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Kathmandu l 25 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 l # 42 l Price Rs. 25 Inside Koirala may ask for ministers’ resigna- tion page 2 Madi victims say, Prachanda is a liar page 3 New condition for CA polls pagepage 3

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In a paper, ‘State’s role and Justice Rayamajhi, known for his responsibility in enforcing verdicts straightforwardness and commit- of independent judiciary’ ment to independent judiciary also presented at a programme demanded an immediate amend- organised by the Administrative ment to the constitution to rectify Court on November 24 in the these lapses. “I am hopeful that the capital, Justice Rayamajhi said constitution this country is going to that the interim constitution has adopt in future will not entertain any

Pix by Newsfront almost demolished the concept of provision that will adversely affect independent judiciary. or demolish the concept of ä nf correspondent An effort to have the Khadga Oli in the ministry once again. independent judiciary.” Justice Similarly, he is understood to have “The government has armed Rayamjahi is in the line of As Koirala’s legitimacy has come ministers resign en told some Congress leaders that he is itself with the power to depute the succession as the Chief Justice increasingly under question both at masse to give him a now considering going to the polls Chief Justice as well as other when the incumbent CJ, Kedar home and abroad, fuelled by his even without the Maoists, if the judges to any other assignments Prasad Giri retires. ä inability to maintain law and order in free hand to hand-pick former rebels, “create obstacles one the country and hold elections to the ministers of his choice, after another in conduct of the polls.” constituent assembly on schedule, spin doctors in the party are making a at least from his Nepali Koirala, sources claim, has now last minute effort to salvage his Congress, is on. arrived at the conclusion that the position. Maoists are not at all keen to face the polls and they are changing their goal An effort to have the ministers the party. posts, by putting forth newer resign en masse to give him a free demands. But Koirala faces criticism hand to hand-pick ministers of his In any case, there are many seats within his own party with at least four choice, at least from his Nepali lying vacant in the council of ministers, dozen leaders including parliamentar- Congress, is on. “ The PM is seriously since at least four ministers from the ians telling him that he must improve considering it,” a prominent member Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists the law and order situation before the of the Congress Central Committee (CPN-M) who resigned nearly two country goes to the polls. told newsfront, adding, “this may months ago continue technically as happen soon.” the ministers, as their resignations Party central committee members, have not been accepted and notified Binay Dhoj Chand, Govinda Raj Joshi “We are hopeful that his failure by the government yet. and Lakshman Ghimire told him to do so in the past has thoroughly recently that if he was not going to discredited him and he will take the Although it is a coalition govern- make any minister accountable for suggestion seriously now,” he said. ment and those in the council of the current mess, he must at least get Apart from others, party’s Working ministers are nominees of the all to resign and, “form a government President Sushil Koirala is also coalition partners, the PM is sup- which can go to the polls with an believed to have asked the PM to posed to have asked UML General image of efficiency and ability to go for the much needed change in Secretary, Madhav Nepal to spare deliver.” ä News 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 3

Combatants integration into army - new condition for CA Newsbrief Nepalis killed in intimidation on journalists are reported. The Deposing Koirala decision to have Nepal on its watch list, 18- months after the return of democracy was Kashmir taken during IPI’s executive board meeting held ä nf correspondent Kargil, once feared as a nuclear flashpoint, in Germany recently. Other countries included when India and Pakistan went in for a third war on the list include Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Russia Maoists have now put forth a new within a span of 52 years in 1999, has now turned and Zimbabwe. IPI’s Director, Johannn P Fritz demand - reintegration of their combatants into a grave for three Nepalis during peace time. said Nepal is a very dangerous place for in the Nepal Army, as the pre-condition for At least three Nepalis - Mochha Ghale, Suku journalists and needed to be on its watch list. going to the polls to the constituent Ghale and Bir Bahadur Ghale of Nuwakot district, “The IPI watch list is a list of countries in assembly. Absence of a prompt ‘yes’ to the died instantly when a live shell went off in Kargil which press freedom conditions have rapidly demand from Prime Minister GP Koirala will on November 22, according to the reports. Their deteriorated. The guiding principle behind the set the political movement for his ouster, mutilated bodies have been recovered. Earlier, list is to open up a dialogue with these countries declared Prachanda, Chief of the Commu- two Nepalis labourers were killed by the militants before they slide into repression,” a statement nist Party of Nepal-Maoists. about a decade ago in Kashmir for which the by the IPI said. “Widespread disrespect for government of India paid Rs two lakhs each as press freedom still strongly affects journalists “Koirala will be deposed as the PM if he Prachanda, Maoist leaders including compensation to the next of the kin of the and media outlets’ ability to report freely. This fails to include our guerrillas in the army with Baburam Bhattarai, Mohan Vaidya, Badal, deceased. Many other Nepalis serving in the makes Nepal a very dangerous country for full honour and respect,” Prachanda Hishila Yami along with guerrilla command- Indian army had perished in the Kargil war. journalists.” Nepal’s inclusion on the list comes announced while addressing his party ers and some UNMIN representatives Nepali authorities believe that the insurgency in the wake of Maoists abduction of two controlled People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at attended the impressive function. The PLA fuelled conflict in the country for the past 12 journalists, Prakash Singh Thakuri and Birendra Chitwan’s Shaktikhor area on the occasion also offered a gun salute to Prachanda who years has driven many Nepalis, especially the Saha, and the latter’s murder in captivity. of the 7th anniversary of its foundation on remains their military chief. able bodied ones from rural Nepal to India, and November 24. The declaration not only take up all kinds of risky jobs as the one they makes Koirala’s continuation as the PM In a slightly conciliatory gesture with a are doing in Kargil. According to United News Purification drive uncertain, but it also pushes the agenda of political undertone, he also admitted that the of India (UNI), a national wire service, there are In a clear admission that the Young Commu- CA polls far beyond mid-April; since Maoists were on decline in Terai due to around 2,000 Nepalis living in Kashmir region nist League (YCL) has become more of a reintegration of the guerrillas in the Nepal growing incidents of violence there and it including Kargil. They are engaged in various liability than an asset for the Communist party of army without other political issues being needs to be tackled. “To that extent, Nepal menial jobs, and some are engaged in risky Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M), the party has decided settled looks almost impossible. Army and the PLA should together defeat work like scrap collecting. UNI quoted security to launch a purification drive to weed out ‘bad those elements,” he said. But a senior official officials confirm that the three Nepalis died near elements’ from the YCL. Koirala’s failure to integrate the guerrillas of the Nepal Army told newsfront, “We act the army firing range while collecting scraps. The decision to this effect was taken during a into Nepal Army will only provoke the on the legitimate government’s orders and They suspect that the live shells might have central committee level meeting of the YCL in the Maoists to launch a fresh revolution which, instructions only.” been lying there since the time of Kargil war. Prachanda said, will not stop until its goal of capital on November 24 which was attended by republicanism is achieved. “We are ready to Prachanda also accused Koirala of lately CPN-M chief Prachanda besides other leaders. fight 40 years or more if needed but we will treating Maoist guerrillas as did the king Journalists at risk YCL is under direct command of Chairman not give up our demands,” he said. Gyanendra. “Koirala had called me to stall Prachanda. “It is not the party’s cadres, but election saying that the king was conducting Nepal continues to be on the watch list of the infiltrators from outside who are indulging in Amidst cheers from the combatants municipal election on February 8, 2006 at International Press Institute (IPI), a media rights criminal activities. They need to be identified and lodged in Shaktikhor cantonment, any cost”, Prachanda disclosed. He added, watchdog, as more cases of threats and punished,” a Maoist leader said. ä Prachanda said the government had already “Credit goes to the PLA for snatching power violated the letter and spirit of the compre- from the king as a result of which Koirala hensive peace agreement (CPA) and other became the PM. agreements which formed the basis of the Maoists joining the peace process. The PLA He further declared, “They can remove has not been granted facilities at par with you as well,” Prachanda’s