#707 16 - 22 May 2014 20 pages Rs 50
MAIMING THE ON HEAVEN’S PURPLE REIGN MESSENGER BY ANURAG ACHARYA PAGE 4 SHORE Micro buses wait for passengers under blue jacaranda in full bloom at Ratna Park on Monday. With abundant sunshine, Kathmandu is sweltering while the western COMMUNIST GETTING AWAY Tarai is baking in an above-40 degrees heat wave. The monsoon is still more than a month away, and a high CACOPHONY WITH MURDER Rara’s refl ected glory pressure system over Central Nepal is delaying evening BY TRISHNA RANA EDITORIAL PAGE 10-11 storm showers normal for this time of year. PAGE 6 PAGE 2
DEVAKI BISTA 2 EDITORIAL 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER while their Madhesi allies had a single Madhes of Law Narahari Acharya and second-man Ram province as their main plank. When the results Chandra Poudel went against everything their came out, activists and politicians who backed party has ever stood for. They proved themselves ethnic politics questioned its validity and split to be even more callous than army generals, hairs between ‘mandate’ and ‘opinion’. police chiefs and guerrilla commanders towards The NC and UML, on the other hand, the relatives of the victims of the conflict, many paid reluctant lip service to federalism during of them their own party activists. the campaign but were decisively against People who treat universal values of justice future provinces being named after particular and truth as dispensable irritants cannot write a ethnic groups. The Hindu-right RPP-Nepal, democratic constitution that guarantees the rule of course, was against federalism, secularism, of law. Last month, the NC stood silent as the republicanism and just about everything else. Maoists hounded human rights activists who Five months after the elections, the public mood tried to raise their voice on behalf of the relatives is one of growing dismay. The Maoist opposition of the victims. There is an old proverb: ‘He who doesn’t seem to realise that it lost the election, defends a thief may be a bigger thief himself.’ and still wants to govern by consensus. The UML It seems foregone conclusion that the results has its own internal scores to settle. And an of the Indian elections when they are announced octogenarian freedom fighter who is now prime on Friday will represent a shift to the right in ‘He who defends a thief minister seems incapable of stopping a right the region. Due to India’s gravitational pull, shift of his once social-democratic party. this is sure to tug Nepal’s political spectrum to may be a bigger thief himself.’ Given their belief in the end justifying the the right as well. The Hindu-right RPP-N thinks means, it’s not surprising that the Maoists would it can benefit from this shift, and influence the here was a lot of optimism after the want to stoke divisive ethnic politics. The constitution-writing process. announcement of the result of the November Madhesi parties have predictably tried to cover However, whatever the regional political Telection that the new coalition led by up their own governance failure and disunity trend, our own election result should not be an democratic parties would write a constitution of by selling the vision of an utopian autonomous excuse for triumphalism among an exclusionist the people, by the people and for the people. province after which they promise everything elite who think Nepal can continue to be By throwing out the incumbent partnership of will be hunky-dory. centrally governed. The new constitution must the Maoist and Madhesi parties, voters had sent a However, it is with the Nepali Congress that be a document that reflects an evolved egalitarian clear message that they were against their we are most dissappointed. Here is a party that polity. divisive ethnic and territorial politics. The election was supposed to stand up for democracy, human By backing amnesty for wartime excesses the could, in fact, be seen as a referendum on the rights, freedom and pluralism. It was supposed NC has not just subverted its own ideology, it main issue on which the two blocs differed: what to be the party of the people, for the welfare has also sent the message that it backs impunity. kind of federalism the country should have. state, for socialism with a human face. When you allow people to get away with murder, The Maoists campaigned strongly for eight By strongly backing the Truth and you are telling them they can get away with or more single identity-based federal provinces, Reconciliation Bill, Congressites like Minister breaking a lot of other laws as well.
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BEGGARS AND CHOOSERS Unfortunately, the absence of that RENEWED HOPE cartel of Indian airlines is keeping compatriots like that we don’t need No sovereign country in the world system reinforces social inequities and The best hope and perhaps the only prices artifi cially high to Bombay and enemies. allows foreign governments to hand perpetuates cycles of political abuse hope for Nepal Airlines is for the Delhi. Also, NAC should get widebody J Basnet out money to its private citizens that has led to a sophisticated new government to sell 49 per cent of planes and slash fares to Malaysia or NGOs without its approval form of authoritarianism – one that its shares to a well run airline such and the Gulf so that our fellow Nepalis ONE MAN and direct regulation (‘Beggars empowers the elite, while keeping a as Singapore, Qatar, Emirates, etc do not have to spend their hard- I don’t know much about his [Leela and choosers’, Editorial, #706). majority of people in abject poverty. and also let them have complete earned money on the high fares in Mani Poudyal] history, but he certainly Otherwise what is to prevent foreign Nepali day to day management control (as other countries’ airlines. seems to have his heart in the right governments to hire Nepali citizens the Sri Lankan govt. did sometime Gurung place (‘The power of one’, Damakant to directly work for them instead As a direct donor to Nepal through back with their national carrier) with Jayshi, #706.) Now let’s see if his of working for the country? There my UK charity and partner NGO a board directing their long term European and North American political bosses allow him to do what he is nothing wrong in asking willing working in education, and being policies and objectives (‘New planes, aircraft manufacturers are worried really wants to do. donors to spend money where it an indirect donor via my UK taxes new hopes’, Vijay Lama, #706). Let’s that the Chinese have learnt the Namah will provide the most benefi t for and DFID I feel that it is a receiving not kid ourselves - with the present sophisticated art of manufacturing the country and the people. If the government’s right to stipulate where management culture, structures and airplanes. But it’s their fault because I appreciate Paudyal’s efforts donors have concerns on issues they require money for development, systems nothing much will change, they outsourced wingparts, fuselage to clean up the Bagmati, but the like human rights, they can stop and the focus on infrastructure for new planes or old. For God’s sake and landing gear assembly to Chinese crux of the problem and solution are their funding. What they should not example is perfectly reasonable. they can’t even maintain such simple companies to save money. Now that different. I lived in Kathmandu for be able to do is directly fund their However, the government must realise robust planes as Twin Otters, how the Chinese have learnt to make three years. It is crowded, dusty and own agenda, without any regulation that aid from developed nations always =will they manage with MA60s and planes as good as Boeing and Airbus, polluted. Everything’s centred here. If and oversight. has strings attached whether it’s to do A320s? but for half the cost, naturally, they are we had built good schools, colleges, Dev Batsya with demands for human rights and Airline guy worried about the Chinese catching universities or hospitals outside inclusive development in countries up. That is why FAA and EASA have Kathmandu, people would not think Aid money should improve lives such as Nepal. Without this our own Good to read an article with been denying certifi cation and arm- about moving to the capital. Kathmandu and raise people out of poverty, governments would soon lose political some hope about Nepal and Nepalis twisting Asian and Pacifi c countries cannot afford to shelter this growing leading to sustainable growth and support from taxpayers who saw their instead of only hopelessness. But it from buying planes like the MA60. As population. Let us establish federal development. However, the truth taxes being used to prop up “inhuman is up to Vijay Lama and other loyal Capt Lama cites, all six accidents of states and give them the full authority. is foreign aid has often presented and discriminatory” regimes. employees of NAC to make the airline MA60s have been attributed to pilot Rjackson33 more challenges than opportunities All contracts have two sides to well managed once again so we can error. My guess is that the local agents to aid recipients. In the 60 plus them, and it should be a simple matter be proud of our national carrier. One of western plane companies and years since being an aid recipient, for donors and government to discuss step would be for NAC to immediately private operators in Nepal are trying to we’ve seen small improvements priorities from both sides so that restart fl ights to India because the sabotage our own national airline. With Weekly Internet Poll #707 across Nepal, progress that would agreement can be reached. It would be Q. Do you think Baburam Bhattarai should form a have occured even without foreign unrealistic to seek perfect consensus, new party? support. The impact from aid has but there are some clear norms which Total votes: 203 not been proportionate to the can be agreed fi rst. amount of money donated. Foreign In addition, some of us have argued aid’s biggest downside is that no for a long time against major donors clear, effective system has been put using aid monies on feasibility studies, in place to hold aid recipients and evaluation projects, etc of which there their governments accountable for are many examples where funding has resources illegally taken from public been wasted. Tangible projects with Weekly Internet Poll # 708 sector coffers, a long standing, tangible benefi cial outcomes must be To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com and still very present, trend from the standard applied. South America to Africa to Asia. Flexible1 Q. Who should be blamed for the 26 vacant positions BIKASH DWARE in the CA?
Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Editor: Bhrikuti Rai | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 3 4 NATION 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 Maiming the messenger Democratic regimes with undemocratic institutions can stifle press freedom
n Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India Iand Bhutan, regimes flaunting democracy have stifled the free press by maiming the messengers. During the final years of the armed conflict, Nepali journalists were also under similar threat. Between 2001 to 2006, at least 17 journalists were killed by Nepal’s security forces, while nine others were killed by the Maoists.
