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KISHORE NEPAL EYE CONTACT in KAWASOTI A world-class eye care centre in his township along the East- Kathmandu is giving thousands of West Highway, west of the Nepalis the T gift of sight, Narayani River, used to be a and Nepal quiet, peaceful place. Farmers and has emerged traders came here to make phone as a major calls and buy newspapers. They sat exporter of artificial intraocular eye lenses. If only there were more along the streets, drinking tea, cornea donors. p 12-13 talking politics. Nothing really exciting ever happened here. Like a lot of other districts in Nepal, Nawalparasi has changed in Weekly Internet Poll # 128 Q. Does a banda help or harm the organiser? the past three years. The local vocabulary is full of new words like “ambush” and “search opera- tion”. But the most dreaded word is “bepatta”.

Total votes:1,002 These days, the only people Weekly Internet Poll # 129. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com who come to Kawasoti are those Q. Should the political parties take part in looking for a missing son or hus- elections if the government announces dates? band. Shanti is from Deurali village, SUBHAS RAI Apartment and has been searching for her Newly converted long stay two- husband who was abducted by an bedroom apartment. En suite bathrooms, kitchen, spacious living room/ dining armed group several days ago. room. Room maid service, Air “This seems to be my fate, I conditioning, cable TV, roof terrace, in a pleasant quiet location. Swimming pool have wept so much I have no tears and Summit Club Membership facilities. left,” she says. Shanti’s husband is Rates negotiable. a teacher, he was neither a Maoist For further information please call Uday or Rabindra on nor a government employee. He 55 24 694/ 55 21 810. was sleeping when they came and dragged him out of the house at three in the morning. Someone in a tea shop in her village told Shanti her husband may be in police custody in Kawasoti. That is why she has come here. At the police station, an officer asked her to wait. Two hours later, another policeman appeared and told her: “He is not here, he may be Bepatta in Bharatpur or in Kathmandu.” Laxmi and Bhagawati have similar stories of disappeared husbands. Getting no help from Relatives of Nepal’s disappeareds bear unending pain the police, they are desperate to tell their stories to a visiting reporter, In Kawasoti, Belauti Khanal has at least one disappeared member. the desperate search, the lack of but Laxmi and Bhagwati could not nothing left to feed her family. “This is new kind of terror for us,” answers. utter a single word. Tears welled Groups of Maoists keep coming by says Karki. “The families live in Next week in Geneva, at the up in their eyes, and they stared and there is nothing left. “They dread of armed gangs that roam the UN Commission on Human silently at the ground. threaten to kill my husband and villages at night.” Rights, the spotlight will be on The horror is unending. A children if we don’t feed them,” The villagers can’t tell whether Nepal in a debate expected to be young man who called himself a Belauti says. “The next day the the armed men are soldiers or initiated by the Swiss govern- Maoist who was trying to rape a soldiers come and harass and abuse Maoists. “Their uniforms are simi- ment. Both the Maoists and the neighbourhood girl recently, and us. Sometimes they are worse than lar,” says Ishwari Pande, ex-DDC government are sure to be Dewaki Tiwari tried to protect her. the Maoists.” chairman. So is the method: the censured for atorcities. l In retaliation, a group of Maoists Prem Bahadur Karki used to be midnight knock on the door, a killed Dewaki’s young son and vice-chairman of Deurali VDC near sleeping husband or son dragged Editorial p2 destroyed her house. here, and says every household has off into the darkness by armed men, Reversing gears 2 EDITORIAL 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editors: Trishna Gurung, Jemima Sherpa Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Many little steps Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 REVERSING GEARS The abortion bill was a giant leap, but many more t has finally dawned on the current rulers in Kathmandu that the small steps are needed to make motherhood safe I only path to legitimacy is representation sanctioned by the people. It is never too late to learn that lesson. ersistent advocacy efforts by abortions in hospitals, illegal woman said. “Isn’t it true?” I told The political party leadership smells a rat in the government’s women’s reproductive rights abortions in hospitals, and unsafe her she was partly right. “Parlia- election talk. It is convinced the polls are a ploy by the king to buy P time. That may be true, but can’t be an excuse to dismiss elections activists and strong research and costly operations by private ment has passed the bill, but it outright. findings eventually convinced the providers continue. still needs the king’s approval. It When King Gyanendra sacked Sher Bahadur Deuba on 4 October government to reform Nepal’s It was late in the afternoon at a is a formality, but we can’t legally 2002, he invoked the constitution saying that a prime minister who abortion laws two years ago. rural health camp in western perform abortions until then.” couldn’t hold elections as planned did not deserve to stay in power. The challenges in coming years Nepal last year when a woman She was downcast as she left Now, the tables are turned. Can his royal government deliver on the came in hesitantly. She looked the clinic without another word. polls it is about to announce? Or is it banking on things getting so much uncomfortable and unsure. I was The sadness in her eyes haunted worse that it will never have to answer that question? GUEST COLUMN If the Maoist blockades are a sign of things to come, it will not be Aruna Upreti used to this, most women have me and I hoped that she easy to hold elections. Even if multi-phased polls are held, the process never spoken about their intimate wouldn’t seek some illegal and is sure to be considerably unfree and unfair. As we have seen this will be a very different: health problems with anyone. “I untrained quack to terminate her week, all it takes is to set five buses on fire to bring the entire central disseminating information about am pregnant,” she told the nurse, pregnancy and put her life in part of the country to a grinding halt. The security forces can do little the new law and about safe who asked her if she wanted to danger. more than hover overhead in choppers. abortion to doctors, health make sure. The nurse turned to me once There couldn’t be a more difficult time to hold polls. The only ques- workers, advocates, law “No,” said the woman, more we were alone: “We health tions are: how and what kind? There seems to be no other way out of enforcement officials and loudly this time and meeting the workers don’t know anything the present trilateral deadlock. The Maoists could seize the opportu- nity to put up a political front, the king could get a face-saving way to politicians. We have taken one health worker’s eyes. “I want you about making abortion legal. We invoke Article 127 once more and take himself back to a pre-October giant leap toward saving thousands to help me get rid of it.” knew there was a discussion Fourth position, and the parties could go back to the people. of women from unsafe abortion in The nurse explained that it going on in Kathmandu, but no This country has been blundering on the wrong road for the past Nepal each year, but many more was illegal. The woman turned to one ever told us the law was two-and-half years. We can get back on the peace highway by little steps still need to be taken to me and said: “But I heard that the passed.” reversing gears and undoing the wrong turns of the past by: begin improving the maternal government passed a law saying Having worked for more than l Setting up an acceptable election government made up of all parties mortality crisis in Nepal. (See: abortions could be done in a decade as a reproductive rights l Set dates for staggered local and national elections l In that period, renegotiate a monitored ceasefire ‘Double loading’, #184) hospitals.” activist, researching, writing and l Conduct credible elections for new parliament As long as young Nepali “That is definitely not true,” lobbying the government to have l Negotiate a sustainable peace mothers don’t have access to the health worker told her abortion legalised, I believed we l Debate and implement constitutional changes adequate nutrition, basic health abruptly. The woman looked had made an enormous impact services, minimum supplies of crestfallen. For a moment I was when parliament passed the bill. The alternative is to keep on this blood-soaked cotton wool and IV fluids in far- unsure who to deal with first, the But if my co-worker in this clinic road till god knows when. Allowing people flung health posts, bills passed in patient or the health worker. in western Nepal hasn’t even representation from the grassroots to national Kathmandu will have little impact. “I heard it on the radio,” the heard of the bill, what was the levels is the only way to restore peace, preserve our unity, strengthen the constitu- While the Ministry of Health takes value of our work? At the rate we tional monarchy, and ensure economic its time to draw criteria for are going it will take another 50 progress. years for the bill to make an impact on our maternal death rate. What had seemed an enormous step suddenly seemed frighteningly small. Little did I realise when I told the woman that we still had a long way to go, how long we really had to travel. l

L ETTERS

and dine out regularly. 4. The points regarding economic l Congratulations to the They obviously do not justice and equal opportunity are Charitraheen Cheli for their have economic constraints, commendable. But these societal declaration of independence, and therefore don’t represent issues need massive economic Rosy Chhetri’s piece was one of the majority of Nepali people, reforms. Education and free the most interesting, honest and 10,000+ times more sinned against than let alone Nepali women. Their markets are some key tools. When pragmatic write ups I have read There can be no doubt that the sinning. only worry seems to be a culture women are educated, they can be in your paper. Thanks to Nepali Maoists have engaged in gross Sandip Mishra, Kathmandu that raises a finger to them for independent and strong both Times for boldly publishing such human rights violations such as their ‘unwomanly behavior’. But is economically and physically. Free a write up. Unlike other declara- summary execution, rape, torture l On what basis can the Maoists this really true? Is our culture markets will bring the competition tions made by politically- and the killing of innocents. call this a ‘peoples war’? How will it really stopping them from between everybody and not motivated feminist groups (Editorial, ‘10,000+’, #187) There help their revolution by punishing partaking from these ‘fair shares of necessarily just friction between focusing on petty issues that is good reason to believe that the the poorest of the poor with their life’s bounties’ and thereby males and females. In some jobs really did nothing good for RNA and police are doing so on bandas and blockades? Tourism hindering them from being equal females will surpass men, in other women except serve the vested an even larger scale. But this must and businesses are now on the verge to the males? jobs men will do better. The interest of the feminist group be seen in historical perspective. of extinction. And why are political 2. Smoking and drinking is not invisible hand of the economy will themselves. For hundreds of years the high parties playing games and not necessarily a male vs female decide which job is good for whom. Rajeeb L Satyal, Baluwatar caste Hindus have abused, trying to find a solution? It is time issue. In elite society and The CC are only using serious exploited, robbed and neglected for the leaders of all the political ironically also in the lowest rung of societal issues as a free ride to VANISHING VULTURES the janjatis and Dalits. The horrific forces to rescue the country our society, women smoke freely. serve myopic, self-centered, and Re: ‘No more circling’ by Samuel poverty, high mortality and before it is too late. Except in some ethnic classes, self-defeating interests. Thomas (#185). I am from the immense burden of suffering Bishad Piya, Kirtipur women often drink with men in 5. On a philosophical note, the Saigha VDC in Dang and my imposed on these people by their homes. manifesto is a reaction to the house is near the border with Nepal’s self-righteous, callous and CHARITRAHEEN SOCIOLOGY 3. Sexuality is an immensely maladies of our very complex Rolpa. I spent my childhood corrupt elite, who blame the In their manifesto (‘Women declare personal and intimate topic and it society. To portray these issues in chasing vultures. These days the Maoists for the current situation, independence’, #186), the can be handled only with the stark male vs female terms and carcasses of animals have been reveals the very mindset that drove Chariraheen Chelis (CC) seem to profound understanding between initiate a campaign based on replaced by corpses of guerrillas the Maoists to revolution in the want their personal freedom but are husband and wife. CC have vengeance and nihilism is to do and soldiers, but there were no first place. To place the Maoists’ using societal issues to give it an commodified sexuality by great injustice to our very tolerant vultures any more. There were human rights violations, evil and aura of objectivity and judicious demanding it to be available and flexible culture and society. I three nests of vultures in my despicable as they are, in concern toward society. Why? anywhere, anytime, and from only hope one of the wishes of the VDC, on a tall pine tree were two perspective is to realise that the 1. The CC are most likely some well- anybody. They have not even felt CC will come true: that they always pairs of smoky black Pseudogyps rural poor who constitute the to-do women from Kathmandu who the necessity of marriage as an remain underground. bengalensis which flocked to Maoist cadres are a thousand can afford to go to discos and drink institution. Gokul Bhandari, email dead animals by river banks. OP-ED 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 3

The palace’s cooks must accept the centrality of mainstream parties in any future election Poll pot

he knock-on effect of the Maoist government to protect its citizens that invoke polls. He had dismissed Sher of an impending ceasefire. ‘blockade’ of the western region is nobody dares defy something as irrational as Bahadur Deuba as an incompetent prime There are rumours that a list of T now being felt in Kathmandu a blockade of an entire region. minister, ostensibly because the renegade ministers for the soon-to-be-formed cabinet Valley. Kerosene and cooking gas have The people’s lack of faith in an kangresi had failed to conduct polls on the has already been finalised by the palace. disappeared from the shops, shortages of administration dominated by the Joint promised date. An election is a convenient The man who acted as bridge between the essential items are spreading. Oblivious to Security Force is no less marked. Politics in tool that the ‘constructive’ monarch Maoists and the military to make King the escalating anarchy, or maybe to distract the country has come to be defined by the can use to appoint and dismiss premiers Gyanendra’s mid-western visit a grand attention, the government of royal ever-increasing mistrust between the at will. But the strategists at success could be Surya Bahadur Thapa’s nominees is now talking of elections. What monarch and the mainstream parties. A Narayanhiti know this ruse won’t work successor at Baluwatar. exactly is brewing? nascent civil society is in such disarray that it forever. Ultimately, only an elected Dhanendra Bahadur Singh is an old To conduct a free and fair election, is unable to speak up. government can provide legitimate court-faithful. He headed the civic there has to be a perceptible improvement Nobody in his right mind would want cover. Herein lies the dilemma for the reception committee that felicitated the on an election in these uncertain times. Political king: he wants an election, but only one king at Nepalganj. Earlier, he had chaired STATE OF THE STATE four parties are united in settling scores with an which will give him the desired result. the Rajparishad Standing Committee CK Lal fronts: activist monarch first. The Maoists will not The tenure of the dissolved Pratinidhi before Parshu Narayan Chaudhary and better settle for anything less than a constituent Sabha ends this month. So if the myth of Keshar Jung Raymajhi. He has been the security, competent administration, assembly. The administration isn’t in a the constitution is to be kept alive, an Chief Justice, and all in all, he would competitive politics, and vibrant civil position to hold even free, let alone fair, announcement on polls needs to be made at be a harmless face to give continuity society. Both governments since October elections. A capital-centric civil society is in the earliest. The five-phased Indian elections to the active monarchy. Whether he Fourth have failed to perform on all these no particular hurry to handover the begin from 20 April, hence our own string- will actually conduct polls is almost counts. governance to politicians. It is only the pullers must be hoping that the Maoists will moot. Security is largely a matter of international community—the Europeans be hard-pressed to reach an agreement The big question is what the perception: the country is only as secure as in particular—who want the king to hold an with the Nepali government before that mainstream political parties will do. you and I believe it to be. The people have election and get out of the post- date to avoid the pre-poll squeeze of Without them, talk of polls will just so little confidence in the ability of the October Fourth mess as respectably as militant groups across the border. The be talk. The Nepali acolytes of Brother possible. Maoist blockade may actually be a harbinger Number One in the jungle, as well as King Gyanendra has his own reasons to the cooks at the poll pot in the palace, will do well to accept the centrality of mainstream parties in any future elections. l

PADAM GHALE

Another pair of white vultures that causes renal failure in tional government antipathy to HUMAN NATURE Chile, Noriega of Panama, nested on a nearby cliff and were vultures. This may be the other ‘long-stay’ foreigners in both the Daniel Lak in ‘Haiti’s warning for Marcos of the Philippines and, completely white. The nesting reason. The Kathmandu development and human service Nepal’ (#186) bemoans the lately, Saddam Hussein (who?) of pairs used to hatch once once in Declaration of Insecticides and sectors. As I reflect on much of the actions of the US, Canada and Iraq. two or three years but only a single Pesticides may show government ‘aid’ and ‘assistance’ that deluged France in Haiti. He accuses them ‘Arjun’, email chick eachtime. None of the nests commitment, but unless this the country in the early nineties, I of ‘gunboat diplomacy’ and are there anymore. Some of the translates to action to stop agro- wonder whether too much of it was forcing Aristide out of power. HOSPITAL HAZARD other vultures were the Rajgiddha chemicals and drugs, the birds ‘invested’ in the wrong places. What riles him most is the claim I agree with Pragya Shrestha in (Sarcogyps cahins). But they are are doomed. In the short tem What help was there for ‘the of righteousness made by these ‘Medical menace in our also gone. The villagers blame vulture breeding programs need people’ to understand the true western powers to justify what they backyards’ (# 187 ). In addition to insecticides, and the poison used to be started immediately in nature of the new constitution? In are doing. But isn’t that totally the pollution caused by to kill leopards for vultures Chitwan and Kosi Tappu. what way were the political parties expected? Does he not know that population growth, deranged vanishing. And it’s not just the Mati Pun, email encouraged to embrace the it is human nature to want to urbanisation, and busy traffic, vultures, the chemicals are killing challenge to a new era of have the cake and eat it, too? mismanagement of hospital waste other birds as well. Samuel EDUCATING FOREIGNERS democratic internal organization, During his time spent in actually has made it worse. Thomas reports that the vultures in Manjushree Thapa’s comments and discard globally discredited Kathmandu he probably never Hospitals should not turn into India and Pakistan are dying (‘Educating foreigners’, #186) are forms imported from ‘south of the came across a Nepali saying health hazards. because of the veterinary anti- right on. I have visited Nepal a border’? Perhaps most importantly, “Ham pani, mam pani”. If he had, Dr Eli Pradhan, Kathmandu inflammatory drug, Declofenac, number of times and daresay I what assistance was there for the he would have known that we in know a bit more about Nepal’s indigenous, internationally- Nepal are no different than ‘PATRANOMIE’ history than most visitors, at the informed ‘Fifth Estate’ to translate anyone else in wanting to have it Could Mr Lak explain to the same time I know my actual the opportunities and both ways. Lak also says that what French readers of the Nepali knowledge of Nepal’s history is responsibilities of parliamentary happened in Haiti should serve Times what is “la patranomie”, this woefully lacking. She is right, democracy in ways educative to as a warning to Nepal. A warning word or any approaching one too, that a country in the fierce both people and parties? May the for what? Should we be warned being unknown. process of defining itself presents Nepali people and Nepali that the US and other powers who Marie Lecomte-Tilouine a chaotic face to the world. organizations long have rights to are currently backing Nepal in CNRS, France Hilary Dirlam, email the insight of Nepal-aligned and this fight against terrorism will locally-informed foreigners. Such withdraw their support and leave Daniel Lak replies: That was a l Manjushree’s Guest Column persons may contribute best to us high and dry once their glaring error on my part. I referred was right on the button, at least it locally-appropriate solutions by interests have been served? The to France seeing Haiti as part of pushed one of mine. Now, she warning about ‘broken wheels’. past is full of examples of the US La Patronomie, but meant ‘La needs to write a counter- David Stevens, first helping and later dumping Francophonie’ and apologise to balancing article about tradi- Alberta, Canada people like General Pinochet of French friends and enemies alike. 4 NATION #188 Which is real, and which is 19fake - 25 MARCH 2004 ? Ever wondered why the medicine you take for that cough never seems to work?