message to the PM the Nepal Army although all these agree- was loud and clear. Prachanda also declared ments have recognised PLA’s equal status that the two set of demands: immediate with that of the army. declaration of Nepal as a republic and enforcement of proportional representation Maoist cadres had used their resources system - that his party has advanced now and strength to mobilise common people would be achieved at any cost and said, “We and ferry them to the venue. Apart from are not going to compromise on that.” ä Conspirators who? Crippled victims of Maoist atrocities in Madi said they felt that Prachanda is a liar. ä nf corresponent elements for his Madi trip not materialising so far. “Prachanda is still As Prachanda stood as the most shedding crocodiles tear for what powerful and protected leader amidst happened in Madi’s Bandarmude area. hundreds of gun wielding guerrillas in He must expose those who were Shaktikhor on November 24, a group of involved in the conspiracy and its unarmed - some of them crippled victims execution to the public,” Madi victims say. of Maoist atrocities, barely 25-km from there, said they felt that Prachanda is Krishna Adhikary, one of the survivors nothing more than a ‘liar.’ of the massacre asked Prachanda to reveal who was stopping him from going Courage failed the all powerful to Madi or to announce the relief Prachanda this time as well since he package? She appeared before the could not undertake the promised trip to Sajha Sawal programme conducted by Madi where at least 38 villagers lost their the BBC Trust in Chitwan with the poser lives and about a dozen sustained that made Prachanda almost speechless. serious injuries, some of them with permanent disability, when a public There were many angry faces from transport bus was ambushed by the Madi grilling Prachanda. He responded to Maoists nearly 30 months ago. most of them evasively, saying his going there may have an adverse bearing on the “We tried to provide a relief package ongoing peace process. Madi victims have for the victims, but conspirators foiled been calling him a coward or inhuman that,” Prachanda said publicly in Pokhara since he has been frequently visiting without identifying who the conspirators different parts of Chitwan but always avoids were. He also blamed the same going to Madi despite his promises. ä 4 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 Editorial

Editor & Publisher : Yubaraj Ghimire Executive Editor : Sushma Amatya News Coordinator : Manoj Dahal Design: Sunil Khadgi, Kishor Raj Panta & Ramkrishna Rana Address : PO Box: 8830, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel : 4443888, Fax : 4421147 (Edt.), 4411912 (Mkt.) Email: [email protected], [email protected] (Mkt.) Printed by: Express Color Press, Buddhanagar, Tel.: 4781810, Distribution: Kasthamandap, Tel.: 2010821 Point to Ponder The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King, Jr. Bungled It was a year of hope for peace and democracy in Nepal which together could have led to economic prosperity. Nepalis hoped that the 13 year old conflict and politics of violence that caused the loss of 13,000 precious lives would be over for good, and then they would own their country's future destiny. But November 21 and 22, the first anniversary of the Compre- Letters hensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Maoist Chief and the Prime Minister, and the day Nepalis were hoping to cast their Punish criminals Thank press votes to elect the Constituent Assembly, passed off like any other Your editorial, ‘criminal who’ was It has been confirmed that journalist day. That the CPA's future is in mess and so is the uncertainty very bold and it represented our anger Prakash Singh Thakuri's abduction was over CA elections has not only injected enormous dose of at the Maoists for abducting the done by CPN (Maoist)'s sister frustration among the people, but has once again proved that journalist, Birendra Saha and killing organisation, YCL. Maoist cadres killed Nepali politicians have not changed a bit, and that this country's him. Unfortunately, there is no visible journalist Birendra Kumar Saha on the future is not safe in their hands. regret or repentance on the part of the date of his abduction but that informa- Except that the Maoists joined entered the interim parliament Maoist leaders over the murder and all tion came in after a month of suspense. and the interim government, no other provisions of the CPA was they have been saying is that they will After these two anguishing event, I am implemented. Through circumstantial evidence or conjecture, one can easily say that the top leaders who signed the CPA behaved punish the guilty. Home Minister KP wondering why Maoists are anti- more like dealers to secure their immediate narrow gains at the Sitaula has all along been acting like journalists and against press freedom. cost of the nation's interest. Maoists were granted immunity for someone aiding and abetting these However, acts like these will only every crime its cadres committed. crimes. Can the fate or life of any jeopardise the political existence of the They did not push for formation of the high-powered commis- citizen be safe with him as the Home whole party. It would do well for the sion for state's restructuring seriously; and never was a serious Minister? Maoists to remember that they have debate held in the country regarding the kind of devolution This also points fingers at the been able to climb the political ladder including federalism; to ensure that the people long suppressed - political parties especially the thanks to the huge support of the press belonging to certain class, caste, ethnicity, gender, religion and Congress and UML who pay so much and the media. region have a larger stake in the emerging power structure. lip service to the issue of press Sulav Dahal The government that included Maoists in it after April 2007 freedom, but it was there for all to Surunga-5, Jhapa never formed the monitoring committee to ensure that the code of see how they ignored the issue of abduction of journalist conduct as agreed by the two sides would be implemented in Saha. There is every possibility that another journalist, More Umravatis letter and spirit. Maoists never actually returned the property and Prakash Singh Thakuri also has met his end at the hands of In reference to the article by CK Jha I would like to appeal assets they had illegally confiscated despite their commitment to the Maoists. to the public to unite and thrash these politicians who are do that. Yet, they kept imposing and dictating new conditions that Sitaula never bothered to initiate any search for journalist defining democracy and their principles as it suits them. The had the effect of discrediting the CPA as well as other agreements Thakuri who was kidnapped five months ago. Even the government and the political parties have become merry of the past. With their demand for 100 per cent proportional Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) chose to keep silent on spectators and turning a deaf ear to the problems of the system of representation and republican Nepal immediately, the journalist Thakuri's case on the ground that he was perceived country. If this continues, there will be more journalists and prospect of people being able to exercise their right to elect the as pro-palace. If Sitaula, FNJ and the current regime have a non journalists killed and there will be more Umravatis. CA has become totally uncertain. common understanding that only certain elements with Rajib Kumar Deo, The international missions and their commitment to assist in the certain political belief have a right to survive and that the Kopundol, Lalitpur peace process and development and the new slogan of new machinery of the state should not bother about the safety of Nepal, that once raised some hope, are fast collapsing. The year the rest, then that will only lead to a civil war in this country. Readers, your reactions, criticisms, com- that we bungled, warrants an honest review of the role of political Only by bringing the 'murderers' to justice, can these actors with full accountability. The key provisions of the CPA should situations be prevented from arising again. ments, suggestions are most welcome. be implemented at least, so that the entire process does not Bishwanath Please address it to: become a casualty. ä Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu [email protected]

Spiritual Corner

edge. So whatever time we are spending other pleasures ness. Otherwise in the world there is Pure freedom here, it will not go a waste. Surely you will be that we seek sometimes happiness, sometimes unhappi- rewarded. fade away ness. They go on alternating and this is called Sri H.W.L. Poonja, known as Papaji immediately with the world, and this is the experience of the (1910 – 1997) was born in Punjab. He **** their contact ignorant ones. When there is unhappiness, realised the truth when he was 8 years old No need of leaving the kingdoms and going itself. As soon as they don’t like it; when there is happiness they and it blossomed in his early 30's when he met to the forest now. Only get rid of your you contact any like it. his Guru, Sri Ramana Maharishi, the sage of impediments, and simply stay quiet. With a touch, any Arunachala. He left his body in September burning desire, like somebody who is burning, pleasure, it will So in the case of wisdom, there will be only 1997. and will run to a well, or a river, or a stream bite like a serenity. There will be total peace. Peace is only for water. Someone who is burning must serpent. Any something else. It has got nothing to do with Excerpts from his teachings: go to the water; he will not go anywhere else. pleasure, any pleasures and displeasures that belong to the Like this, if you have the burning desire to be rose that you contact of the senses. Bliss has got nothing to The knowledge is supreme, and if you free, in this life, before the end of this life, then pick will have a do with the senses or the mind or the intellect cannot assimilate it, you cannot get it, then you you will be successful. thorn underneath. Like this, when you enjoy or even the personality, the Jiva or individual have to take up austerities for a long time, not any sense pleasure it will bite you. soul. This is a transcendental, fourth state. for one age but many incarnations; to purify You will have won the game and you will be Not waking, dreaming or sleeping. That fourth your mind and get ready to receive knowl- very happy always because freedom, Therefore we have to search for very state is called Turiya in yoga terminology. This edge. As all rivers enter the ocean, so all the happiness and bliss go together. All kinds of pure freedom, where there is no unhappi- state is always available to everyone. ä austerities, practices, will lead you to knowl- Debating Development 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 5

