#457 26 June - 2 July 2009 16 pages Rs 30

Weekly Internet Poll # 457 Q. Cabinet expansion still stuck. Your comment: Total votes: 2,526

Weekly Internet Poll # 458. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Should the Maoists have been included in the new government?

CLOUDS, BUT NO RAIN: The evening sun breaks through clouds in the mountains of central as a parched land waits for rain. Meteorologists say the monsoons arrived in eastern Nepal this week, but precipitation throughout Nepal has been 50 per cent below normal.

KUNDA DIXIT public health surveillance system, the actual number of infections is thought to be much higher. Although Nepal was the first country in Asia to establish a harm reduction program with Sky high a needle exchange service for IDUs, it has failed because of limited coverage and a short he prevalence of infectious inject drugs, 29 per cent of also vulnerable to the incurable supply of syringes. diseases among whom share needles. An Hepatitis C, for which 94 per cent A survey conducted by T intravenous drug users is estimated 6,557 intravenous drug of drug users in have Central Bureau of Statistics in rocketing because the fear of users (IDU) are living with HIV or tested positive. 2007 reported there are 46,309 stigma and poor support services AIDS, which is about 10 per cent The market for heroin and hard drug users in Nepal with are discouraging users from of the total 70,000 people living opium is also on the rise in around 50 per cent of them aged seeking help. with HIV/AIDS, according to Nepal with most narcotics being 15 to 29. z Full story p10 Political instability, low UNAIDS. smuggled over the border. The literacy levels, poor awareness In Kathmandu, about 30 per Narcotic Drugs Control Law and a lack of voluntary cent of all people living with Enforcement Unit seized 105.6kg EDITORIAL counselling and testing services HIV/AIDS inject drugs. They are opium and 10kg heroin last year. Struggle and construction p2 mean infection figures are only In the first six months of this PLAIN SPEAKING Prashant Jha likely to increase. year it has already seized 225kg of Caste awaya p2 Among drug users in opium and six kg of heroin. Nepal, 61.4 per cent The prevalence of HIV among STATE OF THE STATE CK Lal IDUs in 2003 was 51 per cent. Lawlessness and disorder p3 Given the limitations of Nepal’s 2 EDITORIAL 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit CEO: Ashutosh Tiwari Design: Kiran Maharjan DGM Sales and Marketing: Sambhu Guragain [email protected] Marketing Manager: Subhash Kumar Asst. Manager: Arjun Karki Circulation: Prakash Raut Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5250333/845 Fax: 5251013 [email protected] Printed at Jagadamba Press 5250017-19 www.nepalitimes.com Caste aways Impunity, patronage, politics and caste STRUGGLE AND CONSTRUCTION make an explosive mix They like to poke fun at Gandhi these days. His philosophy of ahimsa is deemed outdated even in India, which now has RAJBIRAJ – The campus chief Devi Dutt Sah. request. an arsenal of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. Gandhi preached against materialism and selfishness, but greed is good incident in this stagnant Tarai Here are the facts of the case: Once in the college, Sah was these days. town brings together all the there had been a two week stand- surrounded by 15-20 students, The economic inequality that this perpetuates has political elements that best describes the off between the administration some of them from the union and repercussions. India’s Maoist insurgency that now touches 13 of state of Nepal today: institutional and a part of the student union. others whom he did not 28 states is fed directly by the neglect, indifference and exclusion, degeneration, patronage, factional The newly elected union recognise. They locked him up especially of the adivasis and low castes in India’s poorest states. president Ram Chandra Yadav inside a room, and told him to The police’s counter-insurgency operations have actually helped PLAIN SPEAKING (belonging to a faction of the NC) resign immediately. When Sah Maoist recruitment. had put in a dozen demands, refused, he was stabbed and hit Prashant Jha A Naxalite reincarnation is now taking place in West ranging from an enquiry into with lathis. Sah claims he heard Bengal, that bastion of India’s moderate left where the CPI-M appointments of temporary union president Ram Chandra has ruled uninterrupted for 25 years. (See p 4). The new party politics, partisan teachers to allegations of Yadav say: “How dare you think a Congress-led government in New Delhi (now unencumbered by a communist partner) has responded by sending in the central bureaucracy and a pliable corruption. Teli (Sah’s caste) can become paramilitary CPRF. judiciary, impunity, violence. On the morning of 8 June, a campus chief in Saptari or In both India and Nepal, it is poverty, inequality, injustice The overwhelming role of student called up Sah and Siraha?” and discrimination that drives Maoism. And on both sides there is caste formed the undercurrent of reported that a clash had broken Sah finally gave in and wrote a temptation to meet violence with counter-violence. As long as the brutal assault on campus out at the campus. Sah called up a resignation note. All this while, the roots of conflict are not addressed, however, there the local SP, the police was right at the cannot be long-term peace and reconciliation. who promised campus gate: either misled into After the resignation of Nepal’s Maoist-led to send forces believing that the campus government in May (with a little bit of help from friends but said they administration and students down south) there is loose talk in military and rightwing would need were having talks, or waiting for circles in Kathmandu of “doing a Sri Lanka” on the ex- permission the elusive CDO orders that never guerrillas. What is forgotten is that Nepal’s terrain and geopolitics makes protracted guerrilla war unwinnable for from the CDO came, or unwilling to take action. both sides. Maoism here has degenerated into criminal to take action. After four hours, according to warlordism, and is probably headed towards violent self- Sah then Sah, a group of students and the destruction. What we have to prevent is it turning ethnic in headed to the SP of the APF camp rescued him. the process. college, but When Sah was appointed Gandhi said violence can never be ethical, that it is only after campus chief two years ago, he counterproductive to those who start it. Nepal is the living having spoken superseded more senior proof. The lesson for both India and Nepal is that without to the CDO colleagues in the campus. Key resolving the structural inequity in our societies, creating Ram Bilas Ray appointments in educational jobs and lifting living standards there will be a million Yadav, who institutions across the country other mutinies even if we solve this one. promised to were divided among parties who After the Chauri Chaura killing of 22 policemen in 1922 near Gorakhpur, Gandhi suspended his anti-British give the could choose their men. The civil disobedience campaign saying he had not been able required town grapevine has it that Sah to prevent the violence. He later put forward the concept orders. The was backed by one faction of the of “struggle and construction”: achieving societal CDO however Saptari NC. Since then, some in transformation not by destroying but by working against disputes this, the teaching faculty discrimination, injustice and inequality. stating there (predominantly Yadavs, backed The Maoists who want to destroy and return to Year was no way he by another faction of NC) had Zero are on the wrong side of history. Those who threaten could have ganged up to oust him. a return to bloodshed if they don’t get what they want given orders Certain decisions taken by the haven’t realised the ruin they brought to this country. because Sah chief, like the appointments of Those for whom the end justifies the means forget Gandhi had not put in teachers, gave them enough at their own peril. a formal ammunition to allege corruption. written The Maoists, keen to get a

