#275 2 - 8 December 2005 16 pages Rs 30

On the move SHAILENDRA KHAREL The country has entered a critical phase, as the people wait for the 12-point understanding between the Maoists and political parties to kick in and yield the twin fruits of peace and democracy. At the village level, the parties continue to mobilise support, as in this rally in Kalikot (above). The two most important issues ahead are: how King Gyanendra will react to this rebel-party combine as he returns to the country on Friday after his African air Editorial p2 safari and whether the rebel leadership can take their Nepali Radio, cadre and fighters along on the road to peace. Besides Nepali Awaj the king, the parties and the rebels, the other players who will play a defining role in the weeks ahead include the Royal Nepali Army and the international community, including the United Nations, India, the western embassies, the judiciary and civil society. (Turn to Analysis on page 4.)

Weekly Internet Poll # 275 Q... Do you agree with the party-Maoist accord on an election to a constituent assembly? Total votes:4,679

Weekly Internet Poll # 276. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q... Do you agree with the government’s action against the relay of BBC Nepali Service through FM stations in Nepal? 2 EDITORIAL 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Marty Logan Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Vicepresident Corporate Affairs: Sneh Sayami Advertising: Sambhu Guragain [email protected] Subscription: Pushparaj Sharma [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur [email protected], GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu Tel: 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 Let the people decide The silent majority wants neither to dismantle NEPALI RADIO, NEPALI AWAJ the royal apparatus nor a powerful monarchy The Supreme Court has stayed the Ministry of Information’s decision to close down Radio Sagarmatha till 7 December. Once re we, at last, observing plans have already been is ‘for the people, of the people again, timely intervention by the court has bought time for a some real political activity announced: municipal and and by the people’. But how do pioneering community radio that symbolised people power not just A from our political parties? parliamentary elections. After we determine what the people in Nepal but also the region. The goings on in New Delhi rejecting outright polls under want when there are no But what the episode also exposed was the deep insecurity of a might have resembled a circus this regime, the seven-party representative elections and no regime that is afraid of its own shadow following the party-rebel but there is a strange euphoria pact. It was another brazen nocturnal raid on a radio station, a alliance has gone ahead to opinion polls with an ideal methodology that has become the trademark for the way these about them. negotiate with the Maoists. If— demographic reach? We still have fellows go about their business. If there is no hidden agenda and it is a big if—the Maoists are that magical option called a The flunkies assigned to carry out the order of the unnamed and no recurrence of bad not playing games with the referendum. There is a precedent, ‘higher up authority’ violated just about every principle of civilised behaviour, then this must be negotiators and there indeed is an albeit not a happy one, of the behaviour. It was a violation of the citizens’ right to Freedom of taken as the beginning of offer to give up the armed 1980 referendum. Expression and Right to Information, it went against Article 19 of the insurgency then this is a great This is probably far removed International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal achievement. from the visions of various Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and it violated the 1990 GUEST COLUMN Narayan B Thapa What are the pitfalls? The political forces but such a constitution. same as they have always been: referendum would have three But much more than all that, it showed that the council chaired the monarchists don’t want to questions: by the king does not respect even the laws that it swears by. It something positive on the proved that doubts about the royal regime’s legitimacy are well give up their hold on power and Do you want elections for a founded and gave more reason for critics to doubt its honesty and political horizon. According to the rest of the polity wants to constituent assembly? sincerity. some of the leaders involved in dismantle the royal apparatus. Do you want parliamentary The Attorney General says a Hindu king’s authority is almost the Delhi health visit drama, the In the silent majority there is elections under the 1990 limitless. It’s a little difficult to argue with logic like that. In all Maoists are willing to lay down support for neither camp. They constitution? modern societies, individuals have inalienable rights—they can’t be their arms in return for elections would like the king to have an Do you want reinstatement given or taken away, bought sold or bartered. They can’t be to a constituent assembly. important inspirational role in of the dissolved parliament abrogated. Rights thus have intrinsic as well as instrumental value Unfortunately, the published 12- the future of the nation. After all, under the 1990 constitution? since rights help establish peace. point understanding between the he is the descendant of a ruling These three questions A government, even if it is for its own survival, must protect the parties and the Maoists gives a system entrenched in the Nepali include the most important basic rights of its citizens. They never learn from history, different picture and, most psyche and as such has a useful wishes of the three protagonists do they? Governments violate these tenets at their own importantly, maintains an peril however much they cloak it all as punishment for place as a symbol of unity in an in the conflict. They are very airing the interview of a terrorist. (For the record: Radio ambiguous position about ethnically diverse society. A unlikely to be settled either by Sagarmatha never broadcast the Prachanda interview, the monarchy. chastened political leadership negotiations or by ignoring them. the state just presumed it would.) The royal should give up the unrealistic A referendum is the way out of As the highest court of interpretation and custodian government’s and vindictive demand for the the political deadlock that will of the constitution, it is the responsibility of the demise of the monarchy and follow the proposed elections if Supreme Court to stand by the fundamental formulate a plan to include it in the bulk of the political players rights of the people, since the post- a benign but positive role in a boycott them. Legitimacy for the February First regime has decided multiparty democracy. referendum, on the other hand, not to. By restraining the There is no place in the 21st will be provided by an agreement government from imposing its century for the type of royal of the political forces and by the will, the court has given us reason to hope but it needs to actions we have been subjected to people’s participation in it. do a lot more in the days to in recent times. The result for the Since these are questions of come. After all, it’s not just monarchy has also been dismal: momentous importance for the journalists who need Radio having been spurned by everyone future of many generations of Sagarmatha and the who matters, the king has been Nepalis, why should a few dozens of other citizens’ reduced to visiting middling political leaders elected many media across the country officials in grossly under- years ago and the wielders of but the people who reported visits to African guns decide among themselves depend on them to be countries. What sense do these what that future should be? Let informed. And that, visits make anyway? the people decide and let the obviously, is what But who should decide? The leaders who have always scares this regime the most. people. They should be given a pronounced in the name of the chance to decide how they wish people have the courage to to be ruled. After all, democracy empower them do so. PrecursorsSUBHAS RAI to peace What does it matter that the pact was done in Delhi and not Ngorongoro? ur hardcore royalist chums are of them are active behind the scenes to monarchy in the country. have been reaching out to their rural working up a frenzy over the fact sabotage the first tangible step taken In the absence of their chairman, royal constituencies for the first time in six O that the 12-point pact between the towards getting the Maoists to abandon nominees in the council of ministers years. Unlike rented crowds that were Maoists and the seven-party alliance was armed struggle and bring them into the looked somewhat confused. Garrulous ones bussed in to cheer the king at district reached in New Delhi rather than at the political fold. like Ramesh Nath Pandey and Tanka headquarters, these people have turned up Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Perhaps An unseen ‘Foreign Hand’ is Dhakal have proclaimed the pact an despite roadblocks at great personal risk. they believe everyone must share King ominously mentioned, the implied ‘unholy’ alliance. Kirti Nidhi Bista was The people seem to want to forgive the Gyanendra’s penchant for exotic locales. allegation being that the two sides were playing the good cop: giving a cautious parties’ past mistakes if they can deliver They forget that it was New Delhi manipulated to enter an understanding thumbs up on camera. But after that, he peace. Should the palace appear as a barrier where the primacy of the Shah dynasty was inimical to the national interest. This is a hasn’t uttered a word. On return from his on this road to peace and democracy, the restored in 1950. Initial negotiations classical fascist technique: throw wild African exploration on Friday, the king silent majority will take note of it and will between allegations at opponents to put them on will be greeted by mammoth processions in respond at an appropriate time. Despite STATE OF THE STATE Tamil the defensive. One simple question: in the Kathmandu. He is obviously not happy Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s protestations to the CK Lal rebels past three years what has actually been about an alliance between political parties contrary, it is a fact that the party-rebel and the accomplished to end the senseless violence he doesn’t like and an underground group agreement leaves enough elbowroom on the Sri Lankan government were held in in this country? that wants to overthrow him but he will question of constitutional monarchy. Bhutan and Thailand. The Aceh agreement It’s too early to predict whether the need to respond. Should the king make a serious attempt to was struck in Helsinki. It’s too early to call ballot shall prevail or the bullet but the Meanwhile, after switching their transform this bipartisan arrangement into the parties and the Maoist leadership country may now be on the verge of slogans from democracy to peace, the a tripartite settlement, there is a still a ‘peace-makers’ just yet. But it’s not entering a phase of peaceful politics. This parties are getting an overwhelming chance that monarchy will have a role in difficult to identify who the peace- is where the choices that the palace makes response across Nepal. From Butwal to the future of Nepal. Otherwise, as Tulsi wreckers could be. Whether with the will affect the future of the 12-point Pokhara, the UML has been drawing huge Giri himself says, “Time and tide waits for consent of the palace or on their own, some agenda and by implication, the fate of crowds to its protest rallies. NC leaders no man”. 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 3

