#778 2 - 8 October 2015 20 pages Rs 50
Sweeping it away BIKRAM RAI
arliament is preparing agreements. They also created BORDERLINE: A woman with broom BLOCKADE BLUES its first post-constitution a conducive environment for cleans the pavement near the nearly One would have expected a far less obvious Psession for Friday even as talks by withdrawing the Nepal deserted checkpoint on the India-Nepal move on India’s part at such a crucial time Nepal is hit hard by an Indian Army from violence-hit areas, border in Birganj early morning on blockade that has now lasted ten providing medical treatment Tuesday. ONE TO MANY days. The good news is that talks for injured protesters, and Rs BY BIDUSHI DHUNGEL PAGE 3 between the top three parties and 1 million for families of the Madhesi dissenters have gathered estimated 40 people killed by court of the Madhesi leaders, and pace in Kathmandu. police in the past month. India will have to play a crucial IT’S NOT ABOUT A three-member negotiation Thakur is expected to role.
team of the NC-UML-UCPN(M) take the proposals from the The Madhesi parties and New THE CONSTITUTION The current standoff is more about the held talks with Madhesi leader three parties to other Madhesi Delhi are not said to be not happy feeling of being left out Mahanta Thakur, indicating that leaders like Upendra Yadav and about Oli being the next prime both sides feel the impasse has Rajendra Mahato in Gaur. Early minister, since he is considered a AS IT HAPPENS dragged on too long and want a this week, Thakur had met the hill hardliner. BY OM ASTHA RAI PAGE 6 settlement. Prime Minister Sushil three party leaders and returned Koirala is expected to step down to Rautahat to discuss whether on Friday, paving the way for to sit for talks. But Madhesi UML Chair KP Oli to lead a new parties, emboldened by India’s all-party government that will backing, refused talks and include the UCPN(M). Sources instead denounced the ban on said some of the negotiations this Hindi television channels and week were also centred around announced that they would stop Madhesi and Tharu leaders paying government taxes. SHOWING joining that government. “We just want it down in WHO’S BOSS On Thursday, the three writing from the three parties EDITORIAL parties agreed to readjust federal ,” Mahendra Ray Yadav of the boundaries by forging an all-party Tarai Madhes Sadbhavana Party PAGE 2 consensus and implement past told us. The ball is now in the 2 EDITORIAL 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778
the promulgation, Foreign Secretary S Jaishanker was dispatched to Kathmandu for some blunt talk. The Big Three didn’t like the body language, and bulldozed the constitution through. That is where they made a serious SHOWING WHO’S BOSS miscalculation: they never thought India would go so far as to seal the border in retaliation. Whatever reservations India had about the constitution, however much the new constitution had failed to address the concerns of Nepal’s excluded, it was a start. Critics have latched on to deficiencies that can be corrected in the future through future amendments, and have ignored many of the positive points in the document. The constitution thus became a lightning It is in India’s rod for everyone with a grievance, including politicians strategic interest who lost the 2013 elections and needed constitutional guarantees of representation so they’d never again suffer to ensure such defeat. It is difficult to understand how India stands to benefit equilibrium from such a crude attempt to be mean and show who’s and stability in boss. Even critics within India have ridiculed it as a major mishandling of foreign policy, and there are indications Nepal, but the in New Delhi of rifts within the establishment, the Hindu right, among intelligence agencies, and the bureaucracy, blockade has about the blockade. undermined In Nepal, it has undone the dramatic breakthrough in bilateral relations achieved by Prime Minister Narendra that. Modi's visit here last year. Most Nepalis had forgotten two previous Indian blockades, but this past week has spawned a whole new generation of anti-Indian Nepalis. This cannot benefit India, or Nepal, in the long-term. Nepalis from the plains have always suffered discrimination from the hill establishment, they have not epal’s constitution was finally promulgated on on so many levels that even sections of the international been treated with respect, and their loyalty to the Nepali 20 September by an overwhelming majority in a community, which had in recent years sub-contracted their state is questioned every step of the way (see pages 16- Nfreely elected Constituent Assembly with a fair Nepal policy to New Delhi, are aghast. 17). This Indian intervention, however camouflaged, will and proportionate representation of most ethnic, caste From what we can piece together, the Indian foreign now make it even more difficult for them. and gender groups. Less than 10 per cent voted against or policy establishment was understandably unhappy with New Delhi and Kathmandu both need to de-escalate. boycotted the promulgation. Even rejectionists and die-hard the post-earthquake 16-point agreement between the four In the first sitting of parliament on Friday, Tarai MPs from critics of the constitution will admit that it was the product parties on 8 June to fast track the constitution. They made the Big Three could push amendments to the constitution of a fully free and fair democratic exercise. these misgivings clear to Nepali leaders visiting New Delhi, to address some of the concerns of the Madhesi parties Which is why it is surprising that the world’s largest including Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sher Bahadur Deuba and India, including the delineation of constituencies democracy and the United Nations have been so grudging who had assured them that Madhesi concerns would be based on population broadly based on districts, re-insert in accepting this as a document that, while flawed, ended taken into account. After all, Bijay Gachhadar’s MJF-D was ‘proportion’ and ‘Tarai Madhes’ in the wording, etc. years of deadlock and can be the basis of an inclusive and on board at the time. The new Prime Minister and his government have durable constitution. But when it became apparent that the federal delineation their work cut out for them. They have to rush earthquake To express its misgivings about the constitution, India was not to his liking, Gachhadar was leaned upon to quit relief delayed by politics and the blockade, they have to has obstructed the flow of food, fuel and goods entering the alliance, and violent protests rocked the western and heal the serious rifts that have emerged between the hills Nepal, hoping that the hardships the Nepali people are the eastern Tarai. The Indian Ambassador did some frantic and the plains, and they have to steer the country on a forced to suffer will compel Nepal’s rulers to buckle. lobbying to try to convince the NC, UML and UCPN(M) to path to rapid economic growth. What is hard to understand is why all the needless lies postpone the constitution by four days to bring the Madhesi This is still possible to do, and it would be in India’s and deception? How does a thinly veiled border blockade parties on board. The government waited out the weekend own strategic interest to help Nepal attain equilibrium help India’s national interest anyway? The move is foolish but went ahead with the process. Less than 48 hours before and stability.
YOUR SAY www.nepalitimes.com
VICIOUS CYCLE Dolker Gurung, #777). We shouldn’t be all of us were taken for a costly THIS WEEK India has lost all sense of diplomatic India-locked, we need to open up our ride by PKD, BRB and their M decorum ('Vicious cycle', Editorial, northern routes too, only then will our chamchas. ('The Great National #777). As a believer of realpolitik, I am southern neighbour behave. Look at Unraveling', Foreign Hand, #777). unable to comprehend their win-loss how India marginalises ethnic Nepalis in Geug strategy. To win Bihar elections, they Darjeeling, Sikkim and Assam. Look at are willing to lose Nepal. Bring back how they conspired with the Bhutanese LANGTANG RISING Sushma Swaraj. Let her handle foreign regime to drive out ethnic Nepalis. We This is a nice example of how policy and get rid of the ignorant hawks need to be strong and take care of resilient the Nepali people are in Delhi. The current impasse must be ourselves and our own. (Langtang rising, Upasana Khadka, addressed and resolved with fi nesse KiratRed #777). After such a massive and alacrity, any delay is going to earthquake and so much loss, they hanker us for many years, like a deeply Online Keyboard Fighters. I almost are back on their feet. It would be ingrained splint. LOL when I saw people signing petitions so much more helpful if government Nam to request the US to stop India from backed them up. interfering in Nepal. What are we even Bipin Karki India is NOT a friend of Nepal. doing guys? Keep in mind, India couldn’t Never was, never will be. What more afford to lose Nepal because it is a proof do you need? Wake up Nepalis, potential market. We will always win. GOPEN RAI (86,773 REACHED AND 178 SHARES) and smell the roses. Tamang Weekly Internet Poll #778 Q. How do you feel about India's reaction to Nepal's Most shared on Facebook Sridhar KC constitution ? As India imposes an unoffi cial blockade against Nepal to put pressure on Nepali COSTLY CONSTITUTION Total votes: 436 political parties to amend the new constitution, youth activists carry out a rally Good editorial, well balanced, to the Amend the Constitution. Let everybody against Indian interference in Kathmandu on Saturday. point and free of irrational jingoism that be included (Costly constitution, #777). the Nepali press is full of nowadays. Stop the killings. Leaders of Nepal, do Krishna S not take precious and innocent lives for Most reached on Facebook Most visited online page granted. Gopen Rai photo, above. (86,773) Are you in a funk about Nepal? by Ass (1,247 views) HASHTAG REVOLUTIONS Bikas Gurung Weekly Internet Poll #779 It’s actually our fault. We should have To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Most popular on Twitter Most commented built two super highways -- one to GNU Q. How much longer will the Indian blockade go 8 international laws violated Hashtag revolutions by Tsering Khasa and one to Kerung -- long time People may soon start longing for the (80 retweets, 34 favourites) Dolker Gurung (44 comments) on for? ago ('Hashtag revolutions', Tsering Panchayat days once it all sinks in that
Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nepali Times on Facebook [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Follow @nepalitimes on Instagram Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 OPINION 3
ditching his car for a bicycle, though he barely looks fit enough to pedal even 1km. All Indian tv channels have gone off air in protest. This is what we have reduced ourselves to: an array of meaningless actions that say very little about our sovereignty as a here are two striking nation, our ability to self-rule or features of the last couple anything else positive about our Tof weeks: a surge in national character. nationalist sentiment and the It’s a blockade, sure. And imposition of what looks and of course it is low, petty – and feels like an Indian blockade illegal -- to resort to strangling on Nepal. It may be undeclared an already-struggling neighbour indeed, but even if unofficial, because things didn’t go one’s one must call a spade a spade. way. But, the blockade is really There are so many said just the icing on the cake. Even motivations and conspiracy without it, we were in the gutter. theories doing the rounds The idea that the Madhes problem regarding what is causing this will go away as soon as the border Blockade blues opens up for supplies is naive. The political leaders have One would have expected a far less obvious no choice but to bring the agitators on board and amend the move on India’s part at such a crucial time constitution. That would also go ONE TO MANY a long way in easing the situation Bidushi Dhungel of the current crisis. Delhi also Madhes and India are indeed able to wake up to a view of that many Madhesi lawmakers in felt “completely betrayed” by interchangeable. And given the the Himalaya was on full blast, the NC, UML and UCPN(M) find Nepali leaders who had gone highly nationalist mood, attitudes followed by the other one about themselves in. They may have undeclared blockade. After to Delhi and made various in Kathmandu towards Madhesis the son of Nepal who wouldn’t signed on to the statute, but they talking to a fair number of promises. are hardening. bow down. There was a cycle did so with a heavy heart and people in and out of government, So there you have it. These In reaction to the blockade, rally with a large banner: ‘No in the words of one lawmaker, in embassies and newsrooms, are the many reasons why young