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#134 28 February - 6 March 2003 16pages Rs 25 overcrowding, pollution and the fears of the RAMYATA LIMBU future, there is still no other place like ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ Kathmandu. They have stayed on, hoping and t dusk on Sunday the Bouddhanath stupa praying that things will take a turn for the better. glowed with light from 50,000 butter lamps, The lamp-lighting at Bouddha last weekend was a ‘We’ll stay.’Aarranged in a crescent to symbolise the prayer that the ceasefire will hold and lead to cosmos, each flame was a prayer for peace. lasting peace. Most expats in Kathmandu This was the way(see pic, left) 500 Nepal-based “Rather than moving from Shangri-la to expats expressed their opposition to war—whether itShangri-la, you stop, call a country home and try overcome fears of violence andis the impending war on Iraq, or Nepal’s own to help it through a difficult period,” says another domestic conflict. This symbolic gesture for unity expat, who like many interviewed for this article visa hassles to stay on. and peace came as long-term expat residents of asked that their names not be used. “Of course, Kathmandu from Australia, the US, Britain and there’s a feeling that the heat’s slowly being Canada are torn between leaving and staying in the turned up here, but at a point, one has to land they love. make a stand in your birth or adopted country. One American who has lived in Kathmandu for My home base is Nepal and that’s where 25 years told us: “Because of the Maoists we wantedmy heart is.” to leave, but after 9-11 we think, hey, we are not Despite Nepal’s deteriorating economy, an going to be more secure anywhere else in the world IT expert from Europe is still keen to share his so might as well just stay. And now withthe ceasefire ideas with Nepali entrepreneurs. “It’s low risk we hope we can once more see the beautiful and because you’re investing knowledge and ideas, peaceful Nepal that brought us here.” not physical infrastructure,” he says. “But I can With the royal massacre and the increasingly understand the concerns of people who have brutal insurgency, many expats in Kathmandu had invested in construction and equipment.” been leaving. Some others who might have stayed decided the visa hassles were just not worth it. But for the die-hard Nepalophile, despite the Continued p6 KIRAN PANDEY

Weekly Internet Poll # 74 Shivaratri Q. Is the US right in insisting on war against Iraq The verdictEmbassy, David Ward, told us, “The court despite UN inspections? judgement has clearly identified that very BHAGIRATH YOGI serious allegations of discrimination are clearly ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ not true, and have found that the terms of oth sides have claimed victory in the service which the British government offers to London High Court’s dismissal on 21 Gurkha soldiers are fair. This provides a sound BFebruary of an application by seven basis for future planning and operations.” former Gurkhas for equal pension with British Defence Ministry sources said Britain was soldiers. keen to continue recruitment of Gurkhas on the It may be politically incorrect in this day basis of the present understanding between the and age to allow recruitment of soldiers into two governments. “We have to be very sensitive foreign armies, or to pay foreign soldiers less on what is laid down on the 1947 tripartite than its own soldiers but the Nepali economyGurkhas at the High Court in London last agreementweek. (between Britain, India and Nepal) as depends on remittances from its Gurkhas in the it specifically sees return of the Gurkha soldiers Indian and British armies, and the verdict means to their home country upon the completion of Total votes:963 soldiers if the verdict had gone against them. In recruitment will continue. service,” a senior defence official told us. “If such a case, they had said, Gurkha recruitment that arrangement were to change now, our On Shivaratri this Saturday go over to Kirateshwar Weekly Internet Poll # 75. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com In his decision last Friday, Justice Sullivanwould have been terminated. government would look very seriously at whetherbeyond Pashupati, and get yourself a copy of the Q. Is there a need for outside mediation in the Nepal said the difference in pay and pensions were not The judge urged both sides in the disputethe presentto arrangement would continue.” Nepali Shiva-Parbati poster. The celestial duo peace process? “disproportionate or irrational” given the differing resolve the issue through negotiation, and looks Nepali because Shiva hung out in the standards of living in Nepal and Britain. But he Many ex-Gurkhas are disappointed about the refused the Gurkhas permission to appeal. Himalaya and Parbati is rightly sung of in Nepal cautioned the British Ministry of Defence that it costly legal battle being waged in their name. Interestingly, the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s may be providing insufficient privileges for Pragmatic groups like the Nepal Ex-Servicemenas “Himala ki chhori”. So, the poster by artist Organisation (GAESO) that has been led the families of servicemen from Nepal. Association say they may gain more lobbyingSubhas Rai depicts a very hill-ethnic Shiva, and legal charge against the British government, through diplomatic channels. They say sitting by his side on a chautari pedestal is a The verdict allowed both sides to claimwelcomed the verdict. continued recruitment of Gurkhas is in Nepal’sChhetri-looking Parbatitilahari ( , chaubandi- victory, but it was clear that the court had GAESO’s attorney, Gopal Siwakoti ‘Chintan’,national interest. rejected the Gurkhas’ counsel Cherie Booth’s cholo, rhododendron in hand). The animals in told reporters Wednesday: “The court admitted claim that the pension scales were there has been discrimination, we can now flood attendance are the snow-leopard instead of lion and discriminatory. British officials estimated it the British courts with hundreds of cases in a young yak instead of the buffalo. The backdrop would have cost £2 billion to compensatefuture.” the is Pashupatinath and the Gauri Shankar massif, as seen from Dolakha. Happy Shivaratri. To order Deputy chief of mission at the British copies of poster: [email protected] Three years ago, we studied the impact of tourism in Egypt’s Sinai. The facts and figures corroborated what most of us know: the long-term visitor, even the “cheap backpacker”, contributes more to the local EDITORIAL 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 NATION foreign volunteers, full of 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 2 economy and livelihood over a 3 goodwill, who donate happily and period of 6 months—an averageso called English speaking Nepali discreetly their time and meagre Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, of $500 a month on intelligentsia. But the same cannot Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL savings to provide educational Design:Kiran Maharjan accommodation, food and be said about the majority of the support in some remote destitute LETTERS Webmaster:Bhushan Shilpakar leisure—than the all-inclusive English speakers anywhere in the [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com areas, and these wonderful package tourist, who in 2001 world. Who are these people Advertising:Sunaina Shah [email protected] people, mostly students, tell me years of opportunity to serve Subscription:Anil Karki [email protected] WHAT TOURISTS? spent a total of about 12 days tryingin to impress with the 100 waterfowl in the Kathmandu they have to pay the same these people. Not with the power Sales:Sudan Bista [email protected] administration, and their preponderance is Nepal. Most of the payment is percent grammatically perfect Valley is by a small lake in Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur I heartily congratulate Daniel Lakexorbitant visa fees! hungry political parties who still GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal growing. The Nepal Public Service made in the country of origin andEnglish that is impossible to Taudaha near Chobar. Tel: 01-543333-7, Fax: 01-521013 for his witty but accurate can’t get their act together. The This is the main deterrent tospending money is about $200decipher for for even seasoned Migratory birds can be seen Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hattiban: 01-547018/17 The tarai cauldronCommission reports only one madhesi in the assessment of the present present government should be left anyone with the wish and meansa fortnight. English speakers? I cannot think here between December and list of 77 persons recruited for the post of tourist slump in Nepal compared to what it does best—cutting to stay longer, and to any would- of anyone else but themselves. March when hundreds of birds Even more than frustration, it’s Section Officers. These are the people who to Thailand (“Welcome to Nepal”, Nepal needs its tourism ribbons at inaugurations. They For long-term peace, we have to move beyond tokenism to real devolution. be small to medium investor. In make a stop over. The locals hopelessness that breeds extremism. In a will lead the Nepali administration in the #133). Indeed the heart of the boosted. It needs fresh capital Sebastian Peters, Seattlehave yet to put together a ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Chiang Mai, north-Thailand, I have started to conserve the society where nearly half the population is problem lies with the obsolete influx with lots of small investors negotiation team or an agenda for ESSONSFROM ANKA years to come: Bahuns 85 percent, Chhetris 9 conducted a research on the fish and the birds have flocked L L visa regulations here. You all who won’t pull out easily. Daniel peace talks with the Maoists. The nursing grievances against the percent, Newars 2.6 percent and one each community of Western back. month into the ceasefire, Nepalis are now getting used to “normalcy”. o turn the impending peace talks in remember that these regulations Lak has pointed Nepal in the right people should not have to rely on establishment in silence, this is a from the hill janjati and madhesi population. expatriates. All of them lived off Dinesh Rai, Naxal Making the people regard normalcy as the norm is the best way theirto favour, the Maoist leadership were enforced in the seventies, direction. those who extort, terrorise and potential flashpoint of even more ominous in order to get rid of the largetheir pension—an average $950 a guard the peace process from being derailed. To be sure, this isbadly not needs some new friends, The stranglehold of bahuns on Nepali Bernard Lazarevitch, France murder. We cannot have a truce T proportions than the Maoist war. hippy population, which had month, spent locally. They had to A judiciary is too obvious to ignore. that benefits only Kathmandu and additional allies and fresh fellow travellers. renew their visa every 30 days yet peace. It is just an absence of conflict. This phase is necessary to lay somehow tarnished the a handful of the elite who have Dissatisfaction is not unique to Technically, there is nothing wrong in and exceptions are made for down the pre-condition for the negotiations that lie ahead. Comrade Krishna Bahadur Mahara of CNN country’s image. I came to Nepal received a lion's share of madhesis alone, dalits and janjatis are also those with big investments. The MOHAN KHATRI There are lessons for us from the Sri Lankan peace process famewhere and a Comrade Dina Nath Sharma of successive Upadhyayas succeeding each for the first time two years ago, whatever “development” Nepal excluded. The relative deprivation of a initial visa is free on arrival and other, but the message that it gives to the leading a small group of Reading the vicious attacks byhas experienced. Who will lookThe establishment of a US- ceasefire has held now for over a year (see: “Prabakaran and Prachanda”,Artless Drama notoriety are doing the can be renewed for as long as madhesi dalit compared with that of hill excluded isn’t that of merit reigning supreme. professionals and developed a the likes of Aruna Kandel and after the people who are most basedin charity called “The #133). If two sides in a 20-year-war with 70,000 deaths marked byrounds of established power places in the you want, free of charge. Many dalit, or that of a Tharu poor compared to a very deep attachment to this others in your paper against need? It will be business as usualMohan Khatri Fund” has indiscriminate attacks on civilians, extreme ethnic polarisation andValley decades to garner support for Baburam Such views are often termed divisive and long-term residents have followed great country and its warm Samrat and Manjushree, I get theuntil another insurgency. We recently come to my attention. of bad blood can agree on a negotiated solution there is no reason why we Gurung or Magar poor is glaring. The this method for years. And in the Bhattarai’s claim to state power. The communal. Jostling for a share of the pie is an population. feeling these are people who mustn’t keep going around in Its website, which was taken can’t. It is better to find a solution now than to wait for the war to drag on for grievances of the tarai activists aren't just long run they contribute a revolutionary agenda of forging an inclusive inherent part of the modernisation process— I came for another visit a have some personal grudge circles. down earlier this week, another 25 years. If negotiations are the only way, then it is infinitely wiser for political rhetoric. significant amount of hard included the text of an article Nepali identity has suddenly receded into faster the pace of change, more the demands few months ago and Nepal against the two Nepali writers in Satish Pandey, Kathmandu Nepal’s warring parties to do so now rather than after 100,000 Nepalis are By appointing Prashu Narayan currency to Thailand. about the death of my the background. for accommodation in the mainstream. grew on me. It was an ideal English. Either that or they are killed. husband, Major (rtd.) Mohan Chaudhary as the chairman of the During the authoritarian Panchayat regime, base for writing, painting and consumed by jealousy, and you Exclusion of the majority from the Khatri, which appeared in the The Sri Lankan peace process was most fragile during its first two Rajparishad, the king has honoured the drawing. I was renewing my have given them space to vent it. political, economic and social mainstream emerging elites of marginal population groups Nepali Times (#116). The months. But the reason it held was because it fulfilled two main criteria: a) visa regularly, at $30 a full page My only advice to Samrat’s indigenous population of the tarai, but a were often quite happy with the crumbs of charity’s founders did not