Mr. Martin should rather focus on the progress of Sidelining Nepal’s human rights condition in Nepal if he is desirous to party and people assume more äää Binod P. BistaBista. responsibility. If the present political parties in power feel it necessary to receive India’s and other countries’ blessings…N epal is better left with anything but the self-styled democracy of today. If the current remarks made by chief in Nepal, Ian Martin, has been Jimmy Carter were to provide any aggressively pushing for an indications, a massive campaign expanded role of that mission in seems to be underway to sideline the Nepal. Present Secretary General of only democratic party of Nepal, the the UN has already spoken on the Nepali Congress, and thus the people issue. Current role given to UNMIN of Nepal who believe in multiparty is appropriate and as per the need democratic system. of the country. In this regard, the recent decision made by the present The role of Carter center in the government while considering the past several months in Nepal, extension of UNMIN mandate comes especially after Jana Andolan II, in as a pleasant surprise amidst trying to provide support to the confusions galore. ongoing peace process is well acknowledged. Yet the latest remarks It may do well to both the chief of on proportional representation as well UNMIN and his boss to remember as republic, despite a defeat of these the significant event that took place issues in the parliament voting, casts during the 1990s when the then a serious doubt on Nepal’s demo- Secretary General of the UN, Mr. cratic exercise in-the-making. Boutros Boutros Ghali, wanted to create and maintain a standby force It is quite baffling to understand of the UN. If the UN chiefs were to Carter’s remarks after he expressed support Nepal government’s desire to doubts on Maoists participation in reform the Nepal Army though constituent assembly election. As if to appropriate trainings, the same can support Carter’s doubt, Maoist leader easily be achieved by the existing Prachanda, appears to have stated mechanisms of the UN under its that he does not believe in parliamen- department of Peace Keeping tary system of democratic gover- Operations. nance. Present under-achievement of its Carter is right on his statement mandate by UNMIN is an outcome of about the comprehensiveness of the lack of understanding and the peace process in the sense that commitment of the Nepali political the CA elections and the peace parties in power. Therefore UNMIN process are inseparable and must does not need to justify its role and be carried out together. It is virtually performance, or its lack thereof unthinkable to achieve one without during past one year. Its purpose is the other. Deferral of CA elections genuine and its mandate clear. twice in a row, gives testimony to the fact that without an excellent Mr. Martin should rather focus on understanding among all parties, the progress of human rights including the Maoists, there can condition in Nepal if he is desirous to neither be elections nor peace in assume more responsibility. Politicking Nepal. by any external agency is undesirable and if it comes from persons However, recent statements responsible to maintain global peace coming from Nepali political parties and security, it is wrong. (Maoists) regarding India’s agree- ment/disagreement on a republic in A time may have come for the Nepal, prior to the necessary Nepali themselves to make their own decision without leaning on foreign powers for advice, support and Carter is right strength. Every Nepali party in on his state- power (including the Maoists) boasts ment about the of its sacrifice in support of the people of Nepal. The seven parties comprehensive- have coexisted, albeit with some ness of the differences, for almost 18 months at the helm in trying to resolve the peace process problems besetting Nepal today. in the sense that They have somehow managed to the CA elections prevent any derailment of the ongoing process. and the peace process are The peace accord signed between the Prime Minister, as inseparable and head of the government that must be carried represented seven political parties out together. and Prachanda, as chief of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) remains intact. There is democratic exercise, is adding insult it necessary to receive India’s and the self-styled democracy of today. United Nations, does not appear to no reason why they cannot find a to injury suffered by the honest, other countries’ blessings before even be different from the regional and solution on their own to steer and peace loving people of Nepal. If the starting the democratic process, then The international community, global powers represented in Nepal push the peace process ahead, for present political parties in power feel Nepal is better left with anything but represented in the World body - the in one form or the other. UNMIN’s the benefit of all. ä 6 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 Opinion

äää Tejshree Thapa thousand faces in white clothes mourning for their husbands killed in "History, despite its wrenching pain the insurgency, thinking how envious cannot be unlived, but if faced with they would be if they had seen this courage need not be lived again." - picture. Things would have been Maya Angelou different if the comrade and his loving Reflections wife had understood the meaning of Strings of thoughts all connected to what life has become today - what We all are aware where the twists 'love' a little earlier. and turns of our nation's history have used to be, what is and what can be done, still… taken us and being a part of it; we In our joint family, every evening all know how we have managed to live, the children used to be running and how long we can act as if we are around playing all sorts of games but living, bearing the pain. Do we have I used to love to be with my father, the courage to continue? Yes uncles and other senior neighbors definitely. One isn't born with courage who used to gather at our garden in but circumstances and experiences the evening. They used to discuss energise and expand it. mainly politics and share their views. The main issue of the discussion one Political scenario has transformed a day was the critical condition of our lot in our life time. I still have a fresh country because of being small, weak memory as an eight year old child and being manipulated by a 'big sharing with my younger sister the brother'. As a kid, I wondered what fear of my father being eaten by a that meant. Last year when I listened tiger when he used to return home to an autobiography of BP Koirala late. Since my father was a hunter, abridged and read by Khagendra for every two months during schools Nepal, I clearly picturised the vision of winter vacations, I used to be with my a big brother and its role in my dad in hunting camps. My childhood country. fear was him getting killed by a tiger. It had such a deep impact on me. Competition among responsible people whose pitiful race towards Then at the age of 14, a shocking power without any self respect makes incident occurred which was new for one feel utterly ashamed and all the Kathmanduites. People were disillusioned. Crimes abound but rushing to the Kalopul (a black bridge criminals are neither brought to book that still exists in Sifal) to look at a nor does anybody own up the dead body, stabbed and thrown into responsibility. John. F. Kennedy at the the Bagmati river. It created a time of Bay of Pigs, Cuba invasion, sensation in the valley and everybody while owning up the sole responsibility was shocked by the killing of a human of defeat said that victory has being. hundred fathers but defeat is an It clearly picturises how peaceful orphan. our country was then. psychological impacts on these young bomb. As someone from insurgency minds. affected area, he had witnessed the tyres in the streets, vandalism, pelting It is expecting too much to look for Fast forward to today and the art and technique of bomb manufac- stones and other disturbing activities such a nationalist leader here but I scenario is horrifying. Last year, I had Another incident relates to a little turing. which they have witnessed have think it is high time we women at least gone to my sister's place where all boy aged 13 from Ramechhap who affected their minds. This should be a now unite and act to protect our the children were playing. The used to live with his mother in my This goes to show that it clearly matter of concern to all mothers. children and bring about positive youngest, aged eight was acting like a house. One day, in his room, I found requires more efforts on our part to changes in our country. Women are security officer and few were playing six empty bottles of Coke all stuffed give a sound, peaceful and healthy We have before us the saga of all powerful forces as history has proven the role of insurgents. They