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killed Shahzad. Yet, a year long Powerful people will have to inquiry failed to name any culprit go down if we are to ever find in the report because the civilian out how Krishna Sen, Ambika government simply lacks political Timilsina and seven other will and courage to do so. journalists from Janadesh Weekly BY THE WAY Luckily, Hamid Mir has were tortured and killed ten years Anurag Acharya survived the attack and under ago. If we investigated the killings tremendous internal and of journalists Gyanendra Khadka Nepal then was among the international pressure the Nawaz in Sindhupalchok or Dekendra most dangerous places to be Sharif government has once again Thapa in Dailekh, some senior a journalist. Things, however, formed an inquiry commission to comrades may be implicated. haven’t improved with the end ascertain facts of the case. No one To be sure, Nepali democracy of conflict, the criminalisation of expects much out of that inquiry and free press is under attack politics during our long political either. on multiple fronts in the recent transition makes peacetime Four days after attack on Mir, years. The nexus between local almost as dangerous as the journalist and author Mohammad administration, political actors, conflict years for the press. Hanif quoted senior Pakistani thugs disguised as businessmen, A regional media conference Editor Imran Aslam in his Guardian and criminal gangs who in Islamabad on 3 May World article as saying bluntly: “There monopolise public contracts have Press Freedom Day organised was a time (in Pakistan) if they become so powerful, reporters by the Press Council of Pakistan didn’t like what you wrote they censor themselves to stay safe. As coincided with the assassination censored you. They cut out a word a result, local crime and attempt on Pakistani TV or a line. If they got really angry corruption mostly go unreported, journalist, Hamid Mir, allegedly they got your editor fired. Now they further entrenching the state of by the country’s intelligence just shoot you.” impunity. agency, the ISI. The saying ‘you don’t know A 2013 survey conducted Mir hosts a popular political what you have until you have lost by Alliance for Social Diologue debate program in Pakistan’s it’ is one Nepali journalists are well (ASD) reveals that more than 75 Geo TV and is known to raise aware of, having faced restrictions per cent of Nepali journalists difficult questions, especially from all sections of the political sampled in the study felt unsafe regarding the secretive ISI and spectrum. The state of perpetual reporting on the issue of local its role in promoting extremism impunity resulting from the the corruption and crime. Similarly, to weaken democratic rule in the passage through parliament of the only 35 per cent said they felt safe country. Three years back another watered down TRC bill exposes reporting local administration’s outspoken investigative journalist Nepal’s democratic deficit. involvement in the misdeeds. Saleem Shahzad went missing Nearly eight years after the Interestingly, 76 per cent of the from the heart of the capital, and signing of the peace accord, the journalists also say they don’t was found dead the next day Sushil Koirala government passed discuss sensitive issues with 200 km away. He had recently the TRC bill which received the their editors for fear of being released a book exposing the Presidential seal earlier this week. misquoted. penetration of Al-Qaeda and other But the process was an eyewash, Over the years, we seem extremist groups into Pakistan’s intended to bring the peace process to have taken our freedom for military. to a hasty conclusion by getting the granted and failed to imagine Local journalists I met and constitution over and done with. that democratic regimes with spoke to claimed matter-of-factly The international community was undemocratic institutions are that it was indeed the ISI which convinced of this priority, and has perfectly capable of stifling our abducted, tortured and then maintained a baffling silence. freedoms to abate accountability. 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 BUSINESS 5 BIZ BRIEFS Empowerment All new Agni group, the sole authorised distributer of Mahindra & Mahindra MUVs, SUVs and tractors in Nepal, has launched the new through improved Mahindra Bolero Pick-up Flat Bed. Powered by micro- hybrid technology, the new Bolero pick-up is priced at Rs 1,845,000. entrepreneurship Free data Mobile service provider Ncell has joined hands with the Wikimedia Foundation to launch a new product - Wikipedia Zero. All Ncell customers will now be able to access Wikipedia, free of mobile data charges Kesha Kumari Damini shares award from 7 May. Boston bound with Richard Branson for proving Turkish Airlines is now fl ying to Boston, that women-run businesses can be making the city its sixth destination to the US. Introductory round trip fares are priced at Euro 399 from Istanbul to a force for change Boston and $799 from Boston to Istanbul. One more Chairman of Himalayan Bank Manoj Shrestha inaugurated the bank’s newest branch in Samakhushi on Tuesday. This is the 42nd branch of the bank. Boot camp Jagdamba Giants, one of the six teams participating in the NCell Nepal Premier League has begun its preparation camp at Bhairahawa. The team being captained by Shakti Gauchan will undergo 3-day coaching and training at Bhairahawa from 11 to 13 May before the tournament starts on 14 May. Bond closed NIC Asia which opened its “7.25% NIC Asia Bond 2077” for issuance on 4 May has announced that the bonds are now closed. The full Rs 500 million were subscribed within 4 days of off ering. The 7-year bonds carry a coupon rate of arely does one get a chance to influential business leaders daughters, and no son. 7.25 per cent per annum. to share the limelight at an who through their achievements But her life changed Rinternational award with have demonstrated the benefits dramatically after she attended Dream luxury Richard Branson. But when you of a constructive relationship a training program for micro- are a woman from Nepal, and that between business and society,” enterprise development supported Etihad Airways has unveiled the new product too from the Dalit community, it said Per Leif by UNDP and the and service off ering on its Airbus A380 and is even more remarkable. Saxegaard, Chairman Australian government Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft, including On Thursday, Kesha Kumari of the Business for called MEDEP. She The Residence by Etihad. The Residence is a Damini (pic, right) was recognised Peace Foundation. borrowed Rs 4,000 completely new forward upper-deck cabin by the Norwegian Business “We believe this is and bought a sewing and features a living room, separate double for Peace Foundation with six crucial in fostering machine. bedroom and ensuite shower room. others honourees from all over conditions that lead It was a long, and the world for her initiative to to peace and stability hard struggle, but her lead a network of more than instead of conflict.” customer base grew 60,000 micro entrepreneurs The worldwide and she set up the in Nepal. The annual award search for the 2014 Manisha Tailoring and goes to individual business honourees is a Training Centre in leaders who have fostered peace joint effort by the Parbat district. During and stability through private International Chamber the conflict, Kesha enterprise. This year, besides of Commerce, the Kumari faced threats Damini and Branson, there United Nations and intimidation, but are four other winners including Development she worked hard to Tunisian businesswoman Programme, the raise her daughters by Wided Bouchamaoui, and social United Nations Global herself and persuaded entrepreneur Selima Ahmed from Compact and the her husband to quit his Bangladesh. Oslo-based Business job in India to help her Kesha Kumari is cited for for Peace Foundation. in her business. her leadership and success in Kesha Kumari, 51, was born She is now chairperson of the mobilising small entrepreneurs, in Baglung and suffered the National Micro-entrepreneurs mainly women, to become triple marginalisation for being Federation of Nepal which self-employed and overcome poor, a Dalit and a girl. Her helps members with marketing discrimination. Branson is the father remarried and the family their products and to lobby for founder of the Virgin Group and separated when she was four. policy changes in Kathmandu to is recognised for his strong stance She was too busy taking care of recognise micro-enterprises. Two- on climate change and support for her siblings to go to school. She thirds of its 60,000 members are the Global Zero campaign. got married, and was stigmatised women and a quarter of them are “The award is presented by her community for having six from the Dalit community. 6 NATION 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707
