#305 7 - 13 July 2006 16 pages Rs 30 Great expectation Can next week’s budget turn the peace dividend into development?

World Cup p 13

Weekly Internet Poll # 305 Q... Which among these is your favourite team in the 2006 Football World Cup? Total votes: 9,257

Weekly Internet Poll # 306. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q... Should Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala now resign and make way for a successor?

SHYAM TEKWANI

KUNDA DIXIT priority areas from the improve disbursement. Prime percent between expenditure government and a strategy to Minister Girija Koirala’s health is plans and actual spending and in wo months after parliament improve disbursement. also a factor. His presentation to fiscal 2005-2006 this is expected was restored and the palace Mahat shows visible parliament of the government’s to cross 35 percent. “There is T sidelined, the seven party impatience with this talk: “We pre-budget plans and programs, a really no point adding more alliance is working to transform have an urgent liquidity crisis ritual that used to be carried out money unless we can spend it,” the economy just like it and we need them to put their by the king, has been postponed one ministry official told us. transformed politics. money where their mouth is for till Sunday. Scared off by radical Maoist But as Finance Minister Ram budgetary support.” “It is almost immaterial to rhetoric, Sharan Mahat prepares to deliver Despite wanting to reward which specific programs the new investment Editorial p2 the budget to parliament on 11 Nepal for restoring democracy, budget will allocate its resources, is also at a Beyond Koirala July he is faced with formidable donors are still wary about what as long as they meet some standstill. Budget challenges: a huge revenue the Maoist role will be when they significant needs,” says World It is Binit Sharma, shortfall, a government distracted join the interim government. Bank Nepal representative, Ken urgently Ken Ohashi p4-5 by keeping the peace process on They also don’t seem convinced Ohashi, “It is, however, needed to track, Maoist warnings that they that just pouring in more money absolutely essential that what is address electricity generation want to have a say in budget will help. promised is delivered.” shortfalls which NEA estimates priorities and hesitant donors. “I’m not sure a big increase in (See p 4-5) will mean up to eight hour per Mahat knows the people’s the budget is necessarily what we The government was day loadshedding every winter for expectations are high and wants a are looking for,” one senior donor reportedly working on an at least the next six years. big budget that can dramatically representative told us, “We want ambitious Rs 200 billion budget The two big projects that can improve services and create jobs. to be convinced that the money but has been forced to scale it be completed fastest are Upper SUBSCRIBERS “We need the money to show can be spent properly.” down to about Rs 120 billion. Karnali and Upper Tama Kosi but Did your paper arrive on time this we can do it,” Mahat told a pre- The government is so caught Revenue has fallen below Rs 80 both are stuck morning? If not, call our budget conference on Tuesday. up in trying to bring the Maoists billion and most of the rest must because of Complaints Hotline 9841405820 Nepal’s donors all say money is into the mainstream that it hasn’t come from foreign aid. There has government and talk to Radhe Shyam. not a problem, they want a list of had time to think about how to been a chronic shortfall of 20 indecision. z 2 EDITORIAL 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Marty Logan Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Vicepresident Corporate Affairs: Sneh Sayami Advertising: Sambhu Guragain [email protected] Subscription: [email protected] Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur [email protected], GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu Tel: 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 Favoured victims Men continue to appoint men to power

his is a critical period in are said to make up half the lower seen around the negotiating table. BEYOND KOIRALA the history of Nepal when Maoist rank and file, 30 percent Resolutions in favour of social Even those who love to hate Girija Prasad Koirala grudgingly admit T decisions being made now of the guerrillas are women and and gender inclusion alone are that he has been the only party leader who stuck to his guns after will determine the future course the central committee is 10 obviously insufficient, it is the King Gyanendra embarked on his creeping coup in October 2002. of the country. percent female. It would seem implementation that counts. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur But neither the negotiating that the Maoists excelled where But from what we have seen, Chand and even Madhab Kumar Nepal all succumbed to the king’s lethal charm. This won Koirala political stature, which is why the team of the government nor of the the government and other the marginalised will continue to seven parties chose him to lead the post-April government. But the Maoists have women in them. political parties had failed in be excluded from negotiations, prime minister’s health is deteriorating and he has now been Besides two token women, there including and empowering treaty-making, interim advised complete rest for at least two weeks. are no females in the 31-member women. governments, post-conflict The man is 84 and is on oxygen. He used to chain smoke, his Ceasefire and Code of Conduct However, patterns of reconstruction, planning and lung is malfunctioning and he has prostate problems. He was too ill representation in post-conflict policy-making. Above all, men to take the oath of office in April, too ill to attend parliament’s GUEST COLUMN rebuilding shows continued will continue to appoint men to historic post-reinstatement session and now too ill to deliver the all Bina Pradhan domination by the same upper power and largely it will be the important pre-budget speech in parliament. His illness is not just a caste men within the Maoist men who set the post-conflict and concern for family and friends but also for his party, the governing movement. About the seven party reconstruction agenda even in the alliance, the Maoists and the country. National Monitoring Committee alliance, the less said the better. new Nepal. Because he is so central to the unity of the alliance, Koirala’s health is a national concern. The palace problem has been sorted and the Interim Constitution They pulled down the only Experiences of women and out for now, but the parties next need to negotiate a peace, ease the Drafting Committee. The decision woman speaker despite her men in Nepal’s conflict have been Maoists into mainstream politics and forge a new Nepal from the to include women in the competence in conducting the different, as elsewhere. While the ruins of our recent violent and dictatorial past. These tasks require constitution committee has been house in the most difficult of entire nation has suffered, the robust and visionary leadership. left pending even though drafting times. All evidence and trends impact on women and men, For much of his life, what Koirala lacked in the vision has started. show that Dalits and women will particularly concerning access to department he made up for with tireless championing of Despite the rhetoric of continue to be ‘favoured victims’ power and decision-making, is the democratic cause. Though many still blame him for the drastic inclusiveness it is clear the of the new regime whoever comes unequal. slide after 1990, he has by now atoned for those sins by forging a political leaders and the Maoists to power. Besides being victims, in workable alliance with the Maoists and then rallying the democratic are set in their old ways as they The 8-point agreement of 16 response to the conflict situation forces to victory against royal rule. His long life has been amply prepare for a ‘new Nepal’. High July between the seven parties women have stepped outside their rewarded with four prime ministerships in 15 years. But now it’s time to think of a future beyond Koirala. Although caste men representing only and the Maoists has serious traditional roles. They have joined the alternatives at the top of the alliance are limited, there is a crop about 16 percent of the implications for the future the armed forces, political of leaders who can rise to the occasion. Within the NC a governing population are deciding the approach to decision-making as organisations and peace collective must be formed before cronies use the prime future for the entire well as on the promises of an movements, as well as taken over minister’s power in his name and hotheads population, including inclusive democracy. The extra- traditionally male occupations hijack the agneda. women who have different democratic process through and responsibilities for the Whoever emerges as leader, needs, constraints and which parties and Maoist leaders protection and maintenance of the search must begin priorities. agreed on the eight points, their families. The women’s role immediately. One Principles of human ignoring the peace talk team, in economic and agricultural needn’t be overly rights and democracy are monitoring committee and all production has expanded. worried about held high in the aftermath other major stakeholders, After the crisis, however, the the question: after Girija of dictatorship and conflict undermines and endangers the same patriarchal values and who? This . Yet Nepali women find democratic process in the peace- mindsets exist. The role of women nation of 26 themselves still fighting for building and reconstruction is marginalised in post-conflict million people a voice in the decision process. Such a style of reconstruction and reconciliation has enough making process. Mainstream functioning shows high caste efforts. Such general exclusion of potential politics has yet to recognise men assume they know what is women from decision-making leaders with the situation of millions of best for all other population positions prior to, during and vision and Nepali women whose groups and it is a betrayal of the following violent conflicts statesmanship condition has been promise of democracy. reinforces their victimisation. to meet the worsened by conflict. Women engaged in relief This has significant implications challenge of The Maoists identified work, promoting peace initiatives on the future of a reconstructed these crucial times. marginalisation and and monitoring human rights, Nepal and scope and extent of the disempowerment of women including women’s rights, are democratic process. z and Dalits to legitimise mostly in the informal sector. But their war and attract only men with access to formal Bina Pradhan, PhD, is a gender recruits. Dalits and women political and economic power are population and development expert. ONG KAI LING The lazy days of summer UN officials are away at a time when their presence is most needed in Nepal

orwegian peacemaker Vidar UN on its own even though UN involvement guarantors in the formation of an unlikely are almost a religious ritual for the UN Helgesen is in Kathmandu. He has in the peace process has been their long- alliance between politicos and armed system and other western missions here. been involved in the conflict standing demand. But Girija Prasad Koirala rebels. But Sitaram Yechury, a confidante Once scheduled they can’t be cancelled, Nresolution processes of Afghanistan and seems to have assumed that as the of Shekhar Koirala (nephew and close aide the dates are written in stone—whatever Sri Lanka, two countries that still have a legitimate government of a UN member of the premier) and Baburam Bhattarai may happen in the host country. long way to go towards peace and stability. state, he is well within his rights to request alike can only do so much. Beyond a point, Even though the UN expected a But the world body for technical assistance in any understanding, agreement or request letter from the government, its at this resolving a domestic conflict. declaration without the endorsement of a Res Rep Matthew Kahane is already on STATE OF THE STATE point, The 12-point understanding between the legitimate authority becomes pointless. holiday. So are other Kathmandu-based C K Lal lessons parties and the Maoists in November 2005 Under the circumstances, no agency diplomats. Nepali officials are often from had an escape clause about involving ‘any other than the UN can legitimise an armed accused of delaying decisions, what failures may be even more significant than reliable party’ and by the eight-point group as a political force. But we must about decisions delayed by this mass experience of successful peace declaration of 16 June, the two sides had realise the limitations that the UN works summer hiatus? processes. The role and responsibility of agreed to urge the UN to help in under. During a recent visit, Kul Chandra UN priorities also change. Nepal’s the international community in peace, ‘management of arms and armed personnel Gautam admitted it may take months to OHCHR chief Ian Martin has been reconciliation, reconstruction and of both the sides and to monitor it in order decide and post peacemakers on the dispatched on damage control to East rehabilitation are likely to increase in the to conduct elections for the constituent ground after appropriate requests are Timor but who’s going to do damage days ahead. assembly in a free and fair manner’. In the received from the host government. We control in Nepal if things fall apart here? The arrival of the former Norwegian past, India has been against any may not have that much time to keep Martin is one diplomat with enough deputy foreign minister this week interlocutor other than itself but even South Maoists guerrillas in hibernation once the credibility, competence and commitment coincided with the government’s decision Block now seems to want a limited role for monsoon is over. to influence the Maoists and the military to invite the United Nations as a supervisor the world body. However, Kathmandu-based dips are alike. His absence from Nepal at a for arms management. The rebels are India’s CPI-M acted as a mediator and on vacation for the next month so we won’t critical time when the UN’s role is called unhappy with the government writing to the some leaders even functioned as see much happening. Summer holidays for can only delay a resolution. z 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 3