protesters sat on the street petrol, no problem'. “we closed the door to our here are some of the revelations Kathmandu has no petrol and outside the Indian Embassy. Our dear comrade Prachanda constituencies”. shared. why everything else is in short The song about always being had also said something about @bidush There are those who are supply. But how did India- convinced that India’s interest is Nepal relations, in the words a no-strings-attached inclusion of a senior diplomat, go “from of Madhes with the main issue a-z in six months”? The leaders being the naturalisation clause in of the NC-UML-UCPN(M) were the constitution which bars men well aware of India’s stance on of Indian origin from holding top the constitution months before positions in government. Then, its promulgation and were there are those who say the listening intently just weeks blockade has nothing to do with before, each obediently taking the Madhes, but is instead about turns to go to Delhi and receive Nepal having been declared a blessings. The all-out rejection secular state while the Indian of India’s role in Nepal seems establishment was pushing in then to be a populist move the other direction. to justify an otherwise sub- There is also the argument standard statute. that India is, in fact, not The visit just two days imposing a blockade at all and before the promulgation by S that it is the Madhesi protests Jaishanker was not only ill- on the Nepal side, and this is timed, but so blatant in his the official Indian position. The intent to intervene that it gave Indian Ambassador claims to Nepal's political leadership “not understand at all” what has the impetus to bring forward happened and where all of this its nationalist agenda to cover anti-India sentiment is coming up their own follies. For all from. Apparently, the notion that the back-room deals made in India is “pro-Madhesi” couldn’t this country, one would have be “further from the truth”. expected a far less obvious A senior NC leader said move on India’s part at such a that actually this is all about crucial time. Indian Prime Minister Narendra The agitating Madhes- Modi’s ego. “He’s even following based parties are also not doing every tweet and the more themselves, or anyone else, a #BackOffIndia he sees the less favour by welcoming the current he is going to back off,” he intervention and taking active said. Then there is the “hill part in the closing of the border. mentality” of UML leaders in It is only working to prove the particular blamed as the source fears of Kathmandu that the 4 NATION 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778
accountability to the public while simultaneously leveraging the extra capacity for health care A healthy free for all service implementation in the private sector. The number of patients The constitution’s lofty aim of upgrading health care can be achieved visiting Bayalpata Hospital keeps increasing day by day, as with a proven public-private partnership model there remains limited access to quality services for those in rural very citizen shall have the be coordinated with external areas. With our country’s new right to primary health care development partners who will constitution, and the guaranteed ‘E and emergency services free help finance our health sector. right of free health care for all of cost.’ That is Clause 1 of Article However, leadership must come Nepali citizens, innovative 35 of Nepal’s new constitution. first and foremost from the MOHP. public-private partnerships led While the bill’s emphasis on In order for there to be any true by the MOHP, like Bayalpata chance of success, the MOHP must Hospital, can act as a model for own the idea of free health care, addressing Nepal’s health care and under its direction, provide needs. these needed resources in the Considering the constitution’s immediate short-term. impressive aims with regards As we move forward to build to health care services, the a health care system that will MOHP needs to work seriously GUEST COLUMN provide free services for all Nepali and urgently with the National Bikash Gauchan citizens, the MOHP must identify Planning Commission and other mechanisms to optimise use of the ministries to plan and coordinate equitable health care has brought limited resources it has available. its strategy to deliver on these hope especially among rural One model for such a system is promises. Nepalis who lack access to even public-private partnerships – the We have the opportunity to basic health care, implementation KUNDA DIXIT government partnering with non- learn from, and collaborate with, is going to be tough given the state’s governmental organisations to non-governmental organisations track record. The implementation of the providing the required services. provide health care services to the within Nepal, and from other Despite the government’s earlier constitution’s commitment to This will require building new people of Nepal. governments and organisations policies ensuring free services provide free health care services facilities, rehabilitating old ones, One model is the Bayalpata around the world, but we must at district hospitals, patients will require an enormous on-the- and adding or replacing medical Hospital in Achham District, move promptly. The people of still have to pay for consultation ground effort, especially in the equipment and supplies. Thirdly, which has been providing free Nepal have waited a long time, and medication. Another policy rural areas. The Ministry of Health the MOHP needs to ensure that primary and comprehensive this is the time for action. demands that 41 essential and Population (MOHP) first there is adequate staffing within health care in a public-private medications be made freely needs to ensure availability of all these health institutions. partnership with the MOHP since Bikash Gauchan is the Medical available at health posts and 71 at essential medications in health If the MOHP is truly 2008. More than 285,000 people Director of Bayalpata Hospital in district hospitals. But that rarely posts and district hospitals at all committed to its vision of have benefitted from the free Achham. happens. times. This will require improving providing health care services services, including outpatient, [email protected] Another problem in public the logistical aspects of the to all Nepali citizens, it must inpatient, surgical, laboratory, health care is the lack of proper MOHP supply chain mechanisms work hard to achieve these radiology and pharmacy services. infrastructure and clinical capacity. throughout the country. tasks. It will require great Through the public-private nepalitimes.com Most well-equipped hospitals are Secondly, the MOHP needs planning and cooperation at the partnership, the MOHP regulates Watch video of rural health concentrated in Kathmandu and to upgrade the infrastructure of inter-ministerial and National and oversees health care services care in Achham and Dolakha this centralised health system is too every health institution to ensure Planning Commission (NPC) implemented by the Nepali NGO, Impatient patients, #660 Boy walked eight days to treat broken arm, #745 expensive for most Nepalis. these institutions are capable of levels. Additionally, work must Possible. This model ensures
BIZ BRIEFS Going Blue Diageo PLC with its offi cial distributor Global Trading Concern launched 210 limited edition one litre bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Inspired by Mount Everest, the design has been especially customised for Nepal and Nepali customers and celebrates those who have reached the ‘pinnacle of their careers’. Bancassurance agreement Himalayan Bank Limited (HBL) and Kathmandu Frontiers Associates (KFA) have entered an agreement as per which KFA will be managing HBL’s Bancassurance Department on direct sales agency model. The bank will provide various life and non-life insurance. New Ford Figo Ford India has launched the new Ford Figo in Nepal. The hatchback comes in six trims with three engine options. It has a host of segment best and fi rst features and comes with an introductory price of Rs 2,199,000. #GlobalGoals Standard Chartered Bank has launched a campaign to promote Global Goals for Sustainable Development. The bank has utilised various channels to build awareness and sensitise the public as well as the government authorities on the subject. Smart and lite Colors Mobile has launched its new X Factor E-series smartphone- the Elite E 10. The dual sim phone comes with 5.1 lollipop Android OS. Powered by 1.3 GHz Quad Core processor coupled with a 2GB RAM, it has 16GB internal storage that can be expanded up to 32GB. It has a price tag of Rs 12,995. 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 5 6 NATION 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 It's not about the constitution The current standoff is more about the feeling of being left out
hen I was a boy, light After brokering a 12-point deal Delhi reportedly told Kathmandu bulbs were like stars that united the Maoist rebels with to correct, were indeed their Wto me. They twinkled the parliamentary parties against demands. But when I asked him only in the houses of my well- the monarchy, India saw itself as if he would like to see an Indian off friends. The rundown house a shareholder of Nepal's peace national becoming Chief Minister I grew up in did not have process. It later facilitated another of the future Madhes province electricity, and I used to do my key deal between the government after marrying a Madhesi woman homework with the light of a and Madhesi parties. and acquiring Nepali naturalised kerosene lamp. But India felt left out when the citizenship, he said: "No, we never top three Nepali leaders ignored want that." New Delhi's message to halt the Many in the Madhes constitution process and bring on are relatively flexible about board the disgruntled Madhesi demarcation, but even Madhesi parties. UML Chair KP Oli was leaders of the NC, the UML and the apparently in a hurry to get the UCPN (M) are not ready to give up AS IT HAPPENS job done so that he could be PM. on proportional representation and Om Astha Rai UCPN (M) Chair Pushpa Kamal demarcating election constituencies Dahal was equally desperate to in proportion to population. One evening, my mother take credit for the constitution But the good news is that cooked dinner before sunset. We and revive his political career. To the top three parties are ready to quickly ate and went to bed early. portray himself as a nationalist, address these issues by amending I could not do my homework he said Nepalis were not ready to the constitution. Even so, the because there was no kerosene. be New Delhi's 'Yes Man'. Madhes is not ready to calm down The next evening, my mother sent Madhesi leaders, too, feel left because of trust deficit resulting me to buy kerosene. I picked up out. Most Madhesi protesters from arrogance of some elite Bahun a jerry can and wandered around, probably do not know how leaders in Kathmandu. It took 40 but the fuel, which I desperately – or if – the constitution has days and 40 deaths for Kathmandu needed, was not available discriminated against them. to wake up. Jha says, “Policemen anywhere. At dusk, I returned BIKRAM RAI They are just angry about how from the hills call us ‘Dhoti’ and home. I could not sleep that night, Kathmandu has ignored them. use vulgar words against us." and kept staring at the light bulbs though not officially declared as resolve it. But Nepali leaders are After key Madhesi leaders met If Kathmandu stops acting twinkling in the houses of my in 1989. Fuel has stopped, and just using the rhetoric of hollow Indian special envoy S. Jaishankar arrogant and shows a willingness friends. traffic has thinned. A cab driver nationalism, and others are not in Kathmandu, I asked one of to listen, the Madhes will come This was 1989, and India had said: "I am in this long queue for trying hard enough to tackle the them, Mahendra Ray Yadav, what on board. But for that to happen, imposed an economic blockade nearly three days, but I am still roots of the problem. their demands on the constitution withdrawing the army, instructing against Nepal. I was too young not sure if I will get fuel." Piecing together information were. He had no answer, and just police to exercise restraint, to figure out why no shopkeeper The longer the blockade gathered from sources privy said: "The Nepali state has always committing to provide medical would sell kerosene to me. I later goes on, the stronger anti-India to talks that Indian envoys discriminated against us since the treatment to all the injured learnt that India had not supplied sentiments will grow in a new held with Nepali leaders and time of Prithvi Narayan Shah, and protesters and ensuring maximum fuel to us, and I began hating generation of Nepalis. This can’t interviews with Madhesi leaders, we want an end to it." flexibility on the demands of the every Indian except Amitabh be what India wants. How does it looks like the current standoff Rakesh Jha is a local Madhesi plains groups are necessary. And Bachchan. it help India to have enemies is now not so much about the leader in the eastern Tarai district we need India on board. Twenty five years down at its doorstep? But that is their constitution. It is more about the of Siraha. He had no qualms about The longer it takes, the more the line, India has once again problem. We are at the receiving feeling of being left out, treated claiming that the seven points of complicated things will get. imposed an economic blockade, end of the crisis, and we have to badly and betrayed. constitutional flaw, which New @omastharai