LLL ETTERS

MAOIST MOU of all the people who travel on this busy they say anything radical and populist. for Hardy’, #274) which made me sad as a The deal between the parties and the route, I would like to request the Roads Frustratingly, that is also what happened at Nepali citizen. The government’s apathetic rebels is all very fine as you say in your Department to take some action fast. the London meetings. The media is also to mindset towards people like Hardy who editorial (‘Ten years is enough’, #274). Marco Peter, Asha Clinic, Pokhara blame for giving rabble rousers more have done so much for this country is But can we trust these political parties prominence than they deserve. Even after shocking. If Barbara hadn’t dared to write, after what they have done to democracy DIASPORA the royal coup, Nepali leaders who came to nobody might have known about Hardy since 1990? It was during their watch that I completely agree with Subindra Bogati speak in London sounded as confused and and his contribution to Nepal’s remotest we saw the beginning of the civil war. (‘Same old Nepal’, #273) that the best visionless as they were before. regions like Bajhang, Humla and Jumla. They couldn’t establish a proper Nepali minds are leaving Nepal when they Dinesh Gautam, Wembley, UK Meanwhile, our despotic leaders never democracy during those years and are desperately needed there. He is also go there. Instead of granting him a visa hypocritically they now demand full right that we have had many meetings here JAZZMANDU they granted him frustration. It is not the democracy. And how can we now trust the in London that political figures from Nepal Here is my response to ‘Mandu Jazz’ first time that Hardy was disappointed in Maoists, who killed thousands of people? have addressed. But I have noticed that (Letters, #274): Nepal and there are many other Hardys Is it possible that the alliance was a result successful Nepalis rarely attend these 1. Jazzmandu goes on for nine days and who have been abandoned by the of Indian and American instigation? They meetings. there are a variety of shows at a variety of government of the country they loved. might establish a puppet government of It really ticks me off when I see trivial prices—there are even free shows. If you Hardy is mourned and we must remember their choice to further their own stuff from the diaspora making headline wanted to see jazz for real cheap, you what he did selflessly for the country. In geopolitical interest. We and you news in mainstream media back home. could have watched Solid (a renowned jazz the end it was the government’s apathy shouldn’t jump to conclusions without Nepalis who seem active in political band from Norway) perform for FREE in that killed Hardy. Hardy, you are no longer thinking through this alliance of corrupt activities here are the same type of people Patan Durbar Square on 8 November. here but people living in remote areas will leaders, mass murderers and outside who are active in Nepal. In fact, they seem 2. Sorry you missed the free show and always keep you in their hearts. May you powers. We definitely need democracy to be in activism not because they want to found Gokarna so outrageously priced for rest in peace. but educated wise people should run the help bring change but because it is a an evening featuring live music by more Deepak S Ayer, Baitadi country and not a bunch of thugs. platform for their own self-interest. It is time than five bands. Gokarna is one venue Pravesh Saria, email that we start looking at diaspora Nepalis where we feature our own Nepali classical BEING WATCHED critically as well. and traditional musicians and dancers, Congratulations for Jemima Sherpa’s DISINFORMATION Sandesh Thapa, London since one of the festival’s aims is to excellent Guest Column (‘Biggish brother’, The king’s presence in Tunis at the World respect and recognise our own traditional #274). Being a Sydney resident for four Summit on the Information Society was a music. This is a well-known fact that was years, I feel very much the same way. You mockery (‘World summit of disinformation adequately covered by Nepali Times and always know that other people are officials’, #273) because he earned a other media sources throughout the four watching us and our Nepalese brothers name for shutting down Nepal’s years the festival has been going on. I have and sisters. I would like to plead with our telecommunications system and bringing to ask: is it so painful for our own people to king, the Maoists and the army all to the information channels to a standstill on give a little respect to our own music? realise this and to act in a way that does 1 February. Why were leaders like him 3. What is jazz for you? Do we all perceive not give our Nepal a bad image. They must allowed to attend the summit and speak in it in the same way? Is it somebody playing realise that even though people in Nepal the interest of nations that are pushing for a saxophone? If that is jazz for you, then are silent, they are still being watched better access to information in order to surely you will enjoy the wedding season: from outside of the country. spread real democracy? If there is ever a you’ll hear a lot of that on the streets and it Niraj Thapa, Sydney, Australia. summit on crackdowns on the internet that will be free. would be the place for him. 4. You should try to appreciate the sincere Jemima, Go and put that ‘offending’ D. Mahat, Baltimore, USA and intense effort put in by fellow Nepalis poster back! It has a more serious purpose and other music lovers who are trying to than seeking to embarrass you personally. REPAIR BRIDGE bring some quality music to this country, By removing that poster, you are not I often visit Bardia on the east-west As a journalist in Nepal I had many whether it is rock, pop, fusion or jazz. removing the problems. highway and have watched the bridge opportunities to talk to political activists. Last but not least, stop whining about Susila, by email over the Surai Khola (about 10 km east of Even our young leaders who sound so everything. Bhalubang) grow more and more promising from outside are hollow up close. A Jazzmandu Volunteer, email frighteningly dangerous. It appears to Subindra Bogati has portrayed them as they LETTERS have been damaged by a bomb at some are. Gagan Thapa and other student leaders HEADLINES Nepali Times welcomes all feedback. Letters time and is supported now by only one always said that we could make a better The recent news headlines speak for should be brief and may be edited for space. crumbling concrete beam, which appears Nepal. They repeated the same mantra for themselves about the state of the country: While pseudonyms can be accepted, writers to be deteriorating more each time I cross many years and became good orators. The ‘Government Hospitals Closing Down who provide their real names and contact it. If this bridge fails, there could be not speeches I heard here by Gagan Thapa and Essential Services Due To Financial details will be given preference. Email letters should be in text format without attachments only terrible loss of life but, as it covers a Krishna Pahadi were not that different from Crunch’ and ‘Rs 300 million Being Spent on with ‘letter to the editor’ in the subject line. deep ravine, it could result in a blockage what I used to hear in Nepal two years ago. King’s Africa Visit’. of all traffic to the far west. When I went The only difference is that they are now S Hamal, Lalitpur Email: [email protected] over the bridge recently, only half of the active anti-monarchists. The reason we Fax: 977-1-5521013 surface could still be driven on and less have failed to get good leaders is that we HARDY FURER Mail: Letters, Nepali Times, GPO Box 7251, than half of the remaining support beam have not demanded enough of them. We Thanks to Barbara Adams for her poignant Kathmandu, Nepal. was left, so time is running out. On behalf encourage them with applause whenever remembrance of Hardy Furer (‘Last flypast 4 ANALYSIS 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 Country at the crossroads

he peace train has started its that the country will collapse with a journey in Nepal with the 12-point Masss assembly in Peace will weakened kingship or no kingship. It will T pact between the political parties Chitwan organised by not. As Madhav Kumar Nepal says, and the rebels announced on 17 the political parties . not arrive “Nepal is not a country without November. institutions. The parties will not allow a The understanding resulted in part political vacuum.” from the decision taken by the CPN like night (Maoist) plenum a couple of weeks Political capillaries earlier in the Rolpa highlands. There is after day After some time in the political wilderness, the 12-point understanding but the has once again returned the politicians to ANALYSIS the driver’s seat of national affairs. The Kanak Mani Dixit process has self-aggrandising mediators of the past, the heavily-funded Nepali and expatriate begun and conflict resolution consultants and the danger, however, that the train will be competing international think tanks that derailed by the cumulative reaction of will likely presumed to guide Nepalis out of the the royal right-wing, an angry army morass–all have been superseded by the unwilling to concede political resolution snowball political parties in the peoples’ hour of and western ambassadors remote from CHINTAMANI POUDEL desperation. The names of those who the hurly-burly of the Nepali political met Pushpa Kamal Dahal in Delhi on 17 process and disrespectful of it. multiparty democracy. This decision whose justified anger must be already seen 12,000 dead. Are you November says it all and they deserve This transition to peace is credible registers a 180-degree turnaround at countered with the argument that the asking us to go for 24,000 dead, 36,000 respect–Girija Prasad Koirala, Madhav because, this time, the Maoists have the policy level. Conveyed to the death and destruction of the past dead?” Kumar Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, Krishna been forced to seek a surakshit abataran political party leadership in face-to- cannot justify a further descent into Sitaula, Amik Sherchan, Narayan Kaji (safe landing) due to the people’s will, face meetings in New Delhi, it is a the pit. This wrath, which is Opaque release Shrestha and Hridayesh Tripathi. national circumstance and regional dramatic reversal, to be welcomed countrywide and runs deep, may be The decision by the Rolpa plenum In the past, the political parties geopolitics. Seeing the impossibility of with all the required caution but misused by the right wing to try and renders the gun in the hand of the rebel could not generate crowds against the taking over the state by force of arms without scepticism. scuttle the peace initiative. As talk- fighter suddenly irrelevant, an king in the name of democracy because and to cash in what political credibility There will be a large number of show host Vijay Kumar Pandey asked anachronism. At the policy level there is the people first wanted peace. Today, they have left, the rebel leadership has citizens who have been mauled by the on air last week while challenging one no more a ‘people’s war’ being fought they know King Gyanendra is not agreed to join competitive, open Maoists rebels over the last decade retired royalist general, “We have and the political parties and civil society inclined to grant either, while the political must now assist the insurgent parties are poised to provide both peace leadership to bring the followers along. and democracy. That is why the rallies in The commisars are asked to conduct Kalikot, Bharatpur, Butwal, Pokhara and ‘political re-education’ of the very Janakpur have brought in the crowds and COLLEGE WOMEN : CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS! fighters they propagandised over the why we are in the middle of an years–young men and women who they accelerating movement. introduced to the gun–and persuade 10+2, BACHELORS & MASTERS them to set aside the three-knot-three Two concerns and socket bomb. Even as we look ahead to the return of The diplomats and pro-palace folks peace and democracy, the royal regime who point to the fuzzy areas in the 12- has created conditions that will create point document fail to realise that they endless hurdles on that path. The have been left there to allow the politicisation of the Royal Nepali Army Maoists leaders the space needed to and the rapid rise of a kickback convince their cadre. Any attempt to merchant class are matters of particular take advantage of these areas of concern, for the taste of power and the deliberate opaqueness in order to volume of money involved are enough to destroy the rebel-parties understanding destabilise the democracy far into the will affect the fragile moment. The future. fighting that would follow as a result February One diverted the RNA would most likely finish off the rebels from its proud professional vocation and but will leave a charred landscape full of made it a partner in a coup d’etat. For suffering–and a royal dictatorship in nearly a year now, the army officer Kathmandu. corps all over the country has been The peace that the people crave will exercising absolute power and getting not arrive like night after day but the used to it. Many in the topmost echelon process has begun and will likely are also getting to like the taste of large snowball. It is time to start planning commissions. Meanwhile, the operating national rehabilitation, to restore the torn national superstructure is being run to psyche, support the tens of thousands the ground, with the civil service and the of victims and the displaced and replace police force dispirited and robbed of the destroyed health posts, repeater initiative. towers, bridges and police stations. The The other pollution underway is the WHAT IT TAKES Maoist fighters themselves need to be attempt by the royal regime, which rehabilitated even while we guard includes the mercantilist royal son-in- • Leadership experience • Involvement on campus and in your community against spontaneous vigilante action law, to make a fast buck through • Excellence in your field of study • Unique, inspiring goals against the rebels and their moneymaking public institutions. The sympathisers. salivating powerbrokers that have crept WHAT YOU WIN out of the Narayanhiti woodwork are Rs. 10,000 cash prize Opportunity to meet with top women professionals The plenipotentiaries today in the process of finishing off the • • The all-important foreign policy National Telecommunication Authority • National recognition in VOW’s April 2006 issue • A gala luncheon awards ceremony establishment in the Indian capital is still and have their eyes on the airline in favour of the Nepali people’s industry, the substantial holdings of the To get an application for democratic aspirations and will Employees’ Provident Fund, the National VOW Top 10 College Women Competition 2005, countenance the political parties as the Oil Corporation and above all, the Sarbinda KC lead players in the peace dialogue. It is hydropower sector—soon after 1 collect it from the address below or download it from MBA, KUSOM Winner- 2004 important that the royalists in India, the February, approaches were made to the www.vownepal.com. Last date for submitting Indian intelligence agencies, as well as National Hydro Power Corporation of completed application is December 30, 2005. the men in Indian khaki, not be allowed India to sell off rights to significant to seek a resolution that leaves the national rivers. initiative with King Gyanendra. King Gyanendra has repeatedly WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan shown his disregard for the public’s All women in 10+2, Bachelors & Masters has been soberly respectful of the sensibility, the last being the surreal trip people’s aspirations, as have Senator across the African continent. He has Mail to: Patrick Leahy and a host of other also been shown up on his inability to VOW Top 10 College Women Competition 2005 Democrat and Republican lawmakers of G.P.O. Box: 2294, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu lead, to administer or to manage the the US Congress. The State economy and development. But while the Tel: 4780394, 4780450 Department, too, is on board and the king has been isolated in every way Email: [email protected] British government has welcomed the possible nationally and internationally, he or drop it at ‘ ’ office the boss 12-point pact. But there are western has not been challenged politically on next to Everest Hotel ambassadors in Kathmandu–the German home ground. While he has been away plenipotentiary a case in point–who do on his air safari however, the ground has not necessarily reflect the views of the shifted back home with the 12-point home office but who like to exhibit full- understanding. frontal disrespect to Nepal’s politicians. We can expect an acceleration of This attitude finds play in the dreadfully the political movement against the 1 contemptible suggestions of some February coup and the king may finally diplomats that the proposed municipal have to confront a genuine political elections are welcome. A dozen years of challenge fuelled by the populace across Official Host: Official Newspaper: democracy has taught the Nepali people the land that wants peace with to distinguish between a free and fair democracy. How he will responds, we election and a farce. will know soon enough. After he Further, let not the embassies panic deplanes. z BUSINESS 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 5 or on today’s internet travel blogs. referendum taxis that give the Peace pays In the name of security we have place such an ugly look and the