LLL ETTERS

BHUTANI RESETTLEMENT happy. It is very clear what the Maoists I am amazed that a ranting and raving activities that you list, ANFA is already Re: ‘Bhutani refugees’, #304. The want but the parties’ agenda is not clear. If lunatic like Prachanda gets so much doing it. Look at the development and refugees have spent 15 years in camps things go on like this, the parties will be publicity and attention in the Nepali media exposure of football in the last few years already. I can imagine the frustration overtaken by the Maoists. Believe it or not, (‘An October Revolution’, #303). Everyone and you might begin to appreciate ANFA’s among the young refugees who could be the constituent assembly is going to be a seems to be falling over backwards to work. Mr Tiwari should stop criticising productive and earning their own living poison pill. The only way for the parties to please the man who is more responsible for something just because it is an easy elsewhere rather than living on handouts. save their dignity is to declare an election the mess that the country is in than any target. Still a fan of the paper. Many refugees are trying hard to emigrate for a national assembly and house of other political figure. The enigma and myth Suvash Gurung, email to third countries. I would like to representatives immediately. Only then surrounding him has been completely request refugee leaders to rise above deal with the 1990 constitution. shattered and I am surprised how a morally DOG’S LIFE- 4 their political agenda and think about the Shree Shrestha, email and politically bankrupt individual has led Andrew Steele must have spent too many future of the youth. Please work with thousands astray all these years and not sleepless nights (Letters, ‘A dog’s life’-2’, UNHCR and the Nepali government to You say the Maoists are talking tough been questioned within his own party. In the #303). Otherwise how can he condone begin the process of third country to assuage their cadre (‘Why should we current climate, one needs to be shooting and torturing street dogs? If he resettlement. I don’t believe this process trust you’, #303). I think they are talking responsible and mature and demonstrate would have done a little homework, Mr would hamper repatriation of refugees to Steele would know that the Kathmandu their homeland because only a small municipality for years invested loads of number of refugees are normally money in poisoning dogs and has come to accepted by western countries. the conclusion that (apart from being Pasang Sherpa, email inhumane) it is completely ineffective. He would also know that virtually all over the DON’T GIVE IN world Animal Birth Control (ABC) is There is a lot of talk of ‘weapons accepted as the only scientific, effective management’ these days, including in and humane solution. WHO and the Nepali your editorial (‘Turn down the volume’, authorities are proud of the KAT centre, #304). But one should make the which has introduced ABC to Nepal. We distinction between weapons would also like to inform Mr Steele that demobilisation by the government’s even though Nepal does not have animal legitimate army and that by a rebel group. welfare legislation yet he can be punished The government is a legal entity even if it under the Muluki Ain for throwing rocks at has the king as head of state. Yes, we KIRAN PANDAY street dogs. need the UN to monitor the Maoists’ tough because after April the parties leadership qualities and statesmanship, Animal Nepal weapons. Home Minister Sitaula should pretended as if the entire Jana Andolan which the Maoist supremo obviously lacks. Jhamsikhel, 9841334537 stand his ground and not give in to the was their doing and left the Maoists out. God help us all if this demented personality Maoist demand to also manage the There is no doubt that if it hadn’t been for is given the responsibility of leading the As long standing residents of army’s weapons. And let’s stop all this the non-violent support of the Maoists, the country in the not too distant future. Kathmandu will know, barking dogs have fashionable republican talk, the Shah pro-democracy agitation would not have Vijay Sharma, email always been an annoying feature of life dynasty made a big contribution to the succeeded. The Maoists just want to be here. But we at Kathmandu Animal unification of Nepal—let’s not forget that. recognised for their contribution. If only the ELDERLY Treatment Centre (KAT) urge that dog Min Pandit, Dubai parties saw that simple truth, there would Congratulations to Shehab Uddin for that shooting or poisoning is not an ideal be more trust. superb photo feature on the Pashupati short-term solution to the dog population I liked your editorial this time (‘Turn Thakur Sharma, Lajimpat Bridhashram (‘These strangers are family problem as Andrew Steele suggests down the volume’) more than ever now’, #304). His pictures and text bring out (‘Dog’s life’, #303). Dogs are not simply because it is unbiased and analytical. We The seven party alliance must admit the humanity in all of us. How, despite all shot in the head with precise have come to rely on you for your that they have been totally eclipsed by the odds, we Nepalis help each other in times targeting. The killing is a messy nasty unprejudiced and analytical reports. Now oratory and commitment shown by the of need, and the way in which however business, in which the dogs die slowly that everything seems to be on track, Maoist leaders in their media appearances difficult the circumstances, we look at the and very painfully in clear view of everyone should make concessions on recently. The Maoists have a plan and a bright side. Strange though, that it took a distressed local people. Plus, the obvious their most radical demands. The seven vision for a new Nepal, the parties have Bangladeshi to help us to see ourselves. risk to humans is a serious factor. parties and the Maoists both have good neither. You may not agree with the Rita Gurung, Kathmandu Children have actually been caught in the and bad plans, we need to make sure Maoists’ past methods but now that they crossfire. Animal Birth Control (ABC) has Nepalis get only the good ones. want to join the mainstream they deserve a STRICTLY BUSINESS been proven to be the best longterm Rishav Shrestha, email chance. Ashutosh Tiwari obviously doesn’t know solution. In the last two years, KAT has Jayant Yadav, email anything about what ANFA is doing and succeeded in reducing the dog population I have been a passive and distant definitely did no research before writing his with the ABC method in the areas where observer to all the events in Nepal since I don’t understand why no one from Strictly Business column (‘How we can we work and is getting very positive local April. I can only see two things the Nepali media is raising the question of make it to the World Cup’, #304). ANFA support. We invite interested people to happening. The Maoists are washing Sitaram Yechury’s meddlesome activities needs to build the infrastructure he so find out more by coming to our centre at away their sins and everyone else is in Nepal. I don’t understand in which easily condemns so that it can find the right Chapali Gaon, Budhanilkanta. being punished. The army is constantly capacity he is involved: he is not a kind of talent. Building academies all over Khageshwaar Sharma, KAT Centre criticised and the parties are vilified but member of the Indian government, nor is the country gives more grassroots the Maoists go scot free. Wake up, Nepal. he officially appointed as a special/ exposure to football, which is what ANFA I find it astonishing that at a time Baburam and Prachanda should be political envoy. Yechury has his own has been trying to do. Mr Tiwari dreams when Kathmandu is in the process of brought to justice for the 13,000 lives they agenda which is favourable to the Maoists. that we could qualify for the World Cup in recovering from an extremely jittery have cost this country. As for the SPA, I have not seen or heard any news where 2014 or 2022. If it was printed in the ‘Under period with the army and the Maoists remember: once bitten twice shy. Don’t he has publicly raised the issue of Maoist my Hat’ section, that wish would have been eyeball to eyeball guns a-ready, Andrew ever forget all your people that the kidnapping, extortion, intimidation, murder, more appropriate. Nepalis are still Steele (Letters, #303) can seriously Maoists have killed. and handover of all seized properties. physically inferior to the nations that make suggest that the police take up arms and Abhishek Bhandari, email These are the pre-requisites to the it to the World Cup. Look at the number of shoot at street dogs. It is not difficult to Maoists joining the multiparty democratic Africans playing in the national league imagine the scenario if a pitched battle Every which way you look you notice system. Yechury is in the middle of here. They aren’t good enough to play even broke out. “Opps, sorry, I was only that the Maoists are gaining ground and various issues that are very sensitive to in India and they are stars here. What does shooting at street dogs.” Rest in peace, the parties are losing. The party leaders Nepal and his role needs further scrutiny. that tell us about our players? Development Mr Steele. are trying very hard to make the Maoists Pravin Regmi, USA of football is not an overnight thing and the Mary Morris, Gairidhara 4 NATION 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 The fallacy of large numbers

