#793 29 January - 4 February 2016 16 pages Rs 50

Madhesi leaders also seem to be divided over whether to continue with the border obstruction, or to change their tactics. Mahendra Raya Yadav of the Madhesi Front appeared Vox Madhes to sense that the public mood in the plains is changing and people are fed up with the disruptions. But hardline Madhesi leaders feel the blockade is working and it should hen parliament in Kathmandu passed an amendment to the constitution granting continue until the Big Three in Kathmandu agree to re-demarcate provincial borders. Wbetter representation and adjusting electoral constituencies to reflect population, The gulf between Madhesi leaders and the Madhesi public about the border many here thought the blockade at the Indian border would finally be lifted after five obstruction seems to be widening. Till a month ago, most people on the streets of this months. border town that depends on trade with India would not speak out for fear of repercussion, But Madhesi leaders say the amendments do not go far enough, and they have particularly from Madhesi parties. But they are now so fed up, they are more than willing continued their sit-in at no-man’s land. However, cold and fatigue have taken their toll to speak on camera. and the presence of the protesters is visibly reduced. Suresh Bidari in Birganj

PICS: SURESH BIDARI Amar Kishor Yadav, sidewalk vendor BORDER Ajaj Dewan, driver Everything has its limit, but this protest has no limit at all. It has dragged CONTROL Do our leaders care if we live or die? Ordinary people like us are made to on for too long, and I will not survive if this goes on. Madhesi leaders do EDITORIAL suffer every time there is a strike. I sometimes feel like defying the strike not care about people like me. And is there even a government here? and chasing away the protesters, but I can’t risk my family’s wellbeing. PAGE 2

Bindeshwor Das, cart puller Hemanta Patel, trader These protesters say they are fighting for our rights. Are they? Why are they This is the third time the Madhesi people have risen up against Kathmandu. But what did preventing me from pulling a cart? How will I survive? Political leaders only use us ordinary Madhesis like me get? Nothing. I wonder if we made a mistake by getting rid of to get to power, then they forget us. the monarchy. Instead of one king, we now have many kings fighting each other. 2 EDITORIAL 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 BORDER CONTROL What is blocking the blockade from being lifted in Birganj?

ired of pundits pontificating from the pulpit here one of the tents, why he was there. “To demand Madhesi in Kathmandu, we tried to find out the real ground rights,” he answered, but was unclear about what exactly Tsituation at the Birganj-Raxaul border this week. Why those demands were. Pandit is quite lonely here these days is this checkpoint still closed, and how is the blockade because his comrades have been beaten and periodically affecting people in the plains five months on? chased away by Indian traders who have suffered a huge Despite assurances that Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa loss of business. got in New Delhi last month that the siege would be lifted In Birganj, we found a chasm between what the once the amendment to the constitution was passed, the Madhesi leaders say and what the Madhesi people want. Raxaul border is still sealed even though traffic is almost In the bazar, people were more than willing to talk and back to normal at other border crossings. Madhesi leaders vent their frustration. Here is a representative sample of walked out of the parliament on Saturday during the vote on what they had to say: the amendment, and have since said that it does not satisfy “No one cares about us.” their demands. “If the Madhesi leaders get to be ministers, the The amendment addresses the Madhesi demand for blockade will be immediately lifted.” proportional representation in all sectors of government as “We are blockaded, but they (the leaders) are moving well as demarcating electoral constituencies on the basis of back and forth freely.” population as the first criteria. Some Madhesi parties say “The banks are asking for loan repayment. Will the there is no guarantee that the provisions in the amendment Madhesi leader pay that for us?” will be implemented. They point out that their other two “We trust neither the government nor the Madhesi demands on citizenship and marking out the boundaries leaders.” of the two proposed Tarai provinces have not yet been This week it will be 130 days since the border was addressed. blockaded. Not a single cargo truck has entered Birganj There is obviously a wide trust deficit here. Just as the from Raxaul in that period. Eighty per cent of Nepal’s government, and especially Prime Minister K P Oli are trade, including petroleum imports, come through this being obdurate and disparaging about Madhesi demands, border and although the whole country is under siege the Madhesi Front is disunited and keeps shifting the it is the traders and ordinary people of Briganj who are goalposts. Lately, it is becoming apparent that the tail hurt the most. No one here understands why India is is wagging the dog and the most radical faction is setting even doing this, or how it would benefit from “strangling the agenda. And, there is the belief in Kathmandu that the Nepalis”. PICS: SURESH BIDARI blockade has nothing to do with Madhesi demands at all, it Bystander Sanjay Mahaseth doesn’t even have to be was concocted by New Delhi and as long as the bureaucrats obstruction representing the Indian blockade. Porters and asked a question, he launches into a long tirade against the there don’t get whatever geo-political concessions they want pedestrians carrying luggage walk across no man’s land from government in Kathmandu and against Madhesi leaders. from Kathmandu, the blockade will not be lifted. Raxaul, emerging from the mist to negotiate with rickshaws “Most of us do not grasp what the Madhesi leaders want to Down at the Miteri Pul on the Indo-Nepal border there and horse-drawn tangas to get to their destinations. achieve by punishing their own people for so long. What is a surreal air as a transboundary fog envelops everything. Some Madhesi leaders do stop by later in the day. Shiv is the inside political game? And what is the government The sun hasn’t shone properly here for days. The air is Patel of the Sadbhavana Party says: “The amendments do doing?” he asks. choking with dust, and the smell of horse manure, smoke not meet our demands. We will lift the blockade only after Sam Alam is a trader, and says he hasn’t sold anything from smouldering cowdung fires mingling with a fog. The they are met.” for months. “First, they have to lift the blockade, how long thin bamboo road barrier is a symbolic rather than a real We asked Bachan Pandit, a sole blockade enforcer in can we go on like this?”