f you have time to see very few art exhibitions in Kathmandu this week and you adore the traditional art forms of Nepal, then this selection of 70 paintings by artist History on canvas HariI Prasad Sharma (pic, left) should be it. Sharma is self-taught and was an apprentice with Chandra Man Maskey and Kalidas Shrestha. Now 78, his interest in depicting Nepali history, religion and culture on canvas has left an indelible mark on the country’s art scene. “The most appealing aspect about this exhibition is the artist’s commitment and hard work in bringing historical events of Nepali history into life size paintings with great detail and precision,” says Salim Shakya, a businessman with strokes of creative genius on his canvases. He gives us a rare an interest in Newari art. glimpse of ancient Kathmandu Valley captured in almost The exhibition visualises events from Nepal’s past like photographic detail. the wedding ceremony of Bhrikuti to the Tibetan king Srong Nischal Pradhan Tsen Gampo. The ceremony is carefully detailed, the temples are accurately rendered and even the contours of the hills Hari Prasad Sharma surrounding Kathmandu correspond to reality. Kathmandu Valley Down the Ages: Reviving Glorious Culture The paintings may not be historically accurate but & Architecture recreating such events on canvas takes a lot of effort and Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, Kathmandu imagination which Sharma displays in abundance. Until 7 October Part of the excitement is seeing historical moments and events alongside the lifestyle of pre-modern Kathmandu nepalitimes.com Valley. Although not a Newar himself, Sharma has studied Surrealism on canvas, #101 the culture intimately and this influence is reflected in the There is an enormous high pressure area lingering over northern India which is sucking in dry air from the west. So, the monsoon has now almost retreated from Nepali territory with an average of 30 per cent less precipitation than normal. Which is not so bad. However, there are pockets of the central Tarai and parts of eastern hills where the defi ciency was much greater. There is a circulation building up in the Bay of Bengal which may bring a last gasp of the monsoon next week, but expect a sunny weekend with temperatures in the high 20s KATHMANDU that will feel like the 30s because of humidity. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 28° 28° 28° #778 2 - 8 October 2015 17° 17° 16°
other users to do the same to share their Nepal experience. “Since the campaign, we have seen a large rise in the number of our followers, the level of engagement and the use of our hashtag ,” says Shrestha. Currently, the Great Himalaya Trails Instagram page has over 5,000 followers and showcases landscape photos selected from its followers.
GOPEN RAI The campaign was a collaboration between the Great Himalaya Trails, UK Aid funded Samarth-Nepal Market Development Programme (NMDP) and Yeti #MyGHT Airlines.
Instagrammers promote Nepal trekking GO NEPAL With the autumn trekking AYESHA SHAKYA season here, the industry hopes that this is the best time to promote Nepal’s destinations esides destruction, the Trails got four international and to international and domestic biggest casualty of the 25 two local Instagram influencers travelers. GHT is also partnering BApril earthquake was Nepal’s (pic, right) to explore renowned with the Adventure Travel Trade tourism industry. While travel destinations within Nepal and share Association (ATTA) to host advisories issued during the their experiences with followers on ‘AdventureWeek’ in Kathmandu immediate aftermath were relaxed the photo-sharing platform. in October, with 20 influential after a few months, and only 14 of “Social media has become an journalists and tour operators Nepal’s 75 districts were affected effective medium for sharing visual from around the world who will by the earthquake, the damage and authentic information on post- GREAT HIMALAYA TRAILS go trekking in the Everest and had far-reaching consequences. earthquake Nepal. By publicising Annapurna regions. Hotel reservations until the spring real-time images, tourists and international instagrammers Liz Mustang, witnessed the thrilling With fierce competition not of 2016 have been affected and social media influencers can help Eswein, Jordan Herschel, Hiroaki Yartung Festival in Lo Manthang just from neighbouring countries, trekking expeditions postponed or change the narrative and hopefully Fukuda, and two homegrown and explored the tropical jungles great content and its outreach is cancelled. restore consumer confidence in photographers, Shikhar Bhattarai of Chitwan National Park. needed to inspire travelers to visit Still, individual travellers can the safety of Nepal as a tourism and Mohan Duwal. With a combined reach of Nepal. With GHT gearing up on find out which trails are safe, and destination,” says Neha Shrestha of The 10-day trip took them 6.85 million followers, the photos its social media presence, other trekkers have returned to the Samarth. from one of the most remote shared from the trip have garnered organisations should follow suit Everest and Annapurna trails this Among the group members regions to one of the most popular between 10,000 and 100,000 likes and harness the use of digital season, although not in the same were Tyler Metcalfe, a holiday destinations within Nepal. each. The photos were shared platforms to promote Nepal’s numbers as last year. In an effort photographer and producer with Together they traversed the arid using the #MyGHT hashtag on countless destinations. to hook hikers, the Great Himalaya National Geographic, renowned mountains and cliffs of Upper Instagram, and GHT is encouraging Instagram: @greathimalayatrails 8 GOPEN RAI
GO NEPAL EASY ESCAPISM The Nepali Times reviews some of the most talked about getaway spots in Kathmandu and outside.
Kasara Resort, Chitwan
re you a traveler who likes to snapchat your his newly opened farmhouse at the base of Chure Hills is only Avacation and wonder which Instagram fi lter would Ta four-hour drive from Kathmandu. Gaining popularity among best enhance the picture of the delicious dessert you Gyan Valley denizens, the Gyan Farm in Hetauda is the ideal vacation just ate? Do you like to be out in nature, but can’t bring spot for those who love outdoor activities. There are lots of cycling yourself to compromise your own comfort? If your Farm, trails around the farm and for those who prefer water sports, there answers are yes, then the Kasara Resort is the place is tubing on the nearby Rapti River. If you are not really the active for you. Hetauda type, but prefer just to lounge around, Gyan also has a natural This luxury resort, located in the lush setting of spring-fed swimming pool and hot tub. The farm uses fresh organic the Chitwan National Park, is both minimalistic and produce from its garden for all of its meals, service is excellent and modern, off ering guests a relaxing, mosquito-free, stay the staff super-friendly. You read about it fi rst here. in the jungle. Every section of this property is so well- www.gyanfarm.com designed and the scenery so spectacular that it would (01)5521120 be selfi sh not to share your pictures on social media. Once you are done with social media uploads, you can join jungle activities to explore this exotic locale. he Famous Farmhouse in Nuwakot is a fabulous stopover on your For those who value their privacy and prefer a more Tway from Kathmandu to Pokhara. It has converted some of its old secluded stay, Kasara off ers two private villas with (oh- buildings into family friendly lodging and is home to many animals la-la) private pools. including white rabbits, a turkey (get there before Thanksgiving), a Famous We heard on Twitter that the last king stayed here rescued donkey, ducks, sheep and dogs. The lodges, each fi lled with Farmhouse, recently. You may even bump into ex-royalty at Kasara. antique furniture, are surrounded by beautiful gardens. There are also a number of cozy, small hotels on the main road in Bidur town. Nuwakot Dasain packages start at Rs 8,000++ per Spend a night or two here to recharge and detoxify, and move on to person on double occupancy. Packages Pokhara. Follow the Trisuli River to Galchhi on the Prithvi Highway, include one night accommodation, all meals, stop at River Side Springs Resort or Brigand’s Bend across the river and a selection of wildlife activities. for lunch. www.kasararesort.com, Robin Marston [email protected] (01)4437571/4438570 www.ruralheritage.com, (01)4422617
EVENTS Farmers’ market, The biggest gathering of local producers in the Valley selling organic produce, dairy Pink rally, products, artisanal bread and pastries A walkathon to raise awareness on breast and home-made goodies. cancer and breast self-examination. 8am to 1pm, Le Sherpa, Lajimpat, 10 October, 7am, Walk starts from Patan every Saturday, (01)4006587, 9802028777 Darbar Square and ends at Ideal Model School, facebook.com/rosefoundationnepal, 9841467697 Hemp exhibit, A wide range of hemp products on display. Art market, 9 and 10 October, 11am to 9pm, As a prelude to Photo Kathmandu, the Patan Museum, Lalitpur, 9841430679 fi rst ever photography festival happening Trans-Himalayan, in November in Nepal, this month’s Chinese artist Zhao Jianqiu’s ink wash paintings on Nepal and China celebrate Wholeness, art market is dedicated to the art of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Artist Puran Khadka whose work is a photography. With live music by Kanta Opens 11 October, 6pm, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, (01)4218048, 4433930, meditative abstraction full of spiritual Dab Dab. [email protected] awakening exhibits his paintings. 3 October, 12 to 4pm, The Yellow House, Till 30 October, Park Gallery, Pulchok, Sanepa, Lalitpur, [email protected] (01)5522307, [email protected] The Pump, Help rebuild, Test your fi tness level in a variety of A special fund-raising print sale to competitions at Nepal’s fi rst cross- contribute towards the rebuilding of Nepal Cup training facility and win attractive prizes. heritage sites in Patan by Kathmandu 3 October, 2pm onwards, Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) 2015, A charity football tournament Gyanmandala building, Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur www.photoktm.com/#support to raise funds to rebuild quake- Home Sick Blues II, Retelling history, Quake photobook, aff ected schools in Nepal and promote the country as a tourist The second edition of the exhibit Lecture by NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati, Nepal425 launches a crowd-sourcing attraction. features more works from Danish artists co-founder of Nepal Picture Library and drive for printing a coff ee table book 2 to 4 October, Dasarath Stadium, Anders Brinch, Christian Finne, Jon founder of photo.circle. Organised by featuring 700 pictures of the earthquake. Tripureshwor, Stahn and Melou Vanggard. Cultural Studies Group of Nepal. All proceeds from the sales will go to [email protected], Opens 9 October, 5pm, Tings Tea Lounge, 9 October, 9.30am, Moksh, Jhamsikhel, quake-aff ected. www.nepalcup2015.com Lajimpat, Free entry Lalitpur, entry Rs 400 (non-members). www.nepal425.com 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 9
imalayan Height Resort (formerly Hattiban Resort), 20km Hsouth and 800m above Kathmandu Valley, is the place to be this Dasain for a retreat amidst pine forests and spectacular views. You can have a foretaste of this serene place if you start Himalayan walking from the main Pharping Highway which may be a bit steep if you take the shortcut but quite pleasant if you follow Height Resort, the gravel road. The hotel is nestled in the middle of a wide lush ridge with Hattiban bungalows laid out in a row – all facing north for a view of Kathmandu below and the mountains beyond. Each bungalow has a small and intimate terrace. The rooms are wide, varying in space to welcome couples as well as families with children. Wifi and/or sauna for those so inclined. The dining building is situated near the entrance of the compound, the food is not something to write home about but, hey, you came here for the view – including Mt Everest on a clear day. You can also hike up to Champadevi (2249m) for an even better panorama of the Himalaya.