BINIT SHARMA large numbers in the budget are would normally not be should not be forgotten. First, stability since 2002. Not only captured amply in the ‘model undertaken during years of fiscal boosting public investment did it help thwart pressures to he budget season is upon budgets’ being forwarded from austerity. programs, particularly through make unreasonable increases in us and like every year, various quarters. The Budget planning and analyses borrowed money, might actually security expenditure but it also T the collective national independent National Council for in Nepal typically start with an narrow the available space for enabled the government to imagination is gripped with Economic and Development expenditure target, proceed with a private investment which is protect the most pro-poor images of the finance minister proposes a Rs142 billion budget rueful commentary on the weak infinitely more efficient. Second, expenditure headings. cooking up a concoction that while the CPN-UML’s Planning revenue effort and the limit on using aid commitments from This was made possible will please everybody. and Policy Coordination donors to bolster the spending largely by the prioritisation The ingredients— Division, led by one of the portfolio is pointless because we framework embedded within the scholarships for students, a shadow finance ministers Bharat are constrained not by the scarcity MTEF which ensured that even raise for civil servants, tax Mohan Adhikary feels Rs150 How is the of donor funds but by our during episodes of severe relief for businessmen and billion to be the more appropriate inability to spend what’s already revenue shortfalls, there was traders, special rehabilitation figure for a ‘people’s budget’. finance available. sufficient cash (saved from the packages for the families of These numbers are at least 30 minister going It is true, however, that the pruning of lower priority martyrs, roads and bridges for percent higher than what the present government needs to play activities) available for the remote districts and the government has been able to to please a more aggressive role in the highest priority projects. mandatory increase in spend in the current fiscal year. provision of social services and The experience during expenditure for education, But, the country has turned a everybody? the financing of resettlement and Nepal’s democratic nineties health and agriculture–are the major corner politically and a rehabilitation. But even from this shows that short-lived same but the expectations from peace dividend through the perspective, an overly governments are keen to start the budget are palpably higher budget is perhaps deserved. An expansionary budget does not new projects rather than giving this year. expansionary budget loaded with domestic borrowing and end by make sense. continuity to the ongoing ones. This is not only because the populist programs, however, is a pointing out the centrality of If there is one enduring Given that the government’s budget is being presented by risky way to deliver this foreign aid in filling the gap positive to come out of the most spending packages for the last the peoples’ representatives dividend. between resources and the recent spate of reforms in Nepal, few years already contain the after a three-year hiatus but the Not only does such a budget proposed expenditure. it is the development and highest priority projects with cessation of Maoist violence, jeopardise the already precarious No surprises then that the deepening implementation of the significant rural orientation, it many feel, offers an fiscal situation but in its zeal to primary objective of the finance medium term expenditure is important to remember that opportunity to accelerate ‘scale up’, it is very likely that the minister in the run up to the framework (MTEF), a tool to plan any marginal project that is investment in rural areas. government will let in a lot of budget becomes the maximisation and prioritize spending in a added to the portfolio is These expectations, as well projects with dubious quality and of aid commitments. Two multi-year framework. MTEF has actually of a lower priority than as the national affinity with justification or projects that important lessons of the past been the cornerstone of fiscal those that are already in there. Seizing the open moment Next week’s budget is larger than a budget, it must establish the credibility of the state

eing the first budget after Jana Nepal must act quickly and forcefully if Andolan II, the upcoming budget has it is to seize this open moment and realise Bspecial importance and it must the dream of a New Nepal. The most respond to the aspirations of the people. important step the budget can take, then, is It must address the plight of the rural to begin redefining the state and its people who have suffered the brunt of the relationship with the people. That is what conflict. It must be inclusive and support this budget should be about. the peace process. Noble as they are, all It will take some time for Nepalis, the those state and the people together, to define a COMMENT goals clear vision of the New Nepal. But, its cannot outline is already visible. It must be Ken Ohashi possibly focused on three things: peace, social and be met political inclusiveness, and economic by this budget. The real importance of this growth. budget lies elsewhere: it is about The kind of state that must emerge to establishing the credibility of the state. make this vision possible is also clear The political transition in April has enough. This budget can begin to take the brought Nepal a rare opportunity in first steps toward effective implementation history, an ‘open moment’. The enormous by building real partnerships with popular energy that was mobilised against TIFFANY ANG communities. It is almost immaterial to the old order also lifted many social and which specific programs the new budget political constraints that the people used BY THE WAYSIDE: Women break stones all day at a gravel depot at Balaju on Tuesday. will allocate its resources, as long as they to accept as given. The Nepali people now How will next week’s budget improve their lives? meet some significant needs. It is, however, feel a new future is within their grasp. absolutely essential that what is promised It is also a very fluid moment. Along interests to a collective purpose, there must assets to build on. Five decades of is delivered. with great opportunities, it presents be a vision that can captivate the people’s development efforts have demonstrated Those simple actions will go a long way serious risks. The huge energy mobilised in imagination. The vision must be that the real strength of Nepal lies at the toward constructing a credible state that can April, if not given a direction, can easily complemented with a sequence of actions community level. Many successful facilitate inclusive development in Nepal. tear the country in different directions. to sustain the momentum and the people’s community-based programs, from forestry If the people feel that such a state is being Already there are such signs. belief that the country is indeed moving management and rural drinking water built, which will eventually meet other The rising demands, from organised towards a better future. This requires schemes to school management, give pressing needs of the country, they will be labour in private factories and the civil leadership and that is the role of the state. overwhelming evidence on this matter. willing to wait. service to even universities, may benefit Unfortunately, the state in Nepal has It is obvious that the new concept of On the other hand, if this budget fails narrow interests of small groups in the been by and large an instrument for the the state must be based on a partnership to convince the people that an important short-run, but they will surely not help privileged. Even under multiparty between the communities, or the people, beginning is being made, there is little for put Nepal on a sustainable path of growth democracy, annual budgets tended to and the state. By creating the space for the which to wait. The importance of this and prosperity. If these demands are all promise many things that seemed community and providing it with some budget goes far beyond a normal budget. It accommodated, Nepal would find itself in politically expedient and failed to deliver resources, the state can facilitate far greater is about the credibility of the state, and by an even more difficult quagmire of most of them. This was a perfect way to development impact than it has ever been extension the fate of New Nepal. patronage politics and weak global undermine the confidence of the people in able to by itself. Partnership should also competitiveness. the state. This must change. extend to the genuine private sector (as Ken Ohashi is the World Bank Country Director To direct this energy away from self But Nepal also starts with considerable opposed to ‘crony capitalism’). for Nepal NATION 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 5 Nepali cynicism Can we ever get out of it? he glitterati and the twitterati in the cocktail party’s strength in being able to engage the youth, circuits of the capital are ready with their earlier for a violent purpose and now for perhaps T doomsday scenarios. Without a khattam some nation building. kanccha theory it seems they cannot down the free As this Beed wrote in an earlier column, Dahal booze at these soirees. They did so when Nepal has the opportunity to emerge as the Buddhadeb opened up in early 1990s to say how we weren’t Bhattacharya of Nepal. However, if he gets carried ready for democracy. When Nepal opened for foreign away by his own rhetoric of land reform, revamping investment, they predicted how domestic industry education and nationalisation of businesses he and would collapse. When tariff was brought down, they his party will fail. As long as a Nepali can connect to complained about how our core industry (smuggling) the internet and buy goods with a card and get would be affected. When private hydropower players shipped by a global carrier, Nepal will be globalised. came into the As a WTO member, Nepal will have to negotiate market, they better but not cancel its membership. ECONOMIC SENSE complained of a Artha Beed national sell out. Additionally, the budget needs, therefore, is not a In the rest of the country the story is different. In Dang, after five expenditure shortfall, the double digit increase in the years people are rejoicing that there is no curfew difference between the budgeted promised expenditure through after 8 pm. In Kabhre, villagers told your weekly expenditure and actual new projects but revolutionary Beed how they do not need to throw milk or expenditure, in the last three strategies on how to spend what vegetables away anymore because there are no years has averaged about 20 is already being spent more more bandas. In Pokhara, there are more tourists percent and has been driven efficiently and effectively. and vehicles even late at night. The supply chain to MIN BAJRACHARYA largely by capital expenditure. Violating the prioritisation and from Dhangadi or Mahendranagar is not Again, this shortfall represents framework that exists presently disrupted. For the common Nepali, these are signs The option remains of either seeing the glass half underperformance of the highest under the MTEF to undertake an of hope that the ceasefire and the glimpse of a full or half empty. We have always opted to see the priority projects and reflects ambitious expansion would be longterm peace have brought. latter. As a young economist at a US university said, implementation setbacks tantamount to opening the Yet, instead of celebrating these changes, we economics should go beyond looking at the magic insist on proclaiming that the glass is half emptyl. suffered due to conflict among floodgates and bringing back the potion of the annual budget. We need to go beyond The nabobs of negativity in the elite hobnob with looking at the eight-digit calculator as all big other things. So essentially, if era of the 1990s when expats in their hardship postings and feed each numbers will be reflected as an error. the budget implementation were successive governments other’s paranoia. These can be read, seen and heard Economies are always resilient. Let us recall all to improve, a maximum of 20 competed to overload the very clearly, be it at the forums of business people the action between 1990-1995 when the economy percent increase in actual budget with some promising to or in interviews. Perhaps the American ambassador was deregulated and reforms initiated. New banks, expenditure could be realized build bridges in places that had doesn’t want things to return to normal because he finance companies, insurance companies, media without even increasing the no rivers and others proposing wants to justify his new fortress-like embassy. houses, private institutions, civil society structuring, budget. to build roads that already P K Dahal has perhaps in his own mind given stock markets, carpets, garments came up. We What the revolutionary existed. more than he would have ever thought to concede in can replicate that period and not squander this such a short span of time. Perhaps, he sees his chance.

Powerful dung

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The number of Nepali households with biogas plants has hit 150,000, according to the Biogas Support Programme (BSP), which has disseminated biogas technology to 2,617 VDCs in 66 districts, led by Kaski (with 10,686 plants), Tanahu (10,200 plants) and Makwanpur (10,166 plants). Biogas, produced by converting dung, reduces consumption of firewood and kerosene, helps create a smoke-free indoor environment and saves villagers time that they would have used collecting firewood, time that can be used for income generation activities. Biogas also helps to produce organic manure and pesticide, and saves money on firewood, kerosene, chemical fertilizers and pesticide. The plants can also operate for long periods at low cost with little maintenance required.

Ayurvedics grows

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Ozone Ayurvedics grew 300 percent last year, the company announced at its second annual meeting on 30 June. Officials and shareholders decided at the AGM to consolidate growth and invest more in sales promotion. The company’s flagship brand ‘Nomarks’ is now available in nearly 20,000 outlets in 30 countries.

NEW PRODUCTS DRY GIN: Highland Distillery has introduced Vogue premium dry gin in Nepal. It will be available in hotels, restaurants, bars and stores throughout the country.