ask hearts were in the right place in the leadership of both sides, b) wasand one there of the main reasons our stamp for one month. Maximum detractors would be: please read closer look at the list of members office. But in a democracy, everyone desires a for my permission to raise were good managers guiding and facilitating the peace process.revolutionaries took to the armed path. But stay per calendar year is five and re-readThe Guru of Love.A nominated to the royal council makes it place of honour at the central table. Anything money using my late husband’s Of course, the post 9/11 international situation was a factor becausethe prospect it of power sharing seems to have months. I have met a number of more compassionate, humane and transformed our firebrand comrades intoclear that the madhesis haven’t got a fair less merely whets the appetite. non-judgemental masterpiece of name, and they agreed earlier dried up the Tigers’ source of diaspora dollars. The one person who CEASING FIRE this week to take his name confirmed status quoists. The elite deal. The king is hardly to blame. It’s the Fortunately for the ruling classes (but modern writing is hard to find. deserves most credit for the peace process is Prime Minister Ranil social milieu that doesn’t allow the SAMRAT And we are proud that such a Talk of talks is fine, but more off of their site. Nonetheless, everywhere clones itself with relative ease unfortunately for the ruled), the BCN grip the use of his name for Wickremesinghe, who has been hands-on in making the initial overtures, Thank you, Aruna Kandel sad and universal story of humanimportant is bringing about establishment to go beyond tokenism. several months has created and steering the process from day-to-day. Wickremesinghe knowsand that survives Sri regime changes to prosper all over the national media is even tighter— (“Samrat, Manjushree and Englishfailing, struggle and triumph wasfundamental changes. It is vital Badri Prasad Mandal is officiating the false impression among Lanka’s war-weary public is a peace constituency far more powerfulover again.than the editors of all major Nepali broadsheet dailies writing in Nepal”, #132) for beingtold by a Nepali. Bravo, Samrat!that the changes in the premier, but how many of his cabinet some that I, or other members southern chauvinists and political forces who feel left out. On the other side, are bahuns. Hence, even an event like the brave enough to voice your well constitution are implemented. Why The dependable friends of the Maoists Anil B Gurung, by email of the Khatri family, there are rogue elements among the Tigers, like the eastern commander colleagues are madhesis? deserved criticism of the so-called not begin peace talks by putting in are all their old foes: Madhav Kumar Nepal, public meeting of Madhesi Awakening Forum established the fund to raise Karuna, who has been implicated in the arms smuggling incident last Representation of ethnic madhesis in modern English language authors place some of the current failed to make it to the headlines of any money. This is not the case. month. Kirti Nidhi Bishta and Sher Bahadur Deuba. of Nepali origin. Can these provisions in the constitution? Let the political parties is no better. Among themajor newspaper. But in the long run, We are not beneficiaries of Perhaps Marich Man Singh and Nava Raj people write in English that is some time and resources be If Wickremesinghe hadn’t been in politics, he would have been a 44 members elected to the Central the fund, nor did we have a Subedi will also get a visit from Maoist turning a deaf ear may set off an explosion simple but eloquent, easy to spent on the remote, neglected journalist. He is media savvy and his press management skills have Committee of the UML at its recently held hand in its establishment. interlocutors one of these days. But that will blow all our eardrums. Injustice understand but fascinating and districts and marginalised groups. contributed to moderating extreme views. The Norwegian mediators got Mahanta Thakur, Surendra Chaudhary andconvention at Janakapur, Ram Chandra Jhadoesn’t disappear just because the thought provoking at the sameTALKS, AND THEN? Let us share only those dreamsKrishna Khatri, Kathmandu both sides to agree on media guidelines preventing the parties from playing which we can make happen. is the lone madhesi. Comrade Jha scraped powerful ignore it. time? The answer clearly seemsShould we be euphoric about the to the gallery. In Kathmandu, the guidelines are still doing the roundsChitra Lekhaand Yadav must wait. Madhesis Otherwise we face even greater through somehow—he is the last in the When Colonel (Retd) Narayan Singh to be a big no. After reading theso-called truce (“Om Shanti”, despite some belligerent posturing the ceasefire is on track. haven’t figured in the itinerary of the writings of these authors, one has disasters in the future. revolutionaries yet. winners’ list based on the tally of votes Pun sits down with Baburam Bhattarai to #133)? Will it change the lives of In Sri Lanka, as in Nepal, there are cynics and skeptics who voice received—mainly because he was the prime to wonder—who is their targetthose who struggled in the Amir Shrestha, email concerns about a sellout. In January, Wickremasinghe told them, “ThoseThe Maoists negotiating team does have finalise the agenda of talks some time next audience? Certainly not the Panchayat-era, under 12 years of host of the event on his home turf. Results month, here is what they should put at the average English speaking Nepali who make their living out of the war, like arms dealers and war a Matrika Yadav, but what does Comrade of the Janakapur Convention show that democracy, and the Maoist top of their list—ensuring just representation or for that matter an American insurgency?or How can a truce correspondents better find other businesses. The economy will Yadavimprove have for his fellow madhesis? DuringUML continues to remain in the firm grip with peace, and there will be enough opportunities for everyone. No one of madhesis in all walks of life. an Englishman. Henry the Eighthcalled by a system that follows no the Madheshi Awakening Forum’s public would have been perfectly should try to sabotage peace.” That is good advice to the detractors of our of the BCN (Bahun, Chetri, Newar) elite. discernible rules improve our programs on Saturday and Sunday, the If a society is to institutionalise peace, its comfortable reading the writing of MORE BIRDS own peace process as well. The composition of the bureaucracy is lives? It is difficult to say where CORRECTION plight of people of tarai origin was raised leaders must move beyond tokenism to real real hope lies. Certainly not in aI would like to add to the list of even more skewed. Bahuns dominate the “Kudos for Chilime” (From the The Sri Lankan model of using international facilitators has advantages.again and again, but none of the participants devolution. And if it is not done politically, monarchy that squandered 30 birdwatching sites in “Bird Nepali Press, # 133) was The main pre-requisite is to have the necessary political will at country” (# 131). The best spot expect much from the Maoists. the Maoists have shown that guns get the written by Kaushal Bhattarai. the highest levels on both sides for a negotiated solution, attention. Hidden from view, the for watching different species of but once that is achieved the role of a neutral mediator grievances of the disenfranchised are can be helpful. Conflict mediation is a technical skill, you need experts who can find ways simmering away underneath. around entrenched, intransigent positions. In many cases it is a question of semantics, in others it is a carefully calibrated compromise position acceptable to both sides. This is best done by people who don’t have a stake— outsiders who have the experience and the perspective to find the middle path. In the secret pre- negotiation negotiations going on at present between the government coordinator and the Maoists, it is King Gyanendra who is acting as the final arbiter. But he is an interested party, and the Maoists want the first round of talks with him so they can guarantee themselves a berth in an interim government. This is why it may be wiser in the long run to have mediators who can steer the process: it has worked well so far in Aceh and Sri Lanka. But, in the end, it is up to us. It is the Nepali people who have to force their Carlsberg leaders to make the ceasefire stick, not be rattled by violations, make the peace process stay on course and never lose sight of the goal: a tolerant and inclusive new Nepal with social justice and economic progress. The main lesson from Sri Lanka is this: war mongers have no political future when the people overwhelmingly yearn for peace. dilute the powers of the monarchy), Maoists are wary of growing international interest in Nepal’s peace process. “They with the idea of accepting the would not want the direct palace’s offer to be prime minister,involvement of the United States or Britain in the peace talks but NATION 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 NATION but seems to have decided that it 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 5 4 would be politically suicidal to dowould accept mediation by neutral, international agencies,” would support the preamble of so in a party that will be radicalised in the next elections. said a source close to the Maoists. DOMESTIC BRIEFS the constitution. If correct, this Bhogendra Sharma of the was a major breakthrough since it “We don’t mind the Maoists would mark the first time that thecoming out, we encourage them human rights group CVICT also British Special Rep Maoists have said OK to to give up violence and enter says that the presence of an ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal seems to have been finally recognised as a hot spot by Britain. The British constitutional monarchy and peaceful political competition,” international mediator would remove obstacles in neogtiations government has appointed a “special representative” for Nepal, a distinction that parliamentary multiparty the UML’s Iswor Pokharel told has gone to other places like Cyprus, Georgia and the Middle East. The special democracy. Koirala said he us. “But we don’t think this and put into place confidence- rep, Sir Jeffrey James(right) , will coordinate efforts in support of the recent immediately relayed this Maoist government has the mandate or building measures. “Rather than ceasefire and the emerging peace process. Sir Jeffrey is a career diplomat who the capacity to lead a peace taking up the complicated has served as the British high commissioner (ambassador) in Nairobi. “It is part concession to King Gyanendra, of the pattern of commitment of the UK government in preventing conflict and who instructed him to find out process.” political issues at first, both sides should discuss humanitarian resolving them through peaceful means,” David Ward, deputy chief of mission at Peace now, the Maoists’ “final bottom line”. “The Maoists seem quite the British Embassy told us. “The appointment here is demonstration of the Koirala said he told the Maoist serious about a peaceful resolutionissues in the beginning followed British government’s commitment for restoration of peace and development in Nepal,” he added. Though he leaders they would have to make athis time, while the government by political and military matters will be based in London, Sir Jeffrey is expected to visit Nepal and the region in mid-March. written commitment, and this looks utterly confused,” concludesover a period of extended came promptly three days later in Bhogendra Sharma, who was one negotiations,” Sharma says. a statement to “respect the gains of the rights activists who met the One rights activist who of the 1990 peoples’ movement”. Mahara-Sharma duo on Tuesday. returned to Kathmandu this week Helping Nepal The political parties took this as Sources say a high-level team after taking part in a Swiss- ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ sponsored conflict resolution Some of Nepal’s top pop artistes donated half the proceeds, nearly $1,800, from a Nepali music concert in an oblique acceptance of the comprising former chief secretary London on 23 February for HELP NEPAL Network, a charity started by Nepalis living abroad. Babin constitutional preamble. Karna Dhoj Adhikari, former seminar in Geneva told us he Pradhan, Yem Baral, Nhyoo Bajracharya and Ruju Tuladhar entertained a 500-strong Nepali crowd at talks later However, as Koirala recounts, the chiefs of the Royal Nepali Army expects the peace talk to be a Woolwich Public Hall in East London. Sapan Kumar Rai and Situ Kharel, Nepali singers who are based in shaky Deuba government Satchit Shumsher J B Rana and complicated and long-drawn out London, also performed. The manager of the event, Raju Tuladhar, said the Nepali community in the UK couldn’t capitalise on this progressDharmapal Barsingh Thapa, and affair. Trust is of paramount was very supportive. and the war continued for former police chief and RPP importance, and he is worried Chaired by BBC journalist, Rabindra Mishra, HELP NEPAL Network encourages Nepalis around the that the lack of trust between the world to give back to their country. It operates in 10 countries and has donated over £22,000 towards another year. leader Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, building schools and libraries in remote districts like Dolpa, Dang, Pyuthan and Parbat. It has also organised What is intriguing is why have been put into place to deviseking and the parties will not help several health camps in Chitwan and Kathmandu. (www.helpnepal.net) Koirala should make this the government’s peace strategy. the peace process. For now, the revelation now. The Nepali Like Pun, the team will also beparties and the royal-appointed Congress leader seems determinedbriefing the king directly and takegovernment are circling each that the king cannot ignore a orders from him if necessary. “As other warily. It would help if Music peace yatra they could resolve their ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ party that got over one-third of in the 29 January ceasefire, the A travelling music concert is spreading the popular votes in the 1999 role of the royal-appointed difference before the peace process starts. But, as Naryan the word of peace as it tours the length elections and he wants to put cabinet and the prime minister and breadth of Nepal.Sundar Shanta Singh Pun says, he is not going pressure on the king to either would be to legalise the Nepal, Shanti Sangeet Yatra 2059has reinstate parliament or declare understanding reached between to wait for that to begin already performed in Dharan and elections. the monarchy and the Maoists,” negotiations. Hetauda where more than 35,000 people attended the events. Organised by Himal