LLL ETTERS

CIVILIAN PARTIES Gorkha and met Nepalis who had managed extorting money from businesses and worst introduction to Nepal that a visitor After a long time, I could read to bring economic and cultural change in contractors because they know no one is can have, and it also leaves a deep an editorial which reflects the reality of their local community. One example that going to stop them. How can you run a lasting impression on people who are Nepali politics (‘Civilian parties,’ #456). stood out was how the local public toilets country like this? I realise it is not possible leaving. The airport convinces them The ruling parties, whatever their were kept so clean in such a remote village to deploy the army against the YCL that they aren’t going to return to Nepal weaknesses may be, are civilian parties through cooperation and coordination. This because it would mean the start of another unless the airport is fixed first. We are and they try to respect the rule of law. is just one story, there must war. But why not equip and used to quaintly inefficient Third World There are some, led by the Maoists, who be so many all over Nepal. support the police in the airports and can handle the refuse to accept that violence is not Amit Thapa, email smaller localities and clean discomforts. But TIA is a health hazard, acceptable in mainstream politics. How up the act in the small a den of smugglers and a centre for can you trust a party whose chair does DEMOLITION places first? You could crime and extortion where policemen at not feel an ounce of shame declaring I was moved to tears while actually use the same security who are supposed to be publicly that the policy of their party is to reading CK Lal’s piece on method as the Maoists: checking for dangerous items are the grab power forcefully? There is no how the country is moving start working up the more ones robbing passengers of their question that the military should be under from one shutdown to remote and poor areas valuables. Or maybe they should just civilian government, as parliament is the another (‘Mutually assured first. It could be done with keep the airport like it is because it supreme body and the army should be demolition,’ #456). It is a less money and less force epitomizes everything that is wrong under its supervision. However, the true reflection of the reality then cleaning up KTM with Nepal. But all is not lost: the Upper Maoists asking for ‘civilian supremacy’ at the ground level. CK, valley and the baddies Deck is proof that given the chance is a farce. channel your superb writing could be more easily Nepalis can run a clean, efficient, Kamal Kishor, email along these themes rather disabled there. Not courteous service. Private Sector than of political ones. everything has to start in zindabad! GOOD EXAMPLE Alok Dixit, email the capital. If it worked for Mao Tse Tung, it Girvan Thapa, email It would be fantastic to hear more stories should work for us. If you want law and of ordinary Nepalis trying to make a TWO ASSES order, outlaw the YCL. KHUMBU BY NIGHT difference (‘The power of good example,’ After reading two Ass columns (’22 rajahs’, Confused Bideshi, email Thank you Nepali Times for that new # 456). Such stories make a positive and ‘A psychedelic Prithbi Narayan’, #454, perspective on the Khumbu by impact in the national culture, which we 455) I was confused. But now I get it: the DUMP reproducing those brilliant pictures by are in dire need of in these difficult police can’t do a thing against those beating ‘Tribhuban International airport is a seedy, Alex Treadway and Hiroyuki Kuraoka. times. It will also encourage many to up women outside police stations, kids smelly dungeon’. Thanks to Paavan And congratulations to Billi Bierling for start their own similar initiatives. I deflating bicycle tyres to enforce a banda, Mathema for calling it like it is in ‘Lounging having made it to the top! recently visited a village of Barpak in or thugs vandalise a van. The YCL is around’ (#455). Kathmandu airport is the Lina Sorensen, Dhankuta OP-ED 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 3 foothold in the campus and curry favour with the politically powerful and demographically sizeable Yadavs, also backed the Lawlessness and disorder plan to get rid of Sah. It was this alliance of some senior (Yadav) teachers in the BIRGUNJ—Like relative deprivation, there is something called campus, certain (Yadav) leaders comparative sense of relief. Here, in Birganj, the kidnapping capital of Killers swagger around as of NC and the Maoists, and the Nepal, entrepreneurs have begun to take bleak satisfaction in the fact political activists, shouting (Yadav-led) student union that that they are no more or less insecure here than they would be in mounted the assault on Sah. Biratnagar or Kathmandu. slogans for civilian supremacy There are also murmurs that the Considering the brutality of kidnappers in the national capital, CDO being a Yadav explains his crossborder kidnappers in this frontier town actually appear somewhat inertia. Sah himself alleges that less vicious. in the past few months, a non- Mahesh Sharada was reportedly released after paying a hefty Yadav bank manager, district ransom in Thapathali. A businessman believed to have been education officer, and other local kidnapped from Tinkune is still in captivity. There was the failed officials have either been killed attempt to abduct a fourth grade student in Banasthali. Then the or hounded out of their offices. dismembered body of kidnapped student, Khyati Shrestha, was found For their part, the Yadavs this week in Kathmandu. privately say this is an upper What gets reported in the caste and non-Yadav backward STATE OF THE STATE media is only the tip of the caste alliance to deprive their C K Lal iceberg. It’s in private share of political power. The conversations that one gets to student union’s Ram Chandra guage lawlessness and disorder Yadav denies any involvement has become. In some families, ready cash is often kept at home so that and claims he in fact helped the attention aroused by sudden bank withdrawals can be avoided. rescue the chief. He alleges that Nobody goes to the police. the chief is trying to give a caste There are professional mediators here in Birganj whose main job is colour to what is a political battle to maintain contact between kidnappers and the families of victims to “protect student rights by and earn a cut for safe release. ensuring a clean administration”. Biren Pradhan, the accused in the Khyati abduction and murder However, his argument case, exhibited the callousness of an amateur. But people fear that the however is severely weakened by wide publicity given to the case may give ideas to future first-time what has happened after the abductors for copycat crimes. Ironically, the sadistic brutality of the incident. The police arrested murder case in Kathmandu has redeemed minor armed groups in Tarai MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA Yadav and others on the basis of who are reputed to treat hostages with due respect. exonerate perpetrators of crime which the society meekly accepts Sah’s statements. Yadav leaders In the early 1980s, the nation’s consciousness was shaken by the before moving on. across the board waged a murder of school girls Namita and Sunita Bhandari and their friend The worst way to approach a murder case is to portray the killer as campaign to get them released. Neera Parajuli. The triple murder of the schoolgirls remains a mystery a psychotic.Yet that was just what the investigators did. Biren The Maoists and NC together, to this day, although a royal cover up was suspected. The police closed Pradhan was a compulsive gambler with a perverted mind. Declare aided by Madhesi parties, led the the case during the reign of king Gyanendra. him a deviant, and society can then sleep well with clear conscience. charge. The government lawyer The Bhandari sisters came from an elite Kathmandu family. Yet, The criminals are exceptions, we tell ourselves. was threatened and he ran off the tragedy was soon forgotten. Surya Bahadur Sen Oli was the CDO of Modern materialism, class differences, joblessness, the long-term without arguing the case. And the Kaski. He is now a Maoist, but still isn’t spilling the beans. effects of the war on society’s psyche all combine to produce a judge released the accused. Now, In the process of enduring the pathologies of dictatorial regimes tinderbox where even a small incident can trigger tragedies of non-Yadav leaders of different and brutal insurgencies, our collective conscience seems to have lost unbearable proportions. parties (Mandals, Sahs, Brahmans the ability to empathise with the victimised families and pursue a case The communal dimensions of crime need to be played down to and others) are brainstorming to its logical conclusion. The public hue and cry tends to die down prevent a backlash. The Indian media appears to be stoking the fire of about what to do in order within a few days as everyone get back to their business. hatred by stressing Biren’s Darjeeling origins. toprevent Yadav hegemony. Whoever now remembers Bara-based journalist Birendra Sah or But if he has indeed committed the crime, he should get The Tarai now resembles the indomitable freedom fighter Uma Singh? Yet, their killers swagger harshest possible punishment. It is impunity, and the sight of the Bihar of the 1990s under Laloo around as political activists, shouting slogans for civilian supremacy. murderers wearing political cloaks walking freely, that has led to this Yadav. Invented explanations that blame the victim are often offered to crime wave. 4 NATION 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457

