#702 11 - 17 April 2014 20 pages Rs 50
FAREWELL 2070 BIKRAM RAI HEALING THE s 2070 draws to a close, a lone bicyclist pedals on Nepal’s longest pedestrian Abridge across the Mahakali River of the country’s westernmost district of WOUNDS OF WAR Kanchanpur. The Nepali New Year on Monday, 14 April is part of a regional tradition of BY RUBENA MAHATO new year festivals in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, BABY PAGE 3 IRRECONCILABLE Burma, even southern China -- underlining a TRUTHS shared cross-border cultural heritage. In Nepal, the old year will be remembered for an election THINK NATIONALLY, EDITORIAL SPA PAGE 2 that reaffi rmed the people’s faith in democracy. PAGE 10-11 ACT LOCALLY But sluggish movement on the constitution has BY DAMAKANT JAYSHI cast doubts if it will be fi nished within 2071. A bill tabled in parliament on Wednesday REVIVING THE TRADITION with blanket amnesty provisions for war criminals defi es a Supreme Court ruling and OF BABY OIL MASSAGE PAGE 4 international norms. 2 EDITORIAL 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 IRRECONCILABLE TRUTHS
even years ago this week, Kathmandu saw this week: “I agree with the idea hundreds of thousands of people massing of reconciliation. But you just Sup in the streets against a king who wanted can’t turn the page. to turn the clock back to the era of absolute You have to read that page before monarchy. From the other side, the Maoists were you turn it.” Bangladesh and busy exterminating ‘class enemies’. Democracy Cambodia have shown that sooner was being squeezed from both the extreme left or later war crimes have to be and extreme right. But what the Maoists could addressed. not achieve with ten years of war and 17,000 ‘Reconciliation’, ‘transitional deaths, was achieved in 19 days of peaceful pro- justice’, ‘truth’ may sound like democracy street protests that forced Gyanendra to donor vocabulary, but survivors step aside. everywhere need closure. They Whatever the glorifiers of violence and need to know what happened to apologists for brutality may say, April 2006 relatives, why they were killed “You just represented a moral victory for peaceful political and by whom, and justice must struggle. It proved that in this day and age one eventually be served to prevent can’t turn the need not kill a whole bunch of people to bring the wounds from festering. Every about political change, even to remove a state that country takes its own path, and page. You perpetrates structural violence. Nepal’s road to reconciliation The Maoists are not the type to say sorry, should be much easier because have to read or admit that their ideology is obsolete and ours wasn’t an ethno-separatist counterproductive. The question is how do we or religious strife, but a class that page deal with the post-war legacy of violence, the war. There is much less bad simmering anger among survivors and relatives blood, relatively less of a sense before you of victims, so as to help the healing process. How of revenge, but that doesn’t mean should we handle reconciliation in the aftermath there isn’t a need for truth and turn it.” of a conflict that neither side lost, and both want reconciliation. to forget? Collusion between former Wars leave scars. The deep wounds take enemies has led to the tabling of a decades to heal. Twenty years later, Rwanda is bill in Parliament on Wednesday still trying to come to terms with the abhorrent to set up commissions for atrocities of its genocide (see page 3). The Tutsi truth and reconciliation and leader who took over avoided retribution against disappearances. The NC and Hutu mass murderers to help heal his country. the UML were glad to let the South Africa took a similar step by naming and Maoists take the flak for obstructing the bills, but It is now meaningless to ask which side shaming rather than trying apartheid era crimes. they aren’t pushing it much either. The Maoists, perpetrated a war crime. Both sides are now Nelson Mandela’s famous maxim was to “forgive, in characteristic fashion, blocked task force the state, and it is the state’s responsibility to but not forget”. negotiations on parameters of the bills, while deliver truth and justice to the families of Krishna In Spain, an amnesty pact between Franco stalling parliament proceedings to protest delays Adhikari, Maina Sunwar, Dekendra Thapa, and the leftists protected a fragile democratic that they are primarily responsible for. But all the Doramba 18, the Kotbara 35 or the tens of transition. But 40 years later, a survivor who is four main political groups are responsible for thousands of others. Without truth and justice, taking his torturer to jail told The New York Times Wednesday's bill to white wash their past. these questions will remain irreconcilable.
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URGENT NEED If Kanak Mani Dixit recalls, the has not missed any attempt to hurt the and India is understandable at a If we do not have a constitution population neither demanded nor sentiment of the god fearing Hindus time when the debate on global come January, we should all plan a voted for Secular Nepal. It is up to of Nepal. But then, he’s not alone, all warming and climate change is at real revolution (‘Urgent need for a Nepali citizens to decide whether the English-language papers of South its peak. His contribution in the fi eld sense of urgency, Editorial, #701). this country should be called a Hindu Asia are guilty of untiringly vomiting of education in Hong Kong is also The leaders are getting richer by the nation again or not. It’s not for Modi venoms against Hindus which in a way worthy of praise. minute, while the poor masses are to decide. In the current context, a is helping us to unite. Kalu reeling under poverty- no jobs, water, referendum has become a necessity. Shashi K Thapa electricity, petrol, law and order. However, Modi’s premiership might Donations, grants and We, Nepalis, are extremely stupid. help in counterchecking EU’s Nepali Times has tried its best to assistance breed a culture of We have elected the same men in sponsored rampant conversions as analyse the election trends in India dependency that will undoubtedly power who have been abusing their Hindu related organisations in Nepal which after all will have a big impact on shackle Nepal into a cycle of authority for over two decades now. will get a power boost. Nepal. Thank you. poverty. We are great at being poor, And yet, we believe them capable Sumir Jha and earning pity and attention. It’s of improving our lives. With Nepal’s time we stand-up as a nation and potential in hydro and tourism, we Your article began with a great KADOORIE work towards Nepal’s economic should be living comfortably, but it’s question (and I paraphrase): What the China and India’s dependence on coal prosperity. Rather than reading quite the opposite. Most of us are The people of Gujarat elected him three elevation of the Hindutva hawk (Modi) in producing almost more than 70 per about other countries building still struggling to provide ourselves times, so he cannot be all that bad for will do to his country, and also how will cent of electricity and energy needs is toilets for us, we should be doing it one square meal a day. The time is them (‘Modi’s momentum’, Kanak Dixit, it impact Nepal? Unfortunately, you well known (‘Kadoorie in the land of ourselves. here for the people to unite against #701). Let the Indian people decide spent more time talking about the fi rst Gurkhas’, Kunda Dixit, #701). China Nepali our corrupted netas and proclaim whom they want to vote for. They are part and left the second part almost Light and Power Holdings in which that enough is enough. not stupid, and they obviously want their untouched. I am sure other Nepalis Kadoorie holds a majority stake is Narayana Prasad country to do better. felt the same way. I was hoping to now facing pressure from the Chinese Even today, almost 67 years after read a little more detailed analysis government to discontinue using coal Weekly Internet Poll #702 Nepal risks becoming lost in the Independence from the British, the on how Modi’s election will impact in generating electricity in its coastal Indian Ocean with all passengers on majority of Indians still live in poverty. Nepal, but I all I got was a beating cities like Hong Kong, Guangdong, Q. Who do you think will emerge strongest from India’s general elections? board. Maybe people are just tired of the around the bush with some mundane Beijing and to adopt the west policy @pigreen suffering, especially when many speculations. to meet its energy demand. You may Total votes: 618 countries with less resources are doing luv Nepal have seen pictures of Chinese cities When society lives in perpetual much better. covered in smog in the news and how ‘emergency’, a sense of urgency is The lesson for Nepali leaders is that There’s much anti-Hindu bias the use of coal, petrol and China’s not an urgent need. people everywhere are more informed in this article (‘The shaky pillar of rapid industrialisation have heated up @SubasKC1 nowadays, and will vote for parties with Indian democracy’, Anurag Acharya, the earth to the point of explosion. a track record of good governance and #701). Anurag seems to have paid no Kadoorie’s decision in possibly MODI’S MOMENTUM not those with empty populist and fear- heed to the plight of Hindu minorities investing in Nepal’s hydropower sector, Weekly Internet Poll # 703. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Why all this fretting and fear- mongering slogans. in his dreamland of Pakistan and which is a renewable source of energy, mongering over Narendra Modi? Dev Batsya Bangladesh while writing this one. He and transfering the electricity to China Q. Are you more optimistic about 2071 compared to 2070?
Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Editor: Bhrikuti Rai | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 OPINION 3
old democracy which had only started to consolidate its institutions. True, it was somewhat dysfunctional but by Healing the wounds of war targeting it at a time when the royal right was also trying its best to undermine, it reversed this the world, and weighs on its war-torn societies cannot move Peru, the New People’s Army in country’s democratic evolution. conscience. forward. the Philippines, or the Maoists The top brass of the Maoists UN’s inability to prevent the This is a lesson we may in Nepal, the rebel leadership may well have realised that genocide prompted the doctrine want to consider as Nepal starts is almost never from the their way might have caused of Responsibility to Protect. its own journey towards peace underprivileged class they claim much more harm than good, Rwanda itself has undergone and rebuilding. Our conflict to represent. but they will never admit it. It remarkable transformation under ended seven years ago, and the They maintain similar was not their armed struggle President Paul Kagame. Rwanda former rebels have successfully control and domination over the but a spontaneous uprising has seen some stability and assimilated into the political oppressed to use them as cannon of hundreds of thousands of normalisation of ethnic relations mainstream. Amidst the political fodder. The disillusionment in ordinary, unarmed Nepalis on although his regime has restricted circus unfolding every day, we the rank and file of the breakaway the streets of Kathmandu in civil and political freedom. seemed to have forgotten that CPN-M today proves that even April 2006 that forced the king to Reconciliation in a country there was even a war here. they don’t believe the war was restore parliament. There may be hundreds and waged to liberate them. The progressive agenda that thousands of war victims and Forget the lost years, the the Maoists now claim credit for, their families waiting for closure, resources diverted and the would have come in due course but for the most part, Nepal energy spent on dealing with without the bloodshed. Lasting seemed to have forgotten that the insurgency. The human cost structural changes happen with 20 years ago a political party of the war, the brutalisation institution building, good policies thought it was acceptable to raise of the society and the misery and participation of people, not arms against a young democratic of the young Nepalis in Gulf through violence and coercion. THIS IS IT government. who fled to escape the conflict The peace we have now is Rubeena Mahato After all these years of should alone make us question so fragile, any reflection on the brainwashing his cadres to if it was necessary to attain the war and the years following it like Rwanda is challenging, but be willing to kill and die to grandstanding goals of the Maoist is considered grave-digging. But the country has proved wrong overthrow an elected government party. a generation or two from now, predictions of a doomed future to achieve radical transformation, In From Dictatorship to how will people remember the and relapse to war. Baburam Bhattarai doesn’t seem Democracy, Gene Sharp notes conflict? Will they know better This week’s anniversary to see the irony of now proposing that guerilla warfare almost never not to go down the same path reminds us of the horrors that a new force based on the fusion of benefits the oppressed and leads when a group of politically people are capable of inflicting socialism and capitalism. to a high rate of casualty amongst ambitious people decide to ‘finish on others in the name of The romanticism of rebellion, them. Even when insurgencies the revolution’? ethnicity, race, and ideology. of simple peasant folks rising up succeed, the new regime that More importantly, is it KUNDA DIXIT Commemorating also helps against oppression has a certain comes to power, he argues, ends possible to achieve stability his week marks 20 years achieve another important appeal for the intellectual class. It up becoming more dictatorial than at all when violence remains since the genocide in function: establishing and allows arm-chair revolutionaries the one it replaced. Independent an acceptable alternative for TRwanda. More than 800,000 reiterating the wrongfulness of to unleash brutality without ever groups and institutions that politically unsatisfied forces? We Tutsis and moderate Hutus were those actions and of preventing going to the battlefield. protect individual liberties and can continue to pretend the worst killed in a 100 day period in 1994 a repetition. Without repentance While their grievances are democratic freedom are destroyed is over or we can make an honest by the Hutu-led Interahamwe and condemnation of past exploited to justify violence, the during the upheaval. assessment of the last 20 years so militia as the international brutalities and rejection of poorest usually end up suffering It was not a dictatorship the future won’t have to suffer. community hesitated to intervene. violence and persecution as a the most in this power struggle. that the Maoist leadership was The choice is ours. The killings continue to haunt means for political bargaining, Whether it is the Senderistas in fighting against, but a six years @rubeenaa 4 NATION 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 Think nationally, act locally Federalism and local elections are not contradictory, they are two sides of the same coin
ow often have we heard which argue that unelected this: “Local election is a people are better suited to Hconspiracy against a new decide important matters of federal constitution.”? This is the country than the elected stretching the argument, and by a ones, are against holding the long shot. local body elections. They It would be a great call it “a conspiracy against achievement if the new federalism”. Even the NC and constitution was promulgated the UML that emerged as the by January 2015 as per the time- largest parties after polls, have table recently announced by the not been able to push through parties. Who knows, they may this objective. give us a surprise that is, for Sixteen years has passed once, pleasant. since the last elections for local bodies and 12 years since they were dissolved. The delivery of even the most basic of services in VDCs and DDCs have been seriously hit, corruption is rife and local development have been hit hard in many places. THE DEADLINE And we are being told Damakant Jayshi that there should not be local elections until the country is But given the track record cared out into federal units. of the political parties, it is This is a disservice to the plausible that the deadline will people who despite threats be missed. So shall we keep on and pervading cynicism postponing elections for VDCs, participated in the November DDCs and municipalities? election to demonstrate, yet The first meeting of the new again, their abiding faith in Constituent Assembly was held democracy. The parties need two months after the election, and responsibilities, the could take to the courts to resolve holding the local election within to match the people’s faith in it took four months to elect a subjects to be governmened by disputes, and that would be six months of the CA polls. Their democratic culture. So far, the new prime minister, and more national and state governments the best case scenario. Worse, election manifestos and the last signs have been dispiriting. weeks to agree on CA regulations and legislatures, the relation animosities could spill out into point in the 11-point agreement After all, isn’t federalism after wasting time on needless between states, the tax violence, adding to the challenge of March 2013 specifically all about decentralising haggling over who should certify collection structure – these faced by political parties. Then speaks of holding the local power, giving local people the new constitution. are just a few of the issues there is the election of state bodies’ election by the end of a bigger say in the affairs of Now, even if the constitution that need to be legislated and legislatures. It requires laws and a 2070 BS, that is by 13 April the place they live in and is written and adopted within a passed. Given that there is no certain time-frame to accomplish this year. The agreement was strengthening grass-roots year, the actual federal make-up precedence in Nepal, we will be these. signed by the UCPN(M), the NC, democracy? If one can use the of the country would take much learning as we go along. So, shall we postpone the the UML and the then Madhesi term localising democracy, longer than anticipated. New Moreover, the distribution local bodies’ election until all Morcha. then this is it. Local bodies laws need to be written and of natural resources could of these are finalised? It could But the parties that fared guarantee precisely that. So ratified for a federalised Nepal. be sensitive and is likely to take decades. How are local polls badly in the election – UCPN(M), why is local elections against Laws governing provincial cause much frustration and against federalism? Lest we forget, Madhes-based parties and the 33 federalism? governments and their rights anger. Aggrieved communities all major parties had committed to parties led by the CPN-Maoist, @damakant 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 BUSINESS 5 BIZ BRIEFS