Packages start at Rs 4,000++ and include one night’s accommodation and breakfast. (01)-4371537, 9801151167
Milla Guest urja Khani in Myagdi, House, Galso known as the Hidden Village, is home to 250 farming Gurja Bhaktapur households. This Dalit village is a week-long trek from Khani, Kathmandu and off ers splendid views of the Dhaulagiri range. Myagdi he three-story refurbished Milla Guesthouse in The more adventurous can TBhaktapur is one of Bhaktapur’s (and the Valley’s) choose to forego an easier trail best kept secrets. The same architect who designed the and tread on a challenging Patan Museum and the Garden of Dreams in Thamel circuitous route, which involves crossing a 3900m high pass. (Gotz Hagmuller) also remodeled this place. With its For those hikers who fi nd steep passes and deep canyons low wooden ceilings, brick walls and terracotta tile unappealing, there are horseback riding trips up to the fl oors, Milla has preserved the Malla period ambience honey-hunting cliff s. but with solar panels, fast wifi and a small kitchen. The Himalayan Map House recently published a map of As a guest, you will enjoy plenty of privacy. The Chhuksang, urrounded by spectacular views of the Gurja Himal and the Hidden Village with a detailed trail guest house only has two spacious rooms, each with SDhaulagiri and Nilgiri, with the Kali guide that includes photos and additional information about its own bathroom. There is a top fl oor dining room Mustang Gandaki river running right through it, the surrounding area which would be of great help to anyone (which also doubles as a living-room) with a kitchen travellers have used Jomsom as a base planning a trip there this October. and open terrace. Here you can relax on the deck to acclimatise before moving on to chairs and take in the views of the southern hills of Kagbeni or Muktinath. But if you want the Valley. an even bigger challenge, go beyond Kagbeni to Chhuksang. his mountain lodge, Laxman and Sanu, the friendly Nepali couple Getting to Chhuksang is an adventure on its own. While you can hire Tsituated 1,000 feet who look after the guesthouse, make your stay private jeeps to take you there from Jomsom, it is better, and cheaper, Tiger above the Pokhara Valley, truly memorable AND make you feel right at home. to go in local cars. On the way to Chhuksang, you drive through the river, Mountain off ers spectacular views Elaborate, western-style breakfast in the morning sets climb steep roads and often change vehicles more than once. But once of Machhapuchchre, you in the right frame of mind to explore post-quake you have caught the fi rst glimpse of Chhuksang’s majestic cliff s, you forget Lodge, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Bhaktapur. all about the uncomfortable journey. For those who decide to hike from Manaslu. This month the The impeccable service is what makes the $70 per Jomsom to Chhuksang, the trek takes around 3-4 hours altogether. Pokhara lodge became the fi rst hotel night well worth it. Located right beside the massive Kali Gandaki river, and surrounded in Nepal invited to join Toh Ee Ming by the dry, rugged terrain that Upper Mustang is famous for, Chhuksang Secret Retreats, a group of is highly underrated. A small village with a tight-knit community, it gives individual, small, unique hotels throughout Asia. Prices start at Rs 7,000++ per night. visitors a taste of what the rest of the region is like. Although it is not [email protected] littered with hotels and lodges like Jomsom or Kagbeni, Chhuksang has a www.tigermountainpokhara.com, 9851024137/9851027012 small selection of clean and cozy guest houses. (01)4426427, 9849194874
DINING MUSIC GETAWAYS
Ankit Tiwari Live, 100-day package, Popular Bollywood singer comes to town Soaltee Crowne Plaza in collaboration for the fi rst time. with Nepal Airlines has launched Hannah’s 3 October, 3 to 8pm, Jawalakhel Football attractive casino packages for Indian Grounds, Lalitpur, Tickets Rs 500/Rs 1,500/ tourists. Packages start at Rs 19,000++ and Cafe, Rs 3,000 includes accomodation, return air fare, A low-key cafe serving buff et meals, sight-seeing trips. excellent breakfast. The Latination, Tahachal, Kathmandu, (01)4273999, Dhobhighat, Lalitpur India’s reputed Latin jazz outfi t brings you www.crowneplaza.com festive sounds from salsa and rumba to modern jazz, and Afro-Latin rhythms. Bodhi Books and Bakes, 9 October, 7.30pm, Alliance Francaise, Teku Road, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Festive Shangri-La, This newly opened cafe off ers a rich Three days, two nights in a deluxe room, (01)4241163 collection of cakes and pastries and complimentary breakfast and one free good books. Gharana Music Festival meal, lots of discounts on other services. Maharajgunj, 9851193262 Rs 6999 nett per person on twin sharing A one-of-a-kind international classical basis, till 31 October, Shangri~La Village music festival organised by the Gharana Resort, Pokhara, (01)4420252, (01)412999, Music Foundation (see page 13). [email protected] 5.30 to 8.30 pm, 8 to 11October, Taza, Hotel Yak and Yeti, Darbarmarg,
An excellent Middle-Eastern restaurant www.gharanamusicfoundation.org Relax at Hyatt, serving succulent kebabs and shawarmas. Enjoy a one-night stay at the fi ve-star Pulchowk, (01)5541592, 9860960177 for only Rs 9,999++. Package includes a complimentary breakfast for two, Coffee, cake and wine, spa access. (Only for Nepalis and local A monthly event by kar.ma coff ee, on off er residents) are coff ee, wines, cheese and pastries. Boudha, (01)4491234, 3 October, 2pm to 7pm, Gyanmandala, [email protected], Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur kathmandu.regency.hyatt.com Big Daddy, Maan nam, Jazzmandu, Dasain at Rupakot, A zippy new place that serves mostly Enjoy a nice cuppa coff ee in the lush The 13th edition of Kathmandu Jazz Packages start from Rs 6,000++ . burgers and steaks. garden or try out your golfi ng skills. festival. Rupakot, Kaski, (01)4004687, Thamel, near Himalayan Java. Naxal 4 to 10 November, www.jazzmandu.org [email protected] 10
NEPAL IN INK AND BRUSH A Chinese artist’s creative journey across the Himalaya
JUSTIN ZHAO
epal has been an irresistible fascination to me with its Njuxtaposition of different Asian races in this small yet diverse Himalayan country. I watch the majestic peaks each time the plane flies over the mountains that separate Nepal and China. This past January, I decided to invite my parents over for a visit. My father, Zhao Jianqiu, is a famous artist in Chinese ink wash painting and very fond of depicting natural landscapes and folk architecture. I was nervous but sure that he would find Nepal interesting. The first morning we had breakfast at a rooftop restaurant in Thamel from where PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE we could see the geographic outline of the Kathmandu Valley. The fog was thick special festival. reaching Basantapur, my father immediately different from the common oil paintings and mountains invisible, but my father My parents' first encounter with the set up his tools to paint the rather obscure that I saw in Thamel every day, and I was was intrigued by the varied forms of low city was during a walk from Thamel to Kotilingeswor Mahadev Temple next to glad to have brought my father to Nepal. My concrete buildings in the city. He was Basantapur through Jyatha, the same Taleju. He must have been experimenting father was impressed by Patan Darbar and amused by the flocks of crows, which are route I took on my first day in Kathmandu. with the new subject matter and therefore Pashupatinath, and complained incessantly inauspicious birds in China. I explained The bustling market and crowded alleys did not choose the more grandiose temples. that he didn’t have time to find the best that although they are also associated with reminded my parents of their youth in The Chinese brush-strokes and ink angle from which to paint. Bungamati death in Nepal, people revere them during a the Dongting Lake region of China. Upon wash created an image that was completely residents were intrigued when he moved “AN ENCHANTING Noted Chinese artist Zhao Jianqiu spoke to Nepali Times about his forthcoming exhibitions in Kathmandu and Beijing.
