#492 5 - 11 March 2010 16 pages Rs 30

As participants launched Tourism Year 2011 at Tundikhel last Friday, shadows of another kind were threatening to engulf ’s media fraternity. Cue Psalm 23:4 from the Bible: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

KIRAN PANDAY

Ajaya Bhadra , Casting shadows The Himalayan Times Akhilesh Upadhyay, e editors express deep with the Naya Patrika daily the media to deviate from its The Post anguish and strongly Manoj Ghartimagar, for duty amidst increasing Ameet , República W condemn the killing of publishing an interview of the insecurity. Criminal activities in Jiwendra Simkhada, Annapurna Post Arun Kumar Singhaniya, the only police officer arrested in the the guise of politics have targeted chairman of Janakpur Today. The Jamim Shah incident. Before the free press, civilian security Kiran Nepal, Himal Khabarpatrika killing, on the one hand, shows this, similar threats were issued and other fundamental norms Krishnajwala Devkota, Naya Patrika the fearsome form of cowardice and values of democracy. Narayan Wagle, Nagarik and criminality, and on the other, We demand that the the total absence of government. Violence can’t government immediately make Prashant Aryal, Nepal This incident occurred less deter the pen efforts to arrest the criminals Prateek Pradhan, Karobar than a month after the killing of involved and bring them to Puskarlal Shrestha, the Managing Director of the against Publications justice. At this moment, we Nepal Samacharpatra SpaceTime Network, Jamim Shah. and The Himalayan Times. The pledge that we will never Rabi Thapa, Nepali Times Immediately after the killing of government´s insensitive surrender press freedom, which Singhaniya, criminals threatened passivity and total lack of has been established as the legacy Sudheer Sharma, Kantipur the editor of Janakpur Today, Brij accountability has helped boost and symbol of people´s rights, Yubaraj , Rajdhani Kumar Yadav, as well as journalist the criminals´ intention to force whatever the circumstances. 2| 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

to formulate the constitution and have held the country and that no one seems to be able to untie the knot. There are the peace process hostage with their bickering. other areas of disagreement: repeated Maoist threats of WORKING ON PLAN B So, if it is certain that the new constitution is not going capturing power by force, their deliberate use of to be ready by May 28, the question is: what is Plan B? violence to terrorise others, for instance. The Maoists With 12 weeks to go for the constitution deadline, even There are wild predictions of political chaos, fears of a probably feel that these are pressure tactics to force the the diehard optimists have given up on it being written street uprising by the Maoists to capture power, presidential other two parties to take them into government, but it is in time. There is still too much to do and too little time to rule and martial law so the army can take over. None having the opposite effect. do it. of this need happen. As Chairman Dahal himself has said There is also a big gap in the drafts submitted by the Every Nepali knows why, and they squarely blame often, not writing the constitution by the deadline is not 11 committees to the plenary. The Maoists want a the political parties for having forgotten why they were going to mean the sky will fall. presidential system, while the NC is rooting for a elected. A porter in a remote district in Nepal, a Saner voices will prevail because none of the three parliamentary democracy. That could be debated, but sidewalk vendor or a college student would, if asked, be political parties want things to spin out of control, their the Maoist attempt to write a totalitarian constitution with unanimous in agreeing that it is the leadership of the control. The real worry is that the three parties decide to the judiciary subservient to government, a compulsory political parties and their greed for power that has extend the deadline and then go back to sleep again. The draft, and its opening of a Pandora’s Box with ethnic- delayed constitution-writing and obstructed the real hurdle has always been the inability of the UML, NC based federalism are dangerous portents. peace process. and the Maoists to forge a political consensus, and the If we are indeed going to buy six months, we have to In any other democracy, this would be cause for reason they haven’t been able to do that is because they make sure we write a constitution that guarantees serious concern. But not here, it seems. The lack of can’t agree on the conditions under which the Maoists will democracy, pluralism and social justice. We have accountability of a loser-takes-all government, the be brought back into government. waited four years, we can wait six more months after reckless adventurism of a mauled Maoist opposition Hardly anyone disputes that the new constitution can be May. But we have to do it right. and the politicised lobbyists of civil society have all written with the Maoists out of government. But the ensured that no one is really worried about public triangular distrust among the Brahmin men in the three opinion. They have all bypassed the assembly elected parties (and with others within their own parties) is so great Revisiting 1950 expert Subash Kashyap, serving the treaty is highly unfavourable concerns. And while the open encouraged crime, PLAIN SPEAKING Indian officials, and Nepal to it. Those clauses that held any border was meant for the agreed with the need to regulate experts were present. advantage in the security realm nationals of these two countries, the border. After all, the Maoists Prashant Jha There were different sessions are now non-operational, while many third national countries see out-migration as a liability on the Nepali peace process, Nepal continues to enjoy benefits were using it for other purposes. that helps sustain the old semi- water resources, federalism, from other provisions. A former official argued for a feudal economy. and the role of the media and An Indian participant argued regulated border regime to track But this was not a position Patna – The -Nepal civil society. how millions of Nepali citizens cross-border movement. shared by all Nepali participants. conference organised by the But the most interesting enjoy national treatment in India For their part Nepali Madhesi leaders emphasised the Indian Ministry of External conversation was regarding the without a reciprocal arrangement. politicians, particularly the roti-beti relationship and said Affairs this week in Patna 1950 treaty and the open border. What would revising the relevant Maoists and UML, feel the treaty revising the open border featured the cream of the Nepali is inherently unequal, signed as arrangement would devastate political landscape. Dr Baburam it was when a newly lives and families. Others Bhattarai, Barshaman Pun independent India was dealing pointed to the huge working ‘Ananta’, Pradeep Giri, It may come as a surprise, with a decaying, feudal Rana class population, including Bimalendra Nidhi, Gagan Thapa, regime on its last legs. pahadis, who would suffer. Pradeep Gyawali, Pradeep Nepal, but India feels the 1950 Dr Bhattarai noted that the It is clear that Nepal is yet to MJF(D)’s Jitendra Dev, treaty is highly treaty was based on India’s develop a broad national Sadbhavana’s Anil Jha, and Himalayan frontier policy. consensus on the 1950 treaty and former bureaucrats and unfavourable to it Specific provisions, according to the border. While doing so, it journalists participated in the him, give India a de facto say over should be aware of the risk of seminar titled ‘Towards a New Nepal’s security, be it through ending up with a more Era in Nepal’. It showed the fragmented nature clause mean for them, consultations about third unfavourable arrangement. The Indian delegation of Nepali political opinion, but particularly when India is country threats or the acquisition Does the Nepali state want a consisted largely of former gave Nepalis a chance to planning to introduce national of arms. The change in context special relationship with India bureaucrats and academics. understand the Indian security identity cards for its citizens? needed a new arrangement. He based on the logic of socio- Former ambassador Deb establishment’s concerns and Would they need work permits also argued that while India had economic integration and Mukherjee, former deputy reflect on what overhauling the and visas, and is that what Nepal an advantage in the economic and security linkages? Or does it want national security advisor Leela treaty would mean. What became wanted? commercial realm, the weaker to chart out a more autonomous Ponappa, RAW chief during the quite clear is that no side is quite A precondition for the open economy, i.e. Nepal, should be path and have a friendly, but drafting of the 12-point willing to stand up and defend border was a special security given preferences and privileges. routine, bilateral relationship? agreement Hormese Tharakan, the 1950 pact anymore. relationship with absolute co- Claiming one third of border Answering that fundamental former Intelligence Bureau This may come as surprise to operation. But Nepal was not activity was illegal, led to a loss question will unlock the India- director AK Doval, constitutional many, but the Indian side feels seen to be as sensitive to Indian of revenue for the state and Nepal maze.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com On the blogs MEAN STREETS scared, ever-compromising public madness. All they can do is go to Malaysia nepalitimes.com/blogs All is not lost in the state of Nepal. I (‘License to loot’, #491)? What we need is and work for peanuts. The Brief can empathise with Rabi Thapa (‘Fist- for non-state actors to lay down arms, Divas Visit our blog for daily updates on happy’, #491) but let’s not throw in the impunity must be stopped and the state politics and current affairs. towel. Who could have imagined that needs to ensure this by force, if needed. ROPEWAY the mean streets of New York City Some semblance of law and order must This article (‘Learning the ropes’, #491) would be cleaned up within a mayor’s be re-established in order for anything else shows that small things do help make big term when everyone had almost to work. differences. In the late seventies I used to written this city off. Let’s look at our Prithvi Raj train grass-roots level health workers in a Weekly Internet Poll # 492 neighbours down South and we can campus in Tansen, Palpa. We regularly Q. Should we have a referendum on the realise that the road to renewal is NEPAL’S SINGAPORE visited surrounding villages and rural monarchy? slow but if there is a committed focus I think there is a middle path between health posts as part of the field-education. Total votes: 3,299 on improvement, things will improve. Singapore style-dictatorship and a Our students worked with the local folks to NGS freewheeling democracy (‘Be careful what take care of fodder, trees, grew green you wish for’, #491). I also believe that the vegetables in the karesa bari, helped CORRUPTION, INC rich have their own ‘Singapore’ within construct latrines using local materials, Who will be held accountable and by Nepal. They have uninterrupted power and taught health and sanitation to the local whom? The guntoting cadres of the supply and water, wine and dine like school kids. These small things made a so-called ‘revolutionaries’, the self- Singaporeans and get whatever they want. huge difference in the lives of local people. Weekly Internet Poll # 493. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Do you think Nepal should be declared a serving thug-politicians, or the It is the poor who suffer in this unending Devendra Pant Hindu State in the new constitution?

