#641 1 - 7 February 2013 16 pages Rs 30

s his party prepares for its fi rst convention in 22 years Athis weekend, it looks like Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is here to stay on in Baluwatar. He has systematically HEREHERE removed all obstacles to ensure his longevity in power. He bought time in 2012 by playing off rival NC factions TO STAY against each other, and TO STAY confronted President by manoeuvring the Army chief to oppose any move to replace the caretaker. He then defused possible civil society opposition by fl oating trial balloons to nominate “independent” non-political candidates for PMship. He is now leaking to the press that he has a secret plan to make a Supreme Court Justice prime minister after the convention. He defanged his own party chairman, co-opting his support in the party convention by striking a deal not to challenge Dahal’s continuation as chairman of the party and to ensure that he will support his candidacy for the next president. He has got the security chiefs on his side, convinced the international community that he alone can guarantee stability, and assured everyone he is for elections in May and it is actually the opposition that is against it. The party convention, therefore, will be an anti-climax. Anyone expecting fi reworks between Dahal and Bhattarai in Hetauda will be disappointed. The deadline to announce a date for elections by 31 May will lapse, the NC-UML led protests will fail to get traction, and the coast will be clear for Bhattarai to continue for as long as he wants. Kunda Dixit MIND YOUR LANGUAGES Mark Turin on the race against time to document and support ’s increasingly endangered linguistic diversity page 12-13

Editorial Speaking in tongues

page 2 BIKRAM RAI 2 EDITORIAL 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 SPEAKING IN TONGUES isagreement over the form of federalism subsequent civil service exams essentially puts killed the Constituent Assembly last non-Nepali speakers at a disadvantage and DMay over demands for self-rule for lies at the root of their under-representation in Nepal’s bigger ethnic groups and giving more government and other salaried jobs. Pragmatic emphasis to their languages. parents, therefore, prefer that their children Identity politics became an easy way for learn Nepali and English in school, eroding political parties, especially the Maoists, to proficiency in their own mother tongue. garner support but it did tap into historical Surveys have shown that children learn grievances about marginalisation and a best in their mother tongue, and students the long-felt belief that promotion of the lingua world over are more than capable of learning franca was undermining the existence of the multiple languages simultaneously. But most country’s other languages. public schools are on tight budgets and cannot The 2011 census showed a surprising afford to offer classes in local languages. increase in the number of languages and Private schools are better endowed, but they dialects spoken in Nepal from 103 to 123. respond to parents’ demand for English This wasn’t because more languages were education. being spoken, but because people had become In 2011, Dharmashila Chapagai, Nepal’s aware and proud of their identities. State Minister for Health and Population, As anthropologist Mark Turin argues spent seven agonising minutes labouring on page 12-13, Nepal’s linguistic diversity through her speech in English at a UN meeting mirrors the country’s ecological diversity and on AIDS in New York. Bloggers ridiculed is an important identity marker. Language is Chapagai for her diction and posted deriding an emotive issue, and if not treated adequately comments. She could have easily spoken in can lay the seeds of future conflict, especially KUNDA DIXIT Nepali, but chose a language she was clearly when leaders cannot resist the temptation to uncomfortable with because she saw it as a make populist capital out of it at election time. The responsibility to preserve status symbol. In the past, Nepali was promoted as Nepal’s national The goal should be to make Nepalis trilingual: fluent language because the fragile nation state needed symbols and nurture the diversity of in their mother tongue or local language, fluent in Nepali of nationalism and unity vis-à-vis Hindi in India. Today Nepal’s linguistic heritage so they can communicate with other Nepalis, and fluent Mero Nepali and Hamro Nepali books, successors of in English so they can speak with the outside world. Mahendra Mala, continue to foist antiquated nationalism lies with the state Nepal’s languages are dying. The number of people on students from Darchula to Panchthar and from Manang who speak one of them, Kusunda, is down to single digits. to Nawalparasi. their mother tongue. Maithili is second with three When a language becomes extinct, we lose a culture, While Nepali became the identifier for the Gorkhaland million speakers (about 12 per cent) followed by one a whole way of life, and a vocabulary of indigenous movement in India, where Nepali speakers were and half million Bhojpuri speakers. While the national knowledge forever. The responsibility to protect citizens considered one ethnic group whether they were Limbu, language and the Tarai languages thrive, the remaining lies with the state, and so does the responsibility to Gurung or , back in the motherland we have seen a 120 languages along with those that did not make it preserve and nurture the diversity of our linguistic challenge to the linguistic hegemony of Nepali. into the census, are fighting a losing battle against the heritage. Last year’s census shows that 11 million out of 26 homogenising forces of Nepali and English. Otherwise, by the time the next census comes around million Nepalis (around 45 per cent) consider Nepali The importance of marks in Nepali in SLC and in 2021, many of the 123 languages will have vanished.

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

GOING ROGUE All this time Dahal and Bhattarai entire peace process into an industry’. writer used this title, ‘There are many Very sharp and incisive editorial have been making fools of Nepalis as And Bhandari is one of those who young Nepali women who are like (‘Going rogue’, #640). This piece is an well as the opposition. Until these two has been reaping the most out of this CNN heroes’ he would’ve sounded urgent reminder to the ruling parties are removed from Nepal, there will be industry. more positive and remained neutral. to get their acts together before time nothing but chaos and unrest. So the Sushil Chandra Jha Kaji runs out and Nepal is ostracised choice is clear. internationally. It’s good that the editor Deepak Shrestha PAIN IN THE PLAINS Could the writer not fi nd any male links the political stalemate with the The situation of Madhesis is extremely social workers? lack of progress on Nepal’s ratifi cation JUSTICE, INTERRUPTED worrying (‘Pain in the plains’, Anurag Casual Observer of its international commitments. No justice done to Sita means no Acharya, #640). The people there die HIGHWAY IN AMERICA But is Baburam Bhattarai listening? justice done to all poor and powerless everyday of the cold, while the Madhesi I appreciate Deepak Rauniyar’s effort He seems too busy intimidating (‘Justice, interrupted’, Bhrikuti Rai, netas are busy looting the state coffers, to reach as large an audience as journalists and human rights activists. #640). Injustice somewhere means all in name of inclusiveness. The possible (‘Highway in America’, Mark Henny injustice everywhere. Sita’s case is not demand for federalism has become Turin, #640). But when I see that only her story, it is the voice of all Nepali the most effective instrument for only his own crew or ‘near and dear’ Everything is going according to women who are suffering the same the corrupt and criminals to make ones love this fi lm which was clearly plan for Bhattarai and he is on his injustice in every part of Nepal. Every themselves rich. rejected by ordinary cine-goers, it way to achieving his ultimate goal: woman should stand strong in solidarity Anonymous makes me sad. Next time, please dismantling the state. He even has with her until the criminals are put make a fi lm for Nepali audience, control over the army, a feat Pushpa behind bars for life. KINDNESS COUNTS otherwise just stick to making Kamal Dahal couldn’t accomplish. Tashi Lama What a bouquet of heart warming wedding videos. The only sector still opposing him is stories (‘Every act of kindness counts’, Binod BHRIKUTI RAI the media, which is why journalists If it is any consolation, Sita is not Santa Gaha Magar, #640). Is it just might be his next target. Watch out. alone. We and thousands of others friends, this fi ght will probably need to a coincidence that all these selfl ess Deep have been doing the same since the go on for months. There are more big individuals are women? Amidst the last 30 days through a movement now fi shes to take care of for BRB: avoiding gloom and doom of scary headlines Weekly Internet Poll #641 I am not sure if editorials in dubbed #OccupyBaluwatar. We admire polls, avoiding TRC, extending power. of demagogue leaders, here are Q. Should more politicians interact with the public on national papers like this or even her courage and strength. ‘We’ will be Eradicating gender violence might not ordinary Nepalis making extraordinary social media? protests in front of Baluwatar will granted justice, one way or another. even be on his list. contribution to those less advantaged. make any difference to Bhattarai. The Rajesh RT Congratulations to all the Rakshas, Total votes: 867 man clearly does not give a damn Sharmilas, and Dikshas out there. about Nepal’s reputation at home or We salute this young woman’s VOICE OF THE VICTIMS Shila Rajbhandari abroad. And until he fulfi ls his goals, courage and pray that she achieves her Ram Kumar Bhandari begins his column no one can push him from his mighty aims. No justice, no peace. by saying ‘the transitional industry in For crying out loud, when are chair. Like many Nepalis, I too had Mark Croy Nepal has turned the entire peace journalists in Nepal going to catch up great hopes from Bhattarai, our fi rst process into a project’ (‘Voice of the with the world? Social Worker is a PhD prime minister, but now I will just It’s good to see Nepalis fi ghting victims’, #640). However, it should have protected title. Only people with Social wait quietly for his next move. relentlessly for Sitas across the been the opposite: ‘the transitional Work degrees (BSW/MSW) are allowed Weekly Internet Poll # 642. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com country, but knowing Bhattarai and justice project in Nepal has turned the to call themselves social workers. If the Q. Was the government right in banning the film Nepali keti Badhshala?

