739 2 - 8 January 2015 20 Page Rs 50

#739 2 - 8 January 2015 20 page Rs 50

Political laxative needed DIWAKAR CHETTRI

othing in Nepali politics is at it appears, one has to read SOME ARE MORE Nbetween the lines of headlines. EQUAL THAN OTHERS So, if it seems like the disagreement about the constitution is intractable The pros and cons of positive you can be sure the argument is discrimination in the new constitution. actually about something else: power sharing after January 22. THE GADFLY This being the case, there is no BY DAVID SEDDON other way PAGE 3 to break the logjam than TASKLESS FORCE to push EDITORIAL PAGE 2 through a constitution draft containing just GREG WILLIS TIME TO GROW UP the points of agreement, leaving the disputed issues for later. Failing that, We have already lost decades in stalled we can allow the opposition to write development, we don’t need messy notes of dissent. And if that doesn’t politics to compound the problem. work either, the parties can extend the StéphaneStépphane Huët exexploresplores term of the CA again with the face- BY THE WAY saving device of forming a government thethe cradle cradleo off KathmanduKathmanduVa Valleylley BY ANURAG ACHARYA of national unity and pledge to finish civilisation and its world class PAGE 15 the job once and for all by early 2015. museum PAGE 16-17 2 EDITORIAL 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 TASKLESS FORCE he atmosphere inside the Prime Minister’s parlour at passing a new constitution. It is tragic that a document of Baluwatar on 20 December was chilly, and it wasn’t such great importance to the future of this country is held Tjust that the heating wasn’t adequate. The top leaders hostage by the lust for short-term power of a few people at of the Nepali Congress, UML, UCPN(M) and Madhesi Front the helm of this country. who had gathered around did not have their usual smiles, Dahal has made no attempt to hide the fact that he covets and there was no back-slapping. the president’s job. In repeated meetings with NC and UML Chair KP Oli, blunt as always, lashed out at UML leaders he has said: “What’s in it for me?” President Pushpa Kamal Dahal accusing him of being publicly two- Ram Baran Yadav is adamant that the constitution allows faced: sabotaging the constitution writing process while him to continue till the next general election under a new appearing to be working on finding an agreement. “Please constitution. Oli had a pact with Koirala to rotate the prime don’t try to divide the country by dragging it into ethnic ministership. Everyone now seems to be having second conflict, and push an economically unviable federalism,” thoughts about past agreements on power-sharing, but Oli said. PM Koirala used more diplomatic language, but they are trying to mask that by concocting excuses about his advice to Dahal was the same. differences over federalism and form of government in the Dahal got up and abruptly walked out. Outside, he new constitution. accused Oli of trying to be a “maharaja” and two days later There is no doubt that the NC and UML are trying to held a press conference with 30 Madhesi and smaller ethnic- press home the advantage of their combined strength in based parties to announce a street stir and general strikes in the CA. There is some truth in the Maoist argument that the run-up to 22 January against what he said was the NC- the old boys in the NC-UML are status quoists. But no one UML trying to bulldoze a constitution on the basis of their believes anymore that the Maoist-Madhesi agenda is any two-thirds majority in the CA. Even more intriguing, the more inclusive or progressive. They are as opportunistic CPN-M led by the ailing Mohan Baidya which boycotted and greedy as everyone else. elections, and isn’t even in the CA, also announced parallel This being the case, we see no other way to break the strikes for mid-January “in coordination” with Dahal. logjam than to push through on 22 January a constitution Nothing in Nepali politics is at it appears, one has to BILASH RAI draft containing just the points of agreement, leaving the read between the lines of headlines. So, if it seems like the contentious issues for later. Failing that, we can allow the disagreement about how many federal provinces, of what If it’s the top leaders who decide everything opposition to write notes of dissent. After all if the Hindu- kind, and what they should be named looks intractable, right and monarchist RPP-N, whose disagreement with the you can be sure the argument is not about federalism at all in secret, what is the point having a Dialogue NC-UML on the constitution is even more fundamental than but about something else. Indeed, it is not the constitution Committee, a Task Force or even an elected the Maoists, says it can accept a majoritarian constitution, that is holding things up since the NC-UML on the one hand there is no reason why the Maoists can’t. the Maoist-Madhesis on the other had both narrowed down Constituent Assembly? And if that doesn’t work, the alternative is a déjà vu their differences in recent months. scenario from 28 May 2012 when we once again have no As we have been pointing out in this space for months now, president, prime minister and CA chair within one month constitution, and the parties give themselves more time. One the deadlock is actually about the post-constitution power of the promulgation of the new constitution. What no one face-saving device in front of their electorate could be for play. There was an agreement in February 2014 between the foresaw last year was that the politicians would be so selfish Koirala to form a government of national unity and pledge NC and UML about having an election for president, vice- that they would use those positions as bargaining chips for to finish the job once and for all in early 2015.

YOUR SAY www.nepalitimes.com

CONSTITUTION Adhikari, #738). But a lot changed for to be so myopic, intransigent, and fact that imagination can run free THIS WEEK We need to suggest a mechanism those who were victims of the violence willfully ignoring directives of previous with varying interpretations. In an art to decide what’s right, since two they unleashed. PMs, the Supreme Court orders and show I hosted in New York, Nepalis CA exercises have been futile Hurray all else. After 27 years here, nothing hound the artist to explain the (‘Mixed signals’, Editorial, #738). A surprises me. Nepal has a very long meaning to each of his art in detail. roundtable as argued by escapists Yet another example of the painfully way to go to join the real world of This is sad. Let an empty canvas put is childish. high cost of ‘revolution’. properly administered states and up for display be seen as it is – you, @nepalite Saroj Dhital all the while histrionic voices are the patron (and a free-thinker) don’t raised against Ambassador Andrew need to be cheated off your analysis Absolutely, spot on. The Maoist leaders like Dahal and Sparkes, politicians willfully distorting and have a mass-market produced constitution has to be suitable for Bhattarai are terrorists. They have a lot a simple, straightforward and perfectly explanation forced down your throat. Nepal and Nepalis. Don’t give in of blood on their hands and deserve the reasonable concept enunciated in a Your own rationale trumps any to an individual’s specifi c goal but worst. As long as there are communists letter to the Constituent Assembly. explanation out there (including the rather focus on benefi ts for all in Nepal, Nepalis will always suffer. When the rule of law fails to apply to artist’s). Most liked on Facebook Rakesh Upreti Mahesh government, how on earth can it apply Had vivid fl ash-backs of the (34 likes) to the common man? cover from ‘In Utero’ and the single I like the idea of the doomsday GENDER INEQUALITY M Cotton ‘Rape Me’. Am sure other Nirvana Most shared on Facebook Bringing back archery by Elvin L Shrestha clock and I bet it will work (‘Playing Transplants are heavily skewed in fans may have also have been the shame game’, Marty Logan, favour of men (‘A kidney has no How can the government expect reminded of the song. Most popular on Twitter #738). Now we need some tv station gender’, Binita Dahal, #738). Just NRNs to invest in Nepal when they Karma T Nyangmi A kidney has no gender by Binita Dahal to listen to your idea and implement another product of this patriarchal refrain from giving citizenship to (46 retweets, 32 favourites) it. I don’t think a clock tower in society. their own women? This is downright BOWS AND ARROWS front of BICC will work, our very Casey Seanigar discrimination. Nepali politicians need It’s a great new place for my Most visited online page Forgotten fi ghters by Deepak Adhikari competent and caring leaders would to broaden their aging brains or make daughter to practice shooting (544 views) not let that happen. So, there is gender inequality even space for fresh minds. arrows, but it’s a bit on the costly Anonymous in sharing kidneys. Shiv Bahadur side (‘Bringing back archery’, Elvin Most commented Forgotten fi ghters by Deepak Adhikari Rudra Pangeni Shrestha, #738). It’s almost certain now that 22 ART MATTERS Sports lover Jan will come and go without the STATELESS Great work by the artist: a perfect Constitution Nepalis deserve. So When Nepal’s Interim Constitution blend of sensationalism and ASS Weekly Internet Poll #739 rest easy. Dissolve CA2 and start 2006 and Nepal Citizenship Act 2006 substance where the immense hype As always, you are the best (‘High Q. Should Pushpa Kamal Dahal be appointed the fresh. When we have waited 24 provides for citizenship under the was backed up by his creativity resolutions’, Ass, #738)! I am always next President? years, another year shouldn't matter mother’s name, I don’t understand albeit, I would have to argue about entertained by your columns and Total votes: 616 to fi nd honest and sincere leaders. why the right of having a citizenship is the originality (‘Art for heart’s sake’, look forward to a new one right No constitution is better that a lousy being denied to Neha (‘In a stateless Stephane Huet, #738). after I reading the current one. Ass, one. state’, Mina Sharma, From the Nepali Most artists refrain from explaining the your writing is not only funny but M Press, #738). It’s really a feature of bad reasoning behind their work and leave informative. governance of all the regional nations the viewers to decipher the image Anonymous WAR including Nepal. for themselves which is what makes

Nothing changed for these so-called Zahid art so powerful. Unlike mathematics Best column of 2014. You are the Weekly Internet Poll #740 ﬁ ghters who were actually criminals where we only have one concrete Ass Buchwald of the New Nepal! To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com (‘Forgotten ﬁ ghters’, Deepak Trust the Government of Nepal answer, the beauty in art lies in the TS Q. How confident are you that 2015 will be better than 2014?

Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 OPINION 3 Some are more equal than others

niversal human rights other ways replace the minority for election. Perhaps we should and social justice must in power and thus gain control The pros and cons of ‘positive discrimination’ focus more on the process of Usurely be the basis of a of their own destinies. It may selection of candidates and the progressive Constitution. But even be possible for a particular process of voting? equality before the eyes of the disadvantaged social group to Political parties in Nepal (as law does not necessarily confer mobilise in such a way as to gain elsewhere) tend to select their own equality of opportunity, let alone major concessions from those in candidates and then present them equality of outcome. power, or an enlightened minority to the electorate. But it would be in power may simply agree to perfectly possible to envisage a transfer rights and powers to system in which there is greater disadvantaged groups. But the possibility for ‘independents’ to last of these is rare, unless there is stand and more than one round pressure from below. of voting (as in many presidential In Nepal, there is a real need for elections). Two of the major parties THE GADFLY those who have been historically in Nepal have now, it seems, opted David Seddon disadvantaged in various ways to for a first-past-the-post system of mobilise themselves to increase judging who gains the majority of In George Orwell’s Animal their representation in the body votes, others prefer proportional Farm, the last and most important politic. Existing rights must be SUBHAS RAI representation. It could be argued of the seven commandments defended and attempts to reduce that the latter was the more was that ‘all animals are equal’. them resisted. and the number of those selected so identified (eg Muslims, people democratic, but there could be (as But when the pigs, under the Any suggestion, for example, as MPs. Even the Conservative with disabilities, etc). In this sense, in the first Constituent Assembly command of Napoleon and that rights to citizenship may be Party has adopted a modified it is selective and undemocratic. election) a combination of the two his henchmen Snowball and re-defined to prevent children of version encouraging some positive The proposal to divide Nepal into systems. Squealer, gain power (having Nepali mothers from acquiring discrimination in favour of women federal states also seeks to ‘redress’ And, if there is to be positive overthrown Farmer Jones and citizens’ rights automatically where at the level of parliamentary historical disadvantages by discrimination, why accept the having established an animal-run their fathers are not Nepali, should candidates. But concern that this positive discrimination, whether current practice in which each society on the farm), they change be strongly resisted and women’s is mere tokenism continues and regional or by ‘ethnic identity’ voter has only one vote – even if it this to: ‘all animals are equal, but equal rights in this regard – and many, including women, disagree -- again, arguably both arbitrary is a single transferrable vote? The some are more equal than others’. others – maintained. Already, with this tactic. and discriminatory, and ultimately use of ranking is widely used in a Positive discrimination – there have been substantial How far and by what criteria undemocratic. variety of elections and it would be whether formal or informal - can demonstrations of protest at the should there be ‘reserved quotas’ But this is to focus on possible to adopt a system in which be used to consolidate the power suggestion that the Constitution for political candidates from the selection of political all candidates were ranked by of the minority, and in this way may replace ‘or’ by ‘and’. identified ‘minorities’, as in India representatives. What about the voters in order of preference, and to undermine the principles of But to what extent should (scheduled Tribes and Castes), and process whereby the people are those with the top-ranked votes equality and social justice. ‘minority’ rights be privileged over as at present in Nepal (women, themselves represented? Why do won. Finally, an even more radical If a progressive social the rights of others, rather than Dalits, Adivasi, Janajati, Madhesis, they have to accept the candidates suggestion: what about allowing transformation is to take place simply defended and ensured? In and others from disadvantaged selected by others (eg the parties) certain categories of voters more in an unequal society, it may Britain, the Labour Party eventually regions)? It could be said that and not be free to select their own than one ballot paper – imagine be engineered in various ways. – after much debate - decided to this is discriminatory in two candidates? It was to this that how rapidly things might change Where it is the majority that is introduce women’s short lists for ways: first, it privileges certain the participants in ‘the umbrella if women all had two ballot papers disadvantaged, it may be possible parliamentary candidates. This identified groups and second, revolution’ in Hong Kong objected each and Dalits three – giving Dalit for them to mobilise or to be has undoubtedly boosted both the it further disadvantages others, – the selection by the Chinese women five votes. mobilised to overthrow or in proportion of women candidates including all of the ‘minorities’ not Communist Party of the candidates @pigreen 4 NATION 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739

A lot of this is borne out of necessity since the number of Chinese tourists is growing, and most of them do not speak English. A walk around Pokhara’s Lakeside and in Thamel there are signs of a demographic shift in tourism. What used to be a hub for European backpackers and a haven for Nepali revelers is today dominated by tourists from China. And, businesses are cashing in on the growth. Signs after signs in Chinese greet you from the many haphazardly constructed buildings that make up this tourist district. Nowhere is this more prominent than the lane from Jyatha leading towards Thamel which is now aptly called Chinatown. Chinese businesswoman Sun Junhong came to Nepal last year and opened Jiudingyuan Hotel, one of the dozen Chinese-owned hotels in the area. Sun was encouraged to open a business here by her sister who owns a Chinese restaurant just few metres away. “During the busy season, all our rooms get booked,” says Sun

PICS: ELAINE WANG YIWEI who is from Sichuan province. Most of the hotels and restaurants in Thamel’s China town are owned by Chinese nationals like Sun who are encouraged to The come to Kathmandu by relatives. “The government issues business licenses to foreigners to open these establishments, that’s why Chinese are it is easy,” says Sun. Chinese are However, the retail shops and travel agencies that dot this lane are owned by Nepalis, one main reason is that foreigners cannot coming apply for retail licenses. Uttam Pokharel who runs a travel agency in Chinatown says learning the language is key to ne of the most dramatic dealing with Chinese tourists. ...but a lot more changes along shopfronts “Only few of them speak tourists from China Oin Thamel and Pokhara English therefore we have to these days are the number of learn Chinese,” says Pokhrel who would visit if there signs in Chinese. In the sidewalks has trained all his staff to speak you are now more likely to hear the language. was more information Mandarin than English, or even Aijaz Ahmad Rather of The Nepali, as the number of visitors Cashmere House, a popular store about Nepal online in from China soars. in the areae echoes Pokhrel’s Mandarin Nepali shopkeepers have also statement. Rather started learnt Mandarin and converse studying Chinese three years ago fluently with Chinese tourists. along with his brother. Even in Chitwan, the safari guides CLAIRE LI YINGXUE “Back then there was only one in POKHARA can tell you all the Chinese Chinese teacher, today there are names of animals and along the many,” he says. Annapurna trail, lodge-owners Besides learning the language, have a smattering of Mandarin. shop owners like Rather have also 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 BUSINESS 5 learned to use an online Chinese payment system, which makes it BIZ BRIEFS more convenient for him to deal with Chinese customers. Rather has downloaded popular Chinese Sherpa gear chatting apps to communicate Sherpa Adventure Gear is looking to develop a talent pool for its manufacturing with his Chinese customers, such base for outdoor apparel and equipment in Nepal itself, founder Tashi as QQ and Wechat. Sherpa said at an interaction with media, NGOs and human relations offi cers Says Rather: “Several years in Kathmandu on Friday. The Seattle-based multinational sources part of its ago, I was waiting for American shoppers, now I’m waiting for Chinese.” While visitors from China have been coming to Nepal for decades, it was after 2009 that their numbers took off. According to Ministry of manufacturing in Nepal where it employs nearly 2,000 people. “We want to Culture, Tourism and Civil be a progressive, profi table company and connect the history of our people to Aviation, the number of Chinese its future,” Sherpa said. The company ships its Made in Nepal products to 22 tourists increased sharply to countries from here. 113,173 in 2013 from only 32,272 in 2009, a 250 per cent jump. Making history Most young Chinese like to Qatar Airways’ fi rst Airbus A350 travel by themselves, they prefer XWB (Xtra Wide Body) and its to look up place to visit and stay, fourth A380 arrived in Doha simultaneously on 24 December. The delivery of the or airlines to fly online before newest members of Qatar Airways’ fl eet of 146 aircraft are the fi rst of 80 A350s they arrive. However, when they and the fourth of 13 A380s on order. The A350 aircraft, for which Qatar Airways search for information about On location is the global launch customer, is set to commence service on the Doha–Frankfurt Nepal, it is still all in English. route starting in January 2015. This week’s Pokhara’s Street Festival and Chitwan’s Elephant in Pokhara Festival would have been huge New colors attractions to Chinese tourists, Colors Mobile launched its newest smartphone X113+ Quad last okhara surpasses Kathmandu as the “It has been two years since we started but theri online promotions only week. A Dual SIM smart phone, the X113+ Quad is equipped most popular destination for Chinese getting more Chinese tourists,” says Gita had Facebook pages which is in P with a Quadcore processor and runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat tourists in Nepal because of the popularity Lamsal Sigdel who has a paragliding store. OS. The X113+ Quad is priced at just Rs 10,550. English and blocked in China. of a Chinese movie shot on location here A letter hung outside the shop in Chinese International travel -- so it is hardly surprising that businesses reads: ‘It was so exciting, we enjoyed websites like Tripadvisor and are now amping up eff orts to cater to this paragliding here!’ Style check booking.com have Chinese group. A Chinese movie Up in the Wind shot Etihad Airways revealed its versions, and welcomenepal. In the last two years alone, Pokhara’s in Pokhara was a hit among Chinese youth new uniforms at a show in Abu Dhabi last com is one of the few Nepali Lakeside has seen eight Chinese when it was released last year, driving the week. The new uniform was designed by sites that has a Chinese page. restaurants open and more are set to popularity of this lake city among young Italian Haute Couturier Ettore Bilotta and Others, like nepaltourism.info, start business in the coming months. Chinese who want to enjoy the scenery and was introduced system-wide from 27 December. visitnepal,com, and nepaltravels. Signboards in Chinese are now a common adventure that the city off ers just like the com, are available only in English sight. Chilly Bar, a popular continental characters did in the movie. In addiiton, The winners and don’t seem to have woken eatery recently started serving Chinese Chinese tourist guidebooks list Pokhara as A team led by pro golfer Surya Prasad Sharma won the Surya Nepal Western buff et after getting a throng of Chinese one of the “Top Ten places in the world to up to the fact that the Chinese are Open Pro-Am title at the par-70 Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on Saturday. coming. visitors. see before you die”. The other members include amateurs Rupendra Shrestha, Jiwaram Gurung and Maj Bejoy Moktan who accumulated 135 points to win the trophy. Exchange Carnival China by air Pooja International, the authorized dealer of Volkswagen in Nepal is organizing the ‘Polo Exchange Carnival’on the occasion of 4th anniversary of sales of Volkswagen cars in Nepal. Customers can exchange their old cars for a brand ir links across the Himalaya from Nepal to a new joint venture between Tibet Airlines, new Polo G from 1-10 January at Thapathali and Panipokhari showrooms. The AChina are about to get much more traffi c with Yeti Airlines and another Nepali partner will company promises best valuation, special discounts and spot fi nancing during the announcement that Sichuan Airlines is to operate Lhasa –Kathmandu with two Airbus the off er. start fl ying Chengdu-Lhasa-Kathmandu from this 319s. month, the fourth Chinese carrier connecting China is now the second largest tourist Kathmandu to the mainland. source country to Nepal, and the number of Presently, Air China fl ies the Chengdu-Lhasa- Chinese tourists has nearly doubled in the Kathmandu route four times a week, and China past year. “We are getting a lot of inquiries Southern connects Kathmandu to Guangzhou from Chinese agencies,” says Prakash twice daily. China Eastern’s Kathmandu-Kunming Neupane, the founder of the domestic fl ights will now extend to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. online booking site, Nepfl ights (see page 7). This leaves Beijing as the only major Chinese city with no direct fl ight Nepfl ights is aiming at Chinese customers because of the to Nepal. potential for growth. “The prediction is that within one year China The number of weekly fl ights from Chinese cities to Kathmandu is going to be the Number One tourist market for Nepal,” Neupane is expected to double to 70. By February, Himalaya Airlines, which is told Nepali Times. 6 NATION 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739