Nepali Times: Why did you choose Nepal for your art? Zhao Jianqiu: Nepal is an enchanting country. My initial curiosity and longing for new inspiration led me to explore Nepal, and immediately I was overwhelmed by the grandiose and exquisite classical architecture, as well as the spectacular natural scenery of Nepal. So I was determined to paint what I saw. 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 11
NUWAKOT DURBAR
the location of the stupas on his canvas for pieces in their honour. My parents left a a better composition, and he entertained week before the earthquake struck. villagers in Panauti as he bantered with the Shocked by the news of damage to women knitting on straw mattresses. the places he had visited, my father We travelled to Kakani, where my worked furiously in his studio to finish parents had a glimpse of the Himalayan the panoramas of Pashupatinath and the Range before heading down to Nuwakot Darbars of Basantapur, Patan and Bhaktapur. Darbar. We stayed at the idyllic Famous He also refined a new approach to draw the Farm inn where we enjoyed superb Himals and created monumental works of hospitality and delicious organic food. The the mountains and human residences. His views were clear enough to observe both Nepal works have won the appreciation of the golden sunset over Ganesh Himal and art critics in both Nepal and China, and will ARNIKO HIGHWAY the dreamy morning mist shrouding the be exhibited in October and November in Trisuli valley. Kathmandu and Beijing. In Pokhara, Machapuchre welcomed us every morning and we walked from hilltop Justin Zhao is with the Beijing Centre for to hilltop looking for the the best view. Chinese Studies, and visits Nepal frequently. My father was enthralled by the ingenuity TRANS-HIMALAYAN ART and playful designs of the village houses, he exhibition ‘Celebrating the sparingly -- sienna highlights the and he lovingly drew the stone-slab adobe ZHAO JIANQIU Trans-Himalayan Bond: An terracotta composition created by the houses shadowed under the snowy peaks, Celebrating the Trans-Himalayan Bond: An Exhibition of Chinese Brush roofs, red accentuates the fabric that and included our jeep in the painting as an exhibition of Chinese Brush Paintings on T Paintings on Nepal and China’ by Zhao hangs directly below the temple roof homage to its contribution. Nepal and China Jianqui marks the 60th anniversary of and yellow marks the brass spires and My parents returned to Nepal in April, October 11-18 Sino-Nepal diplomatic relations. The domes of revered monuments. Emphasis and my father rode rickshaws everyday Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu historic ties between China and Nepal is laid on only a few members of a crowd between Thamel and Basantapur painting go back to the 4th century when monks gathered at the courtyard – a delicate non-stop from dawn to dusk. He became November 8-20 like Faxian (337- 422) and Xuanzang wash of translucent color highlights their friends with the palace guards and National Museum of China, Beijing (602-664) made their way to Nepal, and vestments. Motorcyclists, blue plastic rickshaw drivers, and later painted two recorded their travels. water tanks and an obscure garden Later, there were matrimonial umbrella are treated similarly. alliances between the royal families of Zhao’s ‘Village near Pokhara’ provides Nepal and Tibet and Princess Bhrikuti a lead into larger panoramic paintings feel welcome and at home. The fantastic helped spread Buddhism. Skilled of the Himalayas. The painting is an COUNTRY” architecture of the Kathmandu Valley Nepali craftsmen journeyed to Tibet to idyllic celebration of the rural as the embodies the core of the Nepali people’s construct monasteries and share metal artist portrays a small cluster of village Does your Chinese technique work for these wisdom and creativity. I feel extremely casting and pauba painting skills. The homes, literally in the lap of the towering paintings? privileged to have seen this great heritage Nepali artisan Arniko left an indelible Himalaya. The vegetation and hay stacks The secret of Chinese ink wash painting’s in its totality before the damage of the mark in Beijing with his White Stupa. illustrated by the artist are a sharp longevity lies in its absorptive spirit, and earthquake. Though Nepal’s current So, when Zhao Jianqui came to contrast to the barren mountains in the learning from other art is the key to creativity. economic development is facing challenges, Kathmandu he saw the architectural distance. Zhao’s monumental landscape I take inspiration from Nepal’s architecture and her rich natural resources and unspoiled antecedents of the monuments and painting of the Himalaya shows craggy scenery and realise new forms and expression ecology are Nepal’s strength and true shrines of Tibet and China here. The snowcapped mountains shrouded in for my art. The exhibited paintings are treasure. The rich and intricate texture, echoes of history are found in his ink mist. experimental works and I welcome criticism lines, and forms in Nepal’s architecture and and brush depictions of Kathmandu and This exhibition also includes Zhao’s from Nepali artists and audiences. folk houses are a gold-mine for Chinese the Himalayan landscape. The paintings exquisite paintings of the diverse brush paintings. The ink wash painting style have a Chinese character, but the subject Chinese landscape and folk architecture, As an artist what impressed you the most can deliver the delicate charm of old bricks, matter is Nepali. from the southern lakes to northern about Nepal? walls, wood and tiles. The bright natural Intricate brushstrokes on Chinese hills. The juxtaposition of Zhao’s Nepal The Gods favour the Nepali people and confer colors and formidable mountain peaks allow rice paper capture the urban vibrancy and China paintings are a celebration in visitors a sense of security. The incomparable an adaptation of Western oil painting style of Kathmandu and the vast vistas of canvas of the historical and cultural ties hospitality of the Nepali people makes me in traditional Chinese ink wash painting. the Himalaya. Earth tones dominates between the two neighbours. the artist’s palette and colour is used Sangita Thapa 12 HIGHWAY TO DHAMPUS HAPPENINGS
s the first independent increasingly frustrated with but the audience never finds out feature-length Hollywood Elizabeth’s diva behaviour much more than that. We are not GOPEN RAI Afilm to be shot almost whereas a subtle bond develops aware of her past and of how she I QUIT: Ex-Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai quit the UCPN(M) party on Saturday and travelled to Janakpur to address a Madhesi rally this week. entirely in Nepal, and with two between Ajit and Laxmi. As the became a fodder for the paparazzi. Nepalis playing central characters, plot unravels, circumstances Similarly, not much is known of anticipation around Highway to change, and relationships evolve. Colt apart from the fact that he’s a Dhampus had been building up Compared to the slow start, the war photojournalist. in Nepal and in the diaspora for second half of the film carries Using the spectacular months before its release. more emotional depth and explores Annapurnas as a backdrop Directed by Rick McFarland, the theme of love and loss. Since for the film, McFarland makes the film’s setting plays a pivotal most of the film is in flashback, optimum use of the location role in the storyline. Elizabeth audiences can anticipate what is with his cinematography. The James (Rachel Hurd-Wood), a rich, coming but they can never fully stunning aerial shots of Pokhara spoilt socialite, arrives in Nepal for predict it. and Dhampus, together with charity work and photojournalist Both Hurd-Wood and Wright Sam Cardon’s moving original Colt Morgan (Gunner Wright) is give strong performances as the music, can make overseas Nepalis sent along to document her stay snobbish, British socialite and the homesick. Highway to Dhampus to erase her notorious reputation seasoned photojournalist. Koirala is is a must-see, and apart from a back home in England. effortless, and has a smooth screen few inconsistencies, authentically They make their way to an presence. Rana gives a nuanced portrays the hardships of Nepalis orphanage in Ghandruk with performance as the headmistress, without romanticising it. GOPEN RAI Ajit (Raj Ballav Koirala), who although her delivery could have Ayesha Shakya SIMMERING ANGER: Students stage a protest in front of the Indian Embassy at becomes their personal pilot done with some improvement. Lainchaur against the border blockade by India on Monday. and guide for the remainder of For Nepali audiences, hearing the Highway to Dhampus is showing at the trip. In Ghandruk, they meet actors converse in Nepali is a joy. QFX Cinemas and FCube Cinemas the orphanage’s headmistress Despite the excellent in Kathmandu. Laxmi (Suesha Rana) who helps performances, the characterisation coordinate the gift distribution to is weak. Elizabeth is known nepalitimes.com her students. throughout the film as the spoilt Trailer Egos clash as Colt becomes socialite, and she acts the part,
GOPEN RAI LONG WAIT: Motorists wait in line at the the Nepal Army fuel station Bhadrakali in Kathmandu on Wednesday, five days after the Indian border was sealed.
RSS NOT OVER: Dr Govinda KC called off his seventh hunger strike for medical reform on Tuesday citing the country’s present dire situation.