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 | Desk Editor: Trishna Rana | Design: Kiran Maharjan [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Director of Corporate Events: Anup Prakash | Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 OP-ED 3 The disappearance of truth After six years of platitudes, there will be no truth telling and the worst war criminals will walk free

come under the purview of the has the right to an BY THE WAY TRC, and he has been publicly effective remedy, Anurag Acharya advocating a general amnesty notwithstanding that so as to “protect the peace the violation has process”. been committed by wo weeks ago a retired Three years ago, a committee persons acting in an army officer in an online headed by Rakam Chemjong official capacity. The Tinterview threatened drafted two separate TRC and article, along with a military coup if there is an DC bills. Despite several gaping Rule 157 of customary investigation into war crimes. holes, it had the framework international law, Other media did not pick this which the victims could provides universal up and there was a conspicuous use to fight for justice. Most jurisdiction on cases silence in the dailies. This importantly, it criminalised of suspected war was an act of unmistakable forcible detention, rape, torture, crimes and crimes intimidation by an ex-army man and custodial killings and there against humanity. who still claimed influence over was no room for pardon in such The extent to Nepal’s republican army, and cases. But the present bill has which the present one would presume his remarks not only removed the clause state machinery is were sanctioned by the brass. which prohibited amnesty in willing to go in hiding All this is good news for those crimes, it removed all KASHISH DAS SHRESTHA the dirty secrets of state security personnel who options for prosecution. the war can be seen tortured, raped, murdered, Bhattarai told the diplomats under article 22 also gives the rights activist Govinda Bandi. in its ban on the feature film, and disappeared people: you he was helpless because the committee the right to initiate The Maoist-led government Badhshala, which depicts don’t have to worry about your president was sitting on his victims’ reconciliation with the may be having problems the story of the notorious crimes being raked up because bill. What he did not tell them, accused, without perpetrators agreeing with the opposition Bhairabnath Barrack where the your former enemy is your ally and what the envoys knew full having to accept the guilt for the parties on a consensus royal Army detained, tortured, now. Baburam Bhattarai and well, was how his government crime, while article 23 provides government, but in not raped, and executed suspected Chairman tampered with the earlier draft for amnesty in all kinds of cases. pardoning war criminals there Maoists. assured Kathmandu-based to water it down to such an “If the present bill is passed is a consensus. This leaves Director Manoj Pandit ambassadors that the pending extent that fellow comrades as it is, it will make a mockery victims and their families says that although the movie TRC Bill will meet international and state security will be off the of justice and expose the with no choice but to resort to is fictionalised, it is based standards. But in all likelihood hook. Nepali state’s unwillingness to international instruments. on historical facts which is there will be no investigations, Article 13 of the proposed prosecute war criminals. This Under Article 2 (3) of the probably why it was banned. and even if there are, they will bill states that the committee will invite further international International Covenant on Civil The conflict has been over for be followed by mass amnesty. will have the mandate to responses like we saw from the and Political Rights, every eight years, but it looks like the There are neither provisions for investigate cases, provide British government in the Col individual whose rights or ghosts of the past will haunt us truth seeking, nor prosecution financial reparation to Lama case,” says lawyer and freedoms have been violated for a long time to come. for war crimes and crimes the victims and ensure against humanity under the reconciliation, but it will newly proposed Disappearance, not have the authority to Truth and Reconciliation Bill recommend prosecution even forwarded by the government to in cases of grave violation the president’s office. of human rights. Further, Bhattarai’s argument is that the provision of command wartime excesses like the ones responsibility in such cases has by Col Kumar Lama and the been conspicuously removed murderers of Dekendra Thapa from the bill. The provision 4 NATION 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 Broken wings