YOUR SAY www.nepalitimes.com

THIS WEEK THE NEW FARCE years ago joined the NC based on his here due to the Nepal government. Baburam will be remembered as the stated conviction that the party’s values Scott MacLennan perpetual revolutionary who waged a and principles correspond to his own. He needless war and did everything to foil went on to lead the President’s Churia All our politicians are the same. Nepal’s democratic gains since 1990 (‘The project. What do all these say about such They get richer by the day and New Farce’, Foreign Hand, #792). Briefl y a “Shakti”? people get poorer. in power in 2011-12, he presided over the Bihari Shrestha Simon Lawton most corrupt cabinet in Nepal’s history, nepotism in government appointments Baburam’s history does not support This is an absolute travesty. I and made a mockery of human rights by him. The next generation of Nepalis will am not sure what will it take for the granting pardon to war criminals from his reject BRB. government and the parties to get own party viz. Bal Krishna Dhungel. What Bhairab Prasad Khanal their act together. And as usual the is even more ludicrous and worrisome suffering of the already traumatised is that professionals from various The last time he was the premier common people continues. walks of public life - former secretary he did nothing good for Nepal. All his Amit Dhoj Khadka Rameshore Khanal, Bollywood actors government’s efforts were spent trying Saroj Khanal and Karishma Manadhar, to set his comrades free from judicial as well as Bibeksheel Nepali - have made cases. Whatever Weekly Internet Poll #793 BIKRAM RAI (9,841 PEOPLE REACHED) common cause with him, thus tarnishing and undermining their own image and Q. Do you accept the Madhesi Front's demand for two Most reached on Facebook federal provinces encompassing the entire Tarai? reputation. Reincarnating in the form of BIG DELAY IN BIG PROJECTS Big delays in big projects by Sahina Shrestha Total votes: 118 Foreign investment and aid projects in Nepal are facing costly delay due to a ‘new force’ does not wash the blood off The current group of Nepali leaders disruptions caused by the earthquake followed by the blockade that has now lasted nearly Baburam’s hands. seems to be doing everything they can to six months. Ram Chaudhary keep investment out of the country (‘Big delay in big projects’, Sahina Shrestha, Most shared on Facebook Most visited online page The fact of the matter is that BRB #792). How do they envision economic Big delays in big projects by Big delays in big projects by has managed to get together a group development without foreign investment? Sahina Shrestha (81 shares) Sahina Shrestha (1,787 views) of people to form an interim council for VK Kunwor Weekly Internet Poll #794 To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com his Naya Shakti party which includes Most popular on Twitter Most commented  Football heroes return home Big delays in big projects by individuals like ex-fi nance secretary The blockade might have made the Q. Should India lift the blockade now? (20 retweets, 42 favourites) Sahina Shrestha (10 comments) Rameswor Khanal, who had only few situation worse, but it’s always been bad

Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nepali Times on Facebook [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Follow @nepalitimes on Instagram Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 3 4 NATION 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793

OM ASTHA RAI 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 BUSINESS 5 6 OPINION 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793

DIWAKAR CHETTRI

COMMENT Navin Jha The current no-sun, no-snow scenario is expected to change but not till Sunday. Moisture from this diff used westerly disturbance has aff ected the region, with overcast afternoons and snow fl urries in the upper Himalayan valleys. However, KKATHMANDUATHMANDU the precipitation has been negligible, disproportionate to the cloud cover. This doesn’t bode well for farmers and also to raise the levels of rivers for electricity generation since most of the snow in the mountains is locked in as snow and ice. Things will change slightly for the better next week, but there will no respite from the pollution haze. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 17° 19° 21° #793 29 January - 4 February 2016 4° 5° 5°

of the craftsmen’s creations. THE Robin’s three month engagement in Patan is visualised in drawings, videos, and the animation of a woman sweeping. NEW ‘Sweeping Waltz’ captures the daily ritual every morning and evening of women sweeping the dust out from courtyards, stairs and roads – a never-ending dance. NORMAL “I shot her for the first time before the earthquake, before the cloudy With the use of dusts. She is an icon of the Nepali satire and powerful situation,” Robin commented on the piece. imagery, two artists Robin’s works are focused turn ordinary scenes of on capturing complex ideas and concepts. A grouping of sketches, contemporary society ‘Concepts‘ represents nebulous into extraordinary art subjects like anxiousness, mindful, instability, goal, science, movement, and obsession through 'WORLD OF PREGNANT MEN' BY LAXMAN BAZRA LAMA abstract images. ‘Trying to make figure represents the shameless simple things, Trying to make SEULKI LEE character of person and big belly things simple’ and ‘Collaboration represents the wealth.” For the with Narayan’ depict the process artist, this type of inequality is of creation in the relationship he only clue given about both “a fact we hide within and between the artist and the the curatorial theme of live by.” craftsmen, which evokes the Tthe on-going art exhibition His next piece ‘Installation’ question, ‘What is the process of at Siddhartha Art Gallery was captures 33 images of how creation and production?’ an image of an empty petrol ordinary citizens are suffering Lama and Robin are the fifth pump printed on the invitation. from the fuel crisis and is inspired group of artists in residence Curious to see what this unnamed from his own struggles with since the MCUBE program began exhibition had to offer, I paid it a commuting across the city. The in 2014. The exhibition is their visit. series shows the artist carrying final culmination of three months On the first floor, five works by boards reading: “Petrol is easily of work in the MCUBE studio. Nepali visual artist Laxman Bazra available”, “I don’t need cooking The works succeed in provoking Lama depict the reality of Nepali gas/I don’t get hungry”, or “The OPENING DAY: (left to right) Artists Yoan Robin and Laxman Bazra Lama with Manish Lal meaningful questions, from both Shrestha and Sangeeta Thapa at the opening of AIR_MCUBE artists-in-residence exhibition at society in a satirical way. An oil journey is really easy” as he Nepali and foreign perspectives, to Siddhartha Art Gallery. painting of seven nude figures commutes on the crowded rooftop all the interplaying parts that make wearing Topi on their heads (pic, of a city bus. He then catalogued contemporary Nepal tick. above), entitled ‘World of Pregnant fellow commuters, who agreed Lama’s earnest and poignant craftsmanship through his work. Men’, uses rough red brush to pose for a photo with one of observations of contemporary Surrounded by the sights and AIR_MCUBE artists in residence fifth strokes to portray the dominance those boards – creating a powerful Nepali society, Belgian artist Yoan sounds of wool weaving and statue season of male wealth in Nepal. Lama juxtaposition of words and feeling. Robin, 34, shares his reverence engraving while living in Patan, Until 30 January says in his note that “the nude In good company with and engagement with Nepali Robin observed the daily process Siddhartha Art Gallery 8

hen American researcher William Forbes recently Wsurveyed some of the temples and ghats along the Bagmati River to see if they survived the earthquake, he was greeted with much enthusiasm at a small tirtha just north of Pashupatinath called Hatyamochan. WALKING The smiling face was of social worker Rohit Limbu, who has made it his personal mission to preserve the temple. Limbu led restoration of an old well which is now being used as a sacred bathing spot for women during Rishi Panchami. “I dreamt about you the other night,” THE HOLY Limbu told Forbes. “You were one of the few people who believed in my dream, and look what happened.” Like Limbu, Forbes’ relationship with the Bagmati is one of preservation and appreciation. In 2013, when various social organisations launched the Bagmati Clean Up Campaign, Forbes embarked on a challenging mission of his own: RIVER to trace the 160 or so traditional bathing places along the now- LUCIA DE VRIES polluted river. Better known as ‘Swayambhu Billy’, the longterm Kathmandu resident till then had been translating ninth-century Sanskrit