PhD-PM became an instant His democratic credentials darling of the local media and as a senior statesman are not the international community and exemplary, either. He has Communist cacophony managed to win the public’s heart not been open to criticism or with various populist gimmicks, opposition and is known to the façade quickly fell apart. His regularly attack and accost s the UCPN (Maoist)’s structure. On his twitter account association with criminals like his detractors through op-eds newly chosen central brb_laldhwoj this week he wrote: Baburam Bhattarai’s Bal Krishna Dhungel and the in newspapers and on social Acommittee members ‘Debate within UCPN (M) is how call for democratisation indiscriminate plundering of the networking sites. Bhattarai met at Paris Danda on to transform a war-time over- state’s treasury under his watch doesn’t exactly make the case Thursday afternoon, questions centralised monolithic Party in the UCPN(M) is not sullied his name and image to a for the most eligible candidate to about ideologue-in-chief Baburam into a participatory democratic- large extent. replace the reigning potentate. Bhattarai’s role within the party centralist Party.’ (sic) as benevolent as he Furthermore, the same While analysts contend that still loomed large. In an interview with man who is now calling for walking out of the national The national convention in Rabindra Mishra on BBC Nepali makes it out to be greater transparency and convention is definite proof Biratnagar earlier in the month on Wednesday, he said democracy within his own that Bhattarai has no intention was a PR disaster for the Maoists “historically, power and party, relinquished all forms of of returning to the party fold as Bhattarai and his supporters position have worked to democratic process after May and the UCPN(M) is headed for walked out of meetings. suppress the truth” and his 2012 when the first Constituent another vertical spilt, the former decision to stay out of the Assembly was dissolved. For 10 prime minister, even with his party’s central committee months, Bhattarai clung to his new found hubris, must be aware was a part of a larger revolt prime ministerial seat, resisted of the current fate of Mohan because every type of social public and political calls for Baidya and his men. Despite change requires a struggle." and modernisation are resignation, and even allowed repeated threats of ‘returning to The demand for a not as benevolent as he himself an extension after not the jungle’ or starting off another complete overhaul makes them out to be. being able to conduct polls by armed struggle, the CPN-M has HERE WE GO of the highly If it is reins of 22 November that year as he had become a marginal voice in Trishna Rana centralised power the party that he is promised. Nepal’s political landscape. structure of the eyeing, the former Bhattarai doesn’t have a strong For now, Bhattarai’s safest Bhattarai, who has been Maoist party has been raised by vice-chairman record of promoting democratic bet for claiming the top post reiterating the need for the rank and file ever since the would do well practices within his party. Even will be to tolerate Dahal’s antics, ‘rupantaran’ (transformation) end of the armed conflict. And if to remember that as cadre were demanding that top fulfill his duties as chairman of the party and a new order senior leaders want the UCPN(M) he was hardly a posts in the central committee be of the CA’s Political Dialogue on social media and interviews to remain relevant in an evolving paragon of leadership decided through elections, he and Consensus Committee, and ever since the UCPN(M)’s socio-political environment, and pluralism when never got behind them. And when ensure that the new constitution embarrassing defeat in last they must deal head on with he was given the the party decided to downsize the is finished in time which will November’s elections, is clearly this issue sooner opportunity during 266-member CC to a 99-member also allow him to rebuild the miffed at Chairman Pushpa Kamal rather than later. his tenure as prime committee, Bhattarai wanted to trust and goodwill among his Dahal’s unyielding iron fist But Bhattarai’s calls minister. add more so more of his men (and own cadre as well as the general and the party’s autocratic for democratisation While the women) could be included. public. BILASH RAI The abundant sunshine of the past week will continue at least into the weekend. Although the hot sun is baking the plains and there are major afternoon KATHMANDU updrafts, there isn't much moisture in the high pressure system over central Nepal to lead to any localised convection rain. The slight shift in wind direction has also blown away the dust from the desert, reducing the fi ltering of sunlight which will raise the maxima to up to 33 degrees in Kathmandu. Expect some cloud buildup on Sunday afternoon. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 30° 31° 33° #707 16 - 22 May 2014 16° 17° 18° FOR NEPALIS BY NEPALIS Nepali software developers have been prolific in creating smart phone apps
GANESH ACHARYA
eed to check how much a taxi to Thamel should cost, update on the latest load shedding schedule, or how to say ‘I like your dress’ in NNewari? The App Store maybe global but their apps are local thanks to Nepali developers who have created hit applications targeted at Nepali users. Batti gayo! oftware developers Elija and Chandraman Shrestha (pic, above) Sgot tired of photocopying revised power schedules that changed every few months. So the conjugal team of software developers came up with Nepal Load Shedding Schedule, an app to keep tab on every-changing power cut schedules. The Apart from the popularity, the app app proved to be a hit: over 400,000 users also brings them close to USD 300 in downloaded it within a week of its launch revenue each month. “We even had to on the Google Play store. change servers after getting high traffi c, “Users give us a lot of suggestions but we didn’t want to stop people from about what they like and want to see accessing easy information just because incorporated, so we learn as we go,” says our operating costs increased,” says Eliza who worked on the software with Chandraman Shrestha. her husband. Over three dozen versions “However it would be the happiest day of the app has been uploaded on the for us when load shedding ends in Nepal Playstore. and this app is no longer needed.”
RADIO NEPALI What’s Nepali Listen to more than 170 Nepali radio stations on your the date? Watch apps worth android device. 100,000-500,000 downloads basic Nepali calendar to a one stop solution and earn installing 4.3 stars for information on currency exchange rates, ash On Ad is a unique app that pays 5 news and daily horoscopes. subscribers money for watching NEPALI SUPER JOKES TAXI FARES NEPAL Nepali Dictionary and Hamro Keyboard advertisements on their phones. Read jokes in Find out whether your C Nepali and English. taxi driver is a cheat. hankar Uprety works in an American help typing in Nepali in mobile phones For every six second view of the ad, it software development company and and also checks spellings and suggests pays the viewer one rupee. According to 50,000-100,000 downloads 10,000-50,000 downloads Sis the man behind popular apps like new words. During the second Constituent Bishwas Dhakal of Cash on Ad, the app 4.2 stars 4.3 stars Hamro Patro, Nepali Dictionary and Hamro Asssembly election, Uprety also posted has been downloaded 200,000 times. Keyboard. The three apps have been live updates of the poll results through The app was launched three months NEPALI NEWS downloaded over 500,000 times in Android these apps. ago and the developers are presently NEPAL YELLOW PAGES Your daily dose of news and iOS platforms. “I feel proud that these apps which are working on its new version. They feel it Off ers more than 30,000 data from Nepal at your “We wanted a smart solution for a result of my personal interest have made can be used worldwide by advertisers from 460 diff erent categories. fi nger tips. Nepalis abroad to keep track of the festivals lives easier for over 500,000 Nepalis,” says to reach niche audience. 500-1000 downloads 50,000-100,000 downloads and important celebrations,” says Uprety Uprety who takes out two hours everyday 3.8 stars 4.3 stars who has expanded Hamro Patro from the from his day job to work on his hobby. 8 EVENTS DINING
Tuning Earth and Sky, Opening night, Dan Ran, a rare collection of the works of artist DJs, slam poetry and movie screenings. the best Japanese food this part of town. Jimmy Thapa. 23 May, Alliance Francais, Teku Jhamsikhel Runs till 21 June, Galleria Ishine, Kupandol Height, Sanepa Selling books, Embassy, Movie day, buy and sell used books. soothing ambience with an extensive watch two French fi lms Story of a bulb, 14 June, 10am to 4pm, Alliance menu. Lajimpat Camille Rewinds and The Tree. Spanish experimental photographer Francais, Teku 16 May, 8.30am & 6pm, Ana Alvarez’s exhibition of the series Froyo, Alliance Francais, Teku of photography walks taken in beat the heat with a cup or two of this Kathmandu.18 to 25 May, 3pm onwards, world famous frozen yogurt. Metro plaza, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Uttardhoka Babar Mahal Revisited City Museum Kathmandu, Phat Kath, head down to Darbar Marg’s newest Open house, off ers French-ish food, a takeaway gallery on the block for personalised featuring the work of artists Arpita crêperie, low tables and hookahs for guided tours. Shakya, Ashuram Khaiju, and Palpasa hippies, tables and chairs for normal Tours run daily, accommodates up to Manandhar. people, and a formidable hip hop 15 people, [email protected] Runs till 7 July, 11am to 6pm, soundtrack for everyone. Thamel Gallery Mcube, Chakupat
Retrospective, This country is yours a look back at the oeuvre of senior Solitudes, 16 May, 5.30 to 6.30 pm, screening of film Sweat drenched artist and cubism enthusiast Surendra land by Arun Pradhan Trout it all about, an exhibition of the work of Finnish Pradhan. Runs till 18 July, Park Gallery, 17 May, 3 to 4pm, gallery-walk through with acclaimed the Olive Garden at Radisson Hotel is photographer Päivi Wells. Pulchok, parkgallery.com.np photographer Surendra Lawoti off ering fi sh lovers a reason to rejoice. 20 May to 6 June, Image Ark Gallery, Kulimha 22 May, 4 to 5.40pm, discussion on the visual Special trout dishes in any style of your Tol, Patan Darbar Square Life is flow, representation of marginalised groups preference, 6.30 to 10.30pm, Rs 1500 plus an exhibition by photographer 25 May, 4 to 5.30pm, Surendra Lawoti in conversation with taxes per person. Who is a feminist? Susanna Ferran and poet Frederic audience Find the answer at a feminist reading Hoff man accompanied by sound 31 May, 11am to 7pm, get your portofolios reviewed by group by Chaukhat. healer Chaitanyashree. Surendra Lawoti 23 May, 3 to 5pm, Martin Chautari, Runs to 22 May, Image Ark Gallery, 16 May to 1 June, 11am to 7pm, Nepal Art Council, Thapathali Kulimha, Patan Darbar Square photocircle.com.np
Tee off, Cha cha cha, get ready for the sun and go learn one month’s worth of salsa in watch corporate leaders battle it four days. out in the greens. Rs 1,000 for singles, Rs 1,500 for couples, 17 May, 7am onwards, Royal Nepal Monday to Thursday,7.30 to 8.30am/5 Golf Course, Airport road, Gaushala Haus Café, to 6pm/6 to 7pm, Salsa Dance Academy, pastas, pizzas, desserts, Haus does Bhatbhateni everything with equal perfection. Pulchok 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 9 MUSIC GETAWAYS
