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Near Radisson Hotel, Lazimpat Kathmandu, Nepal Ph: 413874 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.nepalifood.com/lajana .- CONTENTS

Page

Letters 3

News Notes 4

Briefs 6

Quote Unquote 7

Off The Record 8 COVER STORY: Preparing For Fresh Elections? The main opposition plays a doubtful role by casting serious allegations against the Prime Minister but stopping short of SOUTH ASIA: Missed Opponunities 9 demanding fresh elections Page 16 FIRING AT JAIL: Death Without Cause 11

FOOTBALL : Messed Up 12

CHILDREN : Painful Picture 13

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK: Continued Assistance 14

PALESE PLA YERS : In Search Of Green Pastures 15

ART: The Magnificent Seven 24 EARTHQUAKE IN GUJARAT: Convulsions In Kathmandu Tremors in western India send shivers down the spine of MUSIC: Ugra Karma 25 Kathmanduites. Page 10 FACE TO FACE: Deepti R.L. Rana 26

THE BOTIOMLINE 27

VIEWPOINT: 28

PASTIME 29 INTERVlEW: KUBER SHARMA President of Green Nepal Party LEISURE 30 Sharma says Nepal's revolution­ ary leaders have failed in the task FORUM: Yuba Raj Pandey 32 of nation-building Page 22

SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 2, 2001 SPOTLIGHT EDITOR'S NOTE THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE --~ V~. 20, NO.29, February 2,2001 (Magh 20,2057) he recently concluded convention of Nepali Congress does not seem to - -- have strengthened Girija Prasad Koirala's fragile position, neither as Chief Editor And Publisher Madhav Kumar Rima! Party president nor as Prime Minister. As a matter of fact he should have been able to command an unassailable leadership by virtue of his pany"s Editor absolute majority in the parliament and his strong showing in the party. Sarita Rimal erBut the spate of demand for his resignation from the post of Prime M i nistcr is ri sing steadi Iy Managing Editor every day. Girija Prasad Koirala has lost all credibility. Except a handful of sycophants, a Keshab Poudel fewcloserelativesand insignificant numberofthc mercenary party cadres. he would hardly Associate Editor find a man with a kind word for him. His commitment to root ou t corrupti on, ensure good Bhagrralh Yogi governance and provide total security to the people has proved to be nothing but empty rhctorics of a power hungry corrupt politician. Thecharges he had levclcd at his prcdeces ... Senior Reporter to oust him from the chair of the Chief Executive have boomeranged agaInst 111111 in a m Sanlaya Ohakal devastating manner. 1f he had even a tiny bit of wisdom Girija Prasad Koirala should quit Reporter peacefully in the overall interest of the nation. But Koirala is made of difrerent kind ofstuff. Akshay Sharma He will not bat his eyelid IOsacrifice his country's interest. ifhe can make hiscorerie happy. Design and Layout As such, he is not going 10 oblige his critics but use all means in his power to stick to the Jyoli Singh chair. Portents, as they are. signify bad days ahead. jf there is anyone who can save the situation from deteriorating, it is the king only. Although we do admire his patience and Photographer Nishchal Chapagain faith in constitutional monarchy, we do urge him not to forget that both sides have to play by the rule. If one party is bent on ruining the country. the other party cannot afford 10 stay Art a silent spectator.1fhe has certain obligation to preserve the constitution. he has even bigger M.S. Khokna obligation 10 preserve the integrity of the count ry and safeguard the li ves and propeny of Legal Advisor his twenty twO million poor people. It need not be emphasized that the country and the Advocate Lok Bhakta Rana people are bigger th an the constitution. Marketing/Advertisement * * • Saril Rimal (USA) The more than a decade old Bhutanese refugee problem. many may think. is on the way 10 be resolved. But. we would rather not come to such a hasty conclusion. Becausc. if Bhutan Marketing Madan Kaji Basnet docs agree to take back all the refugees. why did it drive them away from their home and Navin Kumar Maharjan hearth? It seems so unnatural. Even though she ha!) agreed for spot in vestigation and has Madan Raj Poudel sent her first team, the resolution of the vicious problem does not ~cem to be easy. It is going to be a long drawnout and laborious process. That the Bhutanesc refugees shoulll Editorial Office GPO Box 7256, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, to Nepal is in itself quite surprising. Without acontiguous border. even ofN"palese on Tel: (977-1) 423127, Fax: (977-1) 417845 the Bhutallese refugees should have stayed in contiguous Inllia. But the first few batches Chief Edllors : 435594 of the refugees had reponed that they were forced by the Indian Border Security Force to E-mail: [email protected] Internet Add: http://www.nepalnews.com/ come intoNepal. And after that all those who were driven out of Bhutan followed the same spotlight course. The involvement of Indian B.S.F. in the innux of Bhutanese refugees to Nepal is indeed incomprehensible. But one thing is certain. lndia coulll play a very positive role in Cover Design Wordscape the speelly solution of this vexing problem if she agreed to use here good offices with Kamal Pokhari, Ph: 410772, Fax: 432872 Bhutan. But she insists this is a bilateral problem and Illllst be resolved bilaterally. That India follows different pattern in her relationship with here two smaller northern ncighbors Distribution is th ere for anyhody to sce. Where as India took.an active role in pulling down thedictatorial Bazaar International 228 Sanchaya Kosh Bldg. Kathmandu Rana regime in Nepal more than fifty years ago in the nam ~ of introducing democracy. she G.P.O Box 2480, Ph: 222983 Fax: 229437 is not only blessing the authoritarian regime in Bhutan but rather helping ilLO entrench the a-mail: [email protected] feudal rule. Such blatant discrimination is apt 10 generate serious misgiving. With her given Printers: Kishor offset Press (P.) Ltd. clout on Bhutan. her refusal to intervene in the early solution or the refugee problem is P.O. Box 4665, Galkopakha, Thamel, bound to create doubts in the minds of Nepalese about here bona fide. Be that as it may,the Kaihmandu,Tel: 351044 (Off), 351172 (Res.), SPOTLIGHT is lerribly shocked mlhe vicious tragedy thal has struck Ihc people ofGujarat Fax: 977-1-351172, E-mail: [email protected] in the shape or the earthquake and would like to express heartfelt sympathy at the tremendous loss of life and property. • c.O,O. Rcgd, No 151/039-40 Postal Regd. No 42/057/58 U.S. LibraI)' of Congress Catalogue No. 91-905060 Madhav Kumar Rimal Chief Editor& Publisher

2 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2. 2001 LETTERS ______

of political clout, dynastic in­ terest and rent-seeking ten­ After The dencies. Policy MUlllla Dada Lazimpat Now that the govern­ ment has come Olil \I1'ith ils Follow The IT policy, there are certain things tt needs to do fur­ Rule Of Law ther, For starters, the gOt'­ While there is serious ernment should introduce doubt, abuu. the honesty of Hari Bhakta Shrestha, the cyber laws to regulate e­ CIAA, too, should give him commerce. which can do due opportunity to clarify his l1'ondersfor Nepal. The tax stand ("On The Move", Janu­ policy also needs a felt· ary 19-25). lt should follow changes to suit the demal/ds the international norm of 'in­ of present-day IT rel'olu- nocent till proven guilty'. Bu. 11011. Nell' and mure this does nOI mean it should sCielllijic tax laws need to not try and investigate the be adopted for making e­ matter to establish Shrestha's commerce and e-payment guilt, if .here is any. TI,e pri­ mary thing is to follow the practicable, And, abol'c al/, rule or law. Best of luck to the gOl'emment needs to CIAA. implement \l'hal it has KamaI Sharma promised in the policy - Chabahil and quickly. Billod Kafle Terrors Of Tremors Lagwzkhel .J ust two weeks after Nepal Less On Education observed Earthquake Day. Nepal. As things stand, it must not lose any time at all. there was a devaslating quake Your cover story on the seems logical for Nepal to Dines" Shreslha in IndIa which reminded us of sector did not cover the pursue the seCLOr of IT-en­ MabarajgunJ the disaster that could also l:ondition of computer edu­ abled services. The sector also strike us any time (" 'Tremors cation in the country. [T edu­ promises to bring in huge Halo Of Democracy Of Concern", January 19-25). cation is the most vital com­ amounts of foreign exchange. Nepal is acountry blinded If a quake of a similar magni­ ponent of this sector which r hope the ongoing CAN by the haloofdemoeracy. The tude that hit India was to strike we cannot afford to miss. Infotech show helps in this pleasure of living in Nepal is us, how would we cope with Unless we have adequate direction. that there is a never-ending the aftermath. Has anybody numbers of IT-literate man­ AI/it Shrestha political drama that is trans­ thought about this') Surely, we rower. our dreams of riding Sanepa parent ly empty to the core and are I i vi ng al the mercy or Lord the worldwide wave cannot quite hilarious. This is free Pashupatinath. be realized. I hope your More Employment for all citizens, but at a con­ Shaila Khal/ai magazine covers more on The infomlalion technol­ siderable cost to them in the Maitidevi IT education in the days to ogy sector has the potentials long run. I have not had the come. CORRECTION to give employment to thou­ pleasure to experience issue­ SnmllatlJ Arya/ sands of our educated youth. based discussions or imple­ lease read maternal mortal­ Kopundole The government has la give mentation of policies that af­ ty rate as 4 75 per 1,000 in­ serious thoughts to promote fect or bnng relief to the com­ tead or what Inadvertently ap­ cared in the interview vo'llh IT Wave this sector as it can solve the mon man. The only thing that The cover story "Silent problems arising from unem­ is eyes wide ShUl is political NFPA Representallve Bill Boom" (January 26-February ployment among educated circus that is never ending with usoke(SPOTLIGHT,Janu­ I) gave vivid details of the youth. Opportunities do not actors who are bent on de­ ry 19. 2001). The elTor is situation of the IT industry in knock the door twice. So we stroying a nation in the name egrctted. -Ed.

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2, 2001 3 NEWSNOTES

Secretary-Level Talks drug might be misused at a time when Addressing the 13th annual general meet­ problems like "quick ejaculation" is on ing of Garment Association of Nepal On Reviewing 1950 the rise among Nepali youth. Meanwhile, (GAN), he expressed concern for the the Chemist and Druggist Association of Nepalese garment sector which will cease Treaty Nepal has said they will never agree to the to enjoy the current quota facilities after Foreign Secretary Narayan Shumsher entry ofViagra and its Indian edition into 2005 when WTO's provisions will fully Thapa is leaving for New Delhi on Janu­ the country. The Kalhmandu Post. come into effect. PM Koirala said the ary 29th leading a Nepalese delegation to government was willing to sit down with talk to his Indian counterpart regarding Opposition Joins Hands the private sector to discuss the prospects the review of 1950 Treaty of Peace and and challenges of the WTO. He also re­ Friendship between the two countries. Against Koirala vealed that the government was planning During the visit of Prime Minister Girija In a fresh attempt to dislodge Prime to privatize the Hetauda Textiles Industry Prasad Koirala to India last year, it was Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, main op- soon. "1 urge you to take over the industry decided that high-level officials from both and produce quality yarns so that the countries would look into the matters re­ could be used for making clothes for garding the review of several provisions lice and army," Koirala told the Nepalese of the treaty. Nepal has been calling for ganllent entrepreneurs. The total annual the review of the treaty as many of its grument exports from Nepal was worth provisions were inacti ve in the changed more than Rs II billion during the last context. Three years ago, Nepal had also fiscal year, a remarkable rise from Rs 5 submitted its written desire of amending billion the previous year. But garment some of the provisions that it disagreed entrepreneurs fear that the billion-plus with. "We wi1l discuss on all issues relat­ exports could come down to mere mil­ ing to 1950 treaty. We will put forth our lions if timely measures were not taken to views and listen to theirs," said Gyan make Nepalese garment industries com­ Chandra Acharya, spokesman at the For­ petitive after the WTO provisions come eign Ministry. He added that the two-day into effect. Compiled/rom reports. meeting will discuss all issues ofbilateral interest. Kantipllr January 29. Police Kill Five Viagra llIegal In Nepal Dacoits, Two Rebels The Department for Drug Adminis­ Police killed fi ve dacoits who were tration (DDA) has said that the sale ofthe pOSition party UML has joined hands with reportedly blocking the Paulalaiya-Nijg , anti-impotence drug Viagra is illegal in the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Af­ section of East-West highway ea Nepal. The department's statement comes ter their meeting on Friday, the leaders of Wednesday with a view to looting night after a modified version of Viagra manu­ the two parties have decided to jointly buses plying along the road. One person factured by Indian companies became seek Koirala's resignation. They have killed in the shoot-out has been identified. available in tbe market here. "We don' t decided to present Koirala with a memo­ Deputy lnspectorGeneral of Police Sahabir allow the sale and distribution of Viagra randum seeking his resignation prior to Thapa said the police patrol team resorted as it is not a primary necessity for the the winter session or the parliament slated to firing at thedacoits after they opened fire Nepalese," said DDA chief Dr. Asfak early next month. Apart from the contro­ at them. Meanwhile, police said tl,ey have Shekh. "Viagra and its substitute drugs versial Lauda air deal , these parties have gunned down two rebels, one of them an are not free from side effects. Only those also accused Koirala of failing to main­ area commander, in an encounter with drugs which have fewer side effects will tain law and order. The two parties have Maoist rebels in mid-western district of be allowed for sale in Nepal," he said. al so agreed to seek support from small Rolpa Wednesday. Police also arrested Even the Indian government banned the parties including the nine-leftists in their another area commander of the Maoists at trading of Viagra some time earlier. But campaign. Leading dailies report. Gharti Gaon in the same district with three after the Indian Drugs Controller gave guns and two socket bombs, reports said. permission for the production of the drug, Compiled from reports. Indian companies have started manufac­ WTO's Impact On turing it under the trade name of "Pe nigra" . Garment Sector "The use of Viagra and its substitute may Web Conference On Political Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala have a negative effect upon Nepal's has called for wide discussion on the pos­ Violence In Nepal youth," said Dr. Rajendra Bhadra, sexolo­ sible impacts of World Trade Organiza­ A worldwide web conference on po­ gist. Medics here express fear that the tion (WTO) and ways of minimizing them. litical violence in Nepal is to kick off