all had with strip of papers mixed with atmosphere to safeguard the rights of those war widows from both sides. through many examples. To quote E toy guns shooting at each other. matchsticks. He was trying to make a our children. Frequent strikes by the Last year on Valentine’s Day, I saw an Roosevelt, “You gain strength, Suddenly one of the boys threw a big 'socket bomb', the boy proudly political parties and others have taken article in a local paper with a happy courage and confidence by every grapefruit in the middle and everyone explained in response to my curiosity. away the 'right to education' from our picture of a top comrade and his wife. experience in which you really stop to went hiding under the couch and He mentioned the names of various children. Little schools boys returning The comrade was quoted saying that look fear in the face… you must do chairs shouting 'bomb explosion'. It types of bombs ranging from Pan happily back home from their bus everyday with his wife is a Valentine’s things which you think you cannot was disturbing to witness the negative Parag bomb to pressure cooker stops talking about Bandhs, burning Day. I then visualised the innocent do.” ä Climate change- a real threat Climate change in Nepal will bring severe problems due to glaciers melting in the Himalayas… äää Manish Gautam about the aspects of social justice and the equity of climate change will be on agricultural sector dimension of climate change that being the on which the majority of the populations' Kevin Watkins, director of the UN's greatest polluters, the rich world need to livelihoods depend. According to Watkins the Human Development Report (HDR) office compensate these vulnerable population of the HDR has projected very deep reductions in and the lead author of - Human Develop- developing countries." large areas of rain-fed agricultural activity in ment Report 2007/08 Fighting Climate South Asia. The end result of climate change Change: Human Solidarity in a divided world He suggests that the governments of in Nepal will bring severe problems due to - has given a clear message to the world developing countries need to be united to pull glaciers melting in Himalayas which is not a that governments need to get real about the the resources to respective countries for distant future threat. Similarly it is affecting consequences of climate change. A senior adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. agricultural practices as the emergence of visiting fellow with the economics gover- "The early warning signs are already visible. extreme weather patterns. nance program at Oxford, he recently Today, we are witnessing at first hand what shared his experiences with Asian journalists could be the onset of major human development There are no sufficient researches and in New Delhi, India. reversal," Watkins added. studies to show how the rural populations are Kevin Watkins already exposed to the effects and if at all Climate change as now projected will Climate change has resulted in glacier melting they recognise this issue. It is urgently needed create livelihoods risks and vulnerabilities in and has triggered outbursts of glacier lakes in to bridge this knowledge gap regarding South Asian countries. According to Watkins, adaptation, other developing and poor countries South Asia. Decreasing number of rainy days, climate change at grassroots level. the nature of these risks and vulnerabilities lacks technology, knowledge and skill to cope. overall increase on rainfall intensity has will vary between and within countries. increased the risk of dry spell and more intense Let us hope that the HDR releasing on 27 Exposure to droughts, floods and extreme He said, "The rich world has the capabilities tropical cyclones in the region. This eventually November will prove an opportunity to view weather events is one category of risk. Snow to protect citizens from the impact of climate impacts on human health, water resources and and review climate science and understand retreating in Himalayas is another. As change while the poor and the vulnerable agriculture. what it means to the poor of this globe who developed countries have invested huge population of developing countries have very lack technology, knowledge and skills to cope political, institutional and financial backups in limited coping mechanism….We should talk While considering Nepal, the greatest impact with the impacts caused by climate change. Opinion 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 7 Time for äää Siddhartha Thapa

CHANGE beneficiaries have consumed enormous amount of wealth. No matter who becomes prime minister, Our leaders fail to comprehend that foreign the situation will remain just as grim since the players who aide the prime brokered alliance will never yield positive divi- ministers are the same people who dends. have failed again and again. And deep down the Maoists know for a fact that these leaders can be bought, Rarely does a moment come in Nepalis should ask ourselves some so, until and unless, there is no history when the political leadership is fundamental questions regarding the change in the leadership, the Maoists provided with an unchallenged future of our country. What has been will continue to throw generous baits authority to govern in the name of its most hurtful is the fact that our at our leaders and prepare for an people. Similarly GP Koirala and the government sat silently when the eventual takeover. seven parties had been vested with statue of Prithivi Narayan Shah was gargantuan responsibilities to steer mutated by the Maoists. All across the Our leaders fail to comprehend that the country towards stability and globe, in all countries the founders foreign brokered alliance will never peace. However, GP and the seven regardless of their background are yield positive dividends. Examples are parties have failed to seize this golden held in high esteem. We might loathe plentiful - Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, opportunity. It is comical to observe at King Gyanendra, but we cannot Israel-Palestine to name a few. the lackluster performance of this escape from the reality that without Therefore, a solution must be coalition government even when it Prithivi Narayan Shah there would be indigenous and an alliance must had such enormous powers, no no Nepal – this is a fact and our formalise after parties agree on a opposition to fear and lastly an history. common threat based on the ground unchallengeable international reality. For that matter, the 12 point mandate to steer the country out of It has become equally important to the uniqueness of the nation. the Maoists has posed challenges to agreement is anti-national and hence, the quagmire. for all of us Nepalis to ponder over the existence of democracy and in it now makes sense as to why the the founding principles of our But for Nepali politics to evolve tandem disrupted social harmony in peace process and the prospects of Today, yet again our leaders have nation. This is important because progressively it is important that the the country; even then our leaders holding elections have failed so unfortunately succumbed to the without identifying the principles younger generation now takes over remain divided. miserably. murky politics that has plagued the that founded Nepal, we cannot the mantle. Consequently, a political progression of Nepali politics for the defend the principles that founded consensus must be developed and a There will be no democratic We know for a fact that our leaders last five decades. Therefore, it would Nepal. A country like Nepal that is home grown solution must be alliance, there never has been one will never rise to the occasion to save be accurate to conclude that it is only so diverse had functioned harmoni- founded where the people are invited and there will never be one as long our country from further disintegra- through our active participation in the ously despite some deficiencies. to take ownership of the constitutional as the leaders of the older generation tion. They are too consumed with political concourse can Nepal Unfortunately, we are at the brink of process through elections. remain in politics. It is only when wheeling and dealing. An alternative progress towards stability and peace. disintegration and chaos. There- youthful leaders belonging to the can be found when the younger Hence, it would prove detrimental if fore, it is important for us to The present leaders are respon- democratic parties and ethnic groups generation of politicians, business- we Nepalis are to sit quietly and allow understand the logic behind Prithvi sible for the present state of affairs prevail will there be an alliance. I say men, entrepreneurs, journos, civil our leaders to steer our country Narayan Shah’s call for social and they are incompetent. It is wishful this because; we non political Nepalis servants, the youth, and younger towards further disintegration by harmony and unity. It is social thinking for us to expect them to have a common enemy: Maoists and army officers unite identifying a falsely interpreting our concerns and harmony, unity, moderation and deliver when they have failed radical ethnic groups. common threat. It is only then will voices. toleration that are the founding repeatedly. Nepal is on the brink of Nepal move towards permanent principles of our nation. And the disintegration and even when a Politics in Nepal is a catalyst peace, stability and economic Without any further delay, we diversity component has only added forceful radical communist party like through which politicians and their prosperity. ä BOOK REVIEW Pros and cons of federalism Federalism and Multi-Ethnic though two levels of authorities - Switzerland. parties, public institutions and civil huge lessons to show that Societies: Opportunities and Limitations central and federal, control the same society realms as well as in multi-level