SOALTEE CROWNE PLAZA DIVA DELIGHT: Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat at the launch of Casino Mahjong at Soaltee Crowne Plaza with General Manager Upaul Majumdar on Saturday. 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 13 Western classical comes to town
four-day international said. What helps make the also feature local artists like tabala music festival in Gharana festival so unique is player Rabin Lal Shrestha and AKathmandu next week that in addition to world class didgeridoo player Salil Subedi. aims to promote western performances there will be free While the workshops are open classical music appreciation music workshops open to the to the general public, spaces are and education in Nepal and will Nepali public. The performers limited. Linden hopes to make feature performances from world- themselves will lead the this an annual music event in renowned musicians. workshops which will be attended Nepal. As he said: “We want to The festival is organised by the music and art community see Kathmandu become a music by the non-profit Gharana of Kathmandu. destination and a city where the Music Foundation which was “It is the first time an arts can flourish”. established earlier this year by international classical festival Dan Linden, an American classical is being presented in such a Gharana Music Festival guitarist and music teacher based concentrated way with this 8-11 October in Kathmandu. level of artistry and with unique Yak & Yeti Hotel Nepal has a vibrant music educational opportunities for Tickets: Rs 500 scene that has strong Indian students interested in the genre,” (Rs 250 for students) classical elements and traditional Linden explained. Available at: (Patan and Nepali folk, and Kathmandu has Some of the festival’s key Baluwatar), Himalayan Java become hub for jazz and blues acts include a solo performance (Thamel), Mandala festivals. Gharana hopes to bring by well-known New York-based Book Point (Jamal), classical Western music into the cellist, Laura Metcalf, as well as The Old House (Durbar Marg) mix. performances from acclaimed Le Sherpa (Lajimpat) “Our main aim is not to guitarists Rupert Boyd, Ana Maria Pre-register for workshops: entertain but to educate,” Linden Rosado and Paul Cesarczyk. It will [email protected]
also fresh and juicy and the red onion complemented the tuna perfectly. The salad was crisp and crunchy and the beetroots and goat cheese went very well together. All of the baked goods at Kairos are fresh, made in-house every day. So naturally, we couldn’t leave without splitting a scone or a muffin. We opted Kairos for a scone that came with a choice of either strawberry or blackberry jam and a side of fresh cream and cost only Rs 200. Aside from the Café OPEN FROM coffee, this was definitely 7 AM TO the best part of the meal. ucked away in Jawalakhel, agree that it is often difficult worth it. 5 PM The scone was light and Kairos Café is a quaint, to find iced coffee that not The menu offers fluffy, baked to perfection, Tcolourful restaurant with only quenches your thirst but traditional British pub food, and the jam (we opted for a great coffee selection and a is also flavourful, full-bodied like fish and chips (Rs 600) and blackberry) added some zest to mix of American and British and aromatic. You can call of bangers and mash (Rs 400) as the pastry dish. cuisine. While the inside of the your search. Kairos’ iced coffee well as a varied selection of With its friendly staff, café is considerably smaller is the perfect pick me up. You salads and sandwiches. Opting excellent coffee and tranquil than the outside patio, it has a don’t even need to add any for a lighter lunch, we settled atmosphere, Kairos Café is a long L-shaped couch and several milk or sugar. We were told by for an order of the tuna salad great place to relax and recharge. comfy armchairs lined with soft someone at the café that the sandwich (Rs 300 for a 6-inch Madeline Zutt cushions, providing the perfect secret is in steeping the grounded sub and Rs 450 for a 12-inch) place to read, study, work or coffee beans in cold water for a and the beetroot and goat cheese How to get there: From the simply lounge around. prolonged period of time. This salad (Rs 450). Both dishes were Jawalakhel roundabout, go west On a hot day, we were process gets rid of the acidity exquisite. Oftentimes, tuna salad towards the Zoo. When the road eager to visit Kairos Café for and leaves you with a naturally is either too dry or dripping in comes to a ‘T’ make a right and a sandwich and a tall glass of sweet, smooth, refreshing cup mayonnaise but, thankfully, this go about 10 meters. Kairo’s Café their famous cold brew coffee. of iced coffee, which at Rs 250, sandwich was somewhere in is the third house on the left with Iced coffee aficionados may may seem pricey but is definitely the middle. The tomatoes were a big yellow sign.
PICS: MADELINE ZUTT 14 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 Love can wait? Hi all, they both put in the effort. someone who is not willing to get me, I cannot invest anymore think your boyfriend is wrong Relationships are a big jumble However, relationships are not engaged. Honestly, I personally time in this relationship. Am I in saying that he is happy just of compromises, struggles, always that simple. Sometimes, do not care about getting married being selfish ? Shouldn’t he want the way things are and does not confusion, uncertainty, growth situations or people change, but my family does, and I would to marry me if he loves me? How see the rush in getting married. and most importantly love priorities change and this in turn like to make them happy. He can we stay together without But, the problem here is that and happiness. No two people changes a relationship. Unless thinks we can be happy just eventually getting married? you two are on different pages in the world have the exact two people continue to share the way we are and claims that SWR and want different things out of same definition of a happy passion, intimacy and a level of the relationship. It is important relationship. There are couples commitment to one another, it AR: Honestly, I do not think to discuss this and see how you who meet and fall in love within is not easy to maintain a happy there is a right or wrong answer both can reach a compromise – months and get married, and relationship. to your question about what irrespective of how your society manage to live happily ever is more or less acceptable in may perceive you, are you happy Send me your questions to: Nepali society. If you are both without being engaged to him? [email protected] or mature adults who have been Is he willing to get engaged and @AnjyRajy in a serious relationship for married to you, even if it is not three years and you both want his own priority? Hi Anjana, different things, it is clear that It is hard to say that a I am a 30- year-old professional you need to sit down and have relationship is going somewhere, ASK ANJANA woman who has been in a a serious conversation to voice when the two parties involved ANYTHING serious relationship with a 35- your concerns to each other. want it to go two different Anjana Rajbhandary year-old man for the past three Your desire to get engaged directions and it looks like that years. My boyfriend is currently is not selfish, but getting is what is happening here. Talk in his final year of getting his engaged just to satisfy the to him and see who is willing to after. Then, there are those who Masters and I am very proud of society is constantly changing, societal pressures you may be compromise a little for the sake of have known each other for years, him. We both love each other but I disagree and think that our experiencing may not be the the other, otherwise it will not go get married, only to find out but after being together for society in Nepal still expects us best reason, despite the strength anywhere. Good luck. they can no longer stand each three years, I want some sort of to get married if we both have of these pressures in Nepal. If other. If two people truly love promise that this relationship is been in a committed relationship you want to get engaged and get each other and want to make leading somewhere. He doesn’t for this long. I am still with him married, you should be able to be a relationship work, I would think this is important. We also hoping that we will eventually get honest with your partner about nepalitimes.com like to believe that they can live in a culture where, I am married because if he does not why you want to get married. Love > Distance, #764 Accepting yourself, #750 always make it work provided constantly scrutinised for dating have the intention of marrying At the same time, I do not 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 NATION 15 citizenship holders from becoming President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Speakers of both houses, Head of Provincial Government, Chief Minister, Speaker of Provincial Council and Chiefs of security agencies. But the Madhesi parties say this is a discriminatory provision and naturalised citizenship holders TUFAN NEUPANE should have equal rights. Madhesi parties say people in the Tarai share kinship and fter the constitution cultural ties with Indians, and was promulgated on this constitutional provision is a A20 September, the discrimination against those who Madhesi parties agitating for settle in the Tarai after marrying amended provisions in the new Madhesi men or women. But constitution changed their tactic Madhesi leaders of national of demonstrations and shutdowns parties believe that allowing and started blocking the border naturalised citizenship holders with India. the right to assume important One week later, as Nepal posts would be detrimental to the reels under a shortage of fuel long-term interests of the Madhesi and other essential commodities people. the top three parties, which “Reversing this constitutional pushed through the constitution, BIKRAM RAI provision would mean that those have formed a three-member Madhesis who were born in the committee to negotiate with the Tarai will have to compete with disgruntled Madhesi parties and Indians married to our sons talks are expected to begin in a and daughters to become Chief couple of days. Tarai talks Minister of the Madhes province,” But what are the major explains Jaisawal of the UCPN(M). demands put forth by the “And this provision does not Madhesi parties? They are not Madhesi leaders of national parties say some of the demands of stop our children from becoming different from the seven points plains-based groups are genuine and can easily be addressed Nepal’s President even if we are that India reportedly pressed married to Indians.” Nepal to address. Madhesi parties want no more The Madhesi parties want the in all state organs. The new deliberately omitted to exclude three parties are ready to address than two provinces in the Tarai. five disputed Tarai districts to be constitution has partially already-excluded communities. it. The new constitution has created in two plains provinces, rights for incorporated them. In its “Madhesi parties have “Proportional representation just two plains provinces. But naturalised citizenship holders preamble, the new constitution misinterpreted it to spread the lie and demarcation of constituencies Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa in the to assume important posts like states that an equal society that 45 per cent of government in proportion to population were east and Kailali and Kanchanpur President and Prime Minister, shall be created on ‘the basis jobs will no longer be reserved our demands, too,” he says. “We in the far-west have been put proportional representation in of principles of proportional for them,” says Mahendra Yadav, signed the constitution only after in the hill provinces. Madhesi all state organs and demarcation representation’. In Article 285, a Nepali Congress (NC) member our respective parties promised parties want these five districts of electoral constituencies in it again states that principles of the parliament. “This is not a to address these demands by to be in the plains provinces. But proportion to population. of proportional representation big issue, and it can be resolved amending the constitution.” not all Madhesis support this Are these demands genuine, shall be adopted to appoint civil through an amendment.” All Madhesi leaders of the demand. and are they too difficult for the servants. UML’s MP Satrughan Mahato top three parties believe that UML’s MP Shital Jha says: “I government to address? Madhesi But the word ‘proportional’ says the top three parties are addressing these two genuine am fighting for a Mithila state, leaders belonging to the top three is missing in the fundamental ready to include this word even demands will ease tension in but I do not have reservations parties say two of these demands right to social justice. The new in the fundamental rights. “It the Tarai. Mahato of the UML about how provinces have been are genuine and can be easily constitution merely talks about can be addressed in the next says: “People in the Madhes are demarcated in the Tarai. What if addressed. But they say the other principles of inclusion in state parliamentary session,” he says. angry because the state quickly we insert Sunsari, Morang and two, if addressed, will hurt the organs. The Madhesi parties are UCPN (M)’s MP Surendra responded to protests in the hills, Jhapa in the Madhes province, long-term interests of Nepalis. suspicious that the top three Prasad Jaishawal says the demand but did not wake up even after so and people from these districts Nepal’s 2007 Interim parties are trying to wriggle out of for demarcation of election many deaths in the Tarai.” rise up against it? We should Constitution adopted principles the earlier provision. They believe constituencies in proportion to Article 289 of the new listen to what a majority of people of proportional representation that the word ‘proportional’ was population is genuine and the top constitution bars naturalised living there want.” 16 NATION 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 Before it’s too late Southern Nepal is in the middle of a humanitarian crisis, we need to act soon
