#679 1 - 7 November 2013 20 pages Rs 50
BIKRAM RAI DIVIDED WE DON’T RULE NOT IF, BUT HOW EDITORIAL PAGE 2 Love It was inevitable that this month’s election was going to BOYS WILL BE BOYS Bhim be a referendum on federalism. After sifting through the by TRISHNA RANA PAGE 3 Love it or hate it, manifestos of the main parties in the fray, it is clear that but you can’t ignore the only issue that really divides them now is the question Sunday morning of how many federal provinces Nepal should be carved (DIS) QUIET IN NEPALGANJ love you as it goes into and on what basis. Ironically, this election is going to by MALLIKA ARYAL PAGE 15 viral and you can’t be less inclusive than the previous one. The NC and UML stop yourself from are fi elding fewer women in direct polls and the UCPN (M) VOTE humming the tune. has even cut its women candidates by half. Reports from 19 NOVEMBER CAMPAIGNING AT HARVEST TIME central and western Nepal in this issue show apathy and 2013 disillusionment about polls on 19 November. by SUBHAS DEVKOTA PAGE 19 PAGE 13 2 EDITORIAL 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 DIVIDED WE DON’T RULE t was inevitable that this month’s election was going to The Nepali people have has stuck to its slogan of One Madhes. be a referendum on federalism. After sifting On the other hand, the Nepali Congress, UML, TMLP, through the manifestos of the main parties always shown that they are and other smaller parties feel having more than seven Iin the fray, it is clear that the only issue that wiser and have more common provinces would be unviable and say those provinces really divides them now is the question of should not be named after single ethnicities. The how many federal provinces Nepal should sense than those who want RPP-N and RPP-D agree and also want provinces to be be carved into and on what basis. to rule over them demarcated, taking into account economic viability, There is also disagreement about state infrastructure development including hydropower, structure: whether we should have a prime history, and geography. They want the provinces to have minister elected by parliament, or a geographical names. At the fringe of this formation is president directly elected by the people. the Jana Morcha of Chitra Bahadur KC who is garnering But public opinion polls show the considerable support for being vocally against people are fed up with the uncertainty federalism itself. of a parliamentary system and favour From all this, it is clear that the result directly elected leaders who would be of this election will be keenly watched more accountable to them. to gauge public support for ethnicity- One could argue that the real divide based federalism. There are serious is between those who want polls and the misgivings among Nepal’s neighbours 30 or so parties led by the CPN-M who as well as donor groups that previously don’t. But it now looks pretty certain that supported autonomy for the backward the election juggernaut is unstoppable. An classes. What Nepal really needs is genuine acrimonious difference has erupted within the decentralisation and self-governance that rump Maoists between the main leadership, which is still JON APPEL also gives the marginalised a voice. You can looking for an accommodation and the group of hotheads call it what you want. led by Netra Bikram Chand, that wants to go back to war. UCPN (M), for instance, wants 11 provinces named Nationwide public opinion surveys carried The fact that a faction of a party which was engaged in Limbuwan, Kirat, Tamsaling, Newa, Tamuwan, Magarat, out over the past four years by Himalmedia (publisher an armed struggle against the state is actively involved in Tharuwan, Kochila, two provinces in the trans-Karnali of the Nepali Times) have shown that three-fourths sabotaging polls has implications not just for the quality along geographical lines and even one mysterious ‘non- of respondents have consistently said ethnicity-based of the voting, but also for the Constituent Assembly being territorial’ province for the smaller indigenous groups. It federalism is a bad idea. Disaggregated data even show able to come up with a workable draft. is clear that the UCPN (M) is trying to be everything to that 78 per cent of Madhesi caste groups and 58 per cent Leaving that aside, Nepalis head to the polls with a everyone and this is just an election stunt. It is not really of Madhesi ethnic groups were against ethnic federalism. broad choice between parties and candidates who support serious about self-governance for the provinces, whatever The proportion of respondents from the Newar community federal units named after a single ethnic entity and those they are named. who think ethnicity-based federalism is wrong is who back federal units with multiple-identities or along The FSP led by Ashok Rai wants even more, as many over 80 per cent. topographical lines. The UCPN (M), the MJFN, and the as 14, ethnicity-based provinces that include autonomous The Nepali people have always shown that they are Federal Socialist Party composed of Janajati leaders who regions for Sherpas, Mithila, and Jadan in northwestern wiser and have more common sense than those who defected from the UML are for ethnicity-based federalism Nepal. The MJF-N’s formula is identical to the UCPN (M) want to rule over them and this election (if it is free and and have made this their main electoral plank. The for ethnic autonomy and self-determination, but the party independent) once more will be proof of that.
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MORNING AFTER dealings with spooks and godmen is on guides from south of the border. David once when I was in Nepal and DYING TO GO TO NEPAL It all boils down to the same a political witch hunt ...’, this is why the Grimalji his energy was infectious. Thanks to I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at question: is a fl awed election upcoming election is fatally fl awed. It is him for giving us the Last Resort and this week’s Backside, but I do hope the pushed by foreigners better than no being supervised by crooks answerable As suggested by Bihari Shrestha, bringing adventure back into the life of Tourism Board is reading this column, elections at all (‘The morning after’, to outside puppet masters not the let’s all take a pledge this time to vote Nepalis and visitors. I would also like they’ll have a blast for sure (‘Dying Editorial, #678)? Outsiders had Nepali people. for new faces and save the nation. to commend the work that the Last to go to Nepal’, #678). I have visited to step in because Nepali leaders Mum Bhaicha Resort has been doing with the local Nepal twice and the last experience couldn’t agree on power sharing community. was equally unforgettable. I went to and simplistically felt that elections CITIZEN CANDIDATE People voted for the Maoists in the Ravi Norvic to complain of chest pain and I would set everything right. But I think Nepal needs its own version last CA because they were new faces. ROOTED almost collapsed for two reasons: the that plan is structurally unsound of the Aam Aadmi Party (‘Citizen But what difference did they make and There’s nothing new to this story, exorbitant consultation fee and being because it destroyed two institutions candidate’, Ajaz Ashraf, #678). There how much can we expect from new sounds like one of those NGO paid required to run on a treadmill. The of democracy with one blow: the are some promising activist groups faces from this election if the entire articles (‘Rooted in the grassroots’, doctor didn't diagnose properly, in the judiciary and the executive. All this is like Bibeksheel Nepali who have house we are living in is rotted from the Elelyn Hartz, #678). NT, would you end a younger ER doctor stationed going to backfi re badly on the Indians fi elded independent candidates in foundation up? stop being a mouthpiece for donor at the airport prescribed me much and of course us Nepalis will pay the some constituencies, but they have too Ram Lal agencies, NGOs/INGOs and get needed relief: acid refl ux. But I’ll be price. much of an elite base and not enough us real, interesting stories from real back, god willing, next year to meet up Joshi grassroots penetration to pull off a FREE, FAIR, FEAR-FREE Nepal? again with some very lovely local folks win. The issue with small parties and Pahadis and Madhesis are all basically Nepali (this one is sincerely true). By claiming that the upcoming independent contenders is that when Nepalis and have been living together COMEBACK CATS Tennessee elections is being foisted upon us and elections are tightly contested, as the harmoniously for generations and they It is wonderful to see that Nepal’s implying that the Nepali people don’t upcoming one is expected to be, if you would like to continue doing so (‘Free, conservation efforts are being This is so true, so funny, and so want it, Nepali Times is disrespecting vote for the candidate you like the most, fair, and fear-free’, Anurag Acharya, applauded and emulated by the sad. Satire at its best. our aspirations to have full-fl edged you could end up electing the candidate #678). For example majority of the international community (‘The Jug democracy. We have a lot to achieve you like the least. Also, there is always people in Jhapa and Morang don’t comeback cats’, Kashish Das and the country needs to move on. the question of how effective one, two want to be separated from Ilam and Shrestha, #678). The success of our If this paper has a better alternative or fi ve independent candidates can be Dhankuta. Likewise majority of those local model of conservation which has than elections, surprise us. in a 601-member assembly. living in Nawalparasi would like to local community and people at the Weekly Internet Poll #679 Ram Aideeah maintain linkages with Palpa-Tanahu. centre of all activities is the only way Why not ask for the people’s opinion to avoid human-animal confl ict. I hope Q. What do you think of Bhim Niroula’s viral video on YouTube? Does the editor have a better VOTING WITH VENGEANCE through some kind of referendum? Give Nepal’s snow leopard conservation will solution than elections? If not, he Thank you Bihari K Shrestha, your them a chance to choose their partners encourage the protection of other rare Total votes: 316 should stop fanning hopelessness. pieces are always superb but this in the forthcoming state restructuring. Is species of animals and plants as well. Even Bihar of the 90s fi xed itself, time you have out-Biharied yourself this not a more democratic way? Avinash Karki so Nepal too will get better. But by succinctly narrating the whole Daniel Gajaraj educated folks need to think saga of regional politics (‘Voting This is a step in the right direction. positively. with a vengeance’, #678). You have AGAINST THE CURRENT Kudos to the signatories of the Bishkek Sonics defrocked the high priests of Nepal and So sad to learn about white water treaty. And it’s highly encouraging to exposed their duplicity, expediency, and rafting expert and entrepreneur know that Nepal’s conservation efforts ‘… a corruption watchdog chicanery while also reminding us of David Allardice’s death (‘Against the are bearing results. Weekly Internet Poll # 680. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com headed by a character with shady the adventures or misadventures of our current’, Billi Bierling, #678). I met Ramesh P Q. Are you going home to vote in 19 November elections?
Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Editor: Trishna Rana | Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Editor: Bhrikuti Rai | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 OPINION 3
Madhav Kumar Nepal in the Kathmandu 2 and Rautahat 1 constituencies. While these seemingly Boys will be boys uneven match-ups pose a challenge, female candidates can still hope nlike the 2008 elections, Pushing women into the to win through strong and this month’s second strategic campaigning. The Uattempt at electing a CA through proportional playing field also needs to new Constituent Assembly is representation and ignoring them be levelled where resources a predominantly male affair. are concerned. While her ‘Weak’ women candidates in direct polls reeks of tokenism male counterparts travel are being fielded against top in helicopters and SUVs with large entourages, former contest elections from numbers of female candidates CA member and current two constituencies and need to compete against each candidate for UML in Dang HERE WE GO then turns to its female other and against men in the 2 Shanta Chaudary has to go Trishna Rana cadre and tells them FPTP race. door-to-door on foot asking they cannot have tickets? They don’t have to be for rice so that she can finance Theoretically, professional politicians, but her campaign. national leaders in the direct Nepal should have no they also shouldn’t be hand- This is where the Election ballot and female candidates problem surpassing picked daughters and wives Commission should step in the PR lists are mostly the 33 per cent female with no other qualification than in. While the exhaustive there because parties are representation in blood ties to influential male election code of conduct required to fulfil their quotas. the CA, stipulated politicians. This encourages lays down rules on even the Out of over 6,000 candidates by the interim nepotism and corruption. In colour of pamphlets, why from 130 parties who registered constitution. Of the a country where mothers’ can’t it stipulate that all for the First Past the Post (FPTP) country’s 26 million groups and female health candidates get equal campaign funding from the mother race this year about 600 are DIWAKAR CHETTRI population, more volunteers have improved women. This gender imbalance than half are women development indicators of party regardless of gender or existed in the 2008 elections that to 26 this time. Fresh out and there are 6.1 million many rural communities seniority? too, but what has changed is of the jungles, the Maoists must registered female voters in the absence of the state, Even if female candidates the commitment of the three have felt compelled to maintain this year compared to there should really be no dearth end up losing this November, major parties in upholding their revolutionary zeal, even if 5.9 million male voters. of potential candidates. math needs to be used more gender parity. All three have symbolically, since one third of But pushing women onto Some of the 600 female favourably in the future: if cut down on their FPTP tickets their guerrilla force was female. the assembly floor en contenders in the upcoming more women contest overall, for females: 21 and 24 women However, during its seven masse through proportional November elections will the representation will respectively from the NC and years of mainstream politics, representation seats just for the be competing against male eventually balance out. And UML, down from 26 and 27 five the party has proved that its sake of meeting the quota is political heavyweights in their although the experience of years ago. commitment to equality and pure tokenism. constituencies. For example, our South Asian neighbours The most glaring change fairness is just lip service. To really gauge how much Pratima Gautam of the NC has shown that having women is in the UCPN (M) which What message does it send progress women have made and former parliamentarian in top political posts does had 43 Maoist women to young women across Nepal and how ready Nepali society Nilam Barma of the National not automatically translate candidates running for direct when a party gives the green is to see women in positions of Madhes Socialist Party will into gender parity, it won’t polls in 2008, but has slashed signal for its male leader to high political power, far larger have to face senior UML leader hurt to give them a chance. 4 INTERVIEW 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 About time Emerging British novelist, Ned Beauman, was in Kathmandu this week for the Nepal Literature Festival. In his second book, The Teleportation Accident, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, the 28-year-old takes readers on a journey through history with the help of his German protagonist. Nepali Times met with Beauman to talk about his inspirations and writing style.
BIKRAM RAI
Nepali Times: Tell us about your writing habits? Do they change when travelling? Ned Beauman: I deliberately didn’t bring a laptop on this trip because I felt like if you have a laptop, you’ll spend more time in the hotel room. I’ve been commissioned to do a short story for a newspaper in the UK, so I’m going to do that all by hand. Normally I just write with the laptop at the kitchen table in my apartment in Brooklyn, New York. I am travelling to the Riau islands in Indonesia soon because I have an idea for a book set there. That’s the first time I’m travelling to a distant place specifically to look around and see what it’s like. To be honest, though, I get a lot more ideas in a library than I do from travelling. Travelling is useful only to the extent that you get plenty of idle time in the backs of cabs or waiting for planes. All of that is good for developing ideas. But in principle, you could replicate those conditions at home.
Your first two novels were praised for their vivid evocations of the past, be they 1930s Los Angeles or Weimar Germany. What is your research process like? For the first two books, it was just hours and hours in libraries and exploring some locations as well. My third book, which is coming out next year, is set in London in 2010, so I didn’t have to do much research. But with the book I’m working on now, because it’s a historical setting again, I was faced with the prospect of a lot more library time and I couldn’t really face it, so I’m trying to develop a method now where I want to write a book that feels like it’s been meticulously researched, but I haven’t actually had to do anything. I’ve done all that work for the first two books and they have really given me a sense of how an interesting historical footnote or detail is shaped, so now I feel like I can fabricate them plausibly.
Your thoughts on South Asian literature? Honestly, I haven’t really read any South Asian literature that I can think of. But after attending the festival here and meeting so many writers from the region, I am going to make sure to get my hands on some when I get home. I also want to read the works of Nepali writers. I am taking back a copy of La.Lit, the literary magazine, so I’m looking forward to that. 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 BUSINESS 5
BIZ BRIEFS
Fly Miami Qatar Airways will fl y to Miami beginning June next year making the coastal town its sixth destination in the US. The airlines announced it will offer non-stop fl ights from its hub in Doha four-times a week.
Ford power According to the latest Polk global vehicle registration data for the fi rst half of 2013, Ford Focus was the bestselling vehicle nameplate globally. Also, in the same data Ford Fiesta was ranked as the fourth best-selling vehicle overall and the world’s best selling subcompact vehicle.
Branching out NMB Bank has extended its branchless banking services to food insecure communities in Doti district. The bank in collaboration with the World Food Program will now provide cash distribution services to benefi ciaries in Ladagada and Pokhari VDCs.
Flat magic Bajuratna Electronics, a subsidiary of Jyoti Group, launched Kobe tv in the market. The affordably priced LED TV is available in two models: Kobe 22KB and 2K13.
Decking up Standard Chartered Bank Nepal in partnership with Kathmandu Metropolitan City Offi ce conducted a clean-up campaign in Ranipokhari on Saturday. Employees of both institutions worked together to clean the area for the upcoming festival of Tihar.
So good Sony Mobile Communications introduced its new product Sony Xperia Z1 in the market on Sunday. The premium waterproof camera is packed with a wide range of attractive features.
Easy breezy According to Doing Business 2014, a World Bank Group report, over the past year Nepal has made it much easier to start a new business. The same report ranks Nepal 105th out of 189 global economies. Garbage energy Park Village Resort, a KGH hotel, hosted a lunch for Kathmandu Metropolitan City, US Embassy, Clean Energy Bank, Nepal Chamber of Commerce, and Ministry of Local Development to discuss the possibilities of bringing a waste-to-energy plant from the US to Nepal. 6 NATION 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679
MOTHER AND SON: Chumba hugs his mother, Chhang Palmo, after returning to his village in northern Gorkha after 30 years. One of the schools he has built (below).