4 SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 2, 2001 NEWSNOTES

Wednesday, organizers said. Prof. C1aude process. The rcfugees languishing at the lnterkraft from Norway. Pacific Hydro Bruderlien, director of Harvard program camps heartily welcomed the verification Company from Australia, Sanima from on humanitarian policy and conflict re­ team. The Bhutanese side even interacted Russia and two each from India and China search. said the on-line conference will with some refugees who seemed more than have applied for the BPC. But if PPA provide a platform for allthc panies con­ willing to talk to them. Meanwhile Usha materializes, there wi 11 be morc investors cerned to engage in a virtual dialogue and Nepal talking to Nepal Television said the interested to buy the company. say sources. put their sides to the international audi­ process was moving in the right direction. Leadillg dailies report. ence. Talking to reporters here Wednes­ Butit will still be few months before actual day, Prof. Bruderlein said such initiatives repatriation of refugees starts happening. CIAA Interrogates Chataut had been fruitful IQ bring the parties in­ she said. Currently around 1,00,000 refu­ volved in political violence in other parts gees from Bhutanare languishing 3tcamps A day after his resignation was ac­ or the world too. He said some 60 partici­ in Eastern Nepal. The Beldangi camps in cepted, Commission for Investigation of pants, including representatives of the Jhapa alone are home to some 50,000 refu­ Abuse of Authority (CIAA) conducted an underground Maoists in Nepal, have also gees. Leading dailies report. interrogation lasting three hours with en invited to rake pan in the virtual former Minister for Tourism and Civil nference. The conference can be ac­ Nepalese Lives Feared cessed at www.prevenlconflicl.org.Col1l~ piled frolll reporls. Lost In India's Quake Hundrcds of Nepalese are feared to have been affected by thc devastating Minister Against Cartel earthquake in Gujaral. India that has al­ Minister for Industry. Commerce and ready claimed 15.000 lives. AccordIl1g to Supplies Ram Krishna Tamrakarsaid that Kantipur daily. as Gujarat is one of the in the present context of open economy, it favored destinations of Nepalese work­ is wrong for the entrepreneurs to control ers, chances are high many of them could competition by forming cartels. Address­ have been affected by the quake. As yet. ing the second annual general meeting of there has been no news regarding the Nepal Freight Forwarders' Association situation of Nepalese workers there. (NEFFA), MinistcrTamrakarsaid for the Nepalese ambassador to India Bhekh Ba­ economic development of a land-locked hadur Thapa has said that the Nepalese country like Nepal, the government sup­ mission has drawn the attention of Indian ported the entry of foreign companies in authorities to this situation. "But till now the freight forwarding business here. He we have no news," he said. Leadillg dai~ that the government could not restrict lies report. foreign freight forwarders in the name ofprotccting Nepalese entrepreneurs as it Privatization Of BPC Chatau! was against the spirit of economic liberal­ ization. NEFFA has been critical of any In Thrmoil Aviation Tarini DUlla Chataut regarding move to allow foreign freight forwarders Three years have passed since the the controversial Lauda air deal. This is here. It believes that their entry would government decided lO privatize the the second time the anti-corruption body hamper the interest of Nepalese freight Butawal Power Company (BPC) and still has grilled Chataut afler it first questioned forwarders. Leading dailies report. there is no end in sight Recently, the him ten days ago. He had also faccd the government has extended the deadline for questioning by the parliamentary Public Verification Team Visits applications (for purchasing BPC) for the Accounts Committee regarding the deal. fourth timesinceilcalled forit two months According to the investigation officer and Refugee Camps ago. ThcJoil1l Secretary at the Ministry of CIAA commissioner Basudev Representatives from Nepal and Finance Ramchandra Man Singh told Lamichhane. Chataut will be further ques­ Bhutan. on Friday and Saturday. visited all Gorkhapmra daily that the deadline has tioned on January 26. Appearing after the the seven camps of Bhulanese refugees in been extended as per the request of some marathon interrogation. an exhausted eastcrn Nepal as pan of the agreement investors. "We extended the deadline so Chataut said he resigned with the objec­ reached between the two governments re­ that wecan talk with them on some issues. tive to help in the Investigation procedure. garding the verification of refugees. E."1r­ But this will be the last extension." Inves­ "My resignation, in no way. proves ir­ Iier the Bhutancse side led by Dr. Sonam tors want Power Purchase Agreement regularilles in the deal,'· said Chataul. The Tenling and the Nepalese side led by Usha between the Nepal Electricity Authority opposition parties had been asking for the Nepal sat foradialogue Oil Wednesday and and the BPC, say sources. Till now, Inde­ resignation of the prime minister himself Thursday to prepare for the verification pendent Power Company from Britain. because the controversial air deal was approved by the cabinet four months ago. SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 Leadillg dailies reporl. \ ~ BRIEFS

erate due mainly to a deceleration in the growth of regular expenditure despite a significant growth in development expenditure, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said. During this period. budget deficit of more than Rs 4. I biIJion was re­ corded. the Bank said. The rate of inllation, on point to point basis, was recorded at less than 3 percent due mainly to decline in the prices of food and beverages group. On the external front, exports registered a decelerated growth of29.3 percent to Rs 246 I 6.8 miIJion. Exports to India grew by 38. I percent whereas exports to third countries grew by 22.8 percent only. On the other hand. imports growth decelerated to I 1.6 percent during this period from 38. 2 percent over the same period last year, the central bank said.

King Birendra at "Basanta Shrawan" ceremony at THE COMMITTTEE FORMED TO PROBE THE Hanurnandhoka incidents of December 26. 27 and 31. which followed the rllmors that an Indian actor Hrithik Roshan allegedly made NEPAL RASTRA BANK (NRB), THE CENTRAL BANK disparaging remarks about Nepal and Nepalese people. sub­ of the country, has asked the finance companies that have mined its repon to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister been in existence for more than five years and are running in Ram Chandra Poudel on Thursday. According to Home Min­ profit to issue shares within the next six months. The bank istry, the suggestions made in the report mentions the rcspon­ issued this directive to make the financial activities of these sibility conceming the national security. rumor management, companies transparent and accelerate their businesses. Ac­ responsibility of the central security commillee, management cording to a report in the Himalaya Times, the profit-making of security personnel, useofarms and ammunilions and review finance companies have to issue the shares within six months of the all th orities. Meanwhile, in another development, the whi le those incurring losses wiIJ have to start preparing for parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee the same. According to NRB, there are 48 different finance has decided to direct the government to suspend Shyam Prasad companies in existence and their combined capital is worth Mainali, Chief District Officer of Banke. The commillee, in its nearly Rs 1.49 billion - till the fiscal year 2000/2001. repon, has alleged Mainali of misusing his power in the Compiled from reports shooting incident two weeks ago at Branch Central Jail at Banke that resulted in the death or two inmates. THE VISITING PRESIDENT OF ASIAN DEVELOP­ ment Bank (ADB) Tadao China pledged the bank's assis­ CHARGE D' AFFAIRES OF THE EMBASSY OF JAP tance to the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Au­ in Nepal Takamichi Okabe altended the head race tunnel thority (CIAA). Mr. China met with the chief of CIAA. a breakthrough ceremony held at the Kaligandaki A Hydro­ constitutional body formed to probe cases of corruption. on electricity Project recently. Along with distinguisbed offi­ Thursday and promised assistance to the commission as its cials of Nepalese government, Okabe observed the construc­ role was vital for good governance. According to CIAA tion activities ofthe 144 MW strong run-of-the-river project. officials. the commission is not weIJ equipped to handle its The project will add its powerto the present installed capacity job. It does not even have equipment like cameras and tape of 389.57 MW recorders. Apart from ADB, other donor agencies, too. are showing interest to assist the commission. say its officials. GERARDBAUMONT, THE HON. ROYAL NEPALESE Leading dailies report Consul-General and Chairman of the French Chapter of tbe KMTNC, gavea reception on December I 1,2000 in Toulouse. THE WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT WILL France on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King convene on February 8, Thursday at 4:00 p. m. at Singha Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev's birthday. Royal Nepalese Durbar, Parliament Secretariat announced WedneSday citing Ambassador to France Indra Bahadur Singh allended the a royal communiqu. King Birendra has summoned the 19th event together with elite representatives of the City of session of the Parliament as perthe country's constitution. the Toulouse, which is the fourth largest in France and where the Secretariat said. RSS news agency repons. famous Airbus Company is located. A special welcome was accorded 10 Ambassador Singh by the mayor of the city DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF CURRENT Dominique Baudis, who also awarded the gold medal of the fiscal year 200010 I, total government expenditure has dece!- city to him. •

6 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2. 2001 QUOTE UNQUOTE

"T he government is committed to provide protection lo expol1-oriented industries." Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koiraia, addressillg the annual general meeting of Garment Association of Nepal. * * *

"One thing is sure, I won't bea member orthat cabinet." Krisllllu Prasad Bhattarai, in Cl light reaction 10 PM Koirala 's statement ofreshuffi;lIg the cabinet in consulta­ tion with ''friends'', in Space Time daily. • • •

"We don't want to sce ISI, CBI or RAW acti ve here. There should be a total ban on anti-India or anli-China activities from Nepal." Madhav Kumar Nepal, main oppo­ sirivll leader alld general secretary orCPN-UML. ill Himalaya Times * * * dllSlrialisl, ill Punarjagaran. Studems Union (NSU) -the student • • • wing of Nepali Congress. in Nepal Samacharpatra, "There is a mafia-like underworld ac­ * * • tive in Nepal today which wants to make "T he party Will.. not mter.ere r 10. t he quick money through wrong means. The selection of student leadership."' ':i!untry's econo,my has gone to their hands Deputy Prime Minister Ram ClzaJl­ "T he MaOISts. arc but a small group of businessmen:' dra POl/del, addressing the inaugu­ armed dacoits," Mallall Gopal Kizelall, leading ill- ral session o/the convellliol1 a/Nepal Pradeep Nepal, lIIelllbero/the UML Standing COl1ll1litree, ill Gorkhapatra, • • •

"We will never agree on the entry of Viagraand its Indian edition intothecoun­ try," Paras Mani Baral, President a/Nepal Chemist and Druggist Association, ill The Kathmandu Post. • • •

"I am tired of talking, To how many should I tell my story. I am really tired of tellingthejournalisls about my own plight and that of the people from the remote regions," Thinley, the nOled aeraro/Caravan, --- ill Hirnalaya Times, * • *

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2. 2001 7 OFF THE RECORD

Silent Deuba election to become a Congress Central Working Committee REVELATION Congress leader and member. Speaker Ranabhat former prime minister Sher also ordered his colleagues in 'My Films Bahadur Deuba seems to have Represent Realities Of the house to maintain neutral­ been exhausted by his lhrcc- ity during the coming winter Nepalese Life' 1110nth campaign for the session. Underneath that neu- Nepali Congress presidency. - TULSI GHIMIRE After returning from the party trality pledge lies the fact that I r------­ Ranabhat is very angry with 11 convention in Pokhara, Deuba TULSI GHIMIRE, olleofthe re­ Prime Minister KoiraJa for not nowned producers alld directors having supported him in the of the Nepalese film, is a happy elections. He compares this to man. His fatest production, events four years ago when 'Da/pan Chhaya', was success­ then-speaker Ram Chandra screened/or 51 days in Poudel won the election rheaters. Ghimire spoke to though Koirala's backing. If L(GHT on the reasons behind the Ranabhal decides to remai n a smashing sllccess. Exce/prs: silent spectator amid all the noise the opposition parties How do you see the audi­ have promised to make, the ence response to your new film? corn ing parliamentary session I am happy Ihat people liked is bound to be uneasy for my production. I am proud that I Koirala. 1-_____....3 ___--1 could bring a story that the audi- ences liked. Gupta's Strategy What do you think is different in your mms? They are simply Deuba : Tired The silence maintained based on the realities of the Nepalese people. The stories is simple and they show our by Minister own culture. of Information At a time when few productions are has given the impression that and Communication Jaya able to attract he does not have anything la audiences, what basic characteristics do you focus on? Prakash Anand Gupta, a vo- As I told you, I don't try to copy the violent say. 11 is surprising la sec a cal Koirala loyalist, is intrigu- situations of Bollywood films. man who used loaded verbs ing. Known as one of the pow- Darpan Chaya is a Nepalese film and presents the reality of Nepal. and ad jecli yes duri ng the cam­ erfulmembers of the Koirala Fed up with incessant violence in movies, Nepalese paign so suddenly run out of coterie, Gupta's low profile audience~ have accepted me. words. While criticizing the How big is Nepal's mm market? during the convention at ltisamoderatemarketwithanaudienceofaboutlOmillion "slavery"' in the Nepali Con­ Pokhara was totally out of gress and Prime Minister people. If you produce a good story, you don't have to worry character. His decision not to about the returns. Gi rija Prasad Koirala's role contest the party elections was L ______in perpetuating it, Deuba ---' played all the cards he had. viewed with concern. A One might have to wail an­ ing football match between former journalist who is other month for the fomlcr cine artists and mountain adept in finding different prime minister to come up climbers. The crowd cheered ways of getting his mes­ with his new political vocabu­ their hearts out in support of sage across, Gupta now lary. their stars but in the end it was appears to realize the the group of seasoned climb­ power of silence in poli­ ers who conquered the Speaker Speaks tics. game 4-2. It was a treat watching As soon as he returned Karishma and Nir Shah using from the Pokhara convenLion. Actors Vs their feet against Appa and Speaker of the House of Rep­ Ka7i Sherpa. Meanwhile, rcsentat i ves Taranath Climbers it was once again the police who Ranabhat declared that he Saturday witnessed played spoilsport by charging would work as a neutral Dasrath stadium packed to their baton to the spectators ~peaker. His declaration was capacity crowd who had who were understandable, only trying to get as lost the come to see an entertain- close to their stars. •