PURU SHAH Many young Nepalis in the Pahad and Madhes feel a sense of alienation. Many wonder what has befallen upon us that we have become so deeply he country, its capital and the media have polarised that reconciliation seems to be a challenge. been largely silent about the humanitarian The provincial demarcation was all gerrymandering. Tcrisis in the Tarai and the human rights The number of federal states have oscillated between violations. Most of the victims are children, 14, 11, 6, and then 7 which shows that political journalists, and ordinary Nepali civilians who have agreements can change to accommodate grievances. nothing significant to gain from the constitution or Sooner or later, political squabbles will be solved, federalism. They simply want to live with dignity with or without India’s mediation. We know this from in a safe environment, earn a living and feed their history. But innocent lives cannot be brought back, families. Millions of Nepalis in the Tarai who have and communal tensions need to be healed. no say have been caught up in this political unrest. When the earthquakes struck in April, Nepal was As the protests turned violent, millions of united. People in the Tarai collected food and brought ordinary Madhesis have locked themselves inside relief to the hills. Today, the Tarai is in the midst their homes for more than a month now. They are a humanitarian crisis, yet the rest of the country not even safe in their homes as police often enter appears indifferent towards the people there. How while chasing fleeing protesters. The blockage of the can one part of the country celebrate while the other border is now making life even more difficult. is mourning for its dead? Most Nepalis of the Tarai have no interest in This constitution is historic because it was participating in any of the protests with the Madhesi formulated through a democratic process by members Morcha, or to attack the police. Please do not let the elected by the people. It has also institutionalised violent methods of a few thousand overshadow the federalism and the republic, which are big millions of peaceful Nepalis who are suffering. There achievements. Yet, it has still not guaranteed gender was an acute shortage of basic food and fuel even equality for women and citizenship for their children. before, now it is worse. The unrest in the Tarai has People in the Tarai and elsewhere have also been become mere statistics, but there is a human side to cheated on the basis of citizenship, proportional the story and it affects half of Nepal’s population. representation, number of constituencies, cultural, Millions of children in the Tarai have been and linguistic freedom. We should fix these unable to attend schools and several have died deficiencies. in protests. Children have been victims of police brutality, and many are psychologically traumatised. My three-year-old nephew is terrified of the police. Army trucks patrol the streets, pointing guns at whoever dares to poke their heads out of doors. In response to a few greedy political leaders, we have the response of a rogue state. The headlines are all about clashes between protesters and police, but this is a much bigger disaster. The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal will most likely Kathmandu investigate these deaths and send reports to the government. But how is that going to bring back the dead? Birganj We have to end the blame game between the Janakpur Madhesi Morcha and Kathmandu. Who started it Irrespective of the constitution and the federalism doesn’t matter anymore, what matters is that it needs model, most Nepalis will still have to fend for INSULTINSULT to stop. When innocent children and civilians are themselves, like they always have. The survivors of killed by police inside their homes, or a mob lynches the earthquake are still waiting for help that never policemen things have gone too far, and we need to came, but somehow they have tried to make do. SANTA GAHA MAGAR speak out. The Madhesi people also know that they cannot in MAHOTTARI “Every abusive word, The state and most of the Kathmandu-based depend on the government for jobs, education, media have only criticised the violence against the healthcare or basic services. Most of us will gain every bullet and every police while the brutality against civilians continues little from the new constitution or the federalism atya Rupa Singh, a 36-year- death added fuel to unchecked. A majority of Nepalis are still indifferent, structure. All we want is to live with dignity, but old primary school teacher and this needs to change to save Nepali citizens in for the past month we have faced oppression, death, in the town of Jaleswor near the fire.” the south from a full-fledged humanitarian crisis. S fear and humiliation. Even moderate and indifferent the Indian border, initially did not We know there are extremists on both sides. Madhesis are resentful. It is still not too late to heal care about protests spearheaded People face discrimination in the Madhes and in the and unite. by Madhesi parties in the Tarai. Pahad. It is time to move beyond those differences Their shutdown had made life and other essential commodities and build a better and united Nepal. Except for difficult for weeks. The police into Nepal. a few, most Nepalis are tolerant and want to live Puru Shah is the founder of had been firing at protesters, but “We endured 40 days of in harmony. When a policeman was lynched in Madhesi Youth. she wasn’t ready to go out and blockade, but the state did not Jaleswor two weeks ago, a Madhesi Nepali saved www.madhesiyouth.com join the demonstrations against care about our life,” she says. “Let another policeman’s life by helping him escape from @digitalsubway the constitution. Kathmandu now feel the same the mob. But on 10 September, she pain.” saw the security forces firing What started as a street indiscriminately at protesters movement of the Madhesi Front, near her home, killing 15-year-old an alliance of four Madhesi Ramu Singh and four others. That parties, has now become a is what outraged Singh and she Third Madhes Movement in less decided to join the street protests. than a decade. In January 2007, Two days later, three more were Upendra Yadav, who is now killed in police firing. a key leader of the Front, was “That was just too much, the arrested for burning the Interim police must stop killing us,” she Constitution in Kathmandu. His said. However, Singh, like many arrest set off protests across the others in these plains districts plains and Prime Minister Girija bordering India still doesn’t Prasad Koirala agreed to include know what are the demands put federalism and autonomy for a up by Madhesi parties. She is Madhes province in the Interim just against the violence, and is Constitution. furious that the state has insulted A year later, Yadav and her people. other Madhesi leaders launched In the last three weeks, Singh another movement and agreed has not missed a single day of to participate in the first protest, even travelling 10km Constituent Assembly (CA) away from Jaleswor to take part in elections only after getting a deal a sit-in to block the import of fuel on proportional representation BIKRAM RAI 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 NATION 17 Fighting our own battles Madhesis may be culturally close to Indians, but they are Nepalis first
JIVESH JHA
ew Delhi has demonstrated through strong-arm tactics its dissatisfaction over the provisions of the new constitution, Nand a section of Madhesi society has supported this cross- border solidarity. The disgruntled Madhesi parties appear upbeat over the southern neighbour’s intervention on their behalf. Ashok Rai of the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal even went as far as to say last week that India’s pressure tactics on Nepal through a blockade was “welcome”. However, in its pursuit of appeasing the Madhes, the southern neighbour has probably miscalculated. There are many here in India who think that New Delhi will now face an uphill task to regain the trust of a majority of Nepalis. Indeed, the move has squandered all the bilateral goodwill that had been built by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his visit to Kathmandu last year. Even if it is a policy of ‘divide and rule’, it is hard to see how a communally unstable Nepal would be in India’s national interest. To be sure, the Madhesis have time and again had to prove their Nepali credentials and loyalty to the Nepali state. So ingrained is the racism, that it has bred resentment in the Madhes, and this erupted when what was seen as a discriminatory constitution was promulgated. Now, the task of proving our ‘Nepalihood’ will be that much more difficult thanks to Indian intervention, supposedly on our behalf. Yes, we Madhesis share a cultural affinity to the north Indian plains. However, this doesn’t mean Madhesis are beholden to India — neither Kathmandu nor New Delhi seem to have understood that. Madhesis may be regarded culturally as being close to India, but we are Nepalis through and through. A Madhesi Nepali in India, Qatar or Malaysia is regarded as a Nepali first. There are some provisions in the new constitution which have posed a serious concern for plains dwellers. Article 283 says only ANDAND INJURYINJURY ‘citizens by descent’ shall be entitled to hold senior state posts. BIKRAM RAI
for marginalised communities in “We were afraid we might not says. “Every derogatory word by a state organs. Now, there is a third be able to contain the situation government official, every bullet uprising in progress. Madhesi if thousands of protesters fired by police, and the death of leaders say this time they will resorted to vandalism,” says every Madhesi protester adds fuel not back off unless the new Parajuli. Violent clashes erupted to the fire.” constitution gives legitimacy to and three people were killed Madhesi protesters, who have what was agreed upon in the past. in Janakpur as the situation blocked border points with sit- However, the parties leading spiralled out of control. ins during the days and sleeping