themselves further into the mire. For the UML, too, the future one insider told us. While the Association and managed by event nepa~laya, the tour began from Dharan on 22 February and will palace still has misgivings about conclude at Kathmandu on 8 March. Tickets are priced at a nominal Rs 10 per person and locals flocked to Negotiations with the Maoists will start early next month, stayed away, and even his own However, the parties are right is uncertain. Squeezed by a about one thing—the king needs resurgent monarchy on one side the Maoist demand for elections watch the performances of popular Nepali singers like Deep Shrestha, Kunti Moktan, Ram Thapa, Prem RPP boycotted the meeting Rana ‘Avatari’, Sapana Shree, Sukmit Gurung and Nepathya. even if the parties and the palace don’t patch up. Meanwhile,scenes, and has tried Maoists to put on a their support for the peace talks and the Maoists on the other, the to a constituent assembly (so as to brave face by predicting that the fuelling rumours that Chand’s like this group in Dang, hold open Dinanathmeetings Sharma denouncingto lobby the monarchy.days in office are numbered. with the Maoists to take shape UML has to tread carefully. If the peace talks will start within two and succeed. In this, the parties Maoists join the mainstream, the SAGAR PANDIT SAGAR again like they did in November extensively with political leaders, Meanwhile, political parties civil society and selected media in weeks after the finishing touches also have the backing of India and UML would be the biggest loser. BHAGIRATH YOGI 2001. The public has a right to are caught between lukewarm Hearts, minds and vitamins ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ on a code of conduct is agreed the West. Madhav Kumar Nepal flirted the capital. Their main message: public support and the need to ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ he guns have been silent be sceptical, especially since they upon. In his first press meet in a “We want a parliament, either we haven’t struck any secret deal show that they are still a force to In an attempt to win hearts and minds during the “peace period”, the Royal Nepal Army has launched free for one month now. The don’t see signs of the peace month, Pun said on Wednesday, medical camps in mid-western Nepal—the area most affected by the insurgency. It will provide free with the king, we want the be reckoned with. Public opinion through elections or through re- relief can be seen on the process starting anytime soon and “The Peace Bus is leaving, either instatement,” Girija Koirala told a treatment to people including those injured during security clashes. Army spokesman Col Dipak Gurung, political parties involved in the blames the national leaders of the said they will aid the reconstruction of public property like schools and health facilities. Gurung also said faces of people on the the confidence gap between the you get on board or you get left select press meet on Thursday. He T government and the Maoists seempeace process. parties for the failures of the past the nearly month-long ceasefire has been peaceful except for minor incidents. He said the security force behind.” streets, the villagers returning For its part, the government is 12 years, and wants to give the also disclosed that he had met would return to their barracks only if they received orders from the government. The Maoists have from India to their districts in theto be as wide as ever. The all-party meet convened Prachanda and Baburam exactly a demanded demobilisation and a repeal of the anti-terrorist law before starting peace talks. There seems little doubt that yet to announce a full-fledged king and his team a chance to western hills and the increase in negotiation team. Worse, it seems by Prime Minister Lokendra year ago and got a verbal the Maoists are more prepared for Bahadur Chand last week to forgerestore real peace. By threatening tourist arrivals at Kathmandu the reason is wrangling in the to put a spanner in the peace commitment that the Maoists airport. peace. They announced their a political consensus for the peace negotiation team led by Baburam cabinet over who will get the process, the parties have dug The Nepal Digest But for many Nepalis, process turned out, as expected, ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bhattarai within a week of the limelight. The government’s chief especially in the districts of Dang, peace coordinator, Narayan Singh to be a fiasco. All the main parties The Nepal Digest (TND), the first Nepali on-line bulletin board started ten years ago, has returned to cater ceasefire announcement, and sent to the ever-increasing audience interested on Nepal and Nepali affairs. “Its readers consider the Rolpa, Rukum and Salyan, all this Pun is beavering away behind the rejuvenated TND a forum for intellectuals to express, share and discuss ideas. The Nepal Digest is, in fact, is too good to be true. This is not its two-man advance team of Krishna Bahadur Mahara and becoming a platform to share our hopes, concerns and aspirations,” said Ujjwol Bhattarai, editor of TND. yet peace, they say, the two sides (www.thenepaldigest.org) are just resting and they will start

HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK The real battle e are on the brink of war in Iraq. It was always going to be this way. President George W Bush probably knew on the 12 Imperial power is squaring off WSeptember 2001 that his country’s forces would be attacking Baghdad at some point in the next few years. Just as it was decided within against liberal conscience. In the March Himal hours of the horrendous events of the day before that Afghanistan’s Taleban Godavari Special pullout section: jargon-laden analysis by retired officials with similar pedigrees. Troubled regime, one of the world’s poorest and least capable of defending itself, AIDS and South Asia would soon face the awesome might of the US military. reportage by a few brave souls, but most American journalists getting metaphorically into uniform and cheering on the sidelines. It is time for Afghanistan was an obvious soft target to temper the wrath of a Special report: profoundly shocked and fearful American people. The use of Afghan soil to death on both side, brave soldiers and civilians, cowards and heroes, rich and poor, privileged and backward. Curse of the train many of those whose hate fuelled the World Trade centre attacks was Indo-Gangetic fog a prima facie reason to force regime change in Kabul. It was done, although Public opinion is uncertain at best, uneasy with the political only in the broadest, most brutal sense. What’s fallen between the cracks preparations or unaware of the medium and long-term implications. And Also: are the subtleties of manipulating post-Taleban Afghan politics to rule out that’s just America. In Britain, France, Germany, Australia, Canada, New Tribal homelands in India more 9/11’s. Gunboat diplomacy by great imperial powers rarely produces Zealand, Italy, Spain and just about every Asian, African and Latin American country, the majority don’t want war. With their massive protests lasting, satisfactory results. Hamid Karzai reigns but does not rule in his own The curiosity of cricket of recent days, they’ve proved that. But leaders of those countries are privy country: the parched hills and defiles of the borderlands, so well known to Karzai A GBU-15 ‘smart’ bomb nationalism from his years as a fighter against Soviet imperialism, are still a breeding ground to more complex information. They know that America’s wrath will fall on those who don’t help in Iraq. So they support the White House and pray for venom and fury that will soon be directed outward. dictator of Baghdad mocked American and British might by remaining in power, Indo-Pak: Dereliction of the Which brings us to Iraq. Saddam Hussein played his cards well from his for violence to end quickly. It might. But what comes next is most despite countless sorties and bombing raids against Iraqi targets in the southerninteresting. And how America continues to behave as the real battle rages. intellectual own twisted point of view. And at the table with him were far wealthier,and far northern “no fly zones”. No one seemed to care in the US or the UK. That battle is not for Iraq, Afghanistan or even to wipe out the evil men more powerful players. George Bush Sr and Margaret Thatcher, the But on 12 September 2001, Iraq appeared on a list of targets that Searching for answers to of al-Qaeda. That’s for the heart and soul of the US and its standing in the architects of the first Western war against him, both fell to the forces ofAmerica just had to hit. Never mind that the situation had festered for South Asia’s water crisis democracy, which failed to unseat Saddam. He outlasted John Major and world. Imperial power is squaring off against liberal conscience, boardroom years, that George Bush Sr and John Major had lost their nerve in 1991,heroes the basking in the glory of a brave military are taking on those who truly Bill Clinton too. When the latest Bush slipped mysteriously into office inlast best chance for getting rid of the Butcher of Baghdad. Now, a full Unraveling four generations the United States, Saddam joked that “he’d seen off the father, now he believe in the values of the American republic, and interpret them as of Indian women decade later, it was time. It is time for war. For days and weeks of high-techfairness, decency, justice and generosity. would survive the son too.” Britain’s Tony Blair—a more legitimate electedvideogame displays of smart munitions crashing home in fuzzy black and Watch that battle closely. It’s the one that matters most. leader than George W Bush—won two elections while the bloodstainedwhite screen television pictures, “bombs-eye-view” graphic displays, gruff To subscribe: Call 543-333 or manly press briefings by ministers, secretaries and generals. One-sided, write to [email protected] 6 NATION 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 ECONOMY 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 7 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL BIZ NEWS STRICTLY BUSINESS by ASHUTOSH TIWARI Martinair in Nepal ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ The Dutch charter airline, Martinair, will begin weekly flights between AmsterdamThe and numbers gamethat require, by law, firms to submit Kathmandu, replacing the link that is being vacated by Transavia airlines from April. Martinair data before they clear up regulatory is a bigger airline with widebody Boeing 767s in its fleet. Nepali Consul General in We have a flippant tendency to fling numbershurdles to proceedout withof theirthin air. Amsterdam, Cas de Stoppelaar, said the service would be an important link not ○○○○○○○○○○○ only for the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Dutch market, but also for the rest of northwest Europe. Yogendra Shakya at the Nepal businesses. One knows, for instance, A brave sun Tourism Board (NTB) says he is encouraged that the entry of Martinair into Nepal“Today, would Nepali music is a Rs 150 the Nepali music industry, though that Nepal exported 16,93,196 sq m Regardless of how Surya Bahadur Thapa’s effort to provide an enduring liberal bring in business for the ailing tourism industry. The weekly flights are scheduledmillion to beginindustry…” this newspaper bursting with talent, is a fragmented of carpet worth more than $80 million from 8 October 2003. reported) in its story on how Nepali one, and that its market estimates, to various countries in 2001-2002. democraticust when you were beginningcharacter to to the RPP plays out, you can’t ignore his robust record. This information is available because believe the liberal face of the music has come of age (“This years’ depending on who you ask, are ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ hits”, #131). How did this newspapervarious. It’s another to rush to attach the sector that exports carpet is Rastriya Prajatantra Party was so confidently come up with that numbers when guesses and unknownsrelatively much more organised, and fading into the annals of the ago must be particularly anxious to prime minister.) Thapa’s re- hawks. Nepalis got their first figure? What is its source? Intrigued, Iloom large. its members go through the Carpet Pokhara convention, Surya Bahadur emergence four years later raised Pepsi turns blue and Wool Development Board, which see the two men help the country taste of a no-confidence motion, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ called up Music Nepal, and its Even when numbers are available, Thapa steps in to assert how the avoid another accident.) hopes of another push for as Thapa insisted that the palace Varun Beverages Nepal has launched Pepsi Blue to the Nepali public. A fusion marketingof berries manager admitted that his they do not add up to new insight. collects the information, to obtain J necessary permissions. country is on the cusp of Regardless of how Thapa’s liberalisation. After BP’s return uphold the letter and spirit of the with a splash of cola in a vibrant shade of blue, the launch coincided with Cricketfirm World has no reliableCup figures for the Example: Nepal Tourism Board’s fundamental change. It’s unclear from exile in 1976, however, third amendment to panchayat 2003. The product will be available in 200ml and 300ml bottles, and is priced atwhole Rs 9industry. and Rs Additional calls to the (NTB) annual “up-and-down” data Why should we care whether who his anti-regression oratory last effort to provide an enduring liberal 12 each. democratic character to the RPP Thapa’s line was that the constitution. Out of office, he owners of well-known music that track visitor arrivals by air. Even numbers are truthful or not? To be week was actually intended for. For production houses and music-stores in sure, numbers by themselves do not plays out, you can’t ignore his Kangresis were being treated too established himself as the when you know that the total number the moment, the clear beneficiary is leniently. BP and Ganesh Man permanent leader of the town yielded no corroborating of visitors stood at 215,922 in 2002, mean much. But in these days when Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur words. He’s always been close to information. When asked who would talks of knowledge economy, the centre of action. His first stint Singh spent time analysing what opposition through his crusade Working on lunch Chand. It must be difficult to keep Thapa’s transformation could against the “bhumigat giroha”. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ be likely to know the information, unregulated markets and competitive at the helm covered the latter half China Garden at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, has introduced the “working lunchalmost for allbusy told me to ask Music Nepal. firms reign supreme, numbers, as the faithful calm when Parasu mean. In his second set of prison In December 1989, several Narayan Chaudhari has joined of BP Koirala’s eight-year executives”. The concept targets simplicity, value for money and promptness. The Inthree- light of this, what is one to bandied about by everyone, have all incarceration at Sundarijal. Thapa diaries, BP preferred to stick to weeks before the people’s course menu is light on the stomach and on the wallet, the hotel says. The scheme will Mohammed Mohasin to complete make of statements such as “Nepali the more power to represent or resigned five months after BP was his views of the 60s: “The one movement began, Thapa rotate among other restaurants in the hotel, including The China Garden which has been the RPP troika in vital music is a Rs 150 million industry”? misrepresent Nepali business freed. Some still believe he was element which is apprehensive of counselled the palace to read the selected among the Best Restaurants in Asia from establishments surveyed in 80 cities in constitutional posts. an agreement between us and the 23 countries. Is it low? Is it high? Or is it as good as scenarios. As such, in Nepal, for any forced to pay the price for failing to writing on the debris of the Berlin anybody’s guess? Whatever it is, one business-related discussion and Thapa’s insistence that the deliver on his pledge to get BP king is India. So my feeling is thatWall. His ascension to the Chand government isn’t the RPP’s it is a manoeuvre of India through thing is clear: from now on, this debate, we the consumers of numbers, firmly within the panchayat fold. premiership seven years later was would do ourselves a service when we must be seen in its constructive Thapa.” (“Back at Sundarijal printed number, whose origin is BP’s writings, however, contain a another crowning start by not taking numbers at face spirit. Once party activists shed the >26”, #129). Affordable homes dubious in the first place, is likely to you still don’t know what it means in different interpretation of Thapa. accomplishment. When Thapa ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ become some sort of a benchmark for terms of the absorbent capacity of value but by asking where the illusion, the cabinet could start The student unrest of 1979 Out of power, Thapa sought issued his nation-is-in-crisis alert Buoyed by the immense popularity of the Sunrise Homes, any future data related to Nepali music.Nepal’s tourism industry. How high numbers come from and what they conforming to its individual to bolster his liberal credentials brought Thapa a moment of two years ago, he couldn’t have the MS Group has introduced Single Floor Flats targeting Next year, add the obligatory 10 or low is that number, when pressed mean and represent. And that brings character. In case you’re wondering personal glory. He got the had a premonition of the national the Valley’s middle class population. Promoters say the percent growth and, presto, the music against—not last year’s data, as NTB isus back to asking this question again: how such long-time adversaries by focusing on the threat posed family flats have been constructed keeping convenience by the “dyarchy” of Narayanhity premiership from Kirti Nidhi convulsion the Narayanhity industry will be worth about Rs 165 fond of doing—a benchmark that just how big is the Nepali music could so easily bury the hatchet, Bista, whose sustained pressure and safety in mind. They will have reliable access to basic industry in terms of the revenue it and Singha Durbar that had set carnage would create. His amenities like water, electricity, cable channel and solar million! And so it goes, the game of measures the full capacity of the they haven’t. The new RPP had driven him out of office a proposal for a broad-based transforming speculative guesses into industry in any month? Hotels at least generates? Any takers? president, Pashupati Sumshere JB in. He landed behind bars in heaters. “This project will realise the dream of a beautiful decade earlier. After the panchas alliance between the palace and house for every person,” said promoter Sumit Kumar sober-sounding facts. talk about occupancy rates to show the Rana, boycotted Chand’s all-party August 1972 and went on a hunger strike to back his calls for won the referendum and the parliamentary parties looked good Agrawal. I use this example not to take this use or under use of rooms at their (Ashutosh Tiwari begins this meeting following consultations Kangresis boycotted the enough for Koirala to plagiarise. newspaper to task (though, in fairness disposal. NTB’s data only gives fortnightly column, which will with his predecessor. (Those who political reforms. When nothing happened, many Nepalis began subsequent elections, Thapa’s What underpins Thapa’s to its readers, the paper should lay out numbers without giving us any alternate with Artha Beed’s got a crash course in 18 indication as to how those numbers wondering how history would detractors held him guilty of early-detection expertise? The the sources of the numbers it cites), but “Economic Sense” in this space. reflect Nepal’s use or under-use of remember him. The only pancha repeating the same mistake: external quarters BP regularly to point out that whenever there is a Tiwari can be reached at failure to bring BP into the Sales up need for numbers related to the Nepaliavailable tourism capacity—an idea [email protected]) ex-premier to have been jailed by alluded to? Pure political ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ partyless fold. Over the next two AVCO International, the sole distributor of Hyundai Vehicles in the kingdom, heldbusiness a meeting sector, there seems to be this that should drive any tourism-related his own flock, perhaps. (Tulsi analysis? Or periodic visions from debate in the country. Giri, too, was imprisoned by the years, Thapa’s move to liberalise the Almighty? Does it really for all dealers at the Jomsom Mountain Resort between 8-12 February. The eventflippant came tendency after to fling numbers apparently out of thin air. In this case, The only reliable figures in Nepali panchas, but that was way before the panchayat edifice from within matter when his record is so a grueling 6-month period during which 300 Hyundai vehicles were sold. Six major dealers th th put him at odds with the partyless from all over the country participated in the conference and devised plans to furtherit’s one improve thing to say, for instance, that business come from those institutions and 19 he held the formal designation of robust? their performance in the second half of the fiscal year. century political intrigues during the fiery Thapa-Rana exchanges in the Rastriya Panchayat two decades MIN BAJRACHARYA Just another Shangri-la? are expensive and difficult to obtain.” IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN Nepal’s unfriendly visa policy and growing fears of from p1 violence have already convinced many to move on. A An open appeal for Children's Rights In November, the US Embassy gathered all nationals Danish expatriate who has lived in Nepal for the past few years says, “Nepal is a wonderful place, but it is impossible here for a security briefing. It stressed the random, to stay any longer.” He is looking to India where tax laws, We, the undersigned, welcome the recently announced ceasefire and its attendant measures: the people and leaders of Nepal are to be commended for taking the first steps on the road to peace, reconciliation and renewal. indiscriminate and unpredictable nature of Maoist violencevisa regulations and land ownership laws encourage foreign could increase the likelihood of Americans in Nepal being At this critical time, we therefore call, on all duty bearers to remember their duty to one group that has, so far, had no voice: children. caught in the crossfire. That spooked a lot of expats, but investment and enterprise. He says he had to spend an extra $200 to renew his with fears of terrorism back home in America they shrugged We note that the conflict in Nepal has had, as elsewhere in the world, a profound impact on children direct and indirect,as: such their shoulders and decided to stay, taking comfort in the business visa because of delays at the fact that no foreigners had actually been immigration office. harmed in Nepal. Clark Warren and the Naropa ¨ The loss of education through disruption and destruction ¨ The wrenching effects of dislocation and separation from families As one US citizen working in Institute recently shifted operations to ¨ The trauma from witnessing acts of violence ¨ The ever present unease and fear that eats away at hope Kathmandu points out, a distinction has Sikkim after 17 years in Nepal. It wasn’t ¨ The pain of losing family and friends ¨ Injury and death to be drawn between people who work easy to uproot and move, but the safety of here and people who actually invest here. his students became paramount after an We strongly support the recent calls by civil society leaders as well as others including children in Nepal, for schools and children to become zones of peace. “I wouldn’t consider leaving unless two emergency evacuation of two students things happened. One, if Maoist from Phaplu when the truce between the ideology was specifically targeted against government and the Maoists collapsed in ¨ No political activities in school ¨ No intimidation of students late 2001. Sikkim was Warren’s fallback Americans, and if, after espousing such ¨ No disruption and closure of schools ¨ No recruitment of children in armed formations in support or any other roles option. an ideology or policy, that such ¨ No harassment of teachers ¨ No bearing of weapons in/near schools incidents should occur,” he says, “It’s “Most students were not willing to far more dangerous to be a Nepali in come to Nepal given the tense and Nepal that a foreigner. Look how many unpredictable situation. Gangtok is We emphasize, that such an initiative, to be effective, must be under- girded by commonly accepted codes of conduct, such as: Nepali people have been killed. There is smaller, cleaner, safer, and in a more plenty of danger. Westerners could get natural setting than Kathmandu,” says We urge that children issues and rights be central to the peace process - not subsidiary. Warren, who is sceptical that the Maoists hurt, but it is not commensurate with We the undersigned, representing national & international NGOs as well as special agencies of the UN, also pledge to play our parts to support the national vision for peace, reconciliation and renewal. what the average Nepali faces.” will ever change their spots. But he says he hasn’t completely given up on Nepal. Still other expatriates like MIN BAJRACHARYA Sinagaporean restaurateur Erick Tan Another expat who hasn’t is New moved to Kathmandu in 2000 despite Zealander, Peter Stewart. The director warnings from friends about political of Himalayan Mountain Bikes who put unrest. Tan runs Singma restaurant in Nepal on the map for adventure bike rallies says Jhamsikhel with two other Singaporeans business fell by 90 percent, and it didn’t look like and a Malaysian partner. He calls things would pick up much. So he is looking beyond himself an optimist, one who sees “possibilities instead of the Himalaya to ensure the business stays afloat. problems”. Tan is happy about the ceasefireErick and Tan hopes the“Luckily we’ve been invited by the Sri Lanka Tourism peace talks will be successful. Board to open a branch there,” says Stewart who spent “It is really good news for the whole country, and the last few months setting up shop on the recently- for us too,” he said. “People have not been so willing topeaceful island nation. “Sri Lanka is a perfect example eat out at night, maybe that’s going to change.” Tan haswhere peace has been made and the country is starting no regrets about moving into Nepal, and says the pace to prosper.” of lifehere gives him quality time with his wife and three children. His only complaint is about visas. “We’re here to do business yet the government hassles us for visas which 8 NATURE 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 9

SRADDHA BASNYAT ○○○○○○○○○○ It’s○○○○○○ still a zoo out there! rom the air, you can see why the Jawalakhel Zoo Visit the new, improved Central is an oasis, a verdant Zoo in Jawalakhel and help Fsquare in the midst of Patan’s urban sprawl. On the save Nepal’s wildlife. ground, the stately trees and the placid lake make this an ideal place to soothe one’s soul. And of course, the wildlife comes for the price of a ticket. In a country where most public-sector undertakings are crumbling or have gone bankrupt, Clockwise from far left - the Central Zoo is also a A hungry Greater One- management oasis. The zoo now Horned Rhino reaches for earns Rs 20 million from ticket sales, corporate donations and nibblets, the magestic thelending out of animals and is Royal Bengal Tiger, A ploughing the money into Malaysian Siamang makes development and conservation ALL PICS:MINBAJRACHARYA work. Since the King Mahendra havefriends finally and been the modernised Trust for Nature Conservation thanksBlacknecked to a $3,320 Stork donation takes a (KMNTC) took on a 30-year better living environment will fromrefreshing the King dip. Mahendra Trust management contract to run the make the latest addition to the Canada Chapter. Of the three maintained at a constant 10 family more comfortable. zoo two years ago, our only degrees Celsius. facilities within the zoo zoological park is thriving. The zoo gets one million zoo with an emphasis on animal A pair of baby hippopotami The zoo has been getting so boundaries, the one located “Luckily, the results of our welfare and visitor facilities. arrived from Thailand last March visitors annually, and Saturday is closest to the zoo gates will be many leopards captured by the busiest day with an average of management and good PR have “We can’t expand, so the in exchange for Danfes, Nepal’s villagers on the outskirts of the completely renovated this year. been successful,” zoo director RKnext best thing we can do is to national bird. The hippos are a 5,000 people. But on the annual Improvements will include program has become an workshops in bird watching, Valley, that it has now started Bhoto Jatra, more than 30,000 Shrestha boasts. KMNTC make the animals comfortable in serious commitment. As adults, translocating them to Chitwan. cross ventilation, better example for the region. Since bee keeping, aquarium recently secured the first the enclosures we already have,” they consume 30 kgs of bananas people visit the zoo after the lighting, an automatic water 1997 “Friends of the Zoo” management and vermin The latest leopard is from ceremony. The zoo attracts more donation made to the zoo by a says Shrestha. The enclosures willand 120 kgs of grass every day. Taplejung. Historically, the zoo’s system and improved (FoZ) has been coordinating composting. FoZ members also multinational company: Toyota be renovated, increasing the They like long walks that average visitors with new animals and sanitation. The zoo has been with schools on conservation receive discounts at various track record with leopards has displays, the latest of which is an and the Vaidya Group gave a height and providing more 4km—something that can get been sketchy. They were fed promised a similar amount each and related issues. Designed for shops and have free entry to grant of Rs 4 million. Shrestha facilities, particularly for the lion rather monotonous after a once- aquarium. The grounds have year until the remaining two the young, through the zoo’s the zoo. buffalo meat, but leopard prey picnic spots, boat rides, a hopes this will open the door to and the Malaysian siamang. Theiraround-the-cage—and can live consists of smaller animals so the public toilets are complete. network with 70 schools, FoZ Running a zoo is no easy future monetary assistance from for 45 years. “This was the first playground, a restaurant and a living spaces will be enriched management switched to chicken. The Central Zoo education has more than 8,000 members. task, and the management is other corporations,Nick Aggs and of says Afro he Dizziwith Act more at Jazzmandu water bodies 2002. or Kathmandu winter the hippos souvenir shop. Visitors will be Along with the fairly academic The keepers hope periodic relieved to know the restrooms eager to do all it can to make finally has enough funds to begin fountains and rocks. experienced,” says Shrestha, “and inspections, medication against essay, quiz and drawing work on redesigning parts of the we were very apprehensive.” the zoo a centre for education, The Central Zoo houses 18 of fleas, a controlled diet and a competitions, they also conduct research and relaxation. 38 endangered species in Nepal, Their 5,000 sq ft habitat at the night tours, feed animals, visit as well as several tropical animals.zoo includes a heated pool national parks, attend