8 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY ~, 200! SPECIAL REPORT

the region, forthatmatter, growing mili­ SOUTHASIA tarization and conflict in this pan of the world can't be sustained for long, say experts. Some even see room for opti­ Missed Opportunities mIsm. " By and large this region has senled Prominent citizens say cooperation is the only way down in a cooperative and non-conflict forward to avoid further conflict in the region mode," said former Indian Prime Min­ ister I. K. Gujra!. "The future of both India and Pakistan li es in cooperation." By BHAGIRATH YOG I in New Delhi 1998 by India and later by Pakistan, Scholars taking part in the discus­ both in the strategic sense as well as sions talked about what they described as the South Asian Association politically at the regional and interna­ ·as "missed opportunities" for reducing for Regional Cooperation tionalleve!. ten sion in the region, which houses AARC) been consigned to the history "The tests were necessary given nearly one-firth of the world's popula­ books? Notexactly, say prominent citi­ India's security needs and changing tion. "The opportunities missed in South zens and sc holars in the region and world scenario," said J. N. Dixit, fonner Asia have been enormous," said Sharin abroad. foreign secretary of India, addressing a Tahir Kheli, a US-based scholar. "The Set up in 1985, the seven-member session on "Conflict and tensions in absence of nonnal relations in Ihis part club - which groups Bhutan, South Asia" at the !PI Congress. He of the world is almost legendary." Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepa!. identified six elements responsible for She referred to non-fulfilment of Pakistan and Sri Lanka potentials created by In­ - has found itselfin hard dian Prime Minister A. B. times more than once. Analysts say cool and often hostile rela­ Vajpayee's VISit to The latest tangle is the tions between India and Pakistan are Lahore, popularly known indefinite postpone­ as the "bus diplomacy.i me nt of the I I th mainly responsible for the less-than­ Some even argued SAARC summit. That that it paid to some sec­ summit, scheduled to satisfactory performance of the regional tions of the people in the take place In region to keep tensions Kathmandu in Novem­ body, The region is yet to overcome and conflicts high. "The ber 1999, was post- the shocks of the nuclear tests cold era may have ended ned at the request of in other pans of the world ndia, citing political conducted in 1998 by India and later by but it is sti ll going on in developments in Paki­ this region," said LA. stan ( read: military Pakistan, both in the strategic sense as Rehman, director of Pa­ takeover). kistan Human Rights "Though the well as politically at the regional and Commission. "Only a SAARC summit could international level. people's movement can not take place other unshackle our leaders SAARC activities are from the utopia of non­ going on," said Jaswant Singh, Foreign creating conflict in the region: prob­ cooperation." Minister of India, addressing the 50th lems of collective national identities, As people within the region con­ congress oflnternational Press Institute problems of development, problems of tinue to interact at different levels, there (!PI) in New Delhi early this week. "We democracy, problems of nuclearization, is growing pressure on the governments have still to work toward fully realizing internal contradictions of civil society, to shed their di fferences and come closer the economic concept of SAARC," he and asymmetry between India and its to chart out strategies to fight against said. neighbors. "As Indian borders are con­ such common enemies as illiteracy, Analysts say cool and often hostile tiguous to all six nalions in the region, it poverty and unemployment. relations between India and Pakistan has a special responsibility," said Dixit. The revival of a forum like SAARC are mainly responsible forthe less-than­ "But it should not result in self-destruc­ would be an excellent opportunity for sati sfactory performance of the regional tion for India." his. Unfortunately. nobody is in a situ­ body. The region is yet to overcome the Keeping aside the sensitivities of ation to.predict when the stalled summit shocks of the nucleartests conducted in India, Pakistan and other countries in might take place. •

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2, 2001 9 NATIONAL

QUAKE IN GUJARAT take action on minimizing lhe risks from a large earthquake. '"The Kathmandu Municipali~ has al­ Convulsions In ready prepared a disaster preparedness plan Kathmandu for ward No 20," said Padma Sunder loshi, The devastating earthquake chief of Urban Development Department that hit the western Indian Kathmandu Metropolitan City. "We will state of Gujarat wakes up Nepalese officials prepare such plans for other wards also." Bhaktapur and Lalitpur municipalities are also pi aiming to carry out By KESHAB POUDEl campaigns to killed in an earthquake. The country needs make the local population aware aboutearth­ lO have medicines and doctors on stand-by quake and ways to minimize damage. s Kathmandu lies in an active earth­ to provide service to more than 150,000 "I am strictly monitoring building quake lone, the devastation in the con­ A patients. struction work in the area and cOlosiljerin western Indian state of Gujarat has come as '"The Health Ministry has regular pro­ training local volunteers," said Buddhi a wake-up call to Nepalese officials. Offi­ grams for disaster response. We are devel­ Bajracharya, mayor of Lalitpur Sub-metro­ cials in different ministries and non-govern­ oping some emergency rescue packages for politan City. memal organizations see in Gujarat's trag­ immcdiaLe treatment," said Padma Prasad Nepal lies between Tibetan plate in the edy a lesson on rescue and rehabilitation Pokharel, secretary at the ministry. north and the Indian plate in the south. efforts. The valley's infrastructure is morc vul­ Indian plate continues in a nonhward mo­ Nepal has witnessed more than half a nerable to quake s. A big quake would dam- tion. In weak geological conditions, the dozen big quakes in the last three decades. intensity of the quake is amplified. The great earthquake of 1934, which nat­ Geologically, the structure of tened many parts of Kathmandu valley, Kathmandu valley is very weak. In remains firmly etched in the minds of those Katilmandu, many houses are who experienced it. buiJI without following the building code. Studies have As Kathmandu valley is prone to earth­ shown that most of the houses in Kathmandu quakes, Nepal needs to study the experi­ arc like a 'death trap' - as if people are ences of other places in order to minimize digging graves for themselves. losses. Despite the fact that Nepal lies in an As Nepal does not have big hydro dam active seismic zone, earthquake prepared­ and industrial plants. there may not be much ness has always received low priority. to worry about on that front. KulekhanL Experts and officials understand that which is onc of the biggest reservoirs, is the risk of an earthquake has increased filled with water only during the monsoo significantly since the last major one, but until December. Other dams arc run of the the government does not appear to beove rly river projects concerned. which will not cause aoy damage except in terms of power supply. Kathmandu valley can face massive "National calaotities are a regular phe­ devastation in a big earthquake. According nomenon and we arc very much aware to a study. more than 60 percent of the age more than 50 percent oflifelineservices about the country's vulnerability," said se­ houses in the valley would be destroyed. like electricity. telephone and drinking wa­ nior official at the Home Ministry. A quake above magnitude 7 on Richter ter supply. "1 am scared to calculate the possible scale could leave up to 700.000 people Despite official claims, Nepal's pre­ damage ifthere is a earthquake like the one homeless. paredness level is poor in comparison to that struck Gujarat. Almost all buildings Given the confusion in almost every other coumries that face similar risks. Al­ will collapse and people will be trapped sphere of emergency response today, there though a Central Disaster ReliefCornntillee within their houses," said architectural en­ is a serious possibility of lack of coordina­ exists under the home minister, no one gineer Bharat Shanna. "[[we had sincerely tion among organization entrusted with car­ seems know how it would work when faced followed rying the mitigation plan prepared after out rescue and evacuation activities. with a real disaster. the 1934 earthquake, Kathmandu valley In the Gujarat case, local communities [fwe recall historical events, the risk of would not have had to be so scared by played an important role in rescuing the and a major earthquake is very high in the val­ very mention evacuating of eanhquakes." people trapped in collapsed build­ ley. Kutch faced a great earthquake of 8.3 Seismologically, Nepal is more vul­ ings. Richter scale in 1819. nerable. "First of all, we must remember A study conducted by National Society Although NSET-NEPAL is imple­ that thcquake will come without any notice. for Earthquake Technology Nepal (NSET) menting a Kathmandu Valley Earthquake As we have showed that a history of great earthquakes, over 50,000 people would be Risk Management Project, il remains to there is a possibil ity of another quake occur-

10 SPOTL1GHTlFEBRUARY 2, 2001 NATIONAL.

ring any time. Thus, we must start effective work to minimize the damage and losses. FIRING AT JAIL "Although other parts of the country are vulnerable, the geological composition increases the risk in Kathmandu valley," Death Without Cause said Madhav Raj Pandey, chief of the Na­ tional Seismological Center (NSC). The police action at Banke shows how complicated it Valleys are at risk in the geologically volatile Himalayas where small tremors are is to manage prisons recorded every day. The center recorded about 12,000 seismic events in 1998, in­ By KESHAB POUDEL cluding 8,000 regional tremors.ln 1996 and 1997, tlle highest number of seismic activi­ The report of the Human Rights and ties were recorded by the center. According 1.. Foreign Affairs Committee of the geologists, there's a chance of a major House of Representatives on the killing of carthquake hitting the Kathmandu valley two prisoners at Central Banke Prison in before the year 2034 . Nepalgunj revealed the pathetic situation of Geologically, a quake is a regular phe­ the country's prison system. nomenon of earth and it is natural for a Although the dispute started over the country like Nepal, where the young inmates' demand for coUon rugs instead of Himalayas are gaining height owing to the ordinary blankets they were getting, it many big and small faults within the terri­ ended in the deaths of two prisoners. tory. During a field visit by a team of the According to geologists. the continu­ Human Rights and Foreign Affairs Com­ ing northward motion ofIndian plate at the mittee, it emerged that the dispute started rate of about 5 centimeters per year in­ when a group of prisoners on January 6 duced widespread deformation and fault­ rejected the ordinary rugs they were being given. ing and thrusting of its rocks at the colli· rhe following day, the prisoners came sion front, giving rise to world's highest out with a list of 15 demands in order to make mountains. the prison habitable for human beings. "Intense seismic activity in Asia and Among the 15 demands were arrange­ Central jail industry: Threadbare facilities particularly along the Himalayan area is ments for immediate supply of rugs and bed related to this ongoing process," said Pandey. covers, construction of better sanitation, toi­ force," said Chief District Officer Shyarn e seismicity of the HimaJayas is the let and sewerage facihties, marketing of the Prasad Mainali. "Police opened fired fol­ ect consequence of the ongoing process inmates' hand-made products, regular sup­ lowing hours of violent resistance by the of faulting and thrusting." ply of electricity, health check-up facilities, prisoners." Several prisoners were injured The large-scale thrusting developed candles and lanterns, special treatment for in the police action. "This is agross violation from north to south in the last 25 million patient with psychiatric disorders, regular of the rights of the prisoners, who were years, giving rise to the main centraJ thrust supply of national newspapers, and renova­ killed under an irrational order of the chief separating the lesser Himalayas from the tion of the roof of the prison, which houses district officer," Pandey said. "We urged the Higher Himalayas. The main boundary 187 inmates, including 14 women. government to suspend the CDO and other thrust separates the lesser Himalayas from "The demands put forth by the prison­ officials responsible for the incident." the sub-Himalayas of Churia range. ers were so basic that the local administra­ Nepal's prisons are so neglected and so Theories show that bigger the magni­ tion alone could have met them," said Som poorly managed that they hardly are fit for tude of an earthquake, the greater its de­ Prasad Pandey, chairman of the Human human settlement. Although many human .- struction potential. On the other hand, Rights and Foreign Affairs Commiuee. 'This rights organizations have studied the physical smaller the magnitude of earthquakes, the tragedy was the resultofthe inefficiency and facilities of the prison centers and come out more frequent their occurrence. Kathmandu negligence on the part of the district admin­ with recommendations, few policy- and deci­ does not have frequent quakes so experts are istration." sion-makers have had the time to read them. expecting a bigger one. Police and administration insisted that A large nQmber of today's members of Gujarat had some preparedness and they opened fire only after the prisoners the House of the Representatives and the possessed the capabilities to cope with such turned violent and attempted to escape. "In National Assembly have lived in prison for disasters. But a country like Nepal, which a situation when prisoners took the prison different periods of time. However, no one does not have a recent history of major under their control for a week, blocking has ever stalled parliamentary proceedings disasters, needs (0 prepare itself for the big officials from entering the facility, the ad­ or introduced a resolution to press the gov­ one. • ministration had no option other than to use ernment to improve prison conditions, •

SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 2, 2001 11 SPORTS

FOOTBALL school principal-turncd-sports adminis­ tralOr Geeta Rana the head of ANFA ad hoc committee. Messed Up This led la a unique confusion in the country with two ANFAs in existence. Amid the ensuing power Whereas Thapa enjoyed FIFA's bless­ struggle between Ganesh Thapa and Geeta Rana, ings, Rana controlled the football infra­ Nepal loses the hard-won chance of hosting the World Cup qualifying round structures in the country. "We were willing to host the tourna­ ment ," said Ran a. accusing Thapa of play- By SANJAYA DHAKAL the sport sustain itself throughout politi- ing politics in making FIFA take away the cal changes." said Bikesh Shrest ha. presi- LOurnament. dent of the Nepal Football Fan Club, a Thapa, on the other hand. contends t i s orli cial now. The worst fears of n on-profit organization created lO pro- thatthe AN FA (led by him) was willing t Nepalese football fan s have comc true. mOle I the sport and to build accountabil- host the tournament had Nepal the NSC giv will no longer be hosting the World ity in the sport' s administration. them the permi ss ion to use Dasrath 5t3- Cup qualifying round in March. Instead, When Nepal was awarded the chance dium. "Since we are the legitimate ANFA the tournament will be played in lO host the tournament in 2000, it was in the eyes of FIFNAFC. there was no Kazakhstan capital Almaty in April. hailed as one of the biggest triumphs of question of these associations awarding The world football governing body FIFA Nepalese football in its 50-year-old his- the tournament to Rana." snatched Nepal's chance to host the game tory. But now when that chance has been Though the arguments from both the and awarded that to sides hold water. it is unfor- Ka.lakhstan amid the un end- lunale thallhcy could not Tec- ing row between Oanesh onci le thcirdifferences in Thapa and Geeta Rana over the face of such an important whose ANFA is legitimate. event. "When even tradi- The tournament would have lional enemies like South been participated by Nepal. Korea and Japan can come Iraq. Kazakhstan and 1':iA!~ "ll""tl.~!I' together Macau. This is a qualifying lO hold World Cup, there was no reason why Rana round for 2002 World Cup and Thapa couldn ' t have which is going 10 be held struck a deal in favor of the jointly by South Korea and football." Japan. said a sports a Iyst. In the whole episode of As Thapa was gi ven the this foul play, it was the ref- seal of approval by AFC ercc (the government in this as well as FfFA. it is clear that case), whose role was the ;;~~!~~::~~~~~;;"::.~:;....=:J most dubious. "It is now C::::;;;i they. too, arc party to thi s : whole affair. To an extent, clearbeyondatraceofdoubt Nepalese footballers: Marred by politics they are also responsible that the government is not for this venical split in interested in developing Nepalese football," snatched away, nobody is com ing for­ football. mourned Sanubhai Thapa, the captain of ward to take the responsibility. "Now that very split has led to the Jawalakhel Youth Club (lYC). The downfall of Nepalese football relocation of the tournament. Nepal is "While both MrThapa and Mrs Rana began in October last year when then All without its tournament, its tourism rev­ have previous football experience, there Nepal Football Association (ANFA) chief enue from visiting fans, and a boost for is no doubt th at both were given their Ganesh Thapa went ahead unilaterally to football in the public eye. We are clearly positions based on political allegiance. hold new election - which was, inlerest­ appalled by the situation," said Bikesh Football is nOl politics and , , must not be ingly, observed by representative from Shrestha. treated as such . Wc must ensure that Asian Football Confederation (AFC) - Unfortunately, even as the FIFA has football activity and regulation in Nepal despite protests from National Sports taken away the tournament, the govern­ is governed by a non-partisan organiza­ Council (NSC). n-:enl seems less than concerned. It is a tion and not an organization that wi ll While Thapa was elected new ANFA pity that the politicians arc decimating the change with each new governm e nt. Only chief, it was understandably de-recog­ very sports w which the majority of their ith an independent governing body can nized by the NSC, which in turn, made people love. •