Publisher: Kunda Dixit | Editor: Rabi Thapa Design: Kiran Maharjan | DGM Sales and Marketing: Sambhu Guragain | Marketing: Subhash Kumar, Arjun Karki [email protected] | Circulation: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | www.himalmedia.com | Printed at Jagadamba Press 01-5250017-19 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492 OP-ED|3 Junket journalism The bias of reporters is reflected in what they decide to report on, and how

Nepal consider it to be urgent Union, believes Sanjel’s FOURTH ESTATE enough to bring it to national experiments in affordable private attention. Events of economic education need a bigger C K Lal and cultural significance go to laboratory. He has thus decided the tail end of a news broadcast to sponsor the construction of a or to the inner pages of the string of these schools all papers, even though they may be over the country. ias is built into the very more urgent or important. When Mahato travelled to lay concept of news. No report Ravindra Mishra is a foundation stones for Sanjel’s Bof an event, or the professional journalist for the schools, a herd of reporters from background and circumstances of BBC Nepali Service but a media Kathmandu followed him its occurrence, can ever be fully activist of some repute who wherever he went. Glowing free of the attitudes and beliefs of unabashedly promotes causes accounts of his philanthropy the person doing the reporting. In close to his heart. But once in a then appeared in the press. fact, propaganda is such an while, he doesn’t hesitate to Almost identical photographs of essential element of the media censure even widely celebrated Mahato doing puja in a pit as his that most of us in the profession authors, like the author of the family looked on adoringly were published in the dailies. The media willingly became a propaganda tool for what it had decided was a worthwhile cause. Seemingly dispassionate, neutral and objective reporting is the most effective publicity vehicle. Perhaps that could be the reason politicians use suggestive tip-offs to get desired coverage. Businesses exploit inauguration or anniversary ceremonies for business purposes. Social entrepreneurs rely on friendly journalists to push their reformist agenda. All these techniques are

RAJESH GURUNG variations of ‘embedded journalism’: seemingly find it unnecessary to explain Nepali bestseller Soch, Karna objective dispatches by reporters that our values get reflected in Shakya. However, when that receiving hospitality and other whatever we do. controversy appeared to be facilities from organisers. The degree of predisposition careening out of control, he Somehow, the media reports may vary, but few journalists can publicly apologised. about the extension of Sanjel’s honestly claim that they are Recently, Mishra has taken up schools in the countryside gave completely objective. Even in the cause of Samata Shiksha the impression that its financial straight reporting of facts, the Niketan and its promoter Uttam sponsor was more important than slant of a reporter or news editor Sanjel. In a country where the idea or the person behind it. is reflected in the phrasing of philanthropy is rare, Sanjel’s This may have had unintended headlines, the angle of efforts to provide affordable consequences for the credibility photographs, the wording education to the poor are indeed of reporters practicing junket of captions or placement on the admirable. Upendra Mahato, a journalism. We are all page. Nepali billionaire who made his propagandists, but we need to be Political wrangling is page fortune in the independent mindful of the principles and one because most journalists in republics of the former Soviet personalities we promote.