Kripa Unplugged, Barahi Jungle Lodge, India week ndian Cultural Centre in association with U-turn events is organising a week- young aspiring musicians give their own the fi rst eco-jungle lodge of Chitwan long Indian cultural fest starting 16 May. “The event will provide a platform to renditions of classics. youtube.com/user/ directly overlooks the Chitwan National I spread the rich Indian culture in Nepal,” read a statement issued by the Centre. KripaUnplugged Park, spa, boutique guest room, “We aim to further boost bilateral, cultural relations with Nepal." individual and two-in-one private villas, The event kickstarts with the ambassador’s culinary challenge at Hotel including a suite with a private swimming Annapurna, followed by a long list of events which include an Indian carnival, pool. Andrauli, West Chitwan, www. food festival, fi lm festival, marathon, and exhibition of RabindranathTagore’s Arohan-awarahan, barahijunglelodge.com go see the best of Nepali classical music at paintings. Troupes of Sarod players, Bhangra and Manipuri dancers will also the 8th anniversary of Yalamaya Classics. Atithi Resort, be performing outside Kathmandu at Pokhara, Birganj, and Chitwan during the 16 May, 5pm onwards, Yalamaya Kendra, week-long fest. Indian classical singing maestro Ustad Rashid Khan will end the a perfect place to stay, nearby pool, Patandhoka, (01) 5553767 event with a performance accompanied by Nepali artists Manoj Gautam and massage, sauna, and delicious food Salikram Ghimire. of your choice. Shantipatan, Lakeside, 17 to 23 May Dance-mandu, Pokhara, (61)466760, (01)4002077 party with 20 sets of performers from Free launch, Nepal and India, with other attractions like the Nepali underground band Divine cocktail bar, children’s play area, djembe Infl uence play live to release their new EP jamming, and a fi re juggling show. Scarecrow. 17 May, 10am onwards, 17 May, Purple Haze Norling Resort, Gokarna Rashid in Kathmandu, go watch the great Indian vocal maestro Ustad Rashid Khan live, accompanied by Jyoti Goho, Satyajit Talwakar, Murad Ali Khan, Yaswanth Golcha, Manoj Gautam, and Salikram Ghimire. Rs 1000/2000/3000/5000, 23 May, 5.45pm onwards, Royal Academy Hall Art. After seeing the works of Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer and most notably Jason Martin, in fl esh, Subash began Waterfront Resort, to explore abstraction and created take advantage of the summer discount paintings, inspired by classical music, Rocking Friday, and while away in the lake city. Rs 8,999 which were eventually named after join in the merriment as Kathmandu’s The per person for two nights and three days, the title of the score. His recent works Spirit-X belts out a mixed bag of classic Sedi Height, Pokhara, (061)466370/04, engage a variety of diff erent themes rock, blues, and rock n’ roll. 9801166311, waterfronthotelnepal.com and discourses; responding to the 16 May, 8pm onwards, House of Music, contemporary socio-political issues as Thamel Weekend brunch, seen through the lens of mainstream start your weekend with a sumptuous media. Hear this contemporary Nepali Starry Night BBQ, breakfast at the corner of Kathmandu, artist talk about his work this week at catch Ciney Gurung live as you chomp on Take a bow, swimming included. ARTIST TALK KCAC. your meat stick. catch the jazz violinist Guillaume Rs 1,499, 11am to 3pm, Park orn and raised in Dharan artist Subash Rs 1499, 7pm onwards, Fridays, Shambala Blanc live. Village Resort, Budhanilkantha, BThebe graduated from Middlesex 18 May, 3pm onwards, Siddhartha Art Garden Café. Hotel Shangri-La, (01)4412999 Free entrance, 6 June, Jazz Upstairs, Lajimpat (01)4375280/952, ktmgh.com University London in 2011 in BA Fine Gallery, Babar Mahal 10
Yes, you can actually see stars reflected on the mirror surface of Rara LakeON HEAVEN BINITA DAHAL f there was a list of the ten meaning of the term in Nepal: was too difficult and turned back, in MUGU places in Nepal to see before there are no lodges or restaurants. sending me a note with a villager on you die, then this jewel of You climb past horse pastures up the trail. I had to press on by myself, a lake tucked away in the to Danfe Lekh, aptly named after and followed the old foot trail that remote mountains of the Nepal’s national bird, the impeyan now has tractors and Swaraj trucks Inorthwestern corner of Nepal pheasant. It was dark by the time groaning and lurching on it. My feet would be it. we reached the pass which was were hurting and the dust from the Rara, even the name evokes still covered in snow. vehicles did not make this a pleasant longing, beauty and isolation. The night stop at Khali lived walk. TALCHA The beauty will probably up to its name, it was completely But the first sight of the azure RARA LAKE remain, but Rara is not remote empty by the time we got there. blue Rara wiped away all the JUMLA for much longer. A road linking We knocked on the door of a discomfort. I made my way to the it to the Karnali Highway is house and asked to stay the night. army camp that guards the national nearly complete, and by June The hospitable owner offered to park and the nearby guest house NEPALGANJ the upgraded airfield at Talcha cook rice, dal and bean curry. which is called (what else?) Danfe. will open. It will theoretically His wife Phulmaya offered her My father, who had flown in ahead be possible to fly out from blankets even though we were via Talcha joined me there. KATHMANDU Kathmandu in the morning and be complete strangers. This is the The next morning, watching the on the shores of Rara before lunch. hospitable Nepal before ‘trekking’ dawn sky reflected on the mirror The old way is to fly to Jumla arrived. surface of the lake and the sun rising via Nepalganj and do the three-day The second day my two from behind the Dolpo mountains, walk. This is not a trek in the usual companions decided the trail was a sight that cleansed my soul. 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 11
N’S SHORE Rara is one of those places that make you glad to be alive to be able to witness such beauty. That night I saw that the saying “Rara ma tara talkancha” is actually true: the stars are actually reflected on the lake. You can spend hours watching the lake change colour with the time of day, exploring the surroundings, the Shiva Temple and the summit of Murma Top at 3700m. By end- May the flowers will be out and the waterbirds migrating back from Siberia will have arrived. There are sights that your mind never forgets for the rest of your life. My father woke me up at 2am to see the moon rise over the lake. The water radiated an otherwordly light of its own. A sight so sacred it was like seeing the dawn of the creation of the universe. ALL PICS: BINITA DAHAL 12
spends most of the film enacting his brilliant career. Shahid’s early journey to Kashmir and his time in jail are shown rather briefly. These ‘formative years’, when Shahid goes from innocent witness to wannabe rebel and his latter transformation from a traumatised prisoner to a lawyer for the misjudged, should have been crucial in a character study like Shahid . We are told our hero wants to fight for the voiceless but we aren’t convinced why. However, the film is worth the trouble of finding a DVD just for Raj Kumar Yadav’s performance. Recently awarded the Best Actor SHAHID award at India’s National Film HAPPENINGS Awards (NFA) for “portrayal of the journey of a Muslim young man n this part of the world, to seek a careful balance between who is persecuted, who rebels organised attacks on civilians ideologues who want to recruit and ultimately comes back to Iand the reactive policing that him and others who want to fight injustice as a committed law follows often get played out in reform him. Ultimately, the latters’ abiding lawyer”, Yadav the media but never make their efforts prevail and drives Shahid from way into films. Indian filmmaker Shahid gets acquitted. start to finish. Hansal Mehta treads where Once outside MUST SEE From 2010 to Bollywood refuses to glance in and leading a free 2013, Mehta was on Shahid, a biopic about lawyer life, Shahid chooses to study a self-imposed break, tired of Shahid Azmi who was shot dead and practice law. He starts his making cheesy and formulaic in 2010 for fighting pro-bono own firm and fights on behalf of Bollywood films. His comeback cases on behalf of those wrongly the underdogs for nominal fees. has been vindicated somewhat accused of terrorism. This is how he meets Maryam, a with his reception of the Best The film starts with the divorcee mother who becomes Direction award at the NFA young Shahid (Raj Kumar Yadav) his wife. The new husband is for Shahid, “a story that is an BIKASH DWARE narrowly escaping death in also married to his work, mostly inspiring testament to the human LET’S TALK: UCPN(Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prime Minister 1992/93’s Bombay Riots and fighting for bystanders who get spirit”. The next film featuring Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal during the three party then training as an insurgent scapegoated after terrorist attacks. both actor and director is meeting at Baluwatar on Monday. in the mountains of Kashmir. Case after case, we see Shahid CityLights, based on the BAFTA Unable to handle the physical get the innocents out of jail. nominated Metro Manila, which is and ideological teaching, Shahid Soon, both the media and unseen all set to release on 30 May. escapes back to Bombay but enemies want him stopped for Sunir Pandey is imprisoned on arrival for their own reasons. purported links to terrorist The real-life Azmi was nepalitimes.com groups. In Delhi’s Tihar Jail, the renowned for getting 17 acquittals Watch trailer impressionable youngster has in seven years, and director Mehta
BIKRAM RAI NEW HOMES: Visitors examine apartment models at the Real Estate Expo in Bhrikuti Mandap on Saturday.
KRISHNA SINJALI ROYAL AFFAIR: Locals welcome former King Gyanendra Shah at the inaugural program of the Rajbanshi festival in Jhapa on Saturday.