KUNDA DIXIT in NEW DELHI by a surge in the activity of Army’s defeat of the Tamil India’s restless Maoists, Tigers as a case study of a prompting the federal successful counter-insurgency he Indian government’s government on Monday to ban operation. ban on the Maoists this the party. Seen in this light, it is not a T week, and a Congress-led The Naxalites are now active surprise that India’s military- government that has shed its in 165 of India’s 604 districts, intelligence establishment took a leftist partners, is expected mainly in the mineral-rich dim view of the attempt by to bolster the swing to the forests of eastern India populated Nepal’s Maoists to sack Gen right in Nepali politics. by indigenous people. Fifty-one Katawal and infiltrate the Nepal The rout of both the BJP of these districts in Bihar, Army. “That was the last straw, and the CPI-M in April’s Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh we just couldn’t allow that,” election represented setbacks and Andhra Pradesh are said to said one Indian source. for the Hindu-right and the be ‘highly affected’. And in the Indian Foreign Secretary Maoist-left in Nepal. In past few months, the Maoists Shiv Shankar Menon, on India itself, post- have returned to West Bengal returning here after his Nepal election politics has where they started out as a visit, denied there were any been dominated peasant movement in 1967 and links between the Nepal Maoists were later ruthlessly crushed by and their Indian comrades. the Indira Gandhi government. However, there seems to be close After more or less pretending solidarity between the Naxalites it didn’t exist for decades, and the hardliner bloc among India’s national media has Nepal’s Maoists. suddenly started giving After April 2006, Indian prominent space to the revolutionaries sharply insurgency. The occupation of criticised the Lalgarh area of West Bengal for having ended the armed and the effort by security forces struggle, and in recent to retake it displaced even cricket interviews they have egged on as the main news in India’s hardline ideologues in Nepal. tabloid tv news which carried There is also new evidence sensational bold banners that that the Indian Maoists not just said ‘Red Terror’ in big crimson trained their Nepali comrades letters. The Indian media has but even planned and took part also stopped calling the rebels in some of the attacks on police ‘Naxalites’. stations and army bases in Nepal How India’s state during the war. On Tuesday, governments now deal with their Bihar Police claimed it captured Maoist insurgencies will have a two truck loads of dynamite and bearing on Nepal because the detonators in a truck carrying Indian revolutionaries have often boulders from Nepal. said they want to “liberate India’s moderate everything from Tirupathi to communists were the architects Revolutions Pashupati”. Similarly, the future of the November 2005 peace political trajectory of the Maoists process when they were in a in Nepal will be keenly watched UPA coalition with the by both India’s ultra-left as well Congress. They were hoping to as the central government. set an example of “taming ultra- without borders left adventurism” by bringing Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has them to the mainstream. The Implications for Nepal of a Maoist characterised the Maoist central government now seems insurgency “as India’s greatest to have abandoned that path by resurgence in India security threat”. The Indian banning the Maoists. security establishment was also West Bengal Chief Minister closely following the Sri Lankan Buddhadeb Bhattacharji had actually started calling Maoists “terrorists” after an attempted assassination in Lalgarh last November. His police then unleashed a crackdown in the area, and villagers rose up against excesses capturing three districts. The central government mobilised its paramilitary CPRF last week to quell the rebellion and retake the territory. West Bengal police appear to have behaved much the same way as the Nepal Police did in 1997-98 with its brutal Operation Kilo Sierra, and ended up increasing local support for the Maoists. “Mass anger was waiting to burst…and the Maoists were waiting in the wings,” wrote Aditya Nigam of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in a column this week. “In Lalgarh we are in it for the long haul” Other Indian commentators have been warning the state and central governments that the only solution to India’s Maoist insurgency is to address the concerns of the tribal and other marginalised groups whose anger and poverty the Maoists are tapping. But with the ban on the Maoists, the Indian state seems to be getting ready to use strong arm tactics. BUSINESS 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 5

Golf coaching ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Surya Nepal Khelparyatan and Nepal Golf Association have started the Surya Nepal Mind the gap NGA youth golf coaching program. It was started for the young with the objective of training potential golfers. The lessons will take place at Gokarna Forest Resort, Royal Nepal Golf Club, Nepal may have had free and fair elections but Army Golf Club, Himalayan Golf Club and Nirvana Country Club from 18 June. the so called representatives have no connection at all with the people

Banking forum ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ n Wednesday, Prime the alarming rise in the number of residents nor have any stake in Forum of Nepali Banks was established this month to represent, Minister Madhav Kumar children who have been the district’s affairs. and , lobby for the interest of all stakeholders in banks and make Nepal inducted eight kidnapped and then murdered, Herein is the crux of the the country's banking system more accountable. The adhoc O more ministers into his month- you’d think that our problem. When all parties, taking executive committee has nine members and will be under Manoj Bahadur Shrestha’s chairmanship. old cabinet. That raised the total representatives would put cue from one another, field number of ministers to 30. For a pressure on the Home Minister to candidates in this manner, voters small country of about 30 uphold law and order. You would have no choice but to elect pretty

Eco-friendly million people, a cabinet this also think that they’d like to much one stranger over another.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Maruti Cement Company has begun to manufacture size is already big. But press signal they are doing all they can When a stranger thus gets to OPC Cement in Nepal. Maruti cement is being reports indicate that the PM is set to allay their voters’ palpable parliament, on the back of the touted as the only one in Nepal to use to add more ministers from fears. support of voters he barely knew a environmentally friendly technologies to control different political parties, making But no! month before, is it any wonder pollution. what is likely to be the largest In this case, several days after that he has little to gain by cabinet in Nepal’s history. the murder, politicians of all voicing the concerns of those

Players stripes, elected from Biratnagar or voters, and much to gain by ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ STRICTLY BUSINESS elsewhere, have made absolutely making his leaders happy, lest John Players', men’s wear Ashutosh Tiwari no noise in support of the they not give him the ticket in the brand from Surya Nepal has Shrestha family. The family is left next round of elections? opened its sixth and seventh to fend for itself to push for When you have a parliament exclusives branded outlets at At a time when there is justice. full of democratically elected City Center Mall, Kamal growing public disenchantment This sort of silence from those representatives who have every Pokhari and Maharajgunj. with Nepal’s political process elected to represent our interests incentive to toe the party line, it’s and with the lordly behaviour of has happened in many other only a matter of time before horse-

Safe biking elected representatives who cases. A bridge breaks down near a trading starts, before the cabinet is ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ repeatedly fail to stick to the temple, like one did last year. expanded to accommodate every In an attempt to promote a safe biking priority of drafting a national Hundreds of pilgrims are killed. disgruntled party, and before culture and to strengthen motor sports, constitution by an agreed-upon Not a word comes from any commissions are formed to R15 Nepali riders have been trained by Morang Auto Works and will participate deadline, what purpose does it in a R15 championship in Chennai on serve to keep on expanding the 28 June. cabinet as if there were a mandate to create an unlimited government?

Branch-less banking The answers are found in two

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Everest Bank launched branch-less banking ‘Everest Ghar–Dailo parts. First, it’s instructive to Banking Sewa’ on 17 June. The bank has appointed authorised look at the governance of the representatives in the villages, that are connected to branches political process in Nepal; and, and will allow deposits and withdrawals with the use of a Smart second, on ways to fix it. Card. Unaccountable governance: The UK press has Win-Win recently been dominated by

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ revelations of how many of the Consumers can now collect crowns from Pepsi 646 Members of Parliament have bottles featuring four of the football players of abused public funds to pay for MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA the Dream Team to win a free trip to Bangkok personal indulgences that ranged and Pataya for one couple every week. from cleaning up a privately- member of Parliament. Similarly, provide jobs to hangers-on. All owned moat to buying fertilizers press reports of food shortages in these leave the voters to recede to paying for flats for their the hills of Western Nepal. Again, from the political memory for children. The revelations sent a not a word of support, let alone several years, reduced as they are shock wave through the British actions that help deliver the to being mere spectators. political system, leading to both grains, from the politicians Fixing it Those who the ridicule and resignations of elected from that region. When complain about the inaction of guilty politicians. Those who these examples add up, you start our large-size government should have retained their jobs have had to wonder: when your stop expecting saintly politicians to continue to govern with a representatives do not speak up as outputs. They should instead tarnished reputation and for you who are affected in times focus on the inputs. That is to diminished stature. of crisis, what is the point of say, the one way to make the Though Nepal follows a going through the motion of representatives accountable to the British-style Westminster model elections? public, so that they and their of parliamentary democracy, the True, holding free and fair parties do not keep on expanding gulf between the public and elections on a regular basis is one the size of the government, is by those who are elected to serve the feature of democracy. And on this first correcting how the public remains immense in this account, few fault Nepal’s present candidates are fielded to the country. This is partly because democratic regime. Despite reports public during elections. The more intermediary institutions that of Maoist intimidation at some tangible connection a candidate check the expanding power of the polling stations in the hinterland, has to a district, the more likely government are either weak or do most accept that present he is to listen to the voters’ not exist. As such, it often looks representatives were elected in concerns. This simple change in as if our politics is comprised of what were generally considered to the initial conditions is also more two spheres – the first one be free and fair elections last year. likely to connect national parties containing the 601 But problems become clearer with influential local politicians representatives, and the second when we examine the mechanics who, in many cases, would not one containing the voting of how parties have subverted the have to either run as population – with the first election process so it is not independents or cobble together having little connection to the responsive to the public’s their own parties. second once elections are over. concerns. Here is how it works: In the absence of such reforms For illustration, consider this parties decide who they want to that help tie representatives’ example: Khyati Shrestha, a high send as candidates to a district. actions to voters’ concerns, we school student from Biratnagar Party cadres fight with one have no choice but to watch the was found brutally murdered in another to curry favours from their Prime Minister preside over a Kathmandu a few days ago. Hers leaders to receive the election ballooning cabinet in the name of was not the only murder that has ticket. Those who receive the letting almost all parties be in the taken place in recent times. Given election tickets need neither be government. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 Herbs worth gold