SMART WHISKY: McDowell’s is now offering its No. 1 Reserve Whisky Smart Pouch. The pouch is tamper proof and once opened, cannot be resealed. It is also designed as a waterproof carry bag. 750ml size only, Rs 500.

ENTERTAIN AT HOME: ATC Exim has launched the Fujitsu Deskpower TX Home Entertainment PC system. It includes a 32- inch LCD screen and 600GB of storage space, enough to store up to 450 hours of tv and movie recording. Rs 275,000 with Fujitsu’s one year warranty.

BANKING OVERSEAS EARNINGS: Bank of Kathmandu is planning to use the more than Rs 180 million in profits that it earned last fiscal year to open more branches countrywide, develop its information technology capacity, improve service in consumer loans and support businesses that have high rates of return, it announced in a press release. The bank has also launched a new service where customers can convert overseas remittances into cash quickly without having a BoK account. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 “It’s everyone’s right to rebel”

JB PUN

Interview with Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal) in Himal 10,000 personnel is enough to give them training. Nobody revolutionary parties and eventually sharpen our Khabarpatrika, 30 June-16 July will threaten anyone after the whole population is armed. ideology. We are not slaves of any person. But we do not make our political differences personal. Himal Khabarpatrika: What’s your take on the Why are you still underground? government-Maoist talks? We formed our talks team to show that we are in favour of What were your issues with him? Badal: Our emphasis is that it should be made peace. But there is still a lack of ethnic, gender and It was about leadership and the process for its decisive. There is a possibility of the talks failing, but regional representation in the team. So, there is a development. that is not in our hands. possibility of forming another team. Besides, it was our party decision to make our special team public only later. Can you simplify that? So, you see possibility of the talks failing? There is an issue of whether the Maoist leadership will We will not be the reason for it but failure is possible if So, you are not coming out? join the government, be like the UML. I will not join the there is foreign interference, armed repression and I am grateful to people who want to see me but I have to government or become the president. If I do so, then I will conspiracy. Statements like the one the Nepal Army fulfil my role in other ways. There could be others who are become KP Oli and a Pajero-man. Why did the Soviet made are not helpful. trying to keep me inside but the people brought me out. Union fall? It wasn’t just because of the Americans. The Only the people and struggle can create leaders. They are Janjatis are a majority but why are they being ruled by Will you return to war if the constituent assembly results not born on their own. the minority caste? Why blame only the Bahuns for do not favour your party? You can’t always ask us the same question again and that? We should be able to identify our own mistakes. We again. We are often asked about how we will manage There are rumours you didn’t want to be part of the team should send deputies and not their chiefs to government. our PLA and arms. The future is uncertain and anything due to your dissatisfaction. If they make mistakes, they can be brought back on track. could happen tomorrow. But we are saying that we will This is not true. Such rumours will only create a rift do as per the aspirations of the masses. between people and the revolutionaries. I am not yet public Is it true you want to rebel? not due to discontentment or any feeling of rebelling. You That is also true. It is everyone’s birth right to rebel. Why is there a delay in demobilising the Maoist army? can’t expect everyone to be in the talks team. There will be rebellion if any party leader does injustice Our proposal is to militarise all the people after to the people and cadres. I will rebel. Every citizen demobilising both the Nepal Army and the PLA. Different Didn’t you have a row with Prachanda? should rebel against anyone betraying the nation and groups will have their own militia. A regular army of Disagreements, debates and discussions happen in the people. FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 7 estimate his true worth. The king what can we do, we still have to by the government. No delays is said to have deposited pay them,” complains a young should be permitted that might hundreds of millions of dollars in man from Khugri. “They have not allow the trust between the a Swiss bank. In addition, nearly stopped extortion even when we government and Maoists to fade nine tons of gold were taken to show them the code of conduct,” away. Europe. says Netra Giri. Ram Chandra

Thapa says he has not received any Is there hope? ○○○○○○○○○ Army politics word from his party’s leadership ○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and adds: “We will have to keep Janadharna, 6 July Jana Aastha, 5 July collecting money till the Edit constituent assembly elections.” Distrust is growing about forming Write The generals at army an interim government that Report

headquarters have decided Arms management includes the Maoists. It seems like ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to celebrate King ○○○○ the process will take a very long Design Gyanendra’s birthday on 7 Nepal Samacharpatra, 6 July time especially with both Are you passionate and July although the Washington and New Delhi committed to journalism? government announced that Government ministers and the strongly stating that the Maoists Does it consume you? Are there will be no official leaders of the ruling political should disarm first. And both the you looking for a fulfilling celebration. Tribhuban Army parties have been continuously Maoists and the seven parties are career in media? Officers Club has organised a talking about the need for running into problems concerning celebration ceremony inside the weapons management before two key agendas of their 8-point If you are dedicated to a club premises and COAS Pyar elections to the constituent understanding. One, the existence journalism career, you may Jung Thapa is to go to the assembly. Normally, in an of the parliament is posing a be just the person we in palace to give the king a assembly election, or election to problem for the Maoists. Two, Himalmedia are looking for birthday present. The royal any body for that matter, all managing the Maoist militia and as we broaden our horizon family used to be invited to the mainstream political parties or arms is becoming a key problem for Wave magazine and Nepali Times. army HQ for a formal dinner forces should compete as for the parties. The parties are not and the palace’s army secretariat independent entities without prepared to dissolve parliament You need a flair for used to organise another dinner arms. If any armed force tries to unless there is a suitable language in both Nepali and for the ADCs. Meanwhile, the play a role, the result will surely alternative that could form a English, an interest in layout promotions of some senior army not be in favour of freedom and constituent assembly and draft an and design, must be officers have been held up due to a human rights. Being armed would interim constitution. It is clear interested in current affairs tussle between the prime minister signal that the groups do not have why parliament is needed. Besides and updated on Nepal’s and the palace. The names of five faith in the people, a point that addressing the economic, political economy, officers who cleared Staff College needs to be considered seriously. political, social and cultural development trends and exams and were recommended for Probably that is why the issues raised by the Maoists, the youth culture. promotion to the Colonel position government and the Maoists at parliament has done well in Photojournalism and computer graphics skills were sent to the palace in April. their high level meeting on 16 scrapping the king’s privileges and MIN BAJRACHARYA welcome. “Due to this delay in promotion June agreed on the need to manage political authority. But there are hundreds of majors are holding weapons. Further, they agreed to rumours that the parties are Apply today with cv and the position of chiefs of battalions invite the United Nations to targeting the king in order to a crisp 200 word essay on and captains are the chiefs of manage the weapons before the signal to the Maoists that they too why you think we should various companies,” a highly constituent assembly elections. could be easily sidelined. This is hire you. placed army source told us. Army Consequently, the government has why the possibility of the talks sources say some of the transfers now sent a formal letter to the UN. succeeding is getting slimmer. [email protected]

King’s property are unfair and based on family ties UN Assistant Secretary General India and the US are still not [email protected]

○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ or loyalty bonds. Kul Chandra Gautam, who was in convinced that the Maoists will Deshantar, 2 July Nepal a few days back, hinted that disarm as easily as the SPA leaders

In Rolpa the UN would take the request claim. Washington has already ○○○○○ For the first time, there is an ○○○○○○○○○○○○ positively. We would expect that warned that it would never official demand to disclose the Budhabar, 5 July no further dispute will arise as the support an interim government property details of King government and Maoists have that includes armed Maoists. Gyanendra and the royal family. Megbahadur Shah from Ghodagau, already agreed to seek UN Prachanda himself has said that The ‘poor nation’s rich king’ has Rolpa is a teacher whose house assistance. Therefore, the UN his army will not be demobilised been given a 15 day deadline, after and land were ‘captured’ by the should immediately assemble a and its arms surrendered unless which the public accounts Maoists on charges that he did not team of diplomats and experts and the constituent assembly is committee of the parliament has pay the demanded ‘donation’. start work in the areas requested formed. decided to form its own Shah was declared an ‘exploiter’ investigation team to reveal the for not giving in to the demands royal wealth. The committee will and almost two bighas of his land send a letter to the royal palace was taken. The Maoists gave the through the cabinet. But there is land to its workers to till while still no certainty if the palace will Shah’s house is still being used by submit the property details. the village ‘people’s government’. Minister for Law, Justice and Locals complain that the Maoists Parliamentary Affairs Narendra are not abiding by their agreement Bikram Nembang has said the with the seven parties in which process for disclosing the king’s they agreed to return all property will start after confiscated property to its rightful discussion at the cabinet. After owners. Makendra Singh’s the royal massacre, all of King property was taken over as Birendra’s property was punishment when his father transferred to King Gyanendra. attacked Maoist village These included the Narayanhiti government chief Ram Chandra Palace, Nagarjun Palace and the Thapa. A villager had filed a case forest, Gokarna, Matatirtha and against Krishna Bahadur in the Satungal, Balaju, Sallaghari of Maoist court and the father Bhaktapur and Pokhara. Other attacked Thapa in anger during the royal property includes Nirmal hearing. Thapa’s son burnt down Nibas, Kathmandu Plaza, Bijaya Singh’s house in retaliation while Nibas in Tahachal, Diyalo the Maoists confiscated the land. Bungalow in Bharatpur, Locals say that Krishna Bahadur, Referee: Army who works in Mumbai, did attack Yellow Card: Statement Himalayan Tea Garden in Jhapa Robin Sayami inHimal Khabarpatrika, 30 June - 16 July and so on. For many years, Nepali Thapa but that his son is citizens have wanted the king’s innocent. The Maoists are still extorting money from locals. QUOTE OF THE WEEK wealth made public and “ While teachers, farmers and civil nationalised. This will be You (journalists) are all brainless. How can I as a royal field marshall advise the servants have to pay five percent possible after all the royal king? I am nothing. properties are made public. of their salary, those with family “ members working overseas have to Sanubhai Dangol, who worked World Hindu Federation President Bharat Kesar Simha quoted pay Rs 5,000 a year. “We are not with the palace for the last 35 in Samacharpatra, 6 July, talking to the press following his taking loans and risking our lives years, said that the king himself appearance at the Rayamajhi Commission would find it difficult to in Malaysia for the Maoists but SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 ART