all over the world and the sympathy messages immediately started pouring in to the 99s. Much of the growth of the international membership of the 99s is directly attributable to Kitty. We will miss her terribly and will think of her often.” he death of Catherine “Kitty” Houghton, 70, was stabbed to Houghton this week has death in a random attack in a New Tshocked Nepal’s growing Hampshire hotel lobby on 28 January community of women pilots who by another guest she had never were inspired by her to set up the met. She had travelled there from Nepal Section of the Ninety-Nines. California for the board meeting of Kitty was a Peace Corps a school from which she graduated volunteer in eastern Nepal in the in 1960. A 37-year-old man from mid 1960s, spoke fluent Nepali Vermont is in custody, but police along with 13 other languages, and don’t know the motive. remained connected to Nepal after “We are all shocked and deeply retirement from the US Foreign saddened by Kitty’s untimely death,” Service. She visited the country said George Varughese, Director of several times to support educational the Asia Foundation in Nepal, who and other initiatives in Dhankuta, frequently flew with her, “Kitty was and to interact with and encourage a good friend of Nepal and a great Nepali women pilots. supporter of women pilots in Nepal.” The Ninety-Nines is an Kitty was deeply interested in international organisation of aviation safety and pilot well-being women pilots and as International in Nepal, wanting to always connect Membership Chair, she focused pilots with each other, with air FLYING ANGEL: especially on women pilots from traffic controllers, and civil aviation Kitty Houghton, who developing countries. In the last authorities in order to improve the was a victim of a few years she had taken several conditions for aviation in Nepal. random murder in initiatives to support Nepali pilots, “Kitty will be sorely missed but New Hampshire on including helping to start and never forgotten,” the Nepal Section of Monday and seen here mentor the Nepal Section, making a the Ninety-Nines said in a statement, fl ying over the sierras video on the Nepal Section members, “the women of the Nepal 99s commit last year, was an and helping with Nepal Section to realising her vision for female enthusiastic supporter members’ visits to the United States. of Nepali women pilots in Nepal.” “Kitty Houghton was a pilots like Capt Sabina www.ninety-nines.org Shrestha and Flight remarkably talented and vibrant Offi cer Monica Prajapati individual who touched many lives,” nepalitimes.com at Petaluma aisrport in said 99s International president, California. Martha Philipps, “she had friends Holding up the whole sky’, #457 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 BUSINESS 5 Too hot to handle BIZ BRIEFS New leadership Cathay Pacifi c Airways appointed Charlie was to be sold to those above the Stewart-Cox as the airline’s General age of 18 only. Manager for South Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Based in Mumbai, Burma’s Information Stewart-Cox will be responsible for overseeing the business and Ministry, which now allows operations of Cathay Pacifi c and Dragon Air in the three regions. coverage of opposition figure Aung San Suu Kyi and critical political coverage, found sex Security check too hot to handle. It accused Everest Bank has become the fi rst commercial bank to receive the the magazine of breaching its licence of Depository Participant from licence as a fashion publication CDS and Clearing Ltd. It is now the by printing sexually explicit authorised agent of Central Depository System and can handle various articles and photos. securities like equity, bonds, and warrants. Official estimates put the number of Burmese with HIV/ AIDS at 200,000, but in reality Cash rich the number is said to be much Syakar Trading, the exclusive more because of prostitution and distributor of Honda generators injecting drug users. Nearly half and power products in Nepal, of those afflicted are women. announced the fi rst winner of its Honda Scratch Card offer. Sakil Dev Burma is still a conservative Chaudhary from Kathmandu received Rs 20,000. society compared to neighbouring Thailand, and Freshness first many are shy to talk about sex Bluefin Freshmart opened its new outlet in or HIV, or even to read about Pokhara. Popular for seafood, chicken, and it in magazines. Public health pork items imported directly from Thailand, experts say that only by openly Bluefin has three outlets in Kathmandu as well. discussing sex can the spread of diseases be stopped. Says Hmu Hey Thar Khae, a Going mobile health worker: “This magazine Manakamana Development Bank helped our work a lot because has launched Manakamana Mobile it reached lots of people across Money. The mobile banking service the country, we have to spread allows utility payments, fund transfer, and account transaction alert. awareness about preventing sexually-transmitted diseases Strong partnership Burma’s rulers lift censorship but such as HIV.” But she adds that Carlsberg and the English Premier revoke licence of its first sex magazine the pictures in the first issue League have agreed to a new need not have been so vulgar. three year deal which makes But Zin Mar, a 22-year-old Carlsberg the offi cial beer partner. BANYOL KONG JANOI immediately revoked, the first accountant, says she can’t wait The deal will run for three seasons in RANGOON since the end of military rule. to see the next edition. “We from 2013/14 until the end of the Editor Ko Oo Swe admits the need a magazine like Nhyot to 2015/16 season of the Barclays first issue of Nhyot raised many spread knowledge. We can’t English Premier League. s the first light of dawn eyebrows, but said his magazine learn about this from our family brightens the streets of was aimed more towards or from school, our culture Perfect swing ARangoon, news vendors educating readers about sex than doesn’t allow it,” she admits. “If Chaudhary Group is organising are busy distributing the day’s titillating them. we don’t know anything,” she the annual CG Open Golf magazines and journals. As “Nowadays we’re exposed says, “we’re always more likely Tournament at the Gokarna golf Burma frees up its press and to many kinds of adult to do something wrong.” course on Saturday. Around 100 amateur golfers will take part in the the country takes faltering steps entertainment such as online Ko Oo Swe plans to appeal one-day tournament. towards democracy, circulation sex, sex web pages, and offline the censor board’s decision, is booming. adult entertainment in hotels or and once the magazine restarts, But there is one magazine clubs,” he says, “we wanted the wants to add more content, Climb up missing this morning: Nhyot, magazine to make people aware focus on HIV prevention, and Astrex Climbing Wall and NepalSutra are Burma’s first sex magazine. about sexually transmitted tackle issues like violence organising Wall Spiders, a wall climbing competition on 22 and 23 February. Nepal Only 1,000 copies of the first diseases.” against women. Mountaineering Association, Nepal National and only edition of Nhyot The first issue did combine www.asiacalling.org Mountain Guide Association as well as the (meaning ‘allure’) were sex education and entertainment International Federation of Sports Climbing published, and it sold out as and a red label on the front page Listen to podcast of this article on: (IFSC) are helping with technical assistance. soon as it hit the shelves. But warned readers the magazine the magazine had its licence contained adult material, and nepalitimes.com 6 LIFE TIMES 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641

Bandana Sharma sits in an empty classroom in Kalanki, Kathmandu (2003).

EVERYDAYEVERYDAY EPIEPIPHANIESPHANIES

Half-sunken boats lie abandoned in FRÉDÉRIC LECLOUX pond, a ladybird on the half- There is comfort Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Kaski (2010). open window of the car, a butcher’s shop on the pavement, to be found even hy Nepal? Why the spasms of a bus, the light do you come burn of the tea on the lip. I in the disorder “Wback?” I’ve been receive them as solace. asked often. I falter, unable Nothing offends me: death, that defines Nepal to formulate anything neither violence, fever, the air drizzling consistent nor convincing. with dust and heavy metals, the Disorder. This ‘why’ lies in a overload of the space. I am in A lone chair with a pair of nebulous angle of my mind, the right place. A place that is trousers in a hotel room in elusive but dense. searching for balance, a balance Dharma, Mugu (2006). I realise a certain match between order and disorder, between my own disorder between fiction and reality. This and the one that defines these is the Nepal I capture on my towns and villages where I lens and where I begin to find keep coming back, season after my answer to “why Nepal?” season. A certain match with www.fredericlecloux.com this territory that does not know the void and where auspicious Frédéric Lecloux, a stones have been erected in Belgian photographer, the few places that were left is displaying almost virgin by the secular hustle: this two decades of his territory that appeases me. work from Nepal at Descending from the Alliance Française from 31 January airport each time I return, onwards. This text is translated and shaken up by the traffic jam and freely adapted from an excerpt of a the insane driving, suffocated yet unpublished French book Ne plus by the racket, the lead and the voyager. nitrates, I simply slip into a world where I already exist, Everyday Epiphanies: A Nepal soothed in the shadow of its Retrospective chaos. A world in which I feel 31 January-13 February, 10am to 6pm recognised. A glance, a dog, a Alliance Française, Tripureswor twisted line of ragged walls, a (01) 4241163/4242832 ALL PICS: FRÉDÉRIC LECLOUX 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 LIFE TIMES 7

The young boy works as a domestic helper at former district vice-president of the NC, Ambika Kohar’s house in Padariya, Rupandehi (2012).

Santosh (left) and Rakesh (right) pose for a photo in the middle of a tea garden in Ilam (2011). 8 LIFE TIMES 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 Kathmandu International Art Festival in one place. 30 January to 13 February, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babarmahal

Public speaking and personality development, an opportunity to master the skills required for a gregarious public life taught by media personality Malvika Subba. Rs 3000, Rs 2000 for students, 1 to 3 February, 11am to 1pm, Umanga Hall, DINING EVENTS Indreni Food Land, New Baneswor, Cibo, a sandwich bar at heart, this cafe 9851001569 serves one of the best sandwiches in 8 DEGREES, from lemon lassis to spicy town. Lajimpat CLUB AMSTERDAM AND CAFÉ BAR, CHHAPROMA, the screening of this pork stews, this is a great place to try great food, exotic cocktails, live band, new trilogy of short fi lms will be followed continental dishes. Jhamsikhel BBQ, and more. Lakeside, Pokhara, by discussion with acclaimed fi lmmaker (061)463427 Tsering Rhitar Sherpa on independent Magic Beans, coffee, cakes, and fi lmmaking. 1 February, 11.45am to sandwiches with a magical touch Mike's Breakfast, huge breakfasts and 2pm, Martin Chautari, 9841442228 and taste. Sherpa Mall, Durbar Marg, an endless supply of coffee amidst a (01)4230914 lush garden setting characterise this Everyday epiphanies, an exhibition cafe, popular among tourists and locals of photographs on Nepal by Frederic alike. Naxal, (01)4424303 Lecloux. 31 January to 13 February, 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Fridays, THEATRE TRAINING, gain a Saigon Pho, spacious interior with Alliance Francaise, Tripureswor comprehensive grounding in the authentic Vietnamese dishes. Lajimpat performing arts. 1 February to 29 April, Sushila Arts Academy, (01)4015643, Pumpernickel Bakery, get an early www.sushilaartsacademy.com breakfast or brunch with interesting choices of bread, experiment with its Aesthetics in photography, a goat cheese or yak cheese sandwiches, fi ve-day photography workshop with or have a sip of coffee in the classy Norwegian photographer Morten LORRY'S, a newly opened restaurant indoor dining area. Thamel, 7.30am- Krogvold. 6 to 10 February, apply by its bistecca ai funghi is a must try. 7pm, (01)4259185 25 January, www.photocircle.com.np Jhamsikhel