8 KAL MOCHAN 7 SANKHAMUL 6 PASHUPATINATHH The Bagmati's fl oodplain here below the bridge used to Once known to elevate pilgrims bathing here into a state This is the holiest of holies, and useded to be much wide and the waters clear. Today the smelly black water of nirvana, the place has now become home to scavenging dirtier and smellier until the Pashupatipati Development fl ows through a canyon. Still, bathing here is believed to animals and birds. Trust started managing the temple premises.premises. bless one with virtues.

PACHALI BHAIRAV 9 PAS KAL MOC TEKU 9 PACHALI BHAIRAV 10 TEKU DOBAN 10 8 Plastic bags, bottles, shoes and clothes fl oating in the The Vishnumati merges with Bagmati at this point. Still polluted waters of the Bagmati are a common sight along regarded as a holy bathing place, only the most faithful what used to be a holy ghat. pilgrims approach the fetid water here. CHOBAR 11

11 JAL VINAYAK This Ganesh temple located just below the Chobar gorge is where the Bagmati exits the Valley carrying with it the capital's waste. 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 9

texts called Nepala-Mahatmya Bagmati pilgrimage seems to have the river. From here till Chobar I and Himavatkhanda into English. become a thing of the past. “Before was unable to find any temples Forbes’ first translation, published he passed away in 1999, the or lingams,” recounts Forbes. as The Glory of Nepal in 2000, guru told me no one came to him Between Guheshwori and focused on the mythology of the for guidance on the Kathmandu Khokana again it was difficult to Kathmandu Valley that retraced an pilgrimage, but he still instructed walk along the river. However, ancient pilgrimage route. five to six people on the Bagmati from Khokana till Bagdwar For his second book, Forbes Yatra each year. After his death no inside the Shivapuri National sought to translate Sanskrit Park, conditions were much and Nepali sources describing better as the source appeared as Nepal’s holiest river. The clean as it was during the times translations include the geo- when Shiva laughed. mythological origins of the As the river has become Bagmati traced to Shiva’s a symbol for everything that laughter. “That booming went wrong in modern Nepal, laughter rolled out of his it is the work of such activists mouth took the forms of an and that of social workers unsullied river, swirling with like Limbu that give hope for sacred water, and whitened by Bagmati. Last August during Rishi Panchami, Limbu counted foamy waves,” the text reads, GUARDIANS OF GHATS: Rohit Limbu clarifying the meaning of Bagmati: (left) and William Forbes are among few over 7,000 women bathing at ‘Replete with the Voice’. Forbes working to preserve the Bagmati ghats. Hatyamochan. Although few also painstakingly noted the 1,000 people still bathe in the river names of the goddess Bagmati, and many temples were badly chanted during special worships. one has taken over his role and I damaged by the earthquake, The text goes on to translate am under the impression no one the religious and cultural an account of the annual nine-day walked the Bagmati since,” says significance of the Bagmati Bagmati pilgrimage conducted in Forbes. River is being kept alive. Baishak (April-May), written by Without a guide, finding the Forbes’ book, The Holy Damodara Paikurel from Naxal in holy places along the river proved Bagmati River, might play the 1950s. “It describes a verdant a challenge for the American an important role in the valley, much of it forested, with translator. The starting point preservation of its spiritual arteries of crystal clear water at Katuval Daha, below Chobar, heritage. flowing through it,” says Forbes. proved inaccessible. “The river However, since the passing there is very polluted and full of nepalitimes.com of Tirtha Guru of Pashupatinath, industrial foam. During the annual  Watch interview with Rohit Limbu who used to guide devotees, the festival, people no longer bathe in GOPEN RAI

BAGDWAR 1 BAGDWAR Located inside Shivapuri National 1 Park, this brass tiger spout is the pristine source of the Bagmati river.