THIS WEEK

Fiddling while… paramilitary unit. “The new outfit will be of a higher The High Level Political Mechanism decided to order than the YCL,” a Maoist leader said. form a State Restructuring Commission at the Godavari Resort meeting on Wednesday, but …Rome burns progress remains elusive. The Maoists want the Media and business houses expressed outrage commission to refine the 14-state federal after Arun Sinhaniya, publisher of Janakpur Daily proposal submitted in the Constituent Assembly, newspaper, was gunned down in Janakpur on the while NC and UML have argued that it should day of Holi last Monday. A day after Sinhaniya’s provide recommendations for a scientific (read murder, an Indian businessman was shot at in different) federal model. Lazimpat, Kathmandu, but escaped without injury. The meeting has achieved little of the The Federation of Nepali Chambers of ambitious agenda set by the three parties to end Commerce has given an ultimatum to the sfd ;fgf ] 7nf" ] eGg ] x'“b}g . kl;gfsf ] s'g} differences in the Constituent Assembly, find an government to beef up security within a month. /ª / hft klg x'“b}g . sfd u//] vfg nhfpg ' klg agreement on Maoist combatants’ integration While denying the Federation’s request to allow x'Fbg} . rf]/]/, 9fF6/,] 5n/,] n'6]/ vfg and create an environment of trust among the their security guards to bear arms, Prime Minister parties. Madhav Kumar Nepal said that the security kf ] nhfpgk5' { . hf ] hxf “ /x/] hg' sfd u5 { pm To;df} Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has situation was so poor because Nepal Police did /dfpgk5' { uf/a} ugk5'{ { / ;dlkt{ eP/ ugk5'{ { . said his party wants at least 10,000 combatants not have enough arms. The government has sfd g } zlQm xf,] elQm xf ] / dlQm' xf ] . sfdsf ] OHht integrated into the army, and has refuted claims pledged to review the Special Security Plan, which that he made a pact with Girija Prasad Koirala to was launched last July to provide security in 27 u/f,}+ kl;gfsf ] ;Ddfg u/f }+ . integrate only 3,000 combatants. Prime Minister ‘sensitive’ districts. Madhav Kumar Nepal claims the two leaders Several armed groups are competing to take made such an agreement before the Constituent responsibility for Sinhaniya’s killing. Tarai Assembly elections. Koirala is mum on the Janatantrik Party-Madhes led by Mukesh g]kfn ;/sf/ subject. Chaudhary, formerly of Madhes, Janadhikar ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Meanwhile, the Maoist party has mobilised Forum, has threatened to kill Janakpur Today’s recently released disqualified combatants into a editor, Brij Kumar Yadav. ;"rgf ljefu 4| NATION 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492 The real Bihar PRASHANT JHA activity has shot up. And we have because he has been facing a backed it up with public political backlash from the upper investment in roads and bridges, castes against the recommendations PATNA – Bihar chief minister which is a prerequisite to get more of a commission to have land Nitish Kumar cannot stop smiling. private investment.” reforms. Five years ago, Bihar was Along with infrastructure, the UML MP Pradeep Gyawali synonymous with corruption, Bihar government focused on asked about how Bihar dealt with crime, malgovernance, and was improving education (getting more the politicisation of crime and the blamed for pulling the rest of India students, including girls, into criminalisation of politics. Kumar down. This year, it has been rated schools); health (ensuring 24-hour answered, “Rule of law. Who as the state with the second highest doctor availability at primary health belongs to which party is growth in India, and has been feted centres); welfare measures immaterial and there will be no in the national and international (pensions for differently-abled, the protection if you are in politics. media. Kumar himself has won elderly and widows); and Once people realised that being in several ‘Politician of the Year’ modernising agriculture. “My a party would not save them, this awards. slogan has been growth with trend declined on its own.” To NC How did he do it? That was the justice,” declared Kumar. MP Gagan Thapa’s question about question all Nepali participants Sitting in the first row, Dr armed groups operating from Bihar had when Kumar came to speak at Baburam Bhattarai was paying close that posed a threat to law and order the India-Nepal conference held in attention. He got up and told in Nepal, Kumar said he was ready his state capital earlier this week. Kumar, “Despite our ideological to cooperate if there was specific

Perhaps we should be looking to the example of Bihar after all, rather than Singapore and Switzerland

PRASHANT RAVI

And his answers could not have differences, I am inspired by you information. He noted the reverse been more relevant for us in a today. I tried to do similar things trend of Indian criminals using week when public insecurity is at when I was finance minister. My Nepali territory was also prevalent. its peak. question is how did you ensure that Kumar stated his belief that “The mantra is to establish rule high growth benefited all sections many of the changes in Bihar would of law. Earlier, there was fear and of society? Bihar also has a history also benefit Nepal. He cited the criminals had state protection. of land inequality, how have you repair of Kosi in record time, and Now, we have trials for cases and dealt with it?” the faster port connectivity due to witness protection. The arms act is Kumar replied, “All the better roads and bridges on the strictly applied. There is no economic activities have led to job Ganga as examples. “If there are any interference in investigations. Now creation. We have ensured gender reservations about India’s people feel a crime will lead to justice with 50 per cent reservation intentions in Nepal,” he said, punishment.” for women while recruiting “please remove them. India is Kumar said tackling law and teachers. We brought in special your biggest well-wisher. Go order had been essential to schemes for the most deprived anywhere and there is only a changing the public mood. “People Dalit communities. Roads don’t positive feeling about Nepal. We are are willing to spend and invest have a caste, and everyone has entirely with you and hope now. Land prices are high. There benefited from them.” Kumar multiparty democracy in Nepal are record sales of cars. Economic skirted the land question, perhaps will succeed.”

democratic party, why do they want their people to be sent to the army? India is skeptical of the Maoist phraseology of Bhai-bhai? ‘multiparty competition’, and would prefer them to make a clear commitment to multiparty democracy. The India-Nepal conference, with high-level In this view, the issue of the democratisation of the Maoist participation, made it clear India wants to Maoists need not be linked to power-sharing. continue engaging with the Maoists. But the India has also conveyed to the Maoists the differences persist. message that that its anti-India campaign could set India remains doubtful of the Maoist into motion a chain of events that would not be commitment to multiparty democracy and would under anyone’s control. Protests by locals in like to see actual proof of their transformation into bordering Indian towns against the desecration of a non-violent political party. The Maoists’ recent Indian national symbols by the Maoists were cited ‘national awareness’ campaign has sowed further as proof of the hardening of Indian public opinion. suspicions about whether they will be sensitive to India has also taken the obstruction of the Upper India’s security and commercial concerns. Karnali project by the Maoists very seriously, with The Indian establishment believes that the officials privately warning Maoists of potential Maoists must dismantle their coercive apparatus consequences. and renounce violence as the first step to any There is a sense here that non-Maoist political political settlement. This would entail settling the parties in India will not be willing to take the PLA question so most combatants are absorbed Maoists at face value anymore. Unless the into civilian life, and dismantling the paramilitary Maoists abide by their past promises, the coming structure of the YCL. A question that is asked is: if months could see rising confrontation and the Maoists are indeed committed to becoming a violence. 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492 BUSINESS|5 What really matters?

STRICTLY BUSINESS Ashutosh Tiwari

irst, the questions: will Nepal have a new national constitution at the end of the next 85 days? Will Nepalis F have access to new machine-readable passports (MRP) by this April Fool’s Day so that the new passport holders can study, travel and work abroad? Will the central bank have a governor by the end of this Nepali calendar year? Will the killers of media businessmen Jamim Shah of Kathmandu and Arun Singhaniya of Janakpur be caught and brought to justice? Depending on whom you ask, the answers lie on the negative side, ranging from “can’t say” to “no”. Second, the context: Nepal has had two years, 601 Constituent Assembly members, and ample domestic and foreign assistance to draft a constitution. Likewise, it has had almost ten years to roll out the new MRP passports. The post of a central banker is too important to be left vacant for long in these economically uncertain times. And journalists and media businessmen have been beaten, kidnapped, shot at and killed before in the last three years, with – let us remember – nary a suspect tried or jailed. Against that backdrop, this meta-question: What is it about Nepal and Nepalis that makes us look like we really cannot get our act together for anything? One answer could be: a lack of a sense of priority or a sense of what really matters. Two years ago, when the Constituent An inability to Assembly was put together, it had only one stick to priority: to draft the priorities is the constitution and present it to the sticking point republic. The rest, through important, for Nepal could come later. But in the intervening months, that priority was pushed aside by the leaders of political parties, who changed the interim rules several times to suit their own convenience rather than serve the demands of the priority. The result is clear to see. Could there be a more egregious example of political incompetence? Similarly, over the years, with bureaucracies politicised to a point where few bureaucrats want to stick to priorities that could be dismissed by their routinely changing politically appointed ministers, the MRP issue sat on a shelf, only to be dusted off a few months before the end of the 10-year deadline. As for the delay in appointing the central banker, that is one more example of how institutions have been weakened. Instead of having a qualified person leading the institution at the earliest, the political parties are jockeying to secure the post for one of their apparatchiks. And the agitating journalists, who have run through the whole spectrum of letter-writing campaigns, editorialising, dharna, gherao and julus before, should be asking themselves: what makes them hope for a better result this time? Rather than continue to serve the public a déjà vu of their earlier tactics, the media fraternity should now re-examine its playbook and asking itself what its priority is. It’s time to perservere, relentlessly, through the police and legal channels. Nothing else will send a stronger signal of the media’s determination. Individuals become productive by deciding what their priorities are, and then sticking to those priorities by learning to cut out distractions. Institutions such as the Constituent Assembly, Foreign Ministry, Central Bank and the media fraternity will serve their public mandate well by first figuring out what they alone can do, and then doing that task well. Else, there will be much noise and no signal. 6| NATION 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492