The tale of two Commissions Tee off Gorkha Brewery has announced the dates of the BINITA DAHAL had helped bury Thapa, Prime Commissions is to address Carlsberg Golf Series 2014 . Open to amateur golfers Minister Baburam Bhattarai and transitional justice and hear the from all over Nepal, the Carlsberg Golf Series will even years after the conflict Attorney General Mukti Narayan voice of the survivors. There are be played in three editions, the fi rst of which was held this month at the ended, the government on Pradhan ordered the district thousands of cases where the FIR Gokarna Forest Resort. Wednesday finally tabled police office and attorney to stop on conflict-era cases has been aS bill in parliament to form two any further investigation into ignored by police or the district Fighting fire commissions to look into wartime the First Information Report. attorney. And even when cases Hansraj Hulaschand, the sole distributor of The Maoists have maintained all are filed, the government has been excesses. In 2006, the seven Bajaj Motorcycles in Nepal donated 10 ‘Fire political parties and the Maoists along that all conflict-era cases reluctant to punish criminals. Motorcycles’ to the Juddha Barun Yantra fi re had agreed to form a Truth and should be handled by the new Some politicians convicted station. The company hopes that these bikes Reconciliation Commission Commissions and not through the and jailed by the courts are still will improve fi re control by helping fi refi ghters reach accident sites quicker. (TRC) and a Commission on regular courts. walking free. Disappearances (CD) within six But the Supreme Court, In cases perpetrated by both months of the promulgation of addressing a writ petition against sides, like those of Arjun Lama Trade off Interim Constitution. and Maina Sunwar of Kavre, On the occasion of the Nepali New Year, EOL has The proposal has been Ujjan Kumar Shrestha of introduced the ‘Toshiba X-Change’ scheme. Customers mired in controversy ever Okhaldhunga, Krishna Prasad can now trade in any of their old CRT/LED/ LCD since, through six changes in Adhikari of Gorkha, there has television for brand new Toshiba television sets. governments. The delay was been no justice served. Now, not because the Maoists and it is even less likely the guilty World class their former enemies disagree will be caught. Pooja International Nepal unveiled its newest on its mandate, but because In the last seven years of Volkswagen showroom at Thapathali on Friday. they agree. Neither side lost transition all six governments “We hope to have more interaction with our the war, and since politicians have tried to withdraw cases customers and increase our after-sales service,” reads the press release. of all hues could have blood against their cadre and prevent in their hands, they want to the commissions being set up. Expanding wings wasah it off. The Ministry of Law has more Qatar Airways has introduced a new route between Doha The bill was opposed by both Bhattarai and Pradhan, ruled than 2,000 conflict-era cases still and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), making the city former enemies in the name of that conflict-era crimes could pending but which successive the airline’s fi fth gateway to the United States. Its existing protecting the peace process. be investigated and prosecuted governments tried to dismiss. Clauses in the draft bill include under regular criminal procedure It is clear that the political hubs include New York, Washington, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia. a general amnesty for criminals, in the absence of transitional will was always lacking, and the which would go against the justice mechanisms. Sources victims and their families will Supreme Court decision and involved in drafting the TRC ever get justice. The political against international law. and CD bills say most of the parties risk the anger of the Thousands of conflict era provisions are based on court victims and serious censure by survivors are still in search of directives, but senior Maoist the international community. justice. One such is the family of leaders have been most vocal in journalist Dekendra Thapa who objecting to them arguing that it nepalitimes.com was buried alive in Dailekh after goes against the Comprehensive being tortured by the Maoists Peace Accord and the Interim True reconciliation, #661 Nothing, but the truth, #648 in 2005. Last year, after one of Constitution. Justice is peace, #583 the perpetrators admitted he The main role of the 6 NATION 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702
of Nepal’s population 51.5% are women Nepal’s mobile widows Of total married women, 6.7% are widows Owning a phone More than 75% of women empowers single are still married at between mothers, helps them 10-19 years become independent, and earn respect 67% of married women are between 20-35 years her phone to neighbours who pay per call, she has also been able to generate a small income. Her financial independence has 29% of married women earned her new respect in the community. are illiterate Today Paru and many other widows like her have mobile phones donated by Women Only 2% of married women for Human Rights (WHR) which provides have a college education widows in districts like Bajura, Dadeldhura, Palpa, Sankhuwasabha, Saptari, Sindhuli and Kavre with mobiles. 44% of single women Lila B (pic) used to work on a JUANITA MALAGON are heads of households construction site in Bardibas in the eastern JUANITA MALAGON sometimes denied access to their own Tarai with her husband until he died. Alone SOURCE: WHR children by the husband’s family. with small children, and with no means to aru and Lila have many things in Paru who is from remote Bajura district raise them, she moved to Kathmandu and “Owning a mobile phone helps single common: they are young women was married at 14. Her husband escaped to found a cleaner’s job. women become independent, start a Pfrom remote parts of Nepal, they have India to avoid forced recruitment into the Lila doesn’t want to talk about her past business and be a part of the community,” children. And they are both widows. Maoist army, but died two years after their and gives short answers and changes the explained Shreejana Kafle, a social worker They also own mobile phones, a marriage, leaving Paru to raise their son subject when asked about her life. But with WHR. Lila lives alone with her two device that has transformed the lives of who is now 10-years-old. After her husband she is proud now to have her own mobile young daughters in a tiny rented room single mothers who are often ostracised by died, her in-laws began to mistreat her. She phone, and says it has helped her keep in that has a stove, a double bed and a small families and rejected by society. couldn’t leave the house, attend religious touch with friends. wardrobe. But her most prized possession A woman may not have to jump functions, and was even banned to talk to Nepal’s mobile penetration rate has is her old Nokia. She says: “I’m able into the funeral pyre when her husband anybody, especially men. “When people grown to 75 per cent from barely 30 to listen to music, take pictures of my dies anymore, but she is required to see a young widow they naturally assume per cent in just five years. WHR hopes children, and call someone if something mourn her husband endlessly and never that she will remarry and run away with to expand its pilot project to distribute happens to me.” remarry. Many don’t have access to the property with the new husband” Paru donated cell phones to more women like property, have difficulty obtaining birth told us over her mobile phone. Paru and Lila for whom a mobile is not a Donate used mobiles to: certificates, citizenship cards, and proof The 26-year-old says she now contacts luxury but a device that gives them a sense Women for Human Rights, of relationships for their children. Single other widows like her over the phone and of belonging and empowerment through the Single Women Group women are vulnerable to abuse and provides them with counselling. By renting ability to communicate. +977 1 444 6020, 441 3868 Summer is here in force, with a high pressure system over Northern India piling on the heat. Temperature in the Tarai will hit 40 degrees this weekend for the KATHMANDU fi rst time. The fi rece sun will trigger convection systems along the moutnains, though, and may even bring some precipitation in the higher reaches of the Himalaya. Afternoon gusts will again create dust-storms, although these are man-made beacuse of the un-ending road- widening in the capital.
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 27° 27° 27° #702 11 - 17 April 2014 11° 12° 13° TO NEW
BEGINNINGS WATER Nepal is unbeatable when it comes to festivals and he annual TWater Splashing FESTIVAL celebrations. We have not one, not two, but mark a Festival of the Dai YUNNAN ethnic minority dozen new years annually. On Monday, Nepalis will of Xishuangbanna CHINA usher in yet another new year 2071. The mid-April Prefecture lasts for three days. The first celebration also coincides with New Year celebrations in two days' activities are concentrated on the banks of the Lancang River where dragon several countries across Asia. boat races are held and open markets are organised. Floating lanterns are lit to drive elieved to have SONGKRAN Buddha. The second day, or Virak Wanabat, to five days. On the eve of Thingyan, the away bad luck. On the third day, people Bbeen adapted is spent helping the less fortunate and the first day of the festival called a-kyo nei, wear their best clothes and visit temples from the Sankranti THAILAND homeless. On the third day T’ngai Leang Buddhists are expected to observe the to symbolically splash water on Buddha’s Hindu festival, the Saka, Buddha’s statues are cleansed with Eight Precepts. On the second day, a-kya statue. This ceremony is called ‘Bathing the Songkran festival in perfumed water for good fortune. Similarly, nei, a cannon (Thingyan a-hmyauk) is Buddha’. Afterwards, people flock to the Thailand is celebrated they pour water on elders in a tradition fired, signaling people to come out and streets with pots and bottles of water and as traditional New Year’s Day from 13 to 15 called Sraung Preah as a sign of respect. One pour water onto the ground as a sign of douse each other with water for good fun. April. Songkran is internationally known to of the popular dishes made for this period is prayer. The water festivities continue to be celebrated by people throwing water onto kralan, a cake made from steamed rice mixed the third day, a kyat nei, and only end on each other, largely because the Thais believe with beans or peas, grated coconut and the fourth day, a-tet nei. Traditional dishes that water is able to cast away misfortune coconut milk. such as mont lone yeibaw (glutinous rice and bring good luck and prosperity for the balls stuffed with palm sugar) and mont New Year. People clean their houses as a let saung (sticky rice with sesame seeds in symbol of warding off bad luck and visit coconut milk) are popular. monasteries to pray and make offerings. In big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Buddha’s images from chief monasteries are paraded in a procession through the streets.
ii Mai or the Laos New PII MAI PYear is celebrated from 13 to 15 April. It has many LAOS parallels to Thailand’s Songkran festival, with water forming an integral part of the celebrations.