PICS: YUWEI LIEU

2 SUNDARIJAL SUNDARI MAI The temple is located in the middle 2 of the Sundarijal forest with the Kathmandu crystal clear waters of Bagmati as they tumble over boulders. A dip here is supposed to wash away sins UTTARA BAHINI commited by devotees in seven previous lives. 3 GOKARNESHWOR 4

HATYAMOCHAN 5 SHUPATI 6 CHAN 3 5km UTTARA BAHINI SANKHAMUL The clear water fl owing down from 7 Sundari Mai turns into a murkier brown as it fl ows past this temple.

Patan

4 GOKARNESHWOR 5 Situated at the confl uence of the HATYAMOCHAN Bagmati and the Chandrabhaga A ffewew kilometers downstream fromfrom rivulet, the river now functions more GokarneshworGokarneshwor is HatHatyamochan.yamochan. BathinBathingg as a dumping site than a pilgrimage here can cleanse the sin of even killingkilling a site. Wastes from rituals are Brahmin,Brahmin it is believed. believed mindlessly thrown into the river. 10 EVENTSDINING MUSIC GETAWAY

Jhule mountain resort, Resting 2050m above sea level, the eco- Lit at the resort boasts a farmhouse that stretches across a hill covered in fresh pine. Enjoy Lake city an organic home stay experience. Head down to Pokhara for the 5th edition Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Jhule, of Nepal Literature Festival organised by Sabin Rai and The Electrix, (01)6212399, www.jhuleresort.com.np Bookworm Foundation. The four-day festival Embassy Restaurant and Bar, Enjoy a musical evening with Sabin Rai has lots of interesting interactive sessions Enjoy a hearty meal in this centrally and The Electrix. lined up for its audience with some of India located restaurant known for its lively 6 February, 5.45pm onwards, Patio 747, and Nepal’s fi nest journalists and writers. Be on the lookout for an interaction ambience and assorted menu. Neydo Boudha between Nepali Times Editor Kunda Dixit and Indian journalist Barkha Dutt on Day Lajimpat, (01)4424040 Three. Don’t miss out on sessions with authors Thomas Bell, Pranaya Rana, Prawin Monastery, Adhikari, Rabi Thapa, Shiwani Neupane and Ira Trivedi. A monastery and guest house, Neydo 11am to 5pm, 29 January to 1 February El Mediterraneo, is home to many signifi cant religious Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara Visit not only for the full fl edged sites of the great siddhas. Leave your www.nepalliteraturefestival.com Mediterranean experience but also for troubles behind and book a room. the authentic Spanish and Nepali fusion Pharping, Kathmandu, dishes it has to off er. www.neydohotel.com Jhamsikhel, (01)5527059 Debate Championship, Book talk, Nepal’s largest debate tournament for A lecture by writer Thomas Bell on his Cafe Nina, high school students. book, Kathmandu. Go for the délectable burgers and the 9 to 13 February, Kathmandu 29 January, 9.30am onwards, Shanker Hotel, company of a friendly patron. [email protected] Lajimpat Maharajgunj, 9851130043 CAN Info-tech, Dechenling, Mark your calendars for the year’s most The place to head to for Bhutanese and exciting info-tech and entertainment Tibetan cuisine, pleasant and spacious Himalayan Wellness Centre, conference. garden is also ideal for big gatherings. A one-stop centre for a relaxed mind and 29 January to 3 February, Bhrikuti Mandap, Thamel, (01)4412158 healthy body inside the Park Village Hotel. Exhibition Road Budhanilkantha, open all week, 9801066661, www.himalayanwellness.com.np ComCraft, All about Jazz, Learn how to create your own comics. Acclaimed singer, songwriter and jazz Art exhibition, 29 January, 4pm onwards, Quixote’s Cove, pianist Tina deVaron performs for the fi rst Exhibition of works by Belgian artist Yoan Ekantakuna, (01)5536974 time in Nepal. Tickets for the show will be Robin and Nepali artist Bajra Lama for available at Dhokaima café and Manny the fi fth season of AIR_MCUBE artist in Tapas and Eatery Bar. residence program. 4- 5 February, 6pm to 7.30 pm, Until 30 January, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kamalmani Theatre, Rato Bangala School, Babar Mahal Revisited, Kathmandu Patan Dhoka, Ticket price: Rs 500 Mango Tree Lodge, A Fishy Culture walks, rafting in the Karnali, BAC Mela, wildlife exploration, and jungle safari at Local products, foodstuff and a second- February the Bardia National Park. hand garage sale plus entertainment for Bhetani, Bardia, (84)402008, the whole family in BAC’S fi rst monthly The Olive Garden at Radisson Hotel has [email protected]. mela. Himalayan Rush, rolled out a special-fi sh menu for the months of January and February. Local as 30 January, 2 to 7pm, BAC Art Café, Pulchok, Gear up for the fi fth edition of Himalayan well as international fi sh like the Arabian www.bikaplaartcenter.org Rush triathlon series and experience the Bekti, Norwegian Salmon, cold water thrill of trail running, cycling and fresh Tuna, Himalayan trout, Vietnamese Basa water swimming. will feature in the menu. Along with the 26 March, Begnas, Pokhara, fi sh dishes, the restaurant will have a (01)5550758/ (01)5550759 wide variety of international wines and a well rounded Mediterranean styled menu comprising of soup, starters and main Meet with Dr Mahabir Pun, course. Interact with and learn more about social Everyday from 6 to 10pm, Digital mapping, entrepreneurship from Magsaysay winner Olive Garden Restaurant, Radisson Hotel, Rock night, Gokarna Forest Resort, A workshop on digital mapping by Mahabir Pun. Lajimpat, (01)4411818, A 2-in-1 tribute show to Foo Fighters and A numinous paradise that relaxes you and Storycycle. 6 February, 11am to 3 pm, Kathmandu, [email protected] RHCP by Electric Air and Monkey Temple. encourages meditation, just a 20-minute 31 January, 1pm onwards, For booking: 9803572752 , 9849769675 , 6 February, 1 to 6pm, Purple Haze Rock Bar, drive away from Kathmandu. www.storycycle.com 9840058871 Thamel, 9849332059 Gokarna, (01)4451212, [email protected] 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 11

