#214 17 - 23 September 2004 20 pages Rs 25

Soaltee Crowne Plaza was ceremonially opened by a delegation of businessmen on Thursday morning after a month-long shutdown (from l-r): Sridhar Acharya of Godavari Village Resort, HAN’s Narendra Bajracharya, Soaltee’s General Manager Rajiv Malla, Rohini Thapalia of the Padma Shree Group and BK Shrestha of Radisson Hotel. MIN BAJRACHARYA

Weekly Internet Poll # 154 Q. Did state security respond adequately during the riots of 1 September? Open Sesame As industries open in Kathmandu, India comes on strong against the rebels Total votes:898 Weekly Internet Poll # 154. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com NAVIN SINGH KHADKA Q. How would you characterise Prime Minister Deuba’s India visit? hat do the government Delhi’s support for ‘Nepal’s promised a Kathmandu approach has so far been Wand the Maoist rebels fascist rulers’. Analysts see a takeover are restless. The myopic and confusing. It chants have in common? They Maoist ploy to create an anti- blockade and the closure of the ideal of constitutional both play the India card against Indian wave to ride in order to industries backfired, and the monarchy while lending almost each other. bolster sagging support at home. rebels also have to contend total support to the king’s One of the accomplishments Indian media has suddenly with accusations of fuelling authoritarian moves.’ Muni has of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur raised the alarm about Nepali the 1 September riots that a prescription: India must work Deuba’s India visit was to get Maoists, and this week it was destroyed the manpower as a behind-the-scenes India to agree that the Maoist awash with news of Maoist industry. facilitator for peace in Nepal. issue was a 'common security threats in Uttaranchal and Although Deuba came back Skeptics here are convinced threat'. Deuba came back supposed plans to unleash with a promise of Indian Indian support comes with emboldened enough to declare human bombs if India supports support, some think Nepal is strings attached, and say that he wanted to resolve the Kathmandu. They bombed a still not clear about what it instead of more military issue through talks, but was missionary school in Gorkha this wants to do. “This is the time hardware what willing to use force if necessary. week and said it was to “teach both sides should be focusing Nepal needs is Editorial p 2 His new-found confidence to India a lesson”. They have also on the operational level, not for India to Never too late talk loudly as well as carry a big targeted Indian joint ventures. just about general policy arm-twist the Maoists into stick could have only come from But Indian military support issues,” says political analyst negotiating. But New Delhi is assurances he got from Indian for the Royal Nepali Army is not Dhruba Kumar of Tribhuban also in a fix, as it doesn’t want leaders. new, and New Delhi labelled University. to give the Maoists anti-Indian The Maoists have responded the Maoists terrorists long before Given the heightened ammunition to whip up public by breaking their three-year we did. So why are the rebels Indian role in tackling the support in Nepal. moratorium on anti-Indianism. angry now? rebels, it is interesting that Deuba may have begun the Every statement from Prachanda Analysts say the Maoists may even Indian analysts are not discussion in New Delhi, but these days is a tirade against have decided that it is do-or-die sure about where this is going. the Indians have surely left the ‘reactionary Indian time. There have been Writes Nepal-watcher SD Muni nitty gritty for King Gyanendra’s expansionism’, or berating New desertions, the cadre who were in Hindustan Times: ‘India’s upcoming visit. l 2 EDITORIAL 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: 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 Jatra of arson Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 Three of our freedoms were attacked on September First NEVER TOO LATE n 1 September, marauding agencies ostensibly to protest in which ghiu is used to stoke mobs attacked three of the the treachery of these the fire and purify the here is conflict in every society. Some are better at resolving them through O most fundamental companies, but really against offerings. Burning is a form of T public debate in parliament or through the media. Others let grievances accumulate, let neglect pile up, until the disaffection of a desperate people freedoms of people in a the right to practice one’s violence often practiced in can be channelled into violence by some for their own political ends. democratic society: the freedom business. They burnt cars on their rituals and transferred to The violence then becomes a vicious spiral that breeds more desperation to practice religion (and have a the road and stopped traffic. secular purposes. and violence, until it goes out of control. The Maoists launched their revolution different religious identity), the These and other freedoms, There is another more when democracy was still young and hadn’t yet had the chance to iron out its kinks. Their credo was Mao’s doctrine of a political shortcut through the physical freedom to express and transmit such as rights to education violent form of sacrifice, elimination of class enemies. In this, our comrades consider themselves the opinion (however radical or and to life, have been known as bali, where animals vanguard of an international movement to showcase a successful revolution in assaulted for many years by are slaughtered as offerings to the 21st century. GUEST COLUMN different groups and by fierce deities, to appease them One of the roots of this conflict is that 1990 itself was an incomplete different means. But and ask for boons. Such revolution and a squandered opportunity to set things right. The biggest Rajendra Pradhan disappointment was the venal fecklessness of many elected leaders who let the September First was probably sacrifices are practiced by people down and never owned up. regressive they may be) and the the first time in Nepali history many Hindus but also by How can we ensure accountability when tainted figures seem to have no freedom to earn a livelihood and that they have been practitioners of other problem returning to public office through the ballot? The resolution of the current own property. In targeting these simultaneously targeted. religions, such as Muslims and conflict offers us the opportunity to address this defect in our polity. Not to go freedoms, the rule of law was Why were these materials animists. The victims are true back to the absolutism of Panchayat or a Maoist dystopia, but to make the necessary changes so that rulers are accountable and democracy can deliver. also attacked. symbols of freedoms burnt? scapegoats, representing all The extreme left and right both want to drastically rewrite the constitution, These freedoms were Someone in one of the furious anger and evil forces in and the centrists are going along with it because they are competing to sound literally and figuratively burnt mobs was heard shouting that society and thus are to be more radical. Rather than throw the book out, our politicians would do well to in public rituals. They burnt anyone who was against the ritually killed to vanquish analyse what made them so unaccountable when they were in power, and fix that mosques, airlines owned by vandalism were anti- them. first. Instead of launching another even more decisive agitation against ‘Muslim’ countries and even a nationalists. In burning, were Extremists in Iraq and ‘regression’, agitated leaders should be thinking about how they can help forge a beauty parlour with a Muslim they performing nationalistic elsewhere seem to have multipartisan consensus on peace building. And for that peace to last, how to name. They burnt and rituals, which in Nepal’s case transferred this form of create 500,000 new jobs a year so that young Nepalis don’t have to go to Iraq vandalised the office buildings, (the only Hindu kingdom in sacrifice to human beings, by out of sheer desperation and end up as economic martyrs. How to collectively equipment and vehicles of two the world) were Hindu ones? slicing off the heads of ensure governance so that the people have affordable health care and education. It is this country’s tragedy that for far too long, we have had the wrong media houses and journalists. Fire is an important enemies. Back at home, our people at the right places. Conflict resolution is about compromise and sharing They destroyed the offices and medium in Hinduism, used own Maoists have been doing power, and it is never too late to start doing that. documents of recruitment for purification and the the same. These actions central element of the fire parody and inverse the sacrifice (hom or yagya), meaning of ritual sacrifices. In where offerings of food grains burning the symbols of and other items are made to citizen’s freedoms, it seemed the fire god, Agni, to be as if the mobs were transmitted to all deities and combining elements and

L ETTERS

security personnel to protect the the international press on Nepal’s mosques and other buildings. I plight. Your sensitive coverage of come from Chhetrapati and I have the pogrom against Kathmandu’s a lot of Nepali Muslim Friends, I Muslim minority had the have always admired their perspective of the small people tolerance and generosity. I that has not appeared in any other sympathise with them in their hour media. However, your incisive of loss at the hands of a few thugs. editorial ‘Post Mortem’ ended on Wonder whose payroll they were an incongruous note. You ask only under. of the Maoists and the palace if Tirtha Mali, Florida, USA Nepalis have not suffered enough. You did not question the political l There has been a sort of parties, implying to the reader that media war against Hindus since only these two were responsible for the killing of the 12 Nepalis in the pogroms and the overall ills in Iraq. This may ignite a backlash the country. What is it that you and should be stopped. The think the king can or should do? As media must not take sides in such the protector of this constitution, he a volatile issue. Whenever the cannot ask for its abolition: that is question of Islam and violence— what those who clamour for a specifically terror—is raised, we constituent assembly are asking for are repeatedly told by a section of despite previously claiming that it media in Nepal that the the vast was ‘the best constitution in the majority of Muslims in the world world’ and despite not making any are peaceful people who never attempts to reform it when they engage in terror. This is entirely enjoyed a majority in parliament. ENTER THE MONSTER corruption at the border. The Royal blaming the security forces for the accurate, and entirely irrelevant. I The king cannot resurrect a dead I agree with Kanak Mani Dixit Nepali Army checks each and riots getting out of control last agree that all Muslims are not parliament, killed by the united (‘Enter the monster’, #212) that it every vehicle crossing the Charali week. What the riots exposed was terrorists, but it pains me to note party in power in parliament, was a total failure of the Nepali Barracks throughout the day, but as a total lack of leadership and that almost all terrorists are especially after the supreme court government to protect the nation soon as it is dark they are back in vision among those in office. And Muslims. The point here is that has upheld that decision. He has from mayhem and to save the their barracks. What, the Maoists politicians in the opposition were the threat to civilisation asked the parties to submit lives of innocent hostages. don’t move at night? They are only baying for blood even while the emanating from within Islam is not themselves to a popular vote for a I was in Jhapa on 1 trying to create the impression that capital was burning, which just obviated by the fact that the great fresh mandate, and is he wrong in September and it was very clear they are fighting a war. Actually goes to show all they are after is majority of Muslims are not doing that? that the government, including they are not even able to protect power. And the Maoists, who used violent. That is why it is The people do not vote for the the police and army, were themselves. Now, even Lord last week as a rehearsal for an meaningless at best, and king or the army, even less for incapable of providing security to Pashupatinath can’t protect this attack on the capital, shut down dishonest at worst, to deny the armed bandits and extortionists in the people. The riots in Birtamod nation. all businesses in the country at threat to civilization coming from the jungle. They can only vote for lasted hours and security would Name withheld, email the snap of their fingers. various Muslim terrorist groups. parties that accept the right of not have taken more than 15 Something’s got to give. Then there are the questions of dissent, multiparty democracy, free minutes to reach the site from the l We must remember that A Simha, email the illegal madrassas and what is press and human rights. These Charali Barracks or the police security forces are fighting the being preached there. values are all guaranteed under office in Chandragadi and common enemy so you and I can l I was appalled reading your Vinay Kumar, Kathmandu this constitution. If there are Birtamod itself. There is no enjoy our freedoms. There is a lot articles in #212 and #213 on the provisions missing, and they are, government in eastern Nepal. of apprehension among the foot aftermath of the riots and l Your last issue (#213) was such as better minority People are more scared of the soldiers that they are not communal vandalism. I was excellent. Thank you for giving us representation in all wings of the security forces than the Maoists. appreciated for their sacrifices. So shocked that the government the immediate update on Deuba’s government or local self Security forces are neck-deep in we have to be careful about didn’t see it coming and send Delhi visit as well as a flavour of government units (which NATION 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 3 signifiers from these two major forms of sacrifices. And they parodied mahayagya (the great fire sacrifice), which are usually performed for cosmic and social The Delhi belly good. Mahayagyas are performed in Deuba would do well to rejoin his parent party various places to collect donations to construct hospitals, rime Minister Sher Giri, the man behind Deuba’s Nepal, on the other hand appears flexing political muscles by schools and a women’s Bahadur Deuba was so New Delhi jaunt, must be to be in a better political health. rejoining his parent party. That P determined to go to India complimented for correctly As soon as he arrived, he began will fundamentally change his university. But the high priests and patrons (yajamanas) of the despite riots and economic reading the secularity of by asking his own government to position vis-à-vis the monarchy forces of darkness made shutdown at home that he got political pantheon in India and admit to the failure to get the 12 as well as the Maoists. That offerings of the symbols of loyalists like Pradeep Giri and fixing his boss’s appointments Nepalis in Iraq released and the must have been the secret freedom in their profane fire, Bimalendra Nidhi to conjure up with Roman Catholic super- inability to quell the violent formula Manmohan Singh stoked with petrol. Or were they an invitation. That is how Deuba premier Sonia Gandhi, Muslim fallout in Kathmandu on 9/1. offered his Nepali counterpart cremating our freedoms and ended up being in New Delhi President APJ Abdul Kalam, Nepal fell short of asking Deuba during their one-on-one rights? Sikh Prime Minister Manmohan to resign. Even he seems to know meeting. Were these participants of Singh, and atheist leftist parties that post-October Fourth, India’s foreign minister K the secular fire sacrifice STATE OF THE STATE dominating the ruling coalition. premiers can’t even resign on Natwar Singh’s parting shot to implying that the freedoms in a CK Lal Just as well Deuba’s visit was not their own. They need another visiting entourage from democratic society are evil and cloaked as a pilgrimage as Narayanhiti’s clearance to even Pakistan was that “diplomacy hence the material symbols with his wife, son, in-laws and previous visits by Nepali leaders pack up their bags. Comrade offers hope, not salvation”. From were to be burnt in profane homs other hangers-on last week. used to be. Nepal is gently nudging the king New Delhi, Deuba brought to purify the country just as the Details of premier Deuba’s Vacations are known to to do the needful. neither. What he got was a terse heads scapegoats are sliced to 45-minute tête-à-tête with relieve stress, refresh the body, The palace will soon realise note to find his own feet. Deuba rid the community of evil Indian Prime Minister revive the mind and rejuvenate that the dowry Deuba brought should take that advice and forces? This was a macabre jatra Manmohan Singh haven’t been the spirits. In these difficult from New Delhi, rifles, learn to stand up and be of arson, celebrating the made public, but there was times, Nepal could do with a helicopters, guns and training for counted for the values that destruction of people’s freedoms nothing that he did in New revitalised leadership. the police, will be of better use if made him what he is: and thus of democracy. Delhi that couldn’t have been Unfortunately, Deuba seems to a royal communist were to fight democracy, socialism and It is worth reflecting that the done by his deputies. There is have derived no such benefits those bent upon establishing a pluralism. central ritual of Buddhism is the nothing in the 25-point joint from his vacation. Other than dictatorship of the proletariat in Expediency in politics and gift (dan) and not sacrifice. If we press statement that justified a describing his New Delhi trip as the only Hindu kingdom of the subservience in diplomacy can are proud to be called the land five-day trip of a 68-member a ‘huge success’ (if he may say so world. In such circumstances, take a leader only so far and no of Buddha, we should speak the entourage at the tax-payer’s himself) he was as clueless Comrade Nepal would be a much further. That is a lesson Madhab language of ahimsa (non- expense. about handling the Maoist better bet for the palace than the Nepal too would do well to violence) and gift each other But even if it afforded a insurgency as he has been before person who once called remember if his life’s ambition freedoms and rights instead of chance for Deuba to pay leaving Kathmandu. Now that Prachanda a ‘courageous leader’. of becoming the prime minister burning them in symbolic fires. personal respects to almost Comrade Prachanda doesn’t even The moment talks are off the is fulfilled, even by default, There should be a new jatra every politician in the Indian want to talk to his government, government agenda, Deuba needs mainly because Deuba failed celebrating our freedoms and capital, then perhaps the Deuba’s raison d’etre is to begin planning for his to learn any lessons from rights that stress dan and expenses incurred by the vanishing. retirement. his repeated failures at ahimsa. l exchequer was worth it. Pradeep Back from Beijing, Madhab Deuba still has the option of Singha Darbar. l