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ made the airport customer- arriving flyer who is unfortunate The Federation of the Fear of flying unfriendly. While hordes of enough to hire one a harrowing Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry has security personnel inside make experience. urged the Maoists to extend the Nepal’s airports are hurting, not helping, the lives of travellers miserable, Passengers who travel through ceasefire, which expires on 3 this Beed observed quite a few the domestic airport want to December, and asked the tourism and economic growth people begging in the parking hang their heads in shame at its warring parties to use the lots! It may or may not be a condition, which perhaps also opportunity to make it last. The t is good to see that tourist airports are competing with each security hazard but it is likely not reflects the current state of our Nepali economy, especially the arrivals have increased and the other to provide the best services the first and best thing for a nation. The conveyor belt at tourismsector, has recovered INepali tourism industry is just to airlines and passengers. But the visitor to see. baggage x-ray has to be manually slightly during the last three waiting for elusive peace to inefficient, crowded and delay- While globally, travellers are pushed by the passenger, who months of the unilateral return. However, are we prepared prone airports of Delhi and pampered with pre-check-in still receives what can only be ceasefire. Tourism to handle the increasing number Mumbai demonstrate too clearly facilities, city check-in and many termed disgusting treatment from entrepreneurs and the service sector industry related to of tourists at our airports? how airports can hinder tourism more fast-track services, the the personnel. How can we even tourism are faring better and if and economic growth. people working at our airports talk about flying more people to Nepal’s airports have always look upon travellers as more Lukla, Bharatpur or Jomsom as the ceasefire were to continue ECONOMIC SENSE there is hope for long-term been unique. We take pride in our privileged than themselves, any tourist who makes the trip peace, said a press release Artha Beed mediocrity. While we collect one therefore fair game for harassment. would never want to repeat it? issued by FNCCI on of the highest airport taxes in the TIA is one of the few airports in There is no other option but Wednesday. Globally, efficient airports are region, we have not invested that the world that does not believe in to point the finger at the becoming pre-requisites for money into making the airports different classes of travel so government and institutions like More financing tourism as well as for healthy efficient. (We should exclude priority baggage comes out last the Nepal Tourism Board and

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ economies. China is the fore- from discussions the airports and partitioned cubicles serve as then call for private management At an extraordinary general runner, building more airports outside Kathmandu—some of lounges. Elsewhere, travellers of the airports. However, looking meeting on 29 November, Ace than any other country in the them should be kept in their have the freedom to pay extra and at the performance of Nepal’s Finance Company (AFC) world. Singapore, Thailand and present unbelieveable states so demand extra, be it fast-track private airlines gives little hope decided to raise its authorised Hong Kong are proud to have the that they might enter a record services at check-in or a real as they are as problem-laden as capital to Rs 500 million and its issued capital to Rs 320 most efficient airports in the book some day.) swanky limousine to whisk them the government. The only option million. It also agreed to merge region. In Heathrow, one can exit Our only international airport away from the airport. The Beed is to call in an experienced Ace Investment Company with the airport less than 15 minutes has always been a subject of cannot stop repeating the need to international player to operate our AFC. Ace has served Nepal’s after leaving the aircraft. Globally, ridicule, be it in travel memoirs replace TIA’s rickety, pre- airports. financial market for 11 years. By mid-October, its operating profit was Rs 7 million.

Door-to-door ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Direct marketing and distribution company Bitarak.com celebrated its 5th anniversary on 27 November. From a small operation in November 2000, the firm has grown to a size where it now services customers such as Nepal Telecom, which has outsourced distribution and home delivery of its Namaste Prepaid mobile SIM cards to Bitarak.

NEW PRODUCTS MOBILE MEMORY: Base International is now distributing the Phonebook Backup, a device that allows you to save the phonebook data from your mobile’s SIM card with the push of one button. You can also copy from the Backup to a SIM card. Designed as a key ring, the product is available for Rs 700.

HEALTHY DOGS: Effem India is launching the Pedigree range of pet foods in Nepal. Initially the company will offer one variety for adult dogs and one for puppies, both developed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs in the Indian subcontinent. The

products will be distributed through the Mount Everest Kennel Club. Pedigree was launched in India three years ago after research found that more than 80 percent of dogs in the region suffer from skin and coat problems. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275

‘Mature Maoists’ one issue that had drawn the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ international community’s UML general secretary Madhab sympathy toward the parties’ Kumar Nepal in Deshantar, movement but the agreement only Radio raid 27 November lists it as a matter for further discussion. The Maoists have reached two conclusions. First, they believe Strong start

they can go on fighting for a long ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ time and that they can’t be Conflict expert Bishnu Uprety in finished off by military might. Drishti, 29 November The second is that they can’t capture state power through the Most of the world’s rebel forces do barrel of the gun. So the not talk about giving up arms in conclusion they have reached is the beginning of a reconciliation that state power won through the process but Nepal’s Maoists have barrel of gun can’t be sustainable. done just that. This decision must They know the international be taken positively. However, the situation is not in their favour. 12-point understanding between Neighbouring countries are not the parties and the Maoists is not a supportive of their cause. Past complete document in itself but a international experiences have basis for additional understanding shown that in the absence of a through dialogue. There remains a favourable international setting, danger that the state might not such a regime can’t last. The take the understanding positively. Maoists have considered all these If the government decides to treat ground realities and developed a the parties like the Maoists, as MIN BAJRACHARYA new maturity. The seven-party terrorists, the conflict will Editorial in Kantipur, 29 November law, has also rendered the Court’s unwillingness alliance thinks people power can intensify. The situation will to grant an interim order more controversial. The overcome guns. That is why we worsen if the state takes the 12- Radio Sagarmatha is the latest victim of state government attacked Radio Sagarmatha with the will never resort to violence. If point pact as a threat to its own terror, after Kantipur FM. By attacking the only excuse that the Supreme Court is yet to issue an the well-equipped Shah of Iran existence. But if the state community radio in South Asia and arresting five interim order. These attacks help us understand was uprooted by unarmed people, considers the people’s desire and employees from the station, the government has the mindsets of the people who run the state there is no reason why it can’t prioritises peace, things might challenged Nepal’s journalism and democratic today. Although Maoist leader Prachanda’s communities. In the same way that Radio interview had not been broadcast by Radio happen in Nepal. If the Maoists move in a positive direction. As Sagarmatha was attacked, the state raided Sagarmatha, the government used that as an resort to arms again, those in things stand now, the state is Kantipur FM on 21 October and seized its excuse to attack it. This proves that those at the power will have to take the blame. divided on the understanding. equipment, which is yet been returned. After policy making level are blabbering without Everyone will point fingers at The parties and Maoists must have those attacks, civil society and journalists joined intelligence and knowledge. The unique way in the monarchy for forcing the considered both the would-be hands to protest against state terror and the which those in the media and the rest of Nepal peace-seeking Maoists to take up positive and negative responses of government moved further away from the people. have come together to protest these attacks on guns once again and for sending the government when they signed We understood these raids as not just attacks on media houses is commendable. The way in which them back to the jungle. If the the 12-point understanding. the stations but on the entire journalism Nepalis gathered in the middle of the night to government tries to provoke the Any rebel force does not give community, listeners and all Nepalis. The attack protest the attacks proves that the media enjoys Maoists at a time when we have up arms just like that, it requires a on Radio Sagarmatha has proven this analysis. strong support. And the positive response of been trying to bring them into long process. The dialogue The lawsuits against the state’s attack on the FM Nepali civil society and the international stations and the illegal Media Ordinance are still community proves the Nepali media is not alone peaceful politics, it will be clear between the Maoists and the awaiting consideration at the Supreme Court. We and is heading in the right direction. The that it is the people in power parties that began in Silgudi was are all aware of the Nepal Bar Association’s government understands this and is often today who are the real obstacle for the genesis for a deal and must be decision to boycott the jury in protest of the threatened by our strength. It does not want a free peace. Until yesterday, people taken positively. If there is an Supreme Court refusing to issue an interim order press, it wants a propaganda machine. Therefore, used to criticise the Maoists for election for a constituent on the writ against the Ordinance. However, the to protest this thinking and future acts of terror by taking up guns. If they are forced assembly, it should not be held agreement between the Bar and the Supreme the government is the responsibility not just of the back to violence, they will win under any kind of pressure from Court, wherein the former agreed to cease its journalism community but also of civil society, the the people’s sympathy this time. the Maoists or government forces. protest and the latter promised to abide by the democratic community and every individual. The Maoists, however, know that Such an election can take place they have no choice but to go for a only if there is an understanding people’s republic while with the state power. If the state acknowledging the existence of refuses, it won’t happen. For now, other political parties. the Maoists need to extend the ceasefire if they wish to

Forlorn foreigners implement the understanding ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ with the parties. Nispakshya, 29 November No, we’re not refugees.