global leadership, get overthrown in a viceregal in a meeting with fellow coup, still manage to win an election Maldivian journalists. only to be thrown back into prison. As in Nepal, Western powers The reader is struck by how a have outsourced their foreign policy Losing paradise country with the highest per capita in the to India. Represented GDP in South Asia squandered its by Colombo-based western The Maldives, and the world, need more leaders like future by rejecting a leader who diplomats, they seem clueless and KUNDA DIXIT promised a more open society. It unable to decode the impenetrable wasn’t just the Maldivians who were politics in Malé, but share suspicions cheated, the world lost a charismatic of radical Islam and the need to keep assing through Sri Lanka in environmental campaigner. a wary eye on China. 1993, I arranged to meet an Every page in this book reminds In 2012, Nasheed was putting Pexiled Maldivian pro-democracy us of a familiar malaise: elected into place a plan to make the activist at the KFC in Colombo. demagogues rigging the system Maldives energy self-reliant by We talked about the torture he to put themselves in power, then harnessing wind, solar and wave. endured while being imprisoned by dismantling the very institutions That plan was being launched on the South Asia’s longest serving leader, that got them there. The judiciary, morning of 7 February, but Nasheed President . legislature, anti-corruption was forced to resign after a mutiny Over drumsticks and hot sauce, watchdogs are just tools for by security forces. As a journalist we planned coverage of his home intimidation and to pursue political with Minivan News in Malé, Robinson country for the news agency I worked vendettas. They stoke religious had a ringside seat to interesting for then, Inter Press Service. extremism to make themselves times. Events continue to unfold as His name was Mohamed Nasheed, politically invincible. Maldivian youth join ISIS, journalists Anni to friends. Twenty years later, Nepali readers of The Maldives are hounded and an increasingly author J J Robinson of the recent get a chance to trace the trajectories paranoid Yameen turns against his book Maldives: Islamic Republic, of our two countries. They had own allies. Tropical Autocracy, is also at KFC Gayoom, we had Gyanendra. Nasheed Robinson gives us a vivid Colombo to meet the Maldivian KUNDA DIXIT held an underwater cabinet meeting account of the recent history of Election Commissioner Fuad to highlight global warming, we had a small country with a big leader HAPPIER TIMES: President Mohamed Nasheed (right) at a climate change conference just before he one at Kala Pathar. India’s GMR Group who was changing the course of his Thoufeeq for an interview. Thoufeeq was ousted in the 2012 coup and replaced by Mohammed Waheed Hassan (left). Nasheed restored bid to upgrade and manage Malé country’s history, and helping avert is also in exile after defying a democracy in the Maldives and lobbied internationally to save his archipelago nation from sea level rise. Supreme Court decision ordering him and Kathmandu airports, but were a global climate calamity. to reject an election that Nasheed had thwarted in both places. Mohammed Nasheed had told me in 2010: won fair and square in 2013. a man such as Nasheed, who was Court, ironically the same body Waheed Hassan who replaced “What we in the Maldives do is not This week, Nasheed was freed probably more admired abroad than that cancelled his election win Nasheed after the coup was stationed going to save the planet. But it will from prison for medical treatment in in his own country. in 2013. He spoke fervently and in Nepal with UNICEF in 2001. save us. And we can tell the world the UK after another year in jail. He At an international climate knowledgeably about turning the We share the same Big Brother, -- Look it works.” Reading Robinson's has spoken out for targeted sanctions change conference near Malé Maldives carbon neutral so he had and the Maldives coup predates the book, I am even more convinced against Maldivian officials, and says in 2011 Nasheed delivered an the moral authority to speak out on Nepal blockade as an example of New that the Maldives, and the world, he will return to serve out the rest of impassioned keynote speech, and climate change at international fora. Delhi’s diplomatic bungling. But just need more leaders like Mohamed his 13 year jail term. during the break lined up with I remember thinking, "When are we as the Indian Air Force airlifted relief Nasheed. Slim and athletic, brash and other participants for coffee. What ever going to have a leader in Nepal after our earthquake last year, it flew peripatetic, Nasheed had the air of a refreshing sight for us from the who can speak with such passion in water to Malé after its desalination a man in a hurry. Indeed, he was South Asian mainland where we are and conviction?" plant broke down. Robinson reports used to rulers being fawned over by J J Robinson doesn’t hide his on how Indian High Commissioner racing against time to institutionalise The Maldives: democracy in his country, while flunkies and ushered by kowtowing admiration for Nasheed, but being Dnynaneshwar Manohar Mulay was Islamic Republic, saving it from being wiped off the sycophants to the head of the line. a journalist he takes a step back meeting Gayoom’s half-brother Tropical Autocracy map by sea level rise. However, Back in Malé, he waved off to give us a factual, blow-by-blow (now president) this conservative Muslim nation of his limousine and walked us to account of how an activist came to even as the coup was unfolding on 7 by J J Robinson 350,000 people living on an atoll his house. He had converted the lead a pro-democracy movement, February 2012. Robinson remembers Hurst, 2015 archipelago was not quite ready for official residence into the Supreme unseat a dictator, rise to national and Mulay being condescending and 336 pages 12 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793