incidentally where there in the ideas to develop the nation by discarded Panchayat constitution!) decentralising democracy and they can easily be incorporated liberating Nepal from the hands through amendments. But how will of corrupt leaders, but we totally we vote for parties that prevent the disagree with your methods. It is democratic infusion of fresh foolish to destroy the country you leadership faces and insist on a are liberating. Stop killing feudocratic hold on their party unarmed civilians now, stop machinery by those indicted of destroying infrastructure now, and corruption? Should they not stop closing down industries and reform, give up the politics of forcing young Nepalis to flee chakka jams and street violence abroad. If you have a shred of and go to the people? The patriotism and responsibility left national press, by not challenging stop your atrocities and help the parties on these issues and rebuild Nepal. One last thing: being complicit in defining given your conduct so far, what ‘regression’ not as the return of the guarantee is there that once you kleptocrats to power but the use of assume power you will not be as a constitutional provision such as corrupt as the people you Article 127, has encouraged the replace? parties not to reform. Pravesh Saria, email Name withheld, Kathmandu l Why is it that it takes a l After the killing of 12 Nepali foreigner to call a spade a spade hostages in Iraq, Maoist supremo in Nepal? I read Gwynne Dyer’s Pushpa Kamal Dahal released a column in The Guardian that you press statement condemning the reprinted (‘Nepal stares into the deaths of fellow Nepalis. He also abyss’, #213) and he accurately blamed the present government describes the Maoists as for the deaths by not creating jobs apologists for the Khmer Rouge. at home. I would like to bring to How can anyone think of ever the attention of Comrade compromising with such a Prachanda that his guerrillas are fanatical group? Nepal is in a killing more than 12 fellow Nepalis Pol Pot scenario and no one within Nepal everyday. For how here is willing to admit it. There long does he intend to keep killing was outrage about the beheading so many unarmed civilians? Apart of a Nepali man in Iraq. Well, the from the killings, the insurgency Maoists have been torturing, has resulted in greater beheading, gouging out eyes, unemployement. Nepalis are lynching fellow-Nepalis now for venturing far and wide for only one eight years. Why isn’t anyone reason: if they go back, the saying anything? Dyer concludes Maoists will force them to join his piece with these haunting them or kill them. The closure of words; ‘Nepal is heading straight more than 46 industries has wiped for hell, and nobody in the out more than 100,000 jobs. It country seems remotely capable may be an opportune time for Mr of stopping it.’ May Awesome to look at himself in the Pashupatinath protect us all. mirror. We totally support your Gyan Awal, Kathmandu 4 NATION #214 No recruitment problem in Bardiya17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 Many support the Maoists out of fear, but here there is no choice

have to move away if I joined foregone conclusion, and it is the royal army, though.” clear where they get this line of The village wakes up at reasoning from. Asked why the five, there is lots to do on the Maoists are destroying farms, Every day is a struggle government buildings and for survival and working in the infrastructure, Biswajit tells us: fields is hard because there are “We must destroy everything so few people left. Children in that sustains the old regime and tattered clothes, their mothers build the new one from the and elderly farmers give roots up.” Biswajit a lal salaam as we The Maoists remain good at pass. In many parts of Nepal, turning things their way. Even the people may support the Biswajit admits it is easy to Maoists out of fear, but here convince the locals that the there is no choice. There is no government is useless and the government to support, and security forces are monsters. even if there was, the people Their line is: government are disillusioned with the way offices are destroyed because they have been abandoned—a they are corrupt and harass fact that the rebels have been local people, Narayanhiti is BOTH PICS: KASHISH DAS SHRESTHA quick to exploit. using donor funds to quell the KASHISH DAS SHRESTHA in BARDIYA Past excesses by the people’s uprising which is why security forces have also the NGOs should register and ere on the fertile plains of sounds of handpumps and name in the crowd, whispers pushed the villagers to the work with the Maoists at the the Karnali, the maize children playing in the village, something and sends the person Maoist fold. Villages here have grassroots, the army has tortured Hfields are ripe. The some 20km off the main off on a bicycle to carry been renamed after ‘martyrs’. people so we must fight them. comrades have guns slung over highway. It seems everyone who messages for the planned Banke- “This is Jivangaun,” a young At least in these villages of their shoulders as they help doesn’t support the Maoist Bardia banda. boy told us. He doesn’t even Bardiya, it seems recruitment villagers pluck the cobs. Most movement migrated elsewhere The Maoists have started know the original name of his into the Maoist fold is not a young men and women have fled long ago. Everyone who stayed their own customs check points village. The security forces problem.l the villages and there aren’t behind is with the rebels, there along the Indian border and the used to come through in sweeps enough people to work the isn’t any other way. leaders keep tabs on things by and take away anyone they fields. An army helicopter flies riding around the outback on thought was a Maoist The Maoists wipe the sweat overhead, but the Maoists don’t motorcycles. The last time the sympathiser. from their faces and adjust the even try to hide. As the sun sets security forces came this way “They used to come at straps on their captured SLRs over the jungles to the west, we was four months ago. They asked night. Once they took away the and INSAS assault rifles. A head back to the village. A questions and never came back. husband and wife from one of young female Maoist carries a yellow light spills out of the Even if they did, who would the houses and shot them in 303, and expertly breaks the shops into the dusty street. The they arrest? Almost every young the jungle,” one villager told maize from the stalks. children are playing since it is a and able-bodied villager us. A widow and mother of Resting, the talk turns to the holiday tomorrow. The Maoists remaining here is a militia three, says she won’t die brutal killing of 12 Nepalis in run the schools, but the member. without avenging her husband’s Iraq. It is the party line: “The government still pays the But some youngsters are death. “The security forces Nepalis died because the remote teachers. confused about what it is they arrested him and later took him control of Nepali politics is in A few men huddle outside a are fighting for. “I have done the to the Gulariya jail. They had the hands of the imperialist medicine shops that also sells WT (whole time) training for the no evidence he was a Maoist Americans,” explains Biswajit, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, militia, but I don’t know which but they never told us what who handles communications for biscuits and instant noodles. army to join,” says a 19-year-old. they did to him,” she said. the Maoists in the Banke-Bardiya The new Maoist monthly Tarai “I like what the people’s army “Since then the party has given Rifles slung from shoulders, the region. Voice is out and the locals read stands for, but if I join the royal me support and strength.” ‘people’s militia’ help with the It is a hot and quiet it avidly. Every now and then, army I can earn more money for Villagers now speak about harvest. Comrade Biswajit (above) afternoon. There are only the the local commander calls out a my family. My family would the ‘new regime’ as if it is a enjoys morning tea.

being targeted. My brothers are helping my father out in the garden. The lane I live in suddenly seems full of parents mingling with their children, yelling at them, playing with them. It’s an unfamiliar sight for a midweek afternoon. Above, the sky Wednesday has a strange pinkness, lighter than usual, a shade you would expect to find on a little girl’s party dress. There aren’t any stars, Diary for a day there haven’t been for the past few days. The setting sunlight stings the eyes in melting heat. Far away, I see a plane take off 9AM and wonder how the passengers reached the airport. Wonder The television screen is a blur. I press ‘mute’. A reporter was where they are going. asking: “Why didn’t anyone try to get them released? Why wasn’t anything done?” A lot has happened in the past hour. I 7.45 PM was supposed to go to school for my exam. At the bus stop, It’s quiet. The night always is, as if telepathically. The they said there is no school, no test, at least not today. “Call helicopters have stopped hovering. I light yellow and red again tomorrow BADRI P0UDYEL candles in my room, a daily thing, and start Abida Parveen on NEPALI PAN morning,” they said. to roof. Black smoke is rising in nine different places, one of my player. I should be re-revising, I know, but just can’t. Today, Back home, Bua wanted them opposite the corner store. Varsha Upraity 12 Nepali homes are mourning and the nation mourns with to bicycle to work and them. Some women will wear white, some children will only have the rest of the house 1.50 PM a memory, brothers and sisters will have pain and anger, parents pounced on him, calling him insane. He walked instead. My Bua just got back, he walked home with a cousin. We’d spent 20 only tears. This storm like many others in the past will eventually brothers change out of their uniforms and immediately, minutes trying to call him and tell him to hurry home, they’ve subside. Families will remain broken. simultaneously, grab the computer game CD. Ama tells them declared an indefinite curfew. The tv blinks off as the lights go In psychology, they teach you about bystander apathy and to hold it, and makes them study. They sulk, why should they out. I think of June, some years back. Just mournful music on tv mob behaviour. You learn which neurotransmitters cause which work, there is no school. and radio all day, street violence, demanding answers for emotions, the possible outcomes of severe stress, the therapies something that defied explanation. Dread seeping in. Only dogs that help you cope. Science shows what you can do with 11AM roaming the road. I glance at my brothers, who’ve finished their chemicals, with society, with knowledge, life makes you wonder I turn on the radio. A bus has fallen into the Trisuli in Kurintar, work for the day and are jumping in front a noisy computer why these potentials never seemed to be fulfilled for the better. over 40 missing. I switch it off, remembered hearing something screen. They are innocent, oblivious. We so easily blame our politicians and the freedom fighters. similar less than a week ago. I turn on the tv: BBC reporting two I’ll be honest now. I’m afraid. What do we have to say for ourselves on this day of shame? The suicide bombers in Israel killing at least 16 people. The novel I was supposed to have an exam on today is the first of a telephone rings. It’s my cousin calling from work to tell my 5.30 PM series called the ‘Children of Violence’. There will probably be grandmother not to let us go out of the house, they’ve burnt I’m on the roof again. The damage has been extensive: no school tomorrow, it is a day of national mourning. The curfew the mosques near Ghanta Ghar, the Qatar Airways office. I go Kantipur, Spacetime, ironic and annoying that the media is is still on. And the television still doesn’t work. NATION 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 5

Peace Corps pull out

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ This weeks announcement of the withdrawal of the American Peace Corps volunteers has dismayed many ordinary Nepalis who have benefitted from the work of this unique organisation for the past 42 years. The announcement came in a statement from the US Embassy reacting to the blast at the American Information Centre in Gyaneswor on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary on Friday. No one was injured, the damage was minor and the Maoists haven’t taken responsibility. So far, the Maoists are only on the US ‘terrorist watchlist’, and one official hinted that if they had taken responsibility for Friday’s blast they would certainly have been “upgraded” to the terrorist list. ‘The attack at the American Center on Friday not only endangered lives but clearly violated all international norms and laws,’ the US Embassy said in a statement on Monday. The decision to give family members of embassy staff the option to leave and to withdraw Peace Corps volunteers was “the last straw” another official said and denied that it was prompted by the need to reduce the US government’s legal liability in case a citizen came to harm at the hands of the rebels. The Peace Corps suspension is said initially to be for six months, and Grade 10 students at the sources said if the situation returns to normal after that, operations are Tribhuban Secondary likely to be resumed. Volunteers have been recalled to Kathmandu and School in Palpa will be sent home to the United States over the weekend. The Peace Corps office itself will remain open. Nepal was one of the first countries to have Peace Corps volunteers with 62 in the first batch in 1962 and 4,000 have served here since then. Alumni of the Nepali volunteers have frequent get-togethers and many Forced indoctrination keep in touch by email. “It is Nepal that draws us together. Nepal did a lot for us. It showed us you didn’t need two cars in the garage to be considered successful in life,” Mac Odell, who came to Nepal in the first batch in 1962, Students in Palpa mistook visiting journalists for Maoists and fled, fearing abduction told us in an interview last year. Many volunteers are still working in Nepal in the education and development fields while others have served here as JB PUN MAGAR in PALPA diplomats. David O’Connor, the current director of the Peace Corps in Nepal was himself a volunteer in Ilam in 1967-69. side from closing down voluntarily offered to join the after re-education, some students Peace Corps volunteers currently serving in Nepal say they have never most schools, the Maoists militia some students will have demanded that English be faced any threats or intimidation, and spoke to us of being overwhelmed A commit suicide if they are not scrapped from the curriculum. with the fortitude and generosity shown by the Nepalis they work amongst. have intensified the forced indoctrination of children in allowed to join the war,” he told On 20 September, a group of “It is just very very sad that they have to leave,” said a Peace Corps official. west Nepal as part of a us. But the students tell a journalists went to visit Adarsha recruitment campaign. different story. They are Higher Secondary School, where Helping Rosy