HARIZ BAHARUDIN SAY CHEESE (L-R): Nishchal N. Pandey of the Centre for South Asian Studies in Kathmandu with Former US Secretary of State George Shultz, Mallika Joseph from India and Ambassador Humayun Kabir from Bangladesh at a seminar at Stanford University Hoover Institution last week. 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 13 The voiceless faces aking Kathmandu process. This work aims to facilitate recognition of these as the geographic identities and the larger issues that surrounds them. Tsetting, and with focus on activists of As a photographer, how do you feel about visual six social and political representation of marginalised people or lack thereof? movements during the Visual culture in Nepal is not as developed as in the West. constitution writing Most of visual representation of Nepal is done through the process, photographer exotic lens - images of mountains, temples, rustic portraits Surendra Lawoti’s (pic, of ethnic people and so on. I think there is a lot to be done left) exhibit This Country in representing the marginalised in a respectful way. One of is Yours aims to provide main reasons why I wanted to work with the six groups is space to “the historically that these activists are barely represented visually. It is my marginalised.” hope that my photographs serve as records of our historic NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati spoke to Lawoti about his moment. ongoing exhibition. How have you dealt with insider/outsider issues in this What led you to start this project? What inspired you to body of work? look at these issues? My work is based on intensive research - reading, talking to SURENDRA LAWOTI A lot has happened in Nepal in the last twenty-five years. I people, interviewing people, and explaining the scope of my wanted my work to be about this transformation in Nepal. work and its potential dissemination to the participants. It is Screening of Sweat Drenched Land by Arun Pradhan, 16 May, 5.30 to 6.30pm I wanted to make a body of work of contemporary Nepal also a long-term body of work. I am not parachuting in with a Gallery walk-through with Surendra Lawoti, 17 May, 3 to 4pm, that was socially, politically and visually engaging. As the fancy camera and am shutter happy for a day or two. I try to [email protected] to register work developed, I decided to focus on the six marginalised understand the underlying issues, its nuances as much as I Panel discussion on ‘Visual representations of marginalised groups or lack groups and their activists during Nepal’s constitution can to blur the boundaries of the other. there of’, moderated by NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati, 22 May, 4 to 5pm writing process. I chose to work with these six groups Artist talk with Surendra Lawoti, 25 May, 4 to 5.30pm because they are some of the key identities that have THIS COUNTRY IS YOURS Surendra Lawoti off ers portfolio reviews for Nepali photographers and visual been historically marginalised and who face a tremendous 16 May to 1 June, 11am to 7pm artists, 31 May, all day, [email protected] to register representational deficit in the current constitution writing Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal
that I would willingly choose this vegetarian dish says a lot about how good it was. Perfectly cooked pockets of pasta encase a delicate mix of goat cheese and spinach and this comes with a decadent béchamel sauce with generous lashings of parmesan cheese, accompanied with thick chunks of hearty beard to sop up the remaining goodness. This is a place to go and have a long leisurely meal, take breaks between courses, and then make sure that even if you can’t eat another bite, have enough space left in your tummy for an excellent cup of freshly brewed espresso. Lounge on one of the sofas at the terrace garden while sipping on LA DOLCE VITA PICS: RUBY TUESDAY your coffee after all La Dolce a Dolce Vita has been around perfect place to slip away for some salad greens or biting off delicate Italian- case in point - the Braciola Vita is the good life… a good, since 1986 and is one of the discreet people watching. I prefer bits of antipasti. So we dove right de Maiale alla Griglia (Rs 650) good life. Lfew restaurants in Kathmandu it in the afternoons when it is less into the mains and started with the which is a honey glazed pork Ruby Tuesday to be able to boast of such noisy largely due to the lack of Pizza Hawaiian (Rs 550). chop with wedged potatoes and longevity. The secret to its success wanna-be rock bands blaring out La Dolce Vita is owned by the steamed veggies. The language How to get there: La Dolce Vita seems to lie in its conviction that it bad cover versions of 70s rock hits same brothers who own the widely transforms the humble chop into is right opposite the Kathmandu doesn’t have to jump onto “serve raucously from neighbouring roof- popular Roadhouse Cafés and one of lip smacking deliciousness Guest House gate in Thamel. everything and cater to everyone’s top restaurants. the wood fired oven thin crust and thankfully the actual dish lives demands bandwagon”, but to My fellow food explorers on pizza did not dissappoint. Most upto the rather fancy name. Yes, quietly plod away, determined to this jaunt to La Dolce Vita were of pizza aficionados would shudder another dish with sucrose added provide the best quality Italian food the meat and pasta loving variety at the thought of pineapple on a to it and yet another case of the in Nepal. And it is a philosophy and I had been forewarned that pizza. But I happen to love the sweetness of the honey bringing that has clearly worked. Travellers they would not tolerate nibbling on sharp sweet bits of pineapple that out the full range of flavors of recommend this tiny gem of a place clash so delightfully with the rich the meat but I loved the slightly to others and for Kathmanduites in fattiness of the mozzarella. The charred edges on the meat, even the know, there is no other place cheese bubbles and wraps itself using the bread to mop up the quite like it if the craving for pizzas around the little fruity chunks; remaining sauce rendering my and pastas in rich sauces rise. the ham provides a salty burst of plate spotless. Located on the busiest flavor – what’s not to love? Also I If there was one dish intersection of Thamel, it is always will admit that I feel it is a healthier that I would recommend amazing to see how quiet and option- the fruit being better than wholeheartedly- it would be this- relaxing it is inside. Spread out say sausages and salami- my other the Ravioli di farmagio di Capra e over three floors, earthy, rustic and two favourite pizza toppings. Spinaci (Rs 525). My love for meat comforting, La Dolce Vita is the Everything sounds better in is well-documented so just the fact 14 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707
GIZMO by YANTRICK Still neglected Tab that kids he term ‘neglected illnesses’ disease despite a huge gain in tremendous political will. refers to diseases in the theoretical knowledge. What With summer we are already o you’ve recently bought a top-of-the-line tablet, but even before your fi ngers begin to get comfortable with the new device, your child Tdeveloping world that happened? seeing outbreaks of a host of takes it away from you to play (whatelse but) Candy Crush. When you remain scourges without remedies After the laboratory scientists diseases such as hepatitis which S in sight, even though the academic sequenced the typhoid bacteria has already started causing do get your device back, most likely only after your child goes to bed, chances understanding has improved. they moved on to other ‘virgin problems in Biratnagar. It has are it will look nothing like the sleek new gadget you had purchased only territories’ in sequencing. The been reported as hepatitis A or hours ago. problem is that diseases like E, but available rapid diagnostic Like adults, children these days are gadget crazy. Most get their fi rst typhoid, typhus, rabies, hepatitis tests are not always reliable and tablet/smartphone even before their teens and as with every tech-freak, E, and snake bites really do not many cases of hepatitis E may be want to own the latest in the market. Keeping this in mind, Samsung recently have a spokesperson or lobby missed. Sophisticated tests like released a children’s version of their popular Galaxy Tablet, the Samsung groups, and are truly considered PCR (polymerase chain reaction) Galaxy Tab 3 Kids Edition that is tailored to keep biblical diseases generally are generally expensive and both the parents and their children happy. confined to the developing world. unavailable in Nepal, so a proper Despite its brightly coloured exterior, DHANVANTARI the kids edition, is essentially the same Buddha Basnyat, MD There is, for example, no financial diagnosis is often not made, incentive to take advantage of hampering proper management device as the Tab 3. However, there are the typhoid bacterial sequencing of the case. a few tweaks. The Kids Edition comes ome years ago the medical to make cost-effective, accurate Another neglected problem with a rubbery surround case which journal Nature published diagnostic tools to help with rampant in the Tarai are protects it from low-level drops. There is also an additional case Sthe genomic sequence of patient care in typhoid fever. snakebites. Year after year there the organism which caused continues to be a shortage which includes a carry handle the plague (Black Death) in of life-saving anti-snake that can be converted into a Europe in the middle ages. The venom, which means more stand (see pic) and a large stylus bacteria was reconstructed farmers and their families on a string. from the remains of buried are going to fall victims. The 7-inch screen off ers a decent victims. Genome sequencing of Rabies is not a resolution of 1,024 pixels x 600 pixels, and many organisms has happened seasonal disease and is although the video quality fails to qualify as rapidly, but has this ‘basic generally present in the HD, it produces bright and vibrant pictures. There science’ enhancement of our same intensity the year are two cameras on board, a 3 MP one on the rear knowledge helped us in a around. But thankfully at and a 1.3 MP version on the front, both of which can be practical sense? Not really. least for dog bite victim, used with the kids’ apps. About 12 years ago the the Health Ministry The Tab 3 Kids Edition is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz genomic sequencing of the administers the expensive processor, and is backed by 1GB Ram, which keep most of the kids’ apps typhoid bacteria (see pic) was anti rabies vaccine for running at optimum speed, although the speed gets sluggish while playing carried