taciturn outsider who suggests HAPPENINGS that ‘Spotlight’ should start looking into the Church’s alleged cover ups, sparking consternation even within ‘Spotlight’s hard core four person team – most of whom grew up Catholic, and some of whom still harbour much affection for the church. This is a profound, methodical, procedural about investigative journalism that outlines every rigorous step that the team takes as they struggle with the terrible fallout of child molestation, perpetrated by individuals with seeming impunity, and understand with growing horror the extent of real life abuse over SPOTLIGHT decades. The ensemble cast consisting s usual, the Academy, in about a certain white, majority of Michael Keaton, Rachel BIKRAM RAI an extension of last year’s Catholic population in Boston, McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Stanley HAPPILY INDEPENDENT: Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae at his country’s Republic Aegregious lapses, has that fact ought not to negate its Tucci, and John Slattery play their Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Lajimpat on Tuesday. nominated yet another round of very important story - namely characters without histrionics, completely homogenous films for the massive, landmark exposé holding to the ethos of a film that the Oscars. The main complaint of the extent of paedophilia that is made to serve the story and is that these films are peopled was (and is) rampant within the not the drama, a discipline often only by white stars and that the Catholic Church, the hundreds lacking in Hollywood films. of priests who are guilty of Spotlight is riveting, important, these transgressions, and most extremely relevant and it will importantly, the Church’s active make you gasp. This is a film MUST SEE cover up of these crimes that has about the story that finally got Sophia Pande affected thousands of people. told, and now thanks to the writer ‘Spotlight’ is the name of the and director, Tom McCarthy, it is deep investigative arm of the getting the continuing attention it Academy’s main voter base, which Boston Globe – a department that deserves. If only all mainstream consists also of mostly 60-year-old I am happy to report still exists. films vying for awards could be white males, is completely tone The film is set in 2001 when the as rigorous as Spotlight, without deaf about diversity, leaving out Globe was in transition; lay-offs the self-righteousness that important films and performances seemed imminent as the new sometimes comes from trying to by non-white actors year after year. editor Marty Baron, played by the be “profound”. EMBASSY OF ISRAEL Spotlight is one of those wonderful Liev Schreiber, both IN MEMORY: Representatives from the and the National Human all white films that has been a non-Bostonian and a Jew, is nepalitimes.com Rights Commission, and the ambassadors of Israel and Germany observe a minute of nominated this year. While I assessing the Globe’s efficiency.  Trailer silence to mark International Holocaust Day on Wednesday at Rato Bangala School. acknowledge that this is a film Astonishingly, it is this 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 13 “No country moves forward as smoothly as it wants.”