Gateway Window of Manang Reflection of Manang

Bikrant Shrestha Himalaya Gautam Erina Tamrakar “Manang is one of the most “The culture of Manang is filled with “I used to work on figures of women beautiful places in Nepal. It vibrant colours that represent the most of the time but the beauty of actually feels like you’re in beauty of the people living in such this enchanting place inspired heaven. Before entering harsh conditions. This work is both me to try my hand with landscape. the villages one has to usually a window to and of Manang. The In this painting I have tried pass through gateways. This semi-abstract vibrant colours represent the to showcase the original Manang in a semi- work depicting a gate tries to symbolise entering beautiful culture that they have while the darker shades abstract form.” this heaven." depict the harshness of the reality that surrounds them.” Brushing up onManang

Eight Nepali artists were taken to Manang to paint their impressions. They stayed, they observed and they painted for two weeks in May, soaking in the spectacular beauty of this trans-Himalayan valley. Their 60 works of art will soon be displayed at an exhibition Om Mane Padme Hum Series at the Nepal Tourism Board. Nepali Times got a preview of the Sunita Rana paintings and asked the artists to choose one and say a few words “This is the first of the set of six paintings on Om Mane about it. This unique artists’ retreat was organised by the Manang Padme Hum. I was impressed by the concept of the prayer flags and Youth Society to encourage young Nepali artists and to promote how they are meant to spread the word of peace. They have colours eco-tourism in the Himalaya. representing the five elements— earth, wind, water, fire and ether. On the flags are written prayers for Impressions of Manang peace which flutter in the wind and 10-12 August, Nepal Tourism Board are carried to the world.”

ALLPICS: MIN BAJRACHARYA Annapurna III

Bidhata KC “For some reason I woke up very early that morning. In the pre-dawn light I went out and saw the silver moon over the snowy mountains while the eastern sky lightened. Prayer flags waved silently. It was this most beautiful moment that made me see the importance of the symbiosis between man and nature.” 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 9

Milarepa’s Cave

Sudarshan Bikram Rana “No matter how beautiful nature is, without people it is empty. The great Tibetan Buddhist saint Milarepa is a central figure in the history of Manang. How Milarepa and Manang benefited from each other shows there is far more to be learnt from nature than from any philosophy or ideology. The white in the centre represents the Milarepa cave or the light of learning while the mixture of dark and light depicts the colours of life.”

Landscape (Pisang)

Rajendra KC “Never before in my life had I seen such a beautiful and touching spot, especially because there were so many aspects of nature in the same place. The beauty riveted me to the spot as I sat there for five hours trying to transfer the panoramic view in front of me to canvass in a realistic manner so that art lovers could also understand what I felt.”

Realistic Landscape

Hare Ram Jojiju “This was a scene I captured on the way to Manang village. It’s a realistic landscape painted with a summer colour which gives a touch of fantasy and mystery to the scene on the canvass.” 10 NATION 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 The project that 40 years ago planted seeds of Nepal’s community forestry finally The greening winds down

NACRMLP PICS: MARTY LOGAN MARTY LOGAN once-denuded hillsides. But few forest, it was difficult to get involvement and ownership was 2000 the project was renamed the in CHAUTARA know that the seeds of that wood but today there is no essential. Also, they found that Nepal Australia Community success were planted here in shortage,” Manik Lal tells us. The regeneration was so fast in the Resource Management and anik Lal Shrestha Sindhupalchok and Kabhre in success of his Chaapal Danda Himalayan mid-hills that as long Livelihoods Project (NACRMLP), remembers 30 years ago 1976 by an Australian forestry Community Forest Users Group as livestock were stall-fed, the signalling a renewed focus on Mwhen the mountains that project that pioneered the concept has permitted farmers to buy forests would spring back in a poverty reduction. The project surround this scenic capital of of letting villagers manage the extra livestock and communities few monsoons. These lessons was finally closed on 30 June. Sindhupalchok district were commons. to invest in infrastructure like were incorporated into the “The project contributed to a barren. From his porch, Manik Lal can roads and schools. government’s 1976 National fundamental paradigm shift for But over the years he has survey almost all 56 hectares of Initially, Australian experts Forestry Plan and the 1988 forestry academics around the watched the dry brown hills turn the Chaapal Danda forest that his used their expertise for Master Plan. world,” Percy Stanley, AusAid’s into lush green slopes. community manages on a nearby reforestation of the hills on the In the 1970s and 1980s, the South Asia director told a In fact, across Nepal’s slope, one of hundreds of such Valley rim. But through trial and forestry project focused on land- function in Kathmandu last week midhills, the spread of areas set up by local communities error they soon learnt you use planning, establishing 100 to mark the project’s end. “Locally community forestry has here in the past decades. couldn’t protect forests with community-run seedling appropriate adaptations for dramatically returned forests to “Thirty years ago there was no barbed wire. Community nurseries for example. But by ensuring community involvement Meeting Pasang in Rolpa Rare interview with a reclusive Maoist commander

KIYOKO OGURA in ROLPA first-ever attack on an army base in November 2001 in Ghorahi where he stayed e sits on a chair in front of a flag to gather intelligence for the attack. Pun depicting two AK47s flanking a claims 4,500 people, including 1,900 H mountain with a red star over the ‘volunteers’, participated in the attack on summit. He is among the more reclusive Beni. The force started their march from Maoist commanders and this is a rare Thabang in Rolpa. When they arrived in interview. Nanda Kishor Pun, Comrade Takam of Myagdi they brought forward the Pasang, agrees to meet me in an office-like raid by two days when they found that the house in the small valley of Kureli in army knew about the impending attack. Rolpa and the meeting lasts five hours. Pun also admitted Maoist defeats in He is one of the four deputy- Bhalubang and Kusum in 2003 and two commanders of the Maoist ‘People’s attacks on RNA barracks in Khara of Liberation Army’ and is directly under Rukum. He said the main reasons for these Prachanda who is the supreme commander. defeats were lack of preparation and leakage Pun, 40, was born in Rangsi in of information to the security forces. northwestern Ropla as the second among Unlike three other deputy commanders, seven siblings. By the time he was in Ananta, Prabhakar and Baldeb who fourth grade, he was already a communist commanded divisions, Pun has been made and actively involved in student politics in-charge of the Maoist military academy.

becoming a member of the first district KIYOKO OGURA Prabhakar and Baldeb have been included committee of the CPN (Unity Centre- as public speakers at Maoist meetings and Masal). He led a cultural group during the RED STAR OVER EVEREST: Maoist deputy commander Nanda Kishore Pun poses in front Ananta has been enlisted to provide a banner at his office in Rolpa in March. first general election campaign after 1990 security to top leaders in the capital but and became the first district president of Pun’s role today is unclear. the newly-formed Young Communist When the Maoists formed squads in in January 1999 to the battle for Beni Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal) was League. This was an armed front of the Rolpa made up of members of the in March 2004. It wasn’t always easy, himself in Kathmandu last week and told Unity Centre formed to counter activities Ladaku Dal in May 1996 Pun was made he says. me Pun was providing political training to of the then ruling NC which was filing in-charge. And when the PLA was formed “When eight of our comrades were PLA members. “He’s is quite busy these cases against their party. This YCL was in September 2001, he was made killed in a raid on a police post of days,” Thapa said, “he and some other transformed into Ladak u Dal (Fighting commander of the first battalion. When Rukumkot in April 2001 we felt very leaders who have not yet appeared in Force) which was a precursor to the PLA. new formations– company, battalion, bad,” Pun remembers, “and we saw the public will come out soon.” Thirty-five members (including two brigade or division–were formed, Pun number of martyrs increase after we took During another meeting last month, women) of four Ladaku Dals launched the always led them. on the RNA. We lost nearly 80 comrades Pun himself said: “We were obliged to ‘People’s War’ by attacking a police post in He took part in most of the major in the Beni action and even more in the carry weapons but I am quite happy with Holeri on the night of 13 February 1996. Maoist attacks in western Nepal, from the second Khara attack.” the present political development as we Pun took part as an assistant commander first action on security forces at the Pun revealed that he personally took have wanted a peaceful solution since the under Ananta. Jhimpe communication tower in Salyan part in planning battles including the beginning.” z NATION 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 11