Pondering moments, an exhibition Cafereena, the extensive menu has of paintings by artist Seema Acharya. something for everyone. Try their PODCASTING AND AUDIO 3 to 8 February, Imago Dei, Naxal, famous chips chili. Sherpa Mall, Darbar STORYTELLING WORKSHOP, learn 9841038675 Marg how to develop, produce, and edit a compelling and dynamic audio story Nepal International Indigenous TRISARA, with dishes like fl ambeed Moksh, it may be well known for its and reach a wider audience through Film Festival, the seventh edition of prawns, crispy chicken, and khau soi, cultural events but the food in Moksh is the internet. Rs 1,000, 13 to 27 the annual NIIFF will explore issues it would be a folly to ignore its aromas. mighty fi ne. Jhamsikhel February, Sattya Media Arts Collective, related to Nepal’s minority. 25 to 28 Lajimpat Jawalakhel April, City Hall, Nepal Tourism Board, Dechenling, the place to head for Exhibition Road, (01)4102577, ifa_ Tonic Restaurant, amazing food fi t Bhutanese and Tibetan cuisine, its THE VILLAGE CAFE, authentic Newari Earth, body, mind, fi nd all the Nepali [email protected], www.ifanepal. for family dinners or a night out with pleasant and spacious garden is ideal food that comes straight from the heart. artists’ work from the recently held org.np friends. Pokhara for big gatherings. Thamel Pulchok

COVER Vicious circle: Under state endorsement, Nepal is becoming an international headquarters for human traffi cking EDITORIAL Stop the Prime Minister COMMENTARY What I saw, Haribansha Acharya The accused must not walk free, Gunaraj Luitel REPORTS Hisila’s shenanigans The fake administrator HIMAL Fast and the fl exible KHABARPATRIKA HISTORY 29 Jan ‒ 11 February God, reborn 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 LIFE TIMES 9 GETAWAYS Makeshift lives helter is a documentary Hotel Heritage, enjoy the exquisite Sbased on the lives of slum architecture and traditional ambience, dweller Meena Basnet and her but make sure to book your rooms daughter Nirjala. Meena recounts online with NepalSutra. Bhaktapur, how she came to the capital from (01)6611628, [email protected] Udaypur, became a widow soon after her marriage, and gave Last Resort, canyoning, hiking, rock birth to Nirjala in a field. Nirjala, climbing, rafting, mountain biking, meanwhile, has converted to bungee jumping – test your limits at the Christianity, much to the disapproval of her mother, but does well at school as Last Resort. Bhotekosi, Sindhupalchok, long as her mother can pay her exam fees. (01)4700525/1247 Amidst this tale of grinding poverty and faint hope, the men in power in Kathmandu rouse the emotions of the poor, while the government decides to bulldoze the slums of Thapathali. What will become of Meena and Nirjala? 1 February, 1.45 to 3pm, free entry Sarwanam Theatre, Kalikasthan, 9841526593

MUM'S GARDEN RESORT, head out to Pokhara for a peaceful and comfortable stay in beautifully designed cottages surrounded by a lush green garden with great views of Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range. Lake Side, Pokhara, (061)463468, www.mumsgardenresort.com

Pokhara Grande, a swimming pool to escape from the sweltering heat, a massage parlour and spa to loosen up, and a gym to release stress, all in all a great place to unwind. Lakeside, Pokhara, (61)460210

even helping me shift my bags when the evening chill nudged me inside. Cafe Cheeno The starters are a little pricey, with the mini fried- chicken (Rs 350) being tasty, but nothing extraordinary. The potato wedges are a far better option, for just Rs 175 you get a platter of thick-cut potatoes lightly fried and covered with crunchy herbs and spices, the SOMEPLACE ELSE perfect appetiser for your main course. For those of us watching our waistlines, the roasted pumpkin soup (Rs 235) will do nicely: light, smooth, and felt like I was going to a slightly exotic. friend’s house for dinner You’re spoiled for choice PICS: SULAIMAN DAUD Iwhen I stepped into at Cafe Cheeno when it comes Cafe Cheeno (which I am told to the mains, with a great Cheeno also offers an means keepsake in Nepali). selection of pastas, steaks, enticing dessert menu of The inner dining area features ribs, and other such Western cakes, cookies, and ice cream, a couch, a mini-library, and a dishes. For a lighter lunch, although I was simply too full wine rack. Intricate traditional opt for a steak sandwich (Rs to indulge. But its elegant decor art adorns the walls and even 250), a change from the typical and comfortable setting will the ceiling. Along one wall burgers and hotdogs found at certainly draw me back again, runs a shelf where tote bags and other restaurants. The steak perhaps with a group of friends other souvenirs are on sale. The is tender, the glazed onions to sample both the desserts and welcoming atmosphere makes give it an extra crunch and it’s Australian wines. If you’re on Cheeno the perfect place to have accompanied by a generous your way to do some shopping a cup of coffee and chat with serving of French fries. at Bhat-Bhateni next door, keep friends on a cold day. If you have the time (and the an hour free in your schedule If the weather is fine and appetite) the Breaded Chicken for a meal at Cafe Cheeno. the sun is out, however, you chaos outside. There are a colourful scarves and rugs. (Rs 450) is immensely satisfying. Sulaiman Daud might want to make yourself number of interesting sights The open courtyard is ideal Although the chicken is average comfortable at the outdoor to check out while waiting for parents in company of at best, the spaghetti topped How to get there: from the Patan Dhoka garden instead. A wooden for your food to arrive, like a restless children, as the food with grated cheese in tomato post offi ce, walk north along the main door leads to a charming wooden pagoda in the centre takes quite some time to arrive sauce and the grilled vegetables road and turn left into Krishna Galli cobblestoned courtyard, walled of a vegetable plot, a swing after ordering. Nevertheless, the make it a delicious and filling leading to Bhat-Bhateni shopping off from the noise, dust, and and a loom where you can buy waiters are friendly and helpful, meal on the whole. centre, and Cafe Cheeno is on your left. 10 HAPPENINGS 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641

BIKRAM RAI SEEING RED: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai (left) and Pushpa Kamal Dahal (right) greet the audience gathered at Khula Manch on Wednesday for the The Paperboy Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA) meeting.