DEWAN RAI

wo of the world’s leading T producers of counterfeit pharmaceuticals are Nepal’s neighbours to the north and south. Fake and substandard medicines are widely sold in the Nepali market, but regulators, traders and the public don’t seem to realise the enormity of the problem. Last month, the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) seized 1,200 capsules of the antibiotic amoxycillin 250mg from three pharmacies in Rupendehi district. The manufacturer was listed as Adip Labs of Kalol in India, but inquiries revealed that no such company exists. The capsules only contained a white odourless powder that was not an active ingredient. What makes the seizure in Rupendehi interesting is that amoxycillin is one of the most- commonly prescribed antibiotics to counter infections and Rs 260 million worth of amoxycillin is sold in Nepal alone every year. What was caught is clearly the tip of the iceberg. Seventy percent of Nepal’s annual Rs 8 billion pharmaceutical demands are met by Indian imports. Domestic production accounts for 27 percent and the rest come from other countries. The A volcano in the Caribbean Montserrat is a not a social volcano, it’s a real one he British are up to something confederacy. So it chose to remain British. wooden buildings of the capital and drove government in Britain. interesting in the Caribbean island of Britain didn’t really want this, but being half the population into exile. It also If you see Claire Short in Nepal anytime T Montserrat, 700km south of me here a democracy, it went along with the wishes wrecked what tourist industry there was and soon, ask her if she has any “golden in Miami, capital of the weird world. It pays of the Montserratians and let them stay as proved somewhat of an embarassment to elephants” in her carry on baggage. She to keep an eye on the Brits. They didn’t one of London’s last colonies. It was good Tony Blair’s newly elected Labour endeared herself, as DfID minister, to the conquer half the world in the 18th and 19th for tourism, good for the locals who wanted Monserratians, by asking rhetorically if she centuries by luck alone. First though, a little to go to the UK from time to time and a few was supposed to send them “golden background. pounds sterling flowed in as aid. The UK elephants” when they were asking for more Poor Montserrat was once one of the connection also kept American culture at aid. happiest bay. Montserrat remained stubbornly Anyway, paradise was lost. But now, HERE AND THERE places in British, despite its pretensions to being Irish. DfID has cut off funds to Montserrat to pay Daniel Lak the The national symbol is a shamrock and all of for repairing damage caused by British and world, a the names of the inhabitants are O’this, or American military action in Iraq. And the tropical paradise. A mere flyspeck at the Mc’that. latest wheeze to get the Montserratian edge of the Atlantic Ocean, it escaped the Slavery was a distant memory. The economy moving again: nothing less than a wave of decolonialisation that surged in the British governor and London ruled with a ‘School for Natural Disaster Management’. 1960s as European countries (with the light touch, letting a vibrant local democracy Jobs, foreign currency, fame, all coming exception, as ever, of France) shed their take root. Montserrat’s way courtesy of Britain and imperial possessions. Montserrat was too But something was brewing deep under Chances’ Peak. small to be independent on its own, too the earth that was to be the snake in this Now here’s some thinking we could proud to be part of some nearby island’s paradise. For Montserrat, you see, was the apply elsewhere. India could teach the world tip of a vast undersea volcano. how to take over jobs from developed One day in 1995, a subterranean countries. South Africa how to heal racial explosion surged up to the surface in a hill divisions relatively painlessly. Pakistan, I’m called Chance’s Peak. Until that day, the positive, has much to teach us about how to hill had been a tourist attraction with steamy handle America. Nobody does it better. vents and hot water geysers showing that it And Nepal? What sort of school could was actually an active volcano. Nepal run? Let’s get some readers’ But in 1995 and in subsequent years, suggestions on this with the best (and worst) lava and volcanic ash rained down on more printed in a future column. Nepal’s School half of the island, destroyed the quaint of . You read it here first. l NATION 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 5

Fake medicines are concoctions with wrong ingredients or DOMESTIC BRIEFS incorrect quantities of active ingredients or products without

any active ingredients at all Lynched ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ It is virtually impossible to differentiate between real and Saptari villagers and the Maoists seem to have a common enemy: counterfeit medicines without proper testing dacoits who roam the district. A fortnight ago, seven notorious robbers were caught looting a household in Belhi village. They were taken to a Nearly 10 percent of the global pharmaceutical commerce is ‘peoples court’ attributed to fake drugs. In India it is at 20 percent and in where they were Nepal it is probably more passed the sentence: death by Combating this menace should be a shared responsibility lynching. The order was carried out in public and their World Health Organisation smuggling. and the Chinese ones are less in bodies dumped on estimates that 35 percent of the fake According to Indian media demand. the road, where drugs produced in the world come reports, fake drugs are mainly While counterfeits of well- they lay rotting for from India, where about 20 percent manufactured in Punjab, known brands contain no three days (see of all drugs sold are either fake or Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh ingredients of the original product, pics). Two more substandard. and Himachal Pradesh. Two of substandard drugs are either diluted robbers were The US Food and Drug these Indian states border Nepal. or don’t meet the standards captured and Administration estimates that about The counterfeiters copy blister prescribed in a country’s hanged on 3 March at Balan river, near the Nepal-India border. Robberies have been on the rise, with around 100 households 10 percent of all drugs around the pack designs and even provide pharmacopoeia. Adulteration, looted in the past month. The Maoists’ severe measures came as a world are counterfeit and 60 fake holograms on the packages. leaking and medicines past expiry surprise, but villagers are still happy that such action will deter other percent of them are found in Fictitious batch numbers and dates or with the wrong proportion looters. “Now the looting will stop,” says a villager, who hopes that developing countries. Indian fake dates of import can be made by of ingredients are some of the they won’t have to deal with the constant robbery. medicines have made their way into fly-by-night outfits in Mumbai reasons why drugs are substandard. Even so, the looters are still finding it easy to raid the villages. In the African market, including in on letterheads of well-known In last month’s raids on several places both security forces and Maoist militants are absent, Kenya and Nigeria (see box). pharmaceutical firms for exports. pharmacies, the DDA found leaving villagers defenseless against the heavy arms and weapons the What worries consumer groups Consumer groups and doctors in druggists in Narayanghat, Butwal dacoits carry. The Maoists have prohibited the villagers from keeping guns at home, and the police are of no help either. They do not make here is that the manufacture and Nepal say the only reason the and Krishnaagar with 11 brands of any inspections in the villages vulnerable to constant robbery. Most of sale of fake drugs is so prevalent in DDA has found so few cases of unlicensed medicines and collected the villages targeted by the robbers from across the border are in India, with which Nepal shares an counterfeit drugs in Nepal is 18 dubious samples of substandard Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Janakpur, Sarlahi and Bara open border. They say our because of poor and irregular drugs. Thapa says that of the total districts. (Manoj Shrestha in Rajbiraj) monitoring and regulation systems monitoring. The only way to tell number of samples collected, only aren’t vigilant enough to meet this a if medicine is fake or three percent were found to be Firewood is harmful to health

danger. substandard is to do a lab test. substandard after tests at the Royal ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Doctors interviewed for this Since the problem is so vast, not Drugs Laboratory. The DDA’s main Most Nepalis use firewood cooking and heating. This leads to indoor article say the lack of monitoring is all consignments can be spot- complaint is lack of manpower: it smoke pollution, which causes Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), especially in children. According to the Ministry of Health, ARI is one of compounded by lax enforcement checked. Unscrupulous druggists has only eight inspectors and has to the leading causes of infant mortality in the villages. It is estimated that of prescription rules. Antibiotics are can therefore easily buy fake make 400 laboratory tests per year. about three percent of Nepalis are affected by ARI, out of which a readily available across the counter drugs from smugglers at a lower One of the inspectors,Baburam quarter are children and infants. Experts say the government isn’t in Nepal. Fake, substandard and prices and then sell them at the Humagain, estimates that up to 20 paying enough attention to indoor pollution as it has for more deficient dosages are creating a full price and triple their profit percent of the drugs in the market ‘glamourous’ diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria, despite the fact that danger of drug resistance. The margins. are substandard. In a batch of spot more people die and are suffering from ARI and the fact that ARI is impact of this on tuberculosis and The government’s current tests last year, 96 out of 359 samples curable. “This particular health issue has not grabbed the attention of Acute Respiratory Infections could regulation only allows companies of medicines (expired Thiabric, the donor agencies,” says a paper by Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), an organisation specialising in indoor have a catastrophic impact in the certified by WHO’s Good Antozol, Omiprazol capsules and pollution related activities. ITDG has been supporting poor rural future, when antibiotics prove Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Norifloxacin) were found to be communities to help reduce major health risks from kitchen smoke and ineffective for drug-resistant to bring medicines into Nepal. substandard. creating mass awareness on the dangers of firewood used for patients. TB treatment in Nepal is The DDA provides licenses to Ashok Sharma of the Nepal cooking. Indoor air pollution is one the four leading causes of deaths in already hobbled by multi-drug these companies after auditing Pharmaceutical Producers the world’s poorest countries, where 2.4 billion people use biomass in resistant strains of the TB bacillus. them and also sends out Association says the DDA is doing their kitchen. It is estimated that the burning of solid fuels lead to the But the government plays inspection teams, as it did last a good job despite constraints, but death of 1.6 million people, especially women and children, each year. down the extent of the problem. month to Mumbai, Chennai and admits that chemists and the public Bhupendra Bahadur Thapa, acting Bangalore. should also be vigilant. “Once they director general at the DDA says: There are currently 272 are tipped off, the DDA can take “The counterfeit drug problem in Indian and 38 domestic action against the culprits,” he says. Nepal is minimal. We have found companies registered with the The DDA seems to have realised only 3-4 cases of fake medicines in government, selling about 8,000 that the main conduit for fake drugs the past 15 years.” The reason is brands of medicine. Only two is India, and in an effort to control that only licensed importers are Chinese manufacturers are smuggling has limited the transit for officially allowed to bring in drugs registered with the DDA, and the imported drugs to only nine points, from India before they are sold to threat of fake Chinese medicines including Kathmandu airport, retailers. However, he admits there is said to be less because most Tatopani and points along the is a problem in the tarai because of doctors prescribe Indian brands tarai. l Nigeria’s fake drug mafia

LAGOS—Nigeria’s fearless crusader against fake life at her country home in Agulu, eastern Nigeria. drugs, Dora Akunyili, was awarded the Transparency Sixteen people implicated in the assassination bid International Anti-Corruption Award last year for were later arrested, according to Nigerian police. battling the scourge of fake pharmaceuticals in her “The arson attacks will not deter us from waging country. the war against fake drugs. I can assure Nigerians But this is not protecting her from harassment and (that) we shall win the war, because we know we intimidation from the fake drug mafia in her country. are fighting for the common man,” said Nnamdi This week, there were arson attacks on two buildings Ekweogwu, Director of Administration and Finance that house Akunyili’s National Agency for Food and at NAFDAC. Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and last Nigeria’s fake drug market is estimated to be month she received death threats. worth $60 million a year, and most of the spurious On Wednesday, the Kaduna office and laboratory medicines come from India and China. Akunyili’s of NAFDAC was gutted by fire and barely 72 hours own sister died after a fake medication was earlier, NAFDAC’s office in Lagos had also burned ineffective in controlling an infection she had four down when the Federal Government Secretariat years ago. building caught fire. The fires were believed to have NAFDAC wants Nigeria to start domestic been started by dealers in counterfeit drugs who are production of most medicines within the next being targeted by NAFDAC. decade, to eliminate the import of fake products into In December, an attempt was made on Akunyili’s the country. l (IPS) 6 NATION 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 The only undergraduate students in the Western world who can navigate their way Nepali 1 at SOAS though Nepali newspaper texts on demands for constitutional reform

t’s Tuesday morning in the small town where I live, 30 we offer degree-level programs in more than 20 African and I miles from central London. I stumble out into a raw Asian languages, but only the Big Three (Arabic, Chinese, March wind to join a small bunch of commuters huddled Japanese) would be viable without such funding. on the train into town. This year I have had 27 students of seven different On the train I pull out my copy of Himal Khabarpatrika nationalities in my courses, almost all of whom have had and read of King Gyanendra’s recent abhinandan as a Hindu some previous experience of Nepal. Each year I meet several Samrat. Most of my fellow passengers read the Daily who have spent a gap year between school and university in Telegraph, one of this country’s more boring broadsheets. a Nepali village, usually teaching English. For many, the Somewhere high above the thick grey sky, the sun is months they spend in Nepal are their first extended period probably rising as I away from home, and the experience makes a profound emerge from Euston impression upon them. The landscapes, the cultures, the LONDON EYE station and trudge people of Nepal are the context in which they begin to find Michael Hutt across Bloomsbury, but their feet as independent adults, and they return with a it makes very little difference. London in winter is mostly perspective on the world that is very different from that of greys and browns, broken only once this year by the many of their peers. purifying brightness of snow. Most of these gap year students go on to pursue Room 389, School of Oriental and African Studies, ‘conventional’ degrees at ‘conventional’ universities, but a University of London. ‘Nepali 1’, a smaller than usual class few are not satisfied with just a rudimentary knowledge of a of only six students this year, drifts in for its 9AM lecture. society that fascinates them; nor can they shake off the Many years ago, some bright spark involved in timetabling at strong emotional bond they have formed with Nepal. So SOAS decided that the early morning slot was best for they come to us, and we welcome them. All being well, they language classes. As I watch my students yawning and graduate with qualifications that mark them out as young rubbing their eyes I curse him once again. people of unusual adventurousness and considerable But they quickly wake up and apply themselves to the achievement. Several now work in positions that draw task of understanding why it is that when Nepali-speakers heavily on their intimate, linguistically-informed want to construct a conditional sentence they use the past prepared this material in advance, so we sail through several understanding of Nepal. tense of the verb to talk about things that might happen in reports on recent political manouvreings in Kathmandu. I Others, of course, do not, and use their degrees as the future. Aaja kasari aunubhayo I ask each one of them: think they may be the only undergraduate students in the evidence of more general academic achievement. Students’ how did you come today? Some came hidera, ‘walking’, some Western world who can navigate their way though Nepali announcements of what they are studying at SOAS can came tyubbata, ‘by tube’. If you broke your leg tomorrow, newspaper texts on demands for constitutional reform, and provoke some perplexed reactions, and they may have how would you come? I ask one. If the tube were to shut I’m proud of them. But they remain grumpy about the touble convincing peope of the benefits of studying a down tomorrow, how would you come? I ask another. BBC tape: can’t I slow it down somehow? language and culture radically different from one’s own . They cope well and before long the one student who has I often hear myself telling people that the Nepali studies A few years ago a Belgian student of mine graduated never set foot in Nepal is telling us how he would get to program at SOAS is unique. Of course, SOAS is not the only with a BA in Nepali and Development Studies, and SOAS on a day in which he broke both his legs, the tubes Western university where Nepali is taught: many students returned home to receive his family’s congratulations. He were on strike, the buses all broke down and it snowed study the language at Cornell and Wisconsin in the USA, at was puzzled when a neighbour began to ask him some very heavily. INALCO in Paris and at the Sudasien Institut in Heidelberg, difficult questions about French military history. A quick slurp of coffee and on to my next class. These and quite possibly elsewhere too. Eventually, it emerged that some years earlier the neighbour two final-year undergraduates spent eight months in However, I think it is still true that SOAS is the only had misheard my student’s response to his question about Kathmandu last year and their Nepali is now solid enough Western institution that offers Nepali as a named element of what it was he was studying in London. His reply had been for them to tackle the difficult language employed in Nepal’s a Bachelor’s degree. Courses in Nepali are also available ‘Nepali studies’ but the neighbour had heard him say news media. My friends down the road at the BBC Nepali options within other programs, at BA and Masters level. ‘Napoleon studies’. The implication was that the latter Seba are always happy to provide a tape or two for listening The number of undergraduate students who opt to subject might have been rather more worthwhile! practice, and to begin with we listen to one of these, with me devote approximately 50 percent of their time over a period Outside, meanwhile, it’s dark again before six. I writing up each unfamiliar word on a whiteboard. Both of four years to Nepali things will never be huge, because this remember to check the Kantipur website, and I find articles students find the pace of the broadcast very fast and we is an undertaking that has to be a labour of love. The largest there by Krishna Hachhethu and Hari Roka, which I print replay each sentence several times. I confess that I have not number we have ever had spread across the four years is 13, out for my journey home. I wouldn’t want to have to resort prepared in advance and I have to think on my feet, but I with 3 or 4 students in each year. to reading a discarded Daily Telegraph l survive (I think). All of them combine Nepali with another subject taught Having deciphered a lengthy radio news item on the at SOAS: law, anthropology, art, development studies, etc. Michael Hutt is Reader in Nepali and Himalayan Studies at recent polio inoculation campaign, we turn our attention to SOAS’s ability to offer half-degrees such as this is ensured in the School of Oriental and African Studies. His latest book is some articles downloaded from the web edition of Kantipur. part by the UK government’s provision of ‘non-formula Unbecoming Citizens: Culture, Nationhood and the Flight of Refugees from Bhutan, a book he edited, Himalayan People's War: Nepal's I provided them with vocabulary lists last week and they have funding’ for minority subjects. And long may it continue: Maoist Rebellion, is due out soon. Tourism can be antidote to poverty