STC 10 WORLD 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 11 Freedom from want COMMENT by JEFFREY D SACHS Tight spot ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ROME- Development experts from around the world have stressed ISLAMABAD - The Pakistani government faces an awkward the crucial significance of rural and agricultural development as a situation on US plans to attack Iraq: backing Washington would strategy to enable some 900 million rural poor liberate themselves stir trouble at home, but opposition would hurt its post-11 from the yoke of poverty at the 25 th anniversary of the founding of September ties with the superpower. At the same time, there is a November 2004. His political clear national consensus that cuts across the political and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). ideological divides against the looming US attack on Iraq. Government officials from 160 countries and specialists from United advisors may well advise him that Peace activism goes global Progressive forces are denouncing it as a policy of Nations agencies agreed that women and indigenous peoples play a it will soon be “now or never” to crucial role in rural and agricultural development. launch the war. expansionism and hegemony. The conservative right also The share of official development assistance (ODA) devoted tolobalisation has assumed a protests too—the exceptionally opposes it, saying the United States has declared war on Islam. But America will pay dearly Religious parties have warned of a “serious” backlash if the agriculture and the rural sector has fallen sharply in recent yearsnew by form: global mass February’s peace marches showed mass politics must be approached globally. high level of arrogance and politics. Of course, ineptitude displayed by the Bush for launching a war against global government sides with Washington. The government has almost 50 percent between 1988 and 1999. Today only 12 percentG of deliberately given statements that are open to different ODA goes to agriculture compared to 20 percent in the late 1980s. Administration. US Defense public opinion. Unless the Bush political protests have been globalthe 15 February event was administration is vindicated in its interpretations. No official has said that the country would Redressing this imbalance is essential to meeting the Millenniumfor decades, as past marches Secretary Donald Rumsfeld support an attack on Iraq and contribute forces as it did in 1990- Development Goals. planned ahead of time, at short actions—for example, if Saddam against the Vietnam War, nuclear provoked the world’s ire through 91 Gulf War. A member of the foreign office agreed that the According to IFAD, 70 percent of the 900 million rural poor notice, for a specific date, and Hussein launches weapons of mass weapons, and globalisation itself a mocking disdain for global government has deliberately adopted a policy of vagueness until worldwide are women and the majority of indigenous peoples are with an explicit goal of worldwide destruction that unite the world the UN inspection process in Iraq is completed. demonstrated. The revolutions of public opinion. Rumsfeld’s poor. The core of the strategy to assist sustainable development of scale. The decision to launch 15 against him, or if the US discovers The clear anti-war opinion restrains the government from 1989 and 1991 in Eastern Europe juvenile attack on “old Europe” the indigenous peoples is: formal recognition of human rights and February as a day of mass protest hidden nuclear weapons in the siding with Washington. But at the same time, it finds it difficult to their rights to ancestral lands, water, forests, minerals and otherand the former Soviet Union was apparently taken at a meeting no doubt helped bring millions side with international camp opposing Iraq war, as it would annoy natural resources. It also includes preservation of indigenous into the streets. Iraqi desert—anti-American blanketed a huge region within of activists at the European Social sentiments, and terrorism, the United States. The government is hard pressed to find middle cultures and recognition of the environmental services they months. But the anti-Iraq War Indeed, it’s no longer possible ground. provide. Forum in Florence in November unleashed by war, are likely to be protests reveal a new dynamic. last year. In ninety days, these in an age of mass communication massive. Up to 10 million protestors in organisers turned out more than to “play to the home audience” America’s people have never (IPS) some 60 countries and 600 cities without the world also listening. (IPS) 5 million protestors worldwide. been told about the huge financial took to the streets on schedule There are three keys to this Bush’s swaggering style plays on a single day, 15 February, and political burdens that lie ahead, phenomenon: well in Texas, but not in Paris Donor bashing showing that mass politics can and they are not ready to bear them. Gauging Beijing ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ and Berlin. Already the US is facing huge fiscal ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ WASHINGTON - Reacting to now be approached globally. It is unlikely that worldwide BEIJING - On the second leg of his sensitive Asia mission, the Communications and mass The Internet allowed for a deficits and a squeeze on popular criticism from Western protests will stop the Bush programs, even before the costs of United States’ top diplomat, Secretary of State Colin Powell, found countries that blame rapid worldwide dissemination of media have long enabled Administration’s war plans, but war and its aftermath are taken Chinese leaders more acquiescent on Iraq but less wavering on development agencies for the “copycat” effects—protests in organisational plans at an their long-time communist ally and neighbour, North Korea. ineffectiveness of international they will help shape the political, into account. one place ignite similar actions extraordinarily low cost to the security and economic During talks with Chinese leaders, Powell tried to feel Beijing’s aid, the World Bank on organisers. Cheap and instantaneous Thursday pinned the elsewhere. The overthrow of King ramifications of such a war. The pulse on the impending war with Iraq and Pyongyang’s escalating shortcomings on interminable Louis Phillipe in France in 1848 means of global communication nuclear crisis, just weeks before China formally completes a Mass action depended on war is likely to proceed because major generational change in leadership. Powell’s mission in red tape and lack of cooperation between donor nations. was carried by the recently the US can carry out the military are here to stay. The mass local organisations seizing the protests of 15 February Beijing continued a long but quiet US effort to nudge Beijing Under the administration of US President George W Bush,introduced telegraph to Germany, phase of the war largely on its towards taking stronger measures to curb North Korea’s nuclear initiative, based on a loose global demonstrates that people Washington appears to be trying to reduce aid from the Worldigniting Bank’s revolution. Television plan. This is what network own, and because the Bush program. cheaper lending facilities, the International Bank for Reconstructionimages of the fall of the Berlin throughout the world will use Washington has been trying to persuade China to back its bid and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association theorists call “self-organising” Administration has no easy way Wall spurred revolutionary to back down from its military them to demand their right to to tackle Pyongyang through “multilateral talks” involving China, (IDA), on the basis that their assistance is not improving the lives of behaviour. As each unit took its help shape global political millions of poor people around the globe. Other bilateral donorschanges have throughout the former own steps, these local actions mobilisation. Japan, South Korea, Russia and perhaps other countries. Plans to decisions. put pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear program by been cutting back their aid budgets and rethinking the importanceSoviet and bloc. On other occasions, were communicated to the rest of Moreover, the uncertainties worth of foreign assistance altogether. placing it under a trade embargo could be blocked by China, one protests such as May Day the world through Web sites that over war are hurting America’s of North Korea’s main trade partners. Most diplomats expect that In response to this trend, the World Bank, which works in more marches were transformed into tracked and disseminated global economy (and economies Beijing’s priority remains enlarging its influence in Washington than 100 countries and financed projects worth more than $19.5 widespread social mobilisation, asplans, as well as offering elsewhere), by causing a over issues like bilateral trade, Taiwan and Tibet. They say that billion in 2002 alone, argues that donors must improve coordinationhappened in France on 1 May China will therefore avoid direct confrontation with the United among themselves and sharply cut the innumerable documents and information, advice, and postponement of business plans States and abstain in any new vote for a second resolution on processes that they demand from recipient countries. The bank1968. encouragement. and falling consumer confidence. Iraq. spoke of “harsh experience on the ground” with, too often, the What is distinctive about the If today’s stalemate drags on, the (© Project Syndicate) impact of aid being watered down because it is delivered by recent mass protests against US from it and will be able to deal “multiple, high-cost aid boutiques”. A worldwide common weak economy will threaten plans for a war against Iraq is thatwith negative consequences (on Bush’s re-election bid in concern:its own)” the he prospectadded. of an (Jeffrey D Sachs is professor (IPS) IraqThis War. is exactly what the of economics and Director Jakarta-basedThere was a fourthCentre specific for South- of the Earth Institute at (IPS) South TechnicalCooperation Columbia University.) feature(CSSTC) fuelling is doing, the global according to its director of programs, Achmad NAM’s core principles Rofiie. The centre has pinpointed the development of include opposition to “all forms small and medium sized ANALYSIS by KEVIN CLEAVER of foreign aggression, enterprises as a critical area of occupation, domination, development. It has been interference or hegemony as conducting training on micro- well as against great power and financing for small and medium bloc politics”. Malaysian Southern linksenterprises in different parts of Foreign Minister Syed Hamid the world. Bangladesh’s Grameen Albar(pic at left) said that the Bank has been a major player in KALINGA SENEVIRATNEchallenge facing NAM is to putthis training. in KUALA LUMPUR its house in order to “avoid ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ Sudhir Devare, vice interference from the rich and hile officials of Non- chairman of the Delhi-based Eradicatepoverty, but how? the powerful countries who do so Aligned Movement in pursuit of their own agendas”.Information Systems for the Non- these areas, what is needed first is peace and stability. (NAM) member Aligned and Other Developing “NAM has to take up issues WASHINGTON - Three of every four poor people in the world live in W Countries, agreed that it is In Southern Africa drought is leading tragically to starvation. countries debated a statement important to poorer countries rural areas and depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their Ending agriculture subsidies on Iraq, many governments are important to develop the skills of Emergency assistance, including food aid, is needed. But there are ways of and have common ground on forging ahead to pursue closer WTO negotiators of NAM livelihoods. In most low-income countries, agriculture, including crops, these, so that they can defend reducing the impact of drought. One way practised in the western US, as South-South cooperation, which countries. “NAM is a good forum will not help the world’s poor. their interests” said Addis Alem livestock, fisheries, and forestry, is the single most important economic well as in much of East Asia and South Asia, is irrigation, which now they say is key to strengthening to call for collective action in the Balema, a member of Ethiopia’s sector, accounting for one-quarter to one-half of GDP and the bulk of the voice of the 40-year-old part of developing countries at supports about 40 percent of the world’s food supply. More investment in delegation. “NAM has to create movement in world affairs. Many WTO,” said Devare, who is partexport of earnings. hydraulic infrastructure is needed for irrigation as well as for supplying more links, otherwise we will be NAM member countries see the Indian delegation. He added forced into the dictates of Food demand is expected to double in poor countries over the next drinking water and industrial water. cooperation in the fields of that his centre works closely with developed countries”. 