(played by an avidly vampy Nicole Kidman), a woman who occupies her time by writing erotic love letters to inmates on MUST SEE death row. Claiming that she and Van Wetter are in love and Sophia Pande want to get married, Charlotte provides the journalists the crucial ‘in’ with Van Wetter. As relationships start to develop and evolve, Jack falls in love ee Daniels is one of the few black directors working in with the disturbed but still vulnerable and undeniably gorgeous Hollywood today. Critically acclaimed for Precious (2009) Charlotte. Over the course of their developing friendship and the La film about a young black girl who fights her way ongoing investigation, several incidents occur that expose the through her abused childhood, with The Paperboy Daniels vulnerable and ugly underbelly of rural 1960s Florida. has produced and directed yet another troubling, but haunting The story, vividly told through the voice of Anita (played by fi lm about race, class, gender, and homosexuality, all of which the singer Macy Gray), the black housekeeper for the Jensen are encapsulated in a gripping fi lm noir set in a small town in family, is permeated with an atmosphere of archetypal evil Florida, aptly named Lately. lurking just outside of the frame, fi nally manifesting itself towards NEPAL ARMY The film revolves around a central murder mystery the end of the fi lm in a fi nale that sears itself into the brain. HELLO GOODBYE: Outgoing Chinese ambassador Yang Houlan bids farewell to Army involving the killing of the town’s reviled Sheriff, a cruel white Films like these are little gems that often do not have the Chief Gaurav SJB Rana at the Army Headquarters in Bhadrakali on Thursday morning. man who is hated by both his own and the black community backing of huge studios that push on their behalf during awards for his atrocities and indiscriminate killing. A man called Hillary season. Regardless, Nicole Kidman has been nominated Van Wetter (played by John Cusack in an astonishingly for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her unforgettable portrayal sociopathic turn) is convicted of the crime and put on of a woman who just cannot help herself but is completely death row. unapologetic about it. Enter the titular paperboy Jack Jensen (he delivers I will warn you that The Paperboy may not be to your taste. the town newspapers that his father publishes), played It is often over the top and very violent, but this is Lee Daniel’s surprisingly well by an otherwise almost too good-looking Zac style. It is this very style backed by intelligence, undeniable Efron. Jack is back at home after being kicked out of college directorial skill, and an intimate knowledge of his deeply fl awed for emptying the campus pool one night in a drunken prank. but very human characters that make for such a compelling fi lm. An avid swimmer with a wounded heart, Jack’s one solace is Watch it, you’ll get to the end, and watch it all over again for the his mother’s wedding ring, which she left behind when she nuances you missed. abandoned her two sons and husband. It is when Jack’s brother Ward (Matthew McConaughey) comes back from Miami with a fellow reporter in tow to re- nepalitimes.com investigate the Van Wetter arrest that things start to go awry. Watch trailer The trio is aided by the slightly crazed Charlotte Bless

BIKRAM RAI COLD BATH, WARM HEART: Women take a dip in the Salinadi River after praying for the good health and prosperity of their families on the fi rst day of Swasthani Keep your kidneys running festival at Sankhu on Sunday. READERS’ PHOTO dialysis centres like the one in escalating health problem Bir Hospital (pic, below). among Nepalis (in fact, South DHANVANTARI Healthy kidneys perform a Asia has more diabetics than Buddha Basnyat, MD number of duties to help the anywhere else in the world). body function normally. Besides Many patients with CKD also getting rid of waste, they keep die of heart attacks because orty-year-old Ram Maya a good balance between water the important risk factors has been feeling queasy and electrolytes. They even (diabetes and hypertension) Ffor the last three months. function as glandular organs to are similar for both CKD and She is easily exhausted and has make erythropoietin, a hormone cardiovascular diseases. trouble sleeping. Recently she (the same one that cyclist Lance It’s not possible to noticed some swelling completely ‘cure’ CKD, in her ankles. She was but there are ways to slow not pregnant, but when the progress of the disease the doctor checked her and prevent cardiovascular serum creatinine (an complications. JAY POUDYAL index of kidney function) If you are 55-years or PUBLIC LIFE: Residents of Khokana in Lalitpur gather near a water well to it was clearly abnormal. older, have diabetes or wash their clothes. She was also noted to be hypertension or family anemic. history of renal failure, get lthough she had checked for chronic kidney WEEKEND WEATHER been diagnosed disease immediately. with high Once diagnosed, you A There are a series of westerly blood pressure fifteen will need to make some disturbances that have swept years ago, she took her major changes in your diet Nepal in the past week, but none medicines for a few and lifestyle to prevent of them held much precipitation. months and stopped because Armstrong took for doping) kidney failure. The DASH diet There has been some cloud the symptoms had disappeared. which helps produce red blood (Dietary Approaches to Stop cover, and some dusting of snow at higher altitudes, but nothing Also as the pills were quite cells. Hypertension) is high in fruits, much to cheer farmers. The trend KATHMANDU expensive, she was quite happy No wonder Ram Maya vegetables, and dairy products will continue into the weekend to be saving money. was anemic and tired because containing little saturated fat, with in and out sunshine on FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Ram Maya is suffering she lacked erythropoietin. and cholesterol. Lowering Friday. Maximum temperatures from chronic kidney disease In majority of cases, chronic sodium intake, quitting will remain below 20 because of the thick Indo-Gangetic haze that (CKD), an increasingly common kidney disease is strongly smoking, exercising regularly, will fi lter the afternoon sunshine. problem in Nepal as evidenced associated with uncontrolled and keeping blood pressure and Minimum temperature will remain by the growing number of hypertension as in Ram Maya’s blood sugar level under control low and mornings will be misty. 17° 5° 19° 3° 19° 3° patients lined up outside case or diabetes, another are also critical. 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 OPINION 11 Nation in perpetual rage In its pursuit of the ‘national’, the Indian media ignores the ‘local

The growing role of the media fracturing of the Indian polity in determining what constitutes and emergence of a clutch of GUEST COLUMN the national, despite its regional and caste outfits. It is Ajaz Ashraf inherently contentious nature, is a failing which seems to have provoking a litany of complaints, afflicted the media as well. particularly against the 24x7 Think of the last time he expanding footprint tv news channels. One has to an incident outside India’s of India’s national media just drive out of Delhi to sense metros prompted the national Tand its campaign style the popular discontent, even media to launch a campaign journalism have projected India anger, against the media. This is on it. Think why the stories as a nation in perpetual rage. It largely because people believe of brutality reported from is debatable whether this rage is the media is short-sighted and outside the metros don’t shock national in its sweep and depth self-obsessed, guilty of conflating the media into demanding or it has such an appearance Delhi and the metros with the justice. In other words, the because of the media’s national, and ignoring what they media is being accused of what INDIALAWYERS.WORDPRESS.COM projections of it, reflecting the describe are the ‘real issues’ the Indian political class has concerns and priorities of those deal with sexual offences. what we see on the tv screen. confronting the nation. been for decades: neglecting whose task it is to determine Even before the fury over Perhaps in a country of a For them, the creaking the hinterland, allowing it what constitutes the story. the rape had abated, the nation billion-plus, the turnout of infrastructure, interminable to languish and decay, and It is through the media found yet another reason to crowds agitating at different power cuts, galloping prices, concentrating its energies on that a people spread over a turn apoplectic: this time over places over an issue can be a grinding poverty, and rampant cities where its members reside. vast geographical area evolve Pakistani troops beheading barometer of the national mood. unemployment are issues the In the 21st century you don’t common perceptions about one of the two soldiers killed. We could also quibble over national media should build its exist if you are not in the news. the vital issues pertaining to The bristling tone of media what the size of the crowds relentless campaigns on. The It is the job of the media to them, thereby developing a reports, with a little help from ought to be. Perhaps some marginalisation of the local in ensure that people living sense of belonging to a national protesting Shiv Sena activists, would want to factor in social the national media, in some in the periphery also feel that community. The content of the led to the return of Pakistani media. Others would say a rage ways, mirrors the earlier failure their existence and problems media is consequently deemed to hockey players and New Delhi is national based on the impact of national political parties to matter in the national scheme reflect the quality of conversation temporarily suspending the it could have on the voting respond to regional aspirations, of things. the nation is engaged in. agreement to grant visa on pattern. ultimately culminating in the [email protected] The conversation India arrival to those above 65-year- is seemingly engaged in, as old. discerned from its media, is one Corruption, rape, Indo- of shock, disenchantment, and Pakistan relations share certain seething rage. Last year, fledgling common features. Delhi was the politicians Arvind Kejriwal proscenium on which the drama and Prashant Bhushan riveted of corruption and rape unfolded. the nation for weeks through All the dramatic personae, allegations of corruption against the heroes and villains alike, the rich and powerful. The belonged to Delhi or had made it media’s fervour for corruption, the epicentre of their activities. though, seemed to dampen as Jammu and Kashmir is far soon as the irrepressible duo removed from India’s capital, yet brought the corporate czars into it is here that occurrences have their crosshairs. been traditionally interpreted Campaign style journalism and transmitted India-wide. reached a new apogee after Perhaps the problem stems the brutal rape of a 23-year- from the use of the word old physiotherapy student in ‘national’, which is often Delhi. The extensive media synonymous with Delhi. Since coverage of the tragic incident, Delhi also happens to be the and the debate on patriarchy place where most national and gender inequality it sparked media houses are located, their off compelled Prime Minister extensive coverage of agitation Manmohan Singh to deliver in the city catapults them into a nationally televised speech the national consciousness. They and institute a commission to are subsequently discussed and recommend changes in laws to analysed threadbare, reality is 12 NATION 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641