wondered how something as big as a house moved on the road. In Kathmandu, he was agog at the sight of cars and motorcycles and traffic. Soon after, his uncle died of a heart attack. Chumba became a street child, joining hundreds in Thamel begging from tourists. He competed with stray dogs for leftovers from restaurants, he was bullied and raped by older street children, he sniffed glue, sold marijuana to survive. Every night he slept on the sidewalk under an open sky, using paper boxes as blanket and hugging dogs for warmth. Some tourists gave him pens, which he sold to buy biscuits meant to feed monkeys at Swayambhu. A Japanese tourist took him to Japan, but he didn’t like it there and returned. He latched on to a Lama guru who sent him to Sri Lanka to be trained in acupressure, where he mastered a four year course in eight months. Later, he met German fashion designer Ute Riedlinger in Delhi and got married. In Germany, he honed his skills in alternative healing and found his practice and fame spreading far and wide. Today, Chumba travels around the world teaching his own brand of Tibetan breath yoga that he calls Shey Tsum Yoga, named after his home valley in Nepal. A German tv channel is making a program on his life and his autobiography is being The return of published soon. Chumba was so busy he had forgotten his mother. Recently, on one of his trips leading a tour group to Tibet he ran into the prodigal son a friend and found out that his mother was still alive. The reunion was emotional for Now a famous healer, Chumba Lama returns both mother and son. Chumba saw his mother was coughing to his mother and home village to help others from breathing smoke from her stove, so he bought her GUNA RAJ LUITEL a smokeless one. When he came back a year later with his German biographer, he noticed humba Lama looked that she had given the stove to into the small house and a neighbour who didn’t have Ccalled: “Who is inside?” one. His mother recognised that voice When he asked his mother immediately even though she what she wanted, she told hadn’t heard it for three decades. him to share his knowledge Tears rolled down her wizened with the entire village. So he cheeks as she hugged her son and has helped build two schools looked him over from all sides. “I in Tsum Valley and paid for was crying for 30 years, my son,” teachers. Since water is a his mother said in Tibetan. “I problem, Chumba is helping couldn’t die without seeing you.” build a village water supply Chumba had finally system. come home to his village of Chumba says he bears no Chhekamparo of northern Gorkha grudges against his father, district after leaving it when he holds no rancour for the way was seven years old. His mother, he was treated in his early Chhang Palmo, had been raped life. He tells others to respect by a Khampa guerrilla in 1971 their parents: “It is only when when she was a teenager. After you don’t have the love of giving birth, she went to the your parents you realise how father but he kicked and chased important that is.” her out of his house. steal corn from a neighbour’s later, Chumba still remembers boy had to run to keep up with Chhang Palmo’s family field. Chhang Palmo sold liquor the aroma of the rare rice meal his uncle. He was taunted Guna Raj Luitel is the editor of treated her like an outcast and and sometimes her own body to his mother cooked on his last and teased by the lowlanders: Annapurna Post. her neighbours didn’t help. She take care of her baby. night in Chhekamparo. She “Stinky, dirty Bhote.” But worked the tsampa and potato When Chumba was seven, gave him a Rs 10 note the next even that was better than nepalitimes.com fields carrying her newborn on his maternal uncle who was morning, it was all she had. being called a “bastard” in his her back. Sometimes, when she in the Indian Army took him It took them eight days to village. Chumba was fascinated Longer version of this article in Nepali, photo gallery and video of Shey Tsum Yoga was really hungry, she had to to Kathmandu. Today, 30 years walk to Gorkha and the little by blue Sajha buses and A low pressure trough riding the jet stream is racing across the Tibetan plateau, pushing in wind from the southwest which has brought thick KATHMANDU Indo-Gangetic inversion haze up to the Himalayan midhills in Nepal, blocking mountain views. There is some moisture riding on the back of this system which may trigger some afternoon showers in the higher altitudes over the weekend, adding to the snow dumped there over Dasain. Tihar will be hazy in Kathmandu Valley, with minima at 11 celsius. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 19° 19° 19° #679 1 - 7 November 2013 12° 11° 12°
initially failing to be selected for the tournament. Her superb wicket- keeping helped Nepal defeat Hong Kong in what she says is one of her most memorable matches. Her hard work and dedication earned her the post of vice-captain the following year. Her family have been avid TUFAN NEUPANE in NEPALGANJ supporters and help keep her motivated when she feels amta Thapa was only four overwhelmed trying to juggle her when she first held a cricket studies and practice. During her Mbat. Two decades on, the time off, Mamta has also dabbled vice-captain of the Nepali women’s in beauty pageants such as Miss cricket team, is still as passionate Nepalganj and Miss Madhyamanchal about the game that changed and has been receiving film offers her life. on a regular basis. But the student Twenty-two-year-old Mamta of Bageshwori Multiple Campus was born in Bihar and spent most in Kohalpur says she has no plans of her childhood travelling around yet to make the move to the silver India with her father who was in the screen choosing instead to focus on Indian Army. “Cricket will always be her game and her degree in rural my first love,” she says. “People in development. India play and watch the sports with Despite limited training, such passion that it inspired me to resources and less attention play professionally.” compared to the men’s team, the Mamta, who currently lives in women’s squad has moved up Kohalpur of Banke district with her in the rankings. The under- STANDING UP Vice-captain of the Nepali women’s cricket team wants teammates to stay focused on the larger picture sister, travels 15km to Nepalganj 19 team has been particularly everyday for practice. She started impressive and bagged the ACC her career as a specialist batsman, Women’s Championship for three but has since moved on to keeping years: 2009, 2010, and 2012. wickets and considers England’s star But the lack of training, support, batsman Kevin Pietersen and New and funding becomes painfully Zealand’s captain and wicket-keeper apparent when Nepali players are Brendon McCullum as her role competing at senior level against models. A regular member of the top international teams.“Unless national team since 2007, the 4 feet we have regular trainings, more 10 inch cricketer has participated in local and international matches our ACC Women’s T-20, Asian Games, performance in the international and several international U-19 level will not improve significantly,” tournaments. explains Mamta. However, the rising star suffered Working with the existing a major setback in 2009 when facility, the vice-captain keeps she fractured her hand during the her team focused on the larger National Games, which meant she picture: the World Cup in 2017. had to remain under complete bed “Although it’s going to be a big rest for months. “During that time challenge to win the World Cup, I tried to focus on the positives so I if we can succeed at such a major wouldn’t be depressed and worked tournament, it will encourage young on improving my game as soon as women to take up cricket and see a I was able to get out of bed,” she future for themselves in the game.” admits. Mamta made a remarkable nepalitimes.com return in 2010 at the Asian Games in China when she was flown into Howz that, #656 Guangzhou on a day’s notice, after Best foot forward, #628 TUFAN NEUPANE 8 EVENTS DINING MUSIC
Expansion, an exhibition of paintings Mike’s Breakfast, huge breakfasts He’s bach, cellist Frank Bernede plays by Jaya Shankar Son Shrestha. and an endless supply of coff ee the works of JS Bach; drinks, snacks 29 October to 20 November, amidst a lush garden setting and dinner after concert. Rs 1,000, Siddhartha Art Gallery, characterise this cafe, popular among ALFRESCO, for homemade pastas 8 November, 6pm, Café des Artes, Babarmahal, (01)4218048, www. tourists and locals alike. Naxal, and other lip-smacking delights. Thamel, (01)4411778 siddharthaartgallery.com NHUDAYA BHINTUNA, the Newari (01)4424303 Soaltee Crowne Plaza, (01)4273999 calendar turns a new leaf. 4 November TIHARAI AAYO Alice restaurant, step in for Boudha Stupa Restaurant and Nepal celebrates the festival of lights Rooftop market, bring your old stuff scrumptious Thakali, Chinese, Café, bide your time in the free wi-fi next week. and sell it for quick bucks or give it Continental, and Japanese cuisine. zone as you enjoy wood fi red pizzas, 1 November, Kag Tihar, Dipawali away as donations; with music, drinks Gairidhara, (01)4429207 home-made pastas and Tibetan kicks off with a puja for the bird of and snacks. gyakok. Boudha, 9841484408 good tidings. 2 November, 2pm onwards, Sattya 2 November, Kukkur Tihar, next up Media Collective, Jawalakhel, Mongolian BBQ, gobble generous is a puja for man’s best friend, woof! 9813485716 quantities of roasted meat and wash it down with a glass of mocktail, KRIPA UNPLUGGED, young Nepali East to west, an inter-nations dance with traditional music playing within musicians give an acoustic rendition show, feel the energy, passion and earshot. Shangri-la village resort, of their favourite songs. heat of three traditional dance Pokhara, (061)-462222,Rs 1,099, http://www.youtube.com/user/ forms – Flamenco (Spain), Charya 7pm onwards KripaUnplugged (Nepal) and Bharat Natyam (India), along with a rare fusion of Kathak Chilly Bar and Restaurant, quality and Flamenco; proceeds go to CHEZ CAROLINE, exquisite food, food and wide selection of drinks Tewa and Sushila Arts Academy. glorious sunshine and more. 9am with great views of Phewa Lake. Rs 500, 1 November, 5 to 7 pm. St to 10pm, Baber Mahal Revisited, Lakeside, Hallanchok, Pokhara, Xavier’s Auditorium, 9851135910, (01)4263070/4187 (061)463614/463163 (01)5572654/9, [email protected] Degaa Resto Lounge, for mouth watering Newari and Indian cuisine. Kumaripati, (01)5008679 TIHAR WITH THE FAMILY, 3 November, Gai Tihar, celebrate celebrate Tihar at a reggae Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and Wunjala Moskva, treat your palette mellow-out with Joint Family prosperity, by paying your respects to Newari and Russian dishes in the International. Rs 300, 3 November, to the cow. lush garden with ancient trees and 12 to 2pm, The Yellow House, 4 November, Mha Puja, Newars trickling streams. Naxal, (01)4415236 Sanepa, (01)5553869/22078, http:// puja themselves in Kathmandu, BEATNIK ACOUSTIC theyellowhouse.com.np/contact.html and elsewhere people pay homage COMPETITION, show your talents Byanjan Grill, its open patio is a YIN YANG RESTAURANT, east to Gobhardhan, an avatar of Lord on the acoustic guitar and win up to great place to sit, enjoy a book, take meets west as you choose from Mohit Chauhan live, everyone's Krishna. Rs 15,000. in the view, and gorge on delicious a variety of Thai and continental favourite balladeer is coming to town. 5 November, Bhai Tika, sisters puja Registration Rs 2,000, 2 November, cuisine when the hunger kicks in. dishes, or fall into the safety net of Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, 30 November, their brothers to protect them from 11am, Funky Buddha, Thamel, Barahi Chok, Lakeside-6, Pokhara, its western dishes. Thamel, 10am to 4.45pm onwards, Dasrath Stadium, Yama, the harbringer of death. 9849096621 (061)466271 10pm, (01)4701510 Tripureswor, 9818842177 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 9 GETAWAYS