out. Many scientists free. Often rabies affects more advanced games. Two modes of video display are available: standard at that time wrote ecstatically children and even a small Android screen and the Kids Mode, a simple colourful interface, which about how this would lead puncture wound by a makes it easy for your little ones to fi nd their way around. to revolutionary changes in rabid dog’s teeth may With 8GB of on-board memory, the tab off ers a plenty of room for apps, typhoid fever treatment. Sadly, Compare typhoid fever potentially cause rabies. So it is videos, and music but if your child has a large appetite, then you can always more than a decade later we have with HIV/AIDS which continues crucial to obtain the vaccine and expand the memory upto 32GB via a microSD card. But if you are worried made no obvious progress in to make important gains in importantly also to clean the dog about your child spending too much time on this new purchase, relax. The taking care of typhoid patients. prevention and treatment. bite wound with soap and water built-in parental controls and time limit settings ensure that parents get to The academic thrill of discovery This favorable bias towards and iodine very carefully as the regulate web and Google Play access and manage the time usage. did not translate to more effective diseases like HIV is obvious rabies virus tends to stay at the Your little ones are guaranteed to have a ball of time accessing a wide patient outcome. in the funding pattern of the bite site. range of games and apps on this one. And, you are never too old to hold one Because typhoid can affect US National Institute of Health Targeted assistance from yourself. If people do see you playing with one, just switch to normal mode anyone in Nepal (from highly- (NIH) and even the Bill and charities like the Bill and Melinda and claim you are checking emails. At Rs 20,000 it is also much more wallet placed officials to high-altitude Melinda Gates Foundation. Of Gates Foundation would focus friendly than many of other tabs on sale. climbers to school children) we course, if we had clean drinking attention on disease that have all continue to suffer from the water and improved sanitation been neglected for too long Yantrick’s verdict: The Tab 3 Kids Edition might just be the best lack of prompt, proper diagnosis and plumbing, typhoid would because they afflict mainly the gadget in the market for children today. and treatment for this ubiquitous disappear, but that would require poor in poor countries. 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 NATION 15
The rise and fall y the time you read this column in Nepal, Bthe results from India’s mammoth month-long elections will be coming in and of the Congress there is one thing we can predict: the Congress will be blown out of power. What is uncertain is India’s grand old party faces an existential crisis the magnitude of its impending defeat. crisis in the Congress is the splintering of its social support base, comprising upper caste Hindus, Muslims, and Dalits. In 1990, the government of VP Singh set aside a quota of jobs for the Other Backward Classes LOOK OUT (OBCs) much to the chagrin of Ajaz Ashraf upper castes, who felt betrayed by the Congress because of India’s grand old party faces its reluctance to oppose this an existential crisis that Sonia administrative measure. Worse, the party did not Gandhi’s son and heir apparent, PRESSBRIEF.IN SURVEY BY HANSA RESEARCH/NDTV Rahul, may not be able to support the policy of job quota either, thus alienating both the overcome. The crisis has both of perception. Beginning 1989, it This was the dominant theme to everyone. This dichotomy OBC and Dalits. The demolition immediate and long-term has won over 200 seats in the of the 2004 elections as well: the proves that the party suffers from of the Babri Masjid mosque implications. 545-member Indian lower house BJP-led coalition government’s organisational atrophy which in 1992 during the watch In the short-term, the party of parliament only twice – in slogan of ‘Shining India’ has disconnected it from the of Congress Prime Minister needs to analyse the reasons 1991 and 2009. In 1991, it won triggered a reaction among the politics of the streets, precisely PV Narasimha Rao in 1992 led for its defeat and the ouster because the coalition government teeming poor who thought their where new leaders and ideas are Muslims to desert the mother of the Congress-led coalition comprising regional groups poverty spawned. ship. government of Manmohan Singh, proved notoriously unstable. was being mocked. They gave This explains why the In the last 25 years, there has the only prime minister other The BJP couldn’t become a the Congress 145 seats, and a Congress has been out of been a proliferation of parties in than Jawaharlal Nehru to have national alternative as it failed surprising shot at governance. It power for nearly 25 years in India representing the interests completed two five-year terms in to find allies in interpreted the the states of Uttar Pradesh and of lower castes who have greater office. This remarkable feat has pockets where it mandate to introduce Bihar bordering Nepal, which allure for them than the famed been diminished by inflation and was absent. No less a slew of social together account for 120 seats charisma of the Nehru-Gandhi economic slowdown. significant was the welfare measures in India’s parliament. It hasn’t family. The diminishing But what really damaged sympathy vote the because of which it had a government in Gujarat for importance of charisma is the government was the slew of Congress mopped swept past the 200- 20 years, and failed to mount a inversely proportional to massive corruption scandals. You up following the mark in the 2009 credible opposition to its the rationalisation of India’s can say the Congress entered the assassination elections. chief minister, Narendra politics, evident in the slogan 2014 electoral race with a torn of Rajiv Gandhi When out of Modi, who is the BJP’s prime the ‘lower’ castes have coined: hamstring, that it is victim of the during the 1991 power, the Congress ministerial candidate in this Our Vote, Our Rule’. worldwide recession, over which elections. In other wins because of the election. It doesn’t have a Sonia Gandhi’s children, it had little control. It’s possible words, the Congress failures of others. credible response to the BJP INDIA ELECTIONS Rahul and Priyanka, can rebuild to claim, therefore, that the won in 1991 not In power, it woos touting the achievement of its the Congress by taking to the debacle of the Congress is a on its strength but the electorate through ‘Gujarat Development Model’ streets, not by waving at people hiccup, and not an existential because of the pro-poor policies, and which Modi promised to scale- from vehicles. crisis. weaknesses of its its innate capacity up nationwide if elected. [email protected] But Congress does face a crisis rivals. 2014 to mean something The biggest factor for the 16 NATION 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 “My husband and in-laws
Patriarchal values in a male-dominated society keep the dowry system alive in Nepal
AYESHA SHAKYA her husband, Farid Sheikh, and in-laws set they only shouted at me, then they started hospital for three days. her on fire two months ago in Banke district hitting me. I didn’t tell anyone what was When her condition worsened, Farid for not bringing enough dowry. Rihana happening, not even my parents. I just kept took her to a hospital across the border frail figure, heavily bandaged, was seven months pregnant. Her husband things to myself and cried alone.” Farid in Bahraich in India, threatening her not lies on a bed at Bir Hospital in and mother-in-law had been nagging her then started torturing his wife, often to tell the doctors what happened. Later, AKathmandu. She has a distant persistently about bringing a motorcycle, burning her with cigarette butts. she was brought back to Bheri Zonal expression on her face which is writ large wrist watch and buffalo as dowry, even On 17 March, he tied Rihana’s hands, Hospital in Nepalganj. But as her health with the fatigue from her excruciating though there had been no request for it and while his mother-in-law poured deteriorated, Rihana lost her baby, and the trauma. initially. kerosene, he lit a match and set her on fire. human rights group, INSEC, arranged for Rihana Sheikh Dhaphali (pic, above) is “Both my husband and mother-in-law Although she sustained severe burns over her to be taken to Kathmandu. just 19, and she was married last year. Her would threaten me to bring dowry from the lower part of her body, Rihana was Police in Banke say they are voice is barely audible as she recounts how my parents,” Rihana said weakly. “First locked up in her room and not taken to investigating the crime, but Farid Sheikh Waiting for rain For residents of Siraha, Kathmandu is too self-absorbed and too far away he sun beats down farming, the heat, water scarcity, “The Madhes Movement was mercilessly, baking the and their concern about the supposed to decentralise power Tfields and dry river beds. monsoon. away from Kathmandu,” says There has been no rain for The Indian border is 30km Pritam Sah, “instead the leaders months here in the eastern Tarai, away, and the nearest town is got entangled with Kathmandu and the fallow fields wait for the in the throes of election fever. politicians and now the movement monsoon that is at least a month The conversation inevitably turns has become defunct and its away. It feels like this part of the to how a possible BJP win will achievements amount to nothing.” affect Nepal. Most people aren’t The neglect and apathy sure, and someone asks: “When is is evident everywhere in the the election?” Goma Shrestha is absence of the Nepali state. The auxiliary nurse but is interested only visible sign of change is in politics. She tells the group: that the roads are being widened. “We live next to the world’s Hundreds of thousands of people INTERESTING TIMES largest democracy where they are of the Tarai, desperate for jobs, Mallika Aryal voting and we don’t know when BIKRAM RAI are voting with their feet and have it is?” left or are leaving for the Gulf or plains went straight from winter The disinterest about Indian The village neighbours the behind closed doors and it is Malaysia. to summer this year, skipping politics may be understandable, constituency where Maoist messy and selfish,” said Hile But getting a citizenship spring. since it doesn’t affect ordinary Supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal Lungdi. certificate or passport is another A group has gathered in people in the Tarai directly. But supposedly beat the UML Nearby is the