keeping the less powerful ethnic territory. It elaborates the important terms governance. It highlights the possible communities and social groups Stella Seibert with brief comparison, such as success of federalism and its out of the centre of economic, Colombo: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2005 Federalism is a form of govern- centralised unitary state, contribution to development. social and political opportunities ment that expresses multiple identity decentralised unitary state, the can lead to poverty, instability Stella Seibert articulates and diversity in specific common federal state and con-federal state The advantages of federalism are: and unrest situation which can various aspects of the abstract political system by sharing legislative, with core attributes. She says that power sharing, power dispersion and contribute to the development and dynamic concept of executive and judiciary powers to self-rule and shared-rule is missing in political control, empowerment of deficit, weaken democratic federalism. She also provides the sub-units and arranges unity in centralised unitary state. In a regional voices, opportunities for institutions and generate conflicts underlying critical strictures and diversity. It presumes several levels of decentralised unitary state self-rule participation, creation of regional of various sorts. offers insights of various federal institutional actors for the realisation exists without right to self- political elites, opportunities for countries to follow ideal type of of shared rule. Some federal states organisation. specific policy promotion, flexible The central problem of any federalism that can yield desired share only executive and judiciary solution of problems, efficient regime is, therefore, to make result. while others divide also legislative It broadly analyses the advantages management, etc. power accountable. In this, powers. and disadvantages of federalism, sense, it misses one critical point: Federal political system is a identity, resource and justice sharing But, there are also disadvantages what kind of federalism is shared sovereignty, power and The book introduces the concept, arrangements at the state, political of federalism such as tyranny of suitable to confront the single resources between central and meaning and role of federalism to minority, fragmentation of political global market and growing regional governments at various mitigate ethnic ridden turmoil of Sri power, political immobility, democratic internationalisation of social degrees depending on the nature Lanka and issues of federalism in deficit due to unaccountability and forces? The book is very useful of the societies and histories. peace negotiation process. It offers Stella Seibert ar- non-transparency in decisions, to the Nepali society where Central governments have experiences of various countries to ticulates various downgrading of other groups and federalism is emerging as a authority in deciding principle the reader by explaining a variety of issues, etc. These attributes suggest burning issue and provides food issues that affect the whole federalism and contextual success aspects of the that leadership has to be very for thought to reasonably discuss country, such as banking, and failure of different models abstract and dy- cautious in adopting the model of the suitability of the model of defense, foreign policy and the adopted in a number of countries governance. state system - unitary, signing of vital treaties and such as Australia, Brazil, Germany, namic concept of decentralised or a federal one. agreements with other states India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, and federalism. Many countries have provided (Reviewed by Tara Dahal) 8 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 Perspective Examining Zen meditation This definitely shows that the Zen Samadhi and the Raja yoga Samadhi are not exactly the same.

äää Mahayogi Acharya Sridhar Rana Rinpoche methods, eyes are kept open unlike in Hindu and Theravadin methods where In 1966, Akira Kasamatsu and It was found that in the Zen eyes are closed); stage II: the increase Tomio Hirai made a study of Zen master, before he started meditation in amplitude of persistent alpha waves; meditation in Japan in terms of the there was normal beta waves of the stage III: the decrease of alpha wavelengths etc. produced by the waking state. Within 50 seconds of frequency; and stage IV: the appear- brain during Zen starting meditation, ance of the rhythmical theta train meditation. They the well-organised which is the final change of the EEG asked the Zen Marshland Flowers alpha waves began during Zen meditation, but does not master to in all the regions of always occur. categorise the It is interesting to the brain. Then level the 48 after 20 minutes or It is interesting to note that another students had note that another so, the brain waves study made of two Raja yogis - B.K reached. study made of two began functioning Ananda, G.S. Chhina and Baldev These Raja yogis - B.K between low alpha Singh showed that the final stage of subjects were waves, going at Kundalini yoga meditation was delta classified into Ananda, G.S. times into theta wave which is akin to deep sleep state three groups. Chhina and Baldev waves. At the end where too delta waves predominate. Group one had of the meditation, This definitely shows that the Zen 20 disciples who Singh showed that alpha waves were Samadhi and the Raja yoga Samadhi had meditated the final stage of seen continuously are not exactly the same. from one to five Kundalini yoga and two minutes years. Group later, alpha waves Then when other Zen disciples two consisted of meditation was still persisted. This were tested and graded, it was found 12 disciples who delta wave which is kind of similar that there was a very close relation- had meditated pattern was found ship between the master's evaluation from five to 20 akin to deep sleep in another Zen of their stage and the degree of EEG years and group state where too master also. The changes in them. From these findings three had 16 result of the EEG it was found that the degree of EEG monks who had study on the Zen master changes during the Zen meditation of over 20 years of experience. was divided into four stages: the Zen disciples were parallel to the Besides these, 18 others from age disciple level in proficiency as 23 to 33, and men aged between Stage I: a slight change which is categorised by the Zen master. 54 to 60 years who had no characterised by the appearance of (To be continued) experience in meditation were alpha waves in spite of open eyes. (In (Sridhar Rinpoche is a Vajrayana chosen as control subjects. Zen as in most of Mahayana meditation Master) From the region 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 9

Newsbrief Sharif returns home Hindus, police clash in Malaysia Former Pakistani prime minister Sharif were on display, but there was More than 5,000 Hindu protesters met water cannons and tear gas in Nawaz Sharif arrived in the Pakistani no sign of supporters gathering to Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday while demanding equal rights city of Lahore on Sunday after seven greet him. and consideration from the government. Ethnic Indian protesters are sprayed years of exile, Dawn Television said. Authorities have issued no with water by Malaysian riot police in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Ousted by army chief General warnings that Islamic militants bitterly Despite clashes with police, there were no reports of injuries during the Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless opposed to Musharraf and Bhutto for planned protest. Some protesters threw rocks at the water cannon trucks, but military coup in 1999 and exiled to their pro-U.S. police might target the others were urging peaceful demonstrations. Public transportation into the city Saudi Arabia a year later, Sharif tried more conservative Sharif. was stopped, hindering protesters from coming in. to return home in September, but However, his arrival comes one day Police stopped protesters as they tried to take a petition to the British High was sent back to Saudi Arabia within after suicide bombers killed up to 35 Commission. Talks were under way for authorities to allow six protesters to hours. people in nearly simultaneous blasts deliver the petition, should the crowd disperse. But this time Musharraf, who at the heart of Pakistan's security imposed emergency rule on establishment in Rawalpindi, a 6.2 quake strikes Sumatra November 3, reluctantly agreed to garrison city adjacent to the capital, allow Sharif back from exile in Saudi Islamabad. A strong earthquake struck the western coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island Arabia to lead his party in a January 8 It was not clear who was behind Sunday morning, but there were no immediate reports of damage and struc- general election. the explosions _ which targeted a bus tural damage, seismologists said. The quake measured 6.2 on the Richter Police detained supporters of carrying intelligence agency workers Scale with an epicentre in the Indian Ocean off the western coast of Bengkulu former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and a checkpoint near army province, struck at 9:05 am Thailand time (which is the same as Indonesia and sealed off the airport ahead of headquarters _ but authorities said time), said Indonesia’s National Meteorology and Geophysics Agency. It was his planned return Sunday from exile, suspicion rested on Islamist militants located about 28 kilometres south-west of Mukomuko district city, at a depth of stark reminders that the emergency month. Bhutto's homecoming who are fighting an increasingly 55 kilometres. ruled imposed by his nemesis procession was torn by a suicide bloody insurgency against govern- There were no tsunami warnings issued nor immediate reports of