elebrated on 14 ALUTH April marks PUTHANDU CApril, the ending AVURUDDA 14the first day INDIA of the old year and of the traditional the beginning of a SRI LANKA Tamil calendar and is new one is usually celebrated by Tamils haul Chnam several hours apart in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry in India, as CThmey in the CHAUL CHNAM and midway through this period is known well as within the Tamil communities in Khmer language as Nonagathe (or the ‘neutral period’ or Malaysia, Singapore and Mauritius. In the literally translates THMEY ‘Auspicious Time’) which symbolises temple city of Madurai, the New Year is to “Enter New Year” CAMBODIA the dawn of the new year. People clean celebrated in the Meenakshi Temple where a and is celebrated in their houses, light oil lamps and in some huge exhibition called Chitterai Porutkaatchi Cambodia for three hingyan, the communities, play a drum called Raban is held. Each household throws big feasts days from 13 April. On Maha Songkran, the TBurmese New Year, THINGYAN to ring in the New Year. Kavum (small and entrances are decorated elaborately with first day of the celebration which is derived is usually marked MYANMAR oil cake) and Kokis (crisp and light dish kolams. In the northern part of Tamilnadu, from Maha Sankranti, people visit shrines in mid-April and made of rice flour and coconut milk) are the game of ‘por-thenkai’ or coconut wars is and light incense sticks to pay homage to celebrations last four prepared specially for the occasion. played in villages. 8 Climate+change, EVENTS the four and half month long DINING exhibition on the changing environment in the Himalaya comes to an end next week, be sure to catch it if Hotel Shangri-La, you haven't been there. traditional Nepali cuisine with cultural Runs until 12 April, show. Rs 999, every Thursday, 7pm Nepal Art Council Babarmahal onwards, (01)4412999 ext 7520/7515 Balthali Village Resort, a small, cosy retreat with a bird’s eye view of wheat fi elds dotted with ochre painted houses. Balthali, Kavre, 9851075818 Saigon Pho, spacious interior with authentic Tass and Tawa, Vietnamese dishes. Lajimpat savour a wide variety of Nepali meat dishes and reserve your palate for the New Tushita Restaurant, heavenly Chusta. Pulchowk, Kathmandu Czech castles, All that glitters, Twannasin, relaxing ambience and good food. Don’t the National Museum of Czech Republic an exhibition of the art of British artist an exhibition of paintings by miss out on their penne with creamy comes to Kathmandu with an exhibition Annette Ashworth. Runs till 22 April, Bipana Maharjan. bacon and mushroom sauce. Lajimpat, on the country’s castles. Classic Gallery, Pulchok, 9841224753 12 to 25 April, 12 to 7pm ,except (01)44432957 Runs to 25 April, 10am to 5pm, Saturdays, Artist Proof Gallery, Pulchok Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babarmahal The Spoken word, Public Cave, spit it out with the best slam poets of while its pizzas, sizzlers, and spring Scooter Diva Cup, Kathmandu. rolls are a hit among customers, the safely race fellow female scooter riders 12 April, 2 to 5pm, Electric Pagoda, main attraction is karaoke. Dihikopatan, and win the Scooter Diva Cup 2014. Thamel Pokhara, 9856032958 3 May, 10am, Monster Bash, Kupandol Open house, Random impact, featuring the work of artists Arpita an exhibition of contemporary arts and Shakya, Ashuram Khaiju, and Palpasa performances. Manandhar. Runs till18 April, Alliance Francaise, Teku Runs till 7 July, 11am to 6pm Pack my lunch, mother’s cooking delivered to your Educational spaces, doorstep. 9803496546, www.facebook. students, artists, and experts discuss how com/packmylunchnepal museums and galleries can be used to Film Lab, get students engaged in thinking about Natssul, learn fi lm history, critical issues. reminiscent of the establishments in storytelling, scriptwriting, 11 April, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal Seoul’s Hongdae district, this eatery cinematography, strives to be the best Korean restaurant in editing, project handling Common effort, Barista lavazza, town. Pokhara and network with a discussion on political transition and the newest addition to the Valley’s professionals. education in the context of federal state European inspired coff ee-culture cafes Backyard, 12 April to 15 May, restructuring. serves excellent mochas and lattes, reasonable prices and modest and Docskool, Gaurighat, 12 April, 3 to 5pm, don’t forget to try their grilled chicken simple food have made this restaurant register at (01)4251335 National Law College, Pulchok sandwich. Jawalakhel everyone's favourite. Jhamsikhel 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 9 MUSIC GETAWAYS
Shivapuri Cottage, HAPPY 2071 escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and enjoy peace, tranquility, The Nepali New Year is turning a leaf Oldies gold, good food, and fresh air. this weekend, and we bring you what's get nostalgic this New Year’s Eve and Rs 3,500 per person per night inclusive happening and where. party with Prism, one of Nepal’s oldest of dinner and breakfast. Budhanilkantha, rock bands. Rs 2,500, 13 April, 6.45 9841371927 Bisket jatra, onwards, Manny’s Eatery and Tapas Bar, they make merry throughout the country Jawalakhel Shastriya sangeet, Temple Tree Resort and Spa, during the new year, but in Bhaktapur it is especially grand - watch out for inpromptu dabble in the magic of Hindustani a peaceful place to stay, complete with Round and round, photo-ops. classical music. 15 April, 3pm onwards, a swimming pool, massage parlour, and celebrate New Year’s Eve by enjoying 14 April, Bhaktapur Ram Mandir, Battisputali sauna, it’ll be hard to leave once you go a panoramic view of the city in in. Gaurighat, Lakeside, (61)465819 Bandipur festival, Kathmandu’s new revolving restaurant: Kripa Unplugged, unlimited food, unlimited drinks, spend this new year at Bandipur, a quaint young aspiring musicians give their own Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel, unlimited fun but limited tickets. old Nepali trading town and now a popular renditions of classics. 8.30 and 10.30pm, add value to your travel in Lumbini Rs 3,000 for individuals, Rs 5,500 for two, tourist destination. TTV, youtube.com/user/KripaUnplugged with a stay at probably the best hotel Cloud Zero, Summit Residency, Airport, in the area. 12 to 16 April, 9am to 7pm, Bandipur, (01)4112636/37/38/39 Lumbini, (71)580220, 9801033109, Tanahun, 9851046368 [email protected] Park Village Resort, far away from the madding crowd yet so close to the city. Budhanilkantha, (01)4375280, [email protected] Starry Night BBQ, catch Ciney Gurung live as you chomp on your meat stick. Rs 1,299, 7pm onwards, Fridays, Shambala Garden Café. Hotel Shangri-La, (01)4412999 (Ext. 7520/7515) Music Jams, enjoy great live music every Tuesday. Moksh, Jhamsikhel The Last Resort, Reggae night, test your limits with canyoning, hiking, get a load of jah music from Chari Amilo rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking, Kala Samuha every weekend. bungee jumping. Rs 200, 28 March, 6pm onwards, Bhotekosi, Sindhupalchok, Base Camp, Jhamsikhel (01)4700525/1247 10 BABY SPA
TOH EE MING AND HARIZ BAHARUDIN
nurse gently lifts the baby out of the thick swathe of blankets and begins to delicately massage the baby’s chestA in a regular, clockwise motion. The baby is then bathed in a bucket of warm water and rubbed with mustard oil, until she gurgles in contentment and falls asleep. This is one of the few techniques of Newari baby massage that was taught to nurses at Dhulikhel Hospital at a workshop held last week. The training, organised by Nasma Scheibler-Shrestha, is an attempt at reviving the art of traditional baby massages that ironically has seen a downfall at home, while gaining popularity elsewhere. Nasma is the woman responsible for taking this ancient Newari tradition to Europe. When Nasma, who settled in Zurich after marriage, had her first child, her mother wanted to give the baby a traditional oil massage. But the hospital staff objected, Reviving as they did not understand why a healthy baby would require a massage, recalls Nasma. But after the art of much persistence, the hospital staff finally obliged. The episode motivated Nasma to promote traditional this alternative practice and in 1986, she opened the Professional School of Baby Massage in Zurich, baby where she taught adapted Newari massage to suit the European lifestyle. Over 1000 students have massages since received the training. These massages are believed to promote better sleeping, relieve colic, prevent digestive problems to bond with their child. However, passed down orally from mother baby massage. The young parents babies and kept aside to rest for and enhance the infant’s immune it is not just women who sign up to daughter is now written down in have to rely on the customary oral two to three weeks. “After being in system. But most importantly, it for classes. Fathers are doing it systematic steps. “We’re trying to tradition. But with the growing the womb for so long, they enter a gives the mother time to set aside too. “When I first saw men in these preserve our tradition, but develop popularity of nuclear families, this new, unfamiliar world, and to keep a quiet space and communicate classes, I was shocked as this it in a modern way too,” says tradition is also getting lost.” them away from their mothers for her love for the new-born through doesn’t happen in Nepal,” says Nasma. Nasma sees an urgent need so long is like punishing them,” touch. According to pediatricians, Ashma Shrestha, a midwife who While the popularity of baby to revitalise this tradition, and is says Nasma. Thus, it is important such closeness is also necessary trained under Nasma. massages has seen a surge working towards making people for the mother to hold the baby for the baby’s psychological and To suit the Western culture in Europe, over in Nepal, the more aware. Currently, she is and reassure it, as it is their first physical growth. and habits, Nasma had to make a practice is in danger of extinction advocating for the baby massage contact. In Europe, time-starved few changes. Heaters and carpets as mindsets become more to be carried out immediately after But for that to happen, working mothers have also started replaced traditional fire and straw westernised. Nasma explains, “In birth as mothers as per general Nasma admits there needs to turning to baby massage as a way mats. The knowledge that was Nepal, there is no written record of practice are separated from their be regular, systematic training 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 11
for professionals like mid- LOST ART: (clockwise) A day-old baby is gently wives, pediatric nurses and lowered into a bucket of warm water which is physiotherapists, who can then used to replicate the warm environment of a spread their knowledge to future mother's womb, Ashma Shrestha, a midwife parents as she sought to do with from Austria, has returned to Nepal with the her workshop. aim to train more locals in the art form, a [email protected] Swiss volunteer demonstrates a baby massage www.bmm-newar.ch technique, application of mustard oil before the massage is believed to keep the baby warm nepalitimes.com during the massage, babies are fi rst massaged, bathed and then massaged with mustard oil, Baby’s day out, #278 Nasmah shows participants how to make a carry- A newly born gets a head massage on from a long cloth. ALL PICS: TOH EE MING AND HARIZ BAHARUDIN 12
(not the former US ambassador to Nepal) is brought to life on television with such vileness that Arthur Conan Doyle’s description of Moriarty, through Watson’s reportage, seems bland. Also expunged are Holmes’s cape, pipe, and hunting hat. This 21st century Sherlock takes place in an era of smartphones and smartbombs, and digital manipulation is the norm. And in contrast with Doyle’s moody detective, Sherlock here is a nasty, almost vampire-like mad genius who wears nicotine patches and suffers no fools. In choosing from 56 HAPPENINGS SHERLOCK Sherlock Holmes novels and stories, it’s not as if there is latmate wanted: must share so addicted to crime scenes and a dearth of material for those bathrooms, living rooms, morgue visits, he has no need of involved in this BBC makeover. Fkitchens, mailboxes, and friendship and isn’t interested However, credit must be given landlady’s prying. You may find in conversation. Frequently to the writers for preserving the your laptop’s battery drained invited to help police investigate persona and charisma of Arthur and IP tracked. Violent criminals cases, Holmes doesn’t miss a Conan Doyle’s hero, while also may send you text chance to belittle keeping abreast of technological messages and or lock their inefficiency advances. Never has Sherlock you in their cross- MUST SEE and condescendingly Holmes’s implausible befuddling hairs, mistaking you provides leads that of our senses seemed so tangible for yours truly. ultimately lead to the crime being and probable. Such is the volatile but solved. When Holmes explains Sherlock only has three minutely analysed world of 221B, why a serial killer made mistakes episodes per season, which Baker Street, where army doctor (“The frailty of genius is that it means dialogue and plot are
John Watson (played by Martin needs an audience”) the audience taut and fresh, and only recently BIKASH DWARE Freeman of The Office and The can only smile guiltily because it announcements were made that NEW FACES: Prime Minister Sushil Koirala administers oath of office and Hobbit fame) moves in as he applies to him, too. a new season will be aired next secrecy to newly appointed ministers Sunil Thapa of RPP-N and Nilam KC of CPN- seeks a sense of belonging in his As Holmes solves one case year. Running at 90 minutes, ML at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu on Monday. solitary civilian life. Watson has after another with consummate each episode would qualify as tried everything from therapy to ease, he finally comes face to a standalone film if all of them bloggingbut can’t keep his mind face with an equal nemesis and weren’t so similar in style. off the war. If he’s looking forward this is when things begin to get Sunir Pandey to friendly chitchat, however, really interesting. Obsessed with Watson is severely mistaken. crushing Holmes by any means nepalitimes.com In the BBC’s hit series Sherlock, possible, provided Holmes Watch trailer Benedict Cumberbatch’s Holmes is admits defeat, Jim Moriarty
HARIZ BAHARUDIN ALMOST SET: Preparations underway for Bisket Jatra at Bhaktapur on Sunday. The eight-day long festival began on Thursday.