highway town of ordeal. “We have to walk front of the health-post in the this lack of interest is not just candidate by a thin margin of 900 Lahan, the epicenter of the Madhes around for two days just to get a village of Bishnupukarti of Siraha limited to Indian politics. They’re votes in November elections. It uprising in the winter of 2007. recommendation from the VDC for district after a long hot day in the not really interested in talking has been five months, and once The fatal shooting of 16-year-old a citizenship certification because fields. Under the shade of a tin- about Nepali politics, either. “We more the politicians they elected Ramesh Mahato in a clash with the the ward office can’t do it,” says roofed porch, they sit murmuring are ordinary people, we don’t have forgotten the voters. “The Maoists on the main road in Lahan Jeevan Phunyal, “when we finally to themselves. One gets up to want to talk about politics,” says last election was just for show, to sparked the Madhes Movement. get to the VDC, the secretary is bring a round of chiso, and the Ram Yadav, “in fact, we’re sick pacify poor people like us, real Seven years later, the anger absent.” conversation veers towards of it.” politics happens in Kathmandu seems to have dissipated here. There is frustration with local 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 NATION 17 Annapurna IV Annapurna II left me to die” which are crucial in enabling Rihana don’t go unpunished. to walk again. BVS also helps patients According to Women’s Rehabilitation with rehabilitation and skills training for Centre (WOREC), the most common form of income generation so that they can be domestic violence are beating and burning, financially independent once she is well normally perpetuated by the husbands or again. Although the agency offers legal in-laws. Last month, WOREC started a “No help to patients to take their tormentors to to Dowry” campaign in two Tarai districts court, most women who survive attacks where the prevalence of dowry violence is back down after threats from in-laws. said to be highest, Dhanusha and Siraha. “If Rihana’s family don’t change their The agency is using pamphlets, posters and mind considering legal actions against her street drama to spread awareness during the husband and in-laws, it would be a test campaign. case for the rest,” says Wendy Marston of BBVS, “but we can only support them, not ppush them.” Burns Violence Survivors (BVS) From her hospital bed, Rihana says http://www.bvsnepal.org.np/ ssheh wants her husband and in-laws to face For donation: Ace Development Bank Ltd Naxal, jjustice.u “I used to lead a happy life before Narayan Chour Ward No 1 Kathmandu, Nepal mmy marriage. Now look at me, my husband Bank a/c #: 004004000000129007 aandn in-laws have just left me here to die,” Swift Code: ACDENPKA ssheh adds. To donate AB+ blood for Rihana: Bir Hospital PICS:PICS: BVBVSS Although illegal, the dowry system ppersists because it is so deeply rooted BARDIYA iinn the patriarchy prevalent in Nepal, eespecially in the Tarai region (see map). DANG IInn India, the incidence of bride burning KATHMANDU iiss increasing despite a law against dowry bbeing in place since 1961. In 2010 police RUPANDEHI MAKWANPUR SANKHUWASABHA ssaida there were 8,400 cases of dowry KABHREPALANCHOWK ddeaths in India. Many more are said to 45 reportedp UDAYAPUR MAHOTTARI hhave been unreported. dowry-related violenceviolence SIRAHA JHAPA Activists note that education and mmiddle class values have not reduced the incidentsincidents in 2013 iincidencen of domestic violence against WOREC DHANUSHA SUNSARI MORANG wwomen. They say entrenched patriarchy anand the culture of consumerism has andand hihiss fafamilymily aarere bbelievedelieved to hhaveave flfleded ttoo wherewhere ththee gigirl’srl’s pparentsarents ddon’ton’t wwantant to bbee fufurther encouraged dowry demands. India. involved, Rihana’s family has been by her Because of the cultural similarities, the ANGRY BRIDES Piyush Dahal, chief of the Burns Unit side all along. Her father, Samin Sheikh, same trends are visible across the border An online game against dowry that is inspired by at Bir Hospital said her legs were heavily says he was not aware of what his daughter in Nepal as well. Angry Birds has got nearly 300,000 likes on contracted and the wounds were oozing was facing at her in-law’s house. Rihana “Women are aware of the dowry with pus when she arrived. So far, doctors has seven siblings and one of her sisters, system but they don’t yet have the Facebook. The game was developed by the are trying to prevent infection, and are Hasina Banu, is with her at the hospital in capacity to speak up against it,” says matchmaking site shaadi.com and allows players waiting to perform skin grafts. Kathmandu. The family has appealed for Sabitri Pokharel, program coordinator in to attack greedy grooms (a pilot, a doctor and an Says Dahal: “Burns related cases are Group AB+ blood for transfusion before the the secretariat of Mahila Adhikar Manch. engineer) with a choice of projectiles. The grooms always very critical if infections set in. We operation. “We need to empower women so they try to dodge the missiles, while presenting dowry restrict visitors, but allow family members Burn Violence Survivors (BVS) which are able to stand up for their rights and demands. If the groom is hit, the player wins because she needs psychological support. works with victims of domestic violence choices. We need to educate children on money that is donated to an online anti-dowry It is not just about physical healing, and burns victims, has taken up Rihana’s the dowry system so that as adults they fund. emotional support goes a long way to help case and is paying for her treatment. Apart learn to oppose it.” She says the new patients forget the pain.” from the operation, doctors are focusing on constitution needs to ratify laws on the To play: http://angrybrides.im Unlike many bride burning cases nutrition and physiotherapy, two factors dowry system so perpetrators of violence
leaders and simmering anger towards the centres of power in Kathmandu. The disinterest of the people of Siraha with politics and their leaders is because they don’t expect anything from them. However, they believe local elections could improve their lives a bit. Elected local leaders would be more accountable, and pay more attention to their needs than faraway and self-absorbed leaders in Kathmandu. The people in the plains are worried that the despair will once more boil over because they have been without government for so long. Says Pritam Sah: “Kathmandu stopped listening to us long ago, and unfortunately, we’ve learned to live with that. But if anyone is still listening to the people of the Madhes we have just one request — write the constitution and announce local elections. What you do in Kathmandu is your business. Give us back our local leaders.” 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707
BIKASH DWARE
NC’s Krishna Prasad Sitaula: for dismissing temporary justices At Baluwatar “Exactly, it’s time to get this over and recommending 8 names for 16 and done with.” posts?”
Jana Aastha, 14 May Finance Minister Ram Sharan UML’s Ishwar Pokhrel: “Our Mahat: “But some say dismissing official stance is that we shouldn’t temporary justices and promoting pass this at all.” Conversation at Baluwatar others is manipulation. It would UML’s Bamdev Gautam: “We will between NC, UML, and UCPN(M) be wrong to proceed if that turned Bilash Rai in Himal Khabarpatrika, 27 April - 3 May leaders about appointments to the out to be true.” come back with our official position Supreme Court. after discussing this at a meeting.” UML’s Madhav Nepal: “Let’s QUOTE OF THE WEEK Prime Minister Sushil Koirala: drop them if we are acting UCPN(M)’s Pushpa Kamal Dahal:
“The judiciary will be wrecked if unconstitutionally, otherwise let “You have been planning to you block everything we do. Is that us just nominate them.” capture the Supreme Court Bhattarai wrote months ago that we needed what you really want?” for 20 years. Not one of those “a new power, but in Biratnagar“ he went along UCPN(M)’s Narayan Kaji recommended justices meet the with the Chairman’s proposal. He has become a Law Minister Narahari Acharya: Shrestha: “What do you mean criteria.” player, not a politician. “We’ve done everything by by obstacles? Democracy is the book. Looking at each case about checks and balances. You Sushil Koirala: “Why are you UCPN(M) leader Mani Thapa speaking about individually will be too much have to investigate each case obstructing everything? Don’t you Baburam Bhattarai, Budhabar, 14 May trouble.” separately. What are the reasons want us to get anything done?”
Baburam Bhattarai, Naya Patrika, 14 May pilgrimage site, I met the chief of Nagri and discussed the possibility of building roads connecting Humla, Hilsa to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet. This would benefi t both the countries and China diary I recently returned from a family trip to China. My 84-year-old make the region more accessible to tourists. father wanted to make a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar Chinese officials repeatedly raised the issue of how so we made arrangements to visit China. I was especially the development and progress Tibet has made is painted interested to learn more about the economic prosperity of in a negative light internationally. After seeing thef Tibet and meet the offi cials there. development in Tibet which has struck a balance between On the fi rst day, I discussed bilateral initiatives with Deputy cultural preservation of places like the Potala Palace and Minister Guo Yezhou, from the Communist Party of China’s economic progress, I feel this is a valid concern. The International Bureau. I am thankful to the Chinese Embassy development model of Tibet is an excellent one, that can be in Kathmandu, the Communist Party of China and the emulated by all. government of the Tibet Autonomous Region for ensuring that Nepali politicians are always slotted as anti India or anti our trip was memorable. Although this was a purely family China depending on the country they favour to visit. But I have visit, the Chinese offi cials made it possible to sit for several always opposed such tags and think that Nepal can instead political meetings in the week long trip. be a bridge to connect two of the biggest economies in the We were concerned about whether or not my father would world. After my trip, I feel that there is no stopping China from be able to cope in the 5,000m altitude on Kailash Mansarovar becoming the economic power house of the world and there is area but everything went smoothly. After visiting the scared so much Nepal can learn from the development there.