injuries or President Gen. Pervez Musharraf bombing which killed about 150 ment troops in the northwest of the structural damage following the quake, the latest of a series shocks to rattle remains in effect.Sharif was due in people. country. the western coast of Sumatra in recent weeks. On September 12, a powerful the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore Both Bhutto and Sharif are seeking The army said Sunday that 30 pro- 8.4-magnitude quake hit western Sumatra, killing at least 24 people and injur- on Sunday afternoon. He took off to return to power after Jan. 8 Taliban fighters and one Pakistani ing scores of others. It was followed by a series of strong aftershocks and from Saudi Arabia during the day with parliamentary elections. But the soldier died in an operation to capture prompted several tsunami warnings. family members, according to a ballot, which the West hopes will militant positions in the Swat valley, a security official at the Saudi airport produce a moderate government former tourist destination just 100 Army in control, says PM who spoke on condition of anonymity able to stand up to Islamic extremism, miles from Islamabad. because he was not authorized to talk has been thrown into confusion by Musharraf cited rising religious Prime Minister Fuad Saniora sought to calm the Lebanese on the country’s with the press. Musharraf's Nov. 3 seizure of extremism as a reason for his first day without a president, assuring them that the military, which has vowed Saudi Arabia is where Sharif has emergency powers. declaration of a state of emergency. to stay out of politics, is on the streets to prevent violence while deadlocked spent most of the past eight years Memon said leaders of Sharif's However, many of those targeted factions work to resolve the crisis. since Musharraf overthrew him in party would be allowed to greet him under the crackdown have been In his first comments since President Emile Lahoud stepped down without a 1999. at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International political opponents, lawyers and successor, Mr Saniora defended his Western-backed government, saying it Ahsan Iqbal, a spokesman for Airport and drive with him into the city. members of the media. will continue to function according to the constitution. Sharif's party, said some 1,800 But Sharif's entourage was More than 5,500 people have “Our main goal in the coming stage, which we hope will not take longer than activists were detained in a crack- suspicious. been detained since the crackdown a few days, will be to exert all possible efforts... to end this situation as soon as down since late Saturday in Punjab "The police action and massive began, but authorities insist virtually possible,” he said. province, of which Lahore is the deployment shows that something all have been freed since last His comments came after a meeting with Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, head of capital. fishy is going on. they've blocked weekend, when visiting U.S. Deputy the influential Maronite Catholic Church. Under Lebanon’s division of power, However, federal Information every single vehicle carrying Secretary of State John Negroponte the presidency is held by a Maronite. Minister Nisar Memon said he was supporters of (Sharif's party)," said urged Musharraf to restore the Mr Saniora dismissed a declaration by Mr Lahoud, who before departing exaggerating. Sayed Hafeezuddin, a lawyer for the constitution. the presidential palace said he handed over security powers to the army, "There are no arrests as such," exiled leader. Sharif's return could prove saying the country is in a “state of emergency”. Memon said. "About 100 people have Thousands of police were deployed challenging for Musharraf, particularly “There is no state of emergency, and there is no need for that,” Mr Saniora been confined so that they do not at the airport, some of them manning if the former prime minister makes an said. “There is absolutely no need for any Lebanese to be concerned about create any issues. We don't want the metal and barbed-wire barriers on alliance with Bhutto and the two the security situation. The army is doing its work and is in full control of the same mess as there was in Karachi." approach roads and sidewalks. boycott the Jan. 8 elections. But it is situation on the ground.” He was referring to the huge rally Passengers with tickets were allowed also a potential boon for the general, So far, the 56,000-member military has successfully kept this tiny, fractious that greeted another former premier, through. allowing him to claim that he favors a country together, surviving one crisis after another since the February 2005 Benazir Bhutto, when she was On the streets of the city, several genuine return to democracy. assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. allowed to return to Pakistan last welcome posters and banners of (The Times and Democrat) Death toll 31 in China landslide The death toll rose to 31 Sunday from a landslide in central China that buried a bus full of passengers and a team of construction workers, state media reported. UP cops get crucial leads Most of the bodies were found on a bus that was passing through mountain- ous Badong county, Hubei province, when the landslide occurred on Tuesday, A day after a series of blasts temple blast in Varanasi and the main Xinhua news agency reported, citing rescue workers. rocked three cities in UP, India, the India court blasts accused was assaulted in the Half a mountainside appeared to have collapsed onto the highway, photos Special Task Force (STF) Varanasi court while being of the scene suggest. of the state Police have produced there in April 2006, The weight of the landslide reduced the bus to a wreckage only 50 centimetres managed to unearth he said. thick, and the bodies recovered from the interior were so badly crushed that crucial leads to the Also the lawyers of they could be identified only by DNA, Xinhua added. terrorists behind the plot. Faizabad had refused to Earlier Sunday the body of a 32-year-old man, one of a team of four Police department represent the accused in the construction workers working on the road when the accident happened, was sources told DNA that one Ram Janambhoomi complex pulled from under tonnes of mud and rock, bringing the number of dead to 31, of those behind the blasts blast in July 2005 following the news agency said. He was the second of four construction workers to be had been identified as which the case had to be found dead. One was injured but survived while another is still missing. The Shamim, a close associate shifted to Allahabad, road connects the eastern city of Shanghai with Tibet. The bus was en route of Waliullah, the main Chamber said. Police have from Shanghai to Lichuan, a small city in Hubei province. prime accused in the also confirmed that RDX had March 2006 Sankat been found in the live bomb Iran produces nuclear fuel Mochan temple blast in Varanasi. The recovered in Lucknow. Iran has produced nuclear fuel pellets for its 40-megawatt heavy water UP police have asked the CID Branch JN Chamber in a press conference The owner of a shop, from whom nuclear reactor, Vice President Gholam Reza Aghazadeh said. of the West Bengal police for help. said the blast were targeted at the cycle that was mounted with This was a technological advancement in the cycle of nuclear fuel, according Police have also released sketches lawyers. He referred to the lawyers’ explosives was bought, has has been to the state news agency. of three of the suspected terrorists, assault on three JeM militants, detained for interrogation. “Fuel pellets to be used in the 40-megawatt Arak research reactor have two related to the Faizabad blasts arrested from the state capital recently, In Faizabad also, police said they been produced,” IRNA quoted Aghazadeh as saying. and one suspected of involvement in while being produced in the court, as have tracked down the shop from Iran has gone a long way in building a 40-megawatt heavy water nuclear the Varanasi civil court blasts. possible reason for the blasts. where the cycles used in the blast, reactor in Arak, central Iran, which the US fears could be used to produce Meanwhile, agencies reported that Lawyers had refused to represent were bought. plutonium and build nuclear weapons. the state’s principal secretary, home, the accused in the Sankatmochan (DNA) 10 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 Interview Journey Children reflect their parents. They