RAMESH JAURA in BERLIN place. Individual projects assisted should be world’s growing service sector and accounts required to meet criteria that ensure benefit to for over 30 percent of all service exports. In he World Tourism Organisation the poor,” the organisation’s secretary-general countries such as some in sub-Saharan T (WTO-OMT) is urging multilateral Francesco Frangialli said. Africa, tourism accounts for as much as 55 development assistance agencies to The report urges developing country percent of service sector exports. recognise tourism as an important instrument governments to include tourism in strategies WTO-OMT has launched a campaign for tackling poverty, environmental protection, for poverty reduction and ensure that tourism for underlining the significance of tourism giving economic value to cultural heritage, negotiations in the WTO framework contribute in realising the United Nations Millennium creating employment and generating foreign to sustainable development, noting that Development Goals (MDGs) to halve poverty exchange earnings. tourism is a key component of many countries’ by 2015, and, in association with the UN In a report released in Berlin this week, service exports with power to deliver significant Conference on Trade and Development, the UN’s specialised agency on tourism also international earnings. also launched a special initiative on poverty urged the World Bank, regional development According to WTO-OMT, global tourism called ST-EP, an acronym for ‘Sustainable banks and the European Union to “provide arrivals grew by 54 percent between 1990 and Tourism-Eliminating Poverty’. ST-EP aims specific assistance for tourism to least 2002, and now stand at about 700 million. By to encourage sustainable tourism (social, developed countries”, stressing on the 2020 the figure is expected to swell to more economic and ecological) which specifically agencies’ considerable leverage with than 1,400 million. Africa and south Asia are alleviates poverty, bringing development governments of developing countries. “Before expected to achieve growth rates of four to five and jobs to people living on less than a providing assistance they should ensure that percent each year. Global earnings from dollar a day. It targets the world’s poorest national and local tourism strategies and international tourism amounted to $475 billion countries, particularly in Africa and south policies that address poverty issues are in in 2002. Tourism makes up a large part of the Asia. l (IITS) NATION 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 7

t least 16 districts face terror and shortages caused by the A Maoist blockade. From sick people needing to get to hospital to vegetable vendors and dairy farmers—everyone has been hit hard. In the eyes of the people, the Maoists have revealed their inhumane face. Even ambulances are not safe from ambushes and roadside bombs.

CAPITAL LETTER Yubaraj Ghimire

The motivation for this blockade is ostensibly the king’s visit to the midwest and the army’s offensives against Maoist strongholds. The blockade has further marginalised the civil administration and pushed the security forces into the forefront. The king will now rush to the KIRAN PANDAY unified command to quell disturbances and also distribute relief and essential commodities to alleviate possible shortages in the blockade-hit areas. He may visit more areas after Scandalous silence the Pokhara felicitation under security cover and project himself settlement with the Maoists Kathmandu for yet another as the only hope in the eyes of should always be the preferred decisive street demonstration Continued indifference to the people who are fed up with the option to resolve the conflict, against the king’s ‘regression’ if plight of the people will conflict and the dislocation caused forging an anti-monarchy their politics does not take into by the blockade. The political alliance with the Maoists can account the problems and decimate the political parties parties, by their self-centered and only mean joining the armed hardships the people are facing? power-driven politics, have made struggle as well. Simply put, it The only way to take the latest effort to unite two splinter plight of the people will it easier for the king to project will mean that besides Sherchan struggle against ‘regression’ to a groups of the Nepali Congress. decimate the parties and their himself as a saviour. They and Narayan Man Bijukchhe, logical conclusion is by restoring In fact, it is about time that standing. themselves have neither Koirala, Madhab Nepal and the constitutional process, and Koirala and other members of the The parties need to convince empathised with the people Lilamani Pokhrel will also be mobilising the people is the only five-party alliance reversed or people that they have belatedly directly hit by the blockade, nor Comrade Prachanda’s foot way to do that. The people will redefined the priorities of their realised their past mistakes and shown the courage to defy it. soldiers. continue to turn towards the king anti-‘regression’ movement. that they can be the vehicles to The blockaded areas do not fall Koirala understood the or the Maoists if the political The new platform should be transform the country into a real within the Maoist strongholds, implications of Sherchan’s parties and their leadership fail to to restore peace and restart democracy. They must convince but in central Nepal, which suggestion when he staged the identify themselves with the development. It should oppose the people that they no longer controls the supply lines to and walkout, but that alone will not people’s main concerns: security, the killing of civilians both by think the king is the villain of from the capital. Last week Nepali help the Nepali Congress to jobs and development. the Maoists and the security this piece, but a partner in the Congress President Girija Koirala prove its future relevance. For Koirala should know by now forces, and try to convince process and one who is crucial in staged an undeclared walk-out that, he needs to seize the that he can’t get the people on his people that the political parties the process of democratising and from the five-party meeting in initiative to hold political side just by projecting the king as are the real organs of democracy. constitutionalising the institution Bhaktapur when Amik Sherchan rallies—jointly with the UML or a villain, and that also goes for his Continued indifference to the of monarchy. l of Jana Morcha proposed that the by himself—in Chitwan, agitating parties should talk to Nepalgunj and Bhairawa and the Maoists to form a pro- defy the blockade. Why should republican front. the people, even kangresis or While a negotiated peaceful UML members, come to 8 #188 MakingNATION a killing on contracts19 - 25 MARCH 2004 Why do the Nepali people almost always get the short end of the deal in foreign-funded projects? NAVIN SINGH KHADKA already been delayed by at least two years after a protracted legal battle between the NEA and hat do the Kali Gandaki, Middle the contractor. The contractor won the first W Marsyangdi and Melamchi projects round after the NEA agreed to pay the E77 have in common? Answer: they will million overrun. The next round, NEA officials all end up costing much more than originally say, could begin anytime. With this week’s planned because of faulty contracts, and Maoist blockade, the construction has again the Nepali people will end up bearing the come to a grinding halt. extra cost. Experts interviewed for this investigation Kali Gandaki II The types of bidding systems and contracts told us the whole process is a scam because KUNDA DIXIT the government, donors and foreign companies contractors take advantage of the corruption FIDIC contracts. big projects we are involved in,” says Peter adhere to leaves the country vulnerable to and domestic turmoil within Nepal to practice By themselves, cost overruns are normal. Logan, who looks after Melamchi in ADB almost unlimited cost overruns, which are then ‘dive bidding’: quoting unrealistically low But in countries with weak regulations or Kathmandu. passed on to Nepali consumers by the prices with the intention of padding it with political uncertainty, overruns can sometimes Does that mean FIDIC contracts will government. Experts say the only reason this huge overruns as the project progresses. be huge. remain a development hazard? Nepali finan- works is because government officials and the Next, it looks like the turn of the mammoth MWSP’s Shrestha doesn’t mince words: cial experts say the government should now private contractors are in cahoots to manipulate Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP), “The open-ended FIDIC contract has been press for FIDIC close-ended contracts and costs. which aims to bring snowmelt through a 27km the root cause of the problem in our project. It fix the price beforehand. “That way there will They cite Nepal’s largest hydroelectric tunnel to Kathmandu Valley. Having received lets the contractors do whatever they want.” be no chance of cost overruns and time project, the Kali Gandaki A, as an example. 30 percent of the Rs 450 million deal, the Often, foreign consultants side with the overruns,” says Ratna Sansar Shrestha, a senior The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Korean contractor, Haniel Koneko, has contractors. When contacted, none of the chartered accountant. financed project managed by Nepal Electricity abandoned the road construction component consultants involved in Kali Gandaki, The Khimti and Bhote Kosi hydropower Authority (NEA) selected the Italian contractor of the project without even finishing 20 percent Marsyangdi or Melamchi projects were willing foreign joint ventures are cited as examples of Impregilo spA because it had the lowest bid at of the work. Just like the Kali Gandaki and to talk. how the private sector deals with the issue. $130 million for civil construction of the Middle Marsyangdi, the Korean contractor in The real question is: why isn’t the Both projects had FIDIC contracts, but these 144MW project. Melamchi has also demanded compensation. government doing anything about it? The were close-ended. The civil contractor built But by the time the project was completed “They want compensation for everything suspicion is that key officials may be hand-in- Khimti at the initially agreed cost of $140 with a two-year delay, the contractor had billed under the sun,” complains MWSP Executive glove with foreign contractors. Every time the million, and even finished 12 days before the $55 million more than the origional bid. The Director Dhruba Bahadur Shrestha. “They contractors’ bill cost overruns, the project comes deadline. Bhote Kosi was also built at the contractor blamed labour disputes, political want to be compensated for bandas that happen to a halt, but the government always gives agreed price of $48 million. instability and geological complications. elsewhere, they want compensation because it in—as happened in January with Middle Water management analyst, Ajaya Dixit, Now, it looks like the Middle Marsyangdi is too windy, or too sunny.” Marsyangdi and last year with Kali Gandaki. says: “If the private sector can do it, it is a project will go through similar overruns. A There is a thread running through all these Worse, despite the terrible track record of mystery why the government can’t.” Although conglomerate of German, Spanish and Chinese projects: faulty Federation Internationale des open-ended FIDIC contracts, the government the closed FIDIC contract may initially cost contractors, Dywidag Dragados CWE, has Ingenieurs Civile ( FIDIC) contracts. They keeps signing similar contracts for new projects. more, they allow less room for hanky panky already added E65 million to the civil con- come in two types, open-ended ones with op- Donor officials say there is nothing wrong than the open-ended ones. It is clear that the struction cost that was agreed at E77 million tions to add cost for unforeseen overruns, and with FIDIC contracts, and it is standard government needs to close this corruption in the bidding process even though only 30 closed contracts with a cap on project cost. In operating procedure all over the world. “The loophole, so that future generations of Nepalis percent of the work has been completed. Nepal most of the government-owned and contract has an internationally accepted don’t have to pay for the sins of those currently The 70MW project in Lamjung has donor-aided projects have had open-ended standard and therefore we approve it in the in power. l Ask what you can do for your country

oti Giri in the London Eye resident Indians stretching across The hastiness with which some intellectual NRNs dismiss column (‘Herd mentality’, the globe. An estimated 20 million J #181) admonished non- overseas Indians contribute up to prospects of foreign Nepalis investing in Nepal is mystifying resident Nepalis (NRNs) for not 10 percent of India’s foreign direct getting “more business savvy investment. Many global Indians on invested capital, allow their complex as a part of Pashupati who are discussing the import of before asking what we can do for occupy places of pride in their repatriation, permit NRNs to open Area Development Project. North vegetables from Nepal. While it the country.” Indeed, a few adopted lands. bank accounts and invest abroad American Nepalis are financing a may appear insignificant, more overseas Nepalis and some of their The participants of the first and so on. It took India years to hundred-room bridhashram than 150,000 Nepalis residing in friends in Nepal consider the entire NRN conference were not create a legal framework, we project in Devghat. At a recently these two countries are connected NRN movement a fallacy. gathered in Kathmandu to have achieved it in a few months. held meeting in Kathmandu, the to Kathmandu by Qatar Airways “15 minutes of fame”. It was a People who ask questions like International Coordination flights every week. If they decide FEEDBACK joint effort of the HMG, FNCCI “who in their sane mind would Council of NRN Association took to consume vegetables imported Jugal Bhurtel and a few NRN enthusiasts to invest in Nepal under the current a bold decision to mobilise only from Nepal, just imagine the forge a constructive relationship political and economic climate?” Nepalis around the world to impact on vegetable growers back At times, seeing things in the between the nation and the have no idea that NRNs have explore socially beneficial projects home! right perspective through the diaspora. The results are already in already been investing money in in all 75 districts of Nepal. It The Nepali diaspora in the famously dense London fog evidence. It has inspired Nepal. A team of NRNs from sounds ambitious, but a strong tie Middle East is showing us the probably gets much harder even fragmented Nepali communities Moscow has spent approximately with Nepal begins from our way. Will Nepalis in places like for the discerning London Eye. around the globe to join hands. Rs 1 billion in hydropower, emotional attachment to our London, New York and Giri insinuates that participants at Several NRN national coordina- healthcare, media, education and villages, towns and districts. Such Washington follow suit in making the first NRN Conference last tion committees have been banking ventures. A concept paper projects do not need huge funds. resolutions to buy ‘only-Nepali- October in Kathmandu were formed. The Non-Resident Nepali for a technical university incorpo- Even a tiny part of the tanduri tea’, ‘only-Nepali-carpet’? mainly tanduri cooks returning to Ordinance 2060 is waiting for rating medical, engineering and sau’s weekly income in London Yes, we “must evolve” and “get Nepal in search of recognition and approval, which proposes to agricultural fields of study with an would bring smiles to many more business savvy” to achieve the Nepali Diaspora itself is a provide a clear definition of NRNs estimated cost of $50 million has children desperately in need of more. But we must recognize our “community with herd mentality”. and people of Nepali origin been submitted to the Ministry of primary schools in remote areas of initial success, believe in ourselves, Often, the confusion arises (PNOs), recognise the Education. Nepal. and keep moving in a positive when we start comparing an NRN contribution of unskilled and The Nepali Diaspora of Russia You really don’t have to wait direction. l with an NRI (non-resident semi-skilled workers, permit PNOs has agreed to finance Rs 9 million until you acquire such abilities to Indian). There are second, third to buy or inherit properties in to build a kriyaputri bhawan in get involved. Note the Nepali Dr Jugal Bhurtel is an environmental and fourth generations of non- Nepal, eliminate double taxation the Pashupatinath Temple communities in Qatar and UAE researcher based in Moscow ECONOMY 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 9