Thousands of students had fled supposed to get ‘people’s students from half a dozen ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nine-year-old Rosy Silwal dropped Gulmi after rebels made it education’, but in most cases schools in Palpa were celebrating out of Grade three in her native mandatory for one person from they are made to drill instead. Children’s Day with the slogan Dhading village because she was each family to join their force so Students abducted a month ago ‘Children are zone of peace’. The diagnosed with blood cancer and they could make a brigade. Most in Argeli say they were forced to students began to run away, had to come to Kathmandu for fled to Bhairawa, Butwal or to listen to political speeches and mistaking the journalists for treatment at the Kanti Children’s Hospital. But her parents could not India to find work, giving up shout slogans. Maoists coming to take them Rosy with actor Vijay Lama in hospital their studies altogether. Selected students from each away. Teacher Gyanendra afford the treatment, and were getting desperate. Now, it is Palpa’s turn. Last class were taken for closed door Bastakoti told the journalists his Film actor and airline captain, Vijay Lama, was reading the month, local Maoists forced over sessions, where they were urged pupils are terrified of being Gorkhapatra in the cockpit before a long flight to Kathmandu from 300 students from western Palpa to take an active part in the abducted. Nepalganj recently when he spotted a news item about Rosy. Lama was due to attend the second district ‘people’s war’. Netra Pandey and Last month, when the Maoists to start shooting director Narayan Puri’s film on the Maoist insurgency, level meeting of their student Sita Baudel, members of the were forcing Om Prasad Pandey Alpabiram, and he decided to donate what he would earn from the film for wing and listen to political local Maoist student wing, urged of Grade 10 from Saraswati High Rosy’s treatment. indoctrination. the 300 students to throw away School in Palpa into a jeep his This week, Lama took an advance of Rs 25,000 from his actor’s fee and handed it over to Rosy’s mother, Nanu Silwal. “It is the least I could do,” Journalist Khimraj Adhikari their books and pencils and take mother Binda Pandey managed to Lama told Rosy’s mother after visiting the hospital, “She is like a tiny in Gulmi says the only students up arms instead. “What is the rescue him. “They tried to take flower, we must make it difficult for her to be plucked by fate.” left in schools in his district are use of an education that doesn’t my son away, now I’ll send him Rosy is an only child and her parents are grateful to donors like Lama the physically handicapped, or get you a job?” students quoted to Butwal to study.” Priti for helping out. “This is the only way I can afford the treatment,” Nanu those below 14. Worried that the Pandey as saying. “This is the Maharjan stopped going to school Silwal says. “She is in her fifth phase of treatment and is feeling much exodus will further deprive them time to carry guns, you have your after hearing about the abduction better.” of recruits, the rebels recently whole life ahead of you to of students in other schools, but

issued an order banning anyone study.” that didn’t save her. The rebels Walking against cancer ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ from leaving the district, but The Maoists’ strategy seems came to know about her and as ○○○○ many children are still fleeing to be to brainwash the children punishment, declared her the Rotary Clubs of Nepal are getting together to raise money for cancer treatment for Nepalis who can’t afford it by organising a walkathon on under the cover of darkness and and prepare them unit chairman of their ANFSU Saturday, 25 September. The walks will be from Basantapur and Dhulikhel through less-used forest paths. It psychologically to take up arms. (Revolutionary) student wing. It to Bhaktapur. Walkers will need to get sponsors for every kilometre that they looks like the Maoist ‘strategic This goes hand-in-hand with the is doubtful Priti will go back to walk. Proceeds will go to the Cancer Upachar Dan Fund and help treat the offensive’ phase is running into policy of destabilising the school. She is just too scared. estimated 40,000 destitute cancer patients nationwide. For details: the problem of lack of manpower, educational environment and The local administration is RotaryWalkathon Secretariat, 01-4437544 since many activists have spreading disenchantment with helpless and clueless. CDO Ramji www.rotarymidtown.org.np/walkathon deserted, been captured or killed the school system. The children Gyawali says resignedly: “The in action. are young and impressionable rebels have convinced the Maoist leader Netra Pandey and the slogans do have an effect students to join them and the in Palpa denies the students are on some. Teacher Sridhar education sector has been hit being forced. “They have Bhattarai in Argeli recalls that badly.” But teachers say even this is not true, out of 300 students abducted last month all Maoists open school, then bomb it have returned and none of them want to take up arms. In the The day the Maoists lifted their six-week forced closure of schools in 17 central Nepal districts this week, they bombed the non-profit St Joseph’s whole of Palpa, they say, there School in Gorkha on Sunday night. are only two high school students The attackers forced the principal, Fr Dennis D’souza, to open the who have joined the Maoists. classrooms, looted the best computers and then exploded a pressure Still, the young students are cooker bomb, destroying computers and damaging the school building. apprehensive. “If they come The rebels left saying the attack was to “teach India a lesson”. The school again and force us to join their denies it has any Indian connection, and says it is 100 percent Nepali. army, I don’t think we will be in The attack on a model school that charged minimal fees and a position to say no,” says Puja provided scholarships to minorities and indigenous groups has cast doubts Pandey of Grade 12 in Tribhuban over the rebels’ sincerity about making schooling more egalitarian and, High School. more importantly, has raised suspicions that local cadre are out of the When we asked what her party leadership’s control. On Tuesday, UNICEF welcomed the lifting the schools closure, asking message would be to the all parties in the conflict to work actively to stop Nepali children from government and the Maoists, suffering further. UNCIEF’s Nepal representative, Suomi Sakai, said: “One Puja says without hesitation: out of five children in Nepal is not in school. This means even without “We don’t need guns, we just closures, more than 500,000 children are getting no education at all.” want to study. Leave us alone.” l 6 #214 NATION Aiding AIDS 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004

ast August when Nepal was granted Squabbling and apathy jeopardise Nepal’s AIDS fund world. Each round consists of five-year L $11 million by the Global Fund to grants. Nepal’s $11 million is from the fight AIDS, TB and malaria, there second round and we missed funding was considerable euphoria. opportunities during the third round as But since then, the government has the government and CCM failed to send been unable to find a Nepali organisation any proposals. For the fourth round, a capable of managing such a large project group of agencies like Action Aid Nepal, and the money looked like it would never Harm Reduction Council and Family reach Nepal. The government advertised Planning Association of Nepal decided twice, but failed to find a partner to to take their own initiative and sent in administer the funds to go to the proposals bypassing the government- National AIDS Centre and other non- dominated CCM. profits working to combat AIDS. The Global Fund recently “It’s a messy job, which is why many complimented proposals sent from INGOs did not apply,” says a Nepal by non-CCM organisations as development agency representative, among the best in the world. There is a requesting anonymity. strong chance that proposals worth $45 As the deadline approached this million will be approved in the fourth month, the government decided at a round. “I think the government should Country Coordinating Mechanism realise that it can’t bear all meeting in Kathmandu, to hand over responsibilitie. Civil society is also management responsibilities to the UN capable of working in the national system in Nepal. Donor, multilateral interest,” says Kafle. agencies, INGOs, NGOs and activists are Nepal’s CCM has come under heavy members of the Mechanism that endorses NARESH NEWAR criticism for lack of urgency in proposals to the Global Fund for ShilaTamang in Makwanpur insisted her photo be taken and published so that other addressing the country’s AIDS threat. approval. One member told us the group Nepali AIDS patients like her recieve treatment. Most of the members selected by the had no option but to get the UN to help government have little knowledge of out. “It was the next best thing to not have control over the money, will be limited to a select few. More HIV/AIDS issues. AIDS activist Rajiv returning the money to the Global Fund, organisations that had already been organisations can apply,” says Ojha. The Kafle is one of the most vociferous but it won’t be an easy project to manage, selected years back for funding will $4 million will have to be used within the critics, saying more HIV-infected even for the UN,” says activist Rishi benefit.” first two years of the grant period and if activists should be included in the body. Ojha, a CCM member. At least 19 NGOs, INGOs and the UN and development agencies fail to The representation by the donor and Some activists and NGOs are fuming government agencies have already disburse it, the chances of getting the rest multilateral agencies in CCM is also over the decision and suspect the UN qualified for the Global Fund grants and of the $11 million for the remaining three minimal and there are fears Nepal may will only fund NGOs that are its cronies, the first tranche of about $4 million is years will diminish. lose opportunities for future resources a fear dispelled by Pramod Kafle of the expected soon. “There is more than The Global Fund has already for the anti-AIDS campaign from the charity, ActionAid Nepal: “The UN will enough money, and I don’t think the fund approved grants for four rounds across the Global Fund. l (Naresh Newar)

Eighteen years after signing legitimate CFCs have pushed out CFCs 11 and 12 by 2010. the Montreal Protocol to phase up market prices up and In 2003, UNEP held the out ozone depleting encouraged smuggling. Illegal ‘Nepal Dialogue’ among substances, 188 countries are trade has been growing Nepal, China, and India in Death rays members. Since many of these alarmingly all over the world. Kathmandu where the three countries are developing In 1997, an estimated 20,000 countries agreed to share nations, they are being helped tons of illegal chemicals were information on smuggling and by the UNEP and other traded worldwide, and the production. They also agreed A regional meeting in Kathmandu this agencies to phase out the use situation has grown worse to hold regular meetings of CFCs and other ozone- since then. between customs officers week assesses Nepal’s efforts to depleting chemicals. Situated between China working at Nepal’s borders control ozone-depleting substances By 1996 developed and India, Nepal has been a with China and India. countries had stopped conduit for ODS. In 2001, 74 Consumption of ODS in producing and using the most tons of smuggled CFC 12 and Nepal is small, even when damaging CFCs, except for a HCFCs were seized at Birganj compared to the other few with medical uses. They customs. The contraband developing countries—only 30 are now working to phase out remains in warehouses while tons of CFCs and 23 tons of methyl bromide and HCFCs, the government has given HCFCs in 1999. India’s which are being used as assurances to the UN that it consumption is over 40,000 temporary substitutes for CFCs. will use parts of the chemical tons. But the rapid growth of Global consumption of CFCs as per Nepal’s Montreal agriculture and tourism have dropped from 1.1 million Protocol quota for CFC phase- means that the use of CFCs is tons in 1986 to 156,000 tons in out. growing, especially in 1998. “Nepal has committed to commercial and domestic Still, ozone depletion not allow further CFC imports, refrigeration, air conditioning which is occurring at an and releases only enough and fumigation. alarming rate, is expected to CFCs from its stock of seized Phase-out of CFCs in peak, and then gradually chemicals every year for its Nepal are related to those in decline by the end of this domestic use, which does not India. The availability of decade. If all member exceed our Montreal Protocol ozone-depleting chemicals in countries continue to abide by annual phase-out quota,” says India and the production of the Montreal Protocol, the Sita Ram Joshi at the Nepal ozone friendly technologies in Sita Ram Joshi of the Nepal Bureau of Standards inspecting contraband ozone layer should fully Bureau of Standards and India affect choices made by ozone depleting chemicals recover by the middle of this Metrology. consumers in Nepal. century. The thinning of the The bureau monitors Incidentally, the open border epresentatives from 23 Protocol,” says Surendra ozone layer allows harmful annual consumption quotas also means that it becomes Asian countries met in Shrestha, the Bangkok-based ultraviolet rays through and has established annual difficult for customs officials R Kathmandu on Thursday to Asia-Pacific director of the atmospheric filters, causing phase-out schedules of CFCs, to keep track of appliances mark the First Regional United Nations Environment cancers in humans and HCFCs, halons, and other entering Nepal. Says Dinesh Celebration of International Programme (UNEP). Even so, harming livestock and crops. ODS. Nepali law requires all Chandra Pyakural, secretary at Ozone Day and to take stock of illegal trade of CFCs has proved High altitude regions like the importers to obtain a license the Ministry of Industry, what needs to be done in the to be the biggest obstacle to the Nepal Himalaya are more at and it doesn’t allow re-export Commerce and Supplies: region to further reduce the achievement of the goals of the risk of UV exposure caused by of imported substances. Since “Nepal’s consumption of ODS production and use of chemicals Montreal Protocol in Asia, ozone depletion. Nepal does not produce any is very low. As a signatory to that destroy the ozone layer. which uses up to 66 percent of With the approach of the CFCs, it tries to keep track of the Montreal Protocol, Nepal “Countries in the region have the global consumption of Montreal Protocol deadlines to the amount of ozone- has already started made tremendous efforts to meet ozone-depleting chemicals and phase out ozone-depleting depleting chemicals implementing the ODS phase- their targets under the Montreal produces 90 percent of CFCs. substances (ODS), shortages of consumed and hopes to phase out program.” l 7 NATIONMobile tower row heats up17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 Boudha residents up in arms about phone towers on residential buildings

