Bag Man you had to take causing huge traffic jams Crème de la crème) and in the government: Pentagon, the Mouth Award to a picture of the ballot paper with throughout the week. illustrious all-Khas judges panel White House, NASA, Clinton, ass(at)nepalitimes.com ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67