APLINE SHOOT: Capt Vijay Lama (left) who acts as a rescue pilot in the forthcoming Hollywood movie Everest on location in the Italian Alps in early 2014 with a helicopter painted in Nepal Army colours.

and pursue it honestly.” movie is based on a novel by Being a pilot made the role Jeffrey Archey called Paths of easier for Lama, who insisted on Glory which says the two reached speaking in Nepali with his co- the summit. pilot with English subtitles. Back to For Vijay Lama, who has acted Lama says he was also in numerous Nepali films over impressed with the logistics and the last three decades, 2014 was preparation that goes into an wo Hollywood movies an exciting year in which he got international film shoot. “The about tragic mountaineering to experience how Hollywood Everest in crew and the cast of Everest is expeditions 60 years movies are made. He was on T so huge that it took many people apart are to be released in 2015, location in the Italian Alps in who were assigned specific tasks with a blaze of publicity for the early 2014 where some of the to work together,” he recalls, “one Himalaya that is expected to scenes of the helicopter rescue little mistake would mean huge give a boost to Nepal’s trekking 2015 on Mt Everest were shot. Later, losses. It was a team game, team tourism. he went to Pinewood Studios to spirit, team effort and most of all The first is Everest directed The story revolves by Nepali actor and airline pilot, shoot some of the other scenes in team discipline – something we by Baltasar Kormákur who around Beck Weathers, Capt Vijay Lama. a flight simulator. in Nepal can learn from.” made The Deep and Contraband, an American climber who The second movie was also “I got to be treated like a star Working in the mountains of and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason miraculously survived two nights confusingly called 'Everest' with other members of the cast, Val Senales in Italy was not easy Clarke, John Hawkes and Josh above 8,000m and was rescued and depicts the story of British including Josh Brolin, Martin for the crew and cast, there were Brolin. The film is based on the with a Taiwanese climber, by climbers George Mallory and Henderson, John Hawkes,” Lama blizzards, wind and unexpected traffic jam on the summit ridge of Nepali Army rescue pilot, Col Andrew Irvine who disappeared recalled, “ever since my first delays. In comparison, it was Mt Everest in 1996 during a storm Madan KC from Camp II. The in 1922 trying to be the first to Nepali film I had always dreamt easier shooting at Pinewood in which eight climbers died, a risky rescue was the highest-ever climb Mt Everest. Mallory’s body of acting in a Hollywood movie. where the summit of Everest, story told in Jon Krakauer’s best- helicopter landing in history at was found 70 years later on the I am living proof that dreams are the Hillary Step, helicopter selling Into Thin Air. the time. Col KC’s role is played North Face of the mountain. The not impossible if you believe in it simulators were all recreated in the studio. Says Lama: “Working with these international units have humbled me and have given me more reason to work harder in the coming days and learn to be more professional in the subjects I am involved in.” Lama has been featured in a Channel 4 documentary on extreme airports, where he is filmed landing in Lukla and Talcha, as well as the 2011 Discovery Channel documentary on the world’s most dangerous airports. This year, he has also been busy with Nepali films, including playing the lead role in Sudarshan Thapa’s Ajhai Pani, and was acting in Punarjanam when his brother-in-law and director Alok Nembang died tragically. He is also acting with Saugat Malla and Priyanaka Karki in Sadanga. Lama will have to leave in January for Bombay to shoot some more scenes for Everest and then for simulator training in Toulpouse for the new Airbus 320 that Nepal Airlines is acuqiring. He says: “Looks like 2015 will be even more hectic than 2014." Kunda Dixit

nepalitimes.com  Heroes on Everest, #691 Looks like we are headed for another bout of cloud and rain into the weekend as a storm in the Bay of Bengal heads north. The westerlies will blow some of the outlying KATHMANDU tentacles away from the Himalaya, but the system is huge and it will bring cloud cover and some precipitation to central and eastern Nepal into Friday and Saturday. Expect snow down to 3,500m and light rain in the lower valleys in the east. Kathmandu Valley will have cloud buildup, chance of a passing shower on Saturday and morning fog on “ Sunday. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 16° 16° 16° #739 2 - 8 Jaunary 2015 5° 8° 3°

APPs for all ocassions n a country where only 10 per cent of phone users have smartphones, mobile internet is slow and expensive, where payment gateways are non- existent or unreliable, and ICT awareness is low, it may be a bit premature to talk about Made in Nepal apps. But that hasn’t deterred Nepali software Iengineers and cyber entrepreneurs to go boldly forth where few Nepalis have ventured. The trends are encouraging: one-third of Nepal’s 9 million internet users already access the Net through their phones, and as smartphones become cheaper their use is growing exponentially. Telecom companies are also eager to upgrade to 4G. We present on pages 7-9 products by Nepali app developers that show the most promise. CYBER FLIGHTS TAKING OFF: Prakash Neupane has developed an app that travel agents and indiviuals can use to book dometics ﬂ ights.