The families sat together to bargain. The boy said he would give the girl’s family a year’s time to make necessary arrangements. Love for sale If the demands are not met, then there would be no wedding. The girl returned home dissappointed. She was worried CAUGHT about what people would say, how would she live without 13 May, Facebook entry of Ujjan Nisha Rai, Setopati.com, 11 May the love of her life. She couldn’t sleep at all, and decided Shrestha’s sister Sabitri Shrestha. ending her life was the answer. The bottle of pesticide that she One of those accused of killing consumed didn’t kill her but hospitalised her for a week. Ujjan, Pushkar Gautam (pic, left) She worked as an auxiliary nurse at a hospital in Siraha. He had After her discharge, the girl’s family filed a complaint was arrested in Kathmandu on just passed the civil service exams. They fell in love and decided against the boy’s family demanding an investigation. The boy Tuesday. to get married. The parents, reluctant at fi rst, eventually agreed was then taken in for questioning by the police. and the wedding preparations began. I was covering the story for a radio program and called The date was set for 11 May. But, three weeks before the the girl to inform her that the boy had been arrested. In her Our entire family is grateful to the government and the police for wedding, the girl attempted suicide. Why? Her parents weren’t feeble voice, she told me she knew. She also said that the arresting Puskar Gautam, who was involved in the murder of my able to meet the dowry demands from the boy’s family. Initially, two families had agreed to resolve their diff erences. “We are brother, Ujjan Kumar Shrestha. But we fear that there will soon be Rs 300,000 was sought in the name of dowry. The girl begged getting married today,” she announced. protests against the arrests. Despite such protests, we do not want the her father to collect the sum anyhow, saying she couldn’t marry I wish the newlyweds all the best for their life and I hope government to back down from punishing the culprits. We request anyone else, and even promising to pay back the debt. The the boy accepts and learns from his mistake. Dowry practice the government and the police to implement the Supreme Court’s family agreed and arranged for the cash with much diffi culty. is prohibited by the law in Nepal, but a quarter of all cases order by arresting the main mastermind behind the murder, Bal Once the invitations were sent out, the boy’s family had of violence against women are believed to be caused due to Krishna Dhungel, within 24 hours and bring him and the rest to court more demands: they now wanted a motorcycle and a laptop. dowry demands from the groom’s family. for a proper investigation so that justice can be restored. 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707 NATION 19 “I need to know why” The war is not over for relatives of those killed and disappeared during the Maoist insurgency
GOPAL GARTAULA in JHAPA
amjhana Adhikari of Surunga was 22 when she decided to Sjoin the Maoist party. She THE WHOLE TRUTH: Tika Maya Bantawa was among a group of six other holds a photograph of herself and her comrades who had left for Siliguri husband, Chetan, who was killed by the in December 2002 for training in Maoists in 2004. Narmaya Chapagai’s India. She was never seen again. husband bled to death in her lap after the Her group was caught by Maoists shot him in Ilam in 2002. When Indian Police at the Siliguri bus they returned and threatened to kill her son park and extradited to Nepal. Till unless she gave them money, she fl ed with about a month there were reports her four children to Jhapa. that the group was being held at PICS: GOPAL GARTAULA the Charali Army Base in Jhapa district. But no more information intensified after the Maoists took slashed with knives and left for Narmaya (now 52, pic, right) Tika Maya Bantawa (pic, left) after that. on the Royal Nepal Army in dead. He was still breathing when a remembers hearing the shot, and was 30 when Maoists came to their “Whoever it was who November 2001, with massive forest caretaker found him two days then her husband staggered into house in Damak and tried to force disappeared that group, we want human rights violations by later. Nagen says he has so far spent the house trying to stop the blood her husband, Chetan, to join them. to see them face justice,” says both sides. While the security Rs 1.3 million in treatment for his squirting out of his chest. An hour Their three daughters, Sumnima, Samjhana’s brother, Netra. forces detained, tortured and wounds, and 12 years later pus later, his body went cold on her Pratima and Paruma were small In the group was Suresh dissappeared suspected Maoists, still oozes out of a deep cut in his lap. The neighbours were so scared then and Chetan had said he Pokhrel. His brother Gopal tried the rebels targeted “class enemies” hip. He is now homeless, and lives no one came to help. needed to take care of them. A few everything to find him, but still using extreme brutality to execute in a shack by the river in Mechi Narmaya’s agony wasn’t over. A days later, on 23 March 2004, the clings to the hope that he is alive. them and sow terror. Nagar. month later, the Maoists returned Maoists returned in a motorcycle “We want to find him or his Nagen Sunuwar and Sambhu “I want to know why they did and threatened to kill her son if and shot him dead. body, if they think they can get Khadka were teenagers living in this to me,” says Nagen, “let the she did not give them Rs 60,000. In the past ten years, Tika Maya away with politically-motivated Dharampur of Jhapa. The Maoists government set up a commission She borrowed Rs 15,000 to pay has raised her children on her pardons, our patience abducted them from their and investigate those who did this them off, then immediately fled own, subsisting on a farm without will break.” Along homes, and took them and take them to the courts.” to Jhapa with her four children. irrigation, and owes money lenders with Suresh and to a forest in Mainachuli Narendra Chapagain was a Narmaya heard this week that Rs 300,000. From time to time, she Samjhana, the others in southern Ilam. After member of a school management the president has ratified the Truth admits wanting to just give last heard to be in torturing him mercilessly, committee in Ilam’s Chulachuli. and Recionciliation Bill in up, but says she has to keep the notorious Charali the Maoists decapitated His wife, Narmaya, had just served Kathmandu. She broke down struggling till her daughters are Base were Chaturman Sambhu in front of dinner at 7pm on the night of 6 in tears as we asked her for older. She tells us: “I want to look Rajbanshi, Ghana Nagen’s eyes, later they September 2002 when a group of her reaction. “I don’t want the perpertrators in the face and Subedi, Tara Rijal, dismembered his body and Maoists came into the house, took compensation, I will return what ask them why they made me a Misi Dhimal. PEACE scattered his limbs. Narendra out to the vegetable patch they gave me. But I need to know widow. I want them to face justice. The conflict BUILDING Nagen was also beaten, and shot him. why they killed my husband.” That would give me some relief.” 20 BACK SIDE 16 - 22 MAY 2014 #707
PAST PRESENT FUTURE Once is More Than Enough DIWAKAR CHETTRI
The exam paper is divided into a multiple Object of Journey (encircle one): choice Objective Section and a Subjective Pilgrimage www.nepalitimes.com Section for personal essays. Below is a Asylum Seeking sneak preview of the prototype in-flight Meddling in Nepal’s Internal Affairs immigration exam. Only those who pass Tryst with Destiny this onboard test will be allowed to enter Tourism Nepal. Terrorism
Family Name: Answer three of the following four Middle Name: questions in no more than 140 Given Name: characters: Not-given Name: 1. Where was Buddha born? (Only for Nom de Plume: Indian passport-holders) Nom de Guerre: 2. What am I doing here? 3. Climate change is a hoax. Discuss. Date of Birth (if applicable): 4. Which country has the world’s Date of Expiry: highest mountain and the smallest man? Place of Birth: Zodiac sign: Customs Declaration Are you carrying any or all of these Nationality at Birth: items that are a threat to national nyone embarking, disembarking, or Nationality in Previous Incarnation: security (tick appropriate box): just barking, at Kathmandu airport Are you a nationalist: 1. More than two bottles of dutiable Athese days will have noticed that the Jindabad Molotov Cocktails Department of Immitation has streamlined Murdabad 2. Plastic Baby Tricycles the forms you have to fill to go in and out of Allahabad 3. Five or more Perambulators this country. 4. Binoculars in excess of everyday Nepal is known as a land of tolerance Sex (tickle only one): requirement that allows diesel thieves caught in No, thank you 5. More than 50,000 poultry chicks in flagrante to block highways in protest, Yes, please checked-in luggage taxis that tamper meters to go on strike Once in Bombay 6 Indian black money in 500 or 1,000 demanding the right to cheat passengers, denominations unless accompanied nominates Supreme Court justices who are Permanent Address: with separate envelope polygamists, gamblers, and drug traffickers, Semi-permanent address: and illegal crushers are allowed to protest Underground Address: Warning: police action by stopping supply of gravel Keynote Address: Green Channel is not a Green Light. to Kathmandu’s road-widening. Walking through the Green To reflect this broad-mindedness the Race: Channel with Dutiable Items may Department of Immitation has completely Human lead to confiscation of goods, revamped documentation to reflect the Inhuman penalty, prosecution, a medal, or an fact that besides being federal, secular, Everest Marathon ambassadorship. However, running democratic and kleptocratic, Nepal is Yak Attack through the Green Channel is allowed, now also pro-choice (see pic). To further just don’t get caught. Perambulator showcase our tolerance, we propose an Pre-Occupation (tick at least three): smugglers will face a Rs 50,000 fine, even more inclusive Arrival Card that will Trafficking or 50 lashes with a demonstrate to visitors that Nepal is not for Cheating Migrant Workers parliamentary whip, or the faint-hearted. Gambling both. Congratulations, you The idea is to keep bored passengers Diesel Theft have passed the test. You busy throughout a flight so that they don’t Bribing Judges may now enter Nepal. stage a sit-in protest outside the cockpit Illegal Quarrying demanding better food and more beverages. War crimes The Ass
CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/069/70