BIKRAM RAI LONG WAIT: Patients form a cue outside the Geta Eye Hospital in Kailali on Friday. Most have come from India for treatment.
LAXMI GAUTAM OUR TURN: Students of Rama Bajar in Panchthar district take part in a rally to declare schools as peace zones. 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 13
SMRITI SHRESTHA BIPUL PANDEY SHREYA RAI
f you surf YouTube as much as I do, love music, and are a big fan of covers, Ichances are you’ll have come across these names: Smriti Shrestha, Shreya Rai, Bipul Pandey. Amongst the hundreds of new-gen Nepali musicians who have taken to the video streaming site to showcase their talent (sometimes non-existent ala Mr Bhim Niraula), these three stand out for their renditions of classic Nepali hits that have not only earned them subscribers but also ignited a renewed interest in Nepali hooked and it’ll only be writes Bipul who is music of the yester years. after playing it another10, RECOMMENDS currently pursuing his Shrestha’s cover of legendary singer 20 times before you finally undergraduate degree Aruna Lama’s Pohor Saal is in a word Tube stars go offline for the day. Since the video was in Physics and Mathematics from the ‘exquisite’. The 24-year-old’s raw, rustic By revisiting forgotten classics, first uploaded in July last year, comments University of Texas at Austin. “Apart tone is the hero of this acoustic version have come flurrying on Shreya’s wall, all from that, I’ve also received positive which manages to maintain the melancholy young Nepali YouTubers are positive and full of praise for the young feedback from some of the actual artists feel of this famous song almost as well as introducing iconic Nepali songs singer. whose songs I covered which was simply the original. For 23-year-old Bipul Pandey, YouTube unbelievable,” he adds. “I’ve always loved old Nepali songs. This to Generation Y and earning fans came as the perfect outlet to release his The popularity of these three artists’ cover was an effort to bring these forgotten hidden musical aspirations. A self-confessed covers of classics show that there is more songs back to people’s memory,” writes helped in my growth as an artist.” introvert, Bipul says even his friends didn’t than a place for forgotten medlodies in Shrestha in a Facebook message from As with Shrestha, it is UK-based artist know that he could sing. That was until he today’s time of eletronica and autotune. Boston where she is studying International Shreya Rai’s rendition of Eh Kancha originally uploaded his first YouTube video Barsha Tsering Dolker Gurung Relations. In five months, the video has sung by Aruna Lama and Rudra Gurung that four years ago. But it was only his cover received a lot of love and a lot of views, has earned her more hits than many of her of Narayan Gopal’s Euta Manchhe, that nepalitimes.com making it her most popular upload till date. other videos. Rai’s cherubic voice lends YouTubers really began to take notice. Says Shrestha: “The feedback I get from this timeless love song a lullabylike feel and “YouTube has given me a platform Pohar Saal (cover) Eh Kancha (cover) people on YouTube has encouraged me to I suggest listening to it right before going through which I am able to connect with Euta Mancheko (cover) do this more seriously and the criticism has to bed. But might I warn you that you’ll be a larger group of audience and artists,”
he huge influx of Chinese tourists in Nepal recently Thas led to many eateries opening up in Kathmandu, CHINESE especially in Thamel, to cater to this emerging demand. The emphasis now is on providing ‘authentic’ Chinese cuisine as GARDEN opposed to the westernised ketchup-sweetened versions of what normally passes for Chinese fare. RESTAURANT The Jyatha area is home to many such restaurants and one of the newest entrants is the meats take time to cook, the decides to go crazy on you, the rather speciously named vegetables need to blanch and the waltz on down to this Chinese Chinese Garden Restaurant, for yams must absorb the flavours restaurant tucked away in the there isn’t a garden in sight, not of the broth. Leisurely scoop out alleys of Thamel. even verdantly over-flowing choice bits, add it to your bowl of Ruby Tuesday flower pots. The rest of the rice and allow the goodness of this décor consists of paste-outs of humble yet nourishing soup to How to get there: On entering air-hostesses on the windows seep into all your cells that needed Thamel, take the first left that leads and the water-cooler and an healing. to Jyatha. Walk down till almost overabundance of kitschy oriental Being an ‘over-orderer’, I’d the end of the road and look for its inspired wall paper, red paper also asked for the Roast Duck but signboard on the right, opposite the lanterns all accompanied to the that was so excruciatingly bad International Youth Hostel. Chinese strains of tinkly music and the that I have decided to erase that Garden Restaurant is on the first gurgling pump of the fish tank. experience from my memory. I floor. choose to revel in the sense of Owned by Chinese residents, it PIC: RUBY TUESDAY serves various dishes cooked by a communion and harmony and chef of the same country. broth, or can opt for both, like we peppers with chillies and other general well-being that the hot-pot The hot-pot (the price depends did. And then you can go crazy spices creates a broth that is so hot conjured. on the assortments you order) is with all that you would like to add and so zesty that it can effectively So will I revisit Chinese Garden what brought us to the Chinese to the simmering stock. numb your tongue. The plain restaurant- definitely for their Garden Restaurant on a miserably The selection is vast. We settled chicken broth is definitely my hot-pot. The complimentary tea cold evening, for global warming for chicken strips, pork, gizzard, recommendation because you can that accompanied the meal was has wrought such changes in our buffalo tripe, tofu, mushroom, always add spices and chillies to soothing and tasted vaguely like weather patterns that days can be spinach, and yams. You are also suit individual tastes. cream cracker biscuits. cold enough in April to indulge provided with the basics like sliced The Hot-Pot is not a meal to The staff is friendly and the in some bone warming, heart onions, tomatoes, ginger and a enjoy solitarily or one that you ambiance requisitely Chinese. It’s pleasing soup. variety of condiments. can rush through. Gather a group a nice place if you want to meet The Hot–pot is a dish you The spicy soup is for those of like-minded friends, click your up for good, authentic Chinese cook at the table itself. You select who like the zing of Szechuan chopsticks and get dunking. This food with friends or family. The between spicy soup and plain pepper. The combination of the dish encourages conversation, as next time Kathmandu’s weather 14 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702
GIZMO by YANTRICK Flat magic ith a reputation of manufacturing solid high-defi nition televisions behind them, Toshiba have now entered the Smart TV domain Wwith their new L4300 Series of smart LED TVs. The screen sizes range from 32 to 58 inches, but Yantrick found the 39 inch specimen a perfect balance between price and screen size. Toshiba have chosen to follow a simple blueprint in designing the 39L4300. A rounded rectangular frame, coloured gun-metal like the rest of Toshiba’s TVs, envelopes the fl at 39 inch screen. The sides and top of the TV have a glossy black bezel, and on the bottom runs a metal strip. As you press the on switch, it comes to life in pure HD. With an symptoms in dengue as there is no energy-effi cient LED backlight etching out the sharp contrast, the on-board specific antidote. AutoView component automatically adjusts settings based on room lighting For prevention, use mosquito conditions. Also on board is a colouring technology called ColorMaster repellents and wear full length which makes use of a six-colour palette to control hue, saturation, and BEWARE brightness. clothing even during the day since the dengue mosquito is a day When Yantrick made it a point to check true 1080p video on the TV, it time mosquito unlike the malaria was almost like going to the cinema. With its built-in 20W speakers, it also OF VECTORS mosquito which is nocturnal. Turn sounded like one, as far as TVs go. Toshiba have used all their experience over watering cans and pails after and resources to make sure that movies, games, and true HD television use so that the dengue mosquito content look and sound immaculate. orld Health Day on 7 April an abundant supply of the carrier does not breed in them. Although focused on vector-borne mosquitoes. Because of the porous typhoid fever, commonly seen in Wdisease – a fancy way of border with India, many migrant Nepal, is not a vector-born disease describing infections in which an labourers (both Nepalis and Indians) as it is transmitted by eating insect carries the bug to humans. with the disease enter Nepal. The or drinking contaminated food The best known vector is the vector mosquito enjoys a blood or water, typhus (which almost mosquito which transmits the meal from these infected patients sounds like typhoid and has lead to malaria parasite. and transmits the disease to a confusion) is vector-borne. healthy person after a bite. Definitive studies done at More importantly, Patan Hospital have established different species of mosquitoes that murine typhus fever is a very transmit different diseases. So, the common cause of fever in Nepal. mosquito that transmits malaria will Murine typhus organism (called not transmit dengue. Mosquitos that rikcettsiae) is carried by fleas which transmit dengue are called Aedes live on rats. These fleas transmit the Fortunately, even at 39 inches, Toshiba have incorporated the DHANVANTARI while it is the female Anopheles that disease to humans when the flea Advanced Cloud TV feature within the 39L. This smart TV platform, Buddha Basnyat, MD transmits malaria, and the Culex faecal material contaminate the area powered by Google’s Android operating system, really makes the product carries Japanese