30-40 years, yet funding for agriculture and rural development have been finance and technology as the CSSTC is this endeavour. Countries with failing agricultural sectors have low quality agricultural essential to help developing He argued that even if NAM “We haven’t had the successon the decline, dropping precipitously in the 80s and 90s as a result of the research and extension and a clear urban bias in road construction, water countries have an independentcomes up with a good statementwe hoped for in South-South mixed results of past efforts, particularly but not exclusively in Africa. We supply, electrification, education and health. The road network in rural foreign policy, especially whenagainst war in Iraq, the Unitedcooperation (in the last two need to reverse this tendency if we are to achieve the goal of halving the Africa is sparse. Potable water available to rural populations is a they are dealing with issues likeStates and its allies would decades),” he observed. “In thenumber of poor people by 2015 that the UN has set. stopping the threatened US-ledignore it because NAM countriesrevitalisation of NAM, fraction of that available in urban areas. Schools and health facilities war against Iraq. are financially too dependentdeveloping countries must find Agricultural subsidies in rich countries contribute to keeping are also insufficient for rural areas. Because of poor physical and “NAM is the biggest on them. Still, the head of common ground in moving in developing country farm products out and world agricultural prices Jordan’s delegation to the NAM social infrastructure, private banks and private businesses simply organisation after the United areas like reforms to the senior officials’ meeting, Musa artificially low. This makes little economic sense since many poor avoid rural areas. Nations and it is very important international financial Braizet, believes that the for us to revive it,” said architecture and the process ofcountries have a competitive edge because of cheap land and cheap labour, With no private investors to supply seeds, fertiliser, farm machinery, movement is developing a Mohamad Osman Omar, globalisation and movement ofand increased agricultural exports would enable them to buy more from strong sense of solidarity and credit (even banking services are lacking), no extension agent to introduce Somali’s ambassador to India, world trade”. consensus among its members the rich countries. The result is a vicious cycle in which poor countries’ better technology, no serious research of farmers’ problems and few roads as a series of ministerial on these issues of debt, impact inability to penetrate most of the European, Japanese and American meetings ahead of the NAM to either bring in inputs or sell whatever meagre product is produced, of globalisation and financial leaders’ summit. He said that if agricultural markets discourages investment in their agriculture sectors. flows. expectations for agricultural development are limited. NAM countries can develop their But the elimination of agricultural subsidies in rich countries will not Added to this are low rural education levels (sometimes no education own banking systems and a “Globalisation provides common currency or currency opportunities for NAM be enough to solve this problem. Other elements are also needed. Good at all), poor rural health conditions exacerbated in recent years by the exchanges, member nations (countries), but the challenge is governance and government commitment to rural development—for spread of HIV/AIDS (adding to the existing problems of malaria, TB and could get financial aid from to develop a strategy so that example, allocating public resources to rural areas for roads, electrification, parasites). It is no surprise that stagnation, hunger and poverty are each other—and this would go(member a countries) will benefit Developing water and irrigation, agricultural research, and technical assistance to endemic in these places. Two things are needed to stimulate long way in making NAM investment climate for private investment in rural business. countries need members less dependent on rich farmers—are indispensable to breaking the nexus of poverty, hunger, and agriculture and rural development in poor countries: for rich countries. Omar argued that if environmental degradation in poor countries. Farmers are private business people whether they are family farmers orcountries to reduce their agricultural protectionism, and for poor NAM countries support each Successful agriculture and rural development have come to parts of corporate farmers. Private investment will not occur in an activity that is financial and other, they would not have to countries to demonstrate a true commitment to agriculture and rural seek the help of the developed East Asia (South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, increasingly China and excessively taxed or located in an area with no roads, water or electricity.development by investing in it and creating the appropriate technological and powerful nations that say “we Vietnam), Central Europe, and several countries of Latin America (Chile China has created a relatively good rural investment climate, as have Southinvestment climate for private investment. In countries trapped in give you grains, you give us was the first success, but more recently Brazil and Mexico have had some Korea, Chile and Thailand. civil strife, stability is an even more basic pre-requisite, with food aid your vote”. cooperation to as well). India, Ghana and Mozambique have also made progress of late. In much of Africa, parts of Central America and Central Asia, the basicand safety nets necessary in the short term. Agriculture has been assisted by governments in all countries where it pre-requisite for a successful rural sector—reasonably stable government— form an has flourished. Public sector programs have been needed to get agriculture is lacking. Civil strife and war do not allow implementation of the basic moving. The most successful developing-country agricultural sectors, such platform for long-term rural development. It should be no surprise that a independent (IPS) as those of Chile and Taiwan, have gone even farther to create a good large concentration of the world’s desperately poor and hungry is found in countries like the Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Liberia, Afghanistan and foreign policy. Haiti, where civil strife has been nearly continuous for years and years. In(Kevin Cleaver is director of Agriculture and Rural Development at the (IPS) World Bank.) 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 HISTORY AND CULTURE 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 13 Empty vessels against a constituent assembly. NEPALITERATURE by MANJUSHREE THAPA ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ But at a time when the king New Everest Times, looks like he is trying to The following text is translated from consolidate his position, we 20 February Khagendra Sangraula’s latest book of Peace talks for all suspect a constituent assembly essays, Aama ra Yamadootharu could just be a trap to do away An interview with former water (Bhudipuran Prakashan, Bhadau 2059), My mother Bhagirathaa Jana Ekata, 24 February with the 1990 constitution. This picture of my mother. When my sisters saw Mother’s picture later, it resources minister and Nepali a book critiquing the emotional aroused so much joy in them that for a while they seemed to forget Interview with Krishna Bahadur Mahara, member of the Maoist is why I usually liken discussions Congress central committee blackmail that theGarood Puran, their grief at Mother’s loss. Their pride was as high as Sagarmatha’s negotiation team. on a constituent assembly to member, Baldev Sharma an empty vessel cooking on a traditionally read during the 13 day peak—glory be,Jana Ekata! In this one life that we get to live, our Majgaiya. Excerpts: mourning period, inflicts upon the family mother’s picture was published in a newspaper. But that “Narwadaa Why have the Maoists agreed to a ceasefire with the Chand hot fire. of the deceased in order to extract KHAGENDRA Devi”SANGRAULA transformed my sisters’ pride to ashes. government when all the other political parties denounced In what light does the Has the agenda of the large donations for the priest. “Dai, whose name is this?” My youngest sister asked in voice the latter as invalid and not legal? Sangraula’s critique is completely The validity of the Chand government is not somethingNepali Congress view Nepali Congress changed? creative contribution. But no matter what the level of our recognition,mixed with astonishment and fury. godless, and refreshing exactly for this. for us to question. We’ll leave that to the political partiesrecent political changes? The Nepali Congress is currently everyone has a separate, special name within his or her social “Hunh? Isn’t that our mother’s name?” The passage below is one of the book’s parameters. My mother had no name or distinct image. It is an age-old“How could it be?” who still function within the present constitution. As aTo force begin with, there is nothing engaged in a campaign to bring more personal chapters, saying much law that a son should be known by his mother’s name and a motherI became be as confused in Birtamod as I had been at the Arya Ghat on the outside we don’t recognise the present state recent about the political the constitution back on track. about women’s identity in village Nepal. known by her son’s name. But it is like going unrecognised forat a Pashupati. authority. All political activities that take place within changesthe we have witnessed, His So our main agenda is the completely nameless mother to be known by her son’s name. parameters of the present state authority do not apply Majesty’sto us 4 October move and “What was Mother’s name?” restoration of the dissolved When I think back to this I feel an intense bitterness. After our“Bhagirathaa.” because we do not consider them legal. We are here tosubsequent machinations were House of Representatives and a person’s name is very much a private medium throughmother’s which to death, her namelessness became a matter of great I tumbled all at once from the roof. What kind of son was I to not discuss how a true power of the people can be established.all pre-planned. But the Nepali Stand united functional constitution. We ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ contact the world, a medium through which to interactdisappointment with the and torment for my sisters. Mother’s body hadknow already my own mother’s name? The blade of regret began to saw At present the king is in power and he put togetherCongress the welcomes the ceasefire believe all the problems the Barbara Admas inJana Aastha, world. Each person is a distinct singularity of the socialbeen whole, cremated at the Arya Ghat at Pashupati. The remaining ashesthrough had my heart. I felt defeat, humiliation and shame. My head spun Chand government. The ceasefire was negotiatedbetween with the government and the A been swept up and immersed in the Bagmati River. After washing the country faces, including the 26 February as well as an autonomous power. Our name is the medium of the at my culpability, though there was no fault of mine in this. I would the old regime that predates the governments ofMaoist both insurgents. We hope for Maoist insurgency, can be emanation of our particularity, of our autonomy. Yet my mothersacred was platform where the funeral rites had been performed, havethe priest known my mother’s name only if I had ever had a chance to Deuba and Chand. It is misleading to say we validated initiated an offering of a ball of rice and water for the departed soul. successful peace talks so that all resolved through parliamentary nameless: nameless, and in a sense, without recognition. I realised this hear it. something we don’t even acknowledge. those who had to flee their The expatriate community was in a way that pierced my heart after she passed away at my houseHe asked, in “The name of the deceased?” I looked around. My sisters’ faces, on which the sun of pride measures. united in lighting oil lamps for Kathmandu. What was my mother’s name? I asked myself this question in villages because of the Maoist If the status quo was was rising a while ago, had now darkened in sadness, as in a full How do you respond to allegations from political partiesviolence that can return home. peace at Bouddha last weekend. “How many people came to the funeral procession?” Thisconfusion. question Mother’s name had never, anywhere, under any eclipse. Just a while ago my elder sister was saying, “See how restored, the Maoists would not the ceasefire is an alliance between reactionary forces and the Maoists? The Nepali Congress Can’t Nepal’s politicians light was tossed at me at my brother’s house in Birtamod, after thecircumstance, first part been required throughout her life. She had neverlucky had our a mother was, Bhai! She was born in Yangpang village of We are at war. If you analyse the ceasefire from that perspective you cannot call recent developments sudden. have to resort to clandestine lamps for peace in a more of the grieving observances were over. This question was voicedchance by to go to school, so her name never made it to an attendanceTaplejung District, where only monkeys play, but she was able to As far as “reactionary forces” are concerned, we have not agreed to any deals with the old regimeworkers nor do and we supporters have meetings shrouded in secrecy my sisters, who as women had been kept from the grieving register,site, in a marks sheet or a certificate. Father’s name enjoyedimmerse sole herself at Pashupati’s Arya Ghat. See how blessed our have a secret pact with the monarchy. We put forward four demands—annulling the red corner notice, removing concrete way by validating the suffered the most during the last with different power centres. essence delegating them to the Vaishya caste. rights over all the deeds and documents of home finances. Theremother was was!” But now that “Narwadaa Devi” had placed all this joy, the terrorist tag, cancelling bounties from our heads and a dialogue on our political agendas. The state peace process? While foreign never any room on those papers for Mother’s name. It was Father’s seven years. Even ordinary In response I said, “There were many people.” pride and consolation in the dust. My sisters were now worried that agreed to those and the ceasefire was eventually declared. Nothing has been agreed upon behind the curtains. The Nepali