We’re queuing up for a People’s choice

The foreign powers that had been ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mobile connection supporting the seven parties’ Communist Party of India movement are now in a state of (Marxist) politburo member Gate: Prepaid mobile shock having learned that Maoist Sitaram Yechuri in Bimarsha, service opens leaders who had held talks with 1 December the parties’ chiefs in New Delhi were none other than Mohan India wants to see peace and Baidya, alias Kiran, and CP prosperity in Nepal. We also Gajurel, alias Gaurab, who have believe that Nepal must have been in Indian jails for a while. democracy and human rights. If How could Kiran, who had been Nepal has peace, India too will jailed in Siligugdi and Gaurab, benefit. Nepal is a sovereign nation who was kept in a jail in Chennai, therefore what is good and bad is meet the parties’ leaders in New something for Nepalis to decide. Delhi? This is something that has India fully supports those forces left even some Indian leaders that work together for the flabbergasted. The international reinstatement of democracy in community is disappointed that Nepal. It is for the people and the Kantipur, 26 November the seven parties are now political forces of Nepal to decide following the Maoists’ agenda. what they want. All India can do The pact has made the foreign is support such a decision. When I powers feel that the parties are recently visited Nepal, I met not interested in sustainable leaders of political parties and

QUOTE OF THE WEEK peace and democracy but for state civil society. This is what I said in

power. What has made them more an interaction program: when “ suspicious about the parties is people associated with the Shiva If the monarchy accepts constituent assembly we can think about a new situation the way the issue of the Sena and World Hindu Federation (stance on the monarchy). But we feel that this is not the case in our country. “ reinstatement of the House of visit Nepal and speak in support Representatives has been treated of the king, the government (of Maoist supreme Prachanda on BBC Nepali, 28 November in the understanding with the Nepal) does not call it foreign Maoists. House reinstatement was interference. But whenever we SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 7 visit Nepal and express our comes at a time when the Royal solidarity for democracy, they call Nepali Army has been recruiting it interference. I wish Nepal’s more soldiers in order to increase government would do away with the number of its divisions to Great Christmas Gift its mentality of seeing any foreign seven. Brand new dissenting voice as external

interference. All we wish is to see No school Under My Hats ○○○○○○○○○ democracy continuing in Nepal. ○○○○○○○ book. Perfect gift The country has no alternative Nepal Samacharpatra, but to embrace democracy. All 27 November for friends and powers in Nepal should initiate foes alike. dialogue toward that end. The RASUWA— After walking for Nepali people long to see peace. hours to reach school, Durga To fulfil their desire, the king Tamang turns around At all leading book stores. should begin talks with the immediately to go home because To order: parties. India still supports a the teachers are always absent. [email protected] multiparty democracy in Nepal This is the fate of over 11,000 that includes constitutional students in this district where monarchy. The king should stop education is so marginal that direct rule and remain as a schools close even when it rains constitutional monarch but it is or snows because the buildings VACANCYVACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTANNOUNCEMENT for the people to decide if they leak. Several don’t even have need the monarchy or not. roofs. Of the 99 community schools in 18 VDCs, the majority Maoist expansion remain closed most of the time. COUNTRY DIRECTOR

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ To make matters worse, only a Samay, 1 December handful of teachers have been Practical Action (formerly ITDG) is an International NGO, with its UK office in Rugby, England. appointed by the government in Practical Action works for poverty alleviation through the development and use of appropriate The Maoists may have reached an most of these community technologies in South Asia, Southern and East Africa and Latin America. In its current understanding with the parties schools. Opening of the Lingling for what they call total democracy Primary School on the Nepal- strategy for the period 2003-07, it aims to become the leading but they have not slowed their Tibet border was approved 18 international authority on the use of technology to reduce poverty in developing countries- project of consolidating their years ago but the school building by demonstrating results, sharing knowledge and influencing others. Practical Action seeks military strength. At a meeting in has still not been constructed. to achieve this by implementing work under four International Aims. The aims Rukum and Rolpa between Dasain Around 36 students of this are- Reducing Vulnerability, Making Markets Work for the Poor, Improving Access to and Tihaar, the central working school are forced to attend committee decided to expand the classes in an open field. Despite Infrastructure Services, and Responding to New Technologies. Maoists’ three-division army into all these problems, the District Education Office has shown We are seeking to recruit a Country Director for our work in Nepal. little concern. “The condition of most schools are similar all over As the Nepal Country Director you will have overall responsibility for Practical Action’s the district, where the rate of school dropout has remained work in Nepal. As a member of Practical Action’s international management team, you will high,” says principal Nirmal share responsibility for developing Practical Action’s international strategies and policies Jung Sherpa. The problem is and will report to the International Director based in the UK. most evident in Haku, Gatlang, Charsa, Chilime, Bridhim, Timer You will have at least ten years relevant experience and be able to demonstrate leadership, and Ramche VDCs, which are barely an hour from district fundraising and strategic planning skills. You will have good academic qualifications, headquarters Dhunche. But the probably to post-degree level. You will have substantial management experience, including education office still believes it financial management and an ability to develop a highly motivated and creative is doing its best. “We have multidisciplinary team. You will have a broad knowledge of regional and international reform programs to solve the development issues and commitment to equitable treatment of all people. You will have problem,” says District Development Committee good communication skills in English and be able to work in Nepali. SAGAR SHRESTHA President Khem Bahadur Magar. seven divisions. Before the The literacy rate in the district is The position is based in Kathmandu and will involve extensive travel both in Nepal and expansion plan, the three only 34 percent. overseas. The job contract will be initially for five years. Salary and terms and conditions divisions were known as western, are as per the organisation’s policy, more details are available in the application pack.

central and eastern commands. Schools suffer

○○○○○○○○○ The western command was led by ○○○○○○○ Prabhakar (Janardan Sharma), the Nepal, 20 November For further information on this job please send an e-mail to: central by Pasang (Nanda Kishore [email protected] Pun) and the eastern command by LIBANG—Money earmarked to Ananta (Barshman Pun). The build 27 classrooms under the The closing date for applications is: Friday 16 December 2005, interviews in early January expansion responds to the fact ‘Education for All Programme’ that the Maoists have been unable initiated in Rolpa with the 2006. to mobilise their armed force at assistance of five donor agencies different places at the same time. has reportedly been spent Practical Action Nepal Until recently, the eastern illegally. Eighty classrooms were P. O. Box 15135 division had been operating east to be built in the district this Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal of Kathmandu, the central year but only 27 were division west of Kathmandu and constructed, in part due to E-mail: [email protected] east of Rapti zone and the western obstacles created by Maoists. Of division had been covering areas those, 21 classrooms have been west of Rapti. Although the built in and around the district western and central divisions headquarters and only six jointly launched an attack west of classrooms in the villages. There the capital some time ago, the are reports that instead of western command failed to help starting work on the buildings, its eastern counterpart when a the School Management similar attack was made east of Committee gave an illegal the capital. A member of the contract to a contractor. While central advisory committee said sanctioning this contract, the goal is to bring uniformity to technicians of the District all the commands. Each of the Education Office demanded 10 original three divisions had 5,000 percent of the deal’s total guerillas. Now the seven amount. Six classrooms were to divisions will contain 4,000 be constructed in Masina, 60 km rebels each. That means an overall from the district headquarter, but increase of 13,000 fighters, a hike even before they were completed, the Maoists plan to cover by the Education Department accelerating their recruiting of cleared the payment, suggesting youths. The Maoists’ expansion that funds were embezzled. 8 LABOUR Nowhere to turn Amid continuring reports of Nepali workers being duped in Malaysia, desperate people continue to sign up for jobs