MARK TURIN

epal’s extraordinary biological diversity is matched by a similar Nlevel of cultural and linguistic variety. For a country with a relatively small landmass, 123 languages used as mother tongues remain an impressively high number and mean that Nepal is home to more language families than Europe. It has more distinct and individual languages than those officially recognised across the European community. Language death is often compared to species extinction, and some experts believe that they have found an inverse correlation between language diversity and latitude. Areas rich in languages also tend to be rich in ecology and species. Around the world there appears to be a co-concurrence of rich flora and fauna and languages, as in the Nepal Himalaya which has 5,400 species of higher plants and more than 860 species of birds. This high level of biodiversity per unit area is matched by a similar degree of linguistic variation. Yet, it remains a race against time to document, protect, and nurture Nepal’s increasingly endangered linguistic diversity. While some of Nepal’s languages are thriving, most notably Nepali, many other speech forms used by Nepal’s many distinct communities are not faring so well. The key measure of a language’s viability is not only the number of people who speak it, but the extent to which children are still learning and using the language, and the degree to which inter- generational transmission continues. There are many reasons and ways by which mother tongues become endangered. Declining speaker numbers It is a race MindMind youryour against time to document and support Nepal’s increasingly endangered languageslanguages linguistic diversity is the most common, an mostly rural ethno-linguistic communities, language, members of the affected example of which would and the suppression of their speech forms. community may feel rather differently be the Kusunda language, The effectiveness of the Nepali language about it, and perceive this process as a recently documented by media and public sphere in cultivating form of encroaching ‘linguicide’. Tribhuvan University’s a sense of national Nepali identity at One way to support endangered Central Department linguistic, religious, and cultural levels is languages is through mother tongue of Linguistics, and to celebrated, but has also helped to erode instruction. While some suggest that found to have only linguistic diversity. While state policy learning ‘through’ Gurung or Bhojpuri a couple of speakers makers may speak of ‘language shift’ from at school would disadvantage children left. Other reasons for regional mother tongues to a national who speak these languages at home the decline include the transformation of the traditional habitat of a linguistic community through deforestation, as in the case of the Raute, or even natural disasters such as the landslides that swept away two entire villages, almost wiping out the Koi-speaking community in Khotang district. A more prosaic and often more pernicious reason for the decline in usage of Nepal’s mother tongues includes decades of state neglect towards marginalised and 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 NATION 13 GOING, GOING, GONE … UNESCO’s classifi cation system to measure endangered languages: Vulnerable - most children speak the language but only at home Defi nitely endangered - children no longer learning language as ‘mother tongue’ Severely endangered - spoken by older generations, while the parent generation may understand it, they do not speak it to children or among themselves Critically endangered - the youngest speakers are grandparents or older, they speak it infrequently Extinct - there are no speakers left

Medium is the message n a bid to promote education in Ithe mother tongue of Nepalis, the government is trying through its School Sector Reform Plan (2009-2015) to introduce multilingual education in about 7,500 schools across the country. However, there are less than 30 schools where the medium has been changed to mother tongues in primary level. “The government has formulated guidelines and the Interim Constitution of 2007 even has a provision for primary level education through mother tongues, but as always, implementation has been

the hardest part,” says linguist Amrit Yonzon who also heads the Multilingual Education Society in Nepal. While there are text books for 20 mother tongues at the primary level, and Naya Goreto, a textbook for non-formal education, is published in 14 languages. However, experts note that just translating books is not enough, and the LEARNING HER ABC’S: Grade 2 local culture that the language represents student at the Jana Jyoti School in should also be included in the text. Geeling of Mustang district learning Says Yonzon: “Unless elements Tibetan. The school is one of the few in of local culture are infused in the Nepal that puts an emphasis on curriculum, mother tongue based mother tongue instruction. education won’t be effective.”

KUNDA DIXIT Bhrikuti Rai when compared to mother tongue Nepali Nepali or English properly, we would do speakers, years of robust international well to remember that most of the world research shows that children learn best in is resolutely multilingual and that young their mother tongue and perform better in minds have an amazing capacity to learn, THANGMI VOCABULARY their studies over time. The high rate of absorb, and process language. It’s not a other tongues consist of far more than grammar school absenteeism and dropouts among question of either the national language Mand words. The Tibeto-Burman language, young students from non-Nepali speaking or one’s mother tongue, since many Thangmi, is spoken by a community of around 30,000 people in Dolakha and Sindhupalchok, and has a backgrounds has been directly linked to languages can be learned, taught, and wealth of unique indigenous terms for local plants and the challenges they face in a culturally used simultaneously. animals with ritual and medicinal value. and linguistically alien classroom. As fl uency in Nepali increases, much of this local Curriculum development is an Mark Turin is a linguistic anthropologist who knowledge is falling into disuse. When children cease important element in the development has worked in Nepal for 20 years. Collocated at to speak their mother tongue, the oral transmission Cambridge and Yale universities, he directs the of specifi c ethno-botanical and medical knowledge of mother tongue language materials. is also put at risk. Linguistic diversity is an integral Historically, government-funded mother Digital Himalaya Project (www.digitalhimalaya.org) component in ecological stability and the delicate tongue initiatives simply translated Nepali and the Yale Himalaya Initiative fabric of cultural life. language primary school books into other (himalaya.yale.edu). The Thangmi language has four semantically languages, without regard for cultural distinct verbs all of which are translated into English HIKMAT KHADKA as ‘to come’, refl ecting something of the terrain in differences. Such schemes are doomed RESCUE EFFORT: Mark Turin (centre), returns a Listen to a three-part BBC series on which the speakers live: to fail, since the content of a school book grammar book of the Thangmi language to one yusa: ‘to come from above’ (down the mountain) must reflect the cultural, dietary, and linguistic diversity with a focus on Nepal. of his principal research partners and language wangsa: ‘to come from below’ (up the mountain) teachers Man Bahadur Thami (right) during an kyelsa: ‘to come from level’ (around a natural religious values of its students. As for the nepalitimes.com suggestion that if students learn through interview for a BBC Radio program in Kokati, obstacle) Sindhupalchok last year. rasa: ‘to come from an unspecifi ed direction’ their mother tongue they won’t learn A mother of mother tongue education, #343 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 Martyrdom 101