BEFORE AND AFTER: The hills around Chautara in 1978 (far left) and today. Chaapal Danda Community Forest guard Chok Bahadur Dulal In high demand and Secretary Manik Lal Shrestha with trees marked of Nepal in LEH for thinning. DANIEL B HABER in natural resource management t a sidewalk table on Leh’s Zangsti Road tourists sip an are now found in many organic seabuckthorn juice made from a high-altitude desert countries of Africa, Central and A berry native to Tibet. Only a few of them hear the familiar South America.” sound of Nepali being spoken nearby. “I’m sad,” says Deepak Chhering Sherpa, 26, is from Dolakha and came overland from Pradhan of the Lampate Kathmandu in June with his friends. They hoped to find work as Consumer Community Forest trekking guides here in India’s trans-Himalayan region. The journey here. “The project gave us some took them five days via Delhi and Manali, and they feel at home training that the government is because Leh is just like Mustang. not giving and we still need to “This is my first time in Ladakh,” says Chhering who works for Divine Treks, “but my friends come every monsoon.” The Nepali learn more about managing the guides watch as jeeps full of backpackers roar off on treks to Nubra forest.” Pradhan’s group earns Valley or Zanskar, waiting to be called by one of the trekking about Rs 100,000 a year selling agencies whose storefront offices are across the street. timber, investing in livestock for It seems like Nepalis are around every corner here, all of them members and forest migrating for the summer trekking season to a place where their maintenance. have to give the community examining thinning guidelines work ethic and skills are highly appreciated. In its last phase, the project forest user groups the developed by the project in the Dhan Bahadur Magar, 22, is from Bouddha and works as a worked closely with 20 responsibility to stand on their last year. The thinned trees could trekking cook. Just down the street, 18-year-old Santosh Gurung community forest user groups in own two feet.” be sold now and would provide a from Balaju was serving Israeli breakfasts at the World Peace Cafe the two districts to develop Australia will provide US lot of income for the local & Pumpernickel German Bakery, which is run by a Sikh. There are several German Bakeries in Leh and not only are they all staffed by Forest Operation Plans that 482,000 to the UNDP’s Micro- communities, says DFO Arun S Nepalis, they serve the same pastries and yak cheese sandwiches emphasise good governance, enterprise Development Program Poudyal. But villagers are as their Thamel counterparts. But Gurung has a complaint: most of business development and from 2006-2008 to help forest reluctant to let their long-tended the customers don’t leave tips. This season has also been slow sustainable management of communities market their forests go, fearing that if they let because of the World Cup. forests. Some of the groups products. contractors in, they’ll cut Himal Rana works out of Delhi as a trekking guide and has been started enterprises that make Now that the trees are mature, everything down. coming to Ladakh for many years. Sipping tea at a hotel staffed goods such as bio briquettes and communities are grappling with NACRMLP estimates that completely by Nepalis, Rana, 47 and from Dharan, says clients sal leaf plates, which provide new problems of forest selling timber from community prefer Nepali guides “because we are more experienced, look after 230 jobs to locals. management. The average forest forests could earn the villages Rs them better and don’t tire so easily”. So why shut down contains up to 700 trees per 1 billion a year for the next 20 something that was working so hectare but Poudyal says they years. Said Stanley in his well? Australian Ambassador should be thinned to about 300 farewell speech: “Rs 1 billion a Graeme Lade says it was the new trees a hectare, providing room year in the hands of local groups priorities for Australian foreign for those remaining to grow larger can finance the building and aid. “Also, a project at some stage and more valuable. management of a lot of rural has to finish,” he added, “you The Ministry is now infrastructure.” z

From guides to cooks, Nepalis are sought after in Ladakh for their quality work

Rinchen Namgyal, a Ladakhi who runs Yama Adventures, agrees. “Nepalis are more experienced, well-trained and more professional, the locals just aren’t as good,” he tells us. Nepali cooks earn up to NRs 8,500 a month plus room and travel costs to and from Nepal for the three-month season. While on the surface there doesn’t appear to be local resentment against the migrants, as there is towards the influx of Kashmiri merchants, two Ladakhi Delhi University students who work as guides during their summer holidays said there were “too many Nepalis” in Ladakh. There are also complaints about “too many Tibetans” coming not from Ladakhis, who share the same culture, but from other Tibetans. Tibetan refugees come to Ladakh to peddle handicrafts and jewellery, like in Pokhara. “A few years ago there were only three Tibetan goods markets, now there are a dozen,” rued 21-year- old Tenzin Lakmeon, whose family had been coming to Ladakh from Mysore annually to sell goods for many years. When the summer season ends in October, the Tibetans, along with the Nepali cooks, kitchen staff, waiters and hotel workers, will follow the sun to Goa for the winter while the guides and porters will return to Nepal or Sikkim. Only the Nepali migrant farm hands will stay a little longer to help harvest the barley and pluck apricots. z 12 INTERNATIONAL 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305

Nathu La reopens after 44 years a week after the railway arrives in Lhasa China’s World Cup ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BEIJING—China failed to qualify for the World Cup but the country is still in the grip of genuine football fever, which has had the effect of reversing long-standing government China’s passage to India restrictions on unbridled public revelry and large gatherings. Haunted by memories of youthful crowds during the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations on Tiananmen Square, Chinese communist leaders banned ‘illegal’ rallies and frowned on spontaneous festivities. But this year, Beijing seems to have given in to the intoxicating thrill of the world’s most watched sports event and relaxed its strict rules. The place to be in Beijing is the Summer Temple in Ritan Park where centuries ago Chinese emperors held ceremonies and made sacrifices to the sun god.

Reporter killed ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ GANGTOK—High in the in combat fatigues. It is like a custom house is back in few people live in the area at the PESHAWAR—Three weeks Himalayas, a barbed wire fence scene from some old war film. business. And it’s not a moment, the opening of the pass after Hayatullah Khan Dawar’s snakes its way across a desolate This is where the Chinese and coincidence that the reopening is also likely to bring a rapid body was found handcuffed landscape. On most days, a Indian armies have faced off Nathu La pass on 6 July came a increase in population as trade and shot, his apparent death in thick, white, freezing cloud against each other across a week after China inaugurated and industry is revived. custody has become a rallying descends across the peaks and it border that has been closed for its high altitude railroad But this historic revival of call for those demanding an is hard to see anything. 44 years. linking Lhasa to the mainland. trade ties has also sparked off end to attacks on journalists in But now and then a figure At nearly 4,500m above sea The first passenger train concern among wild life Pakistan’s sensitive tribal looms out of the mist, dressed level, the world’s highest arrived at Lhasa Railway activists who fear the initiation areas along the Afghanistan Station at 0:31 AM on 4 July, of a new route for wild life border. Many in this frontier having left Golmud at 11:05 smuggling from India. Wildlife city believe that Dawar’s murder was related to AM on Saturday. The first Trust of India (WTI) and World photographs he took that train carried model workers Wildlife Fund-India (WWF- seemed to prove that and heroes from the railway’s India) have already started Egyptian-born al-Qaeda construction, 960km of which sensitising enforcement leader Abu Hamza Rabia, and is 4,000m above sea level and authorities on this new four others who died in North more than 550km of which possibility. Waziristan in an explosion on crosses permafrost. Passenger 1 December, were hit by a US cabins of this train are the first army missile. Dawar’s in the world to be pressurised. pictures, showing fragments Nathu La once accounted from a laser-guided ‘Hellfire’ for 80 percent of the border missile and published in the trade between the two local press, contradicted the neighbours. A border dispute Pakistani army’s claim that pushed India and China into a Hamza and his associates had bloody, high-altitude war in died while trying to 1962. This led to the closure of manufacture a bomb. the route, which runs from Sikkim to Tibet.

When the border post Khmer Rouge ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ reopened on 6 July some of the BANGKOK— As Cambodia trade was expected to be much crossed another milestone in the same as in Silk route days: the troublesome journey to yak tails, sheepskins, raw create a war crimes tribunal to wool, china clay and Chinese try the leaders of the genocidal silk. But manufactured goods Khmer Rouge regime, the such as electrical appliances, The WWF-India programme survivors of that brutal period watches, crockery, shoes and coordinator, Dipankar Ghosh are raising a cry for complete canned food will also be says Tibet is considered the transparency during the trial. traded. conduit for smuggled wildlife This desire for ‘an open “The reopening of border from India to China. Nathu La process’ is more important trade will help to end would provide a shortcut to than the indictments that may economic isolation in this smugglers taking tiger parts, be served at the end of the area,” a Tibetan official, Hao rhino horns and other wildlife trial, says one of this Peng, told Xinhua. “If only 10 products from Indian national Southeast Asian country’s leading crusaders for justice percent of Sino-Indian trade parks. on behalf of the Khmer Rouge goes through the pass, it Tibetan nationalists are also victims. “The court must be means more than $1billion a worried that the railroad to Tibet open and transparent and the year.” Trade between India and and reopening Nathu La will public from all sides of China, conducted mostly by tighten Beijing’s hold on Tibet. Cambodian society must be sea, has boomed in recent ‘The opening of the Lhasa given access to the years. Last year it jumped by railroad, the new Nyingchi proceedings. The need for the more than a third to $18.73bn. Airport near the tri-junction of victims to hear and tell of their Mohan Guruswamy, the Tibet, India and Burma and suffering must be protected,” head of the New Delhi-based Nathu La will mark the success said Youk Chhang, director of Centre for Policy Alternatives, of China’s long-drawn political, the Phnom Penh-based said: “The reopening of Nathu military and economic strategies Documentation Centre of La will also help revive the to deal with domestic and Cambodia. The Maoist Khmer economy of Darjeeling and external challenges,’ wrote P Rouge regime killed close to West Bengal.” Stopdan in the Indian Express 1.7 million Cambodians, Calcutta is just 500km this week. nearly one-quarter of the from Nathu La and the port The Tibetan website Phayul country’s population, during its city will provide much-needed called the railway ‘an uparallel reign of terror from 1975-79. sea access to Tibet. Although track to invasion’. SPORTS 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 13 The worldwide cup A Nepali waves the flag in Germany, our flag