encephalitis. where the flea bite takes place. So value for money. And faster too, because with it comes the ability to Now that summer is The diagnosis of dengue should even the vector (flea) is being carried connect with other Android devices as well as access to thousands of apps. almost here it may be useful be strongly considered in any by another animal (rat) before it The 39L comes with Wi-Fi and HD connectivity and allows you to hook to look at what our unfriendly patient presenting with fever that finally reaches humans. up your laptops, tablets, mobile devices, USBs - you name it. Families may neighbourhood mosquitos are up has developed within 14 days of Clearly, diseases like be particularly fond of Family Calendar, an app that allows you to send to, especially in spreading dengue even a brief trip to dengue- endemic murine typhus thrive in places pictures and messages to your relatives. There’s also a streaming news fever which has seen a huge surge places like Bangkok and Delhi. where housing is poor and the section that keeps you posted, and is customisable with your most trusted in tropical South Asia in recent The dengue mosquito is generally environment contaminated. Hence news sources. times. In recent years dengue has a city dweller unlike the malaria the disease exacts its heaviest toll As a source of amusement and information, the internet is already spread across the Tarai in summer, mosquito, which prefers a rural where the poor live. Indeed, on consumed as an alternative to television. No worries then, because the and even Kathmandu has seen the environment. In most people, World Health Day, WHO’s Margaret Toshiba 39L comes equipped to handle both. occasional patient. dengue illness, which comprises of Chan said: “The control of vector- This spread is not surprising fever, headache, eye pain and joint borne diseases can make a major Yantick’s Verdict: The Toshiba 39L4300 satiates your yearning because there is a migrant aches, subsides in about a week’s contribution to poverty reduction, as for HD entertainment without burning a hole in your pocket. population with the disease and time. Doctors will treat only the it precisely targets the poor.” 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 OPINION 15 Patronage and representation India’s election exposes flaws in its system of parliamentary representation INDIA ELECTIONS 16th 2014 INDIAN ELECTION Dates: In 9 phases from 7 April–12 May ndia’s month-long election may be happening in the Results to be declared on Iworld’s biggest democracy, but the country’s system of 16 MAY parliamentary representation is deeply flawed. There is a disconnect between the popular 543 imagination about the role of PARLIAMENT SEATS MPs and the functions the Indian (272 needed for majority) Constitution has scripted for them. 814.5 MILLION VOTERS (100 million new voters since last election 2009)
Cost of elections: LOOK OUT CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Congress Ajaz Ashraf leader Rahul Gandhi on a 35 BILLION recent visit to Odisha Campaign spending by candidates: MPs are expected to RAHULGANDHIINDIA.WORDPRESS.COM participate in the framing of their votes. However, Indira Gandhi recommend projects worth 50 laws, discuss policies of the The disconnect between the decided to hold parliamentary million per year. 305 BILLION government, reining it from constitutional contemplation and elections in 1971, a year before Considering the enormous an executive over-reach. They the popular perception of the they were due, triggering size of Lok Sabha constituencies, are also supposed to articulate MP’s role was the principal factor unintended repercussions. Till an expenditure of 250 million the issues involving those they behind the demand to initiate then, the MPs piggybacked the over five years, even when lost. The list of sitting MPs who represent. the Members of Parliament Local MLAs of their constituencies. diligently spent and monitored, won in 2009 mostly comprised But talk to people across India Area Development Scheme. In his The delinking of Lok Sabha can’t lead to overwhelming of those who had a national today and you realise the MPs are new book, Public Money, Private and assembly elections provided changes in the lives of citizens. profile, or were dynasts, or caste not judged on their performance Agenda: The Use and Abuse of MPs with a personality of Worse, the efficacy of MP local and religious leaders, or had a in Parliament. People grade them MPLADs, journalist A. Surya their own, but also mounted allocations have been eroded certain glamour quotient. Indeed, on parameters the MP is not Prakash says the idea of having pressure on them to address because of defalcation of funds. India’s representative system much in control of: development. a separate development fund for their electorate’s concerns to bag No wonder, sitting MPs will increasingly seem a sham Accessibility is another yardstick. MPs was a consequence of the their votes. It was this realisation increasingly incur the wrath unless, for starters, the existing Did the MPs continue their delinking of Assembly elections which prompted MPs to clamour of voters. For instance, 60 parliamentary constituencies dialogue with the electorate from Lok Sabha elections, for a separate fund to meet the per cent of sitting MPs who are split and the role of MPs after getting elected? Voters which, till 1967, were held needs of their constituencies. contested the 2009 Lok Sabha redefined. want an intimate relationship simultaneously. Since 1993, each MP is entitled to elections in Uttar Pradesh [email protected] with MPs, wishing to see and speak to them, regardless of the effectivness of this dialogue. Yet, such interactions are impossible because Indian constituencies are huge with an average population of 2.5 million spread out in remote hamlets and bustling towns. An MP wishing to establish personal contact with the electorate must commit enormous resources, energy and time. This is precisely why Indian democracy thrives on a patronage system: the MP maintains personal contacts with influential, often wealthy, mofussil elites, hoping they will help harvest votes in return for favours later. In no position to address the aspirations of people, political leaders harness caste, religious or linguistic identities to mobilise votes. They turn elections into an issue of group or community pride and solidarity. Caste and religion become the most cost- effective methods of mobilisation in a short time. Indeed, the mammoth constituencies provide an intrinsic advantage to big parties which can mobilise election funds. Money is needed to bankroll advertisement campaigns and party footsoldiers who enable a candidate to establish a substantial presence, and for pay- offs to leaders of social groups to which they don’t belong but want 16 NATION 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702
Wealth from waste We need to dump our attitude that waste is useless and needs to be disposed
BHUSHAN TULADHAR 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 NATION 17
lthough Kathmandu’s by more than 12 hours of government has begun dredging the world heritage sites are power cuts a day and needs to highly-polluted Bagmati, with the Awell known, few may be be overhauled. Sewage flows aim of laying down sewage pipes aware of a new archeological untreated into the rivers. There are as well as planting green areas. dig that stretches for several no proper slaughter houses in any It is unearthing tons of dumped kilometers along the Bagmati municipalities and no rules for plastic and earth but narrowing River. Deep trenches have been disposing of the city’s dead cows the river-bed, which experts say RECYCLE, dug out, creating 20ft-high hills and dogs. They end up in shallow RECYCLE, can cause severe flooding during made of dirt held together with graves near river banks, leaching the monsoons, spreading disease striations of blue, pink and black into the water supply. Hospitals through its water. polypropylene that tell the 30-year are responsible for disposing their City life has eroded the social local history of the plastic bag: own hazardous waste such as dynamic of communities that Nepal’s most ubiquitous landmark. needles, tissues, organs and other galvanise neighbors to act together. REUSE, In the Kathmandu Valley, body parts, but the government Many try to make a difference. garbage is the gift that keeps on has not provided a dumping site. But they are not enough. One giving. It is everywhere, stuffed Some hospitals burn in the open, ongoing high-visibility clean- in plastic bags and dropped in and others use incinerators that up campaign, led by Chief drainage ditches or piled high in releases dioxin and furan, two Secretary Leela Mani Poudel, empty lots, on the roadside or on highly carcinogenic pollutants. has been bringing hundreds of the edges of the city’s rivers. It is An exception is the people together to clean the fetid REDUCE thrown out of bus windows, off government-run Bir Hospital that Bagmati every Saturday morning REDUCE roof tops into neighbor’s yards. has even built a bio-gas plant on for the past 45 weeks. But a one- As long as their house and yard is its premises. Sumitra Amatya, time cleaning, though highly The answer to Kathmandu swept clean, the vast majority of executive director of the Ministry commendable, is not a permanent valley-dwellers don’t seem to care. of Urban Development’s solid solution and it will not make the When it gets too high, the garbage waste management technical river waste-free. In addition, small Valley’s garbage problem is is burned in open areas, the toxic support center, says sanitation non-governmental organisations, fumes blanketing nearby houses. in the Valley is in a state of crisis many of them focusing on women, right under our noses The plastic bags clog the rivers management. teach composting and garbage and choke drainage pipes, creating Serving Kathmandu and segregation. DONATELLA LORCH flooding and spreading fetid, Lalitpur, the Valley’s only Politicians are quick to point to disease-carrying refuse. The health working