Pradip Kafle in Himal Khabarpatrika, 15-29 June

Leaving behind the buzz of city life in Kathmandu, KB Gurung quit his job as a government official in the department of agriculture and opted to forge a business growing herbs in Damauli, Tanahu. The Agricultural Science graduate who studied in Kanpur, India under the Colombo Plan, was determined to cultivate and preserve the endangered herbs of Nepal, and has managed to turn that ambition into gold. He has grown more than 150 species of herbs on his 15 hectares of land in Patan, Tanahu. The sales of red sandalwood and ginseng, among others is known to bring him hefty profits. Now, following studies in , Gurung is planning to start cultivating bamboos that can be used to manufacture photocopy paper. ‘Abundant agro forestry could be a major source of income for Nepal,’ said the 70 year old Gurung. Seeds of disunion Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar in Nepal, 28 June although there were no provisions for this in the party constitution. A convention was held through an inter-zonal meeting, which was again Many different communist revolutionary against the constitution of the party. The trend of ideologies evolved around the world from 1960, over-writing the constitution continued. including within Nepal. In Nepal the Darbhanga Already there were signs of the party Plenum—-a meeting of the central committee of splitting, but the key leaders ignored it. Kamar the communist party in 1961—is of particular Shah, another party leader, and I tried to importance. convince the senior leaders against division. In the meeting, three courses of action for the Shrestha even went ahead to call for the next party emerged, a pro-constitutional monarchy convention. But the chairs at the convention line led by Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, a line that were empty. Some leaders were jailed while wanted to restore the dissolved parliament and others boycotted it because of the clash of launch broad mass movements led by Pushpa ideologies. This was the starting point of the Lal Shrestha and a third line which favoured a party’s split. constitutional assembly and an armed struggle, By the fourth party convention, the party had led by . divided into two, with Rayamajhi heading one of When an election was held, the majority the factions. I was appointed the general voted in support of Singh’s line. However, the secretary. But there were allegations that central committee refused to accept the result Rayamajhi had helped arrest Sambhu Ram preferring the restoration of parliamentary Shrestha and so his supporters left the party. At democracy. that time a demo had been called by pro- Right then part chairman Keshar Jung Panchayat leaders against Congress’s BP Rayamajhi was alleged to be close to the king. Koirala. Rayamajhi agreed to join but I was Rayamajhi was dismissed but a three-member against it because being against Koirala meant committee was formed to hold the party we were against democracy. He did not go but convention within nine months. This case lobbyed against me in the party. His proposition ended with a compromise among the members against me received only two votes and he was and the fight for power within the party also kicked out from the party. diminished. At that time I was elected a central Differences in opinions and ideology have committee member. continually threatened the unity of the The party was banned in 1961 and most of , culminating in the senior leadership stayed out of the country. countless communist parties that actually Zonal committees were formed to operate it, started as a single group. Insecurity

Editorial in Naya Patrika, 24 June

The security situation in Kathmandu is deteriorating. While reports of abductions and manslaughter cases are on the rise, the government is doing little to address them. The abduction of industrialist Mahesh Sarada took place in broad daylight. Afterwards a special police cell was mobilised to look into it and the case was also discussed at the Home Ministry. But their efforts amounted to MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA nothing and Sarada returned service to wanting to bring about It seems as if the court is home having paid a heavy ransom. justice and to punishing the providing them with a form of The high school teenager who was guilty but they achieve no more ‘shelter’ inside jail from where abducted was murdered and her than that. Another reason why they can pursue these crimes and PICS: KIRAN PANDAY mutilated body was found in these abductions persist is remain protected. Unless the Home DEBUT NIGHT: NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel gets ready to meet Kathmandu although her parents because the abductors, even from administration deals with this with the media after being declared the winner at NC parliamentary paid Rs.100,000. their prison cells, manage to keep issue there is no hope of leadership election on Saturday. Every time there is a case of forming new gangs to perpetuate Kathmandu becoming a peaceful abduction the police pay lip their crimes. and secure city. CONSTITUTION 2010 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 7 Baglung speaks Life behind Thoughts on the constitution writing process the veil

aglung is concerned about The questionnaire developed to Dharma Bahadur Kunwar, Rastriya the delay in constitution ask for suggestions for the new Janamorcha B writing. The district is constitution was complicated. Federalism is not the only option. If dominated by Rastriya More outrageous is the fact that the CA members really wanted Janamorcha leaders. Janamorcha the CA members did not prioritise positive feedback they should have has been against Nepal is the rights of the underprivileged also suggested an alternative becoming a federal state. At a Dalits. There is a risk of Dalits framework to federalism. This Himal Khabarpatrika discussion, being left far behind in the new could have been reflected in the civil society and political party constitution. questionnaires. No space was leaders admitted that there is no given to the fact that federalism other alternative to Nepal Raju Gautam, divides a nation and its ethnic becoming a federal state. President, Nepal Bar Association groups and destroys camaraderie Excerpts: All the dilly-dallying in amongst communities. constitution writing only proves Harihar Sharma, that the CA members are not Should the constitution be based Nepal Student Union serious about it. There’s a fear on ethnicity, language, culture, or The writing of the constitution is that this new constitution will be region? taking place at an exceptionally passed like the interim slow rate. Issues like federalism, constitution, where a handful of CA Anju Lamichane, state restructuring, framework of members decide the clauses. women’s rights activist the administration and other issues Those CA members who were Federalism should not be formed have not yet been discussed. The collecting suggestions took no on the basis of language or leadership is not at all serious responsibility for the complicated ethnicity. It should include all about constitution-writing and is questionnaires they were carrying. sections of society. There’s fear not concerned about what the that a federal structure may people want. Ram Sharma, advocate encourage separatism. Political The questionnaires that were parties should not thwart K.B Rana Magar, Parents’ taken to the people were hard to constitution writing. Organisation Nepal understand. Until just a month ago KONG YEN LIN We hear that the suggestions put the suggestions from the people of Prem Prasad Sharma, forward by the people of Baglung Parbat were not taken to the right social worker WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE: Mohammadi (right) and Maimoona set up have been shelved in some corner place. Whose responsibility is There is a process to writing the the Fatima foundation that works for the upliftment of Muslim women of the district development office. that? It is not too late, if we constitution of a country. That in Banke, like this one (left) who is learning to sew so she can be Indeed CA members are attempting unanimously push for democracy process involves every citizen financially independent. to write the constitution the new constitution will be written being involved in discussions so irresponsibly. on time. as to help decide how Nepal must become a federal state. KONG YEN LIN in NEPALGANJ Durga Dutta Acharya, Mukesh Chandra Rajbhandary, Nepal Press Union journalist Amit KC, activist for the disabled CA members visiting rural Nepal is The draft that the political parties Special rights must be given to hen Mohammadi Siddiqui’s husband died 17 years just paying lip-service. put forward has not yet reached marginalized communities. ago, the mother of three children had to struggle to Constitutions have been written in the people, who doubt that their Leaders have to study the take care of her family. the past, it is now important to views will be represented. W geography and understand the She had spent most of her married life within the confines evaluate how much they psychology of the Nepali people. If of her house, donning a burka in her rare trips to the market. But addressed people’s grievances. If Shakuntala Sharma, some communities do not think that a supportive mother-in-law encouraged Mohammadi to work as a the leaders are sensitive towards Inter Party Women’s Alliance Nepal should be a federal state, it human rights activist, especially to empower fellow Muslim what Nepali people want, they The majority of women never is their right to think so. have to deliver on their promises. received these questionnaires. All women. groups are appealing to be Sunita Gauchan, social worker Six years ago, Mohammadi and her sister Maimoona set up Man KC, Nepal Teachers’ Union represented in the new There is a tendency to use young the Fatima Foundation in Banke to uplift Muslim women. The The fact that the CA members constitution. In such a situation, people for political purposes and organization now has 22 volunteeers and tackles problems like visited rural areas to seek the are issues relating to press abandon them when the political child marriages, polygamy and domestic violence. opinions of people at the grass freedom, rule of law and human interests have been fulfilled. The “There is a dearth of religious laws in Nepal safeguarding roots is noteworthy. rights just not being prioritised? need of the hour is to provide social justice for women,” says Mohammadi, “on top of that, employment to the youth of Nepal. there is also a lack of female participation in law enforcement Netra Bahadur Bista, Din Bahadur Thapa, and the judiciary.” Akhil Nepal Teachers’ Union vice principle Bharat Poudel, CDO Leaders are distracted by the Taking locals who speak the Unless we Nepalis change our formation of government and who language to interpret intrinsic behaviour, democracy will Two Muslim sisters show is going to get what cabinet questionnaires would certainly only remain in slogans. portfolio. A consensus government have been more fruitful. There is a Democracy has given the people it is possible to fight for can help us move forward towards possibility that the country may be the opportunity to voice their constitution writing. divided along linguistic lines. To opinions. We must cherish the rights in the Tarai’s prevent this division issues diversity while addressing issues Bir Bahadur Biswokarma, regarding languages must also be related to ethnicity and not point conservative society Dalit rights activist tackled. fingers at each other. Since the lack of education is such a barrier for Muslim women to be financially independent, Fatima has started a skills training centre to teach Muslim women how to sew and paint. “This makes them less dependent on the family and gives them confidence,” says Maimoona, a 45-year-old mother of three and graduate from Gorakhpur University. Fatima is trying to prevent child marriages and has set up a watchdog community operating undercover on tip-offs. Fatima recently conducted classes for women from 23 VDCs of Banke to educate them on their constitutional rights. “Awareness is the first step towards reform and equal participation,” says Maimoona. The sisters have survived threats and intimidation from some male members of their community and mullahs. “At first even my brothers-in-law disapproved, now the mullahs have written letters recognising my efforts,” says Mohammadi with a smile. She is now a CA member, and recently completed her Bachelors degree in Sociology from Awadh University in India. Mohammadi is excited about the new constitution: “Finally the laws of the land will pave the way for greater participation of women from different castes and ethnicities.” 8 FLYING Holding up th