flood into the city. Kathmandu was once totally food self-sufficient. It’s also bad for the environment, since the lost farms could have put the city’s solid waste to productive use and would have Patchwork city been less detrimental to the underground water supply than the houses that have replaced them. SUVAYU DEV PANT It also means there are fewer jobs for city farmers. Shyam Lama and his wife arrived in Kathmandu from Rasuwa 13 years ago and rban sprawl is gobbling up keep a small farm on a vacant plot left under Kathmandu’s farms at an their care by the owners. Yet Lama spends U unprecedented rate, and may wipe most of his time looking for odd-jobs in the them out within a couple of decades. city since the farm requires only one person’s From 1976-2009, the proportion of labour. “I do this and that. I don’t really have cultivated land in Kathmandu dropped from a stable job. If our plot were bigger, say around 61 per cent to 40 per cent. Experts say the six ropanis, then I could spend all my time average farm size has shrunk considerably too. working on it. But that makes no sense now.” Farmers have found it more profitable to But all is not lost. Although much of the sell their farms, usually to people seeking to city’s farmland is unrecoverable, farmers can build houses, than work on them, as rapid still make a lot of money by growing high- urbanisation has caused land prices to surge value or perishable crops, like tomatoes and ahead of agricultural yield. The rising cost of mushrooms. Many inner-city farmers have living has hastened the process. already made the switch from cereals and are Forty-year-old Sanu Khadka works all doing fairly well. day on a two-ropani plot in Pasikot on the KIRAN PANDAY “The government should support farmers outskirts of Kathmandu but barely manages to grow cash crops. There is a good market for to feed her family of three. Her husband chips such goods and Kathmandu’s soil is well- in by working odd-jobs in the city. Rising land prices have hit suited to them,” says Mahesh Prasad “My family has lived here for three Pudasani of CEAPRED. In particular, the generations and our farm used to be a lot Kathmandu’s farms hard government should invest in better storage bigger. But we’ve had to sell everything as facilities. About a third of vegetables in urban living expenses have risen. With land prices the Malla era, the fertile areas around river reason for the current urban sprawl, and the market places go to waste from spoilage. so high, how can a poor family afford not banks were reserved for farms. Waste from damage it has caused to urban agriculture, Experts say Kathmandu’s farms can to?” Khadka says. settlements, which were higher up, would is the fact that there is no operative land produce up to 70 per cent of the city’s Such decisions, multiplied many times flow down to the farms, fertilise them, and use act.” vegetable demand. over, have deformed the cityscape. While then run off into the river. Bharat Upadhyay The loss of urban farms has had several It goes without saying that the government farms on the outskirts are more or less of the Center for Environmental and negative social consequences. Food must also draft and enforce appropriate land contiguous, those closer to the centre of the Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and production per capita in Kathmandu has use provisions and stem the rise in land city alternate with residences to form an Development (CEAPRED) explains: “Back dropped precipitously and now accounts for prices. Until then, the likes of Khadka and unseemly patchwork pattern. then, there were clear directives on what land only a third of the city’s food supply. That Lama can only wait and watch as their Things weren’t always this way. During could be used for which purpose. The prime figure is projected to drop as more migrants livelihoods fall prey to urban sprawl. LIFE TIMES 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492 7

profession. Despite his early struggles, he now believes interior design has good potential in Nepal. Gopalan acknowledges that interior design is challenging, and requires one to be at the cutting edge. He waits for clients to specify their requirements, then works on a concept and a detailed plan that is put into action once he visits the site. Different spaces have different requirements and different requirements are compatible with different concepts. It is essential, says, Gopalan, to undergo an apprenticeship. At 26, Varun Rana, a budding architect and interior designer, sums up interior designing as catering to the client aesthetically. The University of Washington graduate says every designer wants the work to be his. In reality, he has to accommodate to what the client wants. “Designing is a responsibility you have to take very seriously and what you owe that responsibility to is your conscience,” says Rana. The

ALL PICS: AHMAD ISKANDAR disadvantage is that while selling designs, one has to make compromises to the clients’ taste. The advantage is that you leave Inner a little of yourself behind in DUKSANGH SHERPA your work. “People don’t see what you do, but they feel it,” he says. nterior design may be a functional, practical, and Ultimately, Rana dreams of new trade in Nepal, but attractive as per the client’s establishing an internationally traditionally, Nepali wishes, along with the designer’s accredited design school that homes have always had own touches. That much is will teach students how to a functional aesthetic. evident in the chic interiors of change, transform, and beautify Today, the interior Café Mitra, which fit organically living spaces. design market is growing as into a traditional two-storey Rana, Gopalan and Lama all Ipeople have begun to recognise structure in Thamel. agree that patience is the most the need to create “beautiful “But the problem with this not be a nine-to-five job, even if it Environmental Design, he has important characteristic of indoor living spaces”, as Kunal field is that beauty lies in the eye requires attention to detail and a been working for the past 11 years interior designers. Formal Lama calls them. of the beholder,” Lama cautions, knack for harmony. Siddharth in Kathmandu. education and passion bring a Lama, owner and designer of “which means that very often, the Gopalan is an established interior “God is in the details,” is all certain quality and richness to Café Mitra, is currently helping to designer and the client do not see designer who has managed this in Gopalan has to say, and he has interior design. It’s not the renovate Hotel de l’Annapurna. eye to eye.” diverse works such as the put this motto into practice in profession for those seeking to He says it is all about using Interior design is more of a Roadhouse café, La Dolce Vita and his designs. When he started out get rich quick, but the dividends creativity and technical solutions passion than profession in some Dhokaima Café. Educated at the in Kathmandu, interior design lie elsewhere – or perhaps within within a structure to make it ways. The good thing is it need Gujarat institute of was not even considered a your favourite four walls. 8|LIFE TIMES

Where to shop for your own four walls? Life Times recommends a few interior-enhancing trips.