fter graduating in computer science from Tribhuvan University, APrakash Neupane worked as a software developer like many of his classmates. But unlike them he wasn’t angling to migrate, he dreamt of staying in Nepal and starting his own software business. He saw an opportunity to combine the leapfrogging potential of smartphone apps and Nepal’s growing aviation industry. “I had the idea of integrating all travel businesses, providing a single solution,” said Neupane who initially wanted flights, hotels, trekking, even bungee jumping and elephant rides. But after careful research, he decided to focus on domestic flights. Nepflights is the only website providing solely domestic flights ELAINE WANG YIWEI booking in Nepal with five airlines, airline system and have to book agencies. Nepflights gives eight per leading flight booking website four payment methods and up to tickets through phones. Of the cent of the commission to travel internationally. 25 destinations. 3,500 travel agencies in Nepal 270 agencies. Although he decided to focus At first none of the airlines are using the Nepflights system, The other model is called ‘B2C’ on the domestic market for the were interested. Neupane changed but the number is growing. (business to customer) in which moment, Neupane always keep an tack and visited Flight Connection With an ‘Agents’ section on travelers book directly from their eye on the bigger picture, and he International, which came in as its website, a travel agency can websites and pay either online is cashing in on the China market an investor and also brought the easily join the booking system. via PayPal or Esewa or offline. (see page 4-5). airlines. In fact, 95 per cent of Nepflights’ Neupane hopes that most of his Asked where he sees himself Faced with a mature offline business comes from travel revenue will ultimately be B2C in five years, the 25-year-old travel market and established agencies in what is called ‘B2B’ once he sorts out the online thinks for a while and says customer behaviour, it was a slow (business-to-business). Nepflights payment problem. carefully: “We are going to be start. Even today, over 90 per cent receives a 6-9 per cent commission “We will be the Nepali version the platform for all travel-related of travel agencies in Nepal do not from airlines by providing a of Kayak for domestic flight in businesses in Nepal.” have online booking access to the platform to sell tickets to travel Nepal,” Neupane said. Kayak is the Elaine Wang Yiwei 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 WHATWHAT ISIS APPAPP computer student at Kathmandu University. English and most of our press is in Nepali, we Considering that there wasn’t much research programmed it to be bilingual,” explains Akriti GettingGetting on the subject around the world, Goopta started Bhusar, the designer of SentiNep. studying the domain for his thesis two years ago to The premium version of The Opinio off ers an sentimental analyse Nepali newspaper editorials. all-in-one platform that enables businesses to While teaching elements of his research to receive notifi cations instantaneously and reply to about the Bachelor students in computer engineering, Goopta users on diff erent social networks directly from the met undergrads who were eager to explore the app. “That’s our key selling point as no one has time Net subject further. “I was more into Big Data before,” to lose,” explains Goopta. says Amit Joshi, one of Goopta’s students. “But SentiNep won the Corporate sector prize at it’s more exciting to be able to interpret data for NCell App Camp on 11 December 2014, and the n this digital era, billions of users around the world sentiment analysis.” developers say they have received good response express their thoughts on blogs, social networks Knowledge acquired during research and a from businessmen interested in the app. Ior in comments accompanying news articles. This group of motivated youngsters were the base for Goopta is fi rst to admit that not all opinions can is a gold mine for businesses that want to track what the foundation of SentiNep in June 2014. Ashmit be neatly quantifi ed. Emotion is often nuanced. He is being said about them, but it is a complicated Bhattarai, Pratik Shrestha and Akriti Bhusar says: “The Opinio can be a useful tool for businesses process to track and analyse these opinions. complete the team that conceived The Opinio app. to understand their market, but often what users A decade ago, sentiment analysis emerged as a SentiNep worked continuously for the last six write on social networks is not what they really think.” way to monitor opinions expressed on the Internet months to ensure the launch of the fi rst sentiment Stéphane Huët using algorithms using key words to chart what is analysis app of Nepal for the end of January. said about whom and when. Its programming involved artificial intelligence, nepalitimes.com “Basically, it is the process of crawling raw data machine learning and natural language processing.  Watch app video on the web to segment them between positive and The Opinio reads statements in English and negative sentiments,” explains Chandan Goopta, a Nepali. “As sentiments are often expressed in

the process,” says Prabhat Man Shrestha, hen Sibjan in the SMS database. The designer of Apps Jhola which makes it easier Chaulagain visited content for the SMS system for developers to fi nd a market and increase Whis home village was sourced from the Nepal the user base while users can conveniently in Sindhuli, he realised that Agricultural Research Council fi nd home-grown apps. most farmers were not fully Farming (NARC) and the information “We are not competing with Play Store, equipped with the knowledge could be retrieved by sending we are just trying to provide an alternative to sustain their agrarian it out a SMS code. Although farmers to Nepali app developers and users,” says livelihoods and were exploited were trained on SMS reading Shrestha. The app works only in android by traders. Seeing the scope and writing, the limit on the smartphones, and is not available in Google of a platform to facilitate number of characters for each Play Store. Users will have to log in to the Apps information exchange between SMS posed as a hindrance. Jhola website to download it, and just like a farmers and traders, Chaulagain, along with fellow “The web app was built with an interactive Google account is required for Play Store, users engineering student Avinash Jha, came up with the interface and is more user-friendly. The content will have to open an account for Apps Jhola. concept of IFA Krishi. is presented in English and Nepali and has an in- While users can register for free, developers The Android app provides information on crop built immediate inquiry system where farmers can have to pay Rs. 1000 for a developer’s account and animal diseases, organic and chemical fertiliser upload pictures of their crops and submit their after which all they need to do is upload their requirements, updated market information on problems, which will then be answered by experts app and cite the price in both Nepali rupees pricing and weekly weather forecasts. Furthermore, from NARC,” says Chaulagain. and US dollars. The app will then be available it allows farmers to submit queries regarding their Since farmers and traders would not be aware for users to download on their desktop through problems to experts from the agricultural sector. of market rates, the app has regularly updated the website and on android device through the The concept of IFA Krishi was initially developed information on the buying price and selling price Apps Jhola app. as an SMS system and was tested out in a CEAPRED- of crops. The app currently only receives rates Apps Jhola currently has over 60 apps in 15 ICIMOD led ‘Climate Smart Village’ in Kavre among from markets in Sindhuli, Banepa and Baneswor. categories. “The apps are screened for security 500 farmers, where they registered their crops However, one of the biggest challenges for and only good quality apps are uploaded,” said the duo is to convince farmers to make the switch hen you have too Shrestha. The team is also from regular mobile phones to smart phones. many apps, you planning to add paid apps Each farmer is given an ID and security code on Wneed an app to in future, the payments registration where they would have to pay a navigate them. That is exactly for which can be made subscription fee of Rs 10 per month. For now, what Google Play Store tries Nepali through local payment most fees are covered by NGOs and cooperatives to do, and its Nepali avatar, gateways. “There are good assisting their villages. “We want to collaborate the appropriately named Apps Play SStore Nepali apps available with them so that the farmers see the benefi ts of Jhola has come out with an for a nominal price and smart phones and subscribe to our services on innovative new app for Nepal’s now users can buy them their own,” Chaulagain says. growing number of smartphone through Apps Jhola, using Apart from revenue from the subscription users. local online payment fees, ICT plans on working with agro seed and In Nepal, developers services like Esewa and feed providers collectively as well as services such face problems in distributing their apps to global MoCo,” says Shrestha. For paid apps, Apps as Hello Paisa to facilitate online transfer of money market place like Google Play Store due to lack of Jhola will get 30 per cent of the total cost for between diff erent stakeholders in the agricultural online payment channels. And searching Play Store each download. sector. They plan to take it a step further too and for Nepali apps can make you dizzy. In order to With developer’s account fees, revenues discuss with mobile phone companies to preinstall facilitate domestic app developers and users alike, from featured apps and in the future shares their app on their phones and market it as a ‘Krishi Semicolon Developers Network has come up with a from the paid apps, the team seems confi dent phone’. perfect solution: Apps Jhola, an online marketplace about staying afl oat. “Of course revenues are Jha says: “We want to become the medium to for Nepali android apps. The developers have to important and with Apps Jhola it’s not just us connect NARC with the farmers. Farmers are able pay $25 to release their app through the Play Store. who profi t, the developers will benefi t from it to access information easily and NARC can reach “Although money may not be an issue, the lack of too,” says Shrestha. out to the farmers through us.” international payment gateways in Nepal hinders Sahina Shrestha Ayesha Shakya ENNINGENNING ININ NEPALNEPAL hen Manish Shrestha’s The app will have the details father got confused including photos and videos of Wabout the Mha Puja the festival, process involved and ritual last year, he joked that his materials required for calendar Hamro son should make a mobile phone Ritual events and personal events. application to make it easier for Calendar events include festivals Sajha people to get details of festivals. hotline like Dasain and Tihar while But the remark triggered an personal events include rites and idea, and Shrestha developed it rituals from birth to death. at Startup Weekend Kathmandu While the text will be in September. The resulting app, free, the rest will be in-app Ritiriwaj, was the winner in the Education category purchases. Users can also purchase a complete ince partially revamping its services, Sajha of the Ncell App Camp last month. package of materials required for any rituals through has shown that modern bus rapid transit is “Our calendar is filled with one festival after the app. “This way people don’t have to worry about Spossible in Kathmandu. In a city notorious for another and most of the time we don’t even know any missing materials and the delivery will be free unreliable and congested vans and three-wheelers, why we are celebrating it or the procedures involved. too,” says Shrestha. Sajha’s green buses are a sight for sore eyes with Every ritual and festival has a reason behind it, and A Beta version of the app will be available for its proper ticketing system, automated doors, people have forgotten that,” explains Shrestha. android platforms on 1 January. In the fi rst phase the passenger load limit, CCTV cameras, display screens Shrestha’s team of five are hard at work app will only be available online, although an offl ine and even Internet services. All that was missing was researching Nepali rituals to provide contents for version is also planned. The team is also planning the ability to see in a smartphone app how long it the app. “Due to migration people from the same to make the app available in local languages apart will take for the bus to arrive at a stop. community celebrate the same festival diff erently. from English and Nepali. Says Shrestha: “Since the Enter Raj Kumar Shrestha, Rajiv Shrestha, We will try to include the original process and for rituals are local, the more localisation, the better.” Rupesh Karki and Nhurendra Shakya of Luniva Tech that a lot of research is necessary,” says Shrestha. Sahina Shrestha with their ‘Hamro Sajha’ app. The team noticed that commuters didn’t know how long they had to wait because buses were stuck in traffi c. Now, passengers with smartphones can open a map of the route and small moving icons will show you the Bhanchha is an idea of fi ve university students bus number, its location and approximate time to led by Ashish Acharya, a senior computer student the next stop -- all in real time. from the Pulchok Engineering College and is based on the ‘dhaba’ lunch network in Mumbai, only this is done through the mobile internet. “Pretty much anyone can provide the food on A byte our platform,” said Acharya, “from housewives to restaurant owners, anyone who is interested in of Nepal cooking and has time.” After their first step, they have contacted some chefs around New Road to establish individual profi les of amateur chefs. Since many chefs may not have access to the ut of 457 start-up ideas that participated in internet, they are building an SMS system that the Ncell App Camp Competition last month, automatically sends out SMS message to amateur Oone that stood out was Bhanchha that allows chefs as soon as an order is made on the app. office workers with smart phones to source lunch As for the delivery, Acharya and his team from family kitchens in the vicinity. provide two solutions. “The chefs can deliver by The app allows demand and supply to meet – themselves, or when we grow bigger we can hire demand for food and supply available with homes our own deliverymen,” Acharya explains. in the neighbourhood. Although it is still in its test The team is just on its fourth year in college, phase, Bhanchha will be welcomed widely by and plan to spend the new year developing the Kathmandu offi ce-goers as well as families looking business plan and launch in early 2015. for extra income. Elaine Wang Yiwei