PAAVAN MATHEMA

aptain Bhawana Pant gently pushes the throttle on the starboard engine of her Beech 1900D, scans the dials C carefully to ensure everything is ok. To her right is co- pilot Rita Pyakurel who takes instructions from air traffic control and looks out for ground traffic, as the plane with its all-famale crew takes off. The aircraft is cleared for takeoff from Runway 20 and Capt Pant guns both engines as the plane takes off with an all- female crew. What is unusual is how routine flights with women on the flight deck and cabin have become in Nepal’s domestic aviation. Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines are the only two that operate flights where the captain, co-pilot and stewardesses are all women. But as more and more women opt for careers as pilots, this isn’t so rare anymore. “I used to watch my father wear his pilot’s uniform and I knew right then that I wanted to fly too,” says Pant,who has been flying for 12 years. “When I took my first flight I felt like I had achieved a big victory.” Pant became a captain three years ago at the same time that Buddha Air introduced all-female crews to take charge of their flights. Co-pilot Pyakurel says there is just too much to do in the cockpit to think about breaking stereotypes. “But,” she admits with a smile, “I feel a tinge of pride when the captain is also a woman.” Both Pant and Thapa are now also licensed to fly Buddha’s All-female cockpit new and bigger ATR-42 twin turboprops. Komal Basnyat and Yasodhara Thapa are two other female pilots with Buddha Air. crews become common Komal says the comfort level is higher when she works with a female captain and says the women crew send a positive message as more women pick to the public about gender equality. Pant adds: “Although one’s gender doesn’t really make a difference when you work together to piloting careers control a flight, it’s very encouraging that things are changing.” The first step towards all-women crews taken by Yeti airlines in 2006 when, on the occasion of women's day, Capt Sabina Thapa and co-pilot Jeena Ligden flew together. “It was a wonderful experience,” recalls Thapa who now flies BAe Jetstreams for Yeti. “You have to prove yourself here to gain respect. This is not a profession where women get concessions simply because they are women. You have to show what you are capable of.” Although things have come a long way since Sony Rana (now the only woman flying 757s for Nepal Airlines) became Nepal’s first woman pilot in 1988, female crews are still very uncommonthan thier male counterparts. Of the 300 or so certified pilots in Nepal, only 10 percent are women. Of the 69 pilots in Yeti, there is one woman captain and five co-pilots. Of Buddha Air’s total cockpit crew of 42, there are two female Scaptains and four co-pilots. Nearly all women pilots fly domestic routes, regarded as the most challenging flying terrain in the world. So the experience Nepal’s women pilots are earning will give them an advantage over others. With more women pilots returning from training abroad, passengers will soon become familiar with the sight of women in crisp pilot uniforms in the cockpit.

PICS: KIRAN PANDAY 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 9 he whole sky 10 NATION 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 Sniff or inject? Confessions of a former drug user