Knick-knacks Hint of nostalgia “Would I buy this for my own home?” is the question With their ranges in oriental elegance and contemporary Rishi and Sunaina Saraf always ask when choosing pieces vigour, Life Style poses a difficult question to the from all over the world for Casa, their newly opened home customer – old or new? Owner Raju Karmacharya accessories store. Walk into the bright and airy showroom maintains that many of his customers prefer the oriental and find yourself tempted by items ranging from lamps to style. But for those who can’t decide, Life Style also offers bedspreads that scream contemporary chic. Not looking for expert consultation to guide buyers through the whole a big purchase? Then the variety of little knick-knacks for process. Welcome the new era by living in style. your home will keep you engrossed for hours on end. PICS: AHMAD ISKANDAR/FOO CHEE CHANG New Plaza, 442 5402 Anamnagar, Singha Darbar East Gate, 410 2684 Modern living Madan Joshi and Binod Tuladhar established Furniture Fresh antiquities Land 10 years ago, pioneering the import of modern Cheque-book shopping Serving a niche market, Durbar Décor offers a variety of furniture from , the manufacturing processes of Turn your home into a hotel with Emporios’ line of furniture based on historical styles such as neo-classical which marry high quality and competitive prices. Whether extravagant furniture. With an impressive showroom and Victorian, among others. The wooden furniture is customers pick from the ‘signature’ line of products or the spanning two levels, Emporios is sure to satisfy those made from mahogany or Burma teak, and lives up to its rest on offer, they can be assured of an excellent after-sales with cash to spare, offering anything and everything a antique brand by lasting well over a hundred years. experience. hotel-house needs. Forget your wallet and get your cheque- Teku, 422 2201 Bluebird Mall, 422 4797 book ready; it’s a lot lighter to carry around. Teku, 410 4522 Furniture therapy Named after his mother, Bipin Mishra’s Karuna Interior Heavenly painting specialises in design and home accessories from his outfit Berger Paints’ Cosmic line of paints combines advanced in Dillibazaar. Step into this cozy shop and enjoy the computerised paint technology with the ancient Chinese warm hospitality of Mishra, who readily dispenses design practice of ‘Feng Shui’ (living in harmony with nature) to ideas and décor tips. create a balanced union aimed at providing you with peace Dillibajar, 443 4181 of mind. Tinkune, 446 6038

Iron lady Specialising in iron furniture, Akarshan Interiors is the brainchild of owner Sabita Dhungana. Dhungana has been tinkering with the properties of metal and transforming them into works of art for the past 17 years. Due to the lack of a proper supply of electricity to power modern machines, Akarshan crafters employ unconventional methods. Instead of welding, they use the traditional coal methods to manipulate iron. The process makes for a clean Ripe woodwork and natural looking final product. The grand old dame of the furniture industry in Nepal, Paintastic Kupondole, 554 5055 Bira Furniture has been in operation since 1963 and is the Whitewashed walls are now a thing of the past – colours brainchild of family patriarch Padam Shrestha. can be used discerningly to create a palette that infuses Bira Furniture’s longevity is testament to the quality of its character into a home. Asian Paints has been adding colour Tread softly woodwork, which includes parquet flooring, beds and to the Nepali landscape since 1983. For those mindful of Try the carpets that Status Trading brings in from sofas. While the company built its reputation on classical how colours can create harmony, Asian Paints offers a large Indonesia, Switzerland and Abu Dhabi, among other style wooden furnishings, it now also offers contemporary variety of emulsions, including the premium Royale Play places. Their selection spans common ribbed carpets to designs and products – most notably pre-fabricated houses and Royale Glitter lines. high-end cut-pile and loop pile carpets. that allow for quick assembly and modifications. Thamel, 441 7606 Putalisadak, 422 8382 Patan Industrial Estate, 552 4118 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492|9

EVENTS

Women’s cycle rally, to mark women’s day and to celebrate womanhood and promote eco-friendly riding, from Basantapur Darbar to Patan Darbar Square, 7:30-10am, 6 March Any one of us, a V-Day production of Eve Ensler’s play Vagina Monologues to raise money for organisations that work to stop violence against women and girls, 7pm, 7 March, Nepal Academy Hall, 6221801 for tickets Tasafu-Kathmandu Scrolls, Alliance Francaise presents an exhibition of paintings by Julien Sole, 26 Feb-19 March, Siddhartha Gallery, Babar Mahal ICIMOD Open House, Biodiversity show, solar technology demonstrations, photo exhibition, street drama, quizzes, food stalls and more, 6 March at ICIMOD headquarters in Lalitpur, 5003222 Himalayan hash house harriers, a running club with a drinking problem, meet every Saturday to run a course around the Kathmandu Valley, details at aponarch.com/hhhh/ Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre, Tai Chi 10-11.30am Saturday, Yoga 8.30-9.30am and meditation 5-6pm weekdays, Keshar Mahal Marg, Thamel, 4410402 People After War, permanent photo exhibition, every day 11am-4pm, Madan Puraskar, Patan Dhoka, for bulk school bookings call 5521393

MUSIC

Live acoustic music, Desmond, Anthony & Jim with blues and American folk, 7 pm, 6 March, New Orleans, Patan. Celebrating Holi, musical event with Pandit Indu Prakash, and students from Indian Cultural Centre, Thursday, 11 March at Indian Cultural Centre, Naxal, 4412629 JSC Jazz Quartet, every Saturday 8pm on at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lazimpat, 9803160719 Chillout Lounge with DJ Miriam, every Friday at the Bourbon Room, Lal Durbar Marg, 4441703 Some like it hot, every Friday BBQ and live music by Dinesh Rai and the Sound Minds, Rs 899 at Fusion, Dwarika’s Hotel, 7pm, 4479488 Happy cocktail hour, ladies night on Wednesday with live unplugged music at Jatra Café & Bar, Thamel, 5-7pm Nepali Ghajals at D’Lounge Beijing Duck Restaurant, every Thursday 6.30pm, 4468589 Rudra Night live fusion music by Shyam Nepali every Friday, 7pm at Gokarna Forest Resort, 4451212 Jazz evening at Delices de France restaurant every Wednesday, 11am-2pm, 4260326 HyJazz at the Rox Bar every Friday evening and Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Terrace with live music from Inner Groove, Hyatt Regency, Boudha, 4489362, 4491234 Basement Jam, live music every Friday at Bourbon Room, Lal Darbar Marg, 4441703 Live music with Anil Shahi every Friday with special BBQ at Royal Alina’s Café & Pub, Lazimpat, 417506 DINING