hen Rohit Man Amatya uses Google Translation as its “Instead of waiting for the bus to arrive, visited Sri Lanka earlier primary machine translation passengers can now plan ahead and match their Wthis year, the signs in and Tesseract OCR engine. “The timings with the buses,” says Rajiv Shrestha, “this Sinhala befuddled him. This translations are not yet hundred saves a lot of time and hassles.” was when he realised that the Following per cent accurate, but it does For now, tracking is available for two buses situation must be same for provide the nearest match,” of Lagankhel to New Bus Park route and the tourists visiting Nepal. That was the script Amatya says. coordinates for two more buses of Kalanki Sajha to how the idea for a new app, Lipi The team is planning to airport route is currently being taken. The plan is to (Script) was born. launch a Beta version on the put geolocators on all 16 buses currently operating. A foreign land not only first week of February. “We A beta version of the app is available on means exotic experiences and food, it also means will collect feedback for the first three months, Google’s Play Store and the company is currently navigating a while new culture and language. If you improve it and then have a public release,” Amatya collecting feedbacks from passengers. If all goes are a polyglot, language shouldn’t be a problem but said, adding that the app will be available only on well a public release is planned for 1 January. The for mere mortals, the task can be daunting. Android Play Store for the ﬁ rst phase and iOS users app will also be available for iOS and Windows Amatya’s team included Rupak Raj Ghimire, will have to wait a few more months for it to be platform in the future and users can also receive Ujjwal Devkota, Shalil Awaley and Milan Thapa and available on their devices. For the time being, only information on the buses from their desktops and although Lipi may look simple (take a picture of any ten translations per day will be available for free. laptops as well. text using a phone camera), the app will translate it If users want more, they either need to upgrade to The company is also testing an automatic public from Nepali to English and vice-versa. premium or wait for another day. announcement system that will give an audio Lipi uses two technologies, an Optical Character Lipi will be useful to tourists visiting Nepal and notiﬁ cation of the name of the bus stop. Recognition (OCR) and Machine Translation Nepalis studying, working or sight-seeing abroad. Sahina Shrestha to provide translated texts for the images and Sahina Shrestha 10 EVENTS DIN

Rs 100, 3 January, 3.30 to 5pm, DECC Hall, 2015 Calendar 4th fl oor of United World Trade Center, Tripureswor, 9841-771010, 9-31 January: [email protected] AFC Asian Cup 17 January Critique session, - February An invitation to artists to present 8: Africa Cup portfolios and projects to be critiqued by of Nations Regina Hofer, MA in Equatorial University of Bonn and Dr Nobert M. Little Picasso, Guinea Schmitz, Mathesius Kunsthochschuule, An art workshop for the school-going 19 February: Democracy Day in Nepal Germany. student to enhance their sensitivity 21 February: Sherpa Losar Siddhartha Art Gallery, 3 to 4 January, towards observational and imaginary 14 February - 29 March: Cricket Newari folk, 12pm to 4pm, skills. World Cup, Australia and New-Zealand Dhon Cholecha, a musical Newari folk [email protected], [email protected], Rs 3,500, 2-11 January, Artudio, Swayambhu, 14 April: Nepali New Year tale play that is an alteration of Satya 9849519933, 9860308874 9851180088, [email protected] 24 - 26 April: 5th Nepal Tattoo Mohan Joshi’s ‘Buddhimati Dhon Convention Cholecha’. KJC Winter Camp, #Occupy, 15 - 16 May: Rootdown festival at Till 5 January2015 (except Tuesdays), A fi ve-day workshop for the 5 to 12 A collection of art objects with global Alliance Française of Kathmandu 4.45pm, Shilpee Natya Samuha, years old with vocal training, playing conscience. 5-16 June: Southeast Asian Games Battisputali instruments, drama, recording at studio Till 7 January, 10am to 6.30pm, The City 13 - 25 October: Dasain and outdoor such as hiking and social Museum Kathmandu, Darbar Marg 4 - 10 November: Jazzmandu Festival awareness tour. 11 - 13 November: Tihar Malini, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, 5 to 9 and 12 Indo-Nepal relations, A charity theatre show of Rabindranath to 16 January 2015, 10.30am to 4.30pm A talk on India-Nepal Economic and Tagore’s Malini to support Nepal Critical Cultural relations by Ashish Sinha, First Care Development Foundation in getting Secretary of Commerce Wing and Director essential medical supplies. of Indian Cultural Relations Anniversaries Rs 500, 15 January, 4.30pm to 6pm, Theatre in Nepal. 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations Village, Lajimpat, 3 January 2015, 1pm to 3pm, Bridgewater between China and Nepal International College,Sinamangal, : 200th anniversay of Nepal-Britain Art Market, (1)2299527, [email protected] relations A place to sell and buy art in the form of paintings, prints, posters and design Forum for freedom, 11 February: 25 years since Nelson products, with a live gig by Cadenza The 3rd Asia Liberty unites friends of Mandela walked for freedom Collective. freedom from over 30 countries and 24 April: Bicentenary of Gurkha 3 January, 12 to 3pm, The Yellow House, provide a unique opportunity to interact recruitment into British Army Sanepa, (0)1 5006665, Ultra trail race, with intellectuals, think tank leaders and 25 May: 60th anniversary since [email protected] Run an ultra distance trail race around the freedom champions who work to improve Kangchenjunga was fi rst climbed by Joe northern hills of Kathmandu starting at the climate of discussion for rational Barista lavazza, Brown and George Band Cheers talk, the Shivapuri National Park. market-based economic policies and good The newest addition to the Valley’s August: 70th anniversary of fi rst atomic Subhash Ghimire, new editor at Republica 3 January, Shivapuri National Park, More governance in Asia. European inspired coff ee-culture cafes bombs dropped and the youngest of a broadsheet daily in information and registration: 8-10 January, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, serves excellent mochas and lattes, don’t 24 October: 70th anniversary of the Nepal is the guest of the 31st session of www.ultratrailkathmandu.com, Tahachal, www.acenetwork.asia/alf2015, forget to try their grilled chicken sandwich. foundation of the United Nations Cheers Talk. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Jawalakhel 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 11 ING MUSIC GETAWAYS Better Weekends, Good food and good company by the pool and Jacuzzi to begin your weekends on right note. Chez Rs1,800 excl. Tax, 12.30pm onwards, Caroline, Saturdays, The Café, Hyatt Regency Authentic ambience, exquisite French food, Underground GIG, glorious sunshine and Nepal Underground’s gig, marking their more. journey of fi ve years, featuring the 9am to 10pm, Babar four bands. Mahal Revisited, 7 February, 1 to 6pm Purple Haze, (01)4263070 9803719781 Wave Tour, Le Sherpa, A series of concerts across Nepal to mark High standards across the board from the 20th anniversary of Wave magazine. the pan-European menu. Prices to be announced, from 17 January, Lajimpat, 01-4006589, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan Temple Tree Resort and Spa, [email protected] A peaceful place to stay, complete with a swimming pool, massage parlour, and Vesper Café, sauna, it’ll be hard to leave once you go Has a quaint outdoor patio, great for in. Gaurighat, Lakeside, (61)465819 leisurely dining, serves diverse foods Did your paper arrive that refl ect Italian lifestyle. Jhamsikhel, Cozy retreat, (01)5548179 A small and tranquilising getaway with on time this morning? a bird’s eye view on green terrace fi elds dotted with ochre painted houses. If not, call our Balthali Village Resort, Balthali, Kavre, 9851075818 Jhule mountain resort, Resting 2050m above sea level, the eco- resort boasts a farmhouse that stretches CUSTOMER across hill covered in fresh pine. Enjoy an organic homestay experience. Deathfest, Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, The accomplished – local and Lapsiphedi-3, Jhule, (01)6212399 CARE international – Extreme Metal bands Lal Durbar Restaurant, join together at a place to celebrate the Fulbari Resort, Enjoy the scenic view of Pokhara as you 5005601-07 Himalmedia Pvt. Ltd. Authentic Nepali dinner with cultural shows. glorious genre. Ext. 243 Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur Hotel Yak & Yeti, Darbar Marg, (01)4248999, 9 and 10 January, Borossa Lounge Hattisar pamper yourself with tennis, golf, drinks, [email protected] and dinners. Pokhara, (01)4461918/2248 12