blockade for our suffering, but only to a to hear just vague promises. They want the the PM is still speaking like an opposition certain point. People will start asking: what results. leader. The government claims to have exactly did you do to alleviate our pain? given priority to earthquake survivors, but KIRAN NEPAL Did you control the black-market? Did you What should be our future roadmap? that is just a vague promise. How can the supply essential commodities? Did you even Nothing can happen overnight. But one government reach out to them when the try to airlift medicines? The government month is enough for a government to at least blockade is on and the supply of essentials cannot say its hands are tied because of the start doing things that will offer people hope has not been eased? The government must blockade. It should have worked harder to for the future. It has been three months stop delivering hollow promises, and start ease people’s suffering. People do not want since this government came to power, but real work.

Political analyst Nilambar Acharya in an political leadership has never been strong interview with Himal Khabarpatrika and mature. (17-23 January) Are we still struggling to abolish Himal: After struggling to pass feudalism? a new constitution through an Yes. We abolished the political institution elected assembly, declaring Nepal representing feudalism, but not feudalism a republic, have we, as a country, per se. Instead of abolishing feudalism really moved forward? completely, we have now begun lobbying Nilambar Acharya: No country moves for the guaranteed seats for certain castes forward as smoothly as it wants. The and ethnic groups. We introduced the way forward is always punctuated with Proportional Representation (PR) system, difficulties and challenges, which are but did not impose a threshold. magnified by the lack of a far-sighted leadership. India, South Africa and Nepalis were hoping that the new Eastern Europe, which are now stable and constitution would take them to prosperous, all faced obstacles. But they prosperity… had capable statesmen able to overcome The crisis is not about the constitution. the challenges. Countries that lack strong It is about leadership. Our leaders have leadership during transition periods are failed to manage the political change. The still unstable. problem lies in their attitude but we are blaming the system. So, we lack a strong leadership? Yes. We launched several people’s Our economy is collapsing, but our movements, but a leader who could end political parties look indifferent. the prolonged transition and take us on Why? the path of prosperity was never born. Again, the absence of strong leadership. The political transition that began in 2006 Nine months since the earthquake, the is a case in point. After the monarchy was homeless are still in temporary shelters. overthrown, the parties that led the Jana Did our leaders not anticipate a harsh Andolan II and the rebels who fought a war winter? If they did, why did they not act tried to outsmart each other to take the more swiftly? We do not have a leader credit of the new political achievements. who thinks for the country and the people. They ended up agreeing on a dual Those who are ruling us are not even party leadership of transition, which has not leaders. They are just leaders of their own ended yet. cliques. We are facing a huge shortage of cooking gas. But our Prime Minister says: Why haven’t we seen a strong “Wait, I will fit gas pipes in all homes”. leader yet? How can a PM who has failed to give us When we fall sick, we go to India. When even a half cylinder of gas deliver hollow our children cannot go to schools, we promises like this? send them to India. If we fail to find jobs, we go to India. We are heavily dependent India’s blockade has prompted on India because we have never tried to people to give the benefit of the solve our problems within. India, for its doubt to the government. How part, seems to care for Nepal, but is always long will that support last? looking to micromanage us. As a result, our The government can blame the Indian 14 NATION 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 29 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2016 #793 NATION 15

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