Boudha Stupa Restaurant and Café, for wood-fired pizza and free wi-fi Internet, 012130681 Vegetarian Buffet, every Monday, Oriental Nights, flavours and specialities of every Wednesday Arabian Nights for Middle Eastern specialities every Friday, 6.30pm at The Café, Hyatt Regency, 4491234/4489362 Chez Caroline for French and Mediterranean cuisine, Babar Mahal Revisited, 4263070 Live continental BBQ Fiesta, exclusive BBQ Dinner at Splash Bar & Grill, Radisson Hotel, from 6.30-10.30pm everyday The Corner Bar, 5-7pm, 3-11pm, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu, 4411818 Lavazza Coffee and Baskin n’ Robbins, at Blue Note Coffee Shop, Lazimpat, 4491234 A cafe’s café, Dhokaima Café, Patan Dhoka, 5522113 Jazzabell Café, TGIF, 10% discount all day, happy hour 6-8pm, Jhamsikhel, 2114075 Al Fresco, for homemade pasta, steak and freshwater trout, Kakori, for biryanis, curries and kebabs, 7-10.45pm, Soaltee Crown Plaza, 4273999 Teppanyaki meat items and garlic rice at Le Restaurant, Gairidhara, 4436318 Reality Bites, The Kaiser Café, Garden of Dreams, operated by Dwarika’s Group of Hotels, 9am-10pm, 4425341 Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-La with live performance by Ciney Gurung, Rs 999, at the Shambala Garden every Friday 7pm, Plat Du Jour at Hotel Shangri-La, Lazimpat, Rs 600, 4412999 Himalayan Rainbow Trout at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Darbar Marg, 4248999 Tiger for Breakfast, breakfast everyday at 1905, Kantipath, 4215068 Gokarna Forest Resort for a variety of sizzlers at Tripti bar, 44512126 Mexican Sojourn, mexican dishes and tequilas every Friday 7pm, Hotel himalaya, Kupondole, 5523900 Pipalbot, lunch and dinner, Baber Mahal Revisited, 4267657 or 9721331390 10|HAPPENINGS 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492

SANTOSH KHATIWADA BIRDS FALL PREY: Roots & Shoots activists examine a dead vulture in Rupandehi on 26 February. It was one of 14 that died after eating the carcass of a dog poisoned by local authorities.

DAMBAR K SHRESTHA

ONE NEPAL: Artists from Janakpur perform 'Sangor', a Maithili play about national unity, as CASpokesperson Subhash Nembang watches at the Nepal Tourism Board Hall, Tuesday.

KIRAN PANDAY HERE WE COME: Nepali fans celebrate after the national cricket team beat the United States to win the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 5 tournament in Kirtipur on Saturday.

KIRAN PANDAY SPLASH: Children wearing face-paint frolic in a pool in Kathmandu to celebrate Holi on Sunday.

WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

Monday evening's storm, caused by a covective current of hot air breaking the icy tropospheric clouds, brought 30 mm of rain and hail and met the quota of precipitation for March all by itself. Satellite pictures from Thursday afternoon show a fresh westerly front nearing western Nepal and cloud cover spreading across the country, the result of strong low pressure on either side of the Himalaya. This weekend, enjoy warm mornings and sunny intervals with a possibility of brief showers during the day.

KATHMANDU

FRI SAT SUN

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and eat together. In less than 10 minutes their plates are clean. The joy on their faces as they line up for food each day is clear to see. Small help It costs less than Rs200 to feed a child every month. To cut costs further the school has started growing its own vegetables. The INTERESTING TIMES teachers are extremely committed. Mallika Aryal Some regularly contribute from their salaries to a fund that has helped improve classrooms and buy uniforms for students. There is no doubt that our government schools are in terrible Getting shape and our education system is children to a shambles. Lack of resources, infrastructure and funds aside, the school is the low attendance of children is the biggest challenge teachers face. The first lunch program at Singaha Primary School is a small step, but it has important already improved the lives of 250 children immeasurably. Teachers step are motivated because they are seeing results – more children in

MALLIKA ARTAL classes, better performance and positive feedback from parents. RUPANDEHI – It’s 3am and time run Singaha Primary School This changed last year when A year later, the children in the Now the teachers and to rise for a small Musahar nearby. There are about 250 the school received some funds school look healthier and say they the community are thinking of community in Soiya, a few students at this school, and until thanks to a development worker’s actually look forward to coming new ways to make this small kilometres from the highway to last year less than 100 students initiative. The small amount to school every day. They are also school better. Butwal. The men and women here used to attend regularly. Even provided by School Lunch for performing better in class; they do Often, we are so bogged down work as daily wage labourers in those who showed up would run Nepal, monitored by the school their homework, and are not with big plans that we don’t think construction sites in nearby away by mid-afternoon. Students administration and the running away in the middle of about what we can already do. A towns, so leave home at the break would repeat grades or quit community, pays for one meal a the day. simple initiative like School of dawn. A few hours later their school altogether. day for the kids, comprising fresh Their families' financial Lunch for Nepal proves how children get ready for school. If The children from Soiya used vegetables, fruit, lentils and situation hasn’t improved. There important it is to address the small their parents found work the day to be extremely thin and small for pulses. Since the lunch program are days when they still show up challenges first. Hungry children, before they eat rice and vegetables. their age, and their dark hair had started, attendance in the school to school hungry. But when they even if they attend classes, will not Often they just have rice and salt. lost pigment due to malnutrition. has increased by more than 30 head out to school every morning learn much. Providing them with a Many go to school hungry because Going to school was not a priority per cent, new students have they know for certain that they meal a day is only a beginning, but they don’t have anything to eat – their hunger was. Little surprise enrolled and students who quit will eat at least one good meal. At a fundamental one. at home. that they would often run away have come back. lunchtime the children wash All the children here, for lack rather than faint in class due to The changes speak more than their hands and feet, sit on the www.lunchfornepal.org of choice, attend the government- hunger. enrollment numbers, however. grass under the warm winter sun for contributions Through his own eyes

TASSIA KOBYLINSKA study, there are no lights, no books and collaboration between CWIN-Nepal and without any political agenda. no room.” Roving Eye Film. It targets young people and “Through My Eyes is unique,” says Jay’s story is not an unfamiliar one. Most children associated with the armed conflict. Sumnima Tuladhar of CWIN-Nepal, “It is e are in a roadside café on the of the estimated 6,000-9,000 children who The participants are trained in digital video a representation of conflict and East-West Highway, tired and joined the Maoists during the conflict have a production and editing, and the entire process reconciliation as portrayed by young W crumpled from nine hours similar story to tell. But Jay is the first to do from conception to public screening is driven people in their own voices, which are too folded into a hard bus seat. A young boy so in a documentary shot by Nar Bahadur, but by the young people themselves. The result often overshadowed by adult or expert brings us cups of chiya. It is after conceptualised, directed and edited by will be a series of short films that will be used views in Nepal.” midnight, he looks about 10 years old. himself. His story will be screened in May in as a development and awareness raising tool Participatory video can be an Jay pulls out his camera and flicks on Humla. in Nepal. The films aim simply to relate the empowering and cathartic experience. The the record button, the boy scurries away. The Through Our Eyes video project is a stories of young people caught up in conflict, young people have an opportunity to reflect “You must ask for his permission first,” on and re-evaluate their experiences, I tell Jay. dispel any sense of stigma and shame, “I want to make a film about child and help other young people with similar workers’ rights in Nepal,” he says. “This A former child soldier makes a backgrounds. is one of the big problems we have here.” Both Jay and Nar Bahadur have taken He’s right about that, and yesterday he film about himself and the conflict to the medium like fish to water. Jay, with wanted to make a film about the lack of his endless ideas for documentaries and roads in the mountain regions, and before Nar Bahadur, with his calm and controlled that he wanted to make a film about the filming, display a professional awareness lack of facilities in rural schools. He and talent for composition. wants to film everything and I believe Back in CWIN’s Kathmandu studio, that given the chance, he will. they are discovering that the edit process Jay is 18, and we have just come is a long and difficult one “I want to keep back to Kathmandu from a trip to his everything,” laughs Jay, “but I know I can’t, home village in the far western district it will be too long and too boring.” of Doti, where he has been filming the He points to the screen where Nar story of his life. Jay was 13 when he left Bahadur’s camera sweeps across the Doti the school playground one hot day in village, showing a family in a sunny yard. June five years ago. He joined the A woman is lying down, a shawl draped cultural front of the Maoist PLA, which over her head. “She was sick,” he frowns, had been performing at his school, and “but there is no medicine there. So many spent a year and a half underground people die from common and treatable before he was arrested. illnesses. I want to make a film about that.” “I had nothing to stay for here,” he I have lost count of the films he will says in his film, looking around the dark make. Next time I meet him I give him a one-room house he once shared with six notebook and a pen. “Write them down,” I younger sisters and his parents. “There tell him. “Write them all down and one day is so much poverty, my school only goes you can make them, one by one.” up to grade seven and anyway I couldn’t [email protected]