nternational Drug Day on 26 June reminds me of the past that shaped my present, and the present that is so different from I my past. It reminds me of my youthful days as a drug addict wandering the streets of Kathmandu. In the mid-1990s, I was about 20 and had been using drugs for four years. My first drug was something that was available in the local pharmacy for just Rs 20: the then famous cough syrup, Phensydyle. Many people my age in the 1990s probably tried Phensydyle. For me it represented the beginning of a long and treacherous journey, the life of a junkie. The rest of the world believed that it was me and only me who was to be blamed for what I became. Since the rest of the EYE WITNESS world believed this, I Rajiv Kafle believed it too. However, at the back of my head was always the conviction that it wasn’t just my fault. Lethal dose For four years I did Phensydyle and similar codeine-based syrups. When new policies went into effect to control these drugs, Nepal has no hope of eradicating drug the law enforcement agencies tightened their grip on narcotic drugs. Phensydyle and Heroin were the ones worst hit. Phensydyle abuse, but it must prevent its rise. was sold in 200ml bottles, and therefore too bulky to sneak through the southern border. The supply may have been cut off, DEWAN RAI is one of the lucky ones to not be reported there are 46,309 hard but the demand hadn’t reduced. The demand shifted to other infected with HIV. drug users in Nepal with 1.2 per drugs, namely Tidigesic: bupremorphine injections were available eevan Ghale used drugs for Among drug users, 61.4 per cent of them being under 15 years once again in the local pharmacy for as little as Rs 12 for a 2ml 11 years. He never cared cent inject drugs and among them of age. But the problem mainly ampoule. One dose could cost as little as Rs 6 and was enough for J what his family thought or 29 per cent share needles. An lies within the age group of 15 to a whole day. A clean syringe cost Rs 5. about being socially excluded, but estimated 6,557 intravenous drug 29, to which half the abusers Ironically, government crackdowns resulted in an introduction when he began to witness the users (IDU) are living with HIV or belong. of more lethal drugs into the market. The result was that HIV death of friends and his own AIDS, which is about 10 per cent The major drugs abused in prevalence among injecting drug users in Kathmandu rose from deteriorating health, he quit. of the total HIV/AIDS cases Nepal are cannabis and codeine zero in 1994 to 70 per cent in 1998. That figure includes me. He joined the Richmond according to UNAIDS. In which is found in cough syrup, We had the tools, we had the knowledge and yet we failed to Fellowship Nepal, a rehab centre Kathmandu, about 30 per cent of nitrazepam tablets and prevent HIV infections among injecting drug users during this for substance users and gradually all people living with HIV/AIDS buprenonphine injections, glue period. We lacked the political will to admit that there was a overcame his addiction. “I are IDUs. and opiates. Heroin is the second problem and, therefore, to do something about it. Brave outreach regained respect and recognition “There is a 100 per cent most prevalent drug in the workers entered the netherworld to distribute clean syringes, but from a society that despised me as chance of transmitting HIV by country says SSP Hemanta Malla, were often harassed by the law enforcement agencies. The Ministry a drug user,” he recalls. Ghale now needle sharing,” says Rajiv Kafle chief of the Narcotic Drugs Control of Health approved needle exchange as an effective means to ward works as a director at the Mother founder and coordinator of rehab Law Enforcement Unit. off HIV, but the more powerful Home Ministry still believed that Tongue Centre Nepal that organisation Nawa Kiran Plus. According to him, the drugs distributing needles would encourage drug use. When the drug develops a local language HIV prevalence among IDUs in are mainly smuggled from across was cheaper than a syringe, who cares about using a clean syringe? curriculum and also as a 2003 was 51 per cent. Given the the border or sold in pharmacies. It was as simple as that. counselor for drug users. limitations of Nepal’s public The government drug To see the Home Ministry's mistake, consider how an abuser He is celebrating his fifth health surveillance system, the regulatory body, the Department would think: one doesn’t buy a new lighter to light a new 'birthday' on 26 June marking his actual number of infections is of Drug Administration, has to get cigarette. So, should I keep the syringe in case I need it later? Well, fifth year since quitting drugs. thought to be much higher. Kafle approval from the International no, because I could easily get caught carrying a syringe. “The life I am living is my second says many of the users don’t even Narcotic Control Board to import The Home Ministry thus systematically fuelled the epidemic. life,” he says. know about the disease. the drugs that the country needs The government succeeded in wiping out the 200ml Jeevan, a 5 feet 6 inch man Nepal was the first country in but this has done little to control Phensydyle, but they couldn’t do the same to the 2ml Tidigisic was 38kg when he joined the Asia to establish a harm reduction the abuse of prescription drugs. that is still being smuggled across the southern border. centre. He now weighs 74kg and is program with a needle exchange “Treatment is not a cure for Today I am out of drugs and leading a healthy life. Ten years of married with a daughter. service for IDUs. However, the addiction. The rate of relapse is HIV and 19 years of drugs has taught me many important lessons. He had started smoking program has been ineffective due about 95 per cent in our country One that I think is important to share on Internatiional Drug Day marijuana at school, switching to limited coverage as well as a while new drug users appear every is this: don’t ban glue sniffing, since sniffers will end up from marijuana to nitrazepam short supply of syringes. The year, increasing the total number injecting. tablets and then injecting problem is especially acute now of drug users,” he says. rajhiv2002 (at)yahoo.com buprenonphine within a year. He that the potency of drugs has The unit seized 105.6kg opium significantly deteriorated, moving last year while 225kg opium has users to take bigger doses.“A drug been seized in the first six months user might need more than the of this year, a significant rise from two needles a day that they offer,” the 4.5kg of opium first seized by Kafle says. the police 15 years ago. Bishnu Sharma, program The largest heroin haul was manager of Richmond, says drug the 23kg seized in 2003, while an users are also highly likely to average of 10kg is seized each year. transmit Hepatitis C. He added But the size of the raids is not that about 94 per cent of drug indicative of the magnitude of users in Kathmandu have tested drug abuse in the country. It positive for the incurable disease. simply reflects the effectiveness “Effective prevention and failure of law enforcement, interventions need to be scaled he says. up among IDUs,” he says. There are four measures to be Political instability, low considered in controlling drug levels of education and literacy abuse: control on production, and a lack of voluntary supply, demand reduction and counseling and testing services treatment, rehabilitation and mean infection figures are only detoxification. “We can not likely to increase. make a drug free society but, we A survey conducted by Central can curb drug abuse,” Malla Bureau of Statistics in 2007 says. PICS: KIRAN PANDAY NATION 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 11 Take a stand Women must boldly seek 50 per cent representation

ast year’s CA elections gave women does not exactly mean the struggle for 33 per cent of seats in the assembly women is over. L and gave Nepal and South Asia good The main agenda of the political reason to celebrate. It was a fantastic victory leadership was not to get distracted from for women across the region. In many the constitution-writing process. There is constituencies women leaders from new no doubt that issues surrounding parties crushed veteran male leaders from federalism, inclusion, ethnicity and old parties. New women leaders were born representation of minorities are of great and there was no stopping them. importance in the new constitution, but so are issues relating to women and children’s rights. INTERESTING TIMES Despite their initial victory the Mallika Aryal women CA members still haven’t been able to discuss and channel their issues KIRAN PANDAY Although the ratio of 33 per cent female through the 11 committees, though each representation was stipulated in the has at least one female member. Women mind that there is no one else who is going movement all over Nepal must understand interim constitution, many feared the CA members also claim they haven’t to do it for them. Asking for 50 per cent that the fight for equal rights is not over political parties would not adhere to it, but forgotten what they promised and assure representation is not an unreasonable just because more women are in the CA. the women’s lobby was so strong that they that their fight is still for 50 per cent demand. Women make up 51 per cent of And it is important that the CA members would not settle for anything less. representation in all sectors. So why is it the total population of Nepal so why do not forget that they are responsible for Not all of the women elected were that at a time when women’s voices should they feel any sense of discomfort in the women in the far west who die of political party leaders. Some were war regarding equality in judiciary and asking for 50 per cent representation in the sicknesses that are so simple to cure, of the widows and others had no training in administration should be the strongest assembly? women who live with a prolapsed uterus politics. Some experts worried that since that we do not hear them at all? Nepali society is not going to change for most of their adult lives because they the process of constitution-writing These are not new questions and overnight. Waiting for the patriarchy to end do not have health facilities, of the young involves a lot of legal matters those lacking women CA members have recognised their is a waste of time. During the collection of brides in the Tarai and the hills who are the right education, experience or training weakness in raising their voices in the CA. suggestions for the new constitution, CA beaten up and kicked out of their homes may not cope. This is perhaps why a caucus has been members were warned by people all over because they did not bring in enough The challenge for the veteran political formed in the assembly which will Nepal not to repeat the mistakes of the dowry, or of the young girls who are burnt party leaders and the women’s lobby discuss and push these issues through but past, to think beyond the Valley and speak because they are ‘witches’, of the widows of groups who fought so hard for greater that alliance too is still very weak. up for the people who put their future in war who are waiting for reparation, and of representation to prove the skeptics wrong Women CA members were not elected the hands of the elected members. the wives who wait every day for their was a big one. But just because there are to voice only women’s issues in the It is not too late for the caucus in the husbands who were disappeared during the more women in the constituent assembly assembly but it is important to keep it in assembly to gain in strength. The women’s war years to come back. 12 INTERNATIONAL 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457