NARESH NEWAR in KUALA LUMPUR

ALL PICS: NARESH NEWAR

hey have fled poverty were raising their voices and companies, Kelan Behun Bersatu telephone numbers. and joblessness at home they told two visiting in Kedah and Hip Hong Plastic The plight of Nepali workers in Nepal. Most have journalists from Nepal that the Company at Muar Johar. abroad is not new and many been cheated by Nepali embassy was no help at all. “I’m According to the workers, recruiters and employers in Trecruiters and some have been so fed up, I just want to go employers paid Vietnamese and Malaysia continue to get away exploited by their Malaysian home,” one of them told us. Bangladeshi migrant workers to with exploitation because the employers. The workers have good control the Nepali strikers. “We workers have nowhere to turn. Government ministers reason to be angry. Most of them were caned and beaten up Malaysia is drafting a new law describe them as modern Nepali were deceived by their recruiters severely so we ran away—we that will protect migrant ‘heroes’: migrant workers whose in Kathmandu, who had can’t go back,” says 23-year-old workers from cruel employers remittances sent home prop up promised hundreds of dollars a Sundar Kumar Yadab of and guarantee a minimum wage. Nepal’s tottering economy. But month in salary, benefits and Dhanusa. Yadab and 23 other The secretary-general of they are not treated as heroes by easy work. After they arrived in Nepalis escaped into the jungle Malaysia’s Ministry of Human some rapacious agents and Malaysia they earned less than to hide from their attackers. Resources is visiting immigration and customs half the amount stated in their Then they travelled six hours to Kathmandu this week and it’s officials at the airport. contracts. Most are working in Kuala Lumpur to seek help from believed he will be discussing At the royal Nepali Embassy Chinese plastic, food and the embassy. But it looks like the new law as well as recent LABOUR OF LOVE: clockwise, th in Kuala Lumpur on the 16 floor chemical factories for just they came in vain. There isn’t incidents concerning Nepali Administrative officer Debilal of an office building on Jalan Rs 5,000-7,000 a month—after much the embassy can do. workers in his country. Kandel at the Royal Nepali Ampang in the city centre, it’s paying hundreds of thousands Most of the workers have no Ironically, it seems the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur helps just another day for Debilal of rupees to agents back home. choice but to rejoin their work. Malaysian government is more 100 or so Nepali workers who Kandel, officer at the embassy, “When we asked the To date, some 13 have returned concerned about the welfare of arrive at his office every day with tries to calm dozens of agitated companies to pay as per our but 11 others have disappeared. Nepali workers than the Nepali various problems (top). Dayaram Nepali workers not paid as per contracts, they just threatened Yadab says he is worried about government. Chaudhary at the airport before contract or who have been to hit and kill us,” says them and about himself because Malaysia’s The Star leaving to Malaysia for the first time (above right). Most Nepalis mistreated by employers. Dipendra Timilsina, who he thinks his employer regards newspaper is working on an living or visiting Kuala Lumpur “I feel their pain and it really arrived here two months ago. him as the ringleader of the investigative report on Nepalis flock to Jalan Silan in the depresses me to think how they Timilsina and 18 other fellow group. Some workers at the being underpaid, exploited and Kotaraya area to shop and meet were tricked into coming here,” Nepali workers organised a embassy tried desperately to their passports held up by their compatriots (far right). Subash says Kandel as he tried to assist strike at Perak Duck Food contact their recruiters in employers after the celebrated Shrestha runs a successful workers in the embassy’s Industry on 14 November. The Kathmandu but in vain. They case of Mangal Bahadur Gurung. business (bottom right). Sundar reception area last week. Some strike spread to two other had all provided fake names and The former porter was caned and Kumar Yadab (above). 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 9

Clueless in KL Daya Ram Chaudhary has just entered the departure area at Kathmandu airport when his small backpack breaks open. He ties it up with a piece of rope so the biscuits, toothbrush, a T-shirt and trousers won’t fall out. This is all he is taking with him to Malaysia, where he will work for the next three years. “I’m nervous,” admits 26-year-old Daya Ram. “I’ve never been abroad.” He has just Rs 500 in his pocket and a one-way ticket on Despite the workers’ Global manpower agency in explain this to my father who Air Nepal. He doesn’t know who will come to fetch him at Kuala hardships, Nepalis are still Kalanki sent him here promising works so hard in the farm but at Lumpur airport and doesn’t even know the name of the company desperate to work here. Every a good salary but after three years least I’ll be with my wife and where he’ll work or the kind of job he is going to do. morning hundreds of people he has only saved about Rs 10,000 children again,” he told us. When All that his recruiter told him was that he was going to Malaysia. throng the gates of the Malaysian because he was paid less than his we tried to contact New Global He paid his agent Rs 100,000 after borrowing money from a village Embassy in Harihar Bhawan for contract guaranteed. Manpower in Kalanki it no longer moneylender in Kanchanpur at an interest rate of three percent. their visas and the airport is “I don’t know how I’m going to existed. z “They didn’t tell me anything,” he says but brightens up as he adds, crammed with workers waiting “I hope to return with lot of money.” for flights. Dozens of workers Daya Ram has heard of Nepalis like him being duped by their landed in Kuala Lumpur on a agents, not being paid as much as promised and having to do back- midnight flight last week but breaking work. “I’ll just have to take that risk,” he says as his flight is announced. there was no one there to fetch Striking it rich them. With no money and completely lost, they wandered Subash Shrestha from Jhapa is a typical Newari trader. Three years spent 51 days in a Malaysian jail the highest number after India aimlessly in the arrival area, ago, when he came to Malaysia to work as a security guard, he saw when he was mistakenly arrested and the Gulf. hungry, thirsty and culture that most Nepalis were working in small restaurants and hotels. He made a plan with his brother to start a mini-market stocking the kind shocked. as an illegal worker. He was “We’re thankful that the of things Nepalis here need: Nepali magazines and newspapers, released and his conviction set Malaysian government has Not all Nepalis suffer, many books, Nepali folk music in CDs, novels, pens, clothes. His Fishtail aside in May. opened doors for us but the especially those working in Shop was a hit. On Sundays, Shrestha serves up to 10,000 Nepali Members of Nepal’s National weakness of our own government consumer electronic,plastic, customers. He is now making Rs 200,000 a month but has not left Human Rights Commission have and exploitation by Nepali furniture or computer factories, his night security guard job as it pays well. visited Malaysia twice but manpower agents are ruining this are interviewed and recruited by workers here say they didn’t even opportunity,” says Niraj Sapkota, their employers in Kathmandu bother to visit their colleagues who runs Nepal House, a itself. But the horror stories are detained in jails here. “They restaurant and lodge where hard to ignore. “I don’t know why came, partied, shopped and left hundreds of Nepalis congregate they keep on coming. I strongly without any interviews,” says every day to share problems. urge Nepalis not to apply for work labour activist and journalist Nepal still has no labour here unless they go through good Ramesh Poudel who runs the agreement with Malaysia through manpower agents,” says Nabin Nepal Labour Organisation here which Nepalis can have more KC, who has been working here and publishes a Nepali-language rights as overseas workers. The for the last five years. The last two weekly called Shram Saptahik, Nepali embassy here has tried years he has been illegal and has which has a circulation of 7,000. hard to convince the Foreign even been jailed but he is taking Nepali workers here are now Ministry in Kathmandu to send the risk to prolong his stay as he worried that publicity about the more staff for the embassy and for now has a good job that pays strikes and exploitation could the Labour Ministry to take action Rs 20,000 a month. jeopardise the future job against blacklisted recruiters in Ashok Kumar Shah is going situation. An estimated 200,000 Nepal. But not much has been back to his home village in Nepalis now work in Malaysia, done. Morang in January. The New 10 REVIEW 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 A Himalayan meltdown Climate change and development in the Himalaya threaten water supply for nearly half the world’s population

infrastructure development called settle in the most exposed Karakoram highway in Pakistan, Global Methodology for Mapping flood-risk areas, and when the the southern slopes of the Human Impacts on the Biosphere forest is gone further upstream, Himalaya and in south-eastern (GLOBIO). It has been developed the floods will hit them Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan by UNEP’s GRID Arendal centre in severely. Rivers that originate in provinces of south- western China. Norway, UNEP World the Himalayan region like the All countries in the region are Conservation Monitoring Centre in Huang De, Indus, Amu Darya, likely to see a decline in the the UK and the Netherlands Ganga and Salween, have on abundance of wildlife over the Environmental Assessment average of just 2.5 per cent of next three decades on current Agency. their basins protected. trends of infrastructure Comparing satellite images The report argues that development. from the 1960s to today reveal that climate change is likely to There is particular concern over deforestation and unsustainable aggravate problems with water remaining fragile populations of land use practices make the supplies. Studies by ICIMOD species like the snow leopard, the region’s rivers carry the largest and UNEP have shown that Black necked crane, Przewalski’s sediment loads in the world some 50 lakes have formed in gazelle and the Whooper Swan. causing increased flood-related Nepal, Bhutan and China as a “Most serious is the situation disasters in China and India. result of melting glaciers. There in parts of Pakistan, northern Researchers say Himalayan is concern that these lakes held India, Bangladesh where human countries like China and Nepal are back by soil and stones, could population pressures together with he mountains of Asia, new report points to a critical gap now acting to develop parks and burst their banks sending flash unchecked piecemeal development including the Himalaya, are in water security to billions of protected areas aimed at floods down densely populated have great impacts on biodiversity T facing accelerating threats people in Asia and the crucial conserving the Asian region’s valleys. and the ability of watersheds to from a rapid rise in roads, role of sound environmental water supplies and wildlife but New calculations by the handle monsoon floods,” says settlements, overgrazing and management for sustained they warn that far more effort is Chinese Academy of Sciences Surendra Shrestha, director of deforestation that could worsen development. needed to extend protection right show seven percent of the UNEP’s Regional Office for Asia the impact of climate change and The report, The Fall of Water, across the region in both lowland country’s glaciers are vanishing and the Pacific in Bangkok. threaten water supply in China, was published by the IUCN and and mountain areas. annually and that, by 2050, as The Fall of Water: Emerging southeast Asia and northern UNEP with support from the The water from the Himalaya many as 64 percent of China’s threats to the water resources and India. Kathmandu-based International and the Tibetan Plateau flows glaciers will have disappeared. biodiversityat the roof of the world The region’s water supplies, Centre for Integrated Mountain down to half of the world’s Close to half of the Asia’s to Asia’s lowland from changes fed by glaciers and the monsoons Development (ICIMOD) and the population, but less than three mountain region is affected by associated with large-scale and vital for around half the Chinese Academy of Sciences. percent of the watersheds are infrastructure development and settlement and piecemeal world’s population, may be The study is based on a new way protected. Many have become that, by 2030, this could rise to development. harmed along with the area’s of assessing the direct and deforested and overgrazed. over 70 percent. http://globio.info/press/2005-09-05.cfm abundant and rich wildlife. A cumulative impacts of Impoverished people often have to The hotspots are along the www.unep.org Changing climate change Plenty of carbon dioxide was emitted as the world’s climate negotiators flew to and from the Montreal meeting this week