NARESH NEWAR transmitted by base stations or other radio transmitters like Nepal expensive and would require a cell phones have polarised Telecom, Nepal Television and large number of lab animals. he good news is: mobile debate internationally. Media Radio Nepal have never been For the time being, the activists telephones are now reporting on the subject is scant targeted?” he asks. say their only course of action T everywhere. The bad news because mobile phone However serious or negligible is to mobilise families to is: so are the transmitter towers. companies contribute so much the danger, Boudha residents say pressurise the government into Wireless technology is ad revenue that newspapers and that by the time the truth comes moving towers to safer areas. convenient because it uses television stations prefer to play out it may be too late for many Cell phone base station microwave transmissions from down the issue. people. They say there are plenty tower installations have met the caller’s phone to reach a One report suggests that of offices, warehouses and factory with stiff opposition in Europe transmitter tower near the exposure to radiation causes buildings in the neighbourhood and elsewhere from families recipient to make the immune disorders, nausea, that could host towers—there was concerned about their connection. But these are the memory loss, lack of no reason to choose a residential children’s health. A few years same rays of the electro- concentration, high blood building. ago a judge in Spain ordered 49 magnetic spectrum used to heat pressure, eye infection, asthma, “We really need to start a phone towers be removed from yesterday’s leftovers in your pneumonia, body pains, hearing public debate on this matter and rooftops in the town of household microwave oven. The disability and even brain we will also investigate” says Valladolid after an active phone transmissions are not as tumours. Another report claims UTL’s Rajendra Aryal. campaign by parents. powerful, but the jury is still out there is no conclusive medical Boudha residents want the A Nepal Telecom official on the harm that cell phones proof of any of this. Royal Nepal Academy of Science who requested anonymity said a can cause to human health— The anti-cellular phone and Technology to measure the 100m rule was proposed when especially if they are used for campaign has been actively led radiation levels from the towers cell phones were first allowed frequent and long conversations. by the Cellular Phone Taskforce and investigate possible health into Nepal five years ago, but it But how about the cell phone (http://www.laleva.cc/ impacts. But such research is was never implemented. l towers themselves? No one environment taskforce_eng.html) knows for certain, but as a which believes that governments precaution European and around the world are trying to American regulations prohibit suppress real scientific findings. base station towers to be located Scientists in Australia and within 100m of residential elsewhere have alleged that they buildings. have been forced to quit jobs in Boudha residents are universities and government objecting to a new cell phone departments because of their tower that has been put up right findings showing that GSM on top of a family house. Not phones increase the risk of only does this destroy what little cancer. is left of the traditional skyline “We don’t want to start a row of a UNESCO World Heritage with anyone. All we want is to Site, they say, but it is also a sit down together and talk about serious health hazard. this issue for the sake of people’s “We are just guests in this health, especially the children,” country but we are concerned says Noah Gordon, a frequent that people here are not aware of visitor to Nepal. “There must be how dangerous it is living so a reason why there is so much close to the towers,” says an uncertainty. Can we afford to expat who has been living in take the risk?” Boudha for the past 30 years. The cell phone companies Neighbours have got together to call them scaremongers and set up an action committee to dismiss the findings. “Wireless get the tower relocated to a non- and mobile services have been residential area. They organised used for decades and there is two public meetings at Boudha really no proof at all that radio lat week which ended up as a frequency signals affect anyone’s slinging match between the health,” says an Indian staffer expats and the Indian partners from UTL, requesting anonymity of the joint venture United and hinting that his company Telecom (UTL). may be targeted because it is UTL has already installed 14 partly Indian-owned. “How come transmission towers in residen- MANI LAMA tial areas around the city and is planning to add 10 more to service 25,000 clients through its wireless local loop technology. “We will not stop protesting until the tower is removed,” says Gyan B Shakya, a Boudha resident. Shakya admits he and his friends used to be unaware of the potential health hazards of cell phone towers and being exposed to radio waves 24 hours a day. The situation could turn nasty, and UTL asked for protection from the government after locals threatened to cut cables leading up to the tower. “If there is proof that the tower can cause serious health problems then I am willing to remove it,” says Raju Shakya, who permitted UTL to install the tower on top of his five-story house in Boudha, “But it has to be proven scientifically.” The uncertainty about long exposures to radio frequencies 8 #214 AnotherECONOMY oil price hike?17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 NOC must increase prices if it is to survive, but that is easier said than done

epal Oil Corporation owes NAVIN SINGH KHADKA India.” NIndia Rs 3 billion, it is With the four-party anti- losing Rs 580 million a ‘regression’ alliance looking for month, and bankers are getting any excuse to resume its street reluctant to lend it any more agitation, it would be suicidal money. for the shaky Deuba coalition to But this week, the state- raise fuel prices again. But owned oil monopoly got a rare under intense pressure from piece of good news: a India, and forced to rescue NOC government task force has from bankruptcy, the recommended that the costs of government seems ready to bite petroleum products reflect the bullet and at least raise international prices. New Delhi prices to the same level as also told Prime Minister Deuba India and prevent cross-border during his recent visit that it is smuggling. not happy with having fuel it NOC officials admit that a exports cheap and duty-free to significant quantity of Nepal’s Nepal being smuggled back into subsidied kerosene and diesel North India. goes back into India because Which means NOC now has prices are higher across the enough reasons to raise prices. open border. Even with the All it needs is the green light recent price hike in Nepal, from the politicians. “Our there is a Rs 6 price differential recommendation is to allow for a litre of petrol, Rs 9.5 for market forces to determine diesel and Rs 7 for kerosene. prices with the rise and fall in The Indian government is the international market,” says worried about loss of revenue National Planning Commission along its border with Nepal. member and task force co- “India’s notice to the NOC on ordinator, Yuba Raj Khatiwada. petroleum prices are unlikely to tariff commission to fix power international fuel prices have the eve of Prime Minister Sher “We do not want this issue to be raised sharply. The task force prices has not been able to gone up by 75 percent, but Bahadur Deuba’s visit to New become a political football has recommended an function independently and all remained nearly the same in Delhi seems to have been a because both the corporation independent non-governmental it does is endorse government Nepal. NOC borrowed Rs 2 reminder to Nepal to get its act and the country will suffer in monitoring body enforce decisions, often under donor billion from Rastriya Banijya together,” one senior source the long run.” legislation, even though a pressure. Bank and Standard Chartered told us. “It was a pointed But given the political similar body for electricity But petroleum is different. In Bank last month to tide over its warning if you don’t raise sensitivity of the issue, pricing has been a fiasco. The the past 15 months, Rs 580 million monthly deficit prices in Nepal we will slap a and is still looking for other tax to make it more expensive lenders to pay this month’s bills. for you to import oil.” Pipeline in the pipeline Some banks, including Nabil, An Indian Embassy were willing, but NOC wanted to statement did immediately One of the main accomplishments of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s visit to New borrow Rs 3 billion but the bank follow the notice saying that Delhi last week was the agreement between the state-owned oil corporations of the two could only lend Rs 600 million. countries to fix a pipeline from the border to the depot in Nepalganj. the duty-free export of oil to The 35km pipeline will cost Rs 500 million and be a 50-50 India-Nepal partnership Last month’s fuel price hike Nepal would continue, and which bypasses the current leaky tanker route from Indian refineries to Birganj. Much of hasn’t helped much. After the Indian officials said the news the adulteration and leakage of diesel, kerosene and petrol in Nepal is said to occur in rise, losses have come down was “an ill-timed the Raxaul-Amlekhganj stretch. from Rs 580 million to Rs 406 misunderstanding caused by “The project will help us reduce leakage and pilferage significantly and address the million a month. “The hike was lack of coordination between problem of adulteration,” says Commerce Secretary Dinesh Chandra Pyakurel (pictured). too little,” said Hariom Dhoj various departments in Delhi”. “We will be able to recover the cost of the project within the first five years, and after that Joshi, Officiating Managing Even so, the letter seems to consumers will also feel the relief of having to pay less for petroleum products.” Director of NOC. “Things will have done the trick by sending The construction of the project is expected to begin soon and it will take two years for not change until we can take the message to the prime completion. Officials say the pipeline will pay for itself within four years because of saved prices to international levels, or minister’s delegation as it was transportation cost, and even quicker if leakage and adulteration is taken into account. at least put it on par with about to leave for India. l ECONOMY 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 9 Nabil is bank of year Rising from the ashes

The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times Group in London, has It wasn’t a religious riot, it was looting, pure and simple chosen Nabil Bank as the bank of the year country award for Nepal. There were 133 banks from around the world that had participated in the initial n 1995, Tulsi Ratna Tuladhar round of the competition. started a one-shutter shop on I Kantipath selling Chinese The Banker, which has been published since 1926, shortlists the number of participants from each country every year. HSBC won the global motorcycle parts and award and in India, ICICI was voted the Indian bank of the year. accessories. By August 2004, he Nabil’s ecstatic general manager, Anil Shah (pictured below) thinks had three people to help manage the main reason his bank was conferred the honour could have been its an inventory worth about Rs 13 balance sheet. “The other reasons that may have impressed the panel of million. On Wednesday, 1 judges was our investment in new technology, which shows our commitment September, his shop, along with to Nepal and our human resource management,” explains Shah. the neighbouring offices of Air There were five banks from Nepal that had been asked to apply for the final selection process for the award. This is the third year since the Nepal Sahara and Qatar Airways, was award was introduced. In 2002, Standard Chartered Bank won the award destroyed by rioters. As Tulsi and last year it was Nepal Investment Bank. Nabil got it this year, as it watched, it took only a few hours celebrates its 20th anniversary. for a decade of hard work to turn Nabil pioneered the first joint venture bank in Nepal, and two decades into rubble and ashes. MIN BAJRACHARYA down the line there are 16 other banks in the country. Shah says “From 10 in the morning, you talk to business owners like members whose loved ones have competition is all right, as long as it does not trigger an unhealthy trend. people were hurling stones at Tulsi. What they witnessed were been killed by the Maoists or the “At a time when the economy is stagnant, if not shrinking, we have more the windows of Qatar Airways,” not riots imbued with religious army, there remains no recourse and more banks and financial institutions,” he says. “We are beginning to said Tuladhar. “I locked up my hatred and Nepali nationalism, for business owners such as see sparks of unhealthy competition that could affect the entire industry.” shop, and started calling the but people who, once they Tulsi to even think about So, why doesn’t the Bankers’ Association regulate itself? “The Nepal police. They did not come. The figured out that police would cobbling together a path to Bankers’ Association is not a cartel,” explains Shah. “If there is a cartel, the customers will be the first to lose and in the long run the banking crowd started getting bigger and not come, seized an opportunity justice. They have loans to worry industry will lose.” restless. I was scared. Then to loot. about, suppliers to pay, Shah says the Nepal Rastra Bank around 11, one person showed By not intervening early and employees to soothe and does internal ratings of the bank. “I up with a steel crowbar. He swiftly, Kathmandu’s law emotional trauma to deal with. think they should make this rating forced open the Qatar office, enforcement officials provided a Given the gravity of Black public knowledge. Right now the shattered the glass doors and context for those in protesting Wednesday, FNCCI and the CNI customers are in the dark and have went inside. Others followed julus to turn into looters and could have, without making no proper idea how the financial and started throwing out arsonists who damaged promises and strictly in a show l market is behaving.” furniture and computers. I heard manpower agencies, media of solidarity, accorded a them shouting when they found houses and hundreds of private- temporary sanctuary to these a box of money. After that, with sector businesses. Any victimised business owners. But crowbars in hand, they moved to expectations that last spring’s mired as they are in their own adjoining offices and shops, political rallies, not to mention diffidence and inaction, they smashing each open. The looting the Hrithik Roshan riots of 2000, stood by as businesses were went on for some time before the had made Kathmandu’s police attacked. crowd started lighting fires. The force skillful in the logistics of To keep hope alive, the only whole building was ablaze in no mob management was dashed. consolation for Tulsi is in Min time. The fire brigade only True, the police now claim that Bahadur Gurung’s story. Just as arrived after the curfew was they have arrested more than 50 Min Bahadur created imposed at two o’clock.” alleged looters. But don’t be Bhatbhateni Supermarket from Civil society pundits have surprised if they remain the ashes of his one-room cold- written much about Hindu unprepared to handle another storage in 1994, here’s hoping fervour and misplaced round of riots in future. that Tulsi and other Nepali nationalism of the riots that took Meanwhile, just as there is business owners will find the place on Black Wednesday. But a no way to seek justice through strength to rise from the different picture emerges when legal channels for family ashes. l MIN“We BAJRACHARYA lost Rs 1.5 billion in one month” Chandi Raj Dhakal, the first vice president of the FNCCI spoke to Nepali Times on Wednesday night after the Maoist labour union called off the forced closure of industries and a compromise was reached. He is glad, but says the nation paid a heavy price for the month-long closures.