member states. But what is needed to reduce the deficit of hope that plagues Europe today? The answer is far from Worlds Apart obvious. Europe suffers from a shortage of leaders who can speak in its name; from a shortage of Emotionally the US and Europe are the ambition (what, after all, is the collective ambition of Europeans mirror images of each other now that the EU is perceived more as part of the problem than PARIS – Since the arrival of treatment if you lose the health part of the solution). But, above President Barack Obama in the insurance policy that came with all, Europe suffers from an White House, there has been an your job? The absence of social identity deficit, for no one seems undeniable rapprochement protection does not make you to know what it means to be a between Europe and the United stronger. The ambition of a European nowadays. America, by States. But on the deeper and country and a society cannot be to contrast, seems to have an more fundamental level of create a people armed to the teeth abundance of all the things emotions and values, is it with guns yet entirely disarmed Europe lacks. possible that the gap between the in the face of illness. Formulated in such terms, the two sides of the Atlantic has Moreover, in a society that European challenge seems even widened? “lives to work,” where one’s job is more formidable than the such a central component of one’s American one. Nevertheless, it is identity, the loss of work is more far from clear that the US will COMMENT destabilizing than in a culture find it easier to reform its health Dominique Moisi where one “works to live,” as and social security system, and in Europe. thus alleviate the individual fears Today, there is much more In Europe, meanwhile, there of its citizens, than for Europe to collective hope and much more is undeniably less collective hope inspire its citizens with a sense of individual fear in America in the President who incarnates a return made their president’s campaign and probably a little less collective hope. wake of the global economic of hope, who inspires and slogan, “Yes, we can,” their own. individual fear. Perhaps because In reality, Europe and America crisis. But the reverse is true in reassures at the same time, Meanwhile US journalists they are older and more cynical, should represent a source of Europe. Here one encounters less Americans are starting to believe report tragic stories of middle- European societies seem to bask mutual inspiration that would collective hope and less that the worst of the economic class Americans losing their jobs in a “collective moroseness,” reduce the human consequences individual fear. The reason for crisis is behind them. and homes, potentially putting from which they have difficulty of inequality in the one and this contrast is simple: the US What was at the beginning of their lives at risk without any emerging. restore a sense of hope in the has Obama, and Europe has the this spring no more than “a social protection. “Cities of Tents The record level of abstention other. Project Syndicate welfare state. glimmer of hope,” to use Obama’s are Filling with the Victims of in the recent European Parliament So what can be done to phrase, has become a more serious the Economic Crisis,” read one elections is further proof of that Dominique Moisi Visiting promote an “Americanization” of and positive trend. Animated headline a month ago on the front growing cynicism and alienation. Professor of Government at Europe in political terms and a collectively by a combination of page of a mass-circulation Of course, it is neither possible Harvard and author, most “Europeanization” of America in natural optimism and deep American newspaper. nor desirable to “clone” Obama in recently, of The Geopolitics of social terms? Comforted by a new nationalism, Americans have Who will pay for your cancer each of the European Union’s 27 Emotion. REVIEWS 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #45713

to everyone who can relate to the complex and intertwined identities that persist within the mother- daughter relationship. She depicts in her paintings a personal journey based on her own experience with her mother—the transition from pregnancy to birth, a mother’s devotion to her daughter and how this stops a mother from seeing reason when her child wants later to break free to create her own identity. She also depicts on a more positive note how the two are pulled together at every bend in life. Such is the nature of the mother-daughter bond. Maskey’s yearning for her childhood days inspires her work at every juncture. She used to watch her grandfather Krishna Bahadur Chitrakar, who was an artist himself, prepare panels of work for national events. She recalls daydreaming of colours and forms throughout her childhood, a tendency that still persists and which she demonstrates in the peculiar way she lays her ideas out on the canvas, always beginning her ANUP PRAKASH work with an oval. This play on oval forms and the Kathmandu. “I just wasn’t importance she pays to colour satisfied with the redundant seems to be what sets her apart from lifestyle I was living”, she says, the traditional forms of artwork in “I came back for a better quality Nepal, that depict culture or Balancing concepts of life”. scenery. She is currently exhibiting a Sabhyata Timsina n one of her poems artist and water by herself as her mother India and then left for the US. series of predominantly pastels in Keepa Maskey recalls her cooked and her father gardened. After graduating with a degree in Kathmandu under the title Keepa Maskey’s exhibition on I most cherished memories – “That was that back then, now it fine arts from Marymount ‘Concepts in Balance’ based on ‘Concepts in Balance on as a child in Nepal surrounded by is the/memory that fills my eyes Manhattan College, New York, she the theme of motherhood. She Motherhood’ is being held at The dragonflies, butterflies and with tears,” goes the poem. spent a decade living and working reveals that the series is dedicated Art Shop, Darbar Marg From 26 flowers, playing with brick dirt She went to high school in in the US before coming home to not only to her own mother, but June - 2 July

Pieces for peace athmandu is fast developing an eclectic music scene. From jazz music festivals, to reggae in clubs, trance and hip-hop, KNepali classical music and now, opera. American soprano Lindsay Feldmeth and Japanese pianist Ayako Watanabe are in town to give us a glimpse, for the very first time, of opera as part of a two week ‘Music for Peace’ festival. The soprano and pianist, who have been performing throughout the world together since 2001, were awarded a David Projects for Peace grant, allowing them to play here to promote world peace and cultural exchange. The Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, which is staging the event with the support of Hope Partnership Nepal, is also offering workshops and opera masterclasses with the musicians as well as live performances by Nepali group 1974 A.D, Luniva, Hindustani fusion groups, singer Priti Kaur and others. The aim is to coalesce diverse cultures on the stage and promote a sense of oneness among people from two opposite sides of the world through musical performance. “Music and peace is indistinguishable,” says Feldmeth, for whom music has been the sole source of tranquility since she was 15. Having played at several countries all over the world—Austria, Japan, Italy, Moscow, the US—they strongly believe that ‘the universal language of music’ has the power to make the world a peaceful home. Feldman will also present peace scholarship awards for talented Nepali musicians to study for a full year at KJC.

The Music for Peace Festival is from 27 June - 3 July. For more information and schedule visit http://www.katjazz.com.np 14 CITY 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457

ABOUT TOWN In Paying Guests, four young and fun-loving boys (Shreyas Talpade, Jaaved Jaffrey, Ashish Chowdhary and Vatsal EXHIBITIONS Sheth) begin a crazy house hunt which takes them through ™ The Locus of Continuity, an exhibition of mixed media art works a series of ultra comical hurdles in a bid to find that one by Sunita Maharjan at Hotel de l’ Annapurna ,19 til 30 June roof that can tolerate and shelter their combined problems. ™ In a Different Light an exhibition of Photography by Zoe Ballu (Johnny Lever) has just the place for them but he has Childerley at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, one condition: he needs only couples and bachelors are a big no-no. The boys now have their work cut out for them. 1-18 July They need fake wives and in a hurry, leading to a whole lot ™ Nepal Rendezvous paintings from Bangladesh and Nepal at Entertainment of madness and mayhem later. Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited 21-26 June, 11AM-6PM. 4218048 Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal ™ Concepts of balance , an exhibition of artwork by Keepa Maskey www.jainepal.com at The Art Shop, Darbar Marg from 26 June-2 July.4267063 Quest

EVENTS ™ Call for entries for Film South Asia till 30 June, documentaries sfd ;fgf ] 7nf" ] eGg ] x'Fb}g . kl;gfsf ] s'g} /ª / hft klg x'Fb}g . sfd made in and after January 2007 qualified. 5554121 u/]/ vfg nhfpg' klg x'Fb}g . rf]/]/, 9fF6]/, 5n]/, n'6]/ vfg kf] g]kfn ;/sf/ nhfpgk5' { . hf ] hxf F /x/] hg' sfd u5 { pm To;df} /dfpgk5' { uf/a} ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno MUSIC ;"rgf ljefu ™ Kathmandu Music For Peace Festival by the American ugk5'{ { / ;dlkt{ eP/ ugk5'{ { . sfd g } zlQm xf,] elQm xf ] / dlQm' soprano Lindsay Feldmeth and the Japanese pianist Ayako xf ] . sfdsf ] OHht u/f,}+ kl;gfsf ] ;Ddfg u/f }+ . Watanabe, 22 June-3 July ™ Baja gaja, every Tuesday at Moksh, 7.30 PM onwards, Pulchok. 5526212 ™ Live band every Friday and rooftop bbq everyday at Kausi Kitchen, Darbar Marg. 4227288 ™ Sunday Jazz brunch barbecue and live jazz music at the Terrace, Hyatt Regency from 12-3.30 PM. 4491234 ™ Jazz evening at Delices de France Restaurant every Wednesday, 11AM-2PM. 4260326 ™ Some like it hot every Friday BBQ and live music by Dinesh Rai and the Sound Minds, 7PM onwards, Rs 899 at Fusion, Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 ™ Happy cocktail hour, 5-7PM, ladies night on Wednesday with live unplugged music at Jatra Café & Bar. ™ Live Sensation, performance by Yankey every Saturday, 9PM, Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu. 4491234 ™ Live Band Sensation performance by Aprilrush, every Saturday till late, Rox Bar, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. 4489362 ™ Sunday Jazz Brunch by Inner Groove with barbeque, Sunday, 12PM-3.30 PM, The Terrace at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. 4489362 ™ Nepali Ghajals and songs at D’Lounge Beijing Duck Restaurant, every Thursday 6.30 PM onwards. 4468589