Congress is also leaders openly advocate war, name that got written down on donations and offerings. The census? I People who don’t stand to gain from the peace process are spreading these rumours. people were punished if they “About how many?” the offerings placed in our mother’s name would not reach her. The how can Nepali leaders lag do not know whether the census teams ever made it to my birthplace in engaged in the organisation of a “Maybe a hundred, a hundred and fifty.” rice and water wouldn’t reach our mother Bhagirathaa, but some We were willing to begin talks two months ago. We had also already chosen our negotiationvoted team for back us. We don’t want that remote, inaccessible eastern corner of Nepal’s topography. If they nationwide non-violent behind? The Nepali Congress “Were there any big-name politicians?” stranger by the name of Narwadaa. then. During that time, we worked at establishing contact within the old regime. This progress maypolitics not tohave disrupt the talks. ever went there, I do not know what they wrote down as Mother’s movement, if the situation leader Girija Prasad Koirala “CP Mainali was there.” “Dai, isn’t it possible to correct that name?” been possible had it taken place in the public eye. Furthermore, as a party waging an undergroundWith war, respect it wasn’t to this, the Nepali name. And what of the government ledgers on which the names of adult recently said the ceasefire “Was KP Sharma Oli there?” Such a difficult question. necessary for our moves to be open and transparent. demands, with other citizens are written for voting? I don’t know about that either. I don’t Congress has postponed a declared without the consensus Because Oliji was the parliamentary representative from Birtamod, “According to news received later, my mother’s name was peaceful protest march against parliamentary parties to reclaim know if Mother’s name had been required for my sisters’ naming Can you justify a ceasefire agreement that some factions are calling hurried at a time when the political executive power from His of the political parties has this latter question was tinged with hues of local sentiment. The apparently Bhagirathaa. Therefore a humble request is made to the parties were attempting to unite against the kingís move? the 4 October declaration. ceremonies: I had not followed those ceremonies carefully. There was Majesty. created chaos among the people. question was Sainla Dai’s: He lived here. no context in which I heard my mother’s name so that I could rememberworld to correct it the mistake when reading the earlier issue, in which This merely highlights contradictions within their arguments. If they paused to think, they wouldHowever, realise thewe intend to make another appeared.” How could I possibly send this kind of notice to ceasefire brought one more political force to their side. We have always been against the king’s attempts to I would like to ask him what “He wasn’t there,” I said. “He probably didn’t receive word.”later in adulthood. Now the priest at the Arya Ghat was asking: “What centralise power within the monarchy. We have repeatedly offered to join the other political partiesclear thatto present we will anot accept does he mean: an all party “Who else was there?” was the name of the deceased?” Jana Ekata? united front. The ceasefire is not a sign that we will follow the king blindly. It is up to the Nepaliattempts, people underto any pretext, to “Most of them were writers and artists, my familiars and well-By some memory or impression, the name Narwadaa Devi flashedI hid my in face in shame and went outside, and in my room I placed decide if they want the monarchy or not. This is why we put forward the agenda for a constituent assembly. consensus or a public consensus? nullify or make inactive the Are we wrong to believe that wishers.” my mind. It offered me—a son struggling for his mother’s name—my mouth under a towel and lay down for a long time upon a heap of 1990 constitution. sighs. The proposed roundtable talk is mired in technicalities. Do the Maoists have a position on the nitty-gritty 99.99 percent of the Nepali “And others?” immense assistance. Yes, for certain, this was Mother’s name— details that are taking so long to sort out? people are in favour of peace? “Friends from the neighbourhood.” Narwadaa Devi Sangraula! Seeing the need for the name passing away, At present the political parties, the Maoists and the monarchy are on different sides. We agree that the king The size of the funeral procession and the attendance ofI felt like I had rediscovered Mother’s forgotten name. I hurriedly told the How do you assess the Held hostage Doesn’t this best reflect the has mishandled some things but we have no qualms about negotiating across a table called byMaoist the parties demand with for (holding ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ renowned and popular figures became a matter of prestige priestfor our what it was; and a ball of rice and water were offered to the king’s representatives or vice-versa. The important issue is sorting out the nation’s agenda. Everyone should consensus among the public? elections to) a constituent Nepal Samacharpatra, family. Everyone was pleased, becoming efflorescent and roused.Narwadaa Yet Devi’s soul. agree on this one point if we are to begin discussions. The question of who summons whom is trivial. Proving I am amazed that the main those who had attended the funeral procession hadn’t known myIt was perhaps the next day that theJana weekly Ekata carried a yourself on the battlefield is far more important. assembly? 24 February political parties and their leaders mother’s name. They were unknown members of the cortegetouching of some headline of my bereavement, under which was printed a The cabinet ministers and the are more interested in “restoring nameless body. It is natural that our recognition should be as The political parties allege that peace talks will be conducted solely between you and theMaoists current are state talking about a For the last three months, Dipak authorities, relegating them to the role of witnesses. democracy” than in restoring peace expansive or as confined as our social reach, our position and our Bahadur Thapa, a local reporter We would not dream of sidelining the political parties from this process. GP Koirala and Madhavconstituent Kumar assembly,Nepal but their and giving relief to rural Nepalis. were among the first people with whom we discussed our political agenda. The fear that we will bypass the for objectives and motivations are Nepal Samacharpatra has The people know that for the last parties and conduct secret talks with the king worries those who focus on statecraft and not the state.different. The latter have yet to been held hostage in his village of 12 years they got nothing from No singular power can run the state exclusively. Twelve years of democracy proved that themake political their parties position clear on Darna VDC is far-western these leaders. The people want alone cannot fulfill this task. And it would be foolishness on the king’s part to imagine that he whethersolely can they govern want a constituent the nation. We don’t think we can do so single-handedly either. We are firm in our belief that unity is needed Achham district. Maoist cadres peace and relief, haven’t the assembly with or without the and this is something we are now ready for. in the “people’s government” parties realised this yet? king as part of the deal. If the have warned of dire conse- I would call upon Nepali It seems like the peace process has stalled. Maoists relinquish their At present the old regime has not created a conducive environment for the peace talks to progress. We have quences should he disobey the women to play a major role in demands for a republic and not stalled anything, that accusation rests on the other side. We are the ones who not only have our order and leave. According to the peace talks. I had heard REVIEW by WAYNE AMTZIS accept His Majesty as part of negotiation team ready but also have publicly announced it to the people of Nepal. We have taken the first local journalists, the Maoists women played a very significant step. their constituent assembly, why have accused Thapa of writing role within the Maoist We would like the talks to begin as soon as possible. We have made our intentions clear toshould the government the nation accept this against the “people’s war” and movement but they haven’t but they don’t seem serious. The nation will continue to flounder in this morass if a resolution changeis not reached.of heart? The Maoists supporting the “reactionary appointed even a single woman There have been no changes in military movement and the state seems insensitive and insincereshould about make the public their stand peace talks. If the establishment conspires against us, we will be forced to use the people’s action against them. government”. to their negotiation team. Does vis-à-vis the monarchy, the What is intriguing is the this mean women should kill and army, the country’s security and be killed like men but cannot palace politics. We are not really Maoists have refused to lift the ban on Thapa’s free movement represent her kind in the Someone else’s country peace talks? even three weeks after the rom the opening poem, “As Identity lies at the centre of Tsering Wangmo’s poetry. declaration of a ceasefire between Remembered”, with its opening the Maoists and the government fire and the summers we erased because we were inThe breathing. The utterance. Fline—“I am only beginning to another place. on 29 January. understand how seasons affect ”me—to the When the thermos shatters, she knows the No Eastern star leading conch shells and a rainbow closing poem, “One More Say” with its direction of its spill. I am told I was five in 1971 even though my birth at dusk. Those who must believe, do. closing line—“Here it is a location. Here it She knows how to lead and follow. Know hercertificate states I was born in 1969. The elders QUOTE OF THE WEEK is a scattering like mustard seeds”—Tsering from this. count on their fingers. They have done it for a longWho dares to question the accuracy of a direction time. “Parties on opposite sides of a negotiating table Mug shot Wangmo speaks with the deliberate yet when the journey was not theirs. hesitant voice of a young Tibetan who is may make high demands initially but they will Ghatna Ra Bichar, 26 February In these uncertain situations, it is not growing up in the refugee communities of It was winter but not the kind of winter they wereThe moment of birth. Before the father extended agree on small fundamental points. Eventually, the kindness of strangers that she has to born into. India and Nepal and is receiving her college rely on, but the ways of her family, the rules his arm towards the mother. the Maoists will accept a monarchical system. The UML general secretary They were wearing hand knitted woolen sweaters. I education in the United States. With a of her house that she must learn from. Right now their primary desire is to emerge doesn’t like his own picture. He is was wearing a jacket that children born of refugees above ground.” clear, observant eye, Tsering Wangmo sets The insight gained from this vantage is Here is a location. Here is a scattering like mustard outraged about a photograph wear. seeds. down what she sees and hears as she comes that language and how it is used (right) published byGhatna Ra to terms with her life and with the language -Padma Ratna Tuladhar, human rights determines the way the world is known. When I am with them, I cannot say I remember. I Bicharin its 19 February issue. of a later time. activist and mediator for the proposed peace This is finally Tsering Wangmo’s strategy say as I am told. Madhav Kumar Nepal is so livid Rules of the House has the talk in in writing the book. Hers is a I remember. Haak, 26 February. about this picture that he is out feel, on first reading, of a diary recorded consciousness that registers and waits, that With this final placement and after the event where emotions, if they were dislocation, with this singular image held bashing all Nepali-language papers gains mastery by observing and setting It is not the accuracy of the story that concerns us. in town. He was particularly felt, remain unspoken. Style dominates down without distortion what one within the rhythm of language, Tsering content: what we have is a map and not the Wangmo tells us what it is (for a person, venomous about becomes attuned to. By taking in hand a But who gets to tell it. Kantipur,saying it country. The prose-like pace of the with it as I read: for a people) to lose one’s home and to set published lies. “They all want to fate that is, more often than not, out of her language—sentence by sentence, sometimes hands, her identity is formed, and in the forth in the world for another. For the defame me,” Nepal said.Ghatna “ two or three sentences and then a pause, a 100 kilos of sugar writing, reclaimed. child taken along on that journey, the Ra Bichar has made it a mission to gap, a moving on—distances the reader 100 packets of Taj tea. voice of memory becomes through the defame me. Look at my picture on from a summary engagement with the life at Total = 2,000 rupees. insight gained in these poems, the voice of their first page. It is it is hand. Even so, there are more than enough With the simplest of descriptions, experience. scary…unshaven and with fogged moments of realisation and common place AS REMEMBERED Tsering Wangmo portrays the predicament up glasses…They stand to gain beauty that stand and stay through the What is at stake in this first volume of of displacement and of her need to recall it. nothing from showing me in such patterned slats of her narrative and that poems is identity. In the variousplaces “ I am only beginning to understand how seasons (Wayne Amztis is a photographer and an unflattering way.” He accused mark it in place and time: called home/ in someone else’s country” as affect me. ONE MORE SAY writer who lives in Kathmandu.) the editor of the paper of belittling the narrator comes to see herself through Winter. Snow beating street people into Is everyone ready? On the count of three I’ll him, and warned other papers to “the daily rituals and the yearly ones”, Think on this when prayers fall like thick paint onRules of the House stop the “baseless and bad publicity obedience. How mothers held back from stepping release him—the rest of you arrest him The Tara statue had tears in its eyes. The Tsering Wangmo looks to those who share asphalt. by Tsering Wangmo Dhompa campaign” adding “we can initiate out in discreetly ornamented shoes and thin nylon immediately. caretaker produced the piece of scrap paper he her exile’s journey. Spoken of and heard, yet Apogee Press. $12.95 a similar campaign against them socks. used to wipe it off. Words ran into each otherrevealed only with reticence (named simply Think on this when the face is fading. Berkeley, California (the editors)”. www.apogeepress.com Rajdhani, 22 February. where water touched ink like meandering veinsby letters: M – F – S), it is, above all, M, This is the way I count years: the winters we had in a frayed wrist. The monk blessed himself who offers guidance. Think on this and be decisive in your motions. 14 CITY 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 MUSIC 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 15 BOOKWORM