12 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2. 2001 \ NATIONAL

the recruitment of children as soldiers. slaves CHILDREN or forced laborers and to take firm steps to prevent their involvement in prostitu tion and pornography. According to th e International Labor Painful Picture Organization, Nepal has been selected as a test case in Asia of a program to eliminate Despite firm government pledges and growing social aware­ child laborby the year 2005. While the results of the program won't be available for ness, child exploitation continues in all its tragic forms some years, CWIN officials say the adjust­ ments and alterations made in 2000 poin! to a promising fu ture fo r the rights of children in BY AKSHAY SHARMA president Si ndhu Nath Pyakurel. spoke about Nepal. how things are hushed uP. especially when the Human rights activists say blaming the children are not aware that [hey are being Maoist insurgency alone for the violation arshaKoirala, 12 andKarma Lama, 10, exploited. ''The children need to be aware of of children's rights would not be helpful. were shQ( dead by poli ceon December their rights and they need [0 speak out if they There are other areas society has to look al. l!last year when the streetS of Kathmandu are violated:' CWIN says 96 incidents of violence were erupted in violence against an Indian ftlm Oal Bahdur OIL a six:~year-old boy from directed at children last year. Twenty-six star' 5 all eged disparaging comments on Nepal. Jajarkot. Dhime. Panchkatiya VOC, was killed were murdered in family feuds. In another The two children were just spectators. along with his father. brother and sister in an shocking aspect of the situalion, 32 infants Similar cases of innocent children being encounter between the police and Maoists. were killed immediately arrer they were caught in the crossfire were reported between The family, which ran a teashop. were inno­ born. 1990 and 1992. "We need to find the answers cent victims of a bomb hurled by Maoists. Expenssaytherewere 126casesin which and review these problems," said Gauri Malla family members. guardians. teachers. or em­ of Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN) during a ployers tonured children. "A teacher ofmath­ recent program in Kathmandu. ematics in Rayelechaur Boarding School at One day last year. Oil Bahadur Budha, an Pokhara punished 18 of his first-grade stu­ II-year-old boy from Dolpa. Shahartar VDC- dents by forcing them to eal human excretajust 4. was going about his daily chores. As he was because they could not master the mathemati­ moving around with his herd of goats. he cal multiplication. Most of society believes in stumbled on a bomb thal exploded, instantly saving the stick and spoi ling the child." said killing him. according to INSEC, an organiza­ CWIN's Malla. tion monitoring the state of Nepal's children. A teacher in a Bhaktapur school recently The surreptitiously placed bomb pointed to the made five first-grade students to act like cattle involvement of the Maoist rebels. Oil was and eat grass. An eighth grader ina prominent killed in a war he was no pan of and probably school in Kathmandu was severely beaten by did not understand. The reponlislS the deaths his teacher for trying to cheat in the exams, .. 57 children caught in Maoist-police fight- Twenty-two students In Kathmandu were held captive for not paying tuitIon fees. Nepal has ratified the United Nations "These issues need to be dealt urgently Convention on the Rights of the Child, The by the government." a CWIN ex:pen said. governmenrand political panies have expressed "We are focusing on the violation of civil their commitment to safeguarding the rights rights in educational institutions," the ex:pert and interest of Nepali children. But little has said. At the program. experts also discussed Happened beyond that. the si tuation of communicable diseases among Kapil Shrestha, a member of the Human children and the ri sks posed by the massive Rights Commission said, ''The brunt of all hike in fees at the country's only hospital for exploitation seems to fall on girls." Referring children. Experts say the ratio between child to the current status of children in Nepal. he Child workers: Crying for attention pati ents and doctors is I: 102,671. said. "Our targets and priorities are not In the area of ensuring the welfare of its evencomparable with Latin American coun­ "The yout h suffer the brunt of all exploi­ most tender population. Nepal faces innumer­ tries," tation. He thirsts for education and food able problems such as high child monality, "One organization uses children as sol­ but what he really needs is security. "Pyakurel HI VI AIDS. drug abuse. food shortages (espe­ diers and the other chain victims who are said. NGOs and other organizations are mak­ cially in the mid-western Region). child mar­ sometimes children," said Shrestha. "We need ing efforts to end such inequities. he added. riage. gender discrimination, abuse. exploita­ to be responsible and responsive in the future. "A welfare state like ours needs to be tion, trafficking. labOT. discrimination against Will we fulfil our pledges and take steps to­ aware of this problem. The government seem Dalit children, missing children, street chil­ wards the kind of future we want for our to have no program. We have laws but the dren. among others. children?" government has yet to come up with a definite As long as the exploitation of children Two years ago. Man Kumar Chaule, 16. strategy," he said. remains politically, economically and socially was watching a cultural program in Achham's At the millennium summit of the United profitable, beneficiaries will conlinue to block Oachu's VDC-3 when a bullet struck him. Nations last year. Nepal Signed the optional reforms. On the other hand. as long as the INSEC blamed the police for the incident. Protocol to the Convention of Rights of the rights of chi ldren contlnuelO be violated. these Nepal Bar Association's newly elected Child. The accord commits countries against interests wilJ gain stronger roots. •

SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 13 ECONOMY

nical grant assistance that has been instru­ mental in Nepal's development effo11s," said Financeand Defence Minister Mahesh Acharya. Late last year. the bank had extended a loan assistance of US$ 35 million (approxi­ mately Rs 2588.2 million) to Nepal for the implementation of the Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation project. The project aims 10 improve the water supply and sani­ tation cond itions of up lO 50 small towns. benefiting about 600,000 people. The ADB also approved a loan pack­ age of US$ 10.6 million to refonn and strengthen Nepal's financial and corpon. sectors. The Corporate and Financial Gov­ ernance Project comprises a US$ 7.3 mil­ lion loan and US$ 3.3 million for six techni­ cal assistance grants from the ADB. The assistance wi ll also be used in establishing a National Judicial Academy, develop the payment systems and commu­ nications infrastruc ture for improved finan­ ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK cial service delivery and prepare for the restructuring of state-owned financial inter­ mediaries, among others. Continued The ADB's annual lending for public Assistance sector project s to Nepal has fluctuated con­ The largest siderably, because of the relatively small multilateral donor to Nepal focuses on program and the lumpiness of some of the poverty alleviation programs projects. especially those in the power sec­ tor. Average annual lending from 1994 to 1998 was $87.6 million. just above the By BHAGIRATH YOGI and Finance Secreta.rr Dr. Bimal Koirala average indicati ve planning figure (lPF) signed separate agreements.at the Finance $80 to $85 million during the period. eeks before the Asia Pacific Pov­ Ministry last week. In 1999, the !PF was reduced to $78 erty Forum was to begin in Manila Under W the agreement. the ADB will million because of the scarcity of Asian under the auspices of the Asian Develop­ provide a loan assistance totaling US$ 138.3 Development Funds. In 1998, ADB ap­ ment Bank (ADB), bank chairman Tadako million (approximately Rs 10.19 billion) to proved four loans, namely. Second Agricul­ China visited Nepal with the message: Pov­ fund the Melamchi Water Supply Project tural Program Loan, Community Ground­ erty alleviation needs pro-poor. good gov­ (MWSP), Crop Diversification Project and water Irrigation Sector. Rural Microfinance, ernance. the Corporate and Financial Governance and an engineering loan for Melamchi Wa­ During his visit to ADB-funded projects Project in Nepal. Dfthis, MWSPwill get the ter Supply, with the total amount of $105 in the country, China was particularly inter­ largest share (US$ 120 million). The ADB million. ested in seeing the output of the projects has also agreed to provide a grant assistance In 1999, ADB lending program com­ with their likely impact in the lives of the of US$ 3.3 million (approximately Rs 243 prised one $50 million project for rural poor, officials said. Thebiggest multilateral million) to Nepal. electrification. distribution and transmis­ donor to Nepal, the Manila-based bank has "We are very happy to be a partner in sion. The proposed program for 2000-2002 assisted almost every sector of develop­ Nepal's development," said Chi no. address­ is formulated on the basis of the 1998 Coun­ ment in the Himalayan kingdom. ing the signing function. "The bank is taking try Assistance Plan, bank officials said. The • During China's visit. the ADB and the a lead coordinating role among the donors major focus is on the agriculture sector. Nepali government signed agreements un­ in the planning and implementation of the Areas that support agricultural growth and der which the bank agreed to provide Nepal Melamchi project," he said. rural development have been given high 1081'\. and grant assistance for a number of Nepali officials appreciated the ADB 's priority in the foml of support to physical (levelopment projects, including Melamchi. gesture. ''We appreciate ADB's assistance and social infrastructure, governance. Deputy director at the ADB, and Rajat M. Nag, in the fonn of concessionalloans and tech- environment.

14 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2, 2001 NATIONAL

As outlined in its Country Operation Strategy (COS), the ADB has been focusing NEPALESE PLAYERS on components like stakeholder involve­ ment. seclOrai road maps, civil service re­ In Search Of Greener Pastures form, progress in improving governance (including anti-corruption measures), and A national football player leaves for Japan, exposing progress in strengUlening the policy and institutional environment to make its assis­ the lack of opportunities for athletes in the country tance effective and productive. The proposed lending program for 2000-2002 comprises II loans for $350 By A CORRESPONDENT professionalism in the country . The pay million. The projects have been designed to here is very meager and it is hard for improvceconolllic growth. reduce poveny. players to sustain in this field." said one increase human development, improve cn- asanta Gauchan, the eminent na­ sports commentator . . ronmcntalmanagement. and address key B tional football player, has left for Take, for in stance. the caseofSidhan governance issues in the public and private Japan. indicating the increasing frustra­ Lama, the taekwondo player who had sector. The sectaral focus of the program is tion among even the established players won bron'ze medal during the Seoul consistent with the objectives of the ADB' s in the country. Olympics 1988 where taekwondo was operations in Nepal and assists in meeting Gauchan recently left for Japan, sup­ made a demonstration game. In the suc­ the government's development priorities posedly for work. after he suffered a cessive Olympics Lama could not par­ andcoJ11l1liuncm toseclOrrefonn. theADB . s knee injury and could not play in the ticipate and he had to leave forthe United role as a long-tenn development partner, Birthday Cup last month. Stares where he is currently associated and the assistance provided by other donor He was awarded the best player in the with the team that coaches US Olympic governments and agencies. bank officials last year's South Asian Federation Games team. said. held in Karhmandu. Gauchan is not an In the football sector, too, there are The new COS proposes that future exception. National players like Narendra very few noted clubs In the country like lending to Nepal bc linked to progress in Shrestha along with three others, too, had Manang Marsyangdi. RCT, NRT and addressing the major country performance "disappeared" en masse in Japan some Friends' Club. They, too, do not pay issues that will improve the environment for four years ago when Nepalese national good amounts to players. According to both private and public investments. Future team visited there to play in a tOurnament. one player. even the best of the bests only levels of ADB investments will be com­ "There is a tendency among players get a monthly pay of little more than Rs mensurate with the necessary development to go overseas because of the lack of 3000 from these clubs. of the policy and institutional environment The sports ana­ ,aJ." the country to generate and sustain the lysts see a clear need ~esired development impact. Average perfonnance in the key areas for big business would be consistent with an IPF in the range houses to sponsor of $70 million-80 million at the current football clubs like it Icvelof ADFavailability, Poor performance is happening in India would result in a lower IPF or even no where beer baron lending in a year. Good performance would Vijaya Mallya ofUB indicate achievement of a policy and insti­ Group sponsors tutional environment conducive to the gen­ teams like Mohan eration and sustainability of the desired Bagan, development impact from higher ADB in­ Following vestment, the bank said. Mallya. many other With nearly half of its people living business houses in below the poverty line, according to a UN India have started estimate. Nepal needs to work hard to chan­ sponsoring other nel such development assistance in the ar­ clubs. ··Here. too, eas directly addressing the needs of the business houses like poor. By re-orienting its policies and assis­ Chaudhary, Khetan tance, the ADB is helping poor countries and Golchha should like Nepal in the region to fight against come forward to help poverty - an insult to humanity in the 21 st ccntury. • ~§~~~~~~J~~~~~~======~~thletes saidthe sportsan analyst. sector." •

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2. 2001 15 r COVER STORY POLITICS Preparing For Fresh Elections?

A cardinal rule of parliamentary democracy is that whenever the ruling party is unpopular, the job of the opposition is to force the government to seek a fresh mandate from the people. But the CPN-UML is single­ mindedly focused on forcing Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala out office. If the main opposition party is serious about its allegations against the Nepali Congress government, it must stop playing unconstitutional politics and demand fresh elections.