TASSIA KOBYLINSKA 12| NATION 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492

2 3 No land for us TEXT and PHOTOS KISHOR SHARMA

“There is so much land here, but there is not a single piece for us. Maybe it is not in our destiny.” So say the women from the Musahar community around Sapahi VDC of Bara. They have spent their lives working for landlords, yet remain as impoverished as ever. Over the last few decades, the landless people here have built meagre huts to accommodate themselves and their children. They have been here for all or most of their lives, but have no formal title to the land they live on. Society and state has sidelined these people, but there is no shortage of those who wish to exploit their plight for political gain. The recent clash between state security and squatters in the forests of Dudejhari resulted in the deaths of six people. If a way isn’t found to address the needs of the landless, Dudejhari may prove to be just a precursor of things to come.

This story was produced as part of the OUC-Pathshala-photo.circle photography exchange program that took place from 11 January-7 February in Kathmandu.

1

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4 5

1 Jaga Majhi walks into his village of landless squatters in Sapahi VDC, Bara district.

2 “I worked more than 40 years for landlords, I don’t have a piece of land, what else can I do?” Jaga can’t remember the exact year of his birth, though his citizenship card says 1938.

3 There’s not much of note inside Jaga Majhi’s mud hut, where he lives with his eldest son and grandchildren.

4 “I worked many years for political parties. I have two children and I want to send them to school but I don’t have a job. I go to the jungle to collect firewood and sell it. We are totally dependent on the forest,” says Sat Jivan Sharma, 27.

5 A local youth teaches children from the village. But most children here don’t go to school and if they do, drop out early.

6 The locals struggle with the cold in the early winter mornings.

7 Cutting straw is dusty work.

8 Women of the Musahar community work the fields. “We can’t actually remember since when we’ve been working for landlords. We get Rs100 for a day’s work.”

9 Shyam Chaudhari, 17, studies in Class Seven at a local government school but works the fields in his spare time.

8 9 14 |FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492 Groundwork “Can’t let go for revolt of the past”

Bhojraj Bhat in Nagarik, international community for the 28 February integration of the PLA. The technical front used to look after arms and military The Maoists recently concluded training during the insurgency. It that the new constitution has now been entrusted with the won’t be promulgated by the responsibility of developing deadline. They hope to cash in strategies for possible on the delay by laying the confrontation with the army in groundwork for revolt. Leaders the future and setting up have already been assigned military bases in urban areas. tasks toward this end. The organisational front is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, responsible for resolving internal KANAK MANI DIXIT Mohan Baidhya, Baburam conflicts and unifying the party. BBC World Service Trust, 19 February Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur The political front will find Thapa head the technical, ways to work in unison with ideological, political and other parties on the issues of One of the most dreadful incidents of the insurgency occurred in organisational fronts linguistic, ethnic, regional rights. Bandarmudhe, Chitwan, in 2005. Thirty-eight people were killed respectively. Earlier, the core The ideological front, led by and 70 were injured when a packed bus ran over a landmine team of Dahal, Thapa and Mohan Baidhya, is responsible planted by the Maoists. BBC World Trust held a discussion with Baidhya used to look after for preparing the party's strategic the survivors of the incident and others aggrieved by the state on a radio show. overall responsibilities of policy, analysing national and the party. The party has international political How are you doing these days? included Bhattarai in its core developments and Krishna Adhikari (survivor): Five years later, it looks like things team this time. conceptualising strategic slogans. are getting better. All six members of the The Kharipati meeting of cadres Durga Maya Magar (survivor): Things look better now. I am technical team are founding settled on 'federal democratic having back pain. I always wear a chest belt. We’re just going members of the armed republic' as one such slogan that about our lives. insurgency. This front will be encompassed five short-term responsible for inducting the plans: constitution writing, the Why do people seem to forget the past? disqualified PLA back in the peace process, PLA integration, Adhikari: It is natural for people who have been tortured, and for party, and holding talks with national independence and no apparent reason, not to forget about it. the government and national unity government. KIRAN PANDAY How do you feel when you see or hear talk about the army and police? Parbati Kandel (daughter killed by security forces): It’s definitely not a good feeling. They remind us of our past, the pain, harassment and sleepless nights.

How do you feel when you hear about the Maoists? Magar: It is painful. I get angry when I see them.

Can we move ahead if we always keep holding our grudges? Buddhi Pandey (tortured by the security forces): Society has changed since then. At this stage, we have to think from a different level and move ahead. Adhikari: Until and unless the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is formed to look into the atrocities from both sides and bring the perpetrators to justice, people won’t easily forget what happened to them. It’s not just the compensation that they care about. Kandel: It was a nightmare. Once there is a new constitution in place and since the peace process has begun, we have to forget our past and live together.

Is it possible? Magar: I don’t think so. When I recall the incident, it feels like yesterday. Pandey: It is not easy for those who were directly affected by the incident to forget it. The compensation cannot replace the loss they suffered. To ease their pain, the new constitution should be written and the country should prosper under it.

Special Security Plan

Minister Media Criminals

Robin Sayami in Nagarik, 3 March 5 - 11 MARCH 2010 #492 CONSTITUTION 2010|15 Provinces based on development regions