The Last Resort, test your limits with canyoning, hiking, rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking, bungee jumping. Bhotekosi, Sindhupalchok, (01)4700525/1247
Glacier Hotel, good value and friendly service for travelers on the lap of Lake Phewa. Gaurighat, Lakeside, Pokhara, (061)-463722, www.glaciernepal.com GENERATION J Last Thursday, the 11th gotten yourself into jazz and edition of Jazzmandu might not even realise it. hosted its Jazz for the Sometimes I think “What’s Next Generation music this jazz thing?” and I finally competition at Moksh in compare it to my music and Pulchok. Three acts, each I’m like “Oh, I’m doing jazz.” consisting of under-30 artists from Kathmandu Axata Singh (vocals): Jazz ranging in size from a duo to a quintet is something totally new to me. I’ve sung and style from fusion to funk jazzed it out RnB and soul, but I’ve only just recently ATITHI RESORT, a perfect place to for the title. gotten into jazz. I started learning jazz stay, nearby pool, massage, sauna, with my piano lessons, but singing it has and delicious food of your choice. With their dynamic tabla, smooth opened up a whole new world. keyboard, and personable female Shantipatan, Lakeside, Pokhara. vocalist, Con-tusion with Axata took What needs to happen for the jazz (061)466760 /400207, home this year’s top prize. Nepali scene to grow in Kathmandu? [email protected] Times caught up with the trio after the Axata: The first thing we need is an competition to get their reaction and their attentive audience. Most of the time, Mango Tree Lodge, culture walks, views on the future of jazz music. people don’t care what they’re listening to rafting in Karnali, wildlife exploration, when they’re out at restaurants and bars. and jungle safari at the Bardia Nepali Times: The three of you come If more people could respect the genre, it National Park. from eclectic music traditions. When would be great. Bhetani, Bardiya, did you each decide that jazz was [email protected] something worth exploring? Yuvash: Only a handful of people Yuvash Vaidya (keyboard): For me, it’s in Nepal listen to jazz therefore jazz the attitude of jazz. What is a surprise musicians are rarely called to perform. Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, located is the balance between structure and Musicians are paid by the amount of on a hilltop, the resort off ers a spontaneity, and what happens when crowd they can pull which shouldn’t magnifi cent vista of valleys, foothills, those two things are juxtaposed. I like to be the case as this leads to artists and moutains to the north. Dhulikhel, explore that. performing more crowd-pleasers, often (011) 490114/494, at the expense of experimentation or www.dhulikhellodgeresort.com Ashesh K Rai (tabla): You could have improvisation. 10
Medicine A 23rd-generation Ayurvedic healer adapts to the times 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 11
DR WHO (clockwise): Yogendra Gopal Vaidya in his Mangal Bajar clinic which was founded over 70 years ago. Herbs are ground together in formulas refined over 23 generations of trial and research. A worker hand-rolls pills in the courtyard behind Vaidya's clinic.
texts, Ayurvedic medicine uses holistic methods to treat ailments as varied as colds, indigestion, headaches, and rheumatism. Now, newly-opened schools in Ayurvedic practices dot the Kathmandu Valley. But Vaidya holds no degree or certificate. Instead, he relies on a family formula, over 400 years old, that he continues to refine in a space behind his clinic. It is with these formulas that he heals scores of patients and by which he makes his living. Despite the clandestine status of the Vaidya family’s unique herbal recipes, Yogendra makes no pretensions about the medicine’s aura. “All these ingredients are available in the world and the market. God gave us only so many plants. It is their unique combination that gives them their healing properties,” he explains. Vaidya points to patients’ belief in the effectiveness of the medicine over anything inherent in the ingredients. As society turns to nature in their food products and energy sources, Vaidya explains, they are likely to look to nature for their medicine as well. Business at the clinic is subject to these fluctuations in people’s beliefs. Now, with Life in paint what the healer describes as an overall trend towards nature, business is doing well. A former Freak Street icon uses Vaidya returned to work at his father’s shop when it became apparent that his art to reflect on social issues family’s traditional herbal formulas would otherwise go by the wayside. “I feared for LUCIA DE VRIES my father’s formulas and recipes,” he says. “If I didn’t return to the clinic, his life’s work would disappear.” The fate is not an ressed in a white daura- uncommon one in the largely hereditary suruwal, 66-year-old Jimmy practice. Vaidya recalls many of his father’s DThapa (pic, right) looks friends whose practices dissolved after their radiant as he sits down to explain his children left to pursue other fields. Of six painting. Seeing him now, it is hard to brothers, only Yogendra now practices. imagine him as the former purveyor But disinterest in successive generations of ‘Jimmy’s Wagon’, a hashish outlet is not the only threat to many of these on Freak Street in the 70s. clinics’ futures. Vaidya fears potential Now a family man, Jimmy, born new government regulations would make Saraj Prakash Thapa thinks himself practicing as he does now more difficult. a poet and healer. He has shed the long black locks and oversized The new rules could lead to prohibitive glasses. His day begins at 1.30 am costs associated with seeking certification when he follows the planets through or buying new equipment. Vaidya, who the sky until daybreak. “I worship the researches and blends by hand with much of planets and gods each night, which the same equipment as his father, would be act as a foundation for my latest works,” says paintings are shown exclusively in bahals. forced to overhaul his entire process. If the Jimmy. Jimmy’s latest work is deeply personal and PICS: BIKRAM RAI new law requires Vaidya to become certified, Born in 1947 in Lumbini, Jimmy originally shows his concern about the world at large. his business would be liable to closure at wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and He adds personal notes to his drawings and any time. join the army. However, the Freak Street how they impact world events. A note next to While Vaidya sees the importance of motto ‘Each man is a universe’ influenced the image of a Vajrasattva, a bodhisattva, with these kinds of regulations for maintaining him greatly. It sent him off exploring the world his consort reads: “At this auspicious moment and the complexities of his spirit. “Like a yogi, I appeal for women’s liberation. I feel shame to safety standards, he wants to make sure I wanted to know myself and fi nd out how I my masculinity when I see the world news.” they are instituted with the realities of can heal myself and the world,” he explains. Among his latest creations are a series the plants’ medicinal properties in mind. If there is a common thread in Jimmy’s of drawings of animals. One of them shows a e man Many regulations on herbal medicine, if work it is the level of intimacy with the subject. group of bulls worshipping Pashupatinath, lord merely lifted from their Western medicine His drawing of Boudha Stupa, featuring soft of the animals (pic, below). The animal lover LAWRENCE MILLER counterparts, would be “wasteful and pastel colours, was made during Chyaloh, a recently adopted a mother dog and her nine unnecessary” when applied to Ayurvedic festival that takes place every 12 years. Each puppies and has been making sure that all the practices. The idea of an expiration date, of his paintings is produced on-site, often canines in his neighbourhood are sterilised for example, while necessary for a chemical under the curious gaze of devotees. and vaccinated. ogendra Gopal Vaidya runs his compound, wouldn’t serve a purpose on a Recently one of his admirers, Prabod Says Jimmy: “I appeal to the world to save Shrestha, opened a shop opposite Hotel trees and treat animals with respect. Nature clinic, Siddhi Herbal Products, out of bottle of an oil reduction, which only gets Greenwich Village in Sanepa, where nurtures and purifi es, while mankind destroys more effective with age. The same goes a small storefront near Mangal Bajar, the works are displayed. Jimmy never and pollutes. But we can live with hope; the a two minute’s walk east of Patan for an in-house pharmacist. Many of these participated in the regular art scene; his truth will win in the end.” Darbar Square. The back wall of the measures would do little to nothing for narrowY shop is covered in green-trimmed, patient safety while contributing to driving glass cabinets, each filled with bottles of someone like Yogendra out of business. extracts, powders, and oils. The large glass Vaidya plans to preserve his family’s cabinets are as old as the shop, which was formulas and safeguard his clinic against founded over 70 years ago. regulations by forming a co-operative with As a child, Vaidya often helped around colleagues and potential family investors. at the clinic, stocking the shelves and rolling The investments would provide necessary pills by hand. At that age, he never imagined infrastructure improvements that could be following in his father’s and grandfather’s shared among other practitioners. It would footsteps as a herbal healer. He would go also provide a means to maintaining his on to study botany at university and briefly family’s herbal legacy in case he can’t find a work as a local pottery glaze-maker. Now, successor. “When thinking about the future,” Vaidya runs the clinic, administering unique he says, “you have to think openly.” herbal mixtures and healing practices that have been 23 generations in the making. nepalitimes.com The practice of Ayurvedic medicine is Amchis wants recognition, #589 over 3,000 years old and finds its roots You got to have faith, #589 in the Indian subcontinent. Abiding by The herbal way of life, #584 eight core tenants from three ancient 12