By KESHAB POUDEL Minister Koirala resigns. The UML will lished in theCPN-UML-friendly Budhabar launch a street agitation to force Koirala weekly, on January 24, 2001). out of office. Analyzing the role of the The UML is demanding the resigna­ 'W ~r7,:/: fI%i~:~~:; Ncpali Congress in current politics. our tion of Prime MinislerGirija Prasad Koirala. , Girija Prasad meeting concluded that the government criticizing his NepaJi Congress for fai ling Koirala 10 enter the has failed to control violence, killings and to deliver the goods and for not being able parliament building anarchy. Even the investigations of Public to restore law and order. The UML says that If he doesll't resign. We will stall the ses­ Account Committee reveal that the govern­ as long as the NcpaJi Congress remains sioll umit he quits, " said Pradeep Nepal, ment was in vo lved in massive irregulari­ power, thecounlry will face many troubles. powelful CPN-UML standing committee ties in the Laud. Air deal. Under these Interestingly, UML leaders led by main member. (In a hitherto undenied report in circumstances, the CPN·UML has decided opposition leader Madhav Kumar Nepal Kalllip!lr daily, January 25,2001) la ask for the resignation of Nepali Con­ went to the residence of another senipr "The CPN-UML will stall the session gress government. (The decision of the Congress leader, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, of the HouseofRepresentatives until Prime UML standing committee meeting pub- on January 25 asking him to take the lead-

16 SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 2, 2001 COVER STORY

munist the UML had matured into a re­ sponsible parliamentary opposition." said a Western diplomat. speaking on condition of strict anonymity. "We have been proved wrong and we will have to reconsider our opinion about lhem." Added another diplomat from a neigh­ boring country which has a long tradition of parliamentary democracy: ';Wealso have had a communistopposilion, but they have never been so irresponsible. Iflhecommu­ nislopposilion continues in this way, it will have no future." Street demonstrations have their lim­ its in effecting change of government or policies. After a point, they bring political instability. Demonstrations and agilations only negate there.1 aspirations of the people. Sut UMLleaders arc adamant. "When Prime Minister Koirala refuses to lislen to the opposition and continues to be invol ved in corruption. there is no other way we can force him to resign.·' said UML general ership of the government. The unanswered other countries, too. I take this in a very secretary Nepal in Rajbiraj. "As the ClAA question: If the Nepali Congress has failed normal way," said Congress MP Dr Ram established his involvement in the Lauda to deliver. as the UML charges. how would Sharan Mabal. "Going by their statements Air deal. Koirala must go. We will stall the the replacement of Koirala by Bhatlarai or that they will resort to extra-parliamentary house and organize street protests to force Sher Bahadur Deuba make a difference. methods - such as forcibly stalling parlia­ him out of office," Nepal added. Strategy to Divide Congress mentary proceedings - for the resignation Democracy matures with the setting What if Prime Minister Koirala visits of the prime minister, this is a wrong prac­ of onc precedent after another. lfthe Nepali UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli and asks him tice," he said. Congress follows the precedents set by to dislodge Nepal from the party leader­ Then what prompted the main opposi­ today's opposition, what can the UML ex­ ship? [s this the brand of democracy the lion party to make threats of street action pect if it happens to hold the reins of power , ~believes in and propagates? If not, on and disruption of the house to bring down tomorrow? The main opposition party's 'at grounds did the party leaders go to the democratically elected government? plan to disrupt pari iament is contrary to the Bhattarai's residence? "It is clear that the There may be another hidden agenda. As principles and practices of healthy democ­ UML's campaign is to depose Koirala un­ the local bodies elections is approaching, racy. der a sinister design," said a political ana­ the UML knows that it cannot defeat a If the policies of the government have lyst. united Congress. failed to bring change, the opposition can If the statement of the UML is any "There are constitutional ways to in­ bring a vote of no-confidence or censure indication, it is pretty clear where Nepal's fluence the policies of the government and motion in parliament and use other consti­ politics is heading in the forthcoming par­ to build pressure on the government," said tutional avenues. If they want LO take an liamentary session, which stans from Feb­ Dr. Mahat. who has maintained neutraljty extra step, they can press the government to ruary 9. on the rifts within the Congress. call fresh elections. The constitution has specified several Stalling the parliament session and Rejecting such suggestions, Nepal said: ways in which the prime minister can be organizing street protests would only invite "We are opposing Prime Minister Koirala, changed. It is difficult to understand why a constitutional deadlock. In a parliamen­ not the Nepali Congress." the main opposition party is choosing an tary democracy. the opposition has the ob­ Demand Without Alternatives extra-constitutional method to do so. ligation to criticize the government and to In a parliamentary democracy, the Opposition's Demands provide an alternative government through opposition always demands the resignation The opposition can demand the resig­ elections. Thus, the main opposition is of the prime minister after they are in a nation of the prime minister because it is known as the shadow government, which position to form an alternative government. their privilege. But they cannot use extra­ prepares programs keeping in mind that the At a time when the combi ned strength of all constitutional ways to force prime minister electorate at any time might ask them to the opposition parties is 91 out of 205 to resign. "It is the prerogative of the oppo­ provide a better administration. members of parliament, what benefits do sition to ask for the resignation of the prime "We are shocked by the UML' s present they expect by dislodging the prime minis­ minister and other ministers. It happens in posture. We thought that despite beingcom- ter? Moreover, even if Koirala does resign.

SPOTLIGHTIFESRUARY 2, 2001 17 COVER STO RY 'We Are Going To The Street To Sensitize The Government' - DR PRAKASH CHANDRA LOHANI

Dr. PRAKASH CHANDRA LOHAN1. vice­ tries. political parties use this method. When the preside"t of 'he Rastriya PrajaUlI1tra Party. is Nepali Congress is unable to fu lfill the aspira­ one of fhe prominent parliallleltlari{lI1s repre­ tions of the people. when the government ig­ sen';,!!! the OPPOSifiOlI bel/ch nores the voice of the OPPOSition in the parlia­ ment, street demonstrations are an alternative. I Are you demanding the resignation of don't think we are trying todisregard the bound­ the prime minister? What about the entire ary line set by the constitution. We know there Nepali Congress government? are provision in the constitutions for replacing The country is in a chaOlic situation now, the government, so we will not go beyond those ns the law-and-order situation is gelling worse. limits. If the government does not show sensi­ the admin istration is politicized and the com­ tivity to the opposition and does not li sten 10 our munity feels insecure. Corruption is rampant. voice in parliamenLlhe street can be used as, 11lC government ha'! not been able 10 deli vcr the alternative. Wehaveagovernment which think goods or restore law and order. The overall that the majority is enough to rule the country. si tuation of the country is totally fruMfming. In that situat ion. opposition can call street agi. The morale of the country is so low and the tat ion. We are going to the street to sensitize the leadership of the Congress party has fai led 10 government and pressure the government. respect the people's aspiralions. Instead of do· tern has not been operating because the ruling But some leaders of the main opposition ing something to improve the situation, tile party has not respected the rule of democracy. party are saying that they will not allow the Congress leadcrshi pis working against the spirit How do you see the role of the main prime minister toenter parliament and want of the constitution. Instead of dOing something opposition party, which is demanding the to replace the government through street for the common people. the government is resignation of the prime minister, instead of agitation. As a leader of the second alterna­ misusi ng national resources to strengthen the :Jsking for the resignation of the entire gov­ tive democratic party, how do you look at party. ernment? this? As a leader oran opposition party, what One reason why democratic system!:! fail i!:! A!) far as the prime minister's entering the do you think needs to be done? because of docile opposition. !n a democrmic house is concerned. thal come under the proce­ There needs to be honesty tln the pan of the order. the opposition has a major role to play. dures of lhe pariiamcnw.ry practices as he has government and Congress leaders. They must When the main opposition is opportunistic in its right to enter parliament. TIle parliamentary do what they promised to the people. By tryi ng behavior. the democratic order always su ffers. game has to go on and we cannot just disrupt it to do something for the people. they can prove Here I must say that the behavior of the CPN­ If such precedenl is set. other parties may use their efficiency . Unfort unately. the Ncpal i Con­ UML is opportuni stic. Past experience has simi lar tactics when you are in the government gress is totally incapable of providi ng relief to shown th at the UMLevenjoins the government next time. We will try to avoid such things. the common people and to control corruption. if it can find the benefits. They joined the But your party isjoining hands with the There is corruption within the pany and almost government in 1998 and took all the benelits CPN·UML on tbe issue of the prime every minister is tainted. from Congress in the general elections. It showed minister's resignation. How do you disti Do you think you can remove the prime its unique character by joining the government. guish yourself rrom them? minister through your agitation? leaving the field of the main opposition party In case fac ts establi sh that lhe pnme min­ There is a way to remove the prime minis­ empty. This kind of behavior encourages the ister is linked to the Lauda deal. the opposition ter through the constitutional process. We can Nepali Congress to act irrationally and irre­ has the right 10 demand his resignation and the change the pnme minister thorough a no-confi­ sponsibly. In that sense. the behavior of the right to stall parliamentary activl li es umil he dence motion. Street agitation has its own limi­ CPN-UML is unplinciplcd and opportunistic. reSigns. tations. When the government ignores the voice Strong alenness on the pan of civil society and As long as Nepali Congress continues to of opposition. wc have no choice but go to the the public is needed to strengthen democracy. back Koirala as its leader ~ how can you force street. Democracy after all is a system wherethe Except in a few urban areas, civil society is non­ him to resign? voicc~ of people must be heard. It is a political existent. So democracy always is in danger of When Tarini Dutta Chataut can resign. orderthat defines the working relations of dif­ bei ng misused. what wrong in Koirala doing so? ferent institutions. In democracy. checks and How do you see the dtX'ision orthe CPN· What do you plan to do ir the prime bi.lIances are very important. But rhe Nepali UML to eaU street protests to dislodge the minjster agrees to step down. Congress government has destroyed very con­ government instead of pressing the matter in Congress has a majority in the parliament. cept of checks and balances. The provision of parliament? We are nOt sayi ng that we want to change the impartiality is violated during elections and the Street agitation is alsoa partofdemocracy. rules. The party that enjoys majority support concept of decentralization is ignored. The sys· Even in the most advanced democratic coun- forms the next government. •

the parliamentary majo rity will still be with the party or person. political p luralism a nd representative gov­ his Nepali Congress. J fthey are opposing the Congress gov­ ernment. In a muitipany sysleIn of govern­ ernmcnt, they have to ask fo r fresh elec­ "We want to remove a corruption­ ment. it is the political pany w hich is to be tions. Tf they are asking for the resignation tainted prime minister but not the party. If blamed for failures. not individuals. If we of Prime Minister Ko irala alone, the o PPO­ Prime Minister Koirala' s involvement in go through the stateme nts of the leaders of silion panics are interfering in the internal the Lauda Air deal is establi shed, he will the main opposition party. it is difficult to affairs of the ruling party. The opposition. have to quit," said Dr Prakash Chandra fathom who or w hat they arc opposing- too. needs to fo ll ow the no rms and ethics of Lohani. MP and vice-president of the Ras-

18 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 COVER STORY 'We Will Face The Opposition Unitedly' - DR. RAM SHARAN MAHAT

COlIgress leader and MP Dr. RAM SHARAN as committed to Nepal than the Nepali Con­ MA HA T believes that opposition needs to gress. Ill\, COIIsifurional game. He holds the view Do you see anything wrong in the Lauda that it is the party which ca" decide who will Air deal? lead the govemme11l. DrMahar spoke to SPOT· Therc seem to be some wrong doing in LIGHT 0/1 variolls isslles. Excerpts; the Lauda deal because no rational and sen· siblc management could have signed th at kind Opposition parties are demanding the of deal. You cannot justify the deal in an resignation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad economic sense. It will be tutal disaster for the Koirala. As a member of the ruling Nepali RNAC. There was no proper discussion before ongress party. how do you see that de· the deal was made. There was no serious and? discussion in the management board. It looks In a parliamemary democracy. the oppo· so expensive. You will see after a year how sition party can ask for the resignation of the much money RNAC will lose. In the last prime minister. Going by news repon and month or so since the aircraft arrived, the rumor, they want to stall [he parliament to ai rline has lost corrores. It was a bad deal to force the prime minister to resign. If that is so, they are not satisfied with the functioning of justify. But until proven, YOll cannot passjudg· it is nOI a healthy practice In parliamem. If the government. they can ask for thc prime menL Similarly, the Commission of lnvestiga· opPOSition is not satisfied with the functioning minister's resignation. They can also bring a tion of Abuse of Authority is probing the issue. \tyle of the prime minister. they have every vote of no·confidence in parliament. If they There are other institutions working on it. right to ask for his re~ignation. It happens in are not satisfied by the functioning of the What strategy does the Nepali Con­ other parts of the world also. But the opposi~ government, there are various ways tocheck it. gress have to face the opposition? tion in Nepal has started a wrong practice by They can bring an adjournment motion. aUen­ At the moment, I am not in a position to trying to force the physical obstruction in the tion motion and motion on urgent public issue. say anything. But we will face the opposition parliament. It will be very unprincipled prac· There are many ways of drawing the attention unitedly. If they come out heavily. we will (i ce. Such act ions help only those forces who of the government. If they follow the fair uni tedly oppose it. Although weare nol happy do not believe in normal parliamentary prac~ game. I don', have any complai nts. If they play with the functioning of the governmenl, we tices. Whatever they do, the OPPOSition parties extra·constitutionai methods. that will only will discuss it within the party. We will nol should do within the ambit of established par· strengthen the hands of forces who oppose the gi ve any opportunity for the opposition to liamentary practices and norms present form of government attack ourpany. lftheycome in an unconsliru· Does this challenge concern only Prime Opposition parties argue that the gov­ lional manner, we will respond accordi ngly. Minister Girija Prasad Koirala or is it tar· ernment has failed to restore law and order, What message have Congress workers eted against the Nepali Congress also? curb corruption and control rising prices. received after the Pokhara convention? It is both. The prime minister is also How do you respond? A fler the Pokhara convemion. many things adcr of the parli amentary party of the Nepali I agree with the fact that the present have settled down. It is now in the hands of Congress. At present, the country is facing government has not been successful in tackle Prime M inister and pany president Girija Prasad many problems and the Nepali Congress is the many challenges. The prime minister has not Koirala to ensure pany unity. The real test of a only party which can give the nation a proper been able to fulfill the promises he made leader's success lies in the balance he can create dIrection. It has to forge unity among the rank befofe coming to power last year. The law. in the party. The leaders must rise above the and file. The present situation is that the Con· and·order situation has deteriorated and good fac tionalism and prejudices. The prime minjs· gress is not a very united party. Perhaps the governance is only on paper. We have heard ter has to strike a balance among various forces opposition wants 10 take advantage out of the all egations of corruption such as the Lauda in the pany. In every party, there are various situation. case. But if you go by the record of the last 10 power centers, groups and sub groups. The Can the opposition dictate who should years, it is the Nepali Congress which has leader must reconcile with them. 111e leader has be your leader? made real accomplishments in the country. to create unity and mobilize the whol e appara· Not at all. It is the sole privilege of the Thecountry has achieved something under the tus of the party to achieve declared goals. Un· members of the Congress party. It is not the leaderShip of three prime minister of the Con­ fonunately, that has not happened in the past. I business of the opposition to choose a particu· gress. I personally worked under all the three hope the party president wi ll give justice to lar person as the leader of the government. [f Congress leaders. No party is as patriotic and various factions in the pany. •

triya Prajatanlra Party (RPP), which the Playing With Internal Politics entire party. UML is trying to enli st in its anti-Koirala This raises a core political issue: Is it "If the prime minister is involved in li ght. fair o n the part of one party to seck the corruption , there is no reason to blame the The UML and the RPP also have a replacement of the leader of another? If party asa whole," said the RPP's Dr. Lohani. moral obligation to demand fresh elections the prime minister is corrupt, what does If members are honest, how can it be when they see the government is unpopu· that say about the entire party? After all, said that the prime minister is dishonest? lar. interestingly, neither is making that the prime minister not o nly represents but How can a dishonest prime minister be demand. is a lso working with the support of the elected by ho nest members?