Nepali Times: Was this a stopgap compromise, are industries going We have made commitments to discuss issues ANTFU has to be bombed and closed again? raised once industries reopen. Some of their demands related Chandi Raj Dhakal: I think it is a lasting agreement. For the past few to the rights of workers may have been reasonable. But, days we have been in touch with the Maoist-affiliated ANFTU through given the circumstances we are living in and the trouble the human rights activists. We also held direct talks with them. We had economy is facing, we may not be in a position to fulfill all to wait for the government’s response to the Maoist demands. There the demands even if we wish to. Other trade unionists have was also pressure from workers and industrialists who had given a understood these problems and they have been cooperating. deadline to open the industries by Friday, even if the ANTFU did not We believe that ANTFU will also understand the problems our called off the closure. industries are facing and cooperate.

So there won’t be any more closures? Have you agreed to raise the minimum wage to Rs 5,000? There is no guarantee as such. The student wing of the Maoist rebels There have been no talks about wages, so far. We will had called off the strike in schools and yet schools in some areas continue our discussion with them as we did in the past. continue to be affected. But we must be restrained and take the Maoist move positively. We have no choice but to trust that they will But how will you talk to them if the government calls never obstruct industries again. On the top of that, this time we have them terrorists? received the Maoist leaders’ commitment in black and white. We We will request the government withdraw the red corner convinced them that in an age of globalisation if we close down notice on the ANTFU leaders who will be sitting for talks with industries we will always lag behind. us. When we sit for talks, we will also involve other trade unions. What are the accumulated losses of the past month of closures? Everyday the government was losing around Rs 120 million in The government has blamed industrialists for helping revenue. The industries have seen damages of around Rs 1.5 billion. boost the morale of the Maoists by closing down We have yet to estimate the indirect losses to production, industries despite security assurances. transportation, distribution and so many other sectors. Once the Nepalis today live with uncertainity. We are not safe even in industries resume operations, perhaps the figures will be made public. our homes. Under such circumstances, how can we open our More than 150,000 workers had been directly affected and many industries even if the government gives security more indirectly. assurances? It is not just about opening industries. We need to transport raw materials to our factories for manufacturing Has the business community agreed to the Maoists’ labour and later for distribution. It is impossible to work when there demands? is the threat of violence. 10MomoFOOD mania

AARTI BASNYAT

t’s the classic image of generally bite sized, although monsoon—a plate of steaming, varieties range from kothey, which tender momos against a are the same shape as the ancient I backdrop of the rain dripping off Chinese jiaozi, to open, palm-sized the eaves of your neighbourhood momo pasal. On a damp rainy day, momos with a variety of fillings. Nepal’s favourite snack takes the Everyone has their own favourite prize as the best warming device, no little momo spot, and debates can contest. rage for hours on which size, shape, ALL PICS: MIN BAJRACHARYA Still, although Kathmandu dough and filling is the best. The residents can probably claim the best, or worst, thing about momos in different stratas of society. Momo momos, ‘C’ momos got their present fried kothey and the traditional most momos eaten per capita or the Kathmandu is that everyone has a King, despite its royal name, is name from voracious customers. Newari momocha. most momo joints per square different place where they claim the aimed at the working class and Special Chinese spices (sorry, it’s a kilometre, the humble dumpling most delectable and juicy momos students with affordable prices, secret) make Diva’s Delight a hot Jawalakhel Kitchen travelled a long way before arriving are served. It is impossible to list all combo meals and special offers. favourite with people who love to in the Valley. these, but here we have tried to put Momo King’s momos are made at a have their taste buds tingling. Ever since Jawalakhel Kitchen Xi’an, the ancient Chinese city together a comprehensive guide to centralised kitchen in Lazimpat, opened two years ago, it has that served as the seat of 12 the momo haunts of Kathmandu. frozen and then distributed to the campaigned relentlessly—and imperial Chinese capitals, is other outlets. US-trained Momos and More deliciously—to take pork cuisine regarded as the home and Nanglo Bakery restauranteur Mahendra Shakya Momos and More in Battis Putali is mainstream. Udhyan and Babita birthplace of the great dumpling explains that this is more hygienic the place to go if you have a Rai’s hole-in-the-wall establishment tradition. Dumplings were included In Kathmandu’s largest chain of and efficient and was inspired by discerning palate. As proprietor Niti owes much of its success to its in arrays of delicacies called dim restaurants, momos are the most McDonalds frozen fries and burgers. Rana says, “Others cater to the succulent pork momos, which tempt sums, literally translating as ‘to popular dish. Nanglo even hosts an Jamal Junction at Kantipath caters mass, we cater to class.” The even the wariest of customers. Their touch your heart’. Approximately annual momo festival every more to the upper middle class, with speciality is the thinness of the reputation has spread, and often 600 years ago, during the Ming February. This year, there were 18 freshly made momos, milder spices blanket of dough, which makes the people hunt down the restaurant dynasty, ear-shaped dumplings different varieties to choose from. and higher prices. Between Jamal taste of the filling more prominent. only to find they have to wait for a resembling the silver and gold Nanglo’s momos are remarkably Junction and Momo King, you will Their two sauces—coriander with table—but one juicy momo later, all ingots used as money consistent, being the same definitely find momos to suit your sesame paste, and a garlic chilli that is forgotten. began to appear. size and served with the palate and pocket. paste—are also a class apart. Called jiaozi, these same sauce in each of Everest Momo became part of the their outlets. The Sui Mai Restaurant traditional Chinese ingredients and sauce Belle Momos Everest Momo is the original local New Year are prepared at the Teku’s Sui Mai resturant gets its Belle Momos on Darbar Marg has a galli momo. It caters to everybody: celebrations. central name from it’s renowned Sui Mai growing reputation for exquisite from taxi-drivers to schoolchildren to momos, which are different from momos. The house speciality is the businessmen, and epitomises the everyday momos as they are open offer of ‘Mongolian’ and ‘Aryan’ momocha culture in Kathmandu. It from the four corners on the top, versions of each filling. This is started as a small local momo shop making them square rather than probably the only place where you and now is a mega momo mall with your average everyday round can get garlic cheese, peanut a huge turnover. Very affordable, dumpling. Sui Mai serves special paneer or special low-cholestrol very accessible and taste that takes momo sauces: peanut, tomato and momos, all part of Belle Momo’s you to the top of the world. green chilli. Take your pick, or take proud total of 25 varieties. all three. Sui Mai momos are bestsellers and there is a special Dumplings began their Darbar Marg kitchen and then momo section in the kitchen just to Dechenling Restaurant southward march across the distributed to the other branches to keep up with the demand. Though popular for its Bhutani Himalaya when traditional Chinese ensure that the customers receive dishes, Dechenling offers a dishes were passed on to Tibet. the same product everywhere. Diva’s Delight variety of momos including There, they changed shape and Multiple locations and strict quality the dhapoo, a palm-sized were usually paired with a hot soup control have made Nanglo a Diva’s Delight is synonymous with ‘C’ dumpling with a very thick to ward off the cold. These hardy household name. momos, or chilli momos. Chef skin that has more yeast than treats crossed the mountain passes Narendra Thapaliya first invented average momo dough. In into Nepal, and then down into Momo King and Jamal Junction these in 1985 while working at the Dechenling, the dhapoo size Sikkim and beyond. The jiaozi also Malla Hotel, where he noticed has been reduced, though you travelled north to Japan, where they These two restaurants are managed Chinese cooks using hot Sichuan can request for the original jumbo are called gyoza. Momos today are by the same group but cater to very sauce. Originally called Sichuan version. Dechenling also serves pan 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 11 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 Escape that his organisation carried get the millions if it didn’t do

out attacks on the Muslim so, the latter has given the

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Drishti, 31August – mosques and madrasas in the responsibility to the United 6 September capital and other parts of the Nations office in Kathmandu. country. Subsequently, The Global Fund’s deadline for Girija Three young girls from Budathoki went underground. selection of a Management Dhankuta escaped from Maoist A similarly named parallel Support Agency will lapse this captivity and returned to their organisation called Shiv Sena month. After a long debate, the Decisive party families. Sixteen-year-old Nepal also exists headed by ministry finally selected the Bina Rai, Phul Maya Rai and Arun Subedi. Subedi is UN. Editorial in Rajdhani, 14 September Asmita Biswakarma were considered to be the founder (Nepalnews.com Translation Service) of Shiva Sena in Nepal. After The Maoists and the Nepali Congress are beginning to speak the same kidnapped by Maoists in July from their houses in the issue of religious Food supply language. Both seem intent on pushing the country into darkness. The secularism was raised while

rebel leaders have refused to hold peace talks with the government led Aankhisalla village of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ by the four parties, which Prachanda terms ‘servants of the king’. To make Dhankuta. The rebels came to writing the 1990 constitution, Kantipur, 15 September matters worse, the Nepali Congress is now planning another ‘decisive settle some disputes between Subedi formed a religious movement’. It looks like the country’s oldest democratic party is villagers, and when they saw organisation called the Shiva BAJURA – Impoverished farmer supporting an undemocratic force. This is not the first time that Girija the three teenagers they asked Sena by putting yogi Dhan Singh had joined the has called for a decisive movement. The political demonstrations led by them to come along. When the Narharinath, founding leader ‘Food for Work’ program to feed NC have been going on for the last two years and the party has never girls refused, the rebels of Praja Parishad Ramhari his family. He worked several stopped uttering the same phrase. So far, we have not seen any impact threatened to behead them. Sharma and former prime months and, on completion of of the many phases of the so-called decisive movement. All it has done The girls say the Maoists minister Lokendra Bahadur his assignment, went down to is get wide and sensational media coverage. The Nepali people have Chanda in its honorary Sanfe. On the way home, lost all interest in what the NC has to say, especially the man who has forced them to walk day and night, without anything to eat. advisory board. But Subedi Maoists looted the food he was been leading the movement with a bogus and outdated agenda. then registered this religious Initially, the main focus of the people’s movement was to restore the They were guarded by sentries carrying for his wife and multi-party government and this has already taken place. The situation and when one of them said she organisation as a party in the children. “What am I going to in the country has become so grave that neither Girija’s decisive was sick she was thrashed. If Election Commission in the do now?” Dhan weeps out of movement nor his old agenda can help solve it. It is high time the NC they refused to walk, the year 1998. Initially, he had the frustration. “My family has not realises that such attitude and behaviour does not suit the largest rebels would threaten to chop support and blessing of India’s eaten for days.” More than 95 national party. These games only suit small parties who come to the their legs off. Bina, Phulmaya Shiva Sena chieftain Bal poor labourers like Dhan lost 67 streets with opportunism. The NC still has a chance to take over the and Asmita were then asked to Thakre, but after a rift between quintals of rice after the government in the future and run the country responsibly. This is their perform sentry duty at a Budathoki and Subedi started Maoists looted them as they opportunity to gain mass support by doing something for the people mountain camp. When growing inside the carried their loads back home. instead of traumatising them further. But the direction the NC is heading, organisation, Thakre “My family is waiting it is gradually losing its credibility and true identity and seems to be everyone else was asleep, they ran off to the nearest road and appointed Budathoki as a desperately for me to bring food leaning towards the Maoist camp. How secure would people feel if this chairman of his party’s Nepal unarmed party aligned with the militarised party of the Maoists? Instead, boarded a bus to Dharan, home,” says Khale Chadra, if it can convince the Maoists to come out and join mainstream politics, where they went to the police. branch. “Thakre sahib has wiping away his tears, “I don’t the NC can restore its good faith and credibility. The NC should now wake The girls say that many other recognised us as his true know how to face them. I’d up to the reality that the decisive movement won’t help decide anything young girls and boys are being representative in Nepal, this rather hang myself.” but its own ruin. For it’s own sake it better realise this sooner than later. kept in the rebel camps at is why we are the real Shiva Survival is difficult here at gunpoint. Waiting for a chance Sena,” Budathoki says. the best of times, but with the to escape. A brother and sister (Nepalnews.com Translation insurgency food supplies from escaped from the camp the Service) the Food Supply Corporation same day they did. are being looted by Maoists. AIDS fund The government allocates about

60,000-65,000 quintals for this ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Shiva’s army Nepal Samacharpatra, district. Besides looting, ○○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○ 9 September regular strikes and road Samaya, 10 September blockades also prevent the food What does the government do from reaching food-deficit After ‘Nepal Shiva Sena’, the when it gets a large amount of villagers. Large stocks of food Nepali edition of India’s money from a donor? It pays grains are stuck in the godowns Hindu fundamentalist party another donor to help spend while the villagers in remote took responsibility for all the the money. The Ministry of areas are left to starve. Last mayhem and violence in Health is selecting a donor year, the Maoists raided the Kathmandu on 1 September in agency to implement projects godown and looted more than reaction to the killing of 12 funded by the Global Fund to 6,000 quintals of rice. Due to Nepali hostages in Iraq by a fight AIDS. After Global Fund the Maoist conflict, Muslim terrorist outfit, instructed the selection of a agricultural production has curiosity about this group has separate donor agency to look dropped by almost 30 percent. greatly increased. Kiran Singh into the management of the Bajura needs at least 170,000 Budathoki, the head of this AIDS program, and warned tons of rice annually for its outfit, has already admitted that the government wouldn’t 70,000 population.