he 10 warmest years on record have out of this bind, but only if we think and all occurred since 1990, and 2005 is act ahead. There are two main kinds of T likely to be the warmest ever. This technologies that look most promising. The year, we’ve gotten a taste of the many kinds first is energy conservation through more of dangers that lie ahead: more extreme fuel-efficient vehicles. The other is called hurricanes, massive droughts, forest fires, ‘carbon capture and storage’. The idea is to spreading infectious diseases, and floods. capture the carbon dioxide that is emitted The climate is changing, and more is yet in power plants and other big factories to come. when fossil fuels are burned, thereby The world’s governments met in preventing it from entering the atmosphere. Montreal this week to plot the next steps, The captured carbon is then pumped into including specific measures that the world underground storage sites such as empty could adopt if the Bush administration oil fields and other suitable locations. abandoned its wilful neglect of this critical The problem is timing. The changeover issue. of the world’s vehicles to hybrid and other Climate change is equated with global efficient technologies will take decades, warming, but much more than warming is not years. So will the changeover of power involved. The rising concentration of plants to carbon capture and storage. If we carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases procrastinate, the dangers posed by climate are leading to more extreme storms, higher- change will confront us as we talk, debate, intensity hurricanes, rising ocean levels, and plan. The world needs to start acting melting widely appreciated. Yet the United States fuels, and developing countries will need soon –very soon–if it is to head off GREEN glaciers has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, to use more, not less, of them as their major threats. ECONOMICS and ice which does little to change the long-term economies grow. Even if the world runs out Plenty of carbon dioxide will be Jeffrey Sachs sheets, course of events on the planet, since it calls of oil and gas in the coming years, coal will emitted into the atmosphere as the world’s droughts, for only small steps up to the year 2012. prove to be plentiful, and solid coal can be climate negotiators fly to and from the floods and other climate changes. Even the The actions that are needed are difficult converted at relatively low cost to liquid Montreal meeting. Let’s press our chemistry of the land and ocean is to introduce, because they go to the heart of fuels for automobiles and other uses. governments to make real progress when changing, with the ocean becoming more the world’s use of energy, particularly its Unfortunately fossil fuels are plentiful, they meet, otherwise they will merely be acidic – thus threatening coral reefs – as a use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), but harmful, renewable sources like wind adding to the problem. z result of higher carbon dioxide. which, when burned, release carbon are good for the climate but not plentiful. (Project Syndicate) dioxide – the key source of rising Solar power is plentiful but not cheap. The specific patterns of change are not Jeffrey Sachs is Professor of Economics known precisely, but the risks of greenhouse gases – into the atmosphere. Nuclear power is plentiful but not safe. and Director of the Earth Institute at continuing on our current global course are Yet the world economy depends on fossil Improved technologies can offer a way Columbia University. NATION 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 11 In their classroom Freedom, security and comfort produce demanding US students chools program us to think and act in certain acceptable ways. They prepare us to fit in society like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. S But the process in which they do so differs from place to place. This difference becomes particularly striking if you are looking at a school in another culture. And if the other culture happens to be a wealthy preschool in the US, the contrast strikes you harder. The classroom is spacious, colourful, fully equipped. There is a head teacher and two assistant teachers for 15 kids bursting with energy. As one of the assistant teachers when four-year-old NEPALI PAN Jason pulls your hair to play Shradha Ghale horse, you can’t just get up and yell at him. You must request him in a singsong voice, “Jason, please stop pulling my hair. Nice boys don’t act like that.” To your Nepali ears, this sounds hyper civilised and artificial. Because back home, little boys don’t dare come near their teacher, let alone pull her braid. If they do, they get a nice beating. When Amanda’s paper frog looks like a boat and you offer to help Turf war wrecks expedition her, the head teacher calls you to a corner and says, “I would suggest letting Amanda make her own frog. As a teacher, you are supposed to watch them do their thing.” Your urge to instruct is too strong to Nepal ultimate loser in Barun biodiversity fiasco accept a boat as a frog but you quietly suppress it. You cannot go against their philosophy. Teachers back home didn’t go against a philosophy because they didn’t have one. NAVIN SINGH KHADKA Without being able to take the secretary of the Ministry of Forest, Two boys suddenly turn wild and start destroying each other’s specimens out for further analysis Ananta Raj Pandey, gave verbal Lego ships. In your newly acquired singsong, you request them to turf war between there was no point. approval to the team to leave for stop but they are unstoppable. As the scene grows violent, you loudly government departments A Nepali Times investigation the national park. But it looks threaten to cancel their outing. The A has cost Nepal a landmark has found that a turf war between like CI had nothing in writing head teacher comes and warns you against using ‘negative speech’ and international scientific survey of the Ministry of Forest and Soil about samples. “After that phone demonstrates the right way to handle Conservation and the Department one of the world’s richest call, we returned all the samples the situation. She summons both biodiversity areas. of National Park and Wildlife to the habitat,” says one of the six parties, hears them out and Bureaucratic bungling, Conservation appears to have been Nepali scientists in the team. ponders long before she professional rivalry and an at the root of the permit CI and TMI had corresponded recommends a solution. A mini international conservation group cancellation. But CI also did not with Nepali scientists since July trial, her effort looks extravagant that underestimated Nepal’s red have all the permission in writing seeking their participation. But to you. You never received such tape and displayed some and yet it arrogantly went ahead even while awaiting written treatment as kids although you highhandedness have cost with its studies in the field. approval, planning for the belonged to the privileged lot. science a major study of the The Mountain Institute (TMI) expedition went ahead. Unused As Eric squeezes out full tubes Barun Valley in eastern Nepal. in Kathmandu coordinated the to strict red tape, the scientists of paint to make his ‘art’, you suggest he could do better with less. “No,” he says haughtily. “I like it The Makalu Barun National visit and had written to the may have mistakenly thought this way!” The head teacher standing nearby smiles and asks you to Park lies in a vertical world from Department seeking permission permission was just a formality let him be. “It’s never a waste as long as they’re exploring their 1,000m on the gorge of the Arun for specimen collection in because they had brought along imagination.” The sheer abundance of the classroom’s resources River right up to summit of August. The Ministry sought a snap traps, mist nets and other dazzles you. But the freedom with which the children can exploit Makalu at 8,484m. Because of its four-point clarification from TMI, equipment to snare bats, rodents them dazzles you even more. Then you remember how throughout location, it gets the full blast of including a query on the and reptiles. Their preparations your childhood, your parents stacked all your toys on a high shelf the monsoons, giving the cloud authorship and intellectual also showed that they had taken because you might damage them. forests and the high mountain property rights on the final report things for granted. Finally, when it’s time to go home, you marvel at the ease with meadows of the region the richest and filming. The CI RAP team has which the kids ask you to find their things, tie their laces, button their biodiversity in the world. “Owing to the Dasain conducted 41 expeditions to coats. Some just want you to sit with them and listen as they talk. That is why international holidays, processing of the letter biodiversity hotspots around the They are bright, cheery and adorable, as children are. But here they know what they are entitled to. They question, demand and complain environmental group, took time whereas the RAP team world, including Peru, Bolivia, like no kid in your hometown does. At three and five, their idea of self- was arriving on 27 October ,” Conservation International (CI) Guyana and Papua New Guinea importance has already taken a firm shape. Freedom, security and chose to conduct its scientific explains TMI’s Himal Program and this is the first time it’s had a comfort are already a natural condition for them. And they know how study and specimen collection Director, Brian J Peniston. The problem like this. to react to the slightest disruption. here this year. The group took an visit was an activity of CI’s Rapid While the CI team continued In another classroom, where you are a student again, your expedition consisting of14 Assessment Program (RAP), an its work in the park, TMI was professors constantly complain about your silence. They want you to Nepali and foreign scientists and innovative biological inventory frantically waiting for the Forest be like your American classmates, who express even the most three television networks from program designed to use scientific Ministry’s response on a request rambling thought with great confidence. They want you to be vocal, 27 October to 11 November information to catalyse that sample collections be analytical and assertive. You need to have an opinion on everything. to Saisima, a side valley of conservation action. RAP allowed. Peniston learnt it was a You need to speak up, interact and participate more. Now, you can the Barun. methods are designed to rapidly ‘no’ only one day before the team make sense of their demand. You can also make sense of your resistance to it. Your differences are deeper than you thought. World-renowned biologists assess the biodiversity of highly left the park. “Needless to say, z found three new species of ants, a diverse areas and to train local they were dejected and depressed. number of new plants and scientists in survey techniques. They carried back no samples possibly a new species of frog. The Ministry later issued an with them at all,” he says. Disney and Discovery crews, eight-point letter stating that the CI and TMI say they did including Jeff Corwin, filmed the team could not take samples, that everything in good faith and went entire expedition for a special they needed to get clearance from through proper channels to get segment of the popular ‘Corwin’s the Home and Defence Ministries permission. Says Leeanne Alonso Quest’ segment about Nepal’s and that the Forest Ministry of CI: “When the team received biodiversity on Animal Planet. should get to designate the team word in the field via satellite CI’s Rapid Assessment Team of Nepali scientists. It was this telephone that the collecting had reason to be ecstatic. But one last point, insiders say, which permits had not been granted, day before the helicopters were annoyed the officials at the they were disappointed but this supposed to fly in the expedition Ministry because CI and TMI had did not affect their visit since out of the Barun (12 November) already selected their own team of they had already been doing the satellite phone rang. It was a Nepali scientists. observations only.” message from the Department of DNPWC officials accuse the In the end, it was Nepal that National Parks and Wildlife Ministry officials of was the ultimate loser: we lost the Conservation (DNPWC) in highhandedness and say rules publicity that would have gone Kathmandu: CI’s request for allow the Department to decide with the discoveries and our specimen collection had been on expeditions of this nature. “It scientists would have gained denied. was interference from the from future collaboration. Said The scientists were shocked, Ministry that created the whole one senior official at the DNPWC: and when the full implication of problem,” said one senior “It could have been a win-win that news hit them, some even DNPWC official. situation, it turned out to be a began to sob with frustration. Peniston told us that the lose-lose one.” z 12 NATION 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275

SERENITY: Ram under his tree (above). It’s not possible to approach closer than 6m. Prem Lama, 16, Ram’s cousin and the only other person allowed inside Thousands continue to flock to seek the inner sanctuary (bottom). Pilgrims at the bajar that has the truth in 15-year-old Ram Bomjon sprouted at the site (left).