unfortunate third astronaut who is hardly seen and barely heard who expires fairly quickly. It is just as we are settling into the uncanny but magical feeling that we are experiencing what it must be like to actually be in space that a number of terrifying things happen. The space station is hit by debris from a Russian satellite, the extraneous astronaut is promptly killed and Stone becomes untethered from the station and is set spinning out into space in a terrifying uncontrolled trajectory GRAVITY that will leave you clutching your seat in an attempt to maintain your own sense of gravity - and very year in the fall, in the is all that it has set out to be: a therein lies the genius of the film. HAPPENINGS world of cinema, the awards feat in cinematography, a step As Stone and Kowalski struggle Ehopefuls start to come out in forward for cinema. Cuarón has with every breath to try and their bids to becoming contenders – always been far more interested in reach a habitable space station reaching hopefully for that ultimate cinematic form than in narrative, and come back to our beloved golden statue named Oscar. so I will warn the viewers now home planet, we struggle with that while the structure of the them, caught up in this amazing film is perfectly sound the actual film that is able, through the dialogue is really rather hopeless. maker’s genius, to bring us into If you can accept this and move their terrifying reality. And while MUST SEE on, the film will astound you with all films require a rather large Sophia Pande its visual language and its success measure of identification with the in portraying a world that most of subject in question, Gravity with This year Alfonso Cuarón’s us can only imagine in our fondest its visceral cinematography is able Gravity opened at the Venice Film daydreams. to pull you in a manner that I’ve Festival in August to immense Gravity, if you don’t know never quite experienced before. anticipation. Tales of his four-year already, is set in space – that final Some films do become all long labour of love involving blood, frontier, that great unknown. It they set out to be. With Gravity, sweat and tears, and the hype opens with a view of our beautiful, Alfonso Cuarón, at least in my BIKASH DWARE surrounding the groundbreaking glowing blue planet. As we are mind, has become a truly great MEDIA WATCH: Chief Election Commissioner Nilkantha Uprety inaugurates the effects and cinematography, created struck dumb by the Earth’s director. One that struggles media and observation centre at the Election Commission office in Kantipath on even in my fairly skeptical heart, a luminous beauty, we see a space to realise his vision without Monday. fair amount of excitement. And so station in orbit coming towards us. compromise no matter how long it is with great delight that I went to On this space station are Dr Ryan it takes. see the film, available here now in Stone (Sandra Bullock) and the 3D, and most importantly on the big astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George nepalitimes.com screen. Clooney). Incidentally, for the sake I was not disappointed. Gravity of sheer trivia, there is also an Watch trailer
MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA WORD UP: Journalist Hasta Gurung (centre) hosts a poetry recital with Urdu poets Abdul Latif Shauk and Abdul Waheed at Nepal Literature Festival on Sunday.
MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA ACROSS GENERATIONS: Mother and daughter use nanglos to thresh newly harvested rice at Bhaktapur on Monday.
DEVAKI BISTA ART ATTACK: A visitor looks closely at a painting by Nepali artist Jaya Shankar Son Shrestha at Siddhartha Art Gallery on Tuesday. 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 13
significant other everyday of the week, well except for Saturday that is? Sunday morning is rapidly Loving nearing 600,000 unique views as fans from across the globe throng to see Bhim’s signature moves on YouTube and like, share, and tweet zealously. Buzzfeed.com, an American site that tracks viral Bhim content throughout the web, efore 20 October, nobody knew of UK featured the video on its blogs, offering videos because I don’t want to stop writing based Nepali banker Bhim Niraula even international viewers a tempting invitation music,” he says. Bthough his YouTube channel already to Bhim’s wacky moves. His supporters have Originally from Dhankuta, Bhim has had 590 videos. Those videos barely managed even labelled the song Nepal’s answer to been living in Reading for the last seven more than 100 hits each. But his belly-jiggling other nonsensical hits like Why This Kolaveri years with his family. He already has two song and dance buffoonery called Sunday Di and Gangnam Style. albums Creation and Pratyek Raat to his morning love you with the Aztec ruins For the singer cum song-writer, however, name and is planning on releasing a third and the Sphinx as the backdrop led to an this was no joke. Bhim spent £2,000 making soon, which he will name Sunday morning. overnight change in fortunes and propelled the music video and £300 on recording. He And after the raging success of his latest Bhim to internet stardom. initially wanted to feature a Nepali girl, but song, Bhim plans to sing in English more Love him, hate him, and there are many says those he approached were too busy. often to attract international viewers. who do so in equal measure as they engage After filming his dance steps in a green Regardless of whether Sunday morning in a puerile war of words on social media, but room, the studio hired a local model and manages to out ‘hit’ other viral videos you can’t ignore him. With lyrics like, “Lady filmed her walking around a park over a including One Pound Fish from which it is you are attractive, attractive,” which the 48- couple of days. Bhim never met her. much inspired, Bhim Niraula has arrived. year-old composed himself, it is hard not to The online sensation, however, seems hum the tune once you have survived the very practical and has modest ambitions. nepalitimes.com (somewhat) embarrassing dance routine. “You can’t live on music alone in Nepal. I am Watch Bhim Niraula’s videos Besides who wouldn’t want to love their in this for personal reasons and I make these
uality French cuisine in the city is famously hard Qto come by and the places that do offer it are prohibitively expensive. Two weeks ago, Christian, a designer and artist living in the city for the last seven years, opened Café des Arts – a restaurant that drastically undercuts the competition, but does so at the expense both of quality and range.
The restaurant’s unfortunate PICS: PM but temporary signage does little to betray the pleasant, al fresco dining area inside, walls adorned with work by a range of artists including Christian himself. Café des Arts Planning to stage live performances of Bach in the future and with the tainted one. This humble snack from an ever-growing number of available, we Velvet Underground playing in the dates back more than 100 years great European bakeries? also sampled the background (a nod to the recent in the cuisine’s history and has That aside, we tried the ‘Green Newari buff set passing of the wonderful Lou Reed), simple, but strictly defined Village’ soup (Rs 250), which was (Rs 290), which the arts are, as the restaurant’s characteristics – very few of which not served with the promised toast was passable, but name suggests, of paramount are adhered to here. Non-descript and, while well spiced, tasted more lacked the garlic importance here. ham and cheese came like a cumin and coriander-heavy and ginger kick the Sadly, such passion SOMEPLACE ELSE without the required curry base than a dish in its own combo is known rather cavalier with his own point has not made its way béchamel sauce and right. for. of view, which at times bordered onto the café’s menu. grilled cheese topping There was a small serving After overdoing it on the mains on bigotry. It’s great that there’s a While more dishes will be added – surely a cardinal sin to even the of pork (from fellow Frenchman (and especially the XL portion new, cheaper French bistro on the over time, the current selection casual Francophile. François’ Tokha farm) with rather of chicken), we decided to ditch block. But right now, c’est pas le relies far too heavily on a mishmash Furthermore, the sandwich overdone, curried vegetables (Rs dessert, which did at least bring Pérou. of Nepali snacks and European- had been cramped into a panini 600), and a gigantic helping of with it the promise of French CC esque food of no fixed abode. press or similar and was made chicken escalope panée (Rs 600), credentials – the menu offered Indeed, for a restaurant that bills with mass-produced factory bread, alongside a side salad and a grainy crepes and a flambé – but I think How to get there: entering itself as French, there is very little rather than homemade. Perhaps puree of potato. The escalope was I’d want the chef to nail the croque- Thamel from Tridevi Marg, take French food on offer at all. the new kitchen and staff are ill- a standout – tender, thin pieces of monsieur before I’d let him loose a right at Narsing Chok and right However, the quintessential equipped to make their own bread, chicken breadcrumbed and toasted with burning brandy. again a couple of minutes later, croque-monsieur (Rs 350) does but then what about the delicious, to perfection. Christian was chatty to a fault: immediately after the A1 business make an appearance, albeit a fresh options available to caterers But with so few French options very interested in our feedback, but complex. 14 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679
GIZMO by YANTRICK HEAVY HEART: Former Vice- President Dick Cheney shows equipment for the heart pump that he had installed in 2010 after his fifth attack. It’s in the air hile there is no doubt that Apple popularised and dangerously abnormal. revolutionised the tablet market in April 2010 with the There is an interesting release of its first iPad, pretenders and competitors have terrorism-related story regarding W been vying for Apple’s crown ever since. Samsung, Google, and his defibrillator, when he was Nokia-made Android and Windows tablets have been encroaching on vice-president. Fearing a terrorist Apple’s territory, with cheaper, yet capable tablets of their own. With could assassinate the VP by that in mind, how does the California based company’s latest iPad sending a signal after hacking incarnation, dubbed the iPad Air, compare with the myriad of tablets into his implantable device telling available in the market today? it to shock his heart into cardiac While iPads of old have largely followed the design footsteps arrest, Cheney’s cardiologist of the first iPad, Apple has opted for a noticeably different redesign ordered the manufacturer to for its fifth generation iPad. The Air is now substantially thinner and disable wireless features. There lighter than ever, with Apple doing away with its traditionally chunky are obvious medical risks that a tablet design to offer a sleek gadget beautifully integrated with the VIP government official faces that aesthetically pleasing iOS 7, the company’s recently released mobile ordinary patients are spared. operating system. The 9.7 inch screen, although the same size as the In 2010 when Cheney was previous full-sized iPad, still looks as stunning as ever, with Apple’s convinced his end was near, he Retina Display screen resolution of 2,048x1,536 pixels leading the discussed burial plans with his tablet market in terms of display resolution and clarity alone, and family. He had a left ventricular weighing in at a mere one pound, the device is indeed as light as air. assist device (LVAD), a battery Powered by Apple’s operated heart pump, implanted ridiculously fast 64- just to buy time while he waited bit, 1.3 GHz A7 Chip for a transplant. After a 20 month DAVID MCNEW/AP and supported by 1 wait period he finally received a GB of RAM, the Air is new heart. the fastest and best About 4,000 heart transplants performing mobile Apple Cheney’s are done every year around the device till date which world, out of which more than is capable of handling half are carried out in the US. graphic-intensive change of heart Effective immunosuppressive movies, web pages, medicines since the 1980s and games with ease. have been pivotal in the donor As ever, the new iPad’s he way former US vice- when he was 12 and soon he heart not being rejected by the interface is beautifully president Dick Cheney was puffing three packs a day. patient’s immune system. About clean and smooth, Tfought with numerous life- In addition, his daily meal 75 per cent of transplant patients with the internal threatening cardiac problems consisted of very fatty food will easily survive beyond three specifications brilliantly while holding several crucial including a dozen doughnuts. At years and the quality of life is complementing the user government posts is stunning. 