Find justice, not power Kantipur, 16 September

It was an unfortunate move on Girija Prasad Koirala’s part to suggest relocating the Supreme Court inside the palace. He is definitely a respectable political leader and former prime minister, but it will never do him any good to think that he is above the system. He has made a deplorable display of himself by refusing to testify before the Comission for Investigation on Abuse of Authority (CIAA). Koirala publicly announced he would rather go to jail than answer to the CIAA. Whether he knows it or not, such a statement is both political and morally suicidal. If Koirala tries to prove his innocence by demonstrating his own power rather than taking the legal route, it will be the biggest mistake of his political career. The credibility he has gained as a politician over the past half-century will be lost. To reject and distrust the judicial body would only reflect his own moral defeat. This issue is a test of Koirala’s democratic values and commitments. Democracy means everyone is equal, and nobody is above the system. This is something that Koirala is Prime minister returns from India very aware of, as someone who has spent over five decades struggling for democracy. If he denies the court or the CIAA, it would clearly indicate Jana Bhawana, 13 September that he has no respect for democracy. Koirala should trust the citizens. If the legal suit is purely an attempt to frame him because he is leading QUOTE OF THE WEEK the movement, then the whole country will come to the streets in his defence. But first, Koirala has to face the judiciary body and show it “The Maoists are worse than terrorists.” respect. Citizens have a lot of faith in the CIAA for its fair justice system. If it acts with political intentions and lacks transparency instead of CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli in Kantipur, 15 September dispensing justice, then it will become subject to public wrath.

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS #214 13 No reason to 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 fight anymore

Pradip Nepal in Rajdhani, 12 September

This is the first time India has so openly admitted the need to suppress the Maoists. If the agreement between the prime ministers of India and Nepal on resolving the Maoist issue is accurate, then the rebels will finally have to admit that their rationale for revolution is no longer valid. The Maoists used to roam freely in India. At one time They used to meet Nepali political leaders pretty openly in India. Now, Comrade Kiran is in jail in Silguri, a dozen comrades are behind bars in Patna, CP Gajurel is in detention in Madras with the Indian government showing no interest in releasing him and the Indians are tightening the border—all these developments must be worrying for the Maoists. They have only themselves to blame for destroying their international support base and they will have to pay a heavy price to rebuild that support. In Nepal, they have made enemies of all the political parties, but they had parties with which they had strategic alliances. But they have been alienating themselves even from these allies. If the Nepali Congress stalwarts are right, then the Maoists are now intent on finding a safe landing through Girija Prasad Koirala. Koirala is the fountainhead of the Maoist revolution in Nepal. After all, it was he who squandered the country’s democratic gains and gave the Maoists the chance to grow between 1992-1994. How can someone who was responsible for the Maoist problem be entrusted with finding a solution to it? More so, at a time when they have nothing to give him? One of the political characteristics of the Maoist party is opportunism. True, this is not necessarily bad in politics. It is difficult to fault the politically bankrupt Maoists to use others as they have before. But the question is: are the Maoists using Koirala or is he using them? If the Maoist intellectuals analyse the situation honestly, it is clear that the Maoists are being used. They used King Birendra against Girija Koirala, and actually began the process of regression. In order to use India, they refused to criticise it for a long time, but later when MIN BAJRACHARYA they had no use for it so they began abusing India. Now, the Maoists are saying they will not negotiate with the “servants” of the king. In fact, they’d rather talk to Koirala! Pure opportunism. By using Koirala against Deuba, the Maoists are shooting themselves in the foot. There is no basis to negotiate with Koriala now, and negotiating with the king would be suicidal for them. This is the best time the Maoists have ever had to start negotiations. Such an opportunity will not return. The present government is willing to consider all three demands: constituent assembly, roundtable conference and interim government. The maximum flexibility comes from agreeing to discuss constituent assembly. The journey of politics is never endless. It has to have a destination, a goal. The Maoists must honestly ask themselves: what is their goal? Is it their ‘new democracy’? Then they might as well accept that it is impossible. If it is genuine democracy, then that is achievable by peaceful means. There is no point fighting about it. The government is dragging its feet on peace. It can’t use Maoist stonewalling as an excuse. The ministers must realise that unless they take the peace process forward, they will cease to exist because this government’s sole mandate is peace. If this government falls, the king is not about to talk to the Maoists either. 14 INTERNATIONAL 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 Povertycrats, population and the poor The population Economic growth and good governance The threat of a population explosion is are the best contraceptives regional rather than global DONALD G MCNEIL in NEW YORK They weren’t conceived because their emember those warnings about how unbridled population growth was a would-be elder brothers and sisters survived, or R bomb ticking away? Well, the dire scenario did not materialise. The current emember the population bomb, the because women’s lives improved. In the rich world population of 6.4 billion scarcely burdens the earth’s carrying R fertility explosion set to devour the West, Mom went to college and decided that capacity and technological advances ensure that even with the world adding 100 world’s food and suck up or pollute all its putting three children through graduate million people each year, “overpopulation” isn’t going to result in Malthusian air and water? Its fuse has by no means been school would be unaffordable. In the poor famines and related catastrophes. plucked, but over the last three decades, parts of the globe, Mom found a sweatshop But try telling this to the United Nations much of its Malthusian detonation power has job and didn’t need a fifth child to fetch and its clueless financial supporters in the leaked out. firewood. OPINION Europe who continue hammering on the Birthrates in developed countries have “On a farm, children help with the pigs or sunk below the levels needed for their chickens,” explained Joseph Chamie, director theme and have, however unintentionally, Pranay Gupte populations to replace themselves, the typical of the UN Population Division. Nearly half the assisted in generating one of the biggest age of marriage and pregnancy has risen and world’s people live in cities now, he said, “and scams to hit the international community—one that has cost taxpayers the use of birth control has soared. The threat when you move to a city, children are not as billions of dollars to sustain bureaucracies and NGOs supposedly dedicated is now more regional than global, explosive helpful.” to population control and reproductive health. only in places like India and Pakistan. Ever Beyond that, simple public health Between UN expenditures and those of individual governments and NGOs, since 1968, when the UN Population Division measures like dams for clean water, vitamins some $11 billion is spent each year on population-related matters. That is more predicted that the world population would grow for pregnant women, hand-washing for than a fourth of what all 135 countries of the Third World receive annually in to at least 12 billion by 2050, the agency has midwives, oral rehydration salts for babies, foreign aid, and almost a tenth of what they get each year in foreign direct regularly revised its estimates downward. Now it vaccines for youngsters and antibiotics helped th investment and foreign institutional investment in their equity markets. And the expects population to plateau at nine billion. double world life expectancy in the 20 great population scam is all set to enter a new stage. Where did those billions go? Millions of century, to 60 years from 30. More surviving babies have died, some from AIDS, far more children means less incentive to give birth as Last week, thousands of politicians, diplomats and academicians gathered in from malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia or often. As late as 1970, the world’s median London for a three-day conference to lament the world’s allegedly rapid measles. More millions have been aborted, fertility level was 5.4 births per woman. In population growth. They are flying first class or business class, they are being either to avoid birth or, as in China and India, 2000, it was 2.9. Barring war, famine, epidemic put up in luxurious lodgings, they are being feted at restaurants — and to avoid giving birth to a girl. But even AIDS or disaster, a country needs a birthrate of 2.1 international taxpayers are footing the bill. Without doubt, the participants will and abortion are drops in the demographic children per woman to hold steady. authorise the creation of yet another mechanism for lucrative jobs for favoured bucket. The real missing billions are the The best-known example of shrinkage is Third Worlders to attend to the twin “problems” of population and development. babies who were simply never conceived. Italy, whose women were once symbols of The en vogue nomenclature is no longer ‘population control’ after objections that it suggested neo-colonialism. Today’s favoured phrase is ‘reproductive health’. It was popularised at the UN’s population conference in Cairo in 1994. The London meeting marks the 10th anniversary of the Cairo talkfest. The argument, in essence, is: A poor nation cannot progress unless its population Population growth is size is commensurate with the country’s ability to provide adequate education, employment and municipal services. The solution? Distribution of more condoms and the pill, sex education at schools, better public awareness of infectious sexual malignancies. still an issue At the London conference, there were calls to create an international super- agency to coordinate global efforts concerning social development. There’s lobal population, now 6.4 billion, decline is projected to double by 2010- plenty of money available for this new bureaucracy: the Nordics, the Dutch and is still growing by 76 million 2015. North America continues to grow the Japanese have informally pledged millions of dollars. Indonesia, Gpersons per year. By 2050, the at about 1 percent annually, mostly Bangladesh, Egypt and the Philippines may chip in. Even conservative Saudi United Nations projects the world because of immigration. Arabia is likely to cough up cash. will add some 2.5 billion people, an Today’s population estimates and Is it really necessary to create yet another bureaucracy? Third World amount equal to the world’s total growth projections are lower than those countries don’t need the altruism of foreign bodies and their highly population in 1950. made a decade ago, largely because the compensated consultants. It’s culturally insulting—and historically erroneous— Growth has slowed since it peaked impact of HIV/AIDS in Africa have to say that poor people everywhere will keep producing children because of in the mid-1990s at around 82 million been worse than previously projected unrestrained libidos. annually. The average family size and growth in the developed countries Four critical elements are necessary to accelerate sustainable development worldwide has declined from six has declined faster. The 38 African in poor nations: children per woman in 1960 to around countries most affected by HIV/AIDS The mobilisation of domestic resources by the private sector l three today, as family panning has are projected to have 823 million The inflow of more FDI for strengthening infrastructure and expanding l become more accessible and widely people in 2015, 91 million fewer than if agrobusiness used. Projections suggest total no AIDS deaths had occurred. l More foreign and local investment in securities markets population will start to level off by the l Widening education, particularly of female children middle of this century, as fertility drops Anthropology suggests that people will always respond positively to to replacement level or lower. economic and educational opportunities—and adjust family size accordingly. But some countries will reach that Few parents wish to have children whom they cannot feed. point much later than others. Those For three decades I have known the leading dramatis personae of the with young populations (due to high population and development business. Some of them became friends. But, in the fertility in the recent past) will end, many of them turned out to be frauds, however clever, however charming. continue to grow for decades even with For them, social development has meant self-aggrandisement. This international smaller families as the norm. The class of povertycrats, regrettably, has only a promising future to look forward to. number of adolescents, aged 10-19, is at l (The Straits Times) an all-time high of 1.2 billion. And in the poorest countries, where fertility and mortality remain high and access to family planning is limited, the transition to smaller families is only just beginning. The 50 least-developed countries are expected to grow by 228 percent, to 1.7 billion by 2050. The United Nations’ projections of Countries where fertility has fallen slower population grow assume that sharply will see a dramatic ageing of more couples will be able to choose to their populations in the decades ahead, have smaller families. This will require a trend already well under way in greater investments to ensure wider developed countries and a major policy access to reproductive health concern. information and services, including Ninety-six percent of the projected family planning. l growth will be in developing countries. The populations of Europe and Japan Excerpt from UNFPA State of are now declining, and the pace of World Population 2004 INTERNATIONAL 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 15

Anwar’s comeback in Malaysia

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ KUALA LUMPUR — Although Malaysia’s top dissident bomb is a dud politician Anwar Ibrahim failed this week to make an immediate political comeback after the Federal Court rejected his application to review and overturn his conviction on corruption, the former deputy prime minister will likely remain a force in the country’s pro-democracy movement. fecundity because of the country’s peasant Malaysia’s highest court, which two weeks ago quashed a traditions and its Roman Catholicism, which sodomy conviction against Anwar and freed him from almost rejects birth control. By 2000, Italy’s fertility six years in jail, denied a request to re-hear his appeal rate was Western Europe’s lowest, at 1.2 births against his final charge of corruption. The former deputy per woman. Its population is expected to premier said both convictions were trumped up by his former drop 20 percent by mid-century. Italy boss, then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, to ruin his plummeted right past wealthy, liberal, political career. Protestant Denmark, where women got birth As a convicted felon, Anwar, 57, is barred by election laws control early. from contesting or holding political office for five years from Denmark was below population re- date of release or until April 2008 but he can be a political adviser, organiser, inspirer and placement level in 1970, at 2.0 births per mover—in short the power that pushes the government to democratise and liberalise society woman, and slid to 1.7 by 2001. In Europe’s from the strong-arm tactics of Mahathir’s long 22-year rule. poorest country, Albania, the 1970 rate of Anwar is ideally suited to head the opposition Alternative Front coalition that is now led 5.1 births per woman fell to 2.1 in 1999. by the Parti Islam se Malaysia or PAS, whose hardline Islamic policies had divided Even in North Africa, regarded as the great opposition ranks and frightened voters during the March election into backing the exception to the shrinking population trend, government of new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. birthrates have dropped somewhat. But unlike PAS leaders, the former deputy premier is against an Islamic theocracy in a multi ethnic society like Malaysia. (IPS) Chamie says the numbers refute the “myth of Muslim fertility”—an unfair