this struggle did not initially The Madhesi parties appear on no man’s land at night, have GOPEN RAI have the organisational structure united for now, but there are welcomed India’s blockade. necessary for a sustained groups with varying interests. However, the seven-point of Across the Madhes, many have traditionally married across the movement. They knew this, and For example, the people here amendment, which New Delhi border. Women born in India and married to a Nepali national will even announced that their future have already secured a Madhes reportedly pushed Kathmandu to not have the same rights as people who are Nepalis ‘by descent’. provincial government would province, but are divided over accept, does not find resonance This is discriminatory and violates the Convention on the give Rs 5 million to families which Tarai city should be with every Madhesi leader. Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of each Madhesi person killed declared the provincial capital. “I don’t understand why there (CEDAW) of which Nepal is a signatory. But this is a political issue by state security. Even so, the Some Madhesi leaders want is so much fuss about citizenship,” that needs to be settled by Nepalis themselves. But by lending its Madhesi people, most of whom the trade centre of Birganj, while says Lalbabu Raut, Vice Chair voice and imposing a blockade, New Delhi has undermined the had voted for candidates of others are pushing for Janakpur, of Federal Socialist Forum and Madhesi cause and its own long-term interest. national parties like the NC and the heart of the ancient Mithila a member of the parliament. Those for the provision in the constitution had argued that it the UML did not come out into kingdom. Madhesi groups were “Except for a few Madhesi leaders, was necessary to prevent Indian men, by the millions, marrying the streets. competing with each other to be the Madhesi people are satisfied Nepalis to acquire citizenship, and by coming out so aggressively After eight policemen were more radical, and to suffer more with citizenship provisions.” India has bolstered that argument. It will now be doubly difficult lynched in Kailali by Tharu fatalities to bolster their cause for Raut says proportional for Nepalis to attain gender justice in our constitution. protesters on 24 August, police the location of the capital. representation of Madhesi in It is time for the silent majority of Madhesis to speak out started using excessive force in Whatever the reason for the all state organs, demarcation of against outside interference, to speak up in Nepal’s national response as the protests spread to escalating violence, the loss of constituencies in proportion to interest and against the parties, leaders and various funded NGO the eastern plains. That is when every Madhesi life added fuel population and wider boundaries activists who purport to represent the Madhesi cause. people like Satya Rupa Singh to the fire, radicalising even the of plains provinces are the key The Madhesi people are proud Nepalis, they shouldn’t be and others joined the protests. As moderates. demands. “This is what we are asked to prove it everywhere they go. And they also don’t need the police used more force, the Lalan Dwibedi became Chief fighting for, the other demands are unsolicited ‘help’ from outside for their cause. violence escalated. of Thakur Ram Multiple Campus minor” he adds. When Madhesi parties in Birganj with the backing of the Interestingly, after the Madhesi organised protesters from NC, but is outraged by the heavy- parties changed their tactics and surrounding areas to overrun hand of the state and a lack of started sit-ins at the border no one Janakpur, an emergency meeting respect from Kathmandu for has been killed in protests. But of government officials led the people of the plains. “How the ordinary people across the Jivesh Jha is a law student by Dhanusa CDO Kali Prasad can they call us dhotis? We are Tarai are suffering, and they want in Dehradun, India Parajuli got police prepared to all Nepalis, and we are now Kathmandu to take steps to end counter it. fighting a battle of dignity,” he their hardship. 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778
On vest: Madhesi Morcha Rabindra Manandhar in Kantipur, 28 September Rabin Sayami in Nagarik, 29 September BLOCKADE ARCADE
Five principles of peaceful coexistence Yuwak in Nagarik, 27 September Pure coalition 1 Kakarbita border 2 Biratnagar border 3 Raxaul border 4 Bhairahawa border 5 Rupaidiha border Rajesh KC in Setopati, 30 September Batsayan in Kantipur, 28 September
‘Blockade’ Holding him so he doesn’t accidentally kneel. Basu Kshitiz in Annapurna Post, 29 September
Book: Constitution Left: Diplomatic Right: Relations Yuwak in Nagarik, 27 September Dewen in Nagarik, 28 September 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 19
PAST PRESENT FUTURE international community. This wasn’t expected of a friend and Delhi’s next moves neighbour who had been part of the peace process since the 12- DIWAKAR CHETTRI point agreement. Delhi also made other diplomatic mis-steps after Editorial in Kantipur, 1 October that. The decision to send a special envoy at the last moment to try to stop the constitution was especially impractical. Nepal’s leaders couldn’t have stopped it even if they wanted to. Then, to take revenge The Nepali nation and Nepalis did not oppose Indian policies for for not heeding its advice, India blockaded the border. This one step no reason. If India is really worried about this, it should analyse to make Nepal kneel suddenly unleashed an anti-Indian wave in the root causes that led to the situation and address them because the country. India had earlier tried to change the way it projected this is not a problem that Nepal created. It was complicated by itself in Nepal with behind-the-scene diplomacy. With just one Nepal’s politicians bruising Indian diplomatic egos. To resolve this speech to the Nepal parliament, Indian Prime Minister Narendra crisis, India would be well advised to take a hands-off approach. Modi had changed the perception of India in Nepal. India can now Certainly, the Madhesi and Tharu communities were dissatisfied normalise bilateral relations by correcting the mistakes made by its with their unmet demands. But the three parties had publicly diplomats, lifting the blockade and persuading agitated parties to committed themselves to address them through amendments. join the government in decisive talks. India needs to understand the It would also have been appropriate for India to welcome the diplomatic, political and economic damage that it will cause itself by new democratic and legitimate constitution like the rest of the forcing Nepal to seek help elsewhere. 8 international laws violated
Naya Patrika, 29 September allows all land-locked countries with India to access the sea via unhindered access to the sea. Indian territory, which has been 3. WTO laws violated. Experts of international relations More than 165 countries, 6. Asian Highway Agreement say the blockade has violated including Nepal and India, are Asian countries, including at least eight international laws members of the World Trade Nepal and India, have signed and conventions, and this is Organisation, and they are an agreement to connect their tantamount to aggression. entitled to the right to trade with highways for regional trade. 1. The Vienna Convention each other. 7. SAFTA agreement The UN passed the Convention 4. Transit Treaty South Asian countries have on Transit and Trade of Land- In 1989, India imposed an official adopted the concept of South locked States in 1965, allowing economic blockade against Nepal Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) to land-locked nations like Nepal to when a transit treaty between promote trade and business with import goods from other countries these two countries expired. The each other. SAFTA law does not without any hindrance. treaty is still in force but India has allow any country to block other 2. Law of the Seas imposed an undeclared blockade country’s goods. UN Convention on the Law of against Nepal. 8. Members of ASEAN SAARC, and the Seas 1973, to which both 5. Bilateral Trade Treaty BIMSTEC which guarantee free Nepal and India are signatories, Nepal has signed a trade treaty trade among its member countries.
The land of the brave
pahilopost.com, 29 September Nepal. Instead his employees have been badgering Nepal to amend different articles in Nepal’s new constitution. On 3 August 2014, Indian Prime Minister’s Isn’t this an insult to Nepal’s “We cannot bear to see our Nepali sovereignty? It’s not that Modi is unaware brothers go to bed on an empty stomach” that Nepal is a sovereign nation. While speech drew thunderous applause in the addressing the CA last year he had said: Constituent Assembly (CA) in Kathmandu. “It is not India’s job to interfere in Nepal’s Fast-forward to 2015, India has business. We need to help you move imposed an unofficial economic blockade forward in the direction you want to head against Nepal, cutting off supplies of towards. Nepal is a sovereign country essential commodities. With the fuel crisis and we want it to be renowned in the deepening, people have had a hard time world. That is our wish.” commuting and there is even a shortage of Will Nepal kneel before India’s medical supplies. But the same Modi who demands? Modi himself answered the a year ago expressed his solidarity with question: “If a Gorkhali says he is not Nepalis, is touring the USA and has not afraid to die, it is the truth. This is the spoken a single word on the situation in land of the brave.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK As a Madhesi Nepali I support the Madhes “ “Movement, but I oppose the Indian blockade. On Twitter: Manish Jha @manishjhanepal 20 BACK SIDE 2 - 8 OCTOBER 2015 #778 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com
OK, you say, but that still leaves us with the water crisis. We can do without oil, but kind of difficult to flush the toilet without water. Which is why the government (Quote) Blockade (Unquote) is working on a cunning plan to get Lujendra Ojha who discovered water on Mars, to try to find water in Kathmandu as well. Better hurry before Aaj Tak says don’t know if I can make you any more cheerful up with the astounding recent discovery that there Ojha was born in #India. about the state of the nation than you already is no No Man’s Land anymore, border pillars have And speaking of Indian tv, Nepal’s Ministry of I are this week. But let me give it a try: Nepal may been found to move by up to 50m in the course of Disinformation and Miscommunication is worried about depend on India for fossil fuels, but thank goodness one night. Nowhere else on the planet is continental the cable operators blockading Indian channels and is we are completely self-reliant in the production of drift happening at such a high velocity as here. And planning to transmit North Korean teleserials for Nepalis beer. way out there at the tri-junction of Nepal, India and to watch over the holidays so we can forget our woes. As you all know we have been hoisted on our China on Lipu Lekh the tectonic plates have moved so The government is also weighing its options to own petard by the Indians with an alleged, unofficial, dramatically that a whole chunk of Nepali territory, dig a motorable tunnel under the Indo-Nepal Line of undeclared, purported, unannounced, so-called, unbeknownst to Kathmandu, was thrust over to the Control at Bhairawa, Birganj, Biratnagar and Nepalganj supposed, informal, (quote) blockade (unquote). Border suffer one of their bouts of irritable bowel Indian side. in order to bring in essential perishables like bananas, Since Prime Minister Jhusil Da is not on email, he syndrome. The Nepal grovelment response to the unofficial pineapples and pomegranates into the country. We was sent a telegram by his Indian counterpart this None of this is new, of course. We have to blockhead so far has been half-hearted and have to have our poms. week which read: ‘SO YOU PASSED A CONSTITUTION remember that India has been acting pushy for the incomplete. If we are serious about tackling this crisis As already announced by the Minister of Industry, COMMA NOTED COMMA OIL STOP COMMA GAS past 70 million years, ever since it broke off with head-on there are five immediate measures we can Nepal will “soon” be exporting STOP’. Gondwanaland, shed Madagascar and Mauritius along undertake on an urgent warlike footing: petroleum to India. That is why Scientists have long known that there is a direct the way as it sailed across an ocean that bears its name, Do absolutely nothing. Yes, that’s right, let the getting the Indians to build correlation between Himalayan geo-tectonics and and rammed into Eurasia. Which is why Nepal finds blockade continue into the unforeseeable future so the Amlekhganj pipeline was a geo-politics. The April Earthquake and the September itself squeezed between India and China, a fact that our as to reduce our widening trade deficit with India. In masterstroke: we will actually be Blockade have the same geological genesis, both founding grandfather Kingman Prithvi Narayan the Great the past week of the blockade Nepal has saved Rs 50 sending crude the other way as soon were caused by India pushing into Nepal. This plate recognised 250 years ago when he coined the famous billion in imports. According to FinMin Mahat, if we as we fast-track exploration permits expansionism is linked to the convection of magma phrase: “Let’s face it: Nepal has its nuts in a vice.” can keep this up for the rest of the 2015-16 fiscal cycle, along blocks in the Tarai and strike deep below the earth’s mantle and there is absolutely Seismologists have used geo-location sensors along Nepal will have a balance of payments surplus with its oil by Sunday. nothing we can do about it when folks South of the the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) in the Tarai to come southern neighbour. Yay! The Ass
CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/066/67