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 19 COVER STORY

By their actions and strident rhetoric, the other hand, because parliament has a prime minister's chair always feels inse­ the main opposition party wants to split the fixed tenure, the prime minister is always cure and shaky because he does not have Nepali Congress. After the Pokhara con­ insecure and is unable to discipline mem­ the power to discipline hi s ministers and vention, Congress carne out with a message bers. supporters in parliament. At the same time, of unity. The opposition began demanding Senior Congress leaders. too, are criti­ he does not have the power to keep the the resignation of Koirala only after he was cizing the inefficiency and lackluster per­ opposition at bay by threatening to hold rc-elected overwhelmingly as party presi­ formance of the government. "There is fresh elections. The result is a weak prime dent. economic depression in the country and the minister. Under the arithmetic of the current government cannot find reliefby citing the Even a decisive person like Koirala parli~enl. the UML is in no position to world-wide recess ion. The government has proved to be weak because he has not form an31remative government. The main must bring clear policies to eradicate pov­ been able to assert the authority of his opposition party knows that the best hope erty and end unemployment," former prime office. The changed interpretation of the of going to power lies in seeking a fresh minister Kri shna Prasad Bhattarai told re­ constitution has weakened the role of the mandate from the people. Will UML lead­ porters at the Congress Central Office. prime minister. There is no consensus ers ask the prime minister LO call fresh The opposition has to learn to press the among politician that the prime minist elections? government through constitutional ways. needs to have the right to dissolve tlit,; Failure of Congress If the opposition does not see any hope in house. The UML' s demand for the resigna­ the current government, letlhe country go No one wants 1O restore this right be­ tion of Koirala is justified on the ground of for another election. This would be much cause the opposition believes itcan bargain the poor performance of the government. better than to paralyze the government of with a weak prime minister on every issue. There are failure in leadcrshipand the people the day. An effective prime minister needs strong arc restive. Out of pessimism, some are authority to run parliamenl in accordance loo king toexl.ra~constitutional and undemo­ with the provisions of the constitution. cralic alternatives. In another manifesta­ All these negative factors have gripped ti on of popular frustration, violence is in ­ the country's polilics. The fortunale thing creasing. in Nepal is that the opposition knows ev­ The di senchantment of the people in erything about governance because it has the street is seen in those bOllts of nostalgia had stints in power. for the balance of authority and responsi­ It is difficult to run the government in bility that was maintained by the earlier a society where the per capita income is political system. Today's system is respon­ under US$ 200 and more than hal f of the sible to the people, but who bears the re­ people are illiterale. But is it correct 10 sponsibility for all these things that have destabilize the process just to capitalize on gone wrong? the resentmerll of the people? Unemployment is a major national Theopposition should haveconfide problem. A large numberof educated people in the political process and the patience to want to leave th e country in search of belt er wail and explore the possibilities within the opportunities in Malaysia, Gulf countries, constitution. United States and other destinations. ''The law-and-order situation is dete­ If you start blocking lhe prime minis­ Agriculture. the traditional backbone riorating and there is no sense of gover­ ter fro m entering the house. who will listen of the economy. has also been facing a nance. We need to have a powerful govern­ to the members' criticism? Who will reply major crisis because of rising prices of ment to deal with various problems," said to their arguments? The people have every fertilizer and low prices for crops. Dr. Mahat. right to know from the government what The price of fertilizers ha ve risen by In a parliamentary democracy, the programs it has for the nation's welfare? At 100 percent over the last 10 years. Increas­ majority party must rule and the minority the same timc. the people have the right to ing costs of cultivation and decreasing rates must critici ze. In the name of criticism. know from opposition leaders where they of return have pushed the subsistence-level however, the opposition should not walk intend to lead the COlllllry 10. life of lhe average Nepali below the pov­ on the path of anarchism and obstruction­ Although Koirala appears to be innu­ erty line. In some places, starvation has ism. "How can you visualize a political enced by bad advice from his family mem· become a looming threat. scenario in which the main opposition party hers. his daughter was rejected by an elec· In the midst of this national crisis, obstructs the functioning of the govern ­ tion officer he nominated. It seems the everybody looks towards the government ment from within parliament and from the prime minister did nOt want to interfere in and the prime minister. The government, streets?" an analyst asked. the election process. This is something however. looks at what the prime minister Insecure Prime Minister unique in Third World democracies. likes to look at. The power of the people to The present government inertia has its The core question: why has Koirala change the government is blocked by the roots in the insecurity that has gripped the failed even with such a long experience in five-year fixed tenure of parliament. On chair of the prime minister. A person in the politics. In his first term. when he was

20 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 inexperienced, the country suffered much. emment to say that they were unable to Because of a weak position. today even a deliver the goods by the obSlructionisl11 of 'It Is Our Duty To strong prime minister fails to deliver the the opposition." said a political analyst. goods. Koirala knows the ins and outs of When the opposition prefers the street Oust A Tainted the country. He does not have the power to to parliament. people may be confused ill be assertive. He always has to compromise the process. They might stop seeing the with opposition parties and members of his difference between democratic and 110n­ Prime Minister' own party. That has turned politics ugly democratic forms of government. Opposi­ -BHARATMOHAN ADHIKARY and unhealthy, tion to democratic and non-democratic Has parliament become so irrelevant governments are two different things. Chief whip of the that the opposition has to go out on the Earlier, there was an undemocratic main opposition street? Has parliament outlived its utility government. Today open and democratic CPN-UML and failed? If so. the prime minister must elections are held periodically. Very soon, HARATMOHAN have the courage to go to the .leople, He the elections to local bodies are going to be HIKARY is olle should not sq uander his authority just to held. The time has come for the opposition ofthe powelftll lead­ remain the prime minister. He is morally to prepare for those elections and try to and duty bound to the oath he has taken ers of his parry. He defeat the ruling party. spoke to SPOT­ under the constitution. Two main leaders of the opposition At the same time, the opposition must party. including opposition leader in par­ LIGHT on vario/ls not play politics in the affairs of another liament, were members of the panel that issl/es regarding the party. It must develop itself as an alterna­ drafted the current constitution. If they latest srrtlregyofthe tive to th e government. 11' opposition lead­ themselves are in 11 0 mood to accept the CPN-UML. Ex­ ers think things have become so bad. they preamble of the constituti on, what can they celpts: should stop gi ving ultimatums to the prime expect from future generations. minister and demand fresh elections? The Historical Hangover Are you asking for the resignation of opposition parties can demonstrate their Every party in Nepal has a history of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala sol idarity by introducing a resolution in agitation against undemocratic systems. only or the entire Nepali Congress gov· parliament urging the prime minister to Nepalese parties do not seem to have been ernment? dissolve the house and hold fresh elections. able to break free from this legacy even in Right now, we are asking for the resig­ Expectations ofj oining a coalition govern­ today's democratic set-up. nation of Prime Minister Koirala on the ment may benefit a few, but they are cer­ The constitution has given a clear role ground that he is involved in the Lauda Air tainly not going to help democracy. 10 the political parties to participate and deal. Since Congress has a majority in par­ Failure of Party or PM? activate their desired role tltrough peaceful Iiament, the can nominate their leader. party If the prime minister of a majority gov­ means. However. today's opposition par­ w can a tainted person continue to be f ernment is unable to work, his cabinet co l~ ties are caught in a time warp. They think rime minister. We will also ask for the leagues also beas the responsibility, [n total­ they can oust ademocratically elected gov­ resignationofNepali Congress government. ity, it is the failure of the party as a whole. ernment through the same methods they Is it a democratic practice to stall Parliament is not divided between Prime adopted to di slodge the Panchayat system. parliamentary proceedings? Minister Girija Prasad and UML leader The bad precedem of protests and vio­ if Koirala does not comply with our Madhav KUl11as Nepal. It is divided between lence to bring political change has come to demand. we will not have any other option the NepaJi Congress and the UML Let the haunt today's politics. If today's politi­ [Q stalling the house. As the main opposi­ UML make the Nepali Congress ans werable cians start setting some good examples, tion party, it is our duty to free the country for the prime minister's failures. tomorrow's leaders might be able to enrich from a tainted prime minister. If Koirala Unfortunate precedents were estab­ the quality of politics, resigns before the beginning of the winter lished in the past. The moment the prime How long are we going to say that our session of parliament, we will allow the minister sought the dissolution of the house, parliament is mode led on the British pat­ proceedings. the leaders of the opposition knocked the tern?Willthereeverbea model of Nepalese You party also says you will launch doors of the palace arguing that they should parliament democracy that we can take street protests seeking Koirala's resigna~ begivcn thcopportunily to form an alterna­ pride in? lion. Don't you think you can change the tive government. fn the present scenario, if Many people in Nepal and outside prime minister through parliamentary the opposition leaders have an alternative. wonder when our pOlitics starts gelling procedures? let them demonstrate it. If they do not have some stability? Don't the opposition par­ We will use the street as well as parlia­ alternatives. let them demand fresh elec­ ties think they have a responsibility in this ment to press Girija Prasad Koirala to re­ tions. If they ase not prepared to fonn the direction'? If they do not Change their brand sign.ln a democracy, street demonstrations government or ready for new ejections, of politics, their commitment to the parlia­ can also be used as a method of oust the they should not in vite chaos on the street. mentary process will always be viewed government. • "Don't provide an excuse to the gov- with suspi cion. •

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2,2001 21 INTERVIEW

'The Arrogance Of Big Parties Has Created Problems' - KUBER SHARMA

President a/Green Nepal Por,y, KUBER SHARMA is tinue their sacrifice. BUllhat did nOltake place in case lhefirsr chartered accountant ofNepal. After the reSIO­ ofNepaJ. Rather. political leaders have added fuel to the ralioll of democracy in 1990, he was elected 10 the fire. Corruption is rampant. Authority is slackened, House of Representatives as Cl Nepali Congress candi­ indiscipline is prevalent everywhere. In countries where date. After file lIIid-tel7ll polls ill J 994, he quit the Nepal; the post-revolution leadership is honest. capable an Congress (Uldfloated his OWII party, to {altllch a crusade sincere, political stability has neen sustained and ec againsT corruption. among Olhers I"ings. The energetic nomic development has taken place. Where leaders leader spoke to SPOTLIGHT lasl week before leaving afrer {he revolution have turned corrupt. the entire for Dallg alld Sa/yoll as part of his efforts 10 bl/ild lip (I coumry has been doomed. I am very sad to say that our 1101;0110/ base jor his party. Excerprs: revolutionary leaders have failed in the task of nation building. They have proved to be corrupt and incompe­ How do you evaluate the recent general conven­ tent. tion of the ruli ng Nepali Congress par ty? The government is going to set up a n Armed It was a big 'mela' where the problems of the Police Force through ordinance. Will it help resolve coumry were not discussed. It's a pity that Nepal's the Maoist problem? 0lde5t and largest pany has no solutions to the problems There is a very old saying: violence generales the country is facing today. The big gathering at the violence. Wars have not solved problems and authori­ convention only showed its hollowness. tarian governmcllls could nOI suppress violent revolu­ W hat about the money spent on the conven­ tions. Based on the historical facts. creating a paramili­ t ion? tary force in Nepal is not going to solve the Maoist Well, there were two kind of COMS. Direct costs problem. included expenses on fooding and lodging for nearly What should be done to end the Maoist insur­ 2.000 people over five days. The indirect cost included gency? expenses involved in travel ing [0 and from Pokhara First. the democratic forces - those who believe in from all over the country. KaLhmandu's "The govern­ streets were parl iamentary democracy - must correct themselves. empty because almost all government-owned vehicles They must institutc an anti-corruption drive. Ir nee ment shou were taken to Pokhara. This shows ld that a fabulous sary, they must penalize their own leaders and cadre amount was spelll in organizing the talk not only to NC convention and That will restore some public confidence in the leader­ there was rampant misuse of the government authority ship. Secondly. wc must have e<.:onomic programs that big par and resources. ties, but directly benefit the landless and the poor. Third. we Do you expect some change in the shou Koirala have a caste system. The so-called lower caste people in ld also government's style of functioning? our society have not benefited despIte the liberalization What do you mean by change? seek the sup­ Tfthe leadership is of politics. We must have social upliftment programs the same. change has no meaning. port Sycophants will for them. Backward castes and communities must be of the comc and go. As long as Koirala is the leaderoflhe party given opportunities in government employmcnt, in and government. changes in the subordinate smaller parties. level have education and in economic programs. That will give no meaning. You can expect changes in the physical enough political support to the democratic parties to The powerful faces or in compromises with the opposition. But the neutralize the Maoist violence. country needs change in the style of governance. parties tend to The How can the Maoist rebels be brought to Nepali Congress the government is known for bad gover­ negotiating table? forget that the nance. And I do not see any sign of change in that The government has the responsibility direction. to maintain trouble created law and order and create a congenial atmosphere in Why is Nepal still suffe ring rrom politica l insta· society. Therefore. the government should take initia­ in the country bility although we have a majority government in tives 10 bring the Maoists to {he negotiating table. place? The is an outcome government should talk not only to big parties, but Every revolution brings political instability. To should also seek the support of the smaller parties. The of the activities restore stability, it needs more sacrifice. In the period of powerful parties tend (0 forget that the trouble created struggle, there was no power, no authority of the small and no in Ihccountry is anoutcomeoflheactiviliesorthe small material gains. But once the political forces reach power parties. To solve political problems. the cooperation of parties. " they have LO resist their temptation. they have LO con- small parties mu~t be sought The arrogance of big