BIZ NEWS

Nepal passes IMF review Undemanding consumers

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The International Monetary Fund’s two-week review of the Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF) has concluded that Nepali consumers are too meek to raise hell the performance of the progam has been good. in Bahadur Gurung, Kathmandu Valley starts reeling rest, it is unavailable and In a press statement this week, the IMF representative owner of Bhat Bhateni under a severe shortage of drinking unaffordable. office in Nepal said there had been “good progress against M Supermarket, says Nepali water. Unfortunately, this is not a Consumers and the card- the background of a difficult political and security situation”. The three-year $70 million fund to support the government’s consumers are easy to please. “If an new event. Last year was the same carrying activists who are 10th Plan and poverty-reduction strategy facility was approved in appliance breaks down two days story, and the years before too, supposed to represent them rarely November last year. The money is to be distributed in seven after its purchase, most Nepalis despite water users’ dutifully seem to push for wider and more tranches till 2006. just wouldn’t bring it back to the paying monthly fees to the state- reliable distribution by asking: The IMF mission was headed by Hisanobu Shishido and run Nepal Water Supply How can the cost of production completed its review this week. It recommended that the STRICTLY BUSINESS Corporation. of electricity be lowered? And, second tranche of $10 million be transferred by May. The Surely, in other countries, using a bundle of schemes, how Ashutosh Tiwari review mission found that Nepal met all its macroeconomic angry consumers would have been can power be distributed cheaply targets this year. store and demand a replacement. up in arms by now, but not in across Nepal? Meanwhile, Agriculture and manufacturing have done well despite the Instead, they would return to buy Nepal. There is anger, yes, but its quiescent consumers have quietly insurgency, and there has been a rebound in tourist arrivals. another appliance altogether.” force is too dissipated to make any yielded to plan life around power GDP growth is expected at 3.5 percent. “Although the trade deficit has widened, robust remittances have kept international And that pretty much sums up difference. The result is that cuts. reserves at comfortable levels,” the review concluded. the easy-going and tolerant Similar stories could be told The IMF team also said revenue and regular spending attitude of most Nepali about other sectors such as have been in line with the budget targets, but development consumers when faced with telecom, fuel and education. In spending had sagged because of the conflict. The IMF seems anything from faulty all these, consumers appear to be satisfied with the government’s promise that it will raise appliances to shoddy too meek to raise hell to demand development spending this year. products to bad services. better services and the activists The IMF also found progress in structural reforms Indeed, if there was anything are all too eager to hog media “encouraging” with improved tax and customs administration to wonder about on the coverage by uttering nothing and the resizing of Nepal Rastra bank. The banking sector World Consumer Rights but platitudes, afraid to make reform was said to be on track and privatisation was going Day that was celebrated last enemies for causes that matter. apace. But the review panel said more needed to be done to Monday, it was this: In a And so it goes, on and on. enhance debt recovery and address losses at the Nepal Oil Corporation. society where consumers That is why, for various strands appear to be reluctant to of consumer rights movements NEW PRODUCTS display a do-or-die urgency to really take shape, to have an as to how they want market effect and not be just another AWASH: Sahara Industries has launched players and the state to donor-funded jagire do-goodism Sewa Power Wash detergent powder, provide them with effective and government officials buy in Nepal, a few good men and touting it as fragrant, effective and easy on efficient services, is there any hope themselves time by assuring people women have to be single-minded the hands, for just Rs 7 for 200gm or Rs for a consumer rights movement? once again that they are working public champions of concerns 16 for 500gm. One is tempted to say no, for the on ways to provide water. that consumers hold dear but lack time being anyway. If not, Likewise, the power sector too organised outlets to express. PIPING HOT: Panchakanya Industries has released a new consider the delivery of these two is wrapped up in its own Otherwise, Nepali consumers will range of international-standard PVC fittings, suitable for a services: water and electricity. inefficiencies. Ninety years after continue to celebrate occasions series of uses including drinking water supply and waste management. They boast more thickness and durability, plus The theme of this year’s World the first spark of electricity was such as the World Water Day, but the high-quality rubber gaskets ensure that there is no Consumer Rights Day was generated in Pharping, only 20 muddle along without leakage. ‘Consumer and Water’. Yet, as the percent of the national population demanding much from those who mercury starts heading north, the has access to electricity. For the they pay to provide services. l Khimti Too much, or too little water Mis-timed maintenance on Marsyangdi and drought trigger power cuts

The falling water levels on deposited during the floods,” an and there is no rainfall. They say snow-fed rivers have reduced engineer at NEA’s Load Dispatch the best option would be to turn the capacity of powerplants like Centre told us. But, why in the the Australian joint venture West Khimti, for instance, by two-thirds dry season when the capacity of Seti project in western Nepal to less than 20MW. But to make all other run of river plants has from an export-oriented power matters worse, NEA has decided gone down? “Because this is the project into one supplying the et another year of winter hydropower project came into to shut down the 70MW right time when we can make the domestic market when it comes Y drought, a colder-than- full scale operation last year, the Marsyangdi power plant for corrections with minimum load on stream in seven years. usual spring and the government had trumpeted that maintenace just at the exact shedding,” the engineer said. NEA officials say that as predictable has occurred: load shedding had become a moment when the power demand Despite misgivings about long as all except one of their electricity shortfalls leading to matter of past in Nepal, and is at its peak and supply is at its large dams, experts say the time powerplants are run-of-river power cuts. officials were even boasting lowest. Marsyangdi was may have come for Nepal to types, power cuts will be a Most of Nepal’s hydropower about exporting electricity to damaged by landslides and flash contemplate a large storage regular feature in the future as generation comes from ‘run-of- India. But a month into the dry floods last monsoon. project to meet power shortfalls demand rises and power supply the-river’ schemes which use the season, Nepal Electricity “We are clearing the river bed during early spring when the is concentrated during the flow of the river to turn turbines Authority (NEA) has already where a lot of boulders were snows have not started melting monsoon months. l to generate electricity. This means declared a week-long power cut that if the water level in the river lasting two hours every day goes down, so does electricity beginning 13 March. production. The nationwide power cut is The only way to get around scheduled in such a way that this is to store water in each area of the country will reservoirs, but our only dam is have four hours power outage in Kulekhani I and II, which is a week, two in the morning and situated in a stream that only has two in the evening. So, why the enough water to generate 90MW load shedding even after the of power during daily peak hours. national grid has the installed After the 144MW Kali Gandaki capacity of almost 600MW? 10 NATION #188 Isolating Pokhara 19 - 25 MARCH 2004

he Maoist blockade of more The Maoist strategy of total disruption seems to be working doesn’t fall under the current than a dozen districts of Maoist blockade. T central Nepal couldn’t have RAMESH POUDEL On Tuesday, Finance Minister in POKHARA come at a worse time for Pokhara. Prakash Chandra Lohani and At the height of the trekking Home Minister Kamal Thapa season, hundreds of tourists arrived in Pokhara and assured bound for the Annapurna circuit transport entrepreneurs that that or taking buses to Kathmandu are government has created a ‘basket stranded. For this tourist- fund’ of Rs 100 million to dependant town, when visitor compensate vehicle owners. But numbers go down everyone from bus owners have heard these vegetable farmers to paragliding promises before, and there haven’t companies are hit. been too many takers. Students waiting for their SLC The Maoist Kaski district exams have been affected, traders secretary, Jivan, issued a press have lost business, transporters statement on Monday saying all have no income and, for the most vehicles would be allowed to part, it is the poorest people who operate except government and have suffered the most. Burnt out hulk of a truck carrying cooking oil on the Prithibi highway. military ones. He also warned Now, the government is telling KIRAN PANDAY businessmen they would face the people of Pokhara to show up Similarly, farmers who used to produce into Pokhara. noodles and confectionaries, have punishment for hoarding. But even in large numbers for the public supply vegetables, meat, eggs and The Maoists have a foolproof also started piling up. Factories have this assurance from the Maoists felicitation of the king on 25 milk from outlying areas like Syangja, way of enforcing their blockade: started laying off workers. hasn’t erased the fear of bus and March, but they are in no mood Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, Gorkha, burn buses. After three local buses The government is still saying truck owners. to do so. Tanahu and Lamjung are badly in Lamjung and Dhading were set the situation is under control and FNCCI has calculated that the Pokhara’s bazars wear a affected. “There is no light in the on fire last week, no bus owner dared seems to be relying on the Maoists country is suffering losses of more deserted look as trucks bearing villages and now we cannot even ply the highways. squandering their public support than Rs 400 million a day from the food and supplies from Birganj and light the lanterns because there is no “More than 80 percent of our through the blockade. The army has blockade. “The Maoists have also Bhairawa have been disrupted. kerosene,” says Bhanu Regmi, a investment in the vehicles is loaned, also been escorting vehicles in stopped production units and not Basic commodities like salt, oil and student from Parbat who has come we need to pay the interest,” says convoys along the Prithibi Rajpath. allowed us to load and unload our sugar have disappeared, and if to Pokhara to see if he can buy Dhaulagiri Zone Transport Trucks and buses coming to goods, and the figure is sure to rise,” available, they cost up to 50 essentials. Maoists have sent back Coordination Committee Chairman Kathmandu have been taking the says FNCCI vice president Chandi percent more. mules carrying milk and other Hari Khanal. Pokhara’s produce, like old Tribhuban Rajpath since it Raj Dhakal. l Hello, hello, hello

to do now is obtain a license from the Nepal to telephones, and the days of the Nepal Tele- Telecommunication Authority (NTA). Officialdom is communications Corporation (NTC) were now pushing hard to have the new characterised by dramatic expansion of Telecommunication Act and rules approved. “We are infrastructure in the early 1990s which was never working in coordination with the Ministry of Law, followed up with proper service delivery. To be and the Act should be in place within few months,” fair, NTC was shackled by interference from said Ministry of Information and Communications politicians in the late 1990s who saw it as a cash spokesman Mukunda Regmi. cow. “Later, whenever the corporation tried to go Once that happens, foreign and domestic for tendering to allow private operators, it faced investment applications are sure to flood the NTA. petitions at the CIAA,” explains Regmi. Even before the government came up with its Now that NTC will have to share the market previous policy, there were more than half-a-dozen with international players, the big question is: will bidders for the Wireless Local Loop (WLL) service Nepali consumers benefit or will the service two years ago. The successful bidder then was the providers form a cartel and keep on fleecing them? Indian joint venture, United Telecom Limited that has Given the experience in India, fair competition and made a capital expenditure of Rs 2.7 billion to service open licensing cold slash prices and make to more than 15,000 customers in Kathmandu Valley. telephones accessible and reliable. This time, there will no longer be any bidding, In case of land phones, some believe, everyone is welcome. Investors of any size can open customers will have to pay a little more than what shop for a variety of services including land phone, they are paying to the NTC right now: Rs 1 for a WLL, Global Satellite Mobile (GSM) and even Internet- two minute call. “That is because the current rates related services. of the NTC are subsidised,” notes Khetan. “Private Local potential investors expect half-a-dozen operators cannot provide subsidy therefore the land private parties to obtain licenses for the land phone phone tariffs will be slightly higher. But, in case of services. There could be fewer investors for GSM, mobiles it might remain the same as that of NTC.” but the most popular is expected to be the wireless Others argue that the NTC’s tariff will have to local loop. Local businessmen say Indian telecom be the cap and other players will have to compete companies like Reliance, Tata, Airtel and Chinese and with each other for lower tariffs. “We will not be Turkish investors are already waiting in the wings. able to compete with a giant like NTC,” says a UTL International operators will not have much trouble official. creating the necessary infrastructure for telecom But under the new telecom policy, even NTC MIN BAJRACHARYA services. The government is already laying down a will soon have its shares sold to the public and A new KHADGA SINGH fibre-optic backbone along the East-West Highway when that happens its own tariffs may have to be with Indian assistance. The first phase of the project revised upwards or down. The government government is expected to be completed by July this year, and appears to have decided to let in private operators policy has ince there is no parliament, Nepal can’t ratify its the installation that started in Kakarbhitta has already even while moving forward with NTC privatisation S accession to the WTO. But the government is reached Lamahi in Dang. because of Nepal’s commitments to the WTO. deregulated using innovative ways to demonstrate its “This is a high revenue generating area, so the Before the accession to the global trade body, telecom so commitment to the process, and one of them is to number of investors will certainly be big,” says Nepal some WTO members reportedly had demanded that deregulate domestic telecommunications. Britain Chamber of Commerce President Rajendra the government open up the telecom sector. your call The new Telecommunication Policy 2004 is nothing Khetan, who was a successful bidder for mobile “Countries like the US, EU, New Zealand and Japan may finally less than revolutionary: it allows any investor to services two years ago, but never started the had said that they would be interested in investing,” provide all telecommunication services in any part of service. NTA spokesperson Kailash Neupane told us. “We get through the country. All a wannabe service provider will have Less than two percent of Nepalis have access promised, so we had to open it up.” l JAZZMANDU 2004 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 11 Louis Banks comes back SRADDHA BASNYAT Had he never made it in the limited to any particular style, world of music, Louis Banks would Banks is continually improvising, India’s premier jazz pianist n the1940s, Nepal had little to have dedicated his time and talent dabbling in popular and returns to his roots in Nepal offer an aspiring trumpet player. to painting. Since his childhood, he mainstream music including I So Pushkal Budaprithi and his was inspired by the work of Vincent Indipop, modern progressive and wife Saraswati headed to Calcutta, van Gough, Leonardo da Vinci, contemporary jazz and Indo jazz where they had a son they named Michelangelo and the Dutch fusion. Dambar Bahadur. Later, when masters. Now he’s trying his brush This time around he’s even Pushkal changed his name to George in impressionistic canvases considering working Nepali music Banks, he named his son Louis influenced by Degas, Monet and a into his repertoire. “I am Banks after Louis Armstrong. Today few contemporary Indian artists. considering the possibility of using Louis Banks is India’s premier jazz Even in painting, his pull to Nepal Nepali music in my fusion. I want pianist. is strong. “The magnificent to pick up a lot of Nepali music At 13, Louis picked up the Himalaya and the scenic beauty of this time and will experiment with trumpet and guitar, so George took the land, the rustic character of the it in my musical explorations,” he his son along as he played at various people and the great temples are confesses. It’ll be an entirely new Calcutta hotels, making a name in sources of great inspiration.” element in his music and, as he says, India as a fine trumpet player and But Banks is a jazz pianist at the “Nepali music is folk art.” bandleader. Inspired, Louis taught core, even known as the godfather Since he was last here 13 years himself classical piano. Over the next of jazz in India. He has performed ago, Banks has noticed some three decades he has been with the likes of Yolande Bavan, changes. “Unfortunately Nepal is instrumental in defining jazz in Charlie Mariano and Charlie Byrd taking too long a time to make its India. Now, Louis Banks is returning and toured India with Dizzy mark in the world as a progressive to his roots in Nepal as the headliner Gillespie. Banks is known country and capitalise on its for Jazzmandu 2004. throughout Europe, Australia, indigenous talent. The politics has He grew up in Darjeeling, Russia, China and the Middle East. taken its toll. The people have been graduating from St Joseph’s College He co-wrote and recorded India’s let down,” he says. at North Point, and Louis has never first mega Broadway hit and has But Banks has returned to forgotten his Nepali background. even hosted a popular broadcast inspire the youth here to During the late 60s, he was here named after himself, The Louis experiment with Nepali music, leading a band at the Soaltee Hotel, Banks Jazz Hour Special. combine it with jazz, rock and pop and over the years has maintained Besides being a renowned so that their creation reaches a wider high aspirations for Nepalis. “Given pianist, Banks is sensational at live audience all over the world. “I want the opportunity, Nepalis can excel acoustic and electronic to urge them to achieve a high in many fields,” Banks says with performances on the keyboard and standard in performance and strive conviction. also as a composer. Far from being to be world class artists.” It’s the first time Banks is performing in a concert in Nepal and he says he’s honoured and thrilled that he’s been invited at Jazzmandu. Banks says without hesitating: “I am proud to be a Nepali and always make that fact known.” l Lolo’s solo

KIRAN PANDAY A quiet spring evening in Budanilkantha was punctuated by the murmur of excited school children. The students had been waiting with eager anticipation for the Jazz for School Children organised under the Jazzmandu 2004 festival and hosted by Budanilkantha School. After Shillong’s Soul Mate and Kathmandu’s resident jazz ensemble Cadenza, Max Lolo from Benin took the stage. Within moments, the guitarist had the young audience mesmerised. Many people in Lolo’s hometown haven’t even heard of Nepal, and we could say the same of Benin here. So what brings an African musician to Nepal anyway? Quite simply, his heart. Max Lolo, by now a celebrity of no meagre standing in west Africa after his hit single Assak Pedea last year, comes to visit his girlfriend who lives and works in Nepal. In the process he is making quite a name for himself in our neck of the woods. It all began last July on his first visit to Nepal when he met the members of Cadenza at the Upstairs Jazz Bar, the band’s base. He had such a great time that he decided to come back this year to perform at Jazzmandu. And at Budanilkantha, the kids just loved him. When he slid into the reggae riffs of Ahizi, a song about the tradition of polygamy in Benin, the children couldn’t stop cheering Lolo on. “My music is international. You can say it has African rhythm and European beat, but it is fusion and anyone can feel it,” says Lolo. The roots are pure African. The music comes from Vodoun where the percussion is spiritual. He mixes this African drums with jazz, creating a sound like no other. Up at the school, Lolo is backed up by Cadenza’s drummer and Gaurav Basnyat on base guitar. He’s all praise for the Nepali musicians: “Cadenza really understand jazz and how to make fusion and Gaurav is great. He picks up very quickly on the bass. I was very happy to play with them.” This year at Jazzmandu Lolo’s had the first big show of his own in Nepal at Yak and Yeti on Wednesday night, Sounds of Africa. He’s having such a great time, he’s planning to stay three months, and is recording his second album here. Just throw in some madal, Lolo. l 12AnAnHEALTH eyeeye forforeyeeye anan

A unique eye centre is giving thousands of Nepalis the gift of sight, and exporting artificial lenses to the world