took to it all like a duck to the water and I learnt When the husband fell prey to alcohol and yet the language straight from the most authentic maintained his gentle peace loving personality I teacher, my mother-in-law – complete with art of committed myself further to the 'destiny' of life. wearing chiffon saris with diamonds, social skills After his acknowledgement a drive to pass the with all the intricacies. message of individual growth through one's own sense of responsibility came to the fore with a I was a graduate from Lady Shri Ram vigor that took me through Montessori training College, spoke a little French and had worked and the establishment of the Montessori House with AFP, and had already been a disc jockey in Kathmandu. I knew this was the message I for several years through college. I had spent was sent here for, since most other places hours doing oil paintings on canvasses that are where I could start such a school already had still on the walls of my mother's home. I did not such an establishment. date like other young folks and was often the alibi for friends who did. It was a unique I knew that it was here the message to take mélange that led to the emergence of responsibility for your own life with conscious introspection on what then would be the best choices was most needed. It was here that the values of practical life on the birth of my first faith in a higher power to guide you in each son. moment of life needed to be nurtured from childhood as opposed to the following of rituals I realised that I wanted him to be able to and rote-prayers. I do not believe in coinci- stand out as an individual with his own mind and dences and realised that even more strongly realised early that the only way to do that was to when I spent two years in Calcutta learning let him exercise choices and face consequences Montessori way of education and the intricacies for his decisions. For all practical purposes I was of business management and educational determined to allow him simple nutritious food, leadership. home stitched sturdy clothes and hours of thinking skills and communication. A two bedroom flat and two cases of original Montessori equipment along with the two The challenges you faced as a non native children and certificates formed Montessori and a woman in this society and the lessons House in 1987. We had every nationality learned. enrolled in the first few years but the local Nepali enrollment took on only much later. Now we In India or at least in my part of the world in serve a majority of our diverse Nepali commu- New Delhi a sort of invincible attitude can nity in the school. emerge that drives one through many diverse situations and challenges. That also adds to the The second most important lesson learnt flexibility that is required to be in touch with was that adults fall prey to addictions when challenges of culture and related social issues. time lies heavy on their hands in daily life. All However it took me little time to adapt to the life daily life practical skills were managed by in a Rana household with a protective and household staff while a sophisticated style of peace loving husband and traditional family life bars the family member from doing any members, while learning to string Potays or household chores or from taking responsibility Pix by Niraj Sapkota cooking Alu-tama. for their own life’ direction, choices and decisions. Individualism is scorned rather than Neena Rana, the educator of the Montessori The sacrifices at Dasain almost took me away encouraged; and often roles family members’ Method is a seeker, somebody who practices from all non-vegetarian food. Reading books plays are dictated by the position of the what she says and a unique personality that has while the family had fun with great food and individual in the family or by the expectations of survived many storms in her life. She shared her fanfare and integration became the norm for ‘unresolved’ dreams of an elder. story with Sushma Amatya recently. me. I was a mother of two boys in the first four years and took to that role with a zest I now Exercising control over an educated and self Tell us about your early life. understand as a natural journey to my evolution. driven woman in the family was unsuccessful I realised children come as gifts to take parents from the beginning and definitely created envy; Convent of Jesus and Mary a school in New to a level they never deemed possible. They while the faith in the power stood me strong in Delhi and a boarding stint in a convent in were instrumental in my growth and provided the face of any challenge. Determination to Moussorie in Uttar Pradesh had a major support and love I yearned for. reach the potential innate in me helped me influence on the conscious awareness of my establish a school that became a success story. life’s values. My thoughts on morality, ethics, I did and still have a great relationship of And it often created a rough social terrain in my justice and an intrigue around the lives of those mutual love and affection with the members of life with some isolation. The staff of the school that were the outcasts of normal lives led me to the family. Yet as the odd man out I had to once trained in similar values of life also felt they question everything in life, very early. I knew mellow down and convince relatives of the solid were in an oasis in the desert of rituals and early that being a girl would mean a greater commitment and genuine interest in the welfare status led life. The sacrifices at struggle and I spoke in the masculine gender for of the countrymen I lived with. Sometimes I was the first few years of my life. held in awe for the very simple things that How is Montessori Method better than Dasain almost actually later became the pillars of strength in other methods of education? took me away I was boyish, mostly angry, tough kind of girl the school, Montessori House that I created to from all non- who took things into her own hands. Maybe the give direction to the children of these privileged Montessori encourages individualism and determination and invincible strength grew with family lifestyles. freedom of choice within a structured vegetarian food. me over the years and I now am a great prepared environment where individual pace Reading books believer in self-construction. It gave me great peace that the basic and space and endeavors pave the path of infrastructure I lived for the healthy growth of self - construction of the child. The child while the family An Indian by birth I married a Nepali my own two boys in the midst of the impressive progresses from one activity to a higher plane had fun with ‘aristocratic’ intelligent and suave eldest son of a and somewhat ‘fraudulent’ cultural style could through his own effort and concentration great food and general and realised there was a world out be shared with other children who took to the and coordination in a non-competitive and there that ‘ruled’ but differently from what I had school. The awestruck attitude of others multi-age setting. fanfare and learnt; the power of social status and heritage, created a sense of alienation that I fought with integration be- the life of aristocratic style in all practical matters vigour while establishing and maintaining my The child feels psychologically and of attire, food and living. children’s and other children’s individual physically safe to explore and discover concepts came the norm growth. and forms solid foundations to build further for me. My ‘missionary’ style perspective surprisingly development. There is a conscious self-driven Interview 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 11 with a purpose do not comply to the “don’t do as I do – but do as I say” dictates.

attempt to take responsibility and a self- that the ‘prince’ dictates (considered cute). The show validation for the same not just having evaluation in all progress. Social cohesion child has low language skills, poor movement attended any courses. There must be a full set reflects fairness to the group rather than to skills and retarded social cohesion with the of Montessori equipment from a licensed profitability of one member. group. manufacturing unit only (it is scientific) not any equipment sometimes locally made at cheaper How would other schools in Nepal The child does not want to come, does not costs. benefit by adapting Montessori Method? want to eat vegetables, and does not want to sleep on time. It is almost as if the parent has How satisfying is educating as a Education happens within the mind and the never heard the difference between wants and career? soul of a person. No teaching or learning ever needs. Many such parents need to realise their happens without a conscious participation. All own wants vs. their needs before they actually People develop 90 % when they teach schools need to recognise that rote learned can parent. Children reflect their parents. They someone else; because they communicate in concepts are not internalised and are limited in do not comply to the “don’t do as I do – but do word and implement in action, 80 % when they their application in life's complex experiences. as I say” dictates. implement what they know, 70% when they They limit the progress of a child and the future communicate. of mankind to physical survival. Parents actually feel proud to have their child If the search is for happiness for mankind drive the car by sitting on their laps when they then what better a way than to search and If schools in Kathmandu were to become drive while all international law dictates that the share with a developing community of children. magnet schools that will imbibe the Montessori only safe place for a child is at the back in a car philosophy and allow the child his right to seat with the seat belt on. Children are natural learners and have learning through meaningful experiences with internal drives to reach a potential dictated by an quality resources (right of the child) and adults You place a lot of emphasis on inner direction. And as a teacher if you can who care about them and not for them (not as training of teachers at regular intervals. recognise that the child will show the way to self- servants to the child’s body), allow and respect What difference has it made to your development and as an adult you can follow his individual pace and self-evaluation rather than school? path and provide the prepared environment to external tests we will create a whole new nurture that spirit there is a journey of self progressive culture of progress, peace and There is no school that can conform to an discovery for the teacher beyond their own. It is respect for each other. ideal state of teaching and learning without like an actor that has the opportunity to witness consistent and progressive training of teachers. diverse roles. Much more meaningful learning will take Teachers need to interact, learn and orient place as compared to fear filled memorisation themselves to effective teaching methods and to How can the issue of increasing of facts. Teachers and administrators will find internalise that which has been effective. They commercialisation of education today be more meaning and passion for the teaching need to grow with this learning by practicing with dealt with? profession. Parents could then find their own resources and people that