landfill, Sisdole, 24 km a new landfill as the solution. But impacts are felt at all levels. from the capital, is almost full and only 40 to 50 percent of the Rapid unplanned urbanisation during the monsoons is frequently Valley’s garbage goes to Sisdole, has brought traffic jams and cut off from the city by floods and most of it enters the dump choking pollution, but politicians and landslides. The government unsegregated. The rest ends up on in Nepal’s new government have, has bought the land for another the streets and rivers. Changing with few exceptions, shown little site but needs billions of rupees the mindset of city-dwellers is the political commitment to solving and at least four years to make it only way forward, Amatya says. the problem of garbage. In 2011, operational, Amatya says. Since 60 per cent of the government passed the Solid As a stop gap measure, Kathmandu’s garbage is organic, Waste Management Act that set Sisdole is being expanded. The composting is one solution. There rules, regulations and fines for Asian Development Bank, which is the need for a government- transgressors but enforcement is last year published the most supported country-wide public weak and detailed responsibilities researched and detailed Solid awareness and education campaign are unclear. Waste Management report on about the 3R’s – Recycle, Reuse, The Valley needs clean water, Nepal to date, will begin work Reduce in schools, in the media, but the sole operating waste water later this year on Kathmandu’s door to door. treatment plant is handicapped waste-water treatment plant. The The campaign can start with the environmental damage of one-time-use plastic bags. As Bhushan Tuladhar, regional technical advisor (South Asia) of U.N. Habitat, puts it: “We have to dump the attitude.” Only a social movement can keep Kathmandu from being buried in garbage. www.donatellalorch.com
nepalitimes.com Out of sight is not out of mind, #574 Cash from trash, #418 Rubbish life, #374 Interactive chart on Solid Waste Management
PICS: DONATELLA LORCH
waste has value environment. Waste needs to be sorted waste management means waste and used as a resource, as suggested by recycling Manish, along with many people in this waste generators are themselves country who continue to turn trash into responsible for managing their cash and make a living from it. waste About two thirds of our waste is organic materials such as kitchen waste. Today, when most people have This can easily be converted into compost “Waste is merely forgotten these core values associated or biogas – both very valuable products for with waste management, Birgunj-based an agricultural country like ours, which raw material in the photographer Manish Paudel (pic, left) is also facing problems of energy security. has once again reminded us how valuable About 10 per cent of the waste is plastics wrong place.” wastes can be. For his exhibition, part of and another 10 per cent is paper, both of SUS.TAIN.KTM, a joint exhibition of eight which can be recycled. Similarly, other Fedrick A. Talbot, 1920 photographers who through photographic materials such as metals and even inert narratives showed how the city is coping materials such as soil and rocks can be with its growth, Manish collected different recycled, leaving very little left for the types of waste and photographed them landfill. his quote from the book Millions as one would a commercial product (see Nepal’s new Solid Waste Management from Waste is as relevant today as it pics); separating each item in the waste Act has mandated municipalities to Twas when Talbot penned it almost stream and highlighting it – thus giving it separate waste at source and maximise 100 years ago. its identity and value. recycling. Yet most cities are continuing to 50 years ago, Gopal Singh Nepali, Most people, from waste generators to look for a dumpsite for their garbage. while describing the customs of the Newar policy makers, view waste management We need to learn that the first thing society in Kathmandu Valley in his book as an activity related to cleaning and that needs to be dumped is our attitude The Newars wrote: “Waste was sold for dumping useless matter. This will never that waste is something dirty and useless Rs 0.50 per tin.” This demonstrates three help us manage our waste. It will only that needs to be disposed. Only then will critical principles of waste management transfer this resource to another place at a we begin to solve our waste management that was part of the Newar culture: great cost to the economy and the problems. 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702
Gyan Maya Prasai recently returned from the Gulf where they were tortured and abused by employers and were forced to work in dire conditions. But the ill treatment began much earlier, from their own compatriots in Nepal. After being told, that she did’t need skills or education, and didn’t have to pay any fees to go arboad, Gayatri Karki left for Mumbai. She was taken to Padam Baraili’s apartment where 20-25 girls like her were brought every month. In India they were forced to work for three months to pay off their debts to recruiters. Many of them continue paying them even after returning from the Gulf. To hell and back Local recruiters who sent Gayatri Karki, Devi Raya and Gyan Aide: “Deputy PM at inauguration, Finance Minister at book release, Culture Tikaram Neti, 7 April, Maya Prasai are now refusing to Minister at lecture, Defence Minister at opening, Education Minister at Annapurna Post hand them their travel documents seminar, Agriculture Minister…” (transcript of a phone conversation, below) and are plotting to send Sheet: Constitution on 22 January, 2015 Laxmi Lingden of Jhapa returned them back to the Gulf. from Saudi Arabia mentally The number of women applying Basu Kshitiz in Annapurna Post, 5 April disturbed. Her ordeal began when for passports in Jhapa has increased
she left her village after recruiter and so have the number of women QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Bhola Dahal told her she didn’t who have gone missing, many have to pay anything for a job commit suicide on return. Even “ abroad. She was then taken to those who return are ostracisied in The government is making all necessary Delhi, forced into prostitution their villages. “ preparations to hold local elections on time. before another middleman finally sent her on to Saudi Arabia using Phone conversation between Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, the passport of another- Jamuna Gyanmaya and the local recruiter 9 April, Naya Patrika BK. “The family I worked for in Kamal Murmu Riyadh treated me like an animal, Gyanmaya: Hello! Is this Kamal? if I said anything they would beat Kamal: Yes. and harass me,” Laxmi recalls. Gyanmaya: Where is my Laxmi is among the few lucky Pramila Darnal (see pic). All were citizenship card? I had given it to ones who have returned. There first taken to Delhi before being Khalil. Aid directive are many other illiterate, poor sent to their promised destinations. Kamal: It must be with him then. Nepali women like her, sold and The local administration Gyanmaya: But you are my agent, Karobar, 10 April Planning Commission, the Prime tricked by Nepali recruiters, whose is aware about the nexus of why are you refusing to hand over Minister, and Finance Minister. whereabouts are still unknown. brokers and traffickers who trick my documents? He has also directed line ministries Many return home pregnant helpless women like Lingden, Kamal: Don’t worry my people will Chief Secretary Leela Mani Poudel not to hire international consultants or with babies. Among women but say they don’t receive enough give it to you in a few days. What has directed all the secretaries to unless in need of a specialised skillset. still missing from eastern Nepal complaints to arrest anyone. “Of about your passport? make provisions to restrict foreign Even if local consultants are hired, the assistance to income generating concerned ministries need to limit after leaving for the Gulf are Sita the 100 passports we issue daily, Gyanmaya: It’s with Rita. medium and large- scale their number. Subba, Sushila Sunuwar, Dilmaya almost 40 per cent are to women, Kamal: Some of the agents are in projects that provide “This is the fi rst time Gajmer, Smriti Subba, Dakmaya especially poor Dalit and Janajati prison now, but they will be out in direct employment. He we have received a written women aged between 20-40,” says Bishwakarma, Indira Mahara, Prem a few months. has instructed secretaries directive from the Chief Kumari Baraili, Begum Miyani, Jhapa CDO Sagar Mishra. Gyanmaya: Why were they to end the practice Secretary regarding issues Bushimaya Sitaula, Ganga Darnal, Gayatri Karki, Devi Raya and arrested? of accepting foreign of foreign assistance,” says Kamal: I don’t know, I was in India assistance for smaller Finance Secretary Shantaraj when they got arrested. projects that take up too Subedi. Gyanmaya: I don’t know the other much of government’s Poudel has also agents properly, you were the one time and extra resources instructed secretaries to fi ne who took me, so I have filed a on documentation, report advisers or consultants who complaint against you. writing and hiring consultants. do not perform on time, or if there Kamal: Why are you so angry sister, “Monitoring and evaluating smaller is negligence, even after the project you will get your citizenship soon. I projects running on foreign assistance completion. had even given you money because puts extra fi nancial burden on the Chief Secretary Poudel also all I wanted was to help you. government and when resources addressed the problems related are scattered the quality isn’t always to the Public Procurement Act and nepalitimes.com consistent,” Poudel says in an 11-point amend them to help mobilise foreign directive, also issued to the National assistance eff ectively. Read original 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 NATION 19
IN SAFE HANDS: Lojung Kippa Sherpa’s children testify to police after the CIB rescued them from Happy Home Nepal in Dhapakhel in February.