34, he became the chief of staff excellent. As the vice-president interface. While Nepalis may not have to President Gerald Ford during jokingly explains, he can do The iPad Air is access to the kind of medical which time he undoubtedly whatever he wants except ski equipped with the faced numerous tension-filled downhill. And that too because of same five MP pixel rear moments at the White House. osteoarthritis of his knees. camera and 1.2 MP front Clearly Cheney was asking for Although tremendous strides camera as its predecessor, which although not market leading, are DHANVANTARI trouble and he got it with his first have been made in the treatment still competent. The gadget still boasts the iPad’s legendary battery heart attack in 1978 at the age of of heart problems, the focus Buddha Basnyat, MD life, with a full charge able to deliver approximately 10 hours of tablet 37 when he was campaigning for especially in our part of the world usage and Apple’s App Store still leads the way in quality of the more the US Congress. He subsequently has to be on prevention. So this than 4,000 apps. facilities that Cheney had, his had four more attacks in 1984, Tihar we need to make sure that Yes, the iPad Air is ridiculously expensive, with the cheapest 16 ordeals serve as a cautionary tale 1988, 2000, and 2010. during the festival of lights, GB Wifi model priced at approximately RS 65,000 and yes a finger for the rest of us. As though these were not we stop lighting up cigarettes print scanner (like the iPhone 5S) would have been nice. However, Prevention of heart diseases enough, Cheney also underwent or bidis. Not overindulging in there is no doubt that the latest iPad, slated to release November is obviously the key. However, angioplasty, open heart surgery, ladoos and pedas and controlling end, will only cement Apple’s position at the top of the tablet food modern, innovative treatments and had a pacemaker implanted. our consumption even after the chain. that the vice president received More catastrophic interventions festival are good plans. While again and again testify to the followed. He needed an implanted science came to the rescue of Yantrick’s verdict: Apple-heads, take out loans if you must, but marvel of modern medical defibrillator, a gadget that would Dick Cheney, we need to avert the latest iPad from the best tablet makers is one you must own. science. automatically shock his heart the disaster all together by Cheney started smoking if the heart rhythm became leading healthier lives. 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 NATION 15
Most can’t connect with their candidates or their promises because they feel they have heard it all before. There is also an overwhelming sense that the reasons why CA I was dissolved hasn’t really been dealt with. “Just wait, we will get stuck on the same issues after five years and then what?” asks an angry fruit vendor. “By the time we are done writing the constitution it will be 2018 ... and then they will announce round three,” jokes another to as if to lighten the mood. The fruit stall goes suddenly quiet as they realise that what is said in jest may actually turn out to be reality. The political parties did a lot of things wrong in the last five years, but what will cost them the most this coming election is the way they betrayed the trust of sincere, hardworking Nepalis. This is especially true of the new parties because people feel they are still unproven. There are a lot more undecided voters today than in 2008, but what MALLIKA ARYAL they are not undecided about is that they will not cast the ballot for the party they voted for last time around. Nepalis are resilient and compassionate, but five years of disappointment (Dis) quiet in Nepalganj may be a little hard to forgive so easily. After five years of disappointment, voters are sure who not to vote for
t is Friday afternoon in the flags wiz past, as if in a hurry There’s a general sense of happily with their family and dusty town of Nepalganj. to get out of the dust. There fatigue and an extremely neighbours, the opportunity IAzaan from the local mosque is less than three weeks until uncomfortable feeling of for their children to go to calls for afternoon prayers. A CA II election. But apart from hopes being dashed. “We are school without any obstacles, lone statue of late King Birendra a few pamphlets of Shiv Sena broken and we are tired,” they the ability to go to the hospital stands in the middle of the and RPP-N, all is quiet in say. For this group of people if their loved ones fall sick, main thoroughfare holding a Nepalganj. from Nepalganj’s labour class, and the chance to finally talk tattered Nepali Congress flag Local labourers take a quick whom to vote for in 2008 was about progress. and breathing in the dust. There break for lunch after Friday a no-brainer. Now they are What they got instead was prayers. As they sit down, conflicted and undecided. political bickering, high-level another election campaign car In 2008, just like the rest power-play, and many many passes by. A man is yelling on of the country, Nepalganj was days of Nepal banda. The INTERESTING TIMES the microphone in Nepali. The ready for the violence to end. people here feel they had no Mallika Aryal car doesn’t stop. We follow the They also hoped that their say in what happened after vehicle with our eyes trying votes would safeguard their 2008. The situation got much hard to understand what is rights and they could finally worse for so many families in are the usual sounds of early being said. The labourers wait concentrate on improving their Nepalganj that they just up afternoon - the bells of tanga, until the sound fades and lives. They knew that the new and left. Today, it is hard to the horns of microbuses that continue with their lunch. (and improved) parties would find homes that don’t have a have made the tanga redundant, There’s no excitement about not tolerate the status quo. member who migrated to work and the yells from conductors CA II election in Nepalganj. Their demands were not abroad. Those who remain of Nepalganj-Kathmandu buses. The air inside the roadside café unreasonable: the right to work do not trust that this election A couple of cars with party is thick with disappointment. freely, the freedom to live is being held sincerely. 16 NATION 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679
Campaigning in cyberspace Candidates for the upcoming elections are also campaigning on social media for the first time
BHRIKUTI RAI discovered Facebook. But constitutional expert and former One of the most prolific Times, while browsing the net. political parties and younger ambassador, Nilambar Acharya, tweeters is Kamal Thapa of the His Facebook followers have candidates for this month’s an avid tweeter himself. Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal jumped to 17,000 in the last two quarter of elections have made debuts on In the run up to the who has been using social months and complement his Nepal’s population is social networking sites to woo constitution deadline last year networking sites to push his sharp oratory and unparalleled A now online, nearly three voters. there was a spike in postings agenda of a return to monarchy crowd-pulling qualities. Thapa million of them are on Facebook “Social media has and the internet became a and a Hindu state. On the adds: “Social media is a great and the mobile penetration already become an important virtual battleground for netizens, campaign trail in the dusty alternative to mainstream media rate is now at 65 per cent with campaigning tool in this many of them indulging in hate outbacks of the Tarai or in the to gauge the mood of the voters, 15 per cent of the population election, giving way to speech. This time the postings mountains, Thapa is never far especially the young people.” accessing the net through their dialogues. But since most of are more partisan and an from his tablet and smartphone. Thapa’s opponents in the phones. the users are still new to the overwhelming number of posts “My day begins with posting federalism debate, including Even in the last election medium it will be difficult to by Facebook and Twitter users updates on our campaigns and Janajati activists who are for in 2008, most Nepalis were predict how decisive online ridicule the political parties and programs on Facebook and ethnicity-based federalism, have not yet on the net and hadn’t campaigning will be,” says their discredited leaders. Twitter,” Thapa told Nepali countered with a social media 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 NATION 17 India’s cyber code ndia’s Election Commission issued detailed guidelines Ilast week to regulate internet campaigns on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other social networking sites, asking candidates to declare their social media accounts and all political parties to pre-certify advertisements before they are posted on websites. Political parties and candidates will now have to account for every penny spent on the use of social media for their campaigns for next year’s general elections in the world’s largest democracy. The growing number of techno-savvy politicians in India has led to a massive use of social media to reach out to the public. Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is one of the most intense users with over 2.6 million followers on Twitter. His nearest rival is Shashi Tharoor, who has over 1.8 million followers. India’s Election Commission requires all political advertisements posted on the Internet to be pre-certified, just like advertisements put out on electronic media, by the state and district-level media monitoring committees.