characterisation, he says, that will disappear EU has new aid chief ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ as the lives of Muslim women ease. ○○○○ Jordanians had eight children per woman in Belgian foreign minister Louis Michel says his country’s commitment to international the 1960s—now the rate is 3.5. In Tunisia Indonesia, Bangladesh and China. That cooperation and a wide network of contacts would ensure success in his new job as the EU and Iran, the number may be close to two makes forecasting trickier than it was in 1968, commissioner for development and humanitarian aid. children. Old notions of Asian fertility are when Paul Ehrlich frightened everyone with Michel, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Belgium since 1999, was similarly false. China has pushed its fertility his book The Population Bomb. Fertility shifts nominated last month to take over from Poul Nielson for the new commission term beginning rate below that of France, Japan’s population in individual countries are notoriously November. But like other commissioners, Michel has to answer a series of questions about his suitability for the job from members of the European Parliament (MEPs). is withering with age and after South Korea, unpredictable and local changes can be In the run-up to the parliamentary hearings at the end of the month, each commissioner a mostly rural country with six births per even harder to predict. designate has completed a written questionnaire drawn up by the concerned parliamentary woman during the 1950s, now has 1.17 births Ehrlich, a professor of population studies committee saying what they hope to achieve during their five-year term. per woman. and biology at Stanford, says he was In the first part of the two-part questionnaire, Michel says his recent experience as foreign Alarmed by the trends, many countries “pleasantly surprised” by global changes that minister ‘will be used to maximum effect’ in his new development cooperation portfolio. are paying citizens to get pregnant. Australia have undermined the book’s gloomiest ‘’As Belgium’s foreign minister I advocated ‘preventive diplomacy’ and conflict introduced $2,000-per-baby subsidies in that projections. They include China’s one-child prevention, backed up by the budgets necessary for credible diplomatic action,’ he writes. country’s 2004 budget, with treasurer Peter policy and the rapid adoption of better seeds Throughout the questionnaire, Michel points to Belgium’s dedication to development Costello telling fellow citizens to “go home and fertilisers by Third World farmers, policy and says Belgium has led the way in the development field with pledges to increase and do your patriotic duty tonight.” Japanese meaning that more mouths can be fed. But official development assistance to 0.7 percent of GNP by 2010. prefectures arrange singles’ cruises. Unique Ehrlich still argues that the earth’s “optimal His country also pioneered the establishment of a European frame of reference for among developed countries, the United population size” is two billion. That’s different combating terrorism and launched a debate on the root causes of terrorism during the States has little need to finance romance from the maximum supportable size, which Belgian Presidency of the EU in 2001 and the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. because its birthrate has held steady at 2.13 depends on the consumption of resources. ‘I am particularly keen to obtain recognition in the South for civil society, including per woman. Its growth, about three million “I have severe doubts that we can support national parliaments, and its role in a democratic society. My country has invested heavily in people a year, is mostly fuelled by immi- even two billion if they all live like citizens of this area in recent years and built up a body of know-how that I will not hesitate to share with gration. the US,” he said. “The world can support a lot the Commission,’ Michel writes. (IPS) Half the world’s population growth is in more vegetarian saints than Hummer-driving (www.europarl.eu.int/hearings/commission/2004_comm/questionnaires_en.htm) six countries: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, idiots.” l (NYT)

CALL FOR PAPERS Nepal Tarai: Context and Possibilities March 2005 Among the many neglected arenas of national discourse in Nepal have been issues related to the Tarai, encompassing a vast range of subjects from development to environment, from identity and rights to infrastruc- ture and economic advancement. The Tarai has also been neglected for much too long as a subject of social-scientific inquiry, and this has ultimately affected the population living in this region. Acknowledging this reality, the Social Science Baha is holding a two-day conference entitled ‘Nepal Tarai: Context and Possibilities’ to deal with overarching issues with required depth, bringing together experienced scholars even while trying to generate interest among young academics to the study of this dynamic region. Themes to be covered Identity-language politics, Political economy of the Nepal Tarai, Pahade- Madhesi (hills-plains) interface, Religion and Cross-border issues. Substantive issues to be covered The peopling of the Nepal Tarai, modern demographic trends, the poli- tics of citizenship, ‘open border’, interface with Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, economy, industrialisation, hill-plain interaction, evolving in- ter-community relations, Terai development issues, and other related subjects. In particular, the Baha also calls for papers that will deal with the core issue to be addressed by the conference, viz: how to go about ‘including’ the Nepal Tarai and its population within the Nepali state. Abstracts (1 page, 12-pt font size) are requested by October 18, 2004.

For the detailed Call for Papers and other information, contact Ajaya Mali at [email protected] or call 5542544/5548142. The Call for Papers as well as background on the Social Science Baha can also be downloaded at www.himalassociation.org/baha SPORTS 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 17 Thinking big Beautiful game of politics In football, you can threaten the ref and change his decision ROB HUGHES their mind in the face protest, Physical Training Big muscles are the power center is undone. Organization, was quoted en London last weekend, a Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, Monday as saying, “The tand on any practice driving range and you will be witness to an referee admitted to being wider principles are at stake. presence of an Iranian athlete S oddly recurring event: golfers weighing over 2400 ounces (150 I bullied by the protests of The Israeli soccer federation as an individual or as part of a pounds) lurching and lunging in an attempt to crush a small ball Arsenal defenders to change his has worked hard to earn a place team” going to Israel “is that doesn’t weigh more than 1.62 ounces (45.93 gm). mind and reverse a decision he on soccer’s global playing field. forbidden according to the All golfers I know dream of hitting the ball yards longer. While had already made. Arab opposition, and security policy of the Islamic Republic trying to accomplish generating more power, the lesser-skilled golfers When the referee Mark fears, prevented Israel from of Iran.” often try to manipulate the club in order to make it move faster, and Halsey instantly indicated a participating in Asia, but Later that day, Hashemian TEE BREAK simply due to a lack of technique, penalty at Fulham’s revamped Europe opened its tournaments suddenly developed back pain Deepak Acharya they never achieve what they want ancient Craven Cottage stadium, to the Jewish nation. and, for medical reasons alone and get frustrated. nine out of 10 of us at the insisted Bayern, he was ruled As a prerequisite to straight and long ball striking, one must have grounds agreed with the out. Israel last week prevented adequate knowledge on how the swing can be empowered to generate judgment. Arsenal’s Ashley Cole a Palestinian team from maximum club head speed and hit the ball with the square club face, had tackled high and late, and traveling with a full team to all done while maintaining balance. A higher club head speed Fulham’s Andy Cole was brought play Uzbekistan in World Cup increases distance, whereas the square club face and balance promotes to ground. qualification. The match, a accuracy. By the letter of FIFA’s law, it ‘home’ tie for the Palestinians, looked a clear penalty, and an but played in Qatar because of automatic red card for the security, was lost 0-3, by the offender preventing a Palestinians. Their soccer goalscoring opportunity. federation complained that But as the Arsenal players “every day, five of our players gathered around him, the arbiter would come to the border only was swayed by their vehemence. to be sent back”. Israel He walked 40 yards to his reportedly said the reason was linesman, turned away, called “general security alert” and the two captains to him, and Wednesday heralded the when the Palestinians asked then simply dropped the ball Israeli staging of a Champions FIFA to “stop Israel mixing down for Arsenal to boot it away. League group on home territory. politics with sports,” the The alarming thing here was Maccabi Tel Aviv anticipated a Palestinian federation claims that a paid arbiter admits his 40,000 audience against Bayern that FIFA requested it to judgment was swayed by Munich. The Bayern Munich “cooperate and play the Here is what needs to do be done. To generate more club head players. A century of rule, coach, Felix Magath, said game”. speed, full use must be made of the bigger muscles of the shoulders during which it was considered Sunday he would select striker Fair Play is FIFA’s slogan. and hips. You really don’t have to be tall and strong, just use those unethical to argue with the Vahid Hashemian for the Fair and free playing pitches bigger muscles properly. Don’t fall into the trap of using your hands to referee, and a waste of breathe squad. Mohammad are not available in the Middle whip at the ball in the belief that it can increase distance. All this because referee’s never change Derakhshan, representing Iran’s East. l (IHT) usually results in is a lack of distance with weak contact. On the back swing, your shoulders should turn 90 degrees or more to the target line, and the hips should simultaneously turn back about 45 degrees. While doing this, your spine angle should not vary, it should remain the same as in the address position. This is what helps create centrifugal force on the downswing, and promotes maximum club head speed to generate more distance in your shots I am not trying to minimize the importance of the downswing to hit the ball. The down swing is equally if not more important to proper shot making. However it is a good back swing that paves the way for a proper downswing. Once you have a solid shoulder and hip turn on the backswing, you’re on the right track. You are strongly recommended to start the downswing dropping the right shoulder and simultaneously rotating the hips. This helps the club to come down on the right plane (from inside) to hit the ball with a square club face. You should remember one more thing. Keep your head behind the ball till impact, and then finish your swing on the left foot. Work on the proper use of the big muscles with your favourite professional instructor and you can be sure your ball is going to pitch yards longer than ever before. l

Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] 16 REVIEW 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214

“A story becomes important only after the worst is over. In this case Maythe death of the 12 Daycaptured Nepalis.” MAydAy Charisma K Lepcha Two books One that shows us why Nepalis have been legally shackled for so long, another that shows us how to break free POETIC LICENSE Wayne Amtzis here are many historical without any changes while the Nepal and how we missed T reasons why Nepal is British Raj came and went in opportunities of the past by presently stuck in its India. The formal Hinduisation failing to see the obvious: using Homeless, in a land no longer anyone’s; as if banished at birth, under-developed state, and the of Nepal under the Muluki Ain cable cars to transport goods in parted from lives yet to be lived Muluki Ain is one of them. The created two categories of Nepal’s rugged terrain. Abused…by those closing in recent re-publication András citizens: the ‘tagadharis’ of the The ropeways hold out the by those closest to them, HÖ fer’s The Caste Hierarchy and upper-most rungs who possibility of reversing hill those who flee…flee as fast as, the State in Nepal: A Study of monopolised privilege, and the poverty, giving marginalised hill as far as. Half a world away, the Muluki Ain of 1854 ‘matwali’ (today’s ‘janajati’) and farmers a break. A ropeway- a stamp on a passport underscores this point. the ‘lower’ castes. A majority of based transport economy would mistaken for a quadrant of light, Nepalis were kept from realising reduce dependency on a bellyful of time. These hands (on a clock) their own self-worth or petroleum and provide the invariably a stump that twitches REVIEW potential. Meanwhile, the opportunity to develop Shanta Dixit privileged were indulged, with indigenous hydropower. No Heart-fused to sunder ties, rage readies itself with sermons punishment that did not match wonder the Kathmandu-centric Yoked beneath rage-raised hands As a legal document, the the crime, with concessions that government and the phalanx-ed cries rise in demon supplication Muluki Ain helped preserve the did not fit their behaviour. The development industry are not The ones with jagged breath socio-cultural status quo as Muluki Ain was a centralising talking about ropeways. have us. With sap to sweeten the wounds defined by the Hindu elite document with a myopic vision Nepal’s senior planner also (Cruelty has no excuse, is no excuse) rulers in Kathmandu. Put in of Nepali society. spoke on the occasion, and his the tall-tellers, their centipede place by Jang Bahadur, it Contrast this with the words took the audience right tongues numbed, the tale-tellers, legitimised the culture which American Constitution, drafted back 150 years. He said there in public rites of disavowal differentially conferred rights only 67 years before the Muluki was no demand for ropeways, make their excuses, nonetheless and privileges on Nepalis. As Ain. It, too, was drafted by a few whereas there was a huge As the land breaks open from below, Hofer’s commentary makes people, but it was designed to demand for trucks and cars. each charge rooted in stone, usurps its source. Down through the bone clear, the inter-mixing of build the foundations of a Ropeways were expensive to marrow, fever feeds and thrives. In the onslaught, communities was seen with democratic and egalitarian build, while we could build in the roiling tide as it turns, we… alarm, which is why so much of society, based on the roads with food for work. with enough vision to wrestle bones free of flesh, the Muluki Ain deals with philosophical underpinnings of Enough said. Nothing has enough voice to rung-clamor higher, punishment for contact European political thought. In changed since the Muluki Ain to unknot the knots that nail us, (especially sexual, but also Nepal, the Muluki Ain gave us a was passed. Even Jang Bahadur, we flail and scratch… anticipating our loss, otherwise) across caste-ethnic country that Nepal has come to as an astute man of the times, each helping hand skinned barriers. be socially, culturally and would have despaired. l as it reaches. In the morning of mourning The Muluki Ain legally economically. Human potential everyone sees what is lost validated the caste system as has been squandered, and the Shanta Dixit is an educationist. perhaps nowhere else in the country is still grappling with Headlines torn from the wound In the newspaper morgues there’s no way world, to suit ‘the terrain, time, even a basic concept such as to raise the dead. How suspicious! customs practices’ without equality of its citizens. Grief gags on the Ka! Kha! Ga! of Xplanation questioning these customs and Kumar Pradhan, the At the base camp for oddities and omens, practices. Some say the Muluki historian from Siliguri, in the heart’s half-life woozes away Ain helped unify Nepal by delivering the Mahesh Chandra Brute lack pervades. At least humanity’s tent categorising and bringing all Regmi Lecture last month made (sic) is no mirage. You will be able, as before, communities of this diverse the point that the cultural to be as before. Off on your own Odyssey land under one law, but it froze leadership in the Darjeeling Like the clumsiest of cocks the time for over a century. It hills is shared between Nepalis been there done that, your swamped enigmas alienated large sections of of all backgrounds: hill janajati, surface in the fish-bowls of the poets society, without even giving dalit, Newar and parbate. This is Teeth jiggling in your pocket the choice is yours, coal-eyed tooth gatherers them the vocabulary to in stark contrast to the home It’s a saw-toothed sleepwalk articulate such alienation. country where power remains or nothing. There’s no end to dead ends The Muluki Ain preserved the monopoly of the tagadharis. Escape never lasts. Cause of death: the privileges of the Court of This is what the Muluki Ain did: being there (necessary) being Nepali (sufficient). Councillors which signed the Nepalis could seek inclusive, document into existence and egalitarian society only by Bone-jagged scrawls, gutted, incandescent consisted of nobles, high leaving Nepal. screams, graffiti-like entrails… There are no guides here ranking officers, the royal The same week that Pradhan András HÖ fer This is no dark wood for parables preceptor and priests. Jang spoke, another book was The Caste Hierarchy and the State Bahadur may have wanted to launched in Kathmandu, in Nepal bring Nepal under one legal Ropeways in Nepal. The hall A Study of the Muluki Ain of 1854 framework, but he ended up was packed, the language was With introduction by Prayag Raj entrenching the hierarchy. Nepali even though the book THE HOUR Sharma What is also interesting is was English. Contributors to the Himal Books Classics 2004 that the Muluki Ain existed for book explained the value of Pp 238+xxiii Battered down, bunkered heart, over 100 years (1854-1963) various kinds of ropeways for Rs 650 stone in a fist: how can words drain the wounds? Some names can no longer be spoken Some bodies can no more be named BOOKWORM Scavengers too late, dogs and crows already gone, Democratic Innovations in Nepal the sentry’s seared eyes name you Bhuwan Lal Joshi and Leo E Rose Anyone could be done in —randomly –deliberately Mandala Publications, 2004 Gone wrong/ can’t be put right. Day, burden; Rs 890 night, burden. It sinks in. Orphaned, this unwanted now never stops. Brute incomprehension buries all. With a ready harvest of moon-dimmed eyes, What happens when a highly segmented, traditional society we play deaf and dumb. Leveling the field, begins to experiment with modern, basically alien political we play lord of the mountain, concepts in order to accelerate national development? This is king of the hill. In this sullen shifting the question that Joshi and Rose attempt to answer in twilight, only doe-like beauties, hawking soap & lotion, Democratic Innovations in Nepal. This is a detailed, objective appease weary wakeful Kathmandu examination of the political process, during the first fourteen Beggars know the hour. As leaders reissue manifestos years following the 1950 revolution. Though the empirical of blame & praise, the bottom bottoms out, focus of the book is restricted to Nepal’s political acculturation the bottomless takes hold. Fretful, yet above it all to a democratic form of government, it also serves as a Addicted to, yet dismissive of all and any news, prototype for the study of politics in many Afro-Asian are you sure neither Manjushri’s sword nor a tectonic shift… countries. So sure? The capital…the citadel… can’t be taken? Sandbagged. Dug in. Are you sure? Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 4227711, [email protected] 19 Tij with Bandana17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214