influence on her lover. Maria had starred as the younger girl when the play first opened, a role that catapulted her into fame. During the journey, Wilhelm is found dead near his alpine home in Sils Maria, and Maria herself wrought with grief, finds herself in an existential dilemma when she is approached to play the older woman in “Maloja Snake” for a THE commemorative show for Wilhelm. She agrees only to find herself detesting the CLOUDS psychology behind the older woman’s character, struggling to find a kernel of empathy, helped OF SILS by her faithful Valentine during painful rehearsals. HAPPENINGS As Maria deals with her MARIA own issues of insecurity, her relationships with Valentine, and Jo-Ann Ellis (Chloë Grace Moretz), iting the seminal realist becomes a fascinating puzzle of a who is cast as the younger woman, filmmaker Robert Bresson, film, hard to decipher even days continue to be the crux of the COlivier Assayas, the talented after viewing, meant perhaps to be film’s mystery as roles blur, people French director is rigorous about an enigmatic portrait of a woman manipulate each other (or not), and depicting life as is, with all its growing old, albeit gracefully. nothing is quite as it seems. fascinating minutiae. The film stars the wonderful A true film of the art-house Juliette Binoche as Maria Enders, “The Clouds of Sils Maria” is a very famous A list star who is compelling viewing, with Binoche oblivious of vile internet celebrity at her best. Stewart, as always is a culture, but understanding of the bit wooden, very American in her current Hollywood zeitgeist which delivery and her persona, though deems actresses unemployable oddly watchable in a role written MUST SEE after 40 (or earlier). for her by Assayas. Moretz too, a NEPAL ARMY Sophia Pande The plot is seemingly simple, previously talented actor, ARMY REUNION: Lieutenant General Rajendra Bikram Shah welcomes the Maria is travelling with her falters in her role as the spoilt Bangladeshi Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, who was on a four-day Almost always writing his own assistant Valentine (Kristin Stewart) ingénue, her character too thinly official visit to Nepal, on Sunday. scripts, this fairly prolific director in Switzerland, on her way to a written, her antics just too shallow jumps from subject to subject, ceremony that is celebrating the to be real. Despite these slight hardly ever repeating his themes. achievement of Wilhelm Melchior lapses though, this is a film to In his latest, incredibly brave new who wrote “Maloja Snake” – a ponder over – a compelling film film “The Clouds of Sils Maria” now famous play that is about for our times. which premiered earlier this year the intense love affair between at the Cannes film festival, we have an older powerful woman and nepalitimes.com something of an anomaly. a younger manipulative girl  Trailer This is a cool clever script that who quickly learns to wield her

DANIEL GAJRAJ ROYAL CHITWAN: Ex-King Gyanendra with his family, including daughter-in- law Himani, at lunch at Kasara Resort in Chitwan National Park on Monday.

DEVAKI BISTA HAPPY NEW LHOSAR: Gurungs dressed in traditional attire celebrate their new year on the streets of Kathmandu on Tuesday.

DEVAKI BISTA NEWA UNITY: The Newars of Kathmandu celebrated Newa Unity Day on Tuesday with a parade and gathering at Basantapur. 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 13

Nepali music is defined as ‘new-school folk music’ by the band members. Indeed, Night gives a refreshing vibe to the Nepali music scene. The debut album shows that Night actually know their instruments. Up to 24 are played on ‘Ani Ukali Sangai Orali’ and most of them being recorded in modern settings for the first time. But Night isn’t just instruments. Singer Sumnima Singh amazes as she easily shifts from low tones to high-octaves. Her voice fits well with Jason Kunwar’s timbre to weave in COLOURS the masterfully arranged compositions. The whole makes ‘Ani Ukali Sangai Orali’ an album that is close to perfection. The emotion that lies in ‘Tuina Ko Cha Hai Bhara’ is a good example. One could only regret the OF THE fretless bass isn’t more present in Night’s new-school folk. Through the lyrics, Night also pays tribute to the harsh life of villagers they have met NIGHT while moving around the country. The title t’s been a long journey for Night since music with classical Nepali instruments.” track (meaning ‘With the climb, the descent’) Niraj Shakya, Jason Kunwar and Ranav Night hasn’t changed members since alludes to the daily experience of Nepalis IBirat came together in 2007, they initially 2012. “We feel we’ve reach a confident phase climbing up and down the rural hills. played avant-garde metal. Since then, the during these last two years,” comments Niraj The short and powerful ‘Sunko Jutta’ band has evolved with different musicians. “A Shakya. During this period, the band recorded (Gilded shoes) is a reference to the steady lot of members joined and left,” says Shakya, songs in studio and a few of them have been rise of Nepalis going to the Gulf in search “but today Night is a direct result of their released via digital downloads. They also of a better future, but who return home in contributions.” began the project ‘Know your instrument’ to boxes. While travelling across Nepal for his job, present the endangered instruments of Nepal Like the getaways in remote regions of Jason Kunwar discovered the richness of via short documentaries. the country have helped its composition, Nepali music. Coming back to Kathmandu, he This year, Night finally comes with a hard ‘Ani Ukali Sangai Orali’ is an exploration, a wanted to widen the artistic borders of Night. copy of Ani Ukali Sangai Orali after signing to journey traditional Nepali music unveils “With my new interest in traditional music,” Subsonic Roots, a London-based record label with fresh hitherto unheard sounds. he says, “we started producing contemporary run by Nepalis. This tribute to the mosaic of Stéphane Huët COVER ART BY BIJAY POKHREL Manny’s

hat do Charlie Chaplin, tapas, siu mai, and Thai Wfood all have in common? Manoj Basnet, better known as Manny, leaves us stumped. His newly opened, self-dubbed restaurant in Jawalakhel is an ambitious eatery and tapas bar with just too much on its plate. Divided into four sections: 1) an outdoor garden with a big- screen projection for silent films and sports, 2) a formal dining area, 3) a coffee terrace and 4) bites like crispy buffalo wings and appealing. But like the vodka lined with perfectly cooked strips dishes to choose from, Manny’s is lounge and dance floor, Manny’s and Chinese dumplings or siu shrimp penne at Roadhouse Café, of steak and is definitely worth the overlwheming. At the very least, resembles a hotel lobby and an mai. Patatas bravas is a classic it’s a foolish faux pas. The chicken, visit. as Manny says, the menu is momo- executive member’s club designed Spanish snack composed of roasted presented like lamb-chops, was dry Ultimately, the ‘Continesian’ free (but like any ‘good business’, without a general theme. As for potatoes lathered with a tomato- and overcooked. Shame on me. options at Manny’s renders more they’re flexible, he adds). its menu, Manny’s eclectic tastes mayo sauce. But Manny’s version The highlight on the menu, confusion than ‘non-fusion’. The Marco Pollo carry through. is roughly an aloo sandeko served which miraculously summons trend in the dining industry to go The concept of tapas is not with a mayo dip. back to last week’s request, is the international is an unfortunate South from the roundabout foreign to the Nepali palate. For repast, the tequila- Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich. one and should be left up to food in Jawalakhel turn right into Tapas are snacks that dance well marinated chicken is a letdown. Done right, but needs just a tad courts and IHOPs. With Chinese, Shaligram Hotel and Apartments. in a chew-and-quench number. The idea of meat simmering in an more cheddar, the sandwich is a Mexican, Spanish, Thai, Japanese, This review is a reprint of the Manny’s offers diverse savory intoxicating sauce sounds exotic toasty, buttery baguette (so rare) Italian, American, and French original that was printed in #567. 14 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739

started growing barley that settlement became possible. Barley arrived in Tibet by way of the Middle East around 3600 B for Barley years ago where this grain had already brought about a farming arley (Jau in Nepali) may It is a rich source of B vitamins revolution. In fact the Chinese be Nepal’s most important and micronutrients, eases bowel study revealed almost a crucial Bcrop culturally, but is being movement, and also helps contour line in these 53 sites consumed less food these days. regulate blood glucose levels. designated by the kind of crop There is also some evidence that that was grown. Those above a consuming barley over a long certain contour line are dominated period may help to decrease by barley and below that line is blood cholesterol. dominated by millet. The only downside is that Many of us who have trekked like wheat and rye, barley in the Everest region know that DHANVANTARI contains gluten which makes it an at altitudes as high as 4300m (in Buddha Basnyat, MD unsuitable grain for consumption Dingboche on the route to Everest), by those with Coeliac disease. China suggested that even when After examining 53 sites in we can see both buckwheat A recent article in the the climatic conditions became the north east part of the Tibetan (Phapar) and barley growing. But From babyhood when our journal Science has shown that colder, it was possible to grow plateau, what became clear to higher up, if grain plantation was mothers fed us barley water barley may be the reason why barley at high altitude in Tibet. investigators Chen and Dong was carried out, it is only barley that during illness to drinking scotch in human habitation was possible Paleontological data (data from that human settlement did not grows successfully. adulthood, barley has stood us in in places as high as 4700m on fossils) shows that humans have happen above 3000m for a long With its ability to grow in high good stead. In many villages in the the Tibetan plateau. Unlike other been living at high altitude in time. People did go up to higher altitude, under extreme weather Himalayan region, instant noodles grains like rice and wheat, barley the Tibetan plateau since about altitude areas (above 3000m) in conditions and the range of have replaced tsampa (roasted grows more easily than in these 20,000 years ago. (This is in sharp search of game such as goats, nutritional benefits it possesses, barley) as a staple diet, chiefly higher altitude areas. contrast to high altitude human sheep, ass, and yaks, but no one barley is a valuable crop that will due to ease of preparation. This The article co-authored by habitation in South America which settled permanently in these continue to provide both physical is unfortunate because the health Chen Fahu and Dong Guanghui is estimated to be about 6000 higher reaches. and spiritual sustenance to the benefits of barley are numerous. from Lanzhou University in years old.) It was only after the Tibetans people of the Himalaya.