ALL PICS: MIN BAJRACHARYA NARESH NEWAR theatre, Santosh Limbu is anxious. microsurgical eye camps in remote But soon there is good news, areas have examined 80,000 ushma Limbu was only Sushma can see. patients and performed 17,500 eight years old when she “It’s still like a dream,” Santosh cataract surgeries in the past five S hurt her left eye while says exultantly. “It is a miracle.” years. playing in the family maize field in Santosh had brought the family’s Nepali doctors have even the village of Imbung in Panchthar entire savings with him to pay the reached beyond Nepal to conduct district. There was no health post hospital, but Tilganga provided 3,000 eye surgeries in Tibet and and the nearest hospital was several the surgery for free. 2,000 in India. It has trained days walk away. Every day, this eye centre near several surgeons and assistants in Her family thought it was just Pashupati in Kathmandu is giving various ophthalmic institutions of a scratch and didn’t pay much back the gift of sight to hundreds India, China, Bhutan, Sikkim and attention. Soon, Sushma couldn’t of Nepalis. There is still a lot to be Pakistan. see through her left eye. Her done, as Nepal has one of the Tilganga’s real challenge was parents took Sushma from one world’s highest incidences of to convince Nepalis to donate the hospital to the next all over eastern curable blindness. Since its corneas of dead relatives for Nepal. They all had the same establishment in 1994, Tilganga transplants. The centre has answer: there is no cure. has helped Nepal make remarkable performed over 840 corneal Earlier this year, a team of progress in pioneering modern eye transplant operations since its opthalmologists from Tilganga care. establishment, thanks to the Eye Centre in Kathmandu had set Nepal’s Sanduk Ruit and his Nepali eye donors. up an eye camp in a village near team of opthalmologists have Bhola KC, an eye bank Imbung. Sushma’s parents decided turned Tilganga from a local eye technologist, recalls how difficult to give it one last try to save their clinic into one of the world’s best it was to convince the people to daughter’s eyesight. centres for cataract surgery and donate eyes of their dead relatives. The Tilganga team brought intraocular lens transplants. When the Nepal Eye Bank started 22-year old Sushma to Kathmandu This is one hospital that in 1994, it had just one donor, for corneal surgery. Waiting in the doesn’t just wait for patients to Chini Maya Tuladhar. In 1995, lobby of the hospital for his sister come to it—it also goes out to the it got two donors but in 1996 to come out of the operating patients. Tilganga’s regular again there were none. In a

Anti-clockwise from top: surgeon holds an Nepal made intraocular lens just before the operation, 60-year old Maya Limbu from Taplejung after corneal surgery, leading eye surgeon Rita Gurung with other surgeons operating Sushma’s eye, eye bank technologist Bhola KC displays his reserve of corneas, Preserved cornea in an expensive vial. 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 13 desperate attempt to find donors, student. He came to KC’s office to KC and his colleagues tried their register his 16-year-old sister Nepali technologists at the intraocular production lab(l), luck at the Pasupati cremation ghats Sadhana from Rupendehi at the verifiying the lens’ perfection to convince the mourners that their Nepal Eye Bank. Her friends also dead relative’s eyes could help registered their names. someone to see again. “As you can Nepal Eye Bank now wants imagine it was very difficult, but the government to introduce eye we had no choice,” recalls KC. banking and donation in medical The results were spectacular. courses taught in Nepal, but there In 1997, the number of cornea hasn’t been much interest. donors jumped to 97 and in 1998 Cornea blindness is rampant the number had gone up to a among Nepal’s rural poor. staggering 547 donors. Today, the Children rub their eyes with dirty Eye Bank has enough corneas to hands while working in the fields, supply Teaching Hospital, there is no eye care and almost no Pokhara Eye Hospital, Rana awareness about infections. Ambika Eye Hospital in Bhairawa Blindness in Nepal is also caused and BP Koirala Hospital in by vitamin A deficiency or severe Dharan. Corneas of dead Nepalis dehydration. have even been flown to recipients In the waiting room, Santosh in Pakistan, Egypt, China, says his family will now be busy Thailand and South Africa. finding a groom for Sushma. KC’s work has been so effective “Even a little disability is a blemish that Nepalis are now actually on girls in our society. She had no registering to donate their eyes chance to get married,” he says. when they die. “My sister got so “Tilganga has changed her life.” carried away that she has decided He gets up, elated as his sister is than 50 countries. Proceeds help make the to donate her eye after she dies,” wheeled out of the operation center self-sustaining so it doesn’t have to says Risiram Pokhrel, a campus theatre. l Eye exports depend on donors. The income from the sales also helps aid free corneal surgeries in Nepal and keep costs for cataract surgery low. What is the cornea? “We can easily compete with American The cornea is the clear transparent window at the front of the ilganga Eye Centre has been making manufacturers in quality,” says Rabindra eye which allows light to enter. The cornea can be damaged T waves with its world-class production of Shrestha, deputy general manager at the by injury or infection. intraocular eye lens (IOL), which are used spotlessly clean floor of the lens factory. Nepal to replace the patients’ damaged natural lens. is competing with ALCON, an American How can a corneal donation help people? They are made of a clear plastic which requires company, to supply IOLs to China. The factory Due to various factors, the transparent cornea becomes no care and becomes a permanent part of the also caters to the local market and sells opaque like frosted glass and this may result in loss of sight. eye. international quality lenses at a much lower A damaged or cloudy cornea can be replaced surgically by a The Fred Hollows Foundation Intraocular price. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility procedure known as corneal grafting or transplantation. Lens Factory in Kathmandu is run entirely by inside the Tilganga Eye Centre in Kathmandu During this operation, the cloudy, diseased cornea is Nepalis at Tilganga Eye Centre and produces employs 78 Nepali technicians with a Nepali replaced by a healthy, normal cornea donated from another 1,000 IOLs everyday, which are exported to more supervisor. There are no foreigners involved. individual.

Why should I consider corneal donation? Donating your corneas is one of the most precious gifts you will ever bestow on another human being. This special gift will dramatically improve the quality of life for someone now living in darkness.

How can I become an eye or cornea donor? Donating eye tissue does not entail any cost to the donor or the donor’s family. If you wish to pledge your eyes, just fill out an Eye Donor Card (available at Nepal Eye Bank, Tilganga Eye Centre 4493684, mobile: 981020933). Carry the card with you at all times. 14 NATION 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188

NEPAL IN THE FOREIGN PRESS the group would implement were they to come to power. But as he left, he insisted that I write down his parting words. “To the rich of the world, the corrupt,” he said, “we poor are gathering, we are fighting and we are War without ends powerful.” If Rawal is more comfortable with slogans “The Maoists’ only solid political foundation is their disdain for and threats than with proper political platforms, it may be because the rebels lack a monarchy, even constitutional monarchy. At best, the platform is coherent ideology. The rebels call themselves contradictory, at worst, a confusing reason to die.” Maoists, wave hammer and sickle flags, speak of a ‘New Democracy’ and say they would implement a free-market economy were they to assume power. The two top leaders, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachanda, and Baburam Bhattarai are underground, last seen in India. Their only solid political foundation is their disdain for monarchy, even constitutional monarchy. At best, the platform is contradictory, at worst, a confusing reason to die. ol Deepak Gurung, chief information Cofficer of the Royal Nepali Army, is a jolly, round man. He smiles often, whether he’s offering tea or explaining the difficulties of fighting a guerilla war in Nepal. Immediately likeable, the colonel speaks seriously, yet knows how to put his audience at ease: admirable qualities in a spokesman. “Nepal is a combination of the mountains of Afghanistan and the jungles of Vietnam,” Col Gurung explains. The army, he continues, is not fighting one enemy, it’s fighting two: the Maoists and the countryside. Nepal is an ideal chessboard for guerilla warfare. Labyrinthine hills rise into the highest mountain range on Earth, dense bush and jungles thrive in areas too steep or unfertile for cultivation. Maoists can strike and disappear back into familiar territory with ease. Gurung points to the Annapurna region H THAYER WALKER III found themselves caught in a crossfire. An proudly as Comrade Rawal, the second in as an example of the difficulties his army faces. immigration officer at the Mahendranagar command at a nearby training camp. It is no secret that Maoists camp in the hills World Press Review 4 March, 2004 border crossing, just one of many, estimates Unarmed, dressed in clean pants and a around the villages of Ulleri, Ghorepani and that he sees 500 Nepalis leave for work in India plaid shirt, he looked as though he could be a Ghandrung. Villagers know it, the army every day. He says he recently saw more than teacher or a farmer. The Maoists’ anonymity knows it and tourists—at this point still safe he village of Solta sits serene on the banks 3,000 Nepalis cross in a single day. A few years complicates the security forces’ jobs. As one and out of the crossfire but subject to the of the Karnali River, nestled amid the ago, he says, a busy day might have seen teacher, explaining the security forces’ Maoist ‘tax’ when traveling through the area— T jagged mountains of the Kailali district perhaps 100 Nepalis leaving for India. difficulties, put it, “Who is a Maoist? Is it you? know it. But it’s one thing to know Maoists of western Nepal. The river flows peacefully Why are they leaving? The stories are the Is it me? Is it that farmer tilling his fields, or are there and quite another to dislodge them. past the village on its way to India, its force same: Maoist rebels, either on the run from the shopkeeper down the road? Who is a The village of Ulleri clings to the side of a exhausted by its long descent from the the army or bent on expanding their territory, Maoist? If they are not pointing a gun in your cliff nearly 1,000 feet above a river valley. Himalaya. enter a village. Sometimes they come in small face, how can you tell?” Any platoon making its way up to the village The region has a continuous supply of groups of five or six. Other times, hundreds of Rawal and I spoke for more than an hour. and into the hills would have to follow the water and a mild, even warm, winter climate— heavily armed rebels will arrive. On their way He was polite and articulate. With his 10th- one, well-worn footpath and would almost more like the hot plains of India than the through, they ask villagers for food, shelter, grade education, he may well have been one certainly be spotted long before it reached the Himalaya—that is conducive to year-round money, a son or a daughter. The villagers, of the most educated men in the district. Now village. Nearly every village has at least one farming. You won’t see it on the evening news, subsistence farmers and craftsmen, are in no 22, he joined the movement at 18. The second scout to send word up the road if the military but a devastating war is being fought against position to refuse. of five brothers and sisters, he says he joined is on its way. As Gurung put it, “We know this serene backdrop. When the Maoists leave, the security forces because he was tired of seeing his parents toil they are there, but by the time we get there, An hour from Solta, a dusty band of arrive on their trail. When they don’t find for nothing. When the Maoists came through it’s too late. They’re gone.” migrant workers rests in the shade of a banyan armed revolutionaries, the army often singles his town, speaking of ‘getting respect for the Numbers are vague, but official army tree, eating, smoking and comforting their out villagers who gave the Maoists support, poor’, ‘dividing land evenly’, and ‘creating a estimates peg the number of Maoist “hardcore screaming children. They say they are walking accusing them of being Maoists themselves. society with no rich or poor’, Rawal joined guerillas” at somewhere between 2,000 and to India. In reality, they are running from Sometimes they are harassed, other times jailed. them. His family was proud of him, he 3,000, though other estimates range as high Nepal. These 42 weather-beaten Nepalis, like If the villagers are very unlucky, the security explained, because he was an important man as 10,000. The army’s approximation relies millions of other men, old women and small forces will arrive while the Maoists are in a movement fighting for the rights of the primarily on the number of weapons Maoists children who find themselves in the same encamped and the village will turn into a poor. I hesitated to mention that the poor were have seized from security forces in raids and situation, are the real victims of this long civil battleground. suffering most from this war. does not include weapons that are being war. A large red and white ‘martyr gate’, one of awal was in town, among other reasons, smuggled into the country from flashpoints They walked for six days from a small many similar monuments across the country, to buy shoes. He said he would return like Kashmir. When added to the informal village in the northwest called Narakot. They stands at the border of Solta. Here, the gate Rto the training camp, a two-day walk militia, variously estimated as being anywhere hoped to catch a bus the next day and continue commemorates a husband and wife from the from Solta, after our conversation. The camp from 10,000 to 30,000-strong, as well as to the town of Mahendranagar on the Indian village who had taken up arms for the Maoist houses some 600 armed and indoctrinated perhaps 60,000 ‘sympathisers’, the rebels pose border. From there, they would start walking cause two years ago and were killed in a nearby guerrillas—‘hardcore’ fighters, as the military a formidable challenge to the military. again, looking for work as unskilled labourers battle. A hammer and sickle crown the describes them. These fighters, Rawal said, eat At this point, Nepali security forces in India. The youngest member of the group structure, ringed by the words, ‘The spilling 2,200 pounds of food a day. They must get number around 70,000, a number widely was four months old, the oldest 75. Some of blood will only make us stronger!’ their food somewhere, and the pressure considered to be insufficient to suppress the planned to work in India for three months, A group of several dozen Maoists had been inevitably falls on local villages. The camp buys rebels. Gurung merely chuckles when asked some six months, some longer. But many will in Solta a week before I arrived. When I asked some food with money from looted banks or how many troops he needs. “It is purely likely stay. how I could find them, one villager suggested local and tourist ‘donations’, but Rawal is frank theoretical how many troops we need,” he Poor Nepalis have been traveling to India hiking up into the hills. “You don’t find them, about expropriating the rest from villagers. says. “At this point, we can only contain and to work for centuries. But these 42 mountain they find you,” he explained. As it happened, Rawal was hard-pressed to cite a country degrade.” Then he pauses for a moment and villagers, like the rest of the 80 percent of the one found me having breakfast the next whose political model the Maoists admired, suddenly the smile drops from his face. “There country’s population living in rural areas, have morning in the village. He introduced himself and could not explain what kind of policies is,” he says slowly, “no military solution.” l 15 SCIENCEAfter AND HEALTH the death 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 of Utopia Battles are now fought in “wars of ideas” HANS BLOMMESTEIN threatened with eclipse by even everywhere now seems dominated newer enterprises. by the “war of lifestyles” that has decade ago, people spoke of Take the example of emerged from today’s emphasis on A the end of history, meaning computers. It took 15 years for individual autonomy. the ultimate triumph of a other countries to compete Not so long ago, issues such as liberal capitalist political order. successfully with America’s Silicon the environment, the balance of Nowadays, many scoff at that Valley in semi-conductors, but less work versus leisure in daily life, notion as too simplistic. than five years in Internet and the role of marriage, abortion Nonetheless, we are at both the technology. and other family concerns were end and beginning of something This system provides secondary political disputes, as remarkable. unprecedented financial incentives politicians fought over who would In the wake of the death of the to scientists and entrepreneurs to receive what share of a nation’s utopian—and often bloody— aggressively develop new wealth. Now these issues define certainties of the 19th and 20th technologies and thus become rich. domestic political agendas. centuries , and with fading belief But the revolution is not only for Much of the new battle over in the liberal welfare state, the elite: it also offers a realistic lifestyles is undoubtedly traditional views about work, (non-utopian) promise of misunderstood, perhaps because Patenting retirement, education, the Church, dramatically improved lives for debates about them are conducted solidarity and other social many people around the entire in a simplistic way: anti-global institutions are changing rapidly. globe - not in 100 years, but in the movements versus multi-nationals, The central driver of all environmentalists versus this is today’s enormous corporate polluters, small ‘chocolate’ acceleration in the farmers versus agro- underlying pace of business and so on. But, Brazil wants to annul a Japanese technological and beyond slogans, there is trademark of an Amazon fruit economic change. Call it an underlying fault line fast-forward between those who have MARIO OSAVA in RIO DE JANEIRO modernisation. the cultural capacity to Of course, the embrace change and razil was able to neutralise the attempt by a Japanese firm to worldwide crash of high- those who resist it by claim a patent for processing cupuaçú, an Amazon fruit belonging tech stocks in 2000 adhering to traditional B to the same family as cacao. But the battle continues on the chilled the hype about a ideas about how one’s trademark front. The Japan Patent Office denied Asahi Foods the patent “new economy” that life and, by extension, for processing cupuaçú seeds into a chocolate-like product. seemed to be emerging at society, should be The refusal was based on the principle of anteriority, given that the the “end of history.” But organised. Brazilian governmental agricultural research agency, Embrapa, had falling share prices should This conflict exists sought an international patent for the process in 1999. The Japanese not blind us to the fact globally. In societies that intellectual property authorities officially communicated the decision that on top of the have been preparing to Embrapa last month. But another obstacle stands in the way of ongoing information themselves by opening Brazil’s free use of this natural resource that is autochthonous to its revolution, three fresh their markets and territory. waves of revolutionary embracing universal The same Asahi Foods registered the indigenous Brazilian name technology are poised to education, the “cupuaçú” as its own trademark with the appropriate agencies in Japan, hit: bio-technology, disruptions of this Europe and the United States. The company, based in Kyoto, Japan, nanotechnology, and revolution can probably even set up a subsidiary named “Cupuaçú International, Inc.” Brazilian robotics. Each is its own be absorbed and producers of jellies and sweets made from the fruit were told by German industrial revolution, and handled. Conflict is importers that they had to remove the word “cupuaçú” from the product will profoundly alter our most acute in closed labels because it was trademarked and belonged to the Japanese firm. lives and ways of societies characterised by A group of NGOs is working with the Amazon communities that thinking. a politically repressive make cupuaçú products to have the registration annulled under the Indeed, the revolution climate and culturally international principle that a proper name of a natural species cannot is already upon us. For the first foreseeable future. induced obstacles to growth. Such be trademarked. Brazil’s foreign ministry is also participating in the time in history, a global techno- Nobel laureate Robert Fogel obstacles include the absence of an petition to cancel the Japanese trademark, officially filed in April 2003, market order is transforming the argues that a new synergism informed and capable workforce, and a response is expected from world of finance, business, politics between technological and instinctive mistrust and rejection Japan this April. and indeed, physiology, beyond physiological improvements has of new ideas and technologies just Meanwhile, the Amazonian recognition. This new techno- produced a radically new form of because they come from the West, producers have either halted market system is shaped and human evolution, which he calls lack of respect for those who exports of cupuaçú products or characterised by a belief in the technophysio evolution. Only this, acquire new knowledge, and are selling them with no name increasing importance of Fogel believes, can explain recent endemic discrimination against or under other names, and this knowledge, new ideas, innovations trends in longevity, body size, the women. has affected community and new technologies and a higher durability of vital organs and The new battle of lifestyles has development programs based pace of what economist Joseph chronic diseases. given rise to new enemies of open on sustainable use of local natural resources, Pantoja said. It was not Schumpeter famously called These changes are also societies, such as the Taliban and until relatively recently that cupuaçú, a fruit much larger than its cousin “creative destruction.” triggering changes in human Al Qaeda. It is no coincidence that cacao, began to conquer markets outside of the Amazon region for its As a result, corporate capitalism consciousness. The result is a litany terrorism thrives in societies that various products. Traditionally, only the pulp was used in making ice is rapidly becoming obsolete, of “post-utopian” values that are intrinsically hostile to today’s cream, juice, sweets and jellies. Its seeds were considered waste, and replaced by a creative capitalism in include a stronger emphasis on modernising values and belief in only some were saved for planting more cupuaçú trees. In the late which entrepreneurship, combined individual freedom and personal individual autonomy. So long as 1980s, Fátima Ribeiro de Nazaré at Embrapa’s Eastern Amazon Centre with a greater willingness to adopt responsibility. In this world these ideas clash, violence will lurk. adapted the cocoa process to produce something close to chocolate. innovations, transforms the without utopia, individual l (Project Syndicate) The processing of the cupuaçú seed produces a butter and a cake-like business landscape. Innovative freedom is the supreme value. substance, raw materials for a final product that, for legal reasons of start-up firms become huge But, as with any change of Hans Blommestein is an economist with protection of cacao production, cannot be called “chocolate”, she said. companies faster than ever before. such magnitude, there are the OECD, and author of After the The hybrid name “cupulate” thus emerged. l (IPS) But these infant giants are quickly holdouts. Indeed, politics Death of Utopia. 16 ASIA #188 Dire strait19 - 25 MARCH 2004 Despite common interests, China has 500 short-range missiles aimed at Taiwan