SUNIR PANDEY
be much higher because many What happened to the Shahi with parents. “They need to be children and shelters are not children is a saga of how innocent more aware when choosing to registered. Surveys have shown children suffer even when the support organisations in Nepal.” that although many shelters call authorities try to protect them in In September 2011, young girls themselves ‘orphanages’, 80 per the blaze of media coverage. A from western Nepal, trafficked SELLING cent of the children have parents. front page investigative story in as fake orphans by the infamous “Most children from remote Nagarik daily in February accused human trafficker Dal Bahadur districts such as Humla and Dil Shova Shrestha of running a Phadera and cohorts to Michael Kalikot have parents, and the sub-standard shelter and of sexual Job Centre (MJC) in southern India, owners make money from the abuse. This unleashed an uproar were rescued through the efforts children by promising the parents in social media in Dil Shova’s of Esther Benjamins Memorial SYMPATHY free education,” says Tarak Dhital support, and the story is being Foundation. EMBF then filed a case of the CCWB. The number of fake investigated by the Press Council. against Phadera and MJC for their Beware of fake orphanages that exploit orphanages has increased after the Although Amako Ghar had sub- involvement in human trafficking. children and fleece bleeding-heart donors crackdown on the adoption racket, standard hygiene and care, most But the case is still undecided and traffickers have set up fake agree the shelter and its founder because Phadera used his political shelters as a new revenue stream were unjustly punished. connections to get hearings children as bait to raise funds from based on foreign donations. Even government officials postponed. BHRIKUTI RAI Czech, Slovak and British donors, Despite receiving complaints admit mistakes were made in Sano Paila, a Birgunj-based amassing tens of thousands of against many such fake shelters, targeting Amako Ghar. “No one group that works with Freedom ojung Kippa Sherpa who euros since 2006 while neglecting the child protection authorities talked about the children, their Matters in UK, has tried to get comes from the mountains of his children. don’t immediately raid and future, and the future of those in permission from the National Leastern Nepal had difficulty “The owners didn’t let me see “rescue” children, citing lengthy the many bogus orphanages where Human Rights Commission and feeding and raising her three or take my children back home for procedure and limited resources. the conditions are worse,” one CCWB to rescue and rehabilitate children. So, when her sister all these years because they used “We are doing our best with government official told us. “If the the remaining children from Happy told her about an organisation my children to make money,” whatever resources we have to situation at Amako Ghar was so Home. But Lalitpur Chief Distrcit promising to take them to Sherpa said after being reunited ensure strict monitoring in these perilous, why are the elderly folks Officer Sashi Shekhar Shrestha Kathmandu and provide free with her children there and then. homes, but we aren’t always able still allowed to live there?” has refused to sanction rescue of schooling, she readily agreed. Happy Home Nepal was raided to act on all the complaints we There has been a sudden spurt the remaining children saying That was seven years ago. In on 14 February by the Central receive every week,” says Namuna in ‘orphanages’ ever since inter- there haven’t been reports of February, police raided the Happy Investigation Bureau (CIB) after Bhusal of CCWB. country adoption was tightened. mistreatment at Happy Home, and Home Nepal shelter in Dhapakhel repeated complaints of abuse. So it came as a surprise to It is not a coincidence that 90 per there is no need for rescue now. (pic, above) and freed four Acharya has been charged with many child rights activists when cent of the shelters are in the five But parents of Happy Home children, among them Sherpa’s fraud, abduction and kidnapping CCWB raided Amako Ghar in top tourist districts: Kathmandu, children and activists are three children who were found to and the Lalitpur District Court Kuleshwor for its sub-standard Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kaski and determined to take Acharya to trial. be undernourished. One of them refused him bail last month. hygiene and care less than two Chitwan where foreign visitors see Says Sano Paila’s Kanchan Jha: was suffering from TB and hadn’t There are 15,000 children in weeks after the raid at HHN. the poor condition of children and “We hope that the arrest, detention, been to school in two months. over 787 registered orphanages The raid on the shelter which donate generously. and eventual conviction of Happy Home’s founder, Bishwa across Nepal, but child rights was set up by social worker Dil Networks of child recruiters Bishwa Pratap Acharya will serve Pratap Acharya, allegedly used the activists say the numbers could Shova Shrestha, and the ‘rescue’ convince parents to give up their as a warning to others who was of its 35 children got wide media children and bring them to shelters trafficking and exploiting children attention, eclipsing Happy Home for a commission. “We have found for profit.” Nepal and the larger structural local politicians are either directly In Bardia, Rajiv Shahi is problems with child protection in involved or protect trafficking thankful Amako Ghar took care of Nepal. networks,” says a child rights his children for a while, but is now 58 Rajiv Shahi who is from Humla activist. worried about their future. “The Orphanages 422 had sent his nine-year-old son Child rights activists also blame children are happier here at home, 1416 Orphanages and five-year-old daughter to foreign volunteers and donors but I can’t afford to send them to Children 21 4813 Orphanages Amako Ghar six months ago so who easily buy into the plight of school.” Children they could get an education. After children. Most ‘volunteers’ have KASKI 670 Children the raid he has taken them back to pay to be a part of these shelters nepalitimes.com CHITWAN KATHMANDU to Bardia where he has five other and traffickers are known to tour (Un)happy homes, #695, LALITPUR BHAKTAPUR children and lives in a shack by Europe with photo albums of Long journey home, #573 29 the highway. “No one has made children. Orphanages Cashing it big on children, 127 it beyond primary school in my “Foreigners are part of the 996 Orphanages Children trapped between supply Children family,” the 54-year-old father told problem,” says Martin Punaks of and demand, #558 3178 us, “I thought my children’s future Next Generation Nepal, which Children Baby bajar, #339 SOURCE: CENTRAL CHILD WELFARE BOARD was secure.” helps reintegrate rescued children 20 BACK SIDE 11 - 17 APRIL 2014 #702 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com
PAST PRESENT FUTURE How to survive the mating season DIWAKAR CHETTRI
parties all over town, including the 34- party Constituent Assembly at the BICC Party Palace. This is the acid test: if you survive Sgt Pepper’s Wedding Band you will survive anything married life has to offer. The wedding night. This is the second most important part of a marriage and the time when couples weigh their pros and cons and decide that, despite the armpit aroma, on the whole cohabitation is a fine invention. In a marriage one engages in the most intimate acts known to man: holding hands while watching the sun set, sharing Q-tips and listening to each HARIZ BAHARUDIN other’s stomachs growl. hy anyone would want to get For instance, you could discover on For conjugal bliss, a marriage must be hitched at a time when the your wedding night that the person you filled with love and passion, as you Wcountry is engaged in the serious have chosen to be your lawfully wedded engage in mutual pleasure-giving by business of writing a new constitution is husband, because he is the son of a mover squeezing each other’s zits. beyond me. The institution of marriage, and shaker, is as hairy as a yak and snores Because it’s like having a room-mate however, has many advantages but till like one. You win some and lose some. for life, a marriage is about compromise press time I haven’t been able to remember But marriage is a compromise and as between keeping the seat upright or not any of them. generations of couplets before us have while attending to a long-distance call As you young fellows and fellas discovered, the perfect antidote to a snoring from nature. Wife: “Look, my aim is to of reproductive age who have had the spouse is to learn to snore yourself so keep this place clean, your aim would pleasure of tying the nuptial knots of holy you can drown out the nocturnal nasal help.” matrimony this week may have noticed, saxophone, and turn a solo concert into a No marriage is complete without marriage is not just a popular card game in duet. unwrapping the wedding gifts. For Nepal. As someone who has been married for some reason they are all replicas of The institution of marriage is a legally donkey’s years since the early Lichhavi endangered animals, like this bottlenose binding contract between a man and his period, I have some unsolicited advice to dolphin caught in blue crystal leaping in-laws under which in exchange for a all you newly-weds out there about the over a wave on a glass pedestal Yamaha 153cc, in which the groom can birds and the bees and what they do to each simulating an undersea tableau. Great go vroom, he is obliged to sow his seeds other in the privacy of their hives. resale value, can be to bring forth new human beings into the Statutory Government Warning: At this recycled to people who planet and live happily ever after until he is time, any minors reading this are advised to give you alabaster swans reincarnated, at which point he will have to go out and play in the swing. in future weddings. As do everything all over again. marriage matures, it Those of you addicted to card games The most important part of a wedding can also be used as a will soon realise that you are in familiar is the marriage party which takes place projectile. territory because marriage is also a gamble. simultaneously with 15,000 other The Ass
CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/069/70