KABITA PARAJULI in MUNICH

owntown Munich, three minutes from our hotel, is bright yellow. Swarms of Portuguese-speaking yellow merge and D cross waves of laughing English-speaking yellow. Inflated kangaroos squat on people’s shoulders, watching live performances in the middle of a sidewalk. Impromptu shows play out next to fruit stalls and fountains: a breathtaking display of capoeira, a crowd singing Waltzing Matilda, drums, samba and songs in a very Globalised World Cup different accent. Everywhere you go there are Aussies and Brazilians talking and teasing each other. At one point, a Seleção supporter turns to an If only migrant workers could move freely as football players Aussie: “You’re going to lose 3-nil!” he says. The other guy in yellow just shakes his head and goes, “I know.” Both laugh, and finish their BRANKO MILANOVIC were ever imposed on players’ football, the opposite is true for drinks. movements. competitions between national Another day, another city, another colour: this time, it’s an his year’s World Cup has So wherever globalisation and teams. The average winning invasion of the reds. Stuttgart is the scene of the Spain-Tunisia proven once again that full commercialisation reign margin among the top eight game. Coming out to the main street from the train station into the football is the world’s most supreme, there is an unmistakable World Cup national teams has sunlight, the noise overwhelms. Nearly everyone is sporting a T Spain jersey. popular sport and the world’s concentration of quality and steadily decreased, from more most globalised profession. success. The richest clubs are now than two goals in the 1950’s, to Tunisia loses and even though I was cheering for Spain (who executed a brilliant turnaround once Raul came on after half-time), It is inconceivable that able to attract the best players in about 1.5 goals in the 1960’s, it’s a sad loss considering their first half performance. The train Brazilian, Cameroonian, or the world. Yet this has arguably 1970’s and 1980’s, and only 0.88 station is filled with dancing Spaniards and sulking Tunisians. Japanese doctors, computer been accompanied by improved goals in the 2002 World Cup. Côte d’Ivoire was my favourite team going into the competition, scientists, blue-collar workers, or quality in the game itself, owing The same is true of all games Serbia-Montengro ‘my team’ eight years ago and both squads had bank tellers could move from one to what economists call played at the final tournament, much hype surrounding them. But neither had any chance of making country to another as easily as ‘increasing returns to scale’. not only those among the top the next round, with their losses to Argentina and the Netherlands. Brazilian, Cameroonian, or When the best players play eight national teams. The decrease Côte d’Ivoire, fractured by civil war, enjoyed a ceasefire during the Japanese football players do. together, the quality of each, and in winning margins is all the World Cup. As Didier Drogba, striker and national icon, said, “The Indeed, London’s Arsenal of the team as a whole, increases more impressive because the team is what Ivory Coast once was and should be. We have players football club is composed entirely exponentially. When Ronaldinho World Cup has grown from 16 to who have different religions and come from different tribes on the of foreigners, including a French and Messi, or Kaka and 32 national teams, many of them team. We have a lot of fun. We want to win together. That’s our message.” coach. Even the captain roles are Shevchenko, play together, their new and rather inexperienced. As I lined up to go into the stadium, I struck up a conversation no longer reserved for domestic combined output (number of Free movement has meant that with a group next to me. “Where are you from?” one tall German players: Thierry Henry, a goals) is greater than the sum of good players from small leagues asked me. Frenchman, is Arsenal’s captain, goals that each would score if he improve much more than they “I’m Nepali,” I replied. Andriy Shevchenko, a Ukrainian, played in a different club with would have had they stayed “From Napoli?” was often the captain of AC Milan less talented co-players. home. A good Danish or Bulgarian “No, Nepal…” I prepared to launch into an explanation but and will play next year for the Free mobility of labour in player improves much faster if he there was no need. English champions Chelsea. other areas would probably joins Manchester United or “Wow,” the man’s friends responded, in genuine amazement. A Christiano Zanetti, an Argentine, produce the same effect. If Barcelona. Improvement in camera appeared overhead. is captain of Inter Milan. doctors, computer specialists, or quality was captured by national ”We’ve never seen a Nepali before.” Similarly, dozens of South engineers were allowed to move teams playing in the World Cup Americans and Africans play in freely, the concentration of talent thanks to FIFA’s rule requiring Russian, Turkish, Polish, and in the richest countries would players to play only for their various Southeast European most likely increase. Inequality in national team. Eto’o can play for leagues. the distribution of talent across any Spanish, Italian, or English Football provides a glimpse of countries would rise, even if total club, but in the national how true globalisation of labour world output of goods and competitions, he can play only would work. In football, as in services, and their average quality, for Cameroon. In other words, other occupations, restrictions on improved, as with football today. FIFA has introduced an labour mobility came entirely But, while we see inequality institutional rule that allows from the demand side. No limits and exclusion in club-level small countries (in the football sense) to capture some of the benefits of today’s higher-quality Flat world, round ball game, thereby partly reversing the This World Cup demonstrates that Europe and South America are more leg drain. dominant than four years ago and remain the unchallenged great powers The same rule could be of international soccer. So we must hope that the World Cup in South Sitting there with my flag, I imagined being amongst a group of Africa in 2010 will finally bring greater global parity. applied to other activities. Free Nepali fans, cheering for our team. Would we be like the South International soccer is also witnessing the advent of a new movement of skilled labour could Koreans, relentless in our support of the team, screaming throughout generation. Spain, Argentina, and Germany, to name but a few countries, be accompanied by binding the game, just as loudly when we were up 2-0 as down 2-0? I am have put forward very young teams that have played an impressive international requirements that sure that we would not be of the booing type, unsporting, derisive of game. This generational change is accompanied by a faster pace of the migrants from poor countries every move made by the opposing team, condemning every call the game itself so the top teams can shrink space on the field more spend, say, one year in five ref makes against ours. Would we be a tiny, enthusiastic group, like effectively. working in their countries of the Ivorians, outnumbered by our non-native supporters and perhaps A team that is unable to keep going at full speed for the full 90 (or even by our opponents’ fans but adamant in making our presence more) minutes, switch from defence to offence quickly with the whole origin. They would bring home heard? Nepal didn’t make the finals but like the Irish and South team, and maintain control of the ball to restrict their opponents’ skills, technology, and African flags the Nepali double triangle also deserved to be there. movements won’t stand much of a chance. connections that are as valuable as The power of football extends far beyond the field or the stands. Here, soccer parallels today’s globalised markets, which make the skills that Eto’o, Essien, or Like a fine, invisible dust it moves through the air, settling on those it similar restructuring of national economies necessary. Unlike economic Messi bring back to Cameroon, encounters. The world loves this tournament. There is the quality of globalisation, however, it remains to be seen whether this new, fast- Ghana, or Argentina. The football, inevitable when the most elite players are gathered together paced style of soccer will prevail (after all, the young blood of Spain world should learn from the on a field: 24 or 25 uninterrupted passes culminating in a lost to the Old Boys of France). The sport and its fans will certainly spectacular goal, a team effort. The power and grace of a midfielder profit if it does. World Cup. z Project Syndicate as he sprints across the field, weaving through the defence, the Branko Milanovic is an superhuman strength with which a goalie leaps into the air. economist at the Carnegie I savour the sense of unity, the camaraderie, the energy. Munich Endowment for as I know it is one big party, where you know you will have International something in common with the person next to you. As I watch a game Peace. live, it strikes me that people the world over are viewing this exact spectacle. There are individuals cheering for Ghana in Germany and Nepal. Also in New Delhi, in Namibia, in Norway. When you hold your breath before a penalty, there are millions who hold their breaths with you, who utter a collective gasp and cheer. Though you can’t hear them, they are there. Perhaps the best thing about being in Germany was this: watching and jumping and shouting with silent fans from all over the world. z 14 CITY 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305

ABOUT TOWN After the battle with General Zod and his gang of Kryptonian super-villains, Superman mysteriously disappears for six years. After searching for more possible survivors EXHIBITIONS from Krypton and finding none, Superman returns to Metropolis to re-assume the † ™ Pillars of Hope paintings by Gobinda Prasad Sah ‘Azad’ at identity of Clark Kent. Once he returns, he discovers that Lois Lane is in a Siddhartha Art Gallery till 20 July. 4218018 relationship and also has a son. Superman also discovers that Metropolis has ™ Innovative Art by Sri Lankan painter Deneth at New Orleans learned to live without him, causing him to lose his motivation to fight and protect. Café, Thamel, till 20 July. 9803002631 To make matters worse, Superman’s old nemesis Lex Luthor has devised a plan to ™ Bagmati River a photo exhibition at Gallery Café, Lajimpat till defeat the Man of Steel, for good. Superman must put his troubles behind him in 11 July. Entertainment order to protect his lost love, and the city that lost faith in him. Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal EVENTS www.jainepal.com ™ Dance Workshop free hip hop dance classes, 7 July, 12PM at Quest Station Pub, Thamel. 9841292978 ™ Energy, Health and Millennium Development Goal with Rojan Pandey at Martin Chautari, 7 July, 3PM. 4238050 ™ Soccer Night partying the football way at Megha Malhar, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, 7 July 7.30 PM ™ Death and Dying- a Buddhist view with Geshe Tsampel from Kopan Monastery at HBMC, 8 July, 10AM-5PM. Pre-register at 4414843 ™ Romeo and Juliet in modern version at The Royal Nepal Academy, 9 and 10 July at 5PM. 4225890 ™ World Cup Action at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Rodi bar till 9 July. ™ World Population Day 11 July. ™ Travelling Film South Asia ’06, Kathmandu fifteen outstanding documentaries from the Subcontinent, 14-16 July at Yalamaya Kendra, Patan Dhoka. 5537408 ™ Bagmati River Festival till 20 August. 5011013 ™ Dark to Light drama and concert by differently abled people at 1905 Kantipath, 15 July, 4-7PM. www.lights.org.np ™ Sunsilk Nepal Fashion Week at Hotel Hyatt Regency 10-14 August. ™ Alcoholics Anonymous problems with alcohol? 9851016079

MUSIC ™ Heartbreakers live every Friday at Rum Doodle Bar & Restaurant ™ Cadenza Collective live every Wednesday and Saturday 8PM at Upstairs, Lajimpat. ™ Live Music at New Orleans Café. 4700311 ™ Uncork the good times with Ciney and Par-e-jat playing every Friday from 7PM at Fusion bar at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479448 ™ Jatra Friday nights, live music by Siron. 4256622 ™ Unplugged sessions with Strings, Jatra Saturday nights. 4256622