hy is Taiwan’s “reunification of the Motherland,” democracy, not mutant Leninism, relationship with China which included bringing Xinjiang is its ultimate political goal, and W so intractable an issue? (the Muslim desert regions of the that as this evolutionary process Why, when they share common West), Tibet, Mongolia, Hong takes place and the political climate economic interests—one million Kong, Macao, and Taiwan back becomes more congenial, they look Taiwanese live on the Mainland, under central government control. forward to discussing how to working in some 50,000 firms in It became a matter of national better weave a political, as well as

MIN BAJRACHARYA which Taiwanese have invested pride for a country that had been an economic, fabric with Taiwan. over $400 billion—does China guafen, “cut up like a melon,” by For its part, Taiwan needs to aim 500 short-range missiles at predatory colonial powers, to end calm down. Its leaders must Taiwan? national feelings of humiliation by understand that, even though Emirates blues restoring itself to wholeness. “independence” may sometimes Despite woes, workers pursue dreams COMMENT Communist propaganda seem like a logical scenario, Taiwan Orville Schell relentlessly proselytised for re- is a small, vulnerable island, and unification as a “sacred” duty. China an emerging superpower. PEYMAN PEJMAN in DUBAI The run-up to Taiwan’s Over the last two decades, Even though Taiwan may have a aju and Jasmine do not know each other. They have one thing in presidential election on 20 March almost every other plank of the “right” to independence, its leaders R common, though: They both came to Dubai to follow a dream. is one current source of tension. Communist Party’s platform need to remind their people that But while the aspirations of one may materialise, the other seems The incumbent, Chen Shui-bian, (worldwide people’s war, provocative actions will gain them despondent. has initiated a referendum process proletarian struggle leading to a little. Jasmine, who asked that her last name not be mentioned, came that might someday be used to ask classless utopia, a triumph over In 1973, as Sino-US relations here from the Philippines more than a year ago. Her experience so far has been pleasant. She works at a dry cleaner, has made friends and is Taiwanese if they want to global capitalism, etc.), has been were thawing, Mao admitted to saving money. formalise today’s de facto abandoned. This leaves unification Henry Kissinger that, though he “Before I came here, although I had some family members who had independence. This infuriates as the last tie to Mao’s revolution did not believe reunification lived here before, my perception of the country was rather different,” she China. and justification for one-party rule. would come peacefully, “We can says. “I thought it would be a very conservative country, where you cannot After all, as Mao Zedong told China’s leadership plays up this do without Taiwan for the time wear shorts and tight skirts or have sex with men. But in fact, it is a very Edgar Snow in 1936, “It is the “revolutionary” commitment, for it being, and let it come after 100 open and tolerant country,” she adds with a shy smile. She says she came here after finishing her computer engineering immediate task of China to regain helps generate nationalist years... Why is there a need to be studies at the state-run University of the Philippines. “Yes, I had a good all our lost territories,” explicitly sentiment, one of the few things in such great haste?” degree, but I would have to be a manager in my country to make the including “Formosa.” Since then, (besides strong economic Mao’s advice is not bad. China money I am making here,” she adds. China has sought to make good on performance) that legitimises the must take to heart its newfound Although money clearly was a factor, Jasmine also came here for Mao’s pledge. Communist monopoly on power. dynamism and strength, and write the same reason millions of others do. “I wanted to see places. I wanted to explore things beyond my home country,” she says. China’s new leadership often China and Taiwan have a new scenario for its relations with But even with her can-do attitude, some ironies in this society have evinces a new judiciousness and struggled politically even as their Taiwan that emphasises persuasion not escaped her. “There is quite a bit of discrimination here. Some of it moderation in its diplomacy. But economies become increasingly instead of missiles. For the first is subtle, some not,” she says. She and many others Asian workers here Luo Yuan, a senior colonel at the unified. In due course, they may time in fifty years, China and complain that “the locals”—meaning citizens of Gulf countries—look at Chinese Academy of Military well be able to become more Taiwan share real interests. What them as second-class. That is even though about half of this country’s Sciences, recently declared that if unified on the political front-if blocks matrimony is China’s lack 3.8 million residents are Asian workers. “I think they look at you as if you are lower than them, even though Taiwan’s leaders “refuse to come to they do not push their of democracy. Most Chinese many of them don’t openly say it. It’s a kind of, ‘I can put you in jail if I their senses and continue to use disagreements too aggressively. For would probably like to see this want to’ type of attitude,” says Jasmine. referenda as an excuse to seek economic convergence, if allowed absence remedied as much as they But life can be a lot worse. Just ask Raju, who likewise asked that his independence, they will push to ripen, could set Taiwan and the favour full reunification. Only last name be withheld. At the tender age of 20, with no Arabic and not [their] compatriots into the abyss PRC on an evolutionary course democracy in China can bring much English, Raju answered an advertisement in his native Nepal to come and work for a cleaning company here. “I had just finished high of war.” toward common sovereignty. lasting peace to the Taiwan Straits. school. There are no jobs in Nepal, so I decided to come, save some In an age when self- How can such a scenario be l (Project Syndicate) money, then I can go back and open my own business,” he said. determination is a hallowed realised? China must declare, But things are not working out quite the way he had planned. After principle, how is it possible that loudly and clearly, that greater Orville Schell is a noted historian of working for eight months for the Indian company that sponsored his visa, Taiwan—which has been part of China and a Dean at the University of he and “many others”—all Nepalis—suddenly deserted the company China during only four of the last California at Berkeley and went to find other work. “We (were) not paid for three months. We had no money to eat, no money to pay rent,” he explains. eleven decades, and has never been His case is not unique. There have been a number of articles in under the control of the People’s newspapers about various unnamed companies not paying their foreign Republic of China—is shunned by workers for months. Often times, what starts as a simple labour dispute every nation when it deigns to snowballs into a serious immigration issue. “The company that sponsored wonder aloud why it should not visa is holding my passport which has my work visa in it,” says Raju. The United Arab Emirates has strict laws for migrant workers, the bulk be allowed to go its own way? of whom come from Asia and work in stores and as domestic workers and The reasons have deep drivers. Visas are issued for specific work and in most cases are not historical roots. When Mao and transferable to other companies. That means when Raju left his previous the Chinese Communists came to employer, he technically forfeited his residency. It also means both he power in 1949, they promised and his new employer can be punished for the hiring of a potentially undocumented worker. “The only thing he can do is to go back to the previous employer, agree to pay some large fine to the employer and get his passport back,” says a Nepali friend of Raju’s who works, legally, as a security guard. Emigration issues are touchy subjects in this country. On one hand, the UAE owes much of its growth to foreign workers, Asian, Western or from other Arab countries. On the other hand, the country has long had a problem with unknown numbers of residents here on an illegal status, mostly those who had work visas at some point and have decided to stay after their permits expired. Twice in the last seven years the country has declared a general amnesty if illegal residents left voluntarily. Sources say close to 100,000 foreign nationals, mostly from India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal went back, but many more remain. “It is as much a labour issue as a political issue,” says one Asian diplomat here. He adds, “They (UAE officials) would have a bit of a problem if they choose to seriously tackle the illegal immigration issue. How do you explain to these Asian countries that contributed so much to this country that all of a sudden you want to deprive so many of their citizens of the ‘milk and honey’ promise, even if they are here illegally?” l (IPS) INTERNATIONAL 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 17

The age of neo-social democrats was little more than an episode

he last half-century has seen the end of ideological T politics in much of the world. First came the apocalyptic The Third Way, an epitaph collapse of fascism as Hitler took Germany with him into a bureaucratisation and, that deadly growth-induced wealth creation on Chancellor Schroeder’s proposed not imply the dawn of a new age. collective suicide. Fascism’s demise phenomenon of the 1970s, the one hand with solidarity, reforms caused squeals within his Domestically the one and only was followed by the more gradual stagflation—economic stagnation justice and social cohesion on the own party, he quickly dropped issue in most countries remains disintegration of communism after and high unemployment coupled other. Both were to be achieved much of the Third Way program the same: how to provide a Stalin’s death and Khrushchev’s with galloping inflation. within a liberal order. like a hot potato. At the same sustainable basis for economic The reaction to this malaise This is the main political time, Blair found more sympathy growth in the harsh climate of the COMMENT came swiftly and it had a name— project in most free societies and it for the Third Way with his global marketplace while at the Ralf Dahrendorf well, two names: Ronald Reagan is in principle acceptable to all Spanish conservative colleague same time maintaining solidarity and, above all, Margaret Thatcher. major parties. Yet some tried to José María Aznar than among and a sense of fairness throughout revelations of Stalin’s crimes. The “Thatcherism” was not really much turn it into a new ideological many social democrats. society. Whoever governs must try failed revolutions in Hungary in of an ideology; it was more a gut edifice. They believed that a new The apparent hegemony of to square this circle. 1956 and in Czechoslovakia in reaction to the stagnant 1970s, an age of social democracy had neo-social democrats began to This would truly be the end 1968 foreshadowed the eventual attempt to loosen the bureaucratic dawned, and for a while they crumble after only a few years. of ideology at last, were it not for failure of the Soviet empire in straitjacket of the state and to reveal sought to prove their point: Bill Aznar was not the only the new challenges arising from 1989. that not everything that arose from Clinton, Tony Blair, Gerhard conservative to replace a socialist the temptations of various kinds While these pseudo-religions state benevolence was good. Even Schroeder, Romano Prodi, government in the Mediterranean of fundamentalism. Versions of collapsed, a benevolent ideology of the word “neo-liberal” exaggerates (see pics, above) even some of those world, and the recent defeat of the nationalism as well as the social democracy dominated much the intellectual coherence of this elected in the postcommunist socialists in Greece is unlikely to ascendancy of religiously tinted of Europe. Its core was the belief counter force. countries seemed to belong to this be the last. The Benelux forms of integrisme threaten the that the state could provide both This change in political political camp. The new “Third countries, some Scandinavian fabric of a free world. The stable economic growth and social direction coincided with—indeed, Way” spreading from Washington states and many of the new inventors of the Third Way welfare to cushion the negative was perhaps responsible for—the to London to the rest of the world Europeans of east central Europe mostly overlooked the value of side effects of free markets. Not process that we now call seemed to embody these leaders’ have chosen traditionally right-of- individual liberty, but it is this everyone subscribed to this theory, globalisation. Thatcherism plus own ideology. centre parties. The German that remains the single most but it was the West’s strongest globalisation had many liberating As it turned out, this episode Chancellor and his “red-green” important issue in a world where political force for several decades. consequences, but the combination was even shorter-lived than the coalition still clings to power open societies still face mortal Christian Democrats, and even also created new social problems, conservative counter-revolution. but is today severely weakened. enemies. l (Project Syndicate) conservative parties, adopted its begetting losers as well as winners. Indeed, it was no more than an Even Tony Blair is struggling The Thatcherite counter- episode. Some of us always to hold on. tenets. Ralf Dahrendorf, author of numerous But by the early 1980s social revolution was so successful that it, suspected that the Schroeder-Blair All this does not augur a new acclaimed books and a former democracy had exhausted itself. It too, began to incite countervailing idea of “New Labour” or, in change of direction in Europe. If European Commissioner from had simply been too successful to pressures. By the late 1990s, the German, the “New Centre,” had Schroeder gave way to the Germany, is a member of the British House of Lords, a former remain a force for change. political scene almost everywhere no real basis. Soon it emerged that Christian Democrats, indeed even Rector of the London School of Moreover, it had brought about came to be dominated by the desire not all its apparent supporters if President Bush lost to his Economics and a former Warden of new rigidities, notably to combine competitiveness and actually supported it; when Democrat challenger, this would St. Antony’s College, Oxford. The EU spends most aid on itself

STEFANIA BIANCHI in BRUSSELS programming and analytical work and figure would represent 0.42 percent of the Nielson said enlargement of the EU in outlining local EU action plans for EU’s gross national income (GNI). The EU May “would not jeopardise these targets. new report from the European coordination and harmonisation in partner has pledged it will “examine the means and All accession countries have started to make Commission, the executive arm of countries where two or more EU donors time frame for each EU member state to the transition to becoming donors.” The A the European Union (EU), shows have a cooperation program. Nielson said reach the UN target of 0.7 percent official accession states gave aid worth 0.03 that most EU aid is spent on itself. In that the Commission would also table a development assistance of GNI, with an percent of their GNI in 2002 on average. 2002, donors spent more resources on proposal soon for the full untying intermediary target of 0.39 percent by This commitment is expected to rise to administrative overheads ($3.1 billion) of Community aid to deliver more 2006.” According to figures released on 11 0.11 percent by 2006. l (IPS) than on basic health and education in “efficient aid”. March, the EU is set to exceed these targets. poor countries— an allocated $2.7 billion. But the European Commission needs to “While we welcome the progress on aid The report says most member states set an example first, says ActionAid, a levels, we consider that the EU should insist on applying their own national Britain-based NGO. “It is untenable for the not lose sight of the 0.7 percent target procedures when they manage their Commission’s discourse to be strongly in which is, of course, the original development aid in recipient countries, favour of aid untying whilst at the same commitment,” Hilditch said. meaning recipient countries are faced with time issuing contracts requiring all goods for a multitude of different reporting EC funded projects to be purchased in EU requirements. “This is imposing an countries without any regard for principle or administrative burden on these countries practicality,” said Louise Hilditch from which is at times crippling their already ActionAid. Institutions responsible for new weak administrative capacity,” said EU aid legislation to untie aid should adopt the chief Poul Nielson. measures “as a matter of urgency,” she The Commission is proposing a added. common legal framework for aid The EC report shows an overall increase implementation procedures. Other in aid. Based on current forecasts, the EU suggestions include improving the aid budget will increase from $38.6 billion coordination of multi-annual in 2004 to $47.2 billion in 2006. That 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 Democracy in a time of active monarchy