Salokya, Mysansar.com, 29 January even students) also made the Home Ministry’s cut. But how many of the 101 martyrs do you recognise? And why are there so many different Today is 16 Magh, Martyrs Day, a government categories of martyrs? holiday. We have been celebrating this day since Those of you anxious about how so many the end of the Rana regime in 1951. Dasrath Chand, people made it to the list in such a short time, Shukra Raj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, and hold your breath because these are just statistics Gangalal Shrestha were given death sentences this from the Home Ministry, there are thousands very week 72 years ago. These four are not the only more. When Pushpa Kamal Dahal was the prime Nepali martyrs though. Many new and old have minister, 8,000 Nepalis killed by both sides been added to the list. But the exact number is hard during the armed conflict were declared martyrs to determine. according to the recommendations made by Sign: D-E-K-E-N-D-R-A the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction. The Bhattarai: I’m a well read man and that sign clearly says D-O-L-L-A-R-S. families of the ‘martyrs’ received Rs 100,000 each as compensation. When Baburam Bhattarai came Rajesh KC in Nagarik, 29 January to power he gave out an additional Rs 200,000 to families of those who were killed or disappeared. QUOTE OF THE WEEK While the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction’s list includes genuine victims

like journalist Dekendra Thapa (who has not been Dahal should lead the electoral

called a martyr by any newspaper in the past two “ government, not because he is weeks), there are many bizarre cases like that of a honest, but because there are“ times nine-year-old boy who was killed when he mistook when you have to give the keys to a a bomb for a toy. There is also the mysterious case thief to protect yourself. of Kulman Pariyar and Laxmi Thapa who the , central committee BIKASH DWARE document says were killed on 2 October 2001, but the reason is not disclosed. According to Nepal member of the NC on Kantipur The Home Ministry officially declared 101 Saptahik newspaper, Kulman and Laxmi were Television, 29 January Nepalis as martyrs following the 2006/2007 lovers who committed suicide after rumours of people’s movement. People who were killed by Laxmi’s pregnancy spread through their village. I the police, killed by criminal gangs in the Tarai, don’t know what qualifies these two as martyrs, NEPALI TWEETS and even those killed due to personal enmity are maybe the government should put them under The cash Maoists all included in this list. Out of the 101 martyrs, 26 the ‘love martyr’ category. Both Kulman and Online Khabar, 27 January were involved in the 2006/2007 movement, 30 in Laxmi’s families have received compensation from the Madhes uprising, four were ‘religious martyrs’, the state. and one was a journalist. Countless civil servants If we scrutinise these lists further, I am sure With the party’s general convention (employees from local bodies, from the Agriculture Let’s remember the four martyrs of 1997 in Hetauda only a week away, the hundreds of Kulmans and Laxmis will turn up. BS. Let’s remember the source of struggle Research Council, from the finance field, teachers, www.mysansar.com against uncontrolled, unaccountable, UCPN(M) is preparing to funnel large autocratic, one-man rule. Let’s make sums of money for the occasion. democracy stronger. Known as South Asia’s richest party, just how much money does it have? When the Maoists joined mainstream politics in 2006, they “I am against nepotism and had a meagre savings worth Rs 17,460. A year after they signed the Condolences to brave martyrs, to ‘cliff peace treaty, their savings soared refuse to give in to their greed.” martyrs’ who died while running away, to and reached Rs 1.5 million. This ‘don martyrs’ who died during political scuffl es, and ‘bomb martyrs’ who died amount tripled in the third year of the when explosives in their hands went off. peace process to Rs 4.4 million. The Dil Bhusan Pathak interviews former party had a fi eld day when chairman commissioner of Kathmandu Valley Pushpa Kamal Dahal became prime Development Authority (KVDA) minister in 2008. It saved a further Keshab Sthapit on Tough Talk, News24, Rs 7.7 million in 2009, but faced 28 January huge losses (up to Rs 5 million) when Dahal resigned. According to fi gures You can loot, rape, and murder in army posted at the Election Commission Dil Bhusan Pathak: You said you uniform, but you cannot make a fi lm and (EC), the party’s savings increased to would build a lovers’ park and publicise it? Rs 4.3 million after deputy-chairman underground parking spaces in Baburam Bhattarai came to power and Kathmandu, but people didn’t take today the UCPN(M) has savings worth you too seriously. Rs 7.7 million. Keshab Sthapit: Despite pressure I Along with its savings, the party’s have always dreamt big and worked expenses have also grown enormously. tirelessly to make those dreams come Those trying to ban the fi lm Badhshala The Maoists earned Rs 132 million in true. It’s usually the older generation because it uses army uniforms didn’t the last fi scal year and spent Rs 128 that criticises me, the younger utter a single word when fi lms like Prem million during the same time. In 2007 Pinda and Basanti used the crown. ones have been very receptive and #Badhshala their expenses (Rs 14.5 million) were welcomed my ideas. nearly nine times less than today. The UCPN(M) has never been transparent You went from backing the UML to about its fi nances and has no treasurers being pro-king and now you support from the central committee to the lowest the UCPN (Maoist)? couldn’t get any benefi ts from KVDA, If and when the SC reinstates you, ranks. It has been accused of looting I don’t care much about political they said I was incompetent and were what projects do you have in the the state coffers during both Dahal and ideologies and affi liations. I work with not comfortable working with me. pipeline? Prachanda said yesterday that an Bhattarai’s reign. those who want to build a better and Since Kathmandu is vulnerable to independent person should be made the However, after the EC threatened prosperous Nepal. I stayed away from Did you tell the PM about the constant next PM. But who is really independent major earthquakes, the fi rst project in this country? Pashupatinath is to cancel the registration of parties party politics for a while, but now I am a intervention and pressures? would be to prepare the Valley for probably the only one, but he is god. who would not submit audits, the general member of the UML and I hope Yes I told him that I couldn’t work such a disaster, raise awareness, and And why should we make him PM? He Maoists, like all other parties, were to do meaningful work. under such pressure from Hisila ji and build emergency shelters. I would also is already running the country. compelled to submit a six-year record would no longer report to her about the work towards urban regeneration and of income and expenditure. The The same government which made functioning of KVDA. It is ridiculous to making the newly expanded roads Maoists told the EC that they had Rs you the commissioner of KVDA, ask me to give jobs to 20 of her relatives pedestrian and disabled friendly. 4.3 million in savings, but top leaders sacked you. Why? when the organisation itself is in such are now trying to hoodwink the general None of the KVDA projects and plans a poor state. Although he assured me What if the PM calls you back? convention’s organising committee was approved by the cabinet. And that he would take care of things, I was I am ready to cooperate with Bhattarai The home minister said journalism is that the party is experiencing huge although PM Baburam Bhattarai had sacked. or anyone else for the sake of nation a very brave profession. That must be losses. promised his full support, we were building. However, the state needs why he is always attacking us, to test Dahal, Bhattarai, and co are likely neither given any offi ce space nor The Supreme Court (SC) has to give me complete independence. I our bravery. to feed the same lie to their rank and provided with resources. The PM intervened in your case, what’s the am against nepotism of any sort and fi le in Hetauda to prevent another had also said we would be allowed verdict? refuse to give in to their greed. chair throwing incident like the one to work independently, but there was Yes the SC has stayed the government’s last July where cadre got angry after constant interference from Hisila Yami, decision to dismiss me, but since I have their leaders failed to give an account her personal assistant, and others already been removed from my post I nepalitimes.com In our effort to create an identity, we of the money that was meant for ex- close to Bhattarai. I refused to follow cannot go back as commissioner unless combatants. Watch the interview have put our existence in danger. their orders. When they realised they the court orders. www.onlinekhabar.com 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 NATION 15