is to be implemented role of nurturer less challenging and more in school. This country needs genuine thinkers and enjoyable and purposeful and a spiritual gift to introspective educationists who will fulfill the be enjoyed. More happiness and peace will They have to grow with the support of the emerging roles of the role models of this country ensue rather than a burdensome responsibility. school community and all this requires time and – educationists being one of them. Training, The birth of a child will then be rejoiced for its resources. Orientation is a regular process in all support for teachers, resources, and schools meaningful contribution for the evolution of educational institutions abroad and we need to spiritually dedicated to the development of the mankind rather than an event to ‘party’ or a understand and respect this need for our child may be the only way to light up this very burden to bear. educational infrastructure. Training in physical, aesthetically and spiritually rich country. psychological and spiritual curricula is the How important is primary education nutrition of the teachers who then extend their The leaders need to follow the path in a for a child’s development? healthy strong selves in the service of the child. cohesive setting (non-religious) and then follow the training that teachers have a right to know The first six years of a child's life form the We see many Montessori schools for effective teaching and provide the entire foundation and the solid personality he/she is around in the city today. It must be infrastructure the educationists need. They need intended to be. A carefully structured environ- quite confusing for parents to decide to start thinking of the benefit of the whole ment, trained adults and a range of original which one is the best. Your advice to rather than of a segment. Montessori materials and or resource materials parents on what to look for while with a ‘Montessori’ spiritual philosophy to create choosing a school? The education sector is growing at an a nurturing environment for the child is alarmingly random manner. It needs to have a imperative for the foundation and growth of the There are three main points to consider in the direction. Rabindra Nath Tagore’s saying, “The child who we must remember is the father to the selection of a Montessori School – It must have river would never reach the sea without its man. Nature and its resources are the funda- three years vertical age enrollments in each boundaries” applies here. The leaders need to mental needs for a child’s growth. level which means the 0-3 year olds are introspect and frame a structure for this The education grouped together as are the 3-6 year olds extraordinary country to follow. sector is growing at In your observation, in which areas (nursery, lower KG and upper KG) and the 6-9 do most parents lag behind when it year olds (class one, two, three); the 9-12 year Final word? an alarmingly ran- comes to contributing to their child's olds (class 4,5,6) and the 12 to 15 year olds dom manner. It education? (class 7,8,9) - and in this group they need to The Montessori Method is a spiritual have academics with life-skills such as the message. Give it your support, let your child needs to have a Most parents are not aware although their combination of learning all subjects with learning grow in it. It is the divine light that respects the direction. Rabindra intentions are meaningful. They do not seem to how to launder, basic cooking, socialisation, individual and provides the way for self Nath Tagore’s say- have enough opportunities to socially address spiritual discussions etc., and then the15 to 18 construction and helps realise that we are rich their interests and concerns about the develop- year olds or the grades of 10,11,and twelve. when we realise how little we need for our- ing, “The river ment of their children. Social stigmas prevent selves. We can take responsibility for our lives, would never reach open and frank interactions about life styles. This prevents competitiveness and eliminates our thoughts and actions, and shine with the Although religious there is a lack of introspection external testing as opposed to internal self light that we are born in the image of a divine the sea without its around the meaning and understanding of the evaluation. Individual progress with self power inside us. boundaries” applies values and terms and practical ways to be construction and self evaluation becomes the here. The leaders followed by the parents. norm. Besides social cohesion develops and A true Montessori school provides the older teaching younger and being role models environment for such intrinsic spiritual, need to introspect A parent walks in with a servant carrying their while the younger experience the levels ahead intellectual and physical growth. Maybe the and frame a struc- own little one to school and expects the little and build a self-motivation for more challenges. leaders of the country could join a few sessions prince to be independent and confident. The at a Montessori Method to realise their ture for this ex- little ‘servant’ carries for the child, puts shoes on Most importantly, the teachers must be impressive inner potentials. traordinary country for the child and follows all the bossy instructions Montessori trained with a full certification and ([email protected]) to follow. 12 26 Nov-1 Dec, 2007 Makers

On Dec. 7 New Line Cinema will release "The series, "The Amber Spyglass," climaxes in an Golden Compass," starring Nicole Kidman and epic battle to destroy God. Some of the book's "I will not cut my hair or beard on the day I have to play.” Daniel Craig, the first movie in a trilogy with the villains are referred to as the Magisterium - a massive budget and family blockbuster potential term used to refer to the Catholic hierarchy. The of "The Lord of the Rings." British author, Philip Pullman, has said openly Yet, even before it opens, "The Golden that he is an atheist, and Donohue charges that Compass" finds itself at the center of a his books are designed to eradicate faith among Sporty quirks controversy. The Catholic League, a conserva- children. ä Binita Adhikari own kinds of rituals. Binod said, "I do not eat tive religious organization, launched a campaign But this is a sad misreading of the trilogy. non-vegetarian food once I set out for a A large number of Nepali players believe game. Besides I always wear a locket in what others would call superstition and believing that it brings me good luck." prefer to go by astrological advice when they Golf player, Tashi Ghale said, "I avoid set out for important matches at home and traveling on Saturdays.” He said something abroad. Some avoid or the other has always travelling on a particular day, obstructed him from and others skip shaving and playing whenever he left getting haircuts as it may home on Saturdays in the bring bad luck. past. He recently secured Hari Khadka, a national second position in the 9th level player of the Nepal SAF golf championship. football team said, "I will not Neri Thapa, captain of cut my hair or beard on the the national ladies' cricket God in the dust day I have to play.” He also team has a habit of distributes sweets among wearing her sports dress his friends to solicit good- and watching sports on on Oct. 9 calling on all Catholics to boycott the These books are deeply theological, and deeply luck before going to the television before she film. The group also published a lengthy Christian in their theology. The universe of "His ground." Khadka is the only descends on the field. Neri pamphlet attacking the story and distributed the Dark Materials" is permeated by a God in love Nepali player who has is a national badminton pamphlet to Catholic schools across the country. with creation, who watches out for the meekest participated in the interna- player and has played in Other groups have joined the fray, including the of all beings - the poor, the marginalized, and tional game for ten years the 10th South Asian evangelical nonprofit Focus on the Family, the lost. It is a God who yearns to be loved without any break and Federation (SAF) held in whose magazine Plugged In urged parents to through our respect for the body, the earth, and scored 12 goals for Nepal. Sri Lanka. keep kids out of theaters showing the film. And through our lives in the here and now. This is a Others players visit But there are many the Christian blogosphere is alive with warnings rejection of the more classical notion of a temples and go through others who do not believe not only about the movie trilogy, but also about detached, transcendent God, but I am a rituals or worship the gods in all that. Sangina the series of books it is based on. Catholic theologian, and reading this fantasy they have faith in. Upendra Baidhya, the only Nepali Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic trilogy enhanced my sense of the divine, of Mann Singh, another football participant in the Olympic League, charges that the books, known as the virtue, of the soul, of my faith in God. player said he worships his jersey before so far, is one of them. Jhanta Katuwal "His Dark Materials" trilogy, are deeply anti- The book's concept of God, in fact, is what going to the field. Singh is a former national national recorder of weight lifting said, "If we Christian. Donohue says he fears that the film makes Pullman's work so threatening. His trilogy captain and considered as one of the best have ability, confidence and passion in the will inspire parents to purchase "His Dark is not filled with attacks on Christianity, but with goal keepers. Players like Binod Das, Tashi game, fortune will favour us and we can win Materials" for their fantasy-hungry kids on attacks on authorities who claim access to one Ghale and Neri Thapa also go through their any game." ä Christmas, unaware that the third book of the true interpretation of a religion. ä