DINING ™ A cafe’s cafe Dhokaima Cafe, Patan Dhoka. 5522113 ™ The Corner Bar, 3-11PM, 5-7PM, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu. 4411818 ™ 7th Annual Monsoon Wine Festival 2009, until 15 September, Kilroy, Thamel. 4250440 ™ Mango Etagere with hi-tea at The Lounge from 4.30-6.30 PM. WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Hyatt Regency. 4489362 ™ Weekend Brunch by the Poolside every Saturday and Sunday, Despite a couple of night-time downpours, this year’s monsoon has Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu ,11AM-3PM. 4273999 yet to arrive in Nepal. The eastern region of Nepal received ™ Pizza & Pasta at the Rox Restaurant every Monday & Tuesday, rains early this week from breakaway clouds from the Bay of Hyatt Regency. 4489362 Bengal. Satellite pictures from Thursday afternoon suggest that we ™ Chez Caroline for French and won’t see rain until next week. The monsoons have been late Mediterranean cuisine, Baber because of a poor delivery pressure system. But the signs of its Mahal Revisited. 4263070 imminent arrival are looking good. The pictures show fresh cyclones ™ Mediterranean cuisine every swarming the Bay, ready to scatter clouds out to the hills. This will Friday from Greece, Italy and be helped by soaring temperatures across the Tarai and hills. the Middle-East at The Café, Expect brief afternoon showers over the weekend in central and Hyatt Regency. 4491234 eastern Nepal. ™ Teppanyaki meat items and garlic rice right at Le Resturant, Gairidhara. 4436318 ™ Plat Du Jour at Hotel Shangri La, Kathmandu, Rs 600. 4412999 ™ Reality Bites, The Kaiser Café, Garden of Dreams, operated by

Dwarika’s Group of Hotels, 9AM-10PM. 4425341 KATHMANDU ™ Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-la with live performance by Ciney Gurung, Rs 999, at the Shambala Garden, every Friday 7PM onwards. 4412999 ™ Himalayan Rainbow Trout at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Darbar Marg. 4248999 KATHMANDU VALLEY

GETAWAYS Fri Sat Sun ™ Relax Package at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu for Rs 5555 plus taxes, for a night on double occupancy with breakfast, complimentary use of spa and, offer valid to Nepalis and local 32-18 31-19 6 30-18 6 residents only. 4489800 ™ Feel the Hyatt touch, a 60-minute Ayurvedic massage and access to pool and spa with breakfast or lunch at The Café or hi-tea at The Lounge. 4491234

For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com HAPPENINGS 26 JUNE - 2 JULY 2009 #457 15

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA WE SWEAR: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal administers oath of office to new minsters from Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party at Shital Nibas on Wednesday. President Ram Baran Yadav was also present at the ceremony.

KIRAN PANDAY BLACK IS BACK: Police arrest a member of Revolutionary Left Wing, a breakaway Maoist faction, on Saturday near Tribhuban International Airport for protesting against 'border enroachment' by India in Nepal and showing a black flag to the Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon .

KIRAN PANDAY NOT BUDGING: Maoist CA members stage a protest in front of Singha Darbar for hours on Tuesday, obstructing traffic and preventing civil servants, including a disabled singer, from entering the premises.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA COOL DESCENT: With the delayed onset of the monsoons and rising temperatures, Satdobato swimming pool attracts crowds of locals eager to cool down.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA GRIEF IN COLOUR: UNHCR's photo exhibition 'Real People Real Needs,' showcasing refugee camp images from Nepal, Afghanistan, Australia and the US, closes on Wednesday in Kathmandu. A 16 7 July,his63 working ona country isnoneotherthanKingG,whoapparently The personmosttroubledbythedownwardslideof League withtheDeptofTransportation. driving licensetest?JustapproachtheYoungCommunistwho’sin Name ahoneypotandtherewillbeYCLhandsinit.Failedyour trade withKhasa,theThamelrestaurantandnightclubbusinesses. business, thePashupatipujabookings,sandalwoodsmuggling,all Kathmandu’s casinos,itlooksliketheynowcontrolthesandmining rackets theyoungloutsareinvolvedwith.Havingcaptured But itdoeslookliketheOldFoxwasprescient,givenkindof League’ twoyearsago,saying We allpokedfunatGirjauwhenhecalledtheYCL‘YoungCriminal Ministry ofAbduction,ExtortionandKidnappings. Ministry ofHighwaysandBlockades,MurderMayhem, about: MinistryofBandasandHartals,DaylightRobbery, means wehavetoquicklycomeupwithnewlineministries.Sohow collision partners.ButtheForumstillhasn’tmadeupitsmind,which well asTourismandCivilAviationinordertomakewayfornew because wenowseethatthey’ve included init.Atleastsomeoneisreadingthispaper’sbackpage, Wide BodyCabinetgoingbythegirthofindividualministers Lionheart in2002,butdefinitelycomesclose.Maybeweshouldcallita This maynotbeajumbocabinetgoingbytheprecedentset chap, thisistheguytowatchoutfor.Cloudyinitforlonghaul. hardliners andbybeingcoy,Badalgetstokeeptheswingvote.Smart the Politburoissplit50-50betweenhardlinersandnot-so- chest, keepingbothsideshappyandhisoptionsopen.Smartguybecos the GoldenMiddleinPolitburo,holdinghiscardscloseto mountain withhislettertoGenCutWall.Butthereheisclingingon unleashed. ItwasCloudywhosetthecartcareeningdown has beensobusy The guywhowasresponsibleforallthis,ComradeCloudy,meanwhile through hadtheleadershipnotbungledrelationswithIndiasobadly. Finance Ministryandwouldhavelikedtoseesomeofhisprograms hierarchy. RamBabuisjustifiablyproudofhisachievementsatthe Narayan, whomPKDpluckedoutofnowhereandmade#2intheparty personality thatisplaguingtheparty.BRB’smain with itjusttokeeptheIndianshappy,hashinteddarklyatcultof Comrade Laldhoj,whohasnolovelostforChabilalandwasgoingalong they hadn’tevenseenwasalreadyinthehandsofsomeembassies. White Paper.However,thecomradesarewonderinghowadocument even theChairmanshipatPolitburowherehehaspresentedhis But forthetimebeingFerociousishavingatoughclingingonto discount fromthesaubecausehouseissupposedtobehaunted. Shantinagar, buyingthehouseforRs30million.Thepartygotahefty indeed. AwesomehasalsomovedthepartyHQfromBuddhanagarto slogan ofComradeAwe-Inspiringandonehetookextremelyseriously After all,“theFirstPresidentoftheRepublicNepal”wascampaign force PrezRamBarantoresignpavethewayforPKDbepresident. just won’tletgoofthe“civiliansupremacy”bonebecausetheywantto ass(at)nepalitimes.com Murder and Ministry of intriguing onesdoingtheroundsthesedaysisthatBaddies in idlegossiphere.Justthejuicyones.Andoneofmost s the BACKSIDE Mayhem rd donkey’s ardentfans birthday. birthday. “deshbasi konammasandesh” fence-sitting thathedoesn’trealisethestormhas ha-ha potcallingthekettleblack FG FG FG FG FG bifurcated willtellyou,wedon’tindulge IrrigationandEnergyas timed gripe is againstKaji . CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 04/058/59 26 JUNE-2JULY 2009 #457

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