22 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2. 2001 INTERVIEW parties has not been able to sol ve the problem; rather, it has created more problems. It is said that there is a need of an alternative democratic party in the country. How do you see the role of your party? Of course, there is a dire need of an alternative democratic party. Unfortunately, in Nepal's 50w year­ old democratic history, there has not been a formidable democratic party to challenge the Nepali Congress. The communist parties have become the alternative to the Nepali Congress. Communist parties, I must admit. arc a large and formidable force in thecounrry. Butcornmu­ nism as a system has not survived in the world. Neither has it been able to deliver. So. a communist party can't be an alternative to the Nepali Congress. There is a need an alternative democratic party. We are trying to ild the Green Nepal Party as a party of honest and educated individuals committed to the welfare of the people and the nation. Since the Nepali Congress government has failed to deliver, what alternatives do the people have? When you sow a seed in the field, il genninates after some time. The seeds of change have already been thrown and the people expect that change will bring possible. The efforts by the Nepali Congress. UML and "The monar­ bener results. The change that our society is going to even royalists to isolate the king from national politics chy has always face cannot be averted and that change is not going to be have brought chaos in the country. Now everybody says for the better because what you sow so you reap. the king should have more power. We say the king has been a signa­ How long do you think your party will take to certain powers within !.his constitution and he should tory to agree­ become a formidable force in Nepalese politics? exercise them. The world lives on hope and success lies in positive How do you assess Nepal's foreign policy in the ments that thinking. I am very positive because the country needs an region over the last 10 years? have brought altemativedemocraticparty. The second thing, the Green NepaJ's foreign policy has been direction less for Nepal Party is nOljust a party limited to Nepal. It is part the last few years. Ifit has any direction, it has only one: changes in of the Green Peace revolution of the world. If Green like a river. it flows to the south. SAARC (South Asian parties are coming to power in Europe, they will also Association for Regional Cooperation) has almost col­ Nepal. If you c:ii:e IO power in Nepal. Our party has good contacts in lapsed and Nepal could do nothing. Nepal is suffering want to ignore than sixtydislricts.ln almostalllhe lerai district we from the pangs of Bhutanese refugees. In fact, they I.have already established a strong popular base. The should have been refugees in India. Tamil rebels have the monarchy frustrated people have selcomed our policies. specially made their base in Kathmandu. Afghan refugees. gold after the anti-corruption drive. We have some resource crunch. smugglers, drug smugglers, everybody has found shelter Once we manage that we will be on our way to power. in Nepal. If the government doesn't know about these changes, that What are the programs of your party? activities, then what is the use of having a government in is not possible. First, we believe that corruption is the root cause of the first place? all evils. We will try our best to prosecute corrupt Do you really believe there is no future for The efforts by politicians. Second, we must have balanced develop· SAARC? the Nepali ment and we must have programs for the poor and Looking at the relations between the member na­ backward classes. These programs should produce re­ tions and looking at the SAARC Charter· which sl ipu· Congress, sults in a short period of lime. lates that a summit cannol Lake places even if one UMLand even Why is your party calling for a greater role for member objects - this organization has become non­ the constitutional monarch? functional. royalists to There are a lot of contradictions among the big As both India and Pakistan have become nuclear, isolate the king political parties and personalities in the counlry about does this spell insecurity to the smaller nations of the role of the king. They say under a constitutional South Asia, especially Nepal? from national monarchy. the King has no role to play. The reality is Oh, yes, it's obvious. If two elephants fight, the politics have qui te different. The monarchy is the oldest. most stable grass is crushed. Any nuclear war is going to destroy all and most popular institution in Nepal. All changes in the the countries in the region, not only the smaller nations. brought chaos past have been with the concurrence oflhe royal palace. In foreign policy and statecraft, there is a policy known in the country" The monarchy has always been a signatory to agree· as balance of power. Since there are two nuclear powers ments that have brought changes in Nepal. If you want in South Asia, Pakistan and India. This factor must act as to ignore the monarchy after the changes, that is not a deterrent for bOlh, and the smaller nations as well. •

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 23 ART

becomes more intensive and pure. Fonns can EXHIBITION appear and disappear. I feel c~osely related to the French painters of the 70s and 80s and the poelic visualization of Nico de Maria." The Magnificent Seven Peter Schenk, who is from Amsterdam. Netherlands. is working in mixing media on paper and canvas. " 'like to travel and work in Artists from four countries hope to take their creativity various places around the world. especially Asia. , am looking for places of spiritual im­ across border portance, for beautiful landscapes and original people. This time' found the top of the world By AKSHAY SHARMA and developed my ski ll s. In 1980, I set out to - Kathmandu:' he says. see different cultures, to meet people and share Schenk. a f1r st~ti me visitor to Nepal. says: experiences. It is very interesting to exchange "All of us worked together and were influ­ even ani.sts :rom the East and the West eastern and western art." enced by each other's works. We used all the S arc mcctll1g In Nepal to create works on On Nepali an Gijzen says: 'The ar! of elements from Nepal. " Speak ing about Ncpa li paper. which they intend 10 exhibi t Nepali artists is very trad itional. It is not good paintings and on why the team chose Nepal around the world. An exhibition of the seven for the anist. They need to develop art foons begin exhibiting their shows, he says: "Gijzen. ani!o.ts from four countries. entitled "Made in because art transcends all boundaries created who has been to Nepal severaJ times. told me Nepal", was inaugurated by the Ambassador by man . People make boundaries. but anists about the country. , was impressed by the of the F~Jeral Republic of Germany Rudigcr don't see th e boundaries," mountains- the theme of the painting "Clouds Lemp on January 25th at the Siddhanha Art Rob de Gaff is from the Hague, Nether­ meets Mountains" - and the energy centered in Gallery. lands. He works rorbalance in the opposites. A Kalhmandu.·· "Seven different artists from four differ­ recurring theme in his works is found in chaos Speaki ng about another of his works, ent cOllntrie~. Nepal. Indi a. Germany and the and order. which he translates in his concept "'Himalayan Woman," Schenk says: .. \ was Ncthcrlandsioni sm in a new form e:

24 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2, 2001 MUSIC 'Our Music Is Definitely Not For The Masses' -UGRAKARMA

Death Clnd music have been combined/or like Children Doom, Sepultura and Dark hope, will keep the scene going. We don't centuries b),arrisls ill works like Schubert's Funeral. We have perfOlmed ·'Impaled care too much about what is right or wrong. /al1l0llS "Death al/d The Median ". Robert Nazarinc" and one of our own songs. As We are not concerned whether 'nannal' Srrcmss {lid a symphonic poem "Death we were the first band 10 play death metal people like our ·extremely indigestible· mId Tralls/armatiall" ill 1890. AKSHAY live here. Ugra Kamla has started the first music. We like il. so wc play it. We play SHRMA of spotlight recelltly spoke to chapter in what may be called The Book our music for a very small number of Sl",il Dev Pallf. all engineering graduate or Nepali Death Metal. And we hope our people who are into extreme death or from KarhmQlIdu University, I"ho is the endeavors here shall make some more black metal. 6Jnt mall of UgraKarma, a death metal Nepali death metal bands to add more What do you go through when you 1If!a1ld. I1 claims to be the ollly group per­ chapters. schedule a show in Kathmandu? Well, forming death metalli,'e ill Nepal. Mem­ How did you get the name for the Ugra Kanna has not organized any show bers include SUllil (vocals/guitars j, AaYllsh band? by itself. But we arc seriously planning to (lead gllitar). Pros/wilt ( drums) al/d Ugra Karma is a Sanskrit term. Since put up a show by the end of February. It's Roshan 011 bass. our musicllyrics (our Kanna) is Ugr•. we really hard. especially ror very non-com­ Give us a brief history of Vgra thought this would be a perfect name for mercial and underground bands like ours. Karma. a Nepali death metal band. But we are determined to organize a show Ugra Kam18 was formed late ~ __~~~~ ______~ __~~~~~~ .. soon. last year. although the members were Do you plan to release an al· previously associated with other bum? bands. I used to play the guitar and Right now we are more focused growled ror a band at Kathmandu on the show, but we are thinking University. Aayush was the hass about gelling a rew songs recorded. player for Yasht. He quit the band But album? (Pause) We' re not quite because of differences with the other sure. members. Subash played guitars in What is death metal music? many bands in school and college. Fast and heavy guitars. bark­ Prashant also played ror a few bands. inglgrowlinglshrickinglscreeching­ (lOur old bass player Roshan also type vocals. extremely rast double­ 'ii ed 10 play with Subash in their bass drullls.lightning-fast solos.and college band. Our first line-up was lyrics that deal with deaLh, violence. supposed to be me on vocals/drums, Tell us about your musical innu· sadism, Satanism, gore. atheism, nihil· Aayush on bass and Subash on guitars. coces. ism, etc. But later we decided 10 switch parts. The My innuences include Slayer, Vn­ Why be influenced by Western new line-up was me on vocals/guitars, leashed, old blackldeaul metal bands like music? Aayush on drums. Subash on lead guitars Sepuitura. Sodom, Sarcofago old Canni­ It's not about eastern or western mu­ and we had Roshan on bass. With this set­ bal Corpse. Rigor MOrlis,Dissection,Cra­ sic. It's about the type or genre or music. up. wc perfonned our first concert at nium etc. We didn't get into death and black metal Kathmandu Utsav 2000. Children or Badoom. Dissection, because it came from the West. We play We even bagged the award for Best Pantera have influenced Aayush. death metal because we like it. We listen Rhythm Guitarist of the year. There wc Subash's infiuences arc Children Of to a lot of eastern bands. Bands from played a cover version of the band Gates Bodom. Dissection, Criminal. Sinister. Japan, Thailand. and Philippines, ror in­ of Ishtar and our own song. Bhandaar Sarcofago, Manowar. Prashant's are Sex stance. We would have loved death metal khaal Parba. Then we took some time Pistols, Gorefest, Pantera, Cannibal even if it had emerged from Bhutan or the on. We again slarted practicing for the Corpse. Children or Bodom Maldives or Papua New Guinea. Death Shikhar Beat Contest. But this time. we What is your approach to music? metal is universaJ. There are no geographi­ changed our bass player and recruited We play death metal, which is defi­ cal. racial, social, religious. or political Prashant who had come all the way from nitely not for the masses. And I see no barriers. • Hong Kong just to play with us in the ruture in tenns or popularity for this kind contest. of music. But still there are a rew head­ Visit Ugra Karma's website at http:// We played cover versions of bands bangers and fewer death-bangers. who we www./tgrakarma.llet .

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 25 FACE TO FACE 'My Success Is The Result Of Hard Work' - DEEPTI R.L. RANA

DEEPTI RAJYA LAXMI RANA heads boast about. We have also organized some the sales alld marketing division of the internationallOurnaments, which are go­ Gokama Forest GolfResort. Bom in 1977 ing to help tourism in a big way. in Kathmondll. Deep!; finished her school­ What measures have you taken to ing frol1l Little Allgel's school alld gradu­ attract foreign tourists? ated from Tribhuvan University after re­ We are also doing international mar­ ceiving a diplomafram illlemoriollal Poly­ keting. We are tied up with the Le technic ill Delhi. She was ollly /8 years old Meridien, wh ich is an international chain. \\'hen she joined the project. Fh'e years They are also doing the marketing for dowlI the Lille. she is making news as lliuch through their international network wit" her professional sllccess OJ !Vith her hotels. beauty. She says slle is tired of giving Do you have plans to organize ma­ interviews 10 journalists WilD, more often jor international golf tournaments? rlian not. concentrate 0 11 herpersollal rather Oh, yes. We are working on that. than professiollal life. Deepti talked to Let's hope it materializes in the near fu­ SANJA YA DHAKAL solely 011 her pro­ ture. fession alld her success. EJ.:celprs: What do you think of the success you have achieved at such a young age? What led you to join the marketing It's the result of my bard work. I sector? believe in God and worki ng hard. Ijust put I didn't think about joining this sector both these things together. when I first joined the company five years beginning, it was a new thing for Nepal. What are your plans? ago. I just started this profession and, as it There were not many golfers and we had a [don't know. I have been here for five moved on, the project got interesting. It new standard golf course in the park. It was years and it has become like my own project. was a unique project to work on. That's very hard to make members at first. But I am involved emotionaily to thi s project.. why 1 am here now. now [am happy it's pick- r::-::-:-~::-:-='::"'":-::-::-:-~::-:-:::-~:::-::-::::-.....- __., ","'hat are your responsibilities? 109 up. MANAKAMANA CABLE CAR I look after sales and marketing, en­ How are the facili· ~ rolling new members. I promote golf bOtll ties available at the ~ locally and internationally. Basically, I Gokarna Forest Golf? ""&." "", ~ ~ concentrate on local membership. Are they at par with in- -:<.,~.,"!'....!. fJ~ How do you enrol members? ternational standards? -I.-~ =-~ We started enrolling members two Yes, we have every- .' and half years back. When we started, I thing. There is a total un­ Since the 17th Ceu.:tury, used to do site visits. one-ta-one site visits. derground drainage sys­ ManskaDlana teJn.ple has organi ze lunch sessions in Gokarna and tem. The grass has been been widely venerated concentrate on golfers. because it was a brought from abroad. All becaue of the belief that ManakSDlsnB Devi Fulfills new designation which I was starting. 1 djd mIf equipment, including all wishes. a bit of PR also. the mowers and sprinklers. Today, instead of the What kind of members do you have? are world class. 4 to 5 hour arduous trek, We have three kind of members -life, There is a lot of hype ManakaDJana is no'W' accessible injust 10 corponltc and term memberships. Life and about golftourism, What lIlinutes by corporate memberships are valid for 25 do you say? ManaksDJana Cable Car. years. Life membership costs Rs 500,000 It's basically targeted while tlle corporate one costs Rs 550,000. for golflOurism in Nepal. I The third one costs US$ 1,500 per year. think Gokarna Forest Golf ~E~V~ery~§P~.assen~~g~er:~Insurcd~~~Ufipto~~ Discount 111c memberships cover the family. Resort is one of the most r =--- :c _~CJ!_C'I>CJ!C'I> How is the market for golf here? beautiful golf courses in ~ M._1II1T'l11.... V/IIrsl11llll 4V) Ltcl. It has really picked up now. We al­ the world. It is inside the twcaI. NlIgpoitlwl. KathmatlOu, Ne{IaI. Phone 43<18110. ~34a25. ~34648 Fax: an""'34515 emad. dII-OCC'...... com I'IJI StII!JOn QEW.6O(W4 ready have more than 100 members. In the jungle and we have lots to 1.:===-______-'

26 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2, 2001 THE BOTTOM LINE

By M.S.KHOKNA

Ne and UML like enemies

(

you fool - It is for public consumption They have really cat and milk relafio71 ship .