Natural wonders of India & Nepal Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, Buroshiva Dasgupta, Indira Bhattacharya New Holland Rs 2,400 Music to our ears This book takes readers on a visual adventure through the continent’s wildest and The newly-established unspoilt places, while maps and fact panels in each chapter tell them how to get there through pertinent information on location, permits, facilities, best Music Institute of Kathmandu ABOUT TOWN time to go and what to see. strikes the right note for FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS Leopard Gerald Hinde Cycling for Peaceby Pushkar Shah at Lazimpat Gallery Café from 2-8 March. serious musicians. Harper Collins Mapping Modernity in Nepal5-18 March at Nepal Arts Council, Babar Mahal. [email protected] Rs 2,000 Photographs by Tashi Ghale at Via Via Travelers Café, Thamel. www.viaviacafe.com Hinde is one of the few people to unravels the leopard enigma having watched and Themes in Jewellery by Angela Dodson Soulier, 8-18 March, Indigo Gallery. photographed them for over 10 years. This book is a culmination of all he has learnt. The Jazzmandu 2003 16 days of jazz from 28 February-15 March. Tickets: Upstairs Jazz Bar. 410436stunning photographs it contains are rare in the depiction of leopards at intimate moments. Dedication and passion is Sundar Shanta Nepal: Shanti Sangeet Yatra till2059 8 March. Details: 542544,537799 something MIK will definitely be able to Peace Rallyfrom Patan Durbar Square 2PM on 2 March. Youth Initiative for Peace (YIP) - Nepal. inspire judging from the talented pool of Navin’s former students. Some, like 535521 Tiger: The secret life Valmik Thapar Photographs by Fateh Singh Rathore Axata Singh(top, right), have already Elm Tree Books ANUP PRAKASH recorded singles. She was nominated for the Best Female Vocal EVENTSEVENTSEVENTS he Music Institute of Bomzan of Upstairs Ideas, the Rs 2,160 Performance this year at the HITS FM Kathmandu (MIK) had a phoenixpromotion agency behind the jazz 10km Walkathon for St Xavier’s School scholarship fund. 8AM from the school on 1 March. 521050 Music Awards and has won the Golden The author and photographer spent many years in Ranthambore studying tigers and their like beginning: it rose from thefestival and incidently, Cadenza’s Biking down to Kathmandu Mountain bike tour 1 March. 539900/ 545990 Voice Award at the inter-school Green habitat. This book contains extraordinary photo documentation of three tigresses with Tashes of Elite’s Co-ed music manager. He confessed the profits Music Festival in 1997 and 1998. His Love is in the AirPromote sterilisation of pets. Reduced rates till 14 March. 414332. from last year’s festival were paltry department, one that Cadenza other students currently in the pursuit cubs of different ages and lays to rest the myth that adult male tigers kill their young. but contributing from that was symbolic The Birthday Cake Dinner theatre. 6-8 March Hotel Yak & Yeti. Proceeds to The Ganesh Foundation. drummer and frontman, Navin of music stardom include Asish of their commitment towards creating a Chhettri(top, left), has been involved Ghimire of Catch 22 who has a regular A Night at Lal Durbar 28 February. Hotel Yak & Yeti. 248999 space for Nepali musicians. “Navin, We take pride in with as a music teacher for the past gig at Rum Doodle in Thamel, and Susan (co-ordinator of Jazzmandu) and few years. With a 15-member faculty Gaurab Basnet, keyboardist of rock I always wanted to promote jazz in jobs well done. and a fully equipped music band Monkey Temple. MUSICMUSICMUSIC Nepal and MIK will be a place not only department, Elite’s had one of the The Prismplays at the Jazz Bar every Friday at Shangri-la Hotel, Kathmandu. 412999 Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] for learning the ABC’s but more The cream of the old Elite’s music best music programs for students in importantly, also for taking musiciansclass and the new MIK crop will be GainesTraditional Nepali music at Club Himalaya Nagarkot Resort.3 68008 the Valley. With the school on the to that next level,” says Chhedup. performing at Bom Shiva Day Out on 1 verge of closure, Navin saw an March at Gokarna. It’s just the kind of opportunity to realise a project that isThe institute will start with music CLASSIFIED incentive that Nepali youth need to FOODFOODFOOD close to his heart. clinics headed by some of the believe that music can be a vocation. Losar celebrations3-5 March at Stupa View Vegetarian Restaurant and Terrace. 480262 international artists at Jazzmandu. The

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “MIK has been a dream for a long formal program is scheduled to begin in Cafe Mitra goes ChineseWednesday night with guest chef Ranjana Yonzone from 5 March.Visit 259015 Ground ZeroFine wines, designer spacious living, dining, modern kitchen time,” he says. Still in the planning WORKSHOPS April with certificate courses that run individual telephone, terrace, overlooking stages, Navin has worked to bring Sessions conducted by some Saturday BBQ Lunch at Club Himalaya Nagarkot. 680083 candles, cards, gifts, stationery, wooden items, from six months to a full year as well together the former teachers of Elite’s Jazzmandu musicians including Natalie perfumes and more. Darbar Marg, oppositeenglish garden with tall trees in quiet as short crash courses. Initially, it will Sekuwa SaanjhFriday BBQ at Dwarika’s Hotel. 479488 music department and his fellow Williams and Nick Aggs will be held on surrounding. Contact: 524389 operate from the Elite music Hotel de l’Annapurna musicians to teach everything from 11.30 AM from 4 March at the American Breakfast 100 Club at Weekends1905 in March with Thomas Kilroy at 1905, Kantipath. 225272 department after school hours before rock to jazz. The faculty also includes Centre in Gyaneshwor. For details call moving to another premise. Navin Nepali classical musicians like Robin 427527. hopes this will encourage people, old GETAWAYS Lal who plays thetabla , the vocalist TrainingRTC IELTS courses are taught by Visit Femilines,the Exclusive Lingerie Store and young, to fit music into their lives. Gamcha Organic Farm Guesthouse, near Thimi. 631734. IELTS examiners using the very latest for ladies undergarments, nightwear, Gurudev and Santosh Bhakt who will“I am sceptical about the response,” he Shivapuri HeightsTraditional cottage with modern facilities. www.escape2nepal.com materials. Too good an opportunity to miss.bathrobes and more. Ladies staff. Opposite teach theishraj . says, “because people here look upon Affiliated to the Trinity Collegemusic of as a hobby. Those who come to Ultimate Bungy at The Last Resort. 439525 Enroll now! Tel: 429590 Sajha Yatayat, Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk. us may not be as committed to the Tel: 547428 London, 25 percent of the profits from Jazzmzandu 2003 has been craft as I would like.” earmarked for MIK by Chhedup To Let In Jawalakhel near Zoo Fully Furnished JAGADAMBA PRESS NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Apartment 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Advertisements in all Medias: 428575 [email protected] VIS -27 -02-2003 03:00 GMTBang on schedule for Shivaratri on Saturday we Tel: (01) 521393, 543017, 547018 have rain forecast, as this westerly over Pakistan For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36. Fax: (01) 536390 we see in the satellite picture taken on Wednesday arrives over Nepal. Expect light to moderate rain, snow at higher altitudes over the weekend. Cloudy nights will raise the minimum temperature and the lower maximum temperature. So a return to wintry conditions until the sun comes out again next week.

KATHMANDU VALLEY

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Sun-Fri 0740-0800 Ps}}}l5g\\\ -/]]]l8of]]] klqsf_ Fresh hardcopy editions of Sun-Fri 0800-0830 8anL8anL8anL -ljifout-ljifout-ljifout cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_ Nepali Times and Sun-Fri 2000-2030 cfhsf s'''''/f -;d;fdlos ljifodf ax;_ Himal Khabarpatrika Sat 0800- 0830zflGt cleofg now available in New Delhi. Sat 1930- 2000cfrf/ ljrf/ -e|||i6frf/lj?4 ;xsfo{_{_{_ s"6gLlts d~r Contact: RK News Agency Sat 2000- 2030s"6gLlts d~r MCD No. 002263 Defence Colony Market Radio Sagarmatha (next to Moet’s Restaurant) P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal For subscriptions in New Delhi, contact: Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 [email protected] /]l8of ] ;u/dfyf E-mail: [email protected], www.radiosagarmatha.org 16 28 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH NEPALI 2003 TIMES #134 Under My Hat by Kunda DixitThe Re-aligned Movement BY OUR EXTRA-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT happiness and progress on their National Day, but only a handful Kashmir Dispute. Members leaned on India and Pakistan on an KUALA LUMPUR - The richest leaders of the world’s poorest of them reciprocate the gesture on our National Day. If they think annual rotation of sovereignty over Kashmir. Under the arrange- countries wrapped up a multi-million dollar summit in the that we are going to take this lying down, they are mistaken. We are ment, India will possess the Himalayan state during odd years, and Malaysian capital Tuesday after passing a resolution in which going to take this sitting up.” Pakistan during even years. The negotiations nearly broke down they promised hereinafter to remember to send telegraphic In an ominous move, Nepal said its germs were so far deployed in when a heated dispute erupted between Islamabad and New Delhi greetings to each other during their respective National Days. peaceful civilian use for water-borne gastric infections, but warned: over which side should be allocated even years since the country Members of the Re-aligned Movement (RAM) unanimously “We can easily covert this into a transboundary germ warfare program that got the Leap Year could keep Kashmir for one more day. approved a proposal tabled by the delegation from the Kingdom of if the big countries refuse to greet us on our National Day.” A nuke exchange was averted as the two reached a compromise Nepal (and seconded by the Kingdom of Tonga) expressing News that Nepal may be engaged in clandestinely developing to divide 29 February into two 12-hour segments. The whole concern that some heads-of-state were getting too big for their biological weapons of mass destruction spread through the process will be enforced by international monitors with digital boots and were not returning greetings sent by smaller countries. corridors of the Re-aligned Summit, and even made it to the News stopwatches. Despite this landmark settlement, leaders of India and “Sending these telegrams is an internationally accepted norm Bar on CNN. After that, presidents, prime ministers, sheikhs, Pakistan steadfastly refused to hold hands in public for the of civilised behaviour between nations, and failure to do so could potentates, despots and junta leaders from all 115 re-aligned duration of the summit. jeopardise world peace,” a visibly upset head of the Nepali members voted “yes” on the resolution, with two abstentions. In their final communique, re-aligned nations agreed they would delegation told a packed press meet. “We send greetings to every In other developments in the sidelines of the summit, the Re- not attack, annex, invade or force a regime change in any other single head of state in the world every year wishing them personal aligned Movement finally managed to broker a solution to the state without first saying “please”.

NEPALI SOCIETY Kunti’s triple trophy one award, but when she got three she, her song-writing husband and two daughters didn’t have their feet epal is beautiful, but we BICC on a helicopter…and the firston the ground any longer. It was all could do with some time a female singer bagged three theof morepraise-worthy because the “ peace,” says Kunti the main awards. nominees in all three categories Moktan, who is among When Kunti Moktan alighted fromwere top class—symbolising the a dozen N Nepali singers touring the great strides that Nepali music has the Ecuriel helicopter in front of the taken in terms of originality and country for “Sundar Shanta Nepal”conventional hall that afternoon, she professionalism. a series of peace concerts knew it was going to be an exciting culimnating in a grande finale in day. But notthat exciting. By the end Kunti has wanted to sing ever Kathmandu on 8 March. of the evening, as she did a Norahsince she can remember. Born in a And that will be exactly a month Jones, bagging one award after tea garden in Darjeeling 41 years after Kunti bagged three trophies another, (Best Female Vocal ago, she enjoyed listening and in this year’s HITS FM Music Performance, Album of the Year andsinging songs right from her awards. The award ceremony had Record of the Year) she was in childhood. Kunti started recording a lot of firsts: the first time seventh heaven. songs forAIR Kurseong in 1977, but artificial snow rained down in the was not satisfied. She wanted to reach hall, the first time a singer zoomed “What can I say? I’m happy, out to a wider Nepali audience. So, she off-stage pillion riding (with a elated, euphoric, delighted,” Kunti came to Kathmandu. “It was the right helmet) on a motorcycle, the firstgushed before flying off to Bharain for decision,” she recalls. Her first song on time the lead singer arrived at thea pre-arranged concert tour for Nepalis Radio Nepal in 1980 wasKahile “ kahin there. Kunti had expected at the most malai pani” became an instant hit and launched Kunti’s career. Kunti feels the Nepali music industry has now reached critical mass: musicians and singers can make a living out of the profession, they don’t need to keep a salaried job elsewhere. And despite the inroads of television and FM, Nepali music has grown, proving wrong those who thought Nepal would be overtaken by Bollywood songs and American pop. The other phenomenon that Kunti finds heartening is that all the songs that won awards had folk elements in them. “You may like the ocassional pizza, but sooner or later you come back to yourdhedo and gundruk ,” she says. And anyone who has felt like getting up to dance to the pure- Nepali rhythms“Dharan of Dhankuta” will know what she means. NHUCHHE MAN NHUCHHE

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