GIZMO by YANTRICK

cover your basic HD needs. Those, along with the other ports, are all on the back side of the AV receiver. On the front side there is a section of AV ports as well. On the far left side there Sound of theatre is a 6.3mm headphone jack for solo listening, our new gigantic 3D TV sits in the middle a 3.5mm jack for your portable devices, and of your room, movies and games look a single set of composite ports for video and Yawesome, but there is something missing. stereo audio. The audio is a let-down. The sound from the TV The Yamaha RX-V567 supports Dolby Digital is ﬂ at and bass is non-existent, and what could Plus, Pro Logic IIx, EX and TrueHD, while on have been a great cinematic experience remains the DTS side of things, it supports DTS Neo: 6, only a visual treat. Enter the Yamaha RX-V567 AV ES, 96/24 and HD Master Audio. Although the receiver. Yamaha RX-V567 does not come with the option Reassuringly solid in build, and sporting a for Bluetooth connections, it has an adaptor, piano black finish, the Yamaha RX-V567 boasts and also an iPhone/iPod dock is available for all a classic AV receiver design, and is capable Apple users. of producing 7.1 channel surround sound at clear, while music is crisp and bass is also two coaxial inputs, two component inputs and If you want the complete home theater 90 watts per channel, resulting in thundering plentiful. Keep in mind that this is only a receiver, one output, the usual group of composite AV experience, then a capable receiver such as the explosions that is sure to rile your neighbors. meaning you have to buy the speakers and inputs and outputs for non-HD purposes and Yamaha RX-V567 is a must. As far as general audio performance goes woofer to accompany the 7.1 system separately. then a set of HDMI ports. The HDMI is version 1.4 this Yamaha AV receiver stays up pretty close with The Yamaha RX-V567 AV receiver has a nice and is 3D Ready. However, you need to install a Yantrick’s Verdict: A must-have gizmo the leading competition. The frequency response balance of connectivity options. There are the ﬁ rmware to relish the 3D capabilities. There are for those finicky about their audio is nice and broad, and movie monologues sound basics like AM and FM radio, two optical inputs, 4 HDMI inputs and one output, which should quality. Retails at approx Rs 45,000. 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 OPINION 15 he is against the fashionable demand to scrap the National Planning Commission. Instead, he wants the NPC to scrap its Time to grow up Soviet-style periodic planning model. “We are done building bridges and approving We have already lost decades in stalled development, ministerial programs, let’s leave that to local bodies,” he we don’t need messy politics to compound the problem says, “our job now must be to streamline longer-term sectoral rofessor Angus Madison’s in the last three decades of the strategies in coordination The World Economy: A millennium (1965-1995). with the line ministries and PMillenial Perspective is What hits us most is the focus more on monitoring and considered as one of the realization that south Korea, evaluating the impact.” Wagle most comprehensive works of Taiwan and Singapore were feels first generation economic economic history. It provides at about the same level of reforms that advocated for rich insight into global patterns development as Nepal way back unrestrained privatisation will of growth and demography in the when, but leap-frogged due to not work anymore. The new last millennium. leadership, cohesive politics team at the NPC is still trying to and good governance. diagnose what the past planners To be sure, in the six overlooked, but they seem decades since we opened up to convinced that the state needs rest of the world, Nepal made to play stronger regulatory role, dramatic progress socially guiding economy from extractive and politically. From being towards inclusive growth. BY THE WAY plagued by illiteracy, disease By Wagle’s own admission, Anurag Acharya and high rates of maternal and reversing country’s growing child mortality, Nepal made manpower flight to fuel internal From the fall of the Empires impressive progress since growth, and putting the scattered to the rise of modern nation states 1990 reducing mortality and $6 billion remittance inflows to and expansion of international illiteracy and transitioning into productive use in the interim trade and commerce, the book a democratic republic. period are the trickiest problems. gives us a broad picture and However, this achievement The bad news is, even if trajectory of global human has not resulted in improvement Wagle pointed out that with 40 fastest growing economies offer Wagle and his team manage development. in overall quality of life, as both per cent of country’s population huge potential.” to figure it all out, it will not Madisson sifts through data our people and economy remain between 16-40, we can either Indeed, as Wagle points out, be sufficient to kick-start and show us how Western stunted. The political and reap youth dividend or set off ours is a problem of rent-seeking Nepal’s stalled growth. For that Europe, North America, Australia, energy crisis are feeding into the demographic timebomb. mindset where politicians are those pulling the political strings New Zealand and Japan were able one another to create a vicious Wagle said the classic excuse used to scribbling a project from Singha Durbar, Balkhu to achieve rapid growth compared cycle, forcing industries and of geography as destiny does plan literally in the back of an Darbar and Lazimpat Darbar to rest of the world. Similarly, business to shut down, and not necessarily explain Nepal’s envelope and passing it on to must first start acting like grown- he attributes the dramatic rise of making farmers abandon their failed development. “While land- the planning commission for ups. And today’s headline economies including South Korea, land. Lack of jobs has resulted lockedness is a handicap, the execution. A country which tell me that just ain’t happening China, Malaysia, Botswana, in exodus of manpower. bigger problems lie at institutional keeps big chunk of its workforce anytime soon. Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, At a discussion at Martin level,” he said, “if we can out of its own economy is Hong Kong and Singapore to Chautari this week, Planning overcome these, Nepal’s geo- actually killing its own potential. Interview with Swarnim Wagle their sustained high growth rate Commission member Swarnim political location between the two Wagle went on to argue why on News24 TV 16 NATION 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739

GREG WILLIS

Besides itss famousfamous Vishnu shrine, the cradle ofof Kathmandu ValleValleyy civilisation now has a world class museumuseumm

STÉPHANE HUËT

ooking down at of water in the Manahara Valley that period that survives intact sculptures and ornaments are Rajyavati, not to commit sati on Kathmandu Valley to the north of Changu Hill. This to this day because others were much older. Hindu devotees the funeral pyre of her husband, Lfrom Changu Narayan is a place of antiquity, where destroyed by fires, earthquakes or come here to worship Vishnu, King Dharmadeva. It also testifies today, you can imagine what you have to be careful not to step razed during invasions. while Buddhists pay respects to that Changu Narayan was already the first human settlers of on religious objects and stone This remarkable and Avalokitesara, the Bodhisattva of an important site for pilgrimage this region saw: a deep blue inscriptions scattered around the sumptuously decorated double- Compassion. at that time, and was also an lake fringed by steep forested temple courtyard. roofed shrine is situated on a One of the oldest inscriptions administrative centre. hills and reflecting the snowy The Changu Naryan temple 1,540m hill which is actually the found in Kathmandu valley, mountains to the north. is dedicated to Vishnu, the edge of a long spur that drops dating back to 464AD is carved The lake did not drain preserver of the universe, and was down from Nagarkot. The temple on a pillar (pic, far right) near nepalitimes.com away all at once, and during first built in 325AD and predates itself was rebuilt several times, the entrance of the temple which the present structure was put records that the Licchavi King, Interview with Sunita Bhadel of the pre-Lichhavi period there the Licchavi Period. It is one the Living Traditions Museum was probably a smaller body of the few religious sites from up in 1702 although the stone Manadeva persuaded his mother, 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 NATION 17

CHERYL MARLAND JEAN-PIERRE DALBÉRA

hangu Narayan has changed its name several times over the CHANGU Ccenturies. The shrine was known as Dolashikharswami during the THE LEGEND Licchavi era, and was finally given its present Newari name during the BY ANY reign of the Malla kings after ‘cha’ for the champak tree. Today, there OF VISHNU are still some champaks left, but the slopes were reforested with pine OTHER NAME during the Rana period which makes the shrine vulnerable to fires. ishnu is one of the gods of Vthe triumvirate who is the preserver of the universe while Brahma is the creator and Shiva is the destroyer. Most Nepalis are Shaivaites, but Vishnu is still venerated and the kings of Nepal were regarded as incarnations of Vishnu as were the gods, Ram and Krishna. The god is often seen riding his vehicle, the Garuda (above), or reclining on a bed of serpents, as seen in the Vishnu shrine at Budanilkantha. Vishnu is associated with light and therefore is also regarded as the sun god. STÉPHANE HUËT