Integrated Rural Develop­ prime minister and in accor­ ment Bank (ADB),aftercom­ TRANSITION ment in Asia and Pacific, by dance with the Constitution pleting his visit to the King­ the center's executive com­ of the Kingdom of Nepal dom of Nepal. mittee meeting held in 1990. AWARDED : Actress Bangladesh. Dr. Mohammad Mohsin, Sushila Rayamajhi and LEFT: Narayan Shumsher Chairman of National As­ actor Shree Krishna ACCEPTED: The resigna­ Thapa, Foreign Secretary, sembly, after leading a Shrestha, with the Harit Tara tion by the Minister for leading a Nepalese delegation, Nepalese delegation to the Puraskar. Tourism and Civil Aviation for New Delhi, Indi .~ meeting of Association of Tarini Dulla Chataut, by Asian Parliaments for Peace SELECTED: Nepal, as the His Majesty the King, as per RETURNED: Tadao Chino, held in Phnom Penh, Cam­ vice-chainnan of Cenler for the recommendation of the President of Asian Develop- bodia. •

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 27 VIEW POINT US Concerned Over Nepal's Insurgency By RALPH FRANK, V.S. Ambassador to Nepal

January 23.1951. the United States and Nepal signed an As perhaps you can guess, my '"n"~"mpn l that began a fifty-year relationship of trust, mutual co ncern is the current atnlospbere I Ire"p"ct, and commitment 10 the people of Nepal. With that of distrust and negalivism that 1",;"""1;, the United States became the r,rst bi lateral donor to seems to be resulting in an i ncreas­ ing climate of violence in oXlnrp« •. 1 Also at that time, travel in Nepal was still almost exclu­ ing political dissent. My plea is for by foot as only 376 kilometres of rough vehicles tracks political leaders and government I ~,,, and one technical process. Icolle;ge. The illiteracy rate was 98'31-. Nepal is blessed with excel- Health services of any kind were rare. Malaria was endemic lent human resources. with a beautiful country. with an exotic 'th an estimated 25'ff of the population infected at any given and diverse culture, and with a tremendous hydropower -resu lting in prime farmland tial. Indeed, Nepal has within in the Terai lying fallow. Many My concern is the current atmo­ the 100ls to create a prosperous fu­ communicable disease also sphere of distrust and negativism ture for all Nepalis. And wc and wreaked havoc, and life expect­ rest of the donor conununilY are averaged 28 years. that seems to be resulting in an in­ anxious to continue our support In the last five decades. Nepal towards this goal. has built roads, hospitals. schools, creasing climate of violence in ex- However. in the cu rrent envi ­ drinking water systems. The pressing political dissent. My plea is ronmenl. our .effofls can only go Nepalese people can expect to live fi· I" 11 d· d far. While I have not seen a twiceaslongastheycouldin 1951. 01 pO ltlca ea els an government prehensive slUdy, J would can also expect a better edu- officials to renew their commitment that the economic costs of "'"'U'"''' IcallOIl. In 1951. there were only each year are larger than college graduates in Nepal. for good governance, and for all government's hi lateral AID there arc over 1000,000 Nepa/i citizens to commit themselves gel. And the economic costs of attended university in Nepal ful"" anti-government insurgency is Literacy, especiall y among to peace pa rtlclpatLOn zn the greater. It· sheen found el,;evlh,:rel continues to grow. democratic political process. in the developing world that COUIl­ Nepal has made the transition tries succeed best in the develop- democracy and pursued market ment process when they have Thousands of forest/water users groups are now man­ sen elected. representational democracy as the fo rm ofoovern-I the resources they depend on, and the income of many menl: when they have developed strong democratic insti farm families has tripled through high valued crop lions. including an indepcndentjudiciary and a free press: when they have a vibrant opposition that is free to engage in Onc can note from my examples that Nepal has made peaceful , constructive. non-violent protest. lin,credilJlc progress in a relatively short period of time, and the So the most fcrvent hope I havc - during this 50th anlliver-I nited States is proud to be a pan ofthe effons that have resulted sary year of developmclll coope ration between our two this dramatic progress. BUl as we all know. Nepal continues trics - is that it be a year of peace and goodwill so the beneti face dramatic and substantial development challenges. Bilat­ American assistance can be extended to all of Nepal's citizens.1 programs have helped eliminate malaria rrom the Terai. We look forward to continUing our enduring panncrship Ido,uble life expectancy. and improve literacy in Nepal. the people of Nepal. and support their effortS to achieve I wish to take just a momcnt to comment on what I regard ing economic and social progress. Cl cloud hanging over CUlTent development efforts. and 10 an earnest and heartfelt pica for an improved national Excerpts of the speech delil'ered £11 the funclion to that will facilitate future effons. USAIDWepal 50th anniversary ceiebl'Olioll.

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2, 200! PASTIME • Historical Study of Agrarian Relations in Nepal 1846-1951 Now In Town BOOK Shanker Thapa/2000 Rs. 560.00 Institutional Credit and Agricultural Development in Nepal Development challenges for Nepal Satya Bhan Yadav/2000 Rs.480.00 M.<. DahallK.P. AcharyalD.R. Dahal/K.8. Bhanarai/M.K. Nepall2000 Rs.250.00 Mushrooms of Nepal Mahesh Kumar Adhikaril2000 Rs. 1500.00 Documents OD Nepal: A Collection of Diplomatic Correpsondence with british-Ind Milestones of History Volume 1. ia San ads and Lalmohara Pramod Mainali/2000 Rs. 2000.00 Dil Bahadur Kshetri/1998 Rs. 841.00 Nepal: Society and Culture Domestic conflict and Crisis of Governability in Nepal Sushi I K. Maidull999 Rs.640.00 Bhruba Kumar/2000 Rs.525.00 Nepal Yearbook 2000 Events of the Year 1999 Development and Foreign Investment Ramesh C. Arya/2000 Rs.3oo.oo Issues and Perspectives Tirr,ilsi" a18 . Mahatol2000 Rs. 150.00 Resources Allocation in the Agricultural Sector in Nepal: Analysis and Impact of Policies Globalisation South Asian Perspective Milan Adhikari/2000 Rs. 1360.00 Rmnakar Adhikari/2000 Rs.75.00 Social and Cultural Like of the Nepalese Good Governance in Nepal Perspectives From Punam Kumarill999 Rs.I040.oo Panchathar & Kanchanpur Districts Bihari Krishna Shreslhal2000 Rs.350.00 (Source: Himalayall Book Center, Bagh Bazar, Kathmalldu, Ph: 242085)

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SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 2, 2001 29 LEISURE

~E~ I ~""~D WORKINC1~ ! WM.EN I 6'O'T PRomOTED TO I"'OW 1'1'1'1 RUNNING M"i OWN I !AlII!) POWERI.ES50 BUT 5tJR- I'\ANAC1EmENl r HAD mORE BU5.t~E'5S FROM HOI'I'IE. r R,Our.lOE:O 8'1 A OEF'AlUmENT 1AU1"HORIT>1 , BUT ONt."I A FEw I HAVE TOTAL CONTROL O\lEIt. fULL Of WO,cU(.E.R5 WHO WER PEOPLE I COULD A(,TUALL'f EVER.., SEC.OND Of ffN OA'I .. ALL c.omPLlIINII'II(] ABOUT :: WHINE TO ABouT ANYTHING, I", BuT /1.10 ONE Tt! SHARE tn'f C TltE 5IImE TtllI'H;5 I WAS ... '~ AN)(LETtE!) WITH EXC.EPT A J.~~ THE REfRIC1EP. ATOR. T H Y ~~(.;~i

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.'0 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRLARY 2. 2rXJl LEISURE CROSSWORD Por 06jective Wews, Views ana JlnaCysis (Rgad

ACROSS DOWN SPOTLIGHT I. Maintain boy's about to become indepen­ I. Find a wife in oncan coumryor anOlher(6) dent-minded (8) 2. I'll shoulder my equipment. stay with the THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE 5. Nervous leaders of armyy facing assault leader. and make notes (9) (6) 3. Given some money back as disputant 10. Retrospective of passion play (4,4,2.5) switches sides (7) 11. Jet's designer had to make repeated cuts 4. Secret source of timeless prestige (5) (7) 6. Aatter type of fab ric (7) 12. Alcove for statue made of clay, intrinsi­ 7. What green may mean. in painting's special CEvery Priaay cally effeclive (7) language (5) 13. Joker, say. can be a match for any charac- 8. Delighted. possibly having ended on the ter (4.4) rocks. welcoming rescue craft (8) 15. No end of sweat. using this tool? (5) 9. Idle dogs resolved to knock off (8) I must leave recount. to return after an i4, First appearance of Hook, or second. in . interval (5) theanre (8) t' J Attractive fields taking long 10 cross (8) 16. Two types of wood that may be used for 23. Cut corners in room that's fine for bach­ kindling (9) elor (7) 17. Parliamentary officer threatening the bar 25. Conductor's slrange variation (7) (5.3) 26. Admiuing recreation I preferred for a 19. Onc clarifying limits of rule right to support spell ? (15) penalty' (7) 27. Old fool injectingalmoslextinct bird with 21. Withdraw as reaclion to superficial irrita- preservat ive (6) tion (7) 28. Lack of air sounded a di fficulty where 22 One-time goddess describing progress in "Your greater highest peaks are (8) AA? (6) 24. Somewhcrctosleep. whenstartingacourse than my Shakti (5) 25. In South Africa. general signs of pollution Faith can grow on the (5) soil of Dharma with SlIlWS '~l lO..)5V 'vl EU~41V 'll lplCJ1S 'I l JJu!J!'M '61 pOJ )jJCI8 'L I xoqJ::Jpu!l '91 JlCJ!dsV 'PI ertile sub-soil J5pOIS!O '6 pJUJ'l.JEG 'SlOSJV 'L !;)uue l-::l'9 J4JE;) 'p P:l)cqJM '£ lS! U!IO!A 'z !MEIEW ' I : NMOa ofVeda." E! XA 4dsV ·n pletOa Le 0 l qll,rulsuo,, ~ ·90 lU031CS ·,e 10Jwc4::J ·£Z Iucscold ·oe 101C, ·SI 04tC'l ." P'C' PI!M "£ I Ollaun, ·Z I 011l1 4M ·1 1 laguc ut ~,cq ~oo'·OI PIClN S ~'IJOACW·I : SSOll::JV SATHYA SAl BABA NOIl.D'IOS

SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001 31 FORUM Classification Of Newspapers And Magazines In Nepal By YUBA RAJ PANDEY

are different ways of classifying newspapers and magazines in anaJysis of the subject. reliability, originality, coordination of ad',ertiS(,-1 countries. In most countries, only circulation figures matter. In ments, relation of heads and subheads. invesligativeness are 10 eleme,otsi . newspapers and magazines are evahiated on the basis of criteria that get equal value. irnponance to many other areas. Circulation receives 40 percent Language; (10) - Word use, sentence structure, language fluency, editorial and grammatical correctness are five elements that get equaJ audit committee of circulation of newspapers and magazines value. ico,nsilStsof the following members. according to Article 10 of the Press Layout: (5) - Presentation of letters. pictures, columns and I,-()ur,c" Act 1992 and the tradition developed by government decisions highlights are four elements that receive equal importance. after the adoption of this act: Printing: (5): Out of 5 marks. 2 is allocated for printing te~~~'~~~1 Press Registrar (presently. director~generaJ. Department of lnfonna· and 3 for quality. Letterpress printing receives I and offset-press tion) - chairman 2. Errorlessness, clarity and size as well as the pace between words j) Representative, Ministry of Information and Communications - sentences are three equally important elements in measuring the quali member Article: (5) Originality. structure, invcstigaliveness. diversity Representative, Press Council Nepal- member the relation of heads and subheads each I mark. Representative. Auditors' Association - member Photos: (5)-color. place. originality, hw, narl in',er<,,12mdcoteXluality i R~~~:'!~::~~.~t~:;/~~:~: Association of Advertising Agencies-member gel equal value. 1I Chamber of Commerce - member If newspapers and magazines are available on the Internet. An official designated by the Press Council- secretary receive an additional four marks. For example. if a newspaper The nomination of representatives of the Auditori's Association, marks outof I 00 and that publication is also availableon the Internet. Association of Advertising Agencies and Nepal Chamber of its total reaches 67. as members of the committee has become a tradition follow­ Similarly, if the code of conduct monitoring sub-committee of made by the government. Similarly. the president of the Press Council finds that certain papers are violating the basic nonns Journalists is requested to attend thc committeeis values of journalism. then it may recommend the subtraction folllo"'in!lS are the functions. duties and power of this maximum of 10 marks from total obtained by such newspapers. classification is based on the reduced marks. determine the number of publications on the basis of the Newspapers and magazines are classified into four classes on lell,cu la",,)n of newspapers and magazines and keep up-to-date records. basis the marks they obtain. The minimum marks required for each I To classify newspapers and magazines on the basis of specific are: 'Cfnel,.. including the circulation or number of publications. a) Group A (Ka) 65 percent According to Rule 17 of the Press and Publications Regulation 1993, b) Group B (Kha) 50 percent classification of newspapers and magazines is made on the basis of c) Group C (Ga) 35 percent reports submiued by the Office of the Press Registrar and Press Council d) Group 0 (Gha) Less than 35 percent Nepal. The following is the procedure for classification. The following additional conditions should also be fulfilled: a) The audit commiuee of circulation evaluates and classifies the a) At least 10,000 copies per issue must be published to be i'r ,clUldetji publications and gives its report to the Press Council. in Group A. b) The Press Council report and sends it 10 the Ministry b) Fulfillment of conditions on minimum size and page number~ i through the Departmentoflnforma- defined by Rule 7 (I) of the Press and Publication Regulations 1993 for the govemmentis approval. mandatory for Group A and 8. Criteria of Evaluation or Auditing: c) Fulfillmentof at least one condition -either siz,e olr p'tge numt)eri The audit committee of circulation evaluates newspapers and maga­ - is necessary for Group C. on the basis of criteria developed by the committee itself. This FulfiUment of the conditions of publishing the minimum issues was first made public in 1998 by the commitree. If the criteria has one year as defined by Rule 7 (2) ofthe Press and Publication Kel!-"Ii.llons.1 be changed. then the committee has to take a decision for the necessary 1993 is mandatory for evaluation and placement in Group Ichano'cs. But such changes are nOl made during the perioo of evaluation. newspapers are required to publish at least 300 issues and eVi.luati,," has begun. then any change in the criteria is not made newspapers have to publish at least 40 issues in a year. Half-monthly. the completion of the work being evaluated. monthly and bimonthly papers or magazines have to publish 20.10 and EvaJuation is made in the full marks of 100, which have been 4 issues respectively. lall,ocated in the following way: People in developing countries think every system adopted in Sphere/Area Mark Allocated Guidelines for marking developed countries is better than their own. That is why many in the Part I (60 marks); This part of the evaluation is made by the profession want to borrow the western system of auditing circulation. However. this tendency is aJso what keeps developing countries Circulation: (40)-2 marks for each 100 copies. Papers that publish from new inventions and conlributions. When J was in mcn""aSlI) more than 19.000 copies per issue get 40. Bhatlacharya, chainnan of the Press Institute of India and Code of conduct (10) - One mark is deducted for every breach of of India. was found to have been innuenced by our system ofclassifvi,ogl code of conduct. , newspapers. Regularity: (5)-One year of regular publication in nOlless than the There are certainly some merits in our system and we Inulml)cr of issues stated in the regulation gets one mark. recognize them in the process of improving the system. The ten,dOlncy Pages: (5)-Each additionaJ pageoverlhe minimum pages required regard a system as good only when it satisfies oneis needs and according to the law receives one mark. become aculture in our country. Jfwe are able to pull ourselves out()ftlhisl Pan 11 (40 marks) - This part is evaJuated by examiners appointed culture. the evaluation system can also become more Objective the committee. The examiners are often appointed from among people reliable. made contributions in the field of journalism. is Director-General

32 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 2. 2001

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