DINING g]kfn slifk[ wfg| d'n's ™ World Cup at K-too! All matches available and a free Irish coffee with every main course. 4470043 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED xf ] . oxfsf+ *) ™ Mezza and Margarita at Dwarika’s Fusion–the bar. Every k|ltzteGbf a9L hgtf Wednesday, Rs 555 Although the total rainfall in June was equal to the monthly average, the rain was concentrated s[lif k;fdf] cfwfl/t ™ Mango Masti at all restaurants in Soaltee Crowne Plaza. in just a few heavy storms—not spread out over 5g \ . sn" /fli6o« cfosf] 4273999 the month. We still haven’t had the prolonged KATHMANDU ™ Wet & Wild Summer Splash at Godavari Village Resort, a monsoon jhari that is normal for the rainy season ‰G8 } $) kltzt| lx:;f special package of Swimming & Lunch. 5560675 and which paddy farmers need for their rice crop clxn ] klg slif[ Ifqn] ] g} on terraces. The direct sun and lack of clouds sent ™ Breakfast at Singma Restaurant. 8.30 – 11AM daily. 5009092. Kathmandu valley’s temperature soaring to 32 cfu6] sf] ] 5 . l;Ëf] degrees, although it felt much hotter because of d'n'ssf ] cflys,{ ;fdflhs GETAWAYS the humidity. The subcontinet’s weather pattern is dominated by this enormous system that is the d]?b08sf ] ?kdf /xsf] ] ™ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, relaxation and massages in combination of two troughs in the Bay of Bengal s[lifIfq] pklIft] x'g' Pokhara. 4361500 and the Arabian Sea. They cancelled each other ™ Junglewalks rafting, elephant rides all at Jungle Base Camp out and drew the clouds away from Nepal. The x'Fb}g . sifsx¿[ bzsf] Lodge, Bardia. [email protected] fringes of this system will graze western Nepal jf:tljs gfos x'g\ . conference facilities at Godavari and will bring rain over the weekend and cloud ™ Conferences & Workshops cover over the rest of the country. pgLx¿nfO { ;Ddfg / Village Resort 5560675 . sb/ ugk5'{ { . sifsx¿n[ ] ™ Park Village, Budhanilkantha, Full room Rs 1,600. 4375280 KATHMANDU VALLEY ™ Nature Retreat at Park Village Resorts & Spa. 4375280 klg cfˆgf ] kl;gfdfly ™ Escape Kathmandu at Shivapuri Heights Cottage. 9841371927 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ljZjf; ugk5'{ { . gofF ™ Escape to Godavari Village Resort, an overnight stay gof F slif[ k0ffnL| package with breakfast & swimming. For more details 5560675 cjnDag ugk5'{ { . k9\b}df 30-196 29-19 6 29-186 30-20 31-21 v]tL ug '{ gx'g] xfOg] . ‰g \ slifIf[ qnfO] { cfwlgsLs/0f' ug { lzlIft / ;rt] ssifssf[ ] vfrf] g]kfnL 5 . To;}n] slif[ k;fnfO] { Daily 20.45-21.15 on 102.4 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 7 - 13 JULY 2006 #305 15 Film South Asia travels back Kathmandu’s documentary enthusiasts who missed Film South Asia ’05 have another KIRAN PANDAY chance to catch some of the best movies showcased last year. Travelling Film South Asia WE SWEAR: The council of ministers taking its official oath, ’06, Kathmandu runs from 14-16 July at Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka. swearing to god, in parliament on Sunday. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was not present due to ill health. Fifteen films were chosen from those screened at FSA ’05 and they include four of the award winners. These outstanding films are currently also travelling all over South Asia and the world, giving audiences an opportunity to sample an exciting range of topics and themes, presentation styles and techniques.

LIANG KAIXIN TAKING TO THE STREETS : Maoist supporters at a rally on Tuesday outside Singha Darbar demanding the restoration of the 'people's Team Nepal courts' that their leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal disbanded due to A Certain Liberation A passionate team of Nepali footballers, pressure from the political parties last week. Gurudasi Mondol resigned herself to madness in representing a youth club from the Nepali border 1971 when, during the Liberation War of town of Birganj, travel to Sonpur, Bihar in India to Bangladesh, she witnessed the murder of her entire play in a tournament there. Team Nepal is the family at the hands of the collaborators of the documentation of their experiences in Bihar, occupying forces. Today Gurudasi continues to roam travelling, meeting and mixing with other footballers, the streets of Kopilmoni, a small town in rural living in a foreign country and playing the game they Bangladesh, in pursuit of all she has lost, taking love. liberties only her madness and her strength of character afford her. In her beloved home of Teardrops of Karnaphuli Kipilmoni, Gurudasi has now attained near The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is home to 12 legendary status and, through her indomitable predominantly Buddhist ethnic groups, which are presence, she has kept the spirit of the Liberation collectively known as the “Jumma” nation. The first War alive. disruption of the peace in CHT took place from 1959-

The Legend of Fat Mama This is a bittersweet story of the Chinese community MIN BAJRACHARYA in Calcutta intertwined with the nostalgic journey in search of a woman HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUR HOLINESS: Tibetan women dressed up to who once made the celebrate the Dalai Lama's 71'st birthday at Jawalkhel on Thursday. most delicious noodles in the city’s Chinatown district. Thriving street food, disappearing family-run eateries, mahjong clubs, a Chinese printing KIRAN PANDAY press that has shut 1962, when a dam was constructed on the down and its Karnaphuli river, submerging 54,000 acres of arable handwritten land and making refugees of 100,000 people in the counterpart that process. These hill people suffered a second crisis continues to deliver the news every morning and the in 1979 when the government brought Bengalis from first all-woman dragon dance group preparing for the various districts and settled them in CHT. Chinese New Year make up the Chinese heritage in Calcutta. http://www.himalassociation.org/fsa. MIN BAJRACHARYA 01-5542544 HIGH TIDE IN THAMEL: Monday's monsoon rains flooded the alleys of Thamel. Poor drainage due to construction has increased flooding Friday - 14 July this season. 10.00 am Inaugural ceremony 10.30 am Continuous Journey 1.00 pm Team Nepal 2.30 pm Lanka: The Other Side of War and Peace 4.30 pm The Legend of Fat Mama

Saturday - 15 July 10.00 am Final Solution Sunset Bollywood 1.30 pm A Certain Liberation A struggling actor in Bollywood dreams of his big 3.00 pm Teardrops of Karnaphuli screen break. It arrives, and he skyrockets to 4.30 pm The Great Indian School Show stardom. Becoming number one is easy after all– 6.00 pm Dirty Laundry staying there is the hard part. Overnight success is 7.15 pm Girl Song sought by millions but what happens when the lights go out? Where are they now? And why did they KIRAN PANDAY Sunday - 16 July disappear in the first place? In Bombay’s glamorous 10.00 am The Life and Times of a Lady from Avadh: Hima FANCY FOOTWORK: Raveena Joshi of Nabil Bank takes a free kick as celluloid world, failure is not an option. The film 1.30 pm Sunset Bollywood Grade Five children of Rato Bangala School look on during the launch follows three actors on their journey back, each one 3.00 pm City of Photos of Manisha Aryal's children's book Chanchali's Football on unable to accept failure, craving the narcotic high of 4.30 pm Good News Wednesday. celebrity. 5.30 pm The City Beautiful 16 7 - 13JULY 2006 #305 Give us back our holidays ne important trait of us Nepalis (if we may be allowed to modestly toot our own trumpet here) is that we rest on our laurels. Once we O achieve what we set out to achieve, we don’t just sit around and twiddle our thumbs, we go to sleep. It’s the same with the achievements of Jana Andolan IV. Two months www.nepalitimes.com after the Nepali people took power into their own bare hands, it is encouraging to see people are still taking to the streets to demand their right to bring the nation to a standstill in every sphere of life, including the biosphere. The fires of the pro-democracy movement still burn brightly and people from all walks of life are still staging sit-ins, walk- outs, pen-downs, shut-offs and break-ins to show the boss who’s UNDER MY HAT boss. We in the media just can’t keep Kunda Dixit up with all the news of protests pouring in from various parts of the country ever day. At this rate, we in the fourth estate (being self- appointed guardians of freedom and an important part of democracy’s cheque and balance) will have to start devoting a separate supplement in each issue for news of agitations. And what better time to start doing that than with this week’s column itself. Civil servants stage holiday BY OUR BUREAUCRATIC REPORTER The All-Over-Nepal Civil Servants Confederation stayed away from work Friday to protest the government’s cancellation of the holiday on King Gyanendra’s Birthday. Government offices remained closed in protest against what the Confederation declared was a “unilateral and unjust” decision by the government to cancel the holiday. “We’ve had this holiday for 237 years, we demand our right to sit idly by on the king’s birthday,” said a civil servant while chanting pro- republican slogans during a sit-in outside Singha Darbar. “It isn’t fair that only royal palace employees get a holiday.” Deputy Prime Minister locked up BY A MEDICAL CORESPONDENT Employees at the Ministry of Health locked up Deputy Prime Minister Amik Sherchan in his office for eight hours on Tuesday saying he wasn’t devoting enough time to his ministerial portfolio. (Till here, everything in this news item is based on actual fact.) The employees had earlier locked-out the ministry, but found that Minister Sherchan was using it as an excuse not to come to work. So, they waited till the official ceremony welcoming him to his new office, garlanded him and then locked him up. Ministry employees said they fully supported parliament’s decision to declare Nepal a secular state, but would lock up the minister again unless their demand that all Hindu holidays (beginning with Janai Purnima next week) be immediately restored are met. Ronaldinhoís effigy burnt BY OUR POLITICAL FOOTBALL REPORTER Nepali fans of the Brazil team staged a rally outside the office of the Honorary Consul General of Brazil at Hatisar on Sunday denouncing the team’s loss to Germany in the World Cup last week. “We had pinned all our hopes on them, but they let us down, we just can’t tolerate it,” said one enraged fan, “we will block this road until Brazil is put back in the semi-finals.” Later, the protesters burnt an effigy of Ronaldinho blaming him for the loss and blocked traffic at Kamaldi for four hours. The protesters also cancelled a plan to put up a statue of Kaka at Tinkune. Tourists stage walkout Hundreds of tourists who arrived in Kathmandu last week staged a mass walkout from the capital and went on a trek. “We just couldn’t stand the filth and the touts so we decided to just walk out and won’t return until all our demands are met,” said a tourist leading a rally to the airport to board a flight to Lukla. The trekkers, all suffering from upset stomachs, have submitted a 35-point memorandum to the Nepal Tourism Board demanding better living conditions and safe drinking water. If their demands aren’t met the tourists threatened to overstay their visas. ISSN 1814-2613