reform agenda. many times.” However, cyber In their attempt to experts say most gain visibility online, political leaders, parties are mudslinging especially the older on social media and ones, don’t yet have realised that the understand social mud flies right back media. And even those VOTE at them. Online party who use it a lot, haven’t 19 NOVEMBER mouthpieces have learned that many 2013 become a way for of their propaganda candidates to flex their postings can backfire digital muscle and GOING SOCIAL: Tech badly. In September, Baburam threaten to make this election savvy Nepali Congress Bhattarai’s Facebook status campaign nastier as it gets into candidate Gagan Thapa and tweet on ‘progressive the final weeks. campaigning on Thrusday nationalism’ generated plenty The Election Commission’s at Budanilkantha area of negative reaction with people ambiguity over guidelines for which falls under his criticising the former PM’s social media use in the run constituency. Thapa has double standards on nationalism up to polls has left plenty the highest aggregate rhetoric. of room for misuse of the number of followers on “Except for a handful of medium. While guidelines his social media accounts. candidates, no one really seems were issued in India last week to regulate social media use BIKRAM RAI to have a strategy, not even the bigger parties, to maximise user for its election next year (see engagement with an effective box), the same week, Nepal’s campaign of their own. Thapa and campaign,” says Anil Ghimire, a election commissioner Ayodhi anti-federalist Jana Morcha leader social media specialist and tech Prasad Yadav said the EC had Chitra Bahadur KC have been blogger. “Social media is all no capacity to monitor social singled out for vicious vilification about building credibility of a media sites. on the net. candidate and it cannot happen Nepal is seeing a classic For now, Maoist second- overnight or in a month.” case of social media becoming man Baburam Bhattarai is far There has also been a an echo-chamber leading to ahead of everyone else in terms plethora of spoof sites on ghettoisation of public opinion of followers on Twitter, while Twitter and Facebook, mainly as users gravitate to sites that Gagan Thapa of the Nepali of Maoist leaders like Pushpa they agree with. Anonymous Congress leads on Facebook. Kamal Dahal and his son comments spewing racist insults and threats of violence Both have been savvier than Name Facebook Twitter Prakash, Baburam Bhattarai and other candidates, with measured his wife Hisila Yami, who have have become common as social comments and minimal large followings of their own. media allows the intolerant, vilification of opponents and Gagan Thapa (@thapagk) 42,446 19,384 A fake Gagan Thapa Facebook political bigots, and outright greater audience engagement. Kamal Thapa (@KTnepal) 17,970 6,972 page has three times more racists unfettered access. Gagan Thapa has also been using followers than the official one Says Dharma Adhikari of YouTube to post campaign songs, Baburam Bhattarai (brb_laaldhwoj) 2,351 43,281 and Thapa is worried about the Media Foundation, a media policy and research institute: speeches, and videos of rallies. Sarita Giri (@sarita_giri) NA 7,247 the possible misuse of such New and lesser known candidates acounts. Says Thapa: “This “Online media literacy will like Ujwal Thapa of Bibeksheel Ram Sharan Mahat (@ramsmahat) 6,994 3,008 is the first time we have used be tested as readers and users Nepali were net savvy even before social media so extensively and navigate the information Prakash Dahal NA 20,099 they entered politics and have it is very difficult for us to track clutter and try to separate facts been using social networking Pushpa Kamal Dahal NA NA down such fake pages that have from propaganda and choose platforms to drive their alternative landed me in difficult situation between platforms.” 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 Domestic affairs In the driver’s seat Laxman Humagain in Himal or meal allowances. One driver of Madhab Basnet, Nepal, 20 October Sita is seven months older than her husband. The two Khabarpatrika, 27 October a school principal says he has to grew up together in Kaski and later in Chitwan after both open the door for him and has to their parents migrated to the Tarai. Dahal’s uncle proposed stand outside the car while he is Pushpa Kamal Dahal may think he is the most important to Sita’s family for the two to get married. Dahal was I have been driving a car for a in a meeting. player in Nepali politics, but it is his wife Sita (pic, right) educated and Sita came from a well-off family, it seemed private company now for 15 I once saw a new driver with a who has the final word. Leaders close to the UCPN (M) like a reasonable match. Both sides agreed. chairman say he can’t do a thing to prevent her infl uence Rajendra Maharjan, writer of Janayuda ka nayak, a book years. Many like me end up vehicle I had seen often. He said on the party. Case in point: their daughter Renu’s election on the decade long insurgency, says Sita told him that Dahal doing this job because they come the old driver had quit. “I am campaign. and her were like friends and not like a married couple. “We from low income families or also leaving soon to drive a bus,” A few days before Dasain, Nanda Kishor Pun went started talking to each other only after a long time. He was couldn’t get a higher education. he said. The drivers thought to Dahal’s house hoping to get money for door-to-door shy, I was no better. Each knew the other from childhood, so Many are from the districts because the employer was a canvassing and had to watch on as Sita convinced her it was strange when we ended up as husband and wife.” adjacent to Kathmandu and famous, respected person who husband to channel that money into their daughter Renu’s According to close friends, Sita instantly fell out of have got their jobs through had written books, they would campaign fund instead. It was Sita who proposed that Renu favour with her new in-laws. Even when his son was head connections. be treated well. Apparently the run from Kathmandu and Dahal agreed, choosing to face of government, Dahal’s father Mukti Prasad chose to stay accusations of nepotism instead of the wrath of his wife. at his granddaughter’s rented apartment in Balkhu and not in Baluwatar. Sita is not on speaking terms with any of her husband’s siblings. Sita never approved of her husband’s politics. When the Maoists planned an underground war, she cried and pleaded with Dahal against fi ghting it out. Which is why, in the early days of the revolution, leaders say the chairman was tortured by the situation at home. After the insurgency began, Dahal took his wife everywhere he went, almost without fail. Sita came with him to Kathmandu when the fi rst police post was attacked in Rolpa in 1996 and then to India three months later when her husband was sheltered there. Upon her insistence, their two daughters were married to Indian civilians in Lucknow. She even managed to force her elder daughter to come to Jalandhar, Punjab during the insurgency. In his book, senior UCPN (M) leader Baburam Bhattarai admits that Sita could not stand criticism and used her Five months ago, Sita’s once-favourite daughter-in-law power to distance her husband from those who crossed her. and her son, Prakash Dahal’s, second wife, Srijana Tripathi, Even central committee members and their wives were not Drivers have no illusions public persona of a person does poured her frustrations in an interview with a weekly paper, spared. “He could not discourage her from breaking protocol about their job and are aware not tally with the way they treat saying Sita turned a blind eye to Prakash’s mistakes. and saying whatever she wanted to other fully committed of what is expected of them: and value their drivers. “I stayed with them even after my husband Prakash and responsible comrades,” Bhattarai notes in the same taking the sir or madam to their But not all employers are had eloped with another woman, but Sita never said a bad book. Later Bhattarai himself would suggest that Sita be destinations, parking the vehicle like that, there are many who word about him,” says Tripathi. “I could never get any love made a part of the central committee. safely, and making sure they treat their drivers with respect. or appreciation from her, so I fi nally decided to leave after “She is not a political person but a housewife,” says are visible and ready when they One boss runs his company with eight months.” a Maoist central committee member who has known the Dahal removed his son from his secretariat and also Dahals for 19 years. come out. his son and daughter and they from the Newa State Committee following the Mt Everest During the course of this investigation, Nepal tried to The most sought after job for helped with the education of the debacle. As always, Sita protested the move, even though get in touch with Sita Dahal but to no avail. Her husband’s drivers is at diplomatic offices. driver’s son and helped send her son had opted for it. These days, Prakash goes around secretary defend her by saying: “She was a patient woman Drivers of cars with blue CD him abroad. When it’s late, they with his father as if not a thing happened. who had a huge role to play in the success of the civil war.” plates feel they are a different usually drive the car themselves. class by themselves and do Another boss got a driver’s wife a not hobnob with us. Drivers of job and helped them financially government vehicles are more to build a house on the Ring chatty and usually complain Road. about working conditions. But If employers didn’t take their by and large, all drivers grumble drivers for granted and looked Sleep to success about low salary, long working after them, it may actually make hours, lack of overtime, holidays their lives smoother. Binita Dahal, Setopati, that I know.” went on a tour of India with a 26 October Parajuly admits he was never a friend. When the trip came to an good student. He recalls getting a end, instead of returning home, score of 1 out of 100 in his Maths out of fear of facing questions They say success is 90 per cent examination and was embarrassed from his parents on his decision hard work and 10 per cent luck. when the teacher told him in to quit his job, he went to Manali. But in Prajwal Parajuly’s case, the front of his entire class that he It was there that he wrote his opposite applies. Author of the had actually gotten a 0.9. story The Immigrants which successful short story collection, To make up for his failure in would later fetch him a book The Gurkha’s Daughter, Parajuly class, Parajuly started sending deal. admits he is too lazy to be his writings to a local paper in While preparing for his working 90 per cent of the time. his hometown of Sikkim. Once admissions interview for a “I have to sleep a lot. It is only his writing got published, he creative writing course at Oxford when I get tired of sleeping that I University, Parajuly came to sit down to write,” he says. “But know about the London book not without eating, I have to have fair. At the fair he met a literary some chocolates.” agent named Susan and handed Even before his book was her a copy of The Immigrants. published, the 29-year-old was Few days later when Susan wrote already a well-known name saying she liked the story and in the Indian literary circuit. wanted more, Parajuly was in a Dahal: “And where’s the Aide: “Today, Comrade will Besides signing a deal with state of disbelief. He sent more toilet? There? Does it have a have tea in Chitwan, breakfast British publishing house Quercus and soon the deal with Quercus helipad nearby?” in Bajhang, lunch in Lamjung, for a collection of short stories, was finalised. snacks in Khotang, and dinner the writer was also asked to When asked how he became a in Dolpa.” submit a novel, The Land Where writer he says, “I had nothing to I Flee, which will be released this do after I quit my American job. Abin Shrestha in Basu Kshiti z in December. felt much better about himself. Hence, I wrote to legitimise my In each of the eight stories in “I learnt that it was important to existence.” Kanti pur, 31 October Annapurna Post, 31 October
The Gurkha’s Daughter, Parajuly follow one’s passion rather than After the success of his book,
carefully and intricately weaves choose a course on a whim,” Parajuly had to travel frequently. QUOTE OF THE WEEK family ties and lays bare a he says of his decision to study He spent most of last year at “ microcosm of human and social Science during his ICSE. airport transits and says he has If the Maoists help us during the polls, interactions. One would imagine A communications major, missed out on his much beloved we can help them afterwards. the author an avid introspect in Parajuly worked for three years in sleep. This year, too, the author “ his personal interactions, but the the advertising department of an will be missing sleep as he will writer demurs. “I am not a very American publication house. But be busy jet-setting and promoting UML Chairman Jhalnath Khanal, social person. The things I have when he felt he was whiling his his new novel The Land Where Naya Patrika, 31 October written in my book are things time at the office, he resigned and I Flee. 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 NATION 19
FLYING THE FLAG: Indian campaign jeeps in Chandranigahapur openly fl out EC rules (left). Shopkeeper Madan Pradhan (below) hasn’t decided who to vote for.