representation can be ensured even in village assemblies. Village assemblies could be entrusted with responsibilities to plan and implement programs for localities. District Development Committees could be transformed into district assemblies, which could act as intermediaries between village and provincial assemblies, the latter representing development regions. This would be much easier than completely restructuring the state, as the necessary infrastructural and institutional development is already there. Assembly members would be elected from constituencies. DURGA PRASAD POUDYAL development, one has to look at These regions are divided north to other social aspects and possible south connecting the Himal, hills consequences. and Tarai. This will keep the geo- he constitution writing Our political leaders think physical balance of the provinces process is stuck in the state restructuring is as easy as intact. T debate of state drawing a map on a paper sheet. the Decentralisation Act 2000. Kanchanpur is impractical. The provincial assemblies restructuring. The Committee on They seem unconcerned about Nepal is unique for its The question is: what has would be free to make policies for State Restructuring and Sharing other aspects of society and are physical, social and cultural compelled us to restructure the their provinces but they would of State Power has proposed 14 bargaining hard for their own diversity, and its intertwined state when there is so much take decisions on natural ethnicity based provinces – its gain. There are various aspects of nature. By ignoring the existing investment and risk involved? resources in coordination with opponents argue this will federalism that must be taken social fabric, we risk destabilising Past efforts have been the central government. provoke civil war. into account: physical, communal harmony and misinterpreted. Not all the We know the existing Ethnicity based provinces institutional infrastructure and relations. For instance, Tarai policies were faulty. They failed structure actually works. We have seem to be the idea of foreign human resources. We have to have lands are turning into desert, and to yield results as they were never knowledge about the existing experts. The UNDP’s Human resources to study this. Nepali can be protected only if we save implemented due to feudal institutional and physical Development Index 2009 has politics is infested with personal the Chure areas. characteristics and a corrupt structure. We know the strengths analysed our social diversity and party interests. The It should be noted here that mentality. Therefore, it would be and weaknesses of these regions. from an ethnic perspective. This prolonged transition of the there have not been open wise to make reforms in the However, political consensus is a could be seen as a strategy to fuel country has made government discussions on restructuring the existing structure, which can must for the transformation of ethnic conflict in a country institutions incompetent. state. It indicates the parties must bring about a stable government existing development regions into situated between the two If political parties are have ulterior motives, which is an and economic development. provinces. This would emerging super powers, India and considering developing a new ominous sign. Take One Madhes In that case, the development significantly reduce the cost of China, and drag them into structure with donor support, it Prades. The proposal must have regions could be developed as federal administration as well as regional conflict. But if it is will not change the situation. been made with political aims in provinces, and constituencies the social, political and economic aimed at bringing ethnic groups Developing a mechanism alone is mind, since making a single could become village assemblies risks involved in the new federal into the mainstream of not sufficient. Take the failure of province from Jhapa to and municipalities. Ethnic model.

“Constitution a must” “At most, six months extension” Ratna Sherchan, NC CA member, Baglung

Sarala Regmi, Maoist CA Member, Bardiya-1 Which committee are you in? How is the work? I’m a member of the Constitutional Council. We’re stuck currently because some subject committees haven’t submitted their drafts. The Will the preliminary draft for the Constitution be ready by 6 March? report of the subcommittee headed by Sapna Pradhan Malla is also being That will be difficult. Sometimes the committee president is absent, discussed. other times something else goes wrong. It’s been tough to work quickly. Nine committees still have to submit their Isn’t the deadline for the draft 6 March? drafts. So how will we finish by the deadline? We’re There’s still some disagreement about state just waiting for committees to submit drafts. restructuring and PLA integration. Once those issues are sorted out, then the constitution can be finished by Should the deadline be pushed back once more? the May 28 deadline. First, the parties should get their act together. If the parties reach consensus, then we can meet the Doesn’t that look increasingly unlikely? deadline. Yes, in the sense that leaders have forgotten their responsibility to the main task of constitution writing. What if there just isn’t enough time? But I’m still optimistic. If they reach consensus on key If that’s the case, then the deadline should be pushed issues then the constitution will be written on time. back by six months. That requires consensus among the political parties. But we can’t delay the deadline What will happen if time runs out while you’re working? more than six months. Even if it means working all This is a hypothetical scenario. I still believe we can day and night, we must get the constitution done in finish on time. time. PICS: MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA Isn’t it technically impossible? It seems like it’s technically impossible to write the constitution now. If that’s really the case, then if parties agree, the deadline can still be Looking at the working style in the CA, that does seem to be the case. pushed back. But we must get our act together. Pataliputra who’swho A 16 the side. or tomeetsomeDelhibiggieson used thetimetorestandbond wondering whetherthecomrades theorists inPatnawereleft accident? Nepaliconspiracy Centaur Hotel.Designor dengue mosquito-infested forced tospendanightatthe connection toPatnaandwere flight toDelhi,butmissedthe Kathmandu. Theytookthenext Standing Committeemeetingin two comradeswerestuckina connecting flighttoPatna,the the morningandthencatch together fromKTMtoDelhiin everyone wassupposedtofly were BRBandAnanta.Butwhile The starsofthePatnaconference back when. Majesty’s Govtmanytimes,way conditionally fortalkswithHis that, afterall,hesatdown interviewer. Notsurewhyhesaid the GovtofIndia,hetoldatv talks withoutconditionswith Indian Baddies.Sitdownfor have hadsomesageadviceforthe ACK SIDE | B week, Baburamseemsto Jamboree inPatnalast t theIndia-Nepal FG maybe hewasjust Naughty…naughty. Whoknows, just beforethehatchclosed. he wasbroughtrighttotheplane Kathmandu. Laldhojwassolate waited fortheflightto three-hour layoverwhiletherest away fromtheairportduring return flight,BRBwaswhisked secretly meetingwho.Onthe busy speculatingaboutwhowas long, theNepalidelegationwas who atagiventimeandforhow obsessed withwho’smeeting Just astheNepalimediais FG catching up democratic movementsinthe India’s support,likethatfor movement inNepalcouldexpect aloud ifthepresentsocialjustice Sadbhavana’s AnilJhawondered carrying outattacksintheTarai, groups’ basedinBiharand Nitish Kumar asked While GaganThapadirectly of thequestionsfromfloor. Wonder whattheIndiansmade getting paranoid,though. home, Awesomemust’vebeen with JNUclassmates Chieftain Minister FG about‘terrorist . Back incumbent, andsoitcameto dynasty wouldendwithits13th The astrologershadsaidtheShah call foraceasefire beating eachotherup. up Kangresis,andKangresisare Maoists, theMaoistsarebeating pulp, theUMLarebeatingup Maoists arebeatingeachothertoa were comingtoblows.The Kangresis inBanepaandSanepa Meanwhile, backhomeinNepal comrades fallingofftheirchairs. about Stalinthat good stockpileofsoviet-erajokes skills, buthehadcomewitha not equiphimwiththerequisite ‘bourgeois vocabulary’ Dr Babuforhelp.Pandeysaidhis difficult Marxistjargonandasked federalism, heencountered Ananta’s presentationon Pandey. Whiletranslating host Vijay‘Dishanirdesh’ entertained inPatnawastvshow The manwhokeptNepalinetas man’s tourist? past. Oneman’sterroristanother CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 09/066/67 FG FG FG got eventhe . Time to did 5 -11 MARCH2010 applicants. checking outthe done it.”Well,noharmin someone closetomemusthave and profiledetails,Ifigure things butlookingatmyphoto don’t havetimetodoallthese boutique inDarbarMarg,said:“I princess, whonowrunsa revealed thatitisahoax.The view/2050115/s/0 www.expatmatch.com/s/ match site profile appearedonanonline After ex-princessSitashma’s restored peacockthrone. Punch Hridayendra shouldn’t ruleoutyoung political chaoscontinuesone So itlookslikeifthecurrent interruption inthemonarchy. could haveababykingafteran reader whohadruledthatNepal prediction byasouthernpalm- also rememberedanother more perceptiveamongushave on thethrone.However, pass thatGyanjiwasthelastone ass(at)nepalitimes.com http:// FG #492 shehas ona sri

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