Only those who had no other option dared to stay back. Today there are sign boards written in Nepali throughout the market. We ask the people if the The invisibles authorities put these up forcefully, they HARI BANSHA ACHARYA SPEAK UP: Hari Bansha talks with teachers tell us these boards have been here all from Bal Matri School in Bhim Pokhari, Baglung along. They didn’t want to rewrite the which has banned corporal punishment. messages in Hindi and writing in Maithili n my three decades as an actor, I was hard. Madhesis want their Pahadi have travelled to major towns and neighbours to return and blame the Icities across the country. I enjoy parties for igniting communal violence meeting Nepalis on the way and the in a relatively peaceful, multicultural trips are always fun. This past month, society. however, the Antenna Foundation It feels like the state has completely Nepal’s crew and I left the Valley with abandoned Nepalis living in these a different motive. We wanted to meet remote hinterlands. And in the absence Nepali brothers and sisters, we wanted of locally elected bodies and government to understand their pain, and document appointed VDC secretaries who refuse to their everyday struggles. Our journey stay in villages, there is no one to listen took us from the far West districts of to their problems, no one to help them. Accham, Dadheldhura, Doti, and Dailekh However, despite the immense to the underbelly of the Tarai. suffering Nepalis are fending for Despite abundant natural resources, themselves. Families in the far-west make Nepalis in the far-western districts use of information from local radios and are forced to live in unimaginable newspapers to educate their children poverty. They are the forgotten people on safe sex and warn them of the and there is little here to suggest the dangers of contracting HIV/AIDS while presence of the Nepali state. Poverty is working in India. In Janakpur, street ANTENNA FOUNDATION NEPAL rampant throughout the country as well, dramas performed in local languages but this region is a different case all like Bhojpuri and Maithili are making together. The people of the far-west and the Tarai are suffering in residents more aware and proud of their Children are malnourished, parents silence because of the state’s short-sightedness and neglect mother tongues. They don’t care about and grandparents are too weak and identity politics, they simply want to ill from hunger, very few can afford preserve their linguistic heritage. healthcare. Hardest hit by the decade families. If only the people of Accham, state apathy. They look at neighbouring Nearly 55 per cent of Nepal’s long conflict, the region is still struggling Dadheldhura, Doti, and Dailekh could Bihar’s extraordinary progress and feel population is below the age of 25 and to come to terms with its wounds and earn a living in their own villages, they disillusioned. They wonder: what went many of them live in the far-west and deal with the staggering number of war could send their children to schools, and wrong? Development has come to a the Tarai. By turning our backs on them, orphans. Parents have no one to look after the young educated ones would slowly grinding halt, there is no electricity, no we are undermining our potential for them and 10-year-old boys think about end traditions like chaupadi. water supply, and jobs are scarce. People progress. They deserve better. migrating to India in search of jobs. When we filmed them, the people try to make a living out of a few hundred www.afn.org.np Our leaders in the capital make anti- shared their stories hoping we would square metres of land or work as daily India speeches in the name of protecting help them out. But all we could do was to labourers. Actor Hari Bansha Acharya travelled our nationalism. But if they really loved assure them that the rulers in Kathmandu The Madhes uprising disrupted the from the far-west to the plains of Nepal they would provide jobs to the would hear their voices. It broke my heart social harmony in places like Rajbiraj. Tarai last month interviewing ordinary thousands of young men and women to make such hollow promises. Most Pahadis abandoned their homes Nepalis for Antenna Foundation from the west who leave home and travel The people living in the remote and migrated to Kathmandu, Hetauda, Nepal’s ‘Maile Je Bhoge’ (What I went south every year in order to feed their villages of Tarai are also suffering due to Biratnagar, and north of the highway. through) program. 16 BACK SIDE 1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2013 #641 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

decision. Having broken national records on corruption, Ms Ghusila has now broken the world record for nepotism C’mon do something crazy by getting seven siblings and relatives top jobs. The conjugal pair may be Raja Birodhi, but they sure emulate Raja nnyway, Nepal has made it to the 7. Time travel is not science fiction Um... first you Paksa. have to turn Lonely Planet’s 10 Most Memorable anymore. ‘Visit Nepal and Go Back to on the monitor FG Places to Visit in 2013 list. Which the 17th century’. mister prime E minister got us thinking about making a list of 8. When you see the shortage of power, It is not true what people say about 10 slogans to promote Nepal as an even water, gas, diesel you will never Comrade Red Flag being a Delhi implant. more memorable destination: complain about your petty problems FG In fact, never in our nation’s history again. ‘Visit Nepal, All My Troubles have we been as independent as we have 1. ‘Visit Nepal, See Stars’. No light Seem So Far Away’. been under the reign of Prime Minister pollution in Nepal because there is 9. Lack of water can also be turned into Bharu Ram. Just look at the evidence: no electricity, and Kathmandu is the a tourist attraction. ‘Visit Nepal, Get we haven’t had an ambassador in Delhi only capital in the world in which That High and Dry Feeling’. for nearly two years now. In fact, not the Milky Way is visible from the city 10. ‘The World’s Most-Memorable having a sitting envoy there means our centre. Airport, Kathmandu’. The longest plenipotentiary is not unduly beholden 2. Nepal is a Cardamom and Ginger immigration lines, shortest bus rides to the powers that be in the Indian Superpower. ‘Visit Nepal and Spice from plane to terminal, friskiest confessions he also revealed that he had capital. (Some even say: with Laaldhwoj Up Your Life’. friskers, and most fragrant loos. introduced the Maoists to Chinese arms as PM who needs an ambassador in 3. Nepalis have held Guinness Records dealers during the war. Whoa, comrades, Delhi?) If we don’t have an ambassador for everything from the world’s FG is that the way to treat your arms broker? there, why keep the embassy? Let’s sell shortest man to the world’s fastest Alert readers will have followed the saga FG off the Barakhamba property and earn clock. ‘Come to Nepal and Set of Ketchup Stopit who was appointed a couple of arabs in INR to pay Nepal’s Your Own World Record By Doing by BRB to head the KTM Valley Speaking of whom, Comrade Hasiya has overdue bills to Indian Oil so they Something Crazy’. Commission, and then unceremoniously been given a carte blanche by Comrade resume regular diesel supplies. The other 4. Large parts of the country have still dumped last week by First Lady Ghusila. Hatoda and runs a parallel PMO from way we have asserted our sovereignty is not been declared Open Defecation The Supreme Court has ruled saying he her office in Blubber Mahal. Now that by stopping flights by Nepal Airlines to Free. ‘Come to Nepal and Do It In the should have his job back, but by then Hubby Kamred’s days as Pardon Muntri Indian cities. There. Serves them right. Open’. Stopit had gone on tv spilling the beans seem to be numbered, the standard 5. Nepal is the ninth most corrupt about why he got the sack. Apparently operating procedure is that decisions FG country in the world. ‘Help Eradicate he refused to approve kickbacks to fill on all big contracts from multifuel Now we know why BRB is in no Poverty By Bribing the Natives’. Comrade Yummy’s tummy, and the last powerplants to jet purchases are made hurry to replace justices of the 6. Communism is alive and kicking in straw was a payoff from a luxury hotel by the First Lady’s secretariat. Any Supreme Court, he has hatched Nepal. ‘See Stalin resurrected and on Kanti Path. But the former mayor govt official who stands in the way is a top secret plan to promote the Mao rise from His Maoseleum’. of Ktown got so carried away with his immediately transferred by a cabinet Chief Justice to replace him. ISSN 1814-2613

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