o woman should be tested to prove her N loyalty to her husband, and that is the only thing journalist Bandana Rana has against the Tij festival that falls on Friday. After feasting on Thursday, many women will fast the whole of the next day to show their devotion to their husbands. Bandana says Tij is about celebrating womanhood, the coming together of sisters and friends to be free to sing, dance and celebrate. KIRAN PANDAY “Fasting is up to the individual, though no one SMALL TALK: Crown Prince Paras and Princess Himani at an award- should be coerced into it,” she adds. giving function for noted sports personalities at the Dasarath Bandana is a well-known face because of her Stadium on Monday. job as a news anchor on Nepal Television, but few know about her pioneering role in encouraging women to join the media by training them and upgrading their professional skills. She got together with other women journalists to set up Sancharika Samuha in 1996, which has now grown to over 100 members all over the country. The idea is to train men and women journalists to be more gender sensitive— not an easy job in a patriarchal society like Nepal. For example, how does a reporter cover violence against women while ensuring that the publicity does not further stigmatise the victim? She too modest to take all the credit for it, but Bandana thinks there has been a huge improvement in the way Nepali media covers gender issues today. Bandana describes herself KIRAN PANDAY as a feminist, but admits it is very different from LET US PRAY: Devotees at the pray at the Jama Masjid mosque in Kathmandu last Friday the radical feminism in the west. “It doesn’t mean being anti-men, for instance, it just means working towards equality between the sexes,” she explains. Bandana’s ideal would be a Tij festival that celebrates womanhood without having to making it an excuse for doing it for the menfolk. She adds: “This Tij, how about husbands also fasting on Friday for the well-being of their wives?” l (Aarti Basnyat) MIN BAJRACHARYA

MIN BAJRACHARYA TALKING TOUGH: Information Minister Mohamad Mohsin addressed a press conference on Wednesday at Singha Darbar, but gave no hint of a breakthrough in opening the industries forced to close by the Maoists. The announcement came later that evening.

KIRAN PANDAY HISPANIOLA: Musicians belt out Mexican music at the Tapas and Margaritas extravaganza at the Yak & Yeti last weekend.

KIRAN PANDAY PANCHA KANYA: One of five girls wait nervously to welcome royal guests at a funtion at Dasarath Stadium on Monday. 18 CITY 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214

ABOUT TOWN Max (Jamie Fox) has lived the JAI NEPAL CINEMA mundane life of a cabdriver for 12 FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS years. Vincent (Tom Cruise), a contract v Historic Pillar Stones Photographs by Tim Harward. killer, is on a mission to kill five key 16-24 September, Siddartha Art Gallery. 4218048 witnesses due to testify in an offshore v Insignificant Details of Life Paintings by Mark narcotrafficking cartel’s trial. Both their Jordans. 16-24 September, Siddartha Art Gallery. lives change when Vincent hijacks 4218048 Max’s cab and Max becomes v Images of the Terai Paintings by SC Suman at Indigo collateral—an expendable person in Gallery, 18 September-3 October, 8AM-6PM daily. the wrong place at the wrong time. As 4413580, www.asianart.com/indigo the FBI and LAPD race to intercept NOW SHOWING Bookings open EVENTS them, Max and Vincent’s survival becomes dependent on each other in v Moments of Bliss Concert by Ani Choying Dolma. 6.30 PM on 18 Call 4442220 for show timings ways neither of them ever imagined. www.jainepal.com September, at Garden of Dreams, Keshar Mahal. Rs 750. v Movies 2PM onwards at the Alliance Francaise: Les nuits fauves, 19 September KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY v Discussions at Martin Chautari: Current Polictics. 19 September, 3PM Take a deep breath, and you’ll be able to tell that business is truly back to How to improve quality of air service. 21 September, 5PM normal in Kathmandu. The fresh air that came—at great cost—with the Film@Chautari—Michael Curtiz’s Casablanca. 23 September, 3PM curfews two weeks ago quickly returned to its usual pollution levels last week. v Rotary walkathon 2004 Starting 7AM from Kathmandu through Patan and The PM10 (particle matter less than 10 microns) concentrations in Putali Thimi to Bhaktapur and starting 7AM from Dhulikhel through Banepa to Sadak and around Patan Hospital increased by 52 and 85 percent Bhaktapur. 25 September, to aid Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. respectively, both falling in the ‘unhealthy’ range. The monitoring stations v Changa Chait 2061 Kite flying at Club Himalaya, Nagarkot. 25 September, in Thamel, Kirtipur and Bhaktapur also recorded pollution increases, but 2 and 16 October. Rs 100. 4410432 the air quality was still tolerable. v Pippin the Stephen Schwartz musical at Lincoln School, 7PM on 28 5 - 11 September in micrograms per cubic meter. September. Rs 150, reservations at 4270482 Good < 60 Source: www. mope.gov.np v Kick-off celebration for adults at Lincoln School, Ravi Bhawan. 4.30-10.30 Ok 61 to 120 PM, 9 October. Rs 700, 4270482 Unhealthy 121 to 350 MUSIC Harmful 351 to 425 v Trikaal Exclusive Everything from the tabala and sarangi to the bass guitar and digeridoo in the fusion of east and west at Moksh, Club Hardic, Hazardous >425 Pulchowk. 18 September, 7PM. Rs 300, 5528703 Putalisadak Patan H Thamel TU Bhaktapur v Tri Groove Live at Via Via Café, Paknajol, followed by party with DJ Anomalous. 17 September, 7.30 PM, Rs 50. NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED v Rusty Nails unplugged 17 September at the Celebrations Restaurant and Bar, Darbar Marg. 2004388 That was the last wave of a v Deo at Not Just The Jazz Bar Fridays at Hotel Shangri-la, Lazimpat. waning monsoon, caused by two v pulses that moved in from the Bay Jatra Friday Nites Live music by The Strings. 4256622 dumping 91mm of rain in Dipayal, v Live music at Moksh. JCS Trio on Tuesdays and Full Circle on Fridays. for instance, which is half their 7PM onwards, free entry. monthly average for September. The above-normal rainfall and DRINKS Kathmandu circulation system bringing winds v Island Bar with DJ Raju and The Cloud Walkers. The Rox Bar, Hyatt from the northwest have brought Regency. 4491234 down maximum and minimum temperatures considerably. This v Free drink deals at Red Onion Bar, Lazimpat v satellite image taken on Thursday Lychee Martinis and latest club hits at Rox Bar, Hyatt Regency at noon shows remnants of the Kathmandu, 4491234 trough still lingering over central Nepal which means Kathmandu FOOD Valley will still get some v Genuine Thai cuisine at Royal Lotus, Bakhundole. 5521231 precipitation from this system. v Gourmet seafood experience at Rox Resturant. 15-25 September, After this, it should be the 4491234 beginning of a glorious autumn. v Delicious barbecue dinner Fridays at Summit Hotel. 5521810 v Friday Nights at Subterrania Club Kilroy. 4412821 KATHMANDU VALLEY v Farm House Café Unlimited nature with delicious meals at Park Village Hotel. 4375280 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue v Café Bahal Newari and continental cuisine under the giant Cinnamon tree at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4700632 v Vegetarian Creations at Stupa View Restaurant. 4480262 S S v Executive Lunch at Toran Restaurant, Dwarika’s. 4479488 27-18S 27-18 28-19 27-17S 28-18 v Sunny Side Up Weekend BBQ at Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu. 4273999 v The Beer Garden at Vaijayantha, Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 v Dwarika’s Thali Lunch at the Heritage courtyard. 4479488

GETAWAYS v Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Pure relaxation and business as usual. 4361500 v Dream Holiday package tour to Malaysia during Dashain and Tihar. Marco Polo Travels and Quatar Airways, 2012345, [email protected] v Pure relaxation at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. 01 4361500 v Bardia National Park with Jungle Base Camp Lodge. [email protected] v Golf at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa. 4451212 v Weekend Special at Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 4375280 v Early Bird discounts at Shangri-La Hotel & Resort. 4412999 20 17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2004 #214 Updating proverbs to suit the Times

et me first say by way of preamble that I am neither pro-verb nor anti-verb. As journalists we are not supposed to take sides www.nepalitimes.com L and are neutral on this and all other issues, which means we never have to make up our minds about anything, ever. In fact, waffling is a professional requirement in this field. That is the beauty of being a member of the press corps: our neutrality doesn’t allow us to chose between right and wrong, so we never bother. But I digress. The problem with proverbs is that they are getting fast outdated. For example, take the saying: ‘Early to bed and early UNDER MY HAT to rise makes a man healthy, Kunda Dixit wealthy and wise’. So, what about women during the holy festival of Tij? Does that mean they can go to bed late and get up at noon? No fair. Personally, I have been going to bed with the cows (let me quickly clarify what I mean is that I go to bed concurrently and at approximately the same GMT as the inmates of the neighbourhood dairy) and waking up with the cocks (don’t you dare laugh) ever since I was born. Yet I am not yet wise, and my health and wealth still leave a lot to be desired. Whoever made that prehistoric proverb, and I am sure it was a woman, please see me during the break. Just to show you how obsolete some other prevalent proverbs are, let us now turn our attention to a few examples and collectively suggest amendments to them so that they are relevant to the interesting times that we live in:

‘To find oneself between Scylla and Charybdis’ Now, I have done a Google search and I can find no one named either Scylla or Charybdis. Who on earth are they, and why should anyone be ensconced between these two ladies, if indeed they are ladies? That is why we need to update this proverb by altering it to: ‘To find oneself between India and China’ which means, basically, that we are, for all intents and purposes, squeezed between a rock and the deep blue sea.

‘Beggars can’t be choosers’ Oh yeah? Since when? Ever since this country overthrew the Rana Yoke and replaced it with other governesses, we have been beggars and we never gave up our fundamental human right to beg to make our ends meet. We could have chosen to make this country great, but being beggars, we chose to ride horses instead. This proverb should therefore be altered to read: ‘Too many beggars spoil the broth’.

‘Barking dogs seldom bite’ I know from past experience at the Great Chakupat Garbage Stockpile that this is hundred percent not true, and I have a gash in my shin to prove it. The really dangerous street dingos these days are the ones who are in the payroll of the agitated parties and don’t just bark but also burn tyres which are still attached to their vehicles. Therefore, unless I hear a voice of dissent, this proverb has henceforth been amended to read as follows: ‘Let sleeping dogs remain in their respective mangers refrain from telling the truth’.

‘Every ass loves to hear himself bray’ Present company excluded, I have met a lot of asses in my life, but not one has been what you might call garrulous. In Upper Mustang I once came across a herd of rare and endangered Tibetan Wild Ass, but they were all quietly munching the grass or chewing the cud or whatever it is they do to while away the time up there on the plateau. But nary a syllable escaped their lips. This proverb is completely erroneous, it is misleading, and an insult to assdom. It should, without any hemming and hawing, be changed to: ‘An empty vessel is the devil’s workshop for a horse who can be lead to the water but still doesn’t want to be prime minister under Article 127’. CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59