Campaigning at harvest time PICS: INDRA SHRESTHA In hills and plains of central Nepal, people are too busy to get excited about elections
SUBHAS DEVKOTA in SINDHULI Party leaders and cadre who Chure Bhabar Party is think it is too early to tell criteria for choosing candidates used to have lots of free time flanked by three dozen which party will win, is performance, personality, and n a trip this week from during the festival season are cadre campaigning in although there is a lot of ethnicity. The national issues in Kathmandu to Sindhuli all very busy this year. There is the plains of Sarlahi. speculation,” says Madan the party manifestos seem to have Oand Makwanpur, Nepal’s the door-to-door campaigning to His party was set up to Pradhan, who runs a little bearing in the way most countryside looks busy with organise, mass meetings to fix, counter the rise of the small shop in Bardibas. will vote. Sambhu Shrestha of two unrelated activities: the and not to mention being alert Madhesi parties south of Most voters Nepali the UCPN (M) is competing with people are busy harvesting paddy of CPN-M cadre out to disrupt the East-West Highway VOTE Times spoke to said they UML leader Jhalnath Khanal in and the politicians are busy their activities. Aside from that, and he sees massive 19 NOVEMBER hadn’t yet made up their Sarlahi 1 and appears confident campaigning. cadre also have to watch out for support. “I see a lot 2013 minds. They return the he will win because he is a local, The two couldn’t be bothered hostile locals who may ask their of enthusiasm for the namastes and smile at the whereas Khanal is a ‘tourist’ about each other. The rice harvest candidates nasty questions in party,” Neupane says. campaigning candidates, candidate. Khanal, however, has has been plentiful because of front of tv cameras. Indeed, unlike the hinterland, but the people say that doesn’t another ‘assured’ seat in Ilam. a healthy monsoon and there Even though rural Nepal is in the district capitals and mean they support them. Despite attacks by CPN- aren’t enough hours in the day too busy to be excited about the bajar towns along the However, the candidates have M making headlines in the for farmers to work the golden elections and many see the same highways, the talk of elections taken the greetings to mean they Kathmandu papers, there terraces. Meanwhile, candidates candidates making the same and candidates dominate the are more popular than rivals. appeared to be little to indicate roar past in jeep convoys promises, they are hoping against public sphere in tea shops and Mohan Baral of the NC contesting their presence in the central hill festooned with party flags hope that their vote will end in the shade of pipal trees. Even Sindhuli 2, for example, says and Tarai districts this week. shouting slogans. The political the political deadlock that has though people may not know the UML and the UCPN (M) All indications are that the cadre don’t look at the villagers bedeviled the country for five the names of candidates, there candidates there are way behind elections will go ahead relatively and the farmers hardly look up years. is brand recognition of electoral and he is confident of winning. peacefully, albeit with lower from their task. Badri Neupane of the small symbols of the main parties. “I In interviews, voters say their turnout than 2008.
20 BACK SIDE 1 - 7 NOVEMBER 2013 #679 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com
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ust like traffic rules, Nepal’s local representative, they kept getting this recorded election code of conduct is the Family Party, message: “Sorry, the network is Jjust a suggestion. It would which took busy. Please try again later.” So be fantastic if you followed it, Nepal’s top editors the NSA just gave up trying. but if you don’t that’s all right and publishers too. For instance the Erection (including Sishi Commissars have a rule about Gamala but The story of the week was PKD the use of helicopters and have excluding the Ass) threatening at a campaign stop decreed choppers out of bounds to Thailand on an to go to the gallows if found in 45 districts. But candidates all-expenses-paid guilty of war crimes. He must are whizzing about, with holiday. Regular have expected everyone to say, Chairman Awesome even Ass readers will “No, we won’t let you,” but making a 10 minute air-hop remember how the crowd cheered. Awesome from Kathmandu to Kavre the the Familiar Party didn’t look too pleased. He is other day. The reason is that paid its guy to be also not so pleased about the everywhere the Cash leaders go made minister in the last BRB thin crowds at the campaign to deliver campaign speeches, CJ Damodar decided to also The Man’s feet went viral on gubberment with a Moonie stops that he does make it to the Dash is sure to be declaring ‘request’ the Army’s Ecuriel for social media ridiculing this Minister in GoN. We now have by chopper. On Tuesday, he impromptu bunds. The modus a pilgrimage to Muktinath over royalist-turned-commie-turned- two kinds of loonies in Nepal: had to cancel a speech at his operandi is to chop down trees Dasain. He had a night stop at godman. Perhaps to escape Moonie disciples from the old constituency in Kirtipur and block roads just like in the the Army’s mountaineering further scrutiny, the Tantrick south and the Juchhe disciples because locals were stocking war days and at this rate we training base in Jomsom and the has suddenly upped and gone from the north of the peninsula. up with missiles to throw at his are going to lose all our forests. next morning Justice Damodar off to China on an extended two- cavalcade. PKD must also be Just in order to save Nepal’s also took a flyby of the holy lake week visit where he is expected demoralised by the news that remaining jungles in the next that bears his name: Damodar to have tete-e-tetes with top Nepal’s present and former Bina Magar’s ex has decided to three weeks, the EC should relax Kunda in Mustang. The Army CPC leaders who haven’t yet rulers are a bit crestfallen to be the campaign manager for its rule on helicopter use. was only too happy to oblige deigned to meet Nepali disciples hear that they haven’t made Padam Kunwar, the guy who and sent the government a bill of Mr Zedong. As an acolyte of it to the list of 35 friendly slapped him in the face last for half a million roops, which Autopilot Baba of the South, governments that the American year and is now standing as The helicopter rule, however, taxpayers like you and me will LMSK’s enigmatic trip to the National Security Agency spied an independent from Kirtipur doesn’t seem to apply to ultimately foot. North is raising eyebrows. And on since 2002, intercepting against him. members of the Interim Erection as Chinese contractors like emails and tapping mobile Council and we saw KRR CAMC and SinoHydro come phones. Does the CIA not over the holidays treating the The comrades have blood on under the CIAA scanner, is this think our leaders are important Quote of the Week from BRB: Army’s chopper as his own. their hands, but top corruption an effort to persuade The Man enough for them? The Donkey “Unless we get a two-thirds The Home Minister seems to watchdog Loktantrick Man not to stand in the way? has been told by unusually majority in the think his job description is to Sing had blood all over his reliable sources at Langley election, we will fly home to Palpa every chance feet when he choppered out that the Americans did try to not allow the he gets, especially since he to Manakamana Temple over Other junkets in the past week tap into the mobile phones of constitution to be wasn’t allowed to fly to NYC. the festival. The photograph include the one organised by the Brave Lion, Makunay, and even written.” Seeing the others do it, acting of a police officer washing Unification Church through its Awesome over the years, but Ass
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