ELAINE WANG YIWEI n 2010, the Department of Archaeology started renovating the Amatya ISattal, which was in dilapidated state. “The owner of the Sattal had neglected the building for years and nobody claimed it,” says Mangala HOW TO Pradhan, chief of the Monument Preservation and Palace Maintenance Office. As part of the renovation the Living Traditions Museum was set up with the first gallery opening on March 2011 to present and protect artefacts GET THERE of various ethnic groups in Nepal. The Museum opened its second gallery earlier this month with a new permanent exhibition titled Changu Narayan, ChanguChangu NNarayan is 20 minutes Now and Then Since 463. bbyy car ffromro Bhaktapur or turnoff Sunita Bhadel, 26, was born and raised in Changu Narayan. After frfromom thethe highway to Nagarkot. graduating in Cultural Studies at Tribhuvan University she now manages The hiking trail from Nagarkot the museum. “The village around the temple actually illustrates significant gradually descends through the stages of Nepal, from the 5th to 17th century,” Bhadel explains, “and the terraced fields and traditional second gallery shows the important story of Changu Narayan and the Tamang and Newari communities. Kathmandu Valley during the Licchavi period.” Crossing villages with thatched A 3m paubha mural made by Sundar Bajracharya (left) illustrates the houses, painted with ochre gives mythological sites of the Kathmandu Valley during the Licchavi period. An the opportunity to see rural Nepali important photographic reconstruction of the main pillar from the Licchavi lifestyle and architecture up close period can also been seen. and personal. The first half of the The repoussé art section (below, left) in the second gallery was curated hike is a cultural discovery, the rest LIVING by James Giambrone of Indigo Gallery who says he wanted to showcase the of the walk offer a scenic view of traditional art of the Newars. This is the technique used to mould the gilt the surrounding hills and the snow TRADITIONS representation of Vishnu at the entrance of the temple. With the artisan Raj mountains beyond. The walk from Kumar Shakya Giambrone has documented the 10 stages of the process. Nagarkot to Changu Narayan is MUSEUM an easy hiking with relatively easy nepalitimes.com vertical gains that takes around 4h.  Interview with James Giambrone about the repoussé exhibition 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 “I want PRACHANDA to be TIMELINE BY BILASH RAI executive HIMAL KHABARPATIKA president” 28 DECEMBER 3 JANUARY onlinekhabar.com, 31 December

29 AUGUST Answering questions on social media related to his opposition to the constitution-drafting process, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) says he Obstructs parliament and demands doesn’t want to be a ceremonial chair of High-level Political Committee president.

Why are you in the opposition 8 Rabindra Manandhar in Nepal, 4 January OCTOBER again? Pushpa Kamal Dahal: The CA is an QUOTE OF THE WEEK institution that comes from historical 10 movement and mandates set by citizens. OCTOBER

Political leaders therefore have tried to

There won’t be any agreement with those agree on drafting a new constitution. Parliament reconvenes after NC and Declares “ who want to turn Nepal into Rwanda, and “ The first thing that needs to be clear is UML agree to Dahal’s presidency agitation anyway spread ethnic turmoil in the name of identity that just because you have been elected and separate the mountains and plains. and have majority doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. When India gained freedom, they didn’t draft a 17 UML chairman K P Oli at a press conference after the OCTOBER party’s Central Committee meeting on 17 December. constitution immediately. They went to Himal Khabarpatrika 28 December elections, discussed and formed one through the CA. There are a certain Announces preference fundamental principles including for agitation over High- 2 that of state-restructuring, secular NOVEMBER level Political Committee state, republic federalism, inclusive and proportional representation that were agreed on beforehand. If you Urges Newars forget the historical agreements, there in Kirtipur to will be conflict. It is because of these stand up for a principles that the country has a CA and Newa Rajya is in the process of becoming a federal democratic republic. If we abandon these principles now, we will move back in time. Our party wants a constitution 3 based on these principles according to NOVEMBER the previous agreements, for that we Attends CPDCC meeting are ready to be extremely flexible. Goes to Jhapa and Why are you so adamant about 5 4 At meeting in NOVEMBER obtains the Dahal NOVEMBER the form of government? genealogy Panchthar urges The reason for Nepal’s political and Limbuwan state economic instability is because we have been following a parliamentary system. The Westminster system brews extreme 8 corruption and power struggles. For Urges Janakpur NOVEMBER Nepal to move towards stability and meeting to set up economic development, it is imperative separate Madhes we have a stable government for at least government five years. This is only possible with a 10 directly elected president with executive NOVEMBER powers. It isn’t like a directly elected In Rolpa, revives talk of bunker warfare presidential system is undemocratic. Can the US be called undemocratic then? Also, with a change in form of government, the bureaucracy can be 14 Decides to show NOVEMBER made more efficient, transparent and flexibility to forge corruption-free. In addition, a directly consensus Takes part elected president will make centre in 3-party stronger and unite future federal states. consultation If you canvas the public’s opinion, 22 a majority of Nepalis whether here or NOVEMBER abroad are in favor of a directly elected presidential system, they know that this can mean political and economic stability for the country. The same is 23 true for many party members of the NOVEMBER NC and UML. As a matter of fact, if you read the manifesto of the UML, But next day Changes mind to you will see that they were in favour snubs meeting forge consensus of this form of government. They won 5 votes because of this, and now they DECEMBER have changed their stance. Even if we are flexible on federalism, we will not compromise when it comes to the form of government. Top leaders meet 8 ends in positive note DECEMBER And that is a job for you? I am not looking to be the president as such, but if there are direct elections and 20 Walks out on meeting if the party agrees with it, I do intend to DECEMBER of top leaders field my candidacy. If they offer me the Accuses KP Oli of position as it is now, I will not take it. I trying to be king 21 don’t want to be a ceremonial president. DECEMBER It’s not important whether I win or not, this is something that will benefit the nation and should not be compromised 25 Forms task no matter who wins. DECEMBER force to address contentious issues 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 19 20 BACK SIDE 2 - 8 JANUARY 2015 #739 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

PAST PRESENT FUTURE Navel exercises in 2015 DIWAKAR CHETTRI

he year has got off to a flying start with parties agitated, and the public can conveniently find out which sticking steadfastly to their new year resolutions to days are allocated to protest a particular clause in the Tkeep partying on by extending the life of the Second proposed constitution. We can also virtually set fire to a CA. As the year-long revelries start, we should all brace digital version of the new constitution if we can’t get our ourselves to enjoy accomplishing even less in 2015 than we hands on an actual hardcopy of the draft. accomplished in 2014. The gobblement has also come up with a cunning Some parties have really got into the mood and have plan to generate revenue from bund declarations: it will scheduled district, zonal and national bunds for the coming auction off remaining dates in 2015 which haven’t already year. We can look forward to lots of do-nothing days that been set aside for national strikes so that we can make can be devoted to attending to personal hygiene and the ‘Totally Shutdown Nepal in 2015’ campaign a grand cleaning up our nooks and crannies. Now that 17 January success. and 19 January have booth been declared Nepal bunds by One thing we shouldn’t do is give up hope. We the Dash and Cash Baddies respectfully, many of us will shouldn’t go: “Oh, what’s the use of bunds, they finally have time on our hands to extract wads of lint from don’t achieve anything.” That is having a inside our belly buttons which can be sold to the nation’s negative and fatalistic attitude. We must pashmina industry to earn the national exchequer always think positive and take up the valuable foreign currency to pay for our new motto: “Yes, the Nepali can. And burgeoning imports. If all of us Nepalis the Nepali will bring the country to contribute by taking part in navel exercises a halt.” in 2015, we can make this country great The success of a bandh hinges on again. people voluntarily keeping off the streets. Through trial and error over the past 50 But we must persuade them to keep their years we have finally hit on the right formula motorcycles at home by burning the first for governance in our country: allow our rulers one that ventures out. We must train the to goof off so they don’t goof up. However, with guardians of our democracy in the art of factions and splinter groups declaring bunds left shattering the windscreen of a speeding car and right, there is a crying need for a coordinating from 25 yards. And who exempted rickshaws body to schedule national shutdowns to avoid and airplanes? How can we defend freedom duplication and overlap. if we allow planes to fly around on Days The proposed High-Level National Strike of National Shutdown? Do we believe in Coordination Mechanism (HLNSCM) will be made Marxism-Leninism-Maoism-Vandalism up of a consortium of like-minded leaders who or not? When we say we want to jam all want the country to come to a standstill, but chakkas, we should mean it, and that don’t want to get in each others’ way. includes anything running on ball With most days in January already taken, bearings. the HLNSCM has announced that January 20 is A note of caution, however. The the only date still open for any political force donkey hears through the grapevine for or against federalism which wants to declare that there are still political parties out a bandh for whatever reason. The Mechanism has there who do not believe in bandhs apologised to the public for the oversight, which and are squeamish about using this great means some people will have to actually go to work avenue to express our democratic desire to take on that day. a day off. Woe on such spoil-sports. How can our But the Mechanics are taking bookings for hard-won freedoms ever be safeguarded if we don’t bandhs in 2015 on a first-come-first-serve basis, vigorously exercise our fundamental and technicians are working on an app so that human right to stay home and harvest political parties can use smartphones to block our burgeoning lint? off days when they want to get The Ass

DIWAKAR CHETTRI

CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67