Madhab Kumar Nepal in Drishti, 14 March

From the king’s interview in Time Magazine and his statements in Nepalganj, we are getting to hear a new definition of democracy. The king has triggered a new debate on what kind of democracy we want: a guided democracy in which all Nepalis become slaves and compromise their democratic rights, or a democracy that protects sovereignty and ensures that the state power remains with the people’s Another destroyed bus along representatives? If we follow the king’s definition, we will the Mugling highway this week. have to forget the worldwide concept of democracy. But if we PADAM GHALE do not subscribe to the king’s theory, we will have to go for

democracy in the real sense. It should be a democracy that Dang threats servants are in a dilemma about Child labour ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

does not reel under the black clouds of autocracy and does ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ whether or not to go to their not run the risk of being hijacked. Today we face a big Rajdhani, 14 March offices. The rebels have also Dil Bahadur Chhatyal in Dipayal question of the relevance and the justification of monarchy in declared a blockade in Dang for Kantipur, 15 March the country. We did try to convince the king and bring him Under Maoist pressure, an indefinite period. back to the democratic system, but we were unsuccessful. government officials in Dang have Kalpana Sunuwar is the pride of Instead, a succession of political parties, leaders and people been forced to leave their official the Dalit community in her with dignity had to face humiliation while trying to persuade residences. In the district Bandanomics village, most of whom cannot go the king. In the meantime, the taste of power made the rulers headquarters of Ghorahi alone, Kantipur,○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 13 March to school because they can’t forget and even dismiss democratic achievements. almost all 40 officials of different afford to. But 11-year-old We are hearing about elections. It is a ploy to remain in agencies have shifted elsewhere A recent study has revealed that Kalpana works every morning and power. The nominated prime minister keeps on harping about elections which are just not possible in the present from the quarters they are officially each Nepali incurs a loss of about evening near the Seti River circumstances. Another trick could be to stage the drama of entitled to. Rs 47 and the nation as a whole breaking boulders to make gravel elections and get the supporters in the fake parliament to The Maoist Tharuwan Rs 1 billion in losses from each to earn enough money to pay her keep the country in the shackles of slavery. But both of these Autonomous Region ‘People’s day of banda or general strike. way through school. Working side options will not end the conflict in the country. Instead, Government’ of Dang has The Kathmandu Research Center by side with her mother near the clashes will increase, and that will be the way of our life. This prohibited the operation of says Nepal hasn’t gained anything riverside, Kalpana also contributes conflict, however, will decide that there must be no government offices from Sunday. from the series of bandas the her savings to augment her compromise on our liberty and rights. It has also asked government country has gone through in the family’s income. Earning Rs 800 The Maoists have become a serious hurdle in our officials not to go to the office. past decade, and they have only a month, she manages to buy movement. On one hand, they protest inequality, the “We are shifting because the added to the woes of our already textbooks, pens and other undemocratic system and feudocracy of the king, but on the rebels have threatened to blast troubled economy as it has piled stationery. “I give the remaining other, they spread terrorism by murdering political workers bombs in the official residences,” over the country’s debt. The money to my mother,” says and innocent people. We have repeatedly tried to make the Maoists correct their mistakes. said an official while he was study points out that among the Kalpana. We admit that political parties have made mistakes in the packing his goods at the official most affected sectors due to this Sometimes, she has no time to past and that they must realize their follies. Some people in residence in Ghorahi. The officials frequently called banda programs finish her homework, but the the parties have committed crimes too. There is a need to have been receiving threats to leave are education and tourism. A teacher doesn’t understand and stop such crimes and punish the culprits. But it is not correct or to suffer the consequences. single day of banda means more spanks her. More than half the to implicate all the parties just because few politicians did Many of them have now taken than Rs 3.81 million of Dalits in Dipayal, especially girls, wrong in the past. refuge in houses of friends and government investment in the can’t afford to go to school. Not a When we talk about punishment, we do not mean that the relatives. Some have rented rooms educational sector goes down the single girl out of 100 Dalit people’s rights to punish the guilty ones must be transferred in hotels. More than 1,400 civil drain. (Nepalnews.com) families in Dipayal has completed to the king. What we mean is that the king must remain within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. But if the king is not satisfied with the idea, it is time to ask if constitutional monarchy really suits the soil of Nepal.

Girija : Our movement will now be more powerful! Madhab : ..which means do or die! Caption : Speaking but not listening

Robin Sayami in Himal Khabarpatrika, 14-28 March QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Bhutan should be committed to implement the agreement (as per the 15th round of talks),”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bhesh Bahadur Thapa, in Annapurna Post, March 16

MIN BAJRACHARYA SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 19 school. Even if the children get will never make their movement a the opportunity to study, they are success. And this is possible only

unable to concentrate and if they stop the killing, violence, Blaming messengers Nepalnews.com

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ continue schooling. “Children go spreading terror as well as calling Annapurna○○○○○○○○○○○○ Post, March 15 Himal Khabarpatrika, 14-28 March through so much mental and for strikes. physical pressure that they won’t Information and Communications Minister Kamal Far away from home, Maya never used to miss get the chance to progress in life,” Unreformed Thapa has accused the Nepali media of panicking reading news from Nepal on Nepalnews.com before

says Kumar Tailor, a Dalit activist ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the public and taking press freedom for granted. going to classes every day. One day, when she did from Doti. Space Time, 15 March He has urged media not to cover news not arrive in class on time, her friend Samjhana that would terrorise the was concerned. Maya used to be always Ban bandas The International Monetary Fund public. Sure, it punctual. With her

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ (IMF) has expressed concern is unethical to teacher’s Baburam Khadga in regarding a decreasing report news permission, Samacharpatra, March 15 development budget, the absence that sows fear Samjhana went to of good governance, non- and Maya’s room to look The last nine years of a violent implementation of institutional sensationalises. for her. The door was Maoist rebellion has taken its toll. reforms and the deteriorating law But the open. Maya was lying And now in the name of and order situation in Nepal. An government face down in front of pressurising the government, they IMF team is here to evaluate should also her monitor, which have started to organise a series of Nepal’s six-month performance on look at how displayed Nepalnews.com bandas in which the innocent the Poverty Reduction Growth media has with a headline ‘Husband civilians suffer the most. Fed up Facility (PRGF), under which it helped to boost and wife killed in early with the frequent strikes, the has committed loans of more than public morale. morning assassination in Nepali public has started to Rs 5 billion for the next three Each individual has Kathmandu’. They were question the Maoists’ real years. To get the facility, Nepal subjective views, but Maya’s own parents. intentions. After all, it’s the had made commitments including in a democratic civilians who suffer the most, institutional reforms. The team is country, the media is not subject to government Radio Mao

affecting their livelihood, health said to be dissatisfied with the ○○○○○○○○ control over what and how news should be ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and children’s education. And the country’s performance, especially presented. Journalists are also accountable and it Sanghu, March 15 will be detrimental if they misuse the power of press freedom. Nepalgunj—Maoists have launched a regional FM It is unreasonable to say that the media is radio station, aired from an undisclosed location in exaggerating reports of human rights abuses by the Nepalganj. The three-hour daily broadcast can be Maoists and security forces. The bombing of a bus heard from 6:30-7:30 AM and 6-8PM on 94.2 and the blockade by Maoists deserve to be made mhz on the FM band and consists of communist public. The story of the Bhojpur attack needed to songs, news of Maoist activities and adventures as be told. It is a cliché to say that “anything can well as some entertainment programs. The radio also happen during a war.” One thing is for sure: there runs commercials from local business firms and is more press freedom today than ever before and industries. Besides Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet and we owe this to the evolution of democracy in this Kapilbastu, the radio program is also accessible country. The Nepali media is aware of its public across the border in India. There are reasons to service role, but the minister’s statement is biased believe the Maoist transmitters are located in India. and he is blaming the messenger for the bad news. (Nepalnews.com)

MIN BAJRACHARYA worst situation is for the daily in the reform areas and has stressed wage laborers who have to work on anti-corruption measures. A everyday to make a meagre high-level government official said income. They lose a day’s meal if that the team has asked the there is a banda. While the government to stop increasing the business community complain defence budget under different about the country bearing a loss headings and to keep expenditure of a billion rupees in a single day’s within the determined limits. He banda, there are other significant said the IMF officials wanted the problems faced by the ordinary government to gradually withdraw people. In the five-day banda, a from public enterprises and pregnant woman in Dharan lost prioritise privatisation. They have her life when she was not able to also asked the government to reach the hospital on time. Strikes discontinue subsidies on are nothing new for the Nepalis. petroleum products and to revise During the multi-party prices in line with those at the governance also, people had to go Nepal-India border. The through the same ordeal of the government has assured the team politicians using strikes as their that the petrol prices would be weapon against the government reviewed and that a cabinet to fulfill their political aims. And decision would be taken soon. it was especially the CPN-UML The IMF team has drawn the that organised most of the strikes attention of the government for when they were the main not being serious on the financial opposition party against the sector reforms program under the Congress government. But now World Bank loan. Similar to people have started to rebel, they World Bank’s complaint, the IMF are fed up with the Maoist team has also charged the attitude that they can intimidate government of not cooperating anyone. Even the Maoists with the Nepal Bank Limited and eventually gave in to the public the Rastriya Banijya Bank to frustration that they decided to collect loan repayments from call off the strike on the third of a blacklisted debtors. “The team has five-day strike. What surprised even cited an incident when everyone was the government’s Rastriya Banijya Bank officials cowardice by not mobilising their were chased away when they had white-plated vehicles. On the visited the office of Maha Laxmi other hand, civilians were brave Sugar Mills to recover the loan,” enough to take out their cars and the official said. “They have also motorcycles on the street. marked the fact that the The Maoists have to realise government was unable to provide that their anti-people activities security to the bank officials.” 20 HISTORY AND CULTURE 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 finally an assault by the infantry. escaped death. All troops in the For our part, we built bunkers frontlines met with death. A and hid inside. We collected handful of troops not in full information about their plans and fighting form were in the camp, Burmese days forwarded the message to higher yet they too were finished off by authorities at Tinsuka. We were our troops. told not to worry and they Our next target was to capture promised to send all possible help. Mogaon. We walked eight days to Our planes dropped in wires, reach the hill. On the ninth day Tul Bahadur Pun joined the British Army rations and weapons before their two squads of troops were during the Second World War and was planes could come. We fitted in ambushed. Luckily I escaped wire fences. As zero hour unhurt. We stablished our camp awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in approached we made a plan to at some distance and sent forward Burma. Contuining his saga, Pun recounts capture their defence positions. our men for scouting. They landing in a glider deep inside Burma. This Only those personnel who could found out where the enemy had serialisation of the testimonies of retired handle heavier weapons were laid more ambushes. Accordingly, Gurkha soldiers is translated from placed in the camp. I was one of we made a plan and proceeded those as I was good at operating further. Lahurey ka Katha by Dev Bahadur Thapa. the three-inch hooker machine That town looked like it was guns, rifles and pet guns. Pet surrounded by sea on all sides, the he Japanese had advanced to everywhere, we could somehow their wireless sets. We heard guns are used in demolishing river was so wide. A company had T Manipur when we survive by having boiled water everything broadcast about their bunkers. been stationed there and a bridge confronted them. On their mixed with tea and salt. activities, yet could not decipher a Their attack starting with built. The bridge had been blown arrival at Manipur, they sent word At nightfall we reached the single word because no one spoke bombardment. Except for one up, but the enemy had fixed up to us that the following day they spot. A large contingent of troops Japanese. So we sought the help type of bomb, the rest did not do wooden planks and made it would have morning tea in was approaching on the road of a captain who had spent a much harm. This was the one serviceable. They had designed Peshawar. Maybe they would, under which we had laid a considerable time in Japan and that made big ditches, shook the bridge so that it made since they were a strong force. landmine but we didn’t have time was well versed in Japanese and everything and sank to a considerable noise when someone Their headquarters were in Moulu to fix up the fuse. Since they had put him on wireless duty. He considerable depth and before crossed it. A full company of in Burma, where they had stored arrived by train, it was impossible picked up their messages and exploding. Then came their enemies had been stationed to their weapons and supplies. Our to detonate it then. We arrived at informed us about their activities planes. Our planes were nowhere safeguard the bridge. As it was the strategy was to capture Moulu by the conclusion that there is no and the timing of their attacks. in sight. Their tanks advanced, main route leading to the town, cutting off their supply lines rather sense in waiting since more enemy We found out that they had a followed by infantry. Their we had no other option but to than confront them head-on. So, soldiers would soon be there. We tank and a second-class brigade troops had already approached cross the bridge. we marched through the jungle detonated the explosive and the stationed there. Their plan was to our barbed wire fencing. Just First the English battalion and approached Moulu. We had bridge was blown up. do away with us since out of one then our fighter planes arrived attacked the bridge, then the 50 rounds of bullets and 7 cases of The enemies occupied a hilltop regiment, only half was there and and dogfights started in the air. Indian regiments. In all six rations to last a week. The and had their brigade stationed at the rest had been posted Little parachutes started dropping assaults were made, but it could commander gave instructions to a nearby town. From time to time elsewhere. They had an action from the sky, and we wondered not be captured. Now came the carry as much as we could, but they came to look, but did schedule with the timings for why they were dropping food turn of our Gurkha battalion. I said we must stock up on tea and nothing else. In the previous artillery firing, aerial while the fighting was going on, was assigned to scout out the area. salt. Since water is available encounter we had captured one of bombardment, attack by tank and only to realise that they were Making the slightest noise could bombs. They dispersed all over spell doom. One should mark the and exploded with loud bangs. If difference between shoes in use one exploded nearby, everyone now and those used then. Then was killed. After eliminating the we had shoes fixed with nails and ground force the planes started they made creaking noises. I attacking the tanks. The enemy wrapped cloth on my feet and planes were chased away. Some inspected the right and left side of were burning as they flew away. the bridge. They had put gun In short, everything was smashed. posts on both ends of the bridge. Only one enemy commander After a thorough reconnaissance, I and 12 other ranks with him came back slowly and steadily. l SPORTS #188 21 Golfing19 - 25 MARCH 2004for a cause Do you have the spine to play golf?

few recent developments continue to boost our optimistic A outlook for golf’s future in Nepal. The first was when the recent Himalayan Bank Open Golf Championship contributed all its participation fees towards a Golf Development Fund. Then last Saturday, the 1st Pokhara Open proved to be a big step towards golf development outside the valley. A trio of avid golfers made up of Ajay Adhikari, Managing Director of Park & Shop Cricket diplomacy is bringing India and TEE BREAK along with colleagues Balram Pakistan together as never before Deepak Acharya Thapa of German Bakery and local businessman Raju Bhattarai put together the idea of doing a Pro-Am tournament at the Himalayan Golf Course. A Pro-Am event is where amateurs get to play in the same The great game group as professionals, and is a great way for amateurs to experience higher levels of golf than they are used to. This is the only event for professionals in Pokhara apart from the regular MIHIR BOSE annual Surya Nepal Western Open. The tournament saw eight Nepali professionals and a number of amateur golfers participating. It was organised with the aim of developing the standard of golf akistan test-fired its new consequences in this country. The when they left to play the best and to help boost the local tourism industry. The main sponsor was P Saheen II missile, which can fact is politicians want this tour to cricket team in the world, most Park & Shop and the supporters were Signature Whisky along with be fitted with nuclear show that relations between the Indians feared a 4-0 whitewash the Pokhara business community, the Pokhara Golf Society, Pokhara weapons and can hit cities far into two countries can be normal.” and thought it would be a Municipality, Nepal Professional Golfer’s Association and, of course, India and the Indians hardly All this makes this cricket tour triumph if the margin of defeat the Himalayan Golf Course. batted an eyelid. Soon after the very special. But what makes it was kept down. Instead, the Professional Sabin Sapkota won the tournament with a news broke, an influential Delhi truly unique is that, for the first Indians drew the series 1-1 and commendable gross score of one over par 71, and Pashupati opinion-maker said he thought the time in an India-Pakistan cricket came close to beating the mighty Sharma of Gokarna Forest Golf Resort came second with a score missile was fired to reassure the series, it will be the Indians who Australians, who are undefeated of 72. The amateur winner was Capt. MB Limbu with 38 stableford points. Pakistani public. In any case, he have reason to feel more confident at home for a decade. This Sunday, a new idea is being tried out to use the fun of said, the Indians themselves were about the final result. Also, in one of those curious golfing for a cause. On 21 March, a charity event is being held at always testing such missiles. Even a Historically, India, the larger cricketing paradoxes, India will Gokarna Golf Club to raise funds for the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation few months ago, not only would country, has always had a deep take a bowling attack to Pakistan Center (SIRC) at Jorpati near Gokarna Forest. the government in Delhi have inferiority complex when it comes that would have graced the This is a new and novel way of bringing awareness to a noble been vitriolic in its response, but to Pakistan. On the cricket field, Pakistan of yore, and, what is cause and raising funds for a charitable centre that houses, treats the general mood would also have Pakistan, the younger nation, more, is led by two Muslims, and rehabilitates Nepalis who have had falls and accidents leading been sombre, if not fearful. initially led by cricketers who had both hailing from Gujarat, which to back injuries and varying degrees of paralysis. It is tempting to say that the first played for a united India, has been racked by anti-Muslim The innovative part of the event is in its appeal to non-golfers to cricket series between the two have been more successful. While riots. One of them is the son of come up to the venue along with family and friends to relax and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and lush surroundings and participate neighbours this month, the first in Pakistan has won Tests and series the muezzin, the man who calls in fun events based around the theme of golf. five years and the first visit by an in India, India has yet to win a the Islamic faithful to prayer. He Meanwhile, die hard golfers will navigate their way around the Indian cricket team to Pakistan in single Test in Pakistan. learnt his cricket round the picturesque and challenging par 72 golf course at Gokarna in their 15 years, is what is prompting this Now ‘Shining India’ is the mosque, but is keen to advertise bid to win attractive prizes along with a beautiful crystal replica of rare show of nonchalance. Cricket campaign slogan of the ruling his loyalty to India and the the SIRC’s innovative logo that gives a modernistic view of a might bring together two Indian coalition, which has been secular state it claims to be. person’s spine. The valuable and fun prizes for both non-golfers countries that have fought three promoting an Indian feelgood The Indian side has long and golfers have been kindly donated by a host of sponsors. wars since they became factor. And this is reflected in the enjoyed a reputation for wily To conclude, this Sunday’s SIRC charitable event has a goal of independent from Britain in way Indian cricket has performed spinners, but has always supporting the center in looking after its patients. For that reason, 1947. They remain such distant both on and off the field. hungered for genuinely quick and as individuals with healthy backs and sturdy spines, I hope you will consider joining us on Sunday for the Tournament or Events. l neighbours that, even today, each Off the field, thanks to its bowlers. It has long memories of country allows only two journalists growing middle class—estimated its batsmen being humiliated by Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Head Golf Professional at Gokarna from the other country to operate to be about 200 million—and its opposing pacemen; nothing hurt Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] on its soil and both get their news appetite for televised cricket, India more than the thumping defeats of each other through the BBC is now the economic powerhouse inflicted by Imran Khan, as World Service. of the game. It provides 60 captain of Pakistan, just over 20 Still, there are Indians who, percent of world cricket’s income years ago. Just before that trip, I while keen on peace, are worried and every second person watching spoke to a leading Indian that the cricket tour could go cricket in the world is believed to batsman who confessed that he wrong and jeopardise the nascent be an Indian. On this tour, 90 expected India to get beaten— peace process. percent of the hoardings round and they were duly thrashed. Vinod Mehta, the editor of the Pakistani cricket grounds will The mood in Indian cricket Outlook, says: “Such is the desire be advertising products either and the public at large is very for peace from on high that, from Indian companies or from different today. There is a although we are in the middle of a multinationals targeting the confidence there that hasn’t been very robust general election growing Indian middle class. seen before, a confidence that campaign in India, there is no India’s new-found economic not even the Pakistan coach, Pakistani-bashing this time. But, success seems to be echoed on the Javed Miandad, whose six off the God forbid, should something cricket field. The Indians have last ball for a Pakistan victory in happen to our star players either returned from a tour of Australia 1986 is still seared into Indian on the field of play or in their with a sort of kudos they had not memory, may not be able to hotels, it could have fearful dreamt of. Back in December, erase. l