ALL PICS: THOMAS BELL

groups of women. Now the craze him energy) or something,” he seems in danger of becoming a jokes. “But try sitting with your victim of its own success and of legs crossed for three hours, the wilder claims made about never mind six months.” Ram’s special powers. The committee that runs the On 26 October the CDO’s site, composed mostly of young On his path office in Kalaya finally received a people from Ram’s village, say police report of the large crowds they would be happy if experts and the wheels of bureaucracy examined Ram but without THOMAS BELL six months, reportedly without survived two snakebites without began to grind. CDO Santa Raj touching him and they have not in BARA DISTRICT food or water, pilgrims still flock medical treatment. The giant Subedi doubted that Ram could yet granted access at night. to see him. roots of his chosen tree are said to survive without eating and sent The CDO’s office, which now he cult of Ram Bomjon, The CDO’s office has tried to be growing faster than usual, local doctors to investigate. has a bulging file on the case, whom some are calling the discourage visitors with slowly enveloping him as he Dr Rajdev Prasad Kushvaha seems unlikely to give up. T ‘new Buddha’ of Bara announcements on local radio meditates between them. says it is medically impossible to “We’ve told them, either you district, has spread far beyond and in newspapers but for the No one knows how many live without food for more than need to let people see everything the villages of the terai. An time being the phenomenon people have been to see him but 20 days but because his team was that’s going on or if this is a internet search on the 15-year-old continues. Official disapproval the number is certainly great. On only permitted to observe Ram fraud you need to close it produces thousands of results and demands that the young the full moon before the Dasain from a distance they could not down,” say Hari Har Dahal, an from every continent. mystic submit to scientific tests festival, the local committee come to any firm conclusion. administrative officer. In the jungle where the young to verify the claims being made, managing the site counted 296 “He is human, and he is alive, Officials have also demanded man has been silently meditating mean that it may not continue for vehicles in their improvised that much we can say,” says Dr the organising committee submit beneath a pipal tree for the last much longer. parking area, ranging from over- Kushvaha. He says that physical an account of the money they The best time to visit Ram is crowded buses and tractor-trailers tests are needed to discover more. have raised. According to a fax at around 10AM. That’s when his to ox carts. The CDO’s office was forced to received by the CDO, it totals devotees say strange lights glow Last week Amit Bartola, a bus turn to Kathmandu for scientific over eight lakh in donations and in his body. “If you just sit and driver from Hetauda, said he had assistance and to the Lumbini offerings (there is no entrance watch, the light will come,” says 80 people on his 36-seater bus. Development Trust for religious charge) and about half has been Prem Lama, the 16-year-old monk “We stop from village to village advice. They demand that spent on managing the site. who guards the fence around and people are really keen to witnesses be allowed to watch The feeling now is that the Ram’s tree. “Do you see a white come,” he said. Suman Bhujel, a Ram through the night, when the group of enthusiastic youngsters light coming from his hands?” driver from Sarlahi district, attraction is closed to visitors who have run this sensation are A crowd of pilgrims added, “there’s about 10 busloads and, they suspect, Ram might getting out of their depth. The murmured, squinted and a day from where I come from.” break his fast. stakes are high. pointed, trying to discern the The bajar that has grown up to Ram’s brother, Ganga Jeet “He HAS to eat. He HAS to supernatural glow. “Do you see service pilgrims sells everything Bomjon, 26, rejects any idea his drink,” says the guard outside it? Do you see the blue light from from bicycle inner tubes to sacred brother is cheating by eating at the District Administration the back of his head?” said one. threads. Deft salesmen from over night. “The investigators say ‘you Office in Kalaya. “If we find out Other miracles are attributed the border in Bihar demonstrate guys are doing something, he’s lying, he and the rest of to the boy. He is said to have haircare products to attentive feeding him batteries’ (to give them are going to jail.” LEISURE 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 13 Hit for all December sky you’re worth Coming soon: winter solstice and Orion the hunter Tips for playing competitive he December sky is dominated by Orion tennis, no matter your level T (Mrigashira). It is one of the largest constellations in the sky he best part of tennis for me is the competition. Although I no and also one of the easiest to find longer play tournaments, I still find time to play a set or two because of the distinctive three T every week with my friends and students. This keeps my stars (Tin-tare) that make up the competitive juices flowing and allows me to coach better. I am in Hunter’s ‘belt’. Embedded in the touch with the emotions of the game and can relate to the frustrations ‘dagger’ is the Orion Nebula of my players.Trust me: tennis can be very challenging mentally. (M42), birthplace of young stars. How can you become a better competitor?

Focus on preparation STAR GAZING Repetition = consistency = confidence = execution. There is no Kedar S Badu substitution for this model. You have to put in the time on the GAME POINT court, in the gym and on the track. Like any successful hunter, Sujay Lama Easier said than done, right? It Orion is accompanied in the sky takes dedication and sacrifice to by faithful ‘dogs’: Canis Major hit an extra basket of serves, run that second mile or do one more and Canis Minor. Canis Major is set of squats. ‘Failing to prepare is preparing to fail’. the home of Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. Other celestial Sweat the small stuff highlights in December: Take care of the little things because they all add up. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, being well hydrated and having your playing gear ready before a match or tournament are some examples. The Sun will pair dramatically with the to see its rings but can see the Attention to detail is what separates the great players from the good The sun is ‘travelling’ eastwards moon on 4 December and reach glorious beehive star cluster ones. through the constellation of greatest brilliancy on 9 December above and to the right of the Ophiuchus and crosses the when it will outshine everything planet. Be mentally tough border into Sagittarius on the in the sky. This is a good time to Uranus and Neptune At all levels of play, what separates the winners from the losers is 18th. observe the crescent phase of the Uranus is amongst the faintest mental toughness. When you compete, expect to feel pressure. Yes, The Earth planet, which can be seen even stars in Aquarius and will be 2° there could be extrinsic pressure such as the expectations of your The earliest sunset of the year is through binoculars. north of the Moon on 7 parents or coaches, but really, 90 percent of the pressure is on the 12th and the latest sunrise Mars December. Neptune will be internally generated. If you enjoy competing, you want to win and is on the 31st. Between them lies that creates tension. Being mentally tough means embracing this Mars is out nearly all night and among the faint stars of pressure and using it to your advantage. the Winter Solstice, which this is magnificent as it hangs Capricornus in the western year occurs on 22 December at slightly below the major stars of quadrant of the sky by nightfall. Deal with pressure 0020, making it the shortest day Aries. As the month progresses, Pluto When you are nervous, a couple of things occur. You stop breathing of the year in the northern the planet begins to fade in Time to revise your idea of and that means you are short of oxygen. When that happens, you are hemisphere. brightness as Earth leaves it Pluto. New images from the incoherent and cannot The Moon behind in its orbit. On 12 Hubble Space Telescope have make good decisions. There are two new moons this December, the gibbous waxing revealed that this distant planet You also stop moving month, on 1 and 31 December. moon approaches Mars. could have two additional your feet. Take deep On 5 December, the moon is at Jupiter moons. Pluto and Earth are breaths between points perigee, the closest point to earth Jupiter is a bright ‘Morning Star’ aligned on opposite sides of the and games and exhale in its monthly orbit, at a distance when you strike the ball. pulling away rapidly from the Sun this month. The grunts you hear of 367,365 km. On the day of the sun so that by the end of Meteor Showers from Sharapova when winter solstice, the moon reaches December, it rises almost five The heaviest Geminid meteor she plays is her way of apogee, at its greatest distance hours before the sun. Just ahead showers take place overnight exhaling and keeping from the earth (405,014 km). of Mercury all month, it enters from 12 to 15 December. You relaxed. Move your feet when you are feeling tight because this Mercury Libra, its home, for the next year. should be able to see these helps with blood circulation. Plus, you will be alert to react quickly Mercury appears before dawn It rises at 0412 on 1 December bright fast moving shooting on the court. during the first half of the and will be near the Crescent stars overnight. Unfortunately, month. This quick moving planet Moon on 26 December. Don’t the 97 percent illuminated Talk positively to yourself reaches its greatest elongation forget to look out for the planet’s Moon will obscure all but the It is natural to get down on yourself when things are not going your west of the sun on the 12th, at an four major moons, visible even very brightest of the Geminids. way. Be aware of your emotions and make sure you convert them angular distance of 21°. At this into positive energy. The way you do this is by having a positive through binoculars. The Ursids peak on 22 ‘self-talk’ internally, or for some of us vocally. It is ok to be frustrated time, it rises a full two hours Saturn December and have a peak and release your emotions once in a while. Use positive words and before the sun. Jupiter will be It rises at around 2135 in the hourly rate of about 10. The 55 self-affirmation, such as ‘come on, ‘let’s go, and ‘move my feet’. ahead of Mercury at a distance of beginning of the month and percent illuminated Moon 20°. brightens beyond the zero- doesn’t rise until after 11 pm so Use good rituals Venus magnitude threshold in advance you could be lucky to catch We all like routines. They give us a sense of stability and comfort. Venus will grab our attention of its opposition next month. some shooting stars. While competing, you want to fall back on your rituals. These can be after sunset as the ‘Evening Star’ Saturn will be near the Moon on such things as examining your racquet’s strings after a point or just above the western horizon. It 19 December. You won’t be able [email protected] bouncing the ball three times before you serve. One of my favourite rituals is to walk and touch the fence whenever I lose a point. It slows me down and I am able to focus better for the next point.

Fake it till you make it No matter how bad you are playing or how well your opponent is playing, act like you are in command. You do not want your opponent to know you are frustrated or flustered. Adversity is part of the game and life. Take the challenge and enjoy the battle. 14 CITY 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275

ABOUT TOWN Sunny Malhotra is writer who has carved a name for himself writing for the Times of Hindustan. A bit of a cynic, he believes EXHIBITIONS he is a self-made man. However, Michael Burnett, 51, is a Don’t Turn Your Back On All Our daughters: Keep simple man and an optimist. Burnett has recently landed a job The Promise. Oil Paintings of trafficked survivors from Maiti as a pizza delivery boy at Mummy’s Pizza. On the eve of Nepal’s Women Rehabilitation Home by Jan Salter, 3-7 Diwali, Sunny has loads of stuff to do and very little time. He December, Rashtriya Sabha Griha Lobby, 9-13 December at has to meet his deadline and has a date with Maya, a South Indian superstar who he has been in love with since as long as Yala Maya Kendra. he can remember. In this confusion, Sunny forgets that there Nature’s Fantasy based on Oriental art technique by Hare nothing to eat and orders a pizza that Michael delivers. But Ram Joju at Park Gallery, until 2 December. 4419353 what Michael delivers to Sunny is so much more than just a Images of a Lifetime featuring the works of the late Tej pizza. Bahadur Chitrakar at NAFA Balmandir till 5 December.

Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment Call 4442220 for show timings

Quest Entertainment www.jainepal.com The Desmond Doig Exhibition featuring watercolors and Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment drawings, until 6 December at Siddhartha Art Gallery. 4438979 Photographs by Susan Griffiths Jones, until 7 December, Lajimpat Gallery Café. 4428549 Rhythm of Forms and Colours solo exhibition by Surendra Pradhan, at Buddha Gallery till 9 December. 4441689

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS AWON Christmas Bajar, 3 December at Hotel Hyatt Regency. Rs 100. Variety Show to raise funds for the earthquake victims of Kashmir. 3 and 4 December at Rato Bangala School. Tickets available at Dhokaima Cafe and Rato Bangala School. 5522614 Bungee and Rafting 10 December, Rs 450 per person (travel, breakfast and lunch). Additional Rs 800 for rafting and Rs 1500 for bungee jumping. Batch of ‘95 invites all Friends and Families of St. Xavier’s and St. Mary’s to celebrate Christmas and New Year at GAA NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED Hall, 23 December, Rs 299, live music, free snacks, dance and Good riddance to November, when the more. Valley saw nothing but cold days and not a drop of rain. The latest satellite pictures MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES show a chain of two emerging cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea Tata Baji Lai Lai , an improvisational play directed by Morten with a shallow westerly front hanging over Crough, 2 -17 December, 4PM, Gurukul. 4466956, 2101332 Kashmir. Early this week the cyclones KATHMANDU sucked out everything from our sky, Extreme Jam with various artists at Moksh, 2 December. including the recently formed layer of haze 7.30 PM, Rs 150. 5526212 over the plains, thus paving the way The Kathmandu Chorale presents winter concert at the for bright sunny days and clear night skies. As a result, we saw a sudden drop British School, 10 December, 3.30 PM and 6PM. in morning temperatures and lots of Live Music every Friday 7PM at Rum Doodle 40,0001/2 ft. fluctuations in humidity levels. With no bar. clear signs of westerlies arriving, there is a strong possibility that sunny days will JCS Quintet at Moksh every Tuesday. 5526212 continue throughout this weekend. Bundle Jatra Friday nights, live music by Siron. 4256622 up in the morning as the temperature is expected to go well below five degrees. Unplugged sessions with Strings, Jatra Saturday nights. 4256622 KATHMANDU VALLEY Live Music at Juneli Bar, Hotel de l’Annapurna. 4221711 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Live Jazz by the pond at 1905, Kantipath. 4225272

FOOD Ciney and Par-e-jat every Friday from 7PM onwards at 23-4 23-4 22-4 22-3 21-5 Dwarika’s. 4479448 Plat du Jour at the Shambala Garden, Shangri-La. . 4412999 k/Dk/fsf gfddf Wonderful Wednesdays at Fusion, Dwarika’s, happy hour cGwljZjf;L x'g' / 5-9PM. cfw'lgstfsf gfddf e|i6 The Sidewalk BBQ with Shades of / 5f8f x'g' p:t } xf ] . Blue, Wednesdays, Shangri-La. To;}n] cfˆgf k/Dk/f, 4412999 ;+:s[lt / ;+:sf/x¿sf] ;"Id cWoog / ljZn]if0f Ciney and Par-e-jat every u/L sd;n kIfx¿nfO{ Friday 7PM at Dwarika’s. ;dofg's"n kl/dfh{g ub}{ The Chimney Restaurant /fd|f kIfx¿nfO{ ;uj{ Signature dishes at Hotel Yak cg;/0f' ugk5'{ { . and Yeti. 4248999 cfw'lgstfsf gfddf Jazz Gourmet fine dining redefined ;EotfxLg / 5f8f at Hotel Shangri-La. 4412999 k|j[lQnfO { k>o| lbg ' x'Fb}g . a? ;do, :yfg / kl/ GETAWAYS l:yltcg'?k cfw'lgs Come Meet Santa at Shangri-La Village, Pokhara, Voice of the voiceless k|ljlw ;Lk / z}nLnfO{ Rs 4999 per person on twin Share. (061) 521995 ;+odtfk"j{s u|x0f ub}{ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Christmas and New hfg'k5{ . o;}df ;a}sf] Year offers. 4361500 enf ] 5 . Escape Kathmandu at Shivapuri Heights Cottage. Radio Sagarmatha P.O. Box 6958, [email protected] Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Junglewalks, rafting, elephant rides all at Jungle Base Camp Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, >L % sf ] ;/sf/ Lodge, Bardia. [email protected] Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno [email protected], Conferences at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 www.radiosagarmatha.org ;"rgf ljefu HAPPENINGS 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 15

DOI ROYAL WELCOME: King Gyanendra being greeted at Cairo International Airport on Monday. Music for Nepal t would probably sound rather bassist and vocalist. and the band’s manager, is ambitious for a rising American Their contribution may seem ecstatic. “Demand for Hooch I rock band to claim that it’s out small to some people but the little merchandise manufactured in to save the world. But for three- that the band has given was Nepal is growing. 2005 was year-old Hooch from Minnesota enough to see 25 primary school amazing and 2006 is going to be state, it’s the little differences their kids through two years of even bigger.” small contributions make that gives schooling in a village in Jhapa The five-member band has them a special zing. and to buy musical instruments released two albums. Their first, Although none of them had for Sankhu Palubari Community Kick the Dog, was a home MIN BAJRACHARYA ever stepped foot on Nepali soil School in Sankhu. production recorded in a record six ANIMAL LIKE: Dr Jane Goodall imitates a chimpanzee’s call for the before this year, the members of After making friends with days and released in March 2004. attentive audience during her ‘Reason for Hope’ talk at Patan this roots-rock reggae ensemble Nepalis living in the US, Hooch Their music is a mix of classic Museum on Wednesday. decided they would make their became hooked on this country. rock, reggae and psychedelic contribution to humanity by They not only donate for schools combined with a bit of funky jazz helping underprivileged children in and charities like Hoste Haisain and a touch of new age alternative Nepal, donating the money they but have also tied up with Training vibe. The rock influence is made at their concerts to schools in For Development and the unmistakable. The second album, Nepal. “What is so little for us in the Kathmandu Trading Company titled after the band itself, has States can go so far here and the (KTC) to have their merchandise, already been released locally in idea was always to tie the music with such as T-shirts, cards and bags, the US. Hooch will play in Nepal a cause. It’s not just about partying,” produced in Nepal. Jesse next spring. z said Marcus Glodell, 28, Hooch’s Schultz, managing partner of KTC Alok Tumbahangphey

KIRAN PANDAY USER FRIENDLY: Sabitra Khadka, 17, trying to type with her toes at the launch of the Nepali interface pack for Windows XP in BICC on Monday.

MIN BAJRACHARYA REALLY ROCKIN’: BB Karki, director of the Trade Promotion Centre (wearing a topi) eyes the glittering specimens on display at Nepal’s first rocks and minerals exhibition held at GAA Hall this week.

KIRAN PANDAY VICTORY HOTEL: Elated members of the Soaltee Crowne Plaza team pose for pictures after winning the 2005 Super Sixes at the TU ground on Sunday. 16 2 - 8 DECEMBER 2005 #275 www.nepalitimes.com

Interview with Comrade Awesome he interview last week by from being aired just in the nick of wrested lethal hardware like tape BBC: And how is the revolution Comrade Awesome on the time. All you members of the Special recorders and ballpoint pens from going these days? TBritish Bombastic Corporation Forces Rapid Reaction Team who enemy radio announcers. CA: We are taking big leaps forward (BBC) was a cowardly and craven took part in the daring raid on Radio At that very moment, another in the long march to total victory attempt to garner cheap publicity and Sagarmatha on Sunday night in an crack unit equipped with night- through this phase of our strategic the nation can heave a sigh of relief audacious counter-terrorism vision goggles was able to breach the counteroffensive tunnel and bunker that his unspeakable utterances did commando operation please stand defences of the studio room where it campaign against running-dog not defile our ears, thanks to some up. A round of applause, ladies and successfully deactivated booby-traps imperialists, their regional quick thinking by the vigilant folks at gentlemen, to these brave men who shaped like microphones and some hegemonistic expansionist puppets the Ministry of Lip Service and marched straight into the jaws of explosive radio active material in the and domestic feudal fascist mongrels Tongue Lashing. certain death with scant regard for satellite relay room. Four hard-core by bravely closing community- However, it is only now becoming life and/or limb in a perfectly journalists were captured, Radio managed schools, valiantly extorting clear coordinated attack against a heavily Sagarmatha was liberated and the teachers, courageously abducting what a fortified radio station in Bakhundol nation rescued from certain doom. school children and taking them to UNDER MY HAT close defended by deadly and battle- Now that we have it all behind undisclosed locations and heroically Kunda Dixit shave hardened RJs. us, we can finally reveal the full text blowing up buses. So I’d say things we all At precisely 2100hrs the of that interview with Comrade are pretty much going according to had. The dramatic behind-the-scenes commandos synchronised their Shock and Awe making it clear why plan. sequence of events that led to us being watches to GMT and stealthily scaled it couldn’t be allowed to go on air: within a hare’s breath of having to the outer perimeter of the target area BBC: Awesome. listen to The Fierce One’s propaganda and neutralised two guards from the BBC: So, Mr Awesome, you are one CA: As long as I have you on the can now finally be revealed because Kalinchok Security Agency who were cool dude. How does it feel to give line, Rabindraji, can I ask you a our intrepid investigative reporters clad in pyjamas and heavily armed your first radio interview? question? went underground to dig up a blow- with a nightstick and a torch. By Comrade Awesome: So very kind of by-blow account of how the nefarious 2103hrs they had stormed the you to give us the air time so that it BBC: Shoot. plan was foiled. building in a three-pronged pincer will be the government that will be CA: Since the national anthem has It was prompt and courageous movement. There was hand-to-hand seen as an enemy of free press and the word ‘Prachanda’ in it, don’t you intervention by alert security combat in the downstairs corridor not us. It’s great to have them do the think the government should ban it personnel that thwarted the interview where the commandos successfully dirty work for us. as well? ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59