India-Pakistan Tour Schedule 3rd ODI 4th ODI 5th ODI 1st Test 2nd Test 3rd Test Peshawar Lahore Lahore Multan Lahore Rawalpindi March 19 March 21 March 24 March 28 - April 1 April 05 - 09 April 13 - 17 22 CITY 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188

ABOUT TOWN BOOKWORM FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS CITES Implementation in Nepal and India Ravi Sharma Aryal v French language week 15-20 March. Various programs at the Alliance Bhrikuti Academic Publications, 2004 Française of Kathmandu. 4241163 v Dolpo Lives Paintings by Tenzin Norbu until 20 March 10AM—4PM at Rs 1495 Shangri-la Hotel, Lazimpat Ravi Sharma Aryal presents an in-depth analysis of the implementation status of v Paintings by Asha Dangol until 4 April 12:30—7:30 PM at Gallery the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Nepal Moksh. Closed Mondays and India, along with suggestions on how to improve the current legislation and v Numafung paintings until 30 March at Gallery Nine. 4428694 enforcement strategies to better protect our wildlife. EVENTS v Osho’s book exhibition at Osho Tapoban, 20 March to celebrate their Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 4227711, [email protected] 15th anniversary. Special discounts avaliable. v Family Day at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort to benefit the spinally injured on 21 March, 9AM onwards. Tickets Rs 1800 for individuals, Rs 1000 for CLASSIFIED With a huge all-star cast which includes Hugh children, and Rs 2500 for golfers. 4470874 JAI NEPAL CINEMA Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth and Keira Visit Ground Zero Fine wines, designer v ELD Workshops The Power to Plan: Microsoft Project Training and Knightley, Love Actually is all about – what candles, cards, gifts, stationery, wooden items, How to Write a Press Release, 23 - 25 March. 4256618, [email protected] else – love. Set almost entirely in London perfumes and more. Darbar Marg, opposite v Mind Training and Brain Plasticity: From Contemplative to Cognitive Hotel de l’Annapurna during five frantic weeks before Christmas, Science talk by Matthieu Ricard. 25 March at 5:30 PM at Baggikhana, Visit Femilines the Exclusive Lingerie Store Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka. 5542554, 5543017 Love Actually follows a web-like pattern of inter- connected, loosely related and unrelated for ladies undergarments, nightwear, MUSIC bathrobes and more. Ladies staff. Opposite stories of a dozen or more various individuals Sajha Yatayat, Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk. Tel: v Jazzmandu with their love lives, or lack of them. With an 547428 Jazzmandu with Soulmate 19 March at Shangri-la. Tickets Rs 350 uplifting Christmas Eve finale, this one is LIVE IN STYLE! Arcadia Apartments in the More Jazz 20 March, 7:30PM onwards at Shangri-la. Tickets Rs 999 billed as “the ultimate romantic comedy.” heart of Thamel. Centrally located, fully with dinner furnished apartments at unbelievable rates. Jazz at Patan 24 March, 6—9PM at Patan Museum Square. For details: 981026903, 4260187 From 26 March 2004 Call 4442220 for show timings. www.jainepal.com Tickets Rs 1149 Renting made easy www.2letonline.com- v Peter Rowan live 20 March, 7PM onwards at Indigo Gallery/Mike’s Looking for a place to stay- Log on to find the Breakfast. Tickets Rs 750, avaliable at Indigo Gallery and Patan perfect house, apartment or even a retail Museum Gift Shop space that meets all your needs. Make an easy v 1000 bucks by reporting a vacant property to Jazzmandu All Star Fever 27 March 6PM onwards at Hotel Summit. us. Find out how- www.2letonline.com Tickets Rs 699 v Classical & Traditional Nepali Music Concert at Lincoln School, Get 10 % exclusive discount on the normal subscription rate of Himalmedia’s publication 19 March 6:30 PM onwards. Tickets Rs 400 and Rs 200 for students. namely; Himal Khabarpatrika, Nepali Times v Peter Rowan at Moksh 19 March, 6:30 PM onwards inside club Hardic, and Wave magazine. Only at the Grihini Pulchowk. Tickets Rs 300. 5528703 Department Store limited, Baluwatar, Phone: 4415186 FOOD v Wanted Nepali pilot, interested person Margarita Night on 26 March at Dwarika’s. Rs 650 per should have experience for ultra light aircraft person, 4479488 with Rotax 582 engine. Apply with cv, photo and v Roadhouse Cafe for speciality coffees. Opposite St contact address within 7 days to Avia Club Mary’s School, Pulchowk. 5521755 Nepal Pvt. Ltd., P.O. Box 13680. v Traditional Newari Thali at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4431632 Modern houses for residential office or flat. GETAWAYS Contact 4720147,4721728 v Escape to Godavari on a special halfboard package for Nepalis and To-Let: Prime Location at Main Road, expatriates at the Godavari Village Resort, Taukhel. 5560675 Harihar Bhavan, Pulchowk (Opp. Sajha Bus v Pure relaxation Award winning Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. Garage). Suitable for NGO, INGO and other Commercial Offices-3 floors of approx.900 sq. 01 4361500 TMPL Reservations or [email protected] ft. each along with lift facility. v Bardia National Park full board, luxury ‘on stilts’ cottage and pickup, Plus Top 2 Floors with Big Dining and Kitchen only $10 a day (park activities extra) at Jungle Base Camp Lodge. Apartment with magnificent view of Lalitpur & Email: [email protected] Kathmandu. Contact No. 981032166 For Sale: Prize Winner Beetle 1973 model, excellent condition Contact: Rammani 5521656 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED VIS -18-03-2004 03:00 GMT The first post-winter storm of this season hit KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY For insertions ring NT the Valley on Tuesday night. The average Marketing at 5543333-36. The average concentration of PM10 (harmful particles below 10 microns) March rainfall in Kathmandu Valley is 32mm in Kathmandu’s air last week was slightly less than the previous week, mainly and that shower brought 29 mm. Let’s hope it because of the banda on Monday which reduced the pollution levels in the will replenish the water in our parched rivers city by almost 30 percent. However, dust levels along busy streets such as and ease the power cuts. The cloud-cover, Putali Sadak and Patan Hospital were about two times higher than national thick haze blown in from the southwest have standards of 120 micrograms per cubic meter. The pollution was specially brought down temperatures somewhat, but the th 91.2 high on 10 March when the PM10 levels at these places were almost three mercury will climb back to more normal levels What you burn is times the national minimum. PM10 can cause major health impacts and the by next week. This satellite picture taken early what you breathe. World Health Organization does not prescribe any safe limits for PM10 in on Thursday shows convection clouds over the air as even small concentrations can damage health. central and eastern Nepal that will continue Good < 60 7 - 13 March in micrograms per cubic meter. to bring isolated showers over the Source: www. mope.gov.np Mahabharat hills. Snow flurries will come Ok 61 to 120 down to 4,700 m in the high passes this Unhealthy 121 to 350 weekend. Harmful 351 to 425 KATHMANDU VALLEY Hazardous >425 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Putalisadak Patan H Thamel TU Bhaktapur Matsyagaun

S S 23-10 24-11 24-11 26-12 26-11 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 23 HAPPENINGS Ashmina’sNEPALI SOCIETY art hen she was a young girl, paint like this because you are from W Ashmina Ranjit wanted to Asia, from Nepal, you’re Hindu. fly. She’d watch the That’s where the kamasutra comes clouds, feeling envious of their from.’” The extremes in reaction in freedom. She took this as a sign the two audiences threw up that she may one day become a contradictions for Ashmina, and pilot. she felt no one really understood However, the future had a very her work.

KIRAN PANDAY different path in store for her. Ashmina got thinking about BLOCKADE ARSON: A truck carrying supplies to Kathmandu that was Ashmina did well in school, and how she could bridge the torched by Maoists on the Prtihibi Highway on Sunday to enforce their went on to Australia to do her divide. She wanted to create blockade of the central region. Bachelors in Fine Arts. She came a platform for artists to back and started teaching art at interact, an organisation Tribubhan University. Anyone that would invite artists who’s experienced Ashnima’s art from around the world to will tell you that few walk away see how Nepali artists from it without questioning the very work and send artists fabric of their own existence. abroad whenever She’s moved away from canvas possible. Today, and is experimenting with new Ashmina has a huge forms, using whatever her network across the expression demands. “My art is globe and in social. It’s political. It works with November 2003 her women and sexuality. It questions,” vision was realised she says. formally as the group These questions have thrown ‘Sutra’. up paradoxes. She recalls a series At a workshop this she painted on women and week organised by Sutra NEPALNEWS.COM sensuality to exhibit in Kathmandu. at the Osho Tapoban forest JAZZING IT UP: Eight international and local jazz bands played at the “As a woman I was talking about retreat in Nagarjung, Ashmina packed Jazz Bazar at the Gorkarna Forest Golf Resort on Saturday. and expressing sexuality. To know and the six other core your body is your right. Women members of Sutra were need to know their own bodies.” working to bridge another gap: Ashmina was accused her of a generational one. Twenty-one being obsessed with sex, and renowned and senior artists, people put it off to her time in writers, filmmakers and musicians Australia. alike attended a productive four- Back in Australia she showed day workshop. Now at 37, the same series. There they Ashmina leans back and appreciated her bold expression. thinks: “Finally, I am flying.” l Ashmina recalls, “They said, ‘You MIN BAJRACHARYA

r'/] jg ljsf; kl/ofhgf] Churia forest development project

MIN BAJRACHARYA DIPS AND SECS: the Diplomats 11 thrashed the Chief Secretaries 11 by 7-2 at a charity football match played at the Dasrath Stadium on The Churia Forest Development Project (ChFDP), is a bilateral project of HMG Nepal and Saturday. Proceeds went to the Sahara Group, which helps children the German Government. The project is implemented jointly by Nepali and German partners orphaned by the conflict. and covers the Terai (plains) and Churia (foothills) of Siraha, Saptari and Udayapur districts of Nepal’s Eastern Development Region.

The project’s goal is to restore the ecological balance of the Churia hills for the benefit of the local population. It aims to develop approaches and strategies for the protection and sustainable management of forest resources in these areas, which could be replicated in other parts of Nepal where similar conditions prevail.

ChFDP was initiated in 1992 and is the only large bilateral project with long-term experience of forest policy implementation in the Terai and Churia region. The last 12 years have shown that the community forestry programme, which has been highly praised in international circles for its success in hill regions, is an equally relevant and valuable tool for the lowlands. Community forestry has helped to spark a remarkable recovery in the ecological condition of the Churia forests in the three districts. The considerable financial potential of the forests is starting to be realised, thanks to the skills and dedication of local communities. Community forestry ensures that this potential will be utilised for the benefit of the direct forest users and for the region as KIRAN PANDAY a whole, while also helping to strengthen social ties within and between communities. BUG-INFESTED: Owners of Volkswagen Beetles took part in a peace rally from Patan to Dhulikhel on Saturday. They raised money for cleft lip surgery and for porter welfare. The successful adaptation of community forestry in the Terai and Churia highlights the flexibility inherent in the policy framework. The project has addressed problems unique to the region, such as the unequal distribution of forest resources from North to South and the complex relationships between diverse groups of forest users.

ChFDP is now ready to move into its next phase (2004-2007). With the continuing hard work and support of our partners in HMGN and NGOs, the project looks forward to further improvements in our strategy to build the forests of the Churia hills into an engine for development for all the people of the three target districts.

Project of the Ministry of Forest & Soil Conservation

Supported by German Technical Cooperation

MIN BAJRACHARYA Lahan, Siraha district, Tel: 033-560411, 033-560412 Fax: 033-560413 KERO-SCENE: A queue stretches down Lazimpat as people wait to enter Mailing Address: PO Box: 1457, Kathmandu, Nepal. Email: [email protected] the kerosene depot on Sunday. 2 4 19 - 25 MARCH 2004 #188 go to the airport to receive A: Buffalos, goats, ducks and someone, I suggest you go in on an other livestock have right of way Driving each other nuts armoured personnel carrier with a and can cross the road at any time turret-mounted canon and blast anywhere and without warning. driving in Nepal: question because I’ve been your way through the sentry box. It is up to the driver behind the There is no other way to get to the wheel to use telepathy to figure Q: On which side of the road wondering myself why if bus arrival parking area to receive your out what their intentions are. does one drive in Nepal? passengers are brave enough to near and dear ones. Dogs, on the other hand, don’t A: Those of you who thought that defy the blockade they still need to get off with all their belongings at cross the road but will race you in Nepal we drive on the left side Q: Besides chickens, are there www.nepalitimes.com while barking their heads off. of the road are wrong. That rule a checkpoint in Mugling and walk any other things crossing the road that we need to watch out Don’t worry about them, unless has just been changed, and all one km to be body searched. And, for? they are wearing visors. motorcycles are henceforth oh yes, the next time you want to riends, Romans and required to drive on the right side F countrymen, lend me your (which used to be the wrong side) ears. I have come to you of the street at all times and weave today with yet another column suicidally in and out dodging containing valuable driving tips. oncoming trucks and buses. The To those of you who are left side of the road will now only muttering under your breath, “Oh be used to park bricks, cement, no, not another article with silly steel rods and other construction driving tips!” let me just say that material. you have no choice. Take it or leave it. What? You are turning the Q: What is the latest on helmets page to read the editorial? OK, and visors? bye. A: As we go to press at 1900 hrs GMT on Thursday, you are not UNDER MY HAT required to wear a helmet if you have a visor on. The pillion rider Kunda Dixit must have a helmet prominently Having valiantly survived the displayed, but not necessarily on British siege at Nalapani and the the head. The ban on visors has two-year Indian blockade in 1989, been reimposed after being lifted, we Nepalis have developed a siege and we are not quite sure of the mentality that will see us through status but you can wear an anti- this blockade too. After all, if we pollution mask only if you can have been able to live without prove to the officer on duty that water for the last four months in you are on a terrorist mission to our neighbourhood, there is no blow up the toilet of Kathmandu’s reason why we can’t carry on Ward 19 Secretariat. without daily items of basic Q: What are the rules on necessity like broccoli. But (just in overtaking? case) make sure your car is tanked A: The first thing to remember is up with high octane kerosene from that we never overtake in Nepal, the Agni Petrol Station, so you we always takeover. It is a part of can keep on driving around town our glorious culture to be territorial with no worries at all. about a 10 m radius of asphalt I know, I know, we just did a around us on the street, and woe motoring column, but in this day betide anyone who deigns to and age you can never have trespass this space. And that enough pointers on how to includes you over there, yes, you negotiate traffic on our streets and on the wheelchair with two blockaded highways especially children on the zebra crossing. because the rules keep changing. So, without much ado about Q: Are there any specific things nothing, it is time for another I need to know about military periodic update with answers to